Divan of Egypt: Abdallah al-Scherkaoui (1737-1812) et. al.; [translators:] Antoine-Isaac Silvestre de Sacy (1758-1838); Pierre-Amédée Jaubert (1779-1847).

Traduction littérale de la lettre écrite en arabe, et adressée par les Membres du Divan du Kaire au général Bonaparte, premier Consul de la République française.

Paris, Imprimerie républicaine, an IX (1800-1801).

Folio, [4] pp., bilingual Franco-Arabic text.

First edition of the capitulation agreement of the French to the Egyptians, printed bilingually in Arabic and French. This extremely rare document, dated 24 Jumada al-Thani 1215 (December 13, 1800), marks a pivotal moment in Egyptian history: the surrender of French forces to the Divan of Cairo, symbolizing the end of the French campaign in Egypt (1798–1801) and the restoration of nominal Ottoman rule, mediated by Egyptian leadership.

The Divan of Cairo, composed of prominent Egyptian notables, played a central role in negotiating the French withdrawal. Its members demonstrated leadership and local sovereignty during this critical period. Key figures included Seid Khalil al-Becri, Abdallah al-Scherkaoui (Divan President), Mohammed al-Emir, and the historian Abdarrahman al-Djabarti. Sheikh Ismaïl al-Zerkani Cashi and Sheikh Ismaïl al-Haschab were instrumental in legal and administrative matters.
The document is signed in Arabic by Jacques-François "Abdallah" Menou, the last commander of French forces in Egypt. Menou, known for his efforts to integrate with the Egyptian people, converted to Islam, adopted the name Abdallah, and married an Egyptian woman, Sitti Zobeida, reputed to be a descendant of the Prophet Mohammed.
While the French withdrawal marked the end of Western occupation, Egypt remained under Ottoman control, with increasing British influence. This transitional period set the stage for the rise of Muhammad Ali, who would establish a semi-independent Egyptian state a few years later.
The text, translated by renowned orientalists Antoine-Isaac Silvestre de Sacy and Pierre-Amédée Jaubert, represents both a diplomatic and intellectual milestone. Silvestre de Sacy, a pioneer of modern Arabic and Islamic studies, mentored prominent scholars like Champollion, while Jaubert, a diplomat and orientalist, contributed extensively to France’s Middle Eastern diplomacy.
The document mentions Napoleon’s promise to construct the Gémi-el-Azhar mosque on the Nile, a symbolic gesture acknowledging Egypt’s cultural and spiritual heritage, though this promise remained unfulfilled. The bilingual format, with Arabic taking precedence, emphasizes Egyptian agency and resilience during this historic moment.
Another edition of this text appeared as a supplement in Gazette nationale ou le Moniteur universel (no. 184, March 25, 1801).

As an exceedingly rare artifact of Egypt’s struggle during this pivotal era, this document holds immense value for understanding the historical intersections of colonialism, resistance, and intellectual history.

Condition: two old folds, minor rust spots of the front page, slightly frayed at top and bottom, otherwise in excellent condition.

Copies:

Online bibliographic databases record only 1 copy, in the Bayerische Staatsbibliothek München (2 A.or. 135): https://gateway-bayern.de/BV004322039.

A copy is mentioned in the Catalogue of Arabic Books in the British Museum, vol. II, p. 413, no. 14003. e. 3.(21.), however it does not appear in the digital catalogue of the BM.

Not found in the Collective Catalog of France, nor the Bibliotheque nationale de France.