142 
of the French republic, one and 
indivisible, adopted by the present 
national convention, on the 23d of 
June, 1793, and under the title of 
*€the relation of the French re- 
public with foreign nations,’’ and 
by the articles 118 and 119 of 
that constitution, it is declared and 
enacted, that 
*¢ The French people is the 
é® friend and natural ally of every 
** free nation. It does not inter- 
*« fere with the government of 
*€ other nations ; it does not suffer 
“€ that other nations should inter- 
‘© fere withits own.’’ 
So frank, so fair, and so explicit 
2 declaration on their part, did, in 
my opinion, entitle them to a bet- 
‘ter species of return. 
tothly, Pecause I conceive that 
a true republican form of govern- 
ment, being firmly established in 
France, is much more safe for the 
liberties of the people of Great 
Britain, than the tyrannical, capri. 
cious, perfidious, secret, intriguing, 
and restless ancient monachy of 
France; of than any other mo- 
narchy they could there establish : 
but even if I were of a direct op- 
posite way of thinking, I would not 
be guilty of the gross injustice of 
attempting to force a monarchy 
upon them contrary to their incli- 
nation. 
1tthly, Because I think that no 
war ought to be continued, that 
can, by a proper fine of modera- 
tion, be avoided; and the more 
especially with respeét to the 
French people, who, by their re- 
publican exertions, republican en. 
thusiasm, and republican courage, 
have made victory the almost con. 
Stant ‘* order of the day.’’ 
r2thly, Because. the continuing 
of such a bloody contest, without 
ANNUAL REGISTER, 1795. 
necessity, appears to me td be 2 
profane tempting of Divine Pro- 
vidence, in whose benign and al- 
mighty hands the fate of battles 
and of ‘empires is placed. 
13thly, Because I wish to wash 
my hands entirely of all the in- 
nocent blood that may be shed in 
this war with France, of all the 
carnage which may take place, and 
of all the destru€tion, confusion, 
and devastation (perhaps in Great, 
Britain itself) which may ensue. 
r4thly, Because it was my obje& 
to preclude the government of 
Great Britain from attempting to 
stir up, or excite insurre€tions in 
La Vendée, or any other depart- 
ment of the French republic ; and 
the resolution I moved was well 
caleulated for that purpose. 
And, rsthly, Because the maxim 
of ** do not to others that which 
you would not wish done to your- 
self,’’ is an unerring rule founded 
upon the clear principle of justice, 
that is to say, of equality of rights. 
It is upon that strong and solid 
ground that { make my stand; and 
all public men, in order to merit” 
the confidence of the British peo- 
‘ple, must shew their determination 
to At with frankness, and with un. 
equivocal good faith and justice, 
towards the French republic. 
Having upon this most import. 
ant and momentous subject, fre- 
quently stood alone, and having 
also been, upon this last occasion, 
totally unsupported in the division, 
if I should therefore cease, at pre- 
sent, to attend this house (where 
I have been placed by the mere 
accident of birth), such of my 
fellow-citizens as are friends to 
freedom, and who may chance to 
read this my solemn protest, will find 
that I have not altered my senti- 
ments 
