opposed by the populace and the Jacobin clubs, under the pretence that he
intended to leave the kingdom. Lafayette attempted to disperse them and to
remove all obstructions to the intended visit of Louis. The troops were
disobedient to his orders, and refused to favor the King's journey.
Mortified by their insubordination, Lafayette resigned his command, but
afterwards resumed it, through the solicitations of the National Assembly,
and of the guards themselves, who regretted their disobedience of his
orders.

On the attempt of the King, soon after, to depart from France, who had
become disgusted with the conduct of the revolutionists, and was in fear of
his personal safety, Lafayette was charged with being privy to the plan,
and subjected himself to the popular displeasure on this suspicion. That he
promoted the plan, was never proved, and is not probable. That he had
intimations of it, is possible; but that he gave strict orders to the
officers about the king's palace to guard against such an event is most
certain. He discharged his duty as a public agent; and it is not improbable
he might have supposed the king in immediate danger, and that by a
temporary absence from the capital, the ferment would subside, and he might
return in safety. No one, for a moment, believed that he wished, with the
emigrants and other enemies of the revolution, to have Louis surrender
himself to the hostile powers of the coalition, for the purpose of bringing
a foreign army to enslave France. He was, indeed, anxious for the safety of
his Prince; but he would never have compromitted the liberties of his
country, even for such an object.

From this period, the Jacobin clubs became more popular, and had the chief
direction of all political affairs. In their desire to lesson the authority
of the King, and to secure power, they hesitated at no measures, however
unjust; and the new constitution, even which they had sworn to support, was