Description:

Napoleon III Emperor 1808 - 1873

Napoleon III approves waterway improvements in Alsace-Lorraine two and a half years before the Franco-Prussian War.

Single cream-colored sheet of paper inscribed in beautiful clerical hand on both sides and signed by French Emperor Napoleon III as "Napoleon" at bottom right verso. Bearing the embossed seal of the Minister of Agriculture, Commerce, and Public Works at bottom center. Unidentified second signature to the left of the seal at bottom. In very fine condition with expected wear including paper folds, minor edge browning, and isolated foxing. Small strip of roughness extends along top of one page but does not impact the text. The sheet measures 8.125" x 11.375".

This document shows part of Article 8, Article 9, and Article 10 of a decree relating to the improvement of waterways in France. From November 1867 through July 1868, Napoleon issued a series of decrees authorizing work to improve river navigation. This decree, signed in Tuileries Palace in Paris on January 22, 1868, approved the construction of a dike in Salins in eastern France, the very region that would be overtaken by Germany several years later. Construction was to be undertaken by a private "compagnie" within six months of the decree and with strict instructions not to disrupt existing boat travel. Finished work was to be reviewed by various local and national authorities including the Mayor's office, the Prefecture or head of Police, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Commerce, and Public Works; this last agency was administrated by Edmond Gressier (1813-1892) during this time.

Napoleon III (1808-1873) was the nephew of Napoleon Bonaparte. Initially, under the name of Louis-Napoleon, he served as President of the Second Republic. In 1852, he abolished the republic and appointed himself the head of the Second Empire as Napoleon III. Although his overthrow of republican government horrified many, Napoleon III implemented many positive changes during his regime. He promoted an improvement of infrastructure, like the dike in Salins, and also fostered a modern and interconnected economy. Napoleon III's most spectacular legacy was the renovation of the city of Paris, supervised by government official Baron Haussmann (1809-1891) between 1852-1870.

In 1870, tension between France and Germany over territory erupted in the Franco-Prussian War. Napoleon III was overthrown and replaced by the Government of National Defense after the military defeat at Sedan. The nine-month-long war ended when France ceded Alsace and Lorraine to the Germans in 1871.

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