ROBESPIERRE MAXIMILIEN DE: (1758-1794) French Lawyer & Politician, one of the most influential figures of the ...

ROBESPIERRE MAXIMILIEN DE: (1758-1794) French Lawyer & Politician, one of the most influential figures of the French Revolution. Executed by guillotine at the age of 36. Rare D.S., Robespierre, one page, 8vo, Paris, 4th Prairial, Republic 2 (30th May 1794), in French. The manuscript document is issued by the Committee of Public Safety and orders the Surveillance Committee of the municipality of Vaugirard 'to arrest in 24 hours citizen Boulanger who lives in this municipality and securely confiscate his papers' further requesting that the Surveillance Committee confirm within two days the execution of the order. Countersigned at the conclusion by Georges Couthon (1755-1794) French Politician, executed by guillotine alongside Robespierre. With a professional repair to the lower left edge, light age wear, and signs of former mounting to the verso. G £2500-3500 The Committee of Public Safety, created in April 1793 formed the de facto executive government in France during the Reign of Terror (1793-94), its role to protect the newly established Republic against foreign attacks and internal rebellion. In July 1793 Robespierre was added to the Committee, however, the execution of Robespierre in July 1794 represented a reactionary period against the Committee of Public Safety, known as the Thermidorian Reaction. The Committee's influence subsequently diminished and it was disestablished in 1795.The Surveillance Committee supervised the local police committees in charge of investigating reports of treason, and was one of the agencies with authority to refer suspects to the Revolutionary Tribunal for trial and possible execution by guillotine.