Item 21: Letter from Former King of Spain, Joseph Bonaparte, to Messrs. Thomas Mayne Willing and Richard Willing [French Language], 1817 November 14
Item — Box: 2, Folder: 21
Dates
- Created: 1817 November 14
Creator
- Bonaparte, Joseph, 1768-1844 (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
Type of Material:
Letter/Correspondence
Condition Note:
Good; Ink is mostly well preserved; parchment slightly browning; slight split in the back of the document
Measurements:
9 ½ in. x 7 ¼ in. (closed); 9 ½ in. x 14 ½ in. (open)
Description:
The following item is a signed letter from the brother of Napoleon I, Joseph Bonaparte, former King of Spain, to brothers Thomas Mayne Willing, 1767-1822, and Richard Willing, 1755-1858 dated November 14, 1817. Bonaparte signs the letter as the “Count de Survilliers,” a disguise that he adopted after his family was banished from France before establishing Point Breeze in Bordentown, New Jersey, in approximately 1815. In the letter, Joseph discusses that he won’t be paying a sum of money to M. Clary [possibly referring to his father-in-law, François Clary, 1725-1794] and has even discussed the matter with notaries or lawyers who said that he is under no obligation to pay, because Bonaparte’s charge was not presented or protested to Clary and that he only signed out of kindness, not as a receipt. This protestation refers to an acte de protestation, which is a legal document attesting the refusal to pay for something. The father of Thomas Mayne Willing and Richard Willing, Thomas Willing, was the former mayor of Philadelphia, a commissioner of the First Bank of the United States, an incredibly wealthy merchant, and the richest man in America for a time, according to Burke. Thomas Willing established the Willing, Morris, and Company firm, and Richard Willing possibly took over the family firm. This document is likely connected to mercantile affairs or a forgiven debt.
Location:
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Point Breeze estate; Bordentown, New Jersey
Transcription:
Front Page:
Pointe Breeze, 14 9bre 1817.
Monsieur, Ce n'est que longtemps après la date que je reçois la lettre que vous avez bien voulu m'écrire, elle m'a suivi de loin dans mon voyage. J'ai fait répondre au notaire que je ne payais pas l'effet qui m'a été présenté parce qu'il n'est pas payable par moi, n'aiant [sic] [n’ayant] pas été présenté et protesté à M. Clary et J'ai depuis consulté des avocats qui ont été de cet avis: Je dois ajouter que ne devant rien en réalité, ma signature n'aiant [sic] [n’ayant] été apposée que par simple obligeance, je me vois cependant dans l'obligation de répondre à la lettre que vous avez bien voulu m'écrire et vous témoigner mes regrets de n'avoir pu le faire plutôt. Veuillez, Monsieur, agréer l'expression de ma haute considération [Signature] Joseph Cte (Comte) de Survilliers Monsieur Willing -
Back Page:
Joseph, C[oun]t of Survillers Point Breeze Nov 14’ 1817
Mess[ieu]rs Thomas M. & Rich[ar]d Willing Philadelphia
2344. 120 920 1040
Translation Attempt: Front Page: Pointe Breeze, 14 November 1817 Sir, It was not long after the date [November 14] that I received the letter that you kindly wrote to me, it followed me from afar on my journey. I told the notary/lawyer that I would not pay the effect that was presented to me because it is not payable by me, not having been presented and protested to Mr. Clary and I have since consulted lawyers who were of this opinion: I must add that owing nothing in reality, my signature was only affixed out of simple kindness, however, I see myself obliged to respond to the letter that you were kind enough to write to me and testify to you my regrets for not having been able to do so sooner. Please, Sir, accept the expression of my high consideration, Joseph Cte (Count) of Survilliers Mr. Willing -
Pointe Breeze, 14 9bre 1817.
Monsieur, Ce n'est que longtemps après la date que je reçois la lettre que vous avez bien voulu m'écrire, elle m'a suivi de loin dans mon voyage. J'ai fait répondre au notaire que je ne payais pas l'effet qui m'a été présenté parce qu'il n'est pas payable par moi, n'aiant [sic] [n’ayant] pas été présenté et protesté à M. Clary et J'ai depuis consulté des avocats qui ont été de cet avis: Je dois ajouter que ne devant rien en réalité, ma signature n'aiant [sic] [n’ayant] été apposée que par simple obligeance, je me vois cependant dans l'obligation de répondre à la lettre que vous avez bien voulu m'écrire et vous témoigner mes regrets de n'avoir pu le faire plutôt. Veuillez, Monsieur, agréer l'expression de ma haute considération [Signature] Joseph Cte (Comte) de Survilliers Monsieur Willing -
Back Page:
Joseph, C[oun]t of Survillers Point Breeze Nov 14’ 1817
Mess[ieu]rs Thomas M. & Rich[ar]d Willing Philadelphia
2344. 120 920 1040
Translation Attempt: Front Page: Pointe Breeze, 14 November 1817 Sir, It was not long after the date [November 14] that I received the letter that you kindly wrote to me, it followed me from afar on my journey. I told the notary/lawyer that I would not pay the effect that was presented to me because it is not payable by me, not having been presented and protested to Mr. Clary and I have since consulted lawyers who were of this opinion: I must add that owing nothing in reality, my signature was only affixed out of simple kindness, however, I see myself obliged to respond to the letter that you were kind enough to write to me and testify to you my regrets for not having been able to do so sooner. Please, Sir, accept the expression of my high consideration, Joseph Cte (Count) of Survilliers Mr. Willing -
Creator
- Bonaparte, Joseph, 1768-1844 (Person)
Repository Details
Part of the Wilkes University Archives Repository
Contact:
84 W South St.
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701 US
570-408-2000
570-408-7823 (Fax)
ask.archives@wilkes.edu
84 W South St.
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701 US
570-408-2000
570-408-7823 (Fax)
ask.archives@wilkes.edu