ThefactthatCardinalFeschmaintainedthatthereligiousritehadbeendulyperformed,thirteenoftheCardinals(not,howeverincludingFesch)weresoconvincedofthelegalityofthemarriagethattheyrefusedtoappearattheceremonyofmarriagewithMarieLouise,thusdrawingdownthewrathoftheEmperor,andbecomingthe\"CardinalsNoirs,\"frombeingforbidden;toweartheirownrobes,seemstoleavenodoubtthatthereligiousritehadbeenperformed.
Themarriagewasonlypronouncedtobeinvalidin1809bythelocalcanonicalbodies,notbytheauthorityofthepope.]——
ItcannotbeexpectedthatIshouldenterintoadetailoftheceremonywhichtookplaceonthe2dofDecember.Theglitterofgold,thewavingplumes,andrichly—caparisonedhorsesoftheImperialprocession;themulewhichprecededthePope’scortege,andoccasionedsomuchmerriment.
totheParisians,havealreadybeendescribedoverandoveragain.
Imay,however,relateananecdoteconnectedwiththeCoronation,toldmebyJosephine,andwhichisexceedinglycharacteristicofNapoleon.
WhenBonapartewaspayinghisaddressestoMadamedeBEAUHARNAIS,neithertheonenortheotherkeptacarriage;andthereforeBonapartefrequentlyaccompaniedherwhenshewalkedout.OnedaytheywenttogethertothenotaryRaguideau,oneoftheshortestmenIthinkIeversawinmylife,MadamedeBeauharnaisplacedgreatconfidence,inhim,andwentthereonpurposetoacquainthimofherintentiontomarrytheyounggeneralofartillery,——theprotegeofBarras.Josephinewentaloneinto,thenotary’scabinet,whileBonapartewaitedforherinanadjoiningroom.
ThedoorofRaguideau’scabinetdidnotshutclose,andBonaparteplainlyheardhimdissuadingMadamedeBeauharnaisfromherprojectedmarriage.
\"Youaregoingtotakeaverywrongstep,\"saidhe,\"andyouwillbesorryforit,Canyoubesomadastomarryayoungmanwhohasnothingbuthiscloakandhissword?\"Bonaparte,Josephinetoldme,hadnevermentionedthistoher,andsheneversupposedthathehadheardwhatfellfromRaguideau.\"Onlythink,Bourrienne,\"continuedshe,\"whatwasmyastonishmentwhen,dressedintheImperialrobesontheCoronationday,hedesiredthatRaguideaumightbesentfor,sayingthathewishedtoseehimimmediately;andwhenRaguidesuappeared;hesaidtohim,\"Well,sir!
haveInothingbutmycloakandmyswordnow?’\"
ThoughBonapartehadrelatedtomealmostallthecircumstancesofhislife,astheyoccurredtohismemory,heneveroncementionedthisaffairofRaguideau,whichheonlyseemedtohavesuddenlyrecollectedonhisCoronationday.
ThedayaftertheCoronationallthetroopsinPariswereassembledintheChampdeMarstheImperialeaglesmightbedistributedtoeachregiment,inlieuofthenationalflags.IhasstayedawayfromtheCoronationinthechurchofNotreDame,butIwishedtoseethemilitaryfeteintheChampdeMarsbecauseItookrealpleasureinseeingBonaparteamongsthissoldiers.AthronewaserectedinfrontoftheMilitarySchool,which,thoughnowtransformedintoabarrack,musthaverecalled,toBonaparte’smindsomesingularrecollectionsofhisboyhood.
Atagivensignalallthecolumnsclosedandapproachedthethrone.ThenBonaparte,rising,gaveordersforthedistributionoftheeagles,anddeliveredthefollowingaddresstothedeputationsofthedifferentcorpsofthearmy:
Soldiers,Soldiers!beholdyourcolours.Theseeagleswillalwaysbeyourrallying—point!TheywillalwaysbewhereyourEmperormaythankthemnecessaryforthedefenceofhisthroneandofhispeople.Sweartosacrificeyourlivestodefendthem,andbyyourcouragetokeepthemconstantlyinthepathofvictory.——Swear!\"
Itwouldbeimpossibletodescribetheacclamationswhichfollowedthisaddress;thereissomethingsoseductiveinpopularenthusiasmthatevenindifferentpersonscannothelpyieldingtoitsinfluence.AndyettheleastreflectionwouldhaveshownhowshamefullyNapoleonforsworethedeclarationhemadetotheSenate,whentheorganic’Senatus—consulte’
forthefoundationoftheEmpirewaspresentedtohimatSt:Cloud:Onthatoccasionhesaid;\"TheFrenchpeopleshallneverbeMYpeople!\"
AndyetthedayafterhisCoronationhiseagleswereto,becarriedwherevertheymightbenecessaryforthedefenceofhispeople.
Byasingularcoincidence,whileonthe2dofDecember1804BonapartewasreceivingfromtheheadoftheChurchtheImperialcrownofFrance,LouisXVIII.,whowasthenatColmar,promptedasitwerebyaninexplicablepresentiment,drewupandsignedadeclarationtotheFrenchpeople,inwhichhedeclaredthathethen,sworenevertobreakthesacredbondwhichunitedhisdestinytotheirs,nevertorenouncetheinheritanceofhisancestors,ortorelinquishhisrights.
CHAPTERXXX.
1805
MyappointmentasMinisterPlenipotentiaryatHamburg——MyinterviewwithBonaparteatMalmaison——Bonaparte’sdesignsrespectingItaly——
HiswishtorevisitBrienne——InstructionsformyresidenceinHamburg——RegenerationofEuropeansociety——Bonaparte’splanofmakinghimselftheoldestsovereigninEurope——AmedeeJaubert’smission——CommissionfromtheEmperortotheEmpress——MyconversationwithMadameBonaparte.
Imustnowmentionaneventwhichconcernsmyselfpersonally,namely,myappointmentasMinisterPlenipotentiary,totheDukesofBrunswickandMecklenburg—Schwerin,andtotheHansetowns.
Thisappointmenttookplaceonthe22dofMarch1806.Josephine,whohadkindlypromisedtoapprisemeofwhattheEmperorintendedtodoforme,assoonassheherselfshouldknowhisintentions,sentamessengertoacquaintmewithmyappointment,andtotellmethattheEmperorwishedtoseeme.IhadnotvisitedJosephinesinceherdepartureforBelgium.
ThepompaandceremoniesoftheCoronationhad,Imaysay,dazzledme,anddeterredmefrompresentingmyselfattheImperialPalace,whereI
shouldhavebeenannoyedbytheetiquettewhichhadbeenobservedsincetheCoronation.Icannotdescribewhatadisagreeableimpressionthisparadealwaysproducedonme.IcouldnotallatonceforgetthetimewhenIusedwithoutceremonytogointoBonaparte’schamberandwakehimattheappointedhour.AstoBonaparteIhadnotseenhimsincehesentformeafterthecondemnationofGeorges,whenIsawthatmycandourrelativetoMoreauwasnotdispleasingtohim.MoreauhadsincequittedFrancewithoutNapoleon’ssubjectinghimtotheapplicationoftheodiouslawwhichhasonlybeenrepealedsincethereturnoftheBourbons,andbyvirtueofwhichhewascondemnedtotheconfiscationofhisproperty.
MoreausoldhisestateofGrosBoistoBertliier,andproceededtoCadiz,whenceheembarkedforAmerica.IshallnotagainhaveoccasiontospeakofhimuntiltheperiodoftheintriguesintowhichhewasdrawnbythesameinfluencewhichruinedhiminFrance.
OntheeveningofthedaywhenIreceivedthekindmessagefromJosephineIhadanofficialinvitationtoproceedthenextdaytoMalmaison,wheretheEmperorthenwas.IwasmuchpleasedattheideaofseeinghimthereratherthanattheTuileries,orevenatSt.Cloud.OurformerintimacyatMalmaisonmademefeelmoreatmyeaserespectinganinterviewofwhichmyknowledgeofBonaparte’scharacterledmetoentertainsomeapprehension.WasItobereceivedbymyoldcomradeofBrienne,orbyHisImperialMajesty?Iwasreceivedbymyoldcollegecompanion.
OnmyarrivalatMalmaisonIwasusheredintothetentroomleadingtothelibrary.HowIwasastonishedatthegood—naturedfamiliaritywithwhichhereceivedme!Thisextraordinarymandisplayed,ifImayemploytheterm,acoquetrytowardsmewhichsurprisedme,notwithstandingmypastknowledgeofhischaracter.Hecameuptomewithasmileonhislips,tookmyhand(whichhehadneverdonesincehewasConsul),presseditaffectionately,anditwasimpossiblethatIcouldlookuponhimastheEmperorofFranceandthefutureKingofItaly.YetIwastoowellawareofhisfitsofpridetoallowhisfamiliaritytoleadmebeyondtheboundsofaffectionaterespect.\"MydearBourrienne,\"saidhe,\"canyousupposethattheelevatedrankIhaveattainedhasalteredmyfeelingstowardsyou?No.IdonotattachimportancetotheglitterofImperialpomp;allthatismeantforthepeople;butImuststillbevaluedaccordingtomydeserts.Ihavebeenverywellsatisfiedwithyourservices,andIhaveappointedyoutoasituationwhereIshallhaveoccasionforthem.IknowthatIcanrelyuponyou.\"HethenaskedwithgreatwarmthoffriendshipwhatIwasabout,andinquiredaftermyfamily,etc.Inshort,Ineversawhimdisplaylessreserveormorefamiliarityandunaffectedsimplicity;whichhedidthemorereadily,perhaps,becausehisgreatnesswasnowincontestable.
