[31] The Citizen Gambon, representative of the Department of the
Seine, left Paris charged with a mission to seek Garibaldi, but was
arrested at Bonifacio, in the island of Corsica, just as he was
embarking for Caprera.
For Memoir, see Appendix 4.
[32] Garibaldi was chosen by the Central Committee for
Commander-in-Chief of the National Guard, but he refused in the
following terms, pretending not to be aware of the condition of
Paris:—
“Caprera, 28th March, 1871.
“CITIZENS,—
“Thanks for the honour you have conferred upon me by my nomination as
Commander-in-Chief of the National Guard of Paris, which I love, and
whose dangers and glory I should be proud to share.
“I owe you, however, the following explanations:—
“A commandant of the National Guard of Paris, a commander of the
Army of Paris, and a directing committee, whatever they may be, are
three powers which are not reconcilable with the present situation
of France.
“Despotism has the advantage over us, the advantage of the
concentration of power, and it is this same centralisation which
you should oppose to your enemies.
“Choose an honest citizen, and such are not wanting: Victor Hugo,
Louis Blanc, Félix Pyat, Edgar Quinet, or another of the elders of
radical democracy, would serve the purpose. The generals Oremer and
Billot, who, I see, have your confidence, may be counted in the
number.
“Be assured that one honest man should be charged with the supreme
command and full powers; such a man would choose other honest men
to assist him in the difficult task of saving the country.
“If you should have the good fortune to find a Washington, France
will recover from shipwreck, and in a short time will be grander
than ever.
“These conditions are not an excuse for escaping the duty of
serving republican France. No! I do not despair of fighting by the
side of these _braves_, and I am,
“Yours devotedly,
(Signed), “G. GARIBALDI.”