ThenewKingofanewkingdomenteredFlorenceonthe12thofApril1801;
butthereceptiongivenhimbytheTuscanswasnotatallsimilartowhathehadexperiencedatParis.ThepeoplereceivedtheroyalpairassovereignsimposedonthembyFrance.TheephemeralkingdomofEtrurialastedscarcelysixyears.TheKingdiedin1803,intheflowerofhisage,andin1807theQueenwasexpelledfromherthronebyhimwhohadconstructeditforher.
AtthisperiodapowerfulpartyurgedBonapartetobreakwiththePope,andtoestablishaGallicanChurch,theheadofwhichshouldresideinFrance.TheythoughttoflatterhisambitionbyindicatingtohimanewsourceofpowerwhichmightestablishapointofcomparisonbetweenhimandthefirstRomanemperors.Buthisideasdidnotcoincidewiththeirsonthissubject.\"Iamconvinced,\"saidhe,\"thatapartofFrancewouldbecomeProtestant,especiallyifIweretofavourthatdisposition.
IamalsocertainthatthemuchgreaterportionwouldremainCatholic,andwouldoppose,withthegreatestzealandfervour,theschismofapartoftheirfellow—citizens.Idreadthereligiousquarrels,thefamilydissensions,andthepublicdistractions,whichsuchastateofthingswouldinevitablyoccasion.In,revivingareligionwhichhasalwaysprevailedinthecountry,andwhichstillprevailsintheheartsofthepeople,andingivingthelibertyofexercisingtheirworshiptotheminority,Ishallsatisfyeveryone.\"
TheFirstConsul,takingasuperiorviewofthestateofFrance,consideredthatthere—establishmentofreligiousworshipwouldproveapowerfulsupporttohisGovernment:andhehadbeenoccupiedeversincethecommencementof1801inpreparingaConcordatwiththePope.ItwassignedinthemonthofJulyinthesameyear.Itrequiredsometimetoenablethepartiestocometoanunderstandingonthesubject.
CardinalConsalviarrived,inthemonthofJune1801,atParis,toarrangemattersonthepartofthePope.CardinalCapraraandM.deSpinaalsoformedpartoftheembassysentbytheHolyFather.Therewere,besides,severalabletheologians,amongwhomDoctorC————wasdistinguished.
——[The\"DoctorC————\"wasCaselti,laterArchbishopofParma.BonierwasgreentheBishopricofOrleans,notVersailles;seeErreurs,tomei,p.276.ThedetailsofthesurpriseattemptedatthelastmomentbyputtingbeforeCardinalConsalviforhissignatureanalteredcopyoftheConcordatshouldbereadinhisMemoirs(tomei.
p.355),orinLanfrey(tomeii.p.267).AsforNapoleon’sbeliefthatpartofthenationmightbecomeProtestant,NarbonneprobablyputthemattertrulywhenhesaidtherewasnotreligionenoughinFrancetostandadivision.ItshouldbenotedthattheConcordatdidnotsomuchrestoretheCatholicChurchasdestroytheoldGallicanChurch,withallitsliberties,whichmightannoyeitherPopeorEmperor.ButonthispointseeTheGallicanChurchandtheRevolution,byJervis:London,BeganPaul,TrenchandCo.,1882.Theclergymay,itistrue,haveshownwisdominaccedingtoanytermsofrestoration.
HewasamemberofthePope’schancery;hisknowledgegavehimsomuchinfluenceoverhiscolleaguesthataffairsadvancedonlyasmuchashepleased.However,hewasgainedoverbyhonoursconferredonhim,andpromisesofmoney.Businessthenwentonalittlequicker.TheConcordatwassignedonthe15thofJuly1801,andmadealawoftheStateinthefollowingApril.TheplenipotentiariesonthepartofBonapartewereJosephBonaparte,Cretet,andtheAbbyBernier,afterwardsBishopofVersailles.——[OrleansnotVersailles.D.W.]
AsolemnTeDeumwaschantedatthecathedralofNotreDameonSunday,the11thofApril.Thecrowdwasimmense,andthegreaterpartofthosepresentstoodduringtheceremony,whichwassplendidintheextreme;
butwhowouldpresumetosaythatthegeneralfeelingwasinharmonywithallthispomp?Was,then,thetimeforthisinnovationnotyetarrived?
Wasittooabruptatransitionfromthehabitsofthetwelveprecedingyears?Itisunquestionablytruethatagreatnumberofthepersonspresentattheceremonyexpressed,intheircountenancesandgestures,ratherafeelingofimpatienceanddispleasurethanofsatisfactionorofreverencefortheplaceinwhichtheywere.Hereandtheremurmursaroseexpressiveofdiscontent.Thewhispering,whichImightmoreproperlycallopenconversation,ofteninterruptedthedivineservice,andsometimesobservationsweremadewhichwerefarfrombeingmoderate.
Somewouldturntheirheadsasideonpurposetotakeabitofchocolate—
cake,andbiscuitswereopenlyeatenbymanywhoseemedtopaynoattentiontowhatwaspassing.
TheConsularCourtwasingeneralextremelyirreligious;norcoulditbeexpectedtobeotherwise,beingcomposedchieflyofthosewhohadassistedintheannihilationofallreligiousworshipinFrance,andofmenwho,havingpassedtheirlivesincamps,hadoftenerenteredachurchinItalytocarryoffapaintingthantoheartheMass.Thosewho,withoutbeingimbuedwithanyreligiousideas,possessedthatgoodsensewhichinducesmentopayrespecttothebeliefofothers,thoughitbeoneinwhichtheydonotparticipate,didnotblametheFirstConsulforhisconduct,andconductedthemselveswithsomeregardtodecency.ButontheroadfromtheTuileriestoNotreDame,LannesandAugereauwantedtoalightfromthecarriageassoonastheysawthattheywarebeingdriventoMass,anditrequiredanorderfromtheFirstConsultopreventtheirdoingso.TheywentthereforetoNotreDame,andthenextdayBonaparteaskedAugereauwhathethoughtoftheceremony.\"Oh!itwasallveryfine,\"repliedtheGeneral;\"therewasnothingwanting,exceptthemillionofmenwhohaveperishedinthepullingdownofwhatyouaresettingup.\"Bonapartewasmuchdispleasedatthisremark.
——[ThisremarkhasbeenattributedelsewheretoGeneralDelmas.
Accordingtoagentlemanwhoplayedapartinthisemptypageantry,Lannesatonemomentdidgetoutofthecarriage,andAugereankeptswearinginnolowwhisperduringthewholeofthechantedMass.
MostofthemilitarychiefswhosprangoutoftheRevolutionhadnoreligionatall,butthereweresomewhowereProtestants,andwhowereirritatedbytherestorationofCatholicismasthenationalfaith.——Editorof1896edition.]——
DuringthenegotiationswiththeHolyFatherBonaparteonedaysaidtome,\"IneverycountryreligionisusefultotheGovernment,andthosewhogovernoughttoavailthemselvesofittoinfluencemankind.IwasaMahometaninEgypt;IamaCatholicinFrance.Withrelationtothepoliceofthereligionofastate,itshouldbeentirelyinthehandsofthesovereign.ManypersonshaveurgedmetofoundaGallicanChurch,andmakemyselfitshead;buttheydonotknowFrance.Iftheydid,theywouldknowthatthemajorityofthepeoplewouldnotlikearupturewithRome.BeforeIcanresolveonsuchameasurethePopemustpushmatterstoanextremity;butIbelievehewillnotdoso.\"——\"Youareright,General,andyourecalltomymemorywhatCardinalConsalvisaid:
’ThePopewilldoalltheFirstConsuldesires.’\"——\"Thatisthebestcourseforhim.Lethimnotsupposethathehastodowithanidiot.
Whatdoyouthinkisthepointhisnegotiationsputmostforward?Thesalvationofmysoul!Butwithmeimmortalityistherecollectiononeleavesinthememoryofman.Thatideapromptstogreatactions.Itwouldbebetterforamannevertohavelivedthantoleavebehindhimnotracesofhisexistence.\"
ManyendeavoursweremadetopersuadetheFirstConsultoperforminpublicthedutiesimposedbytheCatholicreligion.Aninfluentialexample,itwasurged,wasrequired.Hetoldmeoncethathehadputanendtothatrequestbythefollowingdeclaration:\"Enoughofthis.
Askmenomore.Youwillnotobtainyourobject.Youshallnevermakeahypocriteofme.Letusremainwhereweare.\"
IhavereadinaworkremarkableonmanyaccountsthatitwasontheoccasionoftheConcordatofthe15thJuly1801thattheFirstConsulabolishedtherepublicancalendarandreestablishedtheGregorian.Thisisanerror.Hedidnotmakethecalendarareligiousaffair.The’Senatus—consulte’,whichrestoredtheuseoftheGregoriancalendar,tocommenceintheFrenchEmpirefromthe11thNivose,yearXIV.(1stJanuary1806),wasadoptedonthe22dFructidor,yearXIII.(9thSeptember1805),morethanfouryearsaftertheConcordat.There—
establishmentoftheancientcalendarhadnootherobjectthantobringusintoharmonywiththerestofEuropeonapointsocloselyconnectedwithdailytransactions,whichweremuchembarrassedbythedecadarycalendar.
