Onthe19thofDecembertheLegislativeBodywasconvoked.ItwasonaWednesday.M.LainewasVice—PresidentunderM.Regnier.AcommitteewasappointedtoexamineandreportonthecommunicationsoftheEmperor.
Thereportandconclusionsofthecommitteewerenotsatisfactory;itwasallegedthattheybetrayedarevolutionarytendency,ofwhichM.Lainewasabsurdlyaccusedofhavingbeenoneofthepromoters;butallwhoknewhimmusthavebeenconvincedofthefalsehoodofthecharge.TheEmperororderedthereporttobeseized,andthenadjournedtheLegislativeBody.ThosewhoattentivelyobservedtheeventsofthetimewillrecollectthestuporwhichprevailedinParisontheintelligenceofthisseizureandoftheadjournmentoftheLegislativeBody.Athousandconjectureswerestartedastowhatnewoccurrenceshadtakenplaceabroad,butnothingsatisfactorywaslearned.
Iconsideredthisagreatmistake.WhocandoubtthatiftheLegislativeBodyhadtakenthefrankandnoblestepofdeclaringthatFranceacceptedtheconditionsofFrankforttheywouldnothavebeenlistenedtobytheAllies?Butthewords,\"Youaredishonouredifyoucedeasinglevillageacquiredbya’Senatus—consulte’,\"always,resoundedinNapoleon’sears:
theyflatteredhissecretthoughts,andeverypacificproposalwasrejected.
ThemembersoftheadjournedLegislativeBodywentasusualtotakeleaveoftheEmperor,whoreceivedthemonaSunday,andafterdeliveringtothemthespeech,whichisverywellknown,dismissedtherebelswithgreatill—humour,refusingtohearanyexplanation.\"Ihavesuppressedyouraddress,\"hebeganabruptly:\"itwasincendiary.Icalledyouroundmetodogood——youhavedoneill.Eleven—twelfthsofyouarewell—
intentioned,theothers,andaboveallM.Laine,arefactiousintriguers,devotedtoEngland,toallmyenemies,andcorrespondingthroughthechanneloftheadvocateDesezewiththeBourbons.ReturntoyourDepartments,andfeelthatmyeyewillfollowyou;youhaveendeavouredtohumbleme,youmaykillme,butyoushallnotdishonourme.Youmakeremonstrances;isthisatime,whenthestrangerinvadesourprovinces,and200,000Cossacksarereadytooverflowourcountry?Theremayhavebeenpettyabuses;Ineverconnivedatthem.You,M.Raynouard,yousaidthat.PrinceMassenarobbedamanatMarseillesofhishouse.Youlie!
TheGeneraltookpossessionofavacanthouse,andmyMinistershallindemnifytheproprietor.IsitthusthatyoudareaffrontaMarshalofFrancewhohasbledforhiscountry,andgrowngrayinvictory?Whydidyounotmakeyourcomplaintsinprivatetome?Iwouldhavedoneyoujustice.Weshouldwashourdirtylinenathome,andnotdragitoutbeforetheworld.You,callyourselvesRepresentativesoftheNation.
Itisnottrue;youareonlyDeputiesoftheDepartments;asmallportionoftheState,inferiortotheSenate,inferioreventotheCouncilofState.TheRepresentativesofthePeople!IamalonetheRepresentativeofthePeople.Twicehave24,000,000ofFrenchcalledmetothethrone:
whichofyoudurstundertakesuchaburden?Ithadalreadyoverwhelmed(ecrase),yourAssemblies,andyourConventions,yourVergniaudsandyourGuadets,yourJacobinsandyourGirondins.Theyarealldead!What,whoareyou?nothing——allauthorityisintheThrone;andwhatistheThrone?thiswoodenframecoveredwithvelvet?——no,IamtheThrone!
Youhaveaddedwrongtoreproaches.Youhavetalkedofconcessions——
concessionsthatevenmyenemiesdarednotask!IsupposeiftheyaskedChampaigneyouwouldhavehadmegivethemLaBriebesides;butinfourmonthsIwillconquerpeace,orIshallbedead!Youadvise!howdareyoudebateofsuchhighmatters(desigravesinterets)!Youhaveputmeinthefrontofthebattleasthecauseofwar——itisinfamous(c’estuneatrocite).InallyourcommitteesyouhaveexcludedthefriendsofGovernment——extraordinarycommission——committeeoffinance——committeeoftheaddress,all,allmyenemies.M.Laine,Irepeatit,isatraitor;
heisawickedman,theothersaremereintriguers.Idojusticetotheeleven—twelfths;butthefactionsIknow,andwillpursue.Isit,Iaskagain,isitwhiletheenemyisinFrancethatyoushouldhavedonethis?
Butnaturehasgiftedmewithadeterminedcourage——nothingcanovercomeme.Itcostmypridemuchtoo——Imadethatsacrifice;I——butIamaboveyourmiserabledeclamations——Iwasinneedofconsolation,andyouwouldmortifyme——but,no,myvictoriesshallcrushyourclamours!Inthreemonthsweshallhavepeace,andyoushallrepentyourfolly.Iamoneofthosewhotriumphordie.
\"GobacktoyourDepartmentsifanyoneofyoudaretoprintyouraddressIshallpublishitintheMoniteurwithnotesofmyown.Go;FrancestandsinmoreneedofmethanIdoofFrance.Ibeartheeleven—
twelfthsofyouinmyheart——IshallnominatetheDeputiestothetwoserieswhicharevacant,andIshallreducetheLegislativeBodytothedischargeofitsproperduties.TheinhabitantsofAlsaceandFrancheComtehavemorespiritthanyou;theyaskmeforarms,Isendthem,andoneofmyaidesdecampwillleadthemagainsttheenemy.\"
InafterconversationshesaidoftheLegislativeBodythat\"itsmembersnevercametoParisbuttoobtainsomefavours.TheyimportunedtheMinistersfrommorningtillnight,andcomplainediftheywerenotimmediatelysatisfied.Wheninvitedtodinnertheyburnwithenvyatthesplendourtheyseebeforethem.\"IheardthisfromCambaceres,whowaspresentwhentheEmperormadetheseremarks.
CHAPTERXXXI.
1813.
TheflagofthearmyofItalyandtheeaglesof1813——EntranceoftheAlliesintoSwitzerland——SummonstotheMinisterofPolice——
MyrefusaltoacceptamissiontoSwitzerland——InterviewswithM.deTalleyrandandtheDuedePicence——OfferofaDukedomandtheGrandCordonoftheLegionofHonour——Definitiverefusal——TheDucdeVicence’smessagetomein1815——CommencementofthesiegeofHamburg——Abridgetwoleagueslong——ExecutionsatLubeck——ScarcityofprovisionsinHamburg——Banishmentoftheinhabitants——Menbastinadoedandwomenwhipped——HospitalityoftheinhabitantsofAltona.
IamnowarrivedatthemostcriticalperiodinNapoleon’scareer.Whatreflectionsmusthehavemade,ifhehadhadleisuretoreflect,incomparingtherecollectionsofhisrisingglorywiththesadpictureofhisfallingfortune?WhatacontrastpresentsitselfwhenwecomparethefamousflagofthearmyofItaly,whichtheyouthfulconqueror,Bonaparte,carriedtotheDirectory,withthosedroopingeagleswhohadnowtodefendtheaeriewhencetheyhadsooftentakenflighttospreadtheirtriumphantwingsoverEurope!Hereweseethedifferencebetweenlibertyandabsolutepower!Napoleon,thesonofliberty,towhomheowedeverything,haddisownedhismother,andwasnowabouttofall.
ThoseglorioustriumphswerenowoverwhenthepeopleofItalyconsoledthemselvesfordefeatandsubmittedtothemagicalpowerofthatlibertywhichprecededtheRepublicanarmies.Now,onthecontrary,itwastofreethemselvesfromadespoticyokethatthenationsofEuropehadintheirturntakenuparmsandwerepreparingtoinvadeFrance.
WiththeviolationoftheSwissterritorybytheAlliedarmies,aftertheconsentoftheCantons,isconnectedafactofgreatimportanceinmylife,andwhich,ifIhadchosen,mighthavemadeagreatdifferenceinmydestiny.OnTuesday,the28thofDecember,Idinedwithmyoldfriend,M.Pierlot,andonleavinghomeIwasinthehabitofsayingwhereImightbefoundincaseIshouldbewanted.Atnineo’clockatnightanexpressarrivedfromtheMinisterofPolicedesiringmetocomeimmediatelytohisoffice.Iconfess,consideringthecircumstancesofthetimes,andknowingtheEmperor’sprejudicesagainstme,sucharequestcomingatsuchanhourmademefeelsomeuneasiness,andI
expectednothinglessthenajourneytoVincennes.TheDuedeRovigo,bybecomingresponsibleforme,hadasyetwardedofftheblow,andthesupervisiontowhichtheEmperorhadsubjectedme——thankstothegoodofficesofDavoust——consistedingoingthreetimesaweektoshowmyselftoSavory.
