Lazare Carnot Autographed Letter Signed to the Directory Diplomacy Naples 1796

  
Lazare Carnot - Autographed letter signed to the Directory - Politics, diplomacy, and peace with Naples, King of the Two Sicilies - 1796. Autographed letter signed, dated 22 Fructidor Year IV (September 8, 1796), written while Carnot is at the height of his power in the Directory. An influential member of the executive since October 1795, he plays a central role in the military and diplomatic organization of revolutionary France. In this letter, he responds to a compatriot who requested a diplomatic position in Naples.

Carnot explains that the Directory has not yet considered an appointment, as peace with the King of the Two Sicilies has not been concluded. He expresses his personal esteem and support while firmly reminding the requester of the principle of collegiality of the Directory.

“You have perfectly grasped the correctness of this observation, that the Directory is one, that the members can only have opinions in the Directory, and that it has decided that none of them would allow themselves to express it as individuals.” The letter concludes by directing the requester to the Minister of Foreign Relations, who is the only one competent to handle his request, and assuring that the Directory “will always strive to follow the path of justice.” This document serves as a valuable testimony to French foreign policy towards Naples and perfectly illustrates the institutional functioning of the Directory in 1796. Nicknamed “the organizer of victory,” he played a major role in mobilizing the republican armies and in the military organization of revolutionary France.

The letter is written on wove paper. Autographed letter signed “Carnot” 1 page in-4° Dated: 22 Fructidor Year IV (September 8, 1796) Very well preserved. Lazare Nicolas Marguerite Carnot, born May 13, 1753, in Nolay and died August 2, 1823, in Magdeburg, was a French mathematician, physicist, officer, and statesman. Autographed letters, old papers, rare books, photographs, engravings, stamps...

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