S TAs Tee Or A PEFR S. 
they may give a-sort of credit to 
the inductions ? Undoubtedly you 
will see with pain that the public 
receives them ; for however forced 
they may be, they injure the idea 
which the court of ‘Denmark 
wishes always to give of the frank- 
ness of its proceedings. That after 
having so long delayed a measure, 
become necessary to her own con- 
‘sideration, as well as to the dig- 
nity of the republic, she might be 
again suspected of wishing to de- 
stroy the good effect secretly, and 
to weaken whatever advantage the 
measure might produce to Fraace. 
Would not this bea real inconve- 
nience? Ionly wish to point out 
what in this concerns your own 
reputation. 
On the other hand, sir, the 
French government, now  esta- 
blished on a new constitution, re- 
sSumes its rank among the other 
European powers. It will of course 
‘be extremely cautious notto incur 
the charge of inconsistency, nor to 
suffer any stain to attach onits dig- 
nity, nor in any respect to sanction 
by injustice the detraction of its 
calumniators. The government 
well know the influence of public 
Opinion, and will not fail so set 
themselves right in the estimation 
of the world, when their adversa- 
ries are busily employed in corrupt- 
ing it. 
Although they feef themselves 
far superior to flattery and ostenta- 
tion, and direct all their operations 
with that confidence which arises 
from the wisdom of their councils, 
and the energy of their measures ; 
yet the value they set upon their 
connection with Denmark, renders 
it impossible for them to behold, 
with an eye of indifference, a 
circumstance waich conveys a harsh 
Vor. XXXVIII. 
[209 
reflection on their conduct. The 
abuse that might be made of your 
note, gave them much concern, 
and it was with extreme satisfaction 
that they received a testimony of 
the rectitude of your intentions. 
A loyal government stoops not to a 
disavowal, becauseit asserts nothing 
but thetruth. A wise government 
ought to contemn false reports, 
but a benevolent government, . or 
only an impartial one, will not ree 
ject overtures to an explanation, 
especially if it is demanded with 
amicable views. ; 
It is with this view, sir, that I 
now discharge this important duty, 
a duty which, though painful, is 
still necessary to prevent an inter- 
ruption of the existing harmony 
between our respective states, which 
ought to be united more closely 
than ever. If personal considera- 
tion were of any weight, J should 
give my opinion that this is not an 
unimportant abject, and perhaps 
the occurrences, which preceded 
my admission, were not of the most 
conciliatory nature, and may pro- 
duce same embarrassments in the 
event, at Jeast with respect to this 
court. The first observation £ 
submit to your wisdom, and the 
latter remark to your delicacy, _ 
(Signed) GROUVELLE, 
Answer of Count Bernstorff. 
Sir, 
I AM very sensible and grateful 
for the sentiments expressed in the 
letter which I have had the honour 
to receive from you. They increase 
my esteem, and though I cannot 
add any thing fo that which I have 
verbally pronounced to you, I enter 
with pleasure into your wishes ; 
and I do not hesitate to give you 
friendly explanations, even on the 
P objects 
