History of France from the Invasion of Clovis to the Republic of 1870 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1878 edition. Excerpt: ...of the States-General, were loud in their reprobation of arbitrary confinements, and decreed their own inviolability. Brienne immediately obtained from the king an order to arrest Duval d'Epremesnil and Montsabert, the two magistrates whose opposition was the most energetic. On the 5th of May, D'Agout, a captain of the guards, presented himself before the Parliament, and demanded that they should be given up in the name of the king. " We are all Montsaberts and D'EprtJmesnils," replied the indignant magistrates; but the two marked counsellors, in order not to compromise their brethren, arose and surrendered themselves. One was taken to Pierre-en-Cise, near Lyons, and the other to the Isles St. Marguerite. The report of their detention 486 TROUBLES IN THE PROVINCES. a.d. 1788. quickly spread, and aroused the anger of the people: the multitude crowded to the place of the sittings, and greeted the magistrates with loud acclamations. Notwithstanding all these demonstrations, the edicts in question were registered on the 8th of May, and something like a plenary court was established; but public opinion became angry, Le CMtelet protested, and the people were in a state of commotion: every one was aware that each member of this court was a courtier; and to grant to this court the right of registration, was to leave the public fortunes at the free disposal of the ministers. Of all the provinces, Brittany, Bearn, and Dauphiny distinguished themselves most by the energy of their resistance. The Parliament of Rennes protested, and was threatened with being dissolved by force: a crowd of gentlemen, followed by the populace, came forward in its defence, and most of the nobles present at Rennes signed a declaration conceived in the following terms: " We, ...