NAPOLéON Ier - Lot 152

NAPOLéON Ier - Départ de l'Empereur pour Sainte-Hélène. Lettre autographe signée du lieutenant de la marine royale anglaise John Hood Wolseley (1796-1827), fils aîné de l'amiral William W., 3 pages pleines in-4, datée [Ile d'Aix] « H. M. S. Superb Basque Roads », 20 juillet 1815. Adresse sur la IVe page. Récit de la visite de Napoléon à bord du Superb le 16 juillet 1815, quelques heures avant son départ pour plymouth puis sainte-hélène. Intéressante lettre d'un témoin oculaire. « ... As it will probably interest you, I shall tell all that happened on the occasion - écrit Wolseley au capitaine Grace - He had just left the french Brig [l'Epervier] that brought him from Isle d'Aix with his suite consisting of Savary Duke of Rovigo, Count Bertrand, Las Cases, Montholon, & &, Mesdames Bertrand & Montholon had also come with him. He immediately took possession of Capt Maitlands Cabin [à bord du Bellerophon], got all his own plate & sent to ask Capt. M. to breakfast with him. On Sunday he came on board of us to a dejeuné [chez l'amiral Hotham] at 10 o'clock ; we manned yards for him & received him with every demonstration of respect & honor... ». Napoléon visita ensuite le bateau et fut présenté à l'équipage : « ... he is short & very flat & was consequently much tired with walking up & down the ladders. There was nothing in the appearance of this extraordinary man that I thought particulary striking ; he was very like the prints I had seen of him... », etc. L'illustre prisonnier s'est montré affable, posant de nombreuses questions : « ... It struck me he was in full possession of that talent so much estimed by soldiers called the military coup d'oeil... for a rapid glance at the objects around him appeared to satisfy him fully on to their condition & position. He was plain in his dress & didn't seem depressed in spirits by his misfortunes. It will no doubt be matter of great exultation in England, when they find the conqueror of the continent in their possession. I am anxious to know