Francesco FERRARA (1810–1900). Autograph letter, Turin, Marc - Lot 37

Francesco FERRARA (1810–1900). Autograph letter, Turin, March 19, 1859, to Joseph Garnier; 2½ pages, in-8 format, on blue paper; in French. An interesting letter on the Italian question. He is confined to bed with a fever and says it took him “two days to decipher your handwriting, which, in true Italian fashion, has this time surpassed itself: you have no serious rival in this regard other than Mr. Carey; that says it all!” He thanks him for the pamphlets sent, some of which he was already familiar with. He will send him the “volume containing the Italian economists. But it has no significance beyond Italy. It is outdated political economy.” He then turns to the Italian political situation: “The war seems to be encountering serious obstacles, which any man of common sense could have foreseen. I believe Mr. Cavour will have ample reason to regret his haste and his imprudence. […] Deep down, there is indeed a very strong and widespread desire in Italy to break free from Austria, but Piedmont is too eager to turn the issue of emancipation into a project of expansion”; he wonders about the stance of England and Prussia, as well as that of Napoleon III. “Moreover, Mr. Cavour has one indisputable merit: he has succeeded in elevating the Italian question to the level of a European issue”… He is considering leaving Italy and taking up residence near Paris…