25 Ventôse of the Year I. (16 mars 1998)
The movement toward dissolution began last week when Tisserand announced his resignation as Regent Ambassador of the Principality of Orange. In his announcement, he stated his view that he did not well represent the views of the other Province of Orange, the Margravate of the Two Pirraines, where the Most Loyal Orange Guerilla Movement was recently reactivated, and was in the process of organizing a "Socialist Intermicronationale". Tisserand had been a vocal and consistent opponent of the Guerilla Muito Léal e Vermilho from its inception before Laranjian independence, and strongly felt that the movement was a serious embarrassment to Laranjian diplomatic efforts, first to secure a peace treaty with Porto Claro, and more recently in maintaining a harmonious relationship with the Holy Empire of Réunion.
In his resignation, Tisserand also cited health reasons, stating that he was "tired". He has been known to be fighting a behavioral addiction that would necessitate his emigration from Orange. Except to confirm this statement, he refused further comment on his health.
The establishment of Lafayette had been a difficult one, following a delayed vote on the Constitution that, while adopted unanimously, was with such a low turnout (40%) that its legitimacy had been questioned from the start. Recruitment of members of the Directory had also been a major problem. Of the six people to become citizens of Lafayette, two emigrated to the United States shortly after Laranjian independence, and one held dual citizenship with a micronation known as
Lezaria (formerly Elkandu), to which she returned. The remaining three citizens, Tisserand, Joie deFrance Drapeau, and Seumas Rob Roberts, are planning to emigrate to the United States. Tisserand can be reached (as Harold Thomas) at harold.thomas@worldnet.att.net, but stresses that his condition precludes further involvement in micronational affairs.This was the first attempt to reconstitute Lafayette following the Diaspora, which occurred following the fall of the original Republic of Lafayette, then located in Greentown, Ohio, USA, in March 1962, which itself followed a monarchy known to have existed since March 1960, under the leadership of King Harold XXV. King Harold, then age ten, was deposed in a revolution that October, but returned to assume the office of President of the Republic. In early 1997, the residents gathered in the Portoclarian province of Nouvelle Rouen, then emigrated to Cape Orange, the site of the Republic, when Orange became independent in Brumaire (11 November 1997). Most observers are convinced, given Lafayette's aging population, that today's event marks the final ending of Lafayette history.
Since Orange never formally adopted a Constitution, the legal status of the Republic's lands is unclear; however, since about half of Laranjian territory had been unorganized under the name of the "Confederal Territories", it is expected that Lafayette territory will be added to that area. Legally, this also dissolves the existing structure of the Principality of Orange, which now is identical in population with the Margravate of the Two Pirraines, currently being ruled by Her Excellency, the II Margravess Anne Distrayant.
This also marks the final issue of the Orange Peel and the dissolution of Éditions Tisserand. This Web site will eventually give way to an expansion of the Cross & Crown (
www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/5345), maintained by Harold Thomas. The staff of Éditions Tisserand wish to express its heartfelt appreciation to the faithful readers of the Orange Peel and wish them success in their future endeavors, micronationally or otherwise. We also invite all to continue use of the Laranjian disco group, Chez Marianne.
Published by Éditions Tisserand,
Calais-sous-Soleil, Lafayette, Orange
This web page has been restored by
The Tisserand Museum
October, 2000