[ work in progress ]
Bernardino Drovetti was the French general consul in Egypt from 1806 to 1815. During that period, he was Asselin’s superior. Drovetti lost his position following the fall of Napoleon Bonaparte in late 1815. Until he was reappointed as consul in 1821, Drovetti organized archaeological excavations in Egypt and engaged in collecting and selling antiquities.
The following excerpts are taken from
- Curto, Silvio, in cooperation with Laura Donatelli, eds. Bernardino Drovetti, Epistolario: 1800-1851. Milan: Cisalpino-Goliardica, 1985.
English translation (excerpts)
[# 23] Asselin to Drovetti (Cairo, 1812.07.06)
[p. 32] Sir,
I hasten to reply to the letter you did me the honor of writing on the 2nd of this month. Presuming that you had proceeded directly to Alexandria, I had addressed my letter of June 26th to you there. […]
From the little I could gather of his [i.e., Muhammad Ali of Egypt] conversation with M. Roustan, he spoke of Albania, the Morea, and the Pashas stationed there. He was kind enough to say that he hoped to see me more often than in the past. When Giovanni remarked that I was always surrounded by books, the Pasha asked if I was familiar with Mohammed-Effendi’s library. Seizing the opportunity, I asked for his permission to visit it. He made a gesture that surprised me. Placing his hand first on his heart and then on his head, he graciously granted my request. […]
You were kind enough to renew your offer of services, and you know that I gratefully accepted them for my project at the Al-Azhar Mosque, pending definite news from Paris regarding the matter. In the meantime, if you would please instruct Passigli or Fernandez to place 120 piastres a month at my disposal, I would worry less about paying the Sheikhs who work for me. They are poor men, and I have never kept them waiting for their wages.
I should not harbor illusions regarding my own salary; I am familiar with the service and the administrative procedures followed in the offices. Once Mr. [Joseph Philibert] Roustan is officially recognized by the Ministry, his salary as First Dragoman will accrue from the day he left Constantinople, and the supplementary allowance granted to me will cease at that same time. In any case, these financial matters will not trouble me greatly, for I am resolved to undertake only what my means allow. […]
I felt compelled to refuse the offers from the English, however tempting and philanthropic they might have been. One of them offered me as much as a hundred guineas for a portion of this work—which was yielding me little more than a hundred écus—and proposed publishing it in England under my name. However, I am resolved to publish nothing until the work is entirely completed in France.
I have the honor to remain, with esteem and affection, Sir, your very humble and devoted servant,
Asselin
[# 29] Boutin to Drovetti (Cairo, 1812.09.17)
[p. 39] My dear Mr. Drovetti,
Here are your journals for which I thank you very much […]
Mr. Asselin has withdrawn his request regarding the position of [1st] dragoman [interpreter]. He says he may have mentioned it to you. As for his relations with Mr. Roustan, propriety and tact would not have allowed him to act otherwise than he did, unless he had received a formal order from you. Mr. Roustan had been led to believe that Mr. Asselin was his enemy and had said so to everyone. This will have proved to him how mistaken he was. […]
[# 44] Asselin to Drovetti (Cairo, 1814.07.07)
[p. 59] Sir,
I finally received a letter from Mr. [Vincent-Ives] Boutin, written from Latakia on May 15. It appears he has suffered greatly, both mentally and physically. He was robbed by his servant, who then abandoned him. He stayed in Sidon for a month with Mr. Taitbout, who welcomed him warmly. However, Mr. Guys the elder did not treat him the same way in Tripoli. I take the liberty of sharing a passage from Mr. Boutin’s letter regarding Guys’ rude behavior, which deserves to be known.
“Mr. Guys the elder is temporarily replacing his father in Tripoli. He possesses an incredible amount of that foul vanity typical of a Levantine Greek. He is on terrible terms with the local governor because he tries to dodge the customary small gifts. The day I arrived at his house, he sent his interpreter to tell me he was eating dinner. This interpreter is Mr. Ruffin’s nephew, but they are nothing alike. This nephew is incredibly foolish. He approached me with a terrified look, as if the final judgment had sounded. With his head buried in his shoulders and a pointed expression, he said with a southern accent: ‘But sir, we have just sat down to eat.’ I told him to inform Mr. Guys that I am not in the habit of waiting in the lobby for consuls. I requested that he send the paperwork I needed once he finished his dinner. I never went back to his house.”
