Letter from Jean de Robethon [to William Cavendish, 2nd Duke of Devonshire]

Robethon is warning the Duke of what has happened in France with regard to the assets and rights of Monsieur de Ruvigny. Robethon registered a claim with parliament. The  so-called heirs [ lesprétendus héritiers ] in France are opposed to the claim, which has been put forward at six hearings. The assistant public prosecutor advised against the claim and rejected the letters put forward. Parties appointed by Parliament found that Lord Galway never had a right to inherit and had further lost all rights by carrying arms and commiting felonies against his Prince. Moreover, Lady Russell, as an Englishwoman, cannot inherit in France and the letters of naturalisation are void as they weren t registered with parliament. They were also given so that she could be in the service of Queen Henrietta of France but she died in 1669.

Robethon thinks contesting this finding will be a long drawn-out task and those who oppose it are prepared to do this until Lady Russell dies. He feels it needs another man to take it on as he doesn t feel well enough to deal with it any more. He points out, as well as dealing with the case for three years, he has been paying off Lord Galway s creditors for 25 months and asks for 300 [livres] in recompense. He asks that the Duke find someone else in Paris to take on the case and adds that he will willingly be of assistance to them if needed.

Signed 'Robethon S'.

This letter relates to CS1/22.1

Jean de Robethon died a month after writing this letter.Henri de Massue, 2nd Marquis de Ruvigny, Earl of Galway, had died in 1720. He was the cousin of Rachel, Lady Russell, at this stage a widow.