History of Russia: The Museum of the Patriotic War of 1812 to give letters of Napoleon

The speaker of the State Duma, Chairman of the Russian Historical Society Sergei Naryshkin handed two letters to Napoleon I, addressed to the French Minister of War to divisional general Henri Clarke, to the Moscow Museum of the War of 1812.

"Founded this year the Russian Historical Society continues the noble tradition of the collection and publication of historical documents. Today the museum is passed two important documents - letters of Napoleon. One of them is written on August 5, 1812 in the midst of preparing for the Battle of Smolensk, and the second – on March 6, 1813. And now these very interesting historical documents will be stored in the Museum of the Patriotic War of 1812", - said S. Naryshkin at the ceremony of transferring the letters.

The letters reveal the difficulties faced by the French commander during the campaign period of 1812-1813. Both letters were kept in a private collection in Paris, at the heirs of Henri Clarke, and then were purchased by the head of the International Fund "Academy Arco", engaged in search of historical documents, Larisa Anisimova.

The Russian Historical Society, which existed from 1866 to 1920, was re-established in June 2012. The objectives of the society include the development of the Russian historical science, support for cultural projects and assist in the return to Russia of historical relics and values, peer review of textbooks and educational programs, promotion of historical knowledge.