The Correspondence of Thomas Jefferson
By Subject
FRANCE / REVOLUTION
We have had, in this city, a very considerable riot, in which about
one hundred people have been probably killed. It was the most
unprovoked, and is, therefore, justly, the most unpitied catastrophe
of that kind I ever knew. Nor did the wretches know what they wanted,
except to do mischief. It seems to have had no particular connection
with the great national question now in agitation. The want of bread
is very seriously dreaded through the whole kingdom. Between twenty
and thirty ship loads of wheat and flour has already arrived from the
United States, and there will be about the same quantity of rice sent
from Charleston to this country directly, of which about half has
arrived. I presume that between wheat and rice, one hundred ship loads
may be counted on in the whole from us. Paris consumes about a ship
load a day (say two hundred and fifty tons). The total supply of the
West Indies for this year, rests with us, and there is almost a famine
in Canada and Nova Scotia. The States General were opened the day
before yesterday. Viewing it as an opera, it was imposing; as a scene
of business, the King's speech was exactly what it should have been,
and very well delivered; not a word of the Chancellor's was heard by
anybody, so that, as yet, I have never heard a single guess at what
it was about.
The Noblesse, on coming together, show that they are not as much
reformed in their principles as we had hoped they would be. In fact,
there is real danger of their totally refusing to vote by persons.
Some found hopes on the lower clergy, which constitute four-fifths of
the deputies of that order. If they do not turn the balance in favor
of the Tiers Ltat, there is real danger of a scission. But I shall not
consider even that event as rendering things desperate. If the King
will do business with the Tiers Etat, which constitutes the nation, it
may be well done without Priests or Nobles.
to William Carmichael, 8 May 1789
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