Page:Trial of Louis XVI (1793).pdf/33

 Jaques Roux, the citizen to whom Louis addressed himself, answered that he could not take charge of it, because his mission was only to conduct him to execution; but he engaged one of his colleagues, who was on duty in the Temple, to do what Louis desired; with which he was satisfied.

Louis then told the Commandant General that he was ready; and in going out of his apartment, he begged the Municipal Officers to recommend to the commune, the persons who had been in his service, and to beg that they would give his Valet-de-Chamber, Clery, a situation under the Queen—correcting himself, he said "under my wife." They answered Louis, that an account would be given of what he required to the Commune.

Louis crossed on foot the first court; in the second he mounted into a carriage, in which were his confessor, and two officers of the Gensdermerie. The executioner awaited him at the Place de la Révolution. The whole train moved along the Boulevards to the place of execution, where Louis arrived at ten minutes after ten o'clock. He undressed himſelf, mounted the scaffold with firmness and courage, and shewed an inclination to harangue the people, but the executioner of criminal justice, by the order of General Santerre, and by sound of drum, gave him notice that he was only to receive his sentence.

The head of Louis was then struck off; and being exhibited, a thousand cries were heard of Vive la Nation, Vive la Republique Française.

The spectators rushed towards the scaffold, to behold the dismal remains of a dethroned monarch. His hair was distributed, and sold to the crowd. Some people dipt their handkerchiefs in the blood that flowed, and tossing them in the air, cried, Behold the blood of the Tyrant.

After the execution, his mortal part was carried to the burying ground of la Madiline. To accelerate the dissolution of his body, lime was thrown into his grave. Guards were placed to prevent his being taken away in the nights. LAST