Constitution de l'An III

Since the fall of Robbespierre, the Convention has been trying to bring a more liberal form of Government to France, a difficult prospect in the face of Royalist insurrection in the Vendee and elsewhere, and the continued disenchantment of the "sansculottists" in some Parisien sectors. To prevent a return to dictatorship the Convention wished to bring in a new Constitution which would divide Executive Power between 5 Directors selected by a Council of the Ancients - 250 deputies with a minimum age of 40. Whilst the "Ancients" had the duty to approve or reject Bills, the duty of proposing new laws, and nominating Directors would be held by the Council of the Five Hundred.

The Constitution masterminded by Daunou, and Boissy d'Anglas establishes the pnncipals of property and liberty, as defined in Article I of the Constitution.

"Les droits de l'homme en sociere, sont la liberte, I'egalite, la surete, la propriete."

The intenton to bring in the Constitution through a referendum, gave the Convention a problem, as in addition to the unrest as a result of food shortages, and ezonomic hardship, Royalists were courting public opinion with their propaganda. This created the distinct possibility that the result of the referendum would lead to a return to a Constitutional monarchy. To prevent this, the Convention made some unpopular decisions which ensured that two thirds of future deputies would have to be chosen from existing members of the Convention.

The result of the referendum was announced on 1 Vendemiaire, L'An IV the first day of the new revolutionary year, and was an overwhelming approval by 1,057,390 votes for, against 49,978.

Soulevement Royaliste du 13 Vendemiaire

Discontent became a storm when news reached Paris that a few days earlier the English had captured the Ile d'Yeu and the Comte d'Artois had landed at the head of an expedition. Rumour was rife that he would link up with Charette and march on Paris, whilst Royalist agents would create unrest in the Capital to prevent a positive response. In an effort to stop the Royalists, some Deputies called on the sectors to arms and troops were brought into Paris. This made matters worse as the greatest fear of the people was the return of Jacobin terrorists from the sectors. The pro-Royalist Le Peletier sector called the National Guard to arms and matters looked grim for the Convention.

Defence of the Convention was being coordinated by Barras, and Merlin de Douai but with no more than 1500 armed patriots in the face of 25,000 insurrectionists, he had to place his faith in General Menou who was bringing 4000 troops into Paris from the suburbs. It transpired that Menou had more sympathy with the rebels than the Convention, and alarmed at his inactivity he was arrested and replaced by Barras. Barras though was not a soldier and he called on all Generals in Paris to rally to him. Brune, Carteaux, Dupont, and Bonaparte responded. Bonaparte realised that to stop such a force without Artillery would be impossible, but Menou had left the Guns at the Place de Sablons where the regular troops had been encamped.

Bonaparte called on a young Chef d'Escadron by the name of Murat, to ride at the head of his 260 cavalrymen and fetch the 40 cannon which could save the Republic. Arriving at the same time as a party of the National Guard with the same objective, Murat secured the guns by threatening to cut down the Guard if they resisted. By the morning of 13 Vendemiaire, the cannon were lined up in Revolution Square, and along Rue Saint Honore covering the approaches to the Tuileres and under the command of Bonaparte.

All moming Barras waited, and at 3 in the afternoon the rebels attacked. Breaking through the barricades the Government forces were pushed back. The rebels surged down the Rue Saint Honore. Bonaparte stood by his cannon, and Barras gave the order to fire. Loaded with case shot Generol Bonaparte's cannon cut swathes through the rebels who waivered and then retreated towards the Place Vendome. The Convention and the new Constitution had been saved at the cost of between 200 and 300 dead on each side.

The revolt was over, and we have since learnt that hearing of a defeat for Charette at the hands of General Grovely, the Comte d'Artois has departed once again for England.

Installation du Directoire

The new deputies to the Council of Ancients have named the first 5 members of the Executive Directory. These are Barras, Reubell, La Revelliere-Lepeaux, Letoumer, and Sieyes. Sieyes however immediately rejected his nomination and was replaced by Lazare Carnot.

One of the first acts of Barras following the Vendemiaire uprising was to ask for the confirmation of Napoleon Bonaparte as a full General with command of the Army of the Interior.

His precise words to the Convention Nationale were as follows:

"J'appellerai l'attention de la Convention nationale sur le general Buonaparte: c'est a lui, c'est a ses dispositions favantes et promptes qu'on doit la defense de cette enceinte, autour de laquelle a avait distribue des postes avec beaucoup d'habilete. Je demande que la Convention confirme la nomination de Buonaparte a la place de general en seconde de l'armee de l'interieur."

--De Breue

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