Memoirs of the Marchioness de Laroche Jaquelein. With a map of the theatre of war in La Vendée. Tr. from the French

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Chapter I

Mij Birth. — Coalitio7i of Poitoii. — My Marnas;e. — Order to remain at Paris. — Period ivhicli. jjreceded the lOth of,lugust 179^.

I WAS bom at Versailles tlie 25ih of October 177s? only daughter of the Marquis de Donnissan, gentilhomme d'hoiineur of Monsieur (now Louis XVIII.) My mother, daughter of the Due de Civrac, was (dame d'atours) lady in waiting of Madame Victoire. The goodness, I had almost said friendship, of this Princess, rendered her the protector of all our family, and I had the honour of being her god -daughter, and that of the King.

I was educated in the Palace of Versailles, till the 6th of October 1789? at which epoch I set out in the carriage of the Princesses, who followed in the train of the unfortunate Louis XVL, then dragged to Paris. They obtained permission to stop at Bellevnc, under the guard of the Parisian troops.

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The first misfortunes of tlie Revolution affected my mother extremely. She anticipated the most horrible consequences, and begged Madame Victoire to permit her to pass some time on her estate in Medoc. My father obtained the permission of Monsieur, and we set out the end of October. I had been destined in infancy to be the wife of M. le Marquis de Lescure, born in October I766. He was son of a sister of my mother's, who died in childbed. His father dying in the year 1784, left him 800,000 francs of debt, which broke off our marriage. The greatest part of the fortune wais then in the hands of the Countess de Lescure, his grandmother. Although advised by lawyers to renounce the succession of his father, he had the delicacy, as well as the Countess de Lescure, to become answerable for the whole ; and they practised such strict economy, that, at the age of twenty-four, M. de Lescure had only S00,000 francs of debt, and the certainty of an income of 80,000 francs. My parents now consented to an union which had been equally desired by us all. M. dc Lescure had entered the military school at thirteen years of age, and left it at seventeen. Among tlieyoung people of his own age, none were better informed, more virtuous in every respect, more perfect in short ; he was at the same time so modest, that he seemed ashamed of his own merit, and his endeavour was to conceal it. He was timid and awkward, and although of a good height and figure, his manners and unfashionable dress might not be prepossessing at first.

He was born with strong passions, yet, notwithstanding the general example, and particularly that of his father, whose habits were irregular, he conducted himself with the most perfect correctness. His great piety preserved him from the contagion, and insulated him in the midst of the court and of the world. He took the sacrament every fortnight. The constant habit of resisting his inclinations and all external seductions, had rendered him rather unsocial and reserved ; his opinions were strongly fixed in his mind, and sometimes he shewed himself pertinaciously attached to them. Meanwhile, he had the most perfect gentleness, and being entirely free from anger or even impatience, his temper was always equal, and his calmness unalterable. He passed his time in study and meditation, from taste and not from vanity, for he only wished to enjoy wliat he knew ; of which I shall mention an example. One day at the Duchess de Civrac's, our grandmother, he had, according to his custom, taken a book, instead of joining in the conversation. My grandraotlier reproached him with it, adding, '^ that since the book was so interesting, he ought* to read it aloud." He obeyed — at the end of half an hour some one looking over him, exclaimed, ^^ Ah^ it is l£iiglish/ Why did not you say so f'^ He answered, with a disconcerted look, — My good grandmother not understanding English, it was necessary that I should read in French. His father, although a good-natured man, was unhappily addicted to dissipation and play. He had for a companion in his irregularities the governor of his son^ but that son was so remarkably rational and gentle, that tliey often confessed their faults to liim, seeking advice and consolation. Notwithstanding this unnatural situation, he always preserved towards his father a. respectful attachment.