Iaccordingly,havingfirstborrowedanight—cap,repairedtothehoteloftheMinisterofPolice.Iwasusheredintoawell—lightedroom,andwhenIenteredIfoundSavarywaitingforme.Hewasinfullcostume,fromwhichIconcludedhehadjustcomefromtheEmperor.Advancingtowardsmewithanairwhichshowedhehadnobadnewstocommunicate,hethusaddressedme:
\"Bourrienne,IhavejustcomefromtheEmperor,whoaskedmewhereyouwere?ItoldhimyouwereinParis,andthatIsawyouoften.’Well,’
continuedtheEmperor,’bidhimcometome,Iwanttoemployhim.Itisthreeyearssincehehashadanythingtodo.IwishtosendhimasMinistertoSwitzerland,buthemustsetoffdirectly.HemustgototheAllies.HeunderstandsGermanwell.TheKingofPrussiaexpressedbylettersatisfactionathisconducttowardsthePrussianswhomthewarforcedtoretiretoHamburg.HeknowsPrinceWitgenstein,whoisthefriendoftheKingofPrussia,andprobablyisatLorrach.HewillseealltheGermanswhoarethere.Iconfidentlyrelyonhim,andbelievehisjourneywillhaveagoodresult.Caulaincourtwillgivehimhisinstructions.\"
NotwithstandingmyextremesurpriseatthiscommunicationIrepliedwithouthesitationthatIcouldnotacceptthemission;thatitwasofferedtoolate.\"Itperhapsishoped;\"saidI,\"thatthebridgeofBalewillbedestroyed,andthatSwitzerlandwillpreserveherneutrality.ButIdonotbelieveanysuchthing;nay,more,Iknowpositivelytothecontrary.Icanonlyrepeattheoffercomesmuchtoolate.\"——\"Iamverysorryforthisresolution,\"observedSavory,\"butCaulaincourtwillperhapspersuadeyou.TheEmperorwishesyoutogotheDuodeVicenceto—morrowatoneo’clock;hewillacquaintyouwithalltheparticulars,andgiveyouyourinstructions.\"——\"Hemayacquaintmewithwhateverbechooses,butIwillnotgotoLohraah.\"——\"YouknowtheEmperorbetterthanIdo,hewishesyoutogo,andhewillnotpardonyourrefusal.\"Hemaydoashepleases,butnoconsiderationshallinducemetogotoSwitzerland.\"——\"Youarewrong:butyouwillreflectonthematterbetweenthisandtomorrowmorning.Nightwillbringgoodcounsel,Atanyrate,donotfailtogoto—morrowatoneo’clocktoCaulaincourt,heexpectsyou,anddirectionswillbegiventoadmityouimmediately.\"
NextmorningthefirstthingIdidwastocallonM.deTalleyrand.
Itoldhimwhathadtakenplace,andashewasintimatelyacquaintedwithCaulaincourt,IbeggedhimtospeaktothatMinisterinfavourofmy,resolution.M.deTalleyrandapprovedofmydeterminationnottogotoSwitzerland,andatoneo’clockpreciselyIproceededtoM.deCaulaincourt’s.Hetoldmeallhehadbeeninstructedtosay.FromthemannerinwhichhemadethecommunicationIconcludedthathehimselfconsideredtheproposedmissionadisagreeableone,andunlikelytobeattendedbyanyusefulresult.IobservedthathemusthaveheardfromSavorythatIhadalreadyexpressedmydeterminationtodeclinethemissionwhichtheEmperorhadbeenpleasedtoofferme.TheDucdeVicencethen,inaveryfriendlyway,detailedthereasonswhichoughttoinducemetoaccepttheoffer,anddidnotdisguisefrommethatbypersistinginmydeterminationIrantheriskofraisingNapoleon’sdoubtsastomyopinionsandfutureintentions.Irepliedthat,havinglivedforthreeyearsasaprivateindividual,unconnectedwithpublicaffairs,IshouldhavenoinfluenceattheheadquartersoftheAllies,andthatwhateverlittleabilityImightbesupposedtopossess,thatwouldnotcounterbalancethedifficultiesofmysituation,andtheopinionthatIwasoutoffavour.IaddedthatIshouldappearattheheadquarterswithoutanydecoration,withouteventhatoftheCordonoftheLegionofHonourtowhichtheEmperorattachedsomuchimportance,andthewantofwhichwouldalmosthavetheappearanceofdisgrace;andI
saidthatthesetrifles,howeverslightlyvaluedbyreasonablemen,werenot,ashewellknew,withouttheirinfluenceonthemenwithwhomI
shouldhavetotreat.\"Ifthatbeall,\"replied.Caulaincourt,\"theobstaclewillspeedilyberemoved.IamauthorisedbytheEmperortotellyouthathewillcreateyouaDuke,andgiveyoutheGrandCordonoftheLegionofHonour.\"
AfterthesewordsIthoughtIwasdreaming,andIwasalmostinclinedtobelievethatCaulaincourtwasjestingwithme.However,theofferwasserious,andIwillnotdenythatitwastempting;yetIneverthelesspersistedintherefusalIhadgiven.Atlength,aftersomefurtherconversation,andrenewed,butuseless,entreatiesonthepartofM.deCaulaincourt,hearose,whichwasasignalthatourinterviewwasterminated.IacknowledgeIremainedforamomentindoubthowtoact,forIfeltwehadcometonounderstanding.M.de’Caulaincourtadvancedslowlytowardsthedoorofhiscabinet:IfIwentawaywithoutknowinghisopinionIhaddonenothing;addressinghim,therefore,byhissurname,\"Caulaincourt;\"saidI,\"youhavefrequentlyassuredmethatyouwouldneverforgettheservicesIrenderedtoyouandyourfamilyatatimewhenIpossessedsomeinfluence.Iknowyou,andthereforespeaktoyouwithoutdisguise.IdonotnowaddressmyselftotheEmperor’sMinister,buttoCaulaincourt.Youareamanofhonour,andIcanopenmyhearttoyoufrankly.ConsidertheembarrassingsituationofFrance,whichyouknowbetterthanIdo.Idonotaskyouforyoursecrets,butImyselfknowenough.IwilltellyoucandidlythatIamconvincedtheenemywillpasstheRhineinafewdays.TheEmperorhasbeendeceived:
Ishouldnothavetimetoreachmydestination,andIshouldbelaughedat.MycorrespondentsinGermanyhavemademeacquaintedwitheveryparticular.Now,Caulaincourt,tellmehonestly,ifyouwereinmyplace,andIinyours,andIshouldmakethispropositiontoyou,whatdeterminationwouldyouadopt?\"
IobservedfromtheexpressionofCaulaincourt’scountenancethatmyquestionhadmadeanimpressiononhim,andaffectionatelypressingmyhandhesaid,Iwoulddoasyoudo:Enough.IwillarrangethebusinesswiththeEmperor.\"Thisreplyseemedtoremoveaweightfrommymind,andIleftCaulaincourtwithfeelingsofgratitude.Ifeltfullyassuredthathewouldsettlethebusinesssatisfactorily,andinthisconjectureIwasnotdeceived,forIheardnomoreofthematter.
ImustheregoforwardayeartorelateanotheroccurrenceinwhichtheDuedeVicenceandIwereconcerned.When,inMarch1815,theKingappointedmePrefectofPolice,M.deCaulaincourtsenttomeaconfidentialpersontoinquirewhetherherananyriskinremaininginParis,orwhetherhehadbetterremove.HehadbeentoldthathisnamewasinscribedinalistofindividualswhomIhadreceivedorderstoarrest.Delightedatthisproofofconfidence,IreturnedthefollowinganswerbytheDuedeVicence’smessenger:\"TellM.deCaulaincourtthatI
donotknowwherehelives.Heneedbeundernoapprehension:Iwillanswerforhim.\"
Duringthecampaignof1813theAllies,afterdrivingtheFrenchoutofSaxonyandobligingthemtoretreattowardstheRhine,besiegedHamburg,whereDavoustwasshutupwithagarrisonof30,000men,resolutelydeterminedtomakeitasecondSaragossa.FromthemonthofSeptembereverydayaugmentedthenumberoftheAlliedtroops,whowerealreadymakingrapidprogressontheleftbankoftheElbe.DavoustendeavouredtofortifyHamburgansoextendedascalethat,intheopinionofthemostexperiencedmilitarymen,itwouldhaverequiredagarrisonof60,000mentodefenditinaregularandprotractedsiege.AtthecommencementofthesiegeDavoustlostVandamme,whowaskilledinasortieattheheadofanumerouscorpswhichwasinconsideratelysacrificed.
ItisbutjusticetoadmitthatDavoustdisplayedgreatactivityinthedefence,andbeganbylayinginlargesupplies.
——[VandammefoughtunderGrouchyin1815,anddiedseveralyearsafterwards.ThiskillinghimatHamburgisoneofthecuriousmistakesseizedonbytheBonapartiststodenytheauthenticityoftheseMemoirs.]——
GeneralBertrandwasdirectedtoconstructabridgetoformacommunicationbetweenHamburgandHaarburgbyjoiningtheislandsoftheElbetotheContinentalongatotaldistanceofabouttwoleagues.Thisbridgewastobebuiltofwood,andDavoustseizeduponallthetimber—
yardstosupplymaterialsforitsconstruction.Inthespaceofeighty—
threedaysthebridgewasfinished.Itwasaverymagnificentstructure,itslengthbeing2529toises,exclusiveofthelinesofjunction,formedonthetwoislands.
Theinhabitantsweredreadfullyoppressed,butallthecruelmeasuresandprecautionsoftheFrenchwereineffectual,fortheAlliesadvancedingreatforceandoccupiedWestphalia,whichmovementobligedtheGovernorofHamburgtorecalltothetownthedifferentdetachmentsscatteredroundHamburg.
