The Correspondence of Thomas Jefferson
By Subject
FRANCE / REVOLUTION
I have hoped this country would settle her internal disputes
advantageously and without bloodshed. As yet none has been spilt,
though the British newspapers give the idea of a general civil war.
Hitherto, I had supposed both the King and parliament would lose
authority, and the nation gain it, through the medium of its States
General and provincial Assemblies, but the arrest of the deputies of
Bretagne two days ago, may kindle a civil war. Its issue will depend
on two questions. 1. Will other provinces rise? 2. How will the army
conduct itself? A stranger cannot predetermine these questions. Happy
for us that abuses have not yet become patrimonies, and that every
description of interest is in favor of national and moderate
government. That we are yet able to send our wise and good men
together to talk over our form of government, discuss its weaknesses
and establish its remedies with the same
sang-froid as they would a subject of agriculture. The example
we have given to the world is single, that of changing our form of
government under the authority of reason only, without bloodshed.
to Mr. Izard, 17 July 1788
|