opinion of Mr. Necker. The King was probably advised to
this, under pretext of preserving peace in Paris and Versailles, and saw
nothing else in the measure. That his advisers are supposed to have had
in view, when he should be secured and inspirited by the presence of the
troops to take advantage of some favorable moment, and surprise him
into an act of authority for establishing the declaration of the 23rd
of June, and perhaps dispersing the States General, is probable. The
Marshal de Broglio was appointed to command all the troops within
the Isle of France, a high-flying aristocrat, cool and capable of
everything. Some of the French guards were soon arrested under other
pretexts, but in reality, on account of their dispositions in favor
of the national cause. The people of Paris forced the prison, released
them, and sent a deputation to the States General, to solicit a pardon.
The States, by a most moderate and prudent _Arrete_, recommended these
prisoners to the King, and peace to the people of Paris. Addresses
came in to them from several of the great cities, expressing sincere
allegiance to the King, but a determined resolution to support the
States General. On the 8th of July, they voted an address to the King
to remove the troops. This piece of masculine eloquence,* written by
Monsieur de Mirabeau, is worth attention on account of the bold matter
it expresses and discovers through the whole. The King refused to remove
the troops, and said they might remove themselves, if they pleased, to
Noyon or Soissons. They proceeded to fix the order in which they will
take up the several branches of their future constitution, from which it
appears, they mean to build it from the bottom, confining themselves
to nothing in their ancient form, but a King. A declaration of rights,
which forms the first chapter of their work, was then proposed by the
Marquis de la Fayette. This was on the 11th. In the mean time troops,
to the number of about twenty-five or thirty thousand, had arrived, and
were posted in and between Paris and Versailles. The bridges and passes
were guarded. At three o'clock in the afternoon, the Count de la Luzerne
was sent to notify Mr. Necker of his dismission, and to enjoin him to
retire instantly, without saying a word of it to any body. He went home,
dined, proposed to his wife a visit to a friend, but went in fact to his
country-house at St. Ouen, and at midnight set out from thence, as is
supposed, for Bru