Historical Epochs of the French Revolution
by Henry Goudemetz · English · Gutenberg #16962 · 393,970 chars · public domain (US)
The Project Gutenberg eBook of Historical Epochs of the French Revolution
This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and
most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions
whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms
of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online
at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States,
you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located
before using this eBook.
Title: Historical Epochs of the French Revolution
Author: Henry Goudemetz
Translator: Francis Randolph
Release date: October 29, 2005 [eBook #16962]
Most recently updated: December 12, 2020
Language: English
Other information and formats: www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/16962
Credits: Produced by Desmond Grocott
*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HISTORICAL EPOCHS OF THE FRENCH REVOLUTION ***
Produced by Desmond Grocott
HISTORICAL EPOCHS OF THE FRENCH REVOLUTION;
WITH THE Judgment and Execution OF
LOUIS XVI. KING OF FRANCE;
AND A LIST OF THE MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL CONVENTION,
Who voted FOR and AGAINST his DEATH.
PRICE 4s.
******
HISTORICAL EPOCHS OF THE FRENCH REVOLUTION
TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH OF H. GOUDEMETZ,
A FRENCH CLERGYMAN EMIGRANT IN ENGLAND.
DEDICATED, BY PERMISSION, TO
His ROYAL HIGHNESS the DUKE of YORK,
BY THE REV. DR. RANDOLPH.
TO WHICH IS SUBJOINED, WITH CONSIDERABLE ADDITIONS,
THE THIRD EDITION OF THE Judgment and Execution Of
LOUIS XVI. KING OF FRANCE;
WITH A LIST OF THE MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL CONVENTION,
Who voted FOR and AGAINST his DEATH;
AND THE NAMES OF MANY OF THE MOST CONSIDERABLE SUFFERERS IN
THE COURSE OF THE FRENCH REVOLUTION, DISTINGUISHED ACCORDING
TO THEIR PRINCIPLES.
BATH, PRINTED BY R. CRUTTWELL FOR THE AUTHOR;
AND SOLD BY C. DILLY, POULTRY, LONDON: THE BOOKSELLERS OF BATH, &c.
MDCCXCVI
******
DEDICATION.
TO HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF YORK.
SIR,
WITH the design of serving an amiable and worthy man, I have
availed myself of your Royal Highness's permission to dedicate to you
the translation of a work, which, as a faithful narrative of events,
wants no additional comment to make it interesting. A detail of
facts, in which your Royal Highness, in behalf of your country, has
been so honourably engaged, may not prove unwelcome in aid of
recollection; and a detail of facts, built on the experimental
horrors of popular power, and which, proceeding from the wildness of
theory to the madness of practice, has swept away every vestige of
civil polity, and would soon leave neither law nor religion in the
world, cannot, either in point of instruction or warning, be
unreasonably laid before my fellow-citizens at large.
Under the sanction, therefore, Sir, of your illustrious name, I
willingly commit to them this memorial. And if an innocent victim
of oppression should thus derive a small, though painful,
subsistence from a plain and publick (sic) recital of his country's
crimes, I shall be abundantly repaid for the little share I may have
had in bringing it into notice; and by the opportunity it affords me
of subscribing myself
Your ever grateful and devoted humble servant,
FRANCIS RANDOLPH.
BATH, July 22, 1796
******
PREFACE
THE following sheets contain a journal of principal events of the
French Revolution. The best authorities have been resorted to, and
the facts are related without any comment. The reader will find a
faithful outline of an interesting and momentous period of history,
and will see how naturally each error produced its corresponding
misfortune.
Various causes contributed to effect a revolution in the minds of
Frenchmen, and led the way to a revolution in the state. The
arbitrary nature of the government had been long submitted to, and
perhaps would have continued so much longer, if France had not taken
part in the American war.
The perfidious policy of VERGENNES, who, with a view of humbling the
pride of England, assisted the subject in arms against his Sovereign,
soon imported into his own nation the seeds of liberty, which it had
helped to cultivate in a country of rebellion; and the crown of
France, as I once heard it emphatically observed, was lost in the
plains of America. The soldier returned to Europe with new doctrines
instead of new discipline, and the army in general soon grew
dissatisfied with the Monarch, on account of unusual, and, as they
thought, ignominious rigours which were introduced into it from the
military school of Germany. The King also, from a necessity of
retrenchment, had induced his ministers to adopt some mistaken
measures of economy respecting the troops, and thus increased the
odium which pride had fostered, and by diminishing the splendour of
the crown, stripped it of its security and protection.
To this was added the wanton profusion of the Court in other
expenses, and the external parade and brilliancy, which, if they
impoverish, often dazzle and gratify the people, was exchanged for
familiar entertainments, which gave rise to frequent jealousies among
the nobles, and tended to lower that sense of awe and respect for
royalty among the people, which in monarchies it is of the utmost
importance to preserve.
At this time, also, philosophical discussion had reached its pinnacle
of boldness. Infidelity had woven the web of discord in the human
mind, which was now ripe for experiment, and ROUSSEAU and VOLTAIRE
were the favourite authors.
Previous to the year 1789, from the extreme disorder of the finances,
it became necessary to raise money by extraordinary taxes, which the
common powers of the parliament were deemed insufficient to
authorize; and afraid, in the present temper of the people, to impose
upon them unusual burthens, ministers looked with solicitude for
some other sanctions.
Monsieur DE CALONNE was unwilling to adopt so dangerous an expedient
as that of assembling the states-general; [Footnote: An Assembly
consisting of deputies from the three orders of citizens in France,
namely, the clergy, the nobility, and the tiers-etat; which last
included every French citizen who was not of the clergy or nobility.]
he therefore adopted the expedient of summoning an assembly of
_notables_, or eminent persons, chosen by the King from the different
parts of the kingdom.
This assembly did not prove so favourable to the measures of the
minister as he expected: Monsieur DE CALONNE was displaced, and the
assembly was soon after dissolved, having declared itself incompetent
to decide on the taxes proposed.
The King then commanded the parliament of Paris to register his
edicts for successive loans to the government; but his commands
were rejected. [Footnote: Chiefly, as it was supposed, through the
influence of the Duke of Orleans.]
In the meantime, that spirit of discussing philosophical subjects,
which we have before mentioned, now fixed itself on politics. The
people exclaimed against the weight of taxes, and the extravagance
of courtiers; they complained of peculiar exemptions from the
general burthens, and of grievances which arose from lettres-de
-cachet, and other despotic powers of the government.
The King, desirous of yielding to the wishes of the people, recalled
Monsieur NECKAR to the administration, and in conformity to his
advice, his Majesty declared his resolution of convening the
states-general. But in order to regulate all matters relative to the
meeting of this important assembly, it was resolved to convoke the
notables a second time. Among these, a diversity of opinion appeared
respecting the comparative number of deputies to be sent by the
Commons, and the two other orders; the cardinal point on which the
whole success of the revolution eventually turned. [Footnote: The
last assembly of the states-general, which had been held in France in
1614, was composed of 140 deputies from the order of the clergy,
among whom were five cardinals, seven archbishops, and 47 bishops;
132, representatives of the nobility; and 192 deputies from the
commons. The Cardinal de JOYEUSE was president of the clergy; the
Baron SENECEY of the nobility; and the president of the commons was
ROBERT MIRON, Prêvot-de-Marchands, (an officer similar to that of
mayor of Paris.)] All the classes into which the notables were
divided, decided for an equality of deputies, except those in which
MONSIEUR and the Duke of ORLEANS presided.
In these, it was agreed that the representatives of the commons
should be equal in number to those of the other two states. The
ministry were of opinion that this double representation was
adviseable (sic), and persuaded themselves that, through their weight
and influence they should be able to prevent any mischief to be
apprehended from this preponderance of the tiers-etat. By their
advice, the King issued an ordinance in January 1789, throughout the
whole kingdom, commanding the people to assemble in their bailiwicks,
and to nominate deputies to represent them in the states-general;
viz. 300 for the clergy, 300 for the nobility, and 600 for the
commons.
HAC FONTE DERIVATA CLADES.
******
N. B. The first legislature, which was called the National Assembly,
has now the name of the "Constituent Assembly."
The second is called the "Legislative Assembly;" and the third
legislature is called "the National Convention."
[Illustration: Frontispiece--Artillery.jpg]
******
HISTORICAL EPOCHS OF THE FRENCH REVOLUTION.
******
1787.
_March_. THE Assembly of Notables first convened under the
ministry of Mons. de Calonne, comptroller-general
of the finances.
1788.
_August_. Mons. Necker replaced at the head of the finances
on the dismission (sic) of Mons. de Calonne; and
Mons. de Lomenie, archbishop of Toulouse, made
prime minister.
_Nov_. Mons. Necker persuades the King to call the
Notables together a second time.
1789.
_January_. Letters issued in the name of the King for an
assembly of the States-general. The clergy to
depute 300 representatives, the nobility the like
number, and the commons 600.
_May_ 5. Opening of the States-general at Versailles.
_June_ 17. The chamber of the Tiers-Etat (commons) declares
itself a national assembly.
19. The Tiers-Etat takes the famous oath, known by the
"serment au Jeu de Paume," not to separate until
the constitution should be established.
23. The King goes in person to the assembly--but his
presence, far from intimidating the members,
renders them so intractable that from this epoch
may be dated the first attacks upon the royal
authority.
24. Forty-eight of the nobles, with the Duke of Orleans
at their head, unite with the tiers-etat (third
estate, or commons).
A considerable number of the clergy follow their
example.
28. The King, from a desire of peace, requests the
whole body of nobility and clergy to unite in one
assembly with the commons; which is acceded to.
29. Great rejoicings in Paris on account of this union.
_July_ 11. The King in disgust dismisses Monsieur Necker.
12. The Prince de Lambesc appears at the Tuilleries
with an armed party of soldiers.
13. The city of Paris flies to arms. The Bastille is
attacked, and taken by the populace;
[Illustration: BASTILLE.jpg]
14. Mons. de L'Aulnay, the governor, falls a victim to
the fury of the assailants. Bertier, intendant of
Paris; Foulon, secretary of state; and de
Flesselle, prêvot des Marchands, (somewhat like
mayor of Paris) are massacred. From, this period
the maxim was adopted, "that insurrection was the
most sacred of duties."
15. The King goes to the assembly to confer with it
upon the disturbances of Paris. Many considerable
persons fly the country.
16. The Marquis de la Fayette, and Monsieur Bailly, are
nominated, one to command the national guards of
Paris, the other to be mayor of Paris.
17. In hopes of quieting the alarming tumults, the King
comes to Paris. Bailly harangues him freely at the
Hotel de la Ville, (sic) and the King receives the
three-coloured cockade.
_August_ 1. Massacre of the mayor of St. Dennis.
4. Abolition of tithes, and of all feudal rights and
privileges.
Louis is proclaimed the restorer of French liberty.
7. The King is obliged to recall Necker.
27. The liberty of the press is established.
_Sept_. 15. The person of the King is decreed to be inviolable;
and the crown of France hereditary and indivisible.
29. Decreed, that it be recommended that all church
plate be brought to the mint.
_Oct_. 1. The King is forced to accept and give the sanction
of his approbation to the famous "Rights of Man."
5. The Marquis de la Fayette at the head of 30,000
Parisians marches to Versailles.
6. After murdering the King's guards under the windows
of the Palace, they forcibly conduct both him and
the Queen to Paris amidst the insults of the
populace, and with great danger of their lives.
10. Tayllerang-Perigord, bishop of Autun, proposes that
the nation should seize the property of the clergy.
12. Decreed, that the National Assembly be removed from
Versailles to Paris.
15. The Duke of Orleans obtains leave to go to England.
19. The first sitting of the National Constituent
Assembly at Paris.
21. The people of Paris hang a baker.
The Jacobin Club commenced at this time; first
known by the name of the "Club de la Propagande."
The name of Jacobins was derived from the house
where the club met, and which had belonged to the
religious order of Jacobins.
_Nov_. 22. The commune of Paris makes a patriotic gift of its
silver buckles.
A general patriotic contribution is first
requested, and afterwards forced.
_Dec_. 7. Decree upon the disturbances at Toulon.
Another for dividing France into 83 departments, 83
tribunals, 544 civil tribunals, 548 districts, and
43,815 municipalities.
10. Vandernoot, and the disaffected in Brabant, write
to the King and to the National Constituent
Assembly; but their letter is returned.
25. Mons. de Favras, knight of St. Louis, arrested.
1790.
_January_ 1. The King is stripped of most of his royal
prerogatives.
4. The assembly desires him to fix the amount of his
civil list.
6. The castle of Kéralier burnt by plunderers.
The three orders of the clergy, nobility, and
commons, suppressed as distinct orders of the
monarchy.
7. Decree for the form of a civic oath to be taken by
the national guards.
13. Decreed that Paris shall form one department.
Decree in favour of Jews; another to remove the
prejudices which are attached to the families of
criminals.
_Feb_. 1. The King, after a long speech to the assembly,
takes the civic oath, together with all the
members.
19. De Favras executed.
20. Death of Joseph IId. emperor of Germany.
_March_. Massacres and fires in Lower-Languedoc.
7. Grand review of the national guards in the Elysian
fields.
The scarcity of specie induces the necessity of
issuing paper money called assignats.
8. Decreed, that the colonies form a part of the
French empire.
11. Insurrection at Meaux.
12. The red-book (book of court-accounts) made
publick.(sic)
14. Insurrection at the national theatre.
18. Sale of the property of the church decreed, by
which the government is enabled to abolish the duty
on salt.
_April_. The Prince of Conti takes the civic oath in the
municipality of Paris.
11. The Abbé Maury and Viscount Mirabeau attacked
by the populace on coming out of the assembly.
The assembly refuses to acknowledge the Roman
Catholick (sic) religion as the religion of the
state; and this resolution is followed by
forbidding all particularity of dress or form in
ecclesiastics.
22. General Paoli, at the head of a deputation from
Corsica, presents himself to the national assembly.
24. Insurrection at Marseilles.
_May_. Report and decree upon the disturbances at Mount
Auban.
Monastic vows prohibited in future.
17. Orders of knighthood and military decorations
abolished.
22. Decreed, that the right of making peace and war
belongs to the people.
25. The Parisians occupied with hanging several
robbers.
_June_. Public Seminaries and academies of instruction
suppressed.
9. The King goes to the assembly, and requires 25
millions of livres for his civil list.
10. The Queen's dower fixed at four millions.
One million is voted for the King's brothers.
16. Massacres and disorders at Nismes (sic).
19. Suppression of nobility, of all titles and orders,
of armorial bearings, and of livery-servants.
_July_ 3. Justices of the peace appointed throughout the
kingdom.
14. Ceremony of a general federation, at which the King
is obliged to assist, to commemorate the destruction
of the Bastille.
Trial by jury introduced in criminal matters.
Judges to be chosen by cantons and districts; one
for the former, and five for the latter.
26. The constituent assembly publishes a civil
constitution for the acceptance of the clergy,
which they refuse to admit.
_August_. Affair at Nancy--five regiments revolt.
Insurrection at Martinico (sic) announced.
Désilles shot at Nancy by the Swiss.
Mons. Necker, whose popularity declined, is obliged
to leave the kingdom precipitately.
The assembly, having declared the property of the
Crown to be that of the nation, grants to the King the
sum he required for his civil list.
_Sept_. Horrid massacres in the colonies.
_Oct_. 28. Fourteen castles are burned and plundered in
Dauphiny.
30. Outrageous conduct of two regiments at Béfort.
_Nov_. 2. The clergy propose to raise four millions of livres
in their own body for the exigence of the state.
The assembly seizes the whole ecclesiastical
revenue, without any respect of persons or
property.
13. Pillage of the house of the Marshal de Castries at
Paris.
21. Duport-du-Terre appointed keeper of the seals.
27. The assembly requires that every ecclesiastic,
doing duty, shall swear to maintain with all his
power and interest the constitution, and every
thing that had been or should be ordained by its
decrees.
1791.
_Jan_. The debts of the church decreed to be national.
The King refuses to sanction the above decrees
respecting the clergy, but is at length forced to
it by threats and terror.
