CARNOT Lazare (1753-1823) mathématicien et homme politique

Conventional (Pas-de-Calais), member of the Committee of Public Salvation, "organizer of the Victory" of the armies of the Republic. L.A.S. "Carnot", 22 fructidor IV (September 8, 1796), to a compatriot; 1 page in4. The peace not being made with the King of the two Sicilies, he does not think that the Directory has already thought about "his choice on the diplomatic post of Naples". He assures him that nobody took more part in his misfortunes, that he is convinced "of your talents and the purity of your principles" and that he deserves to obtain "the justice and the reward which are due to your zeal"... But he has already pointed out to him "that the Directory is one, that its members can only have an opinion as a Directory, and that he has decided that none of them will allow himself to express it as an individual". He can therefore only give him a vague answer, advising him to assert his rights before the minister of foreign relations: "The Directory [...] will always strive to follow the path of justice".