Lot 159

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Description:

Lafayette Defends 7x Wounded Waterloo Veteran who Refused to Shoot Civilians during the Recent Revolution of 1830 -- Fascinating Napoleon & July Revolution Associations!

1p manuscript in French annotated with six words and signed by Marie-Joseph Gilbert de Motier, Marquis de Lafayette (1757-1834) as "Lafayette". Lafayette, then acting in his role as a member of the French Chamber of Deputies, wrote in the lower left margin: "je m'unis à mon collegue [sic] / Lafayette", or, "I unite myself [agree] with my colleague / Lafayette". Lafayette had been tasked with reviewing the petition of Jacques Buridant, a career military officer who had fought in the Napoleonic Wars, and who had distinguished himself during the Revolution of 1830 overthrowing King Charles X just three months earlier.

The colleague with whom Lafayette agreed was Guillaume-Louis Ternaux (1763-1833), a fellow member of the Chamber of Deputies. Ternaux's inscription, reading in part, "Jaccorde avec la (?) de M J Buridant / G L ternaux", or, "I agree with the (?) of M J Buridant / G L ternaux" appears above Lafayette's inscription and signature. The first few words of Lafayette's inscription are slightly smeared but still legible. Handwritten on watermarked bifold paper, the inner pages blank. Docket stamped "Secretary General / 27 Oct. 1830" in the left margin. Bearing some light marks in red pencil, as well as other clerical stamps. Expected folds and isolated wrinkles and minor chips to the edges. Overall light toning. Else near fine. 8.375" x 12.75".

The historical record offers little additional information about Lafayette's petitioner, Jacques Buridant, except that which the supplicant himself provides. Buridant joined the French armed services nineteen years before, in 1811, and claimed to have been wounded seven times at the Battle of Waterloo (1815). Buridant was an officer in the Garde Royale during the Revolution of 1830, when he had been commanded to open fire on rebellious citizens. He refused. In return for his years of service--and his latest act of heroism for countermanding corrupt orders--Buridant asked Lafayette and Ternaux for a military promotion.

The Revolution of 1830, also known as the July Revolution or the Trois Glorieuses, was a three-day-long uprising in Paris and the French provinces (July 26-29, 1830). The insurrection, vividly captured in the popular imagination by artwork like Eugene Delacroix's "Liberty Leading the People" (1830), broke out when Charles X, a deeply unpopular monarch with aspirations to absolutism, dissolved French parliamentary government. Barricades appeared overnight throughout the city as Parisians anticipated violence they had not seen since the French Revolution. Buridant's Garde Royale, as well as other royal troops, assembled in public squares, in front of city buildings, and along highways and bridges to quell popular demonstrations. They were ordered in some cases to fire on civilians.

Lafayette's petitioner wrote in part:

"To Monsieur General De La Fayette

My General

Buridant Jacques takes the very humble liberty to show you that he has nineteen years of military service and fourteen in the rank of Sergeant in the 3rd Infantry Regiment of the Guard, having a perfect knowledge of military instruction.

The petitioner participated in the last campaigns under the Emperor Napoleon and received seven wounds at Waterlo[o]. Believing to obtain some rights to your goodwill in regard to his behavior the first day [of the Revolution] when the Royal Guard received the order to fire on the citizens, by showing them [his fellow soldiers] the cruelty of such a horrible order, and declaring that I preferred to be on the citizens’ side, which I did right away, my example was followed by most of the company and which proves furthermore that no one in the company who imitated me was wounded…

…wishing to continue this profession, he would aspire, if it were not temerity, to the rank of officer that he has been made to hope for since several years. His hope is based on the fact that he has the honor to explain herewith and in your justice.”

The Marquis de Lafayette was lionized following his involvement in the American and French Revolutions. In the early days of the Revolution of 1830, he was proclaimed the rebel leader and appointed the head of the provisional National Guard. Charles X abdicated the throne on August 2, 1830. Lafayette served as head of the National Guard for about six months until resigned his post in December 1830.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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