CHABAN-DELMAS Jacques (1915-2000). 5 L. A. S., Bordeaux and Paris 1954-1955, to General de GAULLE; 8 pages in various formats, the 1st on the letterhead of the Bordeaux Town Hall, 2 on the letterhead of the Ministry of Public Works, Transport and Tourism; 3 with autograph apostilles from de Gaulle. 4 January 1954. "Every year, circumstances make me deplore even more the lack of leadership on the part of the State. The recent Versailles Congress, with its undoubtedly unavoidable twists and turns, prompts me to express to you with greater force and conviction than ever the wishes I have for you personally and for your work. In Bordeaux itself [...] political disintegration is accelerating; in a few hours the budget, although sound and clear, will undoubtedly be postponed and paralysis will in turn affect our city, which is particularly painful after seven years of effective work. My city, too, will have to be saved"... At the top, de Gaulle wrote: "I have replied". 27 June. He agreed "to join the cabinet of Pierre Mendès-France. Since I had no illusions about the way the powers were organised and about the scope for action that remained, I thought it appropriate not to shirk my duties again, this time to a man who was sincere and whose soul was high enough not to see, on the contrary, what he owed you and what France owed you"... On his head, de Gaulle wrote: "not to reply". - 15 December. He regretted not being able "to be among those who have surrounded you this evening with such recognition and such attachment! Once again, the system is manifesting itself, paralysing me between two tiresome and very disappointing parliamentary sessions"... 4 January 1955. "Every year, your fatal prognosis is confirmed a little more, and even a lot more. Those who, in the secrecy of their conscience, have the deep feeling that they have not betrayed their own mission, can only agree that their efforts have been futile. Never has the motto of the taciturn been so understandable for many of those who had not despaired, even in 1940". De Gaulle noted: "Me; I can't read the signature". - 12 January. He thanks the General for his "very generous donation to the families of sailors lost at sea in Brittany. [...] This year, which has been so difficult from the outset, leads me, once again, to confuse my wishes for our country with my wishes for you"...