"Citizen President—I no longer possess sufficient physical strength after prolonged fatigues to combat in the midst of our Assembly, which is destined to discuss so many grave questions. I beg you then to accept my resignation, and my sincere hopes that the Assembly may consolidate the Republic.—Receive, Citizen President, the expression of my fraternal sentiments,
"Jules Meline.
"30th March 1871."
IV.—(Page 207.)
Here is a letter addressed to the Delegate at War:—
"Citizen—Excuse my addressing you these lines, and be so kind as to take into consideration the request which I address to you.
"I have three sons in the ranks of the National Guard—the eldest in the 197th battalion, the second in the 126th, and the third in the 97th. As to myself, I am in the 177th.
"However, there yet remains to me one son, who is the youngest. He will soon be sixteen years old, and desires with all his heart to be enrolled in no matter what battalion; for he has sworn to his brothers and to me that he will take arms to sustain our young Republic against the hangmen of Versailles.
"We have all agreed, and we have sworn an oath to revenge him who should fall under the fratricidal balls of our enemies.
"Citizen, take then the last of my sons. I offer him with all my heart to the Republican fatherland. Do with him as you wish, place him in a battalion of your choice, and you will make me a thousand times happy.—Accept, citizen, my fraternal salutation,