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I had every reason to be gratified with the Duc de Richelieu's civility to me, an entire stranger to him; and in an audience with which he favoured me, he displayed more knowledge of financial and political subjects than I had expected.

3. THE DUC DECAZES.

This Minister distinguished himself among all the eminent public characters that France has recently produced, by an anxiety to promote the national industry. He was not only a friend to manufactures, commerce, and to agriculture, but he likewise patronized literature and the arts, and, in short, was a thorough statesman. Being induced to send him a copy of my Code of Agriculture, I received, in return, the following communication:

MONSIEUR*,

J'ai reçu votre lettre, en date du 1r Mars courant, et l'exemplaire de votre Code d'Agriculture, dont elle est accompagné.

Je prendrai connoissance avec un veritable intérêt de cet important ouvrage, dont je me propose de faire traduire les parties qui peuvent interesser l'industrie agricole de la France.

that fed the flame. Experience has already proved, that, the capital excepted, any other circulating medium than a metallic currency, however willingly it might be adopted, could have no success in France. The French Bank has vainly tried to establish discount branches at Lyons, at Rouen, and at Lisle. We must content ourselves with our existing means of circulation.

I am not the less grateful for the trouble you have taken; and I beg you to accept my thanks, along with the assurance of the very distinguished regard with which I have the honour to be your very humble and very obedient servant, RICHELIEU.

SIR,

* Translation.

I have received your letter, dated the 1st of March, and the copy of your Code of Agriculture by which it is accompanied.

I shall, with real satisfaction, make myself acquainted with this important work, and shall cause such parts to be translated as may prove most interesting to the agricultural industry of France.

Votre réputation, Monsieur, et les services que vous avez rendus à ce premier des arts, m'étaient parfaitement connus. Je recevrai, avec reconnaissance, toutes les communications que vous voudrez bien me transmettre; et je m'empresserai de vous faire connoitre, en retour, tout ce que pourra être fait dans notre pays, pour l'amelioration d'un art si eminemment utile à l'humanité, et aux progres duquel vous avez consacré de si louables travaux. J'ai l'honneur, &c.

(Signé)

Le Cte DECAZES.

Paris, 17. Mars 1819.

This able Minister unfortunately failed in his attempts to establish a constitutional government in France, and was compelled to resign his office. He soon afterwards retired to his country residence, and wisely dedicated himself to the pursuits of agriculture.

4.- THE COUNT DE VILLELE.

In a popular assembly, those who are possessed of a talent for eloquence, if they conduct themselves with common prudence, will always acquire distinction and power; but the Count de Villele was not only an able speaker, but a real statesman, and deeply conversant with the arcana of politics. When the British Government wished to establish the prin

Your reputation, Sir, and the services which you have rendered to this first of arts, were perfectly well known to me. I shall receive, with gratitude, all the communications you may have the goodness to transmit to me; and, in return, I shall most readily impart to you whatever may be done, in our country, for the amelioration of an art so eminently useful to humanity, and to the progress of which you have devoted such laudable exertions.

I have the honour to offer you the assurance of my most distinguished consideration.

(Signed)

THE COUNT DECAZES.

Dated, Paris, 17th March 1819.

ciples of free trade, he strongly objected to the doctrines on which they acted, as at least inapplicable to the state of France; and, in a speech to the Chamber of Deputies, stated his opinions with a degree of ability and force that has been rarely equalled *.

From his known zeal for agricultural improvement and statistical information, I was induced to inform the Count, that a most respectable author, Monsieur Cordier, proposed translating the Analysis of my Statistical Account of Scotland, and was anxious to have it published under the auspices of so distinguished a minister. A translation of his answer I subjoin, Ι having sent the original to Monsieur Cordier:

SIR,

Paris, 23d December 1824.

I have received the letter by which you do me the honour to announce to me the intention which you entertain to publish, in an abridged form, the great statistical work which you drew up in regard to Scotland some years ago. You inform me, at the same time, that M. Cordier, principal engineer of bridges and roads in the department of the north, is preparing to give a French translation of this analytical abridgment.

