Historical Epochs of the French Revolution: With The Judgment And Execution Of Louis XVI., King Of France; And A List Of The Members Of The National Convention, Who Voted For And Against His DeathGoudemetz, Henry
History
Historical Epochs of the French Revolution: With The Judgment And Execution Of Louis XVI., King Of France; And A List Of The Members Of The National Convention, Who Voted For And Against His Death
Goudemetz, Henry
France -- History -- Revolution, 1789-1799; Louis XVI, King of France, 1754-1793
I recommend to my son to take as much care of all those persons
who were attached to me, as the circumstances he may be in will allow
him; to recollect that it is a sacred debt which I have contracted
towards the children or the relations of those who have died for me,
and those who suffer for my sake. I know that there are several
persons among those who ought to have been attached to me, who have
not acted towards me as they ought, and have even been ungrateful
towards me; but I forgive them, (often in time of trouble and
confusion, men are not masters of themselves) and I beg my son, if he
finds the opportunity, to think only of their misfortunes.
I wish I could here give a testimony of my gratitude to those who
have shown a true and disinterested affection for me. If, on the one
hand, I have been sensibly affected with the ingratitude and
disloyalty of those, to whom I had shewn at all times only kindness
to them, their relations, or friends; on the other hand, I have had
the consolation to receive proofs of disinterested affection and
regard from several others. I beg them to accept my best thanks.
In the present state of things, I should fear to expose them if I
spoke more explicitly; but I particularly recommend to my son to
embrace every opportunity of discovering them.
Nevertheless, I think I should wrong the national feeling, if I
were not openly to recommend to my son Messieurs De Chamilly and Hue,
whose sincere affection for me induced them to shut themselves up
with me in this melancholy abode, and who ran the risque (sic) of
being the unfortunate victims of their attachment. I also recommend
Cleri, with whose attentions I have had all reasons to be satisfied
ever since he has been with me. As he is the person who has remained
with me to the last, I request Messieurs de la Commune to give him my
clothes, my books, and the other trifles which have been deposited at
the Council of the Commune.
I also very willingly forgive those who guarded me, for their ill
treatment, and the constraint which they thought necessary to keep me
under. I have found some feeling and compassionate minds; may they
enjoy in their hearts the pleasure that their turn of thinking must
afford them.
I request Messieurs De Malsherbes, Tronchet, and De Seze, to
receive my best thanks, and assurances of my gratitude for all the
care and attention they have shown me.
I conclude with declaring before GOD, being ready to appear before
him, that I cannot reproach myself with any of those crimes that have
been laid to my charge.
Made and copied in the Tower of the Temple, the 25th of December,
1792.
(Signed) LOUIS.
And undersigned BEAUDRAIS, Municipal Officer.
******
A LIST
OF MANY OF THE
MOST CONSIDERABLE SUFFERERS
UNDER THE
FRENCH REVOLUTION
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