"IN THIS COUNTRY, MADAM, WE DO NOT KNOW THE PROFESSION OF THE VANQUISHED" SIMON (Jules François, 1814-1896, French Statesman and Philosopher, Prime Minister of France)

Autograph Letter Signed in French with Translation to an unnamed correspondent saying that he had "no idea that you took the trouble to send to me the Independent Review. I found it at home; and as Mr. Geth sent it to me from time to time, I believed I was the owner. I have read it, I am bringing it back to you, and I owe you a thousand thanks. I owe you much more, Madam, for the part you are willing to take in my misfortune. I dare say that I endure it gallantly, I don't want to allow vanity to bring trouble into my home; and besides the benevolence of all that we have here most illustrious and most honest, yours, Madam, which is very precious to me, enough, and beyond, to heal a so light injury. Only one thought is hard enough to me; I was not beaten only by my natural enemies. It is an outlaw, like me, who indulgently helped my defeat. In this country, Madam, we do not know the profession of the vanquished. I do not say this out of boast, but with real sadness, because that is why we have been defeated so often, and for so long ...", 2 sides 8vo., Paris, 22nd February

In 1848 he represented the Côtes-du-Nord in the National Assembly, and next year entered the Council of State, but was retired on account of his republican opinions. His refusal to take the oath of allegiance to the government of Louis Napoleon after the coup d'état of 1851 was followed by his dismissal from his professorship, and he devoted himself to philosophical and political writings of a popular order. In 1863 he was returned to the Corps Législatif for the 8th circonscription of the Seine département, and supported "les Cinq" in their opposition to the government. He became minister of instruction in the Government of National Defense on 5th September 1870. After the capitulation of Paris in January 1871 he was sent down to Bordeaux to prevent the resistance of Léon Gambetta to the peace. But at Bordeaux, Gambetta, who had issued a proclamation excluding from the elections those who had been officials under the Empire, was all-powerful. Pretending to dispute Jules Simon's credentials, he issued orders for his arrest. Meanwhile, Simon had found means of communication with Paris, and on 6th February was reinforced by Eugène Pelletan, E. Arago and Garnier-Pages. Gambetta resigned, and the ministry of the Interior, though nominally given to Arago, was really in Simon's hands.

Transcription
Paris le 22 février 1860
Madame,
J'ignorais absolument que vous eussiez pris la peine de m'envoyer la Revue Indépendante. Je l'ai trouvée chez moi ; et comme M. Geth me l'a quelquefois envoyée, je m'en croyais propriétaire. Je l'ai lue, je vous la rapporte, et je vous dois mille remerciements.
Je vous en dois bien plus encore, Madame, pour la part que vous voulez bien prendre à mon malheur. J'ose dire que je le supporte galamment, ne voulant pas permettre à la vanité de porter le trouble dans ma maison ; et d'ailleurs la bienveillance de tout ce que nous avons ici de plus illustre et de plus honnête, la vôtre, Madame, qui m'est très précieuse, suffisamment, et au delà, pour guérir une si légère blessure. Il n'y a qu'une pensée qui me soit assez pénible ; c'est que je n'ai pas été battu uniquement par mes ennemis naturels. C'est un proscrit, comme moi, qui a complaisamment aidé à ma défaite. Dans ce pays-ci, Madame, nous ne savons pas le métier de vaincus. Je ne le dis pas par jactance, mais avec une véritable tristesse, car c'est pour cela que nous sommes vaincus si souvent, et pour si longtemps.
Veuillez agréer, Madame, l'hommage de tout mon respect.
Jules Simon
Translation
Paris February, 22nd of 1860
Madam,
I had no idea that you took the trouble to send to me the Independent Review. I found it at home; and as Mr. Geth sent it to me from time to time, I believed I was the owner. I have read it, I am bringing it back to you, and I owe you a thousand thanks.
I owe you much more, Madam, for the part you are willing to take in my misfortune. I dare say that I endure it gallantly, I don't want to allow vanity to bring trouble into my home; and besides the benevolence of all that we have here most illustrious and most honest, yours, Madam, which is very precious to me, enough, and beyond, to heal a so light injury. Only one thought is hard enough to me; I was not beaten only by my natural enemies. It is an outlaw, like me, who indulgently helped my defeat. In this country, Madam, we do not know the profession of the vanquished. I do not say this out of boast, but with real sadness, because that is why we have been defeated so often, and for so long.
Please accept, Madam, the tribute with all my respect.
Jules Simon

Item Date:  1860

Stock No:  41021      £150

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