[Footnote 2131: "The French Revolution," pp. 159, 160, 310, 323, 324.--Lauvergne, "Histoire du département du Var," (August 23).] [Footnote 2132: '"Archives Nationales," F7, 3,198, deposition of Vérand-Icard, an elector at Arles, Sep. 8, 1791.--Ibid., F7, 3,195. Letter of the administrators of the Tarascon district, Dec. 8, 1791. Two parties confront each other at the municipal elections of Barbantane, one headed by the Abbé Chabaud, brother of one of the Avignon brigands, composed of three or four townsmen, and of "the most impoverished in the country," and the other, three times as numerous, comprising all the land-owners, the substantial métayers and artisans, and all "who are most interested in a good administration" The question is, whether the Abbé Chabaud is to be mayor. The elections took place Dec.5th, 1791. Here is the official report of the acting mayor: mayor: "We, Pierre Fontaine, mayor, addressed the rioters, to induce them to keep the peace. At this very moment, the said Claude Gontier, alias Baoque, struck us with his fist on the left eye, which bruised us considerably, and on account of which we are almost blind, and, conjointly with others, jumped upon us, threw us down, and dragged us by the hair, continuing to strike us, from in front of the church door, till we came in front of the door, the town hall."] [Footnote 2133: Ibid., F7, 3,229. Letters of M. de Laurède, June 18, 1791; from the directory of the department, June 8, July 31, and Sept. 22, 1791; from the municipality, July 15, 1791. The municipality "leaves the release of the prisoners in suspense," for six months, because, it says, the people is disposed to "insurrectionise against their discharge."--Letter of many of the national guard, stating that the factions form only a part of it.] [Footnote 2134: Mercure de France, Dec. 10, 1791, letter from Montpellier, dated Nov. 17, 1791.--" Archives Nationales," F7, 3,223. Extracts from letters, on the incidents of Oct. 9 and 12, 1791. Petition by Messrs. Théri and Devon, Nov. 17, 1791. Letter addressed them to the Minister, Oct. 25. Letters of M. Dupin, syndical attorney of the department, to the Minister, Nov.14 and 15, and Dec. 26, 1791 (with official reports).--Among those assassinated on the 14th and 15th of November, we find a jeweler, an attorney, a carpenter, and a dyer. "This painful Scene," writes the syndic attorney, "has restored quiet to the town."] [Footnote 2135: Buchez et Roux, X. 223 (l'Ami du Peuple, June 17, 19, 21, 1791)] [Footnote 2136: "'Archives Nationales,' F7, 3204. letter by M. Melon de Tradou, royal commissary at Tulle, Sept. 8, 1791] CHAPTER II. I.--Composition of the Legislative Assembly. Social rank of the Deputies. Their inexperience, incompetence, and prejudices.