Jean-Baptiste SAY (1767–1832). 8 letters from the author (L. - Lot 111

Jean-Baptiste SAY (1767–1832). 8 letters from the author (L.A.S.) and one signed autograph manuscript, dated 1821–1828 and undated, addressed to Marc-Antoine and Auguste Jullien, editors of the *Revue encyclopédique*; 17 pages in-8 and in-4 formats, with addresses. Interesting correspondence regarding articles and reviews on political economy in the *Revue encyclopédique*. December 25, 1821. Say returns to Jullien in Paris the “North American Review and the Antologia of Florence, in which my works are mentioned with praise that makes me blush”; he is going to send the Revue to Jeremy Bentham in England. – September 16. Say is awaiting proofs for his articles “on the Colonizations of Africa” and on Blanqui’s *Journey to England*; Baron de Fahnenberg “has translated my *Catechism of Political Economy* into German.” – March 12. He expresses his gratitude for the copies of English journals: “The Westminster Review […] addresses all the major issues; the common good, not only of England but of humanity, seems to inspire it”; he also points out the critique “of an article in the *Edinburgh Review*, which defends the right of primogeniture and the concentration of property (I know that this latter article is by Sir James Macintosch),” as well as the exaggerated praise for Stuart Mill’s work “or the no less exaggerated praise for David Ricardo, whom British pride places above all other economic writers.” – September 30, 1824. He hopes to meet James Macintosch, who is passing through Paris; “Since censorship has been abolished, I flatter myself that you will be able to publish your issue with the articles unabridged”; he is ready to proofread a new set of galleys, and above all opposes the truncated publication of his articles. – June 6, 1826. He is asked for a “reasoned article on the proceedings of the English Parliament over the past year. What is needed on this subject is not an article, but a volume. I could barely cover a single topic in an article—such as the report on the workers’ uprisings, or on the export of gold, or etc., etc.—and I do not have the time for it”; he dismisses the Italian newspapers, in which “there is nothing new, nothing substantial”; he does not wish to deal with Moreau de Jonnes’s proofs: “He is nothing but a charlatan who deceives with numbers just as others do with verbiage; but we know neither where he gets his numbers nor what they prove”… – October 16, 1826. He is awaiting the proofs of his article in response to Sismondi, and would gladly write one on the work translated from the German [Political Economy] by Theodor Schmalz... – July 12 [1827]. The books on political economy that Jullien sent him do not merit an article, for they merely string together platitudes; political economy “is precisely the opposite of metaphysics. It is social physiology. Political economy describes the functions of each part of the social body just as physiology describes the functions of each part of the human body. Any work that does not proceed in this manner is not worth two sous”… – May 15, 1827. Manuscript of a complaint by Say following an article by Charles Dunoyer on the 5th edition of his Treatise on Economics; he points out two points of disagreement regarding cultivated land “which contributes to the production of our wealth.” Such a truth deserved to be challenged with sound reasoning. Ricardo, who challenges it, gives his reasons; I have refuted them in this fifth edition. Mr. Dunoyer merely denies the principle: does he believe it has been refuted? Or has he read neither Ricardo nor my fifth edition?” He fears he may have explained “the doctrine of intangible products” poorly, since it is not understood by Dunoyer, “author of the excellent work on industry considered in its relationship to freedom. It is simply unfortunate that he attacks it just as English authors are beginning to adopt it—authors known for their strong prejudices against writers who are not from their own country”… – August 21, 1828. He proposes an article on the University of London, which has just been founded: “It would be quite pleasing to the Review if it were the first to make known to Europe an event that will mark a milestone in the progress of the human spirit”; but he fears that the printing of the August issue is too far along to include this article. Charles Comte [Say’s son-in-law] will write an article on the Political Economy of the Athenians, and Say asks Jullien to “promote the Monthion Prize that the Academy has awarded to one of your contributors, the author of the Treatise on Legislation” [by Charles Comte].