I would have been indifferent to all except that species of opprobrium with which the first magistrates of the Republic endeavour to overwhelm me.
After having deserved well of my country by my last act, I am not bound to hear myself accused in a manner as absurd as atrocious.
I have not expected that a manifesto, signed by emigrants, paid by England, should obtain more credit with the Council of Five Hundred than the evidence of eighty thousand men--than mine! What! we were assassinated by traitors--upwards of four hundred men perished; and the first magistrates of the Republic make it a crime to have believed the statement for a moment.

Upwards of four hundred Frenchmen were dragged through the streets.

They were assassinated before the eyes of the governor of the fort.

They were pierced with a thousand blows of stilettos, such as I sent you and the representatives of the French people cause it to be printed, that if they believed this fact for an instant, they were excusable.

I know well there are societies where it is said, "Is this blood, then, so pure ?" If only base men, who are dead to the feeling of patriotism and national glory, had spoken of me thus, I would not have complained.
I would have disregarded it; but I have a right to complain of the degradation to which the first magistrates of the Republic reduce those who have aggrandised, and carried the French name to so high a pitch of glory.