118. NAPOLEON III (Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte, future).... Lot 118

118. NAPOLEON III (Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte, future). Autograph letter signed "N. L.", [addressed to the widow of Michel-Louis-Étienne Regnaud de Saint-Jean d'Angély, Laure Guesnon de Bonneuil]. « A. » [castle of Arenenberg, in the canton of Thurgau], 17 August 1838. 1 p. in-8, embossed letterhead "H" of Queen Hortense." I received with gratitude the note you sent me and I read it with the greatest interest. I intend to follow this plan entirely, not only with regard to England, but also with regard to the other powers, because it is necessary to sound out the terrain in order to find support. Now, for France, there are three alliances, all of which offer advantages and disadvantages. IF YOU ALLY YOURSELF WITH ENGLAND, YOU MUST GIVE UP THE RHINE FRONTIER; IF YOU ALLY YOURSELF WITH AUSTRIA, YOU MUST GIVE UP ITALY; AND IF YOU ALLY YOURSELF WITH RUSSIA, YOU MUST GIVE UP POLAND! THUS, WHEN THIS PAMPHLET IS PUBLISHED IN LONDON [HIS ESSAY ON NAPOLEONIC IDEAS, 1839], I WILL ALWAYS APPEAR TO BE A STRANGER TO IT. I am very happy, Madam, of the interest that you show me, believe that I attach a great price to it... " The small castle of Arenenberg, overlooking the lake of Constane, was the property of his mother, Queen Hortense, who was forbidden to stay in France because she was wrongly accused of having plotted Napoleon's return from Elba. The future Napoleon III spent his childhood in this Bonapartist high place which was also a literary, artistic and social salon.