Contemporary Letters On The French Revolution.

pleasures . The brother of M . Danton had been in this predicament , but had at the beginning of the revolution joined the Democratic party . It was intended to receive him ill , and shew the sense entertained of ingratitude and injuries received . I believe , after many representations , that conduct will have been charged . It was certainly impolitic , as many here who have since renounced their errors wait for that

reception to decide their conduct , and it should be remembered that there is more joy in heaven , & c ; besides which , a smile , a gracious speech , an affectionate manner , cost nothing , and if his counsels are so loose that the eye of a looker on can penetrate themhe had better renounce his

, attempts , Doubts yet remain on the fate of the assignats . The letter of M . Dupont certainly for the moment produced much effect on the lower classes , but I think it has since been destroyed , and that they are as violent as ever in their demands for

a measure whose most serious consequences will fall upon themselves . My opinion is still the same , that they will pass , from the very circumstance of the violent opposition intended to be made against them by the aristocratic party , whose wish and interest it equally isthat they should pass . In

, that case a manifesto will be published from 1 G , declaring that they have beheld with profound grief the destruction of the kingdom in the ruin of the two superior orders , and in the proceedings of the Assembly , but that hitherto theyhad remained

silent , because to personal interests mi ght be attributed the part they took , but that now the national faith , to preserve which towards their creditor's the nation had already undergone thus uselessly so much was entirely broken down and destroyed

, it became him to enter his protest to that as well as to all other of their proceedings ; to invite all good citizens to take up arms to drive away a set of ambitious democrats ; to establish the royal proclamation of the 23 rd of June , 1783 ; and to declare the

present mode of liquidating the national debt fraudulent and nefarious ; and promising , in the name of the clergy , the nobility and the parliaments , to mortgage the whole of their landed property ; and to consent to whatever taxes or conditions might be found necessary to secure to the public creditors their principal and interest .

In two long conversations I had with — and 39 , they both agreed that it was their last great- chance , and would undoubtedl y succeed if they had sufficient military force to be efficacious . They will have it in their power at the same time to open the eyes of the people on the taxes to which , according to the new system , they will be liable . The committee have established

that 500 millions will be sufficient for the annual expenses , but that 500 millions must be clear of all deductions . 200 millions is to be laid on the lauded property of the kingdom , but the 200 millions thus raised for the general use , there yet remains to be paid the clergy , the expenses

of public justice , the poor , the hospitals , the public buildings , the elections , and establishments of district municipalities and departments , the roads and bridges ; and these expenses can by no means be levied on any but those possessed

of landed property . The next 200 millions , which is supposed to be levied on the monied property , is to be levied by a stamp duty , part of whose expense must thus fall equally on the landed property . Govt , is obliged to purchase money at 5 £ per cent , for its current expenses . The Caipe D'Escompte have already demanded near 5 millions as the indemnity for her

expenses in procuring piastres , and remitted the whole of her remaining specie , about 3 millions . The expenses of receipt are also in the present system counted for nothing , although they will certainly exceed the former , which already eat up near a fifth of the annual income . The Assembly has

refused to listen to the reclamations of the jailors at Brest on the new penal laws . This refusal will probably produce the most serious consequences , as M . Albert de Riony writes that all is quiet , because none dare give an order which may offend .

The dismission of M . de la Lureme is determined on . Not that it will pacify the Colonies , but to throw powder in the eyes of the people here , is a certain remedy to those troubles which threaten the annihilation of the commerce of France . There

is a report here that Tippoo Sahib has been completely drubbed , but we have lost a regiment cut to pieces .

Letter III . Paris , 2 nd March , 1790 . I dined on Friday with the Comte de