Item 10: Printed Summons by Napoleon Bonaparte to the President of the Canton of Abbeville-Sud [French Language] (Removed to Black Box #1), 1803 September 2.

Item — Box: 2, Folder: 10

Staff Only

Printed Summons by Napoleon Bonaparte to the President of the Canton of Abbeville-Sud [French Language] (Removed to Black Box #1), 1803 September 2

Dates

Created: 1803 September 2.

Creator

Napoleon I, Emperor of the French, 1769-1821 (authorizer) (Person)

Disclaimer for Name and Subject Authorities

Some of the name and subject authority tags have been assigned by educated guessing and estimation of persons and subjects by region, age, profession, and familial relationships. They have been thoroughly researched by using primary and secondary sources available digitally, and named in each description, or in some cases linked directly to the person tag.

Access:

All series and subseries within this collection are open for research, with the exception of a few files within the Academia series that are restricted. The Academia series contains financial and sensitive institutional records from Wilkes College, and financial report records from Princeton University that will remain restricted for 80 years upon creation.

Extent

1 items

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Additional Description

Type of Material:

Printed Summons

Condition Note:

Good: document slightly browning; no tears or holes; ink is well-preserved

Measurements:

14 ¾ in. x 9 ¼ in.

Title:

Bonaparte, Premier Consul de la République Française (Bonaparte, First Consul of the French Republic)

Description:

The following is a printed summons signed by Napoleon Bonaparte (future Napoleon I) to the President of the Canton of Abbeville-Sud granting total policing authority of the local area for an assembly that was set to meet on 10 Frimaire of the year XII of the French Republic (1803 December 2). This document was signed in Saint-Cloud, France, (likely at the Château de Saint-Cloud) on Fructidor 15 of the year XI (September 2, 1803). The “15” was difficult to discern, but a similar document led us to the conclusion that it was “15.” The First Inspector of the Police Force and the General in charge of the 15th military division had been informed of this and were to be on stand-by to assist the canton’s forces if need be. It is noted that Napoleon passed through Abbeville for the first time in 1803, and the First Consul often spent time in Abbeville to prepare for their expedition against the United Kingdom. This took place leading up to the War of the Third Coalition and the beginning of the Napoleonic Wars. This document uses the months of the French Republican calendar and was countersigned by Jean-Antoine Chaptel and Hugues-Bernard Maret. This document was sealed with an early version of the official Great Seal of France. Napoleon’s signature in this document matches his signatures before he became Emperor of France.

Location:

Canton of Abbeville-Sud; Saint Cloud, France; likely Château de Saint-Cloud

Transcription:

BONAPARTE, premier Consul de la République française,

Au Président du canton d’Abbeville-Sud Citoyen Président du canton d’Abbeville-Sud

Nous jugeons convenable de convoquer pour le 10e. jour du mois de friam[ai]re au XII, l'assemblée de canton, à la présidence de laquelle nous vous avons appelé. En conséquence, nous vous mandon par cette lettre, scellée du petit sceau de l’État, que vous ayez à exécuter et faire exécuter les dispositions des sénatus-consulte et arrêtés du Gouvernement relatifs à ladite convocation, que nous avons ordonné de vous transmettre avec les présentes; à vous conformer en tout à ce qui y est prescrit, et à faire procéder aux opérations y désignées, notamment à faire publier la présente convocation dans toutes les communes de votre canton. Nous avons fait connaître au premier Inspecteur de la Gendarmerie, et au Général commandant la 15e division militaire, que vous avez seul la police de l'assemblée, que nulle force armée ne doit être placée près du lieu de ses séances, ni y pénétrer sans votre réquisition; qu’ils doivent ordonner de deferer a celles que vous adresserez aux Commandant de la Gendarmerie, et de vous prêter assistance, si le cas l’exige et que vous le demandiez. Nous vous donnons une marque de confiance en vous chargeant d’aussi importantes fonctions: nous comptons que vous vous en montrerez digne par votre zèle, votre sagesse et votre fidélité à vos devoirs. Donné à Saint-Cloud, sous le petit sceau de l’État, le 15e jour du mois de fructidor l’an XI de la République française.

Le Ministre de l'intérieur, Bonaparte [Signature] Par le premier Consul: Jean Antoine Chapal [Signature] Le Secrétaire d’état, Hugues-Bernard Maret [Signature] [Seal of the First French Republic, Great Seal of France: Marianne with the words “In the name of the French People Bonaparte I. Consul]

Translation Attempt:

Bonaparte, First Consul of the French Republic,

To the President of the Canton of Abbeville-Sud

Citizen [different way to say Mr] President of the Canton Abbeville-Sud

We judge that it is suitable to summon on the 10th day of the month of Frimaire year XII (1803 December 2) the assembly of canton, to the presidency which we called you. Hence, we summon you by this letter, sealed with the small seal of the State, that you carry out and enforce the provisions of senatus consultum and government decrees relating to the aforementioned summons, that we have ordered you to transmit with the letters; to comply with everything that is prescribed therein, and to carry out the transactions that had been designated therein, in particular to have this convocation published in all the communes of your canton. We have informed the first Inspecteur of the Police and the General commanding the 15th military division, that you alone have the assembly police, that no armed force must be placed near the place of sessions, nor shall it enter without your order; that they must defer to those who you address as Commanders of the Police, and be ready to assist you, if the case requires it and you ask for it. We give you a mark of trust in also charging you with important functions: we count on you to show your zeal, your wisdom, and your loyalty to your work. Given at Saint-Cloud, under the seal of the State, the 15th day of the month of Fructidor in the year XI (1803 September 2) of the French Republic.

The Minister of the Interior, Bonaparte [Signature] By the first Consul: Jean Antoine Chapal [Signature] The Secretary of State, Hugues-Bernard Maret [Signature] [Seal of the First French Republic, Great Seal of France: Marianne with the words “In the name of the French People Bonaparte I. Consul]