NAPOLEON I: (1769-1821)

NAPOLEON I: (1769-1821) Emperor of France 1804-14, 1815. An exceediling rare early autograph manuscript by Napoleon Bonaparte, one page, folio, n.p. [Nice], n.d. [February-March 1794], in French. Napoleon, recently appointed General of Brigade, plans a military expedition to Corsica, trying to organize the military defence of his native island in order to face the threat of the English navy forces under Horatio Nelson. In an unusually lengthy text in Napoleon´s hand, eleven lines, Napoleon in his usual unclean writing, including few corrections and words crossed, states ` Les représ[entants] arrêtent que le général d´artillerie faira préparer un équipage de campagne pour 10000 hommes pour passer en Corse avec les bouches à feu nécessaires pour mettre Saint Florent à l´abri de toute entreprise de la part de l´escadre anglaise. Met pour cet effet cinquante mille francs (a sa disposition) que le payeur de la guerre (mettera) tiendra à sa disposition´ (Translation: " The representatives have decided that the artillery General will prepare a military crew for the transport of 10,000 men to pass into Corsica with the necessary cannons to protect Saint Florent from any attempt military from the part of the English squadron . Allowing for this purpose fifty thousand francs (at his disposal) which the payer of the war deprtment (will put) at his disposal") An excellent historical document related to Napoleon and Corsica which would end up short time later with the occupation of Corsica by the English forces. With blank integral leaf. Right edge very slightly trimmed, not affecting the text. G In March 1794, the young Bonaparte, just appointed General of brigade, settled in Nice, where the staff commanding the artillery of the Army of Italy was established. He stays with Count Laurenti, route de Villefranche. It was there that he prepared a planned expedition to Corsica at the beginning of 1794. His native island is in the hands of Paoli and has gained independence from the French Republic, but the English fleet in the Mediterranean threatens to take control of it and offers protection to the independent insurgents. We know from a letter dated 24th March 1794 that Saliceti, the representative of the people had instructed General Buonaparte to go to Nice in order to prepare this mission. This expedition did not take place and the English forces led by Horatio Nelson occupied Corsica a few weeks later. This was the birth of the Anglo-Corsican Kingdom. The attempt to take back Bastia led by Bonaparte before his arrest failed and it was not until 1796 that the triumphant General Bonaparte returned victorious to his native land.