8.  All debts already contracted by the King, are hereby made the debts of the nation; and the faith thereof is pledged for their payment in due time.

9.  Eighty millions of livres are now granted to the King, to be raised by loan, and reimbursed by the nation:  and the taxes heretofore paid, shall continue to be paid to the end of the present year, and no longer.

10.  The States General shall now separate, and meet again on the 1st day of November next.

Done, on behalf of the whole nation, by the King and their
representatives in the States General, at Versailles, this ------ day of
June, 1789.

Signed by the King, and by every member individually, and in his presence.

LETTER CCV.—­TO THE MARQUIS DE LA FAYETTE, June 12, 1789

TO THE MARQUIS DE LA FAYETTE.

Paris, June 12, 1789.

My Dear Sir,

As I may not be able to get at you at Versailles, I write this to deliver it myself at your door.  With respect to the utility or inutility of your minority’s joining the Commons, I am unable to form an opinion for myself.  I know too little of the subject to see what may be its consequences.

I never knew an instance of the English parliament’s undertaking to relieve the poor by a distribution of bread in time of scarcity.  In fact, the English commerce is so extensive and so active, that though bread may be a little more or less plenty, there can never be an absolute failure.  The island is so narrow, that corn can be readily carried from the sea-ports to its interior parts.  But were an absolute want to happen, and were the parliament to undertake a distribution of corn, I think, that according to the principles of their government, they would only vote a sum of money, and address the King to employ it for the best.  The business is, in its nature, executive, and would require too great a variety of detail to be managed by an act of parliament.  However, I repeat it, that I never heard or read of an instance of the parliament’s interfering to give bread.  If I see you at Versailles to-day, I can be more particular.

I am with great sincerity, my dear Sir, your affectionate friend and servant,

Th:  Jefferson,

LETTER CCVI.—­TO JOHN JAY, June 17, 1789

TO JOHN JAY.

Sir

Paris, June 17, 1789.

I had the honor of addressing you on the 9th and 12th of May, by the way of London.  This goes through the same channel to the care of Mr. Trumbull.  Having received no letter from you of later date than the 25th of November, I am apprehensive that there may have been miscarriages, and the more so, as I learn, through another channel, that you have particularly answered mine of November the 19th.