MONTHLY REGISTER, FOR MAY 1793. FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE. FRANC E. PARIS, APRIL 12. NATIONAL CONVENTION. THE PERMANENT SITTING.. THE Executive Council announced, that the decree for the removal of the Bourbon Family to Marfeilles, had been complied with, except in the cafe of the prisoners in the Temple, and Madame Bourbon d'Orleans, who, being fick, remained at her own house. It was moved, that Philip Egalité (Orleans) fhould be inftantly tried by the Criminal Tribunal of Marfeilles, and that a price fhould be offered for the head of each of the fugitive Capets-Decreed. Marat was next accused. The debate was noify and tumultuous almeft beyond defcription. Marat was denounced as an inftigator to maffacre. He on the other hand fpoke loudly of his patriotifm, of his republican fpirit, of his love for the people. He even hinted that he would foon convince the Convention that the people were alfo attached to him. The Convention decreed, "That Marat fhould be inftantly put under arreft. That the Legislative Com'mittee fhould make a report at noon the next day, on the conduct of that Member." The following Addrefs of the Jacobins of Paris to the affiliated Societies in the Departments, figned by Marat, as Prefident, occafioned the decree of accufation which was paffed againft him by the Convention: "Friends,-We are betrayed-to arms-Dumourier, united with the criminal faction, who have fupported him, is marching against Paris. Your greateft 3 D enemies are in the Senate. The coun ter-revolution is in the Government and the Convention. There exifts that facrilegious cabal directed by foreign Courts. Let us rife-Let us exterminate all the confpirators. Let the departments, diftricts, municipalities, and all popular focieties unite and agree to fend in a fhower of petitions, manifefting a formal with for the expulfion of all those unfaithful members who betrayed their truft, and who did not vote for the death of a tyrant. Such delegates are traitors, royalifts, or fools. By acting with them, your liberty will be ruined, but by their fpeedy expulfion, your country will be faved. Unite then to demand a decree of accufation against these perfidious Reprefentatives! The focus of the confpiracy is there. Be fully perfuaded of this truth, that Paris without you cannot fave the Republic. The Marfeilloise are already on their legs-to arms-hurry to Paris-no delay-no deliberation,-elle your country is loft. MARAT." 13. A letter was read from Marat without date or place, declaring, that he confidered his arrest as null, whilft Sales, Barbaroux, &c. continued unpunifhed for their crimes in having been complicated with Dumourier. He faid he was facrificed to the Ariftocratic faction-He avowed that he belonged to the people, whose eye he was-that as he did not with either to have his throat cut, or to be poisoned in prifon by his secret enemies, he was going to fhelter himself from their fury, but he would ftill unmask them to their country. A fcene of the utmoft tumult now followed-"He threatens to excite the people to infurrection" was exclaimed from every fide of the Hall. Stingel, Stingel, Miranda, Miazinski, and L'Ecuyer, were delivered over to the Revolutionary Tribunal. Petion moved a repeal of the decree for bringing General Miranda before the Revolutionary Tribunal. During the difcuffion of this motion, the Deputies were thrown into great commotion, and Albite, Roberspierre the younger, and fome others cried out, that the Convention wifhed to fave all confpirators. This was loudly applauded by the galleries, and fome of the fpectators even infulted the members who fupported Petion's motion. Vengeance being loudly called for from all quarters of the Convention a gainst this infult offered in the National Representation, a new tumult arofe, and the Prefident ordered one of the ferjeants to turn out all the citizens who were denounced on this account. After a long and violent debate, the Convention paffed to the order of the day, on the motion of Petion. On a motion by Danton, the Convention declared, in the name of the French people, that they would not interfere, in any manner, in the government of foreign Powers; but that they would rather bury themselves in the ruins of their country, than fuffer any foreign Power to interfere with the Conftitution which they wish to form for themselves. The Convention further decreed the pain of death, against any who fhould propofe a negociation with the enemy, for the purpofe of modelling the Conftitution agreeable to their fuggeftions, or recommend offering any terms whatever to fuch nations as would not firft ac: knowledge the fovereignty, unity, and indivifibility of the Republic, founded upon Liberty and Equality. Cambon propofed, that Monge should be removed from his place as the Minif. ter of Marine, and that Dalbaret fhould he appointed to fucceed him. Decreed unanimoully. The Convention decreed, "That provocation to the re-eftablishment of Royalty is another counter-revolutionary crime; and that those found guilty of it fhall fuffer death. 