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TALLEYRAND-PÉRIGORD (CHARLES-MAURICE DE). Letter signed "le pce de Benevent" as head of the Provisional Government, countersigned by Pierre de Riel de BEURNONVILLE, Émeric Joseph Wolfgang Héribert de DALBERG, Arnail-François de JAUCOURT, François-Xavier de MONTESQUOU-FEZENSAC, as members of the Provisional Government, and by Pierre-Samuel DUPONT DE NEMOURS as Secretary General of this Government, addressed TO MARECHAL JEAN-DE-DIEU NICOLAS SOULT. Paris, April 5, 1814. 2 pp. in-4, red wax seal of the Provisional Government. "Monsieur le maréchal, the Provisional Government is sending you the most faithful account of the events that have taken place over the last few days, because now truth is the only language that authority needs to use. You will see, Monsieur le maréchal, how many considerable men in the army have united their efforts and services to the pure and glorious cause to which we are devoting ourselves; Marshal Marmont in the army, in the Senate Marshals Kellermann, Serrurier, Generals Legrand, Dupont, Dessoles, Nansouty c. c.., but your glory, Monsieur le maréchal, your love for the fatherland, your generous zeal for the repose of France, answer to us for your sentiments. By making them known to us and REUNITING YOU TO US, YOU WILL PROVIDE THE GOVERNMENT WITH A JOY THAT WILL BE FELT BY ALL GOOD FRENCH PEOPLE. Receive, Monsieur le maréchal, the assurances of our highest consideration..." THIS INVITATION TO JOIN HIS PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT WAS SENT AT A TIME WHEN THE EMPEROR HAD NOT YET ABDICATED. On April 1, 1814, with Paris occupied by the Allies, the Senate had placed the Prince of TALLEYRAND at the head of a 5-member Provisional Government. On April 3, the same Senate had pronounced the forfeiture of Napoleon I and, on April 6, was about to call Louis XVIII to the throne of France. NAPOLEON I, withdrawn to Fontainebleau, would abandon the idea of attacking Paris and, from April 4 to 6, would draw up his act of abdication - he would then accept the Treaty of Fontainebleau of April 11, 1814, which would ratify his abdication and entrust him with the sovereignty of the island of Elba. The Provisional Government would adhere to the treaty on the same day. Marshal SOULT, meanwhile, was still at the head of his troops engaged against the Anglo-Hispano-Portuguese army on April 5: he would fight Wellington before Toulouse on April 10. He would not recognize Louis XVIII until April 19.
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TALLEYRAND-PÉRIGORD (CHARLES-MAURICE DE). Letter signed "le pce de Benevent" as head of the Provisional Government, countersigned by Pierre de Riel de BEURNONVILLE, Émeric Joseph Wolfgang Héribert de DALBERG, Arnail-François de JAUCOURT, François-Xavier de MONTESQUOU-FEZENSAC, as members of the Provisional Government, and by Pierre-Samuel DUPONT DE NEMOURS as Secretary General of this Government, addressed TO MARECHAL JEAN-DE-DIEU NICOLAS SOULT. Paris, April 5, 1814. 2 pp. in-4, red wax seal of the Provisional Government. "Monsieur le maréchal, the Provisional Government is sending you the most faithful account of the events that have taken place over the last few days, because now truth is the only language that authority needs to use. You will see, Monsieur le maréchal, how many considerable men in the army have united their efforts and services to the pure and glorious cause to which we are devoting ourselves; Marshal Marmont in the army, in the Senate Marshals Kellermann, Serrurier, Generals Legrand, Dupont, Dessoles, Nansouty c. c.., but your glory, Monsieur le maréchal, your love for the fatherland, your generous zeal for the repose of France, answer to us for your sentiments. By making them known to us and REUNITING YOU TO US, YOU WILL PROVIDE THE GOVERNMENT WITH A JOY THAT WILL BE FELT BY ALL GOOD FRENCH PEOPLE. Receive, Monsieur le maréchal, the assurances of our highest consideration..." THIS INVITATION TO JOIN HIS PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT WAS SENT AT A TIME WHEN THE EMPEROR HAD NOT YET ABDICATED. On April 1, 1814, with Paris occupied by the Allies, the Senate had placed the Prince of TALLEYRAND at the head of a 5-member Provisional Government. On April 3, the same Senate had pronounced the forfeiture of Napoleon I and, on April 6, was about to call Louis XVIII to the throne of France. NAPOLEON I, withdrawn to Fontainebleau, would abandon the idea of attacking Paris and, from April 4 to 6, would draw up his act of abdication - he would then accept the Treaty of Fontainebleau of April 11, 1814, which would ratify his abdication and entrust him with the sovereignty of the island of Elba. The Provisional Government would adhere to the treaty on the same day. Marshal SOULT, meanwhile, was still at the head of his troops engaged against the Anglo-Hispano-Portuguese army on April 5: he would fight Wellington before Toulouse on April 10. He would not recognize Louis XVIII until April 19.
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