CACAUIL, FRANÇOIS

François CACAULT. - French diplomat, born in Nantes on 10 Feb. 1743, died in Clisson on 5 Oct. 1805. Professor at the military school in Paris, he was forced into exile for having killed his opponent in a duel (1769). After spending in Italy years decisive for his spiritual formation, upon his return to France (1775) he entered diplomacy; he became embassy secretary in Naples and then chargé d'affaires (1785). A moderate Jacobin, he was French resident in Florence (1793), where he carried out fruitful work, contributing to detach the Grand Duke from the coalition. General agent in Italy and minister in Genoa and then in Rome, he participated in the negotiations for the Peace of Tolentino (1797). Replaced in Rome by Joseph Bonaparte, he returned to Florence, but, having fallen into disfavour, was recalled. In 1798 he was elected deputy to the Council of the Five Hundred and subsequently, having drawn closer to Bonaparte, to the Legislative Body. The First Consul sent him as minister plenipotentiary to Rome (1801), where he was an able and equitable negotiator of the Concordat of 1802, so much so as to earn the sympathy and consideration of the Curia. Replaced in 1803 by Cardinal Fesch, he left Rome and the Italy he so loved to become a member of the Senate.