"Your Majesty will also forget, that we have been the masters of the nations around us. Generous idea! that adds another glory to the glory already acquired.
"Already has Your Majesty traced out to your ministers the path they have to pursue: already have you made known to all the people by your proclamations the maxims, by which you would have your empire governed for the future. No war without, unless to repel unjust aggression; no re-action within, no arbitrary proceedings; security of person, security of property, and the free circulation of opinions, are the principles you have sanctioned.
"Happy those, Sire, who are called to cooperate in so many sublime acts! Such benefits will ensure to you from posterity, when the days of adulation are at an end, the name of Father of your country: they will be guarantied to our children by the august heir, whom your Majesty is preparing to crown in the Champ de Mai."
"The sentiments you have expressed to me are mine. 'Every thing agreeably to the sense of the nation, and every thing for France:' such is my motto.
"I and my family, whom this great people has raised to the French throne, and maintained on it in spite of vicissitudes and political tempests, will not, ought not, cannot, ever claim any other title to it."
The Count Défermon, father of the presidents of the council of state, delivered to the Emperor the following declaration, tending to prove the nullity of the abdication of Fontainbleau:
"The council of state, in resuming its functions, thinks it necessary to make known the principles, by which its conduct and opinions are guided.
"The sovereignty resides in the people, who are the only legitimate source of power.
"In 1789 the nation recovered its rights, which had long been usurped, or misunderstood.
"The National Assembly abolished the feudal monarchy, and established a constitutional monarchy, and a representative government.
"The resistance of the Bourbons to the wishes of the people occasioned their downfal, and their banishment from the French territories.
"Twice the people sanctioned by its votes the new form of government established by its representatives.
"In the year 8th, Bonaparte, already crowned by victory, found himself raised to the government by the assent of the nation. A constitution created the consular magistracy.