Correspondance Secrete de Charette, Stofflet, Puisaye, Cormatin, d'Autichamp, Bernier, Frotte, Scepeaux, Bothereal; Du Pretendant, du ci-devant Comte d'Artois, de leurs Ministres et Agens, et d'autres Vendeens, Chouans et Emigres Francais; Suivie du Journal d'Olivier d'Argens, et du Code Politique et Civil qui a regi la Vendee pendant le tems de la Rebellion. A Paris, chez F. Buisson, AN VII (1798-99).
HIGHLY SIGNIFICANT PROVENANCE, BELONGING TO AND WITH AN INSCRIPTION FROM THE FAMED GREAT RUSSIAN MARSHAL, GUILLAUMANCHES-DUBOSCAGE, IN HIS BESPOKE BINDING. HE WAS INTIMATELY LINKED WITH THE EVENTS OF THE VENDEE WAR DURING THE FRENCH REVOLUTION AND THOSE WHICH CORRESPONDED WITHIN THIS BOOK, AND HIS CORRESPONDENCE WITH THESE PEOPLE IS WRITTEN WITHIN THIS BOOK WHERE HE HAS SIGNED HIS NAME NEXT TO IT.
The Secret Correspondence of Charette, Stofflet, et al. with the Journal of Olivier d'Argens and the Political and Civil Code which Governed the Vendee during the Time of the Rebellion. Printed in the French Republican Calendar year 7 (aka 1798-99).
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Provenance:
Bound in the private binding for the Monsieur de Guillaumanches-Duboscage (1766-1836), born in the castle of Perrier in 1766. He was the Marquis de Boscage, lieutenant-colonal of the regiment of dragoons of Kinebourne, and office of the staff of the army of field marshal Souworow between 1794 and 1796. He was also the senior officer of the bodyguards of the King of France and colonel of the King's cavalry. Clearly a very busy and well accomplished person, and a person very well connected to the contents of the book, making the provenance here rather significant indeed.
With a handwritten tipped in note from the Monsieur Duboscage which reads "je sousligne Gabriel-Pierre-isidore de Guillaumanches-Duboscage Certifie la Presente lettre, de mr. le feld-marichal comte de Souworow, Sincere et Veritable su foi de quoi j'ai Signe. de Guillaumanchen-DuBoscage".
[translation]: "I underline Gabriel-Pierre-isidore de Guillaumanches-Duboscage Certify the present letter, from Mr. Field Marshal Count Souworow, Sincere and Veritable in faith whereof I have signed, Guillaumanchen-DuBoscage"
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This work offers a comprehensive and clandestine collection of correspondence from key figures involved in the War in the Vendée in France during the French Revolution, along with the journal of Olivier d'Argens and the political and civil codes that governed the region during the uprising. It was one of the most significant events during the French Revolution with over 200,000 people killed in three years.
The book consists of the following sections:
Correspondence Secrete (Secret Correspondence):
This section contains confidential letters exchanged among prominent figures during the Vendée Rebellion. It includes letters from François de Charette, Pierre-Suzanne Lucas de La Championnière (Stofflet), Armand Tuffin de La Rouërie (Puisaye), François-René de Chateaubriand (Comte de Cormatin), Louis Charles d'Hervilly (d'Autichamp), and others. Additionally, it features correspondence from the Pretendant (royal claimant), the former Count of Artois (emigre leader), their ministers, agents, and various Vendéens and Chouans (insurgents).
Journal d'Olivier d'Argens (Journal of Olivier d'Argens):
The Journal of Olivier d'Argens, a key participant and observer of the Vendée Rebellion, is included in this book. It offers an authentic and detailed account of the political, social, and military developments that occurred during the uprising. Olivier d'Argens provides valuable insights into the motivations, struggles, and human experiences of the people of Vendée amid the chaos of war.
Code Politique et Civil de la Vendee (Political and Civil Code of Vendée):
This section features the political and civil codes that governed the Vendée region during the rebellion. These codes were shaped by the ideological and societal forces at play during that time. The political code aimed to restore the authority of the Bourbon monarchy and maintain the social order, while the civil code addressed various aspects of daily life, such as property rights, marriage, and religious practices, influenced by local customs and traditions.
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Size: 13 x 20.5 cm (approx.)
Condition:
Two volumes bound into one. Some fairly erratic pagination but appears to collate as complete. A very nice near contemporary full calf binding with intricate gilt details to the spine and boards. Light rubbing to the spine with wear to extremities, particularly at the head of the spine. Joints rubbed with both boards securely attached. Wear to boards with some loss. Shelf and edge wear. Top page edge dulled as typical with all edges with a typical red spotted design. Very bright blue endpapers without any attached bookplates. Text block very clean with some very mild toning as typical. Tipped in ownership inscription to verso of pp.33, written by the Monsieur de Guillaumanches-Duboscage which the contents of are written in the provenance section above. Some marginalia commentary in a near contemporary hand by Duboscage and another in pencil, potentially also by Duboscage later in the first volume (around pp.170-190).
