THE COLTON PAPERS. 1 . 



which, with a courage truly Roman, and a conviction that at sucii a mo- 

 ment neutrality was a crime, because vacillation might be fatal, grasped 

 with an untrembling hand the reins of authority — Trepidantem protegit 

 urbem. Acting on this principle, " Salus populi suprema lex," thev in- 

 stantly adopted those firm and decisive measures which we are about to 

 record ; measures that, in the glowing language of Demosthenes, "have 

 caused the danger that hung over the city to pass from it as a cloud;" 

 measures that reinstated tranquillity, security, and happiness, — those 

 golden fruits of a constitutional freedom, their legitimate and parent 

 stock. The principal and prominent acts of the temporary Government 

 will best be understood by a perusal of those documents through which 

 they were promulgated. These authentic papers will be matter of future 

 history, and we give them a place in our memoir, on account of the great 

 interest they must command. They paint in the most forcible language 

 the then very critical state of Paris, and the feelings of the legislative 

 authorities at this awful moment : — 



" BRAVE CITIZENS OF PARIS. 



Your conduct during these days of disaster is above all praise. While 

 Charles X. abandoned his capital, and gave you up to gendarmes and 

 Swiss, you defended your homes with a courage truly heroic. Let us 

 but persevere and redouble our ardour ; let us put forth a few more efforts, 

 and your enemies will be overcome. A general panic has already taken 

 possession of them. We have stopped the courier they had despatched to 

 Dijon for reinforcements, and to command the Duchess d'Angouleme not 

 to return. A Provisional Government is established — three most hon- 

 ourable citizens have undertaken its important functions. These are 

 Messrs. Lafayette, Choiseul, and Gerard, in whom you will find courage, 

 firmness, and prudence. This day will put an end to all your anxieties, 

 and crown you with glorv. " Les Deputes de la France." 



"Julv29th. 



The first public document of General Lafayette appeared as follows, 

 on the morning of Friday : — 



" DEAR FELLOW-CITIZENS AND BRAVE COMRADES. 



"The confidence of the people of Paris has once more called me to 

 the command of the public forces. I accept witli devotedness and joy 

 the duties entrusted to mc, and, as in 17 89, I feel myself strongly sup- 

 ported hy the approbation of my honourable colleagues now in Paris. I 

 make no profession of my principles — they are already well known. The 

 conduct of the po])ulation of Paris during the last days of trial has made 

 me still more than ever proud of being at tlicir liead. Liberty shall 

 triumph, or we will all perish together ! 



" Vive la Libert e! Vive la Patrie ! 

 "July 29. "Lafayette." 



"staff of the national guards. 



" Gen. I>afayette informs the Mayors and Members of tiic Municipal 

 Committee of the different Arrondissements that he has accepted the chief 

 command of the National Guards, which had been assigned liim by the 

 public wish, and with which he has just been invested unanimously by 



