MURAT (JOACHIM). "THE EMPEROR IS AT GRIPS WITH THE ALLIES, - Lot 167

Lot n° 167
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4000 - 5000 EUR
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Result : 7 540EUR
MURAT (JOACHIM). "THE EMPEROR IS AT GRIPS WITH THE ALLIES, - Lot 167
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, February 15, 1814. 6 pp. in-4, on 2 bifeuillets of wove paper gilded on edges; marginal lack on first leaf without affecting the text. All set in a dark green morocco portfolio, smooth spine, wide gilded frame with military motifs on the covers with gilded crowned "M" in the center of the first cover; spine flaps decorated with a wide lace frame with gilded fillets and palmettes, copper-engraved portrait of Joachim Murat applied to the first spine flap; traces of mitering on the second (G. Vauthrin rel.). FABULOUS LETTER FROM KING MURAT IN WHICH HE DECLARES FULLY ASSUMING HIS NAPOLITAIN DESTINY, preferring the fate of his children and subjects to 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 happy 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 MY TORMENTS AND THE HORROR OF MY SITUATION? I leave it to your sensitive soul, to your constant friendship for me, to appreciate it. It will never suppose it to be as dreadful as it is indeed. THE EMPEROR IS IN THE BATTLE WITH THE ALLIES, FRANCE IS SICK AND EVERYTHING MAKES IT MY DUTY NOT TO GO TO DIE FOR THEM; 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 make up his mind to act. AH! MY SISTER! PLAY ME, YOU LOVE ME AND YOU KNOW HOW MUCH I LOVE THE EMPEROR; I proposed to him 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 towards France, towards the Emperor; I had to fulfill those of a king, those of a father; I had to save my children, when I would have lost myself without result for them and for France. Ah, my dear sister, pity me, I am the most unhappy 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. SI VOUS VOULES VENIR A NAPLES, JE VOUS ENVERRAI PRENDRE PAR UNE FREGATE, ou de la manière que vous le désirerés. Ordered. How happy my children would be to embrace you, Caroline. Adieu, ma bonne sœur, se rappelerés-vous que vous avés et aurés toujours en moi un ami à toute épreuve; un ami qui vous aimerera toute sa vie. 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. ADIEU, I EMBRACE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL, THE BEST OF SISTERS. YOUR LITTLE BROTHER J NAPOLEON "
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