IntheMemorialofSt.Helenaitisstated,inreferencetothe18thFructidor,\"thatthetriumphofthemajorityofthecouncilswashisdesireandhope,weareinclinedtobelievefromthefollowingfact,viz.,thatatthecrisisofthecontestbetweenthetwofactionsasecretresolutionwasdrawnupbythreeofthemembersoftheDirectory,askinghimforthreemillionstosupporttheattackonthecouncils,andthatNapoleon,undervariouspretences,didnotsendthemoney,thoughhemighteasilyhavedoneso.\"
Thisisnotverycomprehensible.Therewasnosecretresolutionofthememberswhoappliedforthethreemillions.ItwasBonapartewhoofferedthemoney,which,however,hedidnotsend;itwashewhodespatchedAugereau;andhewhowishedforthetriumphoftheDirectorialmajority.
HismemoryservedhimbadlyatSt.Helena,aswillbeseenfromsomecorrespondencewhichIshallpresentlysubmittothereader.ItisverycertainthathedidofferthemoneytotheDirectory;thatistosay,tothreeofitsmembers.
——[Barras,LaRevelliere—Lepaux,andRewbell,thethreeDirectorswhocarriedoutthe’coupd’etat’ofthe18thFructidoragainsttheircolleaguesCarnotandBartholemy.(SeeThiers’FrenchRevolution\",vol.v.pp.114,139,and163.)]——
Bonapartehadsodecidedlyformedhisresolutionthatonthe17thofJuly,wishingtomakeAugereauhisconfidant,hesenttoVicenzaforhimbyanextraordinarycourier.
BonaparteaddsthatwhenBottot,theconfidentialagentofBarras,cametoPasseriano,afterthe18thFructidor,hedeclaredtohimthatassoonasLaValletteshouldmakehimacquaintedwiththerealstateofthingsthemoneyshouldbetransmitted.Theinaccuracyofthesestatementswillbeseeninthecorrespondencerelativetotheevent.InthusdistortingthetruthNapoleon’sonlyobjectcouldhavebeentoproclaimhisinclinationfortheprinciplesheadoptedandenergeticallysupportedfromtheyear1800,butwhich,previouslytothatperiod,hehadwithnolessenergyopposed.
HedecidedlyresolvedtosupportthemajorityoftheDirectory,andtoopposetheroyalistfaction;thelatter,whichwasbeginningtobeimportant,wouldhavebeenlistenedtohaditofferedpowertohim.
AbouttheendofJulyhesenthis’aidedecamp’LaVallettetoParis.
LaVallettewasamanofgoodsenseandeducation,pleasingmanners,plianttemper,andmoderateopinions.HewasdecidedlydevotedtoBonaparte.WithhisinstructionshereceivedaprivateciphertoenablehimtocorrespondwiththeGeneral—in—Chief.
Augereauwent,afterLaVallette,onthe27thofJuly.BonaparteofficiallywrotetotheDirectorythatAugereau\"hadsolicitedleavetogotoParisonhisownprivatebusiness.\"
Butthetruthis,AugereauwassentexpresslytosecondtherevolutionwhichwaspreparingagainsttheClichypartyandtheminorityoftheDirectory.
BonapartemadechoiceofAugereaubecauseheknewhisstaunchrepublicanprinciples,hisboldness,andhisdeficiencyinpoliticaltalent.Hethoughthimwellcalculatedtoaidacommotion,whichhisownpresencewiththearmyofItalypreventedhimfromdirectinginperson;andbesides,Augereauwasnotanambitiousrivalwhomightturneventstohisownadvantage.Napoleonsaid,atSt.Helena,thathesenttheaddressesofthearmyofItalybyAugereaubecausehewasadecidedsupporteroftheopinionsoftheday.Thatwasthetruereasonforchoosinghim.
Bernadottewassubsequentlydespatchedonthesameerrand.Bonaparte’spretenceforsendinghimwas,thathewishedtotransmittotheDirectoryfourflags,which,outofthetwenty—onetakenatthebattleofRivoli,hadbeenleft,bymistake,atPeschiera.Bernadotte,however,didnottakeanygreatpartintheaffair.Hewasalwaysprudent.
Thecrisisofthe18thFructidor,whichretardedforthreeyearstheextinctionofthepentarchy,presentsoneofthemostremarkableeventsofitsshortexistence.ItwillbeseenhowtheDirectorsextricatedthemselvesfromthisdifficulty.IsubjointhecorrespondencerelatingtothisremarkableepisodeofourRevolution,cancellingonlysuchportionsofitasareirrelevanttothesubject.ItexhibitsseveralvariationsfromtheaccountsgivenbyNapoleonatSt.Helenatohisnoblecompanionsinmisfortune.
Augereauthusexpressedhimselfonthe18thFructidor(4thSeptember1797):——
Atlength,General,mymissionisaccomplished,andthepromisesofthearmyofItalyarefulfilled.Thefearofbeinganticipatedhascausedmeasurestobehurried.
AtmidnightIdespatchedorderstoallthetroopstomarchtowardsthepointsspecified.Beforedayallthebridgesandprincipalplaceswereplantedwithcannon.Atdaybreakthehallsofthecouncilsweresurrounded,theguardsofthecouncilswereamicablymingledwithourtroops,andthemembers,ofwhomIsendyoualist,werearrestedandconveyedtotheTemple.Thegreaternumberhaveescaped,andarebeingpursued.Carnothasdisappeared.’
——[In1824LouisXVIII.sentlettersofnobilitytothosemembersofthetwocouncilswhowere,asitwastermed,’fructidorized’.
——Bourrienne]——
Parisistranquil,andeveryoneisastoundedataneventwhichpromisedtobeawful,butwhichhaspassedoverlikeafete.
ThestoutpatriotsofthefaubourgsproclaimthesafetyoftheRepublic,andtheblackcollarsareputdown.ItnowremainsforthewiseenergyoftheDirectoryandthepatriotsofthetwocouncilstodotherest.Theplaceofsittingischanged,andthefirstoperationspromisewell.Thiseventisagreatsteptowardspeace;whichitisyourtaskfinallytosecuretous.
Onthe24thFructidor(10thSeptember1797)Augereauwrites:
My’aidedecamp’,deVerine,willacquaintyouwiththeeventsofthe18th.HeisalsotodelivertoyousomedespatchesfromtheDirectory,wheremuchuneasinessisfeltatnothearingfromyou.
NolessuneasinessisexperiencedonseeinginParisoneofyour’aidesdecamp’,—(LaVallette)—whoseconductexcitesthedissatisfactionanddistrustofthepatriots,towardswhomhehasbehavedveryill.
ThenewsofGeneralClarke’srecallwillhavereachedyoubythistime,andIsuspecthassurprisedyou.AmongstthethousandandonemotiveswhichhavedeterminedtheGovernmenttotakethisstepmaybereckonedhiscorrespondencewithCarnot,whichhasbeencommunicatedtome,andinwhichhetreatedthegeneralsofthearmyofItalyasbrigands.
MoreauhassenttheDirectoryaletterwhichthrowsanewlightonPichegru’streason.Suchbasenessishardlytobeconceived.
