From November 1870 to February 1871, he so fiercely defended Belfort, of which he was governor, that the town remained French after the Prussian victory. He was a member of parliament from 1871 to 1878.Autograph letter signed "Denfert-Rochereau" as deputy of Charente to one of his colleagues, letter also signed by two deputies of Rh™ne, Paris, July 31, 1872, 2 pp. in-4¡, ¡, rare. He warmly recommends Captain Porret, whom he appreciated during the siege of Belfort as a scout: Denfert-Rochereau counts him among the five people who most distinguished themselves in the defense of Belfort."Dans ce poste pŽrilleux et difficile Mr Porret s'est montrŽ non seulement habile et capable, mais il a surtout accusŽ un profond sentiment du devoir. C'est en faisant appel aux sentiments ŽlevŽs, ˆ la conscience de ses subordonnŽs qu'il a obtenu des rŽsultats exceptionnels..".