M. de Lescure came to the house of my parents in the month of June 1791. He then belonged to a very important confederacy, that had been formed in Poifcou; and could command 30,000 men. Almost all the gentlemen of the country had engaged in it, and they thought they might depend upon a great part of tiie inhabitants of the province. The event proved them in the right. They had gained two regiments, with one of which they formed the garrison of Rochelle, and the other was at Poitiers. On a given day they were to pretend orders from the government ; the regiments were to unite ; and, in concert with all the gentlemen, they were to operate a junction with another confederacy forming towards Lyons, and wait for the Princes, then in Savoy. The flight of the King, and his subsequent arrest, disconcerted all these projects. M. de Lescure, learning the departure of his Majesty, left us to go where his duty called him, but returned a few days after, because the 7ioblesse of Poitou, perceiving that the purpose of their confederacy had failed, resolved to emigrate as otliers had done ; although, far from being persecuted on their estates, many of them commanded the local national guard, and every day the peasants came to ask permission to arm themselves against the republicans. The Princes knew the state of things, and did not imagine that the Poitevins would emigrate ; but the young people were determined to follow the torrent. It was in vain represented to them that they ought to remain where they might be useful, and that, having the happiness to belong to a faithful province, they ought not to leave it. Listening to nothing, they would not even wait the return of Iavo persons who had been sent to receive the definitive orders of the Princes. Thus the whole confederacy of Poitou was dissolved. They emigrated in crowds, and those who were of a different opinion, found themselves obliged to imitate the rest. M. de Lescure ,set out from Gascogne, with the Count de Lorges, our cousin-german. They encountered risks in going out of France, were obliged to take guides among the smugglers on the frontiers, and to travel on foot by circuitous roads.

M. de Lescure, the day of his arrival at Tournay, learned that his grandmother had had an attack of apoplexy, and was near expiring. He asked permission from the cliiefs of the emigrants to return to Poitou, which being granted, he returned to Madame de Lescure ; and, seeing there w as still some hope of her life being prolonged, he thought of rejoining the emigrants ; but wished to see me first, and to pass a day with us. My mother liad consulted, respecting M. de Lescure's intended emigration, M. le Count de Mercy Argentau, former ambassador from Austria in France, her friend. He was in the confidence of Prince Kaunitz, and knew better than any other person the disposition of the cabinet of Vienna. He said they were not ready for war;— that the different governments would not begin^ unless they should be forced to the measure ;— and that M. de Lescure might very well pass the winter in France. But he had already set out when this answer arrived.

Madame de Chastellux, my aunt, who had followed the Princesses to Rome, had sent from the Pope the dispensation necessary for my marriage. It intimated that it could not be celebrated but by a priest who had refused the new oath, or who had retracted it. This was, I believe, the first time the Pope had declared his opinion upon the subject. Many priests in the neighbourhood, on hearing it, retracted the oath they had taken. There was found also, by great chance, a priest in our parish who had not been sworn, L*' Abbe Q,ueyriaux. The new constitutional bishop had at first appointed another curate ; but he was a German, who, not being able to make himself understood by the peasants of Medoc, withdrew. The parish, Unding themselves without a curate, demanded another of the bishop. As he was but an unbeliever, and attached no importance to the diversities of religious opinions, he told the inhabitants to engage their old curate to return provisionally to his parish. He was there often insulted by worthless people 5 but he supported his situation with piety and courage.

All these circumstances, and, still more, the mufual sentiments of M. de Lescure and myself, determined my mother to conclude my marriage.

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M. de Lesciire learned, upon his arrival, tliat oar banns were published ; he saw M. de Mercy's letter, and remained with us. Three days after, on the S7th of October, we were married. I was then nineteen, M. de Lescure twenty-five. He heard, three weeks after, that his grandmother had another attack, and we went both to visit her. She passed two months between life and death, in continual vomitings, frequent attacks of apoplexy, and with an open cancer. She articulated with difficulty a few words to pray to God, and to thank us for the care we took of her. JSTever did any one die with a resignation so angelic. Her titles could no longer be engraven upon her tomb ; but the peasants inscribed upon it, " Here lies the mother of the poor ;'' — a truly glorious epitaph. M. de Lescure regretted her extremely. Eleven years before her death, she had made a will, such as her situation then admitted of. It was burdened with a great number of legacies. Had she been able to reflect on the debts her grandson had to pay, and the effects of the Revolution upon his fortune, she would certainly have changed her intentions. The will wanted some necessary formalities, and was, there - fore, not binding. But M. de Lescure scrupulously conformed to it. He even wished that the domestics, who had since that time deserved reward, but who were not mentioned in the will, should not imagine themselves forgotten ; and he gave all of them donations in the name of his grandmother, as if they had been left by her.

