Description:

Pasquale Paoli
Corte, Corsica, February 15, 1793
Pasquale Paoli Italian LS Re: French Campaign Against Sardinia, In Which The 24-Year-Old Napoleon Bonaparte Participated. Paoli's Role In the Failed Expedition Convinced Napoleon To Break From His Former Hero
LS
A 3pp manuscript letter in Italian signed by Pasquale Paoli (1725-1807), then President of the French-controlled Department of Corsica and Commander-in-Chief of the island's National Guard, as "Pasquale Paoli" at the bottom of the third page. February 15, 1793. Corte, the capital of Corsica. Secretarially inscribed on watermarked laid paper, once bifold, but the pages are now neatly bisected. The first page bears an official hand-stamp in the lower left corner. Expected wear including flattened folds. Isolated small stains and minor ink bleed-through, else near fine, 6.875" x 8.75."

Pasquale Paoli was a Corsican revolutionary leader who championed island independence, first from the Genoese, and later from the French. At first, a young Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821) greatly admired Paoli's nationalism and revolutionary politics. Over time, and especially after the 1793 Sardinian campaign, Napoleon's views shifted, and he broke irrevocably with Paoli and the island's Paolists. The Paolists' persecution of Napoleon and his family eventually precipitated their flight from Corsica to mainland France during the summer of 1793.

In this letter addressed to "Cittadini Deputati," or "Citizen Deputies," President Paoli provided a summary of conditions on the island of Corsica. Since it was conquered by the French in 1768, Corsica served as an overseas department, subject to French laws. The island had been enlisted in France's campaign against neighboring Sardinia to chasten King Victor Amadeus III, who had disrespected the French and belittled their interests. This military offensive in the Mediterranean (December 1792-May 1793) was a bold strategic move for the first French Republic, but it also opened up Corsica to domestic and foreign dangers.

The English language translation of Paoli's letter uses the third person instead of the first person. Paoli writes, translated in part:

"He encloses for their consideration a circular [not included with this lot] which he has drawn up at the request of the Minister Roland [probably Jean-Marie Roland de la Platière, the French Minister of the Interior]. He sends them also a copy of a letter written to the Globe of Bastia [not included in this lot] which [illegible] is a denunciation of himself written by one whose name is as well known to the Deputati as to all other inhabitants of the Island. No news has been heard of the Fleet which lately left Ajaccio [the French Mediterranean Fleet] but he learns that the Volunteer Troops at Bonifacio are deserting in crowds, following the bad example set to them by the regular troops.

He has fear of famine - the coming of so many ships of war has exhausted their magazines, & there is little to be hoped for now except for the chestnuts - a sort of contagion has also appeared similar to that which in last December desolated the villages of Castiglione & Giovellina. This has been grappled with, & the ravages are subsiding.

He fears war with a maritime power - if such were to occur, he could only place confidence in the Guardia Civiche [Civil Guard] - the Volunteer battalions are of little use, & constantly desert…"

Paoli's letter dates from the middle of the ill-fated French campaign against Sardinia (February 1793). Paoli wrote on February 15, 1793 that he had not yet heard from the French Mediterranean Fleet, which had recently departed from Corsica for Sardinia. The main force of the Fleet, commanded by Contre Amiral Laurent Truguet, was grouping around the capital Caligari, in southern Sardinia. Despite weather difficulties, Truguet and his contingent had made landfall on February 11, 1793. Meanwhile, a smaller force in Truguet's fleet, commanded by Paoli's nephew, Pietro Paolo Colonna-Cesari, sailed towards the northern tip of Sardinia. 24-year-old Captain Napoleon Bonaparte served as second deputy in Colonna-Cesari's expedition. Napoleon was in charge of some of his first-ever troops: Corsican National Guard volunteers. Colonna-Cesari and Bonaparte's efforts were initially successful. By February 22nd, the French controlled the island of Santo Stefano. Three days later, Napoleon was ordered to abandon their gains. Napoleon believed that Paoli had directed his nephew to sabotage the mission since Paoli wanted to ditch the French and court the British (which later happened.)

Any admiration that Napoleon had had for Paoli, his political idol, quickly evaporated after Napoleon's participation in the humiliating Sardinian expedition. Napoleon denounced Paoli in March 1793, after the young officer was nearly assassinated. Napoleon was briefly apprehended by Paolists in May. The Bonapartes were outlawed by the Corsican parliament, and Napoleon's birthplace and family home, the Maison Bonaparte in Ajaccio, was pillaged on May 23rd. The Bonaparte Family - including Napoleon - fled Corsica in mid-June 1793.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Provenance: The letter comes with a French-language and an English-language catalog description and summary.
  • Dimensions: 6.875" x 8.75"
  • Medium: LS

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