69# ANNUAL H E G I S T E K, 1804. 



rafter and the interests of his siibje(5ls. 

 The Italian republic, administered 

 and governed by the same principles 

 as France, requires, like that pow- 

 er, a definitive organization, which 

 shall insure to the present genera- 

 tion, and to future generations, all 

 the advantages of the social pa6t. 

 United to this republic by the du- 

 ties imposed on him, both as presi- 

 dent and as founder of that state, 

 the" emperor will reply to the confi- 

 dence it testifies toMards him, and 

 insure its destinies and its indepen- 

 dence, by serving the interests of 

 the French people, to whom also it 

 owes4ts existence, and by concili- 

 ating the interests of these two 

 friendly nations with the well-un- 

 derstood interests of the neighbour- 

 ing powers. By the changes called 

 for by the will of a nation and by the 

 interest of all, absurd calumnies 

 ■will fall to the ground, and France, 

 ■who has herself ereded barriers 

 where she had fixed her limits, will 

 110 longer be accused of a wish to 

 overleap them.— Helvetia, enjoys in 

 peace the benefits of her constitu- 

 tion, of the wisdom of her citizens, 

 and of our alliance. — Batavia still 

 groans under an olygarchical go- 

 Ternment, without union in its views, 

 without patriotism and without vi- 

 gour. Its colonics have been a sc- 

 cpnd time sold and delivered up to 

 England, without firing a gun ; but 

 this nation possesses energy, morals, 

 and economy ; it wants only a firm, 

 patriotic; and enlightened govern- 

 ment. The liing of Prussia has 



shown himself, upon every occasion, 

 the friend of France, and theemperor 

 has profited of every one which has 

 presented itself, to consolidate this 

 lii'ppy harmony. — The ele6tors and 

 , a.11 the members of the Germanic 



body faithfully maintain the rela- 

 tions of benevolence and friendship 

 which unite it to France. —Denmark 

 follows the counsels of a Avise, mo- 

 derate, and judicious policy. — The 

 spirit of Catherine the great will 

 Avatch over the councils of Alexan- 

 der I. he will recol!c6l that the 

 friendship of France is a necessary 

 counterpoise for him in the balance 

 of Europe, that, placed at a dis- 

 tance from her, he can neither pre- 

 serve nor disturb her repose, and- 

 that his great interest is to find in 

 his relations Avith her, a necessary 

 vent for the productions of his em- 

 pire — Turkey is wavering in her 

 politics ; she follows, through foar, 

 a system Avhich her interest disa- 

 vows. May she never learn, at the 

 expence of her own existence, that 

 fear and irresolution accelerate the 

 fall of empires, a thousand times 

 more fatal than the dangers and 



losses of an unfortunate war. 



Wliatever may be the movements of 

 England, the destinies of France 

 are fixed : strong in her union, strong 

 in her riches and in the courage of 

 her defenders, she will faitlifully 

 cultivate the alliance of her friends, 

 and will not aft so as either to de- 

 serve enciiiies nor fear them. When 

 lOngland shall be convinced of the 

 impotence of her efi'orts to agitate 

 the continent; when she shall knoAV 

 that she has oidy to lose in a war 

 without end or motives; when she 

 shall be convinced that France will 

 never accept any other conditions 

 than those of Amiens, and will 

 never consent to leave to her the 

 right of breaking treaties at plea- 

 sure, by appropriating Malta, — 

 England will then have arrived at 

 pacific sentiments. Hatred and en- 

 vy have but their day. 



Decree 



