Napoleon I | Letter signed, on the founding of the Cisalpine Republic, 1797

Napoleon I

Letter signed, to the "députés du corps législatif de la republique cispadane",

concerning the foundation of the Cisalpine Republic, providing a series of orders for the unification of Romagna with the Cispadane Republic and of the “Modenois regio, massa carara” with the Cisalpine Republic, the nomination of deputies, the elaboration of laws, the good functioning of committees, the partition of Romagna into departments, the preparation of elections, the nomination of a “directoire”, the administration of the departments of Bologna and of Ferrara, and the suppression of provincial governments, on headed stationery of the Army of Italy, 2 pages, folio, 30 floreat an 5 [19 May 1797], minor ink spotting to rear blank

NAPOLEON RESHAPES ITALY. The Cispadane Republic had come into existence in October 1796. The first revolutionary state in Italy, it was formed of Reggio Nell' Emilia, Modena and Bologna. Its constitution was modelled on that of its 'sister', France, and was based on revolutionary principles. As his conquests in Italy grew, Napoleon decreed the establishment of a new state, the Cisalpine Republic, in June 1797 and within a month the Cispadane Republic was merged into the Cisalpine.

PROVENANCE:

Sotheby's, London, 14 November 1978, lot 163