LS in French, signed “Napol,” one page, 7.25 x 9, November 12, 1810. Letter to his stepson Eugene, Viceroy of Italy, criticizing his practices in the provisioning of the Italian military forces and suggesting that food provisioning for the land and sea forces of Italy be centralized according to the French model. In full (translated): “I see by a report from the Administrative Minister of War that you have been able to make provisions for the Sixth Military Division of the Kingdom of Italy and that for the five others you have not found the means to do so. I do not see what advantage there is in these transactions. Why would you not be satisfied with a state owned system such as we have in France, under the direction of a State Counselor who would be charged in providing food for all the Italian troops—on land as well as sea—You would then have no need of sutlers and it would all proceed as well and as economically as in France.” In fine condition, with a single horizontal and a single vertical mailing fold, and some scattered faint toning.
Napoleon was still at the height of his power and in control of almost the whole of western Europe when he wrote his stepson, Eugene de Beauharnais. The same year as this correspondence, the French emperor had reached the pinnacle of the family plan of European rulers when he married Marie-Louise of Austria, uniting that country with France. The 24-year-old Eugene, however, remained content serving as Italy’s viceroy beneath Napoleon, who claimed the title of king of Italy. In spite of Napoleon’s concerns in this letter, most historians view the emperor’s adopted child as having been one of the ablest of his relatives. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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