The Online Library of Liberty

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• A Discourse, &c.
• Appendix.
• Thirty Millions of People In France. (page 49.)
• The Declaration of Rights, Which Has Been Agreed to By the National Assembly of France, and Sanctioned By the King, and Which Forms the Basis of the New Constitution of France, Contains Such an Authority For Some of the Sentiments In the Foregoing
• Declaration of the Rights of Men and of Citizens,
• Society For Commemorating the Glorious Revolution of 1668.
• Preamble.
• Three Propositions Containing the Fundamental Principles of the Society:
• Published By the Same Author, and Printed For T. Cadell, In the Strand.
• Additions to Dr. Price’s Discourse On the Love of Our Country, Containing Communications From France Occasioned By the Congratulatory Address of the Revolution Society to the National Assembly of France, With the Answers to Them.
• Additions to the Appendix.
• Extract From a Letter of the Duke De Rochefoucauld to Dr. Price. — Dated Paris, December 2 D, 1789.
• Translation.
• Extract From the Votes of the National Assembly of France, of Wednesday the 25 Th of Nov. 1789, Transmitted By the Archbishop of Aix, President of the National Assembly, to Earl Stanhope, Chairman of the Revolution Society In London. Extrait
• Translation. Extract From the Votes of the National Assembly of Wednesday the 25 Th Nov. 1789.
• Letter From the Archbishop of Aix, President of the National Assembly, to Earl Stanhope, Chairman of the Revolution Society. (copy.)
• Translation.
• Resolution of Thanks From the Patriotic Society At Dijon, Transmitted By M. L’abbé Volfius, the Chairman, to Earl Stanhope, Chairman of the Revolution Society. Extrait Du Registre Des Deliberations Du Club Patriotique De Dijon.
• Translation. Extract From the Register of the Deliberations of the Patriotic Society of Dijon.
• Letter From the Members of the Patriotic Union of the Town and Castleward of Lisle, to the Chairman and Members of the Revolution Society In London. Copy.
• Translation.
• Note In Answer to the Archbishop of Aix’s Letter.
• Letter In Answer to the Letter From the Patriotic Society At Dijon.
• Letter In Answer to the Letter From the Members of the Patriotic Union of the Town of Lisle.

TRANSLATION.

Extract from the Register of the Deliberations of the Patriotic Society of Dijon.

At the Meeting held on Monday, Nov. 30, 1789.

Mr. L’Abbe Volfius, President.

Navier, &c. present.

Mr. Navier made the following Speech:

Gentlemen,

“THE Congratulatory Address sent to the National Assembly of France, by the Revolution Society of London, has excited your admiration, and that of every true friend of the public welfare.

“Englishmen disdaining national prejudices, and applauding the efforts of their rivals to shake off the yoke of arbitrary power, present a spectacle which philosophers, attentive to the progress of the human mind, cannot fail to contemplate with pleasure.

“Such then is the victory obtained by reason and philanthropy over popular prejudices and jealousies, that we have now cause to hope that all nations forgetting partial interests, will mutually encourage each other in the attainment of liberty; and that thus, throughout Europe, mankind will be shortly restored to those rights of which despotism has deprived them for a time, but which it never could annihilate.

“Why should we be ashamed, Gentlemen, to acknowledge that the Revolution which is now establishing itself in our country, is owing to the example given by England a century ago?

“It was from that day we became acquainted with the political constitution of that island, and the prosperity with which it was accompanied; it was from that day our hatred of despotism derived its energy. In securing their own happiness, Englishmen have prepared the way for that of the universe. Whilst on all sides tyrants were attempting to extinguish the sacred flame of liberty, our neighbours with intrepid watchfulness and care cherished it in their bosoms. We have caught some of these salutary sparks; and this fire enflaming every mind, is extending itself over all Europe, for ever to reduce to ashes those shackles with which despotism has oppressed mankind.

“Let us render to our neighbours that just tribute of gratitude which the friends of mankind ought never to refuse to the most zealous defenders of its rights.

“Let the Revolution Society know that Frenchmen have been sensibly affected by the congratulations which it has addressed to the National Assembly, that these virtuous philanthropists, seeing the inhabitants of the provinces vying with those of the metropolis in the ardent love of liberty, may be in no doubt about the attainment of their wishes.”

The subject having been debated, the Patriotic Society considering—that it is perfectly consistent with the object of its institution to manifest on every occasion, the zeal of its members for accomplishing a revolution on which depends the welfare of the nation;—that the address from the Revolution Society to the National Assembly is a memorable act, which deserves the gratitude of every Frenchman; and that the surest means to secure the happiness of different nations is to multiply between them those proofs of a fraternal union of sentiment which ought reciprocally to animate men equal in rights and happy in the enjoyment of the advantages of a free constitution:

It was therefore unanimously agreed, that the Revolution Society should be entreated to accept the effusions of lively sensibility and gratitude with which this Society was animated at the reading of the Address in which that Society has so worthily manifested the interest it takes in the efforts of the French nation, to establish a constitution which will enable it to be a partaker with the English people in the very great blessings attached to freedom: and that it desires nothing more ardently than to see fraternal concord established between the two nations, without which they would both lose the fruits of that precious freedom of which they have proved themselves so worthy.

Resolved also, that a Copy of the present resolution shall be sent by the President to the Revolution Society of London.

(The Register Signed) VOLFIUS.

(Extract Signed) Valiant Jun.
Secretary of the Patriotic Society of Dijon.

Letter from the Members of the Patriotic Union of the Town and Castleward ofLisle,to the Chairman and Members of the Revolution Society in London.

COPY.

Messieurs,

Si rien n’est plus capable de flatter l’Assemblée Nationale de la France, que vos applaudissemens à son ouvrage, rien, en même tems, n’est plus propre que votre jugement, à nous en garantir le succés. Il faut l’avouer, Messieurs, en Politique comme en Philosophie, vous etes les maitres et les modéles de toute la terre. C’est chez vous, oui, c’est dans votre ile fortunée, que la liberté, combattuë, repoussée de toutes parts par le despotisme, a trouvé un azile sacré, et si la France va, enfin, jouir de ce bien précieux, elle en sera peutêtre plus redevable à votre nation qu’à elle même; car, si nous n’avoins été encouragés par votre exemple, et èclairés par votre experience, nous serions peut-être encore bien éloignés de rompre les chaines sous les quelles nous etions courbés, et nous gémerions encore sous ce joug odieux qui tirannise et reserre les facultés de l’homme, qui commande à la pensée, qui dégrade son essence, je veux dire, l’empire des préjugés et de la superstition.

La noblesse de votre procédé à l’egard des Français, en les forçant au respect et à la reconnaissance, prouve à la fois à l’Europe entiere, que la jalousie, les injustes rivalités, et toutes les petites passions basses ne trouvent point d’accés dans l’ame élevée des Philosophes amis de la libérté.

Agréez les remercimens particuliers d’une association d’hommes, admirateurs de votre générosité, et soyez persuadés des sentimens de respect, avec les quels, nous avons l’honneur d’être,

Messieurs,
Vos trés humbles, et trés
Obéissans Seviteurs,

Les Membres de l’Union Patriote des
Ville et Chatellenie de Lille.

Lillele 26me. Nov. 1789.

G. Jacquerye
Secretaire.

M. M. Les Président, et Membres du
Club, de la Revolution. Londres.