210] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1800. 



it is not certain, however, whether 

 the discomfiture of general Melas is 

 not in some measure to be ascribed 

 to a design, which appears to have 

 been entertainedby the English mi- 

 nistry, of raising the white flag in 

 the south of France under the sons 

 of the count d'Artois and of the late 

 duke of Orleans. — His movements 

 on the side of Nice have been sup- 

 posed by some to have had a refer- 

 ence to that intended expedition. 

 We have not, however, received 

 any certain information on this 

 subject. 



In estimating the merits of the 

 opposite commanders, it is proper, 

 in justice to general Melas, to take 

 notice of the singular advantage 

 which the French generals possessed 

 in the concert of their operations. 

 The Austrian generals were to be 

 guided, in all their principal move- 

 ments, by a council of war at 

 Vienna: while Buonaparte could 

 take his measures on the spot, 

 and accommodate the tactics of 

 both Moreauand Berthier to rising 

 events. 



It would be unpardonable in an 

 annalist to pass over, without due 

 notice and applause, the wise and 

 magnanimous conduct of the chief 

 consul, in being ever ready, and 

 even desirous, in the hour of the 

 greatest victories, to suspend the 

 career of war, and come to terms 

 of peace. 



While his imperial majesty was 

 in danger of losing his territories, 

 his tremendous adversary', Buona- 

 parte, was in danger of losing his 

 life. On the twenty-fourth of De- 

 cember, when he was on his way to 

 the theatre, asudden explosion broke 

 the windows of his carriage, killed 

 several persons,and wounded others. 

 This mischief was occasioned by a 

 barrel, in which were combustibles 

 and a kind of rifle-gun, placed on 

 a small carriage, so disposed as tO' 

 obstruct the passage through the 

 streets. This infernal conspiracy 

 was clearly traced to the jacobins. 

 Some of the conspirators were con- 

 victed, and suffered the punishment 

 due to their crimes. 



I 