111 tlie montli of February 1793, we took the resolution of emigrating. M. Bernard de Marigny accompanied us. He was the relation and friend of M. de Lescure, a naval officer, and Chevalier de St. Louis, and had distinguished himself in his profession. He was extremely handsome, tall, and possessed great bodily strength ; was gay, spirited, loyal, and brave. Never have I seen any person so obliging j ever ready to do what was agreeable to others ; and to such a degree, that I remember, as he had some knowledge of the veterinary art, all the peasants of the canton were in the habit of coming to ask his advice when they had sick cattle. He was extremely lively, and, when excited, his spirits became almost immoderate. As his name will have to appear frequently in these memoirs, I thought it necessary to make him known. He was then forty-two years of age.

We arrived at Paris. The disrepair of our carriage detained us there a considerable time. I could not be presented to the King, as, since his Majesty had come to Paris, all presentations had been suspended. I went to the Tuilleries, to the house of Madame la Princesse de Lamballe. She was the most intimate friend of my mother, and she received me as if I had been her daughter. — The next day, M. de Lescure went to the Tuilleries. The queen condescended to say to him, ^'^ I knoAV you have brought Victorine : There is no court now ; but I wish to see her notwithstanding. Let Iter come to-morrow at noon to the Princesse

(le Lamballe's." M. de Lescure gave me this flattering order, and I went to the Princess. Tlie Queen embraced me, and we all withdrew into a closet ; and, after some words full of goodness, her Majesty said to me, " And you, Victorine, what do you intend to do ? I suspect you are come here for the purpose of emigrating." I replied it was the intention of M. de Lescure ; but that he w ould remain at Paris if he thought he could be useful to her Majesty. The Queen reflected for some time, and said to me, in a very serious tone, ^» He is a good subject; he has no ambition, let him remain.*' T replied to the Queen, that her orders were laws ! She spoke to me afterwards of her children. ^'^ It is a long time since you have seen them ; come to-morrow at six to the house of Madame de Tourzel, and I will bring my daughter there." She at that time found consolation in superintending the education of Madame Royale, and Madame de Tourzel had the charge only of M. le Daupliin.

After the departure of the Queen, Madame la Princesse de Lamballe expressed to me how much slie rejoiced in the reception I had met with. I said I felt the full value of it, and that M. de Lescure would certainly remain. She recommended the greatest secrecy upon v*iiat had passed.

The next day I went to Madame de TourzePs. The Queen entered with Madame Royale. She came to me, and said, in a low voice, warmly pressing my hand, " Victorine, I hope you stay with us." I answered, " Yes." She again pressed my hand. She then went to converse with

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Mesdames de Lamballe and de Tourzel, and, raising lier voice in the course of the conversation, said, '^ Victorine remains with us/' After that, M. de Lescure went every day to the Tuilleries, and each day the Queen addressed him.

Yet we soon felt uneasy in our situation. The emigration increased rapidly ; M. de Lescure was blamed for not joining in it, and it seemed to me that his reputation would suffer. On coming to Paris, he had announced his design of emigrating; and it happened that he had changed his resolution precisely two days after the decree for confiscating the property of the emigrants. This was a terrible circumstance; — every body wrote to him in the strongest terms. In my anxiety, I desired Madame de Lamballe to speak again to the Queen. Her Majesty desired her to repeat to me word for word her answer. ^^ 1 have nothing more to say to M. de Lescure ; it is for him to consult his conscience, his duty, his honour ; but he ouglit to remember, that the defenders of a throne are always in their proper place when near their king," I then became easier, certain that the Princes would approve of those who remained to defend the King. Their cause was the same, and they were in constant correspondence.

