diff options
| author | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 02:44:46 -0700 |
|---|---|---|
| committer | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 02:44:46 -0700 |
| commit | 5cde21631da5f237f797a7ee84b7a3d5cd0d1c0c (patch) | |
| tree | d1fb8ef552f4430a4a8d58f5d4fa8a8d233622e0 /28934-h | |
Diffstat (limited to '28934-h')
| -rw-r--r-- | 28934-h/28934-h.htm | 6506 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 28934-h/images/img001.jpg | bin | 0 -> 23125 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 28934-h/images/img002.jpg | bin | 0 -> 15745 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 28934-h/images/img003.jpg | bin | 0 -> 119162 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 28934-h/images/img003tb.jpg | bin | 0 -> 30800 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 28934-h/images/img004.jpg | bin | 0 -> 30738 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 28934-h/images/img005.jpg | bin | 0 -> 53010 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 28934-h/images/img006.jpg | bin | 0 -> 33218 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 28934-h/images/img007.jpg | bin | 0 -> 19357 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 28934-h/images/img008.jpg | bin | 0 -> 120986 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 28934-h/images/img008tb.jpg | bin | 0 -> 46939 bytes |
11 files changed, 6506 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/28934-h/28934-h.htm b/28934-h/28934-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..3912c8f --- /dev/null +++ b/28934-h/28934-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,6506 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> +<html lang="en"> + +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> +<title>The Project Gutenberg e-Book of The Surrender of Napoleon; Author: Sir Frederick Lewis Maitland.</title> + +<style type="text/css"> +<!-- + +body {font-size: 1em; text-align: justify; margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 5%;} + +h1 {font-size: 115%; text-align: center; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em; line-height: 2em;} +h2 {font-size: 110%; text-align: center; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em; line-height: 1.5em;} +h3 {font-size: 110%; text-align: center; margin-top: 4em; margin-bottom: 1em; line-height: 1.5em;} +h4 {font-size: 105%; text-align: center; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 1em;} +h5 {font-size: 100%; text-align: center; margin-top: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1em;} +h6 {font-size: 95%; text-align: center; + margin-top: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 5%; + font-weight: normal;} + +a:focus, a:active { outline:#ffee66 solid 2px; background-color:#ffee66;} +a:focus img, a:active img {outline: #ffee66 solid 2px; } + +hr.small {width: 20%; text-align: center;} + +p {text-indent: 1em;} +sup {line-height: 0em;} + +ul.none {list-style-type: none;} +ul.toc li {margin-top: 0.4em;} + +.pagenum {visibility: hidden; + position: absolute; right:0; text-align: right; + font-size: 10px; + font-weight: normal; font-variant: normal; + font-style: normal; letter-spacing: normal; + color: #C0C0C0; background-color: inherit;} + +.smcap {font-variant: small-caps; font-size: 95%;} +.smaller {font-size: smaller;} + +.p0 {margin-top: -1em; margin-bottom: -1em;} +.p2 {margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 1em;} +.p4 {margin-top: 4em; margin-bottom: 1em;} + +.narrow5 {margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 5%;} +.toc {margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 15%;} +.quote {margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 5%; font-size: 95%;} +.center {text-align: center; text-indent: 0em;} +.mindent4 {text-indent: -4%;} +.left10 {margin-left: 10%;} +.left20 {margin-left: 20%;} +.left50 {margin-left: 50%;} +.noindent {text-indent: 0em;} +.add2em {margin-left: 2em;} + +.right5 {text-align: right; margin-right: 5%;} +.right10 {text-align: right; margin-right: 10%;} +.ralign5 {position: absolute; right: 5%; top: auto; text-align: right;} +.ralign20 {position: absolute; right: 20%; top: auto; text-align: right;} +.lalign60 {position: absolute; left: 60%; top: auto; text-align: left;} +.leftaligned {text-align: left;} + +.spaced2 {word-spacing: 2em;} + +.figcenter {margin: auto; text-align: center;} + +--> +</style> + +</head> + +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Surrender of Napoleon, by +Sir Frederick Lewis Maitland + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Surrender of Napoleon + Being the narrative of the surrender of Buonaparte, and + of his residence on board H.M.S. Bellerophon, with a detail + of the principal events that occurred in that ship between + the 24th of May and the 8th of August 1815 + +Author: Sir Frederick Lewis Maitland + +Editor: William Kirk Dickson + +Release Date: May 23, 2009 [EBook #28934] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SURRENDER OF NAPOLEON *** + + + + +Produced by StevenGibbs, Christine P. Travers and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<a id="img001" name="img001"></a> +<div class="figcenter"> +<img src="images/img001.jpg" width="350" height="421" alt="" title=""> +<p><span class="smcap">Frederick Lewis Maitland,</span> Esq.<br> +Captain of H.M.S. Bellerophon.<br> +15 July 1813.</p> +</div> + +<h1>THE<br> +SURRENDER OF NAPOLEON</h1> + +<p class="center narrow5"><span class="smaller">BEING THE</span><br> + NARRATIVE OF THE SURRENDER OF BUONAPARTE, AND + OF HIS RESIDENCE ON BOARD H.M.S. BELLEROPHON, + WITH A DETAIL OF THE PRINCIPAL EVENTS THAT + OCCURRED IN THAT SHIP BETWEEN THE 24th OF MAY + AND THE 8th OF AUGUST 1815</p> + +<p class="p2 center smaller">BY</p> + +<h2>REAR-ADMIRAL<br> + SIR FREDERICK LEWIS MAITLAND, K.C.B.</h2> + +<p class="center"><i>A NEW EDITION</i><br> +<span class="smaller"><i>EDITED, WITH A MEMOIR OF THE AUTHOR, BY</i></span><br> +WILLIAM KIRK DICKSON</p> + +<p class="p4 center smaller">WILLIAM BLACKWOOD AND SONS<br> + EDINBURGH AND LONDON<br> + MCMIV<br> + <i>All Rights reserved</i></p> + +<h3><span class="pagenum"><a id="pagev" name="pagev"></a>(p. v)</span> NOTE.</h3> + + +<p>After Sir Frederick Maitland's death in 1839 his papers passed into the +hands of Lady Maitland, who liferented his property of Lindores in Fife +until her death in 1865. They then passed with the property to Sir +Frederick's nephew, Captain James Maitland, R.N., and on his death to +his brother, Rear-Admiral Lewis Maitland, my father, from whom they came +to me.</p> + +<p>The preparation of the present volume has been undertaken by Mr. Dickson +at my request.</p> + +<p class="right10">FREDERICK LEWIS MAITLAND.</p> + +<p class="smaller noindent"><span class="smcap">Lindores</span>, <i>December 9, 1903</i>.</p> + +<h3><span class="pagenum"><a id="pagevii" name="pagevii"></a>(p. vii)</span> PREFACE.