Michel Chamillart, French politician, Controller-General of Finances (b. 1652)

Michel Chamillart, born in Paris on January 2, 1652, into a family that had only recently ascended to the ranks of the nobility, was destined to serve one of France's most formidable monarchs, King Louis XIV. His life, spanning from 1652 to 1721, saw him rise through the complex administrative echelons of the French state, eventually holding the crucial positions of Controller-General of Finances and Secretary of State for War during a period of intense military conflict and severe economic strain for the kingdom.

Early Life and Ascent in Administration

Chamillart's early career followed a well-trodden path for ambitious young men of his social standing. He began as a councillor of the parlement of Paris in 1676, a significant judicial and administrative body. His aptitude and diligence were recognized, leading to his appointment as a master of requests in 1686, a key role in the king's council responsible for examining petitions and advising on legal and administrative matters. By January 1689, he had advanced to become an intendant of the generality of Rouen, effectively acting as the king's direct representative in a major province, overseeing justice, policing, and finance.

Beyond his administrative competence, Chamillart possessed an attractive personality and a pleasant demeanor that proved invaluable in the intricate world of the French court. These qualities earned him the trust and confidence of Madame de Maintenon, the king's influential (and secretly married) consort, and, crucially, found favor with King Louis XIV himself. This royal approbation was a critical factor in his rapid elevation to higher office.

The Burden of the Treasury: Controller-General of Finances

In 1690, Chamillart was appointed Intendant of Finances, a stepping stone to even greater responsibility. On September 5, 1699, he reached the pinnacle of financial administration when King Louis XIV appointed him Controller-General of Finances. Just four months later, on January 7, 1700, he was also entrusted with the demanding role of Minister of War, placing an almost impossible burden on his shoulders.

From the very outset, Chamillart’s tenure as Controller-General was fraught with immense difficulties. The French state was reeling from decades of costly wars and lavish spending, most notably the Nine Years' War (1688-1697) and the impending War of the Spanish Succession. The national deficit stood at a staggering figure, exceeding 53 million livres, and the credit of the state was virtually exhausted, meaning France struggled to borrow money on favorable terms. Chamillart, though dedicated, was perceived by many as lacking the extraordinary intelligence and decisive energy required to navigate such an unprecedented crisis. He found himself unable to curb King Louis XIV's insatiable appetite for military glory or to push through much-needed fundamental economic reforms against entrenched interests.

Consequently, Chamillart was often forced to resort to the conventional, yet ultimately unsustainable, expedients of the era. These included the widespread and often damaging sale of public offices, which, while providing short-term revenue, often led to less qualified officials and increased corruption. He oversaw the debasement of the coinage no less than five times within six years, a desperate measure that reduced the precious metal content of coins, leading to inflation and a severe loss of public trust in the currency. Other measures included the reduction of interest rates on state debts, effectively reneging on commitments to creditors, and the constant increase of taxation, further burdening an already struggling populace.

Chamillart even attempted to introduce a form of paper money, known as billets de monnaie, into circulation. However, given the parlous state of state credit and public confidence, this experiment proved disastrous and was ultimately abandoned. He did, however, demonstrate a degree of forward-thinking by studying innovative proposals from two of France's most astute economic thinkers: Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban's project for a "royal tithe" (la dîme royale), a more equitable and unified tax system, and Pierre de Boisguillebert's propositions for reforming the taille, a direct land tax. Despite recognizing their potential, Chamillart, perhaps due to political obstacles or his own limitations, was unable to adopt these visionary reforms.

The scale of the financial crisis continued to escalate. In October 1706, Chamillart presented the king with a grim report: immediate debts amounted to 288 million livres, with an anticipated deficit of 160 million for the coming year, 1707. A year later, in October 1707, he observed with profound consternation that the entire revenue projected for 1708 had already been spent through "anticipation" – funds already borrowed against future income – leaving neither money nor credit available for the state's operations in the new year. Overwhelmed by the crushing burden and having expressed a desire to retire as early as 1706, Chamillart finally resigned his office as Controller-General of Finances. Although he had attempted to bolster French commerce by establishing a Council of Commerce in 1700, public opinion largely attributed the kingdom's financial ruin to him, a testament to the immense pressures and often thankless nature of his role.

