TWO OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS FROM THE FRENCH EGYPTIAN CAMPAIGN DATED FEBRUARY AND NOVEMBER 1800 (LOTS 628-629)

A LETTER FROM JEAN-BAPTISTE KLÉBER, GENERAL IN CHIEF OF THE FRENCH CAMPAIGN IN EGYPT (1799-1800)

ISSUED BY JEAN-BAPTISTE KLEBER, EGYPT, DATED 12 PLUVIOSE AN VIII/1ST FEBRUARY 1800 AD

Details

A LETTER FROM JEAN-BAPTISTE KLÉBER, GENERAL IN CHIEF OF THE FRENCH CAMPAIGN IN EGYPT (1799-1800)
ISSUED BY JEAN-BAPTISTE KLEBER, EGYPT, DATED 12 PLUVIOSE AN VIII/1ST FEBRUARY 1800 AD
A translation from French to Arabic, on blue paper, the large folio fold and two sided, the recto with 24ll. of black naskh script, the reverse with 8ll., signed in Arabic Kleber sirr 'askari al-'am (Kleber army general officer), with transcription in French at top in black ink Kléber salahyeh, 12 pluviose an 8, with stamp of the Institut Egyptien(1859-1918), minor staining, mounted
13 5/8 x 9¼in. (34.7 x 23.5cm.)

Lot Essay

Jean-Baptiste Kléber was one of the French Revolution's prominent military leaders. He was also known for his participation to the French Egyptian Campaign led by Napoléon who left him in command from the end of 1799 until his assassination on 14 June 1800.

This letter is an official document issued toward the Egyptian Diwan. It opens with a confirmation of the "true will of the French party to preserve the ancient alliance with the Ottoman state". However it mentions a French envoy to Istanbul whose mission did not produced the expected results. The letter confirms the respect [of the French party] for "[the Egyptian people's] religions, customs, places and that there will not be "the slightest change to the country's customs".

For an Arabic letter by Kléber's successor as Military General Officer, see lot 629.

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