MERLIN DE DOUAI PHILIPPE-ANTOINE: (1754-1838) French politician and lawyer who served as Minister of Justice 1795-96, 1796-97. L.S., Merlin, two pages, small 4to, Paris, 15^th April 1797, to the director and jury of the district of Courtray, on the printed stationery of the Criminal Bureau, in French. Merlin de Douai states that he has been informed that the accomplices of Francois Fallambier have been transferred to Courtray, noting that 'ce n'est qu'a l'aide de la surveillance la plus active et la plus suive qu'on est parvenu a empecher l'evasion de ces prevenus qui pendant leur sejours dans la prison de Bethune l'avaient presque demolie et qu'il est a craindre que ces individus ne parviennent enfin a s'echapper si l'on n'apporte a leur garde la plus grande des precautions' (Translation: 'it was only with the aid of the most active and the most consistent supervision that we managed to prevent the escape of these defendants who during their stay in the prison of Bethune had almost demolished it and that it is to be feared that these individuals will finally manage to escape if the greatest precautions are not taken') and further urging his correspondent to liaise with the commissioner of the Executive Directory to take appropriate measures to prevent an event which would spread consternation in neighbouring districts and also instructing him to continue with his investigation into Fallambier and his accomplices. To the third page appears a manuscript response to Merlin de Douai, the author stating that he would have liked to have had the opportunity to study the trial of Salenbier and his many accomplices, but is unable to do so at present as he is recovering in bed and will not be able to start the trial, believing it to be harmful to the public to start such a case and not be able to follow it up. Some very light, extremely minor age wear, VG