AtLubeckthedepartureoftheFrenchtroopswasmarkedbyblood.Beforetheyevacuatedthetown,anoldman,andabutchernamedPrahl,werecondemnedtobeshot.Thebutcher’scrimeconsistedinhavingsaid,inspeakingoftheFrench,\"Derteufelhohlesie\"(thedeviltakethem).
Theoldmanfortunatelyescapedhisthreatenedfate,but,notwithstandingtheentreatiesandtearsoftheinhabitants,thesentenceuponPrahlwascarriedintoexecution.
ThegarrisonofHamburgwascomposedofFrench,Italian,andDutchtroops.Theirnumberatfirstamountedto30,000,butsicknessmadegreat—havocamongthem.Fromsixtytoeightyperisheddailyinthehospitals.WhenthegarrisonevacuatedHamburginMay1814itwasreducedtoabout15,000men.InthemonthofDecemberprovisionsbegantodiminish,andtherewasnopossibilityofrenewingthesupply.Thepoorwerefirstofallmadetoleavethetown,andafterwardsallpersonswhowerenotusefullyemployed.Itisnoexaggerationtoestimateat50,000thenumberofpersonswhowerethusexiled.ThecolonelcommandingthegendarmerieatHamburgnotifiedtotheexiledinhabitantsthatthosewhodidnotleavethetownwithintheprescribedtimewouldreceivefiftyblowswithacaneandafterwardsbedrivenout.Butifpenancemaybecommutedwithpriestssoitmaywithgendarmes.
Delinquentscontrivedtopurchasetheirescapefromthebastinadobyasumofmoney,andFrenchgallantrysubstitutedwithrespecttofemalesthebirchforthecane.Isawanorderdirectingallfemaleservantstobeexaminedastotheirhealthunlesstheycouldproducecertificatesfromtheirmasters.Onthe25thofDecembertheGovernmentgrantedtwenty—fourhourslongertopersonswhowereorderedtoquitthetown;
andtwodaysafterthisindulgenceanordinancewaspublisheddeclaringthatthosewhoshouldreturntothetownafteronceleavingitweretobeconsideredasrebelsandaccomplicesoftheenemy,andassuchcondemnedtodeathbyaprevotalcourt.Butthiswasnotenough.AttheendofDecemberpeople,withoutdistinctionofsexorage,weredraggedfromtheirbedsandconveyedoutofthetownonacoldnight,whenthethermometerwasbetweensixteenoreighteendegrees;anditwasaffirmedthatseveraloldmenperishedinthisremoval.ThosewhosurvivedwereleftontheoutsideoftheAltonagates.AtAltonatheyallfoundrefugeandassistance.OnChristmas—day7000oftheseunfortunatepersonswerereceivedinthehouseofM.Rainville,formerlyaidedecamptoDumouriez,andwholeftFrancetogetherwiththatgeneral.Hishouse,whichwasatHolstein,wasusuallythesceneofbrilliantentertainments,butitwasconvertedintotheabodeofmisery,mourning,anddeath.Allpossibleattentionwasbestowedontheunfortunateoutlaws;butfewprofitedbyit,andwhatisworse,theinhabitantsofAltonasufferedfortheirgenerosity.ManyoftheunfortunatepersonswereaffectedwiththeepidemicdiseasewhichwasraginginHamburg,andwhichinconsequencebrokeoutatAltona.
AllmeansofraisingmoneyinHamburgbeingexhausted,aseizurewasmadeofthefundsoftheBankofthatcity,whichyetcontainedfromseventoeightmillionsofmarks.WerethosewhoorderedthismeasurenotawarethattoseizeonthefundsofsomeofthecitizensofHamburgwasaninjurytoallforeignerswhohadfundsintheBank?Suchisabriefstatementofthevexationsandcrueltieswhichlongoppressedthisunfortunatecity.NapoleonaccusedHamburgofAnglomania,andbyruiningherhethoughttoruinEngland.Hamburg,feebleandbereftofhersources,couldonlycomplain,likeJerusalemwhenbesiegedbyTitus:
\"Plorans,plorcatritinnocte.\"
CHAPTERXXXII.
1813—1814.
PrinceEugeneandtheaffairsofItaly——ThearmyofItalyonthefrontiersofAustria——Eugene’sregretatthedefectionoftheBavarians——Murat’sdissimulationandperfidy——HistreatywithAustria——Hostilitiesfollowedbyadeclarationofwar——MuratabandonedbytheFrenchgenerals——ProclamationfromParis——Murat’ssuccess——GiganticschemeofNapoleon——NapoleonadvisedtojointheJacobins——Hisrefusal——ArmamentoftheNationalGuard——TheEmperor’sfarewelltotheofficers——TheCongressofChatillon——Refusalofanarmistice——Napoleon’scharacterdisplayedinhisnegotiations——
OpeningoftheCongress——Discussions——RuptureoftheConferences.
IwarsnowproceedtonoticetheaffairsofItalyandtheprincipaleventsoftheViceroyaltyofEugene.InordertothrowtogetherallthatIhavetosayabouttheViceroyImustanticipatetheorderoftime.
Afterthecampaignof1812,whenEugenerevisitedItaly,hewaspromptlyinformedofthemorethandoubtfuldispositionsofAustriatowardsFrance.HethenmadepreparationsforraisinganarmycapableofdefendingthecountrywhichtheEmperorhadcommittedtohissafeguard.
NapoleonwasfullyawarehowmuchadvantagehewouldderivefromthepresenceonthenorthernfrontiersofItalyofanarmysufficientlystrongtoharassAustria,incasesheshoulddrawasidethetransparentveilwhichstillcoveredherpolicy.EugenedidallthatdependedonhimtomeettheEmperor’swishes;butinspiteofhiseffortsthearmyofItalywas,afterall;onlyanimaginaryarmytothosewhocouldcomparethenumberofmenactuallyenrolledwiththenumbersstatedinthelists.
When,inJuly1813,theViceroywasinformedoftheturntakenbythenegotiationsattheshadowofaCongressassembledatPrague,hehadnolongeranydoubtoftherenewalofhostilities;andforeseeinganattackonItalyheresolvedasspeedilyaspossibletoapproachthefrontiersofAustria.HehadsucceededinassemblinganarmycomposedofFrenchandItalians,andamountingto45,000infantryand5000cavalry.OntherenewalofhostilitiestheViceroy’sheadquarterswereatUdine.DowntothemonthofApril1814hesucceededinmaintainingaformidableattitude,andindefendingtheentranceofhiskingdombydintofthatmilitarytalentwhichwastobeexpectedinamanbredinthegreatschoolofNapoleon,andwhomthearmylookeduptoasoneofitsmostskillfulgenerals.
Duringthegreatandunfortunateeventsof1813alleyeshadbeenfixedonGermanyandtheRhine;butthedefectionofMuratforatimedivertedattentiontoItaly.Thateventdidnotsoverymuchsurpriseme,forI
hadnotforgottenmyconversationwiththeKingofNaplesintheChampsElysees,withwhichIhavemadethereaderacquainted.AtfirstMurat’sdefectionwasthoughtincrediblebyeveryone,andithighlyexcitedBonaparte’sindignation.AnotherdefectionwhichoccurredaboutthesameperioddeeplydistressedEugene,foralthoughraisedtotherankofaprince,andalmostasovereign,hewasstillaman,andanexcellentman.
HewasunitedtothePrincessAmeliaofBavaria,whowasasamiableandasmuchbelovedashe,andhehadthedeepmortificationtocountthesubjectsofhisfather—in—lawamongtheenemieswhomhewouldprobablyhavetocombat.FearinglestheshouldbeharassedbytheBavariansonthesideoftheTyrol,Eugenecommencedhisretrogrademovementintheautumnof1813.HeatfirstfellbackontheTagliamento,andsuccessivelyontheAdige.OnreachingthatriverthearmyofItalywasconsiderablydiminished,inspiteofallEugene’scareofhistroops.
AbouttheendofNovemberEugenelearnedthataNeapolitancorpswasadvancinguponUpperItaly,parttakingthedirectionofRome,andpartthatofAncona.TheobjectoftheKingofNapleswastotakeadvantageofthesituationofEurope,andhewasdupedbythepromisesheldouttohimastherewardofhistreason.MuratseemedtohaveadoptedtheartfulpolicyofAustria;fornotonlyhadhedeterminedtojointhecoalition,buthewasevenmaintainingcommunicationswithEnglandandAustria,whileatthesametimehewasmakingprotestationsoffidelitytohisengagementswithNapoleon.
WhenfirstinformedofMurat’streasonbytheViceroytheEmperorrefusedtobelieveit.\"No,\"heexclaimedtothoseabouthim,\"itcannotbe!
Murat,towhomIhavegivenmysister!Murat,towhomIhavegivenathrone!Eugenemustbemisinformed.ItisimpossiblethatMurathasdeclaredhimselfagainstme!\"Itwas,however,notonlypossiblebuttrue.Graduallythrowingasidethedissimulationbeneathwhichhehadconcealedhisdesigns,MuratseemedinclinedtorenewthepolicyofItalyduringthefifteenthandsixteenthcenturies,whentheartofdeceivingwasdeemedbytheItalianGovernmentsthemostsublimeeffortofgenius.
