iygi' National Ajfembly. 335 



to the left of experience alone. While I fhall have faithfully 

 employed all the means which are entiufted to me, no reproach 

 can be marie to me ; and the nation, whofe intereit alone ought 

 to be the iupreme rule, will explain itfelf by thofe means which 

 the conftitution has referved to it. * 



*' But, Gentlemen, for the fecurity of liberty, for the ftability 

 of the conftitution, for the individual happinefs of all French- 

 men, there are interefts in which an imperious duty prefcribes 

 to us to combine all our efforts : Thefe interefts are refpetft for 

 the laws, the re-eftablifliment of order, and the re-union of all 

 the citizens. Kow that the conftitution is definitively fettled, 

 Frenchmen living under the fame laws ought to know no ene- 

 mies but thofe who infringe them : Difcord and Anarchy ; 

 Thefe are our common enemies. 



" I will oppofe them with all my power : It is necefiary that 

 you and your fucceflors fecond me with energy, that law, with- 

 out attempting to eftablilh its dominion over the mind, may 

 equally proteft all thofe who fubmit their conduift to its decilionj 

 that thofe, whom the fears of perfecution and of trouble have 

 driven from their country, be affured of finding at their return 

 fafety and tranquillity ; and in order to extinguifh the animo- 

 fities, to foften the evils, which a great revolution always brings 

 in its train ; that law may, from this day, begin to receive, a 

 ftill execution, let us conlent to an oblivion of the paft. Let 

 thofe accufations and profecutions which originate folely 

 from the events of the revolution, be for ever extinguifhed in a 

 general reconciliation. I fpeak not of thofi; who have been 

 folely influenced by their attachment to me : Can you regard 

 them as criminal ? As to thofe who by excefles, in which I 

 can perceive perfonai injuries have brought upon themfelves' 

 the profecution of the laws, I Ihall prove in aJl ray conduit to 

 them that I am the King of all the French, 



(Signed) LOUIS." 



" P. S. I am of opinion, Gentlemen, that I ought to pro- 

 nounce ray folemn acceptance of the conftitution in the very 

 place in which it was formed — and I ftiall come in perfon to- 

 morrow at noon, to the National Affcmbly." 



September 14. 

 A (hort debate arofe concerning the manner in which the 

 AlTembly fhould receive the King. M. Malouet moved, *' That 

 in token of refoeft to the King's funtftion, the Alfcmbly (hould 

 continue ftanding all the time he is prefent." But M. d' Andre 

 obferved, that what had been pradifed at the opening of the 

 States General ftiould be followed tr. this inftancc— " On the; 



