Photo 1/1 du lot
Premium OSENAT

205 - FOUCHÉ (JOSEPH). "THE STORM OF WHICH I AM VICTIM TODAY...".
See original version (French)

Estimate €2,000 - €3,000
Sale commission
Description
FOUCHÉ (JOSEPH). "THE STORM OF WHICH I AM VICTIM TODAY...". Autograph letter signed "the duke of Otranto" [to Pierre-François Réal]. [Château de Ferrières, in what is now the department of Seine-et-Marne, 30 June 1810]. One p. 3/4 in-8 square; small tear restored but not missing. JOSEPH FOUCHE IN DISGRACE. The author of numerous intrigues, he nevertheless exceeded the limits accepted by Napoleon I when, in charge of negotiations with England, he took personal initiatives inspired by Ouvrard and committing France. Sacked on 3 June 1810, he was replaced at the Ministry of the General Police by General Anne-Jean-Marie-René Savary, Duc de Rovigo, but the Emperor mitigated this by appointing Joseph Fouché Governor of Rome. Fouché asked General Savary for time to put his papers in order at the ministry, but in fact proceeded to destroy his compromising documents, and finally withdrew on 7 June. Suspicious, Napoleon I demanded all the papers on 18 June and, being told that what was missing had been burnt, he pronounced a complete disgrace and ordered Joseph Fouché to go to his senatorial seat in Aix-en-Provence. The deposed minister, fearing for his safety, went into exile in Italy until September before returning to Aix. "I THANK YOU FOR THE NEWS YOU HAVE GIVEN ME ON BEHALF OF THE DUKE OF ROVIGO. I am pleased to hear that he has behaved well in these circumstances. It would have been painful for me to think the contrary; for MY ENEMIES ARE THE SISTERS AND THOSE OF THE EMPEROR. TODAY IT IS ME THEY WANT TO IMMOLATE & TOMORROW IT WILL BE HIS TURN. FOR A YEAR I HAVE BEEN ANTICIPATING THE STORM OF WHICH I AM THE VICTIM TODAY. MY ENEMIES WANTED TO COMPROMISE ME, BOTH BY THEIR PRAISE AND BY THEIR SLANDER. I THOUGHT THE EMPEROR WAS MORE ON GUARD AGAINST THIS DOUBLE INTRIGUE, BUT I WAS MISTAKEN. I am ready to leave for Rome if the emperor so desires, but I would like to get out once and for all of this ambiguous situation in which I am thrown by the prejudices that my enemies have planted in the emperor's mind. It is impossible for me to do any good in the difficult mission that I have received if I do not leave with the certainty that I will win His Majesty's confidence, that He will no longer believe that I am refusing him the notes and letters that He has asked me for; IT MAY BE SAID THAT I WAS IMPRUDENT, INSENSIVE IN BURNING THE LETTERS She wrote me, but this wrong can only harm me, that is why I committed it, I have never sought any other guarantee or support against my enemies than in the heart of the Emperor and in my conscience. The more my conduct is examined, the more reasons there will be to esteem me, because nothing petty or personal will be found in it. I appreciate the Duke de Rovigo's expression of attachment. I thank him most sincerely for it; tell him that I am leaving my campaign in the first days of next week. I have asked Mr Dumont to collect the money from the cutting of my woods, to pay the 50,000 francs I borrowed from Mr [Jean-Conrad] Hottinguer, a banker, when I left the ministry, and to send me the rest for my journey, as the Emperor only allows me to collect anything in Rome. MY WIFE is grateful for the consolation you have given her; she WILL ACCOMPANY ME, DESPITE THE HEAT AND INSALUBRITY of the climate in Rome at this time of year. I WISH THE EMPEROR HAD MANY FAMILIES LIKE MINE TO SERVE HIM. Farewell, a thousand regards... " One of the key players in the police system since the Directoire, the Conseiller d'État Pierre-François Réal proved to be extremely efficient but, as he was close to Joseph Fouché, he never obtained the Ministry of the General Police during the latter's successive disgraces.
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
About the sale The Empire at Fontainebleau - Second day
Auction location
Auction time 06/21/2026 at 10:30 AM
Pictures credits:
Michel Bury and Henri du Cray
See original version (French)
You may also like