STATE PAPERS. 



721 



Goncluslvc results of experience, an J 

 the monarch Avas pointed out by all 

 the sentiments of gratitude, love, and 

 confidence. Sire, in a country that 

 you have coiiquered, re-conquered, 

 created, organized, an:l governed 

 hitherto ; in a country where every 

 thing recals your exploits, attests 

 your genius, and breathes forth your 

 benefits, but one wish could be form- 

 ed, and that wish has been express- 

 ed. The assembly has not neglected 

 to weigh, with strict attention, the 

 ulterior views to which your pro- 

 found wisdom had directed. But 

 though these views were universally 

 important and perfectly concordant 

 with oiir dearest interests, it was not 

 difficult to convince ourselves that 

 things were not yet sufficiently ma- 

 ture for the attainment of this last 

 degree of political independence. 

 It is consonant to the natural order 

 of things, that the Italian republic 

 should feel during some further time 

 of the condition of all states newly 

 formed. The smallest cloud that 

 appears on the horizon must neces- 

 .sarily create solicitude and excite 

 alarm, and in this situation where 

 could be found a better pledge of 

 our tranquillity and happiness, a 

 more solemn guarrantee of the con- 

 solidation and existence of our state? 

 Sire, you are still a condition of ne- 

 cessity to it. It belongs only to the 

 counsels of your high wisdom, to fix 

 the term of it, to disarm all foreign 

 jealousy. It belongs only to the 

 most generous moderation to con- 

 sent to find that time exactly in the 

 moment of our dangers. — The as- 

 sembly penetrated with all the proofs 

 of your kindness which have mark- 

 ed the preceding communications, 

 has given way to that full confidtmce 

 which was due to you ; and its last 

 wish, and its last prayer, demand of 

 Vol. XLVH. 



you constitutions in which the prin- 

 ciples you have already proclaimed, 

 shall be consecrated, principles 

 which eternal reason calls out for, 

 and without which the fate of na- 

 tions would be abandoned to the 

 passions of men. Deign, sire, to 

 accept, deign to perfect the wish of 

 the assembly over which 1 have the 

 honour to preside. The interpreter 

 of all the sentiments which animate 

 the hearts of the Italian citizens, it 

 brings to you, in this with, the most 

 sincere homage. It will report to 

 them with joy, that in accepting it, 

 you have doubled the force of the 

 ties which bind you to the preserva- 

 tion, the defence, and the prosperi- 

 ty of (he Italian nation. Yes, sire, 

 you wished that the Italian republic 

 should exist, and it has existed. 

 Wish that tbc Italian monarchy 

 should be happy, and it will be 

 so. 



M. Melzi then read the following 

 instrument : The consulta of state, 

 the vice-president in the chair, and 

 the deputies of the colleges, and the 

 constituted bodies of the Italian re- 

 public, considering the situation of 

 Europe, and that of their country, 

 are unanimously of opinion : 



1. That the moment is arrived for 

 placing the finishing hand on the in- 

 stitutions, the basis of which has 

 been laid at Lyons, and for this 

 purpose declaring the government 

 of the Italian republic hereditary 

 monarchial, according to the prin- 

 ciples of the constitution, of the 

 government of the French empire.— 

 '2. That the emperor Napoleon, 

 founder of the Italian republic, be 

 declared king of Italy. — 3. That 

 the throne of Italy be hereditary 

 from male to male, in the direct and 

 legitimate line natural and adoptive, 

 to the perpetual exclusion of females, 

 3 A and 



