The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 3 (of 9): Being His Autobiography, Correspondence, Reports, Messages, Addresses, and Other Writings, Official and PrivateJefferson, Thomas
History
The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 3 (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
You will have seen, by my former letters, that the question, whether the
States General should vote by persons or by orders, had stopped their
proceedings in the very first instances in which it could occur, that
is, as to the verification of their powers, and that they had appointed
committees to try if there were any means of accommodation. These could
do nothing. The King then proposed that they should appoint others, to
meet persons whom he should name, on the same subject. These conferences
also proved ineffectual. He then proposed a specific mode of verifying.
The Clergy accepted it unconditionally. The Noblesse, with such conditions
and modifications, as did away their acceptance altogether. The Commons,
considering this as a refusal, came to the resolution of the 10th instant,
(which I have the honor to send you,) inviting the two other orders
to come and take their places in the common room, and notifying that
they should proceed to the verification of powers, and to the affairs
of the nation, either with or without them. The Clergy have, as yet,
given no answer. A few of their members have accepted the invitation
of the Commons, and have presented themselves in their room, to have
their powers verified; but how many it will detach, in the whole, from
that body, cannot be known till an answer be decided on. The Noblesse
adhered to their former resolutions, and even the minority, well disposed
to the Commons, thought they could do more good in their own chamber,
by endeavoring to increase their numbers and fettering the measures of
the majority, than by joining the Commons. An intrigue was set on foot
between the loaders of the majority in that House, the Queen and Princes.
They persuaded the King to go for some time to Marly; he went. On the
same day, the leaders moved in the chamber of Nobles, that they should
address the King, to declare his own sentiments on the great question
between the orders. It was intended that this address should be delivered
to him at Marly, where, separated from his ministers, and surrounded by
the Queen and Princes, he might be surprised into a declaration for the
Nobles. The motion was lost, however, by a very great majority, that
chamber being not yet quite ripe for throwing themselves into the arms
of despotism. Neckar and Montmorin who had discovered this intrigue, had
warned some of the minority to defeat it, or they could not answer for
what would happen. These two and St. Priest, are the only members of the
Council in favor of the Commons. Luzerne, Puy-Segur and the others, are
high aristocrats. The Commons having verified their powers, a motion was
made the day before yesterday, to declare themselves constituted, and to
proceed to business. I left them at two o'clock yesterday; the debates not
then finished. They differed only about forms of expression, but agreed
in the substance, and probably decided yesterday, or will decide to-day.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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