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
My letter of the 29th of June, brought down the proceedings of the
States and government to the re-union of the orders, which took place
on the 27th. Within the Assembly, matters went on well. But it was soon
observed, that troops, and particularly the foreign troops, were on their
march towards Paris from various quarters, and that this was against
the opinion of Mr. Neckar. The King was probably advised to this, under
pretext of preserving peace in Paris and Versailles, and saw nothing else
in the measure. That his advisers are supposed to have had in view, when
he should be secured and inspirited by the presence of the troops, to
take advantage of some favorable moment, and surprise him into an act of
authority for establishing the declaration of the 23d of June, and perhaps
dispersing the States General, is probable. The Marshal de Broglio was
appointed to command all the troops within the isle of France, a high
flying aristocrat, cool and capable of everything. Some of the French
guards were soon arrested under other pretexts, but in reality, on account
of their dispositions in favor of the national cause. The people of Paris
forced the prison, released them, and sent a deputation to the States
General, to solicit a pardon. The States, by a most moderate and prudent
Arreté, recommended these prisoners to the King, and peace to the people
of Paris. Addresses came in to them from several of the great cities,
expressing sincere allegiance to the King, but a determined resolution
to support the States General. On the 8th of July, they voted an address
to the King to remove the troops. This[2] piece of masculine eloquence,
written by Monsieur de Mirabeau, is worth attention on account of the bold
matter it expresses and discovers through the whole. The King refused to
remove the troops, and said they might remove themselves, if they pleased,
to Noyons or Soissons. They proceeded to fix the order in which they will
take up the several branches of their future constitution, from which it
appears, they mean to build it from the bottom, confining themselves to
nothing in their ancient form, but a King. A declaration of rights, which
forms the first chapter of their work, was then proposed by the Marquis de
La Fayette. This was on the 11th. In the meantime, troops, to the number
of about twenty-five or thirty thousand, had arrived, and were posted in
and between Paris and Versailles. The bridges and passes were guarded. At
three o'clock in the afternoon, the Count de La Luzerne was sent to notify
Mr. Neckar of his dismission, and to enjoin him to retire instantly,
without saying a word of it to anybody. He went home, dined, proposed
to his wife a visit to a friend, but went in fact to his country-house
at St. Ouen, and at midnight, set out from thence, as is supposed, for
Brussels. This was not known till the next day, when the whole ministry
was changed, except Villedeuil, of the domestic department, and Barentin,
Garde des Sceaux.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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