SADE Donatien-Alphonse, marquis de (1740-1814)

Lot 90
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Estimation :
4000 - 6000 EUR
Result with fees
Result : 4 550EUR
SADE Donatien-Alphonse, marquis de (1740-1814)
Signed autograph letter addressed "to a dear citizen" S.l.n.d. [Charenton, early 1808]. 2 pages small in-4 in brown ink (a few words from another hand, half erased, in the lower left corner on the back). A vehement letter written from Charenton's hospice, in which Sade defends himself from the unjust accusation that he was responsible for the emigration of his children at the time of the Revolution, "a scaffolding of slander". "...] The certificate of the citizens of the Charity of Charenton, which attests that I was detained with them until April 3, 1790; and at that time the children in question had already left ... I have been separated from body and soul with my wife for 18 years, 22 years since I have seen my children, 22 years since my wife is alone and especially in charge of them; I myself have never seen or known them except in their early childhood. For 18 years I have lived neither with my wife nor with my children nor with my wife's relatives; since the revolution, I have been thrown out of the highest degree of patriotism by system and gratitude. I could not and should not have had any kind of connection with such people, so what on earth is the matter with me on this fact. It is inexplicable that they would try to make up wrongs against me on this object, and only malice or ill will can sustain this scaffolding of slander against me, the slightest atention is enough to convince even the most stubborn of my innocence [...]. GAUFFRIDI [his lawyer] is in hiding and can do nothing for me, LIONS is detained, so I have no one left but you and I am lost if you abandon me. I always recommend you the debris of my poor family, for lack of human faculties be sure that heaven will reward you for what you are doing in this moment [...]". The letter is not dated, but the details given by Sade "I have been separated from body and property with my wife for 18 years" (the separation was effective in 1790) makes it possible to bring this date forwar
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