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tional Convention shall declare him a traitor to the French nation, and a criminal to humanity. I demand his punishment even upon the very spot where, on the 10th of August, the martyrs of liberty died, and that a monument, be erected upon the spot in memory of the event.
M. Petion contended that the Convention, in passing a decree of accusation, would fulfil the office of a jury of accusation, and would refuse giving any decision themselves. He thought that the question could not be referred to any of the present tribunals, because tribunals could only apply the laws, of which there were, at present, none upon the subject. He moved to declare, first, whether Louis XVI should be judged—and by whom?
M. Roberspierre, after much opposition from the Convention, produced his motion in writing, which the galleries applauded with great vehemence. The question was put upon the first motion, and carried in the following terms—
"The National Convention decrees that Louis XVI shall be judged by the Convention.⟨"⟩
M. Julien then began an oration, demanding the instant death of Louis. The Assembly would not hear it throughout.
M. Phillippeaux demanded, that the Assembly should proceed without interruption to determine the fate of Louis.
Roberspierre proposed to determine upon the first motion; but at length it was decreed—'That the Convention shall employ itself every day, from eleven o'clock till six, in the trial of Louis XVI.'
December 9,
M. Lindet, one of the committee of twenty-one, presented himſelf at the bar of the Convention, to make a report of the act announcing the charges made against Louis XVI.
The report begins with the circumstances of the 20th