\"Youknow,\"addedNapoleon,\"thatIsetoutinaweekforItaly.IshallmakemyselfKing;butthatisonlyastepping—stone.IhavegreaterdesignsrespectingItaly.
ItmustbeakingdomcomprisingalltheTransalpineStates,fromVenicetotheMaritimeAlps.TheunionofItalywithFrancecanonlybetemporary;butitisnecessary,inordertoaccustomthenationsofItalytoliveundercommonlaws.TheGenoese,thePiedmontese,theVenetians,theMilanese,theinhabitantsofTuscany,theRomans,andtheNeapolitans,hateeachother.Noneofthemwillacknowledgethesuperiorityoftheother,andyetRomeis,fromtherecollectionsconnectedwithit,thenaturalcapitalofItaly.Tomakeitso,however,itisnecessarythatthepowerofthePopeshouldbeconfinedwithinlimitspurelyspiritual.Icannotnowthinkofthis;butIwillreflectuponithereafter.AtpresentIhaveonlyvagueideasonthesubject,buttheywillbematuredintime,andthenalldependsoncircumstances.
Whatwasittoldme,whenwewerewalkingliketwoidlefellows,aswewere,inthestreetsofParis,thatIshouldonedaybemasterofFrance——mywish——merelyavaguewish.Circumstanceshavedonetherest.Itisthereforewisetolookintothefuture,andthatIdo.WithrespecttoItaly,asitwillbeimpossiblewithoneefforttounitehersoastoformasinglepower,subjecttouniformlaws,IwillbeginbymakingherFrench.AlltheselittleStateswillinsensiblybecomeaccustomedtothesamelaws,andwhenmannersshallbeassimilatedandenmitiesextinguished,thentherewillbeanItaly,andIwillgiveherindependence.ButforthatImusthavetwentyyears,andwhocancountonthefuture?Bourrienne,Ifeelpleasureintellingyouallthis.Itwaslockedupinmymind.WithyouIthinkaloud.\"
IdonotbelievethatIhavealteredtwowordsofwhatBonapartesaidtomerespectingItaly,soperfect,Imaynowsaywithoutvaniy,wasmymemorythen,andsoconfirmedwasmyhabitoffixinginitallthathesaidtome.AfterhavinginformedmeofhisvagueprojectsBonaparte,withoneofthosetransitionssocommontohim,said,\"Bytheby,Bourrienne,Ihavesomethingtotellyou.MadamedeBriennehasbeggedthatIwillpassthroughBrienne,andIpromisedthatIwill.IwillnotconcealfromyouthatIshallfeelgreatpleasureinagainbeholdingthespotwhichforsixyearswasthesceneofourboyshsportsandstudies.\"
TakingadvantageoftheEmperor’sgoodhumourIventuredtotellhimwhathappinessitwouldgivemeifitwerepossiblethatIcouldsharewithhimtherevivalofallrecollectionswhichweremutuallydeartous.ButNapoleon,afteramoment’spause,saidwithextremekindness,\"Harkye,Bourrienne,inyoursituationandminethiscannotbe.Itismorethantwoyearssinceweparted.Whatwouldbesaidofsosuddenareconciliation?ItellyoufranklythatIhaveregrettedyou,andthecircumstancesinwhichIhavefrequentlybeenplacedhaveoftenmademewishtorecallyou.AtBoulogneIwasquiteresolveduponit.Rapp,perhaps,hasinformedyouofit.Helikedyou,andheassuredmethathewouldbedelightedatyourreturn.ButifuponreflectionIchangedmyminditwasbecause,asIhaveoftentoldyou,IwillnothaveitsaidthatIstandinneedofanyone.No.GotoHamburg.IhaveformedsomeprojectsrespectingGermanyinwhichyoucanbeusefultome.ItisthereIwillgiveamortalblowtoEngland.IwilldepriveheroftheContinent,——besides,Ihavesomeideasnotyetmaturedwhichextendmuchfarther.ThereisnotsufficientunanimityamongstthenationsofEurope.Europeansocietymustberegenerated——asuperiorpowermustcontroltheotherpowers,andcompelthemtoliveinpeacewitheachother;andFranceiswellsituatedforthatpurpose.FordetailsyouwillreceiveinstructionsfromTalleyrand;butIrecommendyou,aboveallthings,tokeepastrictwatchontheemigrants.Woetothemiftheybecometoodangerous!Iknowthattherearestillagitators,——amongthemallthe’MarquisdeVersailles’,thecourtiersoftheoldschool.Buttheyaremothswhowillburnthemselvesinthecandle.Youhavebeenanemigrantyourself,Bourrienne;youfeelapartialityforthem,andyouknowthatIhaveallowedupwardsoftwohundredofthemtoreturnuponyourrecommendation.Butthecaseisaltered.Thosewhoareabroadarehardened.Theydonotwishtoreturnhome.Watchthemclosely.ThatistheonlyparticulardirectionIgiveyou.YouaretobeMinisterfromFrancetoHamburg;butyourplacewillbeanindependentone;besidesyourcorrespondencewiththeMinisterforForeignAffairs,Iauthoriseyoutowritetomepersonally,wheneveryouhaveanythingparticulartocommunicate.YouwilllikewisecorrespondwithFouche.\"
HeretheEmperorremainedsilentforamoment,andIwaspreparingtoretire,buthedetainedme,sayinginthekindestmanner,\"What,areyougoingalready,Bourrienne?Areyouinahurry?Let,uschatalittlelonger.Godknows,whenwemayseeeachotheragain!\"Thenaftertwoorthreemoments’silencehesaid,\"ThemoreIreflectonoursituation,onourformerintimacy,andoursubsequentseparation,themoreIseethenecessityofyourgoingtoHamburg.Go,then,mydearfellow,Iadviseyou.Trustme.Whendoyouthinkofsettingout?\"\"InMay.\"——\"InMay?
Ah,IshallbeinMilanthen,forIwishtostopatTurin.I
likethePiedmontese;theyarethebestsoldiersinItaly.\"——\"Sire,theKingofItalywillbethejunioroftheEmperorofFrance!\"
——[IalludedtoaconversationwhichIhadwithNapoleonwhenwefirstwenttotheTuileries.Hespoketomeabouthisprojectsofroyalty,andIstatedthedifficultieswhichIthoughthewouldexperienceingettinghimselfacknowledgedbytheoldreigningfamiliesofEurope.\"Ifitcomestothat,\"bereplied.\"Iwilldethronethemall,andthenIshallbetheoldestsovereignamongthem.\"——Bourrienne.]——
——\"Ah!soyourecollectwhatIsaidonedayattheTuileries;but,mydearfellow,IhaveyetadevilishlongwaytogobeforeIgainmypoint.\"——\"Attherate,Sire,atwhichyouaregoingyouwillnotbelonginreachingit.\"——\"Longerthanyouimagine.Iseealltheobstaclesinmyway;buttheydonotalarmme.Englandiseverywhere,andthestruggleisbetweenherandme.Iseehowitwillbe.ThewholeofEuropewillbeourinstruments;sometimesservingone,sometimestheother,butatbottomthedisputeiswhollybetweenEnglandandFrance.
\"Apropos,\"saidtheEmperor,changingthesubject,forallwhoknewhimareawarethatthis’apropos’washisfavourite,and,indeed,hisonlymodeoftransition;apropos,Bourrienne,yousurelymusthaveheardofthedepartureofJaubert,——[AmedeeJaubarthadbeenwithNapoleoninEgypt,andwasappointedtothecabinetoftheConsulassecretaryinterpreterofOrientallanguages.HewassentonseveralmissionstotheEast,andbroughtback,is1818,goatsfromThibet,naturalisinginFrancethemanufactureofcashmeres.HebecameapeerofFranceundertheMonarchyofJuly.]——
andhismission.Whatissaidonthesubject?\"——\"Sire,Ihaveonlyhearditslightlyalludedto.Hisfather,however,towhomhesaidnothingrespectingtheobjectofhisjourney,knowingIwasintimatewithJaubert,cametometoascertainwhetherIcouldallayhisanxietyrespectingajourneyofthedurationofwhichhecouldformnoidea.TheprecipitatedepartureofhissonhadfilledhimwithapprehensionItoldhimthetruth,viz.,thatJauberthadsaidnomoretomeonthesubjectthantohim.\"——\"Thenyoudonotknowwhereheisgone?\"——\"Ibegyourpardon,Sire;Iknowverywell.\"——\"How,thedevil!\"saidBonaparte,suddenlyturningonmealookofastonishment.\"Noone,I,declare,hasevertoldme;butIguessedit.HavingreceivedaletterfromJaubertdatedLeipsic,IrecollectedwhatyourMajestyhadoftentoldmeofyourviewsrespectingPersiaandIndia.IhavenotforgottenourconversationinEgypt,northegreatprojectswhichyouenfoldedtometorelievethesolitudeandsometimesthewearinessofthecabinetofCairo.Besides,I
longsinceknewyouropinionofAmedee,ofhisfidelity,hisability,andhiscourage.Ifeltconvinced,therefore,thathehadamissiontotheShahofPersia.\"——\"Youguessedright;butIbegofyou,Bourrienne,saynothingofthistoanypersonwhatever.Secrecyonthispointisofgrewimportance.TheEnglishwoulddohimanillturn,fortheyarewellawarethatmyviewsaredirectedagainsttheirpossessionsandtheirinfluenceintheEast.\"——\"Ithink,Sire,thatmyanswertoAnedee’sworthyfatherisasufficientguaranteeformydiscretion.Besides,itwasameresuppositiononmypart,andIcouldhavestatednothingwithcertaintybeforeyourMajestyhadthekindnesstoinformmeofthefact.
