LETTER ON THE SITUATION OF FRANCE; WRITTEN FROM DRESDEN ΤΟ Α FRIEND AT PARIS. TRANSLATED EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE PAMPHLETEER. NO. XII. Pam. VOL. VI. 2 L LETTER, &c. ADVERTISEMENT. This letter was sent by post to the person, for whom it was intended; but as from a cause not difficult of discovery, it never reached him, we feel authorised to give it cirqulation through the public press. I HAVE received, my friend, your interesting letter. You require me to answer it frankly and without equivocation. This is no easy commission; for a Frenchman must be susceptible on such a subject. But my task is alleviated by the general opinion, which does justice to your personal conduct, and to those sentiments whereby you have constantly been actuated, under every crisis of fortune and situation. To requite your confidence, I shall trace out the real source of the evils that afflict your charming country. You will bear with the painful truths that I deliver; since I can most conscientiously declare, that they all tend to the repose of the world and the happiness of France. It cannot be denied, that much surprise, and even disgust, have been excited among other nations, by the apathy with which the French have witnessed the troubles of their own country, and by the slight impression that recent events have left on the public mind. If we are told that such is the national character, we must be allowed to judge of the future by the past, and to take those measures of precaution, which circumstances demand. In fact, we believe that the character of the French is much altered; and to discover the causes of this change, and of their conduct since the return of their legitimate sovereign, we have but to accompany the progress of the Revolution. Proceeding on this principle, and contemplating the past, it should seem, that at the period of the king's return, too little attention was directed to the component members of the army, and to the and to the agency of those noxious spirits, who profess themselves to be the originators, and the support, of the glory and happiness of France; words, which have long been shamefully perverted in your country. It is true that this class may be less numerous than is supposed; but it must be confessed, that the unprecedented success of their last treason is well calculated to inspire them with confidence; and that, consequently, after having beheld the wonderful insensibility of a great nation, which suffered itself, without the show of resistance, to be disposed of by a handful of despicable insurgents, already loaded with guilt, the other nations of Europe are obliged to adopt efficacious measures, in order, henceforward, to secure the general tranquillity. Believe me to the inexplicable indif ference of your well-disposed citizens, the evils which France now endures must be mainly attributed. Without stopping to refute the fallacious assertions which are daily hazarded, or to invalidate the absurd rumors which are diffused with incessant malignity, to incite the French against the allies, it is enough to consider the attitude maintained by the army, and the tone which it persists in assuming towards its lawful king, after having been, for the third time, so foully deserted by its treacherous general. The proclamations of individuals remaining at the head of affairs, the rebellion of other chiefs, equally vile and guilty, who are only anxious for plunder, and who obstinately stir up commotion in the departments, all concur to prove that the severe lessons of experience have not diminished the overweening insolence of men, who, for so many years, have been employed, under a master worthy of themselves, in depraving a whole people. Is it seriously thought, that conduct so opposite to that which would be dictated by the wish for domestic peace, and real honor, can justify the confidence of foreign powers? The French people have been oppressed, deceived, and blinded, by all the several governments that have taken place of the fallen throne of Louis XVI. Their victories, and the use they made of them, have corrupted the people in the highest degree, by inflaming their vanity: never was such profound ignorance, linked with such vain pretensions. They dare to set themselves forth as the people the best worthy the esteem, the confidence, and the love of Europe. We believe that it would not be difficult to prove directly the reverse. But it would be a waste of time. We shall content ourselves with referring to some facts, sufficiently decisive, and which must be considered, when treating of the present times. From all quarters, complaints and outcries are heard against the requisitions of the allies. Of course, they are not likely to prove agreeable to those who furnish them. But where lies the blame? After a long struggle against a tyranny unparalleled in the history of the world, the liberating nations, after their victory, retired quietly to their homes, leaving in France more than 50 millions of freemen, and satisfied with their humiliation of a colossal power, equally hostile to France and to the world. They chose to derive no other benefit from so many efforts and sacrifices, besides the happiness of restoring to their ancient enemies, together with a prudent government, the hope and the means of prosperity. They only thought of healing their wounds, and of remedying the many evils inflicted by the French, those endless scourges of subdued countries. On a sudden, these same Frenchmen, perfidious, or misled, or weakly criminal, again disturb the repose of Europe. That sovereign is proscribed, who was invoked by the prayers of the sound part of the nation, and who was the only guarantee of treaties. At the report of this treason, innumerable armies again rush forward, and fix themselves on the bosom of France, to compel her observance of the faith she has contravened. The inhabitants defray the expenses occasioned by the presence of the troops, whom they themselves have assembled. And the requisitions are murmured at by those who introduced them, under those oppressive and hideous forms which took rise with themselves, into every country that they invaded without authority. Besides, what proportion is there between their sufferings and their inflictions? The present government of France, which was not concerned in those spoliations, can judge of the difference between the contributions raised by the allies, and those imposed by France on all Europe. Let your ministers consult their official registers; or rather, call them to mind; for they know their purport well. They will |