288 
the head of the new government, 
the emigrants ought to have created 
no further interest, except from 
their misfortunes ; and it was easy 
to judge that their pretensions and 
movements, in affording hopes to 
someand uneasiness to others, would 
produce troubles in the kingdom, 
and would perhaps communicate 
those troubles toa large part of Eu- 
rope. Hence the document of the 
2lst December, which seemed to 
announce an intention of protect- 
ing them, produced a kind of ex- 
plosion, and gave rise to so many 
suspicions and reproaches. And 
upon whom was all this to fall? 
Upon the King; because malevo- 
lence endeavoured to inculcate a 
belief “that there exists between 
- the Emperor and the King a per- 
fect intimacy ; that all their mea- 
sures are concerted ; and that it is 
thus the King, who protects the 
emigrants, directs the coalition of 
all the powers of Europe.” It 
would therefore be a great means 
of calming men’s minds, and re-es- 
tablishing order and tranquillity in 
the kingdom, if a stop were put to 
these scandalous associations of emi- 
grants, who, without titles or terri- 
tories, endeavour to elevate them- 
selves to power, thinking only to 
revenge their private injuries, and 
to make good their personal pre- 
tensions, 
It appears, Sir, that one of the 
things which has most displeased the 
Austrian minister, is the licence of 
speech and writing; and that he 
pretends that a government, in 
which such excesses are tolerated, 
is in itself intolerable. Upon this 
subject we have laid down wise 
principles, and established just laws. 
But it ought to be considered, that 
our organization is only in its infan- 
ANNUAL REGISTER, 1702. 
cy ; that the resources of our new 
government are not yet in possession 
of all their energy ; and that, in the 
midst of disquietude, occasioned 
partly by foreign powers, it is im- 
possible that the Jaws should exercise 
all their dominion in the interior of 
the kingdom. Let them cease to 
disquiet us, to threaten us, and to 
furnish pretexts to those who only 
wish to produce disorder, and order 
will soon be established. This de- 
luge of libels, with which we have 
been so completely inundated, has 
already diminished, and continues 
daily to diminish. Indifference and 
contempt are the arms with which 
this affliction ought to be encoun- 
tered. Ought all Europe to be irri- 
tated against the French nation, 
because it conceals in its bosom some 
declaimers and pamphleteers; and 
would they do them the honour of 
answering them from the mouth of 
their cannon? Moreover, if it were 
possible that a miserable cause like 
this should draw all the powers of 
Europe into a war, this war, what- 
ever might be the event, would not 
destroy the object against which it 
was undertaken. It would, on the 
contrary, add to its strength and 
activity. 
I have just, Sir, pronounced an 
important word: a word which oc- 
cupies every person’s mind; a word 
which gives uneasiness to some, and 
is the desire of others. This word is 
War. You will easily believe that 
the King is at the head of those who 
opposeit. His excellent mind, act- 
ing in concert with his heart, re- 
volts at the idea. I regard it, even 
if it should be fortunate, as a cala- 
mity to the kingdom, and a scourge 
to humanity. In the mean time I 
can assure you, that the King has 
been very sensibly affected by the 
document 
