I recommend to my Son, if he has the misfortune to become King, to remember that he owes himself entirely to his fellow citizens; that he must forget all hatred and resentment, and particularly all that relates to the misfortunes and afflictions that I endure; that he can only make the people happy by reigning according to the laws, but at the same time, that a King cannot make himself respected, and do all the good he wishes, without having the necessary authority; and that otherwise, being restrained in his operations, and not inspiring respect, he is rather hurtful than useful.
I recommend to my son to take as much care of all those persons who were attached to me, as the circumstances he may be in will allow him; to recollect that it is a sacred debt which I have contracted towards the children or the relations of those who have died for me, and those who suffer for my sake. I know that there are several persons among those who ought to have been attached to me, who have not acted towards me as they ought, and have even been ungrateful towards me; but I forgive them, (often in time of trouble and confusion, men are not masters of themselves) and I beg my son, if he finds the opportunity, to think only of their misfortunes.
I wish I could here give a testimony of my gratitude to those who have shown a true and disinterested affection for me. If, on the one hand, I have been sensibly affected with the ingratitude and disloyalty of those, to whom I had shewn at all times only kindness to them, their relations, or friends; on the other hand, I have had the consolation to receive proofs of disinterested affection and regard from several others. I beg them to accept my best thanks.
In the present state of things, I should fear to expose them if I spoke more explicitly; but I particularly recommend to my son to embrace every opportunity of discovering them.
Nevertheless, I think I should wrong the national feeling, if I were not openly to recommend to my son Messieurs De Chamilly and Hue, whose sincere affection for me induced them to shut themselves up with me in this melancholy abode, and who ran the risque (sic) of being the unfortunate victims of their attachment. I also recommend Cleri, with whose attentions I have had all reasons to be satisfied ever since he has been with me. As he is the person who has remained with me to the last, I request Messieurs de la Commune to give him my clothes, my books, and the other trifles which have been deposited at the Council of the Commune.
I also very willingly forgive those who guarded me, for their ill treatment, and the constraint which they thought necessary to keep me under. I have found some feeling and compassionate minds; may they enjoy in their hearts the pleasure that their turn of thinking must afford them.
I request Messieurs De Malsherbes, Tronchet, and De Seze, to receive my best thanks, and assurances of my gratitude for all the care and attention they have shown me.
I conclude with declaring before GOD, being ready to appear before him, that I cannot reproach myself with any of those crimes that have been laid to my charge.
Made and copied in the Tower of the Temple, the 25th of December, 1792.
(Signed) LOUIS.
And undersigned BEAUDRAIS, Municipal Officer.