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PUBLISHED (wkmlt)3Y ALLMAitJHALL TUESDAY, JULY 8, 1806.
Folumi X.
. , , NORFOLK, June 9. ,
; . The .following is copied from onc,j)f. our
1st Paris papers, - and 'cannot be perused
without interest by American. . As political
end historical documents we have conceived
that they merited our attention, and hotwith.
tanding their, great length, will, we flatter
ourselves, repay the trouble which the rea
der may bestow on thenu, .
"The grand designs of Buonaparte are
developed in these documents, and to render
permanent the dynasty which he has esta
blished, no precautions are omitted. When
We survey the, stupendous work which Buo
naparte has accomplished in a few years, the
conquerors of antiquity sink into ;insignifi
eance. it is only the splendid part of the
character, which we contemplate, for never
can we admire a man who has no limit to
liis ambition,' nor scruples in grktifyin it
The banishment of Moreau, and the murder
oftheDuKC D'Enghein, are monuments of
Unprincipled ambition, and savage cruelty.
, Jl there should remain yet in France any o
those wretches, who have wadtd through li-iui
Vers of blood, who have stained the national5
character, with a'dye, that the lapse of ceritu-;
ries cannoi enace, ana who Drouini ioijcw
scaffold the mildest ot princss, what must be
their reflections f M . -
And those disorganizes, n"d imps of fac
tion, who under the mask of republicanism,
ought to destroy every vestige of monarchy,
and nobility, how must they feel ?
But thin it has ever been, and ever will be,
n resolutions which are agitated without a
virtuous object, the credulous multitude la
bour for the bold and artful demagogue.
It is easy to perceive from an attentive per
Ulal of the following documents, that an he
reditary nobility, is in contemplation, and
which in France is the tame as if already ei-
I
I
No. 1.
JTAPOLEObj the grace of God and the
constitution of the state, Emperor of the
' French and King of Italy, to all present,
end to come, greeting:
Art. XIV. of the act of the constitutions of
the 28th Floreal year 12, states, that we
shall establish by statutes to which our suc
cessors shall be bound to conform, the duties
of the individuals of both texts, members of
the imperial home, towards the emperor. To
acquit ourseh :s of this important obligation,
e have considered in its object and conse
quences the disposition in question, and we
have weighed the principles on which must
repse the constitutional state which will
form the lw of our family.
The state of the princes called onto reign
over this vast empire, and to fortify it by al
Jiarces esrmnt be absolutely the same as that
- of other Frenchmen.
Their births, marriage, and desths, and
the adaptions they mike, interest the whole
JVtion, and hsve greater or less influence
over its destinies ; as every thing whhh con
cerns the otu! existence of these miners br.
long's more to p"!i'jral than to civil riht, the
disooMtionsof theljtter cannot be applied to
them but with the modifications determined i
by lh reavm ofata'e and if this reai'i iff
state lays obligations on them from which j
Simple citiiem are freed, they nuht t con- '
, aider them as a necessary consequence t.f i
the hi?h dignity to which they are elsvYcd, !
Snd which devotes them without reierve to
the treat interests of the country and to the
glory uf our house.
SaicH important sets si those which ncer.
tain the citil department of the imperi.il house
must be received in the most solemn form,
the dignity of the throne requires it, and all
surprise ami besides be rendered impossi
tie. We hste in consequence thought proper
lointrust to our cou.in, the arch thsnceJSor ef
the empire, the tight of fiHinfj exclusively
ith regard to us and the princes snd prin
cessctof ourhmise. the functions attributed
by the laws to the officers of the civil house
hold. We have aUo rommitted to the arch
chant cllor the care of receiving the empe
tor's will and the stttrte which shall fis the
empress's dory. These arts, as will as
those of the civil depsrimnt, are loctotelf
connected with the impe ril hnnse and ite
politics! orJer, that it Is iirMS.'de t apply
ta them etaively the forms uluall; em
filuyed for last wills snd testaments.
After laving rejpilited the department of
the princesses of our Mood, our solicitude
ynust be directed In flit t'uratirm ol their
children t nothirsg can be more Impnttant
thin early to remove frfm them ihe (litter,
ere who wight sttempt to corrnpt them, the
smVitiotismeitwHo by cnttaSlr indutgencScs,
W'jcht Clptifite their confidence snd prrpsrt
fof the nation we iV savertlgns. under whose
Dime they would prvmite ihemselvts one
day to feign. The choice of the tierA to
botn the cducalinnof tHe pemces snd min
etne's chddrrn of the rs;l h-nise It rntwt.
