FOUCHÉ (Joseph) Paris, [1795-1799]. Autograph letter signed. 1 p. in-4 (23.6 x 18.5 cm). Surprising autograph letter signed on the subject of an unfortunate namesake and the memory of Robespierre. Fouché assures his correspondent that he is not responsible for a request submitted to the Directoire. "One of our mutual friends has just told me that the Minister of Finance yesterday presented the Directoire with a request for a position signed by me. I declare that this application and none of its kind was made by me. This regrettable misunderstanding was in fact due to a namesake of Fouché. "You will perhaps have the explanation of this misunderstanding by remembering that there existed on the benches of the Convention, a man who bore my name, or rather who had difficulty bearing it; for he was very afraid that Robespierre would take it for me. It is easy enough to understand why the other Fouché did not wish to be confused by Robespierre with the "head of the conspiracy". Letter mounted on mitre, small red stain in margin, light folds.