The project of Mirabeau to change the reigning branch to control itself; the inflammatory rhetoric of Camille Desmoulins before the day of October 6; details regarding this day.

One cannot doubt that Mirabeau, disgruntled with the royal court and its class system, had not fashioned a plot to reverse the former nobility, to produce a new reigning branch, and to become the pilot of the state. This plot involved killing the king, queen and dauphin. To set this infamous conspiracy in motion, preparations were made on the day of

6 October 1789. It is certain that this plot was being hatched in September; reputable witnesses have testified to that. Besides, here is an incident which happened about the middle of September 1789.

Camille Desmoulins (damned friend of Mirabeau and admitted confidant of d'Orleans)
was at the café de Fois, mounted on a stool with his body in the window sill haranging the people as follows:

"I have just received, Messrs, a letter from Versailles that informs me that the life of count de Mirabeau is in jeopardy. It is for the defense of our freedom that he is thus exposed, and it is only right that we too should defend his days. "

"The emperor has just made peace with the Turks. This means that brothers [soldiers] can now be sent against us. The queen most likely will want to go out and join them while the king, who likes
his wife, will not want to leave her."

"If we allow him to leave the kingdom, it will be necessary to at least hold the dauphin [son, heir to the throne] as a hostage, but I believe we would do better to not expose ourselves by losing the good king. Therefore we should surround him with 15 thousand men to force him to lock up the queen at

Saint-Cir and bring the king to Paris where we will be sure of his person. The current troubles are being fomented by prelates whose heads we shall have."

Such was Camille Desmoulins who, for a brief time, inspired passion. One would believe that to play this role he must have had a lot of energy. Not at all. Camille Desmoulins was a plain rascal, loose and insolent, but he adored Mirabeau because he had kept him from starving.

The day of October 6, 1789 is notable in the history of the revolution. We will follow the train of events that led up to it and give some details, not according to Rabaut de St-Etienne who perhaps wished to minimize the facts, but on irrevocable bases of truth.

At the end of September, Blaizot, a bookseller, carried the books of Mirabeau. A legislator went there accompanied by several people, closed the door, and said to the bookseller: "In confidence, I want to warn you that in a little while you will be seeing horrible sweeping events taking place with blood shed at Versailles. But have no fear as to your personal safety."

On October 3, iron workers in a room of the Palais Royal [the nerve-centre of Paris] were employed making pikes.

On the 4th, d'Orleans went to Versailles and was surrounded by a mob that shouted, "Long live the father of the people!" It was observed that he went carrying a lot of money. Then Mirabeau said to his creditors, "Be patient; I will become a minister, that is certain."

On the same day, the 4th, some soldiers of the gardes-françaises and the national guard of Paris tried to excite an uprising. When someone asked them why they wanted to excite the people, they replied, "We came to probe the ground, but soon we will return to take control."

To carry out the project of d'Orleans, placards were needed and made ready. Mirabeau found the pretext.

About evening of the same day, October 4, brigands paid by d'Orleans gathered at the Palais Royal and formed into groups. An orator proclaimed, "that the count d'Artois had deposited in the storage bins of his

stables two thousand carts of corn in order to intensify the food shortage." Another: "That farmers had gone to the town hall of Versailles. They declared that the senior aristocrats there proposed buying all their grain and threatened to confiscate it if they sold it to anyone else."

A large negro, without livery but known to belong to the duke d'Orleans, shouted emphatically that the Bodyguards were rascals; that they had cursed the nation, that they conspired against the national assembly and had trampled the tricolour rosette under their feet. [Poor people, how you are being led! If any sane man had commented that these denunciations were absurd, he would have been murdered.]

Here is the background to this infamous invective. The Flanders Regiment was called upon by the municipality of Versailles to prevent outbursts of violence that were going on unceasingly and which it had no power to suppress. The Bodyguards, remembering that they had been royally treated in Cherbourg by several regiments of infantry, resolved to put on a

lavish feast for the visiting Flanders Regiment. The day for the party was fixed at October 1, in the hall of spectacles. Of the 600 guards only about 80 were present for the meal. Everything went very well; the grenadiers of Flanders were presented at the amphitheatre where they entered and formed a large U-shape. They were accorded the same honours as the Swiss Guards. Thus like a troop of hunters they requested permission to toast the health of the king and queen, and to drink to the prosperity of the royal family.

These toasts, found suitable to the palate of the sovereign, were proposed and drunk with gladness. The king was announced along with the prince de Poix. He appeared in a jovial mood and made his way around the table to the noise and tender acclamations of his guests. The king's guards wore rosettes on their tunics and it is a well-known fact that they did not trample the tricolour rosette under their feet because, having invited the heads of the national guard, they would have insulted their guests; that cannot be doubted.

