Lot 307: PÉAN, Michel-Jean-Hugues (1723-1782). Mémoire pour Michel-Jean-Hugues Péan, Chevalier

PÉAN, Michel-Jean-Hugues (1723-1782). Mémoire pour Michel-Jean-Hugues Péan, Chevalier, Capitaine-Aide-Major des Ville & Gouvernement de Quebec & des Troupes détachées de la Marine, Chevalier de l'Ordre Royal & Militaire de Saint-Louise, Accusé. Contre M. Le Procureur-Général du Roi en la Commission, Accusateur. Paris: Guillaume Desprez, 1763.

4 o (240 x 190 mm). (Some occasional pale spotting.) Nineteenth-century boards (spine ends chipped, lightly rubbed). Provenance: early inscription at head of title (slightly cropped; and final leaf verso); Jacques Wilson Ostiguy (bookplate).

FIRST EDITION. Péan was in the French colonial troops and deputy-mayor of Quebec, and was one of the co-accused with Bigot (see lot 256). From 1749, Péan was a partner of Bigot, La Jonquière and Jacques-Michel Bréard, exploiting the supply of western fur trading posts and Green Bay. In 1756, a group known as "La Grande Société" monopolized the economic activity of New France. Officially the company was managed by Cadet, but Péan was its protector, and major benefactor: according to Cadet, Péan kept 50-60 of the profits. Péan also enjoyed a close relationship with the Gradis family of Bordeaux which allowed him, between 1757 and 58, to serve as intermediary between the merchants of Bordeaux and Bigot. After the capitulation of Montreal, Bigot and Péan left for France in 1760. The investigation into the affairs of Canada recommended that Bigot, Péan and four other suspects be arrested. Péan was eventually banished for nine years, which was soon reduced to six months and a restitution of 600,000 'livres.' The text is signed by Dupont, Conseiller-Rapporteur; M e Aubry, Avocat and Boudot, Procurateur. SCARCE: OCLC lists only 4 copies (the Harvard copy bound with Bigot). Not in Howes, TPL, Lande, Streeter. Sabin 59429.