Louis XIV - Le Tellier – 4-page Letter Signed “louis” - 1660

Handwritten letter signed "Louis" (signature of the King's secretary), written under the dictation of Michel Le Tellier (1603-1685), Minister of State and Secretary of State for War under Louis XIV, dated 1660. One quarto page (35 × 21 cm) in brown ink, addressed to an officer. Firm and precise text, revealing the minister's characteristic administrative style. The content concerns military matters related to the reorganization of troops on the eve of the major campaigns of the reign. In 1660, while the marriage of Louis XIV in Saint-Jean-de-Luz and the Treaty of the Pyrenees marked the consolidation of peace with Spain, Michel Le Tellier was already working to structure the kingdom's military apparatus. This piece offers a rare testimony to the governmental correspondence of the nascent reign of Louis XIV, illustrating the functioning of royal power and the delegation of authority to his secretaries of state. Beautiful state of conservation: well-preserved paper, legible brown ink. Historical document of great interest, emanating from the heart of the monarchical administration. Full text: Statement of the expenditure that the King wants and intends to be made by the Treasurer General of the Extraordinary of Wars, according to the orders of Mr. Le Tellier de la Cluse, for the maintenance of a company of twenty-two men on horseback, carabins, serving as guard near the person of the Marquis de La Rocheposay, lieutenant general for His Majesty in the government of Upper and Lower Languedoc and Upper Dauphiné, and this for the satisfaction of the commissioners who made the monsters and reviews, and approved the counts of said 1659, as follows. First, a company of twenty-two mounted men serving as guard for the person of the Marquis de La Rocheposay, lieutenant general, with captain, lieutenant, cornet and company, the sum of seven hundred and forty sous each, four sols, for their pay and maintenance per month, at the rate of salaries which amount to: a captain, a lieutenant, a cornet and twenty carabines, including the sergeant, at the rate of six hundred and forty livres per month. Remaining from the aforementioned salaries for six months, the year one thousand six hundred and sixty. Plus, the sum of approximately two thousand nine hundred and forty livres in ammunition and maintenance of horses, the sum of eighteen thousand two hundred livres. In addition, to the account of the Lord of Cluse, for the pay orders made to the said Lord of La Rocheposay for the year one thousand six hundred and sixty. For the expenses of the treasurer, at the rate of three percent per livre, the sum of five hundred and forty-six livres. Total sum of the expenses contained in the present state: twenty thousand seven hundred and forty-six pounds. And for the execution of which sum of twenty thousand seven hundred and forty-six pounds will be paid by the Lord of Cluse, to the ordinances and summons of the King, following the declaration of the Council. Done in Paris, this month of August one thousand six hundred and sixty.