But
the minorities are too respectable, not to be entitled to some sacrifice
of opinion in the majority; especially, when a great proportion of them
would be contented with a bill of rights. Here, things internally, are
going on well. The _Notables_ now in session, have, indeed, passed one
vote, which augurs ill to the rights of the people; but if they do not
obtain now so much as they have a right to, they will in the long
run. The misfortune is, that they are not yet ripe for receiving the
blessings to which they are entitled. I doubt, for instance, whether
the body of the nation, if they could be consulted, would accept of
a _habeas corpus_ law, if offered them by the King. If the _Etats
Generaux_, when they assemble, do not aim at too much, they may begin
a good constitution. There are three articles which they may easily
obtain; 1. their own meeting, periodically; 2. the exclusive right of
taxation; 3. the right of registering laws and proposing amendments to
them, as exercised now by the parliaments. This last would be readily
approved by the court, on account of their hostility against the
parliaments, and would lead immediately to the origination of laws:
the second has been already solemnly avowed by the King; and it is well
understood, there would be no opposition to the first.
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