SIGNED LETTER BY ELISA BONAPARTE, ADDRESSED TO THE PREFECT OF THE ARNO**, Florence, January 14, 1814. 18906-17
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SIGNED LETTER BY ELISA BONAPARTE, ADDRESSED TO THE PREFECT OF THE ARNO**, Florence, January 14, 1814. 18906-17
Important historical letter written as the coalition forces tightened their grip on the peninsula, just days before the Neapolitans entered Florence on January 31.
"Mr. Prefect of the Arno, I have learned with regret that French officials, succumbing to alarms that are not verified in this moment, announce through ill-considered measures such as the sale of their furniture and other precautions preparations for retreat that can only have a detrimental effect and encourage individuals opposed to the Government in their criminal hopes [...].
She condemns the conduct of these officials and adds "Speak to them firmly but with the persuasion you possess. The circumstances are undoubtedly difficult, but one cannot doubt that they occupy all my thoughts and that maintaining tranquility, the desire to preserve Tuscany from the misfortunes of war are the object of all my concern. Let the French administrations not undo my work. If unfortunate events, although still unlikely, force me to ensure their safety, it will be my first concern. I will forget myself to take care of it. Until then, let their confidence in me be complete and let them not cease to provide evidence of their loyalty to the Emperor [...].
"Yours affectionately. Signed: Elisa B."
"Florence, January 14, 1814"
2 pages. H 20.5 cm x 14 cm.
Very good condition, crease marks.
* Elisa BONAPARTE 1777-1820. Sister of Napoleon. Princess of Lucca and Piombino, Grand Duchess of Tuscany in 1809, she administered Departments with wisdom and energy.
She resided in Florence at the Palazzo Pitti.
**Jean Antoine Joseph FAUCHET, born on August 31, 1761, in Saint-Quentin and died on September 13, 1834, in Paris, was a French senior official and diplomat, who notably served as the French ambassador to the United States during the French Revolution.
[...] Upon returning to France, a mission to Saint-Domingue was proposed to him, but he did not accept it.
Supportive of the 18 Brumaire coup, he was successively appointed Prefect of Var and then Gironde. In 1809, he was appointed Prefect of the Arno in Italy, a position he held until the departure of the French army in 1814. In 1810, he was made a Baron of the Empire.
He was dismissed from his functions during the First Restoration in 1814.
During the Hundred Days, he became Prefect of Gironde again and was elected deputy of Var (May 24-July 13, 1815). He retired from public life after the second return of Louis XVIII.
He is buried in the Père-Lachaise cemetery (28th division).
Important historical letter written as the coalition forces tightened their grip on the peninsula, just days before the Neapolitans entered Florence on January 31.
"Mr. Prefect of the Arno, I have learned with regret that French officials, succumbing to alarms that are not verified in this moment, announce through ill-considered measures such as the sale of their furniture and other precautions preparations for retreat that can only have a detrimental effect and encourage individuals opposed to the Government in their criminal hopes [...].
She condemns the conduct of these officials and adds "Speak to them firmly but with the persuasion you possess. The circumstances are undoubtedly difficult, but one cannot doubt that they occupy all my thoughts and that maintaining tranquility, the desire to preserve Tuscany from the misfortunes of war are the object of all my concern. Let the French administrations not undo my work. If unfortunate events, although still unlikely, force me to ensure their safety, it will be my first concern. I will forget myself to take care of it. Until then, let their confidence in me be complete and let them not cease to provide evidence of their loyalty to the Emperor [...].
"Yours affectionately. Signed: Elisa B."
"Florence, January 14, 1814"
2 pages. H 20.5 cm x 14 cm.
Very good condition, crease marks.
* Elisa BONAPARTE 1777-1820. Sister of Napoleon. Princess of Lucca and Piombino, Grand Duchess of Tuscany in 1809, she administered Departments with wisdom and energy.
She resided in Florence at the Palazzo Pitti.
**Jean Antoine Joseph FAUCHET, born on August 31, 1761, in Saint-Quentin and died on September 13, 1834, in Paris, was a French senior official and diplomat, who notably served as the French ambassador to the United States during the French Revolution.
[...] Upon returning to France, a mission to Saint-Domingue was proposed to him, but he did not accept it.
Supportive of the 18 Brumaire coup, he was successively appointed Prefect of Var and then Gironde. In 1809, he was appointed Prefect of the Arno in Italy, a position he held until the departure of the French army in 1814. In 1810, he was made a Baron of the Empire.
He was dismissed from his functions during the First Restoration in 1814.
During the Hundred Days, he became Prefect of Gironde again and was elected deputy of Var (May 24-July 13, 1815). He retired from public life after the second return of Louis XVIII.
He is buried in the Père-Lachaise cemetery (28th division).
Reference :
18906-17
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