Hulot received no answer to the questions and the frequent reports which he addressed to the government in Paris.
But the news of the almost magical return of General Bonaparte and the events of the 18th Brumaire were soon current in the air.The military commanders of the West understood then the silence of the ministers.
Nevertheless, they were only the more impatient to be released from the responsibility that weighed upon them; and they were in every way desirous of knowing what measures the new government was likely to take.When it was known to these soldiers that General Bonaparte was appointed First Consul of the Republic their joy was great; they saw, for the first time, one of their own profession called to the management of the nation.France, which had made an idol of this young hero, quivered with hope.The vigor and energy of the nation revived.
Paris, weary of its long gloom, gave itself up to fetes and pleasures of which it had been so long deprived.The first acts of the Consulate did not diminish any hopes, and Liberty felt no alarm.The First Consul issued a proclamation to the inhabitants of the West.The eloquent allocutions addressed to the masses which Bonaparte had, as it were, invented, produced effects in those days of patriotism and miracle that were absolutely startling.His voice echoed through the world like the voice of a prophet, for none of his proclamations had, as yet, been belied by defeat.
INHABITANTS:
An impious war again inflames the West.
The makers of these troubles are traitors sold to the English, or brigands who seek in civil war opportunity and license for misdeeds.
To such men the government owes no forbearance, nor any declaration of its principles.
But there are citizens, dear to France, who have been misled by their wiles.It is so such that truth and light are due.
Unjust laws have been promulgated and executed; arbitrary acts have threatened the safety of citizens and the liberty of consciences; mistaken entries on the list of /emigres/ imperil citizens; the great principles of social order have been violated.
The Consuls declare that liberty of worship having been guaranteed by the Constitution, the law of 11 Prairial, year III., which gives the use of edifices built for religious worship to all citizens, shall be executed.
The government will pardon; it will be merciful to repentance; its mercy will be complete and absolute; but it will punish whosoever, after this declaration, shall dare to resist the national sovereignty.
"Well," said Hulot, after the public reading of this Consular manifesto, "Isn't that paternal enough? But you'll see that not a single royalist brigand will be changed by it."The commandant was right.The proclamation merely served to strengthen each side in their own convictions.A few days later Hulot and his colleagues received reinforcements.The new minister of war notified them that General Brune was appointed to command the troops in the west of France.Hulot, whose experience was known to the government, had provisional control in the departments of the Orne and Mayenne.An unusual activity began to show itself in the government offices.