The First Revolutionary Step 5 



an invitation received on that day from the commons, they be- 

 gan to consider plans that might conciliate the three orders, 

 or at least enable the clergy to withdraw from the struggle be- 

 tween the orders and thus assume a neutral attitude. 1 As the 

 deputies of the privileged orders refused to assemble in one 

 chamber in order to consider the question of organization, the 

 only way in which the matter could be discussed was through 

 conferences of commissioners appointed by each of the three 

 orders. The clergy, after debate, decided to elect such commis- 

 sioners and invited the nobles and the tiers-etat to do the same. 

 This action was extremely wise on the part of the clergy, espe- 

 cially on the part of the higher clergy, who, while remaining 

 neutral, could thus control a majority which sympathized with 

 the interests of the third estate. And was it not in keeping with 

 the self-chosen mission of the church to preach peace and har- 

 mony? In the meantime, the clergy could remain inactive and 

 need not take either side. It did not compromise its position to- 

 wards either order ; it put itself in a most favorable light with 

 the outside world; and, in the end, it could join the winning side 

 without any loss of prestige which might result from the con- 

 troversy. When the nobles resumed their session on May n the 

 deputation of the clergy presented its plan. After careful con- 

 sideration they decided, on May 12, to comply and elect com- 

 missioners. The following day they sent a deputation to the 

 other two orders to announce their decision. The Due de Praslin 

 as spokesman said to the commons that he would read the reso- 

 lutions passed by the order of the nobility which would show 

 them its desire to maintain the fraternal union. A resolution 

 of May 6 stated that the president and the twelve senior 

 members were appointed as a committee on credentials, another 

 of May 11 that those deputies whose credentials were verified 

 without being contested were constituted as "the chamber of the 

 nobility," and a third of May 12 that it accepted the proposition 

 of the clergy and would name commissioners to meet the com- 



1 Rccit, 15-17, 18-19; Etats-generaux, 19-21; Biauzat, II, 59-60; Conrrier 

 de Provence, Lettre I. 