</h3> + +<p>"You are publishing a great and interesting national document.... The +whole narrative is as fine, manly, and explicit an account as ever was +given of so interesting a transaction." So wrote Sir Walter Scott to +Captain Maitland after reading the manuscript of his <i>Narrative of the +Surrender of Buonaparte</i>. It is undoubtedly a historical document of the +first importance, not only as a record of "words by an eyewitness" of an +ever-memorable event, but as a vindication of the good faith of the +British Government in its conduct towards Napoleon.</p> + +<p>In his Preface to the original edition, <span class="pagenum"><a id="pageviii" name="pageviii"></a>(p. viii)</span> published by Henry +Colburn in 1826, Sir Frederick Maitland wrote:—</p> + +<p>"Immediately after the extraordinary and interesting events took place +which are here recorded, I was, by the earnest solicitations of my +friends, induced to throw together the notes and memoranda in my +possession, of the proceedings in which I bore so prominent a part. I +was further led to undertake this task, so foreign to my usual +occupations, in consequence of the many misrepresentations that appeared +at that time, respecting the conduct of Buonaparte while on board the +ship I commanded, as well as my treatment of him.</p> + +<p>"The following Narrative was then written solely for the private perusal +of my friends, and not with a view to publication, many reasons +combining, at that time, in my opinion, to render such a measure +inexpedient.</p> + +<p>"I made it my study to state events exactly as they occurred, and, in +doing so, <span class="pagenum"><a id="pageix" name="pageix"></a>(p. ix)</span> to avoid, as much as possible, all prejudice, either +against or in favour of the extraordinary man whom it was my fortune to +secure and bring to this country. It may appear surprising that a +possibility could exist of a British officer being prejudiced in favour +of one who had caused so many calamities to his country; but to such an +extent did he possess the power of pleasing, that there are few people +who could have sat at the same table with him for nearly a month, as I +did, without feeling a sensation of pity, allied perhaps to regret, that +a man possessed of so many fascinating qualities, and who had held so +high a station in life, should be reduced to the situation in which I +saw him.</p> + +<p>"Although many of the causes for withholding my Narrative from the +public eye have long been removed, I had no intention of bringing it +forward, until by accident it fell into the hands of a most celebrated +literary character [Sir Walter Scott]. He <span class="pagenum"><a id="pagex" name="pagex"></a>(p. x)</span> did me the honour, on +returning it, to express an opinion which I was not at all prepared to +expect, and so strongly to recommend its being published, that however +averse to appearing as an author, I have been induced, under the +sanction of such high authority, to present it to the public."</p> + +<p class="p2">The text and notes of the edition of 1826 have been reprinted verbatim.</p> + +<p>Sir Walter Scott's notes on the MS. of the Narrative are among the +papers at Lindores. They consist chiefly of verbal criticisms on Sir +Frederick's original rough draft. Unfortunately it is no longer in +existence, and most of Sir Walter's notes cannot be followed without it. +A few of his comments are printed as footnotes, in square brackets, and +a portion of his MS. is reproduced in facsimile at page 230.</p> + +<p>A sketch of Sir Frederick's life, chiefly based on the journals at +Lindores, has been prefixed to the Narrative.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="pagexi" name="pagexi"></a>(p. xi)</span> The Appendix of the original edition has been printed, with an +additional Appendix, consisting of (1) a list of the officers serving on +board the <i>Bellerophon</i> in July 1815, supplied by the courtesy of the +Secretary to the Admiralty; (2) an unpublished letter from one of the +assistant-surgeons of the <i>Bellerophon</i>, giving an account of Napoleon's +surrender, recently acquired by the British Museum; and (3) several +extracts from <i>Memoirs of an Aristocrat, by a Midshipman of the +Bellerophon</i>. This extraordinary book, published in 1838, was written by +George Home, son of Lieutenant A. Home, R.N., who on the death of the +last Earl of Marchmont claimed the Marchmont peerage. It contained +violent attacks on various persons connected with the family of Home of +Wedderburn, and in particular on Admiral Sir David Milne of Milne-Graden +and Lady Milne. An action was raised against the author and publishers, +and damages were awarded against the former. <span class="pagenum"><a id="pagexii" name="pagexii"></a>(p. xii)</span> The book was +withdrawn from circulation, and is now extremely scarce. Home served as +a midshipman on board the <i>Bellerophon</i>, and his "hair-brained +narrative," as he calls it, adds some interesting details to his +captain's record.</p> + +<p>The frontispiece is from a portrait of Sir Frederick, painted by Samuel +Woodford, R.A., and engraved by Henry Meyer. The original is now at +Lindores.</p> + +<p>The portrait of Lady Maitland at page lxviii is from a miniature at +Lindores. This is the miniature which hung in the cabin of the +<i>Bellerophon</i>, and which was seen and commented on by Napoleon.</p> + +<p>The chart at page 1 is a slightly reduced copy of that in the original +edition.</p> + +<p>The portrait of Napoleon at page 68 is from a sketch made on board the +<i>Bellerophon</i> by Colonel Planat, <i>officier d'ordonnance</i> to the Emperor, +and given by him to Captain Maitland.</p> + +<p>Mr Orchardson's well-known picture is <span class="pagenum"><a id="pagexiii" name="pagexiii"></a>(p. xiii)</span> reproduced at page 108, +by permission of the Fine Art Company. It contains portraits of most of +the chief personages of the story.</p> + +<p>The picture of the <i>Bellerophon</i> at Plymouth at page 132 is reproduced, +by permission of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, from the +original by J. J. Chalon, R.A., now in the Painted Hall at Greenwich.</p> + +<p>As is mentioned at page 202 of the Narrative, Napoleon desired to +present Captain Maitland with a box containing his portrait set in +diamonds. On Maitland's declining, in the circumstances, to accept any +present of value, the Emperor begged him to keep as a souvenir a tumbler +from his travelling case, bearing the crown and cipher of the Empress +Josephine. This relic is still preserved at Lindores. A photograph of it +is given at page 202.</p> + +<p class="right10">W. K. D.</p> + + +<h3><span class="pagenum"><a id="pagexv" name="pagexv"></a>(p. xv)</span> CONTENTS.</h3> + + +<ul class="toc none"> +<li> <span class="ralign5">Page</span></li> + +<li>MEMOIR OF SIR FREDERICK MAITLAND <span class="ralign5"><a href="#pagexxv">xxv</a></span></li> +</ul> + +<h5>NARRATIVE.