In 1789 , at the start of the French Revolution , he was sent as a deputy to the Estates-General that soon became the National Constituent Assembly , he became well lknown for some of his speeches , particularly one supporting capital punishment . In 1789 , at the opening of the French Revolution , he was sent as a deputy to the Estates-General that soon became the National Constituent Assembly , where he acquired some limited fame , particularly for a public speech in defense of capital punishment .