French Ministry of Foreign Affairs

[Smyg]

His Holiness demands an explanation for recent French war crimes and atrocities in southern Italy, carried out against innocent Catholic Christian subjects.

[Huojin]

The First Consul of France wholeheartedly condemns the actions of the French Army in Italy. The blame for this action must be laid solely on the shoulders of the commander there, who has been dismissed from his position in disgrace. As a sign of recompense, the First Consul has given instructions that compensation be paid to the families of those afflicted, and investments made in the region to restore the damages done. These actions have brought shame upon the great institution of the French Army, and are wholly and bizarrely out of character for so esteemed a body of men.

[Serenissima]

The actions of the French Army in Italy, far from being a localised action by a rogue commander, are entirely consistent with the principles and practices of Republicanism, as all, by now, are aware. The Terror against France's own people, during which tens of thousands were slaughtered and many more starved to death without trial - let alone those killed unofficially by rampaging, anarchic mobs - has not been forgotten. Nor have the Italian people or the world forgotten the brutal Cristoforo Saliceti, the Republican 'commissar' and diplomat to many Italian states who led the slaughter by the Army of Italy of all resistance to the Cisalpine and Transalpine Republics - a position to which he was appointed by General Bonaparte personally, and given his orders, too, by the very same Bonaparte. Even should Bonaparte deny this truth, and claim otherwise, he cannot deny that Saliceti - a man who first supported Robespierre in helping to carry out the Terror, and then was essential in being the man who promoted Bonaparte politically and militarily - is a close compatriot of the 'First Consul'. These, gentlemen, are not aberrations... they are the horrors that all can expect from Republican rule, and the means by which these regimes exercise their illegitimate hold on power. It is clear that Bonaparte may condemn these actions, but only after he has ordered these atrocities, and then forced another man to fall upon his sword and take the blame as a scapegoat.

[Huojin]

As typical of a shut-in nation, with little regard for anything beyond its own borders, our deceitful little friend has entirely misportrayed the situation. Not only was the rule of the Committee of Public Safety short-lived, but it was suppressed by the French people themselves and we have had two governments form since then, restoring the ideals of the republic. But by all means, continue to live in the past.

As for Saliceti, the man you portray as such a friend of the First Consul instead stands apart - some would even say as an enemy, who has been out of favour since before the establishment of the Consulate. Moreover, accusations that any Consul of France could or would have made such an order as this are insulting in the extreme, and ill-become your post. Still, we can perhaps forgive such unfitting behaviour... the jealousy with which Britain must look upon the rest of Europe must be quite blinding, one imagines.

[Serenissima]

If the man is out of favour, I'm sure he will be surprised to hear that, given his position as an ambassador of France to Italy. Similarly, claims that these brutal bloodsheds represent the past are contradicted by simple reality... given the mass slaughter of thousands of civilians by the French troops, which is apparently merely a position of disgrace, dismissal, and the payment of blood money - as if that will bring the innocents back. The French representative has a great many fine words for you all to hear, but none of them reflect the truth as it will be seen by man or God.

[CarpeVerpa]

We of the Helvetic Republic would like to, first, announce our intention to draft a new constitution for our nation, and at second, humbly ask our liberators and protectors in France for their permission and blessing in this endeavor. We are certain our French friends understand and see the importance in such an endeavor, and we believe you shall find our planned reforms both in line with Revolutionary ideals, and to the effect of ending any major instability within the country, thus freeing up your troops for more important engagements.

[Huojin]

To our honoured friends and brothers in Helvetia, we offer salutations and assurances - that your country should take on such a task is right and befitting of it, and we would not seek to frustrate but indeed to aid and assist the establishment of peace between the various sides of the political debate. To that end, the First Consul has authorised that a commissioner be appointed to attend on the drafting of a new constitution in Lucerne to offer guidance, instruction, and friendship.

Vive la France, Vive la Helvètes!

[Hussam_B]

In the later half of 1801, Bavarian envoys visit Paris to express goodwill towards the First Consul Napoleon and to curry favor following the Treaty of Luneville. The envoys hope for the First Consul to back their claims over Bamberg and Würzburg in the expected upcoming mediatization of the Holy Roman Empire as well as strengthening ties between the Republic and the Electorate.

[Cephal]

We will discuss this matter with your court directly.