Louis Alexandre BERTHIER, Prince of Wagram and Neuchatel (1753-1815)

Letter Signed (“le Mal. Berthier”), as Napoleon’s Minister of War, to the English prisoner “Milord Terndale”.

1 page folio in French on blue-grey paper with the vignette of the Ministry of War, Boulogne, 13 Thermidor n.y. [annotated in pencil in a later hand “1804”].                     

Trans: “To Milord Terndale English Prisoner at Verdun. Further to the orders of His Imperial Majesty I send you, Sir, a Passport allowing you to travel, on Parole, to England. It is His Majesty’s intention that you return within the year. At the same time, the Emperor asks me to inform you that it is at the request and in consideration of the talents and character of Mr. Fox that he has consented to your return to London . . .”

Charles James Fox, a whole-hearted supporter of the Peace of Amiens, had visited France and met Napoleon when he visited Paris in the summer of 1802. Fox’s admiration of Napoleon was not entirely uncritical, but as an opponent of William Pitt and famously disliked by George III, his intercession with the French authorities would no doubt have carried some weight.

As no military rank is stated, Terndale was most likely an English civilian traveller stranded in France at the resumption of hostilities in May 1803. These prisoners were generally well treated and allowed to move about with relative freedom, although constantly watched.

An attractive letter, in excellent condition.

Delivery

Autographs can be delivered worldwide. Delivery costs are calculated at the time of order and items will be sent by the most appropriate means, depending on your location and the value of the item. This will usually be by Royal Mail Special Delivery within the UK and Royal Mail Tracked outside the UK. 

The current delivery charges are:

• UK:

  Royal Mail Special Delivery £9.00

• Europe:

  Europe Royal Mail Tracked £15.00
  EU customers should note that, following brexit, local VAT and customs duties may apply to their purchases. 

   USA:

• Royal Mail Tracked £25.00

  Rest of the World:

• Rest of the World Tracked £20.00

   

Export Licensing

Customers should be aware that all letters and documents over 50 years old require an export licence, which may delay delivery by anything from one to three weeks. Signed photographs are not subject to export licence regulations, and can be sent immediately.

There is no charge for the export licence and I will take care of the application, the only inconvenience to you will be the delay.

Authenticity

The authenticity of the letters and documents offered is guaranteed.

Payment

Online sales orders

Payments made via the website are processed by Shopify Inc and can be made using Visa, Mastercard or American Express.

Telephone sales orders

Items may be purchased by phone. Please contact me using the website Contact Form and I will call you within 48 hours to discuss your requirements. Payment for purchases ordered by phone can be paid upon receipt of the invoice and must be paid within 7 days. Phone orders can be paid by cheque (in pounds sterling only) or bank transfer.

Items will be reserved for one week following the order confirmation and will be dispatched either within 7 days after full payment has been received, or after any required export licenses have been granted.

Returns Policy

Should you be in any way dissatisfied with your purchase, items may be returned within six weeks of delivery and a full refund will be made upon receipt of the returned item. The item must be received by Richmond Autographs in the same condition as when dispatched.  For full details, please read our Terms and Conditions.