ALPHONSE (HENRI-FRANCOIS-ALPHONSE) ESQUIROS - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED - HFSID 85896

ALPHONSE ESQUIROS
The French novelist writes an impassioned letter to the Minister of Finance
Autograph Letter signed: "Alphonse Esquiros", 2p, 7½x9. Sainte-Pélagie, October 4. To: "Mr. Minister." In French, translated in full: "On the brink of the conclusion of the eight months of prison time to which I've been condemned for a violation of press laws by the circuit court, they are still threatening to detain me for a fine of [1 word illegible] that I'm incapable of paying. [3 words illegible] the 400 hundred francs, the library tickets, have, along with the uneasiness of captivity, rendered me destitute. I leave it up to your conscience, Mr. Minister, to consider everything that a refusal of freedom [2 words illegible] for me and perhaps make a sacrifice with the public opinion in mind. I ask for liberty, with the promise to satisfy, in a set time, the requirements of the administration./ Sincerely,/" Addressed to "Monsieur le Ministre de finances" on verso. Henri-François-Alphonse Esquiros (1812-1876) was a French writer, politician, and social critic. In 1840, he published L'Évangile du peuple (1840), which focused on the life and character of Jesus and his work as a social reformer. Authorities considered the work to be blasphemous and he was fined and imprisoned for eight months at Sainte-Pélagie. During his time in prison Esquiros produced another work: Les Chants d'un prisonnier. A social democrat, he was elected in 1850 to the Legislative Assembly. However, because of his opposition to the Second French Empire, he was exiled in 1851. Esquiros returned to France in 1869 and resumed his political career. He was eventually elected to the French senate in 1876, but died shortly afterward. Pen note (Esquiros/ Henri Francois Alphonse/ 1812 - 1876/ Novelist." Slightly creased in several places. Small tears at bottom edge. Otherwise, fine condition.