#philippeaux

[misscalming]

They should have just made the dantonists do community service instead.

[nesiacha]

On April 5, 1794, due to the execution of the Dantonists:

Rest in peace:

Camille Desmoulins, journalist, deputy to the Convention (34 years old) Georges Jacques Danton, deputy to the Convention (34 years old) François Chabot, deputy to the Convention (37 years old) Philippe François Nazaire Fabre, known as "Fabre d’Églantine," deputy to the Convention (43 years old) Jean-François Delacroix (41 years old) Marie-Jean Hérault de Séchelles, deputy to the Convention (34 years old) Claude Basire, deputy to the Convention (29 years old) Joseph Delaunay, deputy to the Convention (41 years old) Pierre Philippeaux, deputy to the Convention (39 years old) Marc René Marie d’Amarzit de Sahuguet (41 years old) Junius Frey (40 years old) Andrés Maria de Guzman (40 years old) François-Joseph Westermann (42 years old)

[anotherhumaninthisworld]

Robespierre declares that he doesn’t believe Philippeaux deserves to be expelled from the Jacobins: 1, because he never was one; 2: because he never professed the principles of the Friends of Liberty and Equality.

Robespierre at the Jacobins January 7 1794

[aedislumen]

Philippeaux is the real chad here.

-from "The Danton Case" by Stanisława Przybyszewska

[nesiacha]

The decrees concerning the discussion of the release of Ronsin and Vincent

Here are links to the parliamentary archives (unfortunately the texts are in French, impossible to translate them, I really don't have time, believe me I'm sorry) concerning the discussion relating to the request for the release of citizens Ronsin and Vincent, during the session of 14 Pluviôse Year II (February 2, 1794) as well as the reasoned discussion of Vadier who announces the impossibility of the Committee of General Security to present a report on the accusations brought against Ronsin and Vincent for lack of documents, during the session of 23 Nivôse Year II (January 12, 1794)

Which confirms my ideas: we know that it was Philippeaux and Fabre d'Eglantine who proposed the mention of arrest (especially Fabre) but let's be honest they are not the only ones responsible for their arrests, the majority of the CSP and the Convention who voted for are also responsible. The point is that contrary to the ideas of films of the French revolution Danton mostly let his colleagues speak for him (Desmoulins, Fabre, Philipeaux led the boat in the "faction" I put it in parentheses because it is more complex). Although we are at a time when Danton feeling condemned begins to go on the offensive (he has this in common with Hébert who backtracks in the most critical moments and sometimes lets Momoro and Ronsin lead the boat of the ultra revolutionary "faction") There is also as an ally of Danton Legendre who asks to speak. Bourdon de l'Oise is the one who is the most on the offensive against Vincent and Ronsin. To be fair Danton speaks out he asks for the release of Vincent and Ronsin in the same way as Fabre although it seems unfair to me for his colleague and ally Philippeaux (some would call Danton's attitude cowardly even if I find the word a little too strong). Interestingly, if Danton is applauded for his speech, the announcement of the release of Ronsin and Vincent is also applauded. This shows that the ultra-revolutionary faction is popular in Paris but still enjoys at this time a good respectability in the Convention although deputies are opposed to their release. Another most important point: the divergence of agreement between the Committee of General Security which announces not having found any pieces or evidence of accusation against Ronsin and Vincent and therefore in favor of their release (Vadier and Voulland) and some of the members of the Committee of Public Safety surely against . But to be fair Voulland and Vadier are for their releases but Bourdon de l'Oise is against the release (I think he was a member of the Committee of General Security) so there is a significant split. Another important point Levasseur announces that Mazuel, a Hébertist friend of Hanriot who would later be executed with Ronsin, Momoro, Vincent, Hébert and many others, had been arrested a first time on the proposal of Fabre d'Eglantine and was released very quickly. The Hébertists were therefore often attacked, which was not to help a possible reconciliation with the Committee of Public Safety (the Hébertists also have their share of responsibility, let's be honest I have the impression that all the "factions" and many deputies share the responsibility for these internal struggles)

The links:

Decree, proposed by Voulland, for the release of citizens Ronsin and Vincent, during the session of 14 Pluviôse Year II (February 2, 1794):

Discussion relating to the request for the release of citizens Ronsin and Vincent, during the session of 14 Pluviôse Year II (February 2, 1794)

Discussion motivated by the report of Vadier which announces the impossibility of the committee of general security to present a report on the accusations brought against Ronsin and Vincenzo for lack of documents, during the session of 23 Nivôse year II (12 January 1794):

What is interesting is that Vadier complains rather that the Basire, Chabot and Delaunay affair is rather very slow.