</h5> + +<p class="narrow5 smaller">[<i>The summary of the contents of the Narrative given here + is that prefixed to the original edition. Sir Walter Scott's + notes are printed at pp. <a href="#page070">70</a>, <a href="#page084">84</a>, <a href="#page155">155</a>, <a href="#page165">165</a>, <a href="#page208">208</a>, <a href="#page223">223</a>, <a href="#page225">225</a>, and + <a href="#page229">229</a>.</i>]</p> + +<ul class="toc none"> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Captain Maitland</span> sets sail in the <i>Bellerophon</i>, with + sealed instructions <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page001">1</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">He arrives off</span> l'Isle Dieu. Proceeds off Rochefort <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page002">2</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Reconnoitres the French</span> ships of war under l'Isle + d'Aix <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page003">3</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Is joined by the</span> <i>Cephalus</i> <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page004">4</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Captain Maitland</span> hears of the victory of Waterloo. + On June 30 receives a communication, sent from + Bourdeaux within a quill, respecting the probable + flight of Buonaparte by sea <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page004">4</a>, <a href="#page005">5</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Blockades Rochefort,</span> Bourdeaux, and la Teste d'Arcasson <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page008">8</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Destroys his prizes</span> <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page009">9</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">A man and boy</span> in a flat punt saved <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page010">10</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="pagenum"><a id="pagexvi" name="pagexvi"></a>(p. xvi)</span> <span class="mindent4">Captain Maitland watches</span> the frigates at l'Isle d'Aix + closely <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page011">11</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Receives Sir Henry Hotham's</span> instructions <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page012">12</a>, <a href="#page013">13</a>, <a href="#page014">14</a>, <a href="#page016">16</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">The <i>Mouche</i></span> schooner, with Savary and Las Cases + with a flag of truce, approaches the <i>Bellerophon</i> <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page021">21</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Secret orders</span> from Sir Henry Hotham <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page021">21</a>, <a href="#page022">22</a>, <a href="#page024">24</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Letter of Count Bertrand,</span> announcing Napoleon's intention + of sailing to North America <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page026">26</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">The captain's answer</span> to Bertrand <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page029">29</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Conversation with Savary</span> and Las Cases <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page031">31</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Receives private information</span> by a row-boat <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page035">35</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Captain Maitland</span> guards the Mamusson passage <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page036">36</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">The white flag</span> is hoisted at Rochelle <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page037">37</a>, <a href="#page038">38</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">The <i>Bellerophon</i></span> fires a royal salute <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page037">37</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">The French frigates</span> appear ready to put to sea <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page038">38</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">English guard-boats</span> continue to row near the frigates <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page038">38</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">British flag of truce,</span> its colour <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page039">39</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">The <i>Mouche</i> schooner,</span> with Las Cases and General + Lallemand, returns to the <i>Bellerophon</i> <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page039">39</a>, <a href="#page040">40</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Communication</span> delivered from Napoleon <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page042">42</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Captain Maitland's</span> reply <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page042">42</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Buonaparte stated</span> to be at Rochefort, but is at l'Isle + d'Aix <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page044">44</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Design for effecting</span> the escape of Buonaparte in a + cask on board of a Danish vessel <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page045">45</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Las Cases,</span> with General Gourgaud, returns to the + <i>Bellerophon</i> <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page046">46</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">They bring</span> an important letter from Bertrand <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page047">47</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">List of Napoleon's suite</span> <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page051">51</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">The Emperor's letter</span> to H.R.H. the Prince Regent <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page054">54</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Captain Maitland</span> promises to receive Buonaparte <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page056">56</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Captain Sartorius</span> is despatched to England, with a + letter from Captain Maitland, and with General + Gourgaud <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page058">58</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Advice of Buonaparte's</span> wish to escape repeatedly + given <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page062">62</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="pagenum"><a