The districts (_generalites_) of Grenoble, Montauban, and Moulins claimed the same privilege.

The parliaments were wroth to see this assault upon their power.

Louis XVI.
had hesitated a long while before authorizing the attempt.

"The presidents-born, the councillors, the members of the states-districts (_pays d'etats_), do not add to the happiness of Frenchmen in the districts which are under their administration," wrote the king in his marginal notes to M.Necker's scheme.

"Most certainly Brittany, with its states, is not happier than Normandy which happens to be without them.
The most just and most natural among the powers of the parliaments is that of hanging robbers of the finances.