Withoutanydeclarationofwar,MuratorderedtheNeapolitanGeneralwhooccupiedRometoassumethesupremecommandintheRomanStates,andtotakepossessionofthecountry.GeneralMiollis,whocommandedtheFrenchtroopsinRome,couldonlythrowhimself,withhishandfulofmen,intotheCastleofSt.Angelo,thefamousmoleofAdrian,inwhichwaslongpreservedthetreasuryofSixtusV.TheFrenchGeneralsoonfoundhimselfblockadedbytheNeapolitantroops,whoalsoblockadedCivitaVecchiaandAncona.
ThetreatyconcludedbetweenMuratandAustriawasdefinitivelysignedonthe11thofJanuary1814.AssoonashewasinformedofittheViceroy,certainthatheshouldsoonhavetoengagewiththeNeapolitans,wasobligedtorenouncethepreservationofthelineoftheAdige,theNeapolitanarmybeingintherearofhisrightwing.HeaccordinglyorderedaretrogrademovementtotheothersideoftheMincio,wherehisarmywascantoned.InthispositionPrinceEugene,onthe8thofFebruary,hadtoengagewiththeAustrians,whohadcomeupwithhim,andthevictoryoftheMincioarrested,forsometime,theinvasionoftheAustrianarmyanditsjunctionwiththeNeapolitantroops.
ItwasnotuntileightdaysafterthatMuratofficiallydeclaredwaragainsttheEmperor;andimmediatelyseveralgeneralandsuperiorofficers,andmanyFrenchtroops,whowereinhisservice,abandonedhim,andrepairedtotheheadquartersoftheViceroy.Muratmadeendeavourstodetainthem;theyreplied,thatashehaddeclaredwaragainstFrance,noFrenchmanwholovedhiscountrycouldremaininhisservice.\"Doyouthink,\"returnedhe,\"thatmyheartisleesFrenchthanyours?Onthecontrary,Iammuchtobepitied.IhearofnothingbutthedisastersoftheGrandArmy.IhavebeenobligedtoenterintoatreatywiththeAustrians,andanarrangementwiththeEnglish,commandedbyLordBentinck,inordertosavemyKingdomfromathreatenedlandingoftheEnglishandtheSicilians,whichwouldinfalliblyhaveexcitedaninsurrection.\"
TherecouldnotbeamoreingenuousconfessionoftheantipathywhichJoachimknewtheNeapolitanstoentertaintowardshispersonandgovernment.HisaddresstotheFrenchwasineffectual.Itwaseasytoforeseewhatwouldensue.TheViceroysoonreceivedanofficialcommunicationfromNapoleon’sWarMinister,accompaniedbyanImperialdecree,recallingalltheFrenchwhowereintheserviceofJoachim,anddeclaringthatallwhoweretakenwitharmsintheirhandsshouldbetriedbyacourtmartialastraitorstotheircountry.Muratcommencedbygainingadvantageswhichcouldnotbedisputed.HistroopsalmostimmediatelytookpossessionofLeghornandthecitadelofAncona,andtheFrenchwereobligedtoevacuateTuscany.
ThedefectionofMuratoverthrewoneofBonaparte’sgiganticconceptions.
HehadplannedthatMuratandEugenewiththeircombinedforcesshouldmarchontherearoftheAllies,whilehe,disputingthesoilofFrancewiththeinvaders,shouldmultiplyobstaclestotheiradvance;theKingofNaplesandtheViceroyofItalyweretomarchuponViennaandmakeAustriatrembleintheheartofhercapitalbeforethetimidmillionofherAllies,whomeasuredtheirstepsastheyapproachedParis,shoulddesecratebytheirpresencethecapitalofFrance.Wheninformedofthevastproject,which,however,wasbutthedreamofamoment,I
immediatelyrecognisedthateagleglance,thatpowerofdiscoveringgreatresourcesingreatcalamities,sopeculiartoBonaparte.
NapoleonwasyetEmperorofFrance;buthewhohadimposedonallEuropetreatiesofpeacenolessdisastrousthanthewarswhichhadprecededthem,couldnotnowobtainanarmistice;andCaulaincourt,whowassenttotreatforoneatthecampoftheAllies,spenttwentydaysatLunevillebeforehecouldevenobtainpermissiontopasstheadvancedpostsoftheinvadingarmy.InvaindidCaulaincourtentreatNapoleontosacrifice,oratleastresigntemporarily,aportionofthatgloryacquiredinsomanybattles,andwhichnothingcouldeffaceinhistory.
Napoleonreplied,\"Iwillsignwhateveryouwish.ToobtainpeaceIwillexactnocondition;butIwillnotdictatemyownhumiliation.\"Thisconcession,ofcourse,amountedtoadeterminationnottosignortograntanything.
InthefirstfortnightofJanuary1814one—thirdofFrancewasinvaded,anditwasproposedtoformanewCongress,tobeheldatChatillon—sur—
Seine.ThesituationofNapoleongrewdailyworseandworse.HewasadvisedtoseekextraordinaryresourcesintheinterioroftheEmpire,andwasremindedofthefourteenarmieswhichrose,asifbyenchantment,todefendFranceatthecommencementoftheRevolution.Finally,areconciliationwiththeJacobins,apartywhohadpowertocallupmassestoaidhim,wasrecommended.Foramomenthewasinclinedtoadoptthisadvice.HerodeonhorsebackthroughthesurburbsofSt.AntoineandSt.
Marceau,courtedthepopulace,affectionatelyrepliedtotheiracclamations,andhethoughthesawthepossibilityofturningtoaccounttheattachmentwhichthepeopleevincedforhim.OnhisreturntothePalacesomeprudentpersonsventuredtorepresenttohimthat,insteadofcourtingthisabsurdsortofpopularityitwouldbemoreadvisabletorelyonthenobilityandthehigherclassesofsociety.\"Gentlemen,\"
repliedhe,\"youmaysaywhatyouplease,butinthesituationinwhichI
standmyonlynobilityistherabbleofthefaubourgs,andIknowofnorabblebutthenobilitywhomIhavecreated.\"Thiswasastrangecomplimenttoallranks,foritwasonlysayingthattheywereallrabbletogether.
AtthistimetheJacobinsweredisposedtoexerteveryefforttoservehim;buttheyrequiredtohavetheirownway,andtobeallowedfreelytoexciteandfosterrevolutionarysentiments.Thepress,whichgroanedunderthemostodiousandintolerablecensorship,wastobewhollyresignedtothem.Idonotstatethesefactsfromhearsay.Ihappenedbychancetobepresentattwoconferencesinwhichweresetforwardprojectsinfectedwiththeodouroftheclubs,andtheseprojectsweresupportedwiththemoreassurancebecausetheirsuccesswasregardedascertain.ThoughIhadnotseenNapoleonsincemydepartureforHamburg,yetIwassufficientlyassuredofhisfeelingtowardstheJacobinstobeconvincedthathewouldhavenothingtodowiththem.Iwasnotwrong.
Onhearingofthepricetheysetontheirserviceshesaid,\"Thisis—toomuch;Ishallhaveachanceofdeliveranceinbattle,butIshallhavenonewiththesefuriousblockheads.Therecanbenothingincommonbetweenthedemagogicprinciplesof’93andthemonarchy,betweenclubsofmadmenandaregularMinistry,betweenaCommitteeofPublicSafetyandanEmperor,betweenrevolutionarytribunalsandestablishedlaws.
IffallImust,IwillnotbequeathFrancetotheRevolutionfromwhichI
havedeliveredher.\"
Theseweregoldenwords,andNapoleonthoughtofamorenobleandtrulynationalmodeofparryingthedangerwhichthreatenedhim.HeorderedtheenrolmentoftheNationalGuardofParis,whichwasplacedunderthecommandofMarshalMoncey.Abetterchoicecouldnothavebeenmade,butthestaffoftheNationalGuardwasafocusofhiddenintrigues,inwhichthedefenceofPariswaslessthoughtaboutthanthemeansoftakingadvantageofNapoleon’soverthrow.IwasmadeacaptaininthisGuard,and,liketherestoftheofficers,IwassummonedtotheTuileries,onthe23dofJanuary,whentheEmperortookleaveoftheNationalGuardpreviouslytohisdeparturefromParistojointhearmy.
NapoleonenteredwiththeEmpress.Headvancedwithadignifiedstep,leadingbythehandhisson,whowasnotyetthreeyearsold.ItwaslongsinceIhadseenhim.Hehadgrownverycorpulent,andIremarkedonhispalecountenanceanexpressionofmelancholyandirritability.
Thehabitualmovementofthemusclesofhisneckwasmoredecidedandmorefrequentthanformerly.Ishallnotattempttodescribewhatweremyfeelingsduringthisceremony,whenIagainsaw,afteralongseparation,thefriendofmyyouth,whohadbecomemasterofEurope,andwasnowonthepointofsinkingbeneaththeeffortsofhisenemies.
Therewassomethingmelancholyinthissolemnandimpressiveceremony.
Ihaverarelywitnessedsuchprofoundsilenceinsonumerousanassembly.
