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Subject: [HWE] Huguenot Transport
Date: Sat, 16 Nov 2002 06:13:57 +0000
On the subject of the "underground railway", following is an abridged (and
roughly translated) version of the travails of mon ancetre Jacques le Bert, as
reported in Protestantisme Francaise Bulletin. It seems distinguished both by
the expected bureaucratic language, but also (unexpectedly) by the seeming
consideration and even kindness of le Roi towards their prisoner.
(Versailles, 14 mai 1690) Order of the King:
Conduct to the chateau of Ham "les nommes le Bert et de Ventre".
(Same date) Letter to the Lieutenant of the King at said chateau:
The King sends to the chateau of Ham two bad Catholics (a euphemism applied to
Huguenots)whose conduct appears suspicious. Their costs will be paid for at
the rate of 15 sols each per day.
(2 juin 1690) from A. M. de la Reynie:
I send to M. Larcher un memoire containing all the facts known of le Bert on
the subject of commerce undertaken at Dieppe for the passage of fugitives. In
the matter of the 1,100 livres and a watch that this man has, one cannot find a
better use than to remit them to his family.
(6 juin 1690) from A. M. Larcher:
I send you a memoire containing the declarations made by le Bert while he was
is custody of the arresting officer. You will see how important it is to
clarify whether the facts it contains are true, and the King wants you to
examine secretly all the circumstances that could be determined and verified
quietly and to report what you have learned, with your advice on what should be
done to arrest the guilty, based on what you have learned of this affair. You
should judge also, from what le Bert has stated, what you should do with regard
to the woman of whom you have written me. That man, whom His Majesty has
imprisoned in a chateau, had 1,048.3 (sic) and a gold watch when he was
arrested, which are in the hands of the officer. His Majesty wishes that it
all be returned to his family. You only have to report to whom one can return
it in Paris.
(21 juin 1690) from A. M. de la Reynie:
I send you the letter that I have received from M. Larcher in response to the
memoire that I had sent regarding the statements made by le Bert. Please take
the pains to tell me what you wish to be done in this regard, so that I can
follow the orders of the King.
(5 aout 1690) from A. M. de la Reynie:
I send you the procedures that M. Larcher followed at Dieppe, when he arrested
those accused of evasion of the religion laws. Please take the pains to
examine them and advise me what you believe should be done in this regard.
(Maintenant, we emerge from this dense bureaucratic pea-souper!)
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