Author:
Duc de Vincence [General Armand-Augustin Louis, 5th Marquis de Caulaincourt] (1773-1827), Napoleon’s head diplomat, Ambassador to Russia [Lord Aberdeen; Viscount Castlereagh; Treaty of Fontainebleau]
Publication details:
‘Chatillon sur Seine / le 7. Mai 1814.’
Something of an historic document. In February and March of 1814 Vincence had led the French delegation at the Congress of Châtillon peace conference, at which his counterpart was Lord Aberdeen, with the British Home Secretary Lord Castlereagh arriving partway through. On behalf of Napoleon, Vincence had led, with little success the subsequent negotiations with Russia, Prussia and Austria which resulted in Napoleon’s abdication and exile to Elba, by the signing of the Treaty of Fontainbleau, a month before the present letter, on 11 April 1814, which was ratified by Vincence.
