Paris. Bonaparte’s proclamation dated there, 8 November 1801.

“Whatever your origin and your color, you are all French; you are all free and equal before God and before men. France, like Saint-Domingue, has been a prey to factions and torn by civil war and by foreign war; but all has changed: every people has embraced the French and sworn them peace and friendship; all the French have embraced one another too, and have sworn to be friends and brothers; come you also and embrace the French, and rejoice to see again your friends and your brothers from Europe. “The government sends you the captain-general Leclerc; he brings with him great forces to protect you against your enemies and against the enemies of the Republic. If anyone tells you: these forces are meant to rob you of your liberty, answer: The Republic will not suffer it to be taken from us. Rally round the captain-general: he brings you plenty and peace; rally round him. Whoever dares to separate himself from the captain-general will be a traitor to the fatherland, and the wrath of the Republic will devour him as fire devours your dried canes. “Given at Paris, at the palace of the government, 17 Brumaire, Year 10 of the French Republic (8 November 1801). “The First Consul, “Signed, BONAPARTE.”