Featured Interesting French Correspondence

In April 2017 my wife bought an auction lot of ephemera that has proved a constant delight to research. It comprised c3,000 items ranging from the 17thC-to late 20thC.

Some pieces were arbitrarily put in a folder marked Interesting French Correspondence, though closer examination suggest some may not be interesting and not all are French!

So, by request, I will photo the contents over the next week and post them here.

1. 1869 letter from The Prince de la Tour d'Auvergne. I note the address is Albert Gate House (French Embassy?)

 

What a beautiful script, and ceremonial terms! Far from the nowadays texting fashion

I love the term "asile des idiots"

 

But he regretfully won't be able to lay the first stone for the asile des idiots, maybe scared he will have to finish building it and be committed?
I will leave the translation to you.

 

2. Invitation from Prince Borghese

 

He was French Ambassador to the UK at the time, but the following month he was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs, a post which seemed to have rapidly revolving doors!

 

I'd like to know the story behind that first one.

 

So would I.

I'm guessing the asylum was one of two being built by the Metropolitan Asylums board in London and started in 1869 Link:http://www.workhouses.org.uk/MAB/

But why the French ambassador should be asked to lay the foundation stone, and who Wm Nicholas was, I have no clue

 

Getting harder:

3. 1830 letter from Le sous-prefet, Gourdon

 

4. 1750 (?) itemised bill/invoice

 

So interesting ... I don't know any French, except for very obvious words here and there. So, can't help with these.

 

Kyra said she'd translate, so I leave it entirely up to her. She'll see them when she gets back.

 

They might have written to several people, looking for some sort of celebrity to come to the ceremony. For the publicity of course. At that time, a French ambassador would have been socially prominent.

 

I think a receipt rather than an invoice, but I don't know for what.

 

edited to cancel first answer

 

That is a big step forward! Thank you!

 

Glad to have been of some help

 

About tobacco plantation!

It says:

OBJET: TABAC

à monsieur le maire de la ville de GRAMAT.

Monsieur, quoique la délivrance d'un permis de culture au sieur Antoine Cavalié soi l'effet d'une erreur, puisque ce planteur avait été interdit et maintenu dans cette interdiction par une décision ultérieure, vous pouvez le laisser jouir de son permis en considération de ce que la saison est trop avancée pour qu'il puisse employer sa terre à une autre culture.
mais je vous prie de bien L' avertir que la moindre contravention au règlement lui ferait appliquer une interdiction permanente.
j'ai l'honneur d'être......monsieur, votre très humble serviteur.

Translation:

SUBJECT: TOBACCO

To the Mayor of the city of GRAMAT.

Sir, although the issue of a cultivation permit to Mr. Antoine Cavalié is the effect of an error, since this planter was prohibited and maintained in this prohibition by a subsequent decision, you can let him enjoy his permit in consideration that the season is too advanced for him to use his land to another crop.
but I beg you to warn him that the slightest contravention of the regulations would make him apply a permanent ban.
I have the honor to be ...... sir, your most humble servant.

Phew... now I need a good cigarette!

 

Thank you again!

Although I have another reference to French tobacco production, it still seems odd to think of this as a French crop.

 

I have some tobacco leaves a friend gave to me after he stayed in the farmhouse of a tobacco plantation in the south of France.

 

What I find interesting is that a permit was required in 1830.

I wonder whether that is still the case?