[95] Abadie arranged to demolish the Colonne Vendôme for 32,000 or
38,000 francs, forfeiting 600 francs for every day’s delay after the
fourth of May. This reduced the sum to be paid to him by 6000 francs.
[96] Regarding Courbet and the destruction of the Column, he rejects
the accusation on the ground that this decree had been voted
previously to his admission in the Commune, and on the request he had
made under the Government of the 4th of May of removing the column to
the esplanade of the Invalides. He affirms that the official paper has
altered his own words at the Commune, and he pretends having proposed
to the Government to rebuild the column at his own expense, if it can
be proved that he has been the cause of its destruction.