AtlengthNapoleon,inavoiceasfirmandsonorousaswhenheusedtoharanguehistroopsinItalyorinEgypt,butwithoutthatairofconfidencewhichthenbeamedonhiscountenance,deliveredtotheassembledofficersanaddresswhichwaspublishedinallthejournalsofthetime.Atthecommencementofthisaddresshesaid,\"Isetoutthisnighttotakethecommandofthearmy.OnquittingthecapitalI
confidentlyleavebehindmemywifeandmyson,inwhomsomanyhopesarecentred.\"IlistenedattentivelytoNapoleon’saddress,and,thoughhedelivereditfirmly,heeitherfeltorfeignedemotion.Whetherornottheemotionwassincereonhispart,itwassharedbymanypresent;andformyownpartIconfessthatmyfeelingsweredeeplymovedwhenheutteredthewords,\"Ileaveyoumywifeandmyson.\"AtthatmomentmyeyeswerefixedontheyoungPrince,andtheinterestwithwhichheinspiredmewasequallyunconnectedwiththesplendourwhichsurroundedandthemisfortuneswhichthreatenedhim.IbeheldintheinterestingchildnottheKingofRomebutthesonofmyoldfriend.AlldaylongafterwardsIcouldnothelpfeelingdepressedwhilecomparingthefarewellsceneofthemorningwiththedayonwhichwetookpossessionoftheTuileries.Howmanycenturiesseemedthefourteenyearswhichseparatedthetwoevents.
ItmaybeworthwhiletoremindthosewhoarecuriousincomparingdatesthatNapoleon,thesuccessorofLouisXVI.,andwhohadbecomethenephewofthatmonarchbyhismarriagewiththenieceofMarieAntoinette,tookleaveoftheNationalGuardofParisontheanniversaryofthefatal21stofJanuary,aftertwenty—fiveyearsofsuccessiveterror,fear,hope,glory,andmisfortune.
Meanwhile,aCongresswasopenedatChatillon—sur—Seine,atwhichwereassembledtheDukeofVicenzaonthepartofFrance,LordsAderdeenandCathcartandSirCharlesStewartastherepresentativesofEngland,CountRazumowskyonthepartofRussia,CountStadionforAustria,andCountHumboldtforPrussia.BeforetheopeningoftheCongress,theDukeofVicenza,inconformitywiththeEmperor’sorders,demandedanarmistice,whichisalmostinvariablygrantedduringnegotiationsforpeace;butitwasnowtoolate:theAllieshadlongsincedeterminednottolistentoanysuchdemand.TheythereforeansweredtheDukeofVicenza’sapplicationbyrequiringthatthepropositionsforpeaceshouldbeimmediatelysigned.ButthesewerenotthepropositionsofFrankfort.
TheAlliesestablishedastheirbasesthelimitsoftheoldFrenchmonarchy.Theyconceivedthemselvesauthorisedinsodoingbytheirsuccessandbytheirsituation.
ToestimaterightlyNapoleon’sconductduringthenegotiationsforpeacewhichtookplaceintheconferencesatChatillonitisnecessarytobearinmindtheorganisationhehadreceivedfromnatureandtheideaswithwhichthatorganisationhadimbuedhimatanearlyperiodoflife.Ifthelastnegotiationsofhisexpiringreignbeexaminedwithdueattentionandimpartialityitwillappearevidentthatthecausesofhisfallaroseoutofhischaracter.Icannotrangemyselfamongthoseadulatorswhohaveaccusedthepersonsabouthimwithhavingdissuadedhimfrompeace.DidhenotsayatSt.Helena,inspeakingofthenegotiationsatChatillon,\"Athunderboltalonecouldhavesavedus:totreat,toconclude,wastoyieldfoolishlytotheenemy.\"ThesewordsforciblyportrayNapoleon’scharacter.Itmustalsobeborneinmindhowmuchhewascaptivatedbytheimmortalityofthegreatnameswhichhistoryhasbequeathedtoouradmiration,andwhichareperpetuatedfromgenerationtogeneration.Napoleonwasresolvedthathisnameshouldre—
echoinagestocome,fromthepalacetothecottage.Tolivewithoutfameappearedtohimananticipateddeath.If,however,inthisthirstforglory,notfornotoriety,heconceivedthewishtosurpassAlexanderandCaesar,heneverdesiredtherenownofErostratus,andIwillsayagainwhatIhavesaidbefore,thatifhecommittedactionstobecondemned,itwasbecauseheconsideredthemasstepswhichhelpedhimtoplacehimselfonthesummitofimmortalityonwhichhewishedtoplacehisname.WitnesswhathewrotetohisbrotherJerome,\"Betternever,tohavelivedthantolivewithoutglory;\"witnessalsowhathewrotelatertohisbrotherLouis,\"ItisbettertodieasaKingthantoliveasaPrince.\"HowofteninthedaysofmyintimacywithBonapartehashenotsaidtome,\"Whoknowsthenamesofthosekingswhohavepassedfromthethronesonwhichchanceorbirthseatedthem?Theylivedanddiedunnoticed.Thelearned,perhaps,mayfindthemmentionedinoldarchives,andamedaloracoindugfromtheearthmayrevealtoantiquarianstheexistenceofasovereignofwhomtheyhadneverbeforeheard.But,onthecontrary,whenwehearthenamesofCyrus,Alexander,Caesar,Mahomet,Charlemagne,HenryIV.,andLouisXIV.,weareimmediatelyamongourintimateacquaintance.\"Imustadd,thatwhenNapoleonthusspoketomeinthegardensofMalmaisonheonlyrepeatedwhathadoftenfallenfromhiminhisyouth,forhischaracterandhisideasnevervaried;thechangewasintheobjectstowhichtheywereapplied.
FromhisboyhoodNapoleonwasfondofreadingthehistoryofthegreatmenofantiquity;andwhathechieflysoughttodiscoverwasthemeansbywhichthosemenhadbecomegreat.Heremarkedthatmilitaryglorysecuresmoreextendedfamethantheartsofpeaceandthenobleeffortswhichcontributetothehappinessofmankind.Historyinformsusthatgreatmilitarytalentandvictoryoftengivethepower,which,initstern,procuresthemeansofgratifyingambition.Napoleonwasalwayspersuadedthatthatpowerwasessentialtohim,inordertobendmentohiswill,andtostiflealldiscussionsonhisconduct.Itwashisestablishedprinciplenevertosignadisadvantageouspeace.Tohimatarnishedcrownwasnolongeracrown.HesaidonedaytoM.deCaulaincourt,whowaspressinghimtoconsenttosacrifices,\"Couragemaydefendacrown,butinfamynever.\"InallthelastactsofNapoleon’scareerIcanretracetheimpressofhischaracter,asIhadoftenrecognisedinthegreatactionsoftheEmperortheexecutionofathoughtconceivedbytheGeneral—in—ChiefoftheArmyofItaly.
OntheopeningoftheCongresstheDukeofVicenza,convincedthathecouldnolongercountonthenaturallimitsofFrancepromisedatFrankfortbytheAllies,demandednewpowers.Thoselimitsweredoubtlesstheresultofreasonableconcessions,andtheyhadbeengrantedevenafterthebattleofLeipsic;butitwasnownecessarythatNapoleon’sMinistershouldshowhimselfreadytomakefurtherconcessionsifhewishedtobeallowedtonegotiate.TheCongresswasopenedonthe5thofFebruary,andonthe7ththePlenipotentiariesoftheAlliedpowersdeclaredthemselvescategorically.TheyinsertedintheprotocolthatafterthesuccesseswhichhadfavouredtheirarmiestheyinsistedonFrancebeingrestoredtoheroldlimits,suchastheywereduringthemonarchybeforetheRevolution;andthatsheshouldrenouncealldirectinfluencebeyondherfuturelimits.
ThispropositionappearedsoextraordinarytoM.deCaulaincourtthatherequestedthesittingmightbesuspended,sincetheconditionsdepartedtoofarfromhisinstructionstoenablehimtogiveanimmediateanswer.
ThePlenipotentiariesoftheAlliedpowersaccededtohisrequest,andthecontinuationofthesittingwaspostponedtilleightintheevening.
WhenitwasresumedtheDukeofVicenzarenewedhispromisetomakethegreatestsacrificesfortheattainmentofpeace.Headdedthattheamountofthesacrificesnecessarilydependedontheamountofthecompensations,andthathecouldnotdetermineonanyconcessionorcompensationwithoutbeingmadeacquaintedwiththewhole.HewishedtohaveageneralplanoftheviewsoftheAllies,andherequestedthattheirPlenipotentiarieswouldexplainthemselvesdecidedlyrespectingthenumberanddescriptionofthesacrificesandcompensationstobedemanded.ItmustbeacknowledgedthattheDukeofVicenzaperfectlyfulfilledtheviewsoftheEmperorinthusprotractingandgainingtimebysubtlesubterfuges,forallthathesuggestedhadalreadybeendone.
OnthedayafterthissittingsomeadvantagesgainedbytheAllies,whotookChatillon—sur—MarneandTroves,inducedNapoleontodirectCaulaincourttodeclaretotheCongressthatifanarmisticewereimmediatelyagreedonhewasreadytoconsenttoFrancebeingrestoredtoheroldlimits.BysecuringthisarmisticeNapoleonhopedthathappychancesmightarise,andthatintriguesmightbesetonfoot;buttheAllieswouldnotlistentoanysuchproposition.
