NAPOLEON I (1769-1821)

Letter Signed (“Bonaparte”) to to Jean-Jacques Cambacérès criticizing his brother Lucien’s choice in an appointment, and praising the public spirit of the inhabitants from Dunkerque to Lille.
1 page 4to in French with integral blank leaf, headed by a vignette with the words “Bonaparte Ier Consul de la République”. Lille, 18 messidor an XI [7 July 1803]. 

Trans:- “I received, citizen Consul, your letter of the 16th. The Minister of the Interior informed me of the Blachier business; I believe he has been removed.
It seems to me that Lucien’s choice is extraordinary, in a matter of this sort where one needed a man who would take care of all the details and the valuation of the goods.
I left Dunkerque yesterday, and I arrived in Lille at 6 o’clock in the evening. Travelling from Dunkerque to here I saw a country as beautiful as Lombardy, and I continue to be extremely satisfied with the public spirit, the zeal shown by the inhabitants, and the wonderful harvests which cover the land.
I will remain here Friday and Saturday.”
It appears that Blachier, who had been secretary general of the prefecture of the Gard département, was relieved of his duties when it was discovered that he had sold falsified certificates allowing conscripts to appoint a replacement to take their place when called up for military service. In Blachier’s case, the offence had taken place three years earlier, and he would almost certainly have been appointed to his post by Napoleon’s younger brother Lucien, who had served as Minister of the Interior for a ten month tenure in 1800.
Although Lucien played a major role in Napoleon’s rise to power – indeed, Lucien’s dramatic intervention during the coup d’état of the 18 brumaire was a turning point in the day’s events – he was frequently considered difficult by Napoleon. Of Napoleon’s brothers, he was the most independent-minded and retained his Jacobin sympathies. In spite of subsequent success as Ambassador to Spain, Lucien clashed with two of Napoleon’s most powerful ministers, Fouché and Talleyrand, and his final “misdemeanour” was his marriage to a woman other than the one Napoleon intended him to marry. When he attempted to escape his brother by sailing for America, Lucien was captured by the British and spent some years in relatively relaxed and comfortable “captivity” in Shropshire. He was reconciled with his brother during the Hundred Days, and finally returned to Rome after Waterloo.

Delivery

Autographs can be delivered worldwide. Delivery costs are calculated at the time of order and items will be sent by the most appropriate means, depending on your location and the value of the item. This will usually be by Royal Mail Special Delivery within the UK and Royal Mail Tracked outside the UK. 

 

The current delivery charges are:

• UK:

  Royal Mail Special Delivery £8.50

• Europe:

  Europe Royal Mail Tracked £15.00
  EU customers should note that, following brexit, local VAT and customs duties may apply to their purchases. 

   USA:

• Royal Mail Tracked £21.00

  Rest of the World:

• Rest of the World Tracked £18.00

   

Export Licensing

Customers should be aware that all letters and documents over 50 years old require an export licence, which may delay delivery by anything from one to three weeks. Signed photographs are not subject to export licence regulations, and can be sent immediately.

There is no charge for the export licence and I will take care of the application, the only inconvenience to you will be the delay.

Authenticity

The authenticity of the letters and documents offered is guaranteed.

Payment

Online sales orders

Payments made via the website are processed by Shopify Inc and can be made using Visa, Mastercard or American Express.

Telephone sales orders

Items may be purchased by phone. Please contact me using the website Contact Form and I will call you within 48 hours to discuss your requirements. Payment for purchases ordered by phone can be paid upon receipt of the invoice and must be paid within 7 days. Phone orders can be paid by cheque (in pounds sterling only) or bank transfer.

Items will be reserved for one week following the order confirmation and will be dispatched either within 7 days after full payment has been received, or after any required export licenses have been granted.

Returns Policy

Should you be in any way dissatisfied with your purchase, items may be returned within six weeks of delivery and a full refund will be made upon receipt of the returned item. The item must be received by Richmond Autographs in the same condition as when dispatched.  For full details, please read our Terms and Conditions.