[anotherhumaninthisworld]

Philippeaux’s prison letters to his wife

11 germinal (March 31)

I conjure you, my tender and virtuous friend, to sustain the blow that strikes us with as much calmness and security as I feel in my new home; I think I am as well here as a prisoner can be. The cause which procured me this act of vengeance must elevate and enlarge our souls. Be worthy of it and of me by rejecting all attacks of pain and overwhelm. It is fine to suffer for the Republic and for the happiness of the people. I salute you and press you to my heart. Philippeaux

I just learned that Danton, Camille and Lacroix have been arrested as well, I don’t know the cause of it.

12 germinal (April 1)

I received yesterday, my virtuous and tender friend, the package of line and utensils that you sent me. I urge you to go to the Convention with my son, and ask them for what crime I am arrested, sequestered from the whole society, and reduced to not being able to even read a newspaper. You know my heart, it never hid anything mysterious from you, and you know that the most ardent of the Republic, the purest devotion to its salvation, is my only passion. There is in my arrest a very fatal mistake, or a great wickedness. I would like this enigma to be explained to me, to at least know my fate. In addition, courage and dignity: the wife of a martyr and of a virtuous man must not adopt a pleading tone towards anyone… If you are just, break the irons of outraged virtue. If you (vous) are cowards or wicked, I have nothing more to say to you (vous). Send me, I beg you, half a pound of tobacco; because I've been short of it since yesterday evening, and I would say almost like the good Swiss, that it's as if we were out of bread. For the rest, all the consideration of humanity is offered to me, and if you obtain permission to come and see me, you will be content with my little lodging. Embrace my Auguste.

15 germinal (April 4)

Finally, my virtuous and respectable friend, I no longer have the torment of doubt about the kind of crime, of which the enemies of all virtues have deemed it fit for their policy to accuse me of. Yesterday, at half-past eleven in the evening, an usher from the Revolutionary Tribunal came to give me the indictment, with the list of jurors and witnesses, in whose presence I will appear at nine o'clock. I fed at that moment on the reflections of Helvetius on probity, glory and virtue. Without admitting the ingenious sophisms of this philosopher on the material and perishable principles of our intellectual faculties, I have always been his disciple on morality and the tender love of humanity. I had unfortunately forgotten the Dialogues of good J.Jacques, which had fortified my soul, and poured a consoling balm on the wounds that the black wickedness of my implacable enemies had caused it for three months… I went to bed at midnight, not without agitation. A peaceful sleep of five hours makes me fresh and ready for the great ordeal which I am about to undergo; my heart and my conscience assure me that it will not be fatal... However, my friend, as the justice of men is subject to so many passions and errors, I am resigned to anything, if the patrie needs a very pure and very devoted victim, I feel a certain pride in serving it as a holocaust. The unjust torture of a good man sometimes advances a revolution more than that of a thousand scoundrels. I like to believe that you will imbue yourself with these great ideas, and will stiffen yourselves against all weakness, unworthy of the sublime cause for which I am proscribed. Porcia and Cornélie must be your models, as I have always invoked the soul of Brutus and that of Cato. I leave with you a precious stem, worthy of the Republic; you owe yourself entirely to the education of this interesting being. Communicate to him your soul and mine; the examples of his father will lead him to virtue. When he is old enough to be able to rise to sublime ideas, fill him with the feeling of the Supreme Being and the immortality of the soul. This consoling dogma is the only refuge of withered and oppressed freedom. I hope that the Republic will then be well established; for I believe it to be imperishable, despite all the horrors with which it is defiled. Let him content himself with saying: My father contributed with all his being to cement the happiness of his fellow men; but no resentment or revenge against my oppressors; will they not be punished enough by their remorse? May no odious passion ever dishonor the glory of my sacrifice. When we have done everything for our country, it is she who must avenge us, without being provoked. A very harsh law, which alone has the right to trouble me, confiscates all my just assets from the Republic. She won't gain much; for, thank God, I have possessed with stubborn work only the bare necessities, and I am one of the few who leave the Convention with the same poverty as they entered it: if this law is strictly executed to take from you the little I have left, firmly bear this new disaster... The same law entrusts the fatherland with power to the existence of the families of the condemned who have nothing to live on, it will necessarily provide you with more than can be taken away from you. Wait until the cruel prejudices are deadened, and then you will tell the French senate that I married you ten years ago, with no other dowry than that of your virtues, and that it is his glory not to reduce you to the horrors of misery... I do not need to commend my memory to you: if some barbarous hand were still trying to wither it, you have intimate knowledge of my feelings and my actions, since we have been together, of what to confuse slander; and then, I hope that tyranny will not be pushed so far as to take away my works on the Vendée. A precious manuscript is on my desk; twice I had withdrawn from printing it, persuaded that the interest of public affairs no longer needed it; all my persecutors are completely confounded there; but as the publication of this work could have occasioned new dissensions, I sacrificed the interest of my personal glory, and my reputation even, to the much more eminent interest of public affairs. However, my friend, as it is a sacred property, where I demonstrate that I have never made a single movement, thought a single thought, which did not tend to the happiness of the people, it would be a sacrilege attempt to strip you of it; the kidnapper would guarantee it to gods and men. Farewell, my charming and unfortunate friend, if this letter is my testament, and my last conjugal kiss on earth, there is another abode where virtuous and loving souls must meet. Praise heaven that this time will only come when my dear Auguste is no longer going to be in need of you! I send you both the blessing of the just. Philippeaux

