Adam Smith, Colbert of Castlehill, the Estates of Languedoc and the Diocesan Assiettes

The decision of the Duke of Buccleuch to embark on his Grand Tour in the aftermath of the Seven Years’ War, with the south-west of the French kingdom as his destination, is an intriguing one. It is probable that David Hume, a friend of Adam Smith, arrived in Paris in the autumn of 1763, has recommended this choice as he was aware of the presence of Abbé Colbert de Catlehill, of Scottish descent. The letters of vicar-general granted to Colbert de Castlehill by Loménie de Brienne, who had been promoted to archbishop of Toulouse the previous year, were dated January 19, 1764. Smith arrived in Toulouse on March 3, 1764, when the archbishop was attending the annual session of the Estates of Languedoc which Adam Smith attended the following year in Montpellier. One of the functions performed by the vicars-general of the Languedoc prelates was to assist them with the assiette of their diocese, which was an essential cog in the provincial administration. For almost twenty years, Colbert's main task was to monitor and even direct the work of the Toulouse diocesan assiette. This period proved to be an invaluable training ground for the future bishop of Rodez, who was to preside over the provincial assembly of Haute-Guyenne.