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Clarkson, Thomas, 1760-1846

"The History of the Rise, Progress and Accomplishment of the Abolition of the African Slave Trade by the British Parliament (1808) Volume II"

And Messieurs de Roveray and Du Monde, two Genevese
gentlemen at Versailles, men of considerable knowledge and interest, and
who had heard of our intended meeting, were to join us at their own
request. The place chosen was the house of the Bishop of Chartres at
Versailles.
I was now in hope that I should soon bring the question to some issue; and
on the fourth of October I went to dine with the Bishop of Chartres to fix
the day. We appointed the seventh. But how soon, frequently, do our
prospects fade! From the conversation which took place at dinner, I began
to fear that our meeting would not be realized. About three days before,
the officers of the Guard du Corps had given the memorable banquet,
recorded in the annals of the revolution, to the officers of the regiment
of Flanders which then lay at Versailles. This was a topic, on which the
company present dwelt. They condemned it as a most fatal measure in these
heated times; and were apprehensive, that something would grow immediately
out of it, which might endanger the King's safety. In passing afterwards
through the streets of Versailles my fears increased. I met several of that
regiment in groups.


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