Wartime Leadership: Secretary of State for War

Even after relinquishing the financial portfolio, Chamillart remained Secretary of State for War, a position he held concurrently with the Control-General from 1700. In this capacity, he bore the immense responsibility of raising and sustaining the French army throughout the brutal and expansive War of the Spanish Succession (1701-1714). This was a conflict that pitted France against a formidable alliance of European powers, including England, the Dutch Republic, and the Holy Roman Empire.

Chamillart faced the daunting task of constantly reorganizing the army, a necessity after the devastating defeats suffered by French forces in 1704 (notably at Blenheim), 1706 (at Ramillies and Turin), and 1708 (at Oudenarde). Working with an almost empty treasury, he could only achieve partial success in this monumental undertaking. He courageously warned the king that the continuous losses and lack of resources meant the enemy would soon be in a position to dictate the terms of peace, a stark reality that Louis XIV, accustomed to military triumphs, found difficult to accept.

Further tarnishing his reputation was the accusation that he had secured the command of the army besieging Turin in 1706 for his son-in-law, the duc de la Feuillade, a general widely considered incompetent. This perceived act of nepotism, coupled with the subsequent crushing defeat at Turin, added to the public and court's growing disillusionment with Chamillart's leadership.

Dismissal and Legacy

As the military situation deteriorated and the financial crisis deepened, even his once-staunch ally, Madame de Maintenon, turned hostile towards him. Isolated and facing mounting criticism, Michel Chamillart was finally dismissed from his position as Secretary of State for War on June 9, 1709. He subsequently retired to his private estates, living out the remainder of his years away from the tumultuous world of court politics, until his death on April 14, 1721.

Despite the criticisms and the difficulties of his tenure, Chamillart left behind a substantial body of correspondence and papers that offer invaluable insights into the workings of the French state during a pivotal period. These documents were meticulously published by Gustave Esnault in Michel Chamillart, contrôleur général et secrétaire d'état de la guerre, correspondance et papiers inédits (2 volumes, Paris, 1885), and also by A. de Boislisle in the second volume of his Correspondance des contrôleurs généraux (1883). These collections serve as a lasting testament to a statesman who, despite his limitations, grappled with some of the most profound challenges faced by the French monarchy.

Frequently Asked Questions about Michel Chamillart

Who was Michel Chamillart?

Michel Chamillart (1652–1721) was a French statesman and minister during the reign of King Louis XIV. He notably served as both the Controller-General of Finances and the Secretary of State for War during a period of severe economic hardship and extensive military conflict, particularly the War of the Spanish Succession.

How did Chamillart rise to power?

Chamillart followed a traditional career path for a nobleman, beginning as a councillor in the parlement of Paris and moving through various administrative roles. His pleasing personality and ability to gain the confidence of influential figures like Madame de Maintenon, as well as King Louis XIV himself, were crucial to his rapid ascent to high office.

What were the main challenges he faced as Controller-General of Finances?

As Controller-General, Chamillart faced an enormous national deficit (over 53 million livres) and an almost exhausted state credit. He struggled to fund Louis XIV's continuous wars and implement significant economic reforms. His measures often included desperate expedients like the sale of offices, coinage debasement, and increased taxation, as more visionary reforms (like those proposed by Vauban) remained unimplemented.

What was his role during the War of the Spanish Succession?

As Secretary of State for War, Chamillart was responsible for raising, equipping, and reorganizing the French army during the War of the Spanish Succession. He faced the immense challenge of sustaining forces despite a dwindling treasury and had to rebuild the army multiple times after significant defeats.

Why was Chamillart ultimately dismissed from his positions?

Chamillart was dismissed due to the accumulating financial and military crises, his perceived inability to effectively manage them, and growing criticism from within the court. His close ally, Madame de Maintenon, eventually turned against him, sealing his fate. He resigned from finances in late 1707 and was dismissed from the War ministry in June 1709.

Was Chamillart considered a successful minister?

Historians often view Chamillart's tenure with a degree of sympathy. While he struggled to resolve France's deep-seated financial and military problems, many argue that the challenges he faced were so immense—stemming from decades of royal policy—that even a more capable minister would have found them nearly impossible to overcome. He was hardworking and dedicated, but lacked the political leverage or the radical solutions needed for such an extraordinary period.