Year II, 3rd of Germinal
It is to you, citizens, that I address myself to introduce myself, answer your questions, and justify my actions on the eve of my execution. We are to be executed by all those men worn out by the Republic, who accuse us of being extremists because we are patriots, while they no longer wish to be patriots themselves, if they ever were. We have been accused of counter-revolution, of planning a "foreign plot" to overthrow the Revolutionary Government and replace it with a military dictatorship, and of sabotaging food supplies. There are even false rumors that I had a stash of 190,000 livres in cash that disappeared during the search on the 24th of Ventôse. I can assure you, citizens, that all my possessions, apart from some press clippings, were devoted to the revolution. When the commissioners visit my virtuous mother, they will find only 26 livres, 17 sols, 460 assignats, and a golden ring.
Throughout the revolution, I have been sensitive to the sufferings of the people, and I would never have committed such barbarism as cutting off supplies. I am not a counter-revolutionary, for I have given all my strength to the revolution.
This is the end, and the 18 of us are preparing to die as we should. The brave citizen and General Ronsin was right when he told us, "You will be condemned. When you should have acted, you spoke. Know how to die. As for me, I swear you will not see me falter. Try to do the same." This is entirely true—just a few days ago, we should have better prepared the attempt at insurrection to alleviate the sufferings of the Parisian people. Now, the only right thing to do is to honor the people by dying as we should.
Citizen Vincent, who helped us greatly during his time at the Ministry of War, seems lost but quite calm, even Citizen Cloots, who aside from assisting us in our campaigns of de-Christianization, has little in common with us, shows immense courage. He has volunteered to be executed last to spare us unnecessary suffering. Apart from the wretched Jean-Baptiste Laboureau, the so-called "miracle survivor," who has accused us heavily, this proves that fraternity is still alive in our group of condemned men. Only Citizen Hébert has lost his composure over the past days.
I understand well that his wife has been arrested, and that this causes him great pain—my own, the virtuous, courageous, and Republican Sophie, has also been arrested. But the only comfort he can now offer his wife is to die with dignity, as he proclaimed he would be ready to do just a few days after the martyr of liberty, Marat, was cowardly assassinated.
I have sent a letter to my wife, asking her to remain steadfast in Republican virtues. If she survives, and I hope with all my heart that she does, I know she will raise my son to be an honest and worthy citizen. I know that, due to the confiscations of the little I possess, her life will be very difficult. But I trust her; her courage and virtues are great enough to overcome obstacles. I hope my mother will be as strong as my wife and will find comfort in visiting my son. But I am at peace because my patriotism has always been pure, and Marat has taught me how to endure suffering.
Enough about me. It is to you, the hope of the Republic, that I speak. We began the fight for the revolution, but there is still so much to do, for the sufferings of the people remain so numerous. We made mistakes, such as poorly preparing this insurrection intended to ease the sufferings of the virtuous people. There are still many enemies of liberty. The widows and orphans of the fighters for freedom still suffer. We must think of a plan for greater social sharing. Only then will the Declaration of the Rights of Man be respected.
It is up to you to continue the fight. I will try to answer your questions or objections as best I can.
Hail to the Republicans! The only legacy I leave you is my virtue.
Liberty Equality Fraternity or Death