4. The clergy in the national assembly refuse to comply
with the foregoing decree, and in consequence of
their refusal a law passes that their benefices
shall be filled by such of the clergy as will take
the oaths of allegiance to the state.
Abolition of all the parliaments and sovereign
courts of France.
The Count d'Artois finds it prudent to quit the
kingdom.
Out of 138 prelates only four take the
constitutional oath, namely, the archbishop of
Sens, the bishops of Viviers, Orleans, and Autun.
The latter alone carries his apostacy (sic) so far
as to consecrate other bishops, who were presented
to the vacant sees.
Horrid treatment at Chateau-Gouthier of Mad'lle de
la Barne de Joyeuse.
10. Decree about stamps.
14. Decreed, that bishops and parsons shall be elected
by the people.
23. A violent meeting at the Jacobin club.
24. Massacres at the village de-la-Chapelle near Paris.
26. Decree to enforce the oath by priests.
29. Mirabeau president of the constituent national
assembly.
_February_. Deputation of Quakers to the assembly.
Decree to admit the free cultivation of tobacco.
Disorders in Le Querci.
21. The King's aunts stopped at Arnay-le-Duc, and
forced to shew their pass, and permission to retire
to Rome. With difficulty they obtain leave to
proceed.
Insurrection at Vincennes near Paris.
_March_ 4. The pope issues two letters against the
ecclesiastical constitution of France, and the
clergy who had taken the oath to it. He deprives
the archbishop of Sens, the Cardinal de Lomenie de
Brienne, of his cardinal's hat.
Massacres at St. Domingo.
5. Indisposition of the King.
9. Decreed, that the prisoners charged with treason
(lêze-nation) shall be conveyed to Orleans.
Gobet, a member of the assembly, appointed bishop
of Paris.
Insurrection and massacres at Douai.
22. Decree excluding women from the regency.
25. The majority of the Kings of France fixed at
eighteen years.
Discussion on the fate of the invalids.
Mons. de M'Nemara massacred at l'Isle-de-France.
26. Public functionaries compelled to residence.
28. The monarchical club at Paris attacked by the
populace with stones, and dispersed.
29. Report upon an insurrection at Toulon.
The minister of the church of St. Sulpice, who had
not conformed to the national oath, escapes with
great difficulty from the violence of the populace.
_April_ 3. The death of Mirabeau announced to the assembly:
decreed, that he shall have the honours of the
Pantheon, (formerly the beautiful church of St.
Genevieve).
7. Decreed, that no deputy to the national assembly
shall be admissible into the ministry until four
years after the expiration of the legislature of
which he is a member.
8. Decreed that no deputy to the assembly shall accept
any favour from the executive power for four
years.
Several nuns in Paris and elsewhere were publicly
whipped for persisting to adhere to the old forms
of worship.
10. Insurrection at Cevennes.
Report on the insurrection of a regiment in
Languedoc.
13. Engagement between the officers and garrison of
Weissembourg.
14. Riot at Nantz (sic) on account of the inauguration
of the three-coloured flag.
17. The sale of the property of the church is decreed.
18. The King proposes to go to St. Cloud; the people
oppose and stop him.
The King complains of this violence to the
national assembly, but with little effect.
20. Report of massacres in the county of Venaissin.
The King's ministers, through the influence or fear
of the national assembly, write to all the foreign
courts, that the King had placed himself at the
head of the revolution--from this epoch may be dated
the great emigrations of the nobility and other
considerable persons.
The Abbé Maury, the most intrepid defender of the
cause of the church and the King, retires
precipitately to Rome.
23. Sad recital in the assembly of distresses in St.
Domingo.
26. Assignats of five livres are issued.
27. Massacres in the Limousin.
28. Decreed, that soldiers may frequent jacobin
societies.
_May_ 1. The barriers are thrown open--all duties in the
interior parts of the kingdom abolished.
Civil war in the Venaissin.
3. The effigy of the pope (sic) burnt in the
Palais-Royal.
7. Decree permitting priests, who have not conformed,
to officiate in private.
Mons. de Massei massacred at Tulle.
Decree upon the people of colour.
19. Massacre in the Vivarais.
26. Decreed, that the Louvre and the Tuilleries united
shall be the habitation of the King, and that all
monuments of science and art shall be collected and
kept there.
31. Decreed, that the punishment of death shall be
inflicted without torture. From thence came the
use of the guillotine;-an instrument of death so
called from its author, a member of the national
assembly.
_June_. Letter of the Abbé Raynal to the assembly.
Persecutions against non-conforming priests. Their
tithes given to the proprietors of the estates.
5. The King deprived by decree of the power of
granting pardons.
7. A law against regicides.
Conforming priests are everywhere put in possession
of the benefices of those who would not conform.
A general sale of ecclesiastical property.
18. Decreed, that all military men take an oath of
fidelity to the nation.
Insurrection at Bastia.
21. The King and royal family make their escape
22. from Paris; they had nearly reached the frontiers,
when they were stopped at Varennes,
25. and brought back ignominiously to Paris.
Count Dampierre is massacred under the King's eyes.
The Marquis de Bouillé writes a menacing letter to
the assembly on the subject of the King.
An order is intimated to the King to disband his
body guards. All the royal functions are
suspended. The King is kept a close prisoner.
Monsieur, the King's brother, escapes to Coblentz.
_July_ 9. M. de Cazelés resigns his place as a deputy.
10. The national guards ordered to the frontiers.
11. The body of Voltaire transferred to the Pantheon.
14. Grand celebration of the anniversary of this day.
17. Insurrection in the Champ de Mars--the red flag (the
signal of danger) continues flying a long time.
Disorders in the Pays-de-Caux, and at
Brie-Compte-Robert.
23. Violent decree against emigrant nobles.
The assembly proceeds rigorously against those who
accompanied the King in his flight.
The King himself is not considered so culpable.
All distinctions of nobility, and all titles, are
wholly abolished.
The ministers are required to give an account every
ten days to the assembly of the execution of its
decrees.
The decree on people of colour spreads
consternation at St. Domingo.
_August_. Money is coined from the metal of the bells in
churches.
One hundred thousand livres voted to the academy of
science for the purpose of bringing weights and
measures to one uniform standard.
The title of Dauphin changed to that of Prince
Royal.
Rewards are decreed to all those who stopped the
King.
A committee is appointed to manage national
domains; that is, the confiscated property of the
King and clergy.
Decreed, that if within a month the King do not
take the oath to the nation, or if he retract it,
he shall be adjudged to have forfeited the crown.
Decreed, that the guard for the King shall not
exceed 1200 foot, and 600 horse.
Those who may be placed in succession to the throne
to have no other title than that of French princes.
Registers of the births, marriages, and burials, of
the royal family to be deposited in the archives of
the national assembly.
Suppression of the payment of a mark of silver,
which was heretofore required from such as were
deputed to the legislature.
Decreed, that every law relative to taxes shall be
independent of the royal sanction.
The ceremony of marriage to be considered
hereafter as a civil contract only.
Rousseau admitted to a place in the Pantheon.
The national assembly declares, that it will not
revise the constitution which it has just
established, before the expiration of thirty years.
_Sept_. The completion of the constitution announced to the
people, and that it will admit of no change. The
departments are all occupied in electing new
deputies to represent them in a second assembly.
Sixty members are appointed to carry the act of the
constitution to the King.
4. The King restored to liberty.
Suppression of the order of St. Esprit; the
decorations of the blue ribband to be appropriated
to the King and the Prince-royal only. The King
declines to retain a distinction which he cannot
communicate.
Decreed, that the Rhine and Rhone be united by a
canal.
14. The King accepts the constitution in form; he takes
the oath in presence of the assembly; and is
crowned by the president with a constitutional
crown.
Great rejoicings throughout all France.
The national guard to take place of the King's.
Whipping, and burning in the hand, annulled.
Three days allowed to every person under accusation
to defend himself and repel the charge.
In consequence of the acceptance of the
constitution, all criminal proceedings are stopped;
all persons confined on suspicion of
anti-revolutionary principles set at liberty; no
more passports required; a general amnesty takes
place; and the decree against emigrants is revoked.
Disturbances at Arles--suppression of the high
national court of Orleans--and of all royal
notaries--national notaries appointed.
Prohibitory or commanding clauses in wills to be of
no avail henceforward.
Every sort of property dependent upon, or connected
with, churches or charities, is confiscated.
All the world admitted to the title and rank of
French citizen, without any distinction of country.
Decree to unite Avignon and the county of Venaissin
to France.
Certificates of catholicism suppressed, which
hitherto were required before admission into any
office.
Severe penalties against introducing titles of
nobility into any public document.
All the chambers and societies of commerce
abolished.
Jews admitted to the rights of French citizens.
The constituent assembly prepares to lay down its
powers, without rendering any account of its
proceedings.
Violent remonstrances against this.
Decree against clubs and popular associations.
30. The King goes in state to close the session of this
first or _constituent assembly_.
CHAPTER II.
1791.
_Oct_. 4. The second assembly takes the name of the
_Legislative_ Assembly, and is opened by the King
in person. It consists of 700 members.
An oath is taken to observe the law.
An administrator in one of the departments flies
with a large treasure.
17. Massacre at Avignon, with unusual horrors. Jourdan
and his people destroy 600 victims in an ice-house.
Insurrection at Paris on account of religious
worship.
The Marquis de la Fayette resigns the command of
the Parisian guard.
The expressions "_sire_" and "_majesty_," applied
to the King, suppressed by decree.
Twenty-one committees formed out of the legislative
assembly to transact all business.
Riots at Montpellier.
The pictures of the Palace-royal sold for a million
eight hundred thousand livres.
27. Insurrection in Alsace.
29. Notice given to Monsieur the King's eldest brother,
to return to France, on pain of forfeiture of all
his rights, and confiscation.
One hundred millions of assignats issued.
Disturbances in Artois and Lower Normandy on
account of religious worship.
The archbishop of Ausch, and several bishops,
brought before the tribunals.
30. Insurrections in almost all parts of the kingdom,
on account of the prohibition of religious worship.
Charrier, ex-constituent, and nominated by the
people as successor to the Cardinal de
Rochefoucault, in the archbishoprick (sic) of
Rouen, ashamed of his usurpation, abdicates the
archiepiscopal dignity.
Violent decree against emigrants; the King opposes
his _veto_ to it.
The King refuses his assent also to another equally
violent decree, for the banishment of all the
catholic priests who had not taken the oath
prescribed.
Guimper, the first constitutional see, is taken
possession of by D'Expilly, an ex-constituent,
_i.e_. a member of the last assembly, which had
taken the name of the constituent assembly.
Violent insurrection in the colonies, supposed to
be excited by some of the leading members of the
assembly.
_Nov_. New decree for a civic oath.
In the legislative assembly the answers are read
from foreign powers, relative to the King's
acceptance of the constitution.
Massacres at Caen in Normandy; horrid treatment of
Mons. de Belsunce, a lieutenant-colonel.
Eighty-four persons of consideration thrown into
prison.
10. The Dunkirk carrier assassinated at Paris, and his
letters stolen.
15. The King confined to his apartment, under the guard
of a corporal.
17. Varnier denounced by Bazire, is sent to prison at
Orleans.
Pethion elected mayor of Paris.
18. He goes to the jacobins to thank them for having
obtained his election.
Manuel is appointed procureur syndic of the commune
of Paris (a place next in importance to that of
mayor).
20. Disorders at Montpellier.
25. Delatre committed to prison at Orleans.
26. Chabot enters the King's apartment with his hat on
his head.
Decreed, that non-conforming priests shall not make
use of the churches.
_Dec_. 1. Three hundred millions of small assignats issued.
2. Insurrection at Brest.
6. Malvoisin, and twelve others, imprisoned at
Orleans.
16. Decreed, that every member of the Bourbon family
shall quit France in three days.
M. Loyauté sent to prison at Orleans.
20. Several castles burnt at Sens.
24. Insurrection in the departments of Loir et Cher.
The King goes to the assembly to discuss the
subject of war with foreign powers.
27. Lucknor and Rochambeau made marshals of France, and
with La Fayette appointed to command the armies.
M. de Narbonne goes to visit the frontiers.
Forty soldiers, who had been sent to the galleys,
are set at liberty.
Establishment of a new high national court.
Manuel causes the letters of Mirabeau, which were
found in the mayor's office, to be printed and
sold.
28. The Queen goes to the opera, and is much applauded.
29. Manifesto proposed by M. Condorcet, to acquaint the
world with the sentiments of the French nation, if
it should be forced into war.
31. Decreed, that the ceremonies of New-year's day
shall be abolished.
1792.
_Jan_. 1. Egalité (duke of Orleans) ill received at the
Tuilleries.
5. Massacre of the minister of Chateau-neuf.
Motion of Herault, that foreign powers be required
to forbid the white cockade to be worn by
emigrants.
11. Carra proposes at the Jacobin club, that the crown
of France be offered to the Duke of York.
15. Plan of a decree for declaring war against the
Emperor.
16. Decreed, that Monsieur has forfeited the regency.
Three hundred millions of small assignats issued.
17. Fire and ravages at Port-au-Prince.
Great tumult at Paris on account of the monopoly of
of sugar and coffee.
19. Fire of La-Force.
21. A conforming priest, his wife, and children,
presented to the assembly, and loaded with caresses.
27. Summons to the Emperor, to declare whether or not
he is willing to live in peace with France.
31. Decreed, that all travellers in France must supply
themselves with a passport.
_Feb_. 1. Decreed, that all those shall be imprisoned who
travel under a false name.
Eighty-four prisoners, who were confined in the
castle of Caen, set at liberty.
2. Letter of Manuel to the King beginning with these
words, "I do not love kings".
5. Fires and massacres at St. Domingo.
6. The Abbé Fauchet preaches at the Pantheon.
7. Riots at Paris on account of a false rumour of the
King's flight.
Great fires in the town of Haquenau.
Decreed, that the property of emigrants belongs to
the nation; order for its sequestration.
Riots at Noyon about corn.
Insurrection at Dunkirk.
14. The red bonnet becomes the general fashion.
Assassination at Mount Héri.
Insurrection at the Fauxbourg (sic) St. Marceau, on
account of the scarcity of sugar.
Struggle between the clubs of the Jacobins, and the
Feuillants; the latter so called from a religious
society of that name, at whose house they met.
17. De Lessart denounced by Fauchet.
22. Motion, that no deputy be permitted to go to the
clubs of Jacobins or Feuillants.
28. Treaty of Pilnitz between the Emperor and Prussia.
_March_ 1. Death of the Emperor Leopold II.
3. Seditions at Etampes; Simoneau, the mayor,
assassinated.
De Lessart, minister for foreign affairs, sent to
the prison of Orleans.
15. Death of Gustavus III. king of Sweden.
Total change of the King's ministers.
Decreed, that the King shall pay taxes like all
other persons.
19. Jourdan, and his accomplices at Avignon acquitted.
A new guard begins to do duty about the King.
Roland appointed by the King minister of the
interior department.
Insurrection at Poitou.
The Swiss Cantons demand from France the regiment
of Ernest.
Alienation of the domains of St. Lazare, and of
Mount-Carmel, two orders of knighthood, of which
Monsieur was president.
_April_ 1. Troubles in Provence and Dauphiny.
On the motion of Torne, constitutional bishop of
Bourges, all peculiar religious dresses are
abolished, and all secular congregations.
6. Pethion writes to the 48 sections, inviting them to
give a fête to the liberated soldiers of
Chateau-vieux.
15. A civic fête is given to the above soldiers, who
had been imprisoned for crimes.
16. Riots at the Hotel de Ville in Paris, on account of
the statues of la Fayette and Bailli.
20. The King goes to the national assembly to demand
whether it is willing to declare war.
War declared against the King of Bohemia and
Hungary.
M. de Castellane, bishop of Mendes, sent to prison
at Orleans.
29. The army of Dillon routed near Tournay, and that
general massacred by his own soldiers near
Lisle (sic).
The French routed near Mons under the command of
General Byron.
_May_ 2. Suppression of the military houses of Monsieur and
the Count d'Artois.
6. Desertion of the royal German regiment.
8. Report of the murder of several commissaries.
10. Pethion, in the commune of Paris, presents a
silver sword to Réne Audu, a heroine of the 6th of
October 1789.
