Napoleon, Emperor of the French

Letter signed ("Napoleon"), 4 pages, bifolium (9 x 7 1/4 in.; 229 x 184 mm), Paris, 29 December 1813, to the Duc de Feltre; in excellent condition.

Letter signed ("Napoleon"), 4 pages, bifolium (9 x 7 1/4 in.; 229 x 184 mm), Paris, 29 December 1813, to the Duc de Feltre; in excellent condition.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

After his defeat at the Battle of Nations in October 1813, the Allies offered peace if France would return to its natural boundries—being the Alps and the Rhine, but Napoléon refused. In this letter to the Duc de Feltre, Napoleon desperately tries to regroup along the eastern frontier what remains of his forces. He instructs Clarke: "dans les 18 bataillons de la reserve de Paris, vous comprener le 144^e qui est a Châlons sur Saône le 16^e léger qui est à Mâcon; et le 23^e léger qui est à Auxonne. Il serois plus convenable de réunir ces trois bataillons à Auxonne, où il sont nécessaires pour defender ce point important ... " Auxonne became an important point if the allies would press on to the frontier. Formerly fortified, Napoleon believed Auxonne could be easily returned to a state of defense to have a strong post on the Saône River.  Napoleon concludes the letter by wishing the Duc de Feltre: "Je prie Dieu qu'il vous ait en sa sainte garde."