179 1 • National Jjfeniblj. ■ 333 



National Ajfembly of france- 



^The National yJJJembly ha'-jin^ put a period to thsrr labours by 

 the completion of the Conjlrtutional Code, it may be proper to 

 give a fummary account of the ceremonies luhich attended its 

 acceptance by the King, and of the bufir.fs luhich occupied them 

 during their pojlerior fittings till the -^oth September, ivhen they 

 finally rofe, and gave place to the Legiflative Aflimbly.J 



The Cor.ftitutior.al Code having been formerly prefented to 

 tW King by a deputation from the AfTcmbly, on the 13th of 

 September, his Majeftyfent the fo'.lowingLcttcr to the AfTcmbly, 

 which was delivered by the Minifter of Juiticc. 



" Gentleinen, 



" I have attentively examined the conftitutional adf, v.-hich 

 you have piefented for my acceptance. I accept it, and I will 

 caufe it to be executed. At another time this declaration 

 might have been fufficient ; at prefent, I owe to the interells 

 of the nation, I owe to myfelf, to make known my motives. 



'* I have always, fince the commencement of my reign, de- 

 fired the reform of abufes ; and in all adts of Government, wifli- 

 cd to be regulated by the public opinion. DiiFerent C3ufcs, 

 among the number of which may be placed the lituaticn of the 

 finances at my acccflion to the throne, and the immenfe ex- 

 pences of an honourable war, long fupported without increafe 

 of impofbs. had eftablilfied a conlideraWe dilproportion between 

 the revenues and the expences of the ftatc. 



" Impreffed with the extent of the evil, I not only fought 

 the means of remedying ; I felt the neceflity of preventing its 

 return. I had formed the projed of fecuring the happinels of 

 the people upon a fixed bafis, and of fubjedling to invariable 

 rules, even that authority of which I was the depofitaiy. I 

 called on the nation to execute it. 



" In the courfe of the events of the revolution, my intentions 

 never varied. When, after having reformed tiie ancient iuftitu- 

 tions, you began to fnbftitute in their ftead the firlt eflays of 

 your work, 1 f'.ul nort delay th- cxpreffion of my fentiments till 

 the whole conftitution fliould be known to me; I favoured the 

 cftablifhment of its parts, even befoVe I could judge of the 

 whole ; and if the iliforders which Iiave attended almofl: all the 

 periods of the revoailion, have too frequently afTadcd my heart. 



