The King, in a third letter, asked M. de Bouillé to establish relays from Châlons to Montmedy, his intention being to avoid Rheims, where he had been consecrated, and might be recognized, and pass through Varennes.
M. de Bouillé replied, that in passing through Rheims, the carriage blinds could be drawn down; but that he was sorry that the King persisted in using that noticeable berlin; that at two points on the road to Varennes there were no post-horses, so it would be necessary to send some; and, lastly, that as there were no soldiers on that route, it would be necessary to order up some detachments, which might excite suspicion.
The King persisted in going the Varennes route.
He sent a million in assignats to M. de Bouillé, to defray whatever expenses there might be with regard to troops, &c., &c., and asked him to send an experienced officer to reconnoitre the road to Varennes.
M. de Bouillé could not but obey so positive a command.
He sent, on the 10th of June, M. Goguelot to reconnoitre—a mission fitted only for a courageous and intelligent officer.
M. Goguelot was both.
On the appointed day the detachment set out.
One might have seen a train of artillery of six pieces setting out for Montmedy, the Royal Germans taking the Stenay route, a squadron of hussars going towards Dun, and another towards Varennes; and at the same time, fifty detached men under the command of M. de Choiseul, pushed on for Pont-de-Somme-Vesles, where the King would meet them as first post.