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In 1789–1790, members of the Constituent Assembly wanted to create new districts that would be harmonious in size and geometric in shape. However, they did not take history or geography into account. Rather, they gathered groups of citizens and taxpayers in order to submit them to the interest of the nation rather than considering their individual interests. However, historic and local interests did not go along with this process. Constituent Assembly members thus had to change their minds, and eventually created 41,000 municipalities. However, the government quickly initiated a policy of municipal mergers. Throughout the 19th century, government representatives and rural citizens confronted each other. The study of the mail they exchanged reveals their various conceptions of local community. For the first time in history, these citizens were asked which community they wished to belong to.