PONIATOWSKI JOZEF: (1763-1813) Polish General, Minister of War and Army Chief. Marshal of the Empire. An excellent ...

PONIATOWSKI JOZEF: (1763-1813) Polish General, Minister of War and Army Chief. Marshal of the Empire. An excellent L.S., `Joseph Prince Poniatowski´, one page, folio, Paris, 7th July 1811, to the Minister of War Duke de Feltre, in French. Poniatowski, in his capacity as General of division and Chief Commander of the Polish army, tries to help some compatriots during his stay in Paris, stating in part `Monsieur Hussarzewski, Lieutenant serving in the Vistula Corps, having obtained last 2nd of February the retreat as a result of his wounds in the war of Spain and after decision of His Majesty the Emperor, is waiting here for your Excellency decision about the quality of the retreat; but this officer, belonging to a very important family from the Duchy of Warsaw, has spent all his money and is out of any income…´ further saying `Knowing that Your Excellency has always shown testimony of his kindness towards Polish military officers…´. A cleanly written letter in very fine condition. Folded. VG At the time of the present letter, Poniatowski was in Paris invited to attend the festivities on the occasion of the birth of Bonaparte´s son, Prince Imperial and King of Rome Napoleon II, born on 20th March 1811. During his stay Poniatowski had a love affair with Pauline Bonaparte, younger sister of Napoleon, an affair which became the gossip in Paris. Poniatowski tried to leave Paris immediately after the celebrations but Napoleon kept him in Paris until the 15th of August for his birthday. Curiously the letter sheet bears an English watermark ''Skeats - 1808'', considering that Napoleon had ordered a Continental Blockade since 21st November 1806.