Page:The Rise and Fall on the Paris Commune in 1871.djvu/332

 "himself," all search was vain. He had prudently decamped at the approach of the marines.

M. Hottot, chief surgeon of the ambulance of the Corps Legislatif, lent his aid to the officer and soldiers in making the necessary perquisition.

Among the different papers discovered we will insert two letters from members of the Commune who have rendered themselves particularly conspicuous. The first is written by Paschal Grousset, and addressed to Bergeret personally. We here find the buffoon-like coating with which the Delegate of Foreign Affairs surrounded all his acts.

" Delegation. " Commune of Paris.  "—I beg you to give a certain parade in sending a mission to the Commandant-in-Chief of the 3d Prussian Army Corps.  "It is necessary to know officially at what date the Germans will evacuate the forts on the right bank, so as not to let them fall into the hands of the Versaillese. "The despatch should be delivered by a staff officer sent en parlementaire, and followed at least by a large guard. "Salut et Egalité.

",

"Delegate of Foreign Affairs."

The other letter is from Raoul Rigault:

Cabinet of the Prefect.

", 23d March 1871.

"—I send you Bouillon, who is an intelligent and energetic fellow.

"He was Commissary of Police from September until the 31st of October, when he was discharged. For this reason I have named him Commissary to the Staff. This