In 1787 French Finance Minister Calonne convened an "assembly of notables," hoping to win its endorsement to increase taxes. The assembly, of which Pierre Samuel du Pont de Nemours was a member, insisted on political concessions in exchange for supporting higher taxes. During the ensuing crisis King Louis XVI dismissed Calonne and with the government at a standstill promised to convene the Estates-General in May of 1789. When the Estates-General met at Versailles the third estate boycotted the proceedings and on June 17, declared itself the national Assembly. Du Pont de Nemours played an active role in the National Assembly. As a member of the moderate Girondist faction he pressed for financial and tax reform. On August 15, 1790, he was elected president of the Assembly and served on the committees of finance, food, supply, foreign affairs, taxes, ecclesiastical affairs, and the Constitution. By early 1791 the National Assembly had become known as the Constituent Assembly since it was working on a draft constitution. With the completion of this constitution in September of 1791 it disbanded.
From the description of Verbal proceedings, 1787-1797 [microform]. (Hagley Museum & Library). WorldCat record id: 86134327
