Prosper de BARANTE (1782-1866) historian and politician. L.A - Lot 173

Prosper de BARANTE (1782-1866) historian and politician. L.A.S., Nantes January 6, 1813, to a count; 2 1/2 pages in-fol. Long and interesting letter on the situation in the western departments, where he has held office for the past six years. These departments "are very quiet at the moment. The last levy, that of 120,000 men, was difficult; at first there was disobedience, and in this country, it always has more or less the character of revolt. Nowhere are the peasants more united and resolute. But these disturbances can quickly subside. However, the peasants are exasperated and the calm is precarious; he fears not internal influences, as the authorities don't want civil war, but "that it will come to them from outside. That's what it's important to watch out for, because so far I've seen no indication that anything is being planned by people from England. This is fortunate. All we can do is treat the locals with gentleness and confidence. The city of Nantes has suffered greatly: "No more business is done there. The merchants are all either ruined or embarrassed. The people are miserable. So discontent is great"; but the people of Nantes are "moderate and prudent" and "there as in the country, it is above all the general spirit and not this or that individual that must be watched".