id="pagexvii" name="pagexvii"></a>(p. xvii)</span> <span class="mindent4">July 15, Napoleon</span> reaches the <i>Bellerophon</i>, in the + barge of that ship. He comes on board. His uniform + described <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page067">67</a>, <a href="#page068">68</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Napoleon</span> cheered by the crew of <i>l'Épervier</i> <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page069">69</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">His address</span> to Captain Maitland <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page069">69</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">The ship's officers</span> are introduced to him <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page071">71</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">His small knowledge</span> of English <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page072">72</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">He examines</span> the <i>Bellerophon</i> <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page072">72</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Conversations</span> between Napoleon and Captain Maitland <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page073">73</a>, <a href="#page074">74</a>, <a href="#page075">75</a>, <a href="#page076">76</a>, <a href="#page090">90</a>, <a href="#page095">95</a>, <a href="#page106">106</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Buonaparte's</span> naval opinions <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page073">73</a>, <a href="#page074">74</a>, <a href="#page077">77</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Breakfast</span> on board the <i>Bellerophon</i> <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page078">78</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Rear-Admiral Sir Henry Hotham</span> arrives off Rochefort. + His conference with Captain Maitland <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page079">79</a>, <a href="#page080">80</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">The Admiral</span> comes on board the <i>Bellerophon</i> <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page081">81</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Conversation</span> at dinner <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page083">83</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Buonaparte's portable library</span> and camp bed <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page082">82</a>, <a href="#page084">84</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">He breakfasts</span> on board the Admiral's ship <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page085">85</a>, <a href="#page091">91</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Attachment</span> for him evinced by the officers of his + suite <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page092">92</a>, <a href="#page228">228</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">The <i>Bellerophon</i></span> sets sail for Torbay <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page093">93</a>, <a href="#page096">96</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Buonaparte</span> speaks of Sir Sydney Smith <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page096">96</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">The passage to England</span> described <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page098">98</a>, <a href="#page105">105</a>, <a href="#page107">107</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Card-parties</span> <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page099">99</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">The captain's despatch</span> to Lord Keith <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page100">100</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">His conversation</span> with Countess Bertrand relative to + a portrait of Napoleon <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page103">103</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Speaks with the <i>Swiftsure</i>,</span> Captain Webley <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page104">104</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Count Las Cases</span> <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page107">107</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">English coast in sight</span> <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page107">107</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">The <i>Bellerophon</i></span> anchors in Torbay <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page108">108</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Buonaparte's exclamation</span> on viewing the shore <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page108">108</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Admiral</span> Lord Keith's orders <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page109">109</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">English newspapers</span> read by Napoleon <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page112">112</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Observations</span> of Madame Bertrand <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page114">114</a>, <a href="#page120">120</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Persons refused admission</span> on board the <i>Bellerophon</i> <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page115">115</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="pagenum"><a id="pagexviii" name="pagexviii"></a>(p. xviii)</span> <span class="mindent4">Lord Keith's approval</span> of Captain Maitland's line + of conduct <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page116">116</a>, <a href="#page117">117</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Concourse</span> of spectators in boats <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page115">115</a>, <a href="#page118">118</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Remarks of Buonaparte</span> respecting the fishermen <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page119">119</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">The ships sail</span> for Plymouth <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page119">119</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Observations</span> on the breakwater <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page121">121</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Communications</span> of civility interchanged between + Buonaparte and Lord Keith <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page117">117</a>, <a href="#page122">122</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Lord Keith's</span> precautions <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page123">123</a>, <a