The more cruel of the Conventionists carried by acclamation these decrees—the true legal inauguration of the Reign of Terror:
“Six thousand soldiers and twelve hundred artillerymen to do blindly the bidding of the Committee of Public Safety.
“All men who have been in the Government occupation during the late King’s life, to quit Paris.
“The delivery of the Revolutionary Tribunal of the Moderate Conventionists.
“The right to search any house at any hour of the night.
“The transportation beyond the seas of every common woman in the land.
“Finally, the payment of workmen who should leave their shops to follow up the public service.”
By these measures the mob were not only encouraged to take life, but paid to do it. Nothing could save such a system resulting, if long continued, in national death!
By the way, Sunday was chosen as the best day for working these mob committees.
This was followed by Merlin’s decree, which provided for the arrest (without proof) of any suspected person, and of all those who, not working, were enabled to live in a better condition than one of penury. This was an attack upon all people who had hidden money. In fact, starvation had by this time become the only mode of avoiding the guillotine.