Mr. de Chateaubriand has published a fierce pamphlet against Napoleon and his administration. I just read a few excerpts of it in English in the May issue of the Literary Panorama. You know I like to speak frankly with you, so between us, this attack against a great man did not please me. If I dared [p. 60 to answer him in his own style, I would say:
A political monument stands alone on this earth, and that monument is currently on the island of Elba. The stormy waves of politics crashed together to overthrow it, and they managed to isolate it. However, when the stormy winds calm down, it will appear in all its glory and shine in full beauty!
European nations will never be at peace until wars between states stop being family feuds. Yet, human philosophy must progress significantly before people realize that no one is born with an unchangeable character passed down to their children. After all, it would be ridiculous to believe that a strong man automatically passes his physical strength to his descendants.
The Senate degraded itself in the eyes of reason by establishing hereditary nobility. One of Napoleon’s greatest mistakes was acting behind his times by reviving ancient prejudices that the Revolution had destroyed. He set back common sense. He prepared his own downfall by making people comfortable with the return of an old order—an order he should have strictly kept away. If people must be ruled by hereditary princes and subjected to the whims of dukes, counts, and minor lords, then the old aristocracy is certainly better than the new one. How is it that in the 19th century, Europeans claim to be the most enlightened people on earth, yet pass formal laws to protect an institution born from the darkest ages of ignorance? You cannot find a trace of this anywhere else in the world. In Asia, Africa, and America, among billions of civilized or tribal people, you will not find a class of citizens separated from others by hereditary titles, privileges, and rights based solely on birth. Oh, how blind human minds are!
The new French constitution decreed by the Senate contains several absurdities. The Senate did not even have the right to decree it alone. For example, one article states that the position of senator is permanent and hereditary. Yet another article claims that all French citizens are eligible for all offices. How can both be true?
In this chapter of contradictions, it is also notable that the Count of Artois, Lieutenant General of the Kingdom, wore a National Guard uniform out of public respect when entering Paris. However, instead of going straight to City Hall—the natural seat of popular power—he stopped at the cathedral. No good reason should have led him there under the circumstances.
People are still talking about the upcoming arrival of the Governor. They say he is only waiting for Hassan Pasha to reach Jeddah before setting out. He is supposed to travel to Medina and then board a ship at Yanbu. This [p. 61] news is highly uncertain. He writes from time to time that he is coming immediately, but business always keeps him delayed.
I send you my greetings and embrace you with all my heart,
Asselin de Cherville
[# 46] Asselin to Drovetti (Cairo, 1814.12.27)
[p. 65] Sir,
The day before yesterday, a cannon was fired to announce the Governor’s arrival in Quseir. I already had my pen in hand to share this news with you. However, someone then told me that a local clerk had simply sent a messenger to another clerk to deliver the rumor. Since the situation seemed suspicious, I decided to wait for an official report before notifying you. I am still waiting for it.
I had a very unpleasant argument with Elias Serraf, which was caused by Mrs. Barthelemy. Without any legal right or power of attorney, she decided to lease a warehouse to this Armenian man. The building, known as the Capuchin Church, is currently occupied by Mr. [p. 66] Tilche. Elias came to my house with Mr. Boghoz and showed me this fake contract. He told me that I had to order Mr. Tilche to clear the property.
I told him that his paper was just a scrap of trash. Furthermore, I stated that even if it were valid, I would never evict a French citizen to put a foreigner in his place. The argument grew heated. Mr. Boghoz hinted that agreeing to this would please the local government. I replied that this changed the nature of the issue, and I could not do anything without your orders. He will write to you about this. These Armenian gentlemen will eventually kick us out of the neighborhood entirely, using one excuse or another. God willing! We will be much more peaceful somewhere else.
Thank you very much for your kindness in forwarding a letter to Mr. Chayolle. He plans to write to Mr. Herard soon to urge him to be patient.
My courtyard and the warehouse are finally empty. However, no one thought it necessary to grant me any compensation.
Duclos has done little but shady business deals since arriving in Alexandria. I relied on his repeated promises to send wine, and I have been borrowing from others for nearly two months now.
I am rushing to return the newspapers that Mr. Tourneau forwarded to me.
Tempora labuntur, tacitisque senescimus annis.
Time slips away, and we grow old without noticing it.
I now have few pleasures left to expect in life. I only hope to end my days in an honorable and peaceful manner. However, the moment of my retirement seems to be moving further away. Years are chasing me, health issues are increasing, and frustrations return constantly. My workload multiplies while my time grows shorter.
