BARBES, Armand (1809-1870). L.A.S. addressed to "Rédacteur e - Lot 119

BARBES, Armand (1809-1870). L.A.S. addressed to "Rédacteur en chef de la Réforme". Nîmes, February 25, 1848, "in the night". 1 p. in-4. Exceptional letter from Barbès, written on the day he was released from prison. After the insurrection of May 12, 1839, Barbès was arrested and sentenced to death. The sentence was commuted to life imprisonment, thanks to the intervention of Victor Hugo. Barbès was released at 10 p.m. on February 25. "I have recourse to the columns of your newspaper to give free France my first republican embrace. According to the telegraph order of the provisional government commission, the doors of my prison were opened to me just now, around ten o'clock in the evening. France is once again the great people; she will resume her mission on earth, and give equality to the world. I have only to tell you that I would be the happiest of men if I didn't feel the regret, alas! so great, of having done nothing for my country in these heroic days of resurrection. To you, as in the glorious days of your fathers, whom the future will surpass. Greetings and fraternity. A. Barbès". La Réforme, a radical left-wing republican newspaper, was founded by Alexandre Ledru-Rollin in July 1843.