[LOUIS XVII]. Jean-Baptiste GOMIN. Autograph manuscript, with on verso a L.A. (draft) from Étienne LASNE (1757-1841), [1795-1796] 1 folio recto-verso (slight restorations). Precious document on the Temple prison, by its two guards. In Gomin's hand, a very long list (tight text, 186 people, with addresses written in red) of all the members of the 48 civil committees who took turns every day at the Temple, guarding the prisoners. Some, such as Hébert or Michel, overwhelmed them with vexations; others, discreetly pitied by the terrible fate of the children, such as the architect Bellanger (who, on duty on 31 May 1794, painted the last portrait of the Dauphin, a few days before his death). Rémi Bigot (marked "dead") was present at the autopsy on the body of Louis XVII. On the back of this out-of-date list, Étienne Lasne wrote the draft of a letter to the Minister of the Interior, dated "au Temple ce 3 germinal an 4e" [23 March 1796]. The Minister invited him to "remain in the Tower until you have made up your mind about the effects deposited there, and about the furniture [...] the Temple is not an ordinary property of the Nation, but a place whose commander must take orders only from the government that appointed him there [...].My responsibility does, however, exist in part as custodian of a portion of the furniture and effects of the former Queen, which are inventoried and in my custody [...] my function cannot cease completely until you order me to do so, and I have received discharge for all the effects of which I am custodian. I also think that holding my place on the government committees as a reward for the services I have rendered to the Revolution [...] by having fulfilled my duties to the general satisfaction", leaving his post would resemble "the dismissal of a citizen of whom one had been dissatisfied". Gomin noted that "this draft letter is from Mr Lasne, who was retained as concierge after Madame's departure". An autograph note signed by Alcide de Beauchesne states: "Yes, this draft is by Lasne, but the list of all the members of the civil committees who took turns every day at the Temple is by Gomin. Lasne and Gomin, the last two guards that Louis XVI's children had in the T. Tower". Provenance: Alcide de Beauchesne.