NAPOLEON SENDS TROOPS TO BOULOGNE NAPOLEON I (1769-1821, Emperor of France) and Hugues-Bernard MARET, (1st Duc de Bassano, 1763-1839, French Statesman, Diplomat and Journalist)

Clerk Written Document signed by Maret on behalf of Napoleon, to "My dear cousin" ordering him to "give the command to the third batallion of the 24th light infantry regiment to provide a detachment of 125 men who will leave under the orders of a captain and a lieutenant in order to go to St. Malo and Granville where they will serve as a garrison for the fleet's ships which are in these two ports. This detachment, upon arrival at Boulogne, will be incorporated into the two batallions of the 24th light infantry regiment ...", 1 side 4to., St Cloud, "1st prairial of the twelfth Republican year", 21st May

In 1804, Maret became Minister; in 1807, he was created Count; and in 1809, he was granted the title of Duc de Bassano, one of the titles with the status of duché grand-fief in Napoleon's Kingdom of Italy. This was a rare hereditary honor which gives an insight into how well respected his work was by the Emperor. Maret, as secretary to Napoleon was close to him throughout many of his campaigns.
Great Britain had broken the Peace of Amiens by declaring war on France in May 1803. In December 1804, an Anglo-Swedish agreement became the first step towards the creation of the Third Coalition. By April 1805, Britain had also signed an alliance with Russia. Austria had been defeated by France twice iin recent years and wanted revenge, so it joined the coalition a few months later. Before the formation of the Third Coalition, Napoleon had assembled an invasion force, the Armée d'Angleterre, around six camps at Boulogne in Northern France. He intended to use this invasion force to strike at England. They never invaded, but Napoleon's troops received careful and invaluable training for future military operations. The men at Boulogne formed the core for what Napoleon later called La Grande Armée.

Translation
My dear cousin, you will give the command to the third batallion of the 24th light infantry regiment to provide a detachment of 125 men who will leave under the orders of a captain and a lieutenant in order to go to St. Malo and Granville where they will serve as a garrison for the fleet's ships which are in these two ports. This detachment, upon arrival at Boulogne, will be incorporated into the two batallions of the 24th light infantry regiment. On that note, I pray to God that you be given his holy blessing.
Written in St Cloud on the 1st prairial of the twelfth Republican year.
Transcription
Mon cousin, vous donnerez ordre au troisième bataillon du 24è régiment d'infanterie légère de fournir un détachement de 125 hommes qui partiront sous les ordres d'un capitaine et d'un lieutenant pour se rendre à St Malo et à Granville où ils fourniront garnison pour les batiments de la flottille qui sont dans ces deux ports. Ce détachement, arrivé à Boulogne, sera incorporé dans les deux bataillons du 24è régiment d'infanterie légère : sur ce je prie Dieu qu'il vous ait en sa sainte et digne garde.
Ecrit à St Cloud le premier prairial au XII (roman numerals)





Item Date:  1804

Stock No:  39531