When M. de Lescure knew the answer of the. Queen, he hesitated no longer. '' I should be contemptible in my own eyes," said he to me, "if 1 could balance an instant between my reputation and my duty. I ought above all to obey the King. t may suffer from it, but at least I shall have no i9

self-reproach. I esteem the emigrants too much not to believe that each of them would conduct himself as I do, were they in my place. I hope I shall be able to prove that, if I remain, it is neither from fear nor avarice ; and that opportunities will occur here, as well as out of France, to prove it. If they should not, I shall have sacrificed my honour also to the King, but I shall only have done my duty.''

Two months after, M. de Calvimont Saint-Martial came from Coblentz to pass some days at Paris. I obtained permission to desire him to inform my uncle of Lorges that M. de Lescure had private orders.

M. de Marigny, seeing that M. de Lescure did not set out, and that he was constantly at the pa lace, said to him, that, without demanding any confidence, he esteemed him too much not to follow his fate. We answered for him to Madame de Lamballe ; and she succeeded in procuring him orders to remain. She gave them in charge to M. de Lescure ; but the most absolute secrecy was always enjoined, not to give suspicions to the National Assembly.

We lodged at the hotel Diesbach, and received no company. M. de Lescure was often at the Tuilleries. Whenever he feared any commotion, he passed the whole day there.

On the 20th of June, I went alone to the Princess de Lamballe's. I was in court-mourning on account of the death of the Empress, which had already exposed some persons to insults from the people. But the carriage could not penetrate fur so

ther than the Carousel. The crowd was immense. I saw the populace disarm and ill-treat the guards of the King. The gates of the Tuilleries were shut ; nobody could get in, and I withdrew without having been observed.

The summer passed away nearly in this manner. M. de Lescure was always at the TuillerieSj or in public places, even among the mob, disguising himself, to judge better of the state of the public mind. As for me, I shunned society. I went but seldom even to the Princesse de Lamballe's, yet saw all her uneasiness and distress. Never was there a person more courageously devoted to the Queen : to her she made the sacrifice of her life. A short time before the lOtli of August, she said to me, '* As the danger augments, I feel more strength. I am ready to die ; — I fear nothing ?'' She had not a thought that was not for the King and the Q^ueen. Her father-in-law, the Due de Penthi&vre, adored her. She had shewn him the most tender attentions, and he died of the anguish occasioned by her cruel death.

About the S5th of July, Madame de Lamballe informed me that the Baron de Viomenii had arrived from Coblentz, and that he was to take the command of the gentlemen who remained with 'ik^ King. At that moment he came in, and she told him that M. de Lescure had received orders, and recommended him to the Baron. The 29th of July, my fath'^r, mother, and some others of my family, arrived in Paris, Hying from Medoc, on account

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of scenes which had passed at Bourdeaux, in which two priests had been massacred.

We ourselves were witnesses of a horrible deed committed in the street in which we lived. In the front of our hotel, a priest lodged who dealt in leather. He had excited the populace against him by saying, " that the assignats would raise the price of shoes, and that very soon they would pay twenty-two francs for them.'' From that moment they accused him of being a monopoliser. The next load of leather which came for him, a man of the national guards, a woman, and some cliildren, stopped the cart, calling out, " A la lanterne !'' (To the lamp-post! that is, hang him up at the lamp-post.) The priest descended to appease them, but could not succeed. They wished to carry by force this leather to the section, which was some doors higher up the street. He consented to it, and they all went there. We had been walking in the Champs Elysees, and on returning we saw the street full of people, but the tumult was not very great. Scarce were we in the hotel, when shoutings begun. The priest was at the section ; the people wished to have him delivered up to them. Some administrators wished to save him, others opposed it. We feared the disorder would increase, and we quitted the hotel. The crowd, some steps farther on, broke the windows of a coffee-house, the master of which they accused of aristocracy, but said nothing to us. A moment after the unfortunate priest was thrown from the window, and the people tore him in pieces.