Bonaparteatlength,however,consentedtohearMass,andSt.Cloudwastheplacewherethisancientusagewasfirstre—established.Hedirectedtheceremonytocommencesoonerthanthehourannouncedinorderthatthosewhowouldonlymakeascoffatitmightnotarriveuntiltheservicewasended.
WhenevertheFirstConsuldeterminedtohearMasspubliclyonSundaysinthechapelofthePalaceasmallaltarwaspreparedinaroomnearhiscabinetofbusiness.ThisroomhadbeenAnneofAustria’soratory.
Asmallportablealtar,placedonaplatformonestephigh,restoredittoitsoriginaldestination.Duringtherestoftheweekthischapelwasusedasabathing—room.OnSundaythedoorofcommunicationwasopened,andweheardMasssittinginourcabinetofbusiness.Thenumberofpersonsthereneverexceededthreeorfour,andtheFirstConsulseldomfailedtotransactsomebusinessduringtheceremony,whichneverlastedlongerthantwelveminutes.NextdayallthepapershadthenewsthattheFirstConsulhadheardMassinhisapartments.InthesamewayLouisXVIII.hasoftenhearditinhis!
Onthe19thofJuly1801apapalbullabsolvedTalleyrandfromhisvows.
HeimmediatelymarriedMadameGrandt,andtheaffairobtainedlittlenoticeatthetime.Thisstatementsufficientlyproveshowreporthaspervertedthefact.IthasbeensaidthatBonaparteonbecomingEmperorwishedtorestorethatdecorumwhichtheRevolutionhaddestroyed,andthereforeresolvedtoputanendtotheimproperintimacywhichsubsistedbetweenTalleyrandandMadameGrandt.ItisallegedthattheMinisteratfirstrefusedtomarrythelady,butthatheatlastfounditnecessarytoobeytheperemptoryorderofhismaster.ThispretendedresurrectionofmoralitybyBonaparteisexcessivelyridiculous.ThebullwasnotregisteredintheCouncilofStateuntilthe19thofAugust1802.
——[TheFirstConsulhadonseveraloccasionsurgedM.deTalleyrandtoreturntoholyorders.Hepointedouttohimthatthatcourseworldbemostbecominghisageandhighbirth,andpremisedthatheshouldbemadeacardinal,thusraisinghimtoaparwithRichelieu,andgivingadditionallustretohisadministration(MemoirsoftheDukeofRovigo,vol.i.p.426).
ButM.deTalleyrandvindicatedhischoice,saying,\"Acleverwifeoftencompromisesherhusband;astupidoneonlycompromisesherself\"(HistoricalCharacters,p.122,Bulwer,LordDulling).]——
Iwillendthischapterbyastorysomewhatforeigntotheprecedingtransactions,butwhichpersonallyconcernsmyself.Onthe20thofJuly1801theFirstConsul,’expropriomotu’,namedmeaCouncillorofStateextraordinary.MadameBonapartekindlycondescendedtohaveanelegantbutsomewhatidealcostumemadeforme.ItpleasedtheFirstConsul,however,andhehadasimilaronemadeforhimself.Heworeitashorttimeandthenleftitoff.NeverhadBonapartesincehiselevationshownhimselfsoamiableasonthisoccasion.
CHAPTERVI.
1802.
LastchapteronEgypt——AdmiralGantheaume——WaytopleaseBonaparte——
GeneralMenou’sflatteryandhisreward——Davoust——BonaparteregretsgivingthecommandtoMenou,whoisdefeatedbyAbercromby——Otto’snegotiationinLondon——Preliminariesofpeace.
ForthelasttimeintheseMemoirsIshallreturntotheaffairsofEgypt——tothatepisodewhichembracessoshortaspaceoftimeandholdssohighaplaceinthelifeofBonaparte.OfallhisconquestshesetthehighestvalueonEgypt,becauseitspreadthegloryofhisnamethroughouttheEast.Accordinglyheleftnothingunattemptedforthepreservationofthatcolony.InalettertoGeneralKleberhesaid,\"YouareasableasIamtounderstandhowimportantisthepossessionofEgypttoFrance.TheTurkishEmpire,inwhichthesymptomsofdecayareeverywherediscernible,isatpresentfallingtopieces,andtheeviloftheevacuationofEgyptbyFrancewouldnowbethegreater,asweshouldsoonseethatfineprovincepassintothepossessionofsomeotherEuropeanpower.\"TheselectionofGantheaume,however,tocarryassistancetoKleberwasnotjudicious.GantheaumehadbroughttheFirstConsulbackfromEgypt,andthoughthesuccessofthepassagecouldonlybeattributedtoBonaparte’sownplan,hisdeterminedcharacter,andsuperiorjudgment,yethepreservedtowardsGantheaumethatfavourabledispositionwhichisnaturallyfeltforonewhohassharedagreatdangerwithus,anduponwhomtheresponsibilitymaybesaidtohavebeenimposed.
Thisconfidenceinmediocrity,dictatedbyanhonourablefeeling,didnotobtainasuitablereturn.Gantheaume,byhisindecisionandcreepingaboutintheMediterranean,hadalreadyfailedtoexecuteacommissionentrustedtohim.TheFirstConsul,uponfindinghedidnotleaveBrestafterhehadbeenorderedtotheMediterranean,repeatedlysaidtome,\"WhatthedevilisGantheaumeabout?\"WithoneofthedailyreportssenttotheFirstConsulhereceivedthefollowingquatrain,whichmadehimlaughheartily:
\"Vaisseauxlestes,tetesanslest,Ainsipartl’AmiralGantheaume;
Ils’envadeBrestaBertheaume,EtrevientdeBertheaumeaBrest!\"
\"Withballastonboard,butnoneinhisbrain,AwaywentourgallantGantheaume,OnavoyagefromBresttoBertheaume,AndthenfromBertheaume——toBrestbackagain!\"
Gantheaume’shesitation,hisfrequenttergiversations,hisarrivalatToulon,histardydeparture,andhisreturntothatportonthe19thofFebruary1801,onlytendayspriortoAdmiralKeith’sappearancewithSirRalphAbercrombyoffAlexandria,completelyfoiledalltheplanswhichBonapartehadconceivedofconveyingsuccourandreinforcementstoacolonyonthebrinkofdestruction.
BonapartewasthendreamingthatmanyFrenchfamilieswouldcarrybackcivilisation,science,andarttothatcountrywhichwastheircradle.
ButitcouldnotbeconcealedthathisdeparturefromEgyptin1799hadpreparedthewayforthelossofthatcountry,whichwashastenedbyKleber’sdeathandthechoiceofMenouashissuccessor.
AsurewayofpayingcourttotheFirstConsulandgaininghisfavourwastoeulogisehisviewsaboutEgypt,andtoappearzealousformaintainingthepossessionofthatcountry.BythesemeansitwasthatMenougainedhisconfidence.InthefirstyearoftheoccupationofthatcountryhelaidbeforehimhisdreamsrespectingAfrica.HespokeofthenegroesofSenegal,Mozambique,Mehedie,Marabout,andotherbarbarouscountrieswhichwereallatoncetoassumeanewaspect,andbecomecivilised,inconsequenceoftheFrenchpossessionofEgypt.ToMenou’sadulationistobeattributedthefavourablereceptiongivenhimbytheFirstConsul,evenafterhisreturnfromEgypt,ofwhichhisfoolishconducthadallowedtheEnglishtogetpossession.TheFirstConsulappointedhimGovernorofPiedmont,andatmyrequestgavemyelderbrotherthesituationofCommissary—GeneralofPoliceinthatcountry;butIamincandourobligedtoconfessthattheFirstConsulwasobligedtoretractthismarkofhisfavourinconsequenceofmybrother’smakinganabuseofit.
ItwasalsobyflatteringtheFirstConsulonthequestionoftheEastthatDavoust,onhisreturnfromEgyptin1800inconsequenceoftheConventionofEl—Ariah,insinuatedhimselfintoBonaparte’sgoodgracesand,ifhedidnotdeserve,obtainedhisfavour.AtthattimeDavoustcertainlyhadnotitlewhatevertothegoodfortunewhichhesuddenlyexperienced.Heobtained,withoutfirstservinginasubordinaterank,thecommand—in—chiefofthegrenadiersoftheConsularGuard;andfromthattimecommencedthedeadlyhatredwhichDavoustboretowardsme.
AstonishedatthegreatlengthoftimethatBonapartehadbeenonedayconversingwithhimIsaid,assoonashewasgone,\"Howcouldyoutalksolongwithamanwhomyouhavealwayscalledastupidfellow?\"——\"Ah!
butIdidnotknowhimwellenoughbefore.Heisabetterman,Iassureyou,thanheisthought;andyouwillcomeovertomyopinion.\"——\"Ihopeso.\"TheFirstConsul,whowasoftenextremelyindiscreet,toldDavoustmyopinionofhim,andhishostilityagainstmeceasedbutwithhislife.
