In the third division, he speaks of his “private domain of which no French law can deprive me.” This “private domain,” he estimates to exceed 200,000,000 of francs. This amount, together with his plate, jewels and other property, he bequeaths, one-half to the surviving officers and soldiers of the French army who had fought for the glory and independence of the nation; the distribution to be made in proportion to their appointments in active service. He appoints Counts Montholon, Bertrand and Marchand the executors of his will.
The instrument concludes: “This present will, wholly written with my own hand, is signed, and sealed with my own arms.”
Affixed to this will is a codicil consisting of many parts and numerous items, such as would well befit the great Emperor to possess. The minutest detail is shown in an itemized statement of these articles. Among others, might be mentioned, medals, watches, gold ornaments, spurs, libraries, cravats, daggers, and hundreds of other articles. He directed Marchand to preserve his hair, from which bracelets were to be made, to be sent to the Empress Marie Louise, to his mother, brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces, to the Cardinal, and one of larger size to his son. In this codicil he again expresses the wish that his ashes should repose on the banks of the Seine in the midst of the French people whom he loved so well.
In the fourth codicil, Napoleon gives ten thousand francs to the subaltern officer Cantillon, who had undergone a trial on the charge of having endeavored to assassinate the Duke of Wellington, of which he was pronounced innocent. Napoleon writes, “Cantillon had as much right to assassinate that oligarchist, as the latter had to send me to perish upon the rock of St. Helena.”
In the fifth codicil to the will is a reference to Empress Marie Louise, “my very dear and well beloved spouse.” He adds, “This is my codicil, or act of my last will, the execution of which I recommend to my dearest wife, the Empress Marie Louise.”
There are seven codicils to this will, all written at Longwood, by his own hand, the last being dated the 25th day of April, 1821. Ten days after writing this codicil, he died, May 5, 1821.
Napoleon’s deep affection for his son, François Charles, is evidenced throughout the will by numerous bequests, comprising the greater part of his personal belongings and articles that he most prized.
He also evinced great solicitude for his generals and those who were with him in his many campaigns, which is manifested by the gifts to them, not only in his will, but in several of the codicils thereto.
The instrument, though of the very greatest interest, is too lengthy to be fully set out. The reader is referred to Scott’s “Life of Napoleon Buonaparte” for the details of this famous will. The death of the Duke of Reichstadt, July 22, 1832, only son of the first Napoleon, left Louis Napoleon the representative of his family. He was elected President of France in 1848 and promised to restore its glories. It is said that many of the legacies mentioned in his uncle’s will were paid by him.
Will of Lord Nelson