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NAPOLEON I. Two letters signed ('Np') to General Clarke (one including two corrections in autograph), Paris, 14 and 23 February 1809, the first demanding a report on the defences of certain fortresses in Northern Italy including Alexandria, Fenestrelles, Turin, Piacenza and Genoa which belong to France, written on a bifolium, 2½ pages, 4°; the second referring to the provision of artillery for Alexandria where there are 143 24-millimetre guns but only 71 suitable gun carriages, giving other deficiencies and with precise instructions to Clarke for making up the required strength, written on a bifolium, 2½ pages, 4°, two works in autograph on first leaf, contemporary annotation on second leaf (ink blots with part loss of two words).
The letter of February 14 includes an important analysis of the importance of the different fortresses and the key role of Alessandria, 'Le principal but de la Citadelle de Plaisance est de mettre l'hôpital et le Depôt du Duché de Parme à l'abri d'un coup de main ... le but de la Citadelle de Turin est principalement de contenir la capitale de Piemont ... ce qui est important aujourd'hui c'est qu'on me fasse connaître la situation d'Alexandrie. Quelle est la situation précise des ouvrages d'Alexandrie au 1er janvier 1809? Quelle serait leur situation possible au 1er mai 1810?' The letter of February 23 lists deficiencies in the artillery at Alessandria, demanding that Clarke submits a plan to cover forthcoming requirements. (2)
The letter of February 14 includes an important analysis of the importance of the different fortresses and the key role of Alessandria, 'Le principal but de la Citadelle de Plaisance est de mettre l'hôpital et le Depôt du Duché de Parme à l'abri d'un coup de main ... le but de la Citadelle de Turin est principalement de contenir la capitale de Piemont ... ce qui est important aujourd'hui c'est qu'on me fasse connaître la situation d'Alexandrie. Quelle est la situation précise des ouvrages d'Alexandrie au 1er janvier 1809? Quelle serait leur situation possible au 1er mai 1810?' The letter of February 23 lists deficiencies in the artillery at Alessandria, demanding that Clarke submits a plan to cover forthcoming requirements. (2)