In forty departments, these are not yet installed, in the forty-three others, they are cowed, silent, or lack money and men to enforce their decisions.[2471] Such is the foundation of the Jacobin State, a confederation of twelve hundred oligarchies, which maneuver their proletariat clients in obedience to the word of command dispatched from Paris.

It is a complete, organized, active State, with its central government, its active force, its official journal, its regular correspondence, its declared policy, its established authority, and its representative and local agents; the latter are actual administrators alongside of administrations which are abolished, or athwart administrations which are brought under subjection .-- In vain do the latest ministers, good clerks and honest men, try to fulfill their duties; their injunctions and remonstrances are only so much waste paper.[2472] They resign in despair, declaring that, "in this overthrow of all order,...

in the present weakness of the public forces, and in the degradation of the constituted authorities,...
it is impossible for them to maintain the life and energy of the vast body, the members of which are paralyzed."-- When the roots of a tree are laid bare, it is easy to cut it down; now that the Jacobins have severed them, a push on the trunk suffices to bring the tree to the ground.
***** [Footnote 2401: De Lomenie, "Les Mirabeaus," I.11.

(Letter of the Marquis de Mirabeau).] [Footnote 2402: "Archives Nationales," F7, 7171, No.7915.Report on the situation in Marseilles, by Miollis, commissioner of the Directory in the department, year V.Nivose 15.

"A good many strangers from France and Italy are attracted there by the lust of gain, a love of pleasure, the want of work, a desire to escape from the effects of ill conduct.