Description:

FRANCOIS NICOLAS LEONARD BUZOT
(1760-1794) French Revolutionary politician, deputy of the National Convention and a friend of the writer and Revolutionary, Madame Roland. After Louis XVI's trial, he was deemed a Girondin and fled to Normandy and then to Saint-Emilion, where he committed suicide along with the former mayor of Paris Jerome Petion. Fine content, very rare manuscript D.S. ‘F N Buzot', 4pp. legal folio, Paris, Oct. 19, 1792, a fair copy of an original letter by Gustave Duquesoy, from the commissaries of the Army of the North dated Oct. 12, 1792, regarding Revolutionary violence and massacres in Cambrai. The National Police arrived in Cabrai, freed prisoners and beheaded a priest from the province of Hezecque after accusing him of theft; Citizen Besombre, second lieutenant-colonel, was denounced as an aristocrat and was then beheaded by the police, who gave the head back to his soldiers saying: ‘Here is your leader, bring this back to the citadel'. Lieutenant-colonel Cailhava, commander of the French Battalion, was also in grave danger: he was stripped of his military decorations, and would have been immolated ‘…if his soldiers had not claimed that was an excellent citizen…'. A captain of an Infantry Regiment was also beheaded, and his head paraded through the streets on the end of a bayonet. Further: ‘…Citizen Bouchotte, who temporarily mayor of Cambray, ran great risks in trying to restore order…', as there was an insurrection of sorts against the municipality and the mayor saw himself threatened as well. The writer fears that Cambrai will be the locale of more bloody scenes by Revolutionaries ‘…whose patriotism is led astray by intrigue…'. Cambrai suffered mightily during the Revolution as so many other cities did, losing religious buildings to the anti-Catholic fervor, with many clerics guillotined as well. The Cambrai Cathedral alone was left standing, as it was used as a granary and later a ‘Temple of Reason' to propagate the beliefs of the new Revolutionary religion. Countersigned by ARMAND DE KERSAINT (1742-1793), French sailor and politician who held a post in the National Assembly. After the death of Louis XVI, he denounced the September Massacres and publicly attacked Marat. He was arrested and guillotined on Dec. 4, 1793, 10 months after this letter. Boldly penned and in fine condition.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, COD (cash on delivery), Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

*SEE ADITTIONAL SHIPPING ABOVE* -Shipments are sent via FedEx and DHL (for most overseas shipments) or FedEx Ground at the auctioneer's option. Due to complications from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we will ship with USPS Priority Mail only if the buyer submits their request to us in writing and accepts responsibility for delayed shipments. Signature is always required, unless other arrangements are made. Handling and shipping charges will be added to the invoice in one entry. Buyers should be aware that large, framed, fragile or odd shaped items can incur substantial shipping and packing charges. International shipments are invoiced by DIMENSIONAL weight, not the item weight. Please contact us for an estimate before bidding NOTE: Large, heavy or bulky items may not be shipped by the auctioneer - arrangements for shipping of these items via a third-party shipper may be arranged through the auction house. Customers who supply their own courier account number will still be charged a handling fee. Please allow 2-3 weeks for shipments after receipt of payment due to the high volume of packages being shipped.

January 18, 2024 10:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of up to 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $999,999 $10,000
$1,000,000 $1,999,999 $50,000
$2,000,000 + $100,000