TheGovernmentperseveresinmaintainingthesalutarymeasureswhichithasadopted.Ihopeitwillbeinvainfortheremnantofthefactionstorenewtheirplots.Thepatriotswillcontinueunited.
FreshtroopshavingbeensummonedtoParis,andmypresenceattheirheadbeingconsideredindispensablebytheGovernment,IshallnothavethesatisfactionofseeingyousosoonasIhoped.Thishasdeterminedmetosendformyhorsesandcarriages,whichIleftatMilan.
BernadottewrotetoBonaparteonthe24thFructidorasfollows:——
ThearresteddeputiesareremovedtoRochefort,wheretheywillbeembarkedfortheislandofMadagascar.Parisistranquil.Thepeopleatfirstheardofthearrestofthedeputieswithindifference.Afeelingofcuriositysoondrewthemintothestreets;enthusiasmfollowed,andcriesof’VivelaRepublique’,whichhadnotbeenheardforalongtime,nowresoundedineverystreet.Theneighbouringdepartmentshaveexpressedtheirdiscontent.ThatofAllierhas,itissaid,protested;butitwillcutafinefigure.EightthousandmenaremarchingtotheenvironsofParis.Partisalreadywithintheprecincts;undertheordersofGeneralLemoine.TheGovernmenthasitatpresentinitspowertoelevatepublicspirit;buteverybodyfeelsthatitisnecessarytheDirectoryshouldbesurroundedbytriedandenergeticRepublicans.
Unfortunatelyahostofmen,withouttalentandresources,alreadysupposethatwhathastakenplacehasbeendoneonlyinordertoadvancetheirinterests.Timeisnecessarytosetalltorights.
Thearmieshaveregainedconsistency.Thesoldiersoftheinteriorareesteemed,oratleastfeared.Theemigrantsfly,andthenon—
juringpriestsconcealthemselves.NothingcouldhavehappenedmorefortunatelytoconsolidatetheRepublic.
Bonapartewroteasfollows,totheDirectoryonthe26thFructidor:
Herewithyouwillreceiveaproclamationtothearmy,relativetotheeventsofthe18th.Ihavedespatchedthe45thdemi—brigade,commandedbyGeneralBon,toLyons,togetherwithfiftycavalry;
alsoGeneralLannes,withthe20thlightinfantryandthe9thregimentoftheline,toMarseilles.Ihaveissuedtheenclosedproclamationinthesoutherndepartments.IamabouttoprepareaproclamationfortheinhabitantsofLyons,assoonasIobtainsomeinformationofwhatmayhavepassedthere.
IfIfindthereistheleastdisturbance,Iwillmarchtherewiththeutmostrapidity.Believethattherearehereahundredthousandmen,whoarealonesufficienttomakethemeasuresyouhavetakentoplacelibertyonasolidbasisberespected.Whatavailsitthatwegainvictoriesifwearenotrespectedinourcountry.InspeakingofParis,onemayparodywhatCassiussaidofRome:\"OfwhatusetocallherqueenonthebanksoftheSeine,whensheistheslaveofPitt’sgold?\"
Afterthe18thFructidorAugereauwishedtohavehisrewardforhisshareinthevictory,andfortheservicewhichhehadrendered.HewishedtobeaDirector.Hegot,however,onlythelengthofbeingacandidate;
honourenoughforonewhohadmerelybeenaninstrumentonthatday.
CHAPTERIX.
1797.
Bonaparte’sjoyattheresultofthe18thFructidor.——HislettertoAugerean——HiscorrespondencewiththeDirectoryandproposedresignation——ExplanationoftheDirectory——Bottot——GeneralClarke——
LetterfromMadameBacciocchitoBonaparte——AutographletteroftheEmperorFrancistoBonaparte——ArrivalofCountCobentzel——AutographnoteofBonaparteontheconditionsofpeace.
Bonapartewasdelightedwhenheheardofthehappyissueofthe18thFructidor.ItsresultwasthedissolutionoftheLegislativeBodyandthefalloftheClichyanparty,whichforsomemonthshaddisturbedhistranquillity.TheClichyanshadobjectedtoJosephBonaparte’srighttositasdeputyforLiamoneintheCouncilofFiveHundred.
——[HewasambassadortoRome,andnotadeputyatthistime.Whenhebecameamemberofthecouncil,afterhisreturnfromRome,heexperiencednoopposition(BourrienneetsesErreurs,tomei.
p.240).]——
Hisbrother’svictoryremovedthedifficulty;buttheGeneral—in—Chiefsoonperceivedthattheascendantpartyabuseditspower,andagaincompromisedthesafetyoftheRepublic,byrecommencingtheRevolutionaryGovernment.TheDirectorswerealarmedathisdiscontentandoffendedbyhiscensure.TheyconceivedthesingularideaofopposingtoBonaparte,Augereau,ofwhoseblindzealtheyhadreceivedmanyproofs.TheDirectoryappointedAugereaucommanderofthearmyofGermany.Augereau,whoseextremevanitywasnotorious,believedhimselfinasituationtocompetewithBonaparte.Whathebuilthisarroganceonwas,that,withanumeroustroop,hehadarrestedsomeunarmedrepresentatives,andtorntheepaulettesfromtheshouldersofthecommandantoftheguardofthecouncils.TheDirectoryandhefilledtheheadquartersatPasserianowithspiesandintriguers.
Bonaparte,whowasinformedofeverythingthatwasgoingon,laughedattheDirectory,andtenderedhisresignation,inorderthathemightbesupplicatedtocontinueincommand.
Thefollowingpost—ThermidorianletterswillprovethattheGeneral’sjudgmentonthispointwascorrect.
Onthe2dVendemiaire,yearVI.(23dSeptember1797),hewrotetoAugereau,afterhavingannouncedthearrivalofhis’aidedecamp’asfollows:
Thewholearmyapplaudsthewisdomandvigourwhichyouhavedisplayeduponthisimportantoccasion,andparticipatesinthesuccessofthecountrywiththeenthusiasmandenergywhichcharacteriseoursoldiers.Itisonlytobehoped,however,thattheGovernmentwillnotbeplayingatseesaw,andthusthrowitselfintotheoppositeparty.Wisdomandmoderateviewsalonecanestablishthehappinessofthecountryonasurefoundation.Asformyself,thisisthemostardentwishofmyheart.IbegthatyouwillsometimesletmeknowwhatyouaredoinginParis.
Onthe4thVendemiaireBonapartewrotealettertotheDirectoryinthefollowingterms:
ThedaybeforeyesterdayanofficerarrivedatthearmyfromParis.
HereportedthatheleftParisonthe25th,whenanxietyprevailedthereastothefeelingswithwhichIviewedtheeventsofthe18thHewasthebearerofasortofcircularfromGeneralAugereautoallthegeneralsofdivision;andhebroughtaletterofcreditfromtheMinisterofWartothecommissary—general,authorisinghimtodrawasmuchmoneyashemightrequireforhisjourney.
ItisevidentfromthesecircumstancesthattheGovernmentisactingtowardsmeinsomewhatthesamewayinwhichPichegruwasdealtwithafterVendemiaire(yearIV.).
