232 BATLLY. 



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 Federation. 



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. 



