Desirable LS in French, atypically signed with his full signature, “Napoleon,” one page both sides, 7.25 x 9, March 14, 1806. Addressed from Paris, a letter from Napoleon to his adopted son, Eugène de Beauharnais, in part (translated): “My son, my intention is that the arsenal and all of the artillery establishments of my realm of Italy remain fixed in Savona, and that under any pretext whatsoever, we cannot put them elsewhere, and that the artillery establishments of my French army in Italy be placed in Padua or in Verona, I leave you the choice. Let me know by Courier’s return the point you will choose, may it be the one where there are the most shops and establishments. My intention is that all the field equipment of the French army be received in Verona, and that the artillery regiments on horseback destined to serve the army of Italy, which is in Plaisance, I hand over to Verona, so that it be entirely in the army. You will find attached the state of the objects in the artillery that must arrive in Palma Nova; there is resolutely enough to arm Palmanova, Osopo and the new place that I want to establish in Cividale, but we can reflect upon it…Make the necessary arrangements and preparations so that the place of Palmanova and Osopo are perfectly guarded. Send me a list of all the pieces of field artillery that are in Italy belonging to France, and those that belong to my son, Prince Eugene Napoleon, in the realm of Italy, distinguishing those that are today in the army of Naples, so that I may issue a decree that determines the portion of the campaign equipment that must remain stored in Palmanova, the part that must remain in Verona in the general park, and the part which must return to France, that is, on the side of Alexandria.” In fine condition. Two months earlier, Eugène was adopted by Napoleon on January 12, 1806, though excluded from succession to the French Empire, and on February 16, 1806, he was declared heir presumptive to the Kingdom of Italy, in the absence of a second son of Napoleon. A true rarity of Napoleonic correspondence, demonstrating with precise detail and focus his ability, and utter impulse, to control all aspects of his empire - an amazing glimpse into Napoleon's authoritarian mindset and methods.
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