documentary evidence that the Constant family had fled France in the sixteenth century
to avoid religious persecution for their Calvinism: he was anxious to reinforce his claim
to French nationality and to refute the accusation of being a foreigner which persistently
hindered his acceptance in France.^40 From December 1818 to March 1819 he fought hard,
using all of his journalistic skills in the Minerve, and with the help of Goyet he was
elected on 25 March 1819. After seventeen years in the political wilderness he was back
once more where he knew he belonged.
Benjamin constant 240