238 - Joseph FOUCHE (1759–1820). Autograph manuscript titled “Circular to the prefects and agents of the Ministry of Police, regarding the King’s return to the capital, and the new relationships that will be established between the minister and his subordinates.” No place, no date [circa July 1815]. 3 pp., small folio. Deletions, additions, and corrections.

Joseph FOUCHE (1759–1820). Autograph manuscript titled “Circular to the prefects and agents of the Ministry of Police, regarding the King’s return to the capital, and the new relationships that will be established between the minister and his subordinates.” No place, no date [circa July 1815]. 3 pp., small folio. Deletions, additions, and corrections. After the Hundred Days, Fouché, reappointed Minister of Police, called for national unity around Louis XVIII to restore calm in France and save the Fatherland: The King has resumed the exercise [phrase struck through]. Your relations will be based on two major objectives: the consolidation of public order and the pacification of France. Given the circumstances into which our setbacks had placed us, no means of salvation could be attempted without a government recognized by the other powers. This obstacle has now been removed, and this first condition has been fulfilled by the King’s return to the capital. This event, which has halted the course of our misfortunes, will soon restore peace to us. If only the King’s wishes were granted; but one cannot speak of peace to sovereigns as long as they do not see in the end of our turmoil and in the union of the people and the throne a sure guarantee of our peace and that of Europe. Our discord has caused us enough harm: must we now sacrifice our very national existence to it as well? When the issue was merely the means of preventing or repelling war, patriotism could waver between various opinions. Now, however, it can have but a single goal: to put an end to the ravages in France. Necessity disarms even courage. The desire for peace springs from every heart because it is the expression of all interests. It will subdue all parties; it will triumph over their passions because all parties are composed of Frenchmen. The very terms of peace still depend on our close union with the Monarch. The struggle of negotiations is entirely national and is linked to the cause of our independence. No matter what setbacks it may face, a great people, through the voice of the Head of State, can still demand and secure its rights because justice is beyond the reach of the blows of fortune; but the voice of the factions, rightly rejected, would fail to be heard. Since physical resistance is no longer legitimate and moral resistance is futile, our true duty—like true courage—is now to unite as one around the monarch. May the army earn new honor by following the example of this unity, and may our homeland, by regaining its place among the nations of Europe, find new sources of prosperity in its loyalty and in a long period of peace. The last page contains the draft of a proclamation addressed to the French people of all parties, all opinions, and all classes, promising them the full range of freedoms and rights you have desired since 1789: an independent national legislature, chambers endowed with broad powers, a prudent and accountable government, freedom of the press, the abolition of feudal rights and privileges, etc.