STATE PAPERS. 
our governmert is possessed of 
strength, and rests on a firm basis. 
it has nothing to do with a republi- 
can system. The King is invested 
with constitutional power, far supe- 
rior to despotic power. It is witha 
very ill grace asserted, that we are 
likely to cause alarms among all the 
neighbouring nations. If we are 
plunged in anarchy, we cannot be 
formidable to other powers. <A 
league formed against us must there- 
fore be intended for the purpose of 
dividing our spoils. If we be ina 
settled state, it is unjust to make use 
of menaces against us. In every 
point of view there is therefore no 
reason for forming aleague against 
us. The reunion of Avignon is al- 
s0 4 vain pretext. This country, 
in the bosom of the surrounding 
Southern provinces, has for a great 
while belonged to France ; her title 
to it has never been lost by prescrip- 
tion. It was simply a process be- 
tween the King of France and the 
Pope; it is now a process between 
the French nation and the King of 
the French on one part, and the 
Pope on the other.—At the worst, 
it can only be terminated by grant- 
ing an indemnity, in the same man- 
ner as to the German princes having 
possessions in Alsace. 
The ministry of Vienna might have 
known by the conduct of the Nation- 
al Assembly, and by the constitution, 
which must be read, that we may be 
understood (and which constitution 
has been acknowledged by the Em- 
peror Leopold) that we renounce all 
war for conquest ; it is not, there- 
fore, in our power to desire the inba- 
bitants of the Netherlands to throw 
themselves into the arms of France. 
M. de Cobentzel does not, any 
more than yourself, place any con- 
fidence in the observations which 
309 
he made toyou. TJastead of tending 
to a pacific negotiation, they would 
tend to break off all kind of nego— 
tiations. It is impossible the King 
can wait any longer. It is impossi- 
ble that, after he has been invited 
by the National Assembly to de- 
mand a categorical answer, he 
should suffer this negotiation, on 
which the fate of Europe depends, 
to be farther protracted. It is ridi- 
culous to demand, within eight days, 
the confutation of worn-out argu- 
ments, which are employed simply 
to gain time. 
Entrusted with their presentation, 
and with the confidence of a great 
nation, he daily expects a categori- 
cal answer. By my first dispatches 
you are informed in what this an- 
swer must consist.—If the successor 
of Leopold be willing to observe 
his treatise with France, be mast 
without hesitation break off those 
which he has made unknown to her, 
and with bostile intentions against 
ber. He must also withdraw those 
troops by whom we are threatened, 
because such a state of perplexity 
is contrary both io the proceedings 
of an ancient ally, and to the inte- 
rests of the court of Vienna. Ifthis 
declaration be not very speedy and 
very sincere, the King will, on the 
return of the courier whom you 
shall send, consider himself as de- 
cidedly in a state of war, and he 
will be supported by the whole na- 
tion, which is eager for a prompt 
decision. Endeavour, Sir, to finish 
this negotiation, someway or other, 
before the 15th of April. If from 
this moment to that epoch we 
should be informed that the troops 
remain on the frontiers, and re- 
ceive reinforcements, it’ will no 
longer be possible to restrain the 
just indignation of a free and spirit- 
U3 ed 
