Jean Rousset de Missy
Encyclopedia
Jean Rousset de Missy was a French Huguenot
writer, from early in life in the Netherlands. He was a renowned historian and author on international law and a prolific journalist.
, and author of the Corps Universel Diplomatique du Droit des Gens, to which he published an addition in 1739..
Rousset's Recueil historique and Intérêts presens were the international reference works for contemporary diplomats. Rousset emphasized the importance of voluntary, or secondary international law: by contracting treaties, monarchs, republics and cities constantly amended, altered or created international law. As natural law (the "first" pillar) was concerned, Rousset referred to the 17th Century theorists Hugo Grotius
and Samuel Pufendorf. For Rousset, his task in assembling formal acts was to give insight to the rulers and their advisers. As he stated in the foreword to his 1733 Intérêts presens:
Doing so, Rousset believed disputes between sovereigns could be settled by established procedures, following both older (Westphalia, Oliva, Golden Bul) and newer treaties (e.g. the 1713 Peace of Utrecht). War could thus be avoided by taking the road of informal and alternative dispute settlement mechanisms. In this, Rousset followed the established policy of French Prime Minister André-Hercule de Fleury (1653–1743) and British Prime Minister Robert Walpole
(1676–1745), who already continued the views of the French Regent, Philippe II, Duke of Orléans
, his minister Guillaume Dubois
(both + 1723) and the British minister James Stanhope, 1st Earl Stanhope
(+1721).
Next to the publication of treaties, Rousset also was an authority concerning ceremonial, a sensitive issue between sovereign courts. Rousset's texts were quoted or even copied extensively in French archival sources.
, illustrated by the Dutch engraver and painter Jan van Huchtenburg. Rousset also treated Russia under Czarina Catherine I, and Peter the Great and Spain under King Philip V
.
Huguenot
The Huguenots were members of the Protestant Reformed Church of France during the 16th and 17th centuries. Since the 17th century, people who formerly would have been called Huguenots have instead simply been called French Protestants, a title suggested by their German co-religionists, the...
writer, from early in life in the Netherlands. He was a renowned historian and author on international law and a prolific journalist.
Jurist
He worked together with Jean Dumont de Carelskroon (1667–1727), jurist of Charles VI, Holy Roman EmperorCharles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
Charles VI was the penultimate Habsburg sovereign of the Habsburg Empire. He succeeded his elder brother, Joseph I, as Holy Roman Emperor, King of Bohemia , Hungary and Croatia , Archduke of Austria, etc., in 1711...
, and author of the Corps Universel Diplomatique du Droit des Gens, to which he published an addition in 1739..
Rousset's Recueil historique and Intérêts presens were the international reference works for contemporary diplomats. Rousset emphasized the importance of voluntary, or secondary international law: by contracting treaties, monarchs, republics and cities constantly amended, altered or created international law. As natural law (the "first" pillar) was concerned, Rousset referred to the 17th Century theorists Hugo Grotius
Hugo Grotius
Hugo Grotius , also known as Huig de Groot, Hugo Grocio or Hugo de Groot, was a jurist in the Dutch Republic. With Francisco de Vitoria and Alberico Gentili he laid the foundations for international law, based on natural law...
and Samuel Pufendorf. For Rousset, his task in assembling formal acts was to give insight to the rulers and their advisers. As he stated in the foreword to his 1733 Intérêts presens:
- "La Politique, c'est l'art de gouverner l'Etat, & d'en diriger toutes les Affaires, soit dans la Paix, soit dans la Guerre, relativement à ses Interêts avec les autres Puissances, & conformement au Droit & à la Justice."
Doing so, Rousset believed disputes between sovereigns could be settled by established procedures, following both older (Westphalia, Oliva, Golden Bul) and newer treaties (e.g. the 1713 Peace of Utrecht). War could thus be avoided by taking the road of informal and alternative dispute settlement mechanisms. In this, Rousset followed the established policy of French Prime Minister André-Hercule de Fleury (1653–1743) and British Prime Minister Robert Walpole
Robert Walpole
Robert Walpole, 1st Earl of Orford, KG, KB, PC , known before 1742 as Sir Robert Walpole, was a British statesman who is generally regarded as having been the first Prime Minister of Great Britain....
(1676–1745), who already continued the views of the French Regent, Philippe II, Duke of Orléans
Philippe II, Duke of Orléans
Philippe d'Orléans was a member of the royal family of France and served as Regent of the Kingdom from 1715 to 1723. Born at his father's palace at Saint-Cloud, he was known from birth under the title of Duke of Chartres...
, his minister Guillaume Dubois
Guillaume Dubois
Guillaume Dubois was a French cardinal and statesman.-Early years:Dubois, the third of the four great Cardinal-Ministers , was born in Brive-la-Gaillarde, in Limousin...
(both + 1723) and the British minister James Stanhope, 1st Earl Stanhope
James Stanhope, 1st Earl Stanhope
James Stanhope, 1st Earl Stanhope PC was a British statesman and soldier who effectively served as Chief Minister between 1717 and 1721. He is probably best remembered for his service during War of the Spanish Succession...
(+1721).
Next to the publication of treaties, Rousset also was an authority concerning ceremonial, a sensitive issue between sovereign courts. Rousset's texts were quoted or even copied extensively in French archival sources.
Historian
Rousset and Dumont wrote a military account of the War of the Spanish SuccessionWar of the Spanish Succession
The War of the Spanish Succession was fought among several European powers, including a divided Spain, over the possible unification of the Kingdoms of Spain and France under one Bourbon monarch. As France and Spain were among the most powerful states of Europe, such a unification would have...
, illustrated by the Dutch engraver and painter Jan van Huchtenburg. Rousset also treated Russia under Czarina Catherine I, and Peter the Great and Spain under King Philip V
Philip V of Spain
Philip V was King of Spain from 15 November 1700 to 15 January 1724, when he abdicated in favor of his son Louis, and from 6 September 1724, when he assumed the throne again upon his son's death, to his death.Before his reign, Philip occupied an exalted place in the royal family of France as a...
.