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��(kl as had been all the steps I had taken during three years and a half in the nc2;otiation, which had already lasted for fifteen years before, and had con- sequently been sufficiently discussed and exhaust- ed. Under such circumstances, and knowing that whatever step I might take to explain this most im- portant affair, would be without effect, or that it would produce no other than that of confirming the voice of those who had, in their own way, painted this treaty to his Majesty as disgraceful, and that I was of an inflexible and obstinate character, and above all partial on a subject in which I had had so large a part, 1 thought it a point of honour to re- main passive, until I should be questioned, or un- til circumstances should force me to present (as I now do) to my fellow citizens, in their native idiom^ the true picture of these negotiations, and the do- cuments that have been published, translated into English, throughout all Europe. I might here make a few observations upon this treaty, which, though useless, as being deducible from the docu- ments themselves, might contribute to the better in- formation of those, particularly, who are not ac- quainted with the ground in question, or who are not profoundly versed in the interests that divide the two nations. But as, to do this, 1 should be under the ne- cessity of analizing the treaty in all its parts, which before its ratification must be presented, according to the constitution of the monarchy happily reestabligh- 19
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