The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

REVOLUTION IN FRANCE.

Siege of the Bastille.

THE troubles which are inseparable from the events that have lately taken place, have occasioned so many different reports, that the publick could at first obtain but very few facts. The following is an exact account of the circumstances which preceded, accompanied, and followed the taking of the Bastille. Posterity would scarcely believe this memorable revolution, if authentic and particular descriptions did not perpetuate the memory of it, and erect an everlasting monument, to consecrate this instance of magnanimity. When facts are not collected with care, some people may make a shew of valour which no one can contradict. Let us listen then to truth alone, and take care not to omit a single name, of those who have in this incredible event, a publick right to our thanks.

On Tuesday July 14, 1789, at 3 o'clock, P. M. a detachment of Grenadiers of the Regiment of Ressuveille and another detachment of Fusiliers from Ludernais company had been during two hours projecting the attack of the Bastille, and were considering of the means to effect it, when a citizen named Hulin, director of the Queen's washery, appeared amongst them crying out friends! Are you citizens? Yes you are. Let us then march to the Bastille, there the citizens and your comrades are now butchered. They are all your brothers, will you suffer them to fall victims to the most cruel, to the worst of treasons? At these words the French Guards, who did not wait for this new encouragement, since they were before disposed to set out, began their march under the command of Mr. Warquier, Serjeant Major of the Grenadiers, with a zeal and an ardour worthy of the courage that they had already shewn on so many occasions. They were followed by a great number of citizens which prodigiously increased in their march. They passed by the Porte au Bled, the French guards being commanded by their Serjeant, and the Citizens by Mr. Hulin, to whom they all said with one voice you shall be our Commander. But both were so animated with the same spirit of patriotism, that the Commanders of the People could look upon themselves as being commanded by them, though the military laws, which order soldiers to obey only their chief, were not infringed.

They had with them three pieces of cannon, to which were joined two more, which they came across near the arsenal. They entered without difficulty into the first court, on the side of the Celestins; some invalids were found there who had given up their arms in the morning, and who joined themselves to the besiegers. From thence, they went without difficulty, into the second court; and afterwards, even into the courts of the Bastille.

The action began at the entry of the court of the Salt-petre works; a piece of cannon was placed there, with which they made but one discharge, after the Grenadiers and Fusiliers had made a progressive fire. They crossed the court after several other discharges of the French Guards, and of the citizens; and they arrived at the second arch.

There, the cannon was still pointed, and they seized the apartment of the invalids, from whence they fired upon the port holes of the Fortress, to hinder the enemy from working their guns. Let us not forget here to name Mr. Elie, officer in the regiment of the Queen's Infantry, who boldly crossed the fire and removed the carts loaded with dung and litter-that had been put at the entry of the second court to stop the passage from the besiegers.

The chains of the draw bridge were then cut, by the shot, to prevent the treason of drawing it up after being once down, and it was Mr. Hulin who advised this necessary expedient. Fire was put to the dung and litter