However, an officer of the guard of Versailles named Lecointre

was forgotten, and this oversight was a reason for jealousy and hatred.

The queen with the dauphin [son, heir to the throne] in her arms appeared at the dinner and their presence excited universal enthusiasm. There was a proposal to sing the quatrain: Where can one better be than with his family? Instead the band struck up the familiar air, O Richard! O my king, all are forsaking you.

One must admit that all this festivity was natural and orderly, and nothing resembling a conspiracy occurred. However, a pretext for insurrection was being sought and it was found in this touching spectacle on which calumny poured all its poisons.

On the evening of the 4th, there appeared such turmoil in Paris that the friends of the king and guards became alarmed. Ministers were warned as to what was going on, but they remained inactive.

The morning of the 5th was stormy in Paris. Women from the suburbs of St. Antoine and St. Marceau, and those of the markets, etc., entered the houses and forcibly made an enormous number of recruits. No reason for refusal was permitted. They all had to join the throng. Only the bread makers were exempt from having to join the mob.

One unfortunate baker had some bread, was stalked, and was about to be hung for it when a woman produced a rope, but Gouvion arrived and saved him.

The population made a seige on the town hall while the women, supported by brigands, seized an armory, stole the money and hung a municipal preacher. [One woman lingered behind, cut the cord and saved him. This priest was called Lefèvre.] They then wanted to set fire to the building before going on to Versailles to obtain bread.

The rascal Maillard (who was a judge on September 2) offered to lead this horde. Taking a drum and beating the call to arms, he marched at the head of all the women. This bizarre army gathered in the Champs Elysées while the alarm bell was sounding, and all during this time the 'general' never ceased beating his drum through all the districts.

This same day, October 5, the meeting of the legislators opened by reading a response from the king regarding the sanctions requested over humans rights. This reading gave way to discussions in which the meal of the Bodyguards was vaguely alluded to. The orators were challenged to speak without

ambiguity. Mirabeau then responded thus: "If the assembly wants to declare that nobody in France is sacred besides the king; I undertake to name and denounce the queen also.

"Then while Lafayette wrote to the national assembly to
inform it of the situation in Paris, some grenadiers came to him. 'My General,' said the spokesman of this troop, 'we represent six companies. The government has betrayed us. It is
necessary that the government is toppled. The source of the evil is in Versailles. We must find the king and bring him to Paris. Furthermore it is necessary that we disband the regiment of Flandres and the Bodyguards which dared to stomp on the national rosette.'

"If the king is too weak to wear his crown, which he has set aside, then we will crown his son. A council of regency will be named and all will be better."

Lafayette wanted to avoid this resolution; it cannot reach
that point. (It is believed the grenadiers were seduced). He left,
harangued and nobody listened to him. From all sides he heard the cries of "On to Versailles!"

Bailly concurred, but was ridiculed amidst shouts of "Let's get bread! Onward to Versailles!

Lafayette wanted to temporize but the tumult increased. Dreadful cries were heard and the General dissembled. Finally an order from the commune arrived which ordered him to go to Versailles. Bailly and Lafayette were far removed from the tribunes of old, the powerful orators and heroes of antiquity who could by their spontaneous movements put the people at ease. The mayor and his assistant also didn't deploy any energy.

Lafayette, after having read the order of the commune, gave way to trembling upon his departure. Eight hundred men and three companies of grenadiers were armed. They occupied three parts of the countryside. The rest of the force was a motley group of vagrants.

The assembly was informed of the forces which were dispatched to Versailles. Then several members rose to gigantic heights. Péthion, infamous Péthion, denounced the government's military action, and it was this moment when Mirabeau intimated that the queen was also culpable. Gregoire supported the motion of the previous speaker, and linked himself to Lameth and Péthion in calling for victims.

It was claimed that the dukes of Chartres and Montpensier had shouted from the platform, "Yes, lanterns are needed!" but are adolescents really capable of this kind of atrocity? I would

rather not believe it. However two jockeys arrived and whispered something into the the ear of the dukes who then left in a big hurry. Shortly thereafter there appeared many women with a cannon who marched in front of the army.

M. Mounier presiding, Mirabeau said to him, "You have only to side with the other party and object to anything you find wrong in order to break up the assembly. [Mirabeau wanted to disrupt the meeting in order to lead the rebels.]