"d osjghuhinlo be resetted to the cinpc
tori
W sfiervirds enldereJ the princes snd
tincees, h the (mno sction of lfe,
The condutt ef prinfethssfrveutnMr dstur.
e4 ut usbqitfci ue ot i, mi rtnl
state. We hare armed the emperors who
will reign after us with all the necessary1 pow
erto prevent these misfortunes, in their dis
tant causes, to stop them in their progress,
and to stifle theni Wfiettthey shall break out.
.We have also thought that the princes of
the empire, titularies of the grand dignities,
being called on by their eminent prerogative
to serve as examples to the xest of our sub.
jects, their condition ought in several res
pects to be the'object of our particular: soli,
citude.
So many precautions would no doubt be
useless, were the sovereigns who are destined
to sit one day on the imperial throne to en
joy, like us, the advantdge of seeing around
them only relations devoted to their service &
totheTrappiness of the people, and grandees
distinguished by an inviolable attachment to
their person ; but our Tpjresiht must be di
rected toother times, and our love for our
country induces us to hasten to insure if it.
can, to Frenchmen for a sequel of agts, the
state bfelory and prosperity, in which by the
io.God' we have succeeded in placing
.tn frcOtini OI IDCnC CBHaCS WC ' IUVC UC-
krccdjrfta4;f.decree the present statute, to
wU.cbT in execution of Art. 14of the act of
the constitutions of the emuii'K of the 28thJ
Plureal, year 12, our sutcessoi'ssHall be
bound to conform. . :
FIllST ARTICLE.
Of .t fit departmenTof princes and princtssts of
.' the imperial hust,'
See. 1. The emperor is the chief and com
mon father of his family. By means of these
titles he exercises over those who compose it
the paternal power during their minority,
and always preserves with regard to them a
power of superintendence, police and disci
pline, the principle effects which will be
hereafter determined.
II. If the emperor be himself a minor,
the rights mentioned in the preceding arti
cle belong to the regenf,.who cannot exer
cise them but by virtue of a deliberation of
the council of regency, taken in the case
where there is room to apply it.
III. The imperial house is composed
1. Of the princes comprising in the he
reditary order established by the act of the
constitutions of the ?8'h Floreal, year 12, of
tlieit consorts and their descendants in lawful
marriage.
2. Of the princesses ottr sisters, their
husbands, and descendants in lawful mar
riage, unto tha fifth decree inclusively.
3. . 01 our chililren of adoption and their
legitimate descendants.
'IV. The marriages of the princes and
prinreies of the imperial houe, it whatever
ncethev may have arrived, shall be void and
of no tflert, by foil right and without judg-im-ntbtint;
nectsary every line Out is con
tracted without the formal constnt of the em
peror. This consent shall he expressed in a closed
letter, coutiteisiuned bv the arrive l,ancd',nr
of the empire. It shall alone mflicc and stand
in hut of diipen.ition ol aee and parentage ;
In ad C ites h which these dispensations may
hi necessary. 1
V. AlUfMrtn bnn f a min not tint reeled
$snfatmf.l1jt3iUt di piit h nj if the fttctd.r.v 1
O'Ucte, ii,i(e tepu'.ed illiftimj'r, a that nn
the th'j nor their father and mnhtr etn petrn
tj Vftue of l hit Lin, ianytftht uJtantrtt
t'tatheltj the taws end aiitvmi tf it'tain etun-
irifj to the mirnajtet, i'.cwn bj the t.jme if
main gomht $ which martiages, are neither
au'homcd by the civil code, nrbythe con
siitutiun of the empire, and are, at much as
Is neresiary, ptoh.bited by the preitr.t sta
tute. """"" ' -- -VI.7e
matrimon'al tritvmtloni ef the ft'tyti
end j tir.it tirs of the imperial houtt art flu.',
MS.V11 approved bj lhttmtror, without the par.
ties being ade, In this case, toclstm any ex
ctp ienby virtue of the duposl'iftntof the c
vilciKle, hich said dispositions Ul Hot
take place with regard to them.
VII. Divorces ere forbidden tsthe mem.
hers of the imperial house of both icxesand
of all ages.
III. They miy, hoem, demand bo
dily separation.
It shall t.ke plare by the sole authority of
the emperor, without form or process.
It ih-lhmlv takeplsce i(h yecsrd to the
common hahiiatidtt, snd, shall change no.
ll.itu In the matrimonial connexions.
IX. I he propf rty of t&e princes and prin
cesses of the imperil house, whose father is
deceased, shall be, durinjqhf ir minority, sil.
SMinitictra iy one or sever! uaniians ep-
pointed tit the empe rwr.
X. These guardians shall rife sn scemtnt
ol their furfitanhip to ike (amity ceuncil,
bere slier ipoken ou
ai. 1 ne lamuf cmincu sMil etrrctse o
ver the Knsnlian, In evety hn( conceminf
me aumintiiraiion 01 me guamta, a cosc
live snd ewr.if miout iirisdcibn
li sSll fulfil for thetti of gustdUfship
all ihe functions whUbwith trrard t private
pt rirs, srt dtleated by the civit code to
the ordinary famdf councils snd tribunals.
