NAPOLEON I: (1769-1821)

NAPOLEON I: (1769-1821) Emperor of France 1804-14, 1815. A good L.S., ` Np´, a bold ink signature, one page, folio, Paris, 16th January 1812, in French. Napoleon signs to the left border of the letter, beneath an annotation forwarding his order stating ` Renvoyé a M. le Duc d´Istrie, par ordre de l´Empereur pour en rendre compte´ (Translation “ Forwarded to the Duke d´Istria, as ordered by the Emperor, to report back to me”), the letter being a hand written demand addressed to the Emperor and sent by Bodson, vice Director of the Cherbourg fortifications, asking for the admission of his brother, Captain of Dragons, as a member of the Imperial Guard of His Majesty, stating in part `Votre Majesté Impériale a daigné accueillir avec bonté la demande que j´ai pris la liberté de lui faire, de l´admission comme Capitaine dans l´un des corps de Cavalerie de Sa Garde, de mon frère Charles Bodson Noirefontaine, Capitaine adjutant major au 18eme Régiment de Dragons... Sorti de l´école de Fontainebleau en 1804, le Capitaine Bodson Noirefontaine a fait les campagnes d´Austerlitz, de Prusse, de Pologne, de Portugal et d´Espagne: Il a reçu plusieures blessures dont une très grave à Friedland. Il a été assez heureux pour obtenir constamment l´estime de tous ses chefs et Généraux par sa conduite, son dévouement et son zèle pour le service de Votre Majesté´ (Translation: “ Your Imperial Majesty has deigned to kindly welcome the request that I took the liberty of sending to him, for the admission as Captain in one of the Cavalry corps of His Majesty´s Guard, of my brother Charles Bodson Noirefontaine, Adjutant Captain Major to the 18th Regiment of Dragoons... Leaving the Fontainebleau school in 1804, Captain Bodson Noirefontaine made the campaigns of Austerlitz, Prussia, Poland, Portugal and Spain: He received several wounds including one very serious in Friedland. He was fortunate enough to constantly obtain the esteem of all his leaders and Generals through his conduct, his devotion and his zeal for the service of Your Majesty.…”) Accompanied by a copy of the letter sent by the Colonel of the 18th Regiment of Dragoons to the Duc de Feltre, Minister of war, recommending officer Noirefontaine. With blank integral leaf. Small age wear mostly to edges with few light stains, otherwise G to VG Jean-Baptiste Bessieres (1768-1813) Marshal of France, Duc d´ Istria.