BAILLY JEAN SYLVAIN: (1736-1793)

BAILLY JEAN SYLVAIN: (1736-1793) French Mathematician, Astronomer and the first Mayor of the city of Paris. Bailly was guillotined for his participation in the Champ de Mars massacre. A rare and very clean A.L.S., Bailly, one page, 8vo, Chaillot, Paris, 3rd May 1788, to Monsieur Guillaumot, in French. Bailly addresses the present letter to Guillaumot, architect and intendant in charge of the King´s buildings and states in part ` Vous m'avez fait l'honneur de me mander, Monsieur, qu'à la fin d'avril, vous seriez en état de nous donner une réponse positive sur Ste Anne. On m'assure que vous êtes maintenant sûr qu'on peut faire usage de ce terrain en disposant les bâtiments sur les parties reconnues pour bonnes ou solides, je prends la liberté de vous demander la confirmation de cette bonne nouvelle. Si elle est vraie, comme je le crois, nous pourrons avoir incessamment le plaisir d'y voir les ouvriers…´("You made me the honour of telling me, Sir, that at the end of April you would be in a position to give us a positive answer on St Anne. I am assured that you are now sure that we can make use of this land by situating the buildings on the parts which are recognized as good or solid, I take the liberty of asking you for confirmation of this good new. If it is true, as I believe it is so, we may have the pleasure of seeing the workers incessantly there…") With address leaf in Bailly´s hand, bearing a red wax seal with his initials, in very fine condition. VG