The Insurrection of October, i/8p 9 



Necker's idea was that it was the duty of the administration "to 

 suspend this liberty in certain places, under certain circumstances, 

 or even in a general way when information which it alone was 

 in a position to obtain should prompt such an act of prudence." 1 

 In September, 1788, as has been stated, all exportation of grain 

 was positively forbidden. This prohibition, although repeated 

 by the national assembly, did not have the desired effect. In 

 the following September the exportation of grain continued 

 "with fearful activity." 2 



While forbidding exportation the government was making an 

 effort to relieve the scarcity by importations. In November, 

 1788, subsidies were granted for importation of grain from 

 America, and in January for grain coming from different parts 

 of Europe. 3 In April this premium was doubled. In June 

 Necker announced that he had ordered "immense cargoes of 

 wheat to be bought up all over Europe," 4 for it was found neces- 

 sary for the administration itself to take up the matter of supply- 

 ing the markets. Through the summer this was done by im- 

 porting grain from foreign lands. 5 The supply of Paris 

 depended entirely on purchases made outside the country. 6 Jef- 

 ferson speaks of a quantity of flour and wheat imported from 

 America. 7 The scarcity throughout the country continuing, 

 Bailly advocated in the assembly the buying up of a supply for 

 the winter in foreign parts. 8 



What was the result of this government interference with the 

 grain trade ? According to Young, the effect of Necker's meas- 

 ures was disastrous. "I have had some conversation," says 

 Young in his journal for June 10, "with well-informed persons 

 on this topic. They assure me the price is much higher than the 



decker, De V administration des finances, III, 159. 

 2 Le point dujour, III, 1, 2. 



3 Histoire parlementaire, I, 283; Anciennes lois, XXVIII, 663. 



4 Young, Travels in France, 477. 



5 Proces-vrbal de I'assemblee des electeurs de la ville de Paris, II, 258. 

 6 Bailly, Memo res, III, 422. 



7 Jefferson, Memoir, Correspondence and Miscellanies, III, 2. 



8 Acles de la commune de Paris, I, 355. 



275 



