Robert, baron TASCHER DE LA PAGERIE. L.S., Paris March 5, 18 - Lot 584

Robert, baron TASCHER DE LA PAGERIE. L.S., Paris March 5, 1806, to Empress Josephine, "my dearest niece"; 4 pages in-4. A few days before his death on March 18 [Joséphine will have a white marble monument erected for him in the Saint-Pierre-Saint-Paul church in Rueil-Malmaison, where he is buried]. "I have informed you, my dear niece, of the order given by His Majesty the Emperor, and transmitted by Marshal Duroc to the concierge of your hotel on rue de la Victoire, to return to the château the linen, silverware and kitchen utensils that had been lent to me" [this refers to the Hôtel de Montreuil where Bonaparte organized the 18 Brumaire]. He asks for more in exchange, then moves on to money matters. "Since your arrival, my dear niece, I've made you aware of the debts I've incurred. They are as much to my mind as to my honor; in that I promised to repay them soon after your return, counting and hoping always on your friendship for me. They amount to about 14,000 f. I owe Mr. Tascher the senator 4000 f. which he kindly lent me. To Mr. Niepce, who is leaving with his wife to visit Princess Auguste, 2800 f. Finally to the restaurateur who fed me, to my grocer, to my doctor, &c.". He asks for her help, and asks her to give the necessary sum to his daughter Stéphanie. "I have received what His Majesty the Emperor has kindly granted me from his budget, but this sum can only be used for current expenses, without helping me to pay my bills. If I had not been indisposed for a few days, I would have been able to talk to you myself about these matters [...]. Please also, my dear Niece, do me the pleasure of asking His Majesty the Emperor's permission to go from time to time to present him with my homage and respect at his rising.