DAVOUT LOUIS NICOLAS: (1770-1823) Marshal of France, Duc d´Auerstaedt and Prince of Eckmuhl. ...

DAVOUT LOUIS NICOLAS: (1770-1823) Marshal of France, Duc d´Auerstaedt and Prince of Eckmuhl. Known as the Iron Marshal, Davout was the only Napoleonic Marshal not to have been defeated in battle by 1815. Unusual A.L.S., `L. Davout´, two pages, 4to, Skierniewice (between Lodz and Warsaw), in Poland, 1st of January [1808], to his wife Aimée Leclerc, in French. Davout sends a bold ink manuscript letter to his wife from Poland, where he has been few months earlier appointed by Napoleon Governor-General of the new created Duchy following the Treaties of Tislit few months before. Davout refers to an important property they intend to buy in France, and confirms that he fully trust and support his wife´s decisions, stating in part `Je reçois ma chère aimée ta lettre où tu m'annonces que l'on t'a devancé et que l'hôtel de Rohan-Chabot est acheté. Je te répète que j'approuverai tout ce que tu feras et que je ne verrai jamais une folie dans l'acquisition que tu feras, quelle qu'elle soit, il me sera suffisant que cela te convienne pour avoir ma pleine et entière approbation...´ (Translation: "My dear beloved, I receive your letter in which you tell me that you have been beaten and that the Rohan-Chabot hotel has been purchased. I repeat to you that I will approve everything you do and that I will never see folly in the acquisition you make, whatever it may be, it will be enough for me that it suits you to have my full and complete approval...") Davout further refers to the money need referred by his wife which he cannot understand, saying `Je te prierai d'excuser mon laconisme, ma chère Aimée, je veux expédier tout le travail de cette journée auparavant le départ de l'ordonnance et j'ai des choses pressantes. J'espère que l'arrivée des 29 000 f. t'auront un peu soulagé, mais comment peux-tu te trouver dans l´embarras, le Major Général ayant 300 000 qu´il te remettra à son arrivée...´ (Translation: "I will ask you to excuse my laconicism, my dear Aimée, I want to get through all the work of this day before the departure of the orderly and I have pressing matters. I hope that the arrival of the 29,000 f. will have relieved you a little, but how can you find yourself in an embarrassment, the Major General having 300,000 which he will give you upon his arrival...") Davout refers to Louis Alexandre Berthier when mentionning the Major General who will bring thee 300.000 fr, being a grant given by Napoleon I to Davout in order to help him to buy the hotel he wished and dederved according to his rank. With address leaf in Davout´s hand `a Madame La Maréchale Davout, cour de l´orangerie, Paris´, also bearing an ink stamp and an attractive and in good condition red wax seal, showing a crowned coat of arms with the Marshal´s batons and his own initials. Overall creasing, with few tears to the adress leaf as a result of the letter opening. G

​