5. THE FRENCH AND THE ILLYRIAN PROVINCES

The French came to Rijeka in 1797, in 1805 and then for the third time in 1809 when they stayed there longer, until 1813.

In that period they established the Illyrian Provinces which extended to areas which have never before or after that time constituted the same territorial community – from Villach to Trieste and Istria, from the river Sava (near Zagreb) to Rijeka and all the way down to Boka Kotorska.

Adamić himself managed very well during that time, just as always. He became friends with the commander-in-chief of the Provinces, marshal Marmont. He also became the monopolistic supplier of salt for the entire territory of the Provinces.

He got into trouble on account of his different kinds of business and had to go to the Trieste prison for a short time. Although he cooperated with General Nugent and the English in the final actions to expel the French army, after Napoleon’s defeat, police informers accused him of collaborating with the enemy. However, Adamić managed to retain his Hungarian citizenship even during the French administration. As early as in 1814 he had the courage to ridicule the emperor, who had been defeated only shortly before. He sent a caricature of Napoleon to Admiral Freemantle. The drawing alluded to the great conqueror of the European countries - and female hearts.