Very rare. The circular relates to the transfer of power from French La Louisianne to Spanish Nueva España in the aftermath of the French and Indian War. It specifically concerns the cessation of free trade between France and the colony.
The order of 3 November 1751, stated that there were tax exemptions on trade in Louisiana until Spain formally took possession of her. This circular announces that Spain took control of the colony on 5 March and that merchants coming to and from Louisiana would no longer enjoy these benefits: “les marchandises destinées pour la Louisianne & celles qui en viendront ne devront plus à l’avenir jouir d’aucune éxemption & seront sujettes aux droits dûs sur tout ce qui va dans le Pays étranger, ou qui en vient …” Signed by the Directeur général des cinq grosses Fermes; the Fermes Générales was a system of tax collection under the Ancien Régime.
The reply from Lille, signed in print by the Directeur des Fermes du Roi, confirms receipt of the above and that they will collect both import and export duties on merchandise coming from, and going to, Louisiana: “en consequence ils perçevront les droits de Sortie, sur les marchandises & denrées destinées pour la Louisianne, & les droits d’Entrée sur celles provanct de cette Colonie …”
Louisiana became a Spanish colony - part of New Spain - in 1762, it was the product of secret negotiations between France and Spain at the conclusion of the French and Indian War, and was one of the terms of the Treaty of Fontainbleau. However, the transfer of ownership was slow going and hampered in part by the resisitance of French residents in New Orleans.
This circular in not located on OCLC, but preceeds a related circular held at NYPL, dated 7 August in Paris, plus 14 August Lille. See OCLC: 1427592815.
