Defense Exhibit 1A

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The Diamond Necklace Affair. (modified)

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The Royal Jeweler, Charles Boehmer, created a 2,800 karat diamond necklace for the queen hoping to sell it to her for a high price. The letter below is the queens reply to Boehmer after he pleads with her to buy it to avoid his facing bankruptcy:

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Not only have I never ordered the article which causes your present despair, but whenever you have talked to me about fine collections of jewels I have told you that I should not add four diamonds to those which I already possessed. I told you myself that I declined taking the necklace; the King wished to give it to me, but I refused him also; never mention it to me again. Divide it and try to sell it piecemeal, and do not drown yourself. I am very angry with you for acting this scene of despair in my presence and before this child. Let me never see you behave thus again. Go.