688 
q 
_¥ersary should charge me with having in- 
sulted him, by asserting, that he had 
mot kept his word, and he offers single 
combat, in order to terminate the dif- 
ference, it appears to me, Sire, that, by 
accepting the challenge, we should neg- 
lect the most essential point, which 2s, 
the verification of what I have said, and 
he denies. In this case, we both de- 
part from the rules of justice,” because 
the decision of such an affair does not 
appertain to arms. It is the. verity of 
promises, which we have mutually made 
to each other in writing, that can alone 
be decided before the tribunal of sages 
and of chevaliers. Such an_ enquiry 
comes not within the jurisdiction of arms; 
one cannot have recourse to them, but in 
respect to obscure and secret matters, 
known only ta the two parties theme 
selves, and whichit is impossible in any » 
other manner to prove. In this latter 
ease, God alone,” adds he, in the true 
spirit of that age, “ whois the sole judge, 
will discover the truth and the right, by 
giving the victory tothe just. But when 
promises bave been ascertained; when 
there are witnesses worthy of belief; 
writings that are incontestable, and by. 
which the whole may be verified and de- 
eided ; I think, Sire, that I should do 
wrong to come to the last extremity with 
my adversary, until it has been decided 
m a just and proper manner, which of 
us is. in the right. 
‘4 Another very important reflection, 
Sire, is worthy the attention of your Ma- 
jesty. Itis, that the more a man is ele- 
vated im respect to rank, the more ought 
be to be firm and invariable in his pro- 
mises, whether they be oral or written. 
kt follows from this, that the Prince, who 
has failed in his engagements, is infinitely 
less estimable, than he who has never de- 
parted from them., New, it is consi- 
dered as, a principle, that a man ought 
never to combat with any one who Is, not. 
his equal in all points; how can | then 
fight with an adversary. capable of failing 
m respect to his promise? ‘This failure 
is accounted sg degrading amongst. the 
. Jowest classes of the people, that it is. 
- regarded even by them as shameful.. 
» “ Perhaps, Sire, the custom of single 
enmbat might be tolerated among simple 
chevatiers, such as myself; and f am in- 
clined to think, that the same laws of ho- 
nour. which bind us also include princes, 
however great, or however powerful, they 
may be; 1 believe, however, that in the 
present case there is an exception. In 
fine, Sire, would it not be singular, that. 
» Aetrospeet of French Literature—IListory. 
an offence so great, and so notoriers, 
4n the eyes of all Europe, could only ob- 
tain reparation by means of a challenge 
from the King of France, in which he~ 
defies your person? What will this 
produce? Your Majesty’s example will 
operate as a law within your own states 5° 
offences of every kind will be avenged b 
force of arms, and this custom, by whic 
justice is aimed at, will occasion the sa- 
crifice of the blood. of your subjects. 
“ T submit these reflections to the cons 
sideration. of your Majesty, because they 
are directly connected with the present 
question. I beseech you to believe, that 
if I considered any thing as more con- 
formable to truth, [ would most. readily 
cummunicate it, with all that frankness 
and fidelity which characterize the gran- 
dees of your empire. ‘ 
‘“* May God preserve the life of your 
Catholic and Imperial Majesty, so, long 
as Christianity shall. have occasiop for. 
it.—From the most humble and the math 
faithful of your Majesty’s subjects, 
; “ Tue Duke ve L’Iyrantavo.” 
Reply of the Empenate - 
“ My: Cousin, - CIE 
“ T have received your letter, dated 
the 28th of this month. I thank you 3. 
T am much pleased with all that you 
have communicated, in which I recog-. 
nize your usual affection and attachment. 
to me. ; 4 
‘‘ When the reply to the King of 
France shall have been determined upon, 
after due deliberation and consultation, 
i: shall communicate. to you. the .resolu- 
tion taken on my part, persuaded as I 
am, that you, as a good and. faithful 
subject, will take a lively interest im 
whatsoever concerns me. 
“ T, rue Kine 
On Friday, the 19th of June, the Em- 
peror again caused his council to be as~ 
sembled, and received the opinion of the 
members in writing, as had been re-, 
quired. These being read aloud by his. 
Secretary, Don Juan Aleman, it was. 
evident, all tended to preve, that it was, 
not befitting for his Majesty to receive 
coe 
» 
the challenge, as such a.proceeding would | 
- be contrary to the laws,. Notwithstand= — 
ing this, on the S@th, he admitted the 
King at Arms of France to an.audience, 
and received from him the safe conduct 
ou the part of his master, which had 
been demanded,—In the afternoon of - | 
the same day, as he had determined.on — 
his. departure next morning, his Imperial 
beginning as follows: 
‘Majesty dictated a reply to the challenge, — P 
ie We ’ 
