Document signed, one page, 8 x 13 inch (affixed on a slightly larger sheet), Boulogne, "6 thermidor an 12" (July 6, 1804), in French, approves a state pension for 19 officers, signed in black ink "Napoleon" - countersigned by Marshal Louis-Alexandre Berthier (1753-1815, as Minister of War), attractively mounted (removable) for fine display with two beautiful pictures of Napoleon I. on a horse & at a battle (altogether 20,75 x 15 inch), with intersecting letter folds, two very small holes, foxing, and mild signs of wear to the edges - in nearly fine condition.
"Demande de gratification de l'an 7 à 19 oficiers du 14e régiment d‘Infanteri_e de Ligne - ...No 191 - Au camp de Boulogne, le
Sire,
Des officiers du 14e régiment d'Infanterie de Ligne, au nombre de dix-neuf, ont l'honneur d'exposer à Sa Majesté Impériale qu'ils ont été nommés en l'an 7 Sous Lieutenant, étant à l'armée d'Italie. L‘état des finances que Sa Majesté a rétabli n'a pas permis de leur acquitter à cette époque leur gratification d'entrée en campagne, et cependant ils ont eu le malheur d'étre faits la plupart prisonniers de guerre. et tous de perdre leurs effets la même année. Ils avaient espéré d'après l'avis que Son Excellence, le Ministre de la Guerre, leur en avait donné en vendémiaire dernier, être liquidés en rente sur l'Etat; ils n'ont point reçu de nouvelles depuis.
Ils prient Sa Majesté de jeter un regard favorable sur leur situation, et de daigner venir à leur secours, en les autorisant à toucher le montant qui leur revient. Sur cet objet, ce qui forme une somme de cinq mille cinq cent cinquante francs.
Nous sommes, avec le plus profond respect, vos très zélés et très dévoués serviteurs,
Accordé. Renvoyé au Ministre de la Guerre pour ordonnancer. ---, le 6 thermidor, an 12. - Napoleon
A ordonner en rente - Objet urgent - Maréchal Berthier"
Translated:
"Request for gratification of the year 7 to 19 officers of the 14th Line Infantry Regiment - ... No 191 - At the Boulogne camp,
Sire,
Officers of the 14th Regiment of Line Infantry, nineteen in number, have the honor of declaring to His Imperial Majesty that they were promoted to Lieutenant in the year 7, having been in the Italian Army. The financial situation that His Majesty restored did not allow them to be rewarded with their compensation for the campaign of that time; however, they had the misfortune that most of them became prisoners of war. and all lost their belongings in the same year.
They had hoped, after His Excellency the Minister of War had offered them this in the last Vendémiaire (July), to get a state pension; since then they have not received any message.
They ask Her Majesty to look favorably on their situation and to deign to accommodate them by sending them the amount due to them, which means an amount of five thousand five hundred and fifty francs.
We remain, with deepest respect, Your very zealous and very devoted servants, [Signatures of officers]
Approved. To the Minister of War for the payment order. ---, the 6th Thermidor of the year 12. - Napoleon
To be ordered as a pension - Urgent - Maréchal Berthier"
