#or the one where he got surprise hugged by pétion who he believed to be ”possessed by brissot’s faction”

[anotherhumaninthisworld]

Marat and Pétion meet for the very first time

In the beginning of last August (1792), I saw Péthion [sic] for the first time. As I knew very well that he was continually possessed by Brissot’s faction I wanted to probe him. As a result, I asked that we meet under pretext of obtaining a passport. He was holding council and sent me back the following morning. I was received with this simple joviality which characterizes him: ”It’s really him! Oh! It’s really him!” the good man cried and held me in his arms. I was a bit surprised by his embraces, I attributed them to the hope he had of seeing me leave soon. My conjecture changed into certainty, when I saw his expression darken, hearing me tell him that I was not leaving, and urging him to give me two of the presses seized from Durosoi.

The blind security he showed in our interview had reason to astonish me. We were approaching the moment of major events, he rejected, mockingly, the news of the invasion of the Prussians, for the inaction of which he vouched; he likewise rejected the idea of ​​the perfidies of the plotters from within; and as a true opium giver, according to his honorable custom, he assured that the true way to finally be free, invincible and happy, was to keep ourselves quiet and united, that is to say, to let our enemies do their thing, by discussing with them. It took the cruel events of the tenth [August] to prove to the public that he was only a dreamer, whose foolish confidence had exposed us all to having our throats slit.

Péthion is a good man, I’m sure of it; he was a wonderful candidate for the position of justice of the peace, arbitrator, municipal clerk, college rector, and district collector. But he has eyes that see nothing, ears that hear nothing, a head that meditates on nothing: he turns white at the sight of a naked sword, he wants to repress the counter-revolutionaries by lecturing them, he pretends to ensure the triumph of patriots by rendering them useful to aristocrats; and save the homeland by shouting to everyone: peace, gentlemen, let us listen to each other and let us be brothers.

Marat in number 685 (September 21 1792) of l’Ami du Peuple. Marat ends the number with asking Pétion to resign as mayor.