Remonstrance of the Prince of Condé

these terms: that she recognized the life of the King and her own to have been conserved by their means.

These things, therefore, being considered as they ought to be, what reason can remain for the enemies of the said Lord Prince and his associates—I will not say to found a judgment, but even to establish a simple conjecture—of rebellion? By whose authority will they be declared rebels? Will it be that of the King and the Queen, who made them arm themselves for the conservation of their Majesties, who had recourse to them in their danger, who in this nourished and maintained their will through words and letters, and who, by thanks for their service, approved and accepted what they did as a means for the conservation of all this Kingdom? Furthermore, there is no one who does not know that the enemies of the said Lord Prince abuse the names of the King and the Queen, whose wills they hold forced and subject to their devotion. This is the reason why the said Lord Prince and his associates protested long ago, and protest again, that they do not hold or recognize any edicts, decrees, or ordinances whatsoever made in the name of the King while his liberty is ravaged by the violence and arms of their enemies.

And for this, they take as proof, besides the things written beforehand, what the Queen has so often sent word to them: that she could not grant what they demanded because the opposing party was the stronger and the people were armed.