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THIS MONTH'S ARTICLE
'Napoleon and the Corsican Dilemma - part 1', by Barbara Krajewska
"Napoleon was not yet 10 years old when he left Corsica for the first time on the 1st of January 1779 to go to the College in Autun, and later, on the 12th May in the same year, to the military school in Brienne. Granted a royal scholarship, he was to study in France where, suffering existential pain and permanent melancholy, isolated and marginalized, he would retreat into his inner self in attempt to resist the hostility of his French classmates. To resist; this was his first independent action." Barbara Krajewska here takes right into the heart of Napoleon the Corsican...
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THE BIBLIOTHEQUE M. LAPEYRE - FONDATION NAPOLEON
The contents of the Revue des études napoléoniennes are now accessible in detail on our library web pages. In other words, by searching the library catalogue, your search automatically passes through the contents pages of this important Napoleonic journal for the years 1912-1926, 1929-1936 and 1939-June 1940). There is also a thematic index and a list of the book reviews. Furthermore, articles relating to 19th-century matters which were published in the American journal Consortium on Revolutionary Europe (University of Florida) have been individually referenced, and all these references can be found on the online library catalogue. © Fondation Napoléon
For further information (in French).
http://www.napoleon.org/Publication_Aloes/images/style7/entree.htm
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PUBLICATION OF THE CORRESPONDANCE GENERALE DE NAPOLEON
You probably spent this summer reading volume 2 of the Correspondance générale de Napoléon. Indeed, what better place than the beach to read about the Egyptian campaign! This autumn we're putting the final touches to volume three (for the years 1800 to 1802) aiming at publication in January 2006. You can participate in the adventure (if you can read French and live in or around Paris) by becoming a «corresponding member». As a volunteer, you will be trained (in French) in palaeography, in computer abilities, and in the history of Napoleon's letters. Currently the team is working on the years 1805 to 1808.
If, on the other hand, you own - or know a person or institution which possesses - letters of Napoleon (even for the periods which have already been published), please don't hesitate to contact us.
Whether you're a fan, or simply just interested (or know someone else who might be interested), come and join in the fun and discover the Empire from the inside.
For any further information or to join, contact Peter Hicks for Emilie Barthet, director of the project (either by e-mail mailto:hicks@napoleon.org or by phone ++33 (0)1 56 43 46 06).
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200 YEARS AGO
In September 1805, the world of finance suffered a serious crash brought about by the "United Merchants" scandal, the “Scandale des Négociants réunis”.
Forced to find more and more hard cash with which to finance the army and hampered by Napoleon's refusal to borrow, the Public Finance Minister, François Barbé-Marbois (1745-1837), soon turned towards private financiers, particularly the Company of United Merchants (Compagnie des Négociants Réunis), directed by the speculator Gabriel-Julien Ouvrard (1770-1846), and the banker Médard Desprez (1764-1842), rector (Régent) of the Banque de France. In exchange for an advance of funds, the Compagnie received bonds payable against the monthly subsidies which Spain had agreed to pay in the treaty of 22 June, 1803. The Compagnie had also obtained from Madrid the monopoly on commerce with Spanish America and counted on shoring up liquidity by organising the return to Europe of Spanish piastras held in Cuba. But the return of war between France and Britain was to slow up ship movements. Since this initial part of the system did not prove to sufficiently ‘speedy', Ouvrard then came up with a scheme whereby the he would get the Banque de France to underwrite financial agreements (referred to as ‘courtesy financial agreements' since they had no real value), which the members of the United Merchants had contracted with each other. This artificial movement of capital caused bond holders to panic, which in turn forced the Banque de France to limit repayment amounts on the bonds.
Whilst it is true that victory at Austerlitz brought back confidence, the minister Barbé-Marbois, was found guilty of blind confidence in Ouvrard, and was removed from his post on 27 January, 1806, the day after Napoleon's return to Paris.
Wishing you an excellent, Napoleonic, week.
Peter Hicks
Historian and Web editor
Interested in the work of the Fondation Napoléon? Why not participate, either generally or in a specific project, by making a donation.
© this Napoleon.org weekly bulletin is published by the Fondation Napoléon. Reproduction or all or part of this bulletin is forbidden, without prior agreement of the Fondation Napoléon.
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THIS WEEK
SNIPPETS
- End of the restoration work on the Arc de Triomphe, Paris
PRESS REVIEW
- The Nelson Dispatch, vol. 8, part 11, January 2005
JUST PUBLISHED
- MITCHELL, Leslie, The Whig World
- CANNADINE, David, Admiral Lord Nelson: Context and Legacy
- NICOLSON, Adam, Seize the Fire: Heroism, Duty, and the Battle of Trafalgar
WHAT'S ON
- Festival: Nelson and Nevis, Nelson Week, Nevis, West Indies
- Guided tour: Napoleon at Osoppo (Friuli), Italy
- Exhibition: Napoleone e il Piemonte. Capolavori ritrovati, Alba, Italy
- Exhibition: Napoleon: Art and Empire in the age of Trafalgar, Barnard Castle, UK
- Exhibition: The Empress Josephine: Art and Royal Identity, Amherst, MA, USA
- Tour: Napoleonic Society of America, Imperial tour of Italy
- Exhibition: Nelson and Napoleon, National Maritime Museum, London, UK
- Conference: The Battle of Trafalgar Conference, at Action Stations, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, UK
THE MONTHLY TITLES
- This month's book: GOETZ, Robert, 1805: Austerlitz: Napoleon and the Destruction of the Third Coalition
- This month's painting: "Atala au tombeau" (The entombment of Atala) also known as "Les funérailles d'Atala" (Atala's
funeral), by Girodet
- This month's article: 'Napoleon and the Corsican Dilemma - part 1', by Barbara Krajewska
- In the Collectors Corner, The Cent-Jours standard Eagle of the 6e Régiment des Chasseurs à Cheval
Got a problem with a link in the letter? Try the homepage http://www.napoleon.org
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