ar 
STATE PAPERS. 
reigners and ferocious emigrants, 
with their worthless accomplices, 
were desirous to complete their 
crimes. They commenced with 
the basest treason. The perfidiogs 
troops approached, they lowered 
their muskets, lifted their hats, 
presented the colours of their bat. 
talion, and uttered expressions of 
fraternity ; and at the moment 
when the chief of the se€tion was 
proceeding to embrace the com. 
mandant of the post of the insur. 
ents, made two discharges ef mus. 
ya on the soldiers of liberty, and 
killed twenty-three warriors. An 
engagement immediately took place 
in several quarters. 
Frenchmen! Between the con. 
‘querors of Fleurus, of the 14th of 
uly, and of the roth of August, 
on one side, and the satellites of 
Lovis XVIII. on the other, the 
engagement could not be long; 
and the avenging cannon, whose 
noise still vibrates, will teach the 
brother of the Jast of our tyrants, 
stationed near the abbey of Bourg. 
neuf, that he in vain expeéts any 
effets from those movements so 
long prepared, and that the only 
age, which, in his vain hope, 
saw open to the gates of the 
convention, is now shut for ever. 
Frenchmen, the. national con- 
vention has been contending for 
that constitution, which hypocrites 
embraced, only in order to destroy 
it; and, as there is no calumny so 
absurd, which the fury of the sec- 
tions does not attempt to propagate, 
they accused us of wishing to con. 
tinue in our funétions at the mo- 
ment when we-were within ten 
days of the period of the convoca- 
tion of thelegislative body,— While 
we were proclaiming the pardon of 
injuries, and the oblivion of er. 
251 
rors, they brought forward the 
charge, that we were desirous to 
restore the scaffolds of terror. No, 
never, never shall the dreadful 
government of Roberspierre again 
weigh down our country. Who 
could have more interest to oppose 
its restoration than we, who our- 
selves were so long its victims, and 
who at last were its conquerors? 
But it is time that a salutary fear 
should take possession of the hearts 
of the ruffians who had dug under 
our feet the tomb of the republic, 
and who were preparing the de- 
struction of all the friends of liberty 
persecuted under different pretexts, 
They shall be punished —those who 
adopt their projects shall be re- 
pressed. Notwithstanding their 
efforts, we will here maintain the 
security of persons and property ; 
we will once more rescue this great 
commune from the consequences of 
its own fury, and we will compel 
the enemies of its peace to acknow. 
Jedge, that between all parts of the 
republic the most perfect equality 
ought to reign. 
Frenchmen! the national con. 
vention will preserve for you the 
precious deposit of your new laws ; 
it is watching over your dearest in- 
terests ; it recommends to you obli- 
vion of animosities, but vigilance 
with respect to the malevolent ; it 
invites you to tranquillity and 
union, t 
Proclamation from the Executive Di-- 
reGory tothe French People, dated 
Dec, 31. | 
THE legislative body, and the 
executive directory, animated with 
the same spirit, have sought with 
perseverance the means of re-esta- 
blishing 
