Rapport fait par Defrance, au nom de la commission composée des citoyens Pliéger, Engerran, Defrance, sur les postes aux chevaux

The opening of this document places us in the bustling council of five hundred during the early years of the French Republic, where a special commission has been tasked with reviewing the nation’s horse‑relay postal system. Faced with a request from the Executive Directory to stabilize a service that once linked every corner of the country, the commissioners lay out a series of practical proposals—from classifying essential routes to rewarding the most diligent postmasters. Their opening remarks already hint at the complexity of balancing public need, economic pressure, and political oversight.

Beyond the dry inventory of measures, the report unfolds as a vivid chronicle of how the horse post grew from a royal courier network into a cornerstone of revolutionary infrastructure. It recounts the shifting privileges, the rise and fall of subsidies, and the relentless push to keep travelers moving despite inflation and legislative turmoil. Listeners will discover a nuanced portrait of early public administration, offering a window onto the challenges of building a national service in a time of upheaval.