Theywerealmostunknowntothenewgeneration，forgottenbymanyoftheold，andfearedbytheconventionalists;atthattimetheypossessedonlythefrailsupportofthecoteriesoftheFaubourgSt.Germain，andsomeremainsoftheemigration.ButasitiscertainthattheemigrantscouldofferonlyvaindemonstrationsandwishesinsupportoftheoldfamilyofourKings，theydidlittletoassisttherestorationoftheBourbons.
Anotherthingequallycertainis，thattheyalone，bytheirfolliesandabsurdpretensions，broughtaboutthereturnofBonaparteandthesecondexileofLouisXVIII.inthefollowingyear.
Onthe28thofMarchwasconvokedanextraordinaryCouncilofRegency，atwhichMariaLouisapresided.Thequestiondiscussedwas，whethertheEmpressshouldremaininParisorproceedtoBlois.JosephBonapartestronglyurgedherdeparture，becausealetterfromtheEmperorhaddirectedthatincaseofParisbeingthreatenedtheEmpress—RegentandalltheCouncilofRegencyshouldretiretoBlois.TheArch—ChancellorandthemajorityoftheCouncilwereofthesameopinion，butoneofthemostinfluentialmembersoftheCouncilobservedtoJosephthattheletterreferredtohadbeenwrittenundercircumstancesverydifferentfromthosethenexisting，andthatitwasimportanttheEmpressshouldremaininParis，whereshewould，ofcourse，obtainfromtheEmperorherfatherandtheAlliedsovereigns，moreadvantageousconditionsthanifshewerefiftyleaguesfromParis.Theadoptionofthisopinionwouldonlyhaveretardedforafewdaysachangewhichhadbecomeinevitable;
neverthelessitmighthavegivenrisetogreatdifficulties.ItmustbeadmittedthatfortheinterestsofNapoleonitwasthewisestcounselthatcouldbesuggested.However，itwasoverruledbyJoseph’sadvice.
M.deTalleyrand，asamemberoftheCouncilofRegency，alsoreceivedtheordertoquitParisonthe30thofMarch.AtthisperiodIwasathishouseeveryday.WhenIwenttohimthatdayIwastoldhehadstarted.HoweverIwentup，andremainedsometimeinhishotelwithseveralofhisfriendswhohadmetthere.Wesoonsawhimreturn，andformypartIheardwithsatisfactionthattheyhadnotallowedhimtopassthebarriers.Itwassaidthen，andithasbeenrepeatedsince，thatM.deTalleyrandwasnotastrangertothegentleviolenceusedtowardshim.ThesamedayofthisvisittoM.deTalleyrandIalsowenttoseetheDucdeRovigo（Savary），withthefriendlyobjectofgettinghimtoremain，andtoprofitbyhispositiontopreventdisturbances.
Herefusedwithouthesitating，asheonlythoughtoftheEmperor.
Ifoundhimbyhisfireside，wheretherewasalargefile，inwhichhewasburningallthepaperswhichmighthavecompromisedeveryonewhohadservedhisministry（Police）.Icongratulatedhimsincerelyonthisloyaloccupation：firealonecouldpurifythemassoffilthanddenunciationswhichencumberedthepolicearchives.
OnthedepartureoftheEmpressmanypersonsexpectedapopularmovementinfavourofachangeofGovernment，butthecapitalremainedtranquil.
Manyoftheinhabitants，indeed，thoughtofdefence，notforthesakeofpreservingNapoleon’sgovernment，butmerelyfromthatardouroffeelingwhichbelongstoournationalcharacter.StrongindignationwasexcitedbythethoughtofseeingforeignersmastersofParis——acircumstanceofwhichtherehadbeennoexamplesincethereignofCharlesVII.
Meanwhilethecriticalmomentapproached.Onthe29thofMarchMarshalsMarmontandMortierfellbacktodefendtheapproachestoParis.DuringthenightthebarrierswereconsignedtothecareoftheNationalGuard，andnotaforeigner，notevenoneoftheiragents，wasallowedtoenterthecapital.
Atdaybreakonthe30thofMarchthewholepopulationofPariswasawakenedbythereportofcannon，andtheplainofSt.DeniswassooncoveredwithAlliedtroops，whoweredebouchinguponitfromallpoints.
Theheroicvalourofourtroopswasunavailingagainstsuchanumericalsuperiority.ButtheAlliespaiddearlyfortheirentranceintotheFrenchcapital.TheNationalGuard，underthecommandofMarshalMoncey，andthepupilsofthePolytechnicSchooltransformedintoartillerymen，behavedinamannerworthyofveterantroops.TheconductofMarmontonthatdayalonewouldsufficetoimmortalisehim.Thecorpshecommandedwasreducedtobetween7000and8000infantryand800cavalry，withwhom，forthespaceoftwelvehourshemaintainedhisgroundagainstanarmyof55，000men，ofwhomitissaid14，000werekilled，wounded，andtaken.
MarshalMarmontputhimselfsoforwardintheheatofthebattlethatadozenofmenwerekilledbythebayonetathisside，andhishatwasperforatedbyaball.Butwhatwastobedoneagainstoverwhelmingnumbers！
InthisstateofthingstheDukeofRagusamadeknownhissituationtoJosephBonaparte，whoauthorisedhimtonegotiate.
Joseph’sanswerissoimportantinreferencetotheeventswhichsucceededthatIwilltranscribeithere.
IftheDukesofRagusaandTrevisocannolongerholdout，theyareauthorisedtonegotiatewithPrinceSchwartzenbergandtheEmperorofRussia，whoarebeforethem.
TheywillfallbackontheLoire.
（Signed）JOSEPH
Montmartre，30thMarch1814，12oclockItwasnotuntilaconsiderabletimeafterthereceiptofthisformalauthoritythatMarmontandMortierceasedtomakeavigorousresistanceagainsttheAlliedarmy，forthesuspensionofarmswasnotagreeduponuntilfourintheafternoon.ItwasnotwaitedforbyJoseph;ataquarterpasttwelve——thatistosay，immediatelyafterhehadaddressedtoMarmonttheauthorityjustalludedtoJosephrepairedtotheBoisdeBoulognetoregaintheVersaillesroad，andfromthencetoproceedtoRambouillet.TheprecipitateflightofJosephastonishedonlythosewhodidnotknowhim.Iknowforafactthatseveralofficersattachedtohisstaffweremuchdissatisfiedathisalacrityonthisoccasion.
InthesecircumstanceswhatwastobedonebuttosaveParis，whichtherewasnopossibilityofdefendingtwohourslonger.MethinksIstillseeMarmontwhen，ontheeveningofthe30thofMarch，hereturnedfromthefieldofbattletohishotelintheRuedeParadis，whereIwaswaitingforhim，togetherwithabouttwentyotherpersons，amongwhomwereMM.
PerregauaandLafitte.Whenheenteredhewasscarcelyrecognisable：hehadabeardofeightdays’growth;thegreatcoatwhichcoveredhisuniformwasintatters，andhewasblackenedwithpowderfromheadtofoot.Weconsideredwhatwasbesttobedone，andallinsistedonthenecessityofsigningacapitulation.TheMarshalmustrecollectthattheexclamationofeveryoneabouthimwas，\"Francemustbesaved.\"
MM.PerregausandLafittedeliveredtheiropinionsinaverydecidedway，anditwillreadilybeconceivedhowgreatwastheinfluenceoftwomenwhowereattheheadofthefinancialworld.TheyallegedthatthegeneralwishoftheParisians，whichnobodyhadabetteropportunityofknowingthanthemselves，wasdecidedlyaversetoaprotractedconflict，andthatFrancewastiredoftheyokeofBonaparte.Thislastdeclarationgaveawiderrangetothebusinessunderconsideration.
ThequestionwasnolongerconfinedtothecapitulationofParis，butachangeinthegovernmentwasthoughtof，andthenameoftheBourbonswaspronouncedforthefirsttime.Idonotrecollectwhichofusitwaswho，onhearingmentionmadeofthepossiblerecalloftheolddynasty，remarkedhowdifficultitwouldbetobringaboutarestorationwithoutretrogradingtothepast.ButIthinkIamperfectlycorrectinstatingthatM.Lafittesaid，\"Gentlemen，weshallhavenothingtofearifwehaveagoodconstitutionwhichwillguaranteetherightsofall.\"Themajorityofthemeetingconcurredinthiswiseopinion，whichwasnotwithoutitsinfluenceonMarshalMarmont.
