La chasse aux larrons, ou avant-coureur de l'histoire de la Chambre de Justice. Des livres du bien public, et autres oeuvres faits pour la recherche des financiers, & de leurs fauteurs.

A Paris, 1618. With title-engraving depicting hanging speculators and usurers, the usurers also being chased while throwing away money. Title printed in red and black. (14), 96 pp. Small 4to. Later speckled calf, gilt triple fillets on sides, spine gilt in compartments, green label with gilt lettering. Goldsmiths 470; Lindsay & Neu 4039 (other issue); Welsh, Second Checklist, 609 (edition of (8), 85 pp); Bourgeois & André 2440; not in Kress; not in Einaudi; not in Mattioli; not in INED. First edition. In the same year also an edition in 8vo was published, this 4to edition being very rare. The author wrote several works of a vehement nature, against the financiers and provoked lively polemics. He demands the re-establishment of the Chambre de Justice which had been created under Henry IV. The Chambres de Justice were 'Commissions extraordinaires établies dans des circonstances spéciales pour juger de cas particuliers: notamment commissions destinées, après de temps de désordres et de malversations graves, à punir et à dépouiller les fianciers enrichis par ces malversations' (Marion, Dictionnaire des Institutions). Three years earlier Jean de Beaufort had already insisted on investigations against financial malversations in his Trésor des trésors. The 'Dédicace au Roy' starts: 'Sire, De tous tems ceux qui manient les fiances n'ont pas esté seulement soupconnez d'y mal verser, mais convancus de les voller ouvertement, artistement. Dont est venu ce vieil proverbe qui roulle encore entre le vulgaire: l'Argent du Roy est sujet à la pince.' - Unobtrusive brown spot (erasing previous owners name ?) on title-page.