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plan in execution ; it was necessary also to explain the final end which they proposed to themselves, and the manner in which they demonstrated to their own satis- faction its justice and necessity. I have, therefore, fok lowed up my recital of the facts of the conspiracy, by a development of their doctrines and of their projects.

The sources from which I derive all that I affirm rela- tively to this conspiracy, are my own recollections, the writings of my brother conspirators, the papers of the judicial proceedings instituted against them, and some few fragments that were, up to this moment, unknown.

All our papers were not seized by the police. Some of those which Babeuf had not about him, were de- stroyed by over-prudent friends ; others I have been able to recover ; these I publish in the imperfect state in which they have reached me.

I am not ignorant that the political and economical principles which I must avow, will meet with many dis- approvers, but that is no reason for not publishing them ; other opinions, pretended to be errors, have established themselves as incontestable truths. Are there not men whom the tinsel of civilized society has not dazzled, nor the systems which are preached up by those who arro- gate to themselves the right of directing opinion ? They, perhaps, will appreciate the importance of these opinions, and will give some regret to the memory of those cou- rageous citizens who, being penetrated by their justice, and proud of exposing their lives in supporting them, sealed them at last with their blood.

Strongly knitted to them by the conformity of our

sentiments, I partook in their conviction and efforts;