Duringthispainfulmeetinganunexpectedincidentoccurred.OneoftheEmperor’saidesdecamparrivedatMarmont’s.Napoleon，beinginformedoftheadvanceoftheAlliesonParis，hadmarchedwiththeutmostspeedfromthebanksoftheMarneontheroadofFontainebleau.IntheeveninghewasinpersonatFroidmanteau，whencehedespatchedhisenvoytoMarshalMarmont.FromthelanguageoftheaidedecampitwaseasytoperceivethatthestateofopinionattheImperialheadquarterswasverydifferentfromthatwhichprevailedamongthepopulationofParis.Theofficerexpressedindignationattheveryideaofcapitulating，andheannouncedwithinconceivableconfidencetheapproachingarrivalofNapoleoninParis，whichheyethopedtosavefromtheoccupationoftheenemy.TheofficerinformedusthatNapoleontrustedtothepeoplerisinginspiteofthecapitulation，andthattheywouldunpavethestreetstostonetheAlliesontheirentrance.Iventuredtodissentfromthisabsurdideaofdefence，andIobservedthatitwasmadnesstosupposethatPariscouldresistthenumeroustroopswhowerereadytoenteronthefollowingday;thatthesuspensionofarmshadbeenconsentedtobytheAlliesonlytoaffordtimefordrawingupamoreregularcapitulation，andthatthearmisticecouldnotbebrokenwithouttramplingonallthelawsofhonour.Iaddedthatthethoughtsofthepeopleweredirectedtowardsabetterfuture;thattheFrenchweretiredofadespoticGovernmentandofthedistresstowhichcontinualwarhadreducedtradeandindustry;\"for，\"saidI，\"whenanationissunktosuchastateofmiseryitshopescanonlybedirectedtowardsthefuture;itisnaturaltheyshouldbesodirected，evenwithoutreflection.\"Mostoftheindividualspresentconcurredinmyopinion，andthedecisionofthemeetingwasunanimous.MarshalMarmonthassincesaidtome，\"Ihavebeenblamed，mydearBourrienne：butyouwerewithmeonthe30thofMarch.YouwereawitnesstothewishesexpressedbyaportionoftheprincipalinhabitantsofParis.IactedasIwasurgedtodoonlybecauseIconsideredthemeetingtobecomposedofmenentirelydisinterested，andwhohadnothingtoexpectfromthereturnoftheBourbons.\"
SuchisacorrectstatementofthefactswhichsomepersonshavepervertedwiththeviewofenhancingNapoleon’sglory.WithrespecttothoseversionswhichdifferfrommineIhaveonlyonecommenttooffer，whichis，thatIsawandheardwhatIdescribe.
ThedayafterthecapitulationofParis——MarmontwentintheeveningtoseetheEmperoratFontainebleau.Hesuppedwithhim.NapoleonpraisedhisdefenceofParisAftersuppertheMarshalrejoinedhiscorpsatEssonne，andsixhoursaftertheEmperorarrivedtheretovisitthelines.OnleavingParisMarmonthadleftColonelsFabvierandDent’stodirecttheexecutionofthecapitulation.TheseofficersjoinedtheEmperorandtheMarshalastheywereproceedingupthebanksoftheriveratEssonne.TheydidnotdisguisetheeffectwhichtheentranceoftheAllieshadproducedinParis.AtthisintelligencetheEmperorwasdeeplymortified，andhereturnedimmediatelytoFontainebleau，leavingtheMarshalatEssonne.
Atdaybreakonthe31stofMarchParispresentedanovelandcuriousspectacle.NosoonerhadtheFrenchtroopsevacuatedthecapitalthantheprincipalstreetsresoundedwithcriesof\"DownwithBonaparte！\"——
\"Noconscription！\"——\"Noconsolidatedduties（droitsreunis）！\"Withthesecriesweremingledthatof\"TheBourbonsforever！\"butthislattercrywasnotrepeatedsofrequentlyastheothers：ingeneralIremarkedthatthepeoplegapedandlistenedwithasortofindifference.AsIhadtakenaveryactivepartinallthathadhappenedduringsomeprecedingdaysIwasparticularlycurioustostudywhatmightbecalledthephysiognomyofParis.Thiswasthesecondopportunitywhichhadoffereditselfforsuchastudy，andInowsawthepeopleapplaudthefallofthemanwhomtheyhadreceivedwithenthusiasmafterthe18thBrumaire.Thereasonwas，thatlibertywasthenhopedfor，asitwashopedforin1814.
Iwentoutearlyinthemorningtoseethenumerousgroupsofpeoplewhohadassembledinthestreets.Isawwomentearingtheirhandkerchiefsanddistributingthefragmentsastheemblemsoftherevivedlily.ThatsamemorningImetontheBoulevards，andsomehoursafterwardsonthePlaceLouisXV.，apartyofgentlemenwhoparadedthestreetsofthecapitalproclaimingtherestorationoftheBourbonsandshouting，\"ViveleRoi！\"and\"ViveLouisXVIII！\"AttheirheadIrecognisedMM.SosthenesdelaRochefoucauld，ComtedeFroissard，theDucdeLuxembourg，theDucdeCrussol，Seymour，etc.Thecavalcadedistributedwhitecockadesinpassingalong，andwasspeedilyjoinedbyanumerouscrowd，whorepairedtothePlaceVendome.Thescenethatwasactedthereiswellknown，andtheenthusiasmofpopularjoycouldscarcelyexcusethefurythatwasdirectedagainsttheeffigyofthemanwhosemisfortunes，whethermeritedornot，shouldhaveprotectedhimfromsuchoutrages.Theseexcessesserved，perhapsmorethanisgenerallysupposed，tofavourtheplansoftheleadersoftheRoyalistparty，towhomM.NesselrodehaddeclaredthatbeforehewouldpledgehimselftofurthertheirviewshemusthaveproofsthattheyweresecondedbythepopulationofParis.
Iwasafterwardsinformedbyaneye—witnessofwhattookplaceontheeveningofthe31stofMarchinoneoftheprincipalmeetingsoftheRoyalists，whichwasheldinthehoteloftheComtedeMorfontaine，whoactedaspresidentontheoccasion.AmidstachaosofabortivepropositionsandcontradictorymotionsM.SosthenesdelaRochefoucauldproposedthatadeputationshouldbeimmediatelysenttotheEmperorAlexandertoexpresstohimthewishofthemeeting.Thismotionwasimmediatelyapproved，andthemoverwaschosentoheadthedeputation.
OnleavingthehotelthedeputationmetM.deChateaubriand，whohadthatverydaybeen，asitwere，theprecursoroftherestoration，bypublishinghisadmirablemanifesto，entitled\"BonaparteandtheBourbons.\"Hewasinvitedtojointhedeputation;butnothingcouldovercomehisdiffidenceandinducehimtospeak.Onarrivingatthehote1intheRueSt.FlorentinthedeputationwasintroducedtoCountNesselrode，towhomM.SosthenesdelaRochefoucauldbrieflyexplaineditsobject;hespokeofthewishesofthemeetingandofthemanifestdesireofParisandofFrance.HerepresentedtherestorationoftheBourbonsastheonlymeansofsecuringthepeaceofEurope;andobserved，inconclusion，thatastheexertionsofthedaymusthavebeenveryfatiguingtotheEmperor，thedeputationwouldnotsolicitthefavourofbeingintroducedtohim，butwouldconfidentlyrelyonthegoodfaithofhisImperialMajesty.\"IhavejustlefttheEmperor，\"repliedM.
Nesselrode，\"andcanpledgemyselfforhisintentions.ReturntothemeetingandannouncetotheFrenchpeoplethatincompliancewiththeirwisheshisImperialMajestywilluseallhisinfluencetorestorethecrowntothelegitimatemonarch：hisMajestyLouisXVIII.shallreascendthethroneofFrance.\"WiththisgratifyingintelligencethedeputationreturnedtothemeetingintheRued’Anjou.
ThereisnoquestionthatgreatenthusiasmwasdisplayedontheentranceoftheAlliesintoParis.Itmaybepraisedorblamed，butthefactcannotbedenied.Icloselywatchedallthatwaspassing，andIobservedtheexpressionofasentimentwhichIhadlonganticipatedwhen，afterhisalliancewiththedaughteroftheCaesars，theambitionofBonaparteincreasedinproportionasitwasgratified：IclearlyforesawNapoleon’sfall.WhoeverwatchedthecourseofeventsduringthelastfouryearsoftheEmpiremusthaveobserved，asIdid，thatfromthedateofNapoleon’smarriagewithMariaLouisatheformoftheFrenchGovernmentbecamedailymoreandmoretyrannicalandoppressive.Theintolerableheightwhichthisevilhadattainedisevidentfromthecircumstancethatattheendof1813theLegislativeBody，throwingasidethemutecharacterwhichithadhithertomaintained，presumedtogivealecturetohimwhohadneverbeforereceivedalecturefromanyone.Onthe31stofMarchitwasrecollectedwhathadbeentheconductofBonaparteontheoccasionalludedto，andthoseofthedeputieswhoremainedinParisrelatedhowthegendarmeshadopposedtheirentranceintothehalloftheAssembly.
AllthiscontributedwonderfullytoirritatethepublicmindagainstNapoleon.HehadbecomemasterofFrancebythesword，andtheswordbeingsheathed，hispowerwasatanend，fornopopularinstitutionidentifiedwiththenationthenewdynastywhichhehopedtofound
ThenationadmiredbutdidnotloveNapoleon，foritisimpossibletolovewhatisfeared，andhehaddonenothingtoclaimtheaffectionsofFrance.
IwaspresentatallthemeetingsandconferenceswhichwereheldatMdeTalleyrand’shotel，wheretheEmperorAlexanderhadtakenuphisresidence.OfallthepersonspresentatthesemeetingsM.deTalleyrandwasmostdisposedtoretainNapoleonattheheadoftheGovernment，withrestrictionsontheexerciseofhispower.Intheexistingstateofthingsitwasonlypossibletochooseoneofthreecourses：first，tomakepeacewithNapoleon，withtheadoptionofpropersecuritiesagainsthim;second，toestablishaRegency;andthird，torecalltheBourbons.
