252 ORIGIN OF THE WAR OF 1653 chap, bers of the Government who were not in the plot; XIV ' but he did not cause these letters to be delivered Morll .y. , until the following morning. He also signed a Minister. p a p e r appointing Morny to the Home Office. Hesitation The night was advancing. Some important Kiysc'e. steps had been taken, but still, though highly dangerous, it was not absolutely impossible for the plotters to stop short. They could tear up the letters which purported to dismiss the Ministers ; and although they could not hope to prevent the disclosures which the printers would make as soon as they were released from captivity, it was not too late to keep back the words, and even the gen- eral tenor, of the Proclamations. But the next steps were of such a kind as to be irrevocable. Fieiuy. It is said that at this part of the night the spirit .of some of the brethren was cast down, and that there was one of them who shrank from farther action ; but Fleury, they say, got into a room alone with the man who wanted to hang back, and then, locking the door and drawing a pistol, stood and threatened his agitated friend with instant death if he still refused to go on.* Cassagnac, vol. ii. p. 404. A copy of the proclamation will also be found in lhe 'Annuaire' for 1851. This last publica- tion (which must be distinguished from the 'Annuaire des • Deux Mondes') gives an account of the events of December, written in a spirit favourable to the Ely.see ; but the Appendix contains a full collection of official documents. — Note to 4th Edition, 1863.
- I have thought it right to introduce this account under a
form indicating that it is based on mere rumour, but I enter- tain no doubt that the incident has been declared to be true by one of the two persons who stood face to face in that room.