TheFirstConsulcouldnotforgethischerishedconquestintheEast.
Itwasconstantlytheobjectofhisthoughts.HeendeavouredtosendreinforcementstohisarmyfromBrestandToulon,butwithoutsuccess.
HesoonhadcausetorepenthavingentrustedtothehandsofMenouthecommand—in—chief,towhichhebecameentitledonlybyseniority,aftertheassassinationofKleberbySoleimanHeleby.ButBonaparte’sindignationwasexcitedwhenhebecameacquaintedwithMenou’sneglectandmismanagement,whenhesawhimgivingreinstohispassionforreform,alteringanddestroyingeverything,creatingnothinggoodinitsstead,anddreamingaboutformingalandcommunicationwiththeHottentotsandCongoinsteadofstudyinghowtopreservethecountry.
Hispitifulplansofdefence,whichwereuselessfromtheirwantofcombination,appearedtotheFirstConsultheheightofignorance.
Forgetfulofalltheprinciplesofstrategy,ofwhichBonaparte’sconductaffordedsomanyexamples,heopposedtothelandingofAbercrombyafewisolatedcorps,whichwereunabletowithstandtheenemy’sattack,whiletheEnglisharmymighthavebeenentirelyannihilatedhadallthedisposabletroopsbeensentagainstit.
ThegreatadmirationwhichMenouexpressedattheexpeditiontoEgypt;
hisexcessivefondnessforthatcountry,thereligionofwhichhehadridiculouslyenoughembracedunderthenameofAbdallah;theeffortshemade,inhissphere,topreservethecolony;hisenthusiasmandblindattachmenttoBonaparte;theflatteringandencouragingaccountshegaveofthesituationofthearmy,atfirsthadtheeffectofentirelycoveringMenou’sincapacity.
——[ForaludicrousdescriptionofMenouseetheMemoirsofMarmont:—
\"Cleverandgay,howasanagreeabletalker,butagreatliar.Hewasnotdestituteofsomeeducation.Hischaracter,oneoftheoddestintheworld,cameveryneartolunacy:Constantlywriting,alwaysinmotioninhisroom,ridingforexerciseeveryday,hewasneverabletostartonanynecessaryofusefuljourney
When,later,Bonaparte,thenFirstConsul,gavehimbyspecialfavourtheadministrationofPiedmont,heputoffhisdeparturefromdaytodayforsixmonths;andthenheonlydidstartbecausehisfriendMarethimselfputhimintohiscarriage,withpost—horsesalreadyharnessedtoitWhenheleftthisposttheyfoundinhiscabinet900letterswhichhehadnotopened.Hewasaneccentriclunatic,amusingenoughsometimes,butacursetoeverythingwhichdependedonhim\"(MemoirsoftheDucdeRaguse,tomei.p.410).]——
ThisalonecanaccountfortheFirstConsul’spreferenceofhim.ButI
amfarfromconcurringinwhathasbeenassertedbymanypersons,thatFrancelostEgyptattheverymomentwhenitseemedmosteasyofpreservation.Egyptwasconqueredbyageniusofvastintelligence,greatcapacity,andprofoundmilitaryscience.Fatuity,stupidity,andincapacitylostit.Whatwastheresultofthatmemorableexpedition?
Thedestructionofoneofourfinestarmies;thelossofsomeofourbestgenerals;theannihilationofournavy;thesurrenderofMalta;andthesovereigntyofEnglandintheMediterranean.Whatistheresultatpresent?Ascientificwork.ThegossipingstoriesandmystificationsofHerodotus,andthereveriesofthegoodRollin,areworthasmuch,andhavenotcostsodear.
TheFirstConsulhadlongbeenapprehensivethattheevacuationofEgyptwasunavoidable.Thelastnewshehadreceivedfromthatcountrywasnotveryencouraging,andcreatedapresentimentoftheapproachofthedreadedcatastrophe.He,however,publishedthecontrary;butitwasthenofgreatimportancethat,anaccountoftheevacuationshouldnotreachEnglanduntilthepreliminariesofpeaceweresigned,forwhichpurposeM.Ottowasexertingallhisindustryandtalent.WemadeagreatmeritofabandoningourconquestsinEgypt;butthesacrificewouldnothavebeenconsideredgreatiftheeventswhichtookplaceattheendofAugusthadbeenknowninLondonbeforethesigningofthepreliminariesonthe1stofOctober.TheFirstConsulhimselfansweredM.Otto’slastdespatch,containingacopyofthepreliminariesreadytobeadoptedbytheEnglishMinistry.NeitherthisdespatchnortheanswerwascommunicatedtoM.deTalleyrand,thenMinisterforForeignAffairs.
TheFirstConsul,whohighlyappreciatedthegreattalentsandknowledgeofthatMinister,neverclosedanydiplomaticarrangementwithoutfirstconsultinghim;andhewasrightinsodoing.Onthisoccasion,however,ItoldhimthatasM.deTalleyrandwas,forhishealth,takingthewatersofBourbon—l’Archambault,fourdaysmustelapsebeforehisreplycouldbereceived,andthatthedelaymightcausethefaceofaffairstochange.IremindedhimthatEgyptwasonthepointofyielding.Hetookmyadvice,anditwaswellforhimthathedid,forthenewsofthecompulsoryevacuationofEgyptarrivedinLondonthedayafterthesigningofthepreliminaries.M.OttoinformedtheFirstConsulbyletterthatLordHawkesbury,illcommunicatingtohimthenewsoftheevacuation,toldhimhewasverygladeverythingwassettled,foritwouldhavebeenimpossibleforhimtohavetreatedonthesamebasisafterthearrivalofsuchnews.InrealityweconsentedatParistothevoluntaryevacuationofEgypt,andthatwassomethingforEngland,whileEgyptwasatthatverytimeevacuatedbyaconventionmadeonthespot.
ThedefinitiveevacuationofEgypttookplaceonthe30thofAugust1801;
andthustheconquestofthatcountry,whichhadcostsodear,wasrendereduseless,orratherinjurious.
CHAPTERVII.
1802.
ThemostgloriousepochforFrance——TheFirstConsul’sdesireofpeace——Maltacededandkept——BonaparteandtheEnglishjournals——
Mr.Addington’slettertotheFirstConsul——BonaparteprosecutesPeltier——Leclerc’sexpeditiontoSt.Domingo——ToussaintLouverture——
DeathofLeclerc——Rochambeau,hissuccessor,abandonsSt.Domingo——
FirstsymptomsofBonaparte’smalady——Josephine’sintriguesforthemarriageofHortense——Falsehoodcontradicted.
TheepochofthepeaceofAmiensmustbeconsideredasthemostgloriousinthehistoryofFrance,notexceptingthesplendidperiodofLouisXIV.’svictoriesandthemorebrillianteraoftheEmpire.TheConsularglorywasthenpure,andtheopeningprospectwasfullofflatteringhope;whereasthosewhowerebutlittleaccustomedtolookcloselyintothingscoulddiscernmightydisasterslurkingunderthelaurelsoftheEmpire.
TheproposalswhichtheFirstConsulmadeinordertoobtainpeacesufficientlyprovehissinceredesireforit.HefeltthatifinthecommencementofhisadministrationhecouldcouplehisnamewithsohopedforanactheshouldeverexperiencetheaffectionandgratitudeoftheFrench.IwantnootherproofofhissentimentsthantheofferhemadetogiveupEgypttotheGrandSeignior,andtorestorealltheportsoftheGulfofVeniceandoftheMediterraneantotheStatestowhichtheyhadpreviouslybelonged;tosurrenderMaltatotheorderoftheKnightsofSt.John,andeventorazeitsfortificationsifEnglandshouldthinksuchameasurenecessaryforherinterests.IntheIndies,Ceylonwastobelefttohim,——[CeylonbelongedtoHolland,butwasretainedbyEnglandunderthetreatyofAmiens.]——
andherequiredthesurrenderoftheCapeofGoodHopeandalltheplacestakenbytheEnglishintheWestIndies.
EnglandhadfirmlyresolvedtokeepMalta,theGibraltaroftheMediterranean,andtheCapeofGoodHope,thecaravanseraioftheIndies.
ShewasthereforeunwillingtoclosewiththepropositionrespectingMalta;andshesaidthatanarrangementmightbemadebywhichitwouldberenderedindependentbothofGreatBritainandFrance.Weclearlysawthatthiswasonlyalure,andthat,whateverarrangementsmightbeenteredinto,EnglandwouldkeepMalta,becauseitwasnottobeexpectedthatthemaritimepowerwouldwillinglysurrenderanislandwhichcommandstheMediterranean.IdonotnoticethediscussionsrespectingtheAmericanislands,fortheywere,inmyopinion,oflittleconsequencetous.
