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occupy, shall not be treated by her as enemies, nor even as subjects. The public force of which she may become the depository, shall not be employed but to secure their tranquillity and maintain their laws. Proud of having regained the rights of nature, she will never outrage them in other men. Jealous of her independence, determined to bury herself in her own ruins, rather than suffer laws to be taken from her, or dictated to her, or even an insulting guaranty of those she has framed for herself, she will never infringe the independence of other nations. Her soldiers will conduct themselves on a foreign territory as they would on their own, if forced to combat on it. The involuntary evils which her troops may occasion shall be repaired. The asylum which she offers to strangers shall not be shut against the inhabitants of countries whose princes shall have forced her to attack them; they shall find a sure refuge in her bosom. Faithful to the engagements made in her name, she will fulfil them with a generous exactness; but no danger shall be capable of making her for get, that the soil of France belongs wholly to liberty, and that the laws of equality ought to be universal. She will present to the world the new spectacle of a nation truly free, submissive to the laws of justice amid the storms of war, and respecting every where, on every occasion, towards all men, the rights which are the same to all.

Peace, which imposture, intrigue, and treason, have banished, will never cease to be the first of our wishes. France will take up arms, compelled to do so, for her safety

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and her internal peace, and she will be seen to lay them down with joy the moment she is assured that there is nothing to fear for that liberty, for that equality, which is now the only element in which Frenchmen can live. She dreads not war, but she loves peace; she feels that she has need of it; and she is too conscious of her strength to fear making the avowal. When, in requiring other nations respect her repose, she took an eternal engagement not to trouble others, she might have thought that she deserved to be listened to, and that this solemn declaration, the pledge of tranquillity, and the happiness of other nations, might have merited the affection of the princes who govern them ; but such of those princes as apprehend that France would endeavour to excite internal agitations in other countries, shall learn that the cruel right of reprisal, justified by usage, condemned by nature, will not make her resort to the means employed against her own repose; that she will be just to those who have not been so to her; that she will every where pay as much respect to peace as to liberty; and that the men who still presume to call themselves the masters of other men, will have nothing to dread from her but the influence of her example.

The French nation is free; and, what is more than to be free, she has the sentiment of freedom. She is free; she is armed; she can never be reduced to slavery. In vain are intestine discords counted on; she has passed the dangerous moment of the reformation of her political laws: and she is too wise to anticipate the lesson of experi

ence;

ence; she wishes only to maintain her constitution, and to defend it.

The division of two powers proceeding from the same source, and directed to the same end, the last hope of our enemies, has vanished at the voice of our country in danger; and the king, by the solemnity of his proceedings, by the frankness of his measures, shows to Europe the French nation strong in her means of defence and prosperity.

Resigned to the evils which the enemies of the human race, united against her, may make her suffer, she will triumph over them by her patience and her courage; victorious, she will seek neither indemnification nor vengeance.

Such are the sentiments of a generous people, which their representatives do themselves honour in expressing. Such are the projects of the new political system which they have adopted-to repel force, to resist oppression, to forget all when they have nothing more to fear; and to adversaries, if vanquished, as brothers; if reconciled, as friends. These are the wishes of all the French, and this is the war which they declare against their enemies.

On the 14th of September, 1791, LOUIS XVI. King of the French, having, in the National Assembly, accepted the New Constitution, and taken the Oath to defend it, soon afterwards sent a Circular Letter to all Foreign Courts, notifying his acceptance. As the Dispositions of the different Powers in Europe were then manifested in their Answers,

we have thought proper to insert them here in the order they were read in the National Assembly.

Letter of the Emperor Leopold II. to the King of France, in Answer to the Notification of his acceptance of the Constitution, read in the National Assembly, on the 16th of November, 1791.

YOUR majesty's ambassador sent us the letters containing the notification of your acceptance of the new constitution, which was presented to you. The more closely we are united by the ties of blood, friendship, alliance, and neighbourhood, the more we have at heart the preservation of your majesty, and of the royal family; and likewise the dignity of your crown and the welfare of the French monarchy. We, therefore, sincerely wish that the part your majesty has thought proper to take in the present state of affairs, may have all the success that you expect, and may answer your views for the public felicity; and at the same time that the alarming apprehensions for the common cause of kings and princes may cease for the future, and prevent the necessity of taking serious precautions against their renewal.

The King of Sardinia.—I have received the letter which it pleased your majesty to write on the 25th of September. The justice it does to my sentiments, in not doubting of the interest which I have always at heart, in every thing which personally concerns you, or the happiness of your family and subjects, will ever give met he greatest sa

tisfaction.

tisfaction. I request your majesty will be equally persuaded of my joy at the new assurances given of the continuation of your friendship. What I have professed to you shall never diminish or change, and nothing shall ever lessen my endeavours to convince you of it.

Answer of their High Mightinesses the States-General of the United Provinces, dated Oct. 4.

Sire,

WE have received the letter which your majesty did us the honour to write, under date the 19th ultimo, and by which your majesty informs us, you have deter mined to accept the constitutional code which had been decreed and presented to your majesty by the national assembly.

We are highly sensible of this new mark of friendship and goodwill, which your majesty has given by informing us of this event, and we hasten to return you our thanks for the same. We seize with alacrity this occasion, as on every other which present themselves, to testify to your majesty the lively interest we take in all which concerns your august person, as also the welfare and prosperity of the French monarchy.

