78 Charles Kuhlnuinn 



discussion over the veto which first brought about a vio- 

 lent division in the deputation. The close union and com- 

 munication which had existed between tlu:" deputies and 

 their constituents had until now been of undoubted value 

 to both parties, but proved in the end disastrous. The 

 reaction following the enthusiasm of the 4th of August 

 greatly disquieted many of the Breton deputies, who felt 

 that the veto might be employed to annul the recent de- 

 crees.^ Under the veto was thus hidden the reaction. 

 Similar fears existed in Bretagne where Eennes on Sep- 

 tember 2 adopted an address to the assembly which it 

 asked its deputies to present. In this, after the current 

 view that to the nation belongs the legislative, to the king 

 merel}^ the executive power, and that the two must be 

 kept in separate hands, had been expressed, they "declare 

 enemy to the country whoever dares to infringe the leg- 

 islative iDOwer." "Thej^ are surprised that anyone dared 

 to submit to deliberation and regard as problematical the 

 question as to whether the decrees of the National Assem- 

 bly require the royal sanction in order to possess the force 

 of law."- Unfortunately for all concerned, the deputies 

 of Rennes elected to allow themselves to be dictated to by 

 a single city rather than obey their cahicrs.^ They read 



this could only bring defeat to their element as a whole. Bulletin de 

 Brest, I, No. 34. 



After the resignation of Thouret was known, some of the Breton 

 deputies at least, began to work for the election of Le Chapelier, for 

 Legendre and Moyot wrote on August 5: "Alors nous avons pris les 

 mesures pour elever h la presidence M. lie Chapelier qui n'avait eu 

 que' 113 voix au scrutin de samedi. Nous avons parfaitement reussi 

 le lundy." MSS., Archives of Brest. 



' Such fears are expressed by various members of the deputation. 

 See' Extratts d'une lettre d'lin depute de la scncchaussre de Henries, 

 Bulletin de Renncs, II, No. 3. The letters of the deputies of Saint- 

 Brieuc of August 31 and September 1, and the letter of the deputation 

 of Rennes August 31, Bulletin de Rennes, II, No. 1. 



-Text incorporated in the resolution of Brest published in the Bul- 

 letin de Brest, I, No. 42. 



^ Their cahiers favored a suspensive veto. 



284 



