French statesman (1838-1882). Autograph letter signed. Paris. 12mo. 1 p. on bifolium.
$ 641 / 600 €
(88862/BN58805)
To Marcellin Pellet, representative for the Gard department, asking him to prepare elections in Nîmes, although they "will be difficult to observe", and announcing a thorough investigation and firm but fair punishments in an affair that is not further specified but can be historically contextualized: "Vous pouvez en effet préparer le scrutin de liste, il sera difficile à observer, mais on y arrivera parce qu'il est nécessaire, c'est à mes yeux une solution de salut public. On va faire une enquête sérieuse sur les affaires de Nîmes et autres lieux, et, les faits connus, les responsabilités établies, le général saura frapper ferme et juste [...]".
- On 6 July 1880, the law that set the national day of France to 14 July, commemorating both the Storming of the Bastille in 1789 and the Fête de la Fédération in 1790, was made official. The royalist mayor of Nîmes, Adolphe Blanchard, and his council refused to prepare celebrations for 14 July, leading to their suspension and ultimate removal from office in what is called here "affaire de Nîmes". Léon Gambetta was among the original supporters of the new national day that was a controversial but important project for the young Third Republic. - On stationery with lithographed letterhead "Chambre des Députés". The identification of the recipient is based on a pencil note that is consistent with the historical context. Some browning and minor foxing. Traces of folds..