1817 French Political Letter to Baron Manuel – Germany & Finance For Sale

Offered here is an original folded French letter dated 1817, addressed to:

“Monsieur le Baron Manuel, Conseiller d’État, à Fougères.”

This is almost certainly addressed to Jacques-Antoine Manuel (1775–1827), the prominent liberal deputy and statesman of the Bourbon Restoration, known for his opposition speeches and eventual expulsion from the Chamber of Deputies in 1823.

The letter is political in nature and defensive in tone. The writer:

• Thanks Manuel for a printed piece

• Defends himself against criticism and accusations

• References “le Conseil”

• Mentions “Ministres des Finances”

• Refers to matters concerning Germany

• Denies involvement in “l’esprit d’intrigue”

• Affirms loyalty as a “serviteur de la Couronne et de la religion”

This places the letter squarely in the volatile political climate of Restoration France (post-Napoleonic period), when tensions between royalists and liberals ran high and financial/diplomatic issues involving German states were sensitive topics.

Though unsigned, the tone suggests the author was an educated administrative or political figure writing at a peer level.

• Dated 1817

• Original folded letter sheet

• Address panel intact

• Red wax seal remnants present

• Laid paper with “P.P.” (Pro Patria) watermark, consistent with high-quality early 19th-century Dutch paper widely used in official French correspondence

• No later marks or modern alterations

The watermark strongly supports period authenticity.

• Typical fold lines from mailing

• Minor edge wear and small loss at upper fold

• Ink remains strong and legible

• No restoration

Overall very good condition for an 1817 political letter.

• Directly addressed to a significant Restoration-era political figure

• References to Germany and Finance ministries in the immediate post-Napoleonic period

• Clear political content rather than routine personal correspondence

• Intact address panel with title “Baron” underlined

• Period Pro Patria watermark

Unsigned Restoration political correspondence to identifiable statesmen is increasingly difficult to find in clean, complete form.

• Full original folded letter (4-panel format)

Please review all images carefully. Feel free to ask any questions.