You are luckier than I am. After weathering the storms of life, you are ready to arrive at a peaceful harbor. From there, you can look back at the storms without fear and truly understand the people you have known.
May the upcoming year allow you to enjoy the fruits of your labor and sacrifices in peace. Please accept my best wishes for your happiness and for everyone dear to you. Please remember sometimes the feelings of respect and gratitude that your affectionate servant has dedicated to you for life.
Asselin de Cherville
[# 58] Asselin to Drovetti (Cairo, 1815.08.29)
[p. 79] Sir,
I was forced to hold your messenger a bit longer than I expected because of some unexpected events.
On the night of July 26, I [p. 80] asked the Pasha [Governor] for an order to salute the flag. He granted this request without any trouble. Therefore, I asked Joseph Messarra to stay at the palace until the written order was officially issued. Unfortunately, no clerk could be found to write it. Then, everything changed during the day on July 27.
The Governor began raising objections. He stated that after thinking it over, the white flag had always been recognized. He claimed that recognizing it again would imply that the local government had previously recognized a different flag. Consequently, he said the French consuls were always free to fly the flag whenever they liked, but without any official ceremony.
I knew very well that all these arguments came from Mr. Boghoz. I told him frankly what I thought about the situation. I repeated until I was blue in the face that this was not about political recognition, but about a standard salute. I asked him if it was necessary for me to go and bother the Pasha about this matter again.
He told me that he believed any further steps would be useless. However, he promised to talk to the Pasha once more. He said it would be enough to send the interpreter to get the final answer. The Pasha ultimately stuck to the statement he was coached to give. It is now up to you to decide on the best course of action in these critical circumstances.
[…]
[# 64] Asselin to Drovetti (Cairo, 1815.11.25)
[p. 86] Sir,
I received your letter dated the 17th of this month only today. Thank you for informing me of the arrival of Mr. [Pierre-Paul] Thédenat [-Duvent] and Mr. Vigouroux. […]
- Note (ed.): Thédenat-Duvent served as French vice-consul in Alexandria since November 1815.
The cause of kings triumphs at this moment. However, the cause of free people must sooner or later prevail. It is impossible to subjugate them with cannons [p. 87] and brutal forces. The French Revolution has taken too deep a root in people’s minds, even among foreign nations. Temporary illusions cannot suddenly uproot it. The enthusiasm for freedom is not dead. The French people have bowed under the weight of necessity, but they will rise again one day, more radiant and proud than ever.
I still hope that you will agree to manage the Consulate General until Mr. [Jean Baptiste de] Roussel arrives.
- Note (ed.): Roussel served as French consul general in Cairo since November 1815. He, therefore, became Asselin’s superior.
His arrival may not be as soon as you think. It appears he is approaching the Ministry to secure the Consulate General of Smyrna. In every respect, that post is certainly better than the one in Egypt.
Even if our professional relations must end, I sincerely hope our personal connection will not suffer the same fate. I have long been accustomed to sharing my thoughts with you. I hope you will not deprive me of the pleasure of sending you my reflections on people and events from time to time. By nature, I prefer study and privacy. Yet duty forces me to navigate a whirlwind of political intrigue and business alone. I am a stranger in the midst of a thousand conflicting interests, and I am frequently targeted by sarcasm and slander. Therefore, I need your advice and experience more than ever to guide me through these difficult times.
[…]
[# 83] Asselin to Drovetti (confidential letter; Cairo, 1818.08.21)
[p. 109] Sir and dear Patron [Mentor],
Through lies and trickery, the petty prince has finally managed to cut my pension from his state. This completely undermines the project [lit. edifice] I built at such great expense. You have kindly protected this project for years. The late Mr. Boutin also wanted to support it with all his influence and resources. Yet, it has now been ruined by political schemes whose real purpose I cannot see. As a result, the true reason for my perseverance in this unfortunate country will fail, at least in its main goals.
Who could have ever imagined this from a French consul? Despite explicit ministerial orders, he did not encourage or even support useful projects. Instead, he intended to obstruct and oppose them. He actively tried to destroy and cancel them as much as he could. This is [cultural] vandalism in its ugliest form.
[…]
[# 135] Asselin to Drovetti (Cairo, 1821.07.31)
[p. 172] Sir and dear Mentor,
I learned of your appointment to the Consulate General last night with great pleasure. From now on, we will finally be free from the oppression we suffered for so long. We no longer have to deal with the actions of malicious, foolish, and incompetent people.
Please accept my sincere congratulations.
With my warmest regards,
Asselin de Cherville