624 
Hisery- impartial, and strict investigation; and that, if these 
partial, vestigati 
measures were not adequate to the cure of the evil, the 
demesne lands of the crown should be mortgaged. 
If the minister expected that his statement and his 
plans would be implicitly received by the assembly, or 
at pr Ana vg nb me A te to — 
of discussion as would preserve the appearance 
independent authority in its members, while it did not 
essentially oppose the minister, he was most grievous- 
ly mistaken, He had the resources of 
France as very contracted, and her debt as large ; and 
om these grounds he had called w the assembly to 
eanction his plans: But before Neckar had retired 
the management of the finances, he had published a 
work, in which he represented France as possessing a 
surplus revenue of £425,000. It was not to be ex- 
pected, that the gloomy statements of Calonne would 
not be contrasted with the cheering statements of his 
predecessor. Before, therefore, the members of the 
assembly proceeded to discuss the plan itvelf, they in- 
i that there was no necessity for its ion ; 
and that, if the ministers were honest and able, France 
might easily, without any sacrifice or additional bur- 
den, be extricated out of her present difficulties.. These 
attacks on the ability and honesty of Calonne, were 
supported principally by the Archbishop of Toulouse 
FRANCE. 
go into Holland, and even sent tried and experienced 
soldiers for the’ , 
z 
8 
small influence in giving rise to these hostile indicas 
tions ; but as soon pay vse of the Stadtholder was’ 
re-established, and, of course, all pretexts for amna- 
F 
; 
ii 
ments taken away both from 
cabinet was anxious to replace pow atees 
footing... Britain had begun to feel 
sequences of Mr Pitt’s measures of finance, and, 
reviving commerce; and France felt too sensibly 
inability to pl herself into a new if i 
pew be ordted. The navies of both nations, | 
laced on the footi 
‘ore, were 
ment, and Pent was restored between them. |». 
| 
: 
ie 
: 
and the Count de Mirabeau ; the latter a man of bril- 
liant talents, of the most profligate principles and con- 
duct, and who was resolved that, his country. should, if 
he could possibly effect it, be plunged into such a state 
of anarchy, as would give room for the exercise of his 
talents, and the unrestrained play ‘of his most vicious 
and dangerous habits. 
Calonne's The minister soon found, that his plan met. the ap- 
piss op- probation neither of the nobility and. clergy, nor of the 
posed. ple at large. The ancient nobility and clergy had 
itherto been free from taxes; and, as patents of nobi- 
lity were easily procured, they were eagerly sought af- 
ter, for the of exempting the possessors from 
taxation. The nobles, therefore, both old.and new, 
were strongly averse to a plan whieh should oblige 
them to contribute to the exigencies of the state; and 
were supported in their opposition by the clergy 
and the magistrates, who also were exempt from taxa- 
tion. It might, however, have been expected, that the 
mass of the le would have regarded Calonne as their 
friend ; since, if his plan were carried into.effect, they 
would be relieved frem part of their burden. But at 
this period the people had no means.of making their epposition to it were now more. violent than before, as 
feelings or wishes known ; and besides, the measures of 
the minister, in other respects, had not been such as to 
evident, that their demands would go far to reduce the 
royal authority to that limited condition in which it 
had been before the reign of Louis XI. Louis, how- 
ever, had gone too far to recede ; and even if he could 
to recruit the finances of the kingdom? It was there- 
fore necessary to gain the good will, or at least toavoid, 
as much as possible, exciting the discontent and suspi 
cion of the assembly. ; and, fos hia paxposey tlie Ams 
bishop of Toulouse was appointed to superintend the 
finances, instead of Calonne. But he soon found:that 
ve placed the sovereign com: 
command or deserve favour and s . He pletely in their power. Louis, was thus placed ina 
was therefore eens doin hap here but, at he deter- 
iled, smpropeted by the nobility, 
clergy, and istrates, who were so blinded -by 
imperfect and selfish consideration of their own imme- 
ceived no su vantage, b ich, ‘ 
trary, had only increased the difficulties in which he 
was previously involved. On the dismissal of the as+ The w, 
sembly, royal edicts were issued for raising money ; to bles dis- 
these the parliament of Paris objected, in such peremp- missed. 
tory language, that Louis was under the necessity of 
holding what is termed a Bed of Justice, and elli 
France a- 
ninter- ¥inees between the 
in the Orange, again opened an opportunity for the cabinet 
disputes in of Versai ye ee -atho doa Seel es 
Kotan, _ had not the King of Prussia taken a decided partein 
‘21787 support of the Prince of Orange, it is that 
the , aided by the French, would have 
borne all j The cabinet of Versailles, 
Siesratr, did act Loven poder. nein thane in an 
_ open manner, though they permitted their officers to 
resign ! 
_ In the year 1787, the disputes in the United Pro- 
republican party and the Prince of 
enrolment as 
sure ; and to declare that the first person who should f 
eet ia ans be pus 