Meanwhile the king was out hunting when a courier brought him a letter from M. St-Priest. This letter informed the king of the imminent danger that threatened him and begged him to flee. The minister announced a riot of women well-enough, but it didn't say anything about the approaching Parisian army. "I will not flee," said the king. "There is a great deal of noise. Let's go see what it's all about!"

Upon arrival he noted the defensive measures being taken. The gates were being closed with six guards manning each gate while frontline troops were in battle array at the Place de l'Armes. At that moment the Parisian army arrived, the advance guard consisting of women led by Maillard. The king then went to the national assembly and was introduced.

The chief declared that the Parisians had come to demand bread. "We have," he said, "torn off all the black rosettes which
we came across on the way." He drew one from his pocket, tore it up, and stomped on it while saying, "We will force everyone to take the patriotic rosette instead." This threat caused a murmur. - "Aren't we all brothers?" asked the king - "That isn't in dispute," replied Mounier, "but you don't have the right to coerce anybody." Maillard had made the denunciation that a certain aristocrat had sought authorization preventing a miller from grinding. - "Name him," shouted one. The denouncer, embarrassed, named the archbishop of Paris. - "You are a liar; the archbishop of Paris doesn't concern himself with flour!"

During this time, the Parisienne army was on the Place d'Armes trying to startle the horses of the guards and thus to produce chaos. Mr. de Savoniere left the ranks of the mob to help a guard. This earned him several blows from rifle butts which broke his arm. When another came to his aid, he said: "Comrades, don't bother with me, but think of the king and especially about the abuses that are going on!" This good man died of his wounds.

Mounier, the president, and some deputies went to the king accompanied by twelve women. The king spoke to them with such kindness that they fell to their knees and left him shouting, "Long live the king!"

These women were then pounced upon and overpowered with insults claiming that they had been corrupted. These women then asked to appear once again before the king which he consented to. They then received a conciliatory statement in writing which was communicated and which resulted in exultant cries of "Long live the king!" on all sides.

To put an end to this happy moment, those who led the faction of d'Orleans fired upon the the guards. The discharge was considerable but was so badly aimed that only two were wounded. Initially the royal guards believed this rifle fire was one of celebration but reality quickly set in.

The most disgruntled of the soldiers was the national guard of Versailles. Lecointre had been turned sour by an earlier oversight which had never ceased to irritate him. This prevented them from rendering assistance. They were also approached by Mr. Destaing [head of the national guard of Versailles] who offered a pact of friendship saying, "You are dealing with tigers [the government], so separate yourselves from them. It is impossible to reason with these people. There, your comrades

During this time Mounier solicited the king to sanction the decree of August 4 and the human rights. The king duly consented to this. "That isn't enough," answered Mounier. "I request your Majesty to give me his assent in writing." The king wrote:

I accept purely and simply the articles of the constitution, as well as the Declaration of the Rights of Man.

Mounier left in triumph and entered the assembly brandishing the signed paper. A stranger who was there, dared to take issue with this matter: "The usurpers are making laws at the expense of the king." Everyone turned to look at the stranger. "It isn't me who is speaking but your master, Jean Jacques [Rousseau]. Here, listen to what he says:

"The manner in which an institution conducts itself is one of its surest traits and distinguishes the work of the legislator from that of the tyrant."

The stranger then turned his back and left without being recognized by anyone.

The danger to the royal family increased every minute. Attempts were made to put it in safety, but time had run out. All the exits were being guarded. The fate of the monarch fell into the hands of

The duke d'Orleans was in Versailles, dressed in a simple gray costume without decorations, but surrounded by people who shouted, "We need the head of the queen! We don't want a drunkard for a king anymore!" The women added, "If we had d'Orleans, we would have bread!"

Lafayette, having called his army to a halt, required it to take an oath to be faithful to the nation, and to its laws and king. Then he went to the national assembly and with a satisfied air said, "Be calm, gentlemen, I made my troops swear to be faithful to the king." From there the General went to the monarch where there were five present. It was eleven o'clock in the evening, and after half an hour he emerged reassuring the guards with the words, "All is arranged. The king made some sacrifices. Tomorrow you will wear the national rosette."

Shortly thereafter the drums were heard of the French guards who had just been restored to their posts. They lined up in battle array and menacingly ordered the opening of all the gates. It was by a foolish act of the Parisienne general that the chateau was delivered. And since one foolish act seldom occurs in isolation, so he made a second one, namely to cause the suspension of the meeting. This was precisely what the factious deputies wanted in order to prepare the spirits on the day of October 6.

