PAS-DE-CALAIS. Principality and Châtellenie of CARVIN-ÉPINOY - Lot 410

PAS-DE-CALAIS. Principality and Châtellenie of CARVIN-ÉPINOY. Letter from Mr. DESOUR MESTRAUX D’HOLLEBECQUE, rue des Jésuites in LILLE (Nord), March 1, 1801, addressed to Citizen VANDENBROUCK, rue de la Monnaie, in Ghent, Department of the Scheldt. 2 pages, in-8°: “Sir, I was deeply moved by the event that restored to the Princess of GUÉMÉNÉ (Victoire de ROHAN) possession of her properties; I would have very much wished that justice had been done more promptly for her, as well as for me, who found myself in the same state of distress. You are aware that a house located in the Principality of CARVIN ÉPIGNOY, built in part by my father, the Grand Bailiff of the said Principality, served as a residence for him as well as for the tax collector. This house was intended for my brother, who held the same commission, but after his death—which occurred before the Revolution—it was occupied by an administrator of the said Principality. My father and my brother always had exclusive use of the garden they created; it has belonged to me for the past four years. These facts are common knowledge and can easily be verified; I cannot bring myself to believe that you have given orders to disturb my possession. Such a course of action could be no more in the intentions of Her Highness the Princess of GUÉMÉNÉ than in your own. If I were within striking distance of you, I would present you with a claim for a life annuity of 1,600 livres owed by the Prince of Soubise and paid every six months until 1792 by Mr. de Madre des Oursins. Furthermore, I would entrust you with a claim for another life annuity owed under a contract signed by Her Highness the Princess of GUÉMÉNÉ… ” “Victoire-Armande-Josèphe de ROHAN, Princess of GUÉMÉNÉ, known as Madame de GUÉMÉNÉ (1743–1807), governess to Marie-Antoinette’s Children of France. She fell victim to the Rohan-Guéméné family’s bankruptcy and subsequently retired to the Château de VIGNY in the Val d’Oise.)