The two ministers laid their hands upon their swords, and but for the presence of the king, and the intervention of their colleagues, blood would have flowed in the council-chamber.
The king was desirous of refusing his sanction to the decree for the 20,000 men.

"It is too late," said Dumouriez: "your refusal would display fears too well founded, but which we must take care not to betray to our enemies.

Sanction the decree, I will undertake to neutralise the danger of the concentration." The king requested time for consideration.
Next day the Girondists called upon the king to sanction the decree against the nonjuring priests.

They came into direct contact with the religious conscience of Louis XVI.

Supported by that, this prince declared that he would rather die than sign the persecution of the church.