18th Century Revolutionary War Era Financial Legal Document

An 18th-century French legal/financial document, specifically a: “Protêt” (Protest of a Bill of Exchange)

Key details visible:

Location: Paris (explicitly stated: “à Paris”)

Main transaction: June 18, 1778

Protest executed: January 17, 1779

References:

Châtelet of Paris (main judicial authority)

Printed + manuscript hybrid:

Pre-printed legal form filled in by hand

Official embossed/ink stamp/seal present

What a “Protêt” is

In 18th-century finance:

A bill of exchange = like a check or credit instrument

A protest = official legal declaration that:

Payment was demanded but refused or unpaid

This document records:

Who owed money

Who failed to pay

Legal certification of default

These were essential in international trade and banking

Historical context (important)

1778–1779 = American Revolutionary War era

France had just entered the war (1778) in support of America

Paris was a major financial hub funding global trade and war efforts

While not directly American, this is from the same global financial system financing the Revolution

Condition

Folded (normal)

Moderate staining / foxing

Edge wear, small losses at margins

Ink still strong and readable

Seal visible

👉 Typical but acceptable for 18th-century French paper

✔ Clear date (1778/1779)

✔ Paris origin (major historical center)

✔ Official legal format (printed + manuscript)

✔ Visible seal + multiple signatures

✔ Financial/legal content

⚠️ What limits value

Not tied to a famous individual

Dense handwriting (harder for casual collectors)

Condition is average

French material has a smaller collector base in the U.S.

🧾 Bottom line

✔ Authentic 18th-century Paris legal financial document

✔ “Protest” of unpaid bill of exchange

Transcription (French, as written)

Front (main document)

Notons 18 juin 1778

Nous soussignés à requête de […] avons transporté

par le ministère des […] la présente protestation

dûment à […] laquelle de plein droit et volonté

[…] avons dressé procès verbal de protest pour

défaut de paiement de la lettre de change

tirée à Paris, acceptée […] payable à […]

sommes transportés au domicile de […]

[…] avons fait sommation de payer ladite somme

de […] livres, laquelle somme n’ayant été payée

ni offerte de payer, nous avons fait protest

contre tous qu’il appartiendra pour conservation

de ses droits […]

600 lt

Printed section (form text filled in by hand)

PROTÊT L’AN mil sept cent soixante-dix-neuf,

après midi, à la requête du sieur […]

demeurant à Paris, rue […] paroisse […]

Nous, […] à Paris, nous sommes transportés

au domicile en […] où étant parlés

au sieur […] avons requis paiement

d’une lettre de change dont copie est ci-dessus

laquelle n’ayant été payée ni acceptée

nous avons fait protest pour non paiement

et refus, protestant de tous dépens, dommages

et intérêts […]

Back (signatures and closing)

[…] demeurant à Paris, le 17 janvier 1779

[…]

signatures:

Brichet (?)

Meunier (?)

Ducan (or Ducon)

Caillouet (or similar)

🧾 What this confirms

Your document is clearly:

✔ A formal Paris notarial protest

✔ For non-payment of a bill of exchange

✔ Created:

Transaction: June 18, 1778

Protest: January 17, 1779

English

Here is a clear English translation of your document, keeping it as faithful as possible to the original legal meaning.

English Translation

Main text (handwritten section)

Noted June 18, 1778

We, the undersigned, at the request of […] have proceeded

by the ministry of […] to draw up the present protest,

duly and in proper form, and by our own authority and will,

have prepared a formal report of protest for

non-payment of a bill of exchange,

drawn in Paris, accepted […] payable at […]

We went to the residence of […]

and there made formal demand for payment of the said sum

of […] livres; which sum not having been paid

nor offered to be paid, we have made protest

against all whom it may concern, for the preservation

of the rights of the holder […]

600 livres

Printed legal form (with handwritten insertions)

PROTEST — In the year one thousand seven hundred seventy-nine,

in the afternoon, at the request of Mr. […]

residing in Paris, on […] street, parish […]

We, […] in Paris, have gone

to the residence located at […] where, speaking

to Mr. […], we formally demanded payment

of a bill of exchange, a copy of which is written above;

which, not having been paid nor accepted,

we have issued this protest for non-payment and refusal,

protesting for all costs, damages,

and interest resulting therefrom […]

Closing section (reverse side)

Done at Paris, January 17, 1779

[Signatures of officials / witnesses]

This document is essentially saying:

👉 A bill of exchange (like a check or credit note) was issued in 1778

👉 The person who owed money did not pay

👉 Officials went to demand payment

👉 When payment was refused, they issued a formal legal protest

👉 This preserves the creditor’s right to:

Sue

Claim damages

Recover costs

Why this mattered historically

In the 1700s, this was a critical legal step in international finance:

Without a protest, you could lose your right to collect

These were used in trade networks across Europe and America

Key takeaway

✔ Issued by official Paris authorities

✔ Part of the 18th-century global financial system