The 9tii of August M. de Gremion, a Swiss officer of tlie King's constitutional guards^ came to our hotel to occupy a lodging that M. Diesbach had reserved for him. He arrived in the evening, and by a happy chance was unobserved.

There was a rumour of a commotion the next day. M. de Lescure was preparing to pass the night at the palace^, when M. de Montmorin came in. He was governor of Fontainebleau, major of the regiment of Flanders ; the King honoured him with his particular confidence, well merited by his virtues ; and he had remained in Paris by his orders. ^"^ It is useless," said he, " to go to the palace to-night, I am just come from it. The King knows positively that they will not attempt an attack till the i2ih. There will be a disturbance to-night ; but it will be on the side of the arsenal. The people wish to seize the powder, and 5000 of the national guards are commanded to oppose them. Thus do not make yourselves uneasy, whatever you may hear, the palace is in safety. 1 return to it only because I am to sup with Madame de Tourzel."

Perfidious information had thus lulled the, court into security, and deceived us likewise,,

CHAPTER II. The Tenth of August. — Flight from Paris

Towards midnight we began to hear marching in the streets, and a gentle knocking at the doors. We looked out of the windows, and saw it was the battalion of the section that assembled with little noise. We imagined it was for the attack of the arsenal. Between two and three in the morning the tocsin was heard. M. de Lescure, extremely uneasy, could not remain at home, and, arming himself, he went out with M. de Marigny, to see if the populace assembled towards the Tuilleries. My father and M. de Gremion, had arrived so recently, that they had no cards of admission to the palace. They were therefore obliged to remain, but the cards would have been of no service. M. de Lescure, and M. de Marigny, endeavoured in vain to penetrate by some of the avenues the}'^ knew so well. Piquets of the national guards defended the entry of each gate, and prevented the defenders of the King from approaching. M. de Lescure, after having gone round the Tuilleries, and seenM. Suleau massacred, returned to disguise himself as one of the populace, but scarcely was he in the hotel, when the cannonade began. Despair seized him. He could not forgive himself for not having penetrated to the palace. We at first heard the cry of ^^ Help ! see the Swiss ! We are lost P^ The battalion of the section returned, and were joined by three thousand men, armed with pikes newly made, from the faubourg. For a minute we believed the King was successful, but very soon the cries of '' Yive la Nation ! Vivent les Sans Culottes !" succeeded those we at first heard. A deadly feeling took possession of us !

M. de Marigny had been separated from M. de Lescure. He was carried forwards by the crowds that attacked the palace. At the beginning of the attack a woman Avas wounded at his side ; he took her in his arms, and carrying her out, he escaped the horrid situation of marching against the king he wished to defend. It was impossible for some others to avoid this misfortune.

M. de Montmorin reached our hotel after escaping a great danger. He saw himself followed by four of the national guard, drunk with blood, who wanted to fight with him. He went into a grocer's shop, and asked for a glass of brandy. The four guards furiously entered with him. The grocer suspected that M. de Montmorin had come from the palace, and, assuming the air of an acquaintance, said to him, '^ Ah, well cousin, I did not expect you to come from the country to see the end of the tyrant ! But come, let us drink to the health of these brave comrades, and the nation :'° — and thus he was saved by the presence of mind of this good man, who did not even know him; but it was for a short time, for he was massacred the 2d of September.

Many other persons came to ask an asylum from ns. We passed the day in cruel apprehensions. They massacred the Swiss in our neighbourhood ; the inscription upon the door of our hotel, was Hotel do JDiesbachf and many passengers remarked it. M . de Lescure had been pointed at as a Knight of the Dagger. This was the name the people had given to tlie secret defenders of the King. Happily they were ignorant of the arrival of M. de Gremion. Besides, we were liked in the street, because we purchased all we wanted from their shops. The evening was expected with impatience, that we might leave the hotel. We agreed to repair secretly and in disguise to the house of an old female servant who lived in the street de FUniversite, faubourg St. Germain. My father and mother went out together, and arrived there without meeting any accident. I went with M. de Lescure, and begged that he would leave his pistols, as I found they would make him be known as a knight of the dagger. He yielded from compassion for my situation. I was then seven months gone with child.