Decree concerning prisoners of war.
11. New disorders at Avignon.
12. Desertion of the regiment of Berchini.
13. M. Brival, a deputy, writes to the King to desire
that his cane may be restored to him, which was
taken from him at the gate of the Tuilleries.
Abbé Maury elevated to the dignity of an
archbishop, and appointed nuncio extra-ordinary of
the holy see, to the diet of Ratisbon.
Decree, depriving the brothers of the King of the
million which had been voted to them.
Renewal of the decree for the transportation of
priests, which the King still refuses to sanction.
14. Massacre of the Abbé Figuemont at Mentz.
16. Bavai taken by the Austrians.
24. Much pains taken to prove the existence of
a committee in favour of the Austrians.
27. Discontent in Paris on account of the King's
having a guard.
28. The King is forced to dismiss it.
29. Mareschal (sic) de Brissac, who commanded the
King's guard, sent to prison at Orleans.
30. The first column of the Prussian army arrives at
Frankfort.
_June_ 3. A civic fête in honour of M. Simoneau, mayor of
Etampes, massacred the 3d of March in an
insurrection.
6. Massacre at Brussels.
Reduction of the monies allowed for the pay and
entertainment of the King's ministers.
8. The King refuses to ratify the decree for encamping
20,000 men near Paris.
13. Roland, Claviere, and Servan, dismissed from the
ministry.
Ordered that all pedigrees of nobility be burnt,
and all papers relative thereto.
A number of patriotic gifts to support the
expence (sic) of the war.
The tree of liberty planted in all parts.
20. In order to force the King to sanction some decrees
to which he had given a negative, the people go to
the Tuilleries, break open the gates, and burst
into the apartments. The King conducts himself
with great firmness.
The high national court at Orleans condemns
Monsieur, the Count d'Artois, and the Prince of
Condé, to be beheaded, and their property
consequently to be forfeited.
A new mode adopted for proving births, marriages,
and burials.
26. The department of La Somme offers 200 batallions,
to enforce respect to the King. Several others
make similar offers.
28. La Fayette quits his army, and goes to complain to
the national representatives of party violence.
A petition against Pethion is signed at the houses
of all the notaries.
30. La Fayette returns to the army, and as soon as he
is departed, he is burnt in effigy at the palace
royal.
_July_ 2. Letter of the King to the French armies.
3. Suppression of all the staff-officers of the
national guard of Paris.
4. Decreed, that the nation is in danger.
The Duke of Brunswick arrives at Coblentz.
Distinguishing marks granted to the legislators and
administrators.
6. Dumourier goes to take the command of the army.
7. Pethion, mayor of Paris and Manuel, suspended, but
very soon after restored.
Ministers all changed.
11. A petition against the King signed at the Elysian
fields.
14. Anniversary of the federations observed with
great ceremony.
19. Massacre of M, de Saillant, chef-du-camp de Salés.
20. Proclamation of the King, on the dangers of the
country.
Decree, that the property of emigrants be sold.
Many of the constitutional priests sign a
recantation of their oaths, and not enough are
found to fill the vacant cures.
Massacres at Alais, Bourdeaux, Arles, and in other
places.
28. Decree, obliging people to mount guard under pain
of imprisonment.
Three hundred millions of assignats issued.
M. d'Espemenil, an ex-constituent, is knocked down
and poignarded at the Tuilleries, and with
difficulty saves his life.
30. The Marseillois arrive at Paris; ravages and
cruelties committed by them.
Cockades of ribbands proscribed.
Du Hamel massacred in the street of St. Florentin.
_Aug_. 3. Decreed, that all Frenchmen be armed with pikes.
Invitation to foreigners to come and defend the
land of liberty.
5. Massacre at Toulon of nine members of the
magistracy, under the pretence of aristocracy.
A report is spread about the Tuilleries, that
the King intends to escape.
8. Decreed, by a majority of 426 to 224, that there is
no ground of accusation against La Fayette.
Several members complain of outrages committed on
them, on account of votes they had given.
10. Attack and pillage of the palace of the Tuilleries.
Massacre of the Swiss, and of a great number of the
King's followers. Louis XVI. and his family fly
for safety to the assembly.
Horrible riots and outrages in Paris.
11. Continuation of frightful outrages and murders.
All foreign ambassadors quit France.
12. Roland, Clariere, and Servan, recalled to the
ministry.
Danton appointed minister of justice.
The statues of the King all thrown down.
Servan appointed minister of the war department; de
Monge, of the marine; Clavieres, of finances;
Roland, of the interior; and Le Brun, of foreign
affairs.
The King and his family are all conducted to the
Temple.
14. Several ex-ministers and royalists committed to
prison.
Decreed, that all the administrations of the
kingdom shall be new formed.
15. Persons departing, even with passports, stopped.
17. Establishment of a tribunal for the summary trial
of royalists.
18. The Austrians and Prussians enter the French
territory.
Decree against La Fayette; who, with part of
his staff, quits the army and falls into the
hands of the Austrians, by whom he is detained a
prisoner.
20. Montmorin, ex-minister of foreign affairs,
imprisoned.
22. M. D'Angremont guillotined at the Carouzel (sic).
23. Longwy taken by the Prussians.
24. M. de la Porte, comptroller of the civil list,
guillotined.
25. M. Durozoi, author of the gazette of Paris,
guillotined.
26. A civic festival, in honour of the sans-culottes
who were killed in the affair of the 10th of
August.
Decreed, that all ecclesiastics who have not taken
the national oath, shall be transported. In the
number of these victims were 138 archbishops and
bishops, and sixty-four thousand priests of the
second order.
General Kellerman commands the army of Marshal
Luckner, and Dumourier that of General la Fayette.
27. In a sitting of the jacobins, Manuel causes an oath
to be taken, that every exertion will be used to
purge the earth of the pest of royalty.
30. Domiciliary visits, that is, nightly searches
in the citizens houses, for obnoxious persons.
_Sept_. 1. Letter of the minister Roland, to all the
municipalities, to induce them to agree in finding
the King guilty.
M. Montmorin, governor of Fontainbleau,
although acquitted by the tribunal, is conveyed
back to prison by the people.
2. The city of Verdun is taken by the Prussians.
From the 2d (sic) to the 9th of this month, the
most horrid outrages perpetrated without ceasing,
7605 prisoners, &c. inhumanly murdered, and the
assassins publicly demand their wages. Every house
is a scene of dismay. Massacres and butcheries are
committed in all the prisons and religious houses.
These horrors drive a great number of inhabitants
from Paris.
The Duke de la Rochefoucault, ex-constituent and
president of the department of Paris, is torn to
pieces by the populace.
10. Massacre at Versailles of 53 prisoners from
Orleans, who, it appears, were summoned to Paris
for the express purpose of having them disposed of
in this expeditious manner.
Troops are enrolled for the frontiers.
A camp is formed close to Paris.
13. The French armies fall back towards Chalons.
14. The King accepts the constitution.
15. Decreed, that the King's person is inviolable,
and the crown of France indivisible and hereditary.
16. Robbery of the wardrobe of the crown.
Decree, formally allowing divorces.
18. Philips, of the club of jacobins, presents in a
little box, to the legislative assembly, the heads
of his father and mother, whom his patriotism, as
he said, had just sacrificed.
19. The last sitting of the legislative assembly.
CHAPTER III.
1792.
_Sept_. 20. First sitting of the third legislature, which takes
the title of National Convention. It consists of
745 members.
21. Decreed, that royalty is abolished, and that the
kingdom of France is a republic.
The battle of Grand-Pré gained by General
Dumouricr.
22. Danton resigns the ministry in order to take a
place in the convention.
23. The old Marshal Luckner is ordered to the bar of
the convention.
27. Mons. Cazotte, an author much esteemed, and who
with difficulty escaped from the assassins of the
2d of September, is conducted to the guillotine at
80 years of age.
29. The Austrians begin to bombard Lisle (sic).
Spires taken by the army of Gen. Custine.
_Oct_. 2. The Duke of Brunswick, commanding the Prussians,
begins his retreat from France, and raises the
siege of Thionville.
4. The title of Citizen is substituted for those of
Monsieur and Madame by a decree.
7. The Austrians raise the siege of Lisle.
8. Massacre at Cambray.
9. The soldiers of General Dumourier massacre their
prisoners.
10. Servan quits the ministry.
Garat is appointed minister of justice.
13. Verdun evacuated by the Prussians.
14. A civic festival in honour of the conquest of
Savoy.
18. Nine emigrants guillotined in the Place-de-Greve.
22. The French retake Longwy.
23. Mayence taken by General Custine.
24. Great accusations of Roland to the convention.
25. The French territory evacuated by the Austrians and
Prussians.
26. Frankfort on the Main taken by the French.
31. A great number of returned emigrants denounced to
the commune of Paris.
_Nov_. 2. All work at the camp near Paris is stopped.
3. The house of the deputy Marat is invested,
and the people demand his head.
4. Robespierre endeavours to acquit himself of the
charges brought against him by the deputy Louvet.
6. Report in the assembly of disturbances in the
department of Mayence and Loire.
Three hundred millions of assignats issued with new
emblems.
A discourse upon Atheism pronounced by Dupont, and
applauded by the convention.
The Princess de Rohan-Rochefort is sent to prison
for having written to the ex-minister Bertrand.
7. The battle of Gemappe--the Austrians are defeated
by superior numbers, and an immense artillery.
Dumourier after his victory takes Mons.
A revolt announced at Guadaloupe.
10. Decreed, that all emigrants who shall return
to France shall suffer death, whether men, women,
or children, not excepting those who had never
borne arms.
12. Ghent taken by the French.
14. Brussels taken by the French.
19. General Montesquieu emigrates.
23. De la Coste, ex-minister, and Du Fresne de St.
Leon, committed to the prison of the Abbaye.
24. Insurrection at Chartres and the neighbourhood, on
account of bread.
25. The King asks of the convention some Latin books,
that he may instruct his son himself.
26. Address from Finisterre to the convention,
denouncing the deputies Marat, Robespierre, Danton,
Chabot, Barire, and Merlin. Buzot supports the
accusation.
27. Kersaint proposes to the convention to make a
descent upon England with one hundred thousand men,
and to sign an immortal treaty upon the Tower of
London, which shall fix the destiny of nations, and
confirm liberty for ever to the world.
The Belgians protest against a decree which
trenches on their sovereignty.
30. Decree, charging the municipalities to keep
registers of baptisms, marriages and buryings.
_Dec_. 1. Pethion quits the mayoralty to become a member of
the convention.
Chambon is elected his successor.
Manuel gives up the place of procureur de la
commune for a seat in the convention; Chaumette
succeeds him.
3. Decreed that Louis Capet shall be brought to trial,
and that the convention shall be his judges.
4. Decreed, that whoever shall propose the restoration
of royalty shall suffer death.
8. The royal family is forbid the use of knives,
scissars,(sic) or razors; the King not to be
shaved, but his beard clipped with scissars.
9. The bust of Mirabeau torn from the Pantheon, and
dragged by the populace to the Place-de-Greve.
The minister of justice reads to the convention 150
addresses from the communes of Normandy in favour
of the King.
Philip Egalité renounces all eventual succession to
the crown of France, to assume the title of French
citizen.
18. The King is interrogated at the bar of the
convention.
Barrere is president.
He demands for his advocates Target and Tronchet,
the former refuses to defend him; but Mons. de
Malesherbes, making a voluntary offer of being his
defender, is accepted with Tronchet, and Monsieur
de Seze is added to them.
The mayor of Paris, the procureur de la commune, le
secretaire Greffier, and thirty municipal officers
on horseback, escorted the King's carriage when he
was going to the bar of the convention to be
interrogated, and to hear the act of his accusation
read. The president said, "Louis,--The French
"people accuse you of having committed a multitude
"of crimes in order to establish tyranny upon the
"ruins of liberty." The King having answered with
great precision and coolness, "Louis," said the
president, "a copy shall be given to you of your
accusations. The convention permits you to retire,
and will acquaint you with the result of its
deliberations."
14. The charge d'affaires of Spain writes an earnest
letter in favour of the King, from his master. The
convention treats it with neglect.
16. The French make themselves masters of
Aix-la-Chapelle.
The King is brought a second time to the bar of the
convention. Monsieur de Seze makes an able speech
in his defence at the bar. The King then speaks to
the convention: "My counsel has laid before you my
"justification and defence, I have nothing to add
"but this, that, in addressing you perhaps for the
"last time, I declare that my conscience reproaches
"me with no crime towards my country, and that my
"advocates have spoken nothing but the truth."
27. Generals Luckner and Rochambeau made marshals of
France.
1793
_January_. Roland publishes a letter to oppose the calumnies
against him.
The loyal subjects of Brabant send an address to
the emperor.
Mont Blanc declared to be an 84th department, of
which Chamberry is the capital; this new department
contains 364,652 souls.
General Dumourier writes some severe truths to the
convention, and offers to give in his resignation,
disclaiming all pretensions to a dictatorship.
The convention rejects the King's appeal to the
people.
Prince Charles of Hesse-Philipstadt dies of wounds
he received at Frankfort.
The alien bill passed in England; in consequence of
which, persons suspected may be sent out of the
kingdom by the executive power.
The Prussians and Hessians drive the French from
Hocheim.
The King of Prussia publishes a declaration, that
his army enters Poland only because that country
was infested with French democratic madness.
Remarkable address of the department of Finisterre
against Marat and Robespierre.
La Fayette is conveyed to Magdebourg.
The Empress of Russia assigns lands in the Crimea
to French emigrants, and causes to be paid to the
Prince of Condé, at Frankfort, 200,000 rupees for
the expences of journey.
Dumourier goes to Paris while the convention is
debating about the King. The jacobins insult him.
His army is said to be 120,000 strong.
General Custine celebrates at Mayence the festival
of liberty, by burning the archiepiscopal
ornaments.
17. The convention terminates its deliberations
18. concerning the King. He is condemned to
19. death. All endeavours to delay the execution of
the sentence are rejected.
Of the members of the convention, 366 vote for
death absolutely; 23 for death, but leaving it
hereafter to be discussed, when the execution
should take place; 8 for death, and a certain delay
or respite; 2 for death at the peace; 319 for
detention; and 2 for detention in irons.
Pelletier, one who voted for the King's death, is
assassinated at a tavern.
20. Louis hears with calmness the reading of his
sentence of death. Allowed only two hours to take
a final leave of his wife, his children, and his
sister, who are frantic with grief.
[Illustration: EXECUTION.jpg]
21. Louis is conducted to the scaffold; his behaviour
is steady and dignified, he speaks a few words
protesting his innocence, forgiving his enemies,
and hoping that his death might restore peace to
his wretched country. The commander of the troops
orders the drums and trumpets to strike up, that
his voice might be drowned, and that he should not
proceed. In a minute after this, his head is
severed from his body. A dead silence prevails in
Paris. The places of public amusement and all
shops are shut up. His last will soon after
published.
The minister Roland, after assisting at the King's
execution resigns his office, so do the deputies
Manuel and Kersaint.
24. The remains of Pelletier are placed with great
ceremony in the Pantheon.
The French envoy at Naples demands and obtains an
audience of the King.
The convention decrees, that their army shall
consist of 502,000 men next campaign.
26. Dumourier leaves Paris for the army, with orders to
take Cologne, cost what it may.
Liege determines to unite itself with France.
Paris, who assassinated Pelletier, is arrested, but
shoots himself.
General mourning at London and Madrid for
Louis XVI.
The convention decrees the union of Nice to the
republic of France.
The British ministry signify to Mons. Chauvelin,
who had been ambassador from Louis XVI. that he is
no longer to be considered as such, and must quit
England.
The sections of Paris complain of want of
provisions.
Lanjuinais, speaking against the murders of the 2d
of September, says, that the number of victims,
assassinated that day, amounted to 8,000, others
say 12,000, and the deputy Louvet states them at
28,000.
_Feb_. 1. The Convention declares war against the King of
England, and Stadtholder of Holland.
General Dumourier levies sixty millions of livres
on the abbeys in Brabant.
The nurse of Madame Royale requests permission to
see her in prison, but without success.
Proclamation by the Emperor, to assure to the
Belgians their ancient privileges.
