To get rid of all obstacles and of being watched, they make
use of the municipality itself, and force it to effect its own
disarmament. The municipal officers, besieged in the town-hall, at
times threatened with pistols and bayonets,[24] dispatch to the
detachments they are expecting an order to turn back, and entreat
the Directory not to send any more troops, for, if any come, they
have been told that "they will be sorry for it." Nowhere are there
regular troops. At ?tampes, the people repeat that "they are sent
for and paid by the flour-dealers;" at Montlh?ry, that "they merely
serve to arm citizens against each other;" at Limours, that "they
make grain dearer." All pretexts seem good in this direction; the
popular will is absolute, and the authorities complacently meet its
decrees half-way. At Montlh?ry, the municipal body orders the
gendarmerie to remain at the gates of the town, which gives full
play to the insurrection. - The administrators, however, are not
relieved by leaving the people free to act; they are obliged to
sanction their exactions by ordinances.
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