It has been widely argued that Boisguillebert had the idea of general equilibrium as early as around 1700. However, I do not know if he used the actual word "equilibre" or some close equivalent or not. Nor can I say exactly where in his writings does one find the clearest statement that has led some to make the claim about him and the GE concept, which he may have been the first to enunciate in some form or other. Barkley Rosser