Atthesittingofthe10thofMarchtheDukeofVicenzainsertedintheprotocolthatthelastcourierhehadreceivedhadbeenarrestedanddetainedaconsiderabletimebyseveralRussiangeneralofficers,whohadobligedhimtodeliveruphisdespatches,whichhadnotbeenreturnedtohimtillthirty—sixhoursafteratChaumont.Caulaincourtjustlycomplainedofthisinfractionofthelawofnationsandestablishedusage,which,hesaid,wasthesolecauseofthedelayinbringingthenegotiationstoaconclusion.AfterthiscomplainthecommunicatedtotheCongresstheostensibleinstructionsofNapoleon,inwhichheauthorisedhisMinistertoaccedetothedemandsoftheAllies.ButinmakingthiscommunicationM.deCaulaincourttookcarenottoexplaintheprivateandsecretinstructionshehadalsoreceived.TheAlliesrejectedthearmisticebecauseitwouldhavecheckedtheirvictoriousadvance;buttheyconsentedtosignthedefinitivepeace,whichofallthingswaswhattheEmperordidnotwish.
Napoleonatlengthdeterminedtomakesacrifices,andtheDukeofVicenzasubmittednewpropositionstotheCongress.TheAlliesreplied,inthesamesitting,thatthesepropositionscontainednodistinctandexplicitdeclarationontheprojectpresentedbythemonthe17thofFebruary;
that,havingonthe28thofthesamemonth,demandedadecisiveanswerwithinthetermoftondays,theywereabouttobreakupthenegotiationsCaulaincourtthendeclaredverbally:
1st.ThattheEmperorNapoleonwasreadytorenounceallpretensionorinfluencewhateverincountriesbeyondtheboundariesofFrance.
2d.TorecognisetheindependenceofSpain,Italy,Switzerland,Germany,andHolland,andthatastoEngland,Francewouldmakesuchconcessionsasmightbedeemednecessaryinconsiderationofareasonableequivalent.
Uponthisthesittingwasimmediatelybrokenupwithoutareply.Itmustberemarkedthatthissingulardeclarationwasverbal,andconsequentlynotbinding,andthatthelimitsofFrancewerementionedwithoutbeingspecified.ItcannotbedoubtedthatNapoleonmeantthelimitsconcededatFrankfort,towhichhewaswellconvincedtheAllieswouldnotconsent,forcircumstanceswerenowchanged.Besides,whatcouldbemeantbythereasonableequivalentfromEngland?IsitastonishingthatthisobscurityandvaguenessshouldhavebanishedallconfidenceonthepartofthePlenipotentiariesoftheAlliedpowers?Threedaysafterthesittingofthe10thofMarchtheydeclaredtheycouldnotevenenterintoadiscussionoftheverbalprotocoloftheFrenchMinister.TheyrequestedthatM.deCaulaincourtwoulddeclarewhetherhewouldacceptorrejecttheprojectofatreatypresentedbytheAlliedSovereigns,orofferacounter—project.
TheDukeofVicenza,whowasstillprohibited,bysecretinstructionsfromcomingtoanyconclusionontheproposedbasis,insertedintheprotocolofthesittingofthe13thofMarchaveryambiguousnote.ThePlenipotentiariesoftheAllies;intheirreply,insisteduponreceivinganotherdeclarationfromtheFrenchPlenipotentiary,whichshouldcontainanacceptanceorrefusaloftheirprojectofatreatypresentedintheconferenceofthe7thofFebruary,oracounter—project.AftermuchdiscussionCaulaincourtagreedtodrawupacounter—project,whichhepresentedonthe15th,underthefollowingtitle:\"ProjectofadefinitiveTreatybetweenFranceandtheAllies.\"Inthisextraordinaryproject,presentedaftersomuchdelay,M.deCaulaincourt,tothegreatastonishmentoftheAllies,departedinnorespectfromthedeclarationsofthe10thofMarch.HerepliedagaintotheultimatumoftheAllies,orwhatbewishedtoregardassuch,bydefendingamultitudeofpettyinterests,whichwereofnoimportanceinsogreatacontest;butingeneraltheconditionsseemedratherthoseofaconquerordictatingtohisenemiesthanofamanoverwhelmedbymisfortune:Asmayreadilybeimagined,theywere,forthemostpart,receivedwithderisionbytheAllies.
EverythingtendstoprovethattheFrenchPlenipotentiaryhadreceivednopositiveinstructionsfromthe5thofFebruary,andthat,afterallthedelaywhichNapoleonconstantlycreated,Caulaincourtneverhaditinhispowertoanswer,categorically,thepropositionsoftheAllies.NapoleonneverintendedtomakepeaceatChatillononthetermsproposed.Healwayshopedthatsomefortunateeventwouldenablehimtoobtainmorefavourableconditions.
Onthe18thofMarch,thatistosay,threedaysafterthepresentationofthisprojectofatreaty,thePlenipotentiariesoftheAlliesrecordedintheprotocoltheirreasonsforrejectingtheextraordinaryprojectoftheFrenchMinister.Formypart,Iwasconvinced,forthereasonsI
havementioned,thattheEmperorwouldneveragreetosigntheconditionsproposedintheultimatumoftheAllies,datedthe13thofMarch,andI
rememberhavingexpressedthatopiniontoM.deTalleyrand.Isawhimonthe14th,andfoundhimengagedinperusingsomeintelligencehehadjustreceivedfromtheDukeofVicenza,announcing,asbeyondalldoubt,theearlysignatureofpeace.Caulaincourthadreceivedorderstocometoaconclusion.Napoleon,hesaid,hadgivenhimacarteblanchetosavethecapital,andavoidabattle,bywhichthelastresourcesofthenationwouldbeendangered.Thisseemedprettypositive,tobesure;buteventhisassurancedidnot,foramoment,altermyopinion.Thebettertoconvinceme,M.deTalleyrandgavemeCaulaincourt’slettertoread.
AfterreadingitIconfidentlysaid,\"Hewillneversigntheconditions.\"
M.deTalleyrandcouldnothelpthinkingmeveryobstinateinmyopinion,forhejudgedofwhattheEmperorwoulddobyhissituation,whileI
judgedbyhischaracter.ItoldM.deTalleyrandthatCaulaincourtmighthavereceivedwrittenorderstosign;forthesakeofshowingthemtothePlenipotentiariesoftheAllies,butthatIhadnodoubthehadbeeninstructedtopostponecomingtoaconclusion,andtowaitforfinalorders.Iadded,thatIsawnoreasontochangemyopinion,andthatI
continuedtoregardthebreakingupoftheCongressasnearerthanappearancesseemedtoindicate.Accordingly,threedaysafterwards,theAlliesgrewtiredofthedelayandtheconferenceswerebrokenup.ThusNapoleonsacrificedeverythingratherthanhisglory.Hefellfromagreatheight,buthenever,byhissignature,consentedtoanydismembermentofFrance.
ThePlenipotentiariesoftheAllies,convincedthatthesereneweddifficultiesanddemandshadnootherobjectbuttogaintime,statedthattheAlliedpowers,faithfultotheirprinciples,andinconformitywiththeirpreviousdeclarations,regardedthenegotiationsatChatillonasterminatedbytheFrenchGovernment.Thisruptureoftheconferencestookplaceonthe19thofMarch,sixdaysafterthepresentationoftheultimatumoftheAlliedpowers.Theissueoftheselongdiscussionswasthuslefttobedecidedbythechancesofwar,whichwerenotveryfavourabletothemanwhoboldlycontendedagainstarmedEurope.ThesuccessesoftheAlliesduringtheconferencesatChatillonhadopenedtotheirviewtheroadtoParis,whileNapoleonshrunkfromthenecessityofsigninghisowndisgrace.Inthesecircumstanceswastobefoundthesolecauseofhisruin,andhemighthavesaid,\"Toutestperdu,forslagloire.\"Hisgloryisimmortal.
——[TheconvivialityandharmonythatreignedbetweentheMinistersmadethesocietyandIntercourseatChatillonmostagreeable.Thediplomatistsdinedalternatelywitheachother;M.deCaulaincourtliberallypassingforalltheMinisters,throughtheFrenchadvancedposts,convoysofallthegoodcheerinepicureanwises,etc.,thatPariscouldafford;norwasfemalesocietywantingtocompletethecharmandbanishennuifromtheChatillonCongress,whichIamsurewillbelongrecollectedwithsensationsofpleasurebyallthePlenipotentiariesthereengaged(MemoirsofLordBurghersh).
CHAPTERXXXIII.
1814
CuriousconversationbetweenGeneralReynierandtheEmperorAlexander——NapoleonrepulsesthePrussians——TheRussiansatFontainebleau——BattleofBrienne——SketchofthecampaignofFrance——
SupperafterthebattleofChampAubert——IntelligenceofthearrivalofthoDucd’AngoulemeandtheComted’ArtoisinFrance——Thebattleoftheravensandtheeagle——BattleofCraonne——DepartureofthePopeandtheSpanishPrinces——Captureofaconvoy——MacdonaldattheEmperor’sheadquarters——Theinvertedcipher.
Iwasalwayspersuaded,andeverythingIhavesinceseenhasconfirmedmyopinion,thattheAlliesenteringFrancehadnodesignofrestoringtheHouseofBourbon,orofimposinganyGovernmentwhateverontheFrenchpeople.Theycametodestroyandnottofound.ThatwhichtheywishedtodestroyfromthecommencementoftheirsuccesswasNapoleon’ssupremacy,inordertopreventthefutureinvasionswithwhichtheybelievedEuropewouldstillbeconstantlythreatened.If,indeed,IhadentertainedanydoubtonthissubjectitwouldhavebeenbanishedbytheaccountIheardofGeneralReynier’sconversationwiththeEmperorAlexander.ThatGeneral,whowasmadeprisoneratLeipsic,wasexchanged,andreturnedtoFrance.InthebeginningofFebruary1814hepassedthroughTroves,wheretheEmperorAlexanderthenwas.ReynierexpressedadesiretobeallowedtopayhisrespectstotheEmperor,andtothankhimforhavingrestoredhimtoliberty.HewasreceivedwiththataffabilityofmannerwhichwassometimesaffectedbytheRussianmonarch.
