| 345 | 346 | 347 | 348 | 349 |
| 1 | 171 | 343 | 514 | 685 |
|
fetters that sovereignty at the present time should he annulled;
"Seeing that all the prosecutions commenced, all the sentences
pronounced, by what right soever, on account of political crimes or
offences are quashed by the imprescriptible right of the People;
"DECREE:
"
ARTICLE I. All prosecutions which have begun, and all sentences which
have been pronounced, for political crimes or offences are annulled as
regards all their civil or criminal effects.
"
ARTICLE II. Consequently, all directors of jails or of houses of
detention are enjoined immediately to set at liberty all persons
detained in prison for the reasons above indicated.
"
ARTICLE III. All magistrates' officers and officers of the judiciary
police are similarly enjoined, under penalty of treason, to annul all
the prosecutions which have been begun for the same causes.
"
ARTICLE IV. The police functionaries and agents are charged with the
execution of the present decree.
"Given at Paris, in Permanent Session, on the 4th December, 1851."
Jules Favre, as he passed me the decree for my signature, said to me,
smiling, "Let us set your sons and your friends at liberty." "Yes," said
I, "four combatants the more on the barricades." The Representative
347
Page
Quick Jump
|