GREGOIRE HENRI: (1750-1831) Also known as Abbé Grégoire (''Abbot Gregoire''). French Catholic ...

GREGOIRE HENRI: (1750-1831) Also known as Abbé Grégoire (''Abbot Gregoire''). French Catholic Priest, Abolitionist and revolutionary Leader, appointed President of the Convention. Rare D.S., `Gregoire´, two pages, 4to, 3rd December 1795, to Citoyen Guillotin responsible of the National Bureau du Domaine, in French. Gregoire plead in favour of Doctor Pierre Broussonet who is about to go into exile because of his support to Girondists and states in part `..he is in Montpelier now, and is dealing with his legal situation, to be withdrawn from an emigrants list. Don´t you think citizen that Justice should claim the suspension of the sale of his belongings, being a reputed erudite, until the court will decide about him? This law respects the rights of everyone and of the Nation and in accordance with the principles of equity…´ With blank autograph address leaf. VG £250-350

Gregoire is well remembered for his memorable speech in the first session of the National Convention, 21st September 1792, stating `Kings are in morality what monsters are in the world of nature´. Two months after Gregoire delivered a speech demanding that King Louis XVI be brought to trial and immediately after was elected President of the Convention, over which he presided in his episcopal dress. Abbé Gregoire attempted to save the life of the monarch by proposing that the death penalty should be suspended.