InsteadofgoingtoHamburg,ifyourMajestypleases,IwilljoinJaubert,accompanyhimtoPersia,andundertakehalfhismission.\"——
\"How!wouldyougowithhim?\"——\"Yes,Sire;Iammuchattachedtohim.Heisanexcellentman,andIamsurethathewouldnotbesorrytohavemewithhim.\"——\"ButStop,Bourrienne,this,perhaps,wouldnotbeabadidea.YouknowalittleoftheEast.Youareaccustomedtotheclimate.YoucouldassistJaubertBut
No.daubertmustbealreadyfaroff——I,fearyoucouldnotovertakehim.Andbesidesyouhaveanumerousfamily.YouwillbemoreusefultomeinGermany.Allthingsconsidered,gotoHamburg——youknowthecountry,and,whatisbetteryouspeakthelanguage.\"
IcouldseethatBonapartestillhadsomethingtosaytome.Aswewerewalkingupanddowntheroomhestopped;andlookingatmewithanexpressionofsadness,hesaid,\"Bourrienne,youmust,beforeIproceedtoItaly,domeaservice.Yousometimesvisitmywife,anditisright;
itisfityoushould.Youhavebeentoolongoneofthefamilynottocontinueyourfriendshipwithher.Gotoher.
——[ThisemploymentofBourriennetoremonstratewithJosephineisacompleteanswertothechargesometimesmadethatNapoleon,whilescolding,reallyencouragedthefoolishexpensesofhiswife,askeepingherunderhiscontrol.Josephinewasincorrigible.\"Ontheverydayofherdeath,\"saysMadamedeRemusat\"shewishedtoputonaveryprettydressing—gownbecauseshethoughttheEmperorofRussiawouldperhapscometoseeher.Shediedallcoveredwithribbonsandrose—coloredsatin.\"\"Onewouldnot,sure,befrightfulwhenone’sdead!\"AsforJosephine’sgreatfault——herfailuretogiveNapoleonanheir——hedidnotalwayswishforone.In1802,onhisbrotherJeromejokinglyadvisingJosephinetogivetheConsulalittleCaesar.Napoleonbrokeout,\"Yea,thathemayendinthesamemannerasthatofAlexander?Believeme,Messieurs,thatatthepresenttimeitisbetternottohavechildren:Imeanwhenoneiscondemnedtorolenations.\"ThefateoftheKingofRomeshowsthattheexclamationwasonlytootrue!]——
Endeavouroncemoretomakehersensibleofhermadextravagance.EverydayIdiscovernewinstancesofit,anditdistressesme.WhenIspeaktoher——onthesubjectIamvexed;Igetangry——sheweeps.Iforgiveher,Ipayherbills——shemakesfairpromises;butthesamethingoccursoverandoveragain.Ifshehadonlybornemeachild!Itisthetormentofmylifenottohaveachild.IplainlyperceivethatmypowerwillneverbefirmlyestablisheduntilIhaveone.IfIdiewithoutanheir,notoneofmybrothersiscapableofsupplyingmyplace.Allisbegun,butnothingisended.Godknowswhatwillhappen!GoandseeJosephine,anddonotforgetmyinjunctions\"
Thenheresumedthegaietywhichhehadexhibitedatintervalsduringourconversation,farcloudsdrivenbythewinddonottraversethehorizonwithsuchrapidityasdifferentideasandsensationssucceededeachothermNapoleon’smind.Hedismissedmewithhisusualnodofthehead,andseeinghiminsuchgoodhumourIsaidondeparting,\"well,Sire,youaregoingtoheartheoldbellofBrienne.IhavenodoubtitwillpleaseyoubetterthanthebellsofRuel.\"Hereplied,\"That’stree——youareright.Adieu!\"
Sucharemyrecollectionsofthisconversation,whichlastedformorethananhourandahalf.Wewalkedaboutallthetime,forBonapartewasindefatigableinaudiencesofthissort,andwould,Ibelieve,havewalkedandtalkedforawholedaywithoutbeingawareofit.Ilefthim,and,accordingtohisdesire,wenttoseeMadameBonaparte,whichindeedIhadintendedtodobeforeherequestedit.
IfoundJosephinewithMadamedelaRochefoucauld,whohadlongbeeninhersuite,andwhoashorttimebeforehadobtainedthetitleofladyofhonourtotheEmpress.MadamedelaRochefoucauldwasaveryamiablewoman,ofmilddisposition,andwasafavouritewithJosephine.WhenI
toldtheEmpressthatIhadjustlefttheEmperor,she,thinkingthatI
wouldnotspeakfreelybeforeathirdperson,madeasigntoMadamedelaRochefoucauldtoretire.IhadnotroubleinintroducingtheconversationonthesubjectconcerningwhichNapoleonhaddirectedmetospeaktoJosephine,for;aftertheinterchangeofafewindifferentremarks,sheherselftoldmeofaviolentscene,whichhadoccurredbetweenherandtheEmperortwodaysbefore.\"WhenIwrotetoyouyesterday,\"saidshe,\"toannounceyourappointment,andtotellyouthatBonapartewouldrecallyou,Ihopedthatyouwouldcometoseemeonquittinghim,butIdidnotthinkthathewouldhavesentforyousosoon.Ah!howIwishthatyouwerestillwithhim,Bourrienne;youcouldmakehimhearreason.Iknownotwhotakespleasureinbearingtalestohim;butreallyIthinktherearepersonsbusyeverywhereinfindingoutmydebts,andtellinghimofthem.\"
Thesecomplaints,sogentlyutteredbyJosephinerenderedlessdifficultthepreparatorymissionwithwhichIcommencedtheexerciseofmydiplomaticfunctions.IacquaintedMadameBonapartewithallthattheEmperorhadsaidtome.Iremindedheroftheaffairofthe1,200,000
francswhichwehadsettledwithhalfthatsum.Ievendroppedsomeallusionstothepromisesshehadmade.
\"HowcanIhelpit?\"Saidshe.\"Isitmyfault?\"Josephineutteredthesewordsinatoneofsinceritywhichwasatonceaffectingandludicrous.\"Allsortsofbeautifulthingsarebroughttome,\"shecontinued;\"theyarepraisedup;Ibuythem——Iamnotaskedforthemoney,andallofasudden,whenIhavegotnone,theycomeuponmewithdemandsforpayment.ThisreachesNapoleon’sears,andhegetsangry.
WhenIhavemoney,BourrienneyouknowhowIemployit.Igiveitprincipallytotheunfortunatewhosolicitmyassistance,andtopooremigants.ButIwilltrytobemoreeconomicalinfuture.Tellhimsoifyouseehimagain,ButisitnotmydutytobestowasmuchincharityasIcan?\"——\"Yes,Madame;butpermitmetosaythatnothingrequiresgreaterdiscernmentthanthedistributionofchaxity.Ifyouhadalwayssatuponathroneyoumighthavealwayssupposedthatyourbountyalwaysfallintothehandsofthedeserving;butyoucannotbeignorantthatitoftenerfallstothelotofintriguethantothemeritoriousneedy.
IcannotdisguisefromyouthattheEmperorwasveryearnestwhenhespokeonthissubject;andhedesiredmetotellyouso.\"——\"Didhereproachmewithnothingelse?\"——\"NoMadame.Youknowtheinfluenceyouhaveoverhimwithrespecttoeverythingbutwhatrelatestopolitics.
Allowafaithfulandsincerefriendtoprevailuponyouseriouslynottovexhimonthispoint.\"——\"Bourrienne,Igiveyoumyword.Adieu!myfriend.\"
IncommunicatingtoJosephinewhattheEmperorhadsaidtomeItookcarenottotouchachordwhichwouldhaveawakenedfeelingsfarmorepainfultoherthaneventheEmperor’sharshreproofonaccountofherextravagance.PoorJosephine!howIshouldhaveafflictedherhadI
utteredawordofBonaparte’sregretatnothavingachild.Shealwayshadapresentimentofthefatethatonedayawaitedher.Besides,Josephinetoldthetruthinassuringmethatitwasnotherfaultthat,shespentasshedid;atleastallthetimeIwaswithbothofthem,orderandeconomywerenomorecompatiblewithherthanmoderationand——
patiencewithNapoleon.Thesightoftheleastwasteputhimbesidehimself,andthatwasasensationhiswifehardlyeversparedhim.Hesawwithirritationtheeagernessofhisfamilytogainriches;themorehegave,themoreinsatiabletheyappeared,withtheexceptionofLouis,whoseinclinationswerealwaysupright,andhistastesmoderate.Asfortheothermembersofhisfamily,theyannoyedhimsomuchbytheirimportunitythatonedayhesaid,\"ReallytolistentothemitwouldbethoughtthatIhadwastedtheheritageofourfather.\"
CHAPTERXXXI.