2. That the fame punishment fhall be inflicted on every individual who fhall vary the price of merchandise, becaufe fold in affignats. 3. The exportation of gold or filver from the territory of France, befides the punishment now ordered by law, fhall be further punished by a fine, of not less than 2000 livres. 4. Every person who fhall refuse to take affignats in payment, fhall be forced to it, and be fubject to a fine to the amount of double the fum refused." 16. The following letters were read, fent to the Convention by the Commiffaries in the army: Letter from Prince Cobourg, Commander in Chief of the Imperial Armies. "Head-Quarters, Bouffu, April 9. "GENTLEMEN, "I did not look upon General Du mourier as a traitor; he talked of nothing when he was with us but of the happiness of his country; he refted his undertaking upon this refpectable bafis; it is upon this ground I entered into conversation with him, and upon this ground you ought to judge him.-You differ in opinion with him, this is his only crime. "His principles recalled him to that Conftitution which was once your idol; he faw in it the happiness of France, and the peace of Europe; for these principles he does not deferve to be delivered up to ignominy, and to the death of a traitor. He had never any private intelligence with us, and we fought in fuch a manner to prove that we were no friends. In tending to deliver up his country; he your proclamation you accufe him of innever deviated from his firft folemn declaration, and that of the other Generals they should never fuffer any Foreign at our approach towards France, that Power to interfere with the interior organization of your Government, or that any part of France fhould be alienated. "As to the four Commiffioners from the Convention, their fate is in your hands. I appeal for all thefe objects, and for the violent tyrannical and furious refolutions of fome of the Members of your Affembly to those Members who really have the love of their country at heart. May they find means to make the convulfions ceafe, which tear France to pieces, and shake to its foundation the reft of Europe; this is my wifh as well as yours. (Signed) "PRINCE COBOURG." Letter from Citizens Dubois, Dubais, and Briez, reprefentatives of the French people at Valenciennes, April 10. 1793, to General Prince de Saxe Cobourg, Commander in Chief of the Imperial armies. $ the fame duties to fulfil, the fame pow. ers, delegated from the National Reprefentation of the Republic. "General, we agree with you, that to differ in opinions is no crime; for a crime, according to the Law, is attach ed only to actions; and it is only for actions which are criminal and traitorous in the eyes of all nations, and even in yours, that Dumourier has rendered himfelf infamous and a traitor; whilft he might have covered himself with glory in ufefully ferving his country, and in dying in its defence, if neceffary. "It was certainly a great crime to pretend to oppofe his own will to that of the nation, and to propose to them any Government whatever. The will of a General of an army, in oppofition to legal authorities, even if good, can be nothing but a violation of all principles, and a great crime againft National Sovereignty. But what did General Dumourier with for? The fame that our moft inveterate enemies now with for, viz. to feduce our troops, to direct them against their country, to give us a new tyrant, and to league themselves with our enemies, in order to accomplish thefe defigns. What more could Dumourier have done? Had guilty La Fayette, whom he himself condemned to infamy, done any thing else? Has he not himfelf fworn fidelity to the Republic, and for this oath obtained the confidence of the French? You, General, reap the advantages of his perfidy, but you do not pardon him for the fame. The Conftitution, which, you fay, was once our idol, fell into ruin by the endeavours of thofe even who wish for it now, and did not wish for it at that time. The nation had made a trial, and in the experiment they were difgufted with it for ever. The nation, and they had a right to do fo, infifted upon a Republican Government, and fwore to fupport it, or to bury themfelves in its ruins. "We know of no divifion amongst the Members of the Convention. That Affembly is one and indivifible. We know of no other Members amongst them but what are guided by love for their country. If there are fometimes difputes, if their fittings are fometimes tempeftuous, no perfon has a right to interfere. We always agree in the main object of general intereft, and we are all determined to live and to die Republi .cans. loyalty of our enemies. Their fate gives us no uneafinefs. Befides, we had already prepared to answer your Address to the French of the 9th inftant; we fend it to you, and beg you to read it with attention; you will find in it true principles upon which nations ought to conduct themselves towards one another." Cuftine fent a letter, complaining of his being denounced by Marat. He allo' fent a hoe to the Convention, to prove how the nation was impofed upon by the contractors and other agents. He afked for faddles and bridles; he faid that he could not refift the