So you see, gentlemen, that there is a very great difference between your declaration and ours—­it is in our favour.  There is another difference; you declared your independence of the English crown when it was yet very doubtful whether you would be successful.  We declared our independence of the Austrian crown only after we, in legitimate defence, were already victorious; when we had actually beaten the pretender, and had thus already proved that we had strength to become an independent power.  One thing more:  our declaration of independence was not only overwhelmingly voted in our Congress, but every county, every municipality, solemnly declared its consent and adherence to it; so it became sanctioned, not by mere representatives, but by the whole nation positively, and by the fundamental institutions of Hungary.  And so it still remains.  Nothing has since happened on the part of the nation contrary to this declaration.  One thing only happened,—­a foreign power, Russia, came with its armed bondsmen, and, aided by treason, has overthrown us for a while.  Now, I put the question before God and humanity to you, free sovereign people of America, can this violation of international law abolish the legitimate character of our declaration of independence?  If not, then here I take my ground, because I am in this very manifesto entrusted with the charge of Governor of my fatherland.  I have sworn, before God and my nation, to endeavour to maintain and secure this act of independence.  And so may God the Almighty help me as I will—­I will, until my nation is again in the condition to dispose of its government, which I confidently trust,—­yea, more, I know,—­will be republican.  And then I retire to the humble condition of my former private life, equalling, in one thing at least, your Washington, not in merits, but in honesty.  That is the only ambition of my life.  Amen.  Here, then, is my THIRD humble wish:  that the people of the United States would, by all constitutional means of its wonted public life, declare that, acknowledging the legitimacy of our independence, it is anxious to greet Hungary amongst the independent powers of the earth, and invites the government of the United States to recognize this independence at the earliest convenient time.  That is all.  Let me see the principle announced:  the rest may well be left to the wisdom of your government, with some confidence in my own respectful discretion also.

So much for the people of the United States, in its public and political capacity.  But if that sympathy which I have the honour to meet with is really intended to become beneficial, there is one humble wish more which I entertain:  it is a respectful appeal to generous feeling.  Gentlemen, I would rather starve than rely, for myself and family, on foreign aid; but for my country’s Freedom, I would not be ashamed to go begging from door to door.  I have taken the advice of some kind friends whether it be lawful to express such a humble request, for I feel