"What means this league of allied kings, with that preparation for war, with which it appals Europe, and grieves humanity?
"By what act, what transgression, have we provoked their vengeance, or given cause for an attack?
"Have we attempted, to impose laws on them, since the peace? We only wish, to make and follow such, as are adapted to our manners.
"We refuse the chief, whom our enemies choose for us; and we choose him, whom they refuse us.
"They dare to proscribe you personally: you, sire, who, so many times master of their capitals, had generously confirmed them on their tottering thrones! This hatred of our enemies adds to our love of you: were they to proscribe the most insignificant of our citizens, it would be our duty, to defend him with the same energy; he would be, like you, under the aegis of the laws and power of France.
"We are threatened with an invasion; yet, confined within frontiers, which nature did not impose on us; and which victory, and even peace, had extended, long before your reign; we have not overstepped this narrow boundary, out of regard to treaties, which you did not sign, yet have offered to respect.
"Do they demand only guarantees? They have them in our institutions; and in the will of the French people, henceforward united with yours.
"Are they not afraid of reminding us of times, of a state of things, but lately so different, and which may again return?
"It would not be the first time, that we have vanquished Europe in arms against us.
"It is to the French nation, that they dare refuse a second time, in the nineteenth century; in the face of the civilised world, those sacred, imprescriptible rights, which the smallest tribe never claimed in vain at the tribunal of history and justice.