An impious war again inflames the West.
The makers of these troubles are traitors sold to the English, or
brigands who seek in civil war opportunity and license for
misdeeds.
To such men the government owes no forbearance, nor any
declaration of its principles.
But there are citizens, dear to France, who have been misled by
their wiles. It is so such that truth and light are due.
Unjust laws have been promulgated and executed; arbitrary acts
have threatened the safety of citizens and the liberty of
consciences; mistaken entries on the list of _emigres_ imperil
citizens; the great principles of social order have been violated.
The Consuls declare that liberty of worship having been guaranteed
by the Constitution, the law of 11 Prairial, year III., which
gives the use of edifices built for religious worship to all
citizens, shall be executed.
The government will pardon; it will be merciful to repentance; its
mercy will be complete and absolute; but it will punish whosoever,
after this declaration, shall dare to resist the national
sovereignty.
“Well,” said Hulot, after the public reading of this Consular manifesto,
“Isn’t that paternal enough? But you’ll see that not a single royalist
brigand will be changed by it.”
The commandant was right. The proclamation merely served to strengthen
each side in their own convictions. A few days later Hulot and his
colleagues received reinforcements. The new minister of war notified
them that General Brune was appointed to command the troops in the west
of France. Hulot, whose experience was known to the government, had
provisional control in the departments of the Orne and Mayenne. An
unusual activity began to show itself in the government offices.
Circulars from the minister of war and the minister of police gave
notice that vigorous measures entrusted to the military commanders would
be taken to stifle the insurrection at its birth. But the Chouans and
the Vendeans had profited by the inaction of the Directory to rouse
the whole region and virtually take possession of it. A new Consular
proclamation was therefore issued. This time, it was the general
speaking to his troops:--