Passport-related corruption in 1816 France
A rare and early 1816 French letter from the Special Commissioner of Police to investigate abuses in the issuing of passports (corruption). The letter is 200+ years old.
This is an official letter dated October 4, 1816, from the Special Commissioner of Police for the Department of Vaucluse, a man named Gleises de Lablanque. He is writing to the Mayor of Orange (a town in southern France).
The commissioner was ordered by the Minister of General Police to investigate abuses in the issuing of passports. The central concern is that local authorities may have been illegally charging extra fees during the passport process.
Key Points Passport-related corruption France
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Only the legal stamp fee is allowed.
No other payments (such as for visas, document handling, or other exchanges) are permitted by law. -
The mayor must report any abuses.
If any illegal payments were collected in Orange, the commissioner wants full details: how it happened, who was involved, why it was done, and for how long. -
Even if there was a reason, it’s still suspect.
Even if the extra fees seemed justified or necessary, they must still be explained and may still be unlawful. -
If funds were collected, the mayor must explain how they were used.
The commissioner asks for a precise accounting of where the money went.
Historical Context Passport-related corruption France
This letter comes from a time when the French government, after the fall of Napoleon and during the Bourbon Restoration, was trying to restore order and central control. Passport control was important for monitoring movement and maintaining security. The government likely feared corruption or misuse of authority by local officials.
In short, the letter is a formal demand for the mayor to explain whether passport-related corruption occurred in Orange and, if so, to justify it and provide a full accounting.
Tom Topol | Passport History Expert & Author.
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