Harper's Encyclopedia of United States History
Benson Lossing, Ed.

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Directory, French,

The name given to the government of the French Republic, established by a constitution in August, 1795, framed by the moderate republican party after the fall of Robespierre and the end of the Reign of Terror. The executive directory consisted of five persons, who promulgated the laws, appointed the ministers, and had the management of military and naval affairs. They decided questions by a majority vote, and presided, by turns, three months each, the presiding member having the signature and the seal. During their terms of office none of them could have a personal command, or absent himself for more than five days from the place where the council held its sessions without its permission. The legislative power, under the constitution, was vested in two assemblies, the Council of Five Hundred and the Council of the Ancients, the former having the exclusive right of preparing laws for the consideration of the latter. The judicial authority was committed to elective judges. The first directors chosen (Nov. 1, 1795) were Mm. Barras, Revelliere-Lepeaux, Rewbell, Letourneur, and Carnot. The latter organized the armies with great skill.