ogh 
a said with truth that he was tried in England, but Ramen in France. 
‘ 
MIST ORY OF EUROPE: 
know whether or not it were a 
libel, and the proper object of a 
prosecution !* 
It can hardly be supposed that 
this species of forbearance and sub- 
mission to insult, would tend to 
moderate the temper, or soften 
the tone of the first consul or. his 
representative at the British court: 
accordingly that series of demand. 
which we have already: given in 
detail, was presented by: ftlie latter 
on the 17th of August, and which 
231 
we do not hesitate to pronounce 
the climax of diplomatic insolence, 
the most insulting and degrading 
body of requisition that was ever 
made toa free people; and the very 
tender of which will be an eternal 
stain on the honor and character of 
the Biitish nation, In vain do 
we, coutemplating these proposi- 
tions, attempt to recognize the rela- 
tive situation of France and Eng- 
land, at the period of the prelimi~ 
nary conditions of peace ; when the 
t 
* Mr. Peltier who was thus proscribed, and whom the noble secretary ofstate, ex- 
presses his determination to punish as he deserves, was a person of great literary. 
talents, acknowledged integrity, and the avowed enemy of republicanism; and had. 
roved himself the most ssteady zealous, attached adherent and defender of the 
illustrious house of Bourbon, for fifteen’snccessive years. In the earliest period of 
the French revolution he had distinguished himselt by a periodical work called the 
Actes des Apotres, a production whi ch Brissot declared had done more harm to the 
democratic cause, than all the armies of the ailjes. During the remainder of the 
war he was the editor of a journal under the jitle of Panis, in which he was the 
“unwearied and indefativrablé advocate of royalty, social order and religion, in oppo- 
sition to repablicanism, anaychy and infidelity. Hopeless of any farther benefit to be 
derived from his efforts, his labours ceased with the definitive treaty: hut in the thrée 
subsequent months the aggressive violence of Bonaparte in every part of Europe; the 
; Pcueny g good means of acquiring information of his projects with respect to Great 
titain, from a_persenal knowledge of the commercial agents, police spies, and 
septembrizers who were on mission in every part of the united kingdom, and the 
actual publication ofa series of Letters on Engtand in the Mercure de “France the pro- 
ductions of a jacobin named Fievée, the object ot which was to vilify and degrade the: 
British government and nation} character, all induced Mr, Peltier once more to com- 
wence journalist, with the intention, as the event abundantly proved, of laying bare 
the character of Bonaparte, and awakening the suspicions of this country, and the 
world to his designs. Accordingly a eekly prodaction appeared under the appella- 
fion of L’Ambigu, the first number of which bgeume the gabject of the complaint of the 
Erench government. 
Such was the person and such his merits, against whom the governments of both coun- 
tries united inthe prosecution: on the “ist of February of the present year, was he 
brought fo trial at the suit*of the king, ou the information of the attorney general, for a 
libelious publication with intent to vilify and defame Napoleon Bonaparte. (on the 
very day of Despard’s ex egution) and was found guilty, The king’s Message was 
‘delivered to parliament on the 8th day of March following, and judgment not being 
called for by the attorney gencral at the usual time, all farther proceedings ceased, 
and Mr. Peltier was restored to his place in society, with the reputation and the 
“feélings of a martyr to his-canse and principles. “it is painful ta add, that the news of 
is trial brought his aged father, and a beloved sister to the grave, the gnly remains. 
 ofhis family, within a few days ofeach other at Nantes; and that his patrimony was, 
geized upon by the consular agents.  Phus,’? to nse hi is own words, ‘ anight it be. 
» 
A 
Q4 
former, 
