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167 - MURAT (JOACHIM). "THE EMPEROR IS AT GRIPS WITH THE ALLIES, F…
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Estimate €4,000 - €5,000
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Description
MURAT (JOACHIM). "THE EMPEROR IS AT GRIPS WITH THE ALLIES, FRANCE IS UNHAPPY AND EVERYTHING MAKES IT MY DUTY NOT TO GO AND DIE TO DEFEND THEM; EVERYTHING ATTACHES ME TO MY NEW HOMELAND...". Autograph letter signed "J Napoleon" [TO PAULINE BONAPARTE]. Bologna, 15 February 1814. 6 pp. in-4, on 2 bifeuillets of wove paper gilt on edges; marginal lack to the first leaf without affecting the text. All set in a dark green morocco portfolio, smooth spine, large gilt frame with military motifs on the covers with gilt crowned "M" in the centre of the first cover; spine flaps decorated with a large lace frame with gilt fillets and palmettes, portrait of Joachim Murat engraved on copper applied on the first spine flap; traces of mitre on the second (G. Vauthrin rel.). FABULOUS LETTER FROM KING MURAT IN WHICH HE DECLARES TO BE FULLY ASSUMING HIS NAPOLITAIN DESTINY, putting the fate of his children and subjects before that of France. Pauline Bonaparte, Princess Borghese, was the sister of Napoleon I and Caroline Bonparate (wife of Joachim Murat). "My dear little sister, I cannot tell you how pleased I am by your letter of the 9th, from Nice, which the Grand Duchess of Tuscany [Elisa Bonaparte] has just sent me. When will I be allowed to express to you in person all the feelings that are stirring me at the moment? HOW CAN I DESCRIBE TO YOU MY TORMENTS AND THE HORROR OF MY SITUATION? I leave it to your sensitive soul, to your constant friendship for me, to appreciate this. It will never suppose it to be as dreadful as it is in fact. THE EMPEROR IS IN THE BATTLE WITH THE ALLIES, FRANCE IS SICK AND EVERYTHING MADE IT MY DUTY NOT TO DIE FOR THEIR DEFFENCE; EVERYTHING ATTACHES ME TO MY NEW COUNTRY, the fate of my children, that of my subjects has prevailed, I am armed for them ; and apparently against the man I revere and love even more; HOWEVER, I AM NOT YET IN [N]EMI; and I hope that peace will come before the King of Naples can decide to act. AH! MY SISTER! PRAISE ME, YOU LOVE ME AND YOU KNOW HOW MUCH I LOVE THE EMPEROR; I offered to save Italy by making it independent; I was never answered; when on the other hand the Allies asked me to explain myself and threatened me with the overthrow of the throne of Naples. I had fulfilled the duties of gratitude to France and to the Emperor; I had to fulfil those of a king and of a father; I had to save my children when I would have lost myself for them and for France. Ah, my dear sister, pity me, I am the most miserable of men; how many tears I shed! You wanted to know if there was an expedition to Sicily; it must be at sea, and in any event you would do well to leave Nice. IF YOU WANT TO COME TO NAPLES, I WILL TAKE YOU BY FREGATE, or in any other way you wish. Ordered. How happy my children would be to embrace you, Caroline. Farewell, my good sister, remember that in me you have and always will have a friend who can withstand anything; a friend who will love you for the rest of his life. Don't stop being good to me, don't imitate Camille [General Prince Camille Borghese, husband of Pauline Bonaparte], I wrote to him in Turin, he didn't deign to reply. FAREWELL, I EMBRACE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL, THE BEST OF SISTERS. YOUR LITTLE BROTHER J NAPOLEON".
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
About the sale The Empire at Fontainebleau - Second day
Auction location
Auction time 06/21/2026 at 10:30 AM
Pictures credits:
Michel Bury and Henri du Cray
See original version (French)
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