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DUMAS, Alexandre (known as Dumas père). Autograph Manuscript Signed ("M. Dumas"). An obituary entitled, "Niccolino Carracciolo." [N.p.: n.d., ca. 1850]. Two quarto pages (10 7/8 x 8 1/2 inches; 277 x 216 mm.). Written in black ink on pale blue paper. In French, together with a typed translation. Minimal edgewear, small rust mark from a removed paper clip at the top left corner of the recto of the first page and at the top right corner of the blank verso of the second page. A fine example. Housed in quarter brown morocco folding case.
The typed translation reads:
"Niccolino Carracciolo, one of the veterans of liberty of '99, has just died on his farm in vigorous old age.
At 20, he was made Commandant of the Castle St. Elmo by the republican municipality -- it was he who first flew the Italian tri-color banner on its walls -- the signal by which Championnet had to acknowledge that the patriots were masters of the fort.
It was he who shot the only three cannon shots which were fired from Castle St. Elmo -- who fired 86 in the three days' battle -- 83 powder shots to frighten the Larrarouis -- only 3 shots with cannon balls.
The first cannon ball broke through the Royal Barrier of the new castle and levelled it -- the second broke the ramp -- of marble, the ancient statue of Jupiter Stator which stood in the Castle Square; the third destroyed the pillars of the Palais Royal (Royal Palace).
Since his brother Rocca Rowana deceived the Company of the Neapolitan Directory by going over to Cardinal Ruffo -- Niccolino Carracciolo presented himself before the Committee for the Common Weal -- There is a traitor in my family,' he said, and since all treason must be punished, I have come to offer you my head in expiation.[']
This strongly resembles, it seems to us, a character trait of antiquity. Naples being taken and having sure means of escape, his father, Admiral Carracciolo, had the chance to flee with him. Carracciolo answered, I am guaranteed by the treaties.' He stayed and was hanged.
After the amnesty of 1813 Niccolini Carracciolo became a colonel in the National Guard in 1821. It goes without saying that he fell into disgrace with the Bourbons, whose favour he never sought to win.
He lived at Pansilippy, a charming house where we have visited him to ask him about the past and about the glorious part he played in the brief and bloody days of the republic. We found him in the same virile spirit which had imbued him at 20.
Niccolino Carracciolo had a long and glorious life -- God gave him a beautiful death.
M. [crossed out in ink] A. Dumas."
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