116 Jeanette Needham. 
that Abbé Sieyés, Messrs. Mounier, Le Chapelier, Barnave, 
Target, Thouret, Rabaud, and other leaders, were almost on 
their knees to him, to insist peremptorily on his resignation 
being accepted, as they were well convinced that his retreat 
would throw the queen’s party into infinitely greater difficulties 
and embarrassment than any other circumstance. But his 
vanity prevailed over all their efforts... .’’¥ 
Without naming any one concerned, Necker practically con- 
firmed this when he wrote in his Sur l’administration:* “TIT re- 
sisted likewise the suggestions of those who considered my 
retirement as the epoch of a great revolution and tried to make 
me understand that such a determination on my part could not 
fail to be followed by a brilliant triumph.” 
June 26, Biauzat wrote home that Necker still held his position 
and that the latter had remarked that very day that he would 
keep his courage until death. ‘‘But why,” queries Biauzat, ‘is 
he of the opinion that the distinction of orders is constitu- 
tional? JI am much irritated with him on account of his error, 
which is causing us so much trouble. I hope that he will change 
his mind; but will there be time?’’® 
Duquesnoy noted on the same day that Necker’s ministerial 
existence seemed uncertain,!® while Boullé informed his consti- 
tuents that Necker was said to have made, on the evening of 
June 26, preparations for a hasty departure.'7 Count Mercy, 
in close touch with the court at Versailles, reported in a despatch 
of July 4, that there was an idea which he characterized as insane, 
but which was supported even by some members of the royal 
family, of arresting Necker.1® 
That he possessed much influence in the government after 
June 23 is very questionable. Certainly he did not recover 
the confidence of the king, which he had lost during the week 
13 Young, 178-179. 
144 Necker, Sur l’administration, 114. 
15 Biauzat, II, 145. 
16 Duquesnoy, II, 137. 
17 Boullé, Documents inédits,; Revue de la rév., XIV, 27. 
18 Arneth and Flammermont, Correspondance secréte, II, 252, Mercy to 
Joseph, Il, July 4, 1789. 
230 
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