But there are citizens, dear to France, who have been misled by
their wiles. It is so such that truth and light are due.
Unjust laws have been promulgated and executed; arbitrary acts
have threatened the safety of citizens and the liberty of
consciences; mistaken entries on the list of /emigres/ imperil
citizens; the great principles of social order have been violated.
The Consuls declare that liberty of worship having been guaranteed
by the Constitution, the law of 11 Prairial, year III., which
gives the use of edifices built for religious worship to all
citizens, shall be executed.
The government will pardon; it will be merciful to repentance; its
mercy will be complete and absolute; but it will punish whosoever,
after this declaration, shall dare to resist the national
sovereignty.
"Well," said Hulot, after the public reading of this Consular
manifesto, "Isn't that paternal enough? But you'll see that not a
single royalist brigand will be changed by it."
The commandant was right. The proclamation merely served to strengthen
each side in their own convictions. A few days later Hulot and his
colleagues received reinforcements. The new minister of war notified
them that General Brune was appointed to command the troops in the
west of France. Hulot, whose experience was known to the government,
had provisional control in the departments of the Orne and Mayenne.
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