There were two stamps on this paper—one with the words "République Française," and the other "Federation Républicaine." Thus had a revolution of blood and violence fully commenced. The insurgents were now the declared enemies of peaceful Paris, and must succeed, in order not to be called to account for the blood shed and robberies committed. They now held Paris in their grasp, utterly despising the National Assembly and its power.
The following is a copy of a report made by the General in command (formerly a dealer in old iron), at Montmartre.
"Report from 20th to 21st. Nothing new. I have
received communications from the chief of ports. At
five minutes past ten, two sergeants-de-ville, disguised as
simple citizens, were brought up by some franc-tireurs,
and immediately shot. At twenty minutes past twelve, a
gardien-de-la-paix, accused of firing off a revolver, was
also shot. At seven in the evening a gendarme, brought
in by some Guards of the 28th battalion, was similarly
put to death."
Seeing the danger of allowing matters to proceed in the
above manner, the principal mayors of Paris, in conjunction
with the deputies of the city, most of whom were
advanced Republicans, desired to make a compromise with
the Committee, and hold the elections at once; but the
Government of Versailles refused to sanction this compromise,
and issued a decree to hold the elections on the
3d of April, the day on which they were to be held
throughout France. The Committee insisted they should
be held in Paris on the 26th of March; consequently, a
deputation, consisting of fourteen of the mayors of Paris,
visited Versailles, to represent to the Assembly the advantages
of compromising with the insurgents; but their