Onthe13thofMarchIwitnessedtheentranceoftheAlliedsovereignsintoParis，andaftertheprocessionhadpassedthenewstreetoftheLuxembourgIrepairedstraighttoM.deTalleyrand’shotel，whichI
reachedbeforetheEmperorAlexander，whoarrivedataquarter—pastone.
WhenhisImperialMajestyenteredM.deTalleyrand’sdrawing—roommostofthepersonsassembled，andparticularlytheAbbedePradt，theAbbedeMontesquieu，andGeneralDessolles，urgentlydemandedtherestorationoftheBourbons.TheEmperordidnotcometoanyimmediatedecision.
Drawingmeintotheembrasureofawindow，whichlookeduponthestreet，hemadesomeobservationswhichenabledmetoguesswhatwouldbehisdetermination.\"M.deBourrienne，\"saidhe，\"youhavebeenthefriendofNapoleon，andsohaveI.Iwashissincerefriend;butthereisnopossibilityofremainingatpeacewithamanofsuchbadfaith.\"Theselastwordsopenedmyeyes;andwhenthedifferentpropositionswhichweremadecameunderdiscussionIsawplainlythatBonaparte，inmakinghimselfEmperor，hadmadeupthebedfortheBourbons.
AdiscussionensuedonthethreepossiblemeasureswhichIhaveabovementioned，andwhichwereproposedbytheEmperorAlexanderhimself.I
thought，ifImaysoexpressmyself，thathisMajestywasplayingapart，when，pretendingtodoubtthepossibilityofrecallingtheBourbons，whichhewishedaboveallthings，heaskedM.deTalleyrandwhatmeansheproposedtoemployfortheattainmentofthatobject？BesidestheFrench，therewerepresentatthismeetingtheEmperorAlexander，theKingofPrussia，PrinceSchwartzenberg，M.Nesselrode，M.Pozzo—di—Borgo，andPrinceLiechtenstein.DuringthediscussionAlexanderwalkedaboutwithsomeappearanceofagitation.\"Gentlemen，\"said，he，addressingusinanelevatedtoneofvoice，\"youknowthatitwasnotIwhocommencedthewar;youknowthatNapoleoncametoattackmeinmydominions.Butwearenotdrawnherebythethirstofconquestorthedesireofrevenge.
YouhaveseentheprecautionsIhavetakentopreserveyourcapital，thewonderofthearts，fromthehorrorsofpillage，towhichthechancesofwarwouldhaveconsignedit.NeithermyAlliesnormyselfareengagedinawarofreprisals;andIshouldbeinconsolableifanyviolencewerecommittedonyourmagnificentcity.WearenotwagingwaragainstFrance，butagainstNapoleon，andtheenemiesofFrenchliberty.
William，andyou，Prince\"（heretheEmperorturnedtowardstheKingofPrussiaandPrinceSchwartzenberg，whorepresentedtheEmperorofAustria），\"youcanbothbeartestimonythatthesentimentsIexpressareyours.\"BothbowedassenttothisobservationofAlexander，whichhisMajestyseveraltimesrepeatedindifferentwords.HeinsistedthatFranceshouldbeperfectlyfree;anddeclaredthatassoonasthewishesofthecountrywereunderstood，heandhisAllieswouldsupportthem，withoutseekingtofavouranyparticulargovernment.
TheAbbedePradtthendeclared，inatoneofconviction，thatwewereallRoyalists，andthatthesentimentsofFranceconcurredwithours.
TheEmperorAlexander，advertingtothedifferentgovernmentswhichmightbesuitabletoFrance，spokeofthemaintenanceofBonaparteonthethrone，theestablishmentofaRegency，thechoiceofBernadotte，andtherecalloftheBourbons.M.deTalleyrandnextspoke，andIwellrememberhissayingtotheEmperorofRussia，\"Sire，onlyoneoftwothingsispossible.WemusteitherhaveBonaparteorLouisXVIII.Bonaparte，ifyoucansupporthim;butyoucannot，foryouarenotaloneWewillnothaveanothersoldierinhisstead.Ifwewantasoldier，wewillkeeptheonewehave;heisthefirstintheworld.Afterhimanyotherwhomaybeproposedwouldnothavetenmentosupporthim.Isayagain，Sire，eitherBonaparteorLouisXVIII.Anythingelseisanintrigue.\"
TheseremarkablewordsofthePrincedeBeneventoproducedonthemindofAlexanderalltheeffectwecouldhopefor.Thusthequestionwassimplified，beingreducednowtoonlytwoalternatives;andasitwasevidentthatAlexanderwouldhavenothingtodowitheitherNapoleonorhisfamily，itwasreducedtothesinglepropositionoftherestorationoftheBourbons.
Onbeingpressedbyusall，withtheexceptionofM.deTalleyrand，whostillwishedtoleavethequestionundecidedbetweenBonaparteandLouisXVIII.，AlexanderatlengthdeclaredthathewouldnolongertreatwithNapoleon.WhenitwasrepresentedtohimthatthatdeclarationreferredonlytoNapoleonpersonally，anddidnotextendtohisfamily，headded，\"Norwithanymemberofhisfamily.\"Thusasearlyasthe31stofMarchtherestorationoftheBourbonsmightbeconsideredasdecided.
IcannotomitmentioningthehurrywithwhichLaborie，whomM.deTalleyrandappointedSecretarytotheProvisionalGovernment，rushedoutoftheapartmentassoonashegotpossessionoftheEmperorAlexander’sdeclaration.HegotitprintedwithsuchexpeditionthatinthespaceofanhouritwaspostedonallthewallsinParis;anditcertainlyproducedanextraordinaryeffect.AsyetnothingwarrantedadoubtthatAlexanderwouldnotabidebyhisword.ThetreatyofPariscouldnotbeanticipated;andtherewasreasontobelievethatFrance，withanewGovernment，wouldobtainmoreadvantageousconditionsthaniftheAllieshad，treatedwithNapoleon.Butthisillusionspeedilyvanished.
Ontheeveningofthe31stofMarchIreturnedtoM.deTalleyrand’s.
IagainsawtheEmperorAlexander，who，steppinguptome，said，\"M.deBourrienneyoumusttakethesuperintendenceofthePost—officedepartment.\"IcouldnotdeclinethispreciseinvitationonthepartoftheCzar;andbesides，Lavalettehavingdepartedontheprecedingday，thebusinesswouldhavebeenforatimesuspended;acircumstancewhichwouldhavebeenextremelyprejudicialtotherestorationwhichwewishedtofavour.
IwentatoncetothehotelintheRueJ.J.Rousseau，where，indeed，I
foundthatnotonlywastherenoordertosendoutthepostnextday，butthatithadbeenevencountermanded.Iwentthatnighttotheadministrators，whoyieldedtomyrequestsand，secondedbythem，nextmorningIgotalltheclerkstobeattheirpost.Ireorganisedtheservice，andthepostwentoutonthe1stofAprilasusual.Sucharemyremembrancesofthe31stofMarch.
AProvisionalGovernmentwasestablished，ofwhichM.deTalleyrandwasappointedPresident.TheothermemberswereGeneralBeurnonville，ComteFrancoisdeJaucourt，theDueDalberg，whohadmarriedoneofMariaLouisa’sladiesofhonour，andtheAbbydeMontesquieu.TheplaceofChancelloroftheLegionofHonourwasgiventotheAbbedePradt.ThusthereweretwoabbesamongthemembersoftheProvisionalGovernment，andbyasingularchancetheyhappenedtobethesamewhohadofficiatedatthemasswhichwasperformedintheChampdeMarsonthedayofthefirstfederation.
Thosewhoweredissatisfiedwiththeeventsofthe31stofMarchnowsawnohopebutinthepossibilitythattheEmperorofAustriawouldseparatefromhisAllies，oratleastnotmakecommoncausewiththeminfavourofthere—establishmentoftheBourbons.Butthatmonarchhadbeenbroughtupintheoldpolicyofhisfamily，andwasimbuedwiththetraditionalprinciplesofhisCabinet.IknowforafactthatthesentimentsandintentionsoftheEmperorofAustriaperfectlycoincidedwiththoseofhisAllies.Anxioustoascertainthetruthonthissubject，Iventured，wheninconversationwiththeEmperorAlexander，tohintatthereportsIhadheardrelativetothecauseoftheEmperorofAustria’sabsence.
IdonotrecollecttheprecisewordsofhisMajesty’sanswer，butitenabledmetoinferwithcertaintythatFrancisII.wasinnowayaversetotheoverthrowofhisson—in—law，andthathisabsencefromthesceneofthediscussionswasonlyoccasionedbyafeelingofdelicacynaturalenoughinhissituation.
Caulaincourt，whowassentbyNapoleontotheheadquartersoftheEmperorAlexander，arrivedthereonthenightofthe30thofMarch.He，however，didnotobtainaninterviewwiththeCzaruntilafterhisMajestyhadreceivedtheMunicipalCouncilofParis，attheheadofwhichwasM.deChabrol.AtfirstAlexanderappearedsomewhatsurprisedtoseetheMunicipalCouncil，whichhedidnotreceiveexactlyinthewaythatwasexpected;butthiscoldnesswasmerelymomentary，andheafterwardsaddressedtheCouncilinaverygraciousway，thoughhedroppednohintofhisulteriorintentions.
