The king ceased to be the hostage of the nation, in order to become its ostensible head.

He gave some days to the apparent examination which he was supposed to bestow upon the Constitution.

On the 13th he addressed to the Assembly, by the minister of justice, a message concerted with Barnave, thus conceived:--"I have examined the constitutional act.

I accept it, and will have it carried into execution.

I ought to make known the motives of my resolution.