He resolved on lending his arm and his troop to the vengeance of the French party.

On the 30th of August Jourdan and his myrmidons closed the city-gates, dispersed through the streets, going to the houses noted as containing enemies to the Revolution, dragging out the inhabitants--men, women, aged persons, and children,--all, without distinction of age, sex or innocence, and shut them up in the palace.

When night came, the assassins broke down the doors and murdered with iron crow-bars these disarmed and supplicating victims.

In vain did they shriek to the national guard for aid: the city hears the massacre without daring to give any signs of animation.

The daring of the crime chilled and paralysed every citizen.