OF THE

FRENCH REVOLUTION

FROM 1789 TO 1814

BY

F. A. MIGNET

MEMBER OF THE INSTITUTE OF FRANCE, ETC.

MG

CONTENTS.

INTRODUCTION..

aracter of the French revolution-Its results, its progress-Successive

forms of the monarchy-Louis XIV. and Louis XV.-State of men s

minds, of the finances, of the public power and the public wants, at the

accession of Louis XVI.-His character-Maurepas, prime minister-

His policy-Chooses popular and reforming ministers-His object-

Turgot, Malesherbes, Necker-Their plans-Opposed by the court and

the privileged classes-Their failure-Death of Maurepas-Influence of

the Queen, Marie-Antoinette-Popular ministers are succeeded by court

ministers-Calonne and his system-Brienne, his character and at-

tempts-Distressed state of the finances-Opposition of the assembly of

the notables, of the parliament, and provinces-Dismissal of Brienne--

Second administration of Necker-Convocation of the states general-

Immediate causes of the revolution

p. 1

CHAPTER I.

89

From the 5th of May, 1798, to the night of the 4th of August.

pening of the states-general-Opinion of the court, of the ministry, and

of the various bodies of the kingdom respecting the states-Verification

of powers-Question of vote by order or by poll-The order of the

commons forms itself into a national assembly-The court causes the

Hall of the states to be closed-Oath of the Tennis-court-The majority

of the order of the clergy unites itself with the commons-Royal sittings

of the 23rd of June-Its inutility-Project of the court-Events of the

12th, 13th, and 14th of July-Dismissal of Necker-Insurrection of

Paris-Formation of the national guard-Siege and taking of the Bastille

-Consequences of the 14th of July-Decrees of the night of the 4th

of August-Character of the revolution which had just teen brought

about

b

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p. 21

CHAPTER II.

From the night of the 4th of August to the 5th and 6th of October, 1789.

State of the constituent assembly-Party of the high clergy and nobility-

Maury and Cazales-Party of the ministry and of the two chambers.

Mounier, Lally-Tollendal-Populat party: triumvirate of Barnave,

Duport, and Lameth-Its position-Influence of Siéyes-Mirabeau

chief of the assembly at that period-Opinion to be formed of the Or

leans party-Constitutional labours-Declaration of rights-Perma-

nency and unity of the legislative body-Royal sanction-External agi-

tation caused by it-Project of the court-Banquet of the gardes-du-

corps-Insurrection of the 5th and 6th October-The king comes to

reside at Paris

P. 55

CHAPTER III.

From the 6th of October, 1789, to the death of Mirabeau, April, 1791.

Results of the events of October-Alteration of the provinces into depart-

ments-Organization of the administrative and municipal authorities

according to the system of popular sovereignty and election-Finances;

all the means employed are insufficient-Property of the clergy declared

national-The sale of the property of the clergy leads to assignats—

Civil constitution of the clergy-Religious opposition of the bishops-

Anniversary of the 14th of July-Abolition of titles-Confederation of

the Champ de Mars-New organization of the army-Opposition of the

officers-Schism respecting the civil constitution of the clergy-Clubs—

Death of Mirabeau-During the whole of this period the separation of

parties becomes more decided

p. 73

CHAPTER IV.

From April, 1791, to the 30th September, the term of the Constituent

Assembly.

Political state of Europe before the French revolution-System of alliance

observed by different states-General coalition against the revolution-

Motives of each power-Conference of Mantua, and circular of Pavia—

Flight to Varennes-Arrest of the king-His suspension-The repub-

lican party separate, for the first time, from the party of the constitu-

tional monarchy-The latter re-establishes the king-Declaration of

Pilnitz-The king accepts the constitution-End of the constituent

assembly-Opinion of it

P. 98