They abuse your conscience with respect to the decree against the priests, and are pushing you on to civil war.

You are without strength, defenceless, and you will sink under it, whilst History, though full of commiseration for you, will accuse you of the misfortunes of your people." The king was seated near a table where he had just signed the general's accounts.

Dumouriez was standing beside him with clasped hands.

The king took his hands in his own, and said to him, in a voice sorrowful but resigned, "God is my witness, that I only think of the happiness of France." "I never doubted it, sire," responded Dumouriez, deeply affected.

"You owe an account to God, not only for the purity, but also for the enlightened use, of your intentions.