Pieter Vreede Quotes
I cannot flinch from saying such things in public. As a Representative of the People I am duty bound to do so. Justice cries out to me not to dissemble.
Many of the other members of the National Assembly criticized him for “washing the Assembly’s laundry” in public. They argued that the people would lose confidence in the National Assembly. The National Assembly at the time was the legislative branch, the executive branch, and the judicial branch all at the same time. See {639833} for an example of the public statements he made. “Dissemble” means to lie or shade the truth with the intent of deceiving.
Pieter Vreede, 1750–1837, Dutch Politician, Revolutionist & Political Writer, Leader of the National Democracy Advocates, Response to fellow members of the National Assembly, Outcry to the Batavian Nation, 1795
Sourced by: Eigen's Political and Historical Quotations
The National Assembly at the time was the legislative branch, the executive branch, and the judicial branch all at the same time. “Intrigue” referred to a panoply of questionable behaviors including bribes, promises of jobs, appointments, threats of slander, personal destruction and other corrupt practices.
Pieter Vreede was a Dutch politician of the Batavian Republic in the 18th century. Vreede was born in Leiden and died in Heusden. He was a prominent critic of stadholderian misrule and of the urban patriciate.
