The red flag, the Mayor, the dragoons, and the paid guard were seen to pass; then, again, they had heard the terrible discharge of musketry; so that seeing me come from the Champ de Mars, running, the perspiration dropping off me, and all covered with blood, every one inquired of me the whole way along,—“What is the matter?”
I had but one reply to make, and that while I was running.
“The dragoons and the paid guard are slaughtering the people!”
I found M. Duplay at his door, surrounded by a group of neighbors and acquaintances. I related to him all that had taken place.
“Oh, ho!” said he; “the Jacobins must be informed of this. Quick!—let us run to the club!”
About fifty members awaited the news with impatience. They had, as yet, heard nothing. I was the first messenger of the mournful intelligence.
They said that M. Robespierre must at once be informed, and a messenger was despatched to the Assembly to fetch him.
The Jacobins knew one fact, and that was, that all the blame would be left on their shoulders. It was they who had taken the initiative in the affair of the petition. The Constitutionals, who had separated from them, in order to form the new clubs Feuillants, washed their hands of this popular movement in opposition to the decree of the Assembly.
They thanked M. Duplay and myself, and refused to recognise any petition tending to the dethronement of the King. Everything was circulated in the name of the Assembly, and the society swore anew fidelity to the Constitution and submission to the decrees of the Assembly.