——[ItisstrangethatBourriennedoesnotalludetooneofthefirstarbitraryactsofNapoleon,thediscussionsonwhichformedpartofthoseconversationsbetweenNapoleonandhisbrotherLucienofwhichBourriennecomplainedtoJosephineheknewnothing.In1763FrancehadcededtoEnglandthepartofLouisianaontheeastoftheMississippi,andthepartonthewestofthatriver,withNewOrleans,toSpain.BythetreatynegotiatedwithSpainbyLucienBonapartein1800hersharewasgivenbacktoFrance.Onthe80thApril1803NapoleonsoldthewholetotheUnitedStatesfor80,000,000francs(L3,260,000),totheintenseangerofhisbrothersJosephandLucien.LucienwasespeciallyproudofhavingobtainedthecessionforwhichNapoleonwas,atthattime,veryanxious;butbothbrotherswerehorrifiedwhenNapoleondisclosedhowlittlehecaredforconstitutionalformsbytellingthemthatiftheLegislature,ashisbrothersthreatened,wouldnotratifythetreaty,hewoulddowithouttheratification;seeIung’sLetter,tomeii.p.128.
Napoleon’smostobviousmotiveswerewantofmoneyandthecertaintyoftheseizureoftheprovincebyEngland,astherupturewithherwasnowcertain.Buttherewasperhapsanothercause.TheStateshadalreadybeenonthepointofseizingtheprovincefromSpain,whichhadinterferedwiththeirtrade(Hinton’sUnitedStates,p.
435,andThierstomeiv,p.320).
Ofthesumtobepaid,20,000,000weretogototheStates,tocovertheillegalseizuresofAmericanshipsbytheFrenchnavy,amatterwhichwasnotsettledformanyyearslater.Theremaining80,000,000wereemployedinthepreparationsfortheinvasionofEngland;seeThiers,tomeiv.pp.320and326,andLanfrey,tomeiii.p.48.Thetransactionisaremarkableone,asformingthefinalwithdrawalofFrancefromNorthAmerica(withtheexceptionofsomeislandsontheNewfoundlandcoast),whereshehadonceheldsuchaproudposition.ItalsoeventuallymadeanadditiontothenumberofslaveStates.
Theycostmorethantheyproduce;andtheywillescapefromus,sometimeorother,asallcoloniesultimatelydofromtheparentcountry.Ourwholecolonialsystemisabsurd;itforcesustopayforcolonialproduceataratenearlydoublethatforwhichitmaybepurchasedfromourneighbours.
WhenLordHawkesburyconsentedtoevacuateMalta,onconditionthatitshouldbeindependentofFranceandGreatBritain,hemusthavebeenawarethatsuchaconditionwouldneverbefulfilled.HecaredlittlefortheorderofSt.John,andheshouldhaveput,bywayofpostscript,atthebottomofhisnote,\"WewillkeepMaltainspiteofyou.\"
IalwaystoldtheFirstConsulthatifhewereinthesituationoftheEnglishhewouldactthesamepart;anditdidnotrequiremuchsagacitytoforetellthatMaltawouldbetheprincipalcauseoftheruptureofpeace.Hewasofmyopinion;butatthatmomenthethoughteverythingdependedonconcludingthenegotiations,andIentirelyagreedwithhim.
Ithappened,aswasforeseen,thatMaltacausedtherenewalofwar.TheEnglish,onbeingcalledupontosurrendertheisland,eludedthedemand,shiftedabout,andatlastendedbydemandingthatMaltashouldbeplacedundertheprotectionoftheKingofNaples,——thatistosay,undertheprotectionofapowerentirelyattheircommand,andtowhichtheymightdictatewhattheypleased.Thiswasreallytoocoolapieceofirony!
IwillherenoticethequarrelbetweentheFirstConsulandtheEnglishnewspapers,andgiveanewproofofhisviewsconcerningthefreedomofthepress.However,libertyofthepressdidoncecontributetogivehiminfinitegratification,namely,whenalltheLondonjournalsmentionedthetransportsofjoymanifestedinLondononthearrivalofGeneralLauriston,thebeareroftheratificationofthepreliminariesofpeace.
TheFirstConsulwasatalltimesthedeclaredenemyofthelibertyofthepress,andthereforeheruledthejournalswithahandofiron.
——[Anincident,illustrativeofthegreatirritationwhichBonapartefeltattheplainspeakingoftheEnglishpress,alsoshowstheimportantcharacterofColeridge’swritingsinthe’MorningPost’.
InthecourseofadebateintheHouseofCommonsFoxassertedthattheruptureofthetraceofAmienshaditsoriginincertainessayswhichhadappearedintheMorningPOST,andwhichwereknowntohaveproceededfromthepenofColeridge.ButFoxaddedanungenerousandmalicioushintthatthewriterwasatRome,withinthereachofBonaparte.Theinformationreachedtheearsforwhichitwasuttered,andanorderwassentfromParistocompassthearrestofColeridge.Itwasintheyear1806,whenthepoetwasmakingatourinItaly.ThenewsreachedhimatNaples,throughabrotheroftheillustriousHumboldt,asMr.Gillmansays——orinafriendlywarningfromPrinceJeromeBonaparte,aswehaveitontheauthorityofMr.
Cottle——andthePopeappearstohavebeenreluctanttohaveahandinthebusiness,and,infact,tohavefurnishedhimwithapassport,ifnotwithacarriageforflight,ColeridgeeventuallygottoLeghorn,wherehegotapassagebyanAmericanshipboundforEngland;buthisescapecomingtotheearsofBonaparte,alook—outwaskeptfortheship,andshewaschasedbyaFrenchcruiser,whichthrewthecaptainintosuchastateofterrorthathemadeColeridgethrowallhisjournalsandpapersoverboard(Andrews’HistoryofJournalism,vol.ii.p.28).]——
Ihaveoftenheardhimsay,\"WereItoslackenthereins,Ishouldnotcontinuethreemonthsinpower.\"Heunfortunatelyheldthesameopinionrespectingeveryotherprerogativeofpublicfreedom.ThesilencehehadimposedinFrancehewished,ifhecould,toimposeinEngland.HewasirritatedbythecalumniesandlibelssoliberallycastuponhimbytheEnglishjournals,andespeciallybyonewritteninFrench,called’L’Ambigu’,conductedbyPeltier,whohadbeentheeditorofthe’ActesdesApotres’inParis.The’Ambigu’wasconstantlyteemingwiththemoatviolentattacksontheFirstConsulandtheFrenchnation.Bonapartecouldnever,liketheEnglish,bringhimselftodespisenewspaperlibels,andherevengedhimselfbyviolentarticleswhichhecausedtobeinsertedinthe’Moniteur’.HedirectedM.Ottotoremonstrate,inanofficialnote,againstasystemofcalumnywhichhebelievedtobeauthorisedbytheEnglishGovernment.BesidesthisofficialproceedingheappliedpersonallytoMr.Addington,theChancelloroftheExchequer,requestinghimtoprocuretheadoptionoflegislativemeasuresagainstthelicentiouswritingscomplainedof;and,totaketheearliestopportunityofsatisfyinghishatredagainstthelibertyofthepress,theFirstConsulseizedthemomentofsigningthepreliminariestomakethisrequest.
Mr.AddingtonwrotealonganswertotheFirstConsul,whichItranslatedforhim.TheEnglishMinisterrefuted,withgreatforce,alltheargumentswhichBonapartehademployedagainstthepress.HealsoinformedtheFirstConsulthat,thoughaforeigner,itwascompetentinhimtoinstituteacomplaintinthecourtsoflaw;butthatinsuchcasehemustbecontenttoseeallthescandalousstatementsofwhichhecomplainedrepublishedinthereportofthetrial.Headvisedhimtotreatthelibelswithprofoundcontempt,anddoasheandothersdid,whoattachednottheslightestimportancetothem.Icongratulatemyselfonhavinginsomedegreepreventedatrialtakingplaceatthattime.
Thingsremainedinthisstateforthemoment;butafterthepeaceofAmienstheFirstConsulprosecutedPettier,whosejournalwasalwaysfullofviolenceandbitternessagainsthim.PettierwasdefendedbythecelebratedMackintosh,who,accordingtotheaccountsofthetime,displayedgreateloquenceonthisoccasion,yet,inspiteoftheabilityofhiscounsel,hewasconvicted.Theverdict,whichpublicopinionconsideredinthelightofatriumphforthedefendant,wasnotfollowedupbyanyjudgment,inconsequenceoftheruptureofthepeaceoccurringsoonafter.ItismelancholytoreflectthatthisnervoussusceptibilitytothelibelsoftheEnglishpaperscontributedcertainlyasmuchas,andperhapsmorethan,theconsiderationofgreatpoliticalintereststotherenewalofhostilities.Thepublicwouldbeastonishedatagreatmanythingsiftheycouldonlylookunderthecards.
IhaveanticipatedtheruptureofthetreatyofAmiensthatImightnotinterruptwhatIhadtomentionrespectingBonaparte’shatredofthelibertyofthepress.Inowreturntotheendoftheyear1801,theperiodoftheexpeditionagainstSt.Domingo.
TheFirstConsul,afterdictatingtomeduringnearly:thewholeofonenightinstructionsforthatexpedition,sentforGeneralLeclerc,andsaidtohiminmypresence,\"Here,takeyourinstructions;youhaveafineopportunityforfillingyourpurse.Go,andnolongerteasemewithyoureternalrequestsformoney.\"ThefriendshipwhichBonapartefeltforhissisterPaulinehadagooddealofinfluenceininducinghimtotakethisliberalwayofenrichingherhusband.
