3° Carl Christ ophelsmeier 



to organization had been taken, that is, as soon as the credentials 

 had been verified, he would present the second part of his plan. 

 Furthermore, to enter default against those who would not pre- 

 sent their credentials would neither establish nor announce a 

 schism between the orders ; that the clergy and the nobility could 

 at any time raise the ban by uniting themselves with the com- 

 mons, who would always gladly receive them. 1 



Sieyes was enthusiastically applauded. 2 The motion answered 

 to the general wish ; it soothed the feeling of impatience that had 

 seized upon even the calmest spirits. All the members of the 

 assembly were familiar with the question, for it was the subject 

 that had been most widely discussed, and, since the opening of 

 the states general, had received the most serious consideration. 

 Being thus prepared and having expected it, many members rose 

 instantly in support of the motion. 3 With much force and ability 

 they developed the reasons which should determine the commons 

 to follow the course suggested by Sieyes. The rational modera- 

 tion which had so wisely guided the actions of the third estate 

 in this long and fierce struggle with the privileged classes up to 

 June 10 did not forsake the assembly in the discussion of this 

 revolutionary step. The equable and judicious Target suggested 

 that, since the assembly was not yet constituted, 4 not derniere 

 sommation, but derniere invitation; not donne defaut contre les 

 non-comparaiits, but that it will proceed to the verification, as 

 much en presence qu'cn Yabsence des deputes des classes privi- 

 legies, not dans une hcure, but dans le jour would be a more 



x Recit, 104; Biauzat, II, 102-3: "II y a ajoute un developpement verbal 

 pour faire apercevoir qu'il n'entendait pas nous proposer de nous constituer 

 a l'instant ou de nous constituer dans la suite, en assemblee national dont 

 les deputes ecclesiatiques et nobles seraient exclus, ni en assemblee des 

 communes qui sont 1'assemblee nationale, moins les ecclesiastiques et les 

 nobles, ni enfin en ordre distinct et separe, mais en deputes des bailliages et 

 representants de nos commettants, pour le nombre qu'ils forment dans 1'as- 

 semblee de tous les Frangais." 



-Rccit, 104; La revolution frangaise, XXIII, 526; Revue de la revolution, 

 XII; Documents inedits, 52, 53. 



s Duquesnoy, I, 83. 



* Rccit, 104; Biauzat, II, 103. Biauzat says that he himself made the 

 suggestion of the changes. Duquesnoy, I, 84 ; Monitcur, I, 64, Target's 

 speech; Cherest, III, 335. 



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