110 - THE COLTON PAPERS. 



served, during their visit, which seemed long to them, a dignity 

 which their uniform always inspires, but which, upon this occasion, 

 was a necessity more than a duty. Seven hours were employed by 

 the agents of violence in trying every means to enter our residence. 

 Mechanics had learnt from the magistracy the respect due to our 

 laws. One of them, M. Pein, a master locksmith, listened with his 

 hat off to the reading of an article of the code, but refused to assist 

 in breaking in, although ordered by the man in the scarf. A second, 

 still younger, from Godot's workshop, with the same courage and 

 simplicity, legally resisted the entreaties of all kinds which for two 

 hours were put in force to seduce or to intimidate him. After all, 

 they could not find a mechanic in the quarter who would break open 

 a house, or become the accomplice in a robbery. They then sent 

 to demand of that magistrate whose special duty it is to protect pro- 

 perty, even the Prefect of Police, for instructions how to proceed. 

 He sent a man to pick our locks but whom did he send ? The very 

 person whose duty it is to rivet the fetters of the galley slaves ! Fit 

 instrument of such a worthy mission ! Just emblem of the treat- 

 ment which the rebels of the 26th of July had intended for the 

 citizens ! Observe by what hands the crime has been consummated ! 

 The remaining time was consumed in forms copied during these 

 judicial operations. We have prepared a list of objects stolen from 

 us, in order to obtain justice. We have not made any protest 

 before the pretended commissaries, who have been guilty of burglary. 

 This would have been to acknowledge those whom we can recognise 

 in no other character than that of criminals. The details of what 

 passed during these seven long hours are but of little importance to 

 our readers. When the reign of order is established, we shall 

 carry our case before the magistracy ; it is from that body we shall 

 demand justice ; and if no law is to be found to restrain a functionary 

 from turning against the law that power which has been confided to 

 him for the defence of it, we shall at least have fulfilled a duty, in 

 pointing out the urgent necessity of those laws of responsibility, 

 which at present we are without. A numerous assemblage of the 

 citizens during these proceedings supported us by their calm appro- 

 bation, and their example of forbearance. Our workmen, whose 

 bread they came to take away, restrained their indignation, and 

 agreed with us, that that force which opposed the law would be mis- 

 applied. All who were present observed in silence the progress 

 of the burglary. They gave their respective addresses with eager- 

 ness, that they might be summoned before the tribunal as witnesses 

 of the violation of a residence, and of a burglarious robbery, com- 

 mitted by those whom, under the reign of the law, we should have 

 called in to our protection. We, simple citizens, we, the victims, 

 have been as careful to keep ourselves within the letter and spirit of 

 the Jaw, as those who were the agents of authority have been to go 

 beyond and to infringe it. We hope those persons with whose 

 names we are unacquainted will here accept our expression of grati- 

 tude. Not that we would be supposed to take upon ourselves any 

 merit for firmness and devotedness, where we have all France to 

 support us, and are only fulfilling our duty." 



