Nobility of Blois

In the years before the revolution, the French aristocracy enjoyed many economic and political privileges, including the right to collect tithes from peasants who worked their lands. Despite their privileged position, many of the more liberal nobles were dismayed by the lack of political and civil rights afforded to the average French citizen and sought to redress the inequality. In the following viewpoint, excerpted from a letter addressed to the viscount of Beauharnois and the cavalier de Phelines, a group of nobles from the bailliage (royal court) of Blois argues that reforms are needed to ensure that all French people have the opportunity to pursue happiness. According to the aristocrats, these reforms include ending unlawful exiles and arrests, establishing a free press, creating a commission that will examine inequality in...