no ANNUAL REGISTER, 1794. 



GENTLEMEN, 



In availing myself, for the first 

 time, in the midst of the Corsican 

 nation, of the privilege of calling 

 you brothers and fellow -citizens, a 

 reflection whicii will naturally oc- 

 cur to every one, excites in me the 

 most heart-felt ssftisfaction ; inde- 

 pendent of the reciprocal political 

 advantages which we may derive 

 from so close a connection, I see, on 

 the present occasion, every thing 

 that can render it more precioui 

 and more estimable by the senti- 

 ments of confidence and of affection, 

 the first and pure principles of our 

 union, which they will forever con- 

 tinue to cement and consolidate. 



This remarkable truth, which it 

 is impossible to overlook, cannot be 

 mentioned without a strong emotion 

 of sensibility and joy . Our two na- 

 tions have, for a long period, been 

 distinguished by a reciprocal and re- 

 markable esteem. Without antici- 

 pating the happy end to which this 

 instinctive partiality, this sympathe- 

 tic attraction, may some day lead 

 us, we have given to each other in- 

 stances of confidence on every oc- 

 casion, yet no relations have hither- 

 to subsisted between us, except 

 those of reciprocal and voluntary 

 good offices. Our minds have been 

 prepared by Providence for the fate 

 which awaited us, and the Divine 

 Goodness, intending our union, has 

 ordained that it should be antici- 

 pated, and brought about (if 1 may 

 so express myself), by a similarity 

 of character, and by a conformity 

 of views and principles, and, above 

 all, by a pleasing exchange of 

 friendly services. 



This sacred compact, which I re- 

 ceived from your hands, is notacold 

 and interested agreement between 

 two parties who meet -by accident 



and form a contract founded on the 

 impulse of the moment, or on a sel- 

 finh and temporary policy. — No ; 

 the event of this liapuy day is oiiiy 

 the corr.pletion of wishes we h 

 previously formed; to-dayourhan..! , 

 are joined, but our hearts have Ion p; 

 been united, and our motto should 

 be yfmici et non di vetitura. 



However seducing this prospect 

 of our happiness may appear, I trust 

 (and it is important for us to know 

 it, as we assuredly do) that it does 

 not depend on sentiment alone ; 

 but it rests on the solid basis of the 

 true interests and permanent felicity 

 of the two nations. 



I will not mention to you the inte- 

 rests of Great Britain upon this oc- 

 casion ; not that they are of little 

 consequence, but being of a nature 

 purely political, the subject would 

 be too cold, too dry, for this im- 

 portant day. Besides, it is not ne- 

 cessaiy on this occasion to appreciate 

 them in detail. I shall confine my- 

 self to this remark, that every pos- 

 sible advantage which Great Britain 

 could have in view from her union 

 with Cori.ica, is essentially attached 

 to your political and absolute inde- 

 pendence of every European power, 

 and that these advantages are n&t 

 only compatible with your interests, 

 but cannot for the most part exist, 

 and still less flouriih, but in propor- 

 tion to your prosperity. 



On your part, vrhat is necessary 

 to render you a happy people ? I 

 will tell you in two words — liberty 

 at heme, and security abroad. 



Your liberty will not be exposed 

 to any encroachments from a mo- 

 narch who, by his own experience 

 and the example of his ancestors for 

 several generations, is persuaded that 

 the liberty and the prosperity of his 

 people is the only foundation of the 



power, 