href="#page125">125</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Buonaparte complains</span> of the guard-ships <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page127">127</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">The Lords of the Admiralty</span> approve of Captain + Maitland's proceedings <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page128">128</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Napoleon's letter</span> to the Regent is forwarded <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page129">129</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">He is considered</span> as a general officer <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page130">130</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Orders received</span> from the Admiralty <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page130">130</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Sir Richard</span> and Lady Strachan come alongside the + ship <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page131">131</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Napoleon's compliment</span> on seeing Mrs Maitland <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page132">132</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Admiral Lord Keith</span> is introduced to Napoleon <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page134">134</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Repugnance of the prisoners</span> to their banishment to + St Helena <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page134">129</a>, <a href="#page134">134</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Crowd of boats</span> round the ship <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page135">135</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Buonaparte's habits</span> on board ship <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page136">136</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Bertrand, Savary,</span> and Lallemand fear proscription <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page137">137</a>, <a href="#page140">140</a>, <a href="#page142">142</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Buonaparte</span> informed that he was to be sent to St + Helena <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page139">139</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Sir Henry Bunbury</span> visits him <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page140">140</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">He complains bitterly</span> <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page141">141</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">He writes again</span> to the Regent <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page142">142</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Captain Maitland's</span> letter favourable to Savary and + Lallemand <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page145">145</a>, <a href="#page152">152</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Buonaparte</span> shows himself on deck <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page147">147</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Countess Bertrand</span> much agitated at the thoughts of + her husband going to St Helena <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page149">149</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Lallemand</span> is reproved by Captain Maitland <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page150">150</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="pagenum"><a id="pagexix" name="pagexix"></a>(p. xix)</span> <span class="mindent4">Buonaparte's assertion</span> that "he would not go to St + Helena" <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page148">148</a>, <a href="#page151">151</a>, <a href="#page164">164</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Extravagant conversation</span> of the attendant generals <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page151">151</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Mr O'Meara</span> <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page153">153</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Countess Bertrand</span> attempts to cast herself into the sea <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page153">153</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Her retrospect</span> of Buonaparte's conduct <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page154">154</a>, <a href="#page156">156</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Her impatience.</span> She writes to Lord Keith <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page155">155</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">She is overheard</span> by the generals <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page157">157</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Buonaparte's</span> inquiries as to St Helena <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page158">158</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Report of an attempt</span> to escape <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page159">159</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Rumour of an intention</span> of serving a Habeas Corpus to + bring Buonaparte ashore <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page162">162</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Ship prepared for sea</span> <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page162">162</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">The <i>Northumberland</i></span> ordered to convey Buonaparte <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page162">162</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">The <i>Bellerophon</i></span> weighs anchor <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page164">164</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Service of a subpœna</span> on Buonaparte frustrated by + keeping the lawyer at bay <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page165">165</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Note respecting</span> writs of Habeas Corpus and subpœnas <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page165">165</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Buonaparte again</span> writes to the Regent <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page168">168</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">He keeps entirely</span> to the cabin; prepares a protest <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page169">169</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Buonaparte's protest</span> <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page170">170</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">He declares himself</span> to be the guest of England, and + no prisoner <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page171">171</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Captain Maitland's</span> observations thereon <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page174">174</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Conversation</span> on this subject with Count Las Cases <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page176">176</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Buonaparte</span> speaks of the Army of the Loire, and of + his party <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page178">178</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Mr O'Meara</span> requested by Buonaparte to become his + surgeon <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page179">179</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">The <i>Northumberland</i></span> in sight <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page180">180</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Arms required</span> to be delivered up <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page181">181</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Lists of articles</span> essential for the Trench officers and + ladies forwarded to Plymouth <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page182">182</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Sir George Cockburn</span> is introduced to Buonaparte <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page182">182</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Buonaparte</span> permitted to wear his sword <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page183">183</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="pagenum"><a id="pagexx" name="pagexx"></a>(p. xx)</span> <span class="mindent4">He requests an interview</span> with Captain Maitland <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page183">183</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">He expresses his wish</span> of living on a small estate in + England <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page185">185</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">He speaks in favour</span> of Savary and Lallemand <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page185">185</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Captain Maitland's</span> letter to Count Bertrand <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page186">186</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Lord Keith's</span> order to the captain to deliver up General + Buonaparte and others <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page187">187</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">General Gourgaud</span> <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page190">190</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Countess Bertrand's</span> remonstrances <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page192">192</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">A misunderstanding</span> and reconciliation <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page193">193</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Napoleon returns thanks</span> to Captain Maitland <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page194">194</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">He speaks with regard</span> of Count Bertrand <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page195">195</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Search of the baggage</span> <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page196">196</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">The box of money</span> temporarily taken charge of <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page197">197</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Parting of Buonaparte</span> with the captain <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page200">200</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Buonaparte,</span> accompanying Admiral Lord Keith, + quits the <i>Bellerophon</i> <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page200">200</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Count Montholon's</span> polite intimation to Captain + Maitland <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page201">201</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">The captain declines</span> the present of a portrait <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page202">202</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Savary and Lallemand;</span> their affecting parting with + Napoleon in the presence of Captain Maitland <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page203">203</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">The <i>Northumberland</i></span> sails for St Helena <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page204">204</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Description</span> of Napoleon Buonaparte <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page205">205</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">His manners and conversation</span> <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page206">206</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Anecdotes</span> <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page207">207</a>, <a href="#page210">210</a>, <a href="#page215">215</a>, <a href="#page216">216</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">He speaks of his wife</span> and his son <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page211">211</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Their pictures</span> <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page211">211</a>, <a href="#page212">212</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Conversation</span> respecting Kleber and Dessaix <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page213">213</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Napoleon's resources</span> in money <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page214">214</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">The midshipmen</span> act plays <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page217">217</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Buonaparte's observations</span> on the British cavalry, and + relative to the Duke of Wellington <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page218">218</a>, <a href="#page219">219</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Character of Count Bertrand</span> <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page222">222</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Countess Bertrand,</span> a daughter of General Dillon <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page222">222</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Savary,</span> Duke of Rovigo, described <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page224">224</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="pagenum"><a id="pagexxi" name="pagexxi"></a>(p. xxi)</span> <span class="mindent4">Savary, Lallemand,</span> and Planat are sent to Malta, and + allowed to go to Smyrna <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page225">225</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Character of Lallemand</span> <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page225">225</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Count and Countess Montholon</span> <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page226">226</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">Count Las Cases</span> and his son <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page227">227</a></span></li> +</ul> + +<h5>APPENDIX.