[GENTILI Antonio] - Lot 101

[GENTILI Antonio] (St Florent, 18/12/1743 - 27/03/1798) Like his father, he worked with Paoli, and in 1767 took part in the capture of Capraja. In 1768, during a battle in which his father was killed, he was arrested and sent to the Toulon penal colony. Released after Ponte Novu, he went into exile in Tuscany and, with Nicodème Pasqualini, prepared the insurrection of 1774, which failed. He then joined Paoli in London, where he became his secretary. In 1798, Paoli sent him to Paris to act as spokesman for the leaders of the Revolution: La Fayette, Saliceti etc... Back in Corsica, he played a significant role. In 1793, he refused secession and broke with Paoli, supported the siege of Saint-Florent against the English, then that of Bastia in April-May 1794. On this occasion, he was appointed Major General by the Convention, which assigned him to the Army of Italy, where he took part in the Republican reconquest of Corsica. This letter, dated Brumaire 30, Year III of the Republic (November 30, 1794), refers to private matters, but is interesting for the atmosphere of the time: the use of intermediaries, the obscurities of civil status, the errors of notaries, and the problems ultimately posed to "obscure" people. 1 p. in-4 folded format.