But these high authorities declined to do anything for him, on the ground that the Convention related only to the military occupation of Paris, and that, while the article in question prevented the Allies from adopting measures of severity towards persons in the capital, yet it did not, and could not, prevent the French Government from acting in this respect, as they might deem fit.[70] ----- Footnote 68: Marshals Jourdain, Massena, Augereau, and Mortier (Baines, _Wars, etc._ , ii. 525). Footnote 69: 1815. Henry Houssaye, _La Première Restauration, le Retour de l'Ile d'Elbe, les Cent Jours_, pp. 301-315 (3me edit.: Paris, 1893). Footnote 70: _Supplementary Despatches, etc._ , xi. 235. ----- The execution took place in the gardens of the Luxembourg palace, at nine o’clock in the morning of December 7th, when Ney met his death with calmness and courage. It shed a deep gloom over Paris, and did little, as might have been expected, to serve the King. Had Louis shown clemency to the man who had deeply wronged him, and whose reputation had thereby become sullied, instead of proceeding to extremities by violating the Convention of July 3rd, his credit would have been raised. While the justice of such action becomes all the more clear, since it was stipulated that, in the case of difficulties arising, a favourable interpretation was to be given to the claims of the French army and of the city of Paris. Further, as foreign armies have no right to punish the inhabitants of a conquered State for political opinions or conduct, the Convention either bound Louis, on whose behalf the capital was taken, or else it had no value whatsoever.[71] ----- Footnote 71: Baines, _Wars of the French Revolution_ , ii. 527. -----