From these proceedings it was too evident that the As sembly was constituted in such a manner, as not to pro mise unanimity, and consequently that the object of its meeting would not be fulfilled. The distresses of the state, which, they were met to deliberate upon and re medy, could not be removed effectually and permanently, until a more equal and productive system of taxation were established. Nor could the discontents of the people be pacified, until the abuses against which they had lifted up their voice, had been put clown ; and yet as the nobility and clergy were principally concerned in both these objects, it was desirable that they should manifest a conciliating spirit. Between the period of its first meeting and the beginning of June, several of the clergy, and a few of the nobility had agreed to act along with the commons ; but as the rest were refractory, the Abbe Sieyes, on the 15th of that month, made a motion, the object of which was to de clare, that the commons, with such members of the nobi lity and clergy as had united with them, were the known and acknowledged representatives of the nation. On the following day this motion was carried ; and the appellation of Xutional dissembly was given to the meeting.
Their very first measures plainly indicated the spirit by which they were actuated. All taxes were declared ille gal, because they had not received the consent of the na tion ; but so long as the National Assembly sat, they might be levied ; the moment it was dissolved, the people were no longer bound to pay them. The public debt was placed under the protection of the honour and faith of the French nation; and a committee was immediately appointed, to in quire into the causes and remedy of the dearth which then afflicted the kingdom.
Thus did Louis find, that his authority was in a great measure wrested from him by the Natimal Assembly ; and the great body of the nobility and clergy, by their refusal to unite with the commons, likewise saw themselves shut out fremi power, and their privileges invaded. It was not to be expected that either would patiently submit. On the 21st of June, when the deputies of the National Assembly attempted to enter their place of meeting, the door was shut against them, under the pretext, that preparations were making for the royal presence on the 23d. They imme diately retired to a neighbouring tennis court, where they unanimously took an oath to consider themselves as inse parable, and to continue to meet wherever they possibly could. On the following day, many more of the clergy joined them, and M. Bailly was declared president of the Nation al Assembly. On the 23d, the King met the three orders in the grand saloon. He reprobated the proceedings of the commons; and the keeper of the seals in his name de clared, that the distinction of the three orders was essen tial ; that the proceedings of the commons had been illegal ; and that the saloon should be closed to the public in gene ral. A second and third declaration followed, in which the subjects for deliberation, and the wishes of the King, were pointed out. When his Majesty retired, he commanded the three orders to separate. The nobility almost unani
mously obeyed, and most of the clergy; but the commons were firm, and before they adjourned, agreed to the motion of Mirabeau, " that the person of every deputy should be regarded as inviolable." The crisis which now seemed fast approaching, was de layed for a short time by the King's desire of tranquillity. This induced him to recommend the nobility and clergy to join the commons ; and the junction accordingly took place on the 27th of June. Some of the members of these orders, however, refused to obey the King; but as they were not numerous, they could no longer hope to oppose the commons.
It was not to be expected, that the citizens of Paris should be indifferent in the midst of these commotions ; on the contrary, all the points in dispute between the King and the National Assembly were discussed by them with a wonderful degree of boldness ; and symptoms began to manifest themselves of a feeling decidedly hostile to the established government. With a few, perhaps, this feel ing originated from a calm and dispassionate conviction, that there were gross abuses in the state, which ought to be removed, and which could be removed without endan gering the tranquillity of the nation, or altering the funda mental constitution of the kingdom ; but with the groat majority of the citizens of Paris, this feeling arose from an undefined and vague desire of change, violent in its na ture, and uncertain in its means or object. Such being the state of mind in the metropolis, and such the conduct of the National Assembly, it was too evident, that unless the councils of the king were directed with a most uncommon share of moderation and firmness united, they could not extricate him from the impending danger. But no such qualities existed in his councils ; he himself indeed was mild and conciliating ; but as such his conduct was only the more calculated to do harm, since those measures which he himself approved and adopted were done away, probably the next day, by the unbending harshness of his advisers. These influenced him so far, as to gain his sanction to the assembling large bodies of troops in the capital and its vi cinity. The consequences were such as might have been anticipated. These troops were not sufficiently strong to keep down the citizens, while they were exposed to be in sulted by them ; commotions took place ; and during the irritated state of the public mind, Monsieur Neckar was dismissed from his situation. This was the signal for in surrection in Paris ; and the King again yielded, declaring that the troops should be withdrawn, and that the citizens should be permitted to form themselves into military bo dies. But this concession was too late ; the regular troops and the citizens had already fought ; blood had been shed ; and the French guards had, in this rencontre, joined the people. The bastile was the first object of the popular hatred and fury ; in a short time, not a single stone re mained; the governor, who had opposed the people, was dragged to a place of execution, and his head, severed from his body, was carried in triumph through the streets.