Maurice Joly. ALS to the Reporting Judge protesting lack of summons in the Joly–Villemessant deliberation / Paris, October 31, 1876.
Author: Maurice Joly (French, 1829–1878)
Date: 31 octobre 1876
Recipient: Monsieur le juge rapporteur
Document type: Autograph letter signed (ALS)
Medium: Black ink on laid paper with vertical chain lines and LACROIX FRÈRES watermark in block capitals
Support: Single sheet, folded once vertically to form 4 pages
Dimensions (folded): 208 × 132 mm
Language: French
Description:
A formal and forcefully worded letter written by Maurice Joly, lawyer and political writer, addressed to a reporting judge (juge rapporteur) regarding his case against Hippolyte de Villemessant (French, 1810–1879), the influential director of Le Figaro. Writing from Paris on 31 October 1876, Joly expresses shock and protest at having learned only belatedly — and unofficially — that the matter had been placed in deliberation by a judgment dated 14 October, despite a prior ruling on 28 June. He states he was neither summoned nor notified, and that no communication was made inviting him to appear. Joly denounces the irregularity as unprecedented within the consular court system, and though he stops short of accusation, he refers to the episode as profoundly injurious. The tone is a mixture of legal precision and barely restrained outrage, reflecting Joly’s personal and professional stakes in the matter.
Watermark:
Laid paper with vertical chain lines; watermark LACROIX FRÈRES in block capitals across the central vertical fold.
| Joly-ALS 6 | Dated October 31, 1876, laid paper with watermark LaCroix Frères, folded size 208 × 132 mm. | Paris, 31 octobre 1876Monsieur le juge rapporteur
Je reçois aujourd’hui même avec une profonde surprise avis ……. une affaire Joly … Villemessant mise en délibéré à votre rapport par jugement du 14 écoulé je venais d’être débouté et condamné à une … par jugement 28 juin dernier. Je n’ai été ni intenté ni appelé je n’ai reçu aucune communication à l’effet de me rendre … aux votre cabinets. Le 14 j’étais prévenu par mon ami M. Renant que l’affaire est mise en délibéré et aujourd’hui 31 octobre j’apprends qu’elle est pigée. Je ne peux quant à present, Monsieur le juge rapporteur, que constater un fait aussi extraordinaire qui produit sur moi la plus pénible impression tout en me causant le plus cruel prejudice. Je ne connais pas semblant précédents dans les annales de la justice consulaire. Qu’un fait soit le résultat d’une méprise et d’un oubli ou de tout autre un…….. matérielle que j’ignore, je n’en doute pas. Mais il s’impose par moments sur moi de la manière la pure impression, la plus dure et je ne puis que vous …… en la continuant toute amertume que j’éprouve. Agréez Monsieur le juge rapporteur l’expression de mes sentiments de dif…… |
Paris, October 31, 1876Sir, the Reporting Judge,
I have just today, to my profound surprise, received notice concerning a case — Joly v. Villemessant — which has been placed in deliberation under your supervision by judgment of the 14th [of October]. Yet I had just been dismissed and sentenced to a … by judgment of 28 June. I was neither summoned nor notified, and received no communication instructing me to appear … at your chambers. On the 14th, I was informed by my friend Mr. Renant that the matter was under deliberation, and today, 31 October, I learn that it has been scheduled (pigiée). As for now, Sir, the Reporting Judge, I can only observe a fact so extraordinary that it produces in me the most painful impression, while causing me the most severe harm. I know of no similar precedent in the annals of consular justice. Whether this may be the result of a misunderstanding or oversight, or of some other material … unknown to me, I do not doubt it. But at times, the impression left upon me is that of the utmost injustice, and I can only … while expressing all the bitterness I feel. Please accept, Sir, the expression of my most respectful … |
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| Subject | 19th century, Administrative justice, ALS, Autograph, Correspondence, France, French history, History, Jurisprudence, Letters, Manuscript, Manuscripts, Newspaper |
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