TheexpeditionlefttheportsofFranceonthe14thofDecember1801,andarrivedoffCapeSt.Domingoonthe1stofFebruary1802.Thefatalresultoftheenterpriseiswellknown,butwearenevertobecuredofthefollyofsuchabsurdexpeditions.IntheinstructionsgiventoLeclerceverythingwasforeseen;butitwaspainfultoknowthatthechoiceofoneoftheyoungestandleastcapableofallthegeneralsofthearmyleftnohopeofasuccessfulresult.TheexpeditiontoSt.
DomingowasoneofBonaparte’sgreaterrors.Almosteverypersonwhomheconsultedendeavouredtodissuadehimfromit.HeattemptedajustificationthroughthemediumofhishistoriansofSt.Helena;butdoeshesucceedwhenhesays,\"thathewasobligedtoyieldtotheadviceofhisCouncilofState?\"He,truly,wasalikelymantosubmitaquestionofwartothediscussionoftheCouncilofState,ortobeguidedinsuchanaffairbyanyCouncil!WemustbelievethatnoothermotiveinfluencedtheFirstConsulbutthewish,bygivinghimthemeansofenrichinghimself,togetridofabrother—in—lawwhohadthegiftofspeciallyannoyinghim.TheFirstConsul,whodidnotreallymuchlikethisexpedition,shouldhaveperhapsreflectedlongeronthedifficultiesofattemptingtosubduethecolonybyforce.Hewasshakenbythisargument,whichIoftenrepeatedtohim,andheagreedwithit,buttheinconceivableinfluencewhichthemembersofhisfamilyexercisedonhimalwaysovercamehim.
BonapartedictatedtomealetterforToussaint,fullofsoundingwordsandfinepromises,informinghimthathistwochildren,whohadbeeneducatedinParis,weresentbacktohim,offeringhimthetitleofvice—
governor,andstatingthatheoughtreadilytoassistinanarrangementwhichwouldcontributetoreconnectthecolonywiththemother—country.
Toussaint,whohadatfirstshownadispositiontoclosewiththebargain,yetfeelingafraidofbeingdeceivedbytheFrench,andprobablyinducedbyambitiousmotives,resolvedonwar.Hedisplayedagreatdealoftalent;but,beingattackedbeforetheclimatehadthinnedtheFrenchranks,hewasunabletoopposeafresharmy,numerousandinuredtowar.
Hecapitulated,andretiredtoaplantation,whichhewasnottoleavewithoutLeclerc’spermission.AfeignedconspiracyonthepartoftheblacksformedapretenceforaccusingToussaint,andhewasseizedandsenttoFrance.
ToussaintwasbroughttoPainsinthebeginningofAugust.Hewassent,inthefirstinstance,totheTemple,whencehewasremovedtotheChateaudeJoux.Hisimprisonmentwasrigorous;fewcomfortswereallowedhim.Thistreatment,hisrecollectionofthepast,hisseparationfromtheworld,andtheeffectsofastrangeclimate,acceleratedhisdeath,whichtookplaceafewmonthsafterhisarrivalinFrance.Thereportswhichspreadconcerninghisdeath,theassertionthatitwasnotanaturalone,andthatithadbeencausedbypoison,obtainednocredit.IshouldaddthatToussaintwrotealettertoBonaparte;butIneversawinittheexpressionattributedtohim,\"Thefirstmanoftheblackstothefirstmanofthewhites\"Bonaparteacknowledgedthattheblackleaderpossessedenergy,courage,andgreatskill.IamsurethathewouldhaverejoicediftheresultofhisrelationswithSt.DomingohadbeensomethingelsethanthekidnapingandtransportationofToussaint.
Leclerc,afterfruitlesseffortstoconquerthecolony,washimselfcarriedoffbytheyellowfever.Rochambeausucceededhimbyrightofseniority,andwasasunsuccessfulasMenouhadbeeninEgypt.Thesubmissionoftheblacks,whichcouldonlyhavebeenobtainedbyconciliation,heendeavouredtocompelbyviolence.Atlast,inDecember1803,hesurrenderedtoanEnglishsquadron,andabandonedtheislandtoDessalines.
Bonaparteoftenexperiencedseverebodilypain,andIhavenowlittledoubt,fromthenatureofhissufferings,thattheywereoccasionedbythecommencementofthatmaladywhichterminatedhislifeatSt.Helena.
Thesepains,ofwhichhefrequentlycomplained,affectedhimmostacutelyonthenightwhenhedictatedtometheinstructionsforGeneralLeclerc.
ItwasverylatewhenIconductedhimtohisapartment.Wehadjustbeentakingacupofchocolate,abeverageofwhichwealwayspartookwhenourbusinesslastedlongerthanoneo’clockinthemorning.Henevertookalightwithhimwhenhewentuptohisbedroom.Igavehimmyarm,andwehadscarcelygotbeyondthelittlestaircasewhichleadstothecorridor,whenhewasrudelyrunagainstbyamanwhowasendeavouringtoescapeasquicklyaspossiblebythestaircase.TheFirstConsuldidnotfallbecauseIsupportedhim.Wesoongainedhischamber,wherewe,foundJosephine,who,havingheardthenoise,awokegreatlyalarmed.Fromtheinvestigationswhichwereimmediatelymadeitappearedthattheuproarwasoccasionedbyafellowwhohadbeenkeepinganassignationandhadexceededtheusualhourforhisdeparture.
Onthe7thofJanuary1802MademoiselleHortensewasmarriedtoLouisBonaparte.Asthecustomwasnotyetresumedofaddingthereligiousceremonytothecivilcontract,thenuptialbenedictionwasonthisoccasionprivatelygivenbyapriestatthehouseRuedelaVictoire.
BonapartealsocausedthemarriageofhissisterCaroline,——[ThewifeofMurat,andthecleverestofBonaparte’ssisters.]——whichhadtakenplacetwoyearsearlierbeforeamayor,tobeconsecratedinthesamemanner;
butheandhiswifedidnotfollowtheexample.Hadhealready,then,anideaofseparatingfromJosephine,andthereforeanunwillingnesstorenderadivorcemoredifficultbygivinghismarriageareligioussanction?Iamratherinclinedtothink,fromwhathesaidtome,thathisneglectingtotakeapartinthereligiousceremonyarosefromindifference.
BonapartesaidatSt.Helena,speakingofLouisandHortense,that\"theylovedeachotherwhentheymarried:theydesiredtobeunited.ThemarriagewasalsotheresultofJosephine’sintrigues,whofoundheraccountinit.\"Iwillstatetherealfacts.LouisandHortensedidnotloveoneanotheratall.Thatiscertain.TheFirstConsulknewit,justashewellknewthatHortensehadagreatinclinationforDuroc,whodidnotfullyreturnit.TheFirstConsulagreedtotheirunion,butJosephinewastroubledbysuchamarriage,anddidallshecouldtopreventit.Sheoftenspoketomeaboutit,butratherlateintheday.
Shetoldmethatherbrothers—inlawwereherdeclaredenemies,thatI
wellknewtheirintrigues,andthatIwellknewtherewasnoendtotheannoyancestheymadeherundergo.Infact,Ididknowallthisperfectly.Shekeptonrepeatingtomethatwiththisprojectedmarriageshewouldnothaveanysupport;thatDurocwasnothingexceptbythefavourofBonaparte;thathehadneitherfortune,fame,norreputation,andthathecouldbenohelptoheragainstthewell—knownill—willofthebrothersofBonaparte.Shewantedsomeassuranceforthefuture.
SheaddedthatherhusbandwasveryfondofLouis,andthatifshehadthegoodfortunetounitehimtoherdaughterthiswouldbeacounterpoisetothecalumniesandpersecutionsofherotherbrothers—in—
law.Iansweredherthatshehadconcealedherintentionstoolongfromme,andthatIhadpromisedmyservicestotheyoungpeople,andthemorewillinglyasIknewthefavourableopinionoftheFirstConsul,whohadoftensaidtome,\"Mywifehasdonewell;theysuitoneanother,theyshallmarryoneanother.IlikeDuroc;heisofgoodfamily.IhaverightlygivenCarolinetoMurat,andPaulinetoLeclerc,andIcanwellgiveHortensetoDuroc,whoisafinefellow.Heisworthmorethantheothers.Heisnowgeneralofadivisionthereisnothingagainstthismarriage.Besides,IhaveotherplansforLouis.\"InspeakingtoMadameBonaparteIaddedthatherdaughterburstintotearswhenspokentoabouthermarriagewithLouis.
TheFirstConsulhadsentabrevetofgeneralofdivisiontoDurocbyaspecialcourier,whowenttoHolland,throughwhichthenewly—madegeneralhadtopassonhisreturnfromSt.Petersburg,where,asIhavealreadysaid,hehadbeensenttocomplimenttheEmperorAlexanderonhisaccessiontothethrone.TheFirstConsulprobablypaidthiscomplimenttoDurocinthebeliefthatthemarriagewouldtakeplace.
