7523. REVOLUTION (French), Ministerial reforms.—
I hope the internal affairs
of this country will be finally arranged without
having cost a drop of blood. Looking on as a
bystander, no otherwise interested, than as
entertaining a sincere love for the nation in
general, and a wish to see their happiness promoted,
keeping myself clear of the particular
views and passions of individuals, I applaud
extremely the patriotic proceedings of the present
ministry. Provincial Assemblies established,
the States General called, the right of
taxing the nation without their consent abandoned,
corvées abolished, torture abolished, the
criminal code reformed, are facts which will
do eternal honor to their administration, in
history.—
To William Carmichael. Washington ed. ii, 466.
(P.
Aug. 1788)