OnhisarrivalatParisGeneralReyniercalledattheDucdeRovigo’s,whereIhaddinedthatday,andwherehestillwaswhenIarrived.HerelatedinmyhearingtheconversationtowhichIhavealluded,andstatedthatithadalltheappearanceofsincerityontheEmperor’spart.
HavingaskedAlexanderwhetherhehadanyinstructionsforNapoleon,asthelatter,onlearningthathehadseenhisMajestywouldnotfailtoaskhimmanyquestions,herepliedthathehadnothingparticulartocommunicatetohim.AlexanderaddedthathewasNapoleon’sfriend,butthathehad,personally,muchreason——tocomplainofhisconduct;thattheAllieswouldhavenothingmoretodowithhim;thattheyhadnointentionofforcinganySovereignuponFrance;butthattheywouldnolongeracknowledgeNapoleonasEmperoroftheFrench.\"Formypart,\"
saidAlexander,\"Icannolongerplaceanyconfidenceinhim.Hehasdeceivedmetoooften.\"InreplytothisReyniermadesomeremarksdictatedbyhisattachmentandfidelitytoBonaparte.HeobservedthatNapoleonwasacknowledgedasSovereignofFrancebyeverytreaty.\"But,\"
addedReynier,\"ifyoushouldpersistinforcinghimtoresignthesupremepower,whomwillyouputinhisplace?\"——\"Didyounotchoosehim;
whythencanyounotchoosesomeoneelsetogovernyou?IrepeatthatwedonotintendtoforceanyoneuponyoubutwewillhavenomoretodowithNapoleon.\"
SeveralGeneralswerethennamed;andafterReynierhadexplained—thegreatdifficultieswhichwouldopposeanysuchchoice,Alexanderinterruptedhimsaying,\"But,General,thereisBernadotte.’HashenotbeenvoluntarilychosenPrinceRoyalofSweden;mayhenotalsoberaisedtothesamerankinFrance?Heisyourcountryman;surelythenyoumaychoosehim,sincetheSwedestookhim,thoughaforeigner.\"GeneralReynier,whowasamanoffirmcharacter,startedsomeobjections,whichIthoughtatthetimewellfounded;andAlexanderputanendtotheconversationbysaving,ratherinatoneofdissatisfaction,\"Well,General,thefateofarmswilldecide.\"
ThecampaignofFranceforcedNapoleontoadoptakindofoperationsquitenewtohim.Hehadbeenaccustomedtoattack;buthewasnowobligedtostandonhisdefence,sothat,insteadofhavingtoexecuteapreviouslyconceivedplan,aswhen,intheCabinetoftheTuileries,hetracedouttomethefieldofMarengo,hehadnowtodeterminehismovementsaccordingtothoseofhisnumerousenemies.WhentheEmperorarrivedatChalons—sur—MarnethePrussianarmywasadvancingbytheroadofLorraine.HedroveitbackbeyondSt.Dizier.MeanwhiletheGrandAustro—RussianarmypassedtheSeineandtheYonneatMontereau,andevensentforwardacorpswhichadvancedasfarasFontainebleau.NapoleonthenmadeamovementtotherightinordertodrivebackthetroopswhichthreatenedtomarchonParis,andbyacuriouschancehecameupwiththetroopsintheveryplacewherehepassedtheboyishyearsinwhichhecherishedwhatthenseemedwildandfabulousdreamsofhisfuturefate.
WhatthoughtsandrecollectionsmusthavecrowdedonhismindwhenhefoundhimselfanEmperorandaKing,attheheadofayetpowerfularmy,inthechateauoftheComtedeBrienne,towhomhehadsooftenpaidhishomage!ItwasatBriennethathehadsaidtome,thirty—fouryearsbefore,\"IwilldotheseFrenchmanalltheharmIcan.\"Sincethenhehadcertainlychangedhismind;butitmightbesaidthatfatepersistedinforcingthemantorealisethedesignoftheboyinspiteofhimself.
NosoonerhadNapoleonrevisitedBrienneasaconquerorthanhewasrepulsedandhurriedtohisfall,whichbecameeverymomentmorecertain.’
IshallnotenterintoanydetailsofthecampaignofFrance,becausethedescriptionofbattlesformsnopartofmyplan.Still,IthinkitindispensablebrieflytodescribeNapoleon’smiraculousactivityfromthetimeofhisleavingParistotheentranceoftheAlliesintothecapital.
FewsuccessfulcampaignshaveenabledourGeneralsandtheFrencharmytoreapsomuchgloryastheygainedduringthisgreatreverseoffortune.
Foritispossibletotriumphwithouthonour,andtofallwithglory.
Thechancesofthewarwerenotdoubtful,butcertainlythenumeroushostsoftheAlliescouldneverhaveanticipatedsolongandbrilliantaresistance.ThetheatreofthemilitaryoperationssoonapproachedsoneartoParisthatthegeneraleagernessfornewsfromthearmywasspeedilysatisfied,andwhenanyadvantagewasgainedbytheEmperorhispartisanssawtheenemyalreadyrepulsedfromtheFrenchterritory.
Iwasnotforamomentdeceivedbytheseillusions,asIwellknewthedeterminationandtheresourcesoftheAlliedsovereigns.Besides,eventsweresorapidandvariousinthiswarofexterminationthatthegunsoftheInvalidesannouncingavictoryweresometimesimmediatelyfollowedbythedistantrollingofartillery,denotingtheenemy’snearapproachtothecapital.
TheEmperorleftParisonthe25thofJanuary,atwhichtimetheEmperorsofRussiaandAustriaandtheKingofPrussiawereassembledatLangres.
NapoleonrejoinedhisGuardatVitry—le—Francais.OntheseconddayafterhisdeparturehedrovebeforehimthePrussianarmy,whichhehadforcedtoevacuateSt.Dizier.TwodaysafterthisthebattleofBriennewasfought,andonthe1stofFebruarybetween70,000and80,000FrenchandAlliedtroopsstoodfacetoface.Onthisoccasionthecommandersonbothsideswereexposedtopersonaldanger,forNapoleonhadahorsekilledunderhim,andaCossackfelldeadbythesideofMarshalBlucher.
AfewdaysafterthisbattleNapoleonenteredTroves,wherehestayedbutashorttime,andthenadvancedtoChampaubert.Atthelatterplacewasfoughtthebattlewhichbearsitsname.TheRussiansweredefeated,GeneralAlsufieffwasmadeprisoner,and2000menand30gunsfellintothehandsoftheFrench.AfterthisbattletheEmperorwasundersuchadelusionastohissituationthatwhilesuppingwithBerthier,Marmont,andhisprisoner,GeneralAlsufieff,theEmperorsaid,\"Anothersuchvictoryasthis,gentlemen,andIshallbeontheVistula.\"
Findingthatnoonereplied,andreadinginthecountenancesofhisMarshalsthattheydidnotsharehishopes,\"Iseehowitis,\"headded,\"everyoneisgrowingtiredofwar;thereisnomoreenthusiasm.Thesacredfireisextinct.\"Thenrisingfromthetable,andsteppinguptoGeneralDrouot,withthemarkedintentionofpayinghimacomplimentwhichshouldatthesametimeconveyacensureontheMarshals,\"General,\"saidhe,pattinghimontheshoulder,\"weonlywantahundredmenlikeyou,andweshouldsucceed.\"Drouotreplied,withgreatpresenceofmindandmodesty,\"Rathersayahundredthousand,Sire.\"
Thisanecdotewasrelatedtomebythetwoprincipalpersonswhowerepresentontheoccasion.
Napoleonsoonbegantohaveothersubjectsofdisquietudebesidesthefateofbattles.HewasawarethatsincethebeginningofFebruarytheDucd’AngoulemehadarrivedatSt.JeandeLuz,whencehehadaddressedsproclamationtotheFrencharmiesinthenameofhisuncle,LouisXVIII.;
andhespeedilyheardoftheComted’Artois’arrivalatYesoul,onthe21stofFebruary,whichplacehedidnotleaveuntilthe16thofMarchfollowing.
Meanwhilehostilitiesweremaintainedwithincreasedvigoroveravastlineofoperations.Howmuchuselessglorydidnotoursoldiersgainintheseconflicts!Inspiteofprodigiesofvalourtheenemy’smassesadvanced,andgraduallyconcentrated,sothatthiswarmightbecomparedtothebattlesoftheravensandtheeagleintheAlps.Theeagleslayshundredsofhisassailants——everyblowofhisbeakisthedeathofanenemy,butstillthevulturesreturntothecharge,andpressupontheeagleuntiltheydestroyhim.
AsthemonthofFebruarydrewtoitsclosetheAllieswereinretreatonseveralpoints,buttheirretreatwasnotarout.Afterexperiencingreversestheyfellbackwithoutdisorder,andretiredbehindtheAube,wheretheyralliedandobtainednumerousreinforcements,whichdailyarrived,andwhichsoonenabledthemtoresumetheoffensive.