DuringDuroc’sabsencethecorrespondenceoftheloverspassed,bytheirconsent,throughmyhands.EverynightIusedtomakeoneinapartyatbilliards,atwhichHortenseplayedverywell.WhenItoldher,inawhisper,thatIhadgotaletterforher,shewouldimmediatelyleaveoffplayingandruntoherchamber,whereIfollowedandgaveherDuroc’sepistle.Whensheopenedithereyeswouldfillwithtears,anditwassometimebeforeshecouldreturntothesalon.Allwasuselessforher.
Josephinerequiredasupportinthefamilyagainstthefamily.Seeingherfirmresolution,Ipromisedtonolongeropposeherwishes,whichI
couldnotdisapprove,butItoldherIcouldonlymaintainsilenceandneutralityintheselittledebates,andsheseemedsatisfied.
WhenwewereatMalmaisonthoseintriguescontinued.AttheTuileriesthesameconductwaspursued,butthentheprobabilityofsuccesswasonDuroc’sside;Ievencongratulatedhimonhisprospects,buthereceivedmycomplimentsinaverycoldmanner.InafewdaysafterJosephinesucceededinchangingthewholefaceofaffairs.HerheartwasentirelysetonthemarriageofLouiswithherdaughter;andprayers,entreaties,caresses,andallthoselittleartswhichshesowellknewhowtouse,wereemployedtowintheFirstConsultoherpurpose.
Onthe4thofJanuarytheFirstConsul,afterdinner,enteredourcabinet,whereIwasemployed.\"WhereisDuroc?\"heinquired.——\"Hehasgonetotheopera,Ibelieve.\"——\"Tellhim,assoonashereturns,thatI
havepromisedHortensetohim,andheshallhaveher.ButIwishthemarriagetotakeplaceintwodaysatthelatest.Iwillgivehim500,000francs,andnamehimcommandantoftheeighthmilitarydivision;
buthemustsetoutthedayafterhismarriagewithhiswifeforToulon.
Wemustliveapart;Iwantnoson—in—lawathome.AsIwishtocometosomeconclusion,letmeknowto—nightwhetherthisplanwillsatisfyhim.\"——\"Ithinkitwillnot.\"——\"Verywell!thensheshallmarryLouis.\"
——\"Willshelikethat?\"——\"Shemustlikeit.\"Bonapartegavemethesedirectionsinaveryabruptmanner,whichmademethinkthatsomelittledomesticwarfarehadbeenraging,andthattoputanendtoithehadcometoproposehisultimatum.Athalf—pasttenintheeveningDurocreturned;Ireportedtohim,wordforword,thepropositionoftheFirstConsul.\"Sinceithascometothat,mygoodfriend,\"saidhe,\"tellhimhemaykeephisdaughterforme.Iamgoingtoseethe—————,\"and,withanindifferenceforwhichIcannotaccount,hetookhishatandwentoff.
——[DuroceventuallymarriedaMademoiselleHervaed’Almenara,thedaughterofaSpanishbanker,whowaslaterMinisterofJoseph,andwascreatedMarquisofAbruenara.Theladywasneitherhandsomenoramiable,butshepossessedavastfortune,andBonapartehimselfsolicitedherhandforhisaidedecamp.AfterthedeathofDurochiswidowmarriedaM.Fabvier,andNapoleongavehisDuchyofFrioultohisdaughter.]——
The,FirstConsul,beforegoingtobed,wasinformedofDuroc’sreply,andJosephinereceivedfromhimthepromisethatLouisandHortenseshouldbemarried.Themarriagetookplaceafewdaysafter,tothegreatregretofHortense,andprobablytothesatisfactionofDuroc.
Louissubmittedtohaveforcedonhimasawifeawomanwhohadhithertoavoidedhimasmuchaspossible.Shealwaysmanifestedasmuchindifferenceforhimashedisplayedrepugnanceforher,andthosesentimentshavenotbeeneffaced.
——[ThemarriageofLouisBonapartetookplaceonthe7thJanuary.
Thebrideandbridegroomwereexceedinglydull,andMademoiselleHortenseweptdaringthewholeoftheceremony.Josephine,knowingthatthisunion,whichcommencedsoinauspiciously,washerownwork,anxiouslyendeavouredtoestablishamorecordialfeelingbetweenherdaughterandson—in—law.Butallhereffortswerevain,andthemarriageprovedaveryunhappyone(MemoirsdeConstant).
NapoleonIII.wasthesonoftheQueenofHolland(HortenseBeauharnais).]——
NapoleonsaidatSt.HelenathathewishedtouniteLouiswithanieceofTalleyrand.IcanonlysaythatIneverheardawordofthisniece,eitherfromhimself,hiswife,orhisdaughter;andIratherthinkthatatthattimetheFirstConsulwaslookingafteraroyalallianceforLouis.Heoftenexpressedregretattheprecipitatemarriagesofhissisters.ItshouldberecollectedthatwewerenowintheyearwhichsawtheConsulshipforlifeestablished,andwhich,consequently,gavepresageoftheEmpire.Napoleonsaidtrulytothecompanionsofhisexilethat\"Louis’marriagewastheresultofJosephine’sintrigues,\"butIcannotunderstandhowhenevermentionedtheintentionheoncehadofunitingHortensetoDuroc.IthasbeenerroneouslystatedthattheFirstConsulbelievedthathereconciledthehappinessofhisdaughterwithhispolicy.HortensedidnotloveLouis,anddreadedthismarriage.Therewasnohopeofhappinessforher,andtheeventhasprovedthis.AsforthepolicyoftheFirstConsul,itisnoteasytoseehowitwasconcernedwiththemarriageofLouistoHortense,andinanycasethegrandpolicywhichprofessedsoloudlytobefreefromallfeminineinfluenceswouldhavebeenpowerlessagainsttheintriguesofJosephine,foratthistimeattheTuileriestheboudoirwasoftenstrongerthanthecabinet.HereIamhappytohaveitinmypowertocontradictmostformallyandmostpositivelycertaininfamousinsinuationswhichhaveprevailedrespectingBonaparteandHortense.ThosewhohaveassertedthatBonaparteeverentertainedtowardsHortenseanyothersentimentsthanthoseofafather—in—lawforadaughter—in—lawhave,astheancientknightsusedtosay,\"liedintheirthroats.\"Weshallseefartheronwhathesaidtomeonthissubject,butitisnevertoosoontodestroysuchabasecalumny.Authorsunworthyofbeliefhavestated,withoutanyproof,thatnotonlywastherethiscriminalliaison,buttheyhavegonesofarastosaythatBonapartewasthefatheroftheeldestsonofHortense.Itisalie,avilelie.AndyettherumourhasspreadthroughallFranceandallEurope.Alas!hascalumnysuchpowerfulcharmsthat,oncetheyaresubmittedto,theiryokecannotbebroken?
——[Bourrienne’saccountofthismarriage,andhisdenialofthevilecalumnyaboutNapoleon,iscorroboratedbyMadameRemusat.AftersayingthatHortensehadrefusedtomarrythesonofRewbellandalsotheComtedeNun,shegoeson:\"AshorttimeafterwardsDuroc,thenaidedecamptotheConsul,andalreadynotedbyhim,fellinlovewithHortense.Shereturnedthefeeling,andbelievedshehadfoundthatotherhalfofherselfwhichshesought.Bonapartelookedfavourablyontheirunion,butMadameBonaparteinherturnwasinflexible.’Mydaughter,’saidshe,’mustmarrysgentlemanoraBonaparte.’Louiswasthenthoughtof.HehadnofancyforHortense;defeatedtheBeauharnaisfamily,andhadasupremecontemptforhissister—in—law.Butashewassilent,hewasbelievedtobegentle;andashewasseverebycharacter,hewasbelievedtobeupright.MadameLouistoldmeafterwardsthatatthenewsofthisarrangementsheexperiencedviolentgrief.Notonlywassheforbiddentothinkofthemansheloved,butshewasabouttobegiventoanotherofwhomshehadasecretdistrust\"(Remusat,tomei.p.l56).ForthecrueltreatmentofHortensebyLouisseethesucceedingpagesofRemusat.AsforthevilescandalaboutHortenseandNapoleon,thereislittledoubtthatitwasspreadbytheBonapartistfamilyforinterestedmotives.MadameLouisbecameenceintesoonafterhermarriage.TheBonapartists,andespeciallyMadameMurat(Caroline);haddislikedthismarriagebecauseJosephhavingonlydaughters,itwasforseenthatthefirstsonofLouisandthegrandsonofMadameBonapartewouldbetheobjectofgreatinterest.TheythereforespreadtherevoltingstorythatthiswastheresultofaconnectionoftheFirstConsulwithhisdaughter—in—
law,encouragedbythemotherherself.’Thepublicwillinglybelievedthissuspicion.’MadameMurattoldLouis,\"etc.(Remusat,tomei,p.169).ThislastsentenceiscorroboratedbyMiotdeMelito(tomeii.p.170),who,speakingofthelaterproposalofNapoleontoadoptthischild,saysthatLouis\"rememberedthedamagingstorieswhichill—willhadtriedtospreadamongthepublicconcerningHortenseBeauharnaisbeforebemarriedher,andalthoughacomparisonofthedateofhismarriagewiththatofthebirthofhissonmusthaveshownhimthatthesetaleswereunfounded,hefeltthattheyworldberevivedbytheadoptionofthischildbytheFirstConsul.\"Thusthiswretchedstorydidharmineveryway.
