Аукцион Bidspirit | FOUCHE JOSEPH: (1759-1820)

FOUCHE JOSEPH: (1759-1820) - ‘People who have a bad conscience are very inconvenient! If they absolutely need to slander us, let us tell them a few little amorous intrigues, they will entertain us more than them, because their spite depends on us’   FOUCHE JOSEPH: (1759-1820) 1 st Duc d'Otrante, 1 st Comte Fouche. French statesman and revolutionary, a subordinate of Napoleon Bonaparte who served as Minister of Police 1799-1810, March-June & July-September 1815. A good A.L.S., Le duc d'Otr [ante], two pages, 8vo, n.p., 10 th May n.y., to an unidentified friend, in French. Fouche states that he has not received the details which his correspondent referred to in their last letter, adding 'ils me sont cependant necessaires avant de hasarder une demarche solennelle' (Translation: 'They are however necessary to me before risking a solemn step' ) remarking that he has very little to add to what Miss. R. has already written, and further stating 'Nous sommes tres disposes a visiter la Suisse pour y prendre l'air et les eaux avec vous, mais nous vivons dans   un temps ou l'on mele la politique a tout, ou les choses les plus simples paraissent graves; on ne croit plus aux purs sentiments de l'amitie. Nous sommes forces de nous imposer la plus grande reserve: toutefois nous esperons qu'on ne verra dans mes projets de reunion loin de la France que le desir de nous fixer dans un pais tranquille' (Translation: 'We are very willing to visit Switzerland to take in the air and the waters with you, but we live in a time where politics is mixed up in everything, where the simplest things seem serious; we no longer believe in the pure feelings of friendship. We are forced to impose the greatest reserve on ourselves: however, we hope that my plans for a reunion far from France will be seen only as a desire to settle in a peaceful country ). Fouche also explains that he hasn't been able to write to Mr. St Albin yet, remarking 'J'aurois beaucoup de regret qu'il eprouvait la moindre contrariete par rapport a nous. Dites-lui que nous nous confions a sa prudence, il connoit mieux que nous l'etat actuel des choses. Il me semble que ceux qui ont voulu notre eloignement doivent se feliciter de notre resolution, a moins que ce qui fait les douceurs de notre vie ne fasse le tourment de la leur. Les gens qui ont mauvaise conscience sont bien incommodes! S'ils ont absolument besoin de nous calomnier donnons leur a conter quelques petites intrigues amoureuses, elles nous divertiront plus qu'eux, car leur depit depend de nous. N'est-ce donc pas assez d'offre notre resignation a nos Ennemis? Faut-il leur souhaiter des succes? Ce serait un effort au-dessus de coeur humain et peut-etre un voeu contraire aux interets de notre patrie' . (Translation: 'I would be very sorry if he felt the slightest annoyance with us. Tell him that we entrust ourselves to his prudence, he knows the current state of affairs better than we do. It seems to me that those who wanted our removal should be pleased with our resolution, unless what makes the sweetness of our life does the torment of theirs. People who have a bad conscience are very inconvenient! If they absolutely need to slander us, let us tell them a few little amorous intrigues, they will entertain us more than them, because their spite depends on us. Isn't it enough to offer our resignation to our Enemies? Should we wish them success? It would be an effort beyond the human heart and perhaps a wish contrary to the interests of our country' ). A letter of good content. Some very light, minor age wear, VG