Notwithstanding some bolder attempts, the death of M.de Maurepas did not seriously augment his authority.

The financial difficulties went on getting worse; on principle and from habit, the new comptroller-general, like M.de Vergennes, was favorable to the traditional maxims and practices of the old French administration; he was, however, dragged into the system of loans by the necessities of the state, as well as by the ideas impressed upon men's minds by M.Necker.

To loans succeeded imposts; the dues and taxes were increased uniformly, without regard for privileges and the burdens of different provinces; the Parliament of Paris, in the body of which the comptroller-general counted many relatives and friends, had enregistered the new edicts without difficulty; the Parliament of Besangon protested, and its resistance went so far as to place the comptroller-general on his defence.

"All that is done in my name is done by my orders," replied Louis XVI.

to the deputation from Franche-Comte.
The deputation required nothing less than the convocation of the States-general.