The National Assembly responds to the flight to Varennes (1791)

In late June 1791, the National Assembly responded to the flight to Varennes by issuing the following set of instructions regarding the king and his executive power:

“1. As soon as the King has arrived at the Tuileries Palace, he shall be given a provisional guard which, under the orders of the general commanding the Parisian National Guard, shall watch over his safety and shall be accountable for his person…

3. All who accompanied the Royal Family shall be placed in custody and questioned; the declarations of the King and Queen shall be heard without delay, in order that the National Assembly may then make whatever decisions are deemed necessary…

5. Until otherwise ordered, the decree rendered the 21st of this month, enjoining the Minister of Justice to place the seal of State on decrees of the National Assembly without need of sanction of acceptance by the King, shall continue to be executed in all its provisions.

The Ministers, the Director of the Public Treasury (until the commissioners of the National Treasury take office) and the Commissioner of the King for the Special Bank are likewise authorised to continue… the functions of the executive power.”