On the back of this letter is written:

The depositary of this writing, if he has any human entrails and virtue, will faithfully hand it over to the citoyenne Philippeaux, my wife.

Source: Histoire parlementaire de la Révolution française ou Journal des assamblées nationales depuis 1789 jusqu’en 1815, volume 32 page 239-243

The same day the last letter was written, Billaud-Varennes suggested Madame Philippeaux should come to the Convention and testify against her husband, but this suggestion was shot down by Robespierre.

Billaud: To complete the unmasking of the others in this new intrigue, I ask that Philippeaux's wife be admitted to the bar; you will acquire new proof of how guilty this man is. Robespierre: I oppose this proposal; there is no need to confuse Philippeaux's wife with himself; he is in court, let us wait for his judgment. I observe that the Convention must not depart from the rules of equality; it did not want to hear the parents of the conspirators who have already perished; Philippeaux's wife must not obtain this favour. The meeting moves on to the agenda on the proposal of Billaud-Varennes.

Source: Ibid volume 32 page 190

To end on a slightly happier note, after the death of Philippeaux, his wife became friends with Desmoulins’ mother-in-law, and the two sometimes brought Auguste Philippeaux and the five years younger Horace Desmoulins together for a playdate. Here is their conserved correspondence.

[skyeventide]

I was watching a rendition of Büchner’s Dantons Tod, directed by Jürgen Flimm (in German), and I took a couple of screencaps because it amused me that:

a) Camille Desmoulins has a moustache.

b) The dude who looks a lot like Robespierre in the first three pictures is actually Danton. (The actor they used for Robespierre is way too old and does not look like Maximilien at all, really not even a little bit. They should have picked the one who plays Danton for Robespierre -- he is a good actor though, so he makes a nice George regardless.)

The third dude that you can see here is Philippeaux and the woman is Danton’s wife, who is called Julie in this play. There is a number of gay hints. Like Danton and Camille touching foreheads and hugging and cheek-kissing a number of times, plus Hérault de Séchelles trying to outright kiss Camille in the first ten minutes. Saint-Just is not as pretty as I wish he were but they curled his hair and did remember the earring. 

[montagnarde1793]

À noter aussi, un peu en retard :

I.3.3

Au lieu de Prieur, c'était Philippeaux (orthographié "Phélippeaux") que Hugo a fait signer l'affiche à l'origine. Ce qui n'aurait pas été juste du tout, alors je suis doublement contente du changement.

Le feuillet 78 du manuscrit porte cette note : "La nouvelle arrive que Louis Bonaparte est mort."

I.3.4

Il y avait à l'origine quelques lignes de dialogue de plus, que Hugo a biffées :

(Lantenac :) " - Je retiendrai ce nom : Tellmarch le Caimand." (feuillet 82)

Le marquis se leva et jeta sur le lit d'ajoncs son manteau.

- Il fait chaud, dit-il, je laisse mon manteau qui n'est bon qu'à me dénoncer.

- Que Dieu soit avec vous !

- Il a été cette nuit avec moi, puisque vous étiez là. Adieu, Tellmarch.

- Adieu, monseigneur.

(feuillet 86)