1805
NapoleonandVoltaire——DemandsoftheHolySee——CoolnessbetweenthepopeandtheEmperor——Napoleon’sdepartureforItaly——LastinterviewbetweenthePopeandtheEmperoratTurin——Alessandria——ThefieldofMarengo——ThelastDogeofGenoa——Bonaparte’sarrivalatMilan——UnionofGenoatotheFrenchEmpire——ErrorintheMemorialofSt.Helen——
BonaparteandMadamGrassini——SymptomsofdissatisfactiononthepartofAustriaandRussia——Napoleon’sdeparturefromMilan——
MonumenttocommemoratethebattleofMarengo——Napoleon’sarrivalinParisanddepartureforBoulogne——Unfortunateresultofanavalengagement——MyvisittoFouche’scountryseat——Sieyes,Barras,theBourbons,andBonaparte——ObservationsrespectingJosephine.
VoltairesaysthatitisverywelltokissthefeetofPopesprovidedtheirhandsaretied.NotwithstandingtheslightestimationinwhichBonaparteheld\"Voltaire,heprobably,withoutbeingawareofthisirreverentsatire,putitintopractice.TheCourtofRomegavehimtheopportunityofdoingsoshortlyafterhisCoronation.ThePope,orrathertheCardinals,hisadvisers’conceivingthatsogreataninstanceofcomplaisanceasthejourneyofHisHolinesstoParisoughtnottogofornothing;demandedacompensation,which,hadtheybeenbetteracquaintedwithBonaparte’scharacterandpolicy,theywouldneverhavedreamedofsoliciting.TheHolyseedemandedtherestitutionofAvignon,Bologna,andsomepartsoftheItalianterritorywhichhadformerlybeensubjecttothePope’sdominion.ItmaybeimaginedhowsuchdemandswerereceivedbyNapoleon,particularlyafterhehadobtainedallhewantedfromthePope.Itwas,itmustbeconfessed,agreatmistakeoftheCourtofRome,whosepolicyisusuallysoartfulandadroit,nottomakethisdemandtillaftertheCoronation.HaditbeenmadetheconditionofthePope’sjourneytoFranceperhapsBonapartewouldhaveconsentedtogiveup,notAvignon,certainly,buttheItalianterritories,withtheintentionoftakingthembackagain.Bethisasitmay,thesetardyclaims,whichwereperemptorilyrejected,createdanextremecoolnessbetweenNapoleonandPiusVII.Thepublicdidnotimmediatelyperceiveit,butthereisinthepublicaninstinctofreasonwhichthemostablepoliticiansnevercanimposeupon;andalleyeswereopenedwhenitwasknownthatthePope,afterhavingcrownedNapoleonasEmperorofFrance,refusedtocrownhimassovereignoftheregeneratedkingdomofItaly.
NapoleonleftParisonthe1stofApriltotakepossessionoftheIronCrownatMilan.ThePoperemainedsometimelongerintheFrenchcapital.TheprolongedpresenceofHisHolinesswasnotwithoutitsinfluenceonthereligiousfeelingsofthepeople,sogreatwastherespectinspiredbythebenigncountenanceandmildmannersofthePope.
WhentheperiodofhispersecutionsarriveditwouldhavebeenwellforBonapartehadPiusVII.neverbeenseeninParis,foritwasimpossibletoviewinanyotherlightthanasavictimthemanwhosetrulyevangelicmeeknesshadbeendulyappreciated.
BonapartedidnotevincegreatimpatiencetoseizetheCrownofItaly,whichhewellknewcouldnotescapehim.HestayedaconsiderabletimeatTurin,whereheresidedintheStupinisPalace,whichmaybecalledtheSt.CloudoftheKingsofSardinia.TheEmperorcajoledthePiedmontese.GeneralMenou,whowasmadeGovernorofPiedmont,remainedtheretillNapoleonfoundedthegeneralgovernmentoftheTransalpinedepartmentsinfavourofhisbrother—in—law,thePrinceBorghese,ofwhomhewouldhave,founditdifficulttomakeanythingelsethanaRomanPrince.NapoleonwasstillatTurinwhenthePopepassedthroughthatcityonhisreturntoRome.NapoleonhadafinalinterviewwithHisHolinesstowhomhenowaffectedtoshowthegreatestpersonaldeference.
FromTurinBonaparteproceededtoAlessandria,wherehecommencedthoseimmenseworksonwhichsuchvastsumswereexpended.HehadmanytimesspokentomeofhisprojectsrespectingAlessandria,asIhavealreadyobserved,allhisgreatmeasuresasEmperorweremerelytheexecutionofprojectsconceivedatatimewhenhisfutureelevationcouldhavebeenonlyadreamoftheimagination.HeonedaysaidtoBerthier,inmypresence,duringoursojurnatMilanafterthebattleofMarengo,\"WithAlessandriainmypossessionIshouldalwaysbemasterofItaly.Itmightbemadethestrongestfortressintheworld;itiscapableofcontainingagarrisonof40,000men,withprovisionsforsixmonths.
Shouldinsurrectiontakeplace,shouldAustriasendaformidableforcehere,theFrenchtroopsmightretiretoAlessandria,andstandasixmonths’siege.Sixmonthswouldbemorethansufficient,whereverI
mightbe,toenablemetofalluponItaly,routtheAustrians,andraisethesiegeofAlessandria!\"
AshewassonearthefieldofMarengotheEmperordidnotfailtovisitit,andtoaddtothissolemnityhereviewedonthefieldallthecorpsofFrenchtroopswhichwereinItaly.RapptoldmeafterwardsthattheEmperorhadtakenwithhimfromParisthedressandthehatwhichheworeonthedayofthatmemorablebattle,withtheintentionofwearingthemonthefieldwhereitwasfought.HeafterwardsproceededbythewayofCasaltoMilan.
Therethemostbrilliantreceptionhehadyetexperiencedawaitedhim.
HissojournatMilanwasnotdistinguishedbyoutwarddemonstrationsofenthusiasmalone.M.Durszzo,thelastDogeofGenoa,addedanothergemtotheCrownofItalybysupplicatingtheEmperorinthenameoftheRepublic,ofwhichhewastherepresentative,topermitGenoatoexchangeherindependenceforthehonourofbecomingadepartmentofFrance.Thisoffer,asmaybeguessed,wasmerelyaplancontrivedbeforehand.Itwasacceptedwithanairofprotectingkindness,andatthesamemomentthatthecountryofAndreaDoriawaseffacedfromthelistofnationsitslastDogewasincludedamongthenumberofFrenchSenators.Genoa,whichformerlypridedherselfinhersurname,theSuperb,becamethechiefstationofthetwenty—seventhmilitarydivision.TheEmperorwenttotakepossessionofthecityinperson,andsleptintheDoriaPalace,inthebedwhereCharlesV.hadlain.HeleftM.leBrunatGenoaasGovernor—General.
AtMilantheEmperoroccupiedthePalaceofMonza.TheoldIronCrownoftheKingsofLombardywasbroughtfromthedustinwhichithadbeenburied,andthenewCoronationtookplaceinthecathedralatMilan,thelargestinItaly,withtheexceptionofSt.Peter’satRome.NapoleonreceivedthecrownfromthehandsoftheArchbishopofMilan,andplaceditonhishead,exclaiming,\"Dieumel’adonnee,gareaquilatouche.\"
ThisbecamethemottooftheOrderoftheIronCrown,whichtheEmperorfoundedincommemorationofhisbeingcrownedKingofItaly.
