STATE PAPERS. 
every kind of calamity, the most 
beautiful empire in the universe. 
The King of Prussia has too pure 
a soul not to be struck with these 
truths. I present them to him for 
the interest of his own glory, and, 
above all, for the interest of two 
magnanimous nations, the happiness 
or misery of which he can secure 
by one word; for, as it is certain 
that his arms will be resisted, and 
that no power can subdue France, I 
shudder when I think on the dread- 
ful misfortune of seeing our plains 
strewed with the dead bodies of two 
respectable nations, from a vain idea 
of a point of honour, for which the 
King himself will one day blush, 
when he sees his army and his trea- 
sure sacrificed to a system of per- 
fidy and ambition, in which ‘he has 
no share, and to which he is ren- 
dered the dupe. 
In the same degree tbat the French 
nation, become a republic, is violent 
and capable of making every effort 
against its enemies, in the same de- 
gree it is generous and affectionate 
towards its friends. Incapable of 
bending its head before armed men, 
it will give every succour, and even 
expend its blood for a generous ally; 
and if ever there was an epoch when 
the affection of a nation could be 
depended on, it is that when the 
general will forms the invariable 
principles of a government: it is 
that when treaties are no longer 
subjected to the insidious politics 
of ministers and courtiers. If the 
King of Prussia will consent to treat 
with the French nation, it will be- 
come a generous, powerful, and un- 
changeable ally; but if the illusion 
of a point of honour prevails over 
his virtues, his humanity, and bis 
real interests, he will then find ene- 
mies worthy of him, who will com- 
279: 
bat him with regret, but to the ut- 
most, and who will be continually, 
succeeded by avengers, whose num- 
ber daily increases, and whom no 
human efforts will prevent from 
living or dying free. 
Is it possible that the King of 
Prussia, contrary to the rules of true 
policy, im:nutable justice, and huma- 
nity, should consent to be the in= 
strument of the will of the perfidious 
court of Vienna? should sacrifice 
his brave army and his treasures to 
the ambition of that court which, in 
a war it has been directed to under- 
take, has the finesse to expose its 
allies, and to furnish only a smalk 
contingency; while it alone, were 
it brave and generous, ought to sup- 
port the whole burthen? The King 
of Prussia at present can act the 
noblest part that any king ever acted. 
His operations alone have been at- 
tended with success: he took two 
towns: but this success was owing 
to treachery and cowardice. Since 
that he has found free and brave 
men, from whom he cannot with- 
hold his esteem. He will still find 
a greater number; for the army 
which stops his march increases 
every day: itis in excellent disci- 
pline, and animated by the same 
spirit: it-has been freed from trai- 
tors and cowards, who might have 
excited an idea that France could be 
easily conquered; and instead of 
defending, it will soon attack, unless 
a reasonable negotiation makes a 
distinction between the King and 
his army, whom we esteem,—and 
the Austrians and the emigrants, 
whom we despise. It is time that 
an open and sincere explanation 
should terminate our discussions, or 
confirm them, and enable us to 
know our real enemies. We will 
combat them with courage; we are 
S 4 upon 
