. . that France, whether
monarchical or republican, had a certain limit which French power was
not to overstep, because this was not in proportion to the real
strength of France, nor with the distribution of force among the other
European governments. On this capital point the convention erred; it
erred knowingly, through a long-meditated calculation, which
calculation, however, was false. and France paid dearly for its
consequences." - Mallet-Dupan, II., 288, Aug. 23, 1795. "The
monarchists and many of the deputies in the Convention sacrificed all
the conquests to hasten on and obtain peace. But the fanatical
Girondists and Si?y?s' committee persisted in the tension system.
They were governed by three motives: 1, the design of extending their
doctrine along with their territory; 2, the desire of successively
federalizing the States of Europe with the French Republic; and 3,
that of prolonging a partial war which also prolongs extraordinary
powers and revolutionary resources." -- Carnot, "M?moires," I., 476.
(Report to the Committee of Public Safety, Messidor 28, year II.) "It
seems much wiser to restrict our plans of aggrandizement to what is
purely necessary in order to obtain the maximum security of our
country.
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