Ibegofyoutoreceivemyresignation,andappointanothertomyplace.NopoweronearthshallmakemecontinueintheserviceafterthisshockingmarkofingratitudeonthepartoftheGovernment,whichIwasveryfarfromexpecting.Myhealth,whichisconsiderablyimpaired,imperiouslydemandsreposeandtranquillity.
Thestateofmymind,likewise,requiresmetomingleagaininthemassofcitizens.Greatpowerhasforalongtimebeenconfidedtomyhands.Ihaveemployeditonalloccasionsfortheadvantageofmycountry;somuchtheworseforthosewhoputnofaithinvirtue,andmayhavesuspectedmine.Myrecompenseisinmyownconscience,andintheopinionofposterity.
Nowthatthecountryistranquilandfreefromthedangerswhichhavemenacedit,Ican,withoutinconvenience,quitthepostinwhichIhavebeenplaced.
Besurethatiftherewereamomentofdanger,IwouldbefoundintheforemostrankofthedefendersoflibertyandoftheconstitutionoftheyearIII.
TheDirectory,judgingfromtheaccountwhichBottotgaveofhismissionthathehadnotsucceededinentirelyremovingthesuspicionsofBonaparte,wrotethefollowingletteronthe30thVendemiaire:
TheDirectoryhasitselfbeentroubledabouttheimpressionmadeonyoubythelettertothepaymaster—general,ofwhichan’aidedecamp’wasthebearer.ThecompositionofthisletterhasverymuchastonishedtheGovernment,whichneverappointednorrecognisedsuchanagent:itisatleastanerrorofoffice.ButitshouldnotaltertheopinionyououghtotherwisetoentertainofthemannerinwhichtheDirectorythinksofandesteemsyou.Itappearsthatthe18thFructidorwasmisrepresentedintheletterswhichweresenttothearmyofItaly.Youdidwelltointerceptthem,anditmayberighttotransmitthemostremarkabletotheMinisterofPolice.
——(WhatanignobletasktoproposetotheconquerorofItaly.)
Inyourobservationsonthetoostrongtendencyofopiniontowardsmilitarygovernment,theDirectoryrecognisesanequallyenlightenedandardentfriendoftheRepublic.
Nothingiswiserthanthemaxim,’cedantarmatogae’,forthemaintenanceofrepublics.Toshowsomuchanxietyonsoimportantapointisnotoneoftheleastgloriousfeaturesinthelifeofageneralplacedattheheadofatriumphantarmy.
TheDirectoryhadsentGeneralClarke——[H.J.G.Clarke,afterwardsMinisterofWarunderNapoleon,1807—1814,acidundertheBourbonsin1816,whenhewasmadeaMarshalofFrance.HewascreatedDuedeFeltrein1819.]——
totreatforpeace,assecondplenipotentiary.BonapartehasoftentoldmehehadnodoubtfromthetimeofhisarrivalthatGeneralClarkewaschargedwithasecretmissiontoactasaspyuponhim,andeventoarresthimifanopportunityofferedforsodoingwithoutdanger.Thathehadasuspicionofthiskindiscertain;butImustownthatIwasneverbyanymeansabletodiscoveritsgrounds;forinallmyintercoursesincewithClarkeheneverputasinglequestiontome,nordidIeverhearaworddropfromhismouth,whichsavouredofsuchacharacter.Ifthefactbethathewasaspy,hecertainlyplayedhispartwell.Inallthepartsofhiscorrespondencewhichwereinterceptedthereneverwasfoundtheleastconfirmationofthissuspicion.Bethisasitmay,Bonapartecouldnotendurehim;hedidnotmakehimacquaintedwithwhatwasgoingon,andhisinfluencerenderedthismissionamerenullity.TheGeneral—in—Chiefconcentratedallthebusinessofthenegotiationinhisowncloset;and,astowhatwasgoingon,Clarkecontinuedamerecipheruntilthe18thFructidor,whenhewasrecalled.
BonapartemadebutlittlecountofClarke’stalents.Itisbutjustice,however,tosaythatheborehimnogrudgefortheconductofwhichhesuspectedhewasguiltyinItaly.\"IpardonhimbecauseIalonehavetherighttobeoffended.\"
Heevenhadthegenerositytomakeinterestforanofficialsituationforhim.TheseamiabletraitswerenotuncommonwithBonaparte.
Bonapartehadtoencountersomanydisagreeablecontrarieties,bothinthenegotiatorsforpeaceandtheeventsatParis,thatheoftendisplayedagooddealofirritationanddisgust.Thisstateofmindwasincreasedbytherecollectionofthevexationhissister’smarriagehadcausedhim,andwhichwasunfortunatelyrevivedbyaletterhereceivedfromheratthisjuncture.Hisexcitementwassuchthathethrewitdownwithanexpressionofanger.Ithasbeenerroneouslyreportedinseveralpublicationsthat\"BacciocchiespousedMarie—Anne—ElizaBonaparteonthe5thofMay1797.ThebrotherofthebridewasatthetimenegotiatingthepreliminariesofpeacewithAustria.\"
Infact,thepreliminariesweresignedinthemonthofApril,anditwasforthedefinitivepeacewewerenegotiatinginMay.ButthereaderwillfindbythesubjoinedletterthatChristineappliedtoherbrothertostandgodfathertoherthirdchild.Threechildreninthreemonthswouldberatherquickwork.
AJACCIO,14th,Thermidor,yearV.(1stAugust1797).
GENERAL——Suffermetowritetoyouandcallyoubythenameofbrother.Myfirstchildwasbornatatimewhenyouweremuchincensedagainstus.Itrustshemaysooncaressyou,andsomakeyouforgetthepainmymarriagehasoccasionedyou.Mysecondchildwasstill—born.ObligedtoquitParisbyyourorder,——[NapoleonhadwritteninAugust1796toCarnot,torequestthatLucienmightbeorderedtoquitParis;seeIung,tomeiii.
p.223.]——
ImiscarriedinGermany.Inamonth’stimeIhopetopresentyouwithanephew.Afavourabletime,andothercircumstances,inclinemetohopemynextwillbeaboy,andIpromiseyouIwillmakeasoldierofhim;butIwishhimtobearyourname,andthatyoushouldbehisgodfather.Itrustyouwillnotrefuseyoursister’srequest.
Willyousend,forthispurpose,yourpowerofattorneytoBaciocchi,ortowhomsoeveryouthinkfit?Ishallexpectwithimpatienceyourassent.Becausewearepoorletnotthatcauseyoutodespiseus;for,afterall,youareourbrother,minearetheonlychildrenthatcallyouuncle,andweallloveyoumorethanwedothefavoursoffortune.PerhapsImayonedaysucceedinconvincingyouoftheloveIbearyou.——Youraffectionatesister,CHRISTINEBONAPARTE.
——[MadameBacciocchiwentbythenameofMarianneatSt.Cyr,ofChristinewhileonhertravels,andofElizaundertheConsulate.——
Bourrienne.]——
P.S.——Donotfailtoremembermetoyourwife,whomIstronglydesiretobeacquaintedwith.TheytoldmeatParisIwasverylikeher.Ifyourecollectmyfeaturesyoucanjudge.C.B.
ThisletterisinthehandwritingofLucienBonaparte.’