Great debates in the convention about war.
The marines of Rochelle come to swear fidelity to
the convention.
Philip Egalité takes the oath, in quality of high
admiral of France.
The Marseillois leave Paris, and return home.
An engagement takes place at Mayence between the
national guard and the troops of the line, on the
subject of the King's death.
General Bournonville is recalled from the army, and
appointed minister of war.
Dumourier begins to lose ground in the esteem of
the people.
Eight hundred millions of assignats issued.
Citzen (sic) Basseville, secretary of the French
legation, is massacred by the people at Rome.
Chambon quits the mayoralty of Paris, and is
replaced by the ex-minister Pache.
The parliament of England votes for war.
The French take possession of Deux-Ponts; the duke
with difficulty escapes.
Lyons, opposes with energy the murderous plans of
the jacobins.
The Emperor solicits earnestly the triple
contingent from the empire.
New coinage in France, with the legend of
"Republique Francoise. (sic)"
The wife of the Emperor sacrifices some of her rich
ornaments to defray the cost of the war.
General Miranda sends to the convention the
magnificent key of gold, which was given by
Charles III. to the inhabitants of Louvain.
17. The French make an irruption into Holland, take the
fort St. Michel, surround Maestricht, and menace
Breda.
Lyons destroys the jacobin club, and burns the tree
of liberty.
Paris is in great disorder.
Dumourier addresses a proclamation to the Dutch
against the Stadtholder. The States-general answer
it by a manifesto.
Condorcet reads a constitutional act to the
convention; the jacobins reject it.
The national convention of Liege decrees the
destruction of its cathedral.
Marat excites great tumult in the convention.
Venice acknowledges the republic; Bavaria observes
neutrality.
Custine transports the clergy of Mayence who refuse
to take the oath of liberty.
The French bombard Maestricht, which is defended by
the Prince of Hesse-Cassel.
The Grand Duke of Tuscany declares a neutrality
with regard to the French republic.
25. The British troops under the Duke of York sail from
England.
Breda surrenders to the French.
Dumourier bombards Gertruydenberg and Williamstadt
with Dutch artillery.
The Convention decrees that soldiers have a right
to elect their officers. Marat urges this
decree, and strikes in the face several of those
who oppose it, even in the convention.
The Duke of York arrives at the Hague.
The Stadtholder declares he will defend the
republic to the last.
28. The Archduke Charles, the Prince of Cobourg, and
Duke of Wurtemburg, arrive at Duren.
The French merchants offer to send fifty
privateers to sea.
Discourse pronounced in the convention by
Anacharsis Cloots, on universal fraternity.
Riots in Paris at the houses of the bakers and
grocers.
Brussels desires, and obtains an union with France.
Revolution in Geneva after the French example.
The convention encourages addresses from all
quarters on the death of the tyrant.
Decreed, that the troops of the line shall form but
one body with the national guards.
All treaties of commerce and alliance, with powers
at war, are annulled.
The convention requires 300,000 men to
compleat (sic) their armies.
_March_ 1. Prince Cobourg beats the French near Altenhover.
The British troops land at Fort Ecluse.
The Austrians retake Aix-la-Chapelle.
Proclamation of Dumourier, to stir up the
inhabitants of Liege, Belgium, and Holland.
2. Carra denounces the farmers-general.
Deputy Rhul moves, that the property of foreign
princes be put up to sale.
3. The French raise the siege of Maestricht, and
besiege Williamstadt without success. They
4. are beaten at Tongres by the Prussians.
Gertruydenberg surrenders to Gen. Dumourier.
Zurich, Bern, and other Swiss cantons acknowledge
the French republic.
Manuel accuses the jacobins (sic) of all the evils
since the revolution.
Dumourier imposes 120,000 florins upon the city of
Antwerp.
War declared against Spain.
5. The bloody capture of Liege by the Austrians.
Taking of Ruremond.
The Prussians gain some advantage near Mayence.
Upon the motion of Danton, it is decreed, that a
revolutionary-criminal tribunal be established.
All persons imprisoned for debt are released by the
convention.
Prince Cobourg requires from Liege six hundred
thousand florins.
Arrival of 14,000 Hanoverians in the Low-Countries.
The commune of Paris hoists a black flag, as a sign
of extreme danger to the country.
General Miranda imprisoned in chains at Brussels.
9. Dantzig submits itself to the King of Prussia.
Dumourier conveys to Lisle the treasures of the
churches of Brussels.
He stops the first commissioners of the convention,
and sends them to Paris; he reviews his troops at
Brussels, and marches to the enemy.
Robespierre demands that all despots be overturned,
and that liberty be established on the ruin of all
aristocracies.
Monsieur, regent of France, creates the Count
d'Artois lieutenant-general of the kingdom.
Decreed, that the palace of St. Cyr, near
Versailles, be destroyed.
Decreed, that plate be considered as merchandize.
La Source inveighs bitterly against the English
government.
It is calculated, that 150 divorces take place,
every month in Paris since the decree.
Dumourier causes the plate to be restored to the
churches of Belgium, of which they had been
plundered.
Buzot declaims in the tribune against the despotism
of the convention.
10. Epoch of the counter-revolutions in La Vendée.
The French abandon the siege of Williamstadt.
The Austrian advanced guard enters Tirlemont, but
are obliged again to evacuate it.
16. The States-general reward the garrison of
Williamstadt for their gallant defence.
17. The French and Austrian armies drawn up in order of
battle all day opposite to each other.
18. Bloody battle of Neerswinde, which lasts the whole
day. The French wholly defeated.
19. The battle of Tirlemont; General Valence wounded,
and the French routed.
Dumourier suspected of treason at Paris.
23. Battle of Louvain between the French and Austrians.
The Prussians approach Mayence.
Dumourier demands a truce of six days to evacuate
the Low Countries.
The Empire declares war against France, in
consequence of a resolution of the diet of
Ratisbon.
The Austrians enter Louvain. Prince Cobourg
refuses a truce to Dumourier.
The Duke Frederick of Brunswick quits the army on
account of his health.
The Prussians approach Mayence.
General Santerre solicits a discharge from the
command of the troops of Paris, that he may have
leisure to attend to the affairs of his brewery.
Chenier proposes an oaken crown as a reward for
republican generals.
Duhem complains to the convention, that the vessel
of state is near foundering.
Garat passes from the office of minister of justice
to that of the interior.
Discourse of Danton, to rouse the people en masse
(in a body.)
A constitutional priest, commanding a battalion,
begs the convention to preserve his rectory for him
whilst he goes to the frontiers.
The inhabitants of Frankfort write to Custine, that
they are not willing to receive the French
government.
Insurrection at Orleans.
24. The Austrians enter Brussels and Mechlin.
The Prussians pass the Rhine at St. Goar.
26. Antwerp submits to the Austrians.
The statue of Prince Charles of Loraine, which the
insurgents overturned, is restored.
27. Namur and Mons evacuated by the French.
The Archduke Charles appointed governor of the Low
Countries.
Danton proposes to the convention, that all
citizens be justified to kill any persons who are
hostile to the revolution, wherever they may find
them.
29. The Austrians enter Ghent.
At the end of this month, all Brabant has returned
to the dominion of the Emperor.
Tumults and plunders in private houses at Paris.
The convention summons Dumourier to its bar.
The French are driven out of Worms, and Spires.
_April_ 2. The convention sends Bournonville, the minister of
war, with four commissioners to arrest Dumourier;
but he, apprized of their intentions, seizes them,
and delivers them to the Prince of Cobourg.
Dumourier sends General Miaczinski to secure Lisle,
but he is suspected, and arrested there.
The French evacuate Breda and Gertruydenberg.
Dumourier, accompanied by Gen. Valance, and two
sons of Philip Egalité, together with some
regiments and the military chest, passes over to
the Austrians.
This step of Dumourier induces the convention to
declare itself permanent.
The German princes and nobles, who were detained
prisoners at Landau, are conveyed to Paris as
hostages for the commissioners who are kept by the
Austrians.
Domiciliary visits are recommended at Paris.
Mons. de Blanchland, governor of St. Domingo, is
guillotined at Paris, and dies with extraordinary
firmness.
Great congress held at Antwerp by the chiefs of the
allied armies.
Decreed, that henceforward commissioners shall
remain with the armies, and be invested with powers
unlimited.
Philip Egalité, his third son, his sister, and the
Prince of Conti (sic), conducted prisoners to
Marseilles.
The commune of Vernon is unwilling to suffer
Madame d'Orleans to depart, on account of her ill
heath, and they promise to answer with their lives
for their benefactress and friend.
The Prussians prepare for the siege of Mayence.
The creditors of Egalité fix his annual allowance
at about 8000l. a year. His income is said to have
been between three and four hundred thousand a
year.
Gen. Dampierre forms the camp of Famars, the French
having retired from Holland.
Great debates in the convention on the subject of a
petition from 35 sections of Paris, against the
chiefs of the Mountain.
The English take the island of Tobago.
General Miaczinski, Compte (sic) d'Arenberg, and le
Compte Linanges, sent to the Abbaye at Paris, to
answer for the safety of the commissioners.
12. A long and violent tumult in the convention,
because the members come intoxicated.
13. Marat escapes from prison, and writes an insulting
letter to the convention; decree of accusation
against him.
15. Thirty-five sections of Paris demand the deposition
of Brissot, and twenty other members of the
convention.
Marat remains concealed, but his journal appears
every day.
Weissenau is destroyed by heavy artillery;
Dampierre makes a vigorous resistance. A battle
between Valenciennes and Condé.
The garrison of Lisle makes a powerful sortie.
Dumourier is allowed no part in the operations
against France; at Frankfort he publishes his
contempt for Egalité, and respect for his sons.
21. The Elector of Mayence addresses a letter of thanks
to his subjects. The bishop of Liege returns to
his dominions.
The French make themselves masters of Mont-Beliard.
America declares for neutrality.
Count d'Artois goes to Petersburgh (sic).
The Spaniards obtain considerable advantages near
Perpignan.
The royalists of La Vendée publish a manifesto,
against whom the convention orders twenty thousand
men to march.
Treaty between Great-Britain and Russia; another
between Great-Britain and Sardinia.
Great disorders at Marseilles and Aix.
28. The archduke Charles makes a solemn entry into
Brussels, as governor-general of the Low Countries;
400 citizens draw his coach.
Kellerman deposed from his command by the
convention.
The Emperor reproaches the Elector of Bavaria with
his neutrality, in a remarkable note.
Engagement between the French and Austrians near
Landau.
Dampierre declares that only 800 men accompanied
Dumourier.
Marat suffers himself to be conducted to prison.
The revolutionary tribunal acquits Marat; he is
conducted in triumph to the convention by the mob,
who force themselves into the seats of the members.
The commissioners of the convention, at Marseilles,
are obliged to fly.
The French make a brisk sally from Mayence.
An insurrection at Breslau, raised by a taylor,
(sic) and not suppressed without cannon.
30. Decreed, that the revolutionary tribunal shall be
suspended till the 1st of June next.
_May_ 1. Dampierre gives a bloody battle, to keep up a
communication between Condé and Valenciennes.
Deputies from Nantes require support from the
convention; they announce, that the war of La
Vendée has already cost the lives of 2000 patriots.
3. The King of Prussia, after several bloody fights,
with various success, drives the French from
Costheim.
Sallies are made every day from Valenciennes; Gen.
Mack is wounded in the arm.
Great fire in the port and magazines of
l'Orient (sic).
Twelve hundred millions of assignats issued.
Melancholy accounts laid before the convention, of
the wretched state of the interior parts of France.
6. Houchard attacks the Austrians near Landau.
The garrison of Mayence, and the camp of Famars,
make a sally; a number of men killed.
8. A warm attack at Costheim.
A battle also at Longwy.
This day was a day of general fighting, in all the
armies.
9. General Dampierre dies of his wounds. Lamarche
takes the temporary command.
10. The convention holds its first sitting in the hall
of the Tuilleries, now called the National Palace.
Battle of Hasnon. The convention is disposed to
grant to Dampierre the honour of the Pantheon; but
Danton proposed, and carried a decree, that no one
should obtain that honour till 20 years after his
death.
7. Custine is appointed general of the northern army.
The elector of Bavaria renounces his neutrality,
and orders his contingent of troops march.
General Miranda is acquitted by the revolutionary
tribunal; and receives a civic crown from the
people.
General Valence, who had gone over to the Austrians
with Dumourier, is ordered to quit the states of
the empire.
Interrogatory of Philip Egalité at Marseilles.
The popular tribunal, of Marseilles suspended,
because it was become more adverse to the jacobins
since the arrival of the Bourbons.
General Miaczinski condemned to death by the
revolutionary tribunal.
Santerre sent against the royalists of La Vendée.
Kellerman recovers the esteem of the convention,
and is employed again in the armies.
17. Custine attacks the Austrians near Landau with
30,000 men, and forces them to retire.
General Wurmser repasses the Rhine.
Every day there are skirmishes near Mayence.
Miaczinski is executed--his depositions against
Pethion, Gensonnet, and others, not being proved.
23. The allies attack the camp of Famars, and the whole
line from Orchies to Maubeuge. A bloody action
during the whole day. The French secretly during
the night abandoned the camp of Famars.
Riots in Paris, on account of the arrest of Hebert,
compiler of a gazette called Le-Pere-du-Chesne.
Count d'Artois joins his brother at Ham.
It appears that six patriotic merchants of Holland
had promised Dumourier four millions of florins,
provided he conquered the country.
Le Gendre proposes to exclude from the convention
all who voted for the appeal to the people.
The two parties in the convention come to actual
blows; and confusion and disorder continue for
three hours.
The anti-jacobins obtain the upper hand at Lyons,
and 400 persons are sacrificed.
25. Marat insults the convention. Decreed, that any
member who shall call another villain, or
conspirator, or such-like names, shall be expelled
the convention. Marat instantly violates this law.
Great tumults.
26. All printing-offices and presses, not in the
interest of the jacobins, such as those of Brissot,
Condorcet, Pru de l'Homme, Rabaut, &c. are
destroyed.
27. The elector of Bavaria, after receiving the
Emperor's note, becomes active; a part of his army
marches to Mayence.
30. Hebert is set at liberty. The French from Landau
make an effort to deliver Mayence.
A bold sally is made from Mayence. Prince Louis,
son of Prince Ferdinand, makes a vigorous
resistance. The jacobins are victorious in Paris.
100,000 citizens are under arms all night. The
tocsin (alarm bell) is ringing all day.
The forty-eight sections of Paris demand an act of
accusation against twenty members; among whom are,
Pethion, Brissot, Barbaroux, Chambon, Gorsas,
Guadet, Lanjuinais, Verniaud, &c. Six escape, and
among them is Brissot. Madame Roland is arrested;
her husband not to be found.
The convention in horrible tumult; and the
president (Isnard) unable to calm it, breaks up the
sitting. The result of this famous day was to
devote twenty-two members to the guillotine, to
declare forty-one out of the protection of the law,
and to imprison seventy-one.
_June_. A legion of French gentlemen sails from England to
Ostend.
A party of male and female negroes are presented to
the convention.
The generals of the French armies are as follows:
Custine commands the army of the North at Bouchain;
Houchard that of the Moselle, at Sar Louis;
Beauharnols, the army of the Rhine, at Wissenbourg;
Kellerman, that of the Alps, at Chamberry; Brunet,
that of Italy, at Nice; De Flers, that of the
Eastern Pyrenees, at Bayonne; Biron, the army of
the coasts of Nantes, at Nantes; and Wimpfer, that
of the coasts of Cantal, at Bayeux.
7. The royalists in La Vendée obtain considerable
advantages.
Baron Trenck becomes a jacobin.
9. A bloody battle near Arlon. The French very
numerous. General Schroeder forced to retreat.
Arlon pillaged by the French.
Discussion in the convention about a forced loan of
a milliard of livres.
The Prince of Waldec killed in an attack near Lisle
at the head of the Dutch.
Severe complaints from most of the departments
about the sitting of the 31st of May.
Saumur and Angers taken by the royalists.
13. Manifesto from the Marseilleois to the French
republicans against the convention.
14. The departments of Eure and Calvados declare that
the convention is not free.
