LAFFITTE, laf'fet', JACQUES ( 1767-1844). A French financier and statesman. The was born at Bayonne, October 24. 1767. son of a pour car penter. Coming to Paris. he had the good for tune to be employed by the banker Perregaux, whose confidential clerk he became. Soon lie was taken into the firm, and in 1809 succeeded Perregaux and became a regent of the Bank of Frame, and in 1814 governor of that insti tution. He was also president of the Cham ber of Commerce, and his great wealth and high personal qualities gave him a European reputa tion. During the years 1814-15 lie signalized himself by his patriotic generosity toward the people of Paris, and rendered important finan cial services to both Louis XVIII. and Napoleon. After the second Restoration he became one of the opposition in the Chamber of Deputies, and enjoyed the highest popularity in Paris. falling out of favor with the Court, however. during the last year of Charles X. When the Revolution of 18:30 broke out he strongly supported the claims of Louis Philippe, and was instrumental in placing him on the throne, being president of the Chamber which decreed the erection of the July monarchy. He became a member of the first Ministry of the new King. and in November,
1830. was intrusted with the formation of Cabinet, in which he was Minister of Finance as well as Premier. Not finding himself in agree ment with the other ministers, however, he re signed his office March 13, 18:31, and was replaced by Casimir-Perier. Meanwhile his banking af fairs had fallen into confusion, and he was obliged to sell all his property to pay his debts, to 50,000,000 francs. A national sub scription preserved him his house in Paris, and being again elected to the Chamber as a Deputy for Paris, he became a leader of the opposition. From the ruins of his fortune he founded a new discount bank in 1837. As the Government re ceded from the principles of the Revolu tion of 1830. Latlitte became mere active in oppo sition. In 1843. to the great displeasure of the Court. he was elected president of the Chamber of Deputies. Ile died May 26, 1844. Lallitte was the author of several pamphlets on finance and polities, but the work entitled Souvenirs de J. Lallittc, raeonWs par lai-mime (Paris. 1844) was in reality written by Marehal.