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
These circumstances must wound the heart of the King, desirous as he is,
to possess the affections of his subjects. As soon as the proceedings at
Versailles were known at Paris, a run began on the _caisse d'escompte_,
which is the first symptom always of the public diffidence and alarm. It
is the less in condition to meet the run, as Mr. Neckar has been forced
to make free with its funds, for the daily support of the government. This
is the state of things, as late as I am able to give them with certainty,
at this moment. My letter not being to go off till to-morrow evening, I
shall go to Versailles to-morrow, and be able to add the transactions of
this day and to-morrow.
June 25. Just returned from Versailles, I am enabled to continue my
narration. On the 24th, nothing remarkable passed, except an attack by
the mob of Versailles on the Archbishop of Paris, who had been one of the
instigators of the court, to the proceedings of the _seance royale_. They
threw mud and stones at his carriage, broke the windows of it, and he in
a fright promised to join the Tiers.
This day (the 25th) forty-eight of the Nobles have joined the Tiers. Among
these, is the Duke d'Orleans. The Marquis de La Fayette could not be of
the number, being restrained by his instructions. He is writing to his
constituents, to change his instructions or to accept his resignation.
There are with the Tiers now, one hundred and sixty-four members of the
Clergy, so that the common chamber consists of upwards of eight hundred
members. The minority of the Clergy, however, call themselves the chamber
of the Clergy, and pretend to go on with business. I found the streets of
Versailles much embarrassed with soldiers. There was a body of about one
hundred horse drawn up in front of the Hotel of the States, and all the
avenues and doors guarded by soldiers. Nobody was permitted to enter but
the members, and this was by order of the King; for till now, the doors
of the common room have been open, and at least two thousand spectators
attending their debates constantly. They have named a deputation to
wait on the King, and desire a removal of the soldiery from their doors,
and seem determined, if this is not complied with, to remove themselves
elsewhere.
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