eir dominions.
(Applause.) The necessity of this measure was seen here from the first.
Ministers will talk to you of considerations of state, family reasons;
these considerations, these weaknesses cover a crime against liberty.
The king of a free people has no family. Again, I counsel you attack the
leaders only; let it no longer be said, 'These malcontents are then very
strong; these 25,000,000 of men must then be very weak thus to consider
them.'

"It is to foreign powers especially that you should address your demands
and your menaces. It is time to show to Europe what you are, and to
demand of it an account of the outrages you have received from it. I say
it is necessary to compel those powers to reply to us, one of two
things; either they will render homage to our constitution, or they
will declare against it. In the first place, you have not to balance, it
is necessary that you should assail the powers that dare to threaten
you. In the last century when Portugal and Spain lent an asylum to James
II., England attacked both. Have no fears--the image of liberty, like
the head of Medusa, will affright the armies of our enemies; they fear
to be abandoned by their soldiers, and that is why they prefer the line
of expectation, and an armed mediation. The English constitution and an
aristocratic liberty will be the basis of the reforms they will propose
to you, but you will be unworthy of all liberty if you accept yours at
the hands of your enemies. The English people love your Revolution; the
emperor fears the force of your arms: as to this empress of Russia,
whose aversion to the French constitution is well known, and who in some
degree resembles Elizabeth, she cannot hope for success more brilliant
than had Elizabeth against Holland. It is with difficulty that slaves
are subjugated fifteen hundred leagues off; they cannot enslave free men
at this distance. I will not condescend to speak of other princes; they
are not worthy of being included in the number of your serious enemies.
I believe then that France ought to elevate its hopes and its attitude.
Unquestionably you have declared to Europe that you will not attempt any
more conquests, but you have a right to say to it, 'Choose between
certain rebels and a nation.'"

XIV.

This discourse, although in several parts very contradictory, proved
that Brissot had the intention of playing three parts in one, and of
captivating at once the three parties in the Assembly.