Lafayette was thoughtless, not having knowledge of the men, but the truly guilty one was Destaing, head of the national guard of Versailles. He never bothered to show himself at all, and nothing was easier than dividing the guard of Versailles. The cry, "With me, decent people!" was all that was really needed. The majority would have followed it, and the only resistance the Bodyguard would then have encountered would have come from some not very frightening scum.

Although this officer lacked neither bravery nor intelligence, according to his actions one must conclude that he simply didn't want to act effectively. The queen was the only one that Lafayette didn't reassure: "I know," she said, "that people are asking for my head. My mother taught me from birth not to fear death, and I will await it stoicly."

Another time she was pressed to flee the danger which threatened her. Her answer was, "No, I'll abandon neither the king nor my children". She was handed a note from a minister which contained these words: "I fear, your majesty, that you will be slain tomorrow". It was the night between the 5th and 6th. She read it calmly and then went to bed.

Deputies devoted to d'Orleans were counted in the ranks of soldiers. Distinguished amongst these were Barnave, Mirabeau, Chappellier and Péthion. "Freedom, children," they cried. "A regent should be named, and this regent must be d'Orleans. Beware that the Bodyguards form a conspiracy. They killed two of your comrades!"

The officers hesitated but the more credulous soldiers
allowed themselves to be won over. Other deputies, of like mind, were at the cabaret, and occupied themselves obtaining brandy to deliver as bribes. And what did Lafayette do? He was in bed having named General Morphée to represent him. [He was unhappy; my heart is sick just thinking about it. It is said he later regretted this mistake.] And what did Destaing do? He slept. The apathy was incredible.

The Day of the 6th started with a mass that d'Orleans had arranged in the church of St Louis. The end of the mass was the signal to begin the carnage.

Around 6 o'clock in the morning, Lafayette and Destaing were still asleep in spite of the noise and the howls from the rabble. Around this hour assassins presented themselves at the gate of the chateau of Versailles and the French guards let them in. Two men, disguised as women, mounted the stairs, got their bearings, and disappeared.

The royal Swiss Bodyguards numbered only about 80. Lullier, marshal-at-large, became alarmed and, seizing some weapons of the Bodyguard, passed boldly through the multitude. As he approached the post with each step he was heard to say, "C'mon, kill these bastards!"

The duke de Guiche hurried to Destaing and apprised him of what was going on. This one, from his bed replies, "I sense that your guards are in a very critical position. Do the best you can!"

Guards were sent to Trianon. Hardly had they arrived when one of their comrades, disguised, came to warn them that the national guard had seized their hotel, and explained the

danger they ran if they were to be surrounded. They promptly left Trianon and went to Rambouillet, first, because they had heard talk that the king would go there and they hoped to assist his flight, and furthermore because the road is bordered by open fields.

While this was going on, scoundrels dressed like women, among whom Lameth and Barnave were identified, distributed handfuls of money to the soldiers and the people. Also food and refreshments were liberally doled out. D'Orleans appeared on the place d'Armes and people shouted 'Long live d'Orleans'. The prince strutted about and spoke familiarly with those he knew.

The brigands then spread out. Some went to the chapel while others went unhindered into the courtyard of the princes. The latter hurriedly fell on the captain of the guard, a man named Deshuttes, and rained blows upon him. The rabble were arguing over his trembling body when a man with a long beard stepped forward and cut off his head and fixed it to the end of a pike. The companion of Deshuttes managed to escape.

After this expedition, the brigands mounted the grand staircase, having with them

d'Orleans who showed them the room of the queen's guards. - "Where is the rascal?" the women said. "We're going to eat her heart, etc. She robbed us, but the bitch will pay dearly… Long live d'Orleans!"

Lullier then appeared. "Unhappy citizens," he said, "respect the asylum of your king. Lower your weapons!" The howls began again and in an instant the doors were broken down. D'Orleans had disappeared only to go and find another band of brigands. Then he reappeared.

At once some guards hurried to the queen and shouted to her, "Save yourself!" The queen rose and took refuge in the arms of her husband. She also sent someone to find her children.

The only cries that filled the air were: "We have to cut off her head. Where is she?"

Durepaire, a Bodyguard, faced the multitude and said, "Unhappy citizens! It is with me that you will deal." He fought and was overpowered but before succumbing, he shouted to Lullier, "Watch out! You are about to be struck from behind!" What admirable presence of mind!

Durepaire, carried to the grand staircase, gathered up his strength and fought again. Wounded, his comrades came to his help and saved him.

Another guard with a skull cracked by the blow of a rifle butt and bathed in blood, stuck beside Durepaire, and escaped the murderers. While moving away, these two guards were fired upon but the
ball missed and killed one of the assassins instead. The corpse was carried away and deposited on the staircase when someone shouted, "Don't spare the Bodyguards. They cut the throat of the citizens!" There were skirmishes wherever Bodyguards were found.