Nt fthsltss the drtlsirms It shall male
shall have tM eucrt until sf.cr they hse c4
totted the tmjKrw i sf rbaUof la sal cms
j -?
w.wnicu Dciween private persons xne ueuoe
ions of the family council are subject to the
confirmation of the tribunals. 5-
t' ;- Tbe members of the hhperial house
cannot without the express consent of the em
peror, eithev adopt, or lake 00 themselves
any officious guardianship, nor acknerw ledge
their natural children.
XIII. The interdiction of the princes and
princesses of the imperial house, in the case
provided against by art. 189 of the civil code,
is pronounced by the family council.
The judgment has no effect until after, ha
ving been approved by the emperor.
..The family council will exercise over the
"curator, the person interdicted and his pro
perty, the same authority and jurisdiction as
amongst private persons, belongs to the ordi
nary family councils and tribunals.
AUTICLE II.
Of the act relative to ihe department of the princes
and princesses of the imperial house,
XIV. .the ai'ch-chanccllor of the empire
shall exclusively fulfil, in regard to us and
the princes and princesses of our house, .the
functions attributed by the laws to the officers
of the civil department.
He ihall receive in consequence, the cer
tificates of birth, adoption, marriage, and all
"olner'certifitaUs prescribed or authorised by
the t.ivil code. ' " '
XV. These certificates shall be transcri
bed on a double register, kept by the secre
tary of state of the imperial household, num
bered by first and last, and marked on each
pas;e by'lhe arch-chancellor.
The secretary of state of the imperial
household shall be appointed by the emperor,
snd chosen smongRt the functionaries who
form or have formed part of the ministry or
council of state
XVI. The secretary of slatererthe im
perial household, shall remain depository of
these registers. He fehdll deliver the ex
tracts of the certificates contained in them,
which shall be examined by the arch-chancellor.
- .
XVII. When these registers are finished
thy shall be closed and adjusted by the
irch-cliaucellor ; one of the duplicates shall
rrtnain in the imperial, archives, the other
shall be deposited 11. the archives tf tl.r se
rate, cor.lorn.abty to at tide XII of the net
of the constitui tons ot the 3th Floreal, year
- XVTII. The acts shall be drawn up in the
forms established by the civil code, except
what is regulated by art. 31, of the constitu
tions of the 23tn Floi-cd, year 12, fortbearls
of adoption, in the case provided against Ly
art. 4 d the said net. "
XIX. The emperor shall appoint the
witnesses who shall be present at the drawing
up the certificates of birth ar.d marriage, of
the members of the imperial hiuie.
bhould he te absent from the place, where
the certificate is drawn up, or should there
be no one appointed by him, the arch-chan-ttllor
shall be bound to take the witnesses a
rtiongst the princes if the blood, following
the order oJT their proximity to the throne ;
idler them, amongst theprmcis of the tm
I ire, titularies of the gr4iul dignities ; and in
dvTaull of the Utlwr, annngst the gfett oKi
ter of the empire and the members of the se
rine. . .
XX. The arch-chancellor can receive no
certificate of niarruge r.f the princes and
princesses nor any ccriificate of adop'imior
acknowledgment ol natuial children, until
the authority of the emptmr ha appeared.
For this purpose, whenever the case happens,
a closed letter shall be addressed to him which
shall also inf irm him of the pUce where the
crruhCdte ought to be received. This letter
shall be transcribed at k'ngth in the certifi
cate. XXI. The shove mentioned certificates,
which under psrtionUr circumstances, may be
drawn up in the absence of the arth-chanccl-lor,
shall be delivered to I. nn by the person
appointed to supply Iks place.
These certificate shall be inscribed on the
register and the minute shall remain annrxid
to the asms, after having been examined by
the arch-etuneellor.
XXII. 1 he certificate which shall fit the
empress's dowry, shall be received by the
arcb-chsucctlor, assisted by the secretary of
state of the imperial household, who shall
write H in the pretence of two witnesses ap
pointed by the enipetor.
This certi&citc, whether closed or open,
according as the en.pcror may determine,
shall fc deposited in the senate by the arch
thsnrrllor.
XXIII When the emperor shall judge
proper to rttake his will by tublic act, the
srxh-cbsnccllor, sisitlcd by the secretsry or
state ol the imperial houhod, ihau reretse
bis last will, which shall be written under the
dittatemtnt of the emperor by ihe secretary
ol state of tbe Imperial household in pre seme
01 two witnesses.
In tl itrsse the set shall be written on the
reglsur mentioned in the I lilt article V.bote
mentioned.
