Manuscript - Compagnie de l'Arquebuse de Meulan - Lot 152

Manuscript - Compagnie de l'Arquebuse de Meulan Approx. 160 filled pages and some 30 blank pages, large folio, fair condition (unbound, various defects) but appears complete Very interesting and rare manuscript containing the deliberations of the Compagnie de l'Arquebuse de Meulan from September 1762 to May 1790. The Compagnie de l'Arquebuse was a bourgeois (and therefore private) militia created in the 15th century to defend the town of Meulan. It also became a venue for jousting and arquebus competitions, with great rewards on offer. Our impressive memoir begins in September 1762 with questions about the conditions under which the Company met at its hotel, and the relationship between the Company and the town authorities. It also discusses the work planned for the hotel. The pages are filled with reports of numerous meetings (at irregular intervals) and deliberations, often signed by members of the Compagnie. We can only give a brief overview of the topics discussed at these meetings. We note resignations, new arrivals, deaths, estimates for work on the Company hotel, the creation of new flags for the Company and numerous decisions relating to the life of the Company. Here are a few examples: - on May 4, 1766, Sieur Boucher wished to cede his place to his son, who was accepted into the Company. - on September 21, 1766, Chevaliers Fabre and Pelfrine were authorized to resign. - August 14, 1779: "The Company assembled in uniform and under arms, on the mandate of the Major, went to the hotel after the procession of the Vow of Louis Treize...The Major of the Company proposed to the Company to receive as second colonel Messire Anne Louis Pinon, Chevalier Seigneur et Vicomte de Quincy et Président à Mortier en la Cour de Parlement de Paris...". - in July 1774, estimates were drawn up for re-roofing the Hôtel de la Compagnie. Also in 1775, the flour war is mentioned, "recounting what happened concerning the tumults and plundering of wheat in this city on May 1, 1775": "the King's intention was that the various bodies established in the towns, even the bourgeoisie, should take up arms to lend a hand in the event of tumult and revolt, and consequently orders were received to assemble the Company and have it take up arms...". The first revolutionary upheavals were also mentioned as early as 1789: on November 8, 1789, "the Company, assembled in full uniform and unfurled flag, went from its hotel, commanded by Chevalier Saussay, aide major, to the Place du Boulevard in this city to witness the swearing in of the national troops of this city and the publication of martial law...". On May 13, 1790, "the extraordinarily assembled Company...was sensitive and deeply affected by not having been invited to the patriotic celebration which took place this morning for the blessing of the flag of the national troop of this city...". The minutes stop in May 1790, a year before the Company was effectively dissolved by decision of the National Convention. Several loose leaves and 18th-century handwritten letters are attached to the volume. Such archives are extremely rare. 1 lot