NAPOLEON I: (1769-1821)

NAPOLEON I: (1769-1821) Emperor of France 1804-14, 1815. L.S., `Np´, to the left margin of a L.S., `Duc de Feltre´, two pages, folio, Paris, 24th April 1811, in French. The document is a report signed by the Minister of War, Duc of Feltre, and addressed to His Majesty, informing about Major General Roussel `…who wishes, as one of the best Cavalry Officers of the Austrian army, to be accepted in the French army service, and thinks that if his demand is welcomed that this example will have a strong influence on the French employed by the Austrian army´ The Minister concludes asking the Emperor if he should approve Roussel as a General at the service of the French army. In boldly writing, Napoleon adds his signature to the left margin beneath an annotation by his secretary Baron Fain who, on behalf of Napoleon, states `De quel pays est-il? Comment il est passé au service d´Autriche? Quel age a t-il?'' (Translation: ''From which country is he? How did he enter the Austrian army?How old is he?''). Dated immediately below, Paris, 26th April 1811. The letter features a large watermark. Small overall age tone, with a very small hole at the base, not affecting the text or signatures. The letter has been neatly unlaid, and bears a repair to the verso to the central fold. Otherwise, G Henri Jacques Guillaume Clarke (1765-1818) Marshal of France in 1816, one of six created under King Louis XVIII from 1815-24. Duc de Feltre and Minister of War under Napoleon. Nicolas-François, Vicomte Roussel d´Hurbal (1763-1849) Roussel was appointed General of Brigade in the Napoleon French army on 31st July 1811, three months after the present letter was written. Roussel served under Marshal Kellerman, and among others was present at the battles of Moskowa in 1812, Katzbach in 1813, and Waterloo in 1815 where he was injured.