But if Russia is so weak as I have shown her to be, why, you may say, do I ask your support and aid against her interference?  Because Russia is only thirty hours’ distance from Hungary, and one of her large armies stands prepared to move at any time against the liberties of our people, before we could have time to develop our resources.  This is the motive why I ask, in the name of my country, the great and beneficial support of the United States to check and prevent Russian interference in Hungary, so that we may have time to erect it into an insurmountable barrier and impregnable fortress against the despotism of the Czar.  This, I say, is the reason why I claim aid from the United States, and ask it to assume its rightful executive in the police of nations.  That is the only glory which is wanting to the lustre of your glorious stars.  The militia of the United States having been the assertors of the independence and liberties of this country and the guardians of its security, have now scarcely any other calling; and I confidently hope, that being your condition, you will not deny your generous support to the great principle of non-interference, in the next struggle which Hungary will make for freedom and independence, which even now is felt in the air, and is pointed out by the finger of God himself.  My second earnest wish and hope is, that the people will see that their commerce with other people, whether in revolution or not, shall be secured.  It is not so much my interest as it is your right; and I hope the militia of the United States will ever be ready to protect oppressed humanity.  My third humble claim is, that this great republic shall recognize the legitimate independence of Hungary.  The militia of this country fought and bled for that principle upon your own soil; so, by the glory of your predecessors—­by all the blessings which have flowed from your struggle, which make your glory and happiness—­you will feel inclined to support this my humble claim for the recognition of the legitimate independence of my fatherland.

I thank you for the generous sympathy, and for the reception and welcome of my companions, the devoted sons of Hungary, who were ready to sacrifice life and fortune to the independence of their native land.  There are several among them who were already soldiers before our struggle, and they employed their military skill in the service of their country.  But there were others who were not soldiers, yet whose patriotism led them to embrace the cause of their native land, and they proved to be brave and efficient supporters of the freedom for which they fought.  Thanking you for the sympathy you have expressed for them, I promise you, gentlemen, that they will prove themselves worthy of it.  I will point out to them the most dangerous places, and I know they will acquit themselves honourably and bravely.  As to myself, I have here a sword on my side given to me by an American citizen.