O’MEARA, Barry Edward. Autograph Letter Signed, with Quotation from Napoleon.

Autograph Letter Signed, one page, small quarto, Montague Square, London, Monday, 3 March [c.1827], addressed to “My Dear Sir” (Mr. Roy of Great Alie Street, Bloomsbury). O’Meara discusses the placement of a passage in a forthcoming publication, advising that it should appear “either at the beginning or the ending of the observations.” He then transcribes in French a significant statement by Napoleon, dated Longwood House, St Helena, 5 October 1817:

“J’approuve ces observations; je désire qu’elles soient mises sous les yeux du souverain et des peuples
d’Angleterre.” (“I approve these observations, and I wish them to be brought before the sovereign and the
people of England.”)

O’Meara concludes by answering an earlier enquiry, noting that “The ‘Signal’ about which you made a query in your last, was made to the ship from the shore.” Address panel with postal markings to the verso. In July 1815 Barry Edward O’Meara (1786–1836), the Irish naval surgeon was serving aboard HMS Bellorophon when Napoleon surrendered on board to Capt. Frederick Lewis Maitland (14 July), and during the voyage to Plymouth O’Meara had conversations with the emperor. Napoleon, it appears, was impressed with his medical abilities and fluent French and Italian, and asked that O’Meara be allowed to accompany him into exile in St Helena when his own physician refused to do so. O’Meara was duly appointed as Napoleon’s confidential physician in St Helena and was given quarters in his house at Longwood. He acted not only as physician but as confidant to Napoleon. As he had freedom to move about the island, he supplied Napoleon with gossip from the town and the garrison. O’Meara was, however, also spying on Napoleon for the admiralty, sending confidential reports to John Finlaison, keeper of admiralty records. During the period in which he served as Napoleon’s physician, he treated him for insomnia, swelling of the legs, and pain in the liver.
His subsequent publications, particularly Napoleon in Exile; or, A Voice from St. Helena (1822), accused Sir Hudson Lowe of mistreating the former Emperor and caused a considerable political and literary sensation throughout Britain and Europe. The quotation reproduced here is Napoleon’s own endorsementof O’Meara’s observations on his treatment and deteriorating condition, lending the letter exceptional historical significance.
Old folds, light creasing and age toning, with a few professionally repaired marginal tears and minor staining, not affecting the principal text. A rare and important autograph letter linking O’Meara directly with Napoleon’s own words during the final years of his exile.

(File O)