STATE PAPERS. 
PROCLAMATION OF LOUIS XVIII. 
The King to theFrench peoples 
The gates of my kingdom at 
jast open before me; I hasten to 
bring back my misled subjects, to 
mitigate the calamities which I 
had wished to prevent, to place 
myself a second time between the 
Allied and the French Armies, in 
the hope that the feelings of con- 
sideration of which I may be the 
object may tend to their preser- 
vation. ‘This is the only way in 
which I have wished to take part 
in the war. Ihave not permitted 
any Prince of my family to appear 
inforeign ranks, and have chained 
in the courage of those of my 
servants who had been able to 
range themselves around me. 
Returned to the soil of my 
country, I take pleasure in speak- 
ing confidence to my _ people. 
When I first re-appeared among 
you, I found men’s minds: agi- 
tated, and heated by conflicting 
passions. My views encountered 
on every side, nothing but diffi- 
eulties and obstacles. My go- 
vernment was liable to commit 
errors; perhaps it did commit 
them. There are times when the 
- purest intentions are insufficient 
to direct, or sometimes they even 
mislead. 
Experience alone could teach ; 
it shall not be lost. 
save France is my wish. 
My subjects have learned, by 
eruel trials, that the principle of 
the legitimacy of Sovereigns is 
one of the fundamental bases of 
social order—the only one upon 
which, amidst a great nation, a 
wise and well-ordered liberty can 
be established. This doctrine has 
just been proclaimed as that of 
‘dicated their source. 
All that can 
393 
all Europe. I had_ previously 
consecrated it by my charter, and 
I claim to add to that charter all 
the guarantee which can secure 
the benefits of it. 
The unity of ministry is the 
strongest that I can offer. I mean 
that it should exist, and that the 
frank and firm march of my 
Council should guarantee all in- 
terests and calm all inquietudes. 
Some have talked latterly of 
the restoration of tithes and 
feudal rights. This fable, in- 
vented by the common enemy. 
does not require confutation. It 
will not be expected that the 
King should stoop to refute ca- 
lurmnies and lies; the success of 
the treason has too clearly in- 
If the pur- 
chasers of national property have 
feit alarm, the Charter should 
suffice to re-assure them. Did 
Inot myself propose to the Cham- 
bers, and cause to be executed, 
sales of such property ? This proof 
of my sincerity is unanswerable. 
In these latter times, my sub- 
jects of all classes have given me 
equal proofs of love and fidelity. 
I wish them to know how’sen- 
sibly I feel them, and that it is 
from amongall Frenchmen I shall 
delight to choose those who are to 
approach my personandmy family. 
I wish to exclude from my 
presence none but those whose 
celebrity is matter of grief to 
France, and of horror to Europe. 
In the plot which they hatched, 
I perceive many of my subjects 
misled, and some guilty. 
I promise—I who never pro- 
mised in vain (all Europe knows 
it)—to pardon to misled French- 
men, all that has passed since the 
day when I quitted Lille, amidst 
