* When Nantes was reduced almost to a state of famine by the destruction of commerce, and the supplies drawn for the maintenance of the armies, Commissioners were sent to Paris, to solicit a supply of provisions.  They applied to Carrier, as being best acquainted with their distress, and were answered in this language:—­"Demandez, pour Nantes! je solliciterai qu’on porte le fer et la flamme dans cette abominable ville.  Vous etes tous des coquins, des contre- revolutionnaires, des brigands, des scelerats, je ferai nommer une commission par la Convention Nationale.—­J’irai moi meme a la tete de cette commission.—­Scelerats, je serai rouler les tetes dans Nantes—­je regenererai Nantes."—­“Is it for Nantes that you petition?  I’ll exert my influence to have fire and sword carried into that abominable city.  You are all scoundrels, counter- revolutionists, thieves, miscreants.—­I’ll have a commission appointed by the Convention, and go myself at the head of it.—­ Villains, I’ll set your heads a rolling about Nantes—­I’ll regenerate Nantes.”  Report of the Commission of Twenty-one, on the conduct of Carrier.

—­Terrible lesson for those discontented and mistaken people, who, enriched by commerce, are not content with freedom and independence, but seek for visionary benefits, by becoming the partizans of innovation, or the tools of faction!*

* The disasters of Nantes ought not to be lost to the republicans of Birmingham, Manchester, and other great commercial towns, where “men fall out they know not why;” and where their increasing wealth and prosperity are the best eulogiums on the constitution they attempt to undermine.

I have hitherto said little of La Vendee; but the fate of Nantes is so nearly connected with it, that I shall make it the subject of my next letter.

[No Date or Place Given.]

It appears, that the greater part of the inhabitants of Poitou, Anjou, and the Southern divisions of Brittany, now distinguished by the general appellation of the people of La Vendee, (though they include those of several other departments,) never either comprehended or adopted the principles of the French revolution.  Many different causes contributed to increase their original aversion from the new system, and to give their resistance that consistency, which has since become so formidable.  A partiality for their ancient customs, an attachment to their Noblesse, and a deference for their Priests, are said to characterize the brave and simple natives of La Vendee.  Hence republican writers, with self-complacent decision, always treat this war as the effect of ignorance, slavery, and superstition.