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INTERESTS OF GREAT BRITAIN, 463of a free monarchy, how much more was it incompatiblewith the constitutions of the principal states of the continent,which are either in the class of absolute monarchies withoutdemocratic influence, or at most belong to those in whichthe higherclasses exercise in the state assembly only a certain, and for the most part very limited, share in the legislation. If in the case of the British state a reform in theconstitution might possibly have been sufficient, (thougheven this is scarcely probable,) an entire change in the constitution of those other states must unavoidably have ensued,if the French principle prevailed.How just, therefore,were the apprehensions which every where arose ! Whocould determine how far a doctrine would spread, which atthe same time flattered the people, and was set forthby itsoriginators as that which alone was productive of happiness ?But these apprehensions received a new and formidable increase by the decree of the Convention, 19th Nov. 1792,which offered assistance from France to all people, who, for theestablishment of liberty,i. e.democracy, should rebel againsttheir constituted authorities. Such a summons to a generalinsurrection is unparalleled in history, and if any indulgedthe flattering hope that such a decree would never be executed, it was crushed by the new decree of 17th Dec., whichenjoined all the generals of the new republic tothose countriesestablish ininto which they should carry their arms, ademocracy in place of the pre-existing constitutions.Thus bythis decree was the most sacred prerogativewhich nations possess, that by virtue of which they form astate, their constitution, threatened with annihilation. Intheir constitution was al the same time involved their independence, because the new constitution was prescribed tothem. Can any thing more be required to justifythe rulingauthorities, if they refused what was attempted to be forcedupon them if ; they defended their rights if ; they even tookup arms in their defence ?The foregoing remarks apply to all governments wenow ; return to England, to whose policy our researches areconfined.Among the states which formed the first great confederacyagainst France, England was one of the last, and cannottherefore be regarded as the originator of that confederacy.