Description:

Charles de Gaulle
n.p. [France], May 10, 1950
Charles de Gaulle Historic TLS Re: Fate of Elderly Marshal Pétain Serving Out His Life Prison Sentence
TLS

A 1p typed letter signed by Charles de Gaulle (1890-1970), former Leader of the Free French, as "C. de Gaulle" at lower right. May 10, 1950. N.p. but likely Paris or his private estate in Colombey-les-Deux-Églises. Typed on watermarked paper with "Le Général de Gaulle" letterhead. Transmittal fold breaks have been repaired with tape, which has caused isolated discoloration. Scattered minor closed tears and chipped edges and corners supported by silking verso. A former collector's scattered pencil inscriptions. Else good. 8.25" x 10.625." With partial English translation. Provenance: Ex-Kenneth Rendell, November 1971 (a copy of the original invoice is included).

A truly remarkable letter in which Charles de Gaulle opines about the fate of Marshal Philippe Pétain (1856-1951), who had formally surrendered France to Nazi Germany in June 1940. In July-August 1945, the Provisional Government of the French Republic - with de Gaulle as its Chairman - had tried Pétain for crimes against the state. Pétain was convicted and originally sentenced to death. De Gaulle commuted Pétain's sentence to life imprisonment. Now, five years later, Pétain was 94 years old and of increasingly frail mental and physical health. De Gaulle, among others, considered under what conditions Pétain should serve our the remainder of his prison sentence.

In this riveting letter, de Gaulle draws a distinction between punishment according to the letter or according to the law. According to de Gaulle, punishment should be mitigated under certain circumstances, especially when the prisoner was of advanced age, had physical infirmities, or showed cognitive decline: Pétain met all three requirements.

De Gaulle wrote this letter to a correspondent named Monsieur Massit in Voiron, in southeastern France.

Translated in part:

"Your latest letters have had all my attention.

I have already, upon several occasions, stated my point of view concerning Marshal Pétain, but I'll reply very gladly to the question that you pose to me on this subject. There is, in this matter, one thing on which there is no going back, that is, the condemnation of what amounted to the capitulation of the State and the collaboration of principle with the enemy. But it is understandable that some French, considering the current situation of this elderly man of 94 years old, and the glorious role that he played formerly, ask that he is given the chance of ending his life in more honorable conditions. This is what I myself have called for. If that is the solution expected by those of whom you speak, then the Rassemblement [referring to De Gaulle's political party, le Rassemblement du Peuple Français, established in 1947] is quite ready to consent to this…"

De Gaulle and Pétain had held opposing viewpoints as the Nazis approached Paris in June 1940. Pétain, a seasoned World War I hero, maintained that the defense of France was hopeless, and that engaging in guerrilla warfare would needlessly destroy the countryside and endanger the populace. On the other hand, the younger de Gaulle had urged Pétain to take a stand. When it became clear that Pétain intended on signing an armistice with Nazi Germany, de Gaulle relocated his Free French headquarters to England. Although the two military commanders contrasted in their approach to the Nazi threat, de Gaulle never lost his respect for Pétain's previous achievements.

Pétain was eventually removed from prison and confined to a hospital a year later, in June 1951, just a few weeks before his death.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 8.25" x 10.625"
  • Medium: TLS

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