BOUCHAUD (Mathieu-Antoine).

Theory of trade treaties between nations. Paris, widow Duchesne, 1777. In-12, red morocco, triple fillet and fleurons at the corners, coat of arms in the centre, spine decorated, inner lace, gilt edges (period binding). First edition. The work, inspired by the Manuel des politiques of the abbé de Mably, contains numerous observations on the legal rules to be respected in maritime trade and in exchanges between nations. Several chapters deal with race warfare, naval plunder and the means of enforcing international trade treaties, whether by force or diplomacy. The jurisconsult Mathieu-Antoine Bouchaud (1719-1804), professor of law at the Collège royal and the École militaire, contributed articles on jurisprudence and canon law to the Encyclopédie. Copy in red morocco with the coat of arms of Antoine-Jean Amelot de Chaillou, then secretary of state to the King's household. Maître des requêtes and then president of the Grand Conseil, Antoine-Jean Amelot de Chaillou (1732-1795) was intendant of Burgundy from 1764 to 1775, intendant of Finances in 1774, then head of the King's Household from 1776 to 1783. He was also an honorary member of the Academy of Sciences, which he chaired in 1779, and of the Academy of Inscriptions and Belles-Lettres. Suspected in 1792, he was arrested and taken with his family to the Luxembourg prison, where he died three years later. From the library of Ignace-Bernard-Joseph Bonnier du Metz (1733-1794), treasurer of France in Lille from 1758 to 1789, with armorial bookplate engraved by Merché and printed in blue. Slight scuffing to the second board and some minor rubbing to the corners and spines.