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public would not perish because the Assembly postponed its deliberation.

The whole Assembly rose with cries of Vive la République! and the sitting was brought to a close a few minutes after.

Although the enclosure in Prince Louis's letter was not read to the Assembly, I will give its import. It was dated London, the 11th instant, and posted on the walls of Paris, addressed to the electors of the Seine, the Yonne, the Sarthe, and the Seine Inférieure, who had returned him to the National Assembly. He says that their suffrages filled him with gratitude; the more from being unsolicited, and reaching him at a moment when he regretted being inactive, while the country had need of all its children to extricate it from its difficulties; a child of Paris, and now a Representative of the People, he would unite all his efforts to those of his colleagues to re-establish order, secure peace abroad, consolidate democratic institutions, and promote the prosperity and grandeur of the country. The people had been free since the 24th of February. Let all rally round the flag of the Republic, and give to the world the grand spectacle of a people regenerating themselves without violence, civil war or anarchy. In conclusion, he offered them the assurance of his sympathy and devotedness.

June 17. Workmen and others collected yesterday morning in large numbers in the neighborhood of the Assembly, anxious to know how the case of Prince Louis would be decided. The groups increased as the hour approached for opening the sitting. No troops were ordered out; but military force would have been ready if wanted.

The President took the chair at the usual hour, and rose amidst profound silence in the members. He announced the receipt of a new letter from citizen Louis Napoleon Bonaparte. It was delivered to him in the morning by a person who left London yesterday evening, and he entertained no doubt of its authenticity. It was dated the 15th instant. He proceeded to read the letter amidst cries of Hear, hear! Commencing with the usual address to the President of the Assembly, he says, that he was proud to have been elected a Representative at Paris, and in three other departments: that fact, in his eyes, was an ample reparation for thirty years of exile and six years of captivity; but the offensive suspicions his election had given birth to, the trouble for which it had been the pretext, and the hostility manifested by the Executive Government towards him, imposed on him the duty of refusing an honor which was attributed to intrigue. He desired order and the maintenance of a Republic, prudent, grand and intelligent; and since, involuntarily, he favored disorder, he begged leave,

though not without deep regret, to place his resignation in the President's hands. Soon, he trusted, calm would be restored, and would permit him to return to France as the most simple of her citizens, but also as one most devoted to the repose and prosperity of his country. The letter ends with requesting the President to receive the assurance of his most distinguished consideration.

Approbation was manifested in all parts of the Assembly when the reading of this letter was concluded.

The President suggested its transmission to the Minister of the Interior, to allow him to act on it as he might deem proper, with a view to a new election to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Louis Napoleon.

The order of the day was then called for.

A voice exclaimed, Is the resignation accepted? Yes, yes, from all sides of the Chamber. Then let us proceed to the order of the day.

The Assembly accordingly proceeded to take up its regular business.

This last letter of the Prince, with his letter of the 11th instant to his constituents, unknown to the Assembly when acting on his letter to their President of the 14th, has had, from present appearances, a tranquillizing effect.

June 20. Yesterday the draft of the Constitu

tion for the Republic was presented to the National Assembly by M. Armand Marrast, the Reporter of the special committee appointed to draw it up. He also read it. When the reading was concluded, no remarks were made; but the Assembly, in consideration of the great importance of the subject, took a recess of half an hour. The sitting was then resumed. Its discussion will come up another day.

As reported, a single Chamber is to constitute the Legislative power. The Executive power is also to be single.

The Representatives to this single Chamber are to be seven hundred and fifty in number, chosen by universal suffrage, by ballot, for three years, and are re-eligible. They must be twenty-five years old. They are to be the Representatives not of the department or district which elects them, but of all France, and can receive no imperative mandate. The National Assembly is to be permanent, but may adjourn for a term not exceeding three months. No Representative can be named, or promoted, to an office held by Executive appointment.

The Executive power is to be in a President chosen by direct and universal suffrage. His age must be thirty at least. He is to be elected for four years, and is not re-eligible until after an interval of four years. He appoints to office and removes; the latter not in all instances without

the advice of the Council of State. The Ministers of his appointment are to have seats in the Assembly and the right of speaking. He is to watch over and assure the execution of the laws. The armed force is at his disposal, but with no power of commanding in person. He cannot dissolve the Legislative body, or in any manner suspend the Constitution or laws. His salary is to be six hundred thousand francs a year, and a residence is to be provided for him.

There is to be a Vice-President "nominated for four years by the Assembly, on the presentation made by the President in the month following his election."* If the President is prevented fulfilling

Should

his duties, the Vice-President acts for him. he die or resign, a new President is to be elected within a month.

The Council of State is to consist of forty members chosen by the National Assembly. The Representatives are eligible to it. Vacancies in the Assembly caused by the election of members to the Council of State are to be filled up by new elections.

The Judiciary. Some of the Judges are appointed by the President; others by the National Assembly, and all for life or good behaviour. Trial

* Meaning (as I understand) elected by the Assembly on the President's nomination.

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