NAPOLEON I: (1769-1821) Emperor of France 1804-14, 1815. Very rare L.S., `Bonaparte´, one page, 4to, Paris, 1st of November 1801, to the Minister of war, Louis-Alexandre Berthier, in French. The letter bears an attractive Republican vignette to the heading, featuring Marianne, France's national symbol of liberty, seated with French republic symbols, and stating `Au nom du Peuple Français - Bonaparte Consul de la République''. Napoleon appoints several officers to the General Staff of the St Domingo troops, stating in part `Je vous prie, Citoyen Ministre, de donner l'ordre à trois adjoints de la garde des Consuls, dont deux chefs d'escadron et un capitaine, de se rendre à Brest pour être employés dans leurs grades dans l'Etat major de l'armée de St Domingue...´ (Translation: "I beg you, Citizen Minister, to send orders to three deputies of the Consuls' Guard, including two Chiefs of squadron and a Captain, to go to Brest to be employed in their ranks in the General Staff of the army of Santo Domingo...") In very fine condition. VG

Louis-Alexandre Berthier (1753-1815) Marshal of France, Prince of Neuchatel. Chief of Staff under Napoleon and Minister of war 1800-07.