Cabinet noir

Bodleian Libraries, Le cabinet noir ou- les pantins du 19eme si%C3%A8cle

Cabinet noir (French for "black chamber") refers to a secret office where the correspondence of individuals was intercepted and read, often by the state. This practice was particularly prevalent in France during the Ancien Régime and continued into the 19th century.

History

The origins of the cabinet noir can be traced back to the reign of Louis XIII, but it became more systematically organized under Louis XIV. The cabinet noir was part of the broader system of espionage and censorship that characterized the Ancien Régime.

Function

The primary function of the cabinet noir was to intercept and read private correspondence. This was done to gather intelligence on political opponents, foreign diplomats, and other individuals of interest. The intercepted letters were often resealed and delivered to their intended recipients without their knowledge.

Techniques

The techniques used by the cabinet noir included the use of specialized tools to open and reseal letters without detection. Skilled workers, known as "décacheteurs," were employed to perform this delicate task. The information gathered was then used to inform the decisions of the monarch and his advisors.

Notable Figures

Several notable figures were associated with the cabinet noir, including:

• Gabriel de La Reynie, the first lieutenant general of police of Paris, who played a key role in its operations.
• Joseph Fouché, who headed the cabinet noir during the First French Empire under Napoleon Bonaparte.

Decline and Legacy

The practice of operating a cabinet noir declined in the 19th century with the advent of more modern forms of communication and surveillance. However, the concept of state surveillance of private correspondence has persisted in various forms to the present day.

Related Concepts

• Espionage
• Censorship
• Ancien Régime
• First French Empire
• Surveillance

See Also

• Secret police
• Intelligence agency
• Cryptography