NapoleonwascrownedinthemonthofMay1805:andhereIcannotavoidcorrectingsomegrossandinconceivableerrorsintowhichNapoleonmusthavevoluntarilyfallenatSt.Helena.TheMemorialstates\"thatthecelebratedsingerMadameGrasainiattractedhisattentionatthetimeoftheCoronation.\"NapoleonallegesthatMadameGrassinionthatoccasionsaidtohim,\"WhenIwasintheprimeofmybeautyandtalentallI
wishedwasthatyouwouldbestowasinglelookuponme.Thatwishwasnotfulfilled,andnowyounoticemewhenIamnolongerworthyyourattention.\"
IconfessIamatalosstoconceivewhatcouldinduceNapoleontoinventsuchastory.HemighthaverecollectedhisacquaintancewithMadameGrassiniatMilanbeforethebattleofMarengo.Itwasin1800,andnotin1805,thatIwasfirstintroducedtoher,andIknowthatIseveraltimestookteawithherandBonaparteintheGeneral’sapartmentsI
rememberalsoanothercircumstance,whichis,thatonthenightwhenI
awokeBonapartetoannouncetohimthecapitulationofGenoa,MadameGrassinialsoawoke.NapoleonwascharmedwithMadameGrasaini’sdeliciousvoice,andifhisimperiousdutieshadpermittedithewouldhavelistenedwithecstasytohersingingforhourstogether.WhilstNapoleonwasatMilan,pridinghimselfonhisdoublesovereignty,someschemesweresetonfootatViennaandSt.PetersburgwhichIshallhereafterhaveoccasiontonotice.TheEmperor,indeed,gavecauseforjustcomplaintbythefactofannexingGenoatotheEmpirewithinfourmonthsafterhissolemndeclarationtotheLegislativeBody,inwhichhepledgedhimselfinthefaceofFranceandEuropenottoseekanyaggrandisementofterritory.ThepretextofavoluntaryofferonthepartofGenoawastooabsurdtodeceiveanyone.TherapidprogressofNapoleon’sambitioncouldnotescapetheobservationoftheCabinetofVienna,whichbegantoallowincreasedsymptomsofhostility.ThechangewhichwaseffectedintheformoftheGovernmentoftheCisalpineRepublicwaslikewiseanactcalculatedtoexciteremonstranceonthepartofallthepowerswhowerenotentirelysubjecttotheyokeofFrance.HedisguisedthetakingofGenoaunderthenameofagift,andthepossessionofItalyundertheappearanceofamerechangeofdenomination.NotwithstandingtheseflagrantoutragestheexclusiveapologistsofNapoleonhavealwaysassertedthathedidnotwishforwar,andhehimselfmaintainedthatassertionatSt.Helena.Itissaidthathewasalwaysattacked,andhenceaconclusionisdrawninfavourofhisloveofpeace.IacknowledgeBonapartewouldneverhavefiredasinglemusket—shotifallthepowersofEuropehadsubmittedtobepillagedbyhimoneaftertheotherwithoutopposition.Itwasinfactdeclaringwaragainstthemtoplacethemunderthenecessityofbreakingapeace,duringthecontinuanceofwhichhewasaugmentinghispower,andgratifyinghisambition,asifindefianceofEurope.InthiswayNapoleoncommencedallthewarsinwhichhewasengaged,withtheexceptionofthatwhichfollowedthepeaceofMarengo,andwhichterminatedinMoreau’striumphatHohenlinden.AstherewasnolibertyofthepressinFrancehefounditeasytodeceivethenation.Hewasinfactattacked,andthusheenjoyedthepleasureofundertakinghisgreatmilitaryexpeditionswithoutbeingresponsibleintheeventoffailure.
DuringtheEmperor’sstayinthecapitalofthenewkingdomofItalyhereceivedthefirstintelligenceofthedissatisfactionofAustriaandRussia.Thatdissatisfactionwasnotofrecentdate.WhenIenteredonmyfunctionsatHamburgIlearnedsomecuriousdetails(whichIwillrelateintheirproperplace)respectingthesecretnegotiationswhichhadbeencarriedonforaconsiderabletimepreviouslytothecommencementofhostilities.EvenPrussiawasnostrangertothedissatisfactionofAustriaandRussia;IdonotmeantheKing,buttheCabinetofBerlin,whichwasthenunderthecontrolofChancellorHardenberg;fortheKingofPrussiahadalwayspersonallydeclaredhimselfinfavouroftheexactobservanceoftreaties,evenwhentheirconditionswerenothonourable.Bethatasitmay,theCabinetofBerlin,althoughdissatisfiedin1806withtherapidprogressofNapoleon’sambition,wasneverthelessconstrainedtoconcealitsdiscontent,owingtothepresenceoftheFrenchtroopsinHanover.
OnreturningfromMilantheEmperororderedtheerection,ofamonumentontheGreatSt.BernardincommemorationofthevictoryofMarengo.
M.DenonwhoaccompaniedNapoleon,toldmethathemadeauselesssearchtodiscoverthebodyofDesaix,whichBonapartewishedtobeburiedbeneaththemonumentandthatitwasatlengthfoundbyGeneralSavary.
ItisthereforecertainthattheashesofthebraveDesaixreposeonthesummitoftheAlps.
TheEmperorarrivedinParisabouttheendofJuneandinstantlysetoffforthecampatBoulogne.ItwasnowoncemorebelievedthattheprojectofinvadingEnglandwouldbeaccomplished.ThisideaobtainedthegreatercreditbecauseBonapartecausedsomeexperimentsforembarkationtobemade,inhispresence.Theseexperiments,however,ledtonoresult.Aboutthisperiodafataleventbuttooeffectuallycontributedtostrengthentheopinionoftheinferiorityofournavy.AFrenchsquadronconsistingoffifteenships,fellinwiththeEnglishfleetcommandedbyAdmiralCalder,whohadonlyninevesselsunderhiscommand,andinanengagement,whichtherewaseveryreasontoexpectwouldterminateinourfavour,wehadthemisfortunetolosetwoships.TheinvasionofEnglandwasaslittletheobjectofthisasofthepreviousjourneytoBoulogne;allNapoleonhadinviewwastostimulatetheenthusiasmofthetroops,andtoholdoutthosethreatsagainstEnglandwhenconceivednecessaryfordivertingattentionfromtherealmotiveofhishostilepreparations,whichwastoinvadeGermanyandrepulsetheRussiantroops,whohadbeguntheirmarchtowardsAustria.SuchwasthetrueobjectofNapoleonslastjourneytoBoulogne.
IhadbeensometimeatHamburgwhentheseeventstookplace,anditwascurioustoobservetheeffecttheyproduced.ButImustnotforgetonecircumstanceinwhichIampersonallyconcerned,andwhichbringsmebacktothetimewhenIwasinParis.MynewtitleofMinisterPlenipotentiaryobligedmetoseealittlemoreofsocietythanduringtheperiodwhenprudencerequiredmetoliveasitwereinretirement.
IhadreceivedsincerecongratulationsfromDuroc,Rape,andLauriston,thethreefriendswhohadshownthegreatestreadinesstoservemyinterestswiththeEmperor;andIhadfrequentoccasiontoseeM.
Talleyrand,asmyfunctionsbelongedtohisdepartment.TheEmperor,onmyfarewellaudience,havinginformedmethatIwastocorresponddirectlywiththeMinisteroftheGeneralPolice,IcalledonFouche,whoinvitedmetospendsomedaysathisestateofPont—Carre.IacceptedtheinvitationbecauseIwantedtoconferwithhim,andIspentSundayandMonday,the28thand29thofApril,atPont—Carre.
Fouche,liketheEmperor,frequentlyrevealedwhatheintendedtoconceal;buthehadsuchareputationforcunningthatthissortofindiscretionwasattendedbynoinconveniencetohim.Hewassupposedtobesuchaconstantdissemblerthatthosewhodidnotknowhimwelllookeduponthetruthwhenhespokeitmerelyasanartfulsnarelaidtoentrapthem.I,however,knewthatcelebratedpersontoowelltoconfoundhiscunningwithhisindiscretion.Thebestwaytogetoutofhimmorethanhewasawareofwastolethimtalkonwithoutinterruption.TherewereveryfewvisitorsatPont—Carre,andduringthetwodaysIspentthereI
hadseveralconversationswithFouche.Hetoldmeagreatdealabouttheeventsof1804,andhecongratulatedhimselfonhavingadvisedNapoleontodeclarehimselfEmperor——\"Ihavenopreference,\"saysFouche,\"foroneformofgovernmentmorethananother.Formssignifynothing.ThefirstobjectoftheRevolutionwasnottheoverthrowoftheBourbons,butmerelythereformofabusesandthedestructionofprejudices.However,whenitwasdiscoveredthatLouisXVI.hadneitherfirmnesstorefusewhathedidnotwishtogrant,norgoodfaithtograntwhathisweaknesshadledhimtopromise,itwasevidentthattheBourbonscouldnolongerreignoverFranceandthingswerecarriedtosuchalengththatwewereunderthenecessityofcondemningLouisXVI.andresortingtoenergeticmeasures.Youknowallthatpasseduptothe18thBrumaire,andafter.
WeallperceivedthataRepubliccouldnotexistinFrance;thequestion,therefore,wastoensuretheperpetualremovaloftheBourbons;andI
behavedtheonlymeansforsodoingwastotransfertheinheritanceoftheirthronetoanotherfamily.Sometimebeforethe18thBrumaireIhadaconversationwithSieyesandBarras,inwhichitwasproposed,incaseoftheDirectorybeingthreatened,torecalltheDukeofOrleans;andI
couldseeverywellthatBarrasfavouredthatsuggestion,althoughhealludedtoitmerelyasareportthatwascirculatedabout,andrecommendedmetopayattentiontoit.Sieyessaidnothing,andI
settledthequestionbyobserving,thatifanysuchthinghadbeenagitatedImusthavebeeninformedofitthroughthereportsofmyagents.Iadded,thattherestorationofthethronetoacollateralbranchoftheBourbonswouldbeanimpoliticact,andwouldbuttemporarilychangethepositionofthosewhohadbroughtabouttheRevolution.IrenderedanaccountofthisinterviewwithBarrastoGeneralBonapartethefirsttimeIhadanopportunityofconversingwithhimafteryourreturnfromEgypt.Isoundedhim;andIwasperfectlyconvincedthatinthestateofdecrepitudeintowhichtheDirectoryhadfallenhewasjustthemanwewanted.IthereforeadoptedsuchmeasureswiththepoliceastendedtopromotehiselevationtotheFirstMagistracy.Hesoonshowedhimselfungrateful,andinsteadofgivingmeallhisconfidencehetriedtooutwitme.Heputintothehandsofanumberofpersonsvariousmattersofpolicewhichwereworsethanuseless.Mostoftheiragents,whoweremycreatures,obeyedmyinstructionsintheirreports;anditoftenhappenedthattheFirstConsulthoughthehaddiscovered,throughthemediumofothers,informationthatcamefromme,andofthefalsehoodofwhichIeasilyconvincedhim.IconfessIwasatfaultonthe3dNivoise;butarethereanyhumanmeansofpreventingtwomen,whohavenoaccomplices,frombringingaplottoexecution?YousawtheFirstConsulonhisreturnfromtheopera;youheardallhisdeclamations.IfeltassuredthattheinfernalmachinewastheworkoftheRoyalists.ItoldtheEmperorthis,andhewas,Iamsure,convincedofit;buthe,nevertheless,proscribesanumberofmenonthemerepretenceoftheiroldopinions.DoyousupposeIamignorantofwhathesaidofmeandofmyvoteattheNationalConvention?MostassuredlyitillbecomeshimtoreproachtheConventionists.Itwasthatvotewhichplacedthecrownuponhishead.