——[JosephBonaparteinhisNotessays,\"ItisfalsethatMadameBonaparteevercalledherselfChristine;itisfalsethatsheeverwrotetheletterofwhichM.deBourrienneheregivesacopy.\"ItwillbeobservedthatBourriennesaysitwaswrittenbyherbrotherLucien.Thisisanerror.TheletterisobviouslyfromChristineBoyer,thewifeofLucienBonaparte,whosemarriagehadgivensuchdispleasuretoNapoleon.(SeeErreurs,tomei.p.240,andIung’sLucien,tomeip.161).]——
GeneralBonapartehadbeennearamonthatPasserianowhenhereceivedthefollowingautographletterfromtheEmperorofAustria:
TOMONSIEURLEGENERALBONAPARTE,GENERAL—IN—CHIEF
OFTHEARMYOFITALY.
MONSIEURLEGENERALBONAPARTE——WhenIthoughtIhadgivenmyplenipotentiariesfullpowerstoterminatetheimportantnegotiationwithwhichtheywerecharged,Ilearn,withasmuchpainassurprise,thatinconsequenceofswervingcontinuallyfromthestipulationsofthepreliminaries,therestorationoftranquillity,withthetidingsofwhichIdesiretogladdentheheartsofmysubjects,andwhichthehalfofEuropedevoutlypraysfor,becomesdayafterdaymoreuncertain.
Faithfultotheperformanceofmyengagements,IamreadytoexecutewhatwasagreedtoatLeoben,andrequirefromyoubutthereciprocalperformanceofsosacredaduty.Thisiswhathasalreadybeendeclaredinmyname,andwhatIdonotnowhesitatemyselftodeclare.If,perhaps,theexecutionofsomeofthepreliminaryarticlesbenowimpossible,inconsequenceoftheeventswhichhavesinceoccurred,andinwhichIhadnopart,itmaybenecessarytosubstituteothersintheirsteadequallyadaptedtotheinterestsandequallyconformabletothedignityofthetwonations.
TosuchalonewillIputmyhand.Afrankandsincereexplanation,dictatedbythesamefeelingswhichgovernme,istheonlywaytoleadtososalutaryaresult.Inordertoacceleratethisresultasfarasinmelies,andtoputanendatoncetothestateofuncertaintyweremainin,andwhichhasalreadylastedtoolong,I
havedeterminedtodespatchtotheplaceofthepresentnegotiationsComtedeCobentzel,amanwhopossessesmymostunlimitedconfidence,andwhoisinstructedastomyintentionsandfurnishedwithmymostamplepowers.Ihaveauthorisedhimtoreceiveandaccepteverypropositiontendingtothereconciliationofthetwopartieswhichmaybeinconformitywiththeprinciplesofequityandreciprocalfitness,andtoconcludeaccordingly.
Afterthisfreshassuranceofthespiritofconciliationwhichanimatesme,Idoubtnotyouwillperceivethatpeaceliesinyourownhands,andthatonyourdeterminationwilldependthehappinessormiseryofmanythousandmen.IfImistakeastothemeansI
thinkbestadaptedtoterminatethecalamitieswhichforalongtimehavedesolatedEurope,IshallatleasthavetheconsolationofreflectingthatIhavedoneallthatdependedonme.WiththeconsequenceswhichmayresultIcanneverbereproached.
IhavebeenparticularlydeterminedtothecourseInowtakebytheopinionIentertainofyouruprightcharacter,andbythepersonalesteemIhaveconceivedtowardsyou,ofwhichIamveryhappy,M.leGeneralBonaparte,togiveyouhereanassurance.
(Signed)FRANCIS.
Infact,itwasonlyonthearrivaloftheComtedeCobentzelthatthenegotiationswereseriouslysetonfoot.BonapartehadallalongclearlyperceivedthatGalloandMeerweldtwerenotfurnishedwithadequatepowers.HesawalsoclearlyenoughthatifthemonthofSeptemberwere,tobetrifledawayinunsatisfactorynegotiations,asthemonthwhichprecededithadbeen,itwouldbedifficultinOctobertostrikeablowatthehouseofAustriaonthesideofCarinthia.TheAustrianCabinetperceivedwithsatisfactiontheapproachofthebadweather,andinsistedmorestronglyonitsultimatum,whichwastheAdige,withVenice.
Beforethe18thFructidortheEmperorofAustriahopedthatthemovementwhichwaspreparinginPariswouldoperatebadlyforFranceandfavourablytotheEuropeancause.TheAustrianplenipotentiaries,inconsequence,raisedtheirpretensions,andsentnotesandanultimatumwhichgavetheproceedingsmoreanairoftriflingthanofseriousnegotiation.Bonaparte’soriginalideas,whichIhaveunderhishand,wereasfollows:
1.TheEmperortohaveItalyasfarastheAdda.
2.TheKingofSardiniaasfarastheAdda.
3.TheGenoeseRepublictohavetheboundaryofTortonaasfarasthePo(Tortonatobedemolished),asalsotheimperialfiefs.
(ConitobecededtoFrance,ortobedemolished.)
4.TheGrandDukeofTuscanytoberestored.
5.TheDukeofParmatoberestored.
CHAPTERX.
1797.
Influenceofthe18thFructidoronthenegotiations——Bonaparte’ssuspicionofBottot——Hiscomplaintsrespectingthenon—erasureofBourrienne——Bourrienne’sconversationwiththeMarquisofGallo——
BottotwritesfromParistoBonaparteonthepartoftheDirectoryAgentsoftheDirectoryemployedtowatchBonaparte——Influenceoftheweatherontheconclusionofpeace——RemarkableobservationofBonaparte——Conclusionofthetreaty——TheDirectorydissatisfiedwiththetermsofthepeace——Bonaparte’spredilectionforrepresentativegovernment——OpiniononBonaparte.
Afterthe18thFructidorBonapartewasmorepowerful,Austrialesshaughtyandconfident.Venicewastheonlypointofrealdifficulty.
AustriawantedthelineoftheAdige,withVenice,inexchangeforMayence,andtheboundaryoftheRhineuntilthatriverentersHolland.
TheDirectorywishedtohavethelatterboundary,andtoaddMantuatotheItalianRepublic,withoutgivingupallthelineoftheAdigeandVenice.ThedifficultieswerefelttobesoirreconcilablethatwithinaboutamonthoftheconclusionofpeacetheDirectorywrotetoGeneralBonapartethataresumptionofhostilitieswaspreferabletothestateofuncertaintywhichwasagitatingandruiningFrance.TheDirectory,therefore,declaredthatboththearmiesoftheRhineshouldtakethefield.ItappearsfromtheFructidoriancorrespondence,whichhasbeenalreadygiven,thatthemajorityoftheDirectorythenlookeduponapeacesuchasBonaparteafterwardsmadeasinfamous.