Alexander，whoentertainedapersonalregardforCaulaincourt，receivedhimkindlyinhisowncharacter，butnotastheenvoyofNapoleon.
\"Youhavecometoolate，\"saidtheCzar.\"Itisallover.Icansaynothingtoyouatpresent.GotoParis，andIwillseeyouthere.\"
ThesewordsperfectlyenlightenedCaulaincourtastotheresultofhismission.HisnextinterviewwiththeEmperorAlexanderatM.deTalleyrand’sdidnottakeplaceuntilafterthedeclarationnoticedinmylastchapter.Theconversationtheyhadtogetherremainedasecret，forneitherAlexandernortheDukeofVicenzamentionedit;buttherewasreasontoinfer，fromsomewordswhichfellfromtheEmperorAlexander，thathehadreceivedCaulaincourtratherasaprivateindividualthanastheambassadorofNapoleon，whosepower，indeed，hecouldnotrecogniseafterhisdeclaration.TheProvisionalGovernmentwasnotentirelypleasedwithCaulaincourt’spresenceinParis，andarepresentationwasmadetotheRussianEmperoronthesubject.AlexanderconcurredintheopinionoftheProvisionalGovernment，whichwasexpressedthroughthemediumoftheAbbedePradt.M.deCaulaincourt，therefore，atthewishoftheCzar，returnedtotheEmperor，thenatFontainebleau.
CHAPTER，XXXV.
1814.
SituationofBonaparteduringtheeventsofthe30thand31stofMarch——HisarrivalatFontainebleau——PlanofattackingParis——
ArrivaloftroopsatFontainebleau——TheEmperor’saddresstotheGuard——ForfeiturepronouncedbytheSenate——LetterstoMarmont——
CorrespondencebetweenMarmontandSchwartzenberg——MacdonaldinformedoftheoccupationofParis——ConversationbetweentheEmperorandMacdonaldatFontainebleau——Beurnonville’sletter——
AbdicationonconditionofaRegency——Napoleon’swishtoretracthisactofabdication——MacdonaldNey，andCaulaincourtsenttoParis——
MarmontreleasedfromhispromisebyPrinceSchwartzenberg.
Onthemorningofthe30thofMarch，whilethebattlebeforethewallsofPariswasatitsheight，BonapartewasstillatTroyes.Hequittedthattownatteno’clock，accompaniedonlybyBertrand，Caulaincourt，twoaidesdecamp，andtwoorderlyofficers.Hewasnotmorethantwohoursintravelingthefirsttenleagues，andheandhisslenderescortperformedthejourneywithoutchanginghorses，andwithoutevenalighting.TheyarrivedatSensatoneo’clockintheafternoon.
EverythingwasinsuchconfusionthatitwasimpossibletoprepareasuitablemodeofconveyancefortheEmperor.Hewasthereforeobligedtocontenthimselfwithawretchedcariole，andinthisequipage，aboutfourinthemorning，hereachedFroidmanteau，aboutfourleaguesfromParis.
ItwastherethattheEmperorreceivedfromGeneralBelliard，whoarrivedattheheadofacolumnofartillery，thefirstintelligenceofthebattleofParis.Heheardthenewswithanairofcomposure，whichwasprobablyaffectedtoavoiddiscouragingthoseabouthim.Hewalkedforaboutaquarterofanhouronthehighroad，anditwasafterthatpromenadethathesentCaulaincourttoParis.Napoleonafterwardswenttothehouseofthepostmaster，whereheorderedhismapstobebroughttohim，and，accordingtocustom，markedthedifferentpositionsoftheenemy’stroopswithpine，theheadsofwhichweretouchedwithwaxofdifferentcolours.Afterthisdescriptionofwork，whichNapoleondideveryday，orsometimesseveraltimesaday，herepairedtoFontainebleau，wherehearrivedatsixinthemorning.Hedidnotorderthegreatapartmentsofthecastletobeopened，butwentuptohisfavouritelittleapartment，whereheshuthimselfup，andremainedaloneduringthewholeofthe31stofMarch.
IntheeveningtheEmperorsentfortheDukeofRagusa，whohadjustarrivedatEssonnewithhistroops.TheDukereachedFontainebleaubetweenthreeandfouro’clockonthemorningofthe1stofApril.
Napoleonthenreceivedadetailedaccountoftheeventsofthe30thfromMarmont，onwhosegallantconductbeforeParishebestowedmuchpraise.
AllwasgloomandmelancholyatFontainebleau，yettheEmperorstillretainedhisauthority，andIhavebeeninformedthathedeliberatedforsometimeastowhetherheshouldretirebehindtheLoire，orimmediatelyhazardaboldstrokeuponParis，whichwouldhavebeenmuchmoretohistastethantoresignhimselftothechanceswhichanuncertaintemporisingmightbringabout.Thislatterthoughtpleasedhim;andhewasseriouslyconsideringhisplanofattackwhenthenewsofthe31st，andtheunsuccessfulissueofCaulaincourt’smission，gavehimtounderstandthathissituationwasmoredesperatethanhehadhithertoimagined.
Meanwhiletheheadsofhiscolumns，whichtheEmperorhadleftatTroves，arrivedonthe1stofAprilatFontainebleau，thetroopshavingmarchedfiftyleaguesinlessthanthreedays，oneofthemostrapidmarcheseverperformed.Onthe2dofAprilNapoleoncommunicatedtheeventsofParistotheGeneralswhowereabouthim，recommendingthemtoconcealthenewslestitshoulddispiritthetroops，uponwhomheyetrelied.Thatday，duringaninspectionofthetroops，whichtookplaceinthecourtofthePalace，BonaparteassembledtheofficersofhisGuard，andharanguedthemasfollows：
Soldiers！theenemyhasstolenthreemarchesuponus，andhasmadehimselfmasterofParis.Wemustdrivehimthence.Frenchmen，unworthyofthename，emigrantswhomwehavepardoned，havemountedthewhitecockade，andjoinedtheenemy.Thewretchesshallreceivetherewardduetothisnewcrime.Letussweartoconquerordie，andtoenforcerespecttothetri—colouredcockade，whichhasfortwentyyearsaccompaniedusonthepathofgloryandhonour.
HealsoendeavouredtoinducetheGeneralstosecondhismaddesignsuponParis，bymakingthembelievethathehadmadesincereeffortstoconcludepeace.HeassuredthemthathehadexpressedtotheEmperorAlexanderhiswillingnesstopurchaseitbysacrifices;thathehadconsentedtoresigneventheconquestsmadeduringtheRevolution，andtoconfinehimselfwithintheoldlimitsofFrance.\"Alexander，\"addedNapoleon，\"refused;and，notcontentwiththatrefusal，hehasleaguedhimselfwithapartyofemigrants，whom，perhaps，IwaswronginpardoningforhavingbornearmsagainstFrance.ThroughtheirperfidiousinsinuationsAlexanderhaspermittedthewhitecockadetobemountedonthecapital.Wewillmaintainours，andinafewdayswewillmarchuponParis.Irelyonyou.\"
WhentheboundlessattachmentoftheGuardstotheEmperorisconsidereditcannotappearsurprisingthattheselastwords，utteredinanimpressivetone，shouldhaveproducedafeelingofenthusiasm，almostelectrical，inalltowhomtheywereaddressed.Theoldcompanionsofthegloryoftheirchiefexclaimedwithonevoice，\"Paris！Paris！\"But，fortunately，duringthenight，theGeneralshavingdeliberatedwitheachothersawthefrightfulabyssintowhichtheywereabouttoprecipitateFrance.TheythereforeresolvedtointimateindiscreettermstotheEmperorthattheywouldnotexposeParistodestruction，sothatonthe3dofApril，prudentideassucceededtheinconsiderateenthusiasmoftheprecedingday.
ThewreckofthearmyassembledatFontainebleau，whichwastheremnantof1，000，000oftroopsleviedduringfifteenmonths，consistedonlyofthecorpsoftheDukeofReggio（Oudinot），Ney，Macdonald，andGeneralGerard，which’altogetherdidnotamountto25，000men，andwhich，joinedtotheremaining7000oftheGuard，didnotleavetheEmperoradisposableforceofmorethan32，000men.Nothingbutmadnessordespaircouldhavesuggestedthethoughtofsubduing，withsuchscantyresources，theforeignmasseswhichoccupiedandsurroundedParis.
Onthe2dofApriltheSenatepublisheda’Senatus—consulte’，declaringthatNapoleonhadforfeitedthethrone，andabolishingtherightofsuccession，whichhadbeenestablishedinfavourofhisfamily.
Furnishedwiththisset，andwithoutawaitingtheconcurrenceoftheLegislativeBody，whichwasgivennextday，theProvisionalGovernmentpublishedanaddresstotheFrencharmies.InthisaddressthetroopswereinformedthattheywerenolongerthesoldiersofNapoleon，andthattheSenatereleasedthemfromtheiroaths.Thesedocumentswerewidelycirculatedatthetime，andinsertedinallthepublicjournals.
