Folios 178-201: Sworn statement of the proceedings at the lit de justice. Full details...

Folios 178-201: Sworn statement of the proceedings at the lit de justice. Full details of those present, ceremonial and seating arrangements. The chancellor spoke: the king cannot tolerate the claims of the Parlement to authority not under the king nor the refusal of its members to carry out their duties as magistrates. The first president then spoke: the Parlement's reply is silence, respect and submission. The king's advocate then spoke: the Parlement meant no usurpation of royal authority. It sought to preserve the law of France of which the king and his Parlement are both pillars. They begged him to recall its members, who were scattered in poverty. The king's edict concerning the suppression and creation of offices in the Parlement of Paris was then read and registered. The chancellor then spoke: he praised the king's benevolence and justice. The first president repeated his earlier reply of submission. The king's advocate then spoke: it was hurtful to be obliged to complete the abolition of such an ancient body but they had to obey and accept that the edict has been read and registered. There follows the edict of the king for the suppression of the cour des aides. Its functions are to be transferred to the court of the Parlement. Then follow the names of places belonging to the superior councils of Arras, Blois, Châlons-sur-Marne, Clermond Ferrand, Lyon and Poitiers with lists of appointments, state salt repositories and judges of commerce and metal. The chancellor then spoke: the king orders the edict just read to be registered. He then addressed the members of the grand counseil, telling them their duties. The first president repeated his answer of submission. The king's advocate then spoke: their protests had been useless. They were sacrificing their feelings to the king, to whom they rendered blind obedience. Then follows the king's edict transferring the business of the grand conseil to the king's conseil and the Parlement. The chancellor pronounced the king's order for its registration. The king then spoke: he ordered absolute obedience and forbad any approach to the members of the previous Parlement. The king then left. The chancellor then installed at a sitting of the Parlement the officers appointed by the edict. The members left Versailles. Then follows a list of those in carriages and details of their progress to the grand-chambre, where the chancellor administered the oath. He addressed members on their duties and responsibilities and then returned to Versailles.

Date and place: 1771 Apr 13 Versailles.