Exquisite manuscript DS in French and Arabic, signed twice as “Bonaparte,” one page, 8.75 x 13.25, November 19, 1798. An autograph executive order from Napoleon, approving the release of Sheikh Ahmed ben Uleieh, "Le commandant de la place faire sortir le dit homme et mettre en liberte [The commander of the place to bring out the said man and release],” and confirming as much with two bold signatures; another hand has added instructions to have the complaint from the Divan forwarded to Citoyen Poussielgue. This order relates to a petition from Sheikh Mohammad al-Mahdi, on behalf of the Divan, penned on the lower half of the page (with the stamp of the Divan to lower left), regarding one Sheikh Ahmed ben Uleieh, who has been detained on suspicion of committing a "prétention de caffe" against Adbullah Bacha. Mohammad al-Mahdi declares that, whoever might be the owner of the "caffe" in question, Sheikh Ahmed himself ("homme de bien") has never had any contact with Abdullah Bacha and that he feels sure that Napoleon (as "General-en-chef") would not wish to create dissension amongst people who have nothing to do with the matter. A contemporary French translation is written above Napoleon’s executive order. In fine condition, with intersecting folds, and toning along the top edge. Whilst documents signed by Napoleon are not uncommon, this manuscript contains an executive order in his hand, signed twice. It is also notable for the presence of the substantial letter from Mohammad al-Mahdi in Arabic, to which he is responding, complete with the stamp of the Divan at the foot of the page.
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