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Profiles in History
   
Historical Document Auction 63
25. [Bonaparte, Napoleon]. Pair of manuscript documents (ca. 1797) for articles relating to capitulation of the arsenal of the Republic 
of Venice. (1) Document, in French, 3 pages (8 x 11.25 in.; 203 x 285 mm.) bi-folded paper containing nine articles for “Draft for the 
Rules of Procedure for the Interior Functions of the Arsenal of Venice”, (2) document, in French, 2 pages (12.5 x 8 in.; 304 x 203 mm.) bi-folded 
paper containing eight articles for the “Rules and Proposals for the Interior Functions of the Venetian Arsenal”. The articles categorize use and 
administration of Venetian arsenals by the French Navy for “construction and armament of venetian ships”. Both documents are written 
in ink and are nearly identical in content; the only material difference is the second document lacks “Article 5.” as stated below. Undated. 
Unsigned. In fine condition.
Napoleon manuscript documents regarding the Rules and Procedures for the Interior Functions of the 
Arsenal  of Venice.
The documents state in part: Article 1. The dispositions of all work relating to the construction and arming of the three ships and frigates destined for 
the French Navy, within the arsenal workshops, will be administered by the French Navy in accord with the committee of the Venetian Navy. Article 2. 
The committee of the Navy will comply with the dispositions instigated for the method of operation as well as for the use of workers and materials without 
needing any other authorization. Article 3. All Engineers, overseers and managers of workshops will satisfy the demands of the French Administration. 
Article 4. In the situation where an urgent decision must be made, the advice of agents of the French Navy will be provisionally taken; except in the case 
of a dispute where the ultimate decision will be made by a united administration based on the accounts of the Committee of the Venetian Navy and their 
respective agents. Article 5. The orders will always be given in the workshops and warehouses by the officers of the Venetian Navy; but the orders will 
have been discussed with the administration of the French Navy. Article 6. Appeals by workers will be decided according to usual practice by the Arsenal; 
their functions, determined by the French Administration, will be implemented by the Venetian government with encouragements which could augment the 
enthusiasm of the workers thereby accelerating the work. Article 7. The current method used in the Arsenal for the accounting of materials will be observed 
and maintained by agents of the Venetian Navy, as long as these methods do not interfere with the delivery of material or are demanded in a manner 
detrimental to the swift delivery of the operations. Article 8. The police of the Arsenal will remain in the hands of those who are now charged with them. 
Their accounts will be communicated to the French Administration; the officers in charge of surveillance will comply with the orders of this administration 
when appropriate. Article 9. The Commissioner of the French Navy will oversee all accounting concerning the two nations. He will sign the workers roll 
sheets employed in construction and armament of the Venetian ships, only as controller; but he will keep a record of expenditures of materials and days for 
each French ship; thus, nothing will be delivered or used on either a worker or ship belonging to the French Republic without being signed by him. The 
Administration will give knowledge to the Committee of the Navy of the name of the administrator in charge and an example of his signature.
During his famed Italian Campaign, Napoleon conquered the Republic of Venice 12 May 1797 during the First Coalition. On 12 
October that same year, Napoleon signed the Treaty of Campo Formio and Venice became Austrian territory on 18 January 1798. It 
was taken from Austria by the Treaty of Pressburg in 1805 and became part of Napoleon’s Kingdom of Italy, but was returned to Austria 
following Napoleon’s defeat in 1814 when it became part of the Austrian-held Kingdom of LombardyVenetia. $3,000 - $5,000

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310-859-7701
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26. Bonaparte, Napoleon. Letter signed (“NP”) as Emperor 
to the French, 1 page (7.25 x 8.8 in.; 184 x 224 mm.), in French, 
Paris, 28 May 1809, to General Henri Clarke, Napoleon’s Minister 
of War. Mounting remnants on verso; otherwise, fine condition. 
Napoleon writes in full: Monsieur le General Clarke, I approve the 
proposal that you made to me to use General MacDonald in the Italian 
Army; Give him orders to proceed to Milano to the Viceroy. On this I pray 
God that he keep you in his holy protection. [signed] NP
On 21-22 May 1809, a week prior to this letter, Napoleon 
attempted a forced crossing of the Danube near Vienna, but the 
French and their allies were driven back by the Austrians under 
Archduke Charles. Known as the Battle of Aspern-Essling, it was 
the first time Napoleon had been personally defeated in over a 
decade. However, Archduke Charles failed to secure a decisive 
victory, as Napoleon was able to successfully withdraw most of his 
forces. $1,200 - $1,500
27. [Bonaparte, Napoleon]. Swatch of silk used to create the 
French flag accompanying Napoleon’s coffin from St. Helena to 
France with attached 1853 notarized letter. The swatch of fine white 
silk (2.25 x .75 in.; 57 x 19 mm.) is affixed, with red wax seal, to a 
1-page letter (5.25 x 8.5 in.; 133 x 216 mm.), New York, 10 January 
1853, written by “Hy. H. Gidron, Notary Public of St. Helena.” Silk 
exhibits slight foxing. Housed in a modern frame, matted on linen.
The letter reads in full: I hereby certify that the piece of silk hereunto 
attached is a portion of that of which the French Flag was made by the 
Ladies of St. Helena at the request of the Prince of Joinville at the time of 
the exhumation and removal of the remains of the late Emperor Napoleon, 
from that Island, and that the said Flag accompanied the remains to France 
and was afterwards deposited in the Hotel des Invalides at Paris. New York, 
Jany. 10
th
 1853 Hy. H. Gidron, Noty. Public of St. Helena. $600 - $800

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