Robert, baron TASCHER DE LA PAGERIE. L.S., Paris, March 5, 1806, to Empress Josephine, "my dearest niece"; 4 pages in-4. A few days before his death, which occurred on March 18 [Josephine will have a white marble monument erected for him in the church of St. Peter St. Paul in Rueil-Malmaison where he is buried]. "I have informed you, my dear niece, of the order given by His Majesty the Emperor, and transmitted by Marshal Duroc to the concierge of your hotel in the rue de la Victoire, to return to the castle the linen, silverware and kitchen utensils that had been lent to me" [this refers to the hotel in Montreuil where Bonaparte organized the 18 Brumaire]. He asks for others in exchange, then moves on to questions of money. "Since your arrival, my dear niece, I have made known to you the debts that I have contracted. They are as much to my mind as to my honor; in that I had promised to repay them soon after your return, counting and hoping always on your friendship for me. They amount to about 14,000 f. I owe Mr. Tascher the senator 4000 f. which he has been kind enough to lend me. To Mr. Niepce who is leaving with his wife to go to the Princess Auguste 2800 f. Finally to the restaurant owner who fed me, to my grocer, to my doctor, &c.". He asks for her help, and begs her to give the necessary sum to his daughter Stephanie. "I have received what His Majesty the Emperor has been kind enough to grant me from his budget, but this sum can only be used for a current expense, without helping me to pay. If I had not been indisposed for a few days, I would have been able to talk to you myself about these objects [...]. Please also, my dear Niece, do me the pleasure of asking His Majesty the Emperor for permission to go from time to time to present him with my homage and my respect at his rising.