Strange that there are men who can be so besotted as to see, in the decrees of the Usurper concerning feudal tenures and a worn-out Inquisition, any other evidence than that of insidiousness and of a constrained acknowledgement of the strength which he felt he had to overcome.

What avail the lessons of history, if men can be duped thus?
Boons and promises of this kind rank, in trustworthiness, many degrees lower than amnesties after expelled kings have recovered their thrones.
The fate of subjugated Spain may be expressed in these words,--pillage--depression--and helotism--for the supposed aggrandizement of the imaginary freeman its master.

There would indeed be attempts at encouragement, that there might be a supply of something to pillage: studied depression there would be, that there might arise no power of resistance: and lastly helotism;--but of what kind?
that a vain and impious Nation might have slaves, worthier than itself, for work which its own hands would reject with scorn.
What good can the present arbitrary power confer upon France itself?
Let that point be first settled by those who are inclined to look farther.
The earlier proceedings of the French Revolution no doubt infused health into the country; something of which survives to this day: but let not the now-existing Tyranny have the credit of it.

France neither owes, nor can owe, to this any rational obligation.

She has seen decrees without end for the increase of commerce and manufactures; pompous stories without number of harbours, canals, warehouses, and bridges: but there is no worse sign in the management of affairs than when that, which ought to follow as an effect, goes before under a vain notion that it will be a cause .-- Let us attend to the springs of action, and we shall not be deceived.