MAUREPAS, Jean Frederie Phelypeaux, Comte de (more-pah), French statesman, born in Versailles, France, 9 July, 1701 ; died there, 21 November, 1781. He was the grandson of the chancellor Pontchartrain and son of Jerome de Pontchartrain, minister of marine, and, although only fourteen at the time of his father's death in 1715, was appointed the latter's successor, but he did not administer the duties of office until 1725. He became minister of state in 1738, but was removed in 1749 for writing an epigram on Mme. de Pompadour. He was recalled in 1774 and made president of the council, restored the exiled parliaments, called Turgot and Necker successively into the ministry, and was instrumental in bringing about the treaty of alliance with the United States in 1778. When Lafayette was soliciting troops and supplies for America, his importunity was such that Count Maurepas said one day: " It is fortunate for the king that Lafayette does not take it into his head to strip Versailles of its furniture to send to his dear Americans, as his majesty would be unable to refuse it." See Condorcet's "Eloge de M. de Maurepas" (Paris, 1782) ; . 'Eloge historique de M. de Maurepas," by A. J. Guyot (1782); and "Memoires du Comte de Maure-pas," by N. N. de Salle (4 vols, 1792).