VALÉE SYLVAIN: (1773-1846) French general and Marshal. A rare and excellent set of seven A.Ls., `V´, seventeen ...

VALÉE SYLVAIN: (1773-1846) French general and Marshal. A rare and excellent set of seven A.Ls., `V´, seventeen pages, 4to, Königsberg and Tilsit, between 24th June & 11th July 1807, to his wife, in French. Valée writes to his wife referring to the historic events of the peace Treaty of Tilsit, and to personal matters, and states in part `..The Emperor keeps on running after the Russians. We are waiting for him here…Yesterday I visited a Prussian Major, mi neighbour, who has a very young and beautiful wife who is very ill after a childbed, and who speaks French..´ In June 24th, Valée states `--The Emperor remains in Tilsit, over the Neman, to treat about, they say, the peace. There are reasons that make us hope that a meeting between the Emperor and the Russian Emperor will take place, or with the King of Prussia..´ In a further letter dated 28th June, Valée says `Emperor Alexander I, after meeting twice the Emperor Napoleon in the small castle built for them in the middle of the river which is separating the two armies… Consequently they have divided the city in two parts, half for the Russians, half for us. The two Emperors are together..The Emperor Alexander is, as everybody says, is a very good looking man, not his brother Constantin. It is strange to see how people who were killing each other 8 days ago, are now living together in good harmony. Wouldn´t this prove how weaks are the reasons for such cruel and devastating wars..´ further saying `The Emperor is promising a proclamation addressed to the army, announcing that he will make us all return to France, but we have already had this hope disappointed..´ On a letter dated 30th June, Valée states referring to Russians `What the hell have we in common with these kind of heads specimen? They barely have human faces, a dressed orangutan with a hat would have the same look, some of them use arrows. All those animals remind us those wild hordes we have read about..´ Valée keeps on describing Russian soldiers, further referring to Frederick William III `The King of Prussia is always following his conqueror, thoughtful and not talking to anyone, alone…Nobody is giving attention to him, nobody cares..´ On a further letter dated 11th July, Valée states `Before yesterday the Emperors Napoleon and Alexander separated close to the Memel shore, they embraced each other, good friends apparently; Emperor Alexander returns to his deserts, I wish we will never have to see again these wild animals faces. The Queen of Prussia, with her impish look, would have confused the two masters of the universe if they had to remain longer with her..´ A set of letters with very interesting historic content. Overall age wear, with edges very slightly trimmed, few stains, otherwise G £500-800