The annual revenue of France, before the Revolution, was said to be 585,000,000 of livres, or 24,375,000 pounds sterling. Of which sum the clergy possessed 130,000,000 of livres. The annual balance of trade in favour of France, was 70,000,000 of livres. The gold and silver supposed to be in circulation 2,000,000,000 of livres, and the annual increase of it 40,000,000 more.
The annual expences of France 610,000,000 livres, or 25,416,666_l._ 13_s._ 4_d._ sterling. The annual income 24,375,000_l._ The nation run in debt 1,041,666_l._ 13_s._ 4_d._ _per annum_.
A GENERAL STATEMENT _of the Expences, Incomes, &c. stands thus_:
Expences for collecting taxes 58,000,000 2,416,666 13 4 Annual of importations 230,000,000 9,583,333 6 8 Ditto of exportations 300,000,000 12,500,000 0 0 Ditto of balance of commerce 70,000,000 2,916,666 6 8 An. int. of the national debt 207,000,000 8,625,000 0 0 Annual charge of the army 124,650,000 5,193,750 0 0 Ditto of the navy 45,200,000 1,883,333 6 8 The amount of the taxes, &c. 585,000,000 24,375,000 0 0 Annual expences of the state 610,000,000 25,416,666 13 4 Gold and silver coin 2,200,000,000 91,666,666 13 4 Supposed annual increase 40,000,000 1,666,666 13 4 National debt 3,400,000,000 141,666,666 13 4 ------------------------------ May 1, 1779, National expen. 475,294,000 Revenue 431,533,000 ----------- Nation fell in debt 43,761,000 ===========
_The Constitution of_ France _changed from Monarchy to Democracy.--The Number and Power of the National Assembly.--The King is only an executive Officer.--A Decree of the National Assembly.--Titles of Nobility abolished._
Having in the preceding chapter given an account of the constitution and government of France before the Revolution, let us consider, in the next place, of the present constitution and government of that kingdom.
1. That the constitution is changed from monarchy to democracy; that the legislative powers are taken from the king, and vested in the people.
2. That the kingdom is divided into eighty grand divisions, and subdivided into seven hundred and twenty commonalities and 6480 cantons.
3. That each commonality is empowered to send one representative to the National Assembly.
4. That the National Assembly is composed of seven hundred and twenty members, when the whole are convened.