<Dl> <Dd> "We have need of a concourse of our faithful subjects, to assist us surmount all the difficulties we find relative to the state of our finances...These great motives have resolved us to convoke the assemblée des États of all the provinces under our authority ..." </Dd> </Dl> <Dd> "We have need of a concourse of our faithful subjects, to assist us surmount all the difficulties we find relative to the state of our finances...These great motives have resolved us to convoke the assemblée des États of all the provinces under our authority ..." </Dd> <P> The King promises to address the grievances of his people . The "most notable persons" of each community and judicial district are summoned "to confer and to record remonstrances, complaints, and grievances ." Elections for Deputies are to be held . He says that he intends "reform of abuse," "establishment of a fixed and durable order," and "general prosperity ." The Lettre is signed "Louis ." </P> <P> Lettres de Convocation were sent to all the provinces with the Règlement prescribing the methods of election . During the preceding autumn the Parlement of Paris, an aristocratic advisory body to the King, had decided that the organization of the convention would be the same as in 1614, the last time the Estates had met . As 175 years had gone by since then it is clear the Estates were not a functional institution in French society . By reviving them as much as possible like they had been the King and the Parlement intended to control the authority of the people . The previous Estates had voted by order; that is, the Nobles and the Clergy could together outvote the Commons by 2 to 1 . </P>

The meeting of the three estates at versailles took place in may of