eral should vote by persons or by orders, had stopped their
proceedings in the very first instance in which it could occur, that
is, as to the verification of their powers, and that they had appointed
committees to try if there were any means of accommodation. These could
do nothing. The King then proposed that they should appoint others, to
meet persons whom he should name, on the same subject. These conferences
also proved ineffectual. He then proposed a specific mode of verifying.
The clergy accepted it unconditionally; the _Noblesse_, with such
conditions and modifications, as did away their acceptance altogether.
The Commons, considering this as a refusal, came to the resolution of
the 10th instant (which I have the honor to send you), inviting the
two other orders to come and take their places in the common room, and
notifying that they should proceed to the verification of powers, and to
the affairs of the nation, either with or without them. The Clergy
have, as yet, given no answer. A few of their members have accepted the
invitation of the Commons, and have presented themselves in their room,
to have their powers verified; but how many it will detach, in the
whole, from that body, cannot be known till an answer be decided on. The
_Noblesse_ adhered to their former resolutions, and even the minority,
well disposed to the Commons, thought they could do more good in their
own chamber, by endeavoring to increase their numbers and fettering the
measures of the majority, than by joining the Commons. An intrigue was
set on foot, between the leaders of the majority in that House, the
Queen, and Princes. They persuaded the King to go for some time to
Marly: he went. On the same day, the leaders moved in the chamber of
Nobles, that they should address the King, to declare his own sentiments
on the great question between the orders. It was intended that this
address should be delivered to him at Marly, where, separated from
his ministers, and surrounded by the Queen and Princes, he might be
surprised into a declaration for the Nobles. The motion was lost,
however, by a very great majority, that chamber being not yet quite
ripe for throwing themselves into the arms of despotism. Necker and
Montmorin, who had discovered this intrigue, had warned some of the
minority to defeat it, or they could not answer for what would happen.
These two and St. Priest, are the only members of the Council in
favor of the Commons. Luzerne, Puy-