a 
$ 
be 
a 
Meeting of the Estates-General, 1789. 87 
But, important as these daily additions were in increasing the 
internal stability of the assembly, of vastly greater significance 
was the definitive declaration of the city of Paris in favor of the 
policy of the third estate. First, through a deputation from the 
electoral assembly of the third estate in the capital and then by 
a delegation from the citizens of Paris, the deputies were con- 
vincingly assured that the public opinion of which they had so 
much need was firm in their support. What Paris had done 
would have an influence in determining other cities to do likewise. 
The electoral deputies appeared early in the session, bearing 
their tribute of recognition. But before speaking of their 
reception, let us notice how the body which they represented 
happened to be in existence still and what had led to this action 
of June 26. On May Io, the assembly of electors, representing 
the third estate of Paris inside the walls, voted to continue its 
meetings during the session of the estates-general in order to 
correspond with its deputies. This decree in itself was a 
revolutionary act and it was executed in direct opposition to the 
decision of the government. Bailly, who had been the secre- 
tary of the electoral assembly until May 23, gives some details 
of the attempt to secure governmental sanction of its decision 
to meet. The decree had resulted in further discussion after 
the appointed work of the assembly was completed, without 
resuming the sessions, at least regularly, since there was no 
proces-verbal. Although it persisted in its decision, Bailly was 
commissioned to talk to the ministry in regard to the matter.!” 
His appeal to Villedeuil resulted in the decision that the work 
of the electors being finished, there would be no occasion for 
their further meeting. 
This seemed conclusive, but the matter was urged, and 
Villedeuil consented to submit the question to the commission 
appointed by the king to deal with matters relative to the 
16 Procés-verbal des électeurs de Paris, I, 39; Bailly (I, 235) gives the same, 
but he had the Procés-verbal before him. 
17 Just when Bailly made his appeal to the ministry cannot be determined. 
Perhaps it was after May 22, when he resigned his secretaryship in order to 
go to the assembly at Versailles. The ministers and commission would have 
been easily accessible then. 
201 