The brigands spread throughout the castle and killed Varicourt, a guard of the queen. His body was carried to the man with the large beard who had cut off the head of Deshuttes.

The doors of the queen's apartment were broken down and, not finding her, a voice was heard saying, "She's gone. We missed our chance!"

Then they went to the king's chamber. Grenadiers shook the doors violently whereupon Chevannes, a Bodyguard, and three others appeared. "What is it you grenadiers want? - "We want you to wear the national rosette (cockade)." - "We have our ordinary rosette, never have we worn the other!" - "In that case we have been mislead. All of Paris believes you have the black rosette." - Then Chevannes spoke saying, "Gentlemen, if it is a victim you require,

then I claim the honor. It is I who commands this post, but for God's sake, please respect our good king." The grenadiers reply, "Far from wanting your life, we have come to defend you!" Then arms were extended on both sides. The Bodyguards and grenadiers grasped each other and embraced... [My eyes are wet; I must regain my composure for a moment.]

The man with the large beard murmured that he had been made to come all the way from Paris but still had cut off only two heads.

I mentioned already that the hotel of the Bodyguards had been seized. And it wasn't only in the streets that they were being pursued. They also went into the infirmaries but the patients were safe. Sixteen Bodyguards were going to be burned alive when Lafayette appeared, rallied the grenadiers, and saved the lives of these victims.

Not far away free old men and brigadiers with white hair were near death.
- "You can cut our throats," they said, "but we will die with honour."- "No, we won't cut your throats..." and then one jumped on them to deliver a fatal blow. What reflections can be made on the changeable character of people!

The king and his party appeared

at the balcony, surrounded by guards who doffed their hats, displayed the tricolour rosettes, threw down their shoulder-belts, and shouted, "Long live the nation!" Someone then shouted, "Long live the king!" Then all the guards who had been thought to be assassins, were carried in triumph under the windows of the king and went overjoyed with caresses.

Then the Queen was called for, and she appeared with her two children. - "Not the children too!" - The queen appeared resolute and a cry went up, "Long live the Queen!"

The face of things having changed, d'Orleans appeared, spoke to the multitude, and then the howls of abuse and protest started up again in earnest. The mob wanted the king to go to Paris and the sedition was renewed.

The king consulted his deputies: "Let us stay here and not hesitate," said Mounier. Mirabeau was opposed to it because one must then go to see the king for deliberation.

"But," inquired Mirabeau, "are the wishes of the king written?" - "No, but here are two deputies carrying the request." Mirabeau retorted, "It isn't dignified for us to go to the king. One cannot deliberate in the palace of the kings." - "Our dignity," answered Mounier, "consists in fulfilling our duty." The president also didn't convert anybody.

When the king received Mirabeau's decision, he said, "One shouldn't risk the lives of many to save only one man. I will go to Paris." The king's resolution to go to Paris flew from mouth to mouth and was heralded by a salvo of cannon fire.

Nothing could be more opposed to d'Orleans than that the king should remain at Versailles. Then the assembly sent a delegation to the monarch telling him that he was inseparable from the national assembly. At once, the king wrote to the assembly the following letter:

"I am touched by the new attachment with which the national assembly regards me. It must be known that my wish is never to separate myself from the national assembly. I shall go to Paris with the queen and my children, and will give orders so
that the assembly can continue its work."

Mirabeau then asked that some deputies including him be named to accompany the king in order to mollify the people if there were tumult. - "Dear Sir," replied Mounier, "when one has the gift of placating the people, one also has the gift of stirring them up."

Although the king wished to make some preparations, this was prevented since it was necessary to leave abruptly.

An hour later he climbed into a carriage with the queen, her two children, and Madam de Tourzel. The man with the big beard, covered with blood and standing between two men carrying the heads of Deshuttes and Varicourt, walked in front.

That one hundred members of the convention didn't have the capacity to prevent the horror of this voyage, is impossible to
suppose. As soon as the king was in the carriage, d'Orleans took charge of the carriages of corn and flour which accompanied the procession.

The royal family, while crossing the place d'Armes, had the pain to see women sitting on the corpse of a guard occupied devouring the bleeding flesh of the horse of this same guard.

If one read about this in a narrative about the cruelest savages, it would hardly be believable. Then the procession paused at Sevres. When a boy wig-maker passed, a gun was put to his throat and he was forced to powder and arrange the hair of the two human heads that were being used as standards.