MOSELLE. 1791. Patriotic Society of METZ. Letter signed by t - Lot 238

MOSELLE. 1791. Patriotic Society of METZ. Letter signed by the Members of the "Société des Amis de LA CONSTITUTION établie à METZ." BEFFROY President. METZ July 16, Year 3 of Liberty (1791). Vignette: "Société des amis de la Constitution. METZ 1790. Vivre Libre ou Mourir. 4 folio pages: Gentlemen. We have been able to see, without extreme pain, the arrival of the 96th Infantry Regiment, formerly known as NASSAU, manifested in this city by the split that has taken place in this Corps in a manner so contrary to discipline. In vain have we hastened to use all the means that our patriotism could suggest to us to bring back to duty this half of the Regiment that error has led astray, and to urge it to follow the flags in the garrison that is destined for it... Indeed, it is well known that since the Regiment's fatal stay at the Orangerie de Versailles, the blame that should have fallen solely on its leader has constantly followed it... Everyone regrets not having any knowledge of the Decrees, which they are carefully kept in the dark about. A large proportion claim to have enlisted to serve in a French regiment, whereas to their great astonishment they find themselves in a German Regiment... Such is, gentlemen, the cruel perplexity of the Friends of the Constitution in METZ that we cannot applaud the obedience of half of this Regiment without condemning the other half... This unfortunate affair brings back a very sad memory; the wounds of our victims of the fatal day of NANCY are not yet closed...".