Ordinance of the Emperor and King granting amnesty, 1793 - Lot 132

Ordinance of the Emperor and King granting amnesty, 1793 Important administrative leaflet printed on paper, published in 1793, containing the ordinance of the Emperor and King granting amnesty to deserters from His Majesty's troops, dated May 16, 1793. The document is presented in the form of a large poster made up of several printed sheets joined together, forming a large-format vertical placard. The text is arranged in numerous columns and printed in three languages: French, Dutch and German, to ensure distribution of the ordinance throughout the provinces of the Austrian Netherlands. The typographed title "Ordonnance de l'Empereur et Roi portant amnistie en faveur des déserteurs des troupes de Sa Majesté" (Ordinance of the Emperor and King granting amnesty to deserters from His Majesty's troops) is surmounted by the imperial coat of arms. The text details the conditions of the general pardon granted to deserter soldiers, enabling them to rejoin their regiments within a specified period without incurring the penalties stipulated by military regulations. The document ends with the official formulas and administrative signatures, as well as the printer's name: "Tot Gend, by P. F. De Goesin, drukker van Zyne Majesteyt", attesting to printing in Ghent. This type of placard was intended for public display in towns, barracks and administrative places, to inform the population and the military of imperial decisions in the troubled context of the revolutionary wars at the end of the XVIIIᵉ century. 114 × 40 cm. Cupboard composed of several assembled sheets, folds and minor wear from use.