A letter addressed to Napoleon Bonaparte (Napoleon I) with his signature. [Jaffa or Egypt, late 18th century (probably, August 1799)]. Arabic and French.
Addressed to: "Au Général en Chef Bonaparte", from Jacob Petro. Signed by Napoleon: "Bonaparte".
On the right side of the leaf appears the text in Arabic, and on the left side - in French.
In the letter, Jacob Petro presents his personal story: he was born in Jerusalem, was robbed in Jaffa and was totally impoverished. He claims that he was abused by the French authorities in Jaffa who refused to pay him for a large quantity of rice which was robbed, and he pleads with Napoleon to assist him, so that he could pay his suppliers.
It is possible that the letter was sent to Napoleon during his campaign in Eretz Israel or in Egypt.
[1] leaf, 33 cm. Good condition. Folding marks. Some tears at margins. Stains.