363] THE PLEBISCITE IN THE FRENCH REVOLUTION 65 



people are disposed to a revolution similar to ours. I have 

 already heard them speak of a proposal to France of an 

 84th department, or at least, of a republic under French 

 protection. ... It is desirable to know the wish of the 

 Government, for I believe that I shall be in a position to 

 influence the course which may be taken. . . ."^- The same 

 day discussion concerning the fate of the liberated Savoyans 

 began in the Convention nationale.^^ A motion to invite 

 them to assemble under French protection and to decide on 

 their own destiny was referred to the Committee.^* In a 

 proposed address to the people of Savoy, Cloots informed 

 them that the Convention would send them four of its 

 members to guide their first steps and invited them to unite 

 with France. The project was tabled. ^^ 



In a proclamation of September 21, Montesquieu himself 

 had advised the people of Savoy of his intention of military 

 action against the King of Sardinia. He gave assurance 

 that the French army would enter their country not to de- 

 vastate their fields but that " a free people comes to offer 

 sentiments of union and amity. "^® " Separate yourselves 

 from your tyrants " was his advice. Finally on October 6 

 the Commissaries assigned to the Army of the Alps issued a 

 proclamation from which the following quotations require 

 attention : 



Brethren and friends: Rise from your lethargA' ; you owe to the 

 French only esteem and recognition; you have nothing to fear from 

 the Piedmontese; and while our armies guard your liberty, busy 

 yourselves to make it secure. . . . 



Proud of the success of our arms, we could give you orders, but 

 the P'rench Republic has effaced from its annals the words king, 

 master and subjects, ... we only give you advice. 



Primary assemblies are the only kind in which the people can 

 exercise their sovereignty. 



Hence, we exhort the free people of Savoy to gather to-day, 

 peaceably, without wcai)ons, under the guidance of the French arms, 

 in each commune, in order to nominate a deputy charged to express 

 in a general assembly their wish for a new government.s^ 



82 Arch, pari., ser. I, vol. lii, p. i8<). 



»3 Ibid. 



"* Iliid., pp. I00-191. 



"» ll)id., pp. 232-233. 



■" Ibid., I). 2f/). 



»T Ibid., p. 4<>H. 



.S 



