AERIAL

From Agepedia

AERIAL, AndreJoseph, born March 19, 1750, at Annonay, department de PArdeche, at present count and peer of France, &c, studied law in Paris, and embraced the principles of the revolution, during which he was, for a long period, commissioner of the executive power in the court of cassation. In 1799, he organized the republican government in Naples. After the 18th of Brumaire, the first consul intrusted him with the ministry of justice, saying, as it is related, " Not I, but the public voice nominates you." After 18 months, he quitted this station, and entered the senat conservateur. In 1804, he organized the department of justice in Italy, when the young Cisalpine republic was again dissolved. In 1811, he was made count of the empire, and was for 10 years a member cf uiai cuumiJLiit;" m me "vii<xw, nun;u lously called commission de la liberie individuelle, while it daily submitted, with blind subservience, to the imperial orders. In 1814, Abrial voted for the overthrow of the imperial dynasty. Louis XVIII. made him a peer, and since that time he has voted with some independence in the chamber of peers.