Napoléon LANNES DE MONTEBELLO,

Peer of France, Traveller, Diplomat, Minister of Foreign Affairs 1839, then Minister of the Navy and Colonies 1847, Senator (Paris 1801 - 1874). L.A.S. "Nap." during a trip to America, aboard the Vessel L'ALCIBIADE on January 24, 1829. 3pp in-8°. "I take advantage of a beautiful day, my dear little Mother, to write you a few words. We left Pensacola (Florida) on the 21st and passed the Tropic a few hours ago, we are only a few places away from Havana (Cuba). Except yesterday, our crossing was charming under a beautiful sky in a warm climate, and with a sea so mild that we hardly noticed the movement of the ship. Yesterday we drove so much that the Captain himself was sick.... Our Captain is taking good care of us, and we have settled down as well as we can; we will spend tomorrow in Havana and leave that very evening for La GUAIRA (Venezuela). A few moments ago we received the baptism of the Tropical Man with all the ceremonies used... I hope that we will find Colombia in a quieter state than Mexico, I would very much like to see BOLIVAR...".