Antoine de Laforêt facts for kids

Antoine René Charles Mathurin, also known as Count de Laforêt, was an important French diplomat and politician. He was born on August 8, 1756, and passed away on August 2, 1846. Before the French Revolution, he served as France's top representative (Consul General) in the United States.

During the time of the First French Empire, he was the French Ambassador in Madrid, Spain. He also briefly held the position of Minister of Foreign Affairs in 1814, after Napoleon's first fall from power. In 1815, after Napoleon stepped down a second time, Laforêt was a special representative (plenipotentiary) to the countries that formed the Seventh Coalition against France.

Early Life and Diplomatic Beginnings

Antoine René Charles Mathurin was born in Aire-sur-la-Lys, a town in France, on August 8, 1756. When he was 16, in 1772, he became a sub-lieutenant in the Hainault army regiment. However, he soon decided to leave his military career.

Instead, he chose to work in diplomacy. On December 14, 1774, he joined the French Foreign Affairs department as a junior officer. In 1779, he became a secretary at the French office in the United States. He then served as a vice-consul in cities like Savannah, Philadelphia, and New York.

Serving in the United States

In 1788, Mathurin was promoted to Consul-General of France in the United States. This was a very important role, making him the chief French representative there. As a consul, Laforêt wrote reports that looked closely at the new U.S. Constitution. He also studied how likely it was that the states would approve it. You can read some of his reports here: analyzing the U.S. Constitution.

During his time in America, Mathurin bought large areas of land in Virginia. He turned this land into a plantation. He also became friends with Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord, another French nobleman who was living in exile. They worked together on different business projects. Talleyrand later helped Laforêt advance in his career.

Mathurin returned to France in September 1793. He became an assistant to Jean Antoine Joseph Fauchet, who was the French Minister Plenipotentiary to the United States. After a short break from his duties, Talleyrand, who was then in charge of External Relations, put Laforêt in charge of finance and accounting in July 1797.

Working for the Consulate and Empire

During the time of the French Consulate, Mathurin was the Director of Posts. This meant he was in charge of the postal service.

Laforêt joined Joseph Bonaparte as the first secretary of the legation at the Congress of Lunéville. A legation is a diplomatic group. After that, he was sent to Munich and then to the Diet of Ratisbon. A Diet was a type of assembly or meeting. He was given the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor award in 1803.

Ambassador to Berlin and Madrid

On May 1, 1805, Mathurin was appointed Minister Plenipotentiary in Berlin, Germany. He performed his duties well during the Austerlitz campaign and at the start of the war with Prussia. He was about to leave for Russia when he received new orders. In 1808, he was told to go to Madrid, Spain, as the French ambassador.

He was given the title of Count of the Empire on January 28, 1809, becoming Comte Mathurin de Laforêt. He returned to France in 1813. He was then given the important task of negotiating with Ferdinand VII of Spain at Valençay. This negotiation led to a treaty that allowed Prince Ferdinand to return to Spain. Soon after, Laforêt received another high honor, the Grand Cross of the Order of la Réunion.

Later Career and Retirement

When the Bourbon monarchy was first restored in France, Mathurin de Laforêt was made the temporary Minister of Foreign Affairs. This was part of the provisional government from April 3 to May 12, 1814. He was responsible for preparing the Treaty of Paris. This treaty helped to bring peace after the Napoleonic Wars. As a reward for his hard work, he received the Grand Cordon of the Legion of Honor.

After Napoleon escaped from Elba during the period known as the Hundred Days, Laforêt was elected to the Chamber of Representatives on May 11, 1815. He represented the department of Loir-et-Cher.

When the Bourbon monarchy was restored for a second time, he was named Minister Plenipotentiary to the Seventh Coalition powers. This meant he was a special representative to the countries that had allied against Napoleon.

He was made a Peer of France on March 5, 1819. A Peer of France was a member of the upper house of the French parliament. In 1825, he became a Minister of State and a member of the Privy Council. The Privy Council was a group of advisors to the king.

Mathurin lost his positions and titles after the July Revolution of 1830. This revolution led to a new king in France. He passed away at his home, the Château de Freschines, near Villefrancœur, France, on August 2, 1846.

See also

In Spanish: Antoine de Laforest para niños