ButBonaparte,fromthemomenttheVenetianinsurrectionbrokeout,perceivedthatVenicemightbeusedforthepacification.Bonaparte,whowasconvincedthat,inordertobringmatterstoanissue,VeniceandtheterritorybeyondtheAdigemustfallbeneaththeHapsburgsceptre,wrotetotheDirectorythathecouldnotcommenceoperations,advantageously,beforetheendofMarch,1798;butthatiftheobjectionstogivingVenicetotheEmperorofAustriawerepersistedin,hostilitieswouldcertainlyberesumedinthemonthofOctober,fortheEmperorwouldnotrenounceVenice.InthatcaseitwouldbenecessarytobereadyontheRhineforanadvanceinGermany,asthearmyofItaly,ifitcouldmakeheadagainsttheArchdukeCharles,wasnotsufficientlystrongforanyoperationsonagrandscale.Atthisperiodtheconclusionofpeacewascertainlyverydoubtful;itwasevenseriouslyconsideredin,whatformtheruptureshouldbenotified.
TowardstheendofSeptemberBottot,Barras’secretary,arrivedatPasseriano.HewasdespatchedbytheDirectory.Bonaparteimmediatelysuspectedhewasanewspy,comeonasecretmission,towatchhim.Hewasthereforereceivedandtreatedwithcoolness;butBonaparteneverhad,asSirWalterScottasserts,theideaoforderinghimtobeshot.
ThatwriterisalsoinerrorwhenhesaysthatBottotwassenttoPasserianotoreproachBonaparteforfailingtofulfilhispromiseofsendingmoneytotheDirectory.
BonapartesoongaveBottotanopportunityofjudgingofthekindofspiritwhichprevailedatheadquarters.Hesuddenlytenderedhisresignation,whichhehadalreadyseveraltimescalledupontheDirectorytoaccept.HeaccusedtheGovernment,attable,inBottot’spresence,ofhorribleingratitude.Herecountedallhissubjectsofcomplaint,inloudandimpassionedlanguage,withoutanyrestraint,andbeforetwentyorthirtypersons.
Indignantatfindingthathisreiterateddemandsfortheerasureofmynamefromthelistofemigrantshadbeenslighted,andthat,inspiteofhisrepresentations,conveyedtoParisbyGeneralBernadotte,LouisBonaparte,andothers,Iwasstillincludedinthatfatallist,heapostrophisedM.Bottotatdinneroneday,beforefortyindividuals,amongwhomwerethediplomatistsGallo,Cobentzel,andMeerweldt.TheconversationturnedupontheDirectory.\"Yes,truly,\"criedBonaparte,inaloudvoice,\"Ihavegoodreasontocomplain;and,topassfromgreattolittlethings,look,Iprayyou,atBourrienne’scase.Hepossessesmymostunboundedconfidence.Healoneisentrusted,undermyorders,withallthedetailsofthenegotiation.Thisyouwellknow;andyetyourDirectorywillnotstrikehimoffthelist.Inaworditisnotonlyaninconceivable,butanextremelystupidpieceofbusiness;forhehasallmysecrets;heknowsmyultimatum,andcouldbyasinglewordrealizeahandsomefortune,andlaughatyourobstinacy.AskM.deGalloifthisbenottrue.\"
Bottotwishedtooffersomeexcuse;butthegeneralmurmurwhichfollowedthissingularoutburstreducedhimtosilence.
TheMarquisdeGallohadconversedwithmebutthreedaysbefore,intheparkofPasseriano,onthesubjectofmypositionwithregardtoFrance,ofthedeterminationexpressedbytheDirectorynottoerasemyname,andoftheriskItherebyran.\"Wehavenodesire,\"continuedhe,\"torenewthewar;wewishsincerelyforpeace;butitmustbeanhonourableone.
TheRepublicofVenicepresentsalargeterritoryforpartition,whichwouldbesufficientforbothparties.Thecessionsatpresentproposedarenot,however,satisfactory.WewanttoknowBonaparte’sultimatum;
andIamauthorisedtoofferanestateinBohemia,withatitleandresidence,andanannualrevenueof90,000florins.\"
IquicklyinterruptedM.deGallo,andassuredhimthatbothmyconscienceandmydutyobligedmetorejecthisproposal;andsoputatonceanendtotheconversation.
ItookcaretolettheGeneral—in—Chiefknowthisstory,andhewasnotsurprisedatmyreply.Hisconviction,however,wasstrong,fromallthatM.deGallohadsaid,andmoreparticularlyfromtheofferhehadmade,thatAustriawasresolvedtoavoidwar,andwasanxiousforpeace.
AfterIhadretiredtorestM.Bottotcametomybedroomandaskedme,withafeignedsurprise,ifitwastruethatmynamewasstillonthelistofemigrants.Onmyreplyingintheaffirmative,herequestedmetodrawupanoteonthesubject.ThisIdeclineddoing,tellinghimthattwentynotesofthekindherequiredalreadyexisted;thatIwouldtakenofurthersteps;andthatIwouldhenceforthawaitthedecisioninastateofperfectinaction.
GeneralBonapartethoughtitquiteinexplicablethattheDirectoryshouldexpressdissatisfactionattheviewhetookoftheeventsofthe18thFructidor,as,withouthisaid,theywoulddoubtlesshavebeenovercome.
Hewroteadespatch,inwhichherepeatedthathishealthandhisspiritswereaffected——thathehadneedofsomeyears’repose—thathecouldnolongerendurethefatigueofriding;butthattheprosperityandlibertyofhiscountrywouldalwayscommandhiswarmestinterests.Inallthistherewasnotasinglewordoftruth.TheDirectorythoughtasmuch,anddeclinedtoaccepthisresignationinthemostflatteringterms.
Bottotproposedtohim,onthepartoftheDirectory,torevolutioniseItaly.TheGeneralinquiredwhetherthewholeofItalywouldbeincludedintheplan.Therevolutionarycommissionhad,however,beenentrustedtoBottotinsoindefiniteawaythathecouldonlyhesitate,andgiveavaguereply.Bonapartewishedformorepreciseorders.Intheintervalpeacewasconcluded,andtheideaofthatperilousandextravagantundertakingwasnolongeragitated.Bottot,soonafterhisreturntoParis,wrotealettertoGeneralBonaparte,inwhichhecomplainedthatthelastmomentshehadpassedatPasserianohaddeeplyafflictedhisheart.HesaidthatcruelsuspicionshadfollowedhimeventothegatesoftheDirectory.Thesecruelsuspicionshad,however,beendissipatedbythesentimentsofadmirationandaffectionwhichhehadfoundtheDirectoryentertainedforthepersonofBonaparte.
Theseassurances,whichwerepreciselywhatBonapartehadexpected,didnotavailtolessenthecontemptheentertainedfortheheadsoftheGovernment,nortochangehisconvictionoftheirenvyandmistrustofhimself.Totheirallegedaffectionhemadenoreturn.BottotassuredtheheroofItalyof\"theRepublicandocility\"oftheDirectory,andtoucheduponthereproachesBonapartehadthrownoutagainstthem,anduponhisdemandswhichhadnotbeengranted.Hesaid:
\"Thethreearmies,oftheNorth,oftheRhine,andoftheSambre—et—
Meuse,aretoformonlyone,thearmyofGermany.——Augereau?Butyouyourselfsenthim.ThefaultcommittedbytheDirectoryisowingtoyourself!Bernadotte?——heisgonetojoinyou.Cacault?——heisrecalled.Twelvethousandmenforyourarmy?——theyareontheirmarch.
ThetreatywithSardinia?——itisratified.Bourrienne?——heiserased.
