BERTRAND HENRI GATIEN: (1773-1844) French General. Count Bertrand and Grand Marshal of the Palace. Bertrand was ...

BERTRAND HENRI GATIEN: (1773-1844) French General. Count Bertrand and Grand Marshal of the Palace. Bertrand was aide-de-camp to Napoleon I and the closest officer to the Emperor who had full confidence in him. He served during the expedition to Egypt and the Battles of Austerlitz, Wagram, Leipzig and Waterloo and accompanied Napoleon I to Elba in 1814 and to St. Helena in 1815. Bertrand was condemned to death in 1816 but did not return to France until Napoleon´s death when King Louis XVIII granted his amnesty. In 1840 Bertrand went to St. Helena to bring Napoleon´s remains to France. A rare and interesting Autograph note by Bertrand, one page, oblong 8vo, [St. Helena], 1st of July 1817, to the Governor Sir Hudson Lowe, in French. Bertrand, in the third person and on behalf of Napoleon I states `The Count Bertrand is honoured sending his compliments to M. the Governor. He has received his letter from yesterday evening. The Emperor will receive today Admiral Malcolm and Admiral Plampin.´ A letter of interesting and historic content. VG £600-900 Hudson Lowe (1769-1844) Anglo-Irish Officer and colonial Administrator. Best known for his time as Governor of St. Helena as gaoler of Napoleon Bonaparte. According to the St. Helena archives, Napoleon received Admiral Malcolm on July 2nd and Admiral Plampin on 3rd July 1817. Sir Pulteney Malcolm (1768-1838) British naval officer. Malcolm was Commander of the Saint Helena station 1816-17, appointed to control the blockade of the island. Robert Plampin (1762-1834) British Royal Navy Officer. In 1816 Plampin was appointed commander of the squadron at the Cape of Good Hope, which also had responsibility for Saint Helena. Plampin regularly visited and had numerous conversations with Napoleon. Bertrand has been mentioned by Alexandre Dumas in his novel The Count of Monte Cristo, and by Victor Hugo in his novel Les Miserables.