DAVOUT Aimée. (1782-1868). Sœur du général Leclerc (†1802, beau-frère de Napoléon), épouse du maréchal.

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DAVOUT Aimée. (1782-1868). Sœur du général Leclerc (†1802, beau-frère de Napoléon), épouse du maréchal.
L.A.S. to her husband, Marshal Davout. [Pari], January 28, 1812. 4 pp. bifeuillet in-4. Beautiful and long letter from Marshal Davout to her husband, then stationed in Hamburg as governor of the city, marking her embarrassment at the Emperor's request to organize a ball. She reports a conversation she had with Duroc, grand marshal of the Palace on this subject and with the Emperor himself. "I was very disturbed, my Louis, by the proposal that was made to me by the Mal Duke of Frioul [...]. The latter having noticed it and he made the observation to the Emperor who answered: "it will be arranged"! Then I entered with enough awkwardness, I think, in several of the reasons which make the execution of the will of the Emperor one cannot more difficult. Then I said to him, there is nobody in Paris less disposed than me to the dance - one speaks only about war at the moment. - He said to me that is true, one awaits from one moment to the other news from Russia, all hope of peace is not destroyed. - I still feel the pain of being separated from Evil and I have only him in this world, having little family. And finding myself separated from him, my misfortunes have kept me away from society, and the little taste that Evil had in instructing me in this too natural disposition, I think he would not like me to give a big ball [...]. Finally, [...] I am not accustomed to these kinds of meetings [...]. The Emperor believes the contrary [...] By [me] pointing out, he said "that will please Davout". [...]". She asks him to write to Duroc to explain the difficulties she is experiencing in giving a party in a house that is not set up for that purpose and is not finished; she adds that her health does not allow her to experience great fatigue, etc. "I am going to the Tuileries this evening. If the Emperor speaks of a ball, would it be a disadvantage to ask that she allow you to come and open your house and to do the honors with me, fearing that I would be doing it alone? [...] The Emperor did not speak to me at all about the ball. He asked me about me with kindness, and told me that it is seen that I suffered after the show. I did the part of the Empress; she asked me about you [...]. She adds further: I will do all that depends on me to make me free of this obligation. I think that the princesses who wish to see my hotel insisted a lot when the Emperor appointed me to give one of the evenings of the "jours gras" [...]. The same request was made to the Duke of Elchingen and the Duke of Treviso. Your poor Aimée must always be tormented. Pity me [...]. She finishes by giving news of her children, in particular of Louis, who is teething [...]".
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