“You know the occurrences of the 20th of June.  Our position becomes every day more critical.  There is nothing but violence and rage on one side, weakness and inactivity on the other.  We can reckon neither on the National Guard nor on the army.  We do not know whether to remain in Paris, or to throw ourselves into some other place.  It is more than time for the powers to speak out boldly.  The 14th of July and the days which will follow it may become days of general mourning for France, and of regret to the powers who will have been too slow in explaining themselves.  All is lost if the factions are not arrested in their wickedness by fear of impending chastisement.  They are resolved on a republic at all risks.  To arrive at that, they have determined to assassinate the king.  It would be necessary that any manifesto[1] should make the National Assembly and Paris responsible for his life and the lives of his family.

“In spite of all these dangers, we will not change our resolution.  You may depend on this as much as I depend on your attachment.  It is a pleasure to me to believe that you allow me a share of the attachment which bound you to my mother.  And this is a moment to give me a great proof of it, in saving me and mine, if there be still time.[2]”

The letter to the landgravine was one of reply to a proposal which that princess, who had long been one of her most attached friends, had lately made to her, that she should allow her brother, Prince George of Darmstadt, to carry out a plan by which, as he conceived, he could convey the queen and her children safely out of Paris; the enterprise being, as both he and his sister flattered themselves, greatly facilitated by the circumstance that the prince’s person was wholly unknown in the French capital.

“July, 1792.[3]

“Your friendship and your anxiety for me have touched my very inmost soul.  The person[4] who is about to return to you will explain the reasons which have detained him so long.  He will also tell you that at present I do not dare to receive him in my own apartment.  Yet it would have been very pleasant to talk to him about you, to whom I am so tenderly attached.  No, my princess, while I feel all the kindness of your offers, I can not accept them.  I am vowed for life to my duties, and to those beloved persons whose misfortunes I share, and who, whatever people may say of them, deserve to be regarded with interest by all the world for the courage with which they support their position.  The bearer of this letter will be able to give you a detailed account of what is going on at present, and of the spirit of this place where we are living.  I hear that he has seen much, and has formed very correct ideas.  May all that we are now doing and suffering one day make our children happy!  This is the only wish that I allow myself.  Farewell, my princess; they have taken from me every thing except my heart, which will always remain constant in its love for you.  Be sure of this; the loss of your love would be an evil which I could not endure.  I embrace you tenderly.  A thousand compliments to all yours.  I am prouder than ever of having been born a German.”