153 - SAINT-SIMON (Louis de Rouvroy, Duke of), 1675–1755.

SAINT-SIMON (Louis de Rouvroy, Duke of), 1675–1755. Letter from the author, “the Duke of S. Simon,” La Ferté[-Vidame], Easter Tuesday 1705 [April 11, 1705], 1 p., in-8, to Mr. Boileau. An interesting letter from the future memoirist concerning the defense of his interests and seigneurial prerogatives in La Ferté-Vidame. Saint-Simon alerts his correspondent to an administrative change that could directly affect their interests in the region. Forced to leave La Ferté in a hurry, he writes to him instead of being able to speak with him in person: ““If I were not obliged, Sir, to leave tomorrow quite unexpectedly, I would have sent for you to come and dine here [...]” He has just learned that Lieutenant General de Verneuil, a candidate for the position of subdelegate of the Alençon Intendance, had secured an agreement from Intendant d’Angervilliers to include Brézolles and its dependencies, as well as the castellany of La Ferté, within his jurisdiction. Saint-Simon is concerned about this and urges Boileau to oppose “such an unfounded innovation,” promising to take action himself. The letter is particularly indicative of the extreme attention Saint-Simon paid to his rights, jurisdictions, and prerogatives as lord of La Ferté-Vidame. His estates extended precisely into this region of the Thimerais, around La Ferté and Brézolles. Letter published in *Cahiers Saint-Simon*, no. 30, 2002, pp. 44–45, where it is listed as letter no. 11 bis, in addition to Yves Coirault’s classification. It had previously appeared in the Charavay-Castaing catalog, No. 828, October 2000, No. 46,477, and its history can even be traced back to the sale of March 22, 1847 (appraiser Charon). Accompanied by its original cultural property export certificate from the Ministry of Culture.