4880. LOUIS XVI., Honesty.—
The King is the honestest man in his kingdom, and the
most regular and economical. He has no foible
which will enlist him against the good of his
people; and whatever constitution will promote
this, he will befriend. But he will not
befriend it obstinately: he has given repeated
proofs of a readiness to sacrifice his opinion to
the wish of the nation. I believe he will consider
the opinion of the States General, as the
best evidence of what will please and profit the
nation, and will conform to it.—
To Mr. Cutting. Washington ed. ii, 470.
(P.
Aug. 1788)
