The Constitutions and Other Select Documents Illustrative of the History of France, 1789–1907/14
14. The Declaration of Pilnitz
August 27, 1791. Vivenot, Kaiserpolitik Oesterreichs, I, 234. Translation, James Harvey Robinson, University of Pennsylvania Translations and Reprints.
This document was a direct result of No. 13. It seems certain that the signatories, the sovereigns of Austria and Prussia, attached but little importance to it. For them the qualifying words were the emphatic ones. This, however, was not thoroughly understood in France, and a little later the declaration was an important factor in persuading the French people that they must fight Europe in order to prevent interference with the course of the revolution in France.
References. Clapham, Causes of the War of 1792, 76–82; Lecky, England in the Eighteenth Century, V, 556–558 (French Revolution, 326–328, 569); Von Sybel, French Revolution, 361–368: Cambridge Modern History, VIII, 398–399; Sorel, L’Europe et la révolution française, II, 252–264.
His Majesty, the Emperor, and his Majesty, the King of Prussia, having given attention to the wishes and representations of Monsieur (the brother of the King of France), and of M. le Comte d’Artois, jointly declare that they regard the present situation of His Majesty the King of France, as a matter of common interest to all the sovereigns of Europe. They trust that this interest will not fail to be recognized by the powers, whose aid is solicited, and that in consequence they will not refuse to employ, in conjunction with their said majesties, the most efficient means in proportion to their resources to place the King of France in a position to establish, with the most absolute freedom, the foundations of a monarchical form of government, which shall at once be in harmony with the rights of sovereigns and promote the welfare of the French nation. In that case [Alors et dans ce cas] their said majesties the Emperor and the King of Prussia are resolved to act promptly and in common accord with the forces necessary to obtain the desired common end.
In the meantime they will give such orders to their troops as are necessary in order that these may be in a position to be called into active service.
Pilnitz, August 27, 1791.
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