Contemporary Letters On The French Revolution.

As the terms on Avhich the ecclesiastical lauds are to bo sold to the different municipalities , is not yet finally determined , the former demands of the City of Paris are perhaps of little consequence . In the wording of her proposals she seemed to demand that of the 200 millions

she became indebted to the . country 50 millions should be relinquished to her , as a clue reward for her patriotism , and an indemnity for her losses . Her chief now declares that she only asked and still asks a quarter of that sum , or twelve millions and a half .

In a moment Avhen the deficit is already great ancl is daily augmenting , it appears an extraordinary mode of re-establishing the Finances , to replace one tax by another less productive . La Gabelle les Droits , sur les Fers , les Amidons Huileset Savons , with numerous other little taxes Avhich

are abolished amounted to about 85 millions , and the reimplacement is only 49 millions ancl a half . The Assembly ( Avhose Federatif plan seems to have for principle the erecting the cities into the tyrants of the neighbouring country to render less heavy the

burthen they might sustain from their small share of this reimplacement , have alloAved them , Avith the consent of their districts , to impose Avhat taxes they judge proper for that purpose , which if more than sufficient , the surplus is to be employed in such

manner as the municipalities , Avith leave of the district , think fit , What an opening is thus given to . the vexations and impositions of a designing corporation , Avho like our church-Avardens and overseers of the poor will no doubt employ that surplus in a way most suited to their interests , and only impose such taxes as Avill not affect their commerce .

The Fenniers Generaux will not m this moment be inclined to assist the country Avith their money , Avhen many , if not ruined must sustain considerable losses . The salt they have on their hands amounts to 36 millions , of which twelve is the

property of the State , the remainder is money advanced by them on the public faith . They are alloAved to sell their salt m common Avith other traders , but at a price not exceeding 3 sous per pound . The salt of Government is to be sold hefore that of the Fermiers Generaux

Can be dispose ! of , but no provision is made to indemnify them for the losses they may sustain by being undersold , and for the length of time they may wait for an opportunity of selling , as smuggling has introduced into the country a sufficient quantity for tAvo years .

The Assembly pretend that if the Fermiers Generaux sell their salt at 3 sous they Avill be gainers of ten millions . M . de Montesquieu , the President of the Committee of Finances , Premier Ecnyer de Monsieur Cordon Bleuancl laden Avith

, the honours , ancl pensions of the Court , yet noAV of the popular party , a man doubtless of abilities , but Avhose plans of finance are fairy tales , has proposed that no more anticipations should be permitted . This resource , Avhich Neckar estimated

at GO millions , will certainly be cut off in the beginning of next Aveek . The proposal had passed immediately , but it was thought necessary to give the Minister time , if possible , to procure a sufficient sum for the current exjienses during the interval of the imposition and collection of

taxes and the sale of the 400 millions of the property of the Church . All the resources proposed by the Minister for completing the deficit of the year are thus entirel y destroyed , and there only remains of all his plan the 30 millions of the contribution patriotique .

It is time that it should appear to amount to a larger sum , since the declarations of Paris are calculated not to be less . But then those of the provinces are almost nothing , and the Parisians have made their declarations and promises of paymenton

, the recei pt of their pensions , charges , and interest of the public funds . Les enrages maintain that the suppression of tythes will more than indemnif y the proprietors of lands for the losses they have sustained , and the taxes that are to be

imposed for the replacement of the Gabelle ancl the support of reli gion . I can only believe that to be a lure held out to appease the clamours of the landholders ; that the Assembly should finall y relinquish a tax unfelt which produced 60 millions per annum is scarcely creditable .

The clergy for the future will be paid by an ecpial capitation on the cities as well as the country . By this means the State