"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'état_--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 all the guarantees of civilized nations: "Considering that these criminal madnesses only serve to augment the violent denunciation of every conscience and to hasten the hour of national vengeance, but that it is important to proclaim the Right: "Decree: "ARTICLE I.--The State of Siege is raised in all Departments where it has been established, the ordinary laws resume their authority. "ARTICLE II.--It is enjoined upon all military leaders under penalty of Treason immediately to lay down the extraordinary powers which have been conferred upon them. "ARTICLE III.--Officials and agents of the public force are charged under penalty of treason to put this present decree into execution. "Given in Permanent Session, 3d December, 1851." Madier de Montjau and De Flotte entered. They came from outside. They had been in all the districts where the conflict was proceeding, they had seen with their own eyes the hesitation of a part of the population in the presence of these words, "The Law of the 31st May is abolished, Universal Suffrage is re-established." The placards of Louis Bonaparte were manifestly working mischief. It was necessary to oppose effort to effort, and to neglect nothing which could open the eyes of the people. I dictated the following Proclamation:- "PROCLAMATION. "People! you are being deceived. "Louis Bonaparte says that he has re-established you in your rights, and that he restores to you Universal Suffrage. "Louis Bonaparte has lied.