TherevolutionofItaly?——itisadjourned.AdvisetheDirectory,then:I
repeatit,theyhaveneedofinformation,anditistoyoutheylookforit.\"
Theassertionregardingmewasfalse.ForsixmonthsBonapartedemandedmyerasurewithoutbeingabletoobtainit.Iwasnotstruckoffthelistuntilthe11thofNovember1797.
JustbeforethecloseofthenegotiationBonaparte,disgustedattheoppositionanddifficultieswithwhichhewassurrounded,reiteratedagainandagaintheofferofhisresignation,andhiswishtohaveasuccessorappointed.WhataugmentedhisuneasinesswasanideaheentertainedthattheDirectoryhadpenetratedhissecret,andattributedhispowerfulconcurrenceonthe18thFructidortothetruecause——hispersonalviewsofambition.Inspiteofthehypocriticalassurancesofgratitudemadetohiminwriting,andthoughtheDirectoryknewthathisserviceswereindispensable,spieswereemployedtowatchhismovements,andtoendeavourbymeansofthepersonsabouthimtodiscoverhisviews.
SomeoftheGeneral’sfriendswrotetohimfromParis,andformypartI
neverceasedrepeatingtohimthatthepeace,thepowerofmakingwhichhehadinhisownhands,wouldrenderhimfarmorepopularthantherenewalofhostilitiesundertakenwithallthechancesofsuccessandreverse.Thesigningofthepeace,accordingtohisownideas,andinoppositiontothoseoftheDirectory,thewayinwhichhejusthaltedatRastadt,andavoidedreturningtotheCongress,and,finally,hisresolutiontoexpatriatehimselfwithanarmyinordertoattemptnewenterprises,sprungmorethanisgenerallybelievedfromtherulingideathathewasdistrusted,andthathisruinwasmeditated.HeoftenrecalledtomindwhatLaVallettehadwrittentohimabouthisconversationwithLacuee;andallhesawandheardconfirmedtheimpressionhehadreceivedonthissubject.
Theearlyappearanceofbadweatherprecipitatedhisdetermination.Onthe13thofOctober,atdaybreak,onopeningmywindow,Iperceivedthemountainscoveredwithsnow.Thepreviousnighthadbeensuperb,andtheautumntillthenpromisedtobefineandlate.Iproceeded,asIalwaysdid,atseveno’clockinthemorning,totheGeneral’schamber.Iwokehim,andtoldhimwhatIhadseen.Hefeignedatfirsttodisbelieveme,thenleapedfromhisbed,rantothewindow,and,convincedofthesuddenchange,hecalmlysaid,\"What!beforethemiddleofOctober!Whatacountryisthis!Well,wemustmakepeace!\"WhilehehastilyputonhisclothesIreadthejournalstohim,aswasmydailycustom.Hepaidbutlittleattentiontothem.
Shuttinghimselfupwithmeinhiscloset,hereviewedwiththegreatestcareallthereturnsfromthedifferentcorpsofhisarmy.\"Hereare,\"
saidhe,\"nearly80,000effectivemen.Ifeed,Ipaythem:butIcanbringbut60,000intothefieldonthedayofbattle.Ishallgainit,butafterwardsmyforcewillbereduced20,000men——bykilled,wounded,andprisoners.ThenhowopposealltheAustrianforcesthatwillmarchtotheprotectionofVienna?ItwouldbeamonthbeforethearmiesoftheRhinecouldsupportme,iftheyshouldbeable;andinafortnightalltheroadsandpassageswillbecovereddeepwithsnow.Itissettled——Iwillmakepeace.VeniceshallpayfortheexpenseofthewarandtheboundaryoftheRhine:lettheDirectoryandthelawyerssaywhattheylike.\"
HewrotetotheDirectoryinthefollowingwords:\"Thesummitsofthehillsarecoveredwithsnow;Icannot,onaccountofthestipulationsagreedtofortherecommencementofhostilities,beginbeforefive—and—
twentydays,andbythattimeweshallbeoverwhelmedwithsnow.\"
Fourteenyearsafter,anotherearlywinter,inamoresevereclimate,wasdestinedtohaveafatalinfluenceonhisfortunes.Hadhebutthenexercisedequalforesight!
Itiswellknownthat,bythetreatyofCampo—Formio,thetwobelligerentpowersmadepeaceattheexpenseoftheRepublicofVenice,whichhadnothingtodowiththequarrelinthefirstinstance,andwhichonlyinterferedatalateperiod,probablyagainstherowninclination,andimpelledbytheforceofinevitablecircumstances.Butwhathasbeentheresultofthisgreatpoliticalspoliation?AportionoftheVenetianterritorywasadjudgedtotheCisalpineRepublic;itisnowinthepossessionofAustria.
Anotherconsiderableportion,andthecapitalitself,felltothelotofAustriaincompensationfortheBelgicprovincesandLombard,whichshecededtoFrance.AustriahasnowretakenLombard,andtheadditionsthenmadetoit,andBelgiumisinthepossessionoftheHouseofOrange.
FranceobtainedCorfuandsomeoftheIonianisles;thesenowbelongtoEngland.
——[AfterwardstobecededbyhertoGreece.Belgiumisfree.]——
RomulusneverthoughthewasfoundingRomeforGothsandpriests.
AlexanderdidnotforeseethathisEgyptiancitywouldbelongtotheTurks;nordidConstantinestripRomeforthebenefitofMahometII.Whythenfightforafewpaltryvillages?
ThushavewebeengloriouslyconqueringforAustriaandEngland.AnancientStateisoverturnedwithoutnoise,anditsprovinces,afterbeingdividedamongdifferentborderingStates,arenowallunderthedominionofAustria.Wedonotpossessafootofgroundinallthefinecountriesweconquered,andwhichservedascompensationsfortheimmenseacquisitionsoftheHouseofHapsburghinItaly.Thusthathousewasaggrandisedbyawarwhichwastoitselfmostdisastrous.ButAustriahasoftenfoundothermeansofextendingherdominionthanmilitarytriumphs,asisrecordedinthecelebrateddistichofMathiasCorvinus:
\"Bellageruntalli,tofelixAustrianube;
NamquaeMarsallis,dattibiregnaVenus.\"
[GladAustriawinsbyHymen’ssilkenchainWhatotherStatesbydoubtfulbattlegain,AndwhilefierceMarsenrichesmeanerlands,ReceivespossessionfromfairVenus’hands.\"]
TheDirectorywasfarfrombeingsatisfiedwiththetreatyofCampo—
Formio,andwithdifficultyresistedthetemptationofnotratifyingit.
AfortnightbeforethesignaturetheDirectorswrotetoGeneralBonapartethattheywouldnotconsenttogivetotheEmperorVenice,Frioul,Padua,andthe’terrafirma’withtheboundaryoftheAdige.\"That,\"saidthey,\"wouldnotbetomakepeace,buttoadjournthewar.Weshallberegardedasthebeatenparty,independentlyofthedisgraceofabandoningVenice,whichBonapartehimselfthoughtsoworthyoffreedom.Franceoughtnot,andneverwillwish,toseeItalydelivereduptoAustria.
