IMPERIAL PRINCE / Signed Autograph Letter / Franco-Prussian War / 1871

  

Autographed letter signed "Louis-Napoléon" to his friend Pierre de Bourgoing Camden Place [Chislehurst], February 27, 1871, 2 p. In-8° Some foxing, tab mark on the second leaf.

Famous and magnificent letter from the Prince Imperial, written the day after the signing of the preliminary peace treaty of Versailles, ending the Franco-Prussian War of 1870. "My dear Bourgoing, it is a great relief for us who are so far from home to think that there is no longer fighting in France now, indeed you cannot imagine how painful it is when all you can do for your country is to pray, to think that every minute hundreds of Frenchmen fall on the battlefields.

We almost reproach ourselves with every bite of meat, every sip of wine, thinking of the poor people who are almost starving in our towns and in our fortresses. Let us hope that the end of our misery is near and that France will soon be able to heal its wounds. Believe me, my dear Pierre, that I often think of you! I miss the days when I used to see you almost every Sunday, and our grand parties in Paris or at Saint-Cloud, which has been burned as you probably know. Who would have thought when we were throwing chestnuts at each other last summer that the French and the Prussians would be slaughtering each other there! Please give my sincere regards to Mr. I embrace you with all my heart, your very affectionate friend."

Exiled since the capitulation of Sedan, the Prince Imperial and his mother Empress Eugénie found refuge in October 1870 in Chislehurst, southeast of London, under the benevolence of Queen Victoria. Well informed about the news from France, this poignant letter shows the affliction felt by the young Prince for the French troops. The preliminary peace treaty, which ended the Franco-Prussian War of 1870, was signed in Versailles on February 26, 1871 between the two warring parties.

Concluded before the complete military collapse of France (battles were still taking place in the North under the command of Faidherbe and in Belfort under the command of Denfert-Rochereau), the treaty was confirmed on May 10, 1871 by the Treaty of Frankfurt. An autograph note from Abbé Eugène Misset: "Superb letter, given the date and the sentiments expressed.

Was acquired in 1908 / E. Collection of Abbé Eugène Misset Collection of S. Prince Victor Napoléon (inventory number 6299) Collection D. Martinet, Léon Chailley, Paris, 1895, p. 200 - Louis, Prince Imperial, ed. 97 - The Prince Imperial, Napoléon IV, ed.