ivil list, a national assembly meeting at
certain epochs, and some other matters of that kind. So that I think
it probable this country will, within two or three years, be in the
enjoyment of a tolerably free constitution, and that without its having
cost them a drop of blood; for none has yet been spilt, though the
English papers have set the whole nation to cutting throats.

Be assured of those sentiments of esteem and attachment, with which I
am, Dear Sir, your friend and servant,

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER CLI.--TO MONSIEUR DE CREVE-COEUR, August 9, 1788

TO MONSIEUR DE CREVE-COEUR.

Paris, August 9, 1788.

Dear Sir,

While our second revolution is just brought to a happy end with you,
yours here is but cleverly under way. For some days I was really
melancholy with the apprehension, that arms would be appealed to, and
the opposition crushed in its first efforts. But things seem now to wear
a better aspect. While the opposition keeps at its highest wholesome
point, government, unwilling to draw the sword, is not forced to do it.
The contest here is exactly what it was in Holland: a contest between
the monarchical and aristocratical parts of the government for a
monopoly of despotism over the people. The aristocracy in Holland,
seeing that their common prey was likely to escape out of their
clutches, chose rather to retain its former portion, and therefore
coalesced with the single head. The people remained victims. Here,
I think, it will take a happier turn. The parliamentary part of the
aristocracy is alone firmly united. The _Noblesse_ and Clergy, but
especially the former, are divided partly between the parliamentary and
the despotic party, and partly united with the real patriots, who
are endeavoring to gain for the nation what they can, both from the
parliamentary and the single despotism. I think I am not mistaken in
believing, that the King and some of his ministers are well affected to
this band; and surely, that they will make great cessions to the
people, rather than small ones to the parliament. They are, accordingly,
yielding daily to the national reclamations, and will probably end in
according a well-tempered constitution. They promise the States General
for the next year, and I have good information that an Arret will appear
the day after to-morrow, announcing them for May, 1789. How they will be
composed, and what they will do, cannot be foreseen. Their convocation,
however, will tranqui