The cause of Hungary is implicated with the very questions of right, in which your country in so many respects is concerned.  It happens to lie so broad across the principles of international law, as to occupy not only the instinct of the people but also the calm reflection of your statesmen, conspicuous by mature wisdom and patriotism; and herein is the key, besides the generosity congenial to freemen, why the cause which I plead is honoured with so rapid a progress in public sentiment.

And let me entreat your permission for one topic more.  I received, during my brief stay in England, some one hundred and thirty addresses from cities and associations, all full of the same warm sympathy for my country’s cause, which you also have so generously testified.  That sympathy was accorded to me, notwithstanding my frank declaration that I am a republican, and that my country, when restored to independence, can be nothing but a republic.  Now this is a fact gratifying to every friend of progress in public sentiment, highly proving that the people are everywhere honourable, just, noble, and good.  And do you know, gentlemen, which of these numerous addresses were the most glorious to the people of England and the most gratifying to me?  It was one in which I heard your Washington praised, and sorrow avowed that England had opposed that glorious cause upon which is founded the noble fame of that great man; and the addresses—­(numerous they were indeed)—­in which the hope and resolution were expressed, that England and the United States, forgetting the sorrows of the past will in brotherly love go hand in hand to support the eternal principles of international law and freedom on earth.

Yes indeed, sir, you were right to say that the justice of your struggle, which took out of England’s hand a mighty continent, is openly acknowledged even by the English people itself.  The memory of the day of New Orleans must of course recall to your mind the wrongs against which you so gloriously fought.  Oh, let me entreat you, bury the hatred of past ages in the grave where all the crimes of the past lie mouldering with the ashes of those who sinned, and take the glorious opportunity to benefit the great cause of humanity.

One thing let me tell you, gentlemen. People and Governments are different things in such a country as Great Britain is.  It is sorrowful enough that the people have often to pay for what the government sinned.  Let it not be said in history, that even the people of the United States made a kindred people pay for the sins of its government.  And remember that you can mightily react upon the public opinion of Britain, and that the people of Britain can react upon the course of its own government.  It were indeed a great misfortune to see the government of Great Britain pushed by irritation to side with the absolutist powers against the oppressed nations about to struggle for independence and liberty.