678 



ANNUAL REGISTER, UOS. 



measures which will be proposed 

 t6 yoilr high mightinesses, irt the 

 coitrso of ni}' aclministr^jtiort.-— The 

 measures 1 aim at, high and mighty 

 lords, consist, on the one hand, itt 

 the introducing a riauch greater sim- 

 plicity irt the branches of adminis- 

 tration, and in making very consi- 

 derable savings ; and on the other 

 hand, and principally, in introduc- 

 ing a new System of general taxa- 

 tion. This system Operating uni- 

 formly, according to the relative 

 abilities of the inhabitants in the dif- 

 ferent districts, will be able very 

 considerably to increase the re- 

 sources of ihe country, as well by 

 its simplicity as by the certainty of 

 tht receipts This increase, united 

 with tiie saving of the expenditure, 

 "Will enable the public treasury regu- 

 larly to answer all ordinary de- 

 maud^f and, when war or other 

 evils require any extraordinary ex- 

 pences, they will be raised by such 

 means as %vill be found the least 

 pressinji upon the public. It is to- 

 wards these important objects, that 

 I wish to draw the attention of your 

 high mightinesses, and in the com- 

 pletion of which I expcft the most 

 earnest assistance from your wis- 

 dom and patriotism ; and in the ac- 

 complishment of which, I cannot but 

 think the people will, in a great 

 measure, re-establish the former 

 state of affairs. I think what I 

 havt advanced, is sufficient for the 

 present; but, perhaps your high 

 mightinesses, perhaps the nation, 

 Jiave a right to examine and consider 

 upon the measures I intend to adopt 

 for the redresj of their grievances, 

 and the renewing of their prospe- 

 rity. It is needless to say a single 

 word respecting my inclination and 

 resolution, to sacrifice what is most 

 "dear to me, in order to accomplish 

 so desirable an object. This very 



hall, Paris, Amiens, and Londorfji 

 can testify my love and zeal for my 

 country. I hate no doubt of suc- 

 ceeding in these ondertakings. My 

 hopes are founded on Providence, 

 whom I adore, arid whose care and 

 protection we have so often expe- 

 rienced. On the calm reason and 

 sound judgment of the nation ; on 

 that valour which ever distinguished 

 them ; on their good faith, honour, 

 and inward contiction, depends this 

 last attempt to re-establish their 

 happiness. It likewise depends on 

 the assistance, and concord in opi- 

 iiiori, of your high mightinesses ; on 

 the wisdom of your resolutions ; on 

 the pOwerof your example ; and on 

 the firmness of your courage; ob^ 

 jects in which I cannot be disap- 

 pointed, if I have acquired any 

 knowledge of mankind. F'inally, 

 it depends on our love for our coun- 

 try, and the great promises I have 

 of the assistance of the great Napo- 

 leon, that extraordinary genius, 

 who is admired both by friends 

 and foes ; who, after having caused 

 a change in the affairs of France, 

 which will be a subject of wonder 

 and astonishment to future agesj 

 has obtained the greatest influence 

 over us, as well as over Several 

 other nations, of whose friendship I 

 have the greater reason to boast, bej. 

 cause it was obtained by never 

 swerving from truth or rectitude id 

 all my words, my actions, or evert 

 in my thoughts, which his pene- 

 trating eye read in the deepest re- 

 cesse.s of my heart. Notwithstand- 

 ing these hopes, I am not certain of 

 attaining my end. The book of fu- 

 turity is shut to yourselves as well 

 as to mc. As for myself, 1 shall 

 never quit my object, till I have 

 used every possible effort in my 

 power to attain it ; I shall never 

 quit it dishonourably. May Hea- 

 ted 



