World's Best Histories - Volume 7; France

Excerpt: ... the administration in Spain. These papers are necessary to me for the measures which I have to order, he had written to Murat, who was still in Madrid, ill and sad; they are also necessary to me to show some day to posterity in what state I have found the Spanish monarchy. Useless precaution of a great mind, who thought to dispose of the future and of the judgment of posterity, as, till then, he had dazzled or overthrown all the witnesses of his marvellous career! Eight days after the arrival of King Joseph at Bayonne, the new constitution was adopted by the improvised Junta. It is all that we can offer you, sire, said imprudently the Duke de l'Infantado, formerly the most eager accomplice of the Prince of Asturias in his intrigues against his father; we are waiting till the nation speaks, and authorizes us to give freer course to our sentiments. They stopped the duke from saying any more; the Spanish nation had not been consulted. The Spanish constitution was prepared generally on the model of the French constitution. The first article paid homage to the strong religious feeling of Spain: The religion of the State is the Catholic religion; no other is permitted. Several of the ministers chosen by the King Joseph had been members of the government of Charles IV. After taking the oath to their new monarch, the Junta first of all went to the Emperor Napoleon at Marac, to offer their thanks and congratulations. At the same moment, and whilst summoning to Bayonne the reinforcement of troops which he intended to accompany and support King Joseph on his entry into his new kingdom, Napoleon wrote to the Emperor Alexander: - My brother, I send your Majesty the constitution which the Spanish Junta have just decided upon. The disorders of that country had reached such a degree as can scarcely be conceived. Obliged to take part in its affairs, I have by the irresistible tendency of events been brought to a system which, while securing the happiness...