" They further engaged, on the same
day, that the sum necessary for the year 1791 should be forthwith
determined.
In this resolution they admit it their duty to show distinctly the
expense of the above objects which, by other resolutions, they had
before engaged should be first in the order of provision. They admit
that they ought to show the estate clear and disengaged of all
charges, and that they should show it immediately. Have they done this
immediately, or at any time? Have they ever furnished a rent-roll of
the immovable estates, or given in an inventory of the movable effects
which they confiscate to their assignats? In what manner they can
fulfill their engagements of holding out to public service "an
estate disengaged of all charges" without authenticating the value
of the estate or the quantum of the charges, I leave it to their
English admirers to explain. Instantly upon this assurance, and
previously to any one step toward making it good, they issue, on the
credit of so handsome a declaration, sixteen millions sterling of
their paper. This was manly. Who, after this masterly stroke, can
doubt of their abilities in finance? But then, before any other
emission of these financial indulgences, they took care at least to
make good their original promise!- If such estimate either of the
value of the estate or the amount of the encumbrances has been made,
it has escaped me.
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