Marie Adelaide de France (1732-1800) to Anonymous, March 25, 1789
Marie Adelaide was the fourth daughter, and sixth child of King Louis XV and Queen Marie Leszczynska, who reigned in France from 1715 to 1774.
The date of this letter is import as it precedes, by just a few months, the storming of the Bastille which is regarded as the start of the French Revolution.
In her letter, Marie-Adelaide is requesting a favour for the Chevalier de Narbonne, believed to be one of Louis XV natural sons and therefore her half-brother. She wanted to obtain for him a company of mounted troops with minimum cost. It seems to be an urgent request and this letter shows that Marie Adelaide was very close to him.
I ask you, Sir, for the Chevalier of Narbonne, a company of mounted troops, with the most reduced tax possible. He serves in the regiment of Brie since 1782. He is a very good subject, to whom I give my greatest interest. You would give me great pleasure in according him this favour, for which I would be truly obliged to you. I feel very sorry that your health prevents my coming to talk to you myself. Please be assured, Sir, of the great interest that I take in it, as well as all the feelings I have for you.
Marie Adelaide