We went upstairs.  The drawing-room and a little ante-chamber which led to it were full of Representatives, with whom were mingled a good many persons who did not belong to the Assembly.  Some ex-members of the Constituent Assembly were there, amongst others, Bastide and several Democratic journalists.  The Nationale was represented by Alexander Rey and Leopold Duras, the Revolution by Xavier Durrieu, Vasbenter, and Watripon, the Avenement du Peuple by H. Coste, nearly all the other editors of the Avenement being in prison.  About sixty members of the Left were there, and among others Edgar Quinet, Schoelcher, Madier de Montjau, Carnot, Noel Parfait, Pierre Lefranc, Bancel, de Flotte, Bruckner, Chaix, Cassal, Esquiros, Durand-Savoyat, Yvan, Carlos Forel, Etchegoyen, Labrousse, Barthelemy (Eure-et-Loire), Huguenin, Aubrey (du Nord), Malardier, Victor Chauffour, Belin, Renaud, Bac, Versigny, Sain, Joigneaux, Brives, Guilgot, Pelletier, Doutre, Gindrier, Arnauld (de l’Ariege), Raymond (de l’Isere), Brillier, Maigne, Sartin, Raynaud, Leon Vidal, Lafon, Lamargue, Bourzat, and General Rey.

All were standing.  They were talking without order.  Leopold Duras had just described the investment of the Cafe Bonvalet.  Jules Favre and Baudin, seated at a little table between the two windows, were writing.  Baudin had a copy of the Constitution open before him, and was copying Article 68.

When we entered there was silence, and they asked us, “Well, what news?”

Charamaule told them what had just taken place on the Boulevard du Temple, and the advice which he had thought right to give me.  They approved his action.

“What is to be done?” was asked on every side.  I began to speak.

“Let us go straight to the fact and to the point,” said I.  “Louis Bonaparte is gaining ground, and we are losing ground, or rather, we should say, he has as yet everything, and we have as yet nothing.  Charamaule and I have been obliged to separate ourselves from Colonel Forestier.  I doubt if he will succeed.  Louis Bonaparte is doing all he can to suppress us, we must no longer keep in the background.  We must make our presence felt.  We must fan this beginning of the flame of which we have seen the spark on the Boulevard du Temple.  A proclamation must be made, no matter by whom it is printed, or how it is placarded, but it is absolutely necessary, and that immediately.  Something brief, rapid, and energetic.  No set phrases.  Ten lines—­an appeal to arms!  We are the Law, and there are occasions when the Law should utter a war-cry.  The Law, outlawing the traitor, is a great and terrible thing.  Let us do it.”

They interrupted me with “Yes, that is right, a proclamation!”

“Dictate! dictate!”

“Dictate,” said Baudin to me, “I will write.”

I dictated:-

  “TO THE PEOPLE.

  “Louis Napoleon Bonaparte is a traitor.

  “He has violated the Constitution.