112. BONAPARTE (Joseph). Autograph letter signed... Lot 112

112. BONAPARTE (Joseph). Autograph letter signed "Joseph", addressed to the countess Regnaud de Saint-Jean d'Angély, Laure Guesnon de Bonneuil. Point-Breeze [in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the United States], June 11, 1839. 1 p. in-12, address on the back, small tear in the address leaf due to the opening without affecting the text. "The testimony of your attachment always arrives to me with the announcement of our misfortunes, the friendship that you granted us was well shared by this poor child that I did not expect to mourn so soon [Charlotte, daughter of Joseph Bonaparte, had died on March 3, 1839 in Sarzane in Italy] : I do not yet know what the events of Europe will allow me: I know how much my wife [Julie Clary, who was then residing in Florence] also desires our reunion - I HAVE SO FAR SACRIFIED ANY SENSE OF FAMILY TO WHAT I THOUGHT WAS MY POLITICAL DUTY. I am unaware of the future, and I am unshakable, for what has so far been inspired by the feeling of a personal dignity, AS FOR THE LOVE OF POWER, YOU KNOW THAT IT HAS NEVER OVERTAKEN ME, IT IS NOT AT MY AGE THAT IT WOULD BEGIN. Accept my old and constant friendship..."