DROVETTI BERNARDINO: (1776-1852) Italian-born French Diplomat, Politician,

DROVETTI BERNARDINO: (1776-1852) Italian-born French Diplomat, Politician, Archaeologist and antiquities collector. Drovetti is best-remembered for his acquisition of the Turin Royal Canon and for his Egyptian discoveries. He remains a controversial figure for his unscrupulous behaviour in his conduct towards his discoveries in Egypt. Rare and lengthy A.L.S., ` Drovetti ´, three pages, 4to, Alexandria, 24th May 1804, to Monsieur Pierre Balthalas in Marseille, in French. The letter bears the printed heading “B. Drovetti, Chief of squadron, vice-Commissar of the Commercial Relations at Alexandria in Egypt”. Drovetti commences his letter saying that he has to send the same letter three times without the guarantee that it is delivered, and expects that one will reach his correspondent, and complains about the clothes purchase he did, stating `… Les pantalons et culottes dans la façon desquelles j´avais bien recommandé de ne pas suivre la mode ridicule de nos jours, sont tellement hauts, et si mal coupés sur le devant qu´il me serait imposible de satisfaire au besoin d´uriner sans me déshabiller completement…´ (“ The trousers and pants, in the way that I had recommended not to follow the ridiculous fashion of our days, are so high, and so badly cut to the front that it would be impossible for me to satisfy the need to urinate without completely undressing”) Drovetti further refers again to his multiple letters not reaching the addressees, and comments ` I have received right now a letter of my brother from Livorno, who reports to me that the General Murat asked him and General Menou in Tunisia about me, when I have been writing regularly to this good General..´ Further again Drovetti makes a very interesting report on the political and military difficult situation they are living in Egypt, stating in part ` … les mamelouks associés a des hordes nombreuses d´Arabes sont a peu de distance du Caire, et empechent qu´il n´y arrive aucune espece de comestibles…. Si cela continue ainsi, une famine sera inevitable, et cette malheureuse capitale será livrée a toutes les horreurs d´une guerre intestine, car il y a tout apparence que les Beys s´en empareront de Nouveau et y exerceront des vengeances… le pillage de la ville será accordé aux Arabes en récompense de leurs travaux militaires´ (“…the mamluks associated with numerous hordes of Arabs are at a short distance from Cairo, and prevent any kind of eatables from arriving there…. If it continues thus, a famine will be inevitable, and this unfortunate capital will be delivered to all the horrors of an internal war, because there is every likelihood that the Beys will seize it again and will exert revenges there... the plunder of the city will be granted to the Arabs as a reward for their military support..”) Before concluding Drovetti reports on a Turkish naval squadron they are waiting for, which will defend their position at Cairo and states ` On ne peut d´apres ce tableau faire que des présages tres funestes sur le sort de ce malheureux pays..´ (“Under these circumstances, we can only make very dire omens about the fate of this unfortunate country”) A letter of very interesting content. Including full transcription. Paper with watermark. Small professional repair to the centre fold, otherwise G