</h5> + +<ul class="toc none"> +<li><span class="mindent4">On what terms Captain Maitland</span> received Buonaparte + on board his ship; and documents relating + thereto <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page231">231</a></span></li> +</ul> + +<h5>ADDITIONAL APPENDIX.</h5> + +<ul class="toc none"> +<li><span class="mindent4">1. List of officers</span> borne on the books of H.M.S. + <i>Bellerophon</i> in July 1815 <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page241">241</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">2. Letter from Ephraim Graebke,</span> assistant-surgeon + on board the <i>Bellerophon</i>, to his mother, giving + an account of Napoleon's surrender, dated + July 30, 1815 <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page242">242</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4">3. Extracts from</span> <i>Memoirs of an Aristocrat, by a Midshipman + of the Bellerophon</i> [George Home] <span class="ralign5"><a href="#page246">246</a></span></li> +</ul> + + +<h3><span class="pagenum"><a id="pagexxiii" name="pagexxiii"></a>(p. xxiii)</span> ILLUSTRATIONS.</h3> + +<ul class="toc none"> +<li><span class="mindent4 smcap">Portrait of Sir Frederick Maitland</span><br> <span class="ralign5"><a href="#img001"><i>Frontispiece</i></a></span> + From an engraving by Henry Meyer, after + Samuel Woodford, R.A.</li> + +<li><span class="mindent4 smcap">Portrait of Lady Maitland</span><br> <span class="ralign5"><a href="#img002">lxviii</a></span> + From a miniature at Lindores.</li> + +<li><span class="mindent4 smcap">Chart of the Basque Roads</span> <span class="ralign5"><a href="#img003">1</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="mindent4 smcap">Portrait of Napoleon</span><br> <span class="ralign5"><a href="#img004">68</a></span> + From a sketch taken on board the <i>Bellerophon</i> + by Colonel Planat.</li> + +<li><span class="mindent4 smcap">Napoleon on board the Bellerophon</span><br> <span class="ralign5"><a href="#img005">108</a></span> + From the picture by W. Q. Orchardson, + R.A., in the Tate Gallery.</li> + +<li><span class="mindent4 smcap">H.M.S. Bellerophon at Plymouth</span><br> <span class="ralign5"><a href="#img006">132</a></span> + From the picture by J. J. Chalon, R.A., + in the Painted Hall at Greenwich.</li> + +<li><span class="mindent4 smcap">Tumbler given to Captain Maitland by + Napoleon</span><br> <span class="ralign5"><a href="#img007">202</a></span> + Photograph from the original at Lindores.</li> + +<li><span class="mindent4 smcap">Facsimile of part of Sir Walter Scott's + Notes on the "Narrative"</span><br> <span class="ralign5"><a href="#img008">230</a></span> + Photograph from the original at Lindores.</li> +</ul> + + +<h3><span class="pagenum"><a id="pagexxv" name="pagexxv"></a>(p. xxv)</span> MEMOIR<br> + +OF<br> + +SIR FREDERICK LEWIS MAITLAND.</h3> + + +<p>The name of Sir Frederick Lewis Maitland has found a permanent place in +history as that of the captor of Napoleon. Apart from the rare piece of +good fortune which befell him in the Basque Roads in July 1815, his +distinguished career of public service entitles him to an honourable +place in the records of the British Navy.</p> + +<p>He was the third son of Captain the Hon. Frederick Lewis Maitland, R.N., +and was born at Rankeilour in Fife on September 7, 1777. His father, +Captain Maitland, was the sixth son of Charles, sixth Earl of +Lauderdale, grand-nephew of Charles II.'s famous minister, and was +godson to Frederick Lewis, Prince of Wales, the eldest <span class="pagenum"><a id="pagexxvi" name="pagexxvi"></a>(p. xxvi)</span> son of +George II. He held various naval commands with distinction, served under +Rodney in 1782, and between 1763 and 1775 commanded the royal yacht. He +died in 1786, having been promoted rear-admiral just before his death. +Maitland's mother, Margaret Dick, was the heiress of the family of +Makgill of Rankeilour. The estates of that family were ultimately +inherited by her eldest son, Charles Maitland.</p> + +<p>Young Maitland entered his father's profession at a very early age. He +served as a midshipman, first under Captain George Duff in the <i>Martin</i> +sloop-of-war, and afterwards with the Hon. Robert Forbes in the +<i>Southampton</i> frigate, in which he was present at Lord Howe's great +victory off Ushant on June 1, 1794,—the "glorious First of June." On +April 5, 1795, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant, and appointed +to the <i>Andromeda</i>, of 32 guns. From the <i>Andromeda</i> he was removed to +the <i>Venerable</i>, the flagship of Admiral Duncan in the North Sea. In +April 1797 he went out to the Mediterranean to join Lord St Vincent.</p> + +<p>St Vincent had been a friend of his father's, and had promised to +promote him <span class="pagenum"><a id="pagexxvii" name="pagexxvii"></a>(p. xxvii)</span> as opportunity should occur. The flagship had +her full complement of officers, so Maitland was appointed first +lieutenant of the <i>Kingfisher</i>, a brig mounting 18 six-pounders and +commanded by the Hon. Charles Herbert Pierrepont, afterwards Earl +Manvers. In her he was present at the capture of four French privateers. +With one of these, the <i>Betsey</i>, of 16 guns, a severe action was fought. +When the prize-money for her capture was distributed, the crew of the +<i>Kingfisher</i> subscribed £50 to present Maitland with a sword in +recognition of his conduct.</p> + +<p>Pierrepont was promoted to post rank in December 1798, and appointed to +the <i>Spartiate</i>, one of Nelson's prizes taken at the Nile. A few days +after his departure the <i>Kingfisher</i>, under Maitland's command, was +leaving the Tagus, when she grounded on Lisbon bar and became a total +wreck. Maitland was tried by court-martial at Gibraltar, and acquitted +of all blame in connection with her loss. Immediately after his trial he +was appointed flag-lieutenant to Lord St Vincent.</p> + +<p>On June 23, 1799, the French and Spanish <span class="pagenum"><a id="pagexxviii" name="pagexxviii"></a>(p. xxviii)</span> fleets effected a +junction at Cartagena, and in the following month they retired from the +Mediterranean and took refuge in Brest. They passed the Straits of +Gibraltar on July 7, when Maitland had an adventure which is described +in Tucker's <i>Memoirs of Earl St Vincent</i>.