We went by the alley de Marigny, and from thence we entered Les Champs Elysees. They were deserted ; and all was obscurity and silence^ except the firing at the Tuilleries, heard in the distance. Suddenly we distinguished the voice of a woman, coming towards us, and entreating protection. She was pursued by a ma,n, who threatened

D to kill her. Slie darted towards M. de Lescure, and seized his arm, crying, "Defend me. Sir!" He was extremely embarrassed, unarmed, and held hy two women, who clung to him, and were almost in a swoon. Endeavouring in vain to disengage himself to go to the man, who, levelling his gun at us, said, ^^ I have killed several Aristocrats to-day, and this will be some more.'^ He was completely drunk. M. de Lescure asked him what he wanted with this woman. ^^ I asked her the way to the Tuilleries, to go and kill the Swiss." In reality, he liad not at first intended to do her any harm, but, having been frightened, and taken flight without answering, he had pursued her. M. de Lescure, with his usual presence of mind, said to him, "' You are right ; I am going there also." The man then began to converse with him ; but from time to time he raised his musket, saying that he suspected we were Aristocrats, and that he must at least kill that woman. M. de Lescure wished to disarm him ; but the woman and I clung to his arms more and more, without knowing what we did. At last be persuaded the man that we were going to the Tuilleries. He then wished to accompany us ; but M . de Lescure said to him, ^^ I have my wife here, who is with child, and near her time. I am taking her to her sister's, and then I shall join you." They agreed upon a place of meeting before they parted. I desired to leave the walks for the high road which divides the Champs Elysees. Never shall I forget the spectacle that presented itself to my eyes. On the right and left were the Champs Ely-

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sees, in which more than a thousand persons had been massacred during the day. The most profound silence and obscurity now reigned around. In front, we saw the barracks of the Tuilleries in ilames, and heard the firing and cries of the populace. Behind us, the buildings of the barrier were also on fire. We wished to get into the walks on the right, and gain the bridge of Louis XV. ; but the swearing and shouting heard that way deterred us. Terror seized me, and I drew away M. dc Lescure to the left side, along the gardens of the faubourg St. Honore. We arrived at the place Louis XV., and were going to cross it, when we saw a mob coming out of the Tuilleries by the drawbridge, and firing muskets. We took, then, to the street Royale, and thus to the street St. Honore. We passed through a crowd of men, armed with pikes, hooting ferociously. The most part were drunk.

I had lost my senses so completely, that I went on crying, " Vivent les Sans-Cullotes / Illumines ! Casses les vitres .'" and repeated mechanically the vociferations I heard. M. de Lescure could not calm me, nor prevent my cries. At last we arrived at the Louvre, which was dark and solitary ; passed the Pont Neuf, and reached the Quay.

The most profound silence reigned on this side of the Seine, whilst we saw on the other bank the flames of the Tuilleries, which threw a gloomy light on every object; and heard the noise of the cannon, the discharge of musketry, and the hallooiiigs of the multitude. It was a striking contrast, The rl ver seemed to divide two different regions. 1 was exhausted with fatigue, and unable to reach the place to which my mother had retired. I slept in an obscure street of the faubourg St. Grermain, at the house of an old housekeeper of M. de Lescure. I found there two servants, who had come to conceal some diamonds, and other things of value, which they had secured at the risk of their lives ; for the populace massacred all those whom they supposed had carried off any thing. I learned from them that my mother was safe, and begged of them to tell her of my safety. They could not, however, return to her ; and she passed the night in anguish ; while my father wandered about the town to discover, if possible, what had become of me, which they did not learn till the next morning.