SCIENCE - Jean-Antoine Chaptal (Saint-Pierre-de-Nogaret, 1756 - Paris, 1832) - Autograph letter

Jean-Antoine Chaptal (Saint-Pierre-de-Nogaret, 1756 - Paris, 1832)Autograph letter signed "Chaptal", dated "Paris, le 10 nivose An 9 de la République [31.XII.1800]". Chaptal, "...Membre de l’Institut National...", sought the help of his correspondent, Germain Garnier (1746-1821), and asked for his ideas “…sur les moyens de donner une suite convenable à toutes les parties dépendantes du Château de Versailles… soumises jusqu’à ce jour à des directions ou administrations particulières…”, etc. Chaptal clarifies his thinking and demands an answer “…le plus tôt possible…”. The residence of the royal family, the Château de Versailles was taken over on 5 October 1789 by the people of Paris, causing major damage, with its furniture being sold off and scattered throughout Europe and its gardens sown for food. Despite the beginnings of construction of the left pavilion, begun under Napoleon I, the entire complex remained practically abandoned until the inauguration of the Historical Museum in 1837, under Louis Philippe 1st. This letter by Chaptal from shows us that as early as 1800, the new regime seemed to have some interest in this important place in the history of France. Autograph address on the 4th page. 1 p. (20 cm x 24.5 cm).