LECLERC CHARLES: (1772-1802) French General who served under Napoleon Bonaparte during the French Revolution. Husband of Pauline Bonaparte, sister of Napoleon. A rare D.S., Leclerc, in the form of an endorsement at the foot of a manuscript document, one page, folio, n.p. ('Fait en conseil'), 25^th December 1798, in French. The document, issued by the 56^th Semi-Brigade of the Army of Italy, provides details of the military service of Jean-Claude Desmarais, giving his date of birth (20^th May 1752) and listing his ranks from being a soldier in the Regiment of Dauphine in 1771 to attaining the rank of Captain in 1792, and also adding that he was active in the campaigns on Corsica in 1771 & 1772 and of those of the Revolution from 1792-98. Desmaris has also provided a signed statement in which he declares that he is not in a condition to continue active service and has been forced to remain in the auxiliary company 'due to being afflicted with chronic rheumatic pains stemming from the fatigues of war', which has been confirmed by the chief medical officer, and adding that he hopes that his request will be considered with kindness as he has served for twenty-eight years without interruption and that he will be able to be placed in a company of National Guard veterans. Signed at the foot by ten individuals of the administrative council of the 56^th Semi-Brigade, including Jean-Mathieu-Philibert Serurier (1742-1819) 1^st Count Serurier, Marshal of the Empire under Napoleon Bonaparte, certifying the service of Desmarais, alongside a red wax seal and the official oval stamp of the 56^th Semi-Brigade of the Infantry. Endorsed by Leclerc at the foot ('Seen by me, war commissioner') and signed with a bold example of his signature. Autographs of Leclerc are rare in any form as a result of his untimely death at the age of 30 from yellow fever. Some light fraying and age wear to the edges, otherwise VG