TheaddressoftheSenatewassentroundtotheMarshals，andwasofcoursefirstdeliveredtothosewhowerenearestthecapital;ofthislatternumberwasMarmont，whoseallegiancetotheEmperor，aswehavealreadyseen，yieldedonlytothesacredinterestsofhiscountry.
MontessuiswasdirectedbytheProvisionalGovernmenttoconveytheaddresstoMarmont，andtousesuchargumentsaswerecalculatedtostrengthenthosesentimentswhichhadtriumphedoverhisdearestpersonalaffections.IgaveMontessuisalettertoMarmont，inwhichIsaid：
\"MYDEARFRIEND——Anoldacquaintanceofminewillconveytoyoutheremembrancesofourfriendship.Hewill，Itrust，influenceyourresolution：asinglewordwillsufficetoinduceyoutosacrificeallforthehappinessofyourcountry.Tosecurethatobjectyou，whoaresogoodaFrenchmanandsoloyalaknight，willnotfeareitherdangersorobstacles.Yourfriendsexpectyou，longforyou，andItrustwillsoonembraceyou.\"
MontessuisalsotookonefromGeneralDessolles，whomtheProvisionalGovernmenthadappointedGovernoroftheNationalGuardintheroomofMarshalMoncey，whohadleftParisontheoccupationoftheAllies.
GeneralDessollesandIdidnotcommunicatetoeachotherourcorrespondence，butwhenIafterwardssawtheletterofDeasollesIcouldnothelpremarkingthecoincidenceofourappealtoMarmont’spatriotism.
PrinceSchwartzenbergalsowrotetoMarmonttoinducehimtoespouseaclausewhichhadnowbecomethecauseofFrance.TothePrince’sletterMarmontreplied，thathewasdisposedtoconcurintheunionofthearmyandthepeople，whichwouldavertallchanceofcivilwar，andstoptheeffusionofFrenchblood;andthathewasreadywithhistroopstoquitthearmyoftheEmperorNapoleonontheconditionthathistroopsmightretirewiththehonoursofwar，andthatthesafetyandlibertyoftheEmperorwereguaranteedbytheAllies.
AfterPrinceSchwartzenbergaccededtotheseconditionsMarmontwasplacedincircumstanceswhichobligedhimtorequestthathemightbereleasedfromhispromise.
IhappenedtolearnthemannerinwhichMarshalMacdonaldwasinformedofthetakingofParis.HehadbeentwodayswithoutanyintelligencefromtheEmperor，whenhereceivedanorderinthehandwritingofBerthier，couchedinthefollowingterms：\"TheEmperordesiresthatyouhaltwhereveryoumayreceivethisorder.\"AfterBerthier’ssignaturethefollowingwordswereaddedasapostscript：\"You，ofcourse，knowthattheenemyisinpossessionofParis.\"WhentheEmperorthusannounced，withapparentnegligence，aneventwhichtotallychangedthefaceofaffairs，IamconvincedhisobjectwastomaketheMarshalbelievethathelookedupon，thateventaslessimportantthanitreallywas.
However，thisobjectwasnotattained，forIrecollecthavingheardMacdonaldsaythatBerthier’ssingularpostscript，andthetoneofindifferenceinwhichitwasexpressed，filledhimwithmingledsurpriseandalarm.MarshalMacdonaldthencommandedtherear—guardofthearmywhichoccupiedtheenvironsofMontereau.SixhoursafterthereceiptoftheorderherereferredtoMacdonaldreceivedasecondorderdirectinghimtoputhistroopsinmotion，andhelearnedtheEmperor’sintentionofmarchingonPariswithallhisremainingforce.
OnreceivingtheEmperor’ssecondorderMacdonaldlefthiscorpsatMontereauandrepairedinhastetoFontainebleau.WhenhearrivedtheretheEmperorhadalreadyintimatedtotheGeneralscommandingdivisionsinthecorpsassembledatFontainebleauhisdesignofmarchingonParis.
AlarmedatthisdeterminationtheGenerals，mostofwhomhadleftinthecapitaltheirwives，children，andfriends，requestedthatMacdonaldwouldgowiththemtowaituponNapoleonandendeavourtodissuadehimfromhisintention.\"Gentlemen，\"saidtheMarshal，\"intheEmperor’spresentsituationsuchaproceedingmaydispleasehim.Itmustbemanagedcautiously.Leaveittome，gentlemen，Iwillgotothechateau.\"
MarshalMacdonaldaccordinglywenttothePalaceofFontainebleau，wherethefollowingconversationensuedbetweenhimandtheEmperor，andIbegthereadertobearinmindthatitwasrelatedtomebytheMarshalhimself.AssoonasheenteredtheapartmentinwhichNapoleonwasthelattersteppeduptohimandsaid，\"Well，howarethingsgoingon？\"——
\"Verybadly，Sire.\"——\"How？badly！Whatthenarethefeelingsofyourarmy？\"——\"Myarmy，Sire，isentirelydiscouraged
appalledbythefateofParis.\"——\"WillnotyourtroopsjoinmeinanadvanceonParis？\"——\"Sire，donotthinkofsuchathing.IfIweretogivesuchanordertomytroopsIshouldruntheriskofbeingdisobeyed.\"——\"Butwhatistobedone？IcannotremainasIam;Ihaveyetresourcesandpartisans.ItissaidthattheAllieswillnolongertreatwithme.Well！nomatter.IwillmarchonParis.IwillberevengedontheinconstancyoftheParisiansandthebasenessoftheSenate.WoetothemembersoftheGovernmenttheyhavepatchedupforthereturnoftheirBourbons;thatiswhattheyarelookingforwardto.
Butto—morrowIshallplacemyselfattheheadofmyGuards，andto—
morrowweshallbeintheTuileries.\"
TheMarshallistenedinsilence，andwhenatlengthNapoleonbecamesomewhatcalmheobserved，\"Sire，itappears，then，thatyouarenotawareofwhathastakenplaceinParis——oftheestablishmentofaProvisionalGovernment，and——\"——\"Iknowitall：andwhatthen？\"——\"Sire，\"
addedtheMarshal，presentingapapertoNapoleon，\"hereissomethingwhichwilltellyoumorethanIcan.\"MacdonaldthenpresentedtohimaletterfromGeneralBeurnonville，announcingtheforfeitureoftheEmperorpronouncedbytheSenate，andthedeterminationoftheAlliedpowersnottotreatwithNapoleon，oranymemberofhisfamily.
\"Marshal，\"saidtheEmperor，beforeheopenedtheletter，\"maythisbereadaloud？\"——\"Certainly，Sire.\"TheletterwasthenhandedtoBarre，whoreadit.AnindividualwhowaspresentontheoccasiondescribedtometheimpressionwhichthereadingoftheletterproducedonNapoleon.
HiscountenanceexhibitedthatviolentcontractionofthefeatureswhichIhaveoftenremarkedwhenhismindwasdisturbed.However，hedidnotlosehisself—command，whichindeedneverforsookhimwhenpolicyorvanityrequiredthatheshouldretainit;andwhenthereadingofBeurnonville’sletterwasendedheaffectedtopersistinhisintentionofmarchingonParis.\"Sire，\"exclaimedMacdonald，\"thatplanmustberenounced.Notaswordwouldbeunsheathedtosecondyouinsuchanenterprise.\"AfterthisconversationbetweentheEmperorandMacdonaldthequestionoftheabdicationbegantobeseriouslythoughtof.
CaulaincourthadalreadyhintedtoNapoleonthatincaseofhisabdicatingpersonallytherewasapossibilityofinducingtheAlliestoagreetoaCouncilofRegency.Napoleonthendeterminedtosigntheactofabdication，whichhehimselfdrewupinthefollowingterms：——
TheAlliedpowershavingdeclaredthattheEmperorNapoleonistheonlyobstacletothere—establishmentofpeaceinEurope，theEmperorNapoleon，faithfultohisoath，declaresthatheisreadytodescendfromthethrone，toleaveFrance，andeventolaydownhislifeforthewelfareofthecountry，whichisinseparablefromtherightsofhisson，thoseoftheRegencyoftheEmpress，andthemaintenanceofthelawsoftheEmpire.GivenatourPalaceofFontainebleau，2dApril1814.
（Signed）NAPOLEON.
AfterhavingwrittenthisacttheEmperorpresentedittotheMarshals，saying，\"Here，gentlemen！areyousatisfied？\"
ThisabdicationofNapoleonwascertainlyveryuseless，butincaseofanythingoccurringtorenderitamatterofimportancetheactmighthaveprovedentirelyillusory.Itsmeaningmightappearunequivocaltothegeneralityofpeople，butnottome，whowassowellinitiatedinthecunningtowhichNapoleoncouldresortwhenitsuitedhispurpose.ItisnecessarytoobservethatNapoleondoesnotsaythat\"hedescendsfromthethrone，\"butthat\"heisreadytodescendfromthethrone.\"Thiswasasubterfuge，bytheaidofwhichheintendedtoopennewnegotiationsrespectingtheformandconditionsoftheRegencyofhisson，incaseoftheAlliedsovereignsaccedingtothatproposition.Thiswouldhaveaffordedthemeansofgainingtime.
