1800s Conge Absolut Certificate from L’Armee des Cotes de l’Ocean

On offer is an outstanding example of a military certificate issued by Napoleon’s invasion army between 1803 and 1805. The certificate is a Conge Absolut or Absolute Leave. It was issued to a woman named Jeanne Barrere on letterhead of the 5th Brigade of Light Infantry, Army of the Ocean Coasts. Of particular importance are the approximately 12 signatures on the reverse of the certificate. The original two red wax seals are intact. Our informal research has not been able to find any additional information about Barrere. 

The document was issued by the French Army of the Ocean Coasts (L’Armee des Cotes de l’Ocean), the army Napoleon assembled to invade Great Britain in 1803. This 200,000 - strong army was quartered in harbours along the French side of the English Channel. In order to accomplish the invasion though, Napoleon had to gain control of the English Channel from the British Royal Navy. Despite grandiose naval naval schemes, his plans failed and he called off the invasion plan in 1805. In an interesting turn of events, Napoleon funded his invasion army with monies from the sale of Louisiana to the United States. The United States in turn, borrowed the monies to purchase Louisiana from a British bank. In effect, Britain was funding its invasion of itself.

For a historian, this certificate is a direct connection to the greatest invasion threat Britain had ever faced up to that time. It would be surpassed only by Hitler’s attempt 135 years later. The signatures offer a terrific link to men who would go on to play roles in Napoleon’s Grande Armee.

The document is a single sheet of heavy paper measuring 9.5 inches by 14.5 inches. The document in the past has been folded to create four panels and there are wear marks along the fold line as well as some wear along the edges. The handwriting is copperplate font and is fairly legible.