Butforthesituationinwhichwewereplacedbythatevent,whichcircumstanceshadrenderedinevitable,whatshouldwehavecaredforthechanceofseeingtheBourbonsreturn?YoumusthaveremarkedthattheRepublicans,whowerenotConventionists,wereingeneralmoreaversethanwetotheproceedingsofthe18thBrumaire,as,forexample,BernadotteandMoreau.IknowpositivelythatMoreauwasaversetotheConsulate;andthatitwasonlyfromirresolutionthatheacceptedthecustodyoftheDirectory.Iknowalsothatheexcusedhimselftohisprisonersforthedutywhichhaddevolveduponhim.Theythemselvestoldmethis.
Foucheenteredfurtherintomanydetailsrespectinghisconduct,andthemotiveswhichhadurgedhimtodowhathedidinfavouroftheFirstConsul.Mymemorydoesnotenablemetoreportallhetoldme,butI
distinctlyrecollectthattheimpressionmadeonmymindbywhatfellfromhimwas,thathehadactedmerelywithaviewtohisowninterests.
HedidnotconcealhissatisfactionathavingoutwittedRegnier,andobligedBonapartetorecallhim,thathesetinmotioneveryspringcalculatedtounitetheconspirators,orrathertoconvertthediscontentedintoconspirators,isevidentfromthefollowingremarkswhichfellfromhim:\"WiththeinformationIpossessed,hadIremainedinofficeitisprobablethatImighthavepreventedtheconspiracy,butBonapartewouldstillhavehadtofeartherivalryofMoreau.HewouldnothavebeenEmperor;andweshouldstillhavehadtodreadthereturnoftheBourbons,ofwhich,thankGod,thereisnownofear.\"
DuringmystayatPont—CarryIsaidbutlittletoFoucheaboutmylongaudiencewiththeEmperor.However,IthoughtImightinformhimthatI
wasauthorisedtocorresponddirectlywithhisMajesty.Ithoughtituselesstoconcealthisfact,sincehewouldsoonlearnitthroughhisagents.IalsosaidafewwordsaboutBonaparte’sregretatnothavingchildren.MyobjectwastolearnFouche’sopiniononthissubject,anditwasnotwithoutafeelingofindignationthatIheardhimsay,\"ItistobehopedtheEmpresswillsoondie.Herdeathwillremovemanydifficulties.Soonerorlaterhemusttakeawifewhowillbearhimachild;foraslongashehasnodirectheirthereiseverychancethathisdeathwillbethesignalforaRevolution.Hisbrothersareperfectlyincapableoffillinghisplace,andanewpartywouldriseupinfavouroftheBourbons;whichmustbepreventedaboveallthings.Atpresenttheyarenotdangerous,thoughtheystillhaveactiveanddevotedagents.Altonaisfullofthem,andyouwillbesurroundedbythem.
Ibegofyoutokeepawatchfuleyeuponthem,andrendermeastrictaccountofalltheirmovements,andevenoftheirmosttrivialactions.
Astheyhaverecoursetoallsortsofdisguises,youcannotbetoovigilant;thereforeitwillbeadvisable,inthefirstplace,toestablishagoodsystemofespionage;buthaveacareofthespieswhoservebothsides,fortheyswarminGermany.\"
ThisisallIrecollectofmy,conversationswithFoucheatPont—Carre.
IreturnedtoParistomakepreparationsformyjourneytoHamburg.
CHAPTERXXXII.
1805.
CapitulationofSublingen——Preparationsforwar——Utilityofcommercialinformation——Myinstructions——Inspectionoftheemigrantsandthejournals——ApamphletbyKotzebue——OffersfromtheEmperorofRussiatoMoreau——PortraitofGustavusAdolphusbyoneofhisministers——Fouche’sdenunciations——DuelsatHamburg——M.deGimel——TheHamburgCorrespondent——LetterfromBernadotte.
IleftParisonthe20thofMay1805.Onthe5thofJunefollowingI
deliveredmycredentialstotheSenateofHamburg,whichwasrepresentedbytheSyndicDoormannandtheSenatorSchutte.M.Reinhart,mypredecessor,leftHamburgonthe12thofJune.
ThereigningDukesofMecklenburg—SchwerinandBrunswick,towhomIhadannouncedmyarrivalasaccreditedMinistertothem,wrotemelettersrecognisingmeinthatcharacter.GeneralWalmodenhadjustsignedthecapitulationofSublingenwithMarshalMortier,whohadthecommandinHanover.TheEnglishGovernmentrefusedtoratifythis,becauseitstipulatedthatthetroopsshouldbeprisonersofwar.Bonapartehadtwomotivesforrelaxingthishardcondition.HewishedtokeepHanoverasacompensationforMalta,andtoassurethemeansofembarrassingandattackingPrussia,whichhenowbegantodistrust.ByadvancinguponPrussiahewouldsecurehisleft,sothatwhenconvenienthemightmarchnorthward.Mortier,therefore,receivedorderstoreducetheconditionsofthecapitulationtothesurrenderofthearms,baggage,artillery,andhorses.England,whichwasmakinggreateffortstoresisttheinvasionwithwhichshethoughtherselfthreatened,expendedconsiderablesumsforthetransportofthetroopsfromHanovertoEngland.Herprecipitationwasindescribable,andshepaidthemostexorbitantchargesforthehireofships.SeveralhousesinHamburgmadefortunesonthisoccasion.
Experiencehaslongsinceprovedthatitisnotattheirsourcethatsecrettransactionsaremostreadilyknown.Theintelligenceofaneventfrequentlyresoundsatadistance,whiletheeventitselfisalmostentirelyunknownintheplaceofitsoccurrence.Thedirectinfluenceofpoliticaleventsoncommercialspeculationsrendersmerchantsexceedinglyattentivetowhatisgoingon.Allwhoareengagedincommercialpursuitsformacorporationunitedbythestrongestofallbonds,commoninterest;andcommercialcorrespondencefrequentlypresentsafertilefieldforobservation,andaffordsmuchvaluableinformation,whichoftenescapestheinquiriesofGovernmentagents.
IresolvedtoformaconnectionwithsomeofthemercantilehouseswhichmaintainedextensiveandfrequentcommunicationswiththeNorthernStates.IknewthatbyobtainingtheirconfidenceImightgainaknowledgeofallthatwasgoingoninRussia,Sweden,England,andAustria.AmongthesubjectsuponwhichitwasdesirabletoobtaininformationIincludednegotations,treaties,militarymeasures——suchasrecruitingtroopsbeyondtheamountsettledforthepeaceestablishment,movementsoftroops,theformationofcampsandmagazines,financialoperations,thefitting—outofships,andmanyotherthings,which,thoughnotimportantinthemselves,frequentlyleadtotheknowledgeofwhatisimportant.
IwasnotinclinedtoplacerelianceonallpublicreportsandgossipingstoriescirculatedontheExchangewithoutcloseinvestigation;forI
wishedtoavoidtransmittinghomeastruthswhatmightfrequentlybemerestock—jobbinginventions.Iwasinstructedtokeepwatchontheemigrants,whowereexceedinglynumerousinHamburganditsneighbourhood,Mecklenburg,Hanover,Brunswick,andHolstein;butImustobservethatmyinspectionwastoextendonlytothosewhowereknowntobeactuallyengagedinintriguesandplots.
Iwasalsotokeepwatchonthestateofthepublicmind,andonthejournalswhichfrequentlygiveitawrongdirection,andtopointoutthosearticlesinthejournalswhichIthoughtcensurable.AtfirstI
merelymadeverbalrepresentationsandcomplaints,butIcouldnotalwaysconfinemyselftothiscourse.Ireceivedsuchdistinctandpositiveordersthat,inspiteofmyself,inspectionwasspeedilyconvertedintooppression.Complaintsagainstthejournalsfilledone—fourthofmydespatches.
AstheEmperorwishedtobemadeacquaintedwithallthatwasprintedagainsthim,IsenttoParis,inMay1805,andconsequentlyaveryfewdaysaftermyarrivalinHamburg,apamphletbythecelebratedKotzebue,entitled’RecollectionsofmyJourneytoNaplesandRome’.Thispublication,whichwasprintedatBerlin,wasfullofindecorousattacksandodiousallusionsontheEmperor.
