CHAPTER XI.

Measures connected with the Provisional Government-Proclamation signed in the name of the Deputies of FranceLetters on that subject-Unsuccessful Deputation to the Duke of Ragusa- Announcement from the Provisional Government-Detail of the conferences of M. Bayeux, the advocate-general, with the Ministry and the Duke of Ra

gusa.

IN detailing the principal events of the struggle on Tuesday and Wednesday, the 27th and 28th of July, the narrative has not been interrupted by any allusion to the circumstances connected with the nomination of a provisional government. The deputies who had put their names to the protest inserted in a previous chapter, continued to meet and to deliberate on the measures to be adopted in the exigency of the moOn Tuesday afternoon, it was resolved that a petition or remonstrance should be addressed to the King, protesting against the ordi

ment.

nances, and beseeching his Majesty to maintain in their integrity the fundamental compact, and the laws of the kingdom. M. Guizot, the present minister of the interior, M. Villemain, the journalist, and M. Dupin, senior, the celebrated barrister, were each directed to prepare a separate draft, or projet, of the proposed remonstrance. On Wednesday the deputies again met at the house of M. Audry de Puyraveau, and adopted the draft prepared by M. Guizot; but events had succeeded each other with such amazing rapidity, that the resolutions of yesterday were quite unsuited to the circumstances of to-day. It was already felt that something more decisive than mere remonstrance was called for by the existing emergency, although no one was yet prepared to suggest what that alternative should be.

This feeling was not confined to the members of the Chamber of Deputies. Every citizen of Paris, who had found a moment's leisure to reflect on the events which were passing around him, was at once convinced of the urgent necessity which had arisen for some central point of union, around which the inhabitants might rally. Suggested, no doubt, by this conviction, a proclamation, purporting to be signed by "The Deputies of France," was on Thursday morning conspicuously posted over all the principal streets of the capital, announcing that a provisional

government had been established, consisting of General Lafayette, the Duke de Choiseul, and Count Gerard, and that these distinguished individuals had undertaken the important duties assigned to them. This proclamation was conceived in the following terms:

"BRAVE CITIZENS OF PARIS;

"Your conduct during these days of disaster is above all praise. When Charles X., abandoning his capital, had given you up to gen-d'armes and Swiss, you defended your homes with a courage truly heroic. Let us but persevere, and redouble our ardour. Let us but put forth a few more efforts, and our enemies will be A general panic has already taken possession of them. We have stopped the courier they had dispatched to Dijon for reinforcements, and to recommend the Duchess d'Angoulême not to return.

overcome.

"A provisional government is established; three most honourable citizens have undertaken its important functions. These are MM. Lafayette, Choiseul, and Gerard, in whom you will find courage, firmness, and prudence. This day will put an end to all your anxieties, and crown you with glory.

(Signed)" LES DEPUTES DE LA FRANCE."

The history of this document, which, although totally unauthorized even by a single deputy, was undoubtedly attended with the very best effects, is not a little curious, from the light it incidentally throws on the manner in which the late revolutionary movement was effected. The

following letters on the subject supersede the necessity of comment.

"A Messieurs les habitans de la ville de Paris."

“GENTLEMEN;

"A proclamation signed by Generals Layfayette and Gerard, and the Duke de Choiseul, as members of the provisional government, and as having accepted that office, was placarded on the 28th of July, and following days, over all the walls of Paris.

The result was then uncertain; the struggle had begun; an imminent danger existed for the subscribers, in case the royal army had been victorious: their triumph would have been followed by our execution.

"My name had doubtless appeared to be useful. My consent had not even been applied for. I did nothing, I ordered nothing; the risk was mine, and I remained silent: I should have thought it base to have published the truth, since my life only was compromised; and I congratulated myself with the reflection, that the kindness with which my fellow-citizens and the Parisian Guard had honoured me, should appear to be of some utility.

"Now that the victory is no longer uncertain, I feel myself bound to declare that I never formed a part of the provisional government-that the proposition was never even made to me. I accepted in silence all the danger in the hour of combat; I owe a homage to truth in the hour of victory.

(Signed) "LE DUC DE CHOISEUL,"

"Pair de France, ancien Colonel de la 1re légion, et ex-major de la Garde nationale Parisienne."

"Paris, August 1st, 1830."

The publication of this address produced the following letter of explanation :

"MONSIEUR LE DUC;

"Your noble and generous letter, addressed to the Parisians, imposes on me the duty of making you acquainted with the manner in which your name was introduced among those of the members of the provisional government.

On Tuesday the 27th of July, I happened to be at the house of M. Berard, deputy for the department of the Seine and Oise, with several of his colleagues, when we were told that a meeting was to take place at halfpast eight at the house of M. Audry de Puyraveau. I went thither at nine o'clock; but very few were there. The ordinances, and the blood which had been spilt, were the subject of conversation, but no measure was adopted. I addressed myself, however, to General Lafayette, and asked if he would accept the supreme command of the National Guard. He answered, that he would not hesitate, if he were required by his fellowcitizens.

"Having returned home, I reflected on what had passed, and resolved on saving the cause of the people, which I saw would be compromised if thus left to itself. They wanted leaders, and it occurred to me to supply them, by forming a provisional government among the men whose names I had heard spoken of as likely to conciliate all parties. I chose those of Generals Lafayette and Gerard, and yourself.

"On the 28th, at six o'clock in the morning, I saw at the mairie of the seventh arrondissement the Messrs. Page, and M. Fessart, a captain of the old National Guard, and mentioned my project to them, of which they approved. In less than forty minutes about a