Author Bio:
The author of the text is never specifically identified, but readers can assume it is from the thoughts of Pierre Jurieu. Pierre Jurieu is a Calvinist pastor who had fled to Holland. He endured an extensive amount of criticism from dissidents in exile. His memoirs are some of the most controversial because they view Louis's absolutism as oppressive and responsible for many downfalls of France.
Date/Context:
The text is from around 1690 and was a result of the revocation of the Edict of Nantes. It is also during the time of prosecution against the Huguenots. It was written during a time where the government was absolutism and a monarchy
Summary:
In this text, Jurieu is essentially voicing his opinion on exorbitant taxes in France and the effect of those taxes. He establishes the fact that the taxes are unfair and extreme, also stating that the King at the time was taking advantage of his rule. He states that change needs to come quickly and the citizens need to stop allowing the government and king to take their money. He also comments on government spending of tax money, and how he thinks it is on unnecessary things that are effectively hurting the stability of the country.
Key Quotes:
"The oppression of the people is caused primarily by the prodigious number of taxes and excessive levies of money that are everywhere taken in France."
"Kings were established by the people to preserve their persons, lives, liberty and properties."
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