CHRISTINE DE FRANCE, Duchess of Savoy (Paris 1606 - Turin 1663) Daughter of King Henri IV and Marie de Médicis, she married Victor Amédée 1er in 1615, on whose death she exercised the regency, and energetically resisted the ambitions of France - Letter signed "Votre très bonne amie CHRESTIENNE", from CHAMBÉRY (Savoy) June 10, 1640, to Baron d'Hugues. 1 page (33 x 22.5 cm). "I have learned that you had 28 bales of merchandise arrested under the pretext that they wanted to be taken to Cuneo (Cuneo, Italy). I have ordered those to whom they belong to give sufficient security to represent them whenever they are required to do so, in return for which I ask you to return them since the Officers of Justice are responsible for taking cognizance of this cause, and as far as your interests are concerned, in particular the Pistole which must be delivered to you each day, there is no difficulty, as you will please me not to bring any, in leaving the trade free in the Valley of Barcelonne (BARCELONNETTE, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence) which is the principal means they have for their subsistence given the poverty of the said Valley; this is what I promise you, with all my heart.