Taken from The Life and Times of Robert Emmet by R.R. Madden
The First Consul has read with the most particular attention the memorial addressed to him by Mr. Emmet on the 13th Nivoze.
He wishes that the United Irishmen should be fully convinced that it is his intention to ensure the independence of Ireland, and to give full and effective protection to all of them that will take part in the expedition, or that will unite with the French forces.
The French government can issue no proclamation until a landing shall have been made on the Irish territory. But the general who is to command the expedition, will be furnished with sealed letters by which the First Consul will declare that he will make no peace with England, without stipulating for the independence of Ireland upon condition, however, that the army shall have been joined by a considerable body of United Irishmen.
Ireland shall be treated in every thing just as America was treated in the late war.
Every person who will embark with the French army destined for the expedition, will be commissioned as a Frenchman, and if he be arrested and not treated as a prisoner of war, reprisals will be made upon the English prisoners.
Every corps formed in the name of the United Irishmen, shall be considered as forming a part of the French army. In fine, should the expedition be unsuccessful and the Irish be obliged to return to France, France will maintain a certain number of Irish brigades, and will grant pensions to every person that shall have formed one of the government or authority of the country.
The pensions shall be assimilated to those granted in France to titular officers of corresponding ranks or employments, who are not on active service.
The First Consul desires that a committee be formed of the United Irishmen. He sees nothing improper in having the members of this committee issue proclamations to inform their countrymen of the state of affairs.
These proclamations shall be inserted in the Argus and in the various European Journals, in order that the Irish may be enlightened upon the course they are to pursue, and the hopes they are to entertain.
If the committee will make a recapitulation of the acts of tyranny perpetrated upon Ireland by the English government, the name shall be inserted in the Moniteur.