Alexis de TOCQUEVILLE (1805-1859). 10 L.A.S., 1845-1847, to Nicolas Noël-Agnès; 27pages in-8, one address. Interesting correspondence concerning the proposed railroad from Paris to Cherbourg, addressed to Noël-Agnès (1794-1866), his colleague on the Conseil Général de la Manche, and mayor of Cherbourg. It begins on February 14, 1845; Tocqueville reports on the meeting at the Minister of Public Works of "all the deputations of the West, each represented by a delegate"; the Minister remains evasive, but seems to lean "in favor of the train passing through Lisieux. The Manche deputation has since returned en masse to the Minister. They have again obtained a formal promise that the projects of the two companies (for there are two today) who want to make the route from Paris to Caen via the Sein valley, will be put to the inquiries immediately. But we have not been able to obtain a classification as far as Cherbourg this year, as the Minister has put up absolute resistance on this point"... Tocqueville denounces M. Dumoncel's maneuvers to thwart their plans. Dumoncel to thwart their project... - March 5, he welcomes the fact that the deputies from the Sarthe, and part of Brittany, do not want the route via Alençon... - April 12, business takes a turn for the better; the route would be direct, passing through Le Mans and not Alençon; the survey towards Cherbourg would be premature. - May 3. The route from Paris to Caen will not be started this year. "However, I see people's minds becoming more and more attuned to the idea that a railroad linking Paris to Cherbourg is an important undertaking for the defense of the Kingdom"... - May 31, summary of the state of the question. - July 6. The bill could not be tabled and supported. Concern about a new route, which would lengthen the route by 40 to 50 km. February 5, 1846. Overview of the various companies' plans for the route beyond Caen. February 1, 1847. Concerning relief for the commune of Quettehou. - Friday 14th. Discussion of the Customs Act; he reached agreement with his colleague Lasnier on the railroad...