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232 BAILLY. 
It cannot be too often repeated, that these hideous 
assassinations, this execution of two old vagabonds by 
the barbarous and blinded population of the Gros Caillou, 
evidently had no relation to, no connection with, the 
events which, in the evening, carried mourning into the 
Champ de la Fédération. 
On the evening of the 17th of July, from five to seven 
o'clock, had the crowd which was collected around the 
altar of their country an aspect of turbulence, giving 
reason to fear a riot, sedition, violence, or any anarchical 
enterprise ? 
Relative to this point, we have the written declaration 
of three councillors, whom the municipality had sent in 
the morning to the Gros Caillou, on the first intimation 
of the two assassinations of which I have just spoken. 
This declaration was presented to Bailly on the day of 
his condemnation. We read therein, “that the assembled 
citizens on the Champ de Mars had in no way acted con- 
trary to law; that they only asked for time to sign their 
petition before they retired; that the crowd had shown 
all possible respect to the commissaries, and given proofs 
of submission to the law and its agents.” The Municipal 
Councillors, on their return to the Hotel de Ville, accom- 
panied by a deputation of twelve of the petitioners, pro- 
tested strongly against the proclamation of martial law ; 
they declared that if the red flag was unfurled, they would 
be regarded, and with some appearance of reason, as 
traitors and faithless men. 
Vain efforts; the anger of the councillors, confined 
since the morning at the Hotel de Ville, carried the day 
over the enlightened opinion of those who had been sent 
scrupulously to study the state of affairs, who had mixed 
in the crowd, who returned after having reassured it by 
promises. 
