shows that Richard Cantilion, merchant at Paris, had repre sented to His Majesty that, whereas foreigners, even though sub- jects of hostile princes, had been declared free to acquire life annuities created by the Government, the petitioner had in con- sequence acquired several for certain English Catholics; but the win-existing between France and England prevented them from complying with the prescribed formalities for receipt of their pay- ments. If they seek to obtain life certificates frown the magistrates, the ammitants will have just cause for fearing the rigour of the English law, on discovery that they have property in France and keep up correspondence there, which is expressly forbidden. Cantillon therefore begs that the annuities may be paid upon the certificate of a notary at Paris, attested by two notable merchants. The request, with some cautious limitations, is granted. These are no doubt the annuities referred to by Pope.[1]
In the correspondence of the Caryll family, in the British Museum, is a letter dated 7 June, 1713, asking John Caryll to 'write to Mons. Cortis, chez Monsr. Cantillon, and give it to Mr. Arthur y' Banker.'[2]
On the 11th (22nd) January, 1715, Matthew Prior, writing from Paris to the Earl of Halifax, on his recall from France, states that he requires money before he can come home. '1,200 l., for which I presume Mr. Arthur or his agent dayly sollicite the Treasury, must be pay'd. I stand bound for it to Cantilion, and in case I could escape from hence I must be arrested for it on my arrival at London.'[3]
On his return to England, 25th March, 1715, Prior was, as he writes in The History of his Own Time, 1740,[4] taken up by an Order of the House of Commons .... 'And on the first of April, I underwent a strict examination before a Committee of the Privy Council .... The Committee . . . desired to know what Money I drew from the Treasury in 1711, when I went into France. I answered, Two hundred Pounds .... I had either credit from Mr. Clifford, or his correspondent, or from Monsieur Cantilion .... Being asked of whom I received Money in France? I answered, Of Monsieur Cantilion. Bosc[awen]. Was he not a Papist? P[rior] Else, Sir, he could not have been a Banker at Paris, which he had been for years before I knew him. In one Word,
he was the common Banker to whom the English addressed themselves, and I think Clifford of Amsterdam was his correspondent.'
