THE COLTON PAPEIIS. 23 



On the morning (Tuesday) succeeding the return of the National 

 Commissioners to the metropolis with the bearer of the foregoing letter, 

 at eleven o'clock at night, the report of this last breach of faith flew 

 about with astonishing rapidity. Tlie whole city groaned with indigna- 

 tion, and long ere General Lafayette could make application to each of 

 the twelve mayories for five hundred men, each which he did, twenty 

 thousand were under arms, pressing with the utmost rapidity through 

 every barrier which led to Rambouillet. Every vehicle which plies for 

 hire in the city and its environs, was engaged by the government. 

 All felt that a rapid and numerous demonstration of force upon Ram- 

 bouillet was necessary. It was known that in the rear of the royal party 

 the citizens were firm in the cause of their country. Expresses were 

 sent instantaneously to them to march upon Rambouillet, while the 

 Parisian army advanced upon it in front. No words can express the 

 enthusiasm of all ranks ; every horse and carriage was gladly tendered 

 for the conveyance of the national troops ; the Citizen Guard of Havre, 

 Bolbec, and Elbeuf, a very fine body of sea-faring men, although 

 fatigued with the march of the day, for they had just arrived at Paris, 

 eagerly joined their brother patriots, and in a few hours from the return 

 of the commissioners, the advanced guard was rapidly proceeding to the 

 intended attack. The national army was placed under the command of 

 General Pajol. Great was the consternation of the fugitive family, when 

 intelligence reached them of the approach in front of this formidable 

 column, which was increased on its march by the armed population of 

 Versailles and Rouen, which they met on the road : the Dauphiness her- 

 self trembled. The commissioners, who had returned with the national 

 forces, preceded them to the chateau. Fear had now rendered this mis- 

 guided family docile, and a fresh negotiation being opened, at the de- 

 mand of M. Schonnen, the crown diamonds were surrendered, without 

 any remark ; and " boot and saddle" being sounded by the trumpets of 

 the cavalry, at ten on the night of Tuesday, the 3d of August, having 

 accepted the safeguard of the commissioners, they resumed their flight. 

 Such was the hesitation, however, previous to this step, that the commis- 

 sioners were obliged to press upon them the information that another 

 hour might be too late, and at last peremptorily to off'er the alternative, 

 either that they should proceed voluntarily to Cherbourg, or be con- 

 ducted to Rochefort. 



Casting, it cannot be doubted, " a longing, lingering look behind," 

 as the chateau of their ancestors receded from their view, the cortege, 

 much diminished in number, reached Chartreson the 4th, and after some 

 rest proceeded to Dreux, where they slept. 



