The Insurrection of October, i"j8o 49 



much money was distributed before the October outbreak, not 

 only among the troops but also among the people. 1 



There was strong suspicion that the troubles in France were 

 fomented by English subsidies. The Swedish ambassador found 

 in the suspicion "much probability." He also believed it "quite 

 probable that the Duke of Orleans has come to an understanding 

 with this power." 2 "The sums of money scattered among the 

 people," he says, "are not to be explained by the fortune of the 

 Duke of Orleans." 3 According to the French charge d'affaires 

 at London, England was disposed to take advantage of the situa- 

 tion in France to force unpleasant sacrifices. 4 



However this may have been, it is certain that after the Octo- 

 ber insurrection charges against the Duke of Orleans multiplied. 

 On the 19th of October, Capello wrote that a "conspiracy had 

 been discovered," from which it appeared that this prince had 

 been the "defender of the popular cause to further his own ends." 

 "Being aware," says Capello, "of the project for the king to aban- 

 don Versailles to go to Metz, a project said to have been formed 

 by the queen, this first prince of the blood planned everything to 

 bring about the destruction of the king and the royal family on 

 the way; then, favored by the insurrection, to have himself named 

 lieutenant general of the realm," etc., etc. Capello does not 

 vouch for the truth of this report, but reserves his judgment 

 until he has further information. At the same time he asserts 

 that the accusations are based on the "depositions of many 

 people." 5 



The Swedish ambassador asserts that the party of Orleans 

 wished to get the king away from Versailles "in the hope that he 

 would be dethroned, if once he went away." 6 



1 Revue kistorique, LXVII, 261, and LXVIII, 274. 



2 DeStael-Holstein, 112, 126. 



'Ibid., 142. 



4 Sorel, V Europe et la revolution francaise, II, 30. See also correspond- 

 ence between Dorset and Montmorin in Archives parlementaires, VIII, 287, 

 342. 



5 Capello, Dispacci degli ambasciatori Veniti, 76. 



6 De Stael-Holstein , Correspondance diplomatique , 134. See also Duques- 

 noy, Journal, I, 444, 449, 462. 



315 



