JAURÈS (Charles). - Lot 245

JAURÈS (Charles). Born in Castres, 1808-1870. Naval officer, future admiral, cousin of Jean Jaurès. In charge of transporting to France the Luxor Obelisk presented to Louis-Philippe by the Viceroy of Egypt. Important L.A.S. "C. Jaurès", addressed to "Mon cher ami". Massouah [Massawa, present-day Eritrea], March 15, 1853. 9 pp. in-4 on double numbered sheets. A fascinating and very dense political and diplomatic letter written from the Red Sea a few months after the establishment of the Second Empire, in which Charles Jaurès gives his correspondent an extremely free analysis of the French domestic situation, Napoleon III's imperial ambitions and the major European balances. Jaurès harshly criticizes his correspondent's political illusions and vigorously attacks the new regime: "Universal suffrage is a dangerous instrument that will sooner or later overthrow them...". He considers the imperial marriage to Eugénie de Montijo a major political error: "L.N. wanted to have this woman, he gave her the crown of France as one gives to others a 1000 f bill..." Above all, the letter contains important geopolitical developments on England, Russia and the future of European politics. Jaurès already foresaw the Franco-English alliance against Russia and lucidly analyzed British maritime domination: "Today they have a formidable fleet in the English Channel, including seven steamships..." and again: "You have to have England with you...". An officer on campaign in the Red Sea, he also describes French interests in Madagascar and criticizes ill-considered colonization projects: "We must not create a new Algeria 3000 leagues from France...". The lively final page looks at possible preparations for a departure for Manila and the China Sea, as well as French naval ambitions in the Far East: "If I'd been alone on my frigate, I'd already be in Japan, ready to assist the American expedition...". A remarkable allusion to the first forced openings of Japan by the United States at the very time of Commodore Perry's expedition. Lastly, the letter offers valuable observations on French trade in the Orient, Marseille merchants and the English established in the region, as well as the difficulties of the French presence in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean. Of great historical and political interest, this is a remarkable account by a senior French officer of the beginnings of the Second Empire, the European tensions preceding the Crimean War, and French colonial ambitions in the East and Far East. Beautiful, ample and highly legible handwriting. A few creases, minor foxing and marginal marks of use.