Beautiful Pre-Revolutionary 1777 French Diplomatic Correspondence

On offer is a fine example of diplomatic correspondence in late 18th century France

The letter was written by the Danish Vice-Consul, Pierre Jean Vanbougwerss, to the Intendant of the Generalite or Region of La Rochelle.

In his beautifully written letter, he objects to the imposition of a tax:

Suplie Humblement Pierre Jean Vanbougwerss Vice-Consul de sa Majeste Le Roy de Danemark, disant avoir ete comprin a l'imposition de la capitation de l'annee mille sept cent soixante six pour la somme de trente six livres dix huits sols.

[Translation: Humbly complies Pierre Jean Vanboogwerss Vice-Consul of his Majesty the King of Denmark, saying to have been included in the imposition of the tax of the year one thousand seven hundred and sixty six for the sum of thirty six livres ten eight sols.]

Further in his letter, he refers to 2 senior French administrators to bolster his case:

Ce qui ne peut le regarder touissant du a Commission de Vice Consul depuis le 21 Novembre 1775 dans laquelle il a ete Confirme par un ordre du Roy contresigne par Monseigneur De Sartine et vise par Monsiegneur le Duc Depenthievre le tout duement en registre au Gresse de l'admiraute (sic) ainsi qua celui de l'hotel de ville de cette ville

[Translation: That cannot consider it still due to the Commission of Vice-Consul since November 21, 1775 in which it was confirmed by an order of the King countersigned by Monseigneur De Sartine and viewed by Monsiegneur the Duke Depenthievre the whole dutifully in register to the Gresse of the admiraute (should be ‘admiralty’) as well as that of the city hall of this city..]

His letter must have been persuasive at the following note is appended to the bottom of the letter:

En responce a la fus ditte requeste je la este rendu un ordennance de M. Meulan D'Ablois Intendant de cette Generalitte en datte du 29 Janvier 1778 No 176 Exercisee de 1776 par laquelle je me decharge cela capitation...

[Translation: In answer to the aforementioned request I was given an order by Mr. Meulan D'Ablois Intendant of the Region dated January 29, 1778 No. 176 Exercised of 1776 by which I discharge myself of that tax.]

The form mentions 2 very senior French officials – specifically Antoine de Sartine and the Duke of Penthievre.

Sartine was a French stateman who also served as the Lieutenant General of the Paris Police. He was responsible for much more than the police however, his duties encompassing many aspects of municipal management such as food supplies, public health and hygiene and street cleaning. For 15 years, between 1759 and 1774, he was the real power in Paris. He built a secret service that became the envy of and a model for state secret services across Europe. Louis Jean Marie de Bourbon was the grandson of Louis XIV and was one of the wealthiest men in Europe.

For a historian, this beautifully written form touches a number of aspects of life in France in the years preceding the Revolution. From references to foreign emissaries to the head of France’s unofficial secret service to the wealthiest lord in France, this is a great addition to a collection.

The manuscript measures 15.0 inches by 9.5 inches. This very large sheet is a single-sided letter and is in excellent condition. The handwriting is quite clear.