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PROPERTY OF THE NATIONAL SOCIETY OF THE COLONIAL DAMES OF AMERICA IN CALIFORNIA
LAFAYETTE, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de (1757-1834). Autograph letter signed ("Lafayette") to an unnamed recipient, Paris, 22 April 1786.
Details
LAFAYETTE, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de (1757-1834). Autograph letter signed ("Lafayette") to an unnamed recipient, Paris, 22 April 1786.
In French, three pages 228 x 185mm, bifolium, (a few spots of foxing).
Lafayette endeavors to increase trade with the United States: "Having such a head start during the war and during the peace, it would be unfortunate if the English, who started so late, got there before us." To prevent this unfortunate turn of events, Lafayette outlines a detailed exposition on the solution, beginning with the tobacco trade. He suggests a six-year tax concession in order to fill up the nation's tobacco warehouses, but then allow individual traders the freedom to compete for the purchase of this tobacco. To facilitate this, Lafayette proposes that certain cities (such as Bordeaux and Bayonne) be granted the right to purchase and warehouse tobacco. To prevent price gouging by traders he suggests fixed prices for different grades of tobacco. All of this would need to be done in a transparent manner "so as to engage the Americans with their trust." He closes by enclosing a document [not present] relating to a proposed Franco-American fur trading company, and solicits comments on the proposal. [With:] Printed invitation for a "FETE TO LA FAYETTE," [New York], 10 September, [1824]. One page 201 x 125mm, bifolium (dampstained at left). According to another example of this invitation in the collections of Lafayette College, the event was moved from Friday 10 September to Monday 13 September.
In French, three pages 228 x 185mm, bifolium, (a few spots of foxing).
Lafayette endeavors to increase trade with the United States: "Having such a head start during the war and during the peace, it would be unfortunate if the English, who started so late, got there before us." To prevent this unfortunate turn of events, Lafayette outlines a detailed exposition on the solution, beginning with the tobacco trade. He suggests a six-year tax concession in order to fill up the nation's tobacco warehouses, but then allow individual traders the freedom to compete for the purchase of this tobacco. To facilitate this, Lafayette proposes that certain cities (such as Bordeaux and Bayonne) be granted the right to purchase and warehouse tobacco. To prevent price gouging by traders he suggests fixed prices for different grades of tobacco. All of this would need to be done in a transparent manner "so as to engage the Americans with their trust." He closes by enclosing a document [not present] relating to a proposed Franco-American fur trading company, and solicits comments on the proposal. [With:] Printed invitation for a "FETE TO LA FAYETTE," [New York], 10 September, [1824]. One page 201 x 125mm, bifolium (dampstained at left). According to another example of this invitation in the collections of Lafayette College, the event was moved from Friday 10 September to Monday 13 September.