Rare letter from Horace SEBASTIANI on France in 1830 and on the capture of Algiers.

Horace SEBASTIANI (1772.1851)

Autograph letter signed to his Corsican friend Lafon-Blaniac.

Three pages in-4°. Autograph address and postmarks.

Slight loss due to opening of the stamp. Miter trace.

Without place. July 18 [1830].

“I don’t think English jealousy will go so far as to declare war on us. »

Remarkable letter on the French political situation a few days before the change of the Three Glorious Years and on the capture of Algiers by French forces.

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“My dear General, Your re-election gave me all the more pleasure because by bringing back to my side a friend whom I cherish, it provides the constitutional monarchy with a defender who is as firm as he is wise and enlightened . I know it is difficult for you to move around; your dedication to the public interest even when it hurts your private interests is all the more meritorious. Your character has always been noble and generous. Our political situation is difficult, however I do not believe in coups d'état ; they would bring too many dangers in their wake. The room will be all the more moderate as our majority is imposing. The sinister plans of a few draftsmen who would like to disturb the tranquility of France to satisfy their greed will not come true . The king will do justice to a chamber which only desires the happiness and consolidation of a dynasty which gave us institutions whose ruin would lead to that of the country it governs.

The capture of Algiers was brilliant because it presented serious difficulties on the sea side and even for the land army. We could find in this portion of Africa the advantages which we have lost in the West Indies. The Atlas valleys are fertile, healthy and the climate is suitable for the cultivation of coffee, sugar cane, indigo: that of cotton has prospered there for a long time. A large population, which can grow under regular administration, offers us free and hardworking settlers: it will be easy by protecting the agricultural race to repress and maintain nomadic populations. I do not think that English jealousy will go so far as to declare war on us to prevent us from preserving a conquest useful to the whole of Europe which will now be able to sail the Mediterranean Sea without fear of Barbary corsairs.

Come near the start of our operations so that you can return for the harvest time which should particularly require your presence at home. Farewell my dear friend, I embrace you with all my heart. This July 18. Horace Sebastiani. »