enemies without thofe neceffary articles. He complained, that he could not have the of ficers he required, and that he did not know the abilities of those that were fent him. 17. Bertrand entered into a differtation on the Rights of Man, and proposed a new declaration. Salles faid, that the Convention fhould confine themfelves, to the declaration of rights, drawn up in 1789, by the Conftituent Affembly. Ifnard fupported this propofition, and added, that it was of the utmost importance that the difcuffion of abstract prin ciples fhould be abridged, in order that the government might be organized as foon as poffible. Ducos faid, that the difcuffion ought not to be checked, and that the declaration of 1789 fhould not be taken for the grounds of it, as it was not free from errors. He obferved, that it was an error to fuppofe that a divifion of powers is a condition neceffary to liberty, though this might be true in regard to the feparation of the Legislative from the Judicial Power. Barrere was alfo against adopting the declaration of 1789. He moved that the declaration drawn up by the Committee, after a careful revifion of that of 1789, and in which the errors of the latter had been avoided, fhould have the preference. This propofition was adopted, and the Convention, after a fhort debate, decreed the first article of the declaration of the Rights of Man, in the following words: "The natural Rights of man, in fociety are liberty, fafety, property, the focial guarantee, and resistance to oppreffion." 18. A letter from the Commiffioners "Our four Colleagues are under the at Valenciennes was read. It ftated, fafeguard of the fovereign juftice and that Condé was ftill blockaded, that 3 D 2 the the enemy had fummoned the town of Maubeuge, the garrison of which was refolved to defend it; and that an action had taken place in which the enemy were repulfed. 19. The difcuffion on the declaration of rights being refumed, the following articles were decreed: Art. II. Equality confifts in this, that every one may enjoy his rights. III. The law ought to be equal to all, whether it rewards or punishes; whether it protects or repreffes. IV. All citizens are admiffible to all places, employments, and public func tions. Free people know no other motives of preference in their choice than talents and virtues. V.Liberty confifls in doing every thing that does not hurt another. It refts upon this maxim," Do not to another what would not with done to yourself." you VI. Every man is free to manifeft his thoughts and opinions. VII. The liberty of the prefs, and every other means of publishing one's thoughts, cannot be interdicted, fufpended, or limited. The Committee propofed an VIIIth article to declare every man free in the exercife of his religious worship.] On this article Vergniaud called for the previous queftion, as it ranked among the focial duties an object entirely foreign to it. Danton fupported this motion, and faid, let us at length prove to the world that we are cured of the mania of priefts. This obfervation was applauded, and the difcuffion of the article was adjourned. IX. Safety confifts in the protection granted by the fociety to each citizen for the prefervation of perfons, property, and rights. X. No one can be profecuted, accufed, arrefted, or detained, but in the cafes determined by the law and according to the forms it prefcribes. Every citizen profecuted or feized by authority of the law, muft immediately obey; by refiftance he renders himself criminal. XI. Every act exercifed against a man contrary to the terms prescribed by the law, is arbitrary and null, and he againft whom it is exercised has a right to repel force by force. XII. Those who may iffue, publish, or fign,execute,or caufe to be executed, fuch arbitrary acts, are criminal, and ought to be punished. XIII. Every man being prefumed to be innocent until he has been declared guilty; if it be declared indifpenfibly neceffary to arreft him, all rigour not requifite to fecure his perfon ought to be feverely repreffed by law. XIV. No one ought to be punished but in virtue of an established law, promulgated previous to the crime, and legally applied; the law which should punish crimes committed before its ex. iftence, would be an arbitrary act. XV. The retroactive effect given to a law would be a crime. XVI. The law ought not to decree punishments but what are strictly and evidently neceffary. Punishment ought to be proportioned to crimes, and useful to fociety. XVII. The right of property confifts in this, that every man is mafter to difpofe, according to his own will, of his property, capital, revenues, and induftry. XVIII. No kind of labour, commerce, or agriculture can be forbidden to him; he may manufacture, fell, and transport every kind of production. XIX. Every man may engage his fervices and his time, but he cannot fell himself: his perfon is not alienable property. 