1819 Copy of a Letter from Camille Jordan, French Revolutionary Government Official

On offer is a 19th century copy of a  letter written in 1819 by Camille Jordan, a French official who survived both the early days of the French Revolution and the Federalist riots in the summer of 1793 that ushered in the Reign of Terror.

Jordan was born in Lyon on January 13, 1771 and died in Paris on May 19, 1821. Son of a merchant, opponent of the Revolution, he became one of the promoters of the revolt of Lyon against the Convention .He sought to rally the peasants of neighbouring provinces to the royalist cause. He took refuge in Switzerland with the fall of his party and then went into exile in England. He returned to Lyon and managed to be elected by the administrative territory of Rhône et Loire as a member of the Conseil des Cinq-Cents.

In September of 1797, there was a seizure of power by members of the French Directory when it seemed that Royalist elements in the republican government were gaining strength As a result, Jordan was once again on the run. He managed to escape, went to Switzerland and then to Germany. Recalled in 1800 by Napoleon’s consular government, he was then put under surveillance for some time in Grenoble. He spoke out against the coup led by Napoleon and later joined the Bourbon party after the Emperor's downfall in 1814.

On October 4, 1816, Camille Jordan was elected deputy by the college of Ain, became President of the House, and on November 30, he was appointed Councillor of State. He obtained his re-election as deputy on October 20, 1818, then approached the moderates and became one of the leaders of the constitutional opposition. In the session of 1819, he voted against emergency laws. Unfortunately, it was then that he fell ill and died in the first months of 1821.

This letter is a copy – but not a modern copy. It was made at the time and the original was left with his son, César. An excerpt of the letter follows:

si nos constitutionnels et nos libereaux ont done quelque confiance en moi, qu'ils se persuadent bien que je ne me laisse point egarer ice par une vaine complaisance poiur le ministere , par une vaine amitie pour Rambaud mais je vois les choses d'en haut.

[Translation: if our constitutionalists and our liberals therefore have some confidence in me, let them persuade themselves that I will not let myself be led astray by a vain complacency for the ministry, by a vain friendship for Rambaud but I see things from above]

The reference to Ranbaud is a reference to Pierre Thomas Rambaud, counselor and subsequently attorney general at the Court of Lyon.

For a historian or student of the French Revolution, this is an excellent opportunity to acquire a piece of that history that is directly connected to one of the notable participants in that monumental historical event.

This one-page document measures approximately 10.75 inches by 8.5 inches. It is worn on all four edges. There are some age stains but they do not obscure the text. The text is printed and is quite readable.