JOINVILLE (François d’Orléans, Prince of). - Lot 267

JOINVILLE (François d’Orléans, Prince of). 1818–1900. Third son of Louis-Philippe. Autograph letter to his “dear Tan.” Phaeton, Gibraltar, July 10, 1844. 3 pp. ¼ double-leaf in-8. A very fine letter from the prince to his brother Nemours, written at the height of the crisis between France and Morocco, which was supporting the Algerian rebellion. “THE MORE TIME PASSES, THE MORE THE WAR SEEMS TO ME TO BE FILLED WITH INCONVENIENCES, AND THE MORE I BELIEVE THAT THE ENTIRE DISPUTE STEMS FROM A MISUNDERSTANDING EXPLOITED BY SPANISH BOASTFULNESS AND THEAbdel Kader’s cleverness have exploited. I am here in a state of anticipation, concerned only about one thing: the announced arrival of a British squadron, which would jeopardize our affairs, for we would then be forced to reveal ourselves and perhaps take action; we could not allow our affairs to be conducted under the protection of English cannons, giving the impression that we were letting them impose conditions on both parties. The decisive influence we must exert on neighboring states regarding the future of our African possessions would not allow us to accept such a situation (…). ” He points out that the “Emperor of Morocco” has the advantage that Fez is divided in two. “IF MARSHAL BUGEAUD WANTS TO OUTMANEUVER THE EMPEROR, HE MUST, FOLLOWING THE EXAMPLE OF THE LATE MARSHAL LOBAU, BRING IN SIEGE ARTILLERY TO FORCE AN EVACUATION AND DISRUPT THE ENEMY’S REAR (…).”