22 ThE COLtOt* PAPERS. 



tained, after the desponding monarch had sent in his act of abdication, 

 and the remains of the com-t were anxiously waiting the expected safe- 

 guard and pecuniary supply, of both of which every passing hour more 

 and more disclosed the necessity, — is said to have been wholly the work 

 of the dauphiness, who had arrived at Rambouillet after her royal rela- 

 tives. On being informed of the steps taken on the preceding evening, 

 her fury knew no bounds. She protested, —nay, even swore, at the imbe- 

 cility of the measures taken, and endeavoured, by every argument in her 

 power, to persuade the king and her husband to make a stand, and at- 

 tempt, at least, the projects above-mentioned, to reduce the Parisians to 

 submission. The king did not dare to raise his eyes from the ground 

 in her presence, and the dauphin was equally intimidated on the occasion. 

 At this period the national commissioners arrived ; the king hesitated as 

 to what steps he should pursue ; the duchess ordered that they should 

 not be admitted ; the king acquiesced, and they were refused accordingly. 

 After some written negotiation, it was resolved to permit the Duke de 

 Coigny alone to have access to the royal presence. He was assured that 

 many of the troops still remained faithful to the cause ; that some stipu- 

 lations must be entered into for a pension to the retreating party, as 

 many of the courtiers spoke of retaining their emoluments and rank ; 

 and if these conditions were not granted, they talked in lofty terms of 

 defending themselves at Rambouillet. The king at last determined to 

 make a final effort, and transmitted the following letter, addressed to the 

 Duke of Orleans, as Lieutenant-General of the kingdom : — 



" Rambouillet, August 2. 



" Cousin, — I am too deeply grieved at the evils which afflict, or 

 which might menace my people, not to have sought for the means of 

 preventing them. I have, therefore, formed the resolution of abdicating 

 the crown in favour of my grandson, the Duke of Bordeaux. 



" The Dauphin, who shares my sentiments, also renounces his rights 

 in favour of his nephew. 



" In vour capacity of Lieutenant-General of the Kingdom, you will 

 therefore have to proclaim the accession of Henry V. to the crown. 

 You will, moreover, take all the measures which concern you to regulate 

 the forms of government during the minority of the new King. Here 

 I confine myself to make these arrangements known ; it is a means of 

 avoiding many more evils. 



" You will communicate my intentions to the diplomatic body ; and 

 will make known to me as soon as possible the proclamation by which 

 mv grandson will be acknowledged King, under the name of Henry V. 



'" I charge Lieutenant-General the Viscount de Froissac Latour to 

 deliver to you this letter. He is directed to confer with you on the 

 arrangements to be made in favour of the persons who have accom- 

 panied me, as likewise on the suitable arrangements with regard to my- 

 self and the rest of my family. 



" We M'ill hereafter regulate the other measures which are consequent 

 wpon the change of reign. 



" I renew to you, cousin, the assurance of the sentiments with which 

 I am your affectionate cousin. " Charles, 



" Louis Antoinb," 



