MACHAULT D'ARNOUVILLE (Louis, Charles de). - Lot 192

MACHAULT D'ARNOUVILLE (Louis, Charles de). Born in Paris, 1737—died in 1820. Prelate. Bishop of Amiens from 1774 to 1791. Deputy of the clergy to the Estates-General of 1789. Letter signed “Machault,” addressed to M. de Boullongne. Fontainebleau, October 7, 1779 (date to be specified). 1/2 page, small quarto. Collection stamp. Short administrative letter concerning a transfer of funds. Machault asks his correspondent “to issue, for my first task, a bearer’s order for 140…,” providing insight into financial practices and payment procedures on the eve of the Revolution. An interesting document for the history of the clergy and the financial administration of the Ancien Régime, issued by a prelate who was called upon to play a political role during the Estates-General of 1789.