The club of jacobins is shut up at Aix.
De-Ferraris, general of artillery, begins to
bombard Valenciennes.
The Prussians open trenches before Mayence.
Marat returns to the convention after a fortnight's
voluntary suspension.
Plan of a republican constitution read.
18. The revolutionary tribunal sends eighteen persons
to the guillotine.
General Wimpfer loses the confidence of the
convention, on account of the disorders in
Calvados.
19. The news reaches London of a naval action on the
18th of April between the French and English.
The army of the Emperor is stated to amount to
225,274 men, exclusive of artillery and the staffs.
Des-Forges nominated minister of foreign affairs.
Count Byland executed.
Dumourier arrives in London. He is ordered to
leave England immediately, but in terms of
civility.
The royalists under Gaston suffer great losses near
Nantes.
20. Deputies assemble at Grenoble to give a judgment
upon the proceedings of the convention on the 31st
of May.
Ferrand, commandant of Valenciennes, exerts himself
by every means to prevent the inhabitants from
desiring to surrender.
Decree of accusation against Wimpfer.
23. Pethion and Lanjuinais escape. Decree of accusation
against Brissot.
The cathedral of Mayence burnt down; the Prussians
summon the city to surrender.
The Imperialists take Weissenau.
_July_ 1. The Queen is informed that she must separate
herself from her son, whose education is committed
to Simon, a shoemaker.
Barrere reports to the assembly, that an
insurrection has taken place in Corsica.
8. Condorcet is denounced by Chabot.
Buzot, Barbaroux, Gorsas, Lanjuinais, &c. are
declared traitors. Some other members are decreed
to be in accusation.
General Sandos is delivered to the revolutionary
tribunal.
Biron is accused of incivism.
The French are forced to evacuate the camp of
Caesar on the Scheldt.
Condé surrenders by capitulation to his Imperial
Majesty.
Insurrection at Lyons, and in several other
departments.
Declaration by the chiefs of the royal and
catholick army of La Vendée.
Admiral Truguet complains to the convention of the
ill state of the marine.
12. Charlotte Corday assassinates Marat; he is buried
with great ceremony in the Pantheon.
Charlotte Corday is executed.
14. The republicans in La Vendée are defeated by the
royalists.
Deputies from St. Domingo complain of ravages by
the commissioners Polverel and Santonax, who are
declared to be in accusation.
Rigorous decree against Corsica. General Paoli
declared a traitor.
The royalists continue their successes.
23. Mayence surrenders to the Prussians.
D'Arnaud-Baculard, an eminent writer, is
guillotined for having lodged an emigrant in his
house.
Decreed, that every soldier shall suffer death who
shall throw away his arms to fly from an enemy.
Decree of accusation against Gen. Custine.
27. General D'Oyre, the commandant of Mayence during
the siege, and all his staff, put under arrest by
the convention.
Valenciennes surrenders to the Duke of York. The
Prince of Cobourg takes possession of it for the
Emperor.
29. Tremendous hail-storms at Paris.
General Custine is sent to the Abbaye.
Decreed, that every 10th of August shall be
celebrated as the festival of the unity and
indivisibility of the republic.
Ordered, that every knight of St. Louis shall
deposit his cross in his municipality.
Decreed, that no assignats, with the late King's
effigy, under the value of 100 livres, shall have
in future any value, but be received only at
present in payment of taxes.
Decreed, that all strangers in France, especially
English, be committed to prison.
Decreed, that all forests and all crops of corn in
La Vendée be burnt.
Decreed, that every vestige of royalty be
destroyed.
Decreed, that the trial of the Queen be commenced.
Decreed, that a camp of 300,000 men be formed
between Valenciennes and Paris.
The invention of the telegraph laid before the
convention.
The effects of the India company seized and sealed.
The members of the revolutionary tribunal doubled,
in order that they may be able to go through
business more expeditiously.
31. Engagement between the republicans and Sardinians.
Motion by Danton, to pass a national sponge over
the enormous number of assignats.
_Aug_. 1. The convention regulates an uniformity of weights
and measures in the republic.
It denounces to all Europe the government of
England.
Ordered, that the Queen be sent to the ordinary
prison of the Conciergerie, and given up to the
revolutionary tribunal.
Chambon moves, that all castles be erased from the
face of the republic.
2. A fire in the arsenal of Huningen.
7. Decreed, that Pitt is the enemy of the human race.
8. All academics and literary societies, which had
been established by letters patent, suppressed by
decree.
A colossal statue of liberty is erected in the
place of that of Louis XV.
14. The new constitution accepted by the fedérés.
Decreed, upon the motion of Barrere, that the
nation will repair in mass to the frontiers; this
was the origin of requisitions.
18. The battle of Lincelles in favour of the allies.
The army of the convention enters Marseilles, after
dispersing the few troops which that city had
raised to oppose it.
Decree for a plan of education purely republican.
The convention charges its commissioners to spare
nothing to reduce Lyons, which is in a state of
rebellion.
A child appears at the bar of the convention,
saying, that instead of preaching up one self-made
God, the convention had established gods in the
principles of equality and the rights of man.
28. Custine is guillotined, at Paris.
Lord Hood addresses a proclamation to the Southern
provinces of France.
Lord Hood takes possession of Toulon, by agreement
with the chief men and inhabitants of the city, in
the name of Louis XVII.
Action between the Spaniards and the French under
Dagobert, in which the former lose their camp.
29. The Spaniards obtain advantages over another army
of the French towards the Western Pyrenees.
Within the last six months, twenty-seven generals
of the republican armies have been disgraced or
accused; of whom, five destroyed themselves, three
perished on the scaffold, and fourteen deserted to
the enemy.
30. Motion to imprison the wives and children of
emigrants.
Motion of Danton to cause the expence of the war to
fall upon merchants and the wealthy.
_ Sept_. 3. Declaration of war by the King of Naples against
the French republic.
Poland is obliged to yield to the treaty of
partition proposed by Prussia.
Decreed, that every administrator of public
accounts, and every national agent shall give in an
exact statement of his fortune previous to the year
1791.
Le Brun and Claviere, ex-ministers, are deivered to
the revolutionary tribunal.
Energetic address from the convention to the French
people, respecting the treason at Toulon.
Decreed, that all foreign property in France,
especially English, shall be sequestered.
The convention resolves that new commissioners be
sent to St. Domingo, in the room of Polverel and
Santonax.
The Vendean generals write to the Count d'Artois,
inviting him to put himself at their head.
11. The city of Quesnoy surrenders to the Imperialists.
Robespierre declares to the convention, that the
country is in extreme danger.
The republicans are defeated at Chantonnay by the
royalists.
12. The Dutch are defeated at Menin.
The Duke of York is forced to raise the siege of
Dunkirk.
General Dumerbian, of the army in Italy, is
arrested.
Engagement between the royalists and republicans.
The Duke de Bethune-Charost arrested.
14. The French attack the combined armies in different
points near Weissembourg without any thing
decisive.
The Duke de Nivernois and other considerable
persons arrested.
Duhem states to the convention, that its
philanthropy cost France 120,000 persons last year.
The number of vessels found in Toulon by the
English was twenty-two ships of the line and five
frigates.
15. Decreed, that every young man from 18 to 25 must
immediately join the army.
Menin retaken by General Beaulieu.
17. The French fail in their attempt to pass the Rhine
at Huningen.
Decreed, that all former nobles and relations of
emigrants, shall be considered as suspected, and be
imprisoned.
Engagement between the Spaniards and French; the
former retire with loss.
18. The royalists near Saumur take the flying artillery
of the republicans.
19. The siege of Lyons is commenced.
Decreed, that all women shall carry tickets of
civism, and wear a three-coloured cockade.
Collot d'Herbois proposes to seize and bury all
counter-revolutionists under the land of liberty,
by means of mines.
Barrere proposes to banish all those who are averse
to republican government.
20. Decreed, that the vulgar aera (sic) be abolished,
and that a new manner be adopted of dividing days
and years, to be called the Republican Calendar.
The French attack the Duke of Brunswick, and are
repulsed near Bitche; several actions take place in
consequence.
21. Decreed, that no produce or manufacture of England
shall be imported into France or the colonies, but
in French bottoms; nor foreign ships convey the
commodities of France from one French port to
another, under pain of confiscation.
22. A great number of persons of distinction arrested.
The King of Prussia leaves his army, and returns to
Berlin.
The Prussians make the French to retreat in the
dutchy (sic) of Deux-ponts.
Two thousand millions of assignats issued.
29. Prince Cobourg passes the Sambre, and invests
Maubeuge.
Decreed that all fathers and mothers shall inform
where their children, in a state of requisition,
are concealed.
Barrere proposes, that as the French nation has
proclaimed liberty to the earth, it should proclaim
liberty also to the sea.
Madame Du Barry, General Houchard, General
Quetinau, and Marshal Luckner, are prisoners in the
Abbaye.
The Duchesses of Grammont and of Chatelet, with
many other nobles, are imprisoned in the Hotel de
la Force.
The number of prisoners in Paris is 2560.
The Queen remains in a dungeon of the Conciergerie,
her trial not yet commenced; nor that of the
deputies, who were put out of the protection of the
law. Brissot, and others, taken and carried to
Paris.
_Oct_. 1. The French obtain a victory over the Sardinians in
the Tarentaise, and in Maurienne. On the side of
Saorgio, the Sardinians have some advantages over
the French.
A great number of members are arrested in the very
convention, and delivered to the revolutionary
tribunal.
Drouet, who stopped the King at Varennes, falls
into the hands of the Austrians.
The constitutional bishop of Derdogne (sic)
presents his new wife to the convention.
6. Gorsas, a member of the convention, is arrested in
the Palais Royal, and guillotined in 24 hours.
Disgrace of Generals Houchard, Schomberg, and
Landremont, who are replaced by Jourdan, Delmas,
and Moreau.
Thuriot complains to the convention, that Jourdan
is appointed to a command, and enjoys public
confidence; a man of blood, fire, and pillage,
whose name posterity will not read without horror.
The national agent, Hebert, reduces the prisoners
in the temple to the strictest regimen; the Queen
is served on pewter.
8. The allies gain considerable advantages over the
French at Toulon.
Cambon proposes to discredit specie in order to
raise the value of assignats.
Billaud Varennes proposes the immediate trial of
the Queen.
Arrest of all the members of the constituent
assembly, who protested against the constitution of
1791.
Republican women appear at the bar of the
convention, declaring that they, as well as men,
are conscious of their rights, and know how to
resist oppression.
8. Lyons, after some days of siege, is forced to
submit. Barrere moves, that the city be destroyed,
and that a column be erected on the spot, with
these words engraven on it, "Lyons waged war
against liberty; Lyons is no more."
13. The allies make themselves masters of the Strong
and famous lines of Weissembourg. Lauterbourg
surrenders to them next day.
All monuments of former Kings who were buried at
St. Denis, are destroyed by order of the
convention.
15. The Queen appears at the bar of the revolutionary
tribunal; Fouquier, the public accuser, reads the
list of injuries and grievances with which she is
charged, and immediately obtains a sentence of
death against her; she hears it with downcast eyes,
and without uttering a word.
16. Marie Antoinette of Austria, Queen of France, is
conveyed in a cart to the place of execution, her
hands tied behind her back, and with her back to
the horse's tail. She mounted the scaffold
quickly, amidst acclamations of the people, which
excited only a smile of pity in her. She looked
earnestly at the Tuilleries, and seemed to dwell
upon the place where her children were; before she
was fastened to the guillotine, she threw her eyes
up to heaven, and Soon after her head was severed
from her body.
Decreed, that the money of France be changed into
francs of gold and of silver, and into republicans.
Work-houses established to prevent begging.
General Ferrand, writing to the convention an
account of his exploits in Arragon and Catalonia,
says, that he expects to plant the tree of liberty
on the walls of Madrid next campaign.
Prince Cobourg, attacked by the French, raises the
siege of Maubeuge, and repasses the Sambre.
17. The French are successful in Piedmont.
It is announced to the convention, that the
intruding bishop of Moulins officiated in a red
bonnet, and with a pike instead of the cross and
mitre.
Every external sign of religion is abolished. The
inscription on burying places is, "that death is
"only an eternal sleep."
22. André Dumont informs the convention from Abbeville,
that he was making the cross and crucifix to
disappear. "I shall comprehend in my proscription
"all those black animals called priests."
The convention orders, that the news of the
conquest of La Vendée be sent to all the
departments.
24. The royalists again appear, and gain great
advantage over the republicans.
Decreed, that every city which surrenders without
standing one assault shall be razed to the ground.
Permission granted to women to regulate their
fortune, as well as their husbands.
The number of prisoners in Paris amounts to 4000.
The French attack the allies for six days
successively; always bringing up fresh troops;
constantly repulsed, they still return and take
possession of the post, if possible, at any
expence.
27. New decree against priests.
The French lose 3000 men in two actions; one
against Wurmser, and a second against the
Prussians.
The royalists of La Vendée compleatly (sic) defeat
the French republicans.
The French, who had taken Menin, Courtray, Furnes,
who besieged Nieuport, and threatened Ostend, are
obliged to retire, and evacuate all they had got in
Brabant.
The commissioners at Lyons write, that 800 workmen
are labouring to demolish the city, pursuant to an
order of the convention. Lyons was the second city
of France.
30. The Duke of York retakes Marchiennes, and makes
1629 prisoners.
31. Twenty-one members of the convention guillotined in
37 minutes, viz. Brissot, Verniaud, Duprat, Valaze,
Gensonnet, Le Hardy, Ducos, Boyer, Fonfrede,
Boileau, Gardier, Du Chastel, Sillery, Fauchet,
Duperret, La Source, Carra, Beauvais, Mainville,
Antiboul, Végée, and La Case.
The royalists of La Vendée take the island of
Noirmoutier.
_Nov_. 1. Egalité conveyed from Marseilles to the prison of
the Conciergerie in Paris.
A column of Vendeans passes the Loire at Ancenis.
Two actions between the Spaniards and French; the
latter lose between five and six thousand men.
A member proposes to guillotine all farmers and
labourers that monopolize.
Decreed, that all lead, iron, copper, and bells of
churches, shall be applied to the use of the war.
The British ambassador presses the Grand Duke of
Tuscany to join the allies.
Decreed, that natural children shall share
inheritances equally with legitimate; provided the
parents have no other husband or wife.
Spoils and plunder of the churches are daily sent
to the convention.
The grand master of Malta takes part with the
allies against France.
Philip Egalité (formerly Duke of Orleans) is
guillotined upon the scaffold to which he brought
his unfortunate King.
Lidon, a member of the convention, shoots himself.
Complaints from all parts of want of bread. The
inhabitants declare they have only a quarter of a
pound of bread each a day.
Bailly, first mayor of Paris, guillotined.
General Beaulieu defeats the French, and forces
them to retreat to Philipville.
Ordered, that farmers of the national domains pay
their rents in kind.
Some persons are ordered to take away by night the
shrine of St. Genevieve, the patroness of Paris,
and whom the Parisians always respected peculiarly;
it is carried to the Mint.
7. Gabet and his constitutional clergy renounce in the
convention the sacerdotal character.
Madame Roland is condemned to death and executed
the same day, with five municipal officers of
Pont-de-Ce.
11. Festival of Reason, in the cathedral of Paris.
A woman is appointed to receive the homage there
which is denied to the Deity.
12. The royalists of La Vendée continue their
successes.
The Piedmontese still unsuccessful, losing their
camp and stores at La Magdeleine.
The national vengeance is at length glutted with
the blood of the inhabitants of Lyons; between 2
and 3000 persons have been massacred by tying them
together, and firing upon them with case-shot; and
the sabre finished those whose wounds were not
mortal.
Fort-Louis surrenders to the allies. 200 persons
are guillotined at Strasbourg for hesitating to pay
their proportion of a sum ordered to be raised in
that city within 24 hours.
Collot d'Herbois and Foucher, commissioners at
Lyons, write, that the work of destruction goes on
too slow. Mines and fires are necessary to forward
the demolition of so great a city.
The allies make a sally from Toulon, kill 2000
French, destroy the works, and take eleven pieces
of cannon.
Manuel and Cassy, members of the convention, and
Generals Houchard and Brunet, are guillotined.
