Page:Reflections on the Formation and the Distribution of Riches by Anne Turgot.djvu/11

 of collecting the Taille, substituted a money payment for the forced labour of the Corvée, brought about the free circulation of corn within the Généralité, and established a system of poor relief. In his occasional visits to Paris, he contracted a friendship with David Hume (secretary to the English Embassy from 1763 to 1766), and made the acquaintance of Adam Smith (in Paris from Christmas 1765 to October 1766). It was during 1766 that Turgot wrote his Reflections (for which see infra).

Upon the accession of Louis XVI, Turgot was invited to join the new reforming ministry. After a brief tenure of the Ministry of Marine (July 20-August 24, 1774), he was appointed Contrôleur Général des Finances. His short ministry of two years forms one of the best known episodes in the history of France. The most important of his measures were the establishment of freedom in the internal corn-trade, the substitution for the Corvée of a tax to which the privileged classes were also to contribute, and the abolition of the Jurandes, or corporations of crafts. Turgot's edicts aroused the most determined opposition from the nobility, the magistracy, and all those interested in the maintenance of existing conditions; and Louis yielded to the remonstrances of the court and of Marie Antoinette, and dismissed Turgot, May 12, 1776. His measures were at once recalled,—to be re-enacted by the legislatures of the Revolution. Turgot devoted the years of retirement to literary labours; and died on March 18, 1781.

The only economic writings of Turgot, other than the Reflections, published during his lifetime, would seem to have been the Questions importantes sur le commerce, 1755 (translated from the English of Tucker), and two articles on Foires et Marchés and Fondations in the Encyclopædie, 1756.