NAPOLEON BUONAPARTon E – CORONATION OF 1804

Letter signed ("Napoleon"), to one of his Bishops the day after his coronation, affirming his position given by "Providence" and the church and witnessed by the people, Paris, 12th Frimaire, Year 13 of the Republic (3 December 1804): 'PROVIDENCE HAS GIVEN ME NEW STRENGTH TO SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF THE CROWN WHICH IT HAS PLACED ON MY HEAD'

NAPOLEON BONAPARTE. Letter signed ("Napoleon"), to one of his Bishops the day after his coronation, affirming his position as given by "Providence" and the church and witnessed by the people, and asking him to ensure that prayers are said and Te Deums sung throughout the country in celebration, in French, countersigned by Hugues B. Maret as Secretary of State and Portalis as Minister of Worship, 2 pages, minor thumbing, spotting and toning to leaf, folio, housed in custom red morocco clamshell box, Paris, 12th Frimaire, Year 13 of the Republic [3 December 1804]

'PROVIDENCE HAS GIVEN ME NEW STRENGTH TO SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF THE CROWN WHICH IT HAS PLACED ON MY HEAD'.

Napoleon writes on the day after his coronation as Emperor to enjoin a Bishop to incorporate the celebratory prayer Te Deum into the liturgy throughout his diocese so that it can be heard and sung by all the authorities in the region. The support of the church was an important and necessary complement to the state support of Napoleon's coronation, as is made clear here.

In part, translated: "Most Reverend Bishop, / Providence has given me new strength to support the weight of the Crown which it has placed upon my head, in the satisfaction knowing that my people have witnessed the occasion of my anointment and coronation yesterday; to which must be added the pomp and solemnity inspired by the presence of Our Very Holy Father, the Pope, visible leader of the Universal Church. The acclamations which accompanied me during and after this august ceremony have penetrated my heart with feelings that can never be erased. It is to beseech the Supreme Being, who so visibly protects the Empire, that he bestow upon the sacred anointment which I have just received, all the favour which my confidence in his Divine goodness causes me to hope for; that he grant me the wisdom, the prime virtue of sovereigns, and that he keep my people in peace and tranquillity, which will always be the most cherished of my concerns, and in which I shall always envisage the most glowing glory of my Reign. Thus, it is my desire that there be public prayers in all the churches of the Empire. I issue this letter for the purpose of telling you to have the Te Deum sung in the churches of your diocese, and that you invite to the prayers that will be made, the authorities who customarily attend these sorts of ceremonies..."