STATE PAPERS. 
THE French republic, while it 
has sworn hatred to tyrants, has 
, Sworn fraternity to nations. 
_ This principle, sanétioned by the 
constitution of the republic, is as 
much a principle of the army. 
The despotism which for so long a 
time has held Lombardy under its 
yoke, has been the cause of great 
calamities to France; but the 
French know that the cause of 
kings is not the cause of the people. 
The viétorious army of a mo- 
narch are insolent, and spread ter- 
ror among the nations where ‘they 
carry their victories; but a repub- 
lican army, though forced to carry 
on a deadly war against the kings 
with whom it contends, promises 
friendship to the people whom its 
victories deliver from tyranny. 
Respect for the persons and pro- 
perty, and respect for the religion 
of the people, are the sentiments 
which’ aétuate the government of 
the French republic, and their vic- 
torious army in Italy. Of this the 
good order which they have ob- 
served from the first moment of 
their entry into Lombardy, is no 
unequivocal proof. 
If the viétorious French consi- 
der the inhabitants of Lombardy 
‘as brethren, the latter ought to 
entertain a reciprocity of affection. 
The army must pursue its victories, 
and driye entirely out of Italy that 
despotism which has held Lom- 
bardy in chains. ‘The indepen- 
dence of this country, and its good 
fortune, depend upon the success 
of the French enterprizes. Lom- 
bardy then ought to second them 
by all the means in its power. To 
assure the march of the troops 
provisions are necessary, which 
they cannot receive from France, 
{239 
from which they are separated 5 
they ought to find then these in 
Lombardy, where they are making 
their conquests. The rights of war 
give them security for obtaining 
them, and friendship ought to be 
eager to offer them. 
Twenty millions of French money 
are imposed as a contribution for 
this purpése ; the division will be 
made among the different pro- 
vinces of Austrian Lombardy. The 
terms of payment, which admit of 
the least possible delay, will be 
fixed by particular instruétions. It 
is certainly a moderate contribu- 
tion for so fertile a country, parti- 
cularly when we reflect upon the 
advantages which must result from 
it. The division might have been 
settled by agents of the French go- 
vernment, and this. mode would 
certainly have been reasonable ; 
but the French republic, not wishes 
ing to reserve to itself this right, 
has left it to the local authorities, 
and to the assembly of the state. 
It only points out to you, as the 
basis upon which you ought to levy 
this contribution, that it ought to 
be proportionably divided among 
those provinces which formerly 
paid imposts to the tyrant of Aus- 
tria, and that it ought to fall upon 
the rich and the. ecclesiastical bo- 
dies, who too long thought theme 
selves privileged, and withstood all 
taxation ; do not oppress the poorer 
class. If some requisitions be 
made in kind, the general in chief, 
and the commissary of the govern- 
ment, declare, that there shall be 
no surcharge upon the contribu- 
tion. They will afterwards settle 
the price of the articles required, 
which they will pay to the venders 
with the produce of the contrt- 
bution 
