Nobleman escaping French Revolution
Not often you find passports of Germany that old and in good condition – passports of the 18th century are rare at all. I was lucky enough to grab this nice document for my collection. What you see here is the passport of Count de la POTHERIE (Family Anjou – Angers) on his escape from the French Revolution, like many other noblemen escaping to South Germany at that time. Nobleman escaping French Revolution

The French Revolution was a watershed event in modern European history that began in 1789 and ended in the late 1790s with the ascent of Napoleon Bonaparte. During this period, French citizens razed and redesigned their country’s political landscape, uprooting centuries-old institutions such as the absolute monarchy and the feudal system.

German Text Nobleman escaping French Revolution

Nachdem Vorweiser dieß Herr Graf de la Potherie mit Bewilligung der k. k. V(order) Ö(sterreichisch)en hohen Landesstelle sich dahier über zwei Jahre aufgehalten, und während dieser Zeit ganz untadelhaft betragen; nun aber wegen der neüerlichen Feindesgefahr sich anderwärts, und zwar nach AUGSBURG, und allenfalls weiters in das Reich zu begeben willens ist: also haben unterzeichnete ihm Herrn Grafen de la Potherie zu seinem ungehinderten Fortkom(m)en gegenwärtigen Reisepass mit dem Ansuchen ertheilet, um demselben nöthigen falls all möglichen Vorschub geneigtest angedeihen zu lassen. Zu dessen Bekräftigung haben wir das gewöhnliche Oberamts-Insigel nebst unserer Unterfertigung hirfür drücken lassen.

English Text Nobleman escaping French Revolution

After Mr. Count de la Potherie, with the permission of the k. k. V(order) Ö(sterreichisch) hohe Landesstelle has stayed here for more than two years, and during this time has behaved quite blamelessly; but now, because of the new danger of the enemy, is willing to go elsewhere, namely to Augsburg. And if necessary, further into the Empire. So the undersigned have granted him, Count de la Potherie, the present passport with the request for his unhindered continuation. To provide him with all possible assistance if necessary. In confirmation of this, we have had the customary insignia of the Chief Magistrate’s Office pressed here together with our signature.

Tettnang (Lake Konstanz), 27. Mach 1796. 1 ½ pp. in-fol. German. Blind stamp (seal). On the back, a note from an officer in Merseburg, 8. August 1799. At this time, the count traveled to Konstanz. Nobleman escaping French Revolution

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