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sible. How ridiculous to require these poor priests to recite every Sunday, the 120th Psalm, (which speaks of sharp arrows of the mighty with coals of Juniper) as a spell to frighten Buonaparte from his purpose; when it is well known that he sees through the cheat, and despises the threat? Why should they be obliged continually to pray to God to increase the store of a man, whose salary now amounts to the enormous sum of 336,666 dollars per annum? Whilst there are so many drafts on the Almighty by prayer, one would think it prudent for each individual to confine his petitions more to personal benefits. The Pope has no need of our prayers; his condition is infinitely superior to that of those who are here commanded to pray for him. If the Catholic religion be the only way to salvation, and the exist ence of the Pope be necessary to its preservation, there can be no doubt but that the Supreme Being will have him in his holy keeping; and in his hands it is best to leave him.

We cannot conclude without again reminding these bishops of Christ's declaration, that his kingdom was not of this world; and furthermore, that he strictly enjoined upon his disciples, meekness, humility and resignation; and particularly to submit to the ruling powers, denouncing the severest punishment to those who resist. In his time there were no Popes, Archbishops or Bishops; and although men then generally had but one name, by which they were known, without any pedantic addition; for a man at this time to make his signature with one name, and subjoin a pompous title, savours a little of pride and ostentation. For instance, we are now told of a John, Archbishop of Baltimore. We suppose this means John Carroll. And this John, not content to con

"Amsterdam admits of all religions but papists; and it is on this account the papists, wherever they live, have another king at Rome; all other religions are subject to the present state, and have no prince elsewhere." SELDEN'S DISCOURSES,

Ane himself to his own church, assumes the title of Archbishop of all Baltimore. What a pattern of christian meekness and humility!

Vide alterem partem.

We shall now present our readers with the decree of Buonaparte, dispossessing the Pope of his temporal power, with his reasons for so doing, and leave them to judge of the propriety of the transaction. What may have been the subsequent conduct of the Pope, and how he has been disposed of in consequence, we know not; for although he could preach patience and resignation to others, we presume he has proved rather restive under restraint himself.

BUONAPARTE'S DECREE,

Dispossessing the Pope of his Temporal Power.

ROME, June 10th, 1809.

This morning, at 10 o'clock, has been published, in the principal places, at the sound of the artillery of fort SaultAnge, a decrce of his majesty the emperor and king, which unites the States of the Pope to the French empire. This happy change has taken place with the greatest tranquility, and the inhabitants of Rome have manifested great joy and a lively acknowledgment of an event which puts an end to all the uncertainties of their political existence. This decree, dated from the imperial camp at Vienna, 17th May, 1809, is conceived as follows:

NAPOLEON, &c.

Considering that when Charlemagne, emperor of the French, and our august predecessor, presented the bishops of Rome with divers tracts of land (contrees,) they were grant ed to them as feudal tenure, to secure the repose of his subjects, without Rome having ceased on that account to make a part of his empire:

Considering that since that period the union of the two powers, spiritual and temporal, having been, as it still is at this present day, the source of continual discords; that the Pope having but too often made use of the influence of the one, to support the pretensions of the other; and that in consequence of it, the spiritual affairs, which, by their nature are immutable, are confounded with the temporal, which change according to circumstances and the policy of the times:

Considering, lastly, that every thing we have proposed to conciliate the safety of our armies, the tranquility and welfare of our people, the dignity and integrity of our empire with the temporal pretensions of the Popes, has been proposed in vain:

We have decreed, and do decree as follows:

Art. 1. The States of the Pope are re-united to the French empire.

2. The city of Rome, the first christian see, and so celebrated by recollections which she enforces on the mind, and the monuments she preserves, is declared an imperial and free city. Its government and administration shall be regulated by a special decree.

s. The monuments of Roman greatness shall be preserved and kept up at the expence of our treasury.

4. The public debt is declared a debt of the empire.

5. The present income of the Pope shall be extended to two millions of francs, free from all charges, and tenure.*

6. The properties and palace of the Pope shall be subjected to no impost, jurisdiction, or visit, and shall besides enjoy special immunities.

7. An extraordinary consultum shall on the first of June next, take possession, in our name, of the States of the Pope, and make the necessary arrangements so that the constitutional government be in vigor on the first of January, 1810. (Signed) NAPOLEON.

* 336,666 Dollars.

On the same day the extraordinary consultum, instituted by the preceding decree, addressed the following proclamation to the city and Roman states.

ROMANS,

The will of the greatest hero unites you to the great em pire. It was just that the first people on earth should share the advantage of its laws and the honour of its name, with those who in former times preceded it in the path of glory: When your ancestors conquered the world, such were the counsels of their generosity, and the results of their glory.

The love of your prosperity has alone dictated the decree of your union. The moment chosen for its accomplishment, unfolds to you the motives that inspired it. You become a part of the French empire at a time when every sacrifice required for establishing it is perfected; you are called to the triumph, without having partaken in the dangers.

Throw a glance over the annals of your history; for a long time they contain nothing but the revivals of your misfor

tunes.

Your natural weakness rendered you the easy conquest of any warrior intent to cross the Alps.

United to France, her strength becomes yours. All the evils which resulted from your weakness have ceased.

Unhappy as a nation, you were not less so as citizens. The wretchedness and unwholesomeness which existed in your cities and country, have for a long time back proved to Europe and to yourselves, that your sovereigns, divided between cares too opposite, found themselves unable to procure you that felicity you are about to obtain.

Romans! not conquered, but united; fellow citizens and not enslaved, not only our strength becomes yours, but our laws will insure you repose, as they have insured ours.

Whilst by this union you reap every blessing you were in need of, you lose none of those you possessed,

Rome continues to be the see of the visible head of the eburch; and the vatican, richly endowed, and secure from

every foreign influence, as well as above all vain terrestrialconsiderations, will exhibit religion to the universe more pure, and surrounded with more splendour.

Other cases will preserve, in your monuments, the inheritance of your ancient glory; and the acts, the offspring of genius, encouraged by a great man, enriched with all the examples and models, shall no longer be constrained to seek elsewhere either the opportunity or the reward of their divine inspirations.

Such, Romans, is the future prospect that opens before you, and of which the extraordinary consultum is charged to prepare the foundation.

To guarantee your national debt, enliven your agriculture and arts, improve in every respect your present destiny; in short to prevent and dispel the tears which the reform of abuses has at many times caused to be shed; such are the orders, such is the intention of our august sovereign.

Romans! by seconding our efforts, you may render to yourselves more prompt, and to us more easy, the salutary effects of the task we are charged with for your welfare, which we have much at heart.

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TURKISH IMPERIAL PROCLAMATION.

The following Proclamation will shew that religious canting is not confined to Catholic bishops, nor Connecticut governors. The Grand Sultan is a proficient in this kind of hoaxing; he can talk about the holy will of God, unbelievers, and enemies to faith, as confidently as any of them.

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