French Revolution--Le Directoire | A collection of letters and documents,

French Revolution--Le Directoire

A collection of letters and documents mostly written during the Directory, comprising:

i) Philippe Antoine Merlin, letter signed as Minister of Police, ‘au bureau central du canton de Paris’, “La Cocarde tricolore, Citoyens, est a jamais consacrée par la choix de la Nation: l’ami de la liberte se plait a se parer de ce signe cheri de sa gloire…ceuz qui s’y refusent ne peuvent donc être que des ennemis de l’ordre et de la liberte”, quoting also from the decree of July 5, 1792, 3 pages, 4to, 12 ventose l’an 4 [2 March 1798]

ii) Joseph Fouche, autograph letter signed as Minister of Police to the commander of the gendarmerie at Cologne, acknowledging a report discussing a brigade between the Meuse, Rhine and Moselle, and complaining about the arbitrary action of the commissioner who had released eight vagabonds who were under arrest, and promising the authority will be notified, 2 pages, 4to, 8 April 1800

iii) Georges Couthon, autograph annotation signed on a letter concerning promotion

iv) Louis Marie La Revelliere-Le Peaux, autograph letter signed recommending a young man who has studied diplomatic affairs, with endorsement by Charles Delacroix, and another on administrative matters, 2 pages, 4to

[with:]

further letters by Cambacères, Cabanis, Richard, Marshall Bertrand, Thibaudeau, Môlé, and approx. 14 others (all after 1795) on varied political, administrative, and personal matters

PROVENANCE:

Christie's London, 29 June 1995, lot 400