XXIV If tbe emperor dUpoaes by mys
tic testament, the set of subscription shall be
1 H WJ (HI IIM'VM.IIIII IH fliJTM
1 the suretery of sts'i cf the Imperial Uuts-
hold. They shall both sign, with the empe .
r6r and the six witnesses whom he shall have -appointed.
- - ,'
The mystie testament, of the emperor shall
bedcpusilcU ill llie eiivtc by ihtt o.r.k
ccllor. ' ,
XXV. After the demise' of the prince
and princesses of the imperial house, the
seals shall be affixed in their palaces and bou
ses by the" secretary of state of the imperial
household, and, in case, of hindrance, by ',
counsellor of state appointed for, this purpose
by the arch chancellor of the empue.
- ARTICLE III.
Of the education of the princes and princesses qf
the imperial parliament,'
'XXVI. The emperor regulates every
thing that concerns the education of the chil- .
dicn of the princes, and" princesses of his '
house. He appoints and revokes at will those
who, are charged with it, and determines tho
place's whe're it is to "be performed.
XXVI I. All the princes born in' the o-
der of hereditament shall be brotight up to
gether and by the same Wcceptbihct offi
cers, either in. the' palacawhich'"' the empe
ror inhabits, or in.'atjt'thjep palace, within ten
myriatnetres (20 leagues) of his' habitable rc- '
sidefice. '
XXVIII. ' Their course of education shiII
begin at the age of seven jtars, and shall fi
nish when they have attained their sixtceuth,
year. The children of those who have ditinguish
ed themselves by thejr 'services, may be ad
mitted Ly the emperor to share the1 advanta- "'
gesofit.
XXIX. The case happening wherein a
prince, in the order of hereditament, shall
ascend a foreign throne, he shall .he holdeu.
when his male children have attained the cge
of seven years, to send them to the above
mentioned house, there to receive their edu
cation. . . '
it .
ARTICLE IV. v
Of the prwer of watchfulness, discipline end po
lice which the emperottxerciscs in the inicri
or of his Jamily.
XXX. The princes nnd princesses of th
imperial house, whatever may be theit age,
cannot, without the order or without leave of
the emptror, go out of the territory of the
empire, nr remove more than fiftecen yri- '
ttmetnt thirty leMuefr) from 'he city in,
which the imperial residence happens to be e
Stahlished. XXXI. If a member of the imperial
house should misbehave and f.rt.et his dig
nity or his duty, the empru.r may it flier,
lor a determined period, and wlurh shall not
exceed a year, the following penalties to wit;
Arrest.-
Removal from his person.
Exile.
XXXII. The emperor msy order the
members of the imperial house to icmoe
from themstlves the persons who may ap
pear suspicious to him although these ptr
sons should not make a pail of their house
hold.
ARTICLE V.
Oj ihe.famtlf C.our.cit,
XXXIII. There shaU he f.inilr council
attached to the em prior. Inoq.tndmt of
the mtiibutes which are civrn to this roui-!
by the ankles X, Xi and XII of tb present
sutute, it shall take cogmiance.
III. tit the complain!. miii against 11, e
princes snd princesses of ihe imjerUl house
whemvrr ll ey shad rot have tor ol jeet ol
fences of ll ensture of thot which, acccrdinc
to theteimiof Ar. CI. of the ict of ti e On-
Ititutinris, of the- 23th 1 lrcsl, year 13, are
lobe tried by the high ccurt.
30. Of actions merely personal, commen
ced, either by the princes or princesses of
the Imperial house or sgsinst tht m.
Vith regard to real, mixta, actions, inef
shall continue to be laid before the ordiaarf
tribunals."
XXX IV. The famil? cottneil shall be
pres ded by the emperor, and in default of
him by the arch-chancellor of the empire,
who shall slways make $ part of St. ,
It shad be wither composed 01 ti.e prince
of the Imperial house designated by the em
peror.of him or the pr nceol grand die,t.itsries
of the empire who shall hate the first rsi.k of
seniority, of the senior marshal of the empire,
of the chancellor ef the senate and of tbe
court of Cassation.
Tbe grand judge minister of justice shsll
perform the functions of the public miaistry
in the council.
I he secretary iof state of the Impens!
household, shall be secretary.
Tbe ppers snd ninutts of the judgment
shall be deposited In the imperial archives.
XXXV. The demands euserp iUe sf be
ing presented to the council, shsll be presl
misty communicated to the srtlwhsr cellor
who shall render sn scensmt oft hem, In eight
days si fsrthest, to the emperor, snd shall
lk l is irJirs. .
XXa I. If tbe empemr orders that the
sfairbs ptoteurd before the rour,i it, the
1W shall first nrocced to ccntl'.'f
stion.
Tbt report cc4.ui11.rs; the cepesior..,