Document bestows the title of Count upon a minister of France. Attached to the document by a yellow silk ribbon is the red wax seal.

Translation : “Napoleon by the grace of God, Emperor of the French, King of Italy, Protector of the Confederation of the Rhine, Mediator of the Swiss Confederation to all present and to come, Greeting:
By Article 4 of our first Statute of the first of March, one thousand eight hundred eight, we have determined that our Ministers, Senators, Our Archbishops, will bear the title of Count and that to them will be delivered Letters Patent to this effect, sealed by our great seal. Our dear and well beloved Lorde Barbe de Marbois, desiring to enjoy this honor, appeared in the presence of our Cousin the Prince Arch Chancellor of the Empire. In order for him to obtain from our Grace the afore said letters patent which are necessary for him to enjoy this title, and inasmuch as our dear and beloved Lord Francois Barbe de Marbois, Senator, first President of our Courts, decorated with the Eagle of the Legion of Honor, Chevalier of the Count of Saint Herbert of Bavaria, bornat Metz, 30 January one thousand seven hundred forty-five is in the case mentioned in Article 4 of our Statute above, We have by these presents signed our hand and conferred upon him and will confer the title of count of the Empire. The said title of count of our Empire will be transmissible to the direct offspring, legitimate, natured or adopted, from male to male in order of Seniority of our dear and well beloved the said Lord Barbe’ de Marbois, after that he himself will be conformed to the arrangements contained in article 6 of our first Statute of 1 March one thousand eight hundred and eight. Let us permit our dear and beloved Said Lord Marbe’ de Marbois call himself and entitle himself Count of our Empire in all transactions and contracts, as well as in decisions as outside: We wish that he be recognized by all in the said capacity that he enjoy the honors attached to this title, after that, he shall have sworn the oath prescribed by article 37 of the Second Statute of 1 March one thousand eight hundred eight before he whom or those who will be delegated by us for this purpose that he may wear in all places the Coat of Arms, such as they are represented in these presents: red with a golden horse rearing, covered by a crossband of silver, with three red stars on the grossband; to the right a quarter division of blue with three bands of silver, the open part of the Count’s Senator, over all on the remainder of the shield being reserved for the livery of the colors of the shield. We charge our Cousin, the Prince Arch Chancellor of the Empire to give Communication of the document to the Senate and charge to them to transcribe this upon its register. For such is our good pleasure; and in order that this thing be firm and steadfast by an order of our Great Seal in the presence of the council at the Seal of Titles. Given at Ezsurils the 28th of the month of April the year of grace one thousand eight hundred thirteen. (SEAL) Sealed the 13th of May one thousand eight hundred thirteen The Prince Arch Chancellor of the Empire.

(Signed) Cambaceres.(?)
flourished signature at lower right “N”
Also signatures on reverse at upper right hand corner. The gentleman upon whom this title was bestowed, was one of the French mediators in the Louisiana Purchase settlement.