The
parliament has enregistered the edict for a rigorous levy of the _deux
vingtiemes_. As this was proposed by the King in lieu of the _impot
territorial_, there is no doubt now, that the latter, with the stamp
tax, will be immediately repealed. There can be no better proof of the
revolution in the public opinion, as to the powers of the monarch,
and of the force, too, of that opinion. Six weeks ago, we saw the King
displaying the plenitude of his omnipotence, as hitherto conceived, to
enforce these two acts. At this day, he is forced to retract them by the
public voice; for as to the opposition of the parliamemt, that body is
too little esteemed to produce this effect in any case, where the public
do not throw themselves into the same scale.
I have the honor to be, with the most perfect esteem and respect, Sir,
your most obedient and most humble servant,
Th: Jefferson.
LETTER XCV.--TO JOHN JAY, September 22, 1787
TO JOHN JAY.
Paris, September 22, 1787.
Sir,
When I had the honor of addressing you this morning, intelligence
was handing about, which I did not think well enough authenticated to
communicate to you.
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