/ 
2] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1790. 
awriter of credit, that falfthoods and forgeries were the great and conftant 
refources of the cabals in Paris. Parifians noted for credulity, Gnd at the 
fame time for the extreme fufpicioufne/s of their nature, Similar inftances 
of credulity in the provinces. The exceffive liberty and unbounded licen- 
tioufnefs of the prefs, a powerful infirument of the revolution, The literati 
of Paris eftimated at 20,000, and thefe dictated to the reft of the nation. 
maccountable and indefenfible fupinene/s of the minifters, with refpe@ te 
the prefs. Strange and fatal blindne/s of the two firft orders of the frate. 
Famine, as a caufe of general difcontent, another powerful inftrument of the 
revolution. Real or imputed condudé of the duke of Orleans. National 
affembly ferioufly alarmed at the conflagrations and maffacres which were 
Jpreading defolation and ruin through many parts of the kingdom, the nobi- 
lity being hunted down like wild beafts in feveral of the provinces. This 
impreffion of terror, produces the extraordinary events of the 4th of Auguft. 
The vifcount Noailles, and the duke d’ Aiguillon, make fpeeches in the af* 
Jembly, in which they propofe fubftantial redrefs and relief to the peafantry, 
by relinguifbing and abolifbing thofe parts of the feudal rights and duties, 
which lay the heavieft on, or were the moft complained of by, that order of 
men, <A fudden fit of enthufiafm Jpreads at once through the two firft 
orders, and the only conteft after Jeemed to be, who fhould facrifice the moft, 
and who fhould be the firft to offer; while the commons feemed lof? in 
aftonifhment and applaufe. It was in an inftant decreed, that all impofts 
foould be equally and equitably laid on; that all the feudal fervices fhould 
be redeemable at an equitable price; and that perfonal fervitude fbould be. 
abolifbed for ever, without any purchafe. Thefe are followed by a facri- 
fice of the exclufive rights of the chace, of fifoing, of warren, and of 
dove-cotes. The parifh pric?s make an offering of all their parochial 
pergquifites, and the beneficiaries bind themfelves never to hold a plurality. 
Various other refolutions paffed on the fame night, each of which was from 
that moment confidered as an irrevocable decree, and afterwards made the 
foundation of a formal law. Affembly decree a medal to be ftruck, to com- 
memorate the acts of this glorious night. They likewife confer on the king 
the title of Reftorer of the Liberties of France. Solemn 'Te Deum cele- 
brated, at which the king and the national affembly affift. Aftonifbment 
and difiay of the clergy, after the great facrifices which they had volun-~ 
tarily made, upon a motion for the fequeftration of their tithes. Debates 
renewed with great violence on the follewing day. Caufe of the clergy 
eloquently and ably defended by the Abbe Sieyes. In general they ftand 
firmly in fupport of their rights. Debate, after much tumult, adjourned 
late at night. Means ufed during the remainder of the night, and the morn- 
ing, to bring over the heads of the clergy to a confent. Archbifpop of 
Paris, in the name of his brethren, furrenders all the tithes of the church 
into the hands of the nation. His fbort fpeech on that occafion. The old 
provincial names, diftinétions, peculiar rights, and privileges, determined to be 
abolifbed, and the whole nation confolidated into one compat? body, and under 
one equal form of government. Deputies of privileged towns and diftridts 
make a furrender of their charters and municipal documents. Provinces 
awhich pofiffid a right of taxing themfelwes, renounced that right and their 
fates 
