The admiration of the future NAPOLEON III for his uncle NAPOLEON I.

Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte (1808.1873)

Autograph letter signed to Count Louis Joseph Marchand.

Two octavo pages with mourning borders (off-center).

Collectible stamp.

Arenenberg. April 11, 1836.

"I didn't wait for your letter to read this fine work by the emperor."

A remarkable letter from the future Napoleon III, thrilled by reading Caesar's account of his wars, written at the dictation of his uncle Napoleon I and published posthumously by Count Marchand in 1836. Admiring his ancestor, he bitterly regrets that Generals Bertrand and Montholon are withholding the writings of the "great man".

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"Count, I was deeply touched by your kind gesture in sending a copy of Caesar's *Summary of the Wars* to the Duke of Padua ; I will keep it with pleasure. Everything that comes from you should be dear to us. But I did not wait for your delivery to read this fine work by the Emperor . As soon as it was first announced, I had the book sent to me and read and reread it several times, so captivated was I by it. The chapter on Caesar's death is sublime; I was very pleased to see explained by reason and genius a sentiment I had held since childhood for the author of the commentaries."

From the moment I read Roman history, I admired Caesar and hated Brutus ^. I cannot express enough how happy we are that you have published these fascinating documents. I cannot fathom General ^Bertrand or General Montholon, who still have writings of the emperor to publish and yet are keeping them hidden . Posterity will accuse them of failing to carry out the wishes of the great man on his deathbed!

My mother has asked me, Count, to thank you for your kind remembrance. She deeply regrets not having yet had the opportunity to meet Madame ^Marchand , but wishing that she might think of her from time to time, my mother is sending her a small token which will be given to her soon at an opportunity. Please accept, Count, the assurance of my esteem and friendship. Napoleon Louis Bonaparte.

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Louis-Joseph-Narcisse Marchand (1791-1876) was Napoleon I's first valet de chambre on Saint Helena and his executor of his will.

account of Caesar's wars was written by Marchand on the island of Saint Helena, dictated by the emperor. The work is the fruit of Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte's final reflections in exile on Saint Helena, and constitutes an informed analysis by one military leader among another.

Surrounded by his last loyal followers, Napoleon addresses a subject he has known since childhood and masters perfectly, focusing on recreating the decisive battles of the Gallic Wars and then the Civil War and commenting on them with enlightened strategy.