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
Sir,--My letter of the 25th gave you the transactions of the States
General to the afternoon of that day. On the next, the Archbishop of
Paris joined the Tiers, as did some others of the Clergy and Noblesse. On
the 27th, the question of the St. Domingo deputation came on, and it was
decided that it should be received. I have before mentioned to you the
ferment into which the proceedings at the _seance royale_ of the 23d, had
thrown the people. The soldiery also were affected by it. It began in the
French guards, extended to those of every other denomination, (except the
Swiss) and even to the body guards of the King. They began to quit their
barracks, to assemble in squads, to declare they would defend the life of
the King, but would not cut the throats of their fellow-citizens. They
were treated and caressed by the people, carried in triumph through the
streets, called themselves the soldiers of the nation, and left no doubt
on which side they would be, in case of a rupture. Similar accounts came
in from the troops in other parts of the kingdom, as well those which
had not heard of the _seance royale_, as those which had, and gave good
reason to apprehend that the soldiery, in general, would side with their
fathers and brothers, rather than with their officers. The operation of
this medicine, at Versailles, was as sudden as it was powerful. The alarm
there was so complete, that in the afternoon of the 27th, the King wrote
a letter to the President of the Clergy, the Cardinal de La Rochefoucault,
in these words:[1]
"My Cousin,--Wholly engaged in promoting the general good of my kingdom,
and desirous, above all things, that the Assembly of the States General
should apply themselves to objects of general interest, after the
voluntary acceptance by your order of my declaration of the 23d of the
present month; I pass my word that my faithful Clergy will, without delay,
unite themselves with the other two orders, to hasten the accomplishment
of my paternal views. Those, whose powers are too limited, may decline
voting until new powers are procured. This will be a new mark of
attachment which my Clergy will give me. I pray God, my Cousin, to have
you in his holy keeping.
Louis."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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