TheconductofJosephinemastbejudgedwithleniency,engagedasshewasinadesperatestraggletomaintainherownmarriage,——astruggleshekeptupwithgreatskill;seeMetternich,tomeii.p.
296.\"shebaffledallthecalculations,allthemanoeuvresofheradversaries.\"ButshewasfoolishenoughtotalkinherangerasifshebelievedsomeofthedisgracefulrumoursofNapoleon.\"Hadhenotseducedhissisters,oneaftertheother?\"(Remusat,tomei.p.
204).AstohowfarthisscandalwasreallybelievedbythebrothersofNapoleon,seeIung’sLucien(tomeii.pp.268—269),whereLuciendescribesLouisascomingthreetimestohimforadviceastohismarriagewithHortense,bothbrothersreferringtothisrumour.ThethirdtimeLouisannouncesheisinlovewithHortense.
\"Youareinlove?Whythedevil,then,doyoucometomeforadvice?Ifso,forgetwhathasbeenrumoured,andwhatIhaveadvisedyou.Marry,andmayGodblessyou.\"
Thiers(tomeiii.p.308)followsBourrienne’saccount.Josephine,alludingtoLouisBonaparte,said,\"Hisfamilyhavemaliciouslyinformedhimofthedisgracefulstorieswhichhavebeenspreadontheconductofmydaughterandonthebirthofherson.HateassignsthischildtoNapoleon.\"(Remusat,tomei,p.206).ThechildinquestionwasNapoleonCharles(1802—1807).
CHAPTERVIII.
1802—1803.
BonapartePresidentoftheCisalpineRepublic——MeetingofthedeputationatLyons——MaltaandtheEnglish——Myimmortality——FetegivenbyMadameMurat——Erasuresfromtheemigrantlist——Restitutionofproperty——GeneralSebastiani——LordWhitworth——Napoleon’sfirstsymptomsofdisease——Corvisart——InfluenceofphysicalsufferingonNapoleon’stemper——ArticlesfortheMoniteur——GeneralAndreossi——
M.Talleyrand’spun——JeromeBonaparte—ExtravaganceofBonaparte’sbrothers——M.Collotandthenavycontract.
BonapartewasanxioustoplacetheCisalpineRepubliconafootingofharmonywiththeGovernmentofFrance.ItwasnecessarytoselectaPresidentwhoshouldperfectlyagreewithBonaparte’sviews;andinthisrespectnoonecouldbesosuitableasBonapartehimself.ThetwoPresidenciesunitedwouldserveasatransitiontothethrone.NotwishingtobelongabsentfromParis,andanxioustoavoidthetroubleofthejourneytoMilan,hearrangedtomeetthedeputationhalf—wayatLyons.BeforeourdepartureIsaidtohim,\"IsitpossiblethatyoudonotwishtorevisitItaly,thefirstsceneofyourglory,andthebeautifulcapitalofLombardy,whereyouweretheobjectofsomuchhomage?\"——\"Icertainlyshould,\"repliedtheFirstConsul,\"butthejourneytoMilanwouldoccupytoomuchprecioustime.IpreferthatthemeetingshouldtakeplaceinFrance.MyinfluenceoverthedeputieswillbemorepromptandcertainatLyonsthanatMilan;andthenIshouldbegladtoseethenoblewreckofthearmyofEgypt,whichiscollectedatLyons.\"
Onthe8thofJanuary1802wesetout.BonapartewhowasnowreadytoascendthethroneofFrance,wishedtopreparetheItaliansforonedaycrowninghimKingofItaly,inimitationofCharlemagne,ofwhominanticipationheconsideredhimselfthesuccessor.HesawthatthetitleofPresidentoftheCisalpineRepublicwasagreatadvancetowardsthesovereigntyofLombardy,asheafterwardsfoundthattheConsulateforlifewasadecisivesteptowardsthethroneofFrance.HeobtainedthetitleofPresidentwithoutmuchdifficultyonthe36thofJanuary1802.
ThejourneytoLyonsandtheconferenceswereonlymattersofform;buthighsoundingwordsandsolemnproceedingswererequiredforthepublicmind.
TheattemptswhichhadbeenmadeonthelifeoftheFirstConsulgaverisetoareportthatbetookextraordinaryprecautionsforhissafetyduringthisjourneytoLyons.Ineversawthoseprecautions,andBonapartewasatalltimesaversetoadoptany.Heoftenrepeated\"Thatwhoeverwouldriskhisownlifemighttakehis.\"Itisnottruethatguardsprecededhiscarriageandwatchedtheroads.TheConsultravelledlikeaprivateperson,andveryrarelyhadarmsinhiscarriage.
——[Bonapartemayhavebeencarelessofhisownsafety,butthathetookgreatpainsinregardtohisbrother’smaybeinferredfromthefollowingletter,writtenafewyearslater:
\"Takecarethatyourvaletsdechambre,yourcooks,theguardsthatsleepinyourapartments,andthosewhocomeduringthenighttoawakenyouwithdespatches,areallFrenchmen.Nooneshouldenteryourroomduringthenightexceptyouraidesdecamp,whoshouldsleepinthechamberthatprecedesyourbedroom.Yourdoorshouldbefastenedinside,andyououghtnottoopenit,eventoyouraidedecamp,untilyouhaverecognisedhisvoice;hehimselfshouldnotknockatyourdooruntilhehaslockedthatoftheroomwhichheisin,tomakesureofbeingalone,andofbeingfollowedbynoone.
Theseprecautionsareimportant;theygivenotrouble,andtheyinspireconfidence——besides,theymayreallysaveyourlife.Youshouldestablishthesehabitsimmediatelyendpermanently;Yououghtnottobeobligedtohaveresourcetothemonsomeemergency,whichwouldhurtthefeelingsofthosearoundyou.Donottrustonlytoyourownexperience.TheNeapolitancharacterhasbeenviolentineveryage,andyouhavetodowithawoman[QueenofNaples]whoistheimpersonationofcrime\"(NapoleontoJoseph,May31,1806.——DuCasse,tomeii.p.260).]——
Atthistime,whentheambitionofBonaparteeverydaytookafartherflight,GeneralClarketookitintohisheadtogointotheboxoftheFirstConsulatthe\"Francais,\"andtoplacehimselfinthefrontseat.
BychancetheFirstConsulcametothetheatre,butClarke,hardlyrising,didnotgiveuphisplace.TheFirstConsulonlystayedashorttime,andwhenhecamebackheshowedgreatdiscontentatthisaffectationofprideandofvanity.Wishingtogetridofamanwhomhelookedonasablunderingflattererandaclumsycritic,hesenthimawayascharged’affairestotheyoungextemporizedKingofEtruria,whereClarkeexpiatedhisfollyinasortofexile.Thisisallthe\"greatdisfavour\"whichhasbeensomuchspokenabout,IntheendGeneralClarkereturnedtofavour.Berlinknowsandregretsit.
Onthe25thofMarchofthesameyearEnglandsigned,atAmiens,asuspensionofarmsforfourteenmonths,whichwascalledatreatyofpeace.Theclausesofthistreatywerenotcalculatedtoinspirethehopeofaverylongpeace.Itwasevident,asIhavealreadysaid,thatEnglandwouldnotevacuateMalta;andthatislandultimatelyprovedthechiefcauseoftheruptureofthetreatyofAmiens.ButEngland,heretoforesohaughtyinherbearingtotheFirstConsul,hadatlengthtreatedwithhimastheHeadoftheFrenchGovernment.This,asBonapartewasaware,bodedwellfortheconsolidationofhispower.
Atthattime,whenhesawhisgloryandpoweraugmenting,hesaidtomeinoneofourwalksatMalmaison,inamomentofhilarity,andclappingmeontheshoulder,\"Well,Bourrienne,youalsowillbeimmortal!\"——
\"why,General?\"——\"Areyounotmysecretary?\"——\"TellmethenameofAlexander’s,\"saidI.
——[BonapartedidnotknowthenameofAlexander’ssecretary,andI
forgotatthemomenttotellhimitwasClallisthenes.HewroteAlexander’sMemoirs,asIamwritingBonaparte’s;but,notwithstandingthiscoincidence,Ineitherexpectnordesiretheimmortalityofmyname.——Bourrienne.]——
Bonapartethenturnedtomeandlaughing,said,\"Hem!thatisnotbad.\"
Therewas,tobesure,alittleflatteryconveyedinmyquestion,butthatneverdispleasedhim,andIcertainlydidnotinthatinstancedeservethecensureheoftenbestowedonmefornotbeingenoughofacourtierandflatterer.
