, his calumniators accused
him of having sold himself to him. Nothing, however, bears out this
suspicion; for if the soul of the Girondists was not free from ambition
and intrigue, their hands at least were pure from corruption.

Gensonne, in his report in the name of the diplomatic committee, asked
two questions; first, what was our political situation with regard to
the emperor; secondly, should his last _office_ be regarded as an act of
hostility; and in this case was it advisable to accelerate this
inevitable rupture by commencing the attack.

"Our situation with regard to the emperor," replied he to himself, "is,
that the French interests are sacrificed to the house of Austria; our
finances and our armies wasted in her service--our alliances broken, and
what mark of reciprocity do we receive? The Revolution insulted; our
cockade profaned; the emigres permitted to congregate in the states
dependent on Austria; and, lastly, the avowal of the coalition of the
powers against us. When from the heart of Luxembourg our princes
threaten us with an invasion, and boast of the support of the other
powers, Austria remains silent, and thus tacitly sanctions the threats
of our enemies. It is true she affects from time to time to blame the
hostile demonstrations against France, but this was but an hypocritical
peace. The white cockade and the counter-revolutionary uniform are
openly worn in her states, whilst our national colours are proscribed.
When the king threatened the elector of Treves that he would march into
his territories and disperse the emigres by force, the emperor ordered
general Bender to advance to the assistance of the elector of Treves.
This is but a slight matter: in the report drawn up at Pilnitz, the
emperor declares, in concert with the king of Prussia, that the two
powers would consider the steps to be taken, with regard to France, by
the other European courts; and that should war ensue, they would
mutually assist each other. Thus it is manifest that the emperor had
violated the treaty of 1756, by contracting alliances without the
knowledge of France; and that he has made himself the promoter and pivot
of an anti-French system. What can be his aim but to intimidate and
subdue us, in order to bring us to accept a congress, and the
introduction of shameful modifications in our new institutions?

"Perhaps," added Gensonne, "this idea has germinated in France? Perhaps
secret information induces the emperor to