r:
Paulus Monroe— Sent to
Mr:
Paulus. Dined with M.
de Schubart, M. & Made: Scholten, Mr: Bielefeld. Some company that I did not
know.
The Haut conseil of which Mr: Scholten is a member is
he says a monster in the Republic. Their authority is contained in an
instruction from William the first.
They have none from the States-General. The course of judicial causes
begins in every city before the Schepens, from their decision an appeal
lies to the Court of Holland and from that Court to the Haut Conseil, in
causes of more than 600 florins value. There is another step yet in
their judicial ladder, for after these three removals there may be a revision before the judges of the two Courts and
6 other persons appointed by the Stadholder for the particular
cause.
The Grand Baillif in their Cities is a superintendant of the police, and at the same time performs the functions of a public accuser, but he has no authority as a judge. They allow no council to the accused—they have not abolished the practice of torture, and indeed their criminal jurisprudence is much in need of reforms
At Amsterdam the principal legislative authority resides in a council or assembly composed of the burgomasters, and Old Schepens, not in the Vroetschap.
The best work upon the commerce of the Country is a book in french,
entitled richesse de la Hollande by Elie Luzac.
The Baron de Schubart has nothing characteristic in his manners, but complaisance, and apparent goodness of disposition.— Is a great admirer of Rousseau. Says his Lady who is absent, admires him still more.— Says he is a believer in the equality of men. And thinks that the french revolution will have no ill effect upon the authority of kings, who conduct themselves well.
Baron Bielefeld has to appearance more literature than any other man I have met among the diplomatics, except M. D’Araujo. He has read most of the publications of the controversies, which have become so important at the present day. He appears also to be no enemy to the principles of equality— But these principles have supported themselves so well upon the ground of force, that those the most interested against them, no longer venture to oppose their progress. Mirabeau, says Bielefeld wrote but a small part of the works attributed to him; and particularly very little of the History of the Prussian. He says he is ashamed to acknowledge that the Academy of Berlin, crown’d Rivarol’s discourse on the universality of the french language—