DEPARTMENT OF PARIS. — PUBLIC PROSECUTOR. - Lot 105

Lot 105
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DEPARTMENT OF PARIS. — PUBLIC PROSECUTOR. - Lot 105
DEPARTMENT OF PARIS. — PUBLIC PROSECUTOR. Circular from the Public Prosecutor of the Department of Paris to the supervisory committees of the twelve arrondissements and to the civil committees of the sections, regarding the implementation of the law of 22 Nivôse, Year III, concerning the return to France of expatriate workers and laborers. Paris, 27 Messidor Year III (July 15, 1795). Folio (approx. 37 × 24 cm), 2 handwritten pages on a printed bifolium, with an engraved header bearing the coat of arms of the Republic (“La Loi”), handwritten address, and autograph signature. An interesting administrative circular issued by the Public Prosecutor of the Department of Paris, addressed to the supervisory committees of the twelve arrondissements of Paris and to the civil committees of the sections, during the early months of the Directory. The text notes that the Legislative Committee of the National Convention requires a detailed report on the implementation of the law of 22 Nivôse, Year III, concerning the readmission to the territory of the Republic of workers and laborers who had not emigrated or who had returned legally, who had left France since May 1, 1793. The Attorney General emphasizes that this law has been subject to numerous abuses, with some émigrés or priests attempting to take advantage of its provisions to re-enter France clandestinely. He firmly reiterates the formalities required of beneficiaries: presentation of certificates of residence, documents issued by municipal authorities and supervisory committees, and statements from citizens attesting to their profession prior to their departure, as well as the penalties provided for those who make false declarations, who are liable to perpetual deportation with confiscation of their property. Finally, the circular urges local authorities to conduct thorough investigations to identify individuals who may have improperly benefited from the law and to promptly forward the information requested by the Legislation Committee. The document is signed by Public Prosecutor Lallus (handwritten signature), with a handwritten address on the reverse side addressed to the president of a civil section committee, along with period stamps and postmarks. This document vividly illustrates the oversight policy enforced by the Parisian authorities at the end of the Convention, during a transitional period in which the government sought to distinguish genuine expatriate workers from former political or ecclesiastical émigrés. It attests to the continuation of close administrative oversight, despite the gradual easing of revolutionary measures after Thermidor. The document is in its original condition, with a few marginal missing sections and old tears that do not significantly affect the text, as well as creases from handling, postmarks, and postal annotations on the reverse. The text remains perfectly legible. A rare administrative document of great interest for the history of legislation concerning emigrants and the functioning of the Parisian surveillance committees under the Thermidorian Convention.
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