20. Letter from the Commiffioners fent to the Army of General Cuftine. "Head Quarters General, Weiffembourg, April 15. "CITIZENS, OUR COLLEAGUES, Cuftine's army is encamped near this town, in a very advantageous pofition. Yeflerday we viewed the camp. The whole troops were under arms, and each regiment, and each battalion renewed before us the oath, that they would conquer or die for liberty, and they unanimously fhouted out, Long live the Re public! Long live the Convention! Hatred to Tyrants! The troops are in fight of the enemy, and burn with defire of engaging them. We shall vifit,' this evening, the advanced guard, commanded by the brave Houchard. The com munication with Landau is still free.That city is in the moft formidable statë of defence, and provided with provifion of every fort for a long time. "We have received a letter from our colleagues at Mentz: they have caused all the cattle of the neighbouring villages to be driven into that place. They were unwilling to retire from it, in order that they may have a fhare in its defence, and they have fworn they will perifh rather than furrender. "General * General Hohenlohe has denied, by the Primary Affemblies for private dea letter addreffed to us, the maffacre of bates and futile reafons." This meathe 4th battalion des Volges. They are fure," added he," will be fubverfive of prifoners, but the rights of war have the integrity of the Convention and not been violated in regard to them. the National Representation. I move Several denunciations were here made the order of the day on the petition." to the Convention. Fronfrede faid, that at the corners of the streets the people were invited by beat of drum to fign in their fections à petition of fome Parisians against 22 deputies. The Commune of Paris, faid Dupfret, has juft declared itself in a ftate of infurrection against the Convention. The municipality, faid Louvet, have organifed a Committee to enter into a correfpondence with the 44,000 municipalities of the Republic. The Council-General of the Commune, faid another, declared yesterday, that they would confider themfelves as infulted, if the Prefident of a patriotic fociety fhould be attacked for his opi nion. Their denunciations gave rife to feveral motions, fome demanding that a difcuffion fhould be opened on the petition of Paris; and others, that the act of accufation against Marat should be prefented. The Convention decreed that the petition fhould be firft difcuffed, and that a copy of the accufation againft Marat fhould then be presented. After a violent commotion, Genfonnet faid, "I am accused of ambition, I who caused a decree to be paffed, that depu ties cannot hold any office till fix years after their being members of the Legiflature.-I in my turn accufe my acculers of having filled every office with their relations, friends, or confidents.-Imove that Commiffioners be appointed to verify this fact."Decreed. Genfonnet resumed his fpeech, but was interrupted by fome Members, who demanded, that his correfpondence with Dumourier fhould be printed. "I will produce it, faid Genfonnet; and in a little time I will do more than confound my calumniators. I will attack them in front. I previously declare, that I am the accufer of Roberf pierre. One of us two deferves to lofe his bead." Genfonnet then recurred to the petition, and after fome obfervations on its political confequences, concluded, by moving, with Lafource, that the Primary Affemblies fhould be convoked. Launay oppofed the convocation of After a long debate, the Convention declared the petition figned by 35 fec-tions, and adopted by the Council General of the Commune of Paris, to be calumnious, and ordered copies of this decree to be tranfmitted to the departments. The decree of accufation drawn up by the Committee of Legislation against Marat were adopted. 22. The difcuffion of the declaration of rights being affumed, the following articles were adopted. Article XX. None can be deprived of the leaft portion of his property without his confent, unless public neceffity, le gally evinced, fhould evidently require it, and upon condition of a just and previous indemnity. Article XXI. was decreed in the following terms: "No contribution can be established, except for general utility and public exigencies. All citizens have a right to concur, either in perfon or by reprefentatives, at the establishment of contributions. After fome debates Charlier proposed an addition to this Article XXI. This motion was fupported by Ducos, and adopted in the following terms: Contributions thall be collected according to the abilities, and properties, whether acquiredby hardship orinduftry." XXII. Inftruction is neceffary for every body, and fociety owes it to all members. XXIII. Public fupplies are a facred debt of fociety, and it belongs to the law to determine their extent and application. XXIV. Social guaranty is the obligation of fecuring the rights of all, for the prefervation of the rights of every one. It is grounded upon national fovereignty. A letter from General Biron was read, in which he announced that the army under his command was highly incenfed at the treachery of Dumourier. General Dampierre, in a letter dated Valenciennes, April 21. informed the Convention, that the number of the French troops who had gone over to the enemy did not exceed fix or feven hundred. On |