"The people," said he, "will credit your attachment when they behold you embrace their cause, and combat kings in its defence." The king, surrounded by his ministers, appeared unexpectedly at the Assembly on the 20th of April, at the conclusion of the council.

A solemn silence reigned in the Assembly, for every one felt that the decisive word was now about to be pronounced--and they were not deceived.

After a full report of the negotiations with the house of Austria had been read by Dumouriez, the king added in a low but firm voice, "You have just heard the report which has been made to my council; these conclusions have been unanimously adopted, and I myself have taken the same resolution.

I have exhausted every means of maintaining peace, and I now come, in conformity with the terms of the constitution, to propose to you, formally, war with the king of Hungary and Bohemia." The king, after this speech, quitted the Assembly amidst cries and gestures of enthusiasm, which burst forth in the salle and the tribunes: the people followed their example.

France felt certain of herself when she was the first to attack all Europe armed against her.