de Sauzay writes that a regiment would be necessary
to restrain the town. At Saint-Amand the insurrection breaks out
violently, and is only put down by violence. At Saint-?tienne-en-
Forez, Bertheas, a clerk in the excise office, falsely accused of
monopolizing grain,[36] is fruitlessly defended by the National
Guard; he is put in prison, according to the usual custom, to save
his life, and, for greater security, the crowd insist on his being
fastened by an iron collar. But, suddenly changing its mind, it
breaks upon the door and drags him outside, beating him till he is
unconscious. Stretched on the ground, his head still moves and he
raises his hand to it, when a woman, picking up a large stone,
smashes his skull. - These are not isolated occurrences. During
the months of July and August, 1789, the tax offices are burnt in
almost every town in the kingdom. In vain does the National
Assembly order their reconstruction, insist on the maintenance of
duties and octrois, and explain to the people the public needs,
pathetically reminding them, moreover, that the Assembly has already
given them relief; - the people prefer to relieve themselves
instantly and entirely.
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