We had arrived at Port Bassion.
Suddenly was heard a cry: “The commissaires! the commissaires!”
At this moment, a man on horseback dashed up to the door of the King’s carriage. The King put out his head, to see what had caused the halt.
“Sire,” said the horseman, “here are three deputies, who wish to direct the return of your Majesty.”
“Aha!” said the King, “Can you tell me the names of these estimable gentlemen?”
“Their names, sire, are Citizens Latour-Maubourg, Barnave, and Pétion.”
The three deputies represented the three different parties of the Assembly. Latour-Maubourg was Royalist, Barnave was Constitutional, Pétion was Republican.
The crowd respectfully drew back. Three men approached the royal carriage, stopped at the door, and saluted the King, who returned their inclination.
One of them held in his hand a paper, which he read in a loud voice. It was the decree of the National Assembly.