[NAPOLEON I (Bonaparte, 1769-1821, 1st Consul 1799-1804, Emperor of the French)]

Bulletin of the Laws of the Republic No. 255, in French, including 2 important decrees, No. 2398 on "The enjoyment and deprivation of Civil Rights", and No. 2404 on raising "2000 Conscripts for the service of the Arsenals of the Navy", drawn up by the Corps Législatif and proclaimed by "Bonaparte, in the name of the French people", and signed in print "Bonaparte, first Consul ... Secretary of State Hugues B. Maret [1763-1839] ... the Grand-Juge, Minister of Justice ... Regnier [Claude Ambroise, 1746-1814]", attractive woodcut heading of Justice and the Law, with 6 other short decrees concerning secondary schools and lyceés, 16 pp. 8vo. numbered 545-560 of the "3rd Series", Paris, Imprimerie de la République, 17-23 ventôse year XI, 8-14 March folded from the printed sheet, 3 neat stab holes near inner margins without loss, top edge opened, others uncut, in fresh condition

Decree 2398 carefully defines French nationality ("la qualité de Français)" and equates it with the possession of civil rights. It also deals with the powers of French courts over foreigners, and loss of civil rights, for example by enlisting abroad without permission. Further, it introduces the concept of "civil death", which allows heirs to take possession "in the same way as if one had died naturally and intestate", dissolves any marriage, and allows one to be a party to a case only under a "curateur" appointed by the court. Condemnation for contempt of court ("contumace") brings civil death if not purged within five years.
Decree 2404 is for raising 20 companies of 100 carpenters and caulkers, to serve at Brest, Toulon, Rochefort and Lorient, for the normal term of their military service. It deals with pay, uniform, promotion, boarding and discipline, and bread rations, expressed both in metric and in ounces. There follows an interesting table listing the numbers to be found by each department, including those in Belgium, Switzerland and Northern Italy added by conquest since the revolution.

Item Date:  1803

Stock No:  51745      £125

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