Hehadnotyetresignedallhope，andthereforehejoyfullyreceivedapieceofintelligencecommunicatedtohimbyGeneralAllix.TheGeneralinformedtheEmperorthathehadmetanAustrianofficerwhowassentbyFrancisII.toPrinceSchwartzenberg，andwhopositivelyassuredhimthatallwhichhadtakenplaceinPariswascontrarytothewishoftheEmperorofAustria.Thatthismayhavebeentheopinionoftheofficerispossible，andevenprobable.ButitiscertainfromtheissueofamissionoftheDucdeCadore（Champagny），ofwhichIshallpresentlyspeak，thattheofficerexpressedmerelyhisownpersonalopinion.
However，assoonasGeneralAllixhadcommunicatedthisgoodnews，ashetermedit，toNapoleon，thelatterexclaimedtothepersonswhowereabouthim，\"Itoldyouso，gentlemen.FrancisII.cannotcarryhisenmitysofarastodethronehisdaughter.Vicenza，goanddesiretheMarshalstoreturnmyactofabdication.IwillsendacouriertotheEmperorofAustria.\"
ThusBonaparteinhisshipwrecklookedroundforasavingplank，andtriedtonursehimselfinillusions.TheDukeofVicenzawenttoMarshalsNeyandMacdonald，whomhefoundjuststeppingintoacarriagetoproceedtoParis.BothpositivelyrefusedtoreturntheacttoCaulaincourt，saying，\"WearesureoftheconcurrenceoftheEmperorofAustria，andwetakeeverythinguponourselves.\"TheresultprovedthattheywerebetterinformedthanGeneralAllix.
DuringtheconversationwithMarshalMacdonaldwhichhasjustbeendescribedtheEmperorwasseated.Whenhecametotheresolutionofsigningtheabdicationhearoseandwalkedonceortwiceupanddownhiscabinet.Afterhehadwrittenandsignedtheacthesaid，\"Gentlemen，theinterestsofmyson，theinterestsofthearmy，andaboveall，theinterestsofFrance，mustbedefended.IthereforeappointasmycommissionerstotheAlliedpowerstheDukeofVicenza，thePrinceoftheMoskowa，andtheDukeofRagusaAreyousatisfied？\"addedhe，afterapause.\"Ithinktheseinterestsareconsignedtogoodhands.\"
Allpresentanswered，aswithonevoice.\"Yes，Sire.\"ButnosoonerwasthisanswerpronouncedthantheEmperorthrewhimselfuponasmallyellowsofa，whichstoodnearthewindow，andstrikinghisthighwithhishandwithasortofconvulsivemotion，heexclaimed，\"No，gentlemen：IwillhavenoRegency！WithmyGuardsandMarmont’scorpsIshallbeinParisto—morrow.\"NeyandMacdonaldvainlyendeavouredtoundeceivehimrespectingthisimpracticabledesign.Herosewithmarkedill—humour，andrubbinghishead，ashewasinthehabitofdoingwhenagitated，hesaidinaloudandauthoritativetone，\"Retire.\"
TheMarshalswithdrew，andNapoleonwasleftalonewithCaulaincourt.HetoldthelatterthatwhathadmostdispleasedhimintheproceedingswhichhadjusttakenplacewasthereadingofBeurnonville’sletter.
\"Sire，\"observedtheDukeofVicenza，\"itwasbyyourorderthattheletterwasread.\"——\"ThatistrueButwhywasitnotaddresseddirectlytomebyMacdonald？\"——\"Sire，theletterwasatfirstaddressedtoMarshalMacdonald，buttheaidedecampwhowasthebearerofithadorderstocommunicateitscontentstoMarmontonpassingthroughEssonne，becauseBeurnonvilledidnotpreciselyknowwhereMacdonaldwouldbefound.\"AfterthisbriefexplanationtheEmperorappearedsatisfied，andhesaidtoCaulaincourt，\"Vicenza，callbackMacdonald.\"
TheDukeofVicenzahastenedaftertheMarshal，whomhefoundattheendofthegalleryofthePalace，andhebroughthimbacktotheEmperor.
WhenMacdonaldreturnedtothecabinettheEmperor’swarmthhadentirelysubsided，andhesaidtohimwithgreatcomposure，\"Well，DukeofTarantum，doyouthinkthattheRegencyistheonlypossiblething？\"——
\"Yes，Sire.\"——\"ThenIwishyoutogowithNeytotheEmperorAlexander，insteadofMarmont;itisbetterthatheshouldremainwithhiscorps，towhichhispresenceisindispensable.YouwillthereforegowithNey.I
relyonyou.Ihopeyouhaveentirelyforgottenallthathasseparatedusforsolongatime.\"——\"Yes，Sire，Ihavenotthoughtofitsince1809.\"——\"Iamgladofit，Marshal，andImustacknowledgetoyouthatI
wasinthewrong.\"WhilespeakingtotheMarshaltheEmperormanifestedunusualemotion.Heapproachedhimandpressedhishandinthemostaffectionateway.
TheEmperor’sthreeCommissioners——thatistosay，MarshalsMacdonaldandNeyandtheDukeofVicenzahadinformedMarmontthattheywoulddinewithhimastheypassedthroughEssonne，andwouldacquainthimwithallthathadhappenedatFontainebleau.OntheirarrivalatEssonnethethreeImperialCommissionersexplainedtotheDueofRagusatheobjectoftheirmission，andpersuadedhimtoaccompanythemtotheEmperorAlexander.ThisobligedtheMarshaltoinformthemhowhewassituated.
ThenegotiationswhichMarmonthadopenedandalmostconcludedwithPrinceSchwartzenbergwererenderedvoidbythemissionwhichhehadjoined，andwhichitwasnecessaryheshouldhimselfexplaintotheCommanderoftheAustrianarmy.ThethreeMarshalsandtheDukeofVicenzarepairedtoPetitBourg，theheadquartersofPrinceSchwartzenberg，andtherethePrincereleasedMarmontfromthepromisehehadgiven.
CHAPTERXXXVI.
1814.
UnexpectedreceiptsinthePost—officeDepartment——ArrivalofNapoleon’sCommissionersatM.deTalleyrand’s——ConferenceoftheMarshalswithAlexander——AlarmingnewsfromEssonne——Marmont’scourage——Thewhitecockadeandthetri—colouredcockade——
Asuccessfulstratagem——ThreeGovernmentsinFrance——TheDucdeCadoresentbyMariaLouisatotheEmperorofAustria——MariaLouisa’sproclamationtotheFrenchpeople——InterviewbetweentheEmperorofAustriaandtheDucdeCadore——TheEmperor’sprotestationoffriendshipforNapoleon——M.MetternichandM.Stadion——MariaLouisa’sdepartureforOrleans——Blucher’svisittome——AudienceoftheKingofPrussia——HisMajesty’sreceptionofBerthier，Clarke，andmyself——BernadotteinParis——CrossofthePolarStarpresentedtomebyBernadotte.
AftermynominationasDirector—GeneralofthePostofficethebusinessofthatdepartmentproceededasregularlyasbefore.HavinglearnedthatagreatmanyinterceptedlettershadbeenthrownasideIsent，onthe4thofApril，anadvertisementtothe’Moniteur’，statingthattheletterstoandfromEnglandorotherforeigncountrieswhichhadbeenlyingatthePost—officeformorethanthreeyearswouldbeforwardedtotheirrespectiveaddresses.ThisproducedtothePost—officeareceiptofnearly300，000francs，afactwhichmayaffordanideaoftheenormousnumberofinterceptedletters.
OnthenightafterthepublicationoftheadvertisementIwasawakenedbyanexpressfromtheProvisionalGovernment，bywhichIwasrequestedtoproceedwithallpossiblehastetoM.deTalleyrand’shotel.Irose，andIsetoffimmediately，andIgottheresomeminutesbeforethearrivaloftheEmperor’sCommissioners.Iwentuptothesalononthefirstfloor，whichwasoneofthesuiteofapartmentsoccupiedbytheEmperorAlexander.TheMarshalsretiredtoconferwiththemonarch，anditwouldbedifficulttodescribetheanxiety——or，Imayrathersay，consternation——which，duringtheirabsence，prevailedamongsomeofthemembersoftheProvisionalGovernmentandotherpersonsassembledinthesalonwhereIwas.
WhiletheMarshalswerewithAlexander，IlearnedthattheyhadpreviouslyconversedwithM.deTalleyrand，whoobservedtothem，\"Ifyousucceedinyourdesignsyouwillcompromiseallwhohavemetinthishotelsincethe1stofApril，andthenumberisnotsmall.Formypart，takenoaccountofme，Iamwillingtobecompromised.\"IhadpassedtheeveningofthisdaywithM.deTalleyrand，whothenobservedtotheEmperorAlexanderinmypresence，\"WillyousupportBonaparte？No，youneithercannorwill.IhavealreadyhadthehonourtotellyourMajestythatwecanhavenochoicebutbetweenBonaparteandLouisXVIII.;
anythingelsewouldbeanintrigue，andnointriguecanhavepowertosupporthimwhomaybeitsobject.Bernadotte，Eugene，theRegency，allthosepropositionsresultfromintrigues.Inpresentcircumstancesnothingbutanewprincipleissufficientlystrongtoestablishtheneworderofthingswhichmustbeadopted.LouisXVIII.isaprinciple.\"
NoneofthemembersoftheProvisionalGovernmentwerepresentatthisconference，fornoonewaswillingtoappeartoinfluenceinanywaythedeterminationofthechiefofthecoalitionuponthesubjectofthisimportantmission.GeneralDessollesalone，inqualityofcommanderoftheNationalGuardofParis，wasrequestedtobepresent.AtlengththeMarshalsenteredthesalonwherewewere，andtheirappearancecreatedasensationwhichitisimpossibletodescribe;buttheexpressionofdissatisfactionwhichwethoughtweremarkedintheircountenancesrestoredthehopesofthosewhoforsomehourshadbeenapreytoapprehensions.Macdonald，withhisheadelevated，andevidentlyundertheinfluenceofstrongirritation，approachedBeurnonville，andthusaddressedhim，inanswertoaquestionwhichthelatterhadputtohim.
