LAFAYETTE COLLECTION: LETTER #8
To: [no salutation]
From: Lafayette
Date: April 8, 1818
In French
Paris 8 April 1818
I am writing to you, Sir, at Mr. Boursier's who repeated to me the conversation he held last Thursday with the minister (Mr. l'Abbe) in charge of the business of Mr. de Suffron, the father of his son-in-law.
Mr. Boursier asked him to take in consideration that ten thousand francs in interest plus a (Government) bond of forty one thousand francs and the proposition of thirty thousand francs would be a deduction more than sufficient.
The minister insisted on the first preposition of the thirty thousand francs cash, each party paying for their own expense.
Mr. Boursier, after several successive retreats, made the statement, at the time he left, that he was going beyond his power (of attorney) in agreeing to receive thirty two thousand francs cash, being understood that Mr. de Suffren pays for all the expenses.
The minister refused; nevertheless he asked for the address of Mr. Boursier, who has not heard from him so far.
According to our conversation of yesterday, I told Mr. Boursier that we would give in to the unfavorable circumstances and terminate this annoying business, should the minister be obliged to add up thousand francs in order to cover the expenses of the law suit after being already charged for transportation.
Mr. Boursier is of the opinion, same as yours, that a legal summons to pay for Court expenses would compel Mr. de Suffron to choose between either an appeal (in Court) or acceptance of the Court's judgement, which would bring the minister to terms.
It would be interesting to find out if the house in the Montmorency Valley belongs to Mr. de Suffron and if my mortgage on it is first mortgage, which would give us a great advantage upon him.
The minister maintains that Mr. de Suffron is not the only one to assume liability of the indebtedness, and that a three thousand francs income is the only thing he has, but we know that their allegations are not generally very accurate.
It appears to me that the minister's plan would be to pay out of his own money for the indebtedness of Mr. de Suffrom and be given credit in the family arrangement for fifty thousand or at least forty two thousand francs.
Mr. Boursier will visit you tomorrow at eight o'clock. Please be good enough to make the decision for me, taking into consideration the difficult time and my need for money, rather then having a law suit sponsored by spectators richer than me.
I paid for the invoice of one thousand francs and got receipt for it, but they failed to cancel the debit on the accounting book itself, and it is very possible that this way of doing business in the past may account for error of the present. The bearer of my money did not have enough weight (personality) to insist on the cancellation. I will commend myself to Mr. Lutter's good graces, if, in your judgement, this would help.
Please accept my thanks, excuses, and friendship.
Lafayette
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