BERTHIER LOUIS-ALEXANDRE: (1753-1815) Marshal of France, Prince of Neuchatel. Chief of Staff under Napoleon. A very ...

BERTHIER LOUIS-ALEXANDRE: (1753-1815) Marshal of France, Prince of Neuchatel. Chief of Staff under Napoleon. A very fine L.S., Alexandre, one page, 4to, Paris, 12th September 1808, to M. Huguet, in French. Berthier reports that he is not concerned about the purchase of the forests of Barras if he holds them from the Nation, and states in part `..dans la vente des biens nationaux, la nation n'est point mineure et du moment que la vente a été faite, d'après les lois et les formes voulues, l'acquisition est faite et l'on ne recherche point les titres..´ (''..in the sale of national goods, the nation is not a minor part and from the moment that the sale has been made, according to the laws and the required forms, the acquisition is made and no titles are sought…'') a letter of very good content and association. With blank integral leaf. Very small overall minor creasing, otherwise VG Berthier refers to the Castel, forests, and hunting lands of Grosbois, in the Val-de-Marne, which belonged to General Paul Barras and which Berthier wished to acquire. The whole had been confiscated during the French revolution as a National belonging, and the castle was purchased by Barras in 1797. After going into exile Barras sold it to General Moreau in 1801. In 1804, after the arrest of Moreau, Napoleon I purchased the castle through Fouché, to finally sell it to Berthier. At the time of the present letter there was still part of the large property belonging to Barras. Paul Barras (1755-1829) French Politician during French Revolution. Main executive leader of the Directory regime 1795-99. Jean Victor Moreau (1763-1813) French General who helped Napoleon to power, but later became a rival and was banished. Moreau was mortally wounded in the battle of Dresden. Well-remembered for his last words `Be calm, gentlemen; this is my fate´. Joseph fouché (1759- 1820) 1st Duc d´Otrante, French Statesman and Minister of Police under Napoléon I.