The King of Prussia received the Frankfort deputation on the
3d instant, and replied to the address of the Assembly at Frankfort with a conditional refusal of the Imperial crown. Acknowledging with eloquent warmth the confidence that the Assembly had reposed in him, he proceeded- " But I should not Justify that confidence—I should not answer to the expectations or the German people—I should not strengthen the unity of Germany—if I, violating sacred rights and breaking my former explicit and solemn promises, were, without the Voluntary assent of the crowned Princes and free States of our Fatherland, to take a re- solution which must be of decisive importance to them and to the States which they rale. It will now lie with the several Governments of the German States to examine the Constitution which the National Assembly has drawn up, and declare whether it will be of advantage to all—whether the rights it confers on me will place me in the position to guide the destinies of Germany and realize the expectations of the people."
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