The curator of Longwood and his honor of serving Napoleon.

[NAPOLEON I] – LONGWOOD – Island of Saint Helena.

Jean-Claude MARESCHAL

Curator of the residence and tomb of Emperor Napoleon I in St. Helena.

Autograph letter signed to Mr. Félix.

Three pages in-8°. Collector's stamp on the 3rd sheet.

Longwood. January 1 ^,

Mareschal celebrates with his first year at the helm of the Longwood estate.

“My dear Mr. Félix, At this time of the year, and more particularly when we are far away, our entire thoughts are filled with the memory of friends and benefactors. It is in the fullness of these feelings that with my little family we make ardent wishes for your happiness, that of Madame Félix and your charming young lady. (…) I have always been afraid of indiscretion because your high functions in the person of my august sovereign occupy all your time. I am too much obliged to you to be able to dispense with hearing from you sometimes (…) At St. Helena, I received a warm welcome from all the officials, civil and military , good and frank relations followed. . Mr. Admiral Eliott Gouverneur is charming, he is almost French and hopes to spend his old days in our homeland; the well-composed society which is received by him is all admiring of the greatness, of the power of our Emperor, generally the English are not mistaken (…) Until now we have enjoyed good health, I serve under the orders of good leaders attached to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, my service pleases me infinitely, I have the honor of being, indirectly, from the household of my august sovereign, so I am very happy and very proud of it . My predecessor [Gauthier de Rougemont] was not much of an architect , so he left me with a lot of work and repairs to do, this work is nearing completion. I take care of plantations, I make a nursery and shortly, when my department knows about it, I will take care of some drawings which I would be very happy to share with you..."