The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 2 (of 9): Being His Autobiography, Correspondence, Reports, Messages, Addresses, and Other Writings, Official and PrivateJefferson, Thomas
History
The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 2 (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
SIR,--The Assemblée des Notables being an event in the history of this
country which excites notice, I have supposed it would not be disagreeable
to you to learn its immediate objects, though no way connected with
our interests. The Assembly met yesterday; the King, in a short but
affectionate speech, informed them of his wish to consult with them on
the plans he had digested, and on the general good of his people, and
his desire to imitate the head of his family, Henry IV., whose memory
is so dear to the nation. The Garde des Sceaux then spoke about twenty
minutes, chiefly in compliment to the orders present. The Comptroller
General, in a speech of about an hour, opened the budget, and enlarged on
the several subjects which will be under their deliberation. He explained
the situation of the finances at his accession to office, the expenses
which their arrangement had rendered necessary, their present state, with
the improvements made in them, the several plans which had been proposed
for their future improvement, a change in the form of some of their
taxes, the removal of the interior custom-houses to the frontiers, and
the institution of Provincial Assemblies. The Assembly was then divided
into committees, with a prince of the blood at the head of each. In this
form, they are to discuss separately the subjects which will be submitted
to them. Their decision will be reported by two members to the minister,
who, on view of the separate decisions of all the committees, will make
such changes in his plans as will best accommodate them to their views,
without too much departing from his own, and will then submit them to the
vote (but I believe not to the debate) of the General Assembly, which
will be convened for this purpose one day in every week, and will vote
individually.
The event of the Count de Vergennes' death, of which I had the honor to
inform you in a letter of the 14th instant, the appointment of the Count
Montmorin, and the propriety of my attending at his first audience, which
will be on the 27th, have retarded the journey I had proposed, a few days.
I shall hope, on my return, to meet here new powers for the consular
convention, as under those I have, it will be impossible to make the
changes in the convention which may be wished for.
I have the honor to be, with sentiments of the most perfect esteem and
respect, Sir, your most obedient and most humble servant.
TO RICHARD PETERS.
PARIS, February 26, 1787.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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