Jean BERNADOTTE (1764-1844). L.-A.S., Paris 16 vendémiaire VIII (October 2, 1799), to his friend Guillaume BRUNE; 3 pages and a quarter in-4. Since leaving the Ministry, he notes his powerlessness. "I have resigned myself to moaning about the fate that awaits men who defend liberty for its own sake and not for the sake of a few oligarchs". He had learned from his friend's setbacks: "It is in misfortune that one can apprehend the elevation of the good man. A few hornets may buzz. They cannot rob you of the esteem of the Republicans. MASSENA was successful against the enemy general Hotze. He may have given Souwarov and François Second's Austrian brother a little too much leeway to flank him. LECOURBE has been defeated. May the action that is to take place not have unfortunate results for the republic". It will be necessary to "act in concert with a well-ordered liaison". He criticizes the inaction of certain generals, which has led to the loss of the "precious Joubert" and "caused us to lose Manheim along with our positions on the right bank, favoring the invasion of Holland". He worries about the fate of his young friend MAISON, "dangerously wounded fighting for your glory and that of the fatherland"... He adds: "Count me among your friends in all circumstances" ....