Camoin, Bertin and Rebecqui, the worst agitators and usurpers, rule there without control.

Rebecqui and Bertin, appointed delegates in connection with matters in Arles, have themselves empowered to call for defensive troops; they immediately demand them for attack, to which the Directory vainly remonstrates; they declare to it that "not being under its inspection, it has no authority over them; being independent of it, they have no orders to receive from it nor to render to it any account of their conduct." So much the worse for the Directory on attempting to revoke their powers.

Bertin informs its vice-president that, if it dares do this he will cut off his head.

They reply to the Minister's observations with the utmost insolence.[2420] They glory in the boldness of the stroke and prepare another, their march on Aix being only the first halt in the long-meditated campaign which involves the possession of Arles.
III .-- The Constitutionalists of Arles.
The Marseilles expedition against Arles .-- Excesses committed by them in the town and its vicinity .-- Invasion of "Apt," the club and its volunteers.
No city, indeed, is more odious to them .-- For two years, led or pushed on by its mayor, M.d'Antonelle, it has marched along with them or been dragged along in their wake.

D'Antonelle, an ultra-revolutionary, repeatedly visited and personally encouraged the bandits of Avignon.