Its adversary, therefore, is the
central power. This must be disarmed for fear that it may
interpose. On all sides, with a sure and persistent instinct,
through the capture of fortresses, the pillage of arsenals, the
seduction of the soldiery, and the expulsion of generals, the
municipality ensures its omnipotence by guaranteeing itself
beforehand against all repression.
At Brest the municipal authorities insist that a naval officer shall
be surrendered to the people, and on the refusal of the King's
lieutenant to give him up, the permanent committee orders the
National Guard to load its guns.[20] At Nantes the municipal body
refuses to recognize M. d'Hervilly, sent to take command of a camp,
and the towns of the province write to declare that they will suffer
no other than the federated troops on their territory. At Lille the
permanent committee insists that the military authorities shall
place the keys of the town in its keeping every evening, and, a few
months after this, the National Guard, joined by mutinous soldiers,
seize the citadel and the person of Livarot, its commander.
Pages:
543
544
545
546
547
548
549
550
551
552
553
554
555
556
557
558
559
560
561
562
563
564
565
566
567