228 



ANNUAL REGISTER, 1794. 



we to compare tbe means of de- 

 fence actually in ilie power of the 

 republic, with those in fcamer wars, 

 we are n ost assuredly no less in a 

 state prepared to repel the r.ltacks 

 of the enemy, than we weie in 

 the above-mentioned periods. The 

 greater part of our frontiers is co- 

 vered, and C(.'ntinues to be im- 

 proved; we have an army on foot, 

 who have signalized themselves by 

 their bi veryduiing the two last 

 campaigns and who will act, if pos- 

 sible, more bravely when fighting for 

 their all. 'i he cl tearfulness joined 

 to the courage of our seamen, hatb 

 shewn iiselt in the year 1/93. — 

 Neither is the republic without al- 

 lies, w ho, as far as their own si- 

 tuation may admit, will strengthen 

 her: but it is of intinilely more 

 weight than to depend on human 

 cffons, to consider that the (lod 

 of heaven and earih, having so of- 

 ten broUi ht about our d liverance, 

 when the prospect seemed -most 

 dreary, we ha^e at this time good 

 grouniis to hope, under him. for the 

 achievement of h^ncurubleand glo- 

 rious deeds. 



If there are in the republic such 

 unnatural and d; ger.eratc I'ntch- 

 men, who wish for the approach 

 • of the jpnemy, because the/ may 

 imagine it will procure them the 

 means of gratifying their private 

 vindictive spirit ; who, w'lh such 

 views, endeavour to intimidate 

 their fellow-citizens against their 

 taking up arms ' in the common 

 cause, let us consic'er ttiem as in- 

 ternal foes, and vatch their crimi- 

 nal indentions with no less vigi- 

 lance than we do those of our ene- 

 my. 



The pacific system which '.his re- 

 public, as a commercial state, hath 

 ever adopted, I hold to be most to 



her advantage ; but God forbid we 

 should wish for peace at the ex- 

 pence of our security and inde- 

 pendence : if we must lose these 

 inestimable blessings, through the 

 superior force of an enemy, it will 

 be an event sincerely to be lament- 

 ed ; but should we make a volun- 

 tary surrender of the same, then 

 sboi'ld we become an object of con- 

 tempt to all nations. 



That this state hath given Fiance 

 no cause for war is notorious to all 

 the wold. That people might 

 among themselves persecute the. 

 Christian worship, overthrow the 

 ancient throne of their kings, arbi- 

 trarily dispose of the freedom, the 

 lives and property of their lellow- . 

 countrymen. Cur state S:iw all this 

 with inexpressible grief, it 's true, 

 but never had the most distant w ish 

 of df daring war against the opini- 

 ons of this deluded people. In 

 spite of our moderation, have we. 

 been suddenly and most unjustly at- 

 tacked; this attack having been 

 preceded by a dt ciee of the na- 

 tior.al convention, whereby it ap- 

 pears, that the reason of this de- 

 stiuctive war, is to put all coun- 

 tries and nations on a footing of e-- 

 qnal ty with the miseries ot France; 

 namely, to destroy the re igious 

 worship of our forefathers, the fun- 

 damental laws of the slate, and to 

 work a total subversion of our true 

 freedom, i hese, high and mighty 

 lords, arc the oi)jects for which wc 

 should enter into a treaty of capitu- 

 lation, in case the war is to tt:rmi- 

 nate agreeable , lo the enemy's 

 views; howcv,er, these very ob- 

 jects rnust never be niade the sub- 

 ject of treaties, but for llieir belter 

 security and preservation. With 

 retja'd to myself, I know no me- 

 dium between a vigorous resistance 



an^ 



