Friday, August 9, 2019

Letter from Saint-Just to Robespierre (19 August 1790)









Œuvres complètes de Maximilien Robespierre, volume III, Paris 1967, p. 87f.
You who supports the tottering country against the torrent of despotism and intrigue, you whom I only know, like God, through his wonders; I speak to you, sir, to ask you to unite with me in order to save my sad country. The city of Gouci has relocated (this rumour goes around here) the free markets from the town of Blérancourt. Why do the cities devour the privileges of the countryside? Will there remain no more of them to the latter than size and taxes? Support, please, with all your talent, an address that I make for the same letter, in which I request the reunion of my heritage with the national areas of the canton, so that one lets to my country a privilege without which it has to die of hunger. I do not know you, but you are a great man. You are not only the deputy of a province; you are one of humanity and of the Republic. Please, make it that my request be not despised. I have the honour to be, Sir, your most humble, most obedient servant.
St Just, constituent of the department of Aisne.
To Monsieur de Robespierre in the National Assembly in Paris.
Blérancourt, near Noyon, August 19, 1790.












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