WAR OF 1870–71. Émile OLLIVIER (1825–1913) Representative fr - Lot 621

WAR OF 1870–71. Émile OLLIVIER (1825–1913) Representative from the Seine, Minister of Justice, Head of Government in 1869. He declared war on Prussia. Académie Française—Autograph letter signed by Émile OLLIVIER, dated November 25, 1870. (He was in exile in Italy until 1873.) 2 pages, in-8°: “My dear friend. At last I see your name on a list of prisoners, and I assure you that this brings me great joy; at least the bullets spared you—blessed be God. I am in MONCALIERI, near TURIN. The city is uninhabitable: my father had to flee with my son, whom the Democrats—unable to lay a hand on me—intended to assassinate. I am in a small country house where we live like the poor, suffering and working. Not even knowing if this letter will reach you, I will say nothing about the present; for the future, I will offer you only one piece of advice—the same advice I give myself: *Sursum corda*: let us not lose heart. Let us remain steadfast and calm, and let us use these days of trial to better prepare ourselves for the struggles to which our homeland will be condemned for a long time, whether from outside or from within… ” His wife is well; she has shown great courage through all these trials.

Estimate:£128.69

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