POMPADOUR (Jeanne-Antoinette Poisson, marquise... - Lot 29 - Osenat

POMPADOUR (Jeanne-Antoinette Poisson, marquise de). Autograph letter [TO THE DUC DE LA VALLIERE, Louis-César de La Baume Le Blanc]. S.l., "Sunday morning". One p. 3/4 in-8 square, address on the back with black wax armorial seal. "SINCE 13 YEARS THAT I HAVE BEEN ICY, Mr. DE BROCHE, IT HAS NOT HAPPENED TO ME ONCE TO ASK THE KING FOR A GOOD DEED, AND I HAVE ALWAYS ADDRESSED [HIS] MINISTERS, YOU WILL JUDGE THAT I WILL NOT CHANGE MY CONDUCT AT THIS TIME. But as I will always be at ease to please you, I have taken everything to the Comptroller General. He answered that what you asked for was impossible, that he had been persecuted for 6 months for the same thing, that M[a]d[ame] la D[auphi]ne [had] taken the trouble to talk to him about it, and that he had shown her so clearly how harmful it was to the service of the king, that she was willing to give it up. You will easily feel that it is no longer possible for me to take any steps in this regard. THE KING HAS ALREADY GIVEN YOU SO MANY GRACES that you must not think that the public would not dare to complain and be surprised (as you have asked me to do) at the news that you will be granted. Although it is very difficult to be just in one's own cause, if you would think about it seriously, you will see that I am telling you the truth. Moreover, I do not need to remember the way of thinking I had for you in the past, it is the same, I HAVE AN OPINION OF MY OWN, BASED ON FACTS, WHICH THE REASONS OF THE PUBLIC DO NOT DISTURB, so you should be convinced that I am not changed in your regard, and that I will gladly serve you, in the possible occasions. Good morning, Mr. de Broche, see you tomorrow. THE DUKE OF VALLIERE, CLOSE TO LOUIS XV AND LA POMPADOUR, WAS ONE OF THE GREATEST BIBLIOPHILES OF HIS TIME. He rented his castle of Champs-sur-Marne to the marquise, who affectionately called him "M. de Broche", "Broche" or "Brochet".