Gazette Of The United States

FRANCE.
ADDRESS.

The Executive Directory to the French Armies.

DEFENDERS of the country the moment approaches when you are again to take up your victorious arms; the moment approaches when you are to quit a repose to which you consented in the hope alone that it would lead to an honorable peace; but the seas of blood which have flowed have not yet satiated the rage of your enemies. They unquestionably imagine that we are about to abandon the fruits of our victories, at the very moment when success is ready to crown them. They imagine that we are about to demand of them as cowards a peace which we have offered them as generous enemies— Let them conceive these unworthy expectations; we will not be surprised; they have never combatted for liberty; but what they cannot be ignorant of, is that the brave armies with which they wish again to try their strength, are the same by which they have been so often subdued. No—they have not forgotten the prodigies of French valor; they still recollect with terror, both the redoubts of Gemmappes, and the plains of Fleurus, and the frozen rivers of Holland; they recollect that the Alps and the Pyrenees have opposed to you but feeble barriers, and that the peninsula of Quiberon became the tomb of all the parricidal slaves, which, in the hopes of subjecting you to the yoke of a master, dared to set their feet on the soil of the republic. If they could have forgotten all this, you will bring it to their recollection by blows still more terrible: you will learn them finally, that nothing can resist the efforts of a great nation which determines to be free.

Brave warriors you have afforded an example of disinterestedness which cannot exist unless among Republicans. Oftentimes amidst the greatest scarcity of provisions, of an absolute want of the most indispensable objects, you have displayed that heroic patience, which joined to your impetuous valour, so eminently distinguishes you, and will signalize you to all nations, and to the eyes of posterity.

Republican soldiers, you will preserve this great character: and at the moment when your situation has been meliorated, when with an unanimous voice the Representatives of the nation have taken measures to provide efficaciously for your wants, you will redouble also your vigour and courage, to put an end to a war which can be terminated by new victories alone.

In vain has the French government manifested to all powers which wage war against France, a sincere wish to restore at length the repose of exhausted Europe; it has in vain made to them the most just and moderate propositions; nothing has been capable of removing their deplorable blindness. Yes, brave warriors, we must still have victories, and it is your energy alone that can put a stop to this devastating scourge. Prepare therefore for a last effort: and let it be decisive: let every thing yield to, let every thing be dissipated by your Phalanxes; Let the new flags of your enemies, carried on by your triumphant hands, form, with the preceding ones, the trophy with which, in the name of France always great in her misfortunes, always just in her prosperity, the equitable peace you will give to the world will be proclaimed.