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tremists who were blamed for shortages, instigators of rebellions in pris–
ons, and others were "amalgamated" with foreign agents.
The clubs of foreigners were disbanded. On December 25, 1793,
Robespierre, in his
Report on the Principles oj Revolutionary Government,
blamed foreigners for
all
crises. Ultimately, the scaffold took care of the
cosmopolitan's lot, while nationalism - perhaps "regretfully" and
"reluctantly"- became paramount in both minds and laws. The Commit–
tee on Public Safety, after some hesitation, drew up a new law on for–
eigners on April 25, 1794. All former members of the nobility and for–
eign subjects were forbidden to stay in Paris, fortified towns, or coastal
cities, for the length of the war (exceptions were made for workers in
arms factories, foreign wives of patriots, and
all
those whose services were
deemed useful
to
the the Republic). Former members of the nobility and
foreigners were henceforth excluded from people's societies, watch
committees, communal or sectional assemblies. Amendments allowed a
few exceptions for foreigners in residence for more than twenty years and
a few other categories. Consequently, Englishmen were interned and
Spaniards were impounded, foreign legions were disbanded, deserters sent
to work on farms. All were
excluded Jrom public service and public rights.
Any troublemaking foreigner became suspicious and could be brought
before the revolutionary tribunal.