\"Speaknottome，sir;Ihavenothingtosaytoyou.Youhavemademeforgetafriendshipofthirtyyears！\"ThenturningtoDupont，\"Asforyou，sir，\"hecontinuedinthesametone，\"yourconducttowardstheEmperorisnotgenerous.Iconfessthathehastreatedyouwithseverity，perhapshemayevenhavebeenunjusttoyouwithrespecttotheaffairofBaylen，buthowlonghasitbeenthepracticetoavengeapersonalwrongattheexpenseofone’scountry？\"
Theseremarksweremadewithsuchwarmth，andinsoelevatedatoneofvoice，thatCaulaincourtthoughtitnecessarytointerfere，andsaid，\"Donotforget，gentlemen，thatthisistheresidenceoftheEmperorofRussia.\"AtthismomentM.deTalleyrandreturnedfromtheinterviewwiththeEmperorwhichhehadhadafterthedepartureoftheMarshals，andapproachingthegroupformedroundMacdonald，\"Gentlemen，\"saidhe，\"ifyouwishtodisputeanddiscuss，stepdowntomyapartments.\"——
\"Thatwouldbeuseless，\"repliedMacdonald;\"mycomradesandIdonotacknowledgetheProvisionalGovernment.\"ThethreeMarshals，Ney，Macdonald，andMarmont，thenimmediatelyretiredwithCaulaincourt，andwenttoNey’shotel，theretoawaittheanswerwhichtheEmperorAlexanderhadpromisedtogivethemafterconsultingtheKingofPrussia.
Suchwasthisnight—scene;whichpossessedmoredramaticeffectthanmanywhichareperformedonthestage.Initallwasreal：onitsdenouementdependedthepoliticalstateofFrance，andtheexistenceofallthosewhohadalreadydeclaredthemselvesinfavouroftheBourbons.Itisaremarkablefact，andonewhichaffordsastrikinglessontomenwhoaretemptedtosacrificethemselvesforanypoliticalcause，thatmostofthosewhothendemandedtherestorationoftheBourbonsattheperiloftheirliveshavesuccessivelyfallenintodisgrace.
WhentheMarshalsandCaulaincourthadretiredwewereallanxioustoknowwhathadpassedbetweenthemandtheEmperorofRussia.IlearnedfromDessolles，who，asIhavestated，waspresentattheconferenceinhisrankofcommanderoftheNationalGuardofParis，thattheMarshalswereunanimousinurgingAlexandertoaccedetoaRegency.Macdonaldespeciallysupportedthatpropositionwithmuchwarmth;andamongtheobservationshemadeIrecollectDessollesmentionedthefollowing：——
\"IamnotauthorisedtotreatinanywayforthefatereservedfortheEmperor.WehavefullpowerstotreatfortheRegency，thearmy，andFrance;buttheEmperorhaspositivelyforbiddenustospecifyanythingpersonallyregardinghimself.\"Alexandermerelyreplied，\"Thatdoesnotastonishme.\"TheMarshalsthen，resumingtheconversation，dweltmuchontherespectwhichwasduetothemilitarygloryofFrance.Theystronglymanifestedtheirdisinclinationtoabandonthefamilyofamanwhohadsooftenledthemtovictory;andlastly，theyremindedtheEmperorAlexanderofhisowndeclaration，inwhichheproclaimed，inhisownnameaswellasonthepartofhisAllies，thatitwasnottheirintentiontoimposeonFranceanygovernmentwhatever.
Dessolles，whohadallalongdeclaredhimselfinfavouroftheBourbons，inhisturnenteredintothediscussionwithasmuchwarmthasthepartisansoftheRegency.HerepresentedtoAlexanderhowmanypersonswouldbecompromisedformerelyhavingactedordeclaredtheiropinionsbehindtheshieldofhispromises.HerepeatedwhatAlexanderhadalreadybeentold，thattheRegencywould，infact，benothingbutBonaparteindisguise.However，DessollesacknowledgedthatsuchwastheeffectofMarshalMacdonald’spowerfulandpersuasiveeloquencethatAlexanderseemedtowaver;and，unwillingtogivetheMarshalsapositiverefusal，hehadrecoursetoasubterfuge，bywhichhewouldbeenabledtoexecutethedesignhehadirrevocablyformedwithoutseemingtotakeonhimselfalonetheresponsibilityofachangeofgovernment.DessollesaccordinglyinformedusthatAlexanderatlastgavethefollowinganswertotheMarshals：\"Gentlemen，Iamnotalone;inanaffairofsuchimportanceImustconsulttheKingofPrussia，forIhavepromisedtodonothingwithoutconsultinghim.Inafewhoursyoushallknowmydecision.\"ItwasthisdecisionwhichtheMarshalswenttowaitforatNey’s.
MostofthemembersoftheProvisionalGovernmentattributedtheevasivereplyoftheEmperorAlexandertotheinfluenceofthespeechofDessolles.Formypart，whileIdojusticetothemannerinwhichhedeclaredhimselfonthisimportantoccasion，IdonotascribetohiseloquencethepoweroffixingAlexander’sresolution，forIwellknowbyexperiencehoweasyitistomakeprincesappeartoadopttheadviceofanyonewhenthecounselgivenispreciselythatwhichtheywishtofollow.FromthesentimentsofAlexanderatthistimeIhadnottheslightestdoubtastothecoursehewouldfinallypursue，andI
consideredwhathesaidaboutconsultingtheKingofPrussiatobemerelyapoliteexcuse，bywhichheavoidedthedisagreeabletaskofgivingtheMarshalsadirectrefusal.
IthereforereturnedhomequitesatisfiedastotheresultoftheEmperorAlexander’svisittotheKingofPrussia.Iknew，fromthepersonsabouttheCzar，thathecherishedahatred，whichwasbuttoowelljustified，towardsBonaparte.FrederickWilliamisoftoofirmacharactertohaveyieldedtoanyoftheconsiderationswhichmightonthissubjecthavebeenpressedonhimastheyhadbeenontheEmperorofRussia.But，besidesthattheKingofPrussiahadlegitimatereasonsfordislikingNapoleon，policywouldatthattimehaverequiredthatheshouldappeartobehisenemy，fortodosowastorenderhimselfpopularwithhissubjects.ButtheKingofPrussiadidnotneedtoactunderthedictatesofpolicy;hefollowedhisownopinioninrejectingthepropositionsoftheMarshals，whichhedidwithouthesitation，andwithmuchenergy.
WhiletheMarshalshadgonetoParisBonapartewasanxioustoascertainwhetherhisCommissionershadpassedtheadvancedpostsoftheforeignarmies，andincaseofresistancehedeterminedtomarchonParis，forhecouldnotbelievethathehadlosteverychance.HesentanaidedecamptodesireMarmonttocomeimmediatelytoFontainebleau：suchwasNapoleon’simpatiencethatinsteadofwaitingforthereturnofhisaidedecamphesentoffasecondandthenathirdofficeronthesameerrand.
ThisrapidsuccessionofenvoysfromtheEmperoralarmedthegeneralwhocommandedthedifferentdivisionsofMarmont’scorpsatEssonne.TheyfearedthattheEmperorwasawareoftheConventionconcludedthatmorningwithPrinceSchwartzenberg，andthathehadsentforMarmontwiththeviewofreprimandinghim.Thefactwas，Napoleonknewnothingofthematter，forMarmont，ondepartingforPariswithMacdonaldandNey，hadleftordersthatitshouldbesaidthathehadgonetoinspecthislines.
Souham;LebrundesEssarts，andBordessoulle，whohadgiventheirassenttotheConventionwithPrinceSchwartzenberg，deliberatedintheabsenceofMarmont，and，perhapsbeingignorantthathewasreleasedfromhispromise，andfearingthevengeanceofNapoleon，theydeterminedtomarchuponVersailles.OnarrivingtherethetroopsnotfindingtheMarshalattheirheadthoughtthemselvesbetrayed，andaspiritofinsurrectionbrokeoutamongthem.OneofMarmont’saidesdecamp，whomhehadleftatEssonne，exertedeveryendeavourtopreventthedepartureofhisgeneral’scorps，but，findingallhiseffortsunavailing，hehastenedtoParistoinformtheMarshalofwhathadhappened.’WhenMarmontreceivedthisnewshewasbreakfastingatNey’swithMacdonaldandCaulaincourt：
theywerewaitingfortheanswerwhichtheEmperorAlexanderhadpromisedtosendthem.ThemarchofhiscorpsonVersaillesthrewMarmontintodespair.HesaidtotheMarshals，\"Imustbeofftojoinmycorpsandquellthismutiny;\"andwithoutlosingamomentheorderedhiscarriageanddirectedthecoachmantodrivewiththeutmostspeed.Hesentforwardoneofhisaidesdecamptoinformthetroopsofhisapproach.
