Expedition from Spain. Gal Mériage. 18 L.A.S.... - Lot 350 - Conan Belleville Hôtel d'Ainay

Expedition from Spain. Gal Mériage. 18 L.A.S. to his wife Esther Gibert at the château de la Maisonfort in Genouilly near Vierzon (Cher). Bayonne, Aranda, Madrid, Manzanares, "headquarters of Aldès de Rio, route de Cordoba", headquarters of Port Sainte-Marie in front of Cadiz, Echija, April-November 1823. 38 pp. in-4 and in-8. Addresses on the back with wax stamps. Fascinating correspondence that allows us to follow the progress of the French intervention in Spain, intended to restore King Ferdinand VII to his throne. Promoted assistant major general of the army of the Pyrenees (Feb. 1823), he takes part in the Spanish expedition. "August 30, 1823 at the headquarters of Port Ste-Marie in front of Cadiz. My dear friend; we are here occupied with trenches and attacks on the positions occupied by the enemy outside Cadiz, I have just arrived from the batteries, very tired, and I take advantage of a moment's rest to write to you []". 29 September. "I announce to you that we are expecting the King of Spain this evening from Cadiz, a parliamentarian brought yesterday a letter from him to the Prince, the Cortes by a majority of 60 votes to 30, had before yesterday handed over all powers to him. The royal family was in the greatest joy at being delivered, the prince was ready to attack Leon, and had gone to Chiclana. I had remained at St. Mary's where I received the King's messenger and sent it to H.R.H. who returned today; now we wait with fear that something new may happen in Cadiz and frustrate our hopes. If the King arrives I hope to have the pleasure of kissing you in the month of next 9bre [] ". Through this correspondence, there is also frequent reference to his private affairs, which he manages from a distance, especially his castle of the Housefort. Attached is a letter from Colonel de Salaignac to the Baroness de Mériage, giving her news of her husband (Baroness, 8 April 1823).