NAPOLEON I (1769-1821). Emperor of the French.
Letter Signed ('Nap' with an (original) ink spot) in French to his stepson, Prince Eugène, Viceroy of Italy ('My fils') 2 pages 4to, Bayonne, 16 May 1808. Relaying precise instructions for the reunification of the three departments of Ancona.
Napoleon orders the publication and application of the laws of the Concordat, the institution of measures concerning the monks (which will have the added advantage of securing a great quantity of goods), the formation of a guard of honour and the occupation of fortresses. Though Ancone will never be under seige, he believes that the building of two or three forts is necessary both to restrain the populace and to give shelter to the ships in the harbour.
 Ancona was formerly a coastal stronghold of the Papal States. Having established himself in 1805 as the crowned and anointed King of Italy, Napoleon had continued his gradual occupation of the Italian states, braving excommunication to take over much of the Adriatic coastline which had previously been ruled directly by Pope Pius VII.
[No: 5419]