Historical Epochs of the French Revolution | Page 6

and clergy. Decreed, that if within a month the King do not take the oath to the nation, or if he retract it, he shall be adjudged to have forfeited the crown. Decreed, that the guard for the King shall not exceed 1200 foot, and 600 horse. Those who may be placed in succession to the throne to have no other title than that of French princes. Registers of the births, marriages, and burials, of the royal family to be deposited in the archives of the national assembly. Suppression of the payment of a mark of silver, which was heretofore required from such as were deputed to the legislature. Decreed, that every law relative to taxes shall be independent of the royal sanction. The ceremony of marriage to be considered hereafter as a civil contract only. Rousseau admitted to a place in the Pantheon. The national assembly declares, that it will not revise the constitution which it has just established, before the expiration of thirty years. Sept. The completion of the constitution announced to the people, and that it will admit of no change. The departments are all occupied in electing new deputies to represent them in a second assembly. Sixty members are appointed to carry the act of the constitution to the King. 4. The King restored to liberty. Suppression of the order of St. Esprit; the decorations of the blue ribband to be appropriated to the King and the Prince-royal only. The King declines to retain a distinction which he cannot communicate. Decreed, that the Rhine and Rhone be united by a canal. 14. The King accepts the constitution in form; he takes the oath in presence of the assembly; and is crowned by the president with a constitutional crown. Great rejoicings throughout all France. The national guard to take place of the King's. Whipping, and burning in the hand, annulled. Three days allowed to every person under accusation to defend himself and repel the charge. In consequence of the acceptance of the constitution, all criminal proceedings are stopped; all persons confined on suspicion of anti-revolutionary principles set at liberty; no more passports required; a general amnesty takes place; and the decree against emigrants is revoked. Disturbances at Arles--suppression of the high national court of Orleans--and of all royal notaries--national notaries appointed. Prohibitory or commanding clauses in wills to be of no avail henceforward. Every sort of property dependent upon, or connected with, churches or charities, is confiscated. All the world admitted to the title and rank of French citizen, without any distinction of country. Decree to unite Avignon and the county of Venaissin to France. Certificates of catholicism suppressed, which hitherto were required before admission into any office. Severe penalties against introducing titles of nobility into any public document. All the chambers and societies of commerce abolished. Jews admitted to the rights of French citizens. The constituent assembly prepares to lay down its powers, without rendering any account of its proceedings. Violent remonstrances against this. Decree against clubs and popular associations. 30. The King goes in state to close the session of this first or constituent assembly.
CHAPTER II.
1791. Oct. 4. The second assembly takes the name of the Legislative Assembly, and is opened by the King in person. It consists of 700 members. An oath is taken to observe the law. An administrator in one of the departments flies with a large treasure. 17. Massacre at Avignon, with unusual horrors. Jourdan and his people destroy 600 victims in an ice-house. Insurrection at Paris on account of religious worship. The Marquis de la Fayette resigns the command of the Parisian guard. The expressions "_sire_" and "majesty," applied to the King, suppressed by decree. Twenty-one committees formed out of the legislative assembly to transact all business. Riots at Montpellier. The pictures of the Palace-royal sold for a million eight hundred thousand livres. 27. Insurrection in Alsace. 29. Notice given to Monsieur the King's eldest brother, to return to France, on pain of forfeiture of all his rights, and confiscation. One hundred millions of assignats issued. Disturbances in Artois and Lower Normandy on account of religious worship. The archbishop of Ausch, and several bishops, brought before the tribunals. 30. Insurrections in almost all parts of the kingdom, on account of the prohibition of religious worship. Charrier, ex-constituent, and nominated by the people as successor to the Cardinal de Rochefoucault, in the archbishoprick (sic) of Rouen, ashamed of his usurpation, abdicates the archiepiscopal dignity. Violent decree against emigrants; the King opposes his veto to it. The King refuses his assent also to another equally violent decree, for the banishment of all the catholic priests who had not taken the oath prescribed. Guimper, the first constitutional see, is taken possession of by D'Expilly, an ex-constituent, _i.e_. a member of the last assembly,