Description:

AMERICAN DIPLOMAT WITNESSES THE FRENCH REVOLUTION OF 1848
GEORGE W. ERVING (1769-1850) American diplomat mostly focusing his energy on Europe, largely in Spain as Charge d'Affaires. A.L.S., 2pp. 4to., Paris, Mar. 11, 1848, to CUTHBERT SHARPE (1781-1849), an English antiquarian, historian, and writer, best known for his work in documenting the history and folklore of the northeastern region of England. In part: ‘…some of my countrymen & one of yours with whom I am acquainted, were present in many great scenes, well assured, as indeed was the fact, that no personal offence was to be apprehended – this revolution so wholly radical is not conducted in the forms of those of older times – the good sense & the morality of the masses has prodigiously improved since that celebrated epoch – it is indeed astonishing that after such violent convulsion the streets of Paris should in a few days be restored to their normal condition. It is impossible to day too much in praise of the prudence wisdom…now the constituent assembly is called to sanction what has been done & to form a constitution for the future government of France; that constitution will be a pure democracy; so far we may say in advance, there will be no place in it for royalty in any form or degree; - the infamous character & conduct of Louis Philippe has put an extinguisher on the hereditary principle. This man who has been everywhere landed as the moshable statesman, has proved himself to be an obstinate ass as well as a consummate rogue, a false & hypocritical & avaricious & ungrateful rogue…' The Revolution of 1848 ended two weeks after this passage was written and saw the abolition of the monarchy and the beginning of the Second Republic. This also sparked the revolutions across Europe, which saw many European citizens oppose their monarchies and institute representational governments. Lightly stained with some show-through, otherwise very good. SOLD WITH: a speech published in French by Erving giving praise to the French people for overthrowing the monarchy.

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September 10, 2025 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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