147 - TOCQUEVILLE, Alexis de (1805–1859).

TOCQUEVILLE, Alexis de (1805–1859). Letter from the sender, “Alexis de Tocqueville,” Paris, April 29, 1836, to Abbé BOUCHITTÉ, professor at the Royal College of Versailles; 2¼ pages, in-8 format, with address and postmarks. An interesting letter on the subject of the penal system. Note: “Although I have very little time to myself, I will always make sure to find some when it comes to the penal system.” He will therefore travel to Versailles if this step is deemed necessary… It makes no difference to him whether Mr. Aubernon arranges to meet him in Paris or Versailles: “I will never allow childish matters of etiquette to hinder serious business. I therefore leave it to the diplomats to settle the matter.” In any case, he will gladly make available to Mr. Aubernon and his Society “the little I know about prisons. I will consider myself amply rewarded if our joint efforts ultimately result in a model for a true penitentiary in France.” But one detail troubles him regarding the Versailles administration: “In this whole affair, there is no mention of Mr. de Beaumont [his friend and collaborator Gustave de BEAUMONT]. This is an omission that I would very much like to rectify. B. knows as much—if not more—than I do about the matter at hand, and it would be as detrimental as it would be unpleasant for me to act without him under the present circumstances. […] I would like for it to be made clear—without it appearing to have been suggested by me—that there is a desire to see and hear from both of us”…