n remarked that this signing took time, that in addition we
numbered barely more than sixty, a large number of the members of the
Left being at work in the streets in insurrection. He asked if the
Committee, who had full powers from the whole of the Left, had any
objection to attach to the decree the names of all the Republican
Representatives remaining at liberty, the absent as well as those
present. We answered that the decree signed by all would assuredly
better answer its purpose. Besides, it was the counsel which I had
already given. Bancel had in his pocket on old number of the _Moniteur_
containing the result of a division.

They cut out a list of the names of the members of the Left, the names
of those who were arrested were erased, and the list was added to the
decree.[11]

The name of Emile de Girardin upon this list caught my eye. He was still
present.

"Do you sign this decree?" I asked him.

"Unhesitatingly."

"In that case will you consent to print it?"

"Immediately."

He continued,--

"Having no longer any presses, as I have told you, I can only print it
as a handbill, and with the brush. It takes a long time, but by eight
o'clock this evening you shall have five hundred copies."

"And," continued I, "you persist in refusing to print the appeal to
arms?"

"I do persist."

A second copy was made of the decree, which Emile de Girardin took away
with him. The deliberation was resumed. At each moment Representatives
came in and brought items of news: Amiens in insurrection--Rheims and
Rouen in motion, and marching on Paris--General Canrobert resisting the
_coup d'etat_--General Castellane hesitating--the Minister of the United
States demanding his passports. We placed little faith in these rumors,
and facts proved that we were right.

Meanwhile Jules Favre had drawn up the following decree, which he
proposed, and which was immediately adopted:--

"DECREE.

"FRENCH REPUBLIC.

"Liberty,--Equality,--Fraternity.

"The undersigned Representatives remaining at liberty, assembled in
Permanent Session,--

"Considering the arrest of the majority of our colleagues, and the
urgency of the moment:

"Considering that for the accomplishment of his crime Louis Bonaparte
has not contented himself with multiplying the most formidable means of
destruction against the lives and property of the citizens of Paris,
that he has trampled under foot every law, that he has annihilated a