Before the Revolution the king had the disposal of the whole of the national revenue; and with unbounded generosity gave 1,500,000 pounds annually to the nobility, as I was informed.
Some call the Revolution in France Glorious,
1. Because (they say) that no Revolution ever conferred liberty and equal laws upon so great a number of people.
2. Because it has been brought about with so little effusion of blood.
3. Because they suppose that other nations will follow the laudable example, until liberty, in its meridian splendor, is extended and established through the world!
It is said, that the prince bishop of Spiers has again solemnly protested against the proceedings of the National Assembly, in choosing mayors, and municipal members in the towns and places of Elsas, belonging to his bishopric, and other innovations against his rights and privileges. In this important protest he says, "That he had laid before the king, in the most earnest manner, his opposition to the decrees of the National Assembly; which decrees had absolutely overset all the existing treaties with France: that he had delivered a memorial to the emperor and to the realm upon this important subject; notwithstanding which they had proceeded to the appointment of new municipal officers in Elsas, according to the decrees of the National Assembly, and against his right of jurisdiction and appointment; that the new mayors committed great outrages, and set his subjects against paying him any dues, and were endeavouring to make them throw off his dominion:" and he concludes by saying, "that his powers leave him no other remedy than to protest against what is done, which he does in the most solemn manner."
A spirit of discontent will undoubtedly reign for a time among some of those that have had their incomes diminished in consequence of the Resolution.
Agreeable to the bishop's opinion, in regard to the existing treaties, &c. being overset, is the following paragraph, inserted in the St. James's Chronicle, July 24, 1790.
"The king of France has now bound himself by a sacred oath, to adhere to the decrees of the National Assembly, and support the constitution in its renovated form; consequently there is an end to all foreign interferences on his behalf, either in Spain, Sardinia, or any other quarter. To countenance such an interference would be an act of perjury, and justify his subjects in such measures as might be fatal to himself and the whole house of Bourbon. His majesty may be deemed unfortunate; but no prince ranks higher in the estimation of mankind, as an honest and conscientious man."
The National Assembly have decreed to strengthen, by a treaty, the family compact between France and Spain, and to augment the Gallic navy in consequence of the armaments of the different nations in Europe.