Iwasinformedatthattime,throughacertainchannel,thattheEmperorAlexanderhadsolicitedGeneralMoreautoenterhisservice,andtakethecommandoftheRussianinfantry.Heofferedhim12,000roublestodefrayhistravellingexpenses.AtasubsequentperiodMoreauunfortunatelyacceptedtheseoffers,anddiedintheenemy’sranks.
Onthe27thofJuneM.BoulignyarrivedatHamburg.HewasappointedtosupersedeM.d’OcarizatStockholm.ThelatterministerhadleftHamburgonthe11thofJuneforConstantinople,wherehedidnotexpecttostaythreemonths.Ihadseverallongconversationswithhimbeforehisdeparture,andhedidnotappeartobesatisfiedwithhisdestination.
WefrequentlyspokeoftheKingofSweden,whoseconductM.d’Ocarizblamed.Hewas,hesaid,ayoungmadman,who,withoutreflectingonthechangeoftimeandcircumstances,wishedtoplaythepartofGustavusAdolphus,towhomheborenoresemblencebutinname.M.d’OcarizspokeoftheKingofSweden’scampinatoneofderision.ThatPrincehadreturnedtotheKingofPrussiathecordonoftheBlackEaglebecausetheorderhadbeengiventotheFirstConsul.IunderstoodthatFrederickWilliamwasverymuchoffendedatthisproceeding,whichwasasindecorousandabsurdasthereturnoftheGoldenFleecebyLouisXVII.
totheKingofSpainwasdignifiedandproper.GustavusAdolphuswasbrave,enterprising,andchivalrous,butinconsiderateandirascible.HecalledBonaparteMonsieurNapoleon.HisfolliesandreversesinHanoverwerewithoutdoubtthecauseofhisabdication.Onthe31stofOctober1805hepublishedadeclarationofwaragainstFranceinlanguagehighlyinsultingtotheEmperor.
Foucheoverwhelmedmewithletters.IfIhadattendedtoallhisinstructionsIshouldhaveleftnobodyunmolested.HeaskedmeforinformationrespectingamannamedLazoret,ofthedepartmentofGard,agirl,namedRosineZimbenni,havinginformedthepolicethathehadbeenkilledinaduelatHamburg.IrepliedthatIknewbutoffourFrenchmenwhohadbeenkilledinthatway;one,namedClement,waskilledbyTarasson;asecond,namedDuparc,killedbyLezardi;athird,namedSadremont,killedbyRevel;andafourth,whosenameIdidnotknow,killedbyLafond.ThislatterhadjustarrivedatHamburgwhenhewaskilled,buthewasnotthemansoughtfor.
LafondwasanativeofBrabant,andhadservedintheBritisharmy.HeinsultedtheFrenchmanbecauseheworethenationalcockade——Aduelwastheconsequence,andtheoffendedpartyfell.M.Reinhart,mypredecessorwishedtopunishLafond,buttheAustrianMinisterhavingclaimedhimasthesubjectofhissovereign,hewasnotmolested.LafondtookrefugeinAntwerp,wherehebecameaplayer.
DuringthefirstmonthswhichsucceededmyarrivalinHamburgIreceivedordersforthearrestofmanypersons,almostallofwhomweredesignatedasdangerousandilldisposedmen.WhenIwasconvincedthattheaccusationwasgroundlessIpostponedthearrest.Thematterwasthenforgotten,andnobodycomplained.
Atitle,orarankinforeignservice,wasasafeguardagainsttheParisinquisition.Ofthisthefollowingisaninstance.CountGimel,ofwhomIshallhereafterhaveoccasiontospeakmoreatlength,setoutaboutthistimeforCarlsbad.CountGrotethePrussianMinister,frequentlyspoketomeofhim.OnmyexpressingapprehensionthatM.deGimelmightbearrested,astherewasastrongprejudiceagainsthim,M.Grotereplied,\"Oh!thereisnofearofthat.HewillreturntoHamburgwiththeraukofanEnglishcolonel.\"
Onthe17thofJulythereappearedintheCorrespondentanarticleexceedinglyinsultingtoFrance.IthadbeeninsertedbyorderofBaronNovozilzow,whowasatBerlin,andwhohadbecomeveryhostiletoFrance,thoughitwassaidhehadbeensentfromSt.PetersburgonaspecificmissiontoNapoleon.ThearticleinquestionwastransmittedfromBerlinbyanextraordinarycourier,andNovozilzowinhisnotetotheSenatesaiditmightbestatedthatthearticlewasinsertedattherequestofHisBritannicMajesty.TheRussianMinisteratBerlin,M.Alopaeus,despatchedalsoan’estafette’totheRussiancharged’affairesatHamburg,withorderstoapplyfortheinsertionofthearticle,whichaccordinglyappeared.InobediencetotheEmperor’sinstructions,I
complainedofit,andtheSenaterepliedthatitneveropposedtheinsertionofanofficialnotesentbyanyGovernment;thatinsultswouldredoundagainstthosefromwhomtheycame;thatthereplyoftheFrenchGovernmentwouldbepublished;andthattheSenatehadneverdeviatedfromthismodeofproceeding.
IobservedtotheSenatethatIdidnotunderstandwhytheCorrespondentshouldmakeitselfthetrumpetofM.Novozilzow;towhichtheSyndicreplied,thattwogreatpowers,whichmightdothemmuchharm,hadrequiredtheinsertionofthearticle,andthatitcouldnotberefused.
ThehatredfeltbytheforeignPrinces,whichthedeathoftheDucd’Enghienhadconsiderablyincreased;gaveencouragementtothepublicationofeverythinghostiletoNapoleon.ThiswascandidlyavowedtomebytheMinistersandforeignersofrankwhomIsawinHamburg.TheKingofSwedenwasmostviolentinmanifestingtheindignationwhichwasgenerallyexcitedbythedeathoftheDued’Enghien.M.Wetterstadt,whohadsucceededM.LaGerbielskeintheCabinetofStockholm,senttotheSwedishMinisteratHamburgalongletterexceedinglyinsultingtoNapoleon.Itwasinreplytoanarticleinsertedinthe’Moniteur’
respectingthereturnoftheBlackEagletotheKingofPrussia.
M.Peyron,theSwedishMinisteratHamburg,whowasveryfarfromapprovingallthathismasterdid,transmittedtoStockholmsomeveryenergeticremarksontheilleffectwhichwouldbeproducedbytheinsertionofthearticleinthe’Correspondent’.Thearticlewasthenalittlemodified,andM.Peyronreceivedformalorderstogetitinserted.
However;onmyrepresentationstheSenateagreedtosuppressit,anditdidnotappear.
MarshalBernadotte,whohadthecommandoftheFrenchtroopsinHanover,keptupafriendlycorrespondencewithmeunconnectedwiththedutiesofourrespectivefunctions.
OntheoccupationofHanoverMr.Taylor,theEnglishMinisteratCassel,wasobligedtoleavethatplace;buthesoonreturnedinspiteoftheoppositionofFrance.Onthissubjectthemarshalfurnishedmewiththefollowingparticulars:
Ihavejustreceived,mydearBourrienne,informationwhichleavesnodoubtofwhathastakenplaceatCasselwithrespecttoMr.
Taylor.ThatMinisterhasbeenreceivedinspiteoftherepresentationsofM.Bignon,which,however,hadpreviouslybeenmerelyverbal.IknowthattheElectorwrotetoLondontorequestthatMr.Taylorshouldnotreturn.InanswertothistheEnglishGovernmentsenthimback.OurMinisterhasdoneeverythinghecouldtoobtainhisdismissal;butthepecuniaryinterestsoftheElectorhavetriumphedovereveryotherconsideration.HewouldnotriskquarrellingwiththeCourtfromwhichheexpectstoreceivemorethan12,000,000francs.TheBritishGovernmenthasbeenwrittentoasecondtime,butwithouteffect.TheElectorhimself,inaprivateletter,hasrequestedtheKingofEnglandtorecallMr.
Taylor,butitisveryprobablethattheCabinetofLondonwillevadethisrequest.
UnderthesecircumstancesourtroopshaveapproachednearertoCassel.HithertothewholedistrictofGottingenhadbeenexemptfromquarteringtroops.Newarrangements,tenderednecessarybythescarcityofforage,haveobligedmetosendasquadronof’chasseursdecheval’toMunden,alittletownfourleaguesfromCassel.ThismovementexcitedsomealarmintheElector,whoexpressedawishtoseethingsrestoredtothesamefootingasbefore.HehasrequestedM.Bignontowritetome,andtoassuremeagainthathewillbedelightedtobecomeacquaintedwithmeatthewatersofNemidorff,whereheintendstospendsometime.ButonthissubjectIshallnotalterthedeterminationIhavealreadymentionedtoyou.
——Yours,etc.,(Signed)BERNADOTTE.
STADE,10thThermidor(29thJuly,1805).
CHAPTERXXXIII.
1805.
TreatyofalliancebetweenEnglandandRussia——Certaintyofanapproachingwar——M.Forshmann,theRussianMinister——Duroc’smissiontoBerlin——NewprojectoftheKingofSweden——SecretmissiontotheBaltic——AnimosityagainstFrance——FalloftheexchangebetweenHamburgandParis——DestructionofthefirstAustrianarmy——TakingofUlm——TheEmperor’sdispleasureattheremarkofasoldier——BattleofTrafalgar——Duroc’spositionattheCourtofPrussia——ArmamentsinRussia——LibeluponNapoleonintheHamburg’Corespondent’——
EmbarrassmentoftheSyndicandBurgomasterofHamburg——TheconductoftheRussianMinistercensuredbytheSwedishandEnglishMinisters.
