Napoleon Bonaparte and Joseph Bonaparte Signed Document.

BONAPARTE, Napoleon.

Item Number: 119537

Rare original manuscript letter in French signed by brothers and co-monarchs Napoleon Bonaparte and Joseph Bonaparte. Napoleon, in his role as French Emperor, has signed as “Np” near the center of the letter, while Joseph, in his role as King of Spain and the Indies, has signed as “Joseph” at lower left. Napoleon’s original command was directed from Paris on January 24, 1814, while the docket indicates that Joseph received the sum in question the same day. Ex-Good Speeds, per pencil notation from October 14, 1964 at top verso. Napoleon instructed François Roullet, Baron de la Bouillerie (1764-1833), to give 500,000 francs to his older brother Joseph. De la Bouillerie had served in various financial capacities dating from Napoleon’s earliest days as First Consul, including General Treasurer of the French crown after 1811. Translated in full, with unchanged spelling and punctuation: “Monsieur Baron Labouillerie, you will give to King Joseph five hundred thousand francs. You will attribute this payment to his appanage, as well as the one of 300,000 francs that was made to him previously. On this, I pray God keeps you in his holy care. Paris the 24 January 1814. In very good condition. The piece measures 7.25 inches by 7.875 inches.

Napoleon Bonaparte was a French military and political leader who rose to prominence during the French Revolution and led several successful campaigns during the Revolutionary Wars. As Napoleon I, he was Emperor of the French from 1804 until 1814, and again in 1815. Napoleon dominated European and global affairs for more than a decade while leading France against a series of coalitions in the Napoleonic Wars. He won most of these wars and the vast majority of his battles, building a large empire that ruled over continental Europe before its final collapse in 1815. One of the greatest commanders in history, his wars and campaigns are studied at military schools worldwide. He also remains one of the most celebrated and controversial political figures in human history.