18. Thuriot, Chabot, Bazire, L'Aunay, all deputies, are
imprisoned. Chamfont cuts his throat. Several
actions near Bitche, between the French and
Prussians; the latter are forced to retire.
On the other hand the French lose 8000 men in an
action against Wurmser.
The Sardinians after two actions are forced to
retreat.
Monsieur Lavordy, formerly comptroller of finances,
guillotined.
26. The Vendéans beat the republicans, and take the
post of Austrain.
The Sardinians under General Brentano repulse the
French.
The Spaniards obtain a victory.
Chambon, member of the convention, mayor of Paris
at the King's massacre, is put out of the
protection of the law, and killed by the
inhabitants of Tulle, among whom he had taken
refuge.
Gen. La Morbiere is guillotined.
27. The royalists of La Vendée take several towns in
Brittany; on the 19th they take Granville, but
evacuate it.
Barnave, a deputy to the first assembly, one of
the, authors of the revolution, and Duport, then
minister of justice, guillotined.
29. Project to erect a monument upon the Pont-Neuf,
representing the people as giants.
The convention receives from all parts the letters
of priesthood from the intruders.
Decreed, that a municipal officer with a red bonnet
shall inter the dead.
Robespierre declaims against the eagerness with
which they set about the work of destroying
religion.
A deputation of women appears at the bar with the
red bonnet.
Decree, offering rewards to every abjuring priest.
At Rochefort and other cities the pictures and
books of the churches are burned.
St. Domingo taken by the English.
The orator of the students of the republican school
comes to the bar, to assure the convention that he
and his comrades detest God.
Remonstrances of Mr. Drake, the British minister,
to the Senate of Genoa on the subject of
neutrality.
A member informs the convention that ten thousand
firelocks are made in Paris daily.
Decreed, that a colossal statue be erected in Paris
46 feet high, with the rights of man and the
constitutional act for a pedestal.
Furious declamation of Robespierre against the
British government.
30. General O'Hara, commander at Toulon, taken prisoner
by the French.
The inhabitants of Marly send to the convention all
the precious effects of the palace of Marly, and
all the iron of the famous works of that place.
Decreed, that all the lakes and marshes of the
republic be dried, and sowed with grain of various
sorts.
_Dec_. 1. The Jacobins of Nantes drown 90 priests destined
for Guiana, by sinking the ship in which they were
embarked.
Madame du Barry, the Duke Chatelet, the two
Rabauts, members of the convention, Kersaint and
Noel, members also, are all guillotined. The
ex-minister Claviere kills himself in prison.
One hundred and fifty persons guillotined at
Dunkirk.
The festival of an ass celebrated at Lyons, in
derision of religious worship.
Collot d'Herbois informs the convention of the
massacres which he has executed at Lyons.
The right wing of the Austrian army takes 1200
prisoners, and kills 1700.
The Prince of Condé takes 7 cannon, and kills 1300
men.
The Duke of Brunswick kills takes and (sic) 6000
men.
3. Wurmser defeats the army opposed to him, kills
10,000, and makes 5,000 prisoners.
4. The French evacuate Deux-Ponts, having lost immense
numbers of men and of artillery.
Raymond le Veuve is guillotined at Bourdeaux (sic).
The French attack the Austrian and Prussian armies
almost daily, and are constantly repulsed with
loss.
11. The French, notwithstanding their constant losses
continue to attack the lines of the allies. They
lose 5000 in an attack near Haguenau.
Valadi is discovered and guillotined.
12. The royalists are defeated with great loss near
Mans.
In an action near La Guerche, the Vendéans kill
7000 republicans, and take their artillery.
Birateau, member of the convention, guillotined at
Bourdeaux.
The festival of reason celebrated in all cities of
France, as in Paris.
Madame de Villette, niece of Voltaire, dies on the
scaffold.
14. The French make an attack on the posts of the
allies on the side of Courtray, and are repulsed.
The general, with his aid-du-camp (sic) and staff
to the number of 25, are arrested at Lisle.
16. The French again attack the lines of Gen. Wurmser,
and are again repulsed with great loss.
18. The royalists of La Vendée are again victorious
near Concale.
Toulon is retaken by the republicans, its name is
changed on the motion of Barrere, to that of the
"Port of the Mountain."
Letter of Chabot from the prison of the Luxemburg
to the convention.
20. The Duke of Brunswick, near Weissembourg defeats
the French army, kills 10,000, and takes their camp
and baggage with 47 pieces of artillery.
Rejoicings in Paris on account of the retaking of
Toulon.
The French, after having so often attacked the
allies with great loss, and returned as often to
harrass (sic) them still, at length carry their
point. They take 16 cannon, kill 500 men, and
recover the strong lines of Weissembourg.
27. The allies raise the siege of Landau.
1794.
_Jan_. 1. The representatives of the people, in order to get
rid of prisoners in La Vendée direct that all of
them be thrown into the Loire.
2. The island of Noirmoutier is retaken by the
republicans; 800 royalists are killed and 1200 are
made prisoners.
3. The old marshal Luckner, and the son of General
Custine, guillotined.
4. Eight hundred emigrants perish in crossing the
Rhine.
The States of Brabant require great contributions
for the expence of the war.
Bourdon de L'Oise complains, that the minister is
still too monarchical, and he demands that one
purely republican be appointed.
The Prince of Talmond, one of the chiefs of the
royalists, is taken by the republicans near
Fougeres. The remains of his army joins the
Chouans.
The Chouans, who now begin to be distinguished, are
so called from two brothers, gentlemen of that
name, who were particularly active in levying
troops in Brittany for the service of the
royalists.
6. Mons. d'Espremenil, a counsellor of the parliament
of Paris, and an ex-constituent, thrown into
prison.
General Cartaux sent to the Conciergerie.
Chambon, comptroller of finances, complains that
printing the names of emigrants on large paper is
too expensive, and moves that the small octavo be
used.
Decree of accusation against Roncin and Rossignol,
generals of the republic in La Vendée.
The revolutionary tribunal of Lyons, to please the
people, burns in effigy the Emperor, the Kings of
England, Spain, Prussia, and Sardinia, Mr. Pitt,
and the Pope. The city of Toulon is also burnt in
the representation of a woman.
La Mourette, intruding bishop of Lyons, guillotined.
Herbert is convicted of having received from the
national treasury, for his journal "Le Pere du
Chesne," in June 1793, 123,000 livres, and in
October 60,000 livres.
11. Thomas Payne and Anacharsis Cloots imprisoned in
the Luxemburg.
Ordered by the jacobin club of Paris, that all
sarcasms and philippics, uttered in their tribune
against the government and constitution of England,
be printed and sent to the patriots in the three
kingdoms.
The convention decrees, that all inscriptions on
monuments shall be in the French language.
Decreed, that all property real and personal of the
farmers-general shall belong to the nation.
Pondicherry surrenders to the British.
The president of the convention reads a letter from
Vitré. "The souls of most of the royalists have
"been sent to the Eternal Father; we are every day
"destroying the Chouans, those infernal banditti."
The French are active in restoring the lines of
Weissembourg to cover the siege of Fort-Louis.
The Baron Latude guillotined; he had lived many
years in the Bastille, and was called the proof and
victim of despotism.
The committee of public safety remove Simon, the
shoemaker, from the office of tutor and preceptor
to the son of Louis XVI. confined in the Temple;
and resolve that there is no need of any other in
his place.
A manufacture is offered to the convention of
cloth made of two-thirds hair.
19. The chimney-sweepers request of the convention the
release of Abbé Fenelon, who had been a father to
them during 60 years.
21. The anniversary of the death of Louis XVI. is
declared in the convention a day of glory.
Between the 13th of December and the 24th of
January, 325 persons were guillotined at Lyons, and
330 shot.
Generals Wurmser and the Duke of Brunswick are
succeeded by Generals Braun and Moellendorff.
The female citizen Chapuis, daughter of the
general, demands to serve as a dragoon.
The Count d'Artois sends his diamonds to Marshal
Broglio for the use of emigrants.
Motion by Rhul against the Elector of Bavaria.
A deputation of Americans demand the release of
their countryman Thomas Payne. The president
replies that he is an Englishman.
27. Decreed, that all castles in conquered countries
which cannot be used as hospitals shall be burned.
Decreed, that sixty-two millions of assignats shall
be at the disposition of the war-minister
29. every month. And that 95,000 cavalry be raised for
the next spring.
30. Upwards of three thousand peasants, prisoners from
La Vendée, are guillotined or shot at Nantes.
31 Perigord Tayleyrand, bishop of Autun, ordered to
leave England.
_Feb_. 1. Mons. La Borde, the former court banker, and father
of La Borde de Merville, an ex-constituent, is
forced to purchase his liberty with a large sum of
money.
The opera of "Toute la Gréce" is in great
vogue--the story of it is, that Philip, seeing all
Greece rising in a mass, begs for peace; Greece
refuses to make peace with a King.
Report to the convention, that excellent soap is
made of potatoes.
4. Slavery abolished in all the colonies.
Pichegru appointed commander of the army of the
North in the room of Jourdan.
The treasurer Cambon states to the convention that
last year 4,885,764 livres were coined of copper
and bell-metal.
A deputation of blacks appears at the bar to be
received as brethren.
Decreed, that every officer and soldier, of
whatever rank, shall have an equal quantity of
provisions, a man having but one stomach.
7. The 48 sections of Paris appear at the bar to
protest against any suspension of arms.
All mints for coining money suppressed, except that
of Paris.
The commune of Chamberry sends to the convention
twelve thousand marks [Footnote: Eight ounces
each.] of silver, together with the sword of Prince
Eugene, five feet long.
Manifesto of the Germanic body to justify the war
with France.
The Prince of Talmond and fourteen priests
guillotined.
One of the two brothers, of La Vendée, from whom
the Chouans took their name, is killed by the
republicans.
A bloody quarrel between the republican and
revolutionary soldiers of the French army.
The Vendeans obtain advantages at Cholet.
The Duke and Duchess of Luynes, and Mons de
Montmorency, an ex-constituent, imprisoned.
A work is published under the sanction of the
convention, proving that the national domains, that
is, the estates of the king (sic), the nobles, the
clergy, and the emigrants, are worth twenty
milliards of livres.
Deputies from the county of Mot Belliard demand its
union with France.
The old name of Marseilles is restored; it had been
forfeited by a decree, and was called "Sans-nom."
18. The Abbé Maury is promoted to the dignity of
cardinal.
Troops sent from Paris to La Vendée receive orders
to travel fourteen leagues a day.
20. Thomas Payne claims protection of the club of
Cordeliers, who return for answer the vote he gave
on the King's trial.
Mons. du Chaffault, lieut.-general of marines, an
officer of great services and high estimation, is
massacred in Poitou at the age of eighty-five
years.
The convention, on the motion of Barrere, decree a
political lent, in order to leave the more animal
food for the sick and aged.
A petition from Burgundy demands the death of young
Capet.
Death of Cardinal de Lomenie du Brienne, one of the
earliest promoters of the revolution.
St. Just makes a motion, the object of which is, to
excite the people to murder and vengeance, for 1200
years of crimes which had been committed against
them.
Motion by Danton for an agrarian law.
26. Report upon La Vendée. It consists of sixteen
departments of forty square leagues, between the
Loire and the sea, from Painboeuf to Saumur.
The sister of Mirabeau is reduced to solicit alms
of the convention.
_March_. Several sections of Paris complain to the
convention of a scarcity of provisions.
Decreed, that all the property of priests, either
banished or imprisoned, be confiscated for the use
of the state.
Danton makes a flaming republican speech to the
convention.
All horses of the plough put in requisition.
The number of prisoners in Paris amount to 6100.
9. The minister of justice proposes to institute a
committee of insurrection, to overturn all the
monarchies of Europe.
The sale of the property of emigrants amounted in
the year 1793 only to twenty millions of livres,
not half the real value of the estates of one
emigrant alone, the Duke de Montmorency.
The number of victims destroyed by the guillotine
or grape-shot at Lyons, to this date, amounted to
somewhat more than five thousand.
Populus, an ex-constituent, guillotined at Lyons.
The clubs of the jacobins and cordeliers form an
alliance.
At Nevers seventy-four priests, who refuse to take
the oath, are guillotined. At Dijon fourteen
nobles suffer the same fate, because they used the
titles of Count and Baron.
The merchants of Bourdeaux are all arrested on the
same day, and condemned to the guillotine; but are
permitted to redeem their lives by paying one
hundred millions of livres, to which they are
forced to submit.
14. Robespierre invents a conspiracy, or pretended
treason, in order to secure his authority.
The wife of Momoro, who had played the part of
first goddess of reason, guillotined.
All strangers are banished from Paris.
The Vendeans are beat on the left bank of the Loire
by General Cordelier.
The convention states the expences of 1793 to be at
the rate of four hundred millions of livres a month.
15. Hebert and his partizans (sic) are arrested. The
jacobins betray the cordeliers.
17. Herault de Sechelles guillotined.
21. The Emperor forbids his subjects to make any
payments in France.
24. The island of Martinico submits wholly to the
English.
A secret is laid before the convention of removing
the impression of ink from paper, and of rendering
it as new.
Wives of emigrants forbid to marry foreigners.
Eight thousand men sent to La Vendée.
The revolutionary army is disbanded.
Means discovered to expel foul air, by burning
common salt moistened with oil of vitriol.
30. The brother of Abbé (now Cardinal) Maury
guillotined at Avignon.
31. Jourdan appointed commander in chief of the army of
the Moselle.
Barrere exclaims against atheism and irreligious
principles.
_April_ 5. Danton, Camille des Moulins, Fabre d'Eglantine, De
l'Aulnay, Chabot, La Croix, Philippeau, Bazire, and
Julien, all voters for the King's death, delivered
to the revolutionary tribunal, and guillotined.
Danton, when asked his name and quality, replied,
"a being now that in a few hours will be a
non-entity."
Camille des Moulins, being required to tell his
age, replied, "the same as the sans-culottes Jesus,
"34 years."
Westerman, who stiled (sic) himself the conqueror
of royalists, the Abbé d'Espagnac, and many others,
are guillotined.
7. Formal entry of the Emperor into Brussels.
Decreed, that the executive council be suppressed,
as incompatible with republican government.
Chambon states the expence, extraordinary and
revolutionary, 1,600,000,000 livres.
A deputation at the bar of the assembly demands,
that death be the order of the day.
The prisoners in Paris amount to 6763.
Dumas, a deputy, pretends to point out a method of
knowing a counter-revolutionist by his physiognomy.
St. Lucia taken by the English.
9. Gobet, intruding bishop of Paris, guillotined.
The honours of the pantheon voted to Rousseau.
12. The city of Oneglia taken by the French.
St. Just, in the convention, asks the question
"What is a King compared with a French citizen?"
14. The allies repulse the French on the Lys.
The daughter of Sultan Achmet III. who had fled
into France, and found refuge there during 64
years, obtains alms of the convention, viz. 6oo
livres, (about 25l. sterling.)
18. Laborde, a wealthy banker who had several times
redeemed his life by large sums of money, is
guillotined.
The principal members of the parliaments of Paris,
and of Toulouse, are guillotined.
20. The woods of Vitré and Rennes burned to dislodge
the royalists.
21. Gen. Beaulieu beats the French at Arlon.
22. Guadaloupe taken by the English.
The old Mons. de Malsherbes, one of the generous
defenders of Louis XVI. guillotined.
24. The allies beat the French near Cambray.
26. The Duke of York takes 35 pieces of cannon, and a
French general; he kills 5000 men, and makes 3000
prisoners.
To facilitate the sale of the lands of emigrants,
they are divided into lots of three hundred livres
each, and twenty years credit given.
28. The French seize Courtray the day of the annual
fair, and get a great booty.
29. General Clairfait gains a considerable advantage,
killing 3000 men, and taking several cannon.
30. Landrecy surrenders to the Emperor with a garrison
of 6ooo men.
In this month were executed, besides those
mentioned already, Monsieur d'Espréménil,
Chaumette, procureur of the commune of Paris, Gen.
Arthur Dillon, Hebert and Simon, deputies, Gen.
