sold Napoleon Issues Orders Setting in Motion the Invasion of Egypt

French forces are to be ready for "final marching orders for all the expedition.”

In 1797, the young general Napoleon Bonaparte, fresh from the conquest of the substantial Austrian territories in the Netherlands and northern Italy, proposed to the Directory (the French government) an expedition to seize Egypt, then a province of the Ottoman Empire. His purpose was to protect French trade interests, obtain influence in the Middle East, and undermine Britain’s access to its rich colony of India.  The Directory, although troubled by the scope and cost of the enterprise, agreed to the plan in March 1798, in part to remove the popular Napoleon from the center of power but also because the idea of an assault on England had been rejected as premature. The invasion of Egypt was, the Directory stipulated, to be kept as a closely guarded secret.

Bonaparte moved quickly to set his plan in action and wrote the Mediterranean Armaments Commission (in charge of naval military affairs in the Mediterranean) on March 21 that all must be ready for sail on April 9. This seemed not practicable, however, as transport and escort vessels were lacking, the fleet was not properly prepared for the invasion, and the ships were not in place.  Nonetheless, on March 30, the energetic Napoleon proceeded anyway, and informed the Chief Army Quartermaster that the expeditionary force to Egypt would be comprised of five army divisions, each division embarking for Egypt from one of five ports: Toulon, Marseilles, Genoa, Ajaccio [Corsica], and Cittavecchia. General Dommartin was to take command of the artillery, General Vaubois would lead the expedition from Corsica, and Admiral Bruey would lead the transport and naval operations for the entire expedition.  All hinged all the arrival of vessels to transport his army from Europe to Africa.

On April 2, nine large vessels under the command of Admiral Bruey arrived in Toulon, and his arrival was an indication that things were ready.  News was immediately sent to Napoleon, who, after obtaining the formal consent of the Directory’s Navy Minister (in whose name he had to act), responded with this letter to the Mediterranean Armaments Commission, setting in motion the tactical movements that would soon see him conquering Malta and Egypt.  Here he marshals his forces to strengthen and prepare his main points of embarkation while simultaneously managing the preparation at his three principal points of embarkation. 

Letter Signed "Bonaparte," April 10, 1798, Paris, at 1 am, to the Mediterranean Armaments Commission, the members of which he addressed with the Revolutionary greeting of "Citizens." "The Minister of the Marine orders a frigate to hasten to Genoa to escort the Convoy which must embark there, as well as the general who commands it.  The Minister also orders nine of the large transport vessels now at Toulon to head for Ajaccio [Corsica] to take on board the troops set to embark from there.  I anxiously await my messenger, LeSimple, in order to send the final marching orders for all the expedition.  Please forward to General Vaubois in Corsica the enclosed letter by postal boat.   Three million in silver have arrived in Lyon and are headed to Toulon to cover the remaining expenses.  General Dommartin must not forget to include in  his plans the number of carts necessary."  It has been docketed by the commission: "Received the 17th at 6pm." 

Napoleon set sail on May 19 with 50,000 soldiers; but as a member of the French Academy of Sciences, he also took a group of 167 scientists and scholars, including mathematicians, naturalists, earth scientists, chemists, historians and linguists. He captured Malta on June 11 and landed in Alexandria on July 1, soundly defeating the Ottoman army a week later at the Battle of the Pyramids. Three days later the French entered Cairo. They were to control Egypt for three years, during which time they spread French influence, but of perhaps even greater significance, discovered the Rosetta Stone (leading to the deciphering of hieroglyphics), and found and brought to public attention a priceless hoard of Egyptian antiquities (starting the fashion for Egyptian art, architecture and dress). In the midst of this, on November 9, 1799, Napoleon successfully took over France in a coup d’Etat in which the Directory was replaced by a three member Consulate, with Napoleon as First Consul.

This is an important document in both French and Egyptian history.