StillNapoleoncontinuedastonishingEurope,leaguedasitwasagainsthim.AtCraonne,onthe7thofMarch,hedestroyedBlucher’scorpsinasevereaction,butthevictorywasattendedbygreatlosstotheconqueror.MarshalVictorwasseriouslywounded,aswellasGeneralsGrouchyandLaFerriere.
WhileNapoleonwasresistingthenumerousenemiesassembledtodestroyhimitmightbesaidthathewasalsohisownenemy,eitherfromfalsecalculationorfromnegligencewithrespecttohisillustriousprisoners,who,onhisdeparturefromParis,hadnotyetbeensenttotheirStates.
ThePopewasthenatFontainebleau,andthePrincesofSpainatValencay.
ThePope,however,wasthefirsttobeallowedtodepart.SurelyBonapartecouldneverhavethoughtoftheservicewhichthePopemighthaverenderedhimatRome,intowhichMurat’stroopswouldneverhavedaredtomarchhadhisHolinessbeenpresentthere.WithregardtotheSpanishPrincesNapoleonmusthavebeengreatlyblindedbyconfidenceinhisfortunetohavesolongbelieveditpossibletoretaininFrancethoseuselesstrophiesofdefeatedpretensions.Itwas,besides,soeasytogetridoftheexilesofValencaybysendingthembacktotheplacefromwhencetheyhadbeenbrought!ItwassonaturaltorecallwithallspeedthetroopsfromthesouthwhenourarmiesinGermanybegantoberepulsedontheRhineandevendrivenintoFrance!WiththeaidoftheseveterantroopsNapoleonandhisgeniusmighthaveagainturnedthescaleoffortune.ButNapoleonreckonedonthenation,andhewaswrong,forthenationwastiredofhim.HiscausehadceasedtobethecauseofFrance.
ThelatterdaysofMarchwerefilledupbyaseriesofcalamitiestoNapoleon.Onthe23dtherear—guardoftheFrencharmysufferedconsiderableloss.Tohearofattacksonhisrear—guardmustindeedhavebeenmortifyingtoNapoleon,whoseadvancedguardshadbeensolongaccustomedtoopenthepathofvictory!PrinceSchwartzenbergsoonpassedtheAubeandmarcheduponVitryandChalons.Napoleon,countingonthepossibilityofdefendingParis,threwhimself,withthevelocityoftheeagle,onSchwartzenberg’srearbypassingbyDoulevantandBar—
sur—Aube.HepushedforwardhisadvancedguardstoChaumont,andtheresawtheAustrianarmymakeamovementwhichhetooktobearetreat;butitwasnosuchthing.ThemovementwasdirectedonParis,whileBlucher,whohadre—occupiedChalons—sur—Maine,marchedtomeetPrinceSchwartzenberg,andNapoleon,thinkingtocutofftheirretreat,washimselfcutofffromthepossibilityofreturningtoParis.EverythingthendependedonthedefenceofParis,or,tospeakmorecorrectly,itseemedpossible,bysacrificingthecapital,toprolongforafewdaystheexistenceofthephantomoftheEmpirewhichwasrapidlyvanishing.
Onthe26thwasfoughtthebattleofFereChampenoise,where,valouryieldingtonumbers,MarshalsMarmontandMortierwereobligedtoretireuponSezanneaftersustainingconsiderableloss.
Itwasonthe26thofMarch,andIbegthereadertobearthisdateinmind,thatNapoleonsufferedalosswhich,inthecircumstancesinwhichhestood,wasirreparable.AtthebattleofFereChampenoisetheAlliescapturedaconvoyconsistingofnearlyalltheremainingammunitionandstoresofthearmy,avastquantityofarms,caissons,andequipageofallkinds.ThewholebecamethepreyoftheAllies,whopublishedabulletinannouncingthisimportantcapture.AcopyofthisorderofthedayfellintothehandsofMarshalMacdonald,whothoughtthatsuchnewsoughtimmediatelytobecommunicatedtotheEmperor.HethereforerepairedhimselftotheheadquartersofNapoleon,whowasthenpreparingtorecoverVitre—le—Francais,whichwasoccupiedbythePrussians.TheMarshal,withtheviewofdissuadingtheEmperorfromwhatheconsideredavainattempt,presentedhimwiththebulletin.
Thiswasonthemorningofthe27th:Napoleonwouldnotbelievethenews.
\"No!\"saidhetotheMarshal,\"youaredeceived,thiscannotbetrue.\"
Thenperusingthebulletinwithmoreattention.\"Here,\"saidhe,\"lookyourself.Thisisthe27th,andthebulletinisdatedthe29th.Youseethethingisimpossible.Thebulletinisforged!\"TheMarshal,whohadpaidmoreattentiontothenewsthantoitsdate,wasastounded.ButhavingafterwardsshownthebulletintoDrouot,thatGeneralsaid,\"Alas!
Marshal,thenewsisbuttootrue.Theerrorofthedateismerelyamisprint,the9isa6inverted!\"Onwhattriflessometimesdependthemostimportantevents.AninvertedciphersufficedtoflatterBonaparte’sillusion,oratleasttheillusionswhichhewishedtomaintainamonghismostdistinguishedlieutenants,andtodelaythemomentwhentheyshoulddiscoverthatthelosstheydeploredwastoocertain.OnthatverydaytheEmpressleftParis.
CHAPTERXXXIV.
1814.
ThemenoftheRevolutionandthemenoftheEmpire——TheCouncilofRegency——DepartureoftheEmpressfromParis——MarmontandMortier——
Joseph’sflight——MeetingatMarmont’shotel——CapitulationofParis——
Marmont’sinterviewwiththeEmperoratFontainebleau——ColonelsFabvierandDenys——TheRoyalistcavalcade——MeetingatthehoteloftheComtedeMorfontaine——M.deChateaubriandandhispamphlet——
DeputationtotheEmperorAlexander——EntranceoftheAlliedsovereignsintoParis——AlexanderlodgedinM.Talleyrand’shotel——
Meetingsheldthere——TheEmperorAlexander’sdeclaration——
MyappointmentasPostmaster—General——CompositionoftheProvisionalGovernment——MistakerespectingtheconductoftheEmperorofAustria——Caulaincourt’smissionfromNapoleon——HisinterviewwiththeEmperorAlexander——Alexander’saddresstothedeputationoftheSenate——M.deCaulaincourtorderedtoquitthecapital.
ThegrandeesoftheEmpireandthefirstsubjectsofNapoleonweredividedintotwoclassestotallydistinctfromeachother.AmongthesepatronisedmenweremanywhohadbeenthefirstpatronsofBonaparteandhadfavouredhisaccessiontoConsularpower.Thisclasswascomposedofhisoldfriendsandformercompanions—in—arms.Theothers,whomaybecalledthechildrenoftheEmpire,didnotcarrybacktheirthoughtstoaperiodwhichtheyhadnotseen.TheyhadneverknownanythingbutNapoleonandtheEmpire,beyondwhichthesphereoftheirideasdidnotextend,whileamongNapoleon’soldbrothers—in—armsitwasstillrememberedthattherewasonceacountry,aFrance,beforetheyhadhelpedtogiveitamaster.TothisclassofmenFrancewasnotconfinedtothenarrowcircleoftheImperialheadquarters,butextendedtotheRhine,theAlps,thePyrenees,andthetwooceans.
Ontheotherhand,numbersofardentandadventurousyoungmen,fullofenthusiasmforBonaparte,hadpassedfromtheschooltothecamp.TheywereentirelyopposedtoNapoleon’sdownfall,becausewithhispowerwouldvanishthosedreamsofgloryandfortunewhichhadcaptivatedtheirimaginations.Theseyoungmen,whobelongedtotheclasswhichIhavedenominatedchildrenoftheEmpire,werepreparedtoriskandcommiteverythingtoprolongthepoliticallifeoftheirEmperor.
ThedistinctionIhavedrawnbetweenwhatmaybecalledthemenofFranceandthemenoftheEmpirewasnotconfinedtothearmy,butwasequallymarkedamongthehighcivilfunctionariesoftheState.TheoldRepublicanscouldnotpossiblyregardNapoleonwiththesameeyesasthosewhoseelevationdatedonlyfromNapoleon;andthemembersofassembliesanteriortothe18thBrumairecouldnotentertainthesameideasasthosewhosenotionsofnationalfranchisesandpublicrightswerederivedfromtheirseatsasauditorsintheCouncilofState.I
knownotwhetherthisdistinctionbetweenthemenoftwodifferentperiodshasbeenbeforepointedout,butitservestoexplaintheconductofmanypersonsofelevatedrankduringtheeventsof1814.Withregardtomyself,convincedasIwasofthecertaintyofNapoleon’sfall,I
conceivedthatthefirstdutyofeverycitizenwasclaimedbyhiscountry;andalthoughImayincurcensure,IcandidlyavowthatNapoleon’streatmentofmeduringthelastfouryearsofhispowerwasnotwithoutsomeinfluenceonmypromptsubmissiontotheGovernmentwhichsucceededhis.I,however,declarethatthisconsiderationwasnotthesolenorthemostpowerfulmotiveofmyconduct.OnlythosewhowereinParisattheperiodofthecapitulationcanformanideaoftheviolenceofpartyfeelingwhichprevailedtherebothforandagainstNapoleon,butwithoutthenameoftheBourbonseverbeingpronounced.