sold Document of Napoleon During His 100 Days, Rewarding One of the Men Responsible For Return From

In the spring of 1814, the allied forces of Europe defeated Napoleon Bonaparte.  The Treaty of Fontainebleau, signed April 11, 1814, laid out the terms they imposed, and pursuant to one of them, Napoleon was exiled to the island of Elba, off the coast of France.  During his imprisonment there, his supporters clamored for his return, combining his populist liberalist spirit with a strong nationalism.  No publication did more to foster the pro-Napoleon unrest than the Nain Jaune, or Yellow Dwarf, an anonymous publication which opened its doors in December 1814 to give voice to anti-Royalist sentiments.  In reality, the publication was edited by a small handful of Napoleon supporters who were intent on bringing him back to the Continent to resume his leadership.  They were a thorn in the side of King Louis and his agents and gave crucial support to Napoleon during his exile.  They were there to keep the Emperor’s name on the tip of the tongue of the populace and be a ready organizing entity for his return.

The head of this publication, M. Dirat, was a functionary in the province of Nerac and was openly loyal to Napoleon. He was fired from his position after the Treaty of Fontainebleu and set about creating the Yellow Dwarf publication, itching for Napoleon’s return. In late 1814 and early 1815, Dirat so greatly irritated the Royalists and was so effective with his pen that he was looked upon by his enemies as one of the few who could contribute most to Napoleon’s return from Elba. In fact, he did just that.

On February 26, 1815, Napoleon escaped from Elba with the help of loyal soldiers and returned to the mainland on March 1, 1815. He marched to Paris on March 20 and governed for the famed "100 Days." Less than two weeks after arriving in Paris, Napoleon set about reorganizing his government to bring his loyalists back into power and to reward those who had helped him most.  Dirat was at the very top of his list.

Document Signed, Paris, April 1, 1815, to his Secretary of the Interior, the first part in a clerical hand. "Note.  Since his Majesty is undertaking the organization of the prefectures and confiding them to proven and reliable men, I beg him to permit me to engage M. Dirat, former sub prefect officer from Nerac…, discharged from duty last April because of his loyalty to you, and who since has led the writers who have created the Yellow Dwarf."  Napoleon has signaled his assent by signing his name to the left, below the notation "Forwarded to the Minister of the Interior to issue me a report."

On June 18, 1815, Napoleon was defeated at Waterloo by the Duke of Wellington and Marshal von Blucher.   For Dirat, with the reward of Bonapartian loyalty came the punishment.  In January 1816, the newly restored monarchy singled Dirat out, banishing him from Paris and referencing him by name, a rare "honor." He is one of approximately 20 people to receive this treatment in a clause of the restoration document that is devoted to the most egregious offenders of the peace of France.  He withdrew from France and settled in Brussels, where he continued to publish the "Nain Dwarf."

A rare document of Napoleon during the 100 days.