ARREST DU CONSEIL D'ESTAT, DU VINGT-CINQUIÉME NOVEMBRE 1671. PAR LEQUEL IL EST ORDONNÉ QUE LES MARCHANDISES QUI SERONT CHARGÉES EN FRANCE, POUR ESTRE PORTÉES DANS LES ISLES DE L'AMERIQUE, SERONT EXEMPTES DE TOUTS DROITS DE SORTIES...[caption title]

[Paris, 1671. 3pp. Quarto, on a folded folio sheet. Some light foxing. Contemporary inscription. Very good. In an attempt to encourage the commerce of the early French colonies in the West Indies, this act declares that no export duty is to be charged on goods shipped to America, as long as the merchants bring back within six months certificates showing these have been landed in America. The certificates are to be signed by the "Sieur Pelissier, l'un des Fermiers de Sa Majeste, ou du Sieur du Ruau Palu, Agent de la Compagnie de Indes Occidentales." This is a variant of Wroth 132, of which only one copy is known. OCLC locates just one copy, at the University of Oxford. Rare.

From the library of Cardinal Étienne Charles de Loménie de Brienne (1727-94), Minister of Louis XVI, Archbishop of Toulouse and of Sens. A friend of Voltaire and a member of the Académie Française, Brienne wielded significant power as head of the Finance Ministry, which earned him many enemies. He died in prison during the French Revolution, despite having renounced Catholicism in 1793 (presumably as an attempt to save his life). WROTH, ACTS OF FRENCH ROYAL ADMINISTRATION 132 (ref). MAGGS, FRENCH COLONISATION OF AMERICA 25. OCLC 57209437 (Inventory #: WRCAM26670)