Encyclopædia americana. A popular dictionary of arts, sciences, literature, history, politics and biography, a new ed.; including a copious collection of original articles in American biography; on the basis of the 7th ed. of the German Conversations-lexicon. Ed. by Francis Lieber, assisted by E. Wigglesworth ...

CALMIUCS-CA LONNE. 417
been formed into a distinct horde, later begun before himn. According to his estithan the other Calmue branches. In the mate, the government had, from 1776 to
very beginning, they separated from the 1786, borrowed 1250 millions. The anrestless Soongars, and settled on the nual deficit amounted, however, to 115
WVolga; for which reason, the Russians, millions. This, nevertheleess, was to be
to whom they submitted in 1616, called reduced, in 1797, to 55 millions. To this
them the Wolgacic Calmnucs. But, the end, the revenues of the state, which
oppression of the Russian government might then amount to 475 millions, should
having excited dissatisfaction among have been increased to 590 millions. C.'s
them, they returned to Soongary in 1770, first operations were calculated only fbr'
land put themselves under the Chinese the moment; the national debt rested on
protection. Here, however, strict incas- no good security. To provide t-is, the
ures were at first adopted against them. only means was a new system of taxation,
All these different tribes were formerly, and C. proposed it. His two principal
or are at present, under the rule of their instruments were a general land-tax, payown khans, who are tributary to the gov- able in kind, and an increase of' tlhe
ernment under which the horde lives. stamp-tax. Since, however, it was lbreThere is also a colony of baptized Cal- seen, that the execution of a plan whicil
mniics, to which the Russian government called for sacrifices from the two hligihest
has granted a fertile territory, with the ranks of the nation, till this time unheard
city Stavropol, in the Orenberg district of, would nleet wxith imuch opposition
of the government Ufa. This colony has from them, and yet a general assemnbly
been much augcmented of late. In the of the states seemed too dangerous, C.
same district, there is likewise a small chose a middle course, which seenied to
colony of Mohammledan Cantlucs, forrned be favorable to the accomplishment of his
of proselytes which the 1Kirghises have design. He proposed an assembly of the
nade and received among themselves. notables, chosen from thle most respectable
CALOMIEL. (See &Iercury.) members of the two first orders, the magisCALONNE, Charles Alexander de, born trates and the heads of the most important
in 1734, at Douai, w-vhere his father was nmunicipalities. On the 22d of Februarmy,
first president of the parliament, stu(lied 1787, tle notables held their first session
at Paris, devoted himlself to the duties of at Versailles. The report of the minister
an advocate at Artois, went as attorney- of finance was impatiently expected. He
general (procuuee'r geinh'al) to the parlia- delivered it with all the ability of which
ment of' Douai, and was, in 1763, ap- he was capable; but this could not dipointed maitre des requites, in 1768, minish the ill impression of' his explanaintendant of MJetz, and afterwards of tions. The deficit of 115 millions was
Lille. This was his situation on the greater than had been feared. C. traced
death of Louis XV. The minister Mau- the origin of this from the adminiistration
repas, returning from a long exile, had of Terray; asserted that it amounted then
placed successively in the office of min- to 40 millions; that, from 1776 to 1783, it
ister of finance, Turgot and Necker, had increased about as much more; and,
Fleury and Ormesson. In November, at last, confessed that he himself had in1783, after the death of iMaurepas, they creased it about 35 millions fiom that
were succeeded by C., who found the fi- time till 1786. Lafayette appeared at th,
nances already in disorder. Besides the head of those numerous complainants
loans and the arrears accumulated under who now canme forward against C.; but
preceding ministers, 176 millions had been the king seemed, at first, to support his
raisedin advance. C. concealed his embar- minister. The keeper of the great seal,
rassment, and assumed an appearance as if C.'s constant adversary, was dismrissed.
all was well. He despised the expedient of This triumph was, however, of short duretrenchment, paid the instalments which ration. Independently of the friends of
were due, supported the public paper by Lafayette and Necker, a third party came
secret advances of money, hastened the forward against him-that party which
payment of the interest of the public debt, brought into the ministry the archbishop
rnmade great improvements in the farming of Toulouse, Lom6nie-Brienne. Tlhe
of the royal monopolies and of the public court was alarmed at the delays of the
lands, established the credit of the caisse assembly of the notables, and the ferment
d'escompte, projected a sinking-fund, and which it excited. C. was deprived of his
undertook a new coinage of gold money, office, and banished to Lorraine. Thence
as if no difficulties existed. At first, he he went to England, where he received a
followed the system of loans, which was flattering invitation from the empress