Joséphine de Beauharnais (1763-1814) French Empress. Josephine was the first wife of Napoleon I, and thus the first Empress of the French. Her first husband Alexandre de Beauharnais was guillotined during the Reign of Terror, and she was imprisoned in the Carmes prison. She was a popular Empress and faithful spouse to Napoleon. Throughout their marriage, Josephine was one of Napoleon's closest advisors and he divorced her for political rather than personal reasons. She was a glamorous and well-connected socialite, and was regarded as a good mother who remained strong and graceful, despite her many hardships. 6†x 7†autograph letter, in French, signed, no place February 5 (no year), to the Minister of Commerce. “…I appeal to your kindness the request that I enclose here for the messieurs Collin Dapples, merchants in Paris. The services that they rendered to people I am quite close to makes me want to be useful to them. At this time they request a recommendation from you and it is my pleasure to ask for your kindness towards them and have regard, if it is possible for you, to oblige their request. I take advantage of this occasion with pleasure to renew the expression of my affection. Joséphine At Malmaison February 5.†The letter is matted with a printed illustration to 18†x 14â€.