The judicial « trilogy » of the trials of Nantes at the end of the year II and the beginning of the year III marks a decisive moment in the history of the Revolution. In an exceptionally tense political atmosphere, the Conventionnels were well aware that the legal indictment of one of their own members could prove dangerous for other deputies of the national representation. They developed, therefore, a « legal shield » with which they sought to preserve a political function already tested in the year II. Using the procedure of the « appel nominal » to decide on the indictment of the representative Carrier, the « theatricalization of the session » reflected political attitudes and positions of the time. The categorization of the votes, the abstentions, the motivations of the deputies, their comings and goings in the session, as well as those of the accused – all are keys to the understanding of this crucial stage in the development of the condemnation of the Terror. The appeal against Carrier does not follow the logic of partisan affiliation : it is not the overt unanimity that permits an insight into the reading of this appeal, but rather its pregnant silences.