IF THE REVOLUTION, victorious and possessing territorial
securities, had chosen to temporize until Poland was partitioned
a second time, in all probability it could have obtained peace
from a quarrelling coalition by offering to hand back its spoils
on condition that its own independence be respected. This pros-
pect was no doubt what Danton anticipated early in October of
1792. To accomplish it, however, the French would meanwhile
have to resist the intoxication of victory that urged them on to
a war of propaganda, to further annexation, and hence to a
breach with England. They would also have to spare Louis
XVI. Any such policy required unity and concord among
French republicans. Torn by factional conflicts, the Convention
could not offer peace to Europe.

The National Convention assembled for its first session on the
afternoon of September 20, just as the battle of Valmy ended.
The next day, having settled its rules of procedure, it replaced
the Legislative Assembly at the Manège. Towards the end of
that day's session Collot d'Herbois, warmly seconded by Gré-
goire, rose to move that the monarchy be abolished. The motion
was carried easily. The following day Billaud-Varenne had

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