Page:The Works of Honoré de Balzac Volume 29.djvu/89

Rh "Inhabitants!

"For the second time an unnatural war has been kindled in the departments of the West.

"The authors of these troubles are traitors in the pay of England, or marauders who hope to secure their own ends, and to enjoy immunity amid civil discords.

"To such men as these the Government owes neither consideration nor an explanation of its principles.

"But there are other citizens, dear to their country, who have been seduced by their artifices; to these citizens, enlightenment and a knowledge of the truth is due.

"Unjust laws have been promulgated and carried into effect. The security of citizens and their right to liberty of conscience have been infringed by arbitrary measures; citizens have suffered everywhere from mistaken entries on the list of Emigrants, great principles of social order have been violated.

"The Consuls declare that, liberty of worship being guaranteed by the Constitution, the law of the 11th Prairial, Year III., by which citizens are allowed the use of buildings erected for religious worship, shall now be carried into effect.

"The Government will pardon previous offences; it will extend mercy and absolute and complete indemnity to the repentant; but it will strike down any who shall dare, after this declaration, to resist the national sovereignty."

"Well," said Hulot, after a public reading of the Consular manifesto, "could anything be more paternal? But for all that, you will see that not a single Royalist brigand will change his opinion!"

The commandant was right. The proclamation only confirmed each one in his adherence to his own side. Reinforcements for Hulot and his colleagues arrived a few days later. They were notified by the new Minister of War that General Brune was about to assume command in the West; but in the meanwhile Hulot, as an officer known to be experienced, was intrusted with the departments of the Orne and Mayenne.Every Government department