Roncin, Momoro, Anarcharsis Cloots, a deputy, Du
Buisson, Goutte, an intruding bishop, Gen. Beisser,
the Marquis of Chateau Briant, the Duchesses of
Chatelet and Grammont, the Viscountess de
Pont-Ville, Thouret and Chapellier, two very active
revolutionists.
Kosciusko puts himself at the head of a revolution
in Poland.
_May_ 1. In the prisons of Paris 22,000 persons are
confined, and in all the departments of France
653,000.
The Duke de Biron, upon sentence of death being
passed upon him by the revolutionary tribunal,
cried out, "I deserve it, for having betrayed my
"King and served his enemies."
The Count du l'Aigle, being also condemned, said to
the people, "It is not my head, it is bread and
"your King that you ought to demand."
Decreed, that all royal houses shall be kept for
the use and enjoyment of the people.
10. Robespierre obtains decrees to admit the existence
of a Supreme Being, and of the immortality of the
soul; and for the establishment of decadary
festivals.
In La Vendée, General Haxo, after the example of
General Moulin, blows his brains out, to avoid
being taken prisoner.
All letters coming into France are opened.
From the 29th of April to the 4th of May, 109
persons are guillotined in Paris, and many more in
the departments.
In the valley of Aost, 6000 French were killed by
the peasants of Piedmont.
Barrere announces the capture of a Spanish camp,
with two hundred cannon, and two thousand men.
All the farmers-general are accused in a mass, and
sent to the revolutionary tribunals,
The town of Sargio and Piedmontese camp taken by
the French.
11. Seventy-one persons, among whom are 27
farmers-general, are guillotined.
Madame Elizabeth, sister of the late King, is
carried before the revolutionary tribunal and
interrogated, " What is your name?" "Elizabeth
"Philippine Marie Helene de France."
"Your quality?" "Aunt of the King." These last
words are scarcely pronounced, when the tribunal
condemns her to death.
12. The next day she is conducted to the scaffold, with
25 persons who were guillotined in her presence; it
being directed that she should suffer the last.
She died at the age of thirty years, and left a
character of unblemished purity.
Decreed, that all aged and infirm priests be kept
in houses belonging to the republic.
Report upon mendacity. Decreed, that the
convention will efface the name of beggary and
poverty from the annals of the republic.
The town and citadel of Bastia taken by the
English.
The commune of Sens writes to the convention, that
it has dug up all the bodies of the Capets that
were interred in their cathedral, in order to bury
them in ordinary ground.
An address to the French nation is prepared by
Barrere, and published by the convention,
concluding with these words: "Let the English
"slaves perish, and let Europe be free."
13. Revolutionary tribunals suppressed, except that of
Paris.
14. L'Huillier kills himself in prison, and Rebecqui
drowns himself--both active agents in the massacres
of Avignon, and of the 2d of September.
15. Kaunitz forces the French to repass the Sambre with
the loss of 5000 men.
18. The Duke of York, with 3500 men, is attacked by
15000 French, and forced to retreat.
General Beaulieu, near Bouillon, kills 3000 French,
and takes 700.
22. Battle near Tournay, lasts 16 hours; the French
lose 12,000 men, and the allies 3000.
A French army of 10,000 men penetrates into
Luxembourg.
24. Kaunitz takes 80 cannon, kills 2000 French, and
takes 3000.
Insurrection of the patriots at Liege.
The Emperor quits the army, and returns to Vienna.
29. Battle of Germersheim; the French lose 400 killed,
and 600 taken prisoners.
A plot to assassinate Robespierre and Collot
d'Herbois fails of success; the former obtains a
guard for his person.
_June_ 1. The British fleet under Lord Howe engages the
French; the latter loses eight sail of the line.
2. The convention decrees, that no Englishman or
Hanoverian shall be made prisoner in battle--no
quarter to be given, but all without reserve to be
put to the sword.
The Duke of York communicates this barbarous decree
to his army, in a manner that does honour to a
soldier and to a man.
The guillotine is destroyed by the people at St.
Brieux, and the revolutionary tribunal expelled.
4. The French are routed near Charleroy with the loss
of 4000 men.
The man who saved Collot d'Herbois from
assassination, obtains a pension of 1500 livres a
year.
Decreed, that the members of the convention, when
on duty, shall wear marks of distinction.
Proclamation of the Emperor to induce all Brabant
to rise in a mass.
A military school is instituted in the plain of
Sablons near Paris.
Decreed, that a new grammar be published, to give
to the language of liberty a character that is
suitable to it.
8. Jourdan, called Coupe-tête, general of the army at
Avignon, guillotined.
The son and daughter of Louis XVI. employed to make
shoes and shirts for the nation.
10. General Clairfait is obliged to retreat.
The French take Port-Vendre, Collieure, and St.
Elme.
13. A festival to the Eternal. Robespierre acts the
part of Pontiff. The ceremony is designed to
satisfy the people, by putting an end to atheism.
The members of the convention assume the
distinction of a plume of feathers in the hat, and
a three-coloured scarf.
The French army in Maritime Flanders amounts to
170,000 men.
The inviolability of the members of the convention
is renewed.
A large convoy from America with corn arrives in
France.
16. The French lose 7,000 men in an action near
Charleroy.
Ypres surrenders to the French--this conquest opens
all Brabant.
The numerous forces opposed to the allies oblige
them to retreat.
20. One milliard two hundred and five millions of
livres in assignats issued.
Port-au-Prince taken by the English.
The dread of the guillotine causes fifty thousand
persons to emigrate.
21. Commencement of a quarrel between Robespierre and
Bourdon de l'Oise, and another between Tallien and
Robespierre.
Ninety-four nuns transported to Africa.
Twenty-one members of the parliament of Toulouze
(sic) guillotined at Paris.
26. Every thing in France is put in requisition, men,
horses, provisions, and all sorts of property.
28. Some terrible conspiracy is supposed, and announced
to the public in order to authorise new massacres.
"Paris," says Barrere, "shall be henceforth the
"city with a hundred gates; each gate shall
"announce some triumph, or some revolutionary,
"epoch".
29. The French besiege Charleroy.
The number of persons guillotined this month is as
follows. From the first to the ninth of June, 100
On the 9th, 22
10th, 30
11th, 33
12th, 8
13th, 20
From 14 to 17th 103
17 to 20th 50
On the 21st, 26
22d, 14
25th, 48
27th, 29
Total guillotined in Paris in the month of June 483
_July_ Religious worship abolished at Liege, the priests
banished, and the churches demolished.
3. Sir Gilbert Elliot receives the crown of Corsica in
the name of the King of Great-Britain.
Proclamation of the Stadtholder on the dangers
which threaten Holland.
A festival of the human race at Paris--it ends with
adopting poor children.
The French take Mons and Ostend; 87 persons
guillotined.
Newport also falls to the French--130 emigrants
shot.
Tournay taken by the same. The British
7. forced to evacuate Alost. Fifty persons condemned
to death.
8. The Austrians quit Brussels; the French enter it,
and retake Landrecy.
Spires, Mechlin, and Louvain, abandoned by the
allies.
Sixty persons guillotined at Brest.
Robespierre, in an address to the convention, is
heard for the first time with coolness.
The plunder of the churches of Brabant is sent to
the convention, together with two millions of
livres in specie from Mons.
18. Namur opens its gates to the French.
19. Revolution at Geneva.
The convention is charged in its accounts with 150
reams of paper a day;--each of its decrees costs
83,000 livres; on the first of April last, 6800
decrees had been passed by the three legislatures.
The members who compose the committee of public
safety, at this time of havoc and universal terror,
are Robespierre, Couthon, Billaud Varennes,
Barrere, Collot d'Herbois, Lindet, Prieur, Carnot,
and St. Just.
26. Robespierre denounces to the convention one hundred
of its members. A party instantly rises against
him. He is attacked by Billaud Varennes and
Tallien, and thunderstruck with the accusations
against him.
27. Robespierre endeavours to kill himself; the wound
not mortal.
28. All the following persons are guillotined this day:
Robespierre the elder and the younger, Couthon and
St. Just, members of the convention; Henriot,
commander in chief of the Parisian guard; La
Vallette, another commander; Dumas, president of
the revolutionary tribunal; Lescott Fleuriot, mayor
of Paris; Payan, chief agent of the commune;
Viviers, a criminal judge, and president of the
jacobin club; Simon, preceptor of the young Prince;
upwards of eighty municipal officers; one Deputy, a
commissioner with the army, and one general
officer, all partizans of Robespierre.
Tallien proclaims in the convention, that the day
of the tyrant's death is a festival for universal
fraternity.
From the 1st to the 19th of July were guillotined
in Paris, in all 406 persons.
On the 20th, 34
21st, 29
22d, 46
24th, 30
From 25th to 27th 135
28th, 22
29th, 70
Total guillotined in July 772
_Aug_. 1. At this time the guillotine remains unemployed.
The convention charges sixteen committees with the
management of public affairs.
2. The Spaniards are defeated--The French take
Fontarabia and St. Sebastian.
Pichegru, with 190,000 men, is commanded to conquer
Holland.
3. Prince Cobourg calls upon the States of Germany to
assemble and oppose with unanimity the alarming
mass of French troops which is on the point of
breaking in upon them.
5. The convention abolishes Robespierre's system of
terror.
Brussels gives a civic feast on account of its
union with France.
The French enter Treves, and summon Breda.
Pelet solicits the convention for the return of
order, of justice, and of commerce.
10. The English take possession of Calvi.
11. The states-general earnestly exhort the Dutch to
defend themselves.
13. A general release of prisoners confined in France
by order of Robespierre--they amounted to upwards
of 500,000.
Quesnoy retaken by the French, with 3000 men.
The telegraph first made use of.
15. An ambassador from America receives the fraternal
kiss.
26. L'Ecluse surrenders by capitulation to the French.
Ordered, that all persons may travel freely without
passports in the interior of the republic.
The new ambassador from Geneva received in the
convention.
29. Valenciennes surrenders; its garrison consisted of
8ooo men, of whom 1100 were emigrants.
30. Condé surrenders to the French.
Frèron and Tallien propose measures of moderation,
that is, a system opposite to that of terror.
_Sept_. 1. The Emperor threatens to withdraw his troops, if
the circles of Germany do not support him better.
The academy cf arts and sciences of Paris discovers
a method of making pot-ash from the horse-chesnut
(sic).
Bois-le-Duc and Breda inundated.
The convention passes some decrees favourable to
the emigrants.
5. Rochelle and Montfort denounce the nobles and
priests.
6. An orator of one of the electoral clubs of Paris
presents a petition, which he is unable to read.
Bertier acquaints the convention that he has set at
liberty all prisoners in the North under 15 years
of age.
The convention receives numerous congratulations on
the death of Robespierre.
Tallien resigns his seat as member of the committee
of public safety.
Motion of Barrere against bankers and stockjobbers.
An attempt is made to assassinate Tallien, but he
escapes with some severe wounds.
10. The flag of the republic of Geneva is received into
the convention.
Merlin, of Thionville, makes an animated speech in
the convention against the jacobins.
The two ruling parties in the convention are, the
partizans of terror, called the Mountain. and the
Moderates.
Protests and placarts (sic) are stuck up in all
parts of Paris against the despotism of the
convention.
11. The convention decrees that all those shall be
subject to the laws against emigrants, who quitted
France since the 1st of July 1789, and did not
return before 9th of May 1792.
Decreed, that the nation will pay no more salaries
to ministers, or others officiating in any
religious worship.
Motion by Duhem to expel all that remains of the
family of Capet from the territory of the republic.
Report of Lindet on the state of France, in which
are marked its dangers, errors, and disasters.
The Spaniards are forced to give up the important
city of Bellegard to the French at discretion.
12. The Piedmontese are repulsed with considerable
loss.
13. Great commotions at Marseilles.
15. Ordered, that the remains of Marat be interred in
the Pantheon.
16. The British and Hanoverians pass the Rhine with
some loss. The Duke of York retires to Nimeguen.
Ceremonies established for the observance of the
days called "Sans-culottides," which are the
supplementary days of the republican calendar.
General Clairfait marches towards Cologn (sic), and
passes the Roar (sic).
The French invest Maestricht, and take possession
of Aix-la-Chapelle, Malmedi, and Spa.
Balloons are used by the French to make
observations of their enemy's proceedings.
Twenty-nine waggons loaded with gold and silver, to
the value of 18,359,404 livres are brought to Paris
from Belgium.
The throne of the Elector of Treves is among the
spoils.
25. A national festival is celebrated at Paris on
account of the evacuation of the French territory
by the enemy.
27. Crêvecoeur surrenders by capitulation to the
French.
30. The allies still continue to retreat.
Decreed, that all directories and all municipal
bodies of the republic shall be purified; and all
revolutionary committees reorganized.
_Oct_. 1. General Clairfait passes the Rhine.
Keyserslautern taken by the Prussians.
3. The French enter Juliers. The body of Rousseau
transferred to the Pantheon.
4. Bommel and Bois-le-Duc surrender to the French.
The garrison of Nimeguen sallies, and kills 2000
French.
Proclamation of the Prince of Orange, exhorting the
Dutch to resist the enemy in a body (en masse.)
5. Lyons permitted to resume its name--confiscation,
and massacres are suspended there.
6. The convention addresses the French people to
acquaint them that henceforward the order of the
day shall be "severe, but not atrocious or
"sanguinary justice."
Pichegru makes himself master of Cologne, Gueldres,
and Cleves.
French soldiers who died this campaign in the
hospitals at Lisle, amount to 47,000.
The English pass the Rhine. The French enter
Bonne (sic).
The chiefs of the royal and catholic armies in
Bretagne make a solemn appeal, to the French
people, to incite them to rally about the standards
of religion and of the King.
The following contributions were levied by the
French in Brabant:
Livres.
At Antwerp 10,000,000
Ghent 7,000,000
Brussels 5,000,000
Bruges 4,000,000
Mechlin 1,260,076
Lierre 500,000
Oudenarde 500,000
Ipres 1,000,000
Alost 4,000,000
Ostend 2,000,000
Courtray 3,000,000
Ath 150,000
Mons 1,640,875
Louvain 2,000,000
Namur 5,000,000
Huy 126,171
Total 51,177,122
12. The Russians entirely defeat the Poles under
Kosciusko, and take Warsaw.
The French take Worms; and pass the Rhine.
20. The British and Dutch defeated on the banks of the
Meuse.
25. The French take Coblentz and Venloo.
Six thousand young women put in requisition in
Brabant to attend the hospitals.
The states of Holland openly abandon the interests
of the Stadtholder.
Great numbers of emigrants shot at Ipres, Neuport,
and l'Ecluse.
Freron, the journalist, attacks furiously in the
convention the remains of Robespierre's party.
Proclamation by General Washington to check the
buds of rebellion in America.
Assignats burned to the 30th of September last,
amounted to 2,367,000,000 livres.
All public ordinances by the representatives of the
people begin in this form, "The thunder of God: in
"the name of the representatives of the people, it
"is commanded under pain of death, &c."
Address from the court of Madrid to stimulate the
Spanish nation against the French.
Motion by Baraillon to imprison all those who have
had national property conveyed to them under its
value, and those who have laid waste the lands and
houses of emigrants and of condemned persons; and
all those who have misapplied public money.
Decree to abolish the jacobin club.
_Nov_. 4. Rhinfeld surrenders at discretion; Maestricht by
capitulation.
Nimeguen surrenders.
French commissaries proclaim liberty at Martinico.
Billaud Varennes endeavours in vain to revive the
jacobins.
The convention offers full pardon to the rebels of
La Vendée who will lay down their arms and serve
the republic.
Guadaloupe is retaken by the French.
Cambon reports that assignats in circulation amount
to 6,400,000,000 of livres, and the expence of the
present year to 2,200,000,000 livres.
Addresses of congratulation from all parts on the
overthrow of the jacobins.
17. The Spaniards defeated by the French.
Republican General Dugommier killed.
20. The Spaniards again defeated--three generals taken.
St. Fernard, Figueras, and Aspaetta, surrender.
30. Grave surrenders to the French.
Carrier and his bloody accomplices decreed to be in
a state of accusation.
Decreed, that all emigrants be for ever banished
from the republic, their property confiscated, and
their return punished with death.
