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LETTER FROM THE DUKE D'ANGOULEME TO THE KING OF SPAIN, APRIL 1, 1815
From the Moniteur, April 1 -- Intercepted
Correspondence -- Copy of a letter from the duke d'Angouleme to
the King of Spain.
Sir, my Brother and Cousin -- It is with the most entire
confidence in the high qualities which distinguish Your Majesty,
and in that nobleness of character which is so well known, as a
relation and ally, and having the same interest against the
common enemy that I address myself to you.
Not having any communication with the King, my uncle, I am
ignorant what steps he may have taken with Your Majesty; but as
he has charged me with the government of the south, and as the
situation in which we find ourselves is critical, on account of
the defection of almost all the troops, I entrust Your Majesty,
in the name of the King, my uncle, to direct your forces to enter
the kingdom, as auxiliaries of the King of France; and I will
give orders in the frontier departments that they may be received
as friends and allies. It appears to me desirable that they
should march, part on Bordeaux, part on Toulouse; the greatest
number on this last point, as being the most central.
The sentiments of the inhabitants of the south are excellent, and
they show much zeal to form battallions of national guards, but
they have need of support. I have established, according to the
order of the King, my uncle, a government at Toulouse, at the
head of which I have placed Lieutenant-General Count Demas, and
Baron Vitrolles, Commissary Extraordinary of the King. I should
have wished to go there myself; but if I had quitted the troops
which I command, they would have been discouraged and all would
have been disbanded. I am in march upon Lyons; hitherto there is
no force opposed to me; the capture of this city would be of
great importance, especially if the allies should enter France,
as the direction
taken by the King leads me to suppose.
I shall order the government of Toulouse to give Your Majesty's
ministers constant information of all thatshall be interesting. I
have a confidence that Providence will crown our efforts, and
will give triumph to our cause, which is that of all legitimate
sovereigns, and with which the peace and happiness of the world
are connected.
The Duchess d'Angouleme has informed me of the steps which she
has taken with Your Majesty. I have no need of recommending her
to you, if she should be compelled to retire into your states. It
is a great happiness for me, under present circumstances, and for
which I return the most lively thanks to God that she is in a
city which has given us so many proofs of attachment, by first
declaring for the King last year, where she is so near to the
territory of Your Majesty, and whence I can every day receive
news from her.
It is Lieutenant-Colonel Count Osmond, son of the ambassador of
the King, my uncle, at Turin, and attached to my staff, who will
have the honor of conveying this letter to Your Majesty. I
entreat you to receive with kindness the homage of the profound
respect, admiration, and attachment with which I am, sir, my
brother and cousin, Your Majesty's most affectionate brother,
cousin and servant.
Louis Antoine
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