military and civil virtues I find here. Here the principles of liberty and
equality are cherished, the laws respected, property held sacred. Here
calumnies and factions are unknown. And when I reflect that France has many
millions who can become _such_ soldiers, I ask myself, to what a degree of
_debasement_ must such an immense people be reduced, stronger in its
natural resources than in its artificial defences, opposing to a monstrous
and discordant confederation, simple and united counsels and combinations,
that the cowardly, degrading idea of sacrificing its soverignty, of
permitting any discussion as to its liberties, of committing to negotiation
its rights, could be considered among the _possibilities_ of a rapidly
advancing futurity!

"But, in order that we, soldiers of liberty, should combat for her with
efficacy, or _die_ for her with any _fruit_ or advantage, it is necessary
that the number of the defenders of the country should be promptly made in
some degree proportionate to that of our opponents; that the supplies of
all descriptions should be increased so as to facilitate our movements;
that the comfort and conveniences of the troops, their clothes and arms,
their pay, the accommodations for the sick, should no longer be subject to
fatal delays, or to a miserable and misplaced economy, which defeats its
very end.

"It is _above all, necessary_ that the citizens rallied round their
constitution, should be assured that the rights which that constitution
guarantees shall be respected with a _religious_ fidelity; which will of
itself cause more despair to our enemies than any other measure.

"Do not repel this desire--this ardent wish. It is that of all the sincere
friends of your legitimate authority; assured that no _unjust_ consequence
or effect can flow from a _pure_ principle--that no tyrannical measure can