ation for all that is held dear and sacred by mankind, impel
us to give expression to our sentiments by taking part in an event
which deprives the world of one of its brightest ornaments, and
removes to the realm of history one of the noblest lives that ever
honored the human race.

"The name of Washington is inseparably linked with a memorable
epoch. He adorned this epoch by his talents and the nobility of
his character, and with virtues that even envy dared not assail.
History offers few examples of such renown. Great from the outset
of his career, patriotic before his country had become a nation,
brilliant and universal despite the passions and political
resentments that would gladly have checked his career, his fame
is to-day imperishable,--fortune having consecrated his claim to
greatness, while the prosperity of a people destined for grand
achievements is the best evidence of a fame ever to increase.

"His own country now honors his memory with funeral ceremonies,
having lost a citizen whose public actions and unassuming grandeur
in private life were a living example of courage, wisdom, and
unselfishness; and France, which from the dawn of the American
Revolution hailed with hope a nation, hitherto unknown, that was
discarding the vices of Europe, which foresaw all the glory that
this nation would bestow on humanity, and the enlightenment of
governments that would ensue from the novel character of the
social institutions and the new type of heroism of which
Washington and America were models for the world at
large,--France, I repeat, should depart from established usages
and do honor to one whose fame is beyond comparison with that of
others.

"The man who, amid the decadence of modern ages, first dared
believe that he could inspire degenerate nations with courage to
rise to the level of republican virtues, lived for all nations and
for all centuries; and this nation, which first saw in the life
and success of that illustrious man a foreboding of its destiny,
and therein recognized a future to be realized and duties to be
performed, has every right to class him as a fellow-citizen. I
therefore submit to the First Consul the following decree:--
"Bonaparte, First Consul of the republic, decrees as follows:--
"Article 1. A statue is to be erected to General Washing