Remonstrance of the Prince of Condé

FIRST, regarding the exception of the person of the said Lord Prince, he is too affectionate toward the service of the King to not feel, and be wounded by, the blow dealt to those whom he knows and recognizes as never having had, in taking up arms, any other goal than the preservation of this crown. And the said Lord Prince declares that far from being gratified by this exception, he feels rather offended that they would wish to separate him from so many good and faithful servants of the King, and from as good and holy a company as has ever been assembled in this Kingdom. For this reason, being assured both before God and before men that their innocence is such that all the lies and slanders of the wicked could not make a single stain of disobedience and rebellion remain, either upon the said Prince or his associates, he desires to have the same condition as those who are joined in the same goodness of cause, same Religion, and same desire to employ their lives for the good of the King, the preservation of his state, and the establishment of the pure service of God in his Kingdom.

And just as the said Lord Prince cannot and ought not to be disavowed by those by whose command he has justly taken up arms, neither would he wish to depart from those who have (at his request) armed themselves with him, and with whom he has the same intention and desire. Furthermore, he is well experienced in the wiles of his