The Memoirs of Hardenberg, the Prussian minister, which have since been published, prove that these accusations were not entirely the dreams of the demagogues; and that in order to promote peace the two courts did all in their power to adopt the same tone with each other.

It was resolved that M.de Lessart should be impeached, and Brissot, the leader of the diplomatic committee, the advocate of war, undertook to prove his pretended crimes.
The constitutional party abandoned M.de Lessart, without any defence, to the hatred of the Jacobins; this party had no suspicions, but vengeance to wreak upon M.de Lessart.

The king had suddenly dismissed M.de Narbonne, the rival of this minister in the council.

M.de Narbonne, feeling himself menaced, caused La Fayette to write a letter, in which he conjured him to remain at his post so long as the perils of his country rendered it necessary.
This step, of which M.de Narbonne was cognisant, appeared to the king an insolent act of oppression against his liberty and that of the constitution.

The popularity of M.de Narbonne diminished proportionately as that of the Girondists became greater and inspired them with more audacity.