7527. REVOLUTION (French), Monarchy and parliaments.—[further continued].
The contest here is exactly
what it was in Holland: a contest between the monarchical and aristocratical parts of the
government, for a monopoly of despotism over
the people. The aristocracy in Holland, seeing
that their common prey was likely to escape out
of their clutches, chose rather to retain its
former portion, and therefore coalesced with the
single head. The people remained victims.
Here, I think, it will take a happier turn. The
parliamentary part of the aristocracy is alone
firmly united. The Noblesse and Clergy, but
especially the former, are divided partly between
the parliamentary and the despotic party,
and partly united with the real patriots, who
are endeavoring to gain for the nation what
they can, both from the parliamentary and the
single despotism. I think I am not mistaken
in believing that the King and some of his
ministers are well affected to this band; and
surely, that they make great concessions to
the people, rather than small ones to the parliament.
They are, accordingly, yielding daily
to the national reclamations, and will probably
end in according a well-tempered constitution.—
To M. de Crevecoeur. Washington ed. ii, 457.
(P.
1788)
