Oscar Bardi de FOURTOU (1836-1897), statesman, deputy for the Dordogne then Minister of the Interior. 8 L.A.S., Ribérac and Paris 1874-1875, [to his friend Charles Welche (1828-1902), deputy then prefect]; 14pages in-8, 4 on Assemblée Nationale letterhead. Interesting political correspondence, criticizing in particular the Ministry, "doomed by passions to radical impotence, and destined to see growing alongside it all the enemies it claims to fight. [...] This is a real misfortune. I have no say in the matter, but I will take the liberty of saying to you: as long as you can, do not commit any weakness with regard to the leftists, fight everything that moves in the direction of radicalism, no longer give the public thoroughfare to newspapers like the XIXth century. Authoritarian policy is the only thing that will keep you alive; without it, you will quickly and miserably perish"... Etc. 2 draft replies and 3 letters to Welche by Paul Andral, Costa de Beauregard, Adrien Tailhan, etc. are enclosed.