STATE PAPERS. 



659 



head. He will not lay down his 

 arms till he has obtained full and en- 

 tire satisfaction, and complete secu- 

 rity, as well for his o«n dominions 

 as those of his allies. 



Speech of the Emperor Napoleon, 

 to the French iSenate. September 

 23, 1805. 



Under tlie existing circumstances 

 of Europe, 1 feel it an urgent duty 

 to appear among you, and to make 

 you fully acquainted with my senti- 

 ments. — 1 am just leaving my capi- 

 tal, in order to place myself at the 

 head of the army, to carry speedy 

 succours to my allies, and to protect 

 the dearest interests of my people. — 

 The wishes of the eternal enemies 

 of the continent are accomplished : 

 war has commenced in the midst of 

 Germany ; Austria and Russia have 

 united with England ; and our ge- 

 neration is again involved in all the 

 calamities of war. But a very few 

 days ago I still cherished a hope that 

 peace would not be disturbed, 

 Tiireats and outrages only shewed 

 that they could make no impression 

 upon me ; but the Austrians have 

 passed the Inn ; Munich is invaded ; 

 the elector of Bavaria is driven from 

 his capital ; all my hopes are there- 

 fore vanished. — buch is the moment 

 that has unveiled the mischievous 

 machinations of the enemies of the 

 continent. They are still alarmed at 

 the manifestations I have made of my 

 deep and determined desire for peace. 

 They are apprehensive that Austria, 

 at the aspect of the gulph they had 

 prepared to swallow her, might 

 listen anew to the dictates of justice 

 and moderation ; they have hurried 

 her into a war. 1 tremble at the 

 idea of the blood that must bo spilt 

 in Europe ; but the French name 

 will emerge with renovated and in- 



creased lustre. — Senators, when, at 

 your desire, at the call of the whole 

 of the French people, I placed upon 

 my head the imperial crown, 1 re- 

 ceived from you, from every citizen, 

 the solemn promise to maintain its 

 honour pure and unsullied. My 

 people have on every occasion af- 

 forded me proofs of their confidence 

 and affection ; they will Uy to the 

 banners of their emperor, and of his 

 army, who, in a few days, will have 

 passed over the frontiers. — Magis- 

 trates, soldiers, citizens, all are re- 

 solved to rescue the country from 

 the influence of England, who, if 

 she prevailed, would grant us only 

 a peace marked with ignominj' and 

 shame; and of which the principal 

 conditions would be to burn our 

 fleets, to shut up our ports, and to 



extinguish our industry. What 



promises 1 have made to the French 

 people, I have fulfdled. The French 

 people, on their part, have entered 

 into no engagement with me which 

 they have not more than performed. 

 At a moment so important for their 

 glory and for mine, they will persist 

 in asserting the name of the great 

 people, a name with which I greet- 

 ed them in the midst of the fields of 

 death and of glory. — Frenchmen, 

 your emperor will discharge his du- 

 ty ; my soldiers will do theirs ; you 

 will also discharge yours. 



Proclamation of the Emperor Najw- 

 leon to the French army. Dated 

 Strafbitrgh, Sept. 29, 1805. 



Soldiers, — The war of the third 

 coalition has begun. The Austrian 

 army has passed the Inn, vio- 

 lated ' treaties, and has attacked 

 and driven our ally from his capi- 

 tal. You yourselves have been 

 compelled to advance by forced 

 U u2 marches 



