342 - Joseph Bonaparte Letter Signed on General Chassé and the Ordre de la Réunion (1813)

Joseph Bonaparte Letter Signed on General Chassé and the Ordre de la Réunion (1813) Older brother of Napoleon (1868-1844) who served as King of Spain from 1808 to 1813, and King of Naples from 1806 to 1808. LS in French, signed “Votre affectionné, Joseph,” one page, 8.25 x 12, May 2, 1813. Written from Valladolid to Henri-Jacques-Guillaume Clarke, Duc de Feltre and Napoleon’s minister of war, concerning Dutch General David Hendrik Chassé, who had served with French forces during the Peninsular War. Responding to Clarke’s request for information about Chassé, Bonaparte explains that the general had been employed for a long time in Spain, but could now be of greater service in Holland. He recommends that Chassé receive the Ordre de la Réunion in recognition of his services, observing that he is an old soldier full of zeal and goodwill. In fine condition, with light spotting. At the time of this letter, Valladolid served as Joseph’s headquarters during the final months of his reign as King of Spain, in the weeks before the French retreat that culminated in his defeat at Vitoria on June 21, 1813.