We have also felt the greatest satisfaction in finding in the letter of your majesty, the assurance of your desire to render more and more unalterable the connections which subsist between your and our republic; and, as we are animated with the same sentiments, we shall, on our side, take every care to cultivate a mutual intercourse, and to

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answer.

Treves-Will always have the most lively interest in the welfare of the king and royal family; but as to any thing more, the present situation of the king prevented a further declaration.

Canton of Zuric-Received the notification with eagerness and joy.

Geneva-Always considered the prosperity of the nation and of the king, as their particular interest.

Spain. The king of Spain cannot be persuaded that the king of France enjoys physical and moral liberty: that he will give no answer until he is convinced that the king is free; but at all times it was most foreign to his disposition to disturb the repose of France.

Sweden-Returned the dispatch

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to the minister, under pretence that the king was not free.

Denmark-I have always applauded the measures which your majesty has taken for the good of the nation, and I trust you will do justice to the eagerness with which Ishall return the friendship of which you give me new assurances.

Naples.-I have read the communication of the event which concerns your majesty in the present state of the French monarchy. Be assured of the sincere and zealous interest which I have taken, and shall always take, in whatever regards your person.

The Elector Palatine.-I have received the notification of your majesty's acceptance of the constitution, decreed by the French nation. Not only are my invariable attachment to your majesty, the proximity of the Palatinate to some of the provinces of your kingdom, and the good understanding that has hitherto subsisted between our respective subjects, sure pledges of the particular interest I take in this important event; but it excites a warm desire of participating in the perfect content and tranquillity of your majesty, and all your royal family, to the strengthening of the French monarchy, and the produc ing of a benign influence on the several states of Europe.

Arch-Governess of the Low Countries. I earnestly wish that this new resolution may produce you a lasting satisfaction, and become a source of happiness to the monarchy and the nation.

The Landgrave of Hesse Cassel. -The respectful part which I take in all events which concern your majesty, equals my attachment to your august person. Accept my

thanks for the notification of your acceptance of the new constitution. I pray constantly for whatever may contribute to your majesty's glory and happiness, and the prosperity of your reign.

Duke of Wirtemberg Strelitz. I pray, with all my heart, that the acceptance of the constitution, which was presented to you in the name of the nation, may bring your majesty all the satisfaction and happiness which you deserve on so

many accounts.

Duke of Wirtemberg.-I have received your majesty's letter with respect and gratitude. Be assured of the interest I shall always take in whatever concerns your majesty's sacred person.

Landgrave of Baden.-Yourmajesty cannot doubt the attachment which I shall always preserve for your sacred person, and the prayers which I shall put up for your happiness.

Republic of Venice.-The gracious expressions of friendship contained in your majesty's letter, were received by the Senate with the greatest satisfaction, and the most lively gratitude. The republic, firm in its ancient usage of regarding the prosperity of the crown of France as its own, continues to form the most ardent wishes for your majesty's glory and the happiness of your reign.

Republic of Genoa.-We have received the letter intimating, that your majesty has accepted the constitutional act presented to you by the nation. We take this occasion of assuring your majesty, that we continue to take a lively interest in all that concerns your august person, and the prosperity of your reign. We repeat our requests for

the

the preservation of our rights, agreeable to the treaties which unite the two nations in a perfect correspondence, and which we shall always consider it as our glory to

maintain.

Republic of Valais.-Your majesty having communicated to us your acceptation of the constitution presented to you by the French nation, we have the honour to assure you that we take the most lively interest in whatever can contribute to the honour and glory of your majesty and the nation, and the strengthening of our alliance. We form the most sincere and ardent vows for the preservation of your majesty's sacred person, and all the royal family.

King of Poland-Joins to his thanks his wishes for the prosperity of the king and of the French nation; he implores for them both the assistance of that God who governs over kings, and by whom legislators extend the voice of justice over empires.

The City of Dantzic.-We thank your majesty for communicating a copy of the new constitution: be happy in the prosperity of a free nation; and continue your august protection towards us.

Copy of an Order of the Court of Brussels to the Magistrates of Ostend, dated October, 1791.

Dearly and well beloved,

IS majesty, the emperor, having, on the demand of the ambassador of his most Christian majesty, resolved to acknowledge

the French national flag throughout his dominions, we send you these presents to inform you of his sovereign intentions, according to which the officers of the police and of navigation are to regulate their conduct.

(Signed) MARIE ALBert, (Countersigned) Van de Velde.

Copy of a Circular Dispatch of the Aulic and State Chancellor, Prince de Kaunitz, to the Ambassadors and Ministers of his Imperial and Royal Majesty at the several foreign Courts, dated Vienna, Nov. 1, 1791.

Sir,

HE state of detention in

THE

which the king and royal family of France were, having cea sed, the emperor has not hesitated to grant to the French ambassador at this court the audience he asked from him on his return from Prague. He received from his hand the annexed letter, by which he informed him of the king's acceptation of the new French constitution. His imperial majesty orders you, Sir, to communicate it to the court where you reside, and also his answer to this annexed let ter; and as he thinks he ought to expose, without restraint, to his majesty what he thinks of the new state of things, and the relations which the court of France actually offers, and the decision of his most Christian majesty, he orders you to accompany these communications with the following overtures.

The

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