Examen impartial des immunités ecclésiastiques, contenant les maximes du droit public et les faits historiques qui y ont rapport.

Londres (Paris?), 1751. 3 parts in 1 volume. (6), 112 pp.; 175 pp.; 171 pp. 12mo. Contemporary marbled calf, spine gilt in compartments, gilt fillet on sides, marbled edges, spine somewhat rubbed, slightly damaged at head and foot. Stourm 81; Conlon 51:499; INED 1094 (one part only); not in Kress; not in Goldsmiths; not in Einaudi. First edition. Legal and historical work dealing with Machault's plans to tax the ecclesiastical properties. The clergy maintained that they were exempt from tax and that whatever they paid was a voluntary gift. Chauvelin maintains that the clergy can not be exempt from taxes if the king thinks he ought to ask a contribution from them. The issue was hotly debated at the time, as the long list of works cited by Stourm shows. The work was condamned, Machault's plans failed and the exempt position of the clergy was maintained upto the revolution.