NAPOLEON THE GREAT AS A SUBALTERN.
(From the London JSvaning Sun ) Few people pass through the Eve de rlTmversite without remarking at -.No. . tl, a large gateway at which a sentinel is stationed. It was formerly the Hotel de Noailles-Mpuehay? and is now \ depot for documents connected with the "War-office. On the evening of the 24th February, 1848, a number of insurgents, imagining from the inscription "Depot de la Ghieire" over the gateway that fire-arms were deposited there, were about to force an entrance, when G-eneral Pelet, director of the depot, explained to the crowd the nature of the establishment and the great importance of the documents contained in it to a number of families. The people understood the G-eneral, and withdrew. On the first and second floors are arranged documents relating to private individuals. One room is specially devoted to those referring to Marshals and Generals of -the army. Among them is a book bound ia green morocco leather, .bearing the name of " Napoleon Bonaparte." The first document which figures in it is a statement, of his military services prepared in the usual form, next a copy of his baptismal registry in Latin, bearing a stamp with the inscription " Island of Corsica," " one halfpenny." Next comes a certificate of poverty — a diploma signed d'Hozier de Sevigny, countersigned by the judge-at-arms of French, nobility, attesting that Napoleon Buonaparte, born the 15th August, 1769, is possessed of the nobility necessary for being admitted among the number of gentlemen for whose education his Majesty provides in the Eoyal Military Colleges. ' Then follow in succession the various orders of service addressed to him in his character of officer and general in the army. A report addressed to the Committee of Public Safety, on the 22nd Vendemiane of the year 4, by the Commissioners for the organization and direction of the army and navy, is of opinion that " G-eneral Buonaparte may be authorised to pass on his demand to the service of Turkey with two officers of artillery, Major Sougis and Captain Marmont." Some autograph letters of the young officer are to be found in this book. One of them, addressed to M. Lesancquer, first clerk in the Artillery and Engineer department at the War office, is in the following terms : — Sra, — A stranger in Paris without any acquaintance, my only hope is in you. The friendship you expressed for me induces me to hope that you will use it for me. I find that I am about to be removed from my regiment to another, which afflicts me in every point of view * * * while there are some other officers who follow me immediately that would exchange without difficulty. * * * I have a brother with me who is intended for the regiment. I hare undertaken his education, which would become impossible in another l-egirnqnt. If the arrangement had been "published I would not have troubled you, because in that case there would be nothing for me but to obey. But as the matter rests, I flatter myself that you will please to interest yourself for me. I will retain a grateful recollection of your kindness. With respects, Sir, your humble servant, Buonai'akte, Lieutenant in the liegiment of Laferc. Auxonne, June 3, 1791. Another letter addressedto Messieurs the Administrators of Versailles, the Ist September, 1792, petitions in favor of his sister Marianne Buonaparte, of whom he is the guardian, and who is without any asylum in consequence of the suppression of the establishment of St. Louis, and who prays for the allowance of twenty sous a' league to which she is entitled, to, take" her to the municipality of Adjaccio, the place of her birth.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ST18640201.2.35
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Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 37, 1 February 1864, Page 7
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609NAPOLEON THE GREAT AS A SUBALTERN. Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 37, 1 February 1864, Page 7
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