Napoléon Ier (1769-1821)

Lot 1076
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5000 - 7000 EUR
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Result : 6 042EUR
Napoléon Ier (1769-1821)
+ Autograph copy by the Count of MONTHOLON of Napoleon's will, "Longwood isle de Ste Hélène" April 13, 1821; 3 pages and a half in-4 (watermark F Iohannot). Precious copy of Napoleon's will, made by the Count of Montholon, to whom Napoleon had dictated it, and who will be one of his executors. "This is my will or act of my last will". It is divided into three parts. The first part, in 8 articles, summarizes Napoleon's moral dispositions: "1°. I die in the apostolic and Roman religion in whose bosom I was born more than 50 years ago. 2°. I want my ashes to rest on the banks of the Seine in the midst of the French people whom I loved so much! 3°. I have always had to praise myself from my dearest wife Marie Louise. I preserve to her until the last moment the most tender feelings. I ask her to watch over my son to guarantee him from the pitfalls that still surround his childhood. 4°. I recommend to my son never to forget that he was born a French prince and never to lend himself to be an instrument in the hands of the triumvirs who oppress the peoples of Europe [...] 5°. I die prematurely murdered by the English oligarchy and its sicaire. The English people will soon take revenge. 6°. The 2 so unfortunate outcomes of the invasions of France when it still has so many resources are due to the betrayals of Marmont, Augereau, Talleyrand, and Lafayette. I forgive them. May French posterity forgive them as I forgive me"... The 7th article consists of thanks to his "good and very excellent mother", the Cardinal, his brothers and sisters, and Prince Eugène; it also forgives the ungrateful Louis his "libelle" [Historical Documents and Reflections on the Government of Holland] of 1820... The eighth and last article disavows "the Manuscript of St. Helena" and similar works, and justifies the arrest and execution of the Duke of Enghien. With the second part, the Emperor begins the enumeration of material legacies. The
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