You have, at the same time, the kindness to add, that you would attach some value to its appearing under my auspices.

I cannot but feel very highly flattered, Sir, by the wish which you express on this occasion, and I should have great pleasure in seeing my name appear at the head of the translation made by M. Cordier, since it is intended to naturalize amongst us a work, undertaken from useful views, and which is recommended, by anticipation, to the attention of all enlightened men, by the reputation of its author.

Receive, Sir, the assurance of my distinguished esteem.

(Signed) The Minister Secretary of State for COUNT DE VILLELE.

the Finances.

* For an account of this celebrated Speech, see the Appendix, No. 2.

5. THE COUNT DE VAUBLANC.

This Minister was possessed of considerable talents, but was more of a courtier than a statesman. As he was a man of gallantry, his levees were attended by both sexes; and he had established it as a rule, that females who came alone were first admitted;―next any distinguished foreigners,—and then any females who were accompanied by their husbands. In the course of an audience with which he favoured me, I mentioned to him the great advantage that Scotland had derived from its paper currency, and offered to procure for him the charter granted to the Bank, and some account of its constitution and forms of proceedings; of which offer a memorandum was taken. He was soon afterwards dismissed; but that memorandum being found in the office, his successor became extremely anxious to obtain the information I had mentioned, and, in the name of his successor, a letter was written to me by Monsieur Becquey, one of the ablest men in France, then Under Secretary of State, applying for it.

[Ministère de l'Intérieur, 3e Division, Bureau du Commerce. Renseignemens offres sur la Banque d'Ecosse, &c. No. 7988.]

Paris, le 5. Juin 1816.

MONSIEUR LE CHEVALIER

,

J'accepte avec empressement l'offre que vous voulez bien faire d'adresser à Monsieur le Ministre de l'Intérieur, les ren

SIR,

* Translation.

I accept with pleasure the offer, which you are so kind as to make, of addressing to the Minister of the Interior, the information regarding the constitution of the Bank of Scotland, and other private banks, which you had promised to his predecessor. I feel all the value of such communications, accompanied by the observations of so distinguished an author. I request that you will be pleased to transmit to our Ambassador in London, the different communications which you may have the goodness to intend for his Excellency.

Receive, Sir, the assurance of my most distinguished consideration, &c.

seignemens sur les statuts de la Banque d'Ecosse et autres banques particulieres, que vous aviez promis à son prédecesseur. Je sens tout le prix de pareilles communications, accompagnées des observations d'un écrivain aussi distingué. Je vous prie de vouloir bien remettre à notre Ambassadeur à Londres les diverses informations que vous avez la bonté de destiner à son Excellence.

Agréez, Monsieur, l'assurance de ma considération la plus distingué.

Le Sous Secrétaire d'Etat au Département de l'Intérieur, BECQUEY.

It appears from M. Becquey's letter, that the business of the Secretary of State for the home department in France is divided into several branches,—that distinct books are kept of the business of each branch,-and that every letter is regularly numbered. In this way no subject is lost sight of, and every communication that is received, can be at once referred

to.

Having sent to M. Becquey the information he requested, I received, in return, the following letter of acknowledgment:

[Ministère de l'Intérieur, 3e Division, Bureau du Commerce. Remerciments des Charters de la Banque

No. 8929.
d'Ecosse.]

MONSIEUR*,

Paris, le 5. Juillet 1816.

Je vous dois de sincères remerciments pour l'envoi des charters de la Banque d'Ecosse, et pour les lettres que vous

• Translation.

SIR,

Paris, 5th July 1816.

I owe you sincere thanks for sending me the charter of the Bank of Scotland, and for the letters of the 18th June, which you have taken the trouble to write to his Excellency the Minister of the Interior, and to myself.

The document alluded to conveys a very grand idea of the extent of the establishment, when we see the successive augmentation of its funds increased to five times the value of its original capital. But unavoidable considerations im

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