7531. REVOLUTION (French), National Assembly.—[further continued].
The difficulties which now
appear threatening to my mind are those which
will result from the size of the Assembly.
Twelve hundred persons of any rank and of
any nation assembled together would with difficulty
be prevented from tumult and confusion.
But when they are to compose an assembly for
which no rules of debate or proceeding have
been yet formed, in whom no habits of order
have been yet established, and to consist moreover
of Frenchmen, among whom there are always
more speakers than listeners, I confess to
you I apprehend some danger.—
To Mr. Shippen. Washington ed. ii, 580.
(P.
March. 1789)