TheDirectorywouldpreferthechancesofawartochangingasinglewordofitsultimatum,whichisalreadytoofavourabletoAustria.\"
Allthiswassaidinvain.Bonapartemadenoscrupleofdisregardinghisinstructions.IthasbeensaidthattheEmperorofAustriamadeanofferofaveryconsiderablesumofmoney,andevenofaprincipality,toobtainfavourableterms.Iwasneverabletofindtheslightestgroundforthisreport,whichreferstoatimewhenthesmallestcircumstancecouldnotescapemynotice.ThecharacterofBonapartestoodtoohighforhimtosacrificehisgloryasaconquerorandpeacemakerforeventhegreatestprivateadvantage.Thiswassothoroughlyknown,andhewassoprofoundlyesteemedbytheAustrianplenipotentiaries,thatIwillventuretosaynoneofthemwouldhavebeencapableofmakingtheslightestoverturetohimofsodebasingaproposition.Besides,itwouldhaveinducedhimtoputanendtoallintercoursewiththeplenipotentiaries.PerhapswhatIhavejuststatedofM.deGallowillthrowsomelightuponthisodiousaccusation.Butletusdismissthisstorywiththerest,andamongthemthatoftheporcelaintray,whichwassaidtohavebeensmashedandthrownattheheadofM.deCobentzel.
Icertainlyknownothingofanysuchscene;ourmannersatPasserianowerenotquitesobad!
Thepresentscustomaryonsuchoccasionsweregiven,andtheEmperorofAustriaalsotookthatopportunitytopresenttoGeneralBonapartesixmagnificentwhitehorses.
BonapartereturnedtoMilanbywayofGratz,Laybach,Thrust,Mestre,Verona,andMantua.
AtthisperiodNapoleonwasstillswayedbytheimpulseoftheage.Hethoughtofnothingbutrepresentativegovernments.Oftenhashesaidtome,\"Ishouldliketheeraofrepresentativegovernmentstobedatedfrommytime.\"HisconductinItalyandhisproclamationsoughttogive,andinfactdogive,weighttothisaccountofhisopinion.Butthereisnodoubtthatthisideawasmoreconnectedwithloftyviewsofambitionthanasinceredesireforthebenefitofthehumanrace;for,atalaterperiod,headoptedthisphrase:\"IshouldliketobetheheadofthemostancientofthedynastiescfEurope.\"WhatadifferencebetweenBonaparte,theauthorofthe’SouperdeBeaucaire’,thesubduerofroyalismatToulon;theauthoroftheremonstrancetoAlbitteandSalicetti,thefortunateconquerorofthe13thVendemiaire,theinstigatorandsupporteroftherevolutionofFructidor,andthefounderoftheRepublicsofItaly,thefruitsofhisimmortalvictories,——andBonaparte,FirstConsulin1800,Consulforlifein1802,and,aboveall,Napoleon,EmperoroftheFrenchin1804,andKingofItalyin1805!
CHAPTERXI.
1797
Effectofthe18thFructidoronthepeace——ThestandardofthearmyofItaly——HonoursrenderedtothememoryofGeneralHocheandofVirgilatMantua——Remarkableletter——InpassingthroughSwitzerlandBonapartevisitsthefieldofMorat——ArrivalatRastadt——LetterfromtheDirectorycallingBonapartetoParis——IntriguesagainstJosephine——GrandceremonyonthereceptionofBonapartebytheDirectory——Thetheatres——ModestyofBonaparte——Anassassination——
Bonaparte’sopinionoftheParisians——HiselectiontotheNationalInstitute——LettertoCamus——Projects——Reflections.
Thedayofthe18thFructidorhad,withoutanydoubt,mainlycontributedtotheconclusionofpeaceatCampoFormio.Ontheonehand,theDirectory,hithertonotverypacificallyinclined,afterhavingeffecteda’coupd’etat’,atlengthsawthenecessityofappeasingthediscontentedbygivingpeacetoFrance.Ontheotherhand,theCabinetofVienna,observingthecompletefailureofalltheroyalistplotsintheinterior,thoughtithightimetoconcludewiththeFrenchRepublicatreatywhich,notwithstandingallthedefeatsAustriahadsustained,stillleftherapreponderatinginfluenceoverItaly.
Besides,thecampaignofItaly,sofertileingloriousachievementsofarms,hadnotbeenproductiveofgloryalone.Somethingofgreaterimportancefollowedtheseconquests.Publicaffairshadassumedasomewhatunusualaspect,andagrandmoralinfluence,theeffectofvictoriesandofpeace,hadbeguntoextendalloverFrance.
Republicanismwasnolongersosanguinaryandfierceasithadbeensomeyearsbefore.Bonaparte,negotiatingwithprincesandtheirministersonafootingofequality,butstillwithallthatsuperioritytowhichvictoryandhisgeniusentitledhim,graduallytaughtforeigncourtstobefamiliarwithRepublicanFrance,andtheRepublictoceaseregardingallStatesgovernedbyKingsasofnecessityenemies.
InthesecircumstancestheGeneral—in—Chief’sdepartureandhisexpectedvisittoParisexcitedgeneralattention.ThefeebleDirectorywaspreparedtosubmittothepresenceoftheconquerorofItalyinthecapital.
ItwasforthepurposeofactingasheadoftheFrenchlegationattheCongressofRastadtthatBonapartequittedMilanonthe17thofNovember.
ButbeforehisdeparturehesenttotheDirectoryoneofthosemonuments,theinscriptionsonwhichmaygenerallybeconsideredasfabulous,butwhich,inthiscase,werenothingbutthetruth.Thismonumentwasthe\"flagoftheArmyofItaly,\"andtoGeneralJoubertwasassignedthehonourabledutyofpresentingittothemembersoftheExecutiveGovernment.
Ononesideoftheflagwerethewords\"TotheArmyofItaly,thegratefulcountry.\"Theothercontainedanenumerationofthebattlesfoughtandplacestaken,andpresented,inthefollowinginscriptions,asimplebutstrikingabridgmentofthehistoryoftheItaliancampaign.
150,000PRISONERS;170STANDARDS;550PIECESOFSIEGEARTILLERY;
6OOPIECESOFFIELDARTILLERY;FIVEPONTOONEQUIPAGES;NINE64—GUN
SHIPS;TWELVE32—GUNFRIGATES;12CORVETTES;18GALLEYS;ARMISTICE
WITHTHEKINGOFSARDINIA;CONVENTIONWITHGENOA;ARMISTICEWITHTHE
DUKEOFPARMA;ARMISTICEWITHTHEKINGOFNAPLES;ARMISTICEWITHTHE
POPE;PRELIMINARIESOFLEOBEN;CONVENTIONOFMONTEBELLOWITHTHE
REPUBLICOFGENOA;TREATYOFPEACEWITHTHEEMPEROROFGERMANYAT
CAMPO—FORMIO.
LIBERTYGIVENTOTHEPEOPLEOFBOLOGNA,FERRARA,MODENA,MASSA—
CARRARA,LAROMAGNA,LOMBARD,BRESCIA,BERGAMO,MANTUA,CREMONA.