Havingarrivedwithinahundredpacesoftheplacewherehistroopswereassembledhefoundthegeneralswhowereunderhisordersadvancingtomeethim.Theyurgedhimnottogofarther，asthemenwereinopeninsurrection.\"Iwillgointothemidstofthem，\"saidMarmont.\"Inamomenttheyshalleitherkillmeoracknowledgemeastheirchief：\"Hesentoffanotheraidedecamptorangethetroopsintheorderofbattle.
Then，alightingfromthecarriageandmountingahorse，headvancedalone，andthusharanguedhistroops：\"How！Istheretreasonhere？Isitpossiblethatyoudisownme？AmInotyourcomrade？HaveInotbeenwoundedtwentytimesamongyou？HaveInotsharedyourfatiguesandprivations？AndamInotreadytodosoagain？\"HereMarmontwasinterruptedbyageneralshoutof\"ViveleMarechal！ViveleMarechal！\"
ThealarmcausedamongthemembersoftheProvisionalGovernmentbythemissionoftheMarshalswasincreasedbythenewsofthemutinyofMarmont’stroops.Duringthewholeofthedaywewereinastateoftormentinganxiety.Itwasfearedthattheinsurrectionaryspiritmightspreadamongothercorpsofthearmy，andthecauseofFranceagainbeendangered.ButthecourageofMarmontsavedeverything：ItwouldbeimpossibletoconveyanyideaofthemannerinwhichhewasreceivedbyusatTalleyrand’swhenherelatedtheparticularsofwhathadoccurredatVersailles.
OntheeveningofthedayonwhichMarmonthadactedsonoblyitwasproposedthatthearmyshouldadoptthewhitecockade.InreplytothispropositiontheMarshalsaid，\"Gentlemen，IhavemademytroopsunderstandthenecessityofservingFrancebeforeallthings.Theyhave，consequently，returnedtoorder，andIcannowanswerforthem.ButwhatIcannotanswerforistoinducethemtoabandonthecolourswhichhaveledthemtovictoryforthelasttwentyyears.ThereforedonotcountuponmeforathingwhichIconsidertobetotallyhostiletotheinterestsofFrance.IwillspeaktotheEmperorAlexanderonthesubject.\"SuchwereMarmont’swords.Everyoneappearedtoconcurinhisopinion，andthediscussionterminated.Formyownpart，IfindbymynotesthatIdeclaredmyselfstronglyinfavourofMarmont’sproposition.
TheMarshal’sopinionhavingbeenadopted，atleastprovisionally，anarticlewaspreparedfortheMoniteurinnearlythefollowingterms：
Thewhitecockadehasbeen，duringthelastfourdays，abadgeforthemanifestationofpublicopinioninfavouroftheoverthrowofanoppressiveGovernment：ithasbeentheonlymeansofdistinguishingthepartisansoftherestorationoftheolddynasty，towhichatlengthwearetobeindebtedforrepose.ButasthelateGovernmentisatanend，allcoloursdifferingfromournationalcoloursareuseless：letus，therefore，resumethosewhichhavesooftenledustovictory.
Suchwasthespiritofthearticle，thoughpossiblytheabovecopymaydifferinafewwords.Itmetwiththeunqualifiedapprobationofeveryonepresent.Iwasthereforeextremelysurprised，onlookingatthe’Moniteur’nextday，tofindthatthearticlewasnotinserted.Iknewnotwhatcourtlyinterferencepreventedtheappearanceofthearticle，butIrememberthatMarmontwasveryillpleasedatitsomission.HecomplainedonthesubjecttotheEmperorAlexander，whopromisedtowrite，andinfactdidwrite，totheProvisionalGovernmenttogetthearticleinserted.However，itdidnotappear，andinafewdaysweobtainedasolutionoftheenigma，aswemightperhapshavedonebeforeifwehadtried.TheEmperorAlexanderalsopromisedtowritetotheComted’Artois，andtoinformhimthattheopinionofFrancewasinfavourofthepreservationofthethreecolours，butIdonotknowwhethertheletterwaswritten，or，ifitwas，whatansweritreceived.
MarshalJourdan，whowasthenatRouen，receivedaletter，writtenwithouttheknowledgeofMarmont，informinghimthatthelatterhadmountedthewhitecockadeinhiscorps.JourdanthoughthecouldnotdootherwisethanfollowMarmont’sexample，andheannouncedtotheProvisionalGovernmentthatinconsequenceoftheresolutionoftheDukeofRagusahehadjustorderedhiscorpstowearthewhitecockade.
Marmontcouldnowbeboldlyfaced，andwhenhecomplainedtotheProvisionalGovernmentofthenon—insertionofthearticleintheMoniteurthereplywas，\"Itcannotnowappear.YouseeMarshalJourdanhasmountedthewhitecockade：youwouldnotgivethearmytwosetsofcolours！\"
Marmontcouldmakenoanswertosopositiveafact.ItwasnottillsometimeafterthatIlearnedJourdanhaddeterminedtounfurlthewhiteflagonlyonthepositiveassurancethatMarmonthadalreadydoneso.ThuswelostthecolourswhichhadbeenwornbyLouisXVI.，whichLouisXVIII.，whenaPrince，hadadopted，andinwhichtheComted’ArtoisshowedhimselfonhisreturntotheParisians，forheenteredthecapitalintheuniformoftheNationalGuard.ThefraudplayedoffbysomemembersoftheProvisionalGovernmentwasattendedbyfatalconsequences;manyevilsmighthavebeensparedtoFrancehadMarmont’sadvicebeenadopted.
AttheperiodofthedissolutionoftheEmpiretheremightbesaidtobethreeGovernmentsinFrance，viz.theProvisionalGovernmentinParis，Napoleon’satFontainebleau，andthedoubtfulandambulatoryRegencyof\"MariaLouisa.DoubtfulandambulatorytheRegencymightwellbecalled，fortherewassolittledecisionastothecoursetobeadoptedbytheEmpressthatitwasatfirstproposedtoconducthertoOrleans，thentoTours，andshewentfinallytoBlois.TheuncertaintywhichprevailedrespectingthedestinyofMariaLouisaisprovedbyadocumentwhichI
haveinmypossession，andofwhichtherecannotbemanycopiesinexistence.ItisacircularaddressedtotheprefectsbyM.deMontalivet，theMinisteroftheInterior，whoaccompaniedtheEmpress.
InitablankisleftfortheseatoftheGovernment，towhichtheprefectsaredesiredtosendtheircommunications.InthecopyIpossesstheblankisfilledupwiththeword\"Blois\"inmanuscript.
AssoonasMariaLouisawasmadeacquaintedwiththeeventsthathadtakenplacearoundParisshesentfortheDucdeCadore，andgavehimaletteraddressedtotheEmperorofAustria，saying，\"Takethistomyfather，whomustbeatDijon.IrelyonyoufordefendingtheinterestsofFrance，thoseoftheEmperor，andaboveallthoseofmyson.\"
CertainlyMariaLouisa’sconfidencecouldnotbebetterplaced，andthosegreatinterestswouldhavebeendefendedbytheDucdeCadore’sidefendipossent.’
AfterthedepartureoftheDuedeCadoreMariaLouisapublishedthefollowingproclamation，addressedtotheFrenchpeople：
BYTHEEMPRESSREGENT.
AProclamationTheeventsofthewarhaveplacedthecapitalinthepowerofforeigners.TheEmperorhasmarchedtodefenditattheheadofhisarmies，sooftenvictorious.TheyarefacetofacewiththeenemybeforethewallsofParis.FromtheresidencewhichIhavechosen，andfromtheMinistersoftheEmperor，willemanatetheonlyorderswhichyoucanacknowledge.Everytowninthepowerofforeignersceasestobefree，andeveryorderwhichmayproceedfromthemisthelanguageoftheenemy，orthatwhichitsuitshishostileviewstopropagate.Youwillbefaithfultoyouroaths.YouwilllistentothevoiceofaPrincesswhowasconsignedtoyourgoodfaith，andwhosehighestprideconsistsinbeingsFrenchwoman，andinbeingunitedtothedestinyofthesovereignwhomyouhavefreelychosen.
Mysonwaslesssureofyouraffectionsinthetimeofourprosperity;hisrightsandhispersonareunderyoursafeguard.
（Byorder）MONTALIVET.（Signed）MARIALOUISA
BLOIS，3dApril1814.
ItistobeinferredthattheRegencyhadwithinthreedaysadoptedtheresolutionofnotquittingBlois，fortheabovedocumentpresentsnoblanks，norwordsfilledupinwriting.TheEmpress’proclamation，thoughapowerfulappealtothefeelingsoftheFrenchpeople，producednoeffect.MariaLouisa’sproclamationwasdatedthe4thofApril，ontheeveningofwhichdayNapoleonsignedtheconditionalabdication，withthefateofwhichthereaderhasalreadybeenmadeacquainted.M.deMontalivettransmittedtheEmpress’proclamation，accompaniedbyanothercircular，totheprefects，ofwhomveryfewreceivedit.