The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 1 (of 9): Being His Autobiography, Correspondence, Reports, Messages, Addresses, and Other Writings, Official and PrivateJefferson, Thomas
History
The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 1 (of 9): Being His Autobiography, Correspondence, Reports, Messages, Addresses, and Other Writings, Official and Private
Jefferson, Thomas
United States -- Politics and government -- 1775-1783; United States -- Politics and government -- 1783-1865
The Baron de Breteuil, President of the Council of Finance; de la
Galaisiere, Comptroller General, in the room of M. Necker; the Marshal
de Broglio, Minister of War, and Foulon under him, in the room of
Puy-Segur; the Duke de la Vauguyon, Minister of Foreign Affairs,
instead of the Count de Montmorin; de La Porte, Minister of Marine, in
place of the Count de La Luzerne; St. Priest was also removed from the
Council. Luzerne and Puy-Segur had been strongly of the Aristocratic
party in the Council, but they were not considered equal to the work
now to be done. The King was now completely in the hands of men,
the principal among whom had been noted, through their lives, for
the Turkish despotism of their characters, and who were associated
around the King, as proper instruments for what was to be executed.
The news of this change began to be known at Paris, about one or two
o'clock. In the afternoon, a body of about one hundred German cavalry
were advanced, and drawn up in the Place Louis XV., and about two
hundred Swiss posted at a little distance in their rear. This drew
people to the spot, who thus accidentally found themselves in front
of the troops, merely at first as spectators; but, as their numbers
increased, their indignation rose. They retired a few steps, and
posted themselves on and behind large piles of stones, large and small,
collected in that place for a bridge, which was to be built adjacent
to it. In this position, happening to be in my carriage on a visit,
I passed through the lane they had formed, without interruption. But
the moment after I had passed, the people attacked the cavalry with
stones. They charged, but the advantageous position of the people, and
the showers of stones, obliged the horse to retire, and quit the field
altogether, leaving one of their number on the ground, and the Swiss
in the rear not moving to their aid. This was the signal for universal
insurrection, and this body of cavalry, to avoid being massacred,
retired towards Versailles. The people now armed themselves with such
weapons as they could find in armorer's shops, and private houses,
and with bludgeons; and were roaming all night, through all parts of
the city, without any decided object. The next day (the 13th,) the
Assembly pressed on the King to send away the troops, to permit the
Bourgeoisie of Paris to arm for the preservation of order in the city,
and offered to send a deputation from their body to tranquillize them;
but their propositions were refused. A committee of magistrates and
electors of the city were appointed by those bodies, to take upon them
its government. The people, now openly joined by the French guards,
forced the prison of St. Lazare, released all the prisoners, and took
a great store of corn, which they carried to the corn-market. Here they
got some arms, and the French guards began to form and train them. The
city-committee determined to raise forty-eight thousand Bourgeoise,
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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