PARTOFTHEVERONESE,CHIAVENA,BORMIO,THEVALTELINE,THEGENOESE,THEIMPERIALFIEFS,THEPEOPLEOFTHEDEPARTMENTSOFCORCYRA,OFTHE
AEGEANSEA,ANDOFITHACA.
SENTTOPARISALLTHEMASTERPIECESOFMICHAELANGELO,OFGVERCINO,OFTITIAN,OFPAULVERONESE,OFCORREGGIO,OFALBANA,OFTHE
CARRACCI,OFRAPHAEL,ANDOFLEONARDODAVINCI.
Thuswererecapitulatedonaflag,destinedtodecoratetheHallofthePublicSittingsoftheDirectory,themilitarydeedsofthecampaigninItaly,itspoliticalresults,andtheconquestofthemonumentsofart.
MostoftheItaliancitieslookedupontheirconquerorasaliberator—
suchwasthemagicofthewordliberty,whichresoundedfromtheAlpstotheApennines.OnhiswaytoMantuatheGeneraltookuphisresidenceinthepalaceoftheancientdukes.BonapartepromisedtheauthoritiesofMantuathattheirdepartmentshouldbeoneofthemostextensive;
impressedonthemthenecessityofpromptlyorganisingalocalmilitia,andofputtinginexecutiontheplansofMari,themathematician,forthenavigationoftheMinciofromMantuatoPeschiera.
HestoppedtwodaysatMantua,andthemorrowofhisarrivalwasdevotedtothecelebrationofamilitaryfuneralsolemnity,inhonourofGeneralHoche,whohadjustdied.HisnextobjectwastohastentheexecutionofthemonumentwhichwaserectingtothememoryofVirgil.Thus,inoneday,hepaidhonourtoFranceandItaly,tomodernandtoancientglory,tothelaurelsofwarandtothelaurelsofpoetry.
ApersonwhosawBonaparteonthisoccasionforthefirsttimethusdescribedhiminaletterhewrotetoParis:——\"WithlivelyinterestandextremeattentionIhaveobservedthisextraordinaryman,whohasperformedsuchgreatdeeds,andaboutwhomthereissomethingwhichseemstoindicatethathiscareerisnotyetterminated.Ifoundhimverylikehisportraits——little,thin,pale,withanairoffatigue,butnotofill—health,ashasbeenreportedofhim.Heappearstometolistenwithmoreabstractionthaninterest,andthathewasmoreoccupiedwithwhathewasthinkingofthanwithwhatwassaidtohim.Thereisgreatintelligenceinhiscountenance,alongwithwhichmaybemarkedanairofhabitualmeditation,whichrevealsnothingofwhatispassingwithin.
Inthatthinkinghead,inthatboldmind,itisimpossiblenottobelievethatsomedaringdesignsareengenderingwhichwillhavetheirinfluenceanthedestiniesofEurope.\"
Fromthelastphrase,inparticular,ofthisletter,onemightsuspectthatitwaswrittenafterBonapartehadmadehisnamefearedthroughoutEurope;butitreallyappearedinajournalinthemonthofDecember1797,alittlebeforehisarrivalinParis.
Thereexistsasortofanalogybetweencelebratedmenandcelebratedplaces;itwasnot,therefore,anuninterestingspectacletoseeBonapartesurveyingthefieldofMorat,where,in1476,CharlestheBold,DukeofBurgundy,daringlikehimself,fellwithhispowerfularmyundertheeffectsofHelvetianvalour.BonapartesleptduringthenightatMaudon,where,asineveryplacethroughwhichhepassed,thegreatesthonourswerepaidhim.Inthemorning,hiscarriagehavingbrokendown,wecontinuedourjourneyanfoot,accompaniedonlybysomeofficersandanescortofdragoonsofthecountry.BonapartestoppedneartheOssuary,anddesiredtobeshownthespotwherethebattleofMoratwasfought.Aplaininfrontofthechapelwaspointedouttohim.AnofficerwhohadservedinFrancewaspresent,andexplainedtohimhowtheSwiss,descendingfromtheneighbouringmountains,wereenabled,undercoverofawood,toturntheBurgundianarmyandputittotherout.\"Whatwastheforceofthatarmy?\"askedBonaparte.——\"Sixtythousandmen.\"——\"Sixtythousandmen!\"heexclaimed:\"theyoughttohavecompletelycoveredthesemountains!\"——\"TheFrenchfightbetternow,\"saidLannes,whowasoneoftheofficersofhissuite.\"Atthattime,\"
observedBonaparte,interruptinghim,\"theBurgundianswerenotFrenchmen.\"
Bonaparte’sjourneythroughSwitzerlandwasnotwithoututility;andhispresenceservedtocalmmorethanoneinquietude.HeproceededonhisjourneytoRastadtbyAixinSavoy,Berne,andBale.OnarrivingatBerneduringnightwepassedthroughadoublefileofwell—lightedequipages,filledwithbeautifulwomen,allofwhomraisedthecryof\"Longlive,Bonaparte!——longlivethePacificator!\"Tohaveaproperideaofthisgenuineenthusiasmitisnecessarytohaveseenit.
ThepositioninsocietytowhichhisserviceshadraisedhimrendereditunfittoaddresshiminthesecondpersonsingularandthefamiliarmannersometimesusedbyhisoldschoolfellowsofBrienne.Ithought,thisverynatural.
M.deCominges,oneofthosewhowentwithhimtothemilitaryschoolatParis,andwhohademigrated,wasatBale.Havinglearnedourarrival,hepresentedhimselfwithoutceremony,withgreatindecorum,andwithacompletedisregardoftherespectduetoamanwhohadrenderedhimselfsoillustrious.GeneralBonaparte,offendedatthisbehaviour,refusedtoreceivehimagain,andexpressedhimselftomewithmuchwarmthontheoccasionofthisvisit.Allmyeffortstoremovehisdispleasurewereunavailingthisimpressionalwayscontinued,andheneverdidforM.deComingeswhathismeansandtheoldtiesofboyhoodmightwellhavewarranted.
OnarrivingatRastadt——[TheconferencefortheformalpeacewiththeEmpireofGermanywasheldthere.ThepeaceofLeobenwasonlyonemadewithAustria.]——
BonapartefoundaletterfromtheDirectorysummoninghimtoParis.Heeagerlyobeyedthisinvitation,whichdrewhimfromaplacewherehecouldactonlyaninsignificantpart,andwhichhehaddeterminedtoleavesoon,neveragaintoreturn.SometimeafterhisarrivalinParis,onthegroundthathispresencewasnecessaryfortheexecutionofdifferentorders,andthegeneraldespatchofbusiness,herequiredthatauthorityshouldbegiventoapartofhishousehold,whichhehadleftatRastadt,toreturn.
HowcoulditeverbesaidthattheDirectory\"keptGeneralBonaparteawayfromthegreatinterestswhichwereunderdiscussionatRastadt\"?Quitethecontrary!TheDirectorywouldhavebeendelightedtoseehimreturnthere,astheywouldthenhavebeenrelievedfromhispresenceinParis;
butnothingwassodisagreeabletoBonaparteaslongandseeminglyinterminablenegotiations.Suchtediousworkdidnotsuithischaracter,andhehadbeensufficientlydisgustedwithsimilarproceedingsatCampo—
Formio.