986 
to the emigrants, and to imitate in 
every thing the example which had 
been set on this subject in the Low 
Countries.” We are not ignorant 
also that on the previous compliance 
with this.condition, depended that 
assistance which General Bender 
was to afford to the Elector in case 
of an ulterior attack on our part. 
Why was not this disposition dis- 
closed in the note transmitted to 
you? It will be unnecessary to ex- 
plain to you how devoid of veracity 
that exposition is which the Elec- 
tor made to the Emperor. Every 
thing which he is obliged to do for 
the purpose of conforming to the 
rules established in the Low Coun- 
tries, gives the lie to the assertions 
he has made, and proves in the clear- 
est manner the really hostile condi- 
tion in which the emigrants were in 
his dominions. 
But I cannot pass over in silence 
that passage in the official note in 
which the Elector of Treves affirms, 
“¢ that it is easy to discover that the 
King was not free when he subscrib- 
ed the document which was trans- 
mitted to him on the part of his 
Majesty.” This mode of expres- 
sion ought not to have procured the 
Elector of Treves so easily that pro- 
tection which he requested. 
I pass on, Sir, to the last para- 
graph of the note of the 21st De- 
cember.. It is this article, the peru- 
sal of which has produced the great- 
est number of reflections, and has 
left the deepest impression. Itis there 
said, ‘‘ that the Emperor is too sin- 
cerely attached to his Most Chris- 
tian Majesty, and feels too much 
concern’ for the well-being of 
France and the general repose of 
Europe, not to desire ardently the 
prevention of this extremity, and 
of the infallibile consequences which 
ANNUAL REGISTER, 1792. 
it will produce, as well on the part 
of the chief and the states of the 
German empire, as of the other so- 
vereigns who have united in concert 
for the maintenance of the public 
tranquillity, and the safety and ho- 
nour of crowns.” 
I. It cannot be conceived in what 
manner particular acts, committed 
perhaps by certain municipalities, | 
ought to interest all Europe; since, 
as has been already observed, a small 
portion of good-will would have 
terminated such events in an ami- 
cable way. 
Il. The following expressions 
have made a deep impression :— 
«“ The sovereigns who have united 
in concert for the maintenance of 
the public tranquillity, and the safe- 
ty and honour of crowns.” It has 
been conceived, that these words 
are an index to a league formed 
without the knowledge of, and per- 
haps against, France: it has been a 
matter of astonishment, that the 
Emperor, the brother-in-law and 
ally of the King, should not have 
informed him of this combination 
of the sovereigns of Europe, at the 
head of which his Imperial Majesty 
seems to be placed. This observa- 
tion, Sir, naturally leads me to speak 
to youof the uneasiness which has 
already entered into the minds of 
many, and to which the words 
which I have just quoted added 
a great degree of strength. It is ap- 
prehended, that there does indeed 
exist 2 combination between the 
principal powers of Europe, for the 
purpose of producing some change 
in the French constitution, It is 
supposed that these powers enter- 
tain a design of establishing a con- 
gress, in which this object will be 
discussed between them. _ Finally, 
it is imagined that, uniting their 
power 
