Background
Jean Couvoisier was born at Besanjon on the 30th of November 1775.
Jean Couvoisier was born at Besanjon on the 30th of November 1775.
During the revolutionary period Jean Couvoisier left the country and served in the army of the imigris and later in that of Austria. In 1801, under the, Consulate, he returned to France and established himself as an advocate at Besanfon, being appointed conseiller-auditeur to the court of appeal there in 1808.
At the Restoration he was made advocate-general by Louis XVIII, resigned and left France during the Hundred Days, and was reappointed after the second Restoration in 1815.
In 1817, after the modification of the constitution by the ordonnance of the 5th of September, he was returned to the chamber of deputies, where he attached himself to the left centre and supported the moderate policy of Richelieu and Decazes.
During the trial of the ex-ministers, in December, he was summoned as a witness, and paid a tribute to the character of his former colleagues which, under the circumstances, argued no little courage.
He refused to take office under Louis Philippe, and retired into private life, dying on the 18th of September 1835.
Jean Couvoisier was an eloquent speaker, and master of many subjects; and his proved royalism made it impossible for the ultra-Royalists to discredit him, much as they resented his consistent opposition totheir short-sighted violence. After the revolt at Lyons in r 817 he was nominated procureur-giniral of the city, and by his sense and moderation did much to restore order and confidence.
