Paulette

an annual donation made to the treasury by French administrative and judicial officials in the 17th and 18th centuries. The term derived from the name of C. Paulet, the first person to receive the donation. The paulette, introduced in 1604 for a period of six years, was one-sixtieth of the price originally paid by an officeholder for his office. It was often renewed under terms that made its payment more difficult, including compulsory loans and supplementary taxes. The payment of the paulette gave officeholders the right to sell their office or will it to their descendants. It was abolished in 1790.