The Acts of Famous National Councils of the Reformed Churches in France, 18 (3rd Rochelle) · Chapter 8
CHAP. VIII. Memorials and Inſtructions given to the Lords of Villarnoul and de Mirande, the General Deputies of the Reformed Churches of this Kingdom, attending upon His Majeſty, how to bring Monſieur Palot to Account for the Moneys diſpenſed by by him, which His Gracious Majeſty was pleaſed ſo beſtow upon our Reformed Churches.
FIRST You muſt take the Oaths of Meſſieurs de la Nouve and du Cros and then proſecute the ſaid Palot before the Lords of Pontcarre and of Beaumarchais, who are the Judges conſtituted by his Majeſty to hear and determine the ſaid Accounts.
And whereas the ſaid Palot may perſiſt in what he hath formerly urged to avoid all Accounting, that the Receivers General upon whom he hath Moneys aſſigned, have not as yet brought in their Accounts, or Copies of them, that they might be examined, and verified, and it might be known whether the Moneys of their Accounts have been diverted to other uſes, to there prejudice of thoſe Aſſignments; you muſt then inform our Lords the Judges, that this is a meer fiction and evaſion. For if the ſaid Palot had a deſire to ſee thoſe Accounts, he might with a wet finger be ſatisfied. Let him but preſent his Petition unto the Court of Exchequer in Paris to have ſight and Copy of the Accounts of the laſt Receivers General, upon whom as he ſaith were his Aſſignments, and there they lie, and it will he granted him immediately. And in caſe the ſaid Palot refuſe to petition the ſaid Court, the Lords our General Deputies ſhall compel him to it, and force him in their names to take out Coppies and Extracts concerning thoſe Receivers General, and whatever elſe may neceſſarily relate unto the ſaid Palot.
And whereas the ſaid Palot doth take for granted that there is due unto him the ſum of twelve thouſand Crowns and more: It is neceſſary that our General Deputies ſhould demand ſight of thoſe Accounts brought in by him, that it may be proved whether he hath made a good and juſt Receipt for all his Moneys; which they may eaſily do, and the ſaid Receipt may be verified, but taking out from the Exchequer Copies and Extracts or all Moneys which the Receivers General have impoſed or payed in to the ſaid Palot. All which any Attorney belonging to the ſaid Court of Exchequer will get diſpatched for them out of hand.
And foraſmuch as we have too juſt cauſe to fear it, that in the Account brought in by the ſaid Palot, there will be found ſeveral double falſe Repriſals, All the Deputies of the Provinces are charged to ſend unto our Lords the General Deputies a Copy of all Accounts given in by their particular Receivers in their reſpective Provinces, that ſo we may have a full and perfect knowledge of the Receipt and Disburſment ſet down and uſed in the Account of the ſaid Palot.
So that if any thing ſhould be owing to him, which is very improbable and incredible, he may be payed by the Receivers General of Thoulouſe, who were ordered in the cloſing up of their Accounts for the years 1600, and 1602. To pay in unto the ſaid Palot the ſumm of 15966 Crowns, ſix Sous, and ten Deniers. For out of this ſumm there will not only be enough to ſatisfie him, but there will alſo remain ſome Moneys in ſtock for our Churches. And 'tis to be feared that he hath made the like mixtures in his other General Receipts, in which he hath left a Fund for accommodating with all the Debtors: And this affair is of ſo long continuance, that people do now a days forbear ſpeaking of it, as if it were ſo old as to be forgotten, which uſually falls out in all general matters.
And when as the ſaid Accounts are brought in, and cleared up, then all Papers remaining in the hands of the ſaid Palot concerning thoſe Aſſignations, ſhall be taken from him, and the Receivers General, and the Debtors are to be proſecuted. And if any of thoſe aſſignations appear to be of no worth nor value, our General Deputies ſhall uſe their beſt and utmoſt endeavour to get new and better Aſſignments.
And that it might be made appear that there was ſuch a good debt of fifteen thouſand nine hundred ſixty and ſix Crowns, five and fourty Sous and ſix Deniers owing unto our Churches, there was put into the hands of our Lords General Deputies the Extracts taken out of the Chamber of Accompts for the Province of Languedoc.
Done at Rochel this 12th day of April. Signed
Berault Moderator of the National Synod.
Rivet Scribe.
Roy Scribe.