+ farts 
Meeting of the Estates-General, 1789. 169 
reproach by the king or their constituents.* Although sitting in 
the assembly, some would protest against anything contrary to 
the wish of their constituents and to their oath.*® Others would 
even nullify everything done in the estates until their new 
credentials came.*’ Still others reserved the right to protest 
whenever necessary for the preservation of the rights of the 
orders and the principles of the French monarchy.’ Some 
were bound explicitly to protest against all deliberation by head. 
Two stated their intention to protest against all acts contrary 
to the principles of the decree passed by the nobility on May 28. 
This measure stated that deliberation by order was one of the 
fundamental principles of the monarchy.*® 
In most cases, relief was expected when their constituents 
learned the situation. In general, however, it is clear that a 
very large proportion of the nobility, far from accepting the 
policy of the third estate, was averse to supporting the idea of 
action in common, even in the degree outlined in the king’s 
declaration. Under the circumstances, however, it was very 
doubtful whether the nobility could escape the consequences 
of the step which they were about to take in conjunction with 
the clergy. 
XVIII 
The session of the commons on June 27 opened without any 
indication that it was to mark a turning point in the career of 
the assembly. Apparently, not until almost noon did they learn 
of the king’s letter to the upper orders and of the subsequent 
debate among the nobility, which was not to be terminated until 
the late afternoon. 
As on the previous days, so on the morning of June 27, the 
defections from the upper orders continued. Three more 
deputies deserted the minority of the clergy and came to join 
the national assembly, making eighteen in all, since the accession 
35 Nos. 6, 15. 
36 Nos. 2, 9, 10. 
87 No.0. 
EEN OSar2, 35 45.75 9)-10, 14. 
39 Nos. 9, 14. 
283 
