Discours Prononces a L'Assemblee des Notables, Tenue a Versailles le 22 Fevrier 1787 [bound with] Collection des Memoires Presentes a L'Assemblee des Notables

Versailles: De L'Imprimerie de Ph.-D. Pierres, 1787. 1st Edition . Hardcover. Very Good. 12mo - over 6¾ - 7¾" tall. 2 volumes in 1. 37; viii, 141, [1], 8 pp. Two folding tables in second work. (8vo) 20x12.5 cm (7¾x5") period full mottled calf, spine gilt, red leather lettering piece. First Editions. The final appearance of the Assembly of Notables began in February 1787 in the reign of Louis XVI. During the reign of Louis XVI, France¿s finances were in a desperate situation and French Finance Ministers in this period all believed that tax reform was necessary if France was to pay off its debt and bring government expenditure back into line with government income. While the an Assembly of Notables had no legislative power in its own right, Calonne hoped that if the Assembly of Notables could be made to support the proposed reforms then this would apply pressure on parliament to register them. The plan failed, as the 144 Notables who made up the Assembly included Princes of the Blood, archbishops, nobles and other people from privileged positions in society, and they did not wish to bear the burden of increased taxation. Condition: Some light wear to binding; light foxing; very good.