Gratte-les-rues, a huge ruffian with a squint, straightway shouldered his musket, and left the room. In a few minutes he returned with a paper, which he cast upon the table. “A decree from the Hotel de Ville,” he said. “Is it your pleasure, citizen colleagues, that this document should now be read?” asked Saigne-du-nez. All assented, and, as Minister of Foreign Affairs, the following document was placed in my hands. It was listened to with profound attention. “Unity is the soul of the French nation; it forms its grandeur, its power, and its glory; through unity we have triumphed, and the rights of the people have been vindicated. “Impressed with these high and exalted sentiments, and overflowing with that fraternity which is the life-blood of our social system, the Provisional Government decrees:— “I. That the Tuilleries, now denominated the Hôpital des Invalides Civiles, shall be immediately evacuated by the citizens who have so bravely wrested it from the tyrant. “II. That each patriot, on leaving it, shall receive from the public treasury the sum of five francs, or an equivalent in coupons. “III. The Minister of the Interior is charged with the execution of this decree. “_Liberté—Fraternité—Égalité._ (Signed) DUPONT, (de l’Eure.) LAMARTINE. GARNIER PAGES. ARAGO. MARIE. LEDRU ROLLIN. CREMIEUX. LOUIS BLANC. MARRAST. FLOCON. ALBERT, (ouvrier.)” “_Sang de Mirabeau!_” cried Destripes, when I had finished the perusal of this document, “do they take us for fools! Five francs indeed! This is the value which these aristocrats place upon the blood of the people! Citizen colleagues, I propose that the messenger be admitted and immediately flung out of the window!” “And I second the motion,” said Pomme-de-terre. “Nay, citizens!” cried Saigne-du-nez,—“no violence. I agree that we cannot entertain the offer, but this is a case for negotiation. Let the Minister of Foreign Affairs draw up a protocol in reply.” In consequence of this suggestion I set to work, and, in a few minutes, produced the following manifesto, which may find a place in some subsequent collection of treaties. “France is free. The rights of every Frenchman, having been gained by himself, are sacred and inviolable; the rights of property are abrogated.