Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Authentic Memoirs Of The Last Year Of Louis The Sixteenth.
to be strictly faithful to my oath ; for it is my opinion , that an exact execution of the Constitution is the best means of making it thoroughly known to the nation , who will then perceive-the change * proper to be made . I have not , and I cannot , have another plan than this . I certainly shall not recede from it ; and I wish my ministers to conform to the same . " ' To this I answered" Your lan appears to me extremely wise
, p , Sire . I feel myself capable of fulfilling it , and I take the engagement to do so . I have not so sufficiently examined the Constitution , either in general , or in its particular branches , as to have a decided and fixed opinion respecting its practicability , nor shall I form one , until experience has more enlig htened the nation and myself . My present resolution isnever to deviate from what it prescribes . But
, may I be permitted to ask , if the Queen ' s way of thinking on this subject is conformable to that of your Majesty ? " added I , " Yes , perftctiy . She will tell you so herself . " ' A moment after , I went to the Queen ' s apartment , who , after a assuring me , with great goodness , that she was as sensible as the King
of the obligations I had laid them under , by accepting of a part in the administration in circumstances so difficult , added thesewords : " The King has informed you of his intentions relative to the Constitution . Don ' t you think , that the only p lan he has to follow is to adhere to his oath r " " Yes , certainly , Madam , " answered I . " Wellbe assured" rejoined she" that nothing shall make us
, , , alter our resolution . Allans . ' be of good courage , M . Bertrand . With a little patience , firmness , and consistency of conduct , I hope you will find that all is not yet lost . " ' I was named Minister the ist of October , and next day took my oath to the King . According to custom , I announced my nomination by a letter to the Assembl . Many remarks were madebut
withy , out any apparent displeasure , on my not having imitated my predecessors , by flattering the Assembly , and praising the Constitution . I simply expressed in my letter , " That having sworn to the King to be faithful to the Constitution , I engaged myself to the Assembly to adhere literally to my oath , and promote the execution of the Constitution by every means within my sphere . "
The above passage evidently shows the candour and sinsenty of the King , andmiist , with every dispassionate reader , help to remove the imputati . ns which popular odium and prejudice lavished on the Queen ; it strongly marks also the firmness and dignity of the Minister . Many individuals in this country , carried . away by the force of
idle or insidious rumour , have censured the supposed hard treatment which M . Chauvelin received in this country ; but how , we would ask , could Ministers , knowing , as probably they did , the insincerity of the man , be inspired towards him with confidence or kindness ? He is thus mentioned by M . Bertrand : " I feel , " said he ( the King ) " that the Queen cannot , without inconveniency , retain the wives of the Emigrants about her , and I have already spoken to her upon the subject : but it cannot be ex-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Authentic Memoirs Of The Last Year Of Louis The Sixteenth.
to be strictly faithful to my oath ; for it is my opinion , that an exact execution of the Constitution is the best means of making it thoroughly known to the nation , who will then perceive-the change * proper to be made . I have not , and I cannot , have another plan than this . I certainly shall not recede from it ; and I wish my ministers to conform to the same . " ' To this I answered" Your lan appears to me extremely wise
, p , Sire . I feel myself capable of fulfilling it , and I take the engagement to do so . I have not so sufficiently examined the Constitution , either in general , or in its particular branches , as to have a decided and fixed opinion respecting its practicability , nor shall I form one , until experience has more enlig htened the nation and myself . My present resolution isnever to deviate from what it prescribes . But
, may I be permitted to ask , if the Queen ' s way of thinking on this subject is conformable to that of your Majesty ? " added I , " Yes , perftctiy . She will tell you so herself . " ' A moment after , I went to the Queen ' s apartment , who , after a assuring me , with great goodness , that she was as sensible as the King
of the obligations I had laid them under , by accepting of a part in the administration in circumstances so difficult , added thesewords : " The King has informed you of his intentions relative to the Constitution . Don ' t you think , that the only p lan he has to follow is to adhere to his oath r " " Yes , certainly , Madam , " answered I . " Wellbe assured" rejoined she" that nothing shall make us
, , , alter our resolution . Allans . ' be of good courage , M . Bertrand . With a little patience , firmness , and consistency of conduct , I hope you will find that all is not yet lost . " ' I was named Minister the ist of October , and next day took my oath to the King . According to custom , I announced my nomination by a letter to the Assembl . Many remarks were madebut
withy , out any apparent displeasure , on my not having imitated my predecessors , by flattering the Assembly , and praising the Constitution . I simply expressed in my letter , " That having sworn to the King to be faithful to the Constitution , I engaged myself to the Assembly to adhere literally to my oath , and promote the execution of the Constitution by every means within my sphere . "
The above passage evidently shows the candour and sinsenty of the King , andmiist , with every dispassionate reader , help to remove the imputati . ns which popular odium and prejudice lavished on the Queen ; it strongly marks also the firmness and dignity of the Minister . Many individuals in this country , carried . away by the force of
idle or insidious rumour , have censured the supposed hard treatment which M . Chauvelin received in this country ; but how , we would ask , could Ministers , knowing , as probably they did , the insincerity of the man , be inspired towards him with confidence or kindness ? He is thus mentioned by M . Bertrand : " I feel , " said he ( the King ) " that the Queen cannot , without inconveniency , retain the wives of the Emigrants about her , and I have already spoken to her upon the subject : but it cannot be ex-