On offer are two excellent manuscript letters, which are examples of correspondence related to private commercial transactions in late 18th century France. The letters are from 1768 and 1778, respectively. The 1768 document is a letter addressed to an unknown recipient. Although the handwriting is difficult to read, it is clear that the letter concerns a dispute over the collection and payment of a tax and involves the local parish priest. An excerpt from the 1768 letter follows: au suject de la cotites de la dixeme et de la maniere de la payer de particulierre quelle etait entre lui et Le Sieur Cure. [Translation: on the subject of the contribution of the tenth and the way of paying it in particular which was between him and Monsieur Le Cure [the Parish Priest]] The letter is signed by one Filhiou de Lacour. Our informal research has not been able to discover any biographical detail about him. The letter ends with an addendum in which it is noted (apparently by de Lacour himself), that monies owed have been paid. Ten years later, Monsieur de Lacour appears again, this time with a letter to the Count de La Garde. The La Garde family lived in the Auvergne region of south-central France. In the letter, de Lacour confirms a debt of 2,400 livre (pounds) is due and has subsequently been paid. This sum, 2,400 livres, is a substantial sum of money at that time, equal to 5-6 years income for an ordinary worker. Considering the sum, it is reasonable to assume that de Lacour is either a wealthy merchant or a minor member of the nobility. The tone of the letter is formal and very cordial suggesting that these men are personally acquainted. An excerpt of the 1778 letter follows: Conforment a le que j'ai l'honneur de vous escrire je vous envoye lettre dechange de 2400 payables partout Le Canran. J'espere quelles vous sera exatement acquitea je vous prie de vouloir Bien M'enauiser La Reception dacort quelle vous sera parvenue enffin que je puise m'enparer de Monsieur Le Comte de la garde qui ma dit etre charges des regles mes comptes. [Translation: In accordance with what I have the honor to write you I send you letter of exchange of 2400 payable everywhere in Le Canran. I hope that you will be properly paid and I beg you to kindly acknowledge the receipt of the money which will have reached you so that I can get in touch with Monsieur Le Comte de la Garde who told me that he is in charge of settling my accounts...] Note: Is is important to note that spelling and punctuation rules in French, as in English, were a lot less formal centuries ago than they are today. For a social historian, these letters are classic examples of the social graces that were accepted as part and parcel of the way of doing business among the more educated and the upper classes in France in the 18th century. This first letter (1768) is a double-sided letter that measures 8.75 inches by 6.75 inches. There is some feathering and small chipping along one edge. Otherwise, the page is in good condition. The second (1778), is also a double-sided letter, measures 9.5 inches by 7.25 inches. It too has feathering around the edges but otherwise is in good condition. The handwriting is fairly legible on both letters.
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