Documents upon the Kingdom of Italy.

A deputation from the Italian Republic was present at the coronation of Napoleon as Emperor. These documents show how the occasion was utilized to transform the Italian Republic into the Kingdom of Italy and the manner in which the transaction was officially explained. The address to Napoleon and the second and more elaborate constitution mentioned in the document are in the Moniteur for March 18 and 31, 1805. The general character of the constitution can be made out from what is given in these documents.

A. Constitutional Statute.

March 17, 1805.

Moniteur, March 19, 1805 (28 Ventôse, Year XIII).

Constitutional Statute.

The Council of State, in view of the unanimous desire of the united council and the deputation of the 15th instant:

In view of article 60 of the constitution, upon the constitutional initiative:

Decrees:

1. The emperor of the French, Napoleon I, is King of Italy.
2. The crown of Italy is hereditary in his direct and legitimate lineage, natural or adopted, from male to male and to the perpetual exclusion of women and their descendants, provided, nevertheless, that his right of adoption cannot be extended over any other person than a citizen of the French Empire or of the Kingdom of Italy.
3. At the moment in which foreign armies shall have evacuated the State of Naples, the Ionian Islands, and the island of Malta, the Emperor Napoleon shall transmit the hereditary crown of Italy to one of his legitimate, natural or adopted children.
4. Dating from that time, the crown of Italy shall no longer be united with the crown of France upon the same head, and the successors of Napoleon First in the Kingdom of Italy shall be obliged to reside constantly upon the territory of the Italian Republic.
5. Within the course of the present year, the Emperor Napoleon, with the advice of the Council of State and the deputations of the electoral colleges, shall give to the Italian monarchy constitutions founded upon the same bases as those of the French Empire, and upon the same principles as the laws which he has already given to Italy.

[Signed] NAPOLEON.

Melzi, Mareschalchi, Caprara, Paradisi,
Fenaroli, Costabili, Luosi, Guiccardi.

B. Proclamation of the Kingdom.

March 19, 1805

Moniteur, March 23, 1805 (2 Germinal, Year XIII).

The Council of State to the Peoples of the Kingdom of Italy.

A new State, created in the midst of political commotions, could not arrive all at once at a degree of perfection, consistency and strength capable of assuring forever its existence, its repose and its prosperity. The genius, of the founder, however gigantic, however bold it might be, was bound to pause before insurmountable obstacles, and his wisdom exhibited itself in not going beyond what circumstances would permit. Such was the lot of our Republic, when, for the first time, it appeared suddenly upon the political horizon of Europe.

It took a great step, when in the comitia of Lyons, under the auspices and under the direction of its creator, it gave itself a new constitution and proclaimed for its head the man whose power and enlightenment could elevate it most rapidly to the degree of consideration and welfare to which its destinies would permit it to aspire.

But this second organization could be only provisional, for it was then necessary to conform to the circumstances of the time and to wait for the result of the lessons of experience. Soon, indeed, experience proved that many things were lacking for the completion of the edifice; that its foundations were not solid enough; and the conduct of affairs, however skillful, however unsullied might be the hands which guided them, was so slow and so embarrassed that one could not but perceive that the means which might be made use of were not sufficiently effective.

Finally, the great example given by France served to carry conviction to all minds, and its happy results apprised us that it was time to imitate it.

From that time, therefore, the Council of State, charged especially by its institution with looking after the security of the Republic, has occupied itself with the means to effect a change which not only was rendered necessary by the events that were occurring about us, but was commanded by a still more pressing interest, that of our preservation.

Already it had made known its thoughts and addressed its desires to the august head of the State; already it had submitted to him the result of its meditations, when it was invited to repair to Paris, in company with a numerous deputation of members of all the constituted bodies, in order to be present at the grand solemnity of the coronation of Napoleon, Emperor of the French.

It was then that, having occasion to observe still more closely the splendid labors of that prodigious genius, admiring the state of glory and prosperity to which, as in an instant, he had again raised the nation of which he is the head, seeing confidence, good order and tranquility reigning everywhere, the Council of State turned its thoughts to the fatherland and, by a very natural feeling, coveted for that so dear fatherland the felicity of which it had come to contemplate the spectacle.

Furthermore, tormented incessantly by the thought of the great dangers to be feared, the Council of State could not conceal the fact that these were bound to be always united in order to menace the State. It could not forget either the designs or interests of certain other powers, and not reflect with dismay upon the inequality of the forces, the danger of a precarious situation, and the power of the charms of our climate.

It therefore concluded that it was its duty to take up again the work which it had commenced, and uniting with the deputies, all alike distinguished no less by the places which they occupy than by their zeal and their enlightenment, and all with one voice have expressed the opinion which they have believed the most useful and which without any doubt was already formed by all hearts.

This opinion, which was dictated by love and investigation and was made a duty by the good of the fatherland, has been favorably received. Napoleon is King of Italy. . . .

It is our interest which has induced Napoleon to yield to our wishes; and in fact he did not wish to assume the crown, and he will keep it only as long as our interest, shall be the law for it to his wisdom and the affection which he bears us; . . .

Finally, as he has wished to restrict the duration of his power, he will limit and regulate the extent and usage of it. He will give us a constitution, which will guarantee us our religion, the integrity of our territory, equality of rights, political and civil liberty, the irrevocability of the sales of the national lands, the exclusive right to fill offices of the State; which will reserve to the law alone the power to establish imposts, and which in a word, will consecrate and consolidate all the grand principles upon which the welfare of peoples and their tranquility are founded. Napoleon has made promise of this. Who can doubt that he does not intend, that he will not seek to fulfill his promise?

Such are the results of the constitutional statute joined to this proclamation.

References

Fournier, Napoleon, 293-295; Lavisse and Rambaud, Histoire Generale, IX, 431-432.

Placed on the Napoleon Series 8/00

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