Napoleon’s Letter to Ali Pasha of Tepelena

Ali Pasha remains one of the most fascinating figures in Albanian history. His deeds are not only celebrated in the folklore of the territories he ruled, but featured even in the heights of European literature, most illustriously in Alexandre Dumas’ classic The Count of Monte Cristo. Written in 1798 by then-General Napoleon Bonaparte shortly after his invasion of Malta, preceding the Egyptian expedition, these letters convey the importance Ali Pasha held not only in his own territories, but in European geopolitics more broadly.

To Citizen Lavalette.

Citizen, the Arthemise carries orders to anchor you on the Albanian coast so as to put you in a position to contact Ali Pasha. The attached letter, which you will deliver to him, contains nothing other than providing credence to what you have to say, and to invite him to speak to you personally. You will deliver the aforementioned letter to him, so as to ensure that he himself will read it.

After this, you will notify him that, having just seized Malta, and finding myself on these seas with thirty vessels and fifty thousand men, I seek to establish relations with him, and I wish to know whether I can rely on him; and I wanted also for him to send to me, by way of a frigate, a distinguished man in his confidence; as for the services he has rendered to the French, and for his bravery and courage, if he places his confidence in me and agrees to support me, I can greatly supplement his glory and his destiny.

In general, you will note down all of what Ali Pasha says to you, and you will re-embark the frigate to come join me and report on all that you have done.

Passing through Corfu, you will instruct General Chabot to send us a ship loaded with wood, and to issue a proclamation to the inhabitants of the various islands to send wine and raisins to the squadron, for which they will be paid handsomely.

BONAPARTE.

The Attached Letter

Malta, June 17th 1798.

To Ali Pasha.

My dear friend, having offered you my best wishes regarding your prosperity and the preservation of your life, I have the honor of informing you that I have been aware of your sympathy to the French Republic for a long time, which has made me wish to find a way of conveying the high esteem I hold you in. Having found a favorable occasion today, I hastened to write you this friendly letter and tasked an aide-de-camp with delivering it personally to you. I have also tasked him with making certain proposals on my behalf, and since he does not speak your language, would you please choose a trusted interpreter for the discussions he is to have with you. Please give credence to everything he tells you on my behalf, and send him back to me promptly with a response written in Turkish in your own handwriting. Please accept my well wishes and the assurance of my sincerest devotion.

BONAPARTE.