ALS in French, signed “Le M’is de Favras,” one page, 7 x 9.25, January 7, 1790. In full (translated): “It is at the moment when I had the consoling hope of being able to shed light in the charges which (according to what happened at my session of accusation right after my arrest) I can suppose to have been made against me that I was subjected to a growing number of afflictions. Not by the nature of the secret, which is always the same, but by the most extraordinary precautions taken for my maintenance. Much as I try to work it out I cannot understand the cause of this procedure at all; It is an illusion, a dream for me that everything that is happening to me by the fatality of the conclusions, doubtless seemingly probable in your eyes, which, by deceiving your judgment cause my downfall as well as that of my charming wife.
You have told me, sirs, that after a few days of detention you have sent my case, as is the procedure in law, to the Chatelet; is it you or it that I must implore to begin the procedure?....to clear myself of guilt in the eyes of the Nation, in the eyes of the Universe will give me a new existence.
I beg you to take care that each day increases more deeply the character of the heinous crimes with which I have been charged by libelists; for I do not presume, Sirs, that it is from you; and that to prolong the length of time until my justification, which I desire so much, would be to confirm the general opinion which you also surely have at heart which came from abroad.
Your uprightness, the purity of your intentions make me more and more confident, please believe me, as also believe in the most respectful feelings with which I write.
Your humble and very obedient servant.” In very good condition, with central vertical and horizontal folds and moderate scattered foxing. Accompanied by two printed pamphlets in French from the period, one headed “Judgment Without Appeal,” February 18, 1790, detailing his sentence to execution, and another entitled “Act of Faith by Madame de Favras,” describing his wife’s mourning on the day of the execution. Also accompanied by the original receipt from Walter R. Benjamin Autographs.
Favras was arrested in December 1789 for conspiring against the state, charged with helping to organize an elaborate plot to rescue the royal family, encircle Paris with foreign troops, and assassinate the three most prominent liberal leaders. The city would then be starved into royal submission by cutting off food supplies. After a lengthy trial, Favras was found guilty and publicly hanged on February 19, 1790, just over one month after writing this letter pleading his case. A remarkable letter from a critical moment in the French Revolution. Pre-certified PSA/DNA.
This item is Pre-Certified by PSA/DNA
Buy a third-party letter of authenticity for
$50.00
*This item has been pre-certified by a trusted third-party authentication service, and by placing a bid on this item, you agree to accept the opinion of this authentication service. If you wish to have an opinion rendered by a different authenticator of your choosing, you must do so prior to your placing of any bid. RR Auction is not responsible for differing opinions submitted 30 days after the date of the sale.
We use cookies on this site to improve your experience. By using this site, you accept our use of cookies. To learn more, please see our Privacy Policy.