AtthebeginningofAugust1805atreatyofalliancebetweenRussiaandEnglandwasspokenof.Somepersonsofconsequence,whohadthemeansofknowingallthatwasgoingoninthepoliticalworld,hadreadthistreaty,theprincipalpointsofwhichwerecommunicatedtome.
Article1ststatedthattheobjectofthealliancewastorestorethebalanceofEurope.Byart.2dtheEmperorofRussiawastoplace36,000
menatthedisposalofEngland.Art.3dstipulatedthatneitherofthetwopowerswouldconsenttotreatwithFrance,nortolaydownarmsuntiltheKingofSardiniashouldeitherberestoredtohisdominionsorreceiveanequivalentindemnityinthenortheastofItaly.Byart.4thMaltawastobeevacuatedbytheEnglish,andoccupiedbytheRussians.
Byart.5ththetwopowersweretoguaranteetheindependenceoftheRepublicoftheIonianIsles,andEnglandwastopledgeherselftoassistRussiainherwaragainstPersia.Ifthisplanofatreaty,oftheexistenceofwhichIwasinformedonunquestionableauthority,hadbeenbroughttoanyresultitisimpossibletocalculatewhatmighthavebeenitsconsequences.
AtthattimeanimmediateContinentalwarwasconfidentlyexpectedbyeverypersoninthenorthofEurope;anditisverycertainthat,hadnotNapoleontakenthehintintimeandrenouncedhisabsurdschemesatBoulogne,Francewouldhavestoodinadangeroussituation.
M.Forshmann,theRussiancharged’affaires,wasintriguingtoexcitethenorthofEuropeagainstFrance.Herepeatedlyreceivedorderstoobtaintheinsertionofirritatingarticlesinthe’Correspondent’.Hewasanactive,intriguing,andspitefullittleman,andadeclaredenemyofFrance;butfortunatelyhisstupidityandvanityrenderedhimlessdangerousthanhewishedtobe.Hewasuniversallydetested,andhewouldhavelostallcreditbutthattheextensivetradecarriedonbetweenRussiaandHamburgforcedtheinhabitantsandmagistratesofthatcitytobearwithamanwhomighthavedonethem,individually,considerableinjury.
TherecollectionofDuroc’ssuccessfulmissiontoBerlinduringtheConsulateinducedNapoleontobelievethatthatgeneralmightappeasetheKingofPrussia,whocomplainedseriouslyoftheviolationoftheterritoryofAnspach,whichBernadotte,inconsequenceoftheordershereceived,hadnotbeenabletorespect.DurocremainedaboutsixweeksinBerlin.
ThefollowingletterfromDurocwillshowthatthefacilityofpassingthroughHesseseemedtoexcusethesecondviolationofthePrussianterritory;buttherewasagreatdifferencebetweenapettyPrinceofHesseandtheKingofPrussia.
Isendyou,mydearBourrienne,twodespatches,whichIhavereceivedforyou.M.deTalleyrand,whosendsthem,desiresmetorequestthatyouwilltransmitGeneralVictor’sbyasureconveyance.
IdonotyetknowwhetherIshallstaylonginBerlin.BythelastaccountsIreceivedtheEmperorisstillinParis,andnumerousforcesareassemblingontheRhine.Thehopesofpeacearevanishingeveryday,andAustriadoeseverythingtopromotewar.
IhavereceivedaccountsfromMarshalBernadotte.HehaseffectedhispassagethroughHesse.MarshalBernadottewasmuchpleasedwiththecourtesyheexperiencedfromtheElector.
ThejunctionofthecorpscommandedbyBernadottewiththearmyoftheEmperorwasveryimportant,andNapoleonthereforedirectedtheMarshaltocomeupwithhimasspeedilyaspossible,andbytheshortestroad.
ItwasnecessaryheshouldarriveintimeforthebattleofAusterlitz.
Gustavus,KingofSweden,whowasalwaysengagedinsomeenterprise,wishedtoraiseanarmycomposedofSwedes,Prussians,andEnglish;andcertainlyavigorousattackinthenorthwouldhavepreventedBernadottefromquittingthebanksoftheElbeandtheWeser,andreinforcingtheGrandArmywhichwasmarchingonVienna.ButtheKingofSweden’scoalitionproducednootherresultthanthesiegeofthelittlefortressofHameln.
PrussiawouldnotcometoarupturewithFrance,theKingofSwedenwasabandoned,andBonaparte’sresentmentagainsthimincreased.ThisabortiveprojectofGustavuscontributednotalittletoalienatetheaffectionsofhissubjects,whofearedthattheymightbethevictimsoftherevengeexcitedbytheextravagantplansoftheirKing,andtheinsultshehadheapeduponNapoleon,particularlysincethedeathoftheDued’Enghien.
Onthe13thofSeptember1805IreceivedaletterfromtheMinisterofPolicesolicitinginformationaboutSwedishPomerania.
AstonishedatnotobtainingfromthecommercialConsulsatLubeckandStettinanyaccountsofthemovementsoftheRussians,Ihadsenttothoseports,fourdaysbeforethereceiptofthePoliceMinister’sletter,aconfidentialagent,toobservetheBaltic:thoughwewereonly64leaguesfromStralsundthemostuncertainandcontradictoryaccountscametohand.Itwas,however,certainthatalandingoftheRussianswasexpectedatStralsund,oratTravemtinde,theportofLubeck,atthemouthofthelittleriverTrave.IwaspositivelyinformedthatRussiahadfreightedaconsiderablenumberofvesselsforthoseports.
ThehatredoftheFrenchcontinuedtoincreaseinthenorthofEurope.
AbouttheendofSeptemberthereappearedatKiel,inDenmark,alibellouspamphlet,whichwasboughtandreadwithinconceivableavidity.
Thispamphlet,whichwasveryablywritten,wastheproductionofsomefanaticwhoopenlypreachedacrusadeagainstFrance.TheauthorregardedthebloodofmillionsofmenasatriflingsacrificeforthegreatobjectofhumiliatingFranceandbringingherbacktothelimitsoftheoldmonarchy.ThispamphletwascirculatedextensivelyintheGermandepartmentsunitedtoFrance,inHolland,andinSwitzerland.ThenumberofincendiarypublicationswhicheverywhereaboundedindicatedbuttooplainlythatifthenationsofthenorthshouldbedrivenbacktowardstheArcticregionstheywouldintheirturnrepulsetheirconquerorstowardsthesouth;andnomanofcommonsensecoulddoubtthatiftheFrencheagleswereplantedinforeigncapitals,foreignstandardswouldonedaywaveoverParis.
Onthe30thofSeptember1805Ireceived,byan’estafette’,intelligenceofthelandingatStralsundof6000Swedes,whohadarrivedfromStockholmintwoshipsofwar.
AbouttheendofSeptembertheHamburgexchangeonParisfellalarmingly.
Thelosswastwentypercent.Thefallstoppedatseventeenbelowpar.
ThespeculationforthisfalloftheexchangehadbeenmadewithequalimprudenceandanimositybythehouseofOsyandCompanyTheheadofthathouse,aDutchemigrant,whohadbeensettledatHamburgaboutsixyears,seizedeveryopportunityofmanifestinghishatredofFrance.AnagentofthatrichhouseatRotterdamwasalsoveryhostiletous,acircumstancewhichshowsthatifmanypersonssacrificetheirpoliticalopinionstotheirintereststhereareotherswhoendangertheirinterestsforthetriumphoftheiropinions.
Onthe23dofOctober1805IreceivedofficialintelligenceofthetotaldestructionofthefirstAustrianarmy:GeneralBarbou,whowasinHanover,alsoinformedmeofthateventinthefollowingterms:\"ThefirstAustrianarmyhasceasedtoexist.\"HealludedtothebrilliantaffairofUlm.Iimmediatelydespatchedtwelveestafettestodifferentparts;amongotherplacestoStralsundandHusum.Ithoughtthattheseprodigies,whichmusthavebeenalmostincredibletothosewhowereunacquaintedwithNapoleon’smilitarygenius,mightarresttheprogressoftheRussiantroops,andproducessomechangeinthemovementsoftheenemy’sforces.Asecondeditionofthe’Correspondent’waspublishedwiththisintelligence,and6000copiesweresoldatfourtimestheusualprice.
IneednotdetainthereaderwiththedetailsofthecapitulationofUlm,whichhavealreadybeenpublished,butImayrelatethefollowinganecdote,whichisnotgenerallyknown.AFrenchgeneralpassingbeforetheranksofhismensaidtothem,\"Well,comrades,wehaveprisonersenoughhere.\"——\"yesindeed,\"repliedoneofthesoldiers,\"weneversawsomanycollectedtogetherbefore.\"Itwasstatedatthetime,andIbelieveit,thattheEmperorwasmuchdispleasedwhenheheardofthis,andremarkedthatitwas\"atrocioustoinsultbravementowhomthefateofarmshadprovedunfavourable.\"