A considerable sum had been extorted from a man named Desforges, under pretence of erecting an institution in London, and this sum had been expended by Brissot on himself.

This was but a trifle: Brissot, on quitting England, had left in the hands of this Desforges twenty-four letters, which but too plainly established his participation in the infamous trade of libels carried on by his allies.

It was proved to demonstration that Brissot had connived at the sending into France, and the propagation of, odious pamphlets by Morande.

The journals hostile to his election seized on these scandalous facts, and held them up to public obloquy.

He was, besides, accused of having extracted from the funds of the district of the _Filles-Saint-Thomas_, of which he was president, a sum for his own purse, long forgotten.