MadameMuratgaveagrandfeteinhonourofBonaparteatherresidenceatNeuilly.AtdinnerBonapartesatoppositeMadameMuratattheprincipaltable,whichwasappropriatedtotheladies.Heatefast,andtalkedbutlittle.However,whenthedessertwasserved,heputaquestiontoeachlady.Thisquestionwastoinquiretheirrespectiveages.WhenMadameBourrienne’sturncamehesaidtoher,\"Oh!Iknowyours.\"Thiswasagreatdealforhisgallantry,andtheotherladieswerefarfrombeingpleasedatit.
Nextday,whilewalkingwithmeinhisfavouritealleyatMalmaison,hereceivedoneofthosestupidreportsofthepolicewhichweresofrequentlyaddressedtohim.ItmentionedtheobservationswhichhadbeenmadeinParisaboutagreenliveryhehadlatelyadopted.SomesaidthatgreenhadbeenchosenbecauseitwasthecolouroftheHouseofArtois.Onreadingthataslightsneerwasobservableinhiscountenance,andhesaid,\"Whataretheseidiotsdreamingof?Theymustbejoking,surely.AmInobetterthanM.d’Artois?Theyshallsoonseethedifference.\"
Untilthemiddleoftheyear1801theerasuresfromtheemigrantlisthadalwaysbeenproposedbytheMinisterofPolice.TheFirstConsulhavingbeeninformedthatintrigueandevenbriberyhadbeenemployedtoobtainthem,determinedthatinfutureerasuresshouldbepartofthebusinessofhiscabinet.Butotheraffairstookuphisattention,andadozenorfifteenerasuresaweekwerethemostthatweremade.AfterTeDeumhadbeenchantedatMalmaisonfortheConcordatandthepeace,ItookadvantageofthatmomentofgeneraljoytoproposetoBonapartethereturnofthewholebodyofemigrants.\"Youhave,\"saidIinahalf—
jokingway,\"reconciledFrenchmentoGod——nowreconcilethemtoeachother.Therehaveneverbeenanyrealemigrants,onlyabsentees;andtheproofofthisis,thaterasuresfromthelisthavealwaysbeen,andwillalwaysbe,madedaily.\"Heimmediatelyseizedtheidea.\"Weshallsee,\"
saidhe;\"butImustexceptathousandpersonsbelongingtohighfamilies,especiallythosewhoareorhavebeenconnectedwithroyaltyortheCourt.\"
IsaidintheChamberofDeputies,andIfeelpleasureinrepeatinghere,thattheplanofthe’Senatus—consults’,whichBonapartedictatedtome,exceptedfromrestitutiononlysuchmansionsaswereusedforpublicestablishments.Thesehewouldneithersurrendernorpayrentfor.WiththoseexceptionshewaswillingtorestorealmostallthatwaspossessedbytheStateandhadnotbeensold.
TheFirstConsul,assoonashehadfinishedthisplanofadecree,convokedaGrandCounciltosubmitittotheirconsideration.Iwasinanadjoiningroomtothatinwhichtheymet,andasthedeliberationswerecarriedonwithgreatwarmth,thememberstalkingveryloudly,sometimesevenvociferating,Iheardallthatpassed.Therevolutionarypartyrejectedallpropositionsofrestitution.Theywerewillingtocallbacktheirvictims,buttheywouldnotpartwiththespoil.
WhentheFirstConsulreturnedtohiscabinet,dissatisfiedwiththeillsuccessofhisproject,Itookthelibertyofsayingtohim,\"youcannotbutperceive,General,thatyourobjecthasbeendefeated,andyourprojectunsuccessful.TherefusaltorestoretotheemigrantsallthattheStatepossessestakesfromtherecallallitsgenerosityanddignityofcharacter.Iwonderhowyoucouldyieldtosuchanunreasonableandselfishopposition.\"——\"Therevolutionaryparty,\"repliedhe,\"hadthemajorityintheCouncil.WhatcouldIdo?AmIstrongenoughtoovercomeallthoseobstacles?\"——\"General,youcanrevivethequestionagain,andopposethepartyyouspeakof.\"——\"Thatwouldbedifficult,\"hesaid;\"theystillhaveahighhandinthesematters.Timeisrequired.
However,nothingisdefinitivelyarranged.Weshallseewhatcanbedone.\"The’Senatus—consulte’,publishedonthe6thFloreal,yearX.
(26thofApril1802),afortnightaftertheaboveconversationtookplace,iswellknown.Bonapartewasthenobligedtoyieldtotherevolutionaryparty,orhewouldhaveadheredtohisfirstproposition.
——[TheSenatus—consulteretainedthewoodsandforestsoftheemigrants,andmadetheirrecallan\"amnesty.\"IntheendthisretentionoftheforestswasusedbyNapoleonwithgreatdexterityasameansofplacingthemunderpersonalobligationtohimforrestoringthisspeciesofproperty.SeeThierstomeiii,p.458,livrexiv.]——
NapoleonreferredtothismatteratSt.Helena.Hehimselfsaysthathe\"wouldhavebeenable\"(heshouldhavesaidthathewished)togranteverything,thatforamomenthethoughtofdoingso,andthatitwasamistakenottodoso.\"Thislimitationonmypart,\"headds,\"destroyedallthegoodeffectofthereturnoftheemigrants.ThemistakewasthegreatersinceIthoughtofdoingit,butIwasalone,surroundedbyoppositionsandbyspies:allwereagainstyourparty,youcannoteasilypicturethemattertoyourself,butimportantaffairshurriedme,timepressed,andIwasobligedtoactdifferently.\"Afterwardshespeaksofasyndicatehewishedtoform,butIhaveneverheardawordofthat.I
havesaidhowthingsreallyhappened,andwhathasbeenjustreadconfirmsthis.
——[ThiswasbynomeanstheonlytimethatNapoleon’swisheswereopposedsuccessfullyinhisCouncilofState.Onsuchoccasionsheusedtodescribehimselfas\"repulsedwithlosses.\"SeetheinterestingworkofSt.Hilaire,NapoleonauConseild’Etat.]——
TheRoyalists,dissatisfiedwiththestateofpoliticalaffairs,werenotbetterpleasedwiththeilliberalconditionsoftherecalloftheemigrants.Thefriendsofpublicliberty,ontheotherhand,werefarfrombeingsatisfiedwiththeotheractsoftheFirstConsul,orwiththeconductofthedifferentpublicauthorities,whowerealwaysreadytomakeconcessionstohim.Thusallpartiesweredissatisfied.
BonapartewasmuchpleasedwithGeneralSebastiani’sconductwhenhewassenttoConstantinople,afterthepeaceofAmiens,toinducetheGrandSeigniortorenewamicablerelationswithFrance.
Attheperiodherealludedto,namely,beforethenewsoftheevacuationofEgypt,thatcountrygreatlyoccupiedBonaparte’sattention.HethoughtthattosendamanlikeSebastianitravellingthroughNorthernAfrica,Egypt,andSyriamightinspirethesovereignsofthosecountrieswithamorefavourableideaofFrancethantheynowentertained,andmightremovetheillimpressionswhichEnglandwasendeavouringtoproduce.OnthismissionSebastianiwasaccordinglydespatched.HevisitedalltheBarbaryStates,Egypt,Palestine,andtheIonianIsles.
Everywherehedrewahighly—colouredpictureofthepowerofBonaparte,anddepreciatedthegloryofEngland.
——[ThisGeneral,orCountSebastian,wasafterwardsambassadorforLouisPhilippeatourCourt.]——
Hestrengthenedoldconnections,andcontractednewoneswiththechiefsofeachcountry.HedeclaredtotheauthoritiesoftheIonianIslesthattheymightrelyonthepowerfulprotectionofFrance.Bonaparte,inmyopinion,expectedtoomuchfromthelaboursofasingleindividualfurnishedwithbutvagueinstructions.StillSebastianididallthatcouldbedone.Theinterestingdetailsofhisproceedingswerepublishedinthe’Moniteur’.ThesecretinformationrespectingthemeansofsuccessfullyattackingtheEnglishestablishmentsinIndiawasverycurious,thoughnotaffordingthehopeofspeedysuccess.
ThepublishedabstractofGeneralSebastiani’sreportwasfullofexpressionshostiletoEngland.AmongotherthingsitwasstatedthatEgyptmightbeconqueredwith6000men,andthattheIonianIsleswheredisposedtothrowofftheyoke.TherecanbelittledoubtthatthispublicationhastenedtheruptureofthetreatyofAmiens.
EnglandsuspendedalldiscussionsrespectingMalta,anddeclaredthatshewouldnotresumethemtilltheKingofGreatBritainshouldreceivesatisfactionforwhatwascalledanactofhostility.Thiswasalwaysputforwardasajustification,goodorbad,forbreakingthetreatyofAmiens,whichEnglandhadnevershownherselfveryreadytoexecute.
Bonaparte,waivingtheusualformaofetiquette,expressedhiswishtohaveaprivateconferencewithLordWhitworth,theambassadorfromLondontoParis,andwhohadbeentheEnglishambassadoratSt.PetersburgprevioustotherupturewhichprecededthedeathofPaulI.Bonapartecountedmuchontheeffecthemightproducebythatcaptivatingmannerwhichhesowellknewhowtoassumeinconversation;butallwasinvain.