Manuscript document in French, endorsed by King Louis XVI, “Bon [Good],” one page, 8 x 12.5, May 1, 1791. Financial document for expenses related to the first Bastille Day celebration, in full (translated): "The expenses for the deputation of line infantry to the General Federation of July 14, 1790, have been borne by the general reserve fund of each regiment by virtue of a decision of Your Majesty. This decision could not have envisioned the eleven Swiss regiments which have no general reserve fund. The Secretary of War requests that they be reimbursed by the Public Treasury. These expenses come to a total of six thousand forty three pounds. I ask that Your Majesty kindly approve the payment of this sum." Endorsed at the conclusion by King Louis XVI with his terse approval. In fine condition.
The 'Fête de la Fédération' took place on July 14, 1790, scheduled to commemorate the fall of the Bastille exactly one year earlier, and express the new feelings of French unity brought about by the Revolution. The organizers wanted an event which would surpass the greatest ceremonies of antiquity and also symbolize France's future goals. Members of every class participated in the construction of the buildings for the festival which was situated on the Champ de Mars. The preparations became a communal event in itself, with fife and drums accompanying the participants as they marched off to the large field.
Although it rained on the day of the celebration, there were more than 350,000 people in attendance. Dancing, fireworks, civic banquets, and special theatrical presentations entertained the masses. A throne for King Louis was built at the far end of the fairgrounds, whose shaky status was symbolized by the placement, right next to it, of an identical throne, at the same height, for the president of the National Assembly. These two seats were flanked by chairs for the deputies of the National Assembly, and the Paris municipal government, so that the King and the people's representatives suggested one body. The Marquis de Lafayette led the crowd in an oath, declaring its eternal faithfulness to 'the nation, the law and the king.' In order to underline that he, too, was subject to the law of the country, the King swore his allegiance to the new constitution.
Despite this display of fealty to the king and constitutional allegiance, both the people and the monarch were suspicious of each other. Louis's policies had provoked the famous attack on the Bastille in the first place, the anniversary of which all were now celebrating, and just a few weeks after signing this letter, the King and his family made their famous attempted escape from France. Although he took an oath as a constitutional monarch in September 1791, Louis was deposed in a year. Shortly thereafter, he and Queen Marie Antoinette were tried for treason, found guilty, and guillotined as the crowd roared its approval.
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