_Dec_. 1. The French make several unsuccessful attempts on
the side of Mayence, but are repulsed with loss.
7. Ten members of the revolutionary committee of
Paris, convicted of peculation (sic) and abuse of
power, are condemned to twenty years imprisonment,
and to stand six hours in the pillory at the Place
de Grêve, the place of common executions.
The municipality of Nantes forbid all persons to
drink the water of the river Loire, on account of
the infection from the dead bodies which were
victims of Carrier's cruelty.
8. The seventy-one members who had been proscribed by
Robespierre resume their seats in the convention.
11. The French pass the Waal, attack the Hanoverians,
and retire.
12. Utrecht taken by the French.
19. The Dutch send commissaries to Paris to treat of
peace.
25. The Austrians retire across the Rhine. The French
pass the Meuse, having taken fort St. André. The
Dutch regiments of Hohenloe and Bentinck lay down
their arms.
26. The English quit Bommel abandoning their artillery.
The law which forbad quarters to the English and
Hanoverians is repealed.
Clundest surrenders to the French.
Loizeroles submits to be imprisoned and to be put
to death in the stead of his son.
30. The decree of Robespierre revoked, which condemned
those to death who had connection with nobles or
clergy. All his laws decreed to be reviewed, and a
plan proposed of forgiving all revolutionary
crimes.
The French take 120 pieces of cannon, and 1600
prisoners.
A great fire in the arsenal of Landau.
Pensions decreed to men of letters.
Upon a motion by Clauzel, a prosecution is decreed
against all the accomplices of Robespierre, who is
called "the butcher of the French people."
The British parliament votes almost unanimously for
the prosecution of the war.
Carrier suffers on the scaffold for all his
atrocities.
1795.
_Jan_. 1. The salary of members of the convention raised from
18 to 36 livres a day. "Keep your 36 livres, (said
"some persons on this subject) but let us have a
"Louis."
The people of Lyons drag about the streets the bust
of Marat, Challier, and Pelletier de St. Fargeau,
who had but lately been objects of their idolatry.
A woman appears at the bar of the convention,
furnished with scythes, by means of which it was
stated that a woman and child could mow five acres
in a day. Honourable mention!
Decreed, that the sovereignty of the people is
inalienable, and that they have a right to chuse
(sic) any form of government except royalty.
3. The French are dislodged from their position at
Wardenberg by the English and Austrians.
The French attack the British rear-guard.
9. The whole British army passes the Rhine.
10. The French army passes the Waal in different points
at the time on the ice, and takes possession of
Thiel. All the rivers of Holland and the Low
Countries are frozen over so as to bear the
heaviest weights, and favour the operations of the
French extremely.
Cambon states the number of livres in circulation
in the form of assignats to amount to
9,600,000,000; and he proposes a lottery to reduce
the number to four milliards (each one thousand
million).
Mercier makes a bold speech in the convention
against the abolition of religious worship.
14. The French attack the British along their whole
line from Arnheim to Amerongen.
The Prince of Orange and his son resolve to quit
the Hague.
The states of Holland agree with the French to
deliver up their country to them. The Fleet of
Holland is locked up by the ice, and shares the
fate of the country.
An imposition of one million of livres in specie is
laid upon Liege, and a thousand livres a day for
every day's delay.
Hostages are sent from Liege to Paris.
Utrecht summoned and taken without opposition.
Wurcum, Dorcum, and Dort, taken.
18. Pichegru sends detachments to take possession of
Leyden, Amsterdam, and the Hague.
The Princess of Orange and her daughter-in-law
depart for England.
Tallien moves in the convention to put to death all
the partizans of the system of terror which covered
France with bastilles and scaffolds.
Breda, Bergen-op-Zoom, Gertruydenberg, and
Williamstadt, open their gates to the French, upon
hearing that Holland was given up.
The French generals require that within the space
of one month Holland shall supply them with 200,000
quintals [Footnote: 100lbs. each.] of flour,
1,000,000 of rations of hay, 200,000 rations of
straw, 1,000,000 bushels of wheat, 150,000 pair of
shoes, 200,000 shirts, 20,000 pair of boots, 20,000
coats and waistcoats, 30,000 pair of breeches,
150,000 pantaloons, 50,000 hats, and 12,000 oxen.
28. Duhem is ordered to the Abbaye prison, for saying
that aristocracy and royalism were triumphant. He
is refused admittance, there being no room.
31. Report on the finances states that the expences of
the last month exceeded the receipt by 218,779,475
livres.
Dubois Crancé, on the state of the republic,
reports, that eleven hundred thousand men are under
arms.
_Feb_. 2. A ship is laid on the stocks at Brest called "the
"Avenger of the Country," intended to carry 136
guns; 24 feet longer, and 3 feet wider, than any
ever built.
The assembly of the provisionary representatives of
the United Provinces acknowledges the rights of man
and the sovereignty of the people, dismisses the
states-general, abolishes the office of
stadtholder, suppresses the regency of the Hague,
and appoints a new committee of the India company.
A deputation from the people of colour thanks the
convention for liberty granted to the negroes
(sic).
Disturbances at Rouen, and other great cities.
Four presses of false assignats seized at Paris.
Ordered, that deputies be sent to the colonies
beyond the Cape of Good-Hope.
4. Gouly harangues the convention to inflame it
against England, which has usurped, as he said, a
tyrannic dominion over the sea.
Petitioners appear at the bar, demanding bread.
Zealand capitulates.
The republic of Basle acknowledges the French
republic.
A decree upon religious worship, which seems to
allow it more liberty than of late.
Rovere in full convention charges Syeyes with
having been an instrument and counseller of
Robespierre.
8. Tumults at the theatres in Paris.
9. The sections of Paris demand the trial of Barrere,
of Collot d'Herbois, and Billaud Varennes.
10. The convention ratifies a treaty of peace with
Tuscany.
The administration of Belgium addresses the
convention, desiring an union with France.
11. Barrere, Collot d'Herbois, and Billaud Varennes,
decreed to be under arrest.
Antwerp informs the convention that 40,000 Belgians
are ready to join the army of the republic, and
give the last blow to the impious coalition of
crowned tyrants.
The convention appoints to the command of its eight
armies Pichegru as commander in chief, Jourdan,
Moreau, Kellerman, Sharer, Moncey, Clancaux, and
Hoche.
14. Deputies are nominated for the East-Indies.
16. The Dutch announce that they have begun the great
work of their regeneration.
17. Decreed, that all letters belonging to Robespierre
be printed.
19. Suspension of arms between the royalists of La
Vendée and the republicans.
Assassinations at Avignon.
23. Conferences between Charette and the commissioners
of the convention.
The French bombard Luxemburg.
Emigrants enrolled in London for an expedition to
the coast of France.
The liberty granted to the press gives public
writers an opportunity of expressing their
sentiments boldly of the convention, and of the
revolution.
27. Charette, Stofflet, and their officers, dine with
the French commissioners.
28. Charette joyously received at Nantes.
Cambon states that the expences of this month
exceed the revenue by 443,164,974 livres.
_March_ 1. A reward is offered for destroying wolves.
4. Carnot presents the following description of the
last campaign, viz. 27 victories, of which, 8 were
pitched battles. 120 actions of smaller
importance. 88,000 enemies killed, and 91,000 made
prisoners. 116 places or strong cities taken, of
which 36 were by siege or blockade; 230 forts or
redoubts; 800 pieces of cannon, 70,000 muskets,
1,900,000 pounds of powder, and 90 stands of
colours, taken by the republic.
Victory of Admiral Hotham in the Mediterranean.
Commotions in Paris for want of provisions.
Eleven persons massacred at Toulon.
Insurrection at Bourdeaux.
The convention has many debates about Barrere and
his associates.
The Dutch are required to give up to the French
republic all the coined money in their possession.
Rouzet tells the convention it is time that France
should resume her rank among civilized nations.
5. A committee is appointed to prepare a constitution
(the third in five years).
Boursault reports that the war in La Vendée is
extinguished, but that another had broken out,
called that of the Chouans.
Le Sage denounces the wind which blew down the flag
from the convention-hall.
Decreed, that the 71 deputies proscribed by
Robespierre resume their places.
14. The treaty of peace with the Vendéans read in the
convention, except the secret articles.
Boissy d'Anglas harangues upon the atrocities in
France, which he attributes to royalists.
17. A committee is appointed to treat with foreign
powers.
Carletti is received as ambassador from the Grand
Duke of Tuscany.
_April_ 1. Tumults in Paris for bread and a constitution.
2. Tumults continued at Paris and Amiens.
Barrere, Collot d'Herbois, Vadier, and
Billaud-Varennes, condemned to be transported to
Guyana.
4. Tumults continue.
5. The King of Prussia makes peace with the republic.
Motion made to discredit the republican calendar as
an act of despotism worthy of Robespierre. Fails
of success.
The convention takes a guard of 554 life-guard men,
and sixty of the artillery.
The newspapers of Paris speak of the convention
with great boldness.
To quiet the people, it is given out that corn is
coming in from all quarters.
Admiral Renaudin receives orders to put to sea.
Baron de Stael is sent as ambassador from the King
of Sweden to engage in friendship and alliance with
the convention.
Rhull ventures to pronounce in the convention an
eulogy on the old monarchy.
The deficit in the last month amounts to
660,000,000 livres,
Discourse of Thibadeau to inflame republicanism.
Several communes petition for their former churches
and worship; the convention passes to the order of
the day.
Fortier, compiler of the paper called "The
"Political Correspondence" imprisoned for saying
"that if all the monsters who murdered Louis XVI.
were dead, not a Frenchman would shed a tear over
"the tomb of any one of them."
Sylverster, from the tribune, assures the French
people that notwithstanding the scarcity there is
no danger of starving.
Cambon, who had been treasurer three years and a
half, arrested.
The convention grants to the Duchess of Bourbon
relief to the amount of 18,000 livres; about 70l.
according to the value of assignats.
Credit appears to revive; 270 livres in assignats
for the louis.
Patroles (sic) are doubled in Paris; much
apprehension is entertained.
19. The convention announces peace with the Chouans.
_May_ 1. Decrees severe against emigrants.
Preliminary articles signed between France and
Holland.
Seventy persons massacred in a tumult at Lyons.
On the motion of Dubois Crancé, decreed, that three
milliards of assignats be issued.
S. The Spaniards defeated near Figueras.
Motion to permit a loss of two per cent. a month on
assignats.
Vernier, successor to Cambon, states the expence of
the last campaign at 3,000,000,000 in assignats;
and the last month at 738 millions.
15. An alliance offensive and defensive concluded at
the Hague between France and Holland; the first
article excludes the Stadtholder for ever; the
second assures to France one million of livres for
the expence of the war.
A vigorous action near Mayence.
Great agitation at Naples; several disturbers of
the peace imprisoned.
A deputy complains earnestly against the facility
with which divorces are obtained.
The Sardinians defeated near Mount St. Bernard.
Decreed, that Le Bon be brought to trial charged
with cruelties equal to Carrier's.
Twenty members of the revolutionary tribunal
guillotined.
20. An alarming insurrection of the people of Paris
against the convention; Ferrand, a deputy, is
massacred at the feet of the president; the
assassin of Ferrand is condemned
22. to death, but is rescued by the people; the
23. suburb St. Antoine marches against the convention,
which is in extreme danger and
24. alarm; divisions take place among the insurgents,
and they lose their force at once. After having
had the advantage some time, the terrorists are
overcome by the moderates.
The convention resumes its deliberations, disarms
the fauxbourgs, decrees the arrest of a great
number of its own members, and orders the immediate
execution of fifty of the chiefs of the
insurrection.
Decreed, that Barrere's transportation be
suspended, and that he be tried again, his sentence
being too mild.
The terrorists rise at Toulon, as at Paris, and are
subdued with much difficulty and bloodshed.
25. The Chouans, seeing themselves betrayed and
deceived by a phantom of a treaty which had been
held out to them as secure and permanent, again
take up arms.
28. Rhull blows his brains out.
A petition is presented to the convention demanding
a separation of the supreme powers, as the only
means of guarding against tyranny.
The Spaniards are again defeated by Kellerman.
A camp of 3000 men, chiefly cavalry, formed at the
Tuilleries.
A proclamation of the convention to French seamen
concludes thus, "War, eternal war, against the
"English."
Lanjuinais obtains a decree for freedom of
religious worship.
31. Decreed, that the revolutionary tribunals, created
May 13, 1793, be suppressed.
Ordered, that the tribunals prosecute the authors
and accomplices of the massacres of Sept. 2, 1792.
The convention, afraid that Barrere's trial should
take up too much time, decrees that he be
transported to Africa.
Among the papers of the jacobins is found an order
of the old committee of public safety to pay
100,000 livres for printing the correspondence of
that society.
A journalist in Paris ventures to write thus:
"Legislators, do not exhaust your strength and
"genius in discovering that which has been done
"before your time; give us the best government you
"can; consider that the people of France were the
"happiest and the longest so of any people; give us
"the laws we have been used to."
_June_ 1. The commune of Valenciennes deliberates in a full
assembly whether it should continue to acknowledge
the convention; or whether it should not arrest the
representative Lamar.
5. Dutch ambassadors are received in the convention,
and the treaty of alliance between the republics
ratified.
6. The Vendéans declare that the treaty with them is
shamefully evaded; and they again take up arms.
Their brave leader Charette publishes a manifesto.
Decreed, that the property of those condemned or
executed since the establishment of the
revolutionary tribunals shall be restored to their
families; except those of Louis Capet, and his
wife, of Philip Egalité, and Madame du Barré (sic).
Decree to apply the palace of Versailles to
national uses.
Assignats burned to this month amount to
2,623,680,000 livres.
7. The fortress of Luxemburg, almost impregnable,
surrenders to the French from want of provisions.
8. Louis Charles, the descendant of 60 Kings, the son
of Louis XVI. whom the royalists acknowledged as
King since the 21st of Jan. 1793, under the name of
Louis XVII. in the eleventh year of his age,
finished his unhappy life and vain reign in the
prison of the Temple, where he had been confined
near three years without communication with any
friend. History alone will hereafter instruct the
world whether or not he died a natural death, as
the convention took great pains to have it
believed.
11. Decree in favour of those whom the tyranny of
Robespierre caused to fly from the kingdom.
A motion is well received to declare the produce of
the next harvest public property.
General Santerre, long detained in prison, and
released at the death of Robespierre is again
denounced.
Proposed "' to change the odious name of
"revolutionary committee, and to suppress the
"infamous red bonnet, as being only the symbol of
"blood."
14. The republicans receive a severe check at
Grand-Champ from the royalists.
The law repealed which forbad the wives and
daughters of emigrants to marry foreigners.
The republicans charge the royalists with violating
the late treaty. The latter retort the charge.
The republicans claim the victory of the 14th ult.
The nephew of General Dubois writes a letter full
of invective and gall against the convention.
All sorts of pastry forbidden, on account of the
scarcity of corn.
The decree which declares all assignats, bearing
the King's bust, to be of no value in future, takes
away from private property one milliard, 665
millions, and 157 thousand livres.
The expence for public instruction amounts to
300,400,000 livres.
20. Romme, Goujon, Duquesnoy, Soubrany, Duroy, and
Bourbotte, members of the convention, and active
leaders in the late riots, are executed.
23. Boissy d'Anglas reads a new constitution, which the
convention proposes to read article by article.
Insurrection at Arras for bread.
The convention orders a school of 200 apprentices
to watch-making.
26. Bellisle is summoned by the English, and returns a
resolute answer of defiance.
A complete victory obtained over the Spaniards.
2. The emigrants in England are put under the orders
of Puissaye, and disembark at Quiberon.
The deputies Peyssard and Forrestier condemned to
prison. Prieur de la Marne and Albitte escape
judgment by flight.
The value of a louis-d'or is up to 1000 livres.
All citizens from 16 to 60 commanded to serve in
the national guard; and in their oath to swear
these words, "Hatred against Kings".
Decreed, that murders, which were to be punished
with 20 years imprisonment, shall in future be
punished with death.
A member proposes that the convention should look
back and punish all judiciary assa
Showing first 200,000 characters. Full text: gutenberg.org/ebooks/16962