In February 1848, a Revolution in France overthrew the July Monarchy. Schœlcher arrived from Senegal a few days later, on 3 March, and quickly went to meet with François Arago, Minister of the Navy and colonies of the provisional government of the new French Republic, who appointed him under-secretary of State for the colonies, on 4 March, as well as president of a new commission charged with drafting the immediate abolition of slavery, with Louis Percin and Henri-Alexandre Wallon assigned as its secretaries.