</p> + +<p>"It is," he says, "an as yet untold anecdote of the presence of mind and +courage of one of the highest-minded characters that ever adorned the +British Navy, the late Rear-Admiral Sir Frederick Maitland.</p> + +<p>"At this period that gallant officer was Lord St Vincent's +flag-lieutenant; and when the fleets were first descried, Johnny Gilpin, +as his lordship used to call him, was sent to order the <i>Penelope</i>, a +little hired cutter, to go, count, and dodge them. The lieutenant +commanding the cutter was found too ill to utter an order. But Mr +Maitland, well knowing his Chief, and that this was service which must +be done, at once assumed the command, and got the vessel under weigh. He +stood over to Ceuta. The night was so pitchy dark and so calm that the +cutter was unperceived by the enemy, and yet so close among them that +the words <span class="pagenum"><a id="pagexxix" name="pagexxix"></a>(p. xxix)</span> of command in French and Spanish could be +distinctly heard. At daybreak she was about gunshot distance from the +whole Spanish fleet. When they saw her their admiral signalled a number +of launches to tow a brig of 14 guns to attack her, but on their arrival +within shot from the little <i>Penelope</i>, the reception she astonished +them with was so spirited that the enemy dropped astern again and +retired; and a faint hope of escape appeared, for, there being no wind, +the cutter's boats were kept ahead all the forenoon, towing to the +southward. Then every ship in that mighty fleet, except one frigate, +actually turned their heads to the southward to give chase to the +cutter. But the frigate stood to the northward, and as the afternoon's +westerly breeze got up, it brought her down under studding-sails near +the <i>Penelope</i>, before the air had reached her. When she was within +cable's length, the frigate opened her broadside fire. Mr Maitland told +the cutter's crew to lie down upon the deck till the frigate had +discharged all her guns. The men lay down very smartly; but when ordered +to rise, splice the top-sail braces, and get the vessel's <span class="pagenum"><a id="pagexxx" name="pagexxx"></a>(p. xxx)</span> head +about, not a man of them would stir. 'Fighting,' they said, 'was not +their employ; they were not hired for it, and, should they lose a limb, +there was no provision for them;' and thus the frigate now renewing her +fire, the little <i>Penelope</i> was taken.</p> + +<p>"To the honour of the Spanish admiral it must be added, that, having +witnessed this bravery and heard that it was Lord St Vincent's +flag-lieutenant that had displayed it, he sent Mr Maitland in a cartel +to Gibraltar, declaring him free without exchange."</p> + +<p>Tucker, who wrote in 1844, was not quite correct in saying that the +anecdote was "as yet untold." It had been given long before in +Marshall's <i>Naval Biography</i>. Marshall mentions, among other details, +that "the <i>Penelope</i> had on board a sum of money intended for Minorca, +which it was not deemed advisable to remove, under the pressing urgency +for her immediate departure from Gibraltar. When her crew found there +was no chance of escape from the combined fleets, they made an attempt +to plunder the treasure, which Lieutenant Maitland most honourably and +successfully <span class="pagenum"><a id="pagexxxi" name="pagexxxi"></a>(p. xxxi)</span> resisted, alleging that as public property it +was the lawful prize of the captors."</p> + +<p>Lord St Vincent returned to England in August 1799, accompanied by +Maitland. On reaching Portsmouth he heard of an explosion of shells +which had taken place in May on board the <i>Theseus</i>, 74, resulting in +the death of her commander, Captain Ralph Willet Miller. A vacancy had +thus occurred in the Mediterranean before the admiral quitted that +station. He used his privilege as commander-in-chief and promoted +Maitland to the rank of commander in the <i>Cameleon</i> sloop-of-war, the +promotion to date from June 14. Maitland at once went out to join his +new ship, which was then on the coast of Egypt under Sir Sidney Smith. +After the signing of the convention of El Arish he was sent home with +despatches. He returned and regained his ship, in which he made several +captures.</p> + +<p>On December 10, 1800, he was appointed by Lord Keith to the <i>Wassenaar</i>, +64. As she was then lying at Malta unfit for service, he obtained +permission to accompany Sir Ralph Abercromby's expedition to Egypt.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="pagexxxii" name="pagexxxii"></a>(p. xxxii)</span> The fleet anchored in Aboukir Bay on the 2nd of March 1801. +On the 8th, Abercromby effected a landing in face of a large and +strongly posted French force. To Maitland fell the duty of commanding +the armed launches employed to cover the landing. The enemy were driven +from their positions, and retired towards Alexandria with the loss of +seven guns. Abercromby at once followed them up, and advanced on the +neck of sand lying between the sea and the Lake of Aboukir, leaving a +distance of about four miles between the English and French camps. On +the 13th he again attacked the French, and forced them back upon their +lines before Alexandria. The right flank of the British force rested on +the sea, the left on the Lake of Aboukir, and the flanks were covered by +a naval flotilla, the boats on the sea being under Maitland's command, +and those on the lake under that of Captain James Hillyar. Seven days +later Sir Sidney Smith, who commanded the naval battalion serving on +shore, received from a friendly Arab sheikh a letter informing him that +it was General Menou's intention to attack the British camp next +morning. The news <span class="pagenum"><a id="pagexxxiii" name="pagexxxiii"></a>(p. xxxiii)</span> was thought too good to be true, as in a +few days Abercromby would have been compelled to attack the lines of +Alexandria under every tactical disadvantage. It was, however, +confirmed, and on the 21st of March the battle of Alexandria was fought, +the fate of Egypt was decided, and Abercromby received his death-wound. +Maitland again covered the British right flank from the sea. In the +detailed plan of the battle given in Sir Robert Wilson's <i>History of the +British Expedition to Egypt</i>, Maitland's flotilla is shown a little to +the west of the ruins of Nicopolis, in a position to enfilade the French +attack. For his services on the 8th, 13th, and 21st Maitland received +the thanks of the naval and military commanders-in-chief, and on March +22, the day after the battle, Sir Sidney Smith wrote to Lord Keith +warmly commending Maitland's conduct.</p> + +<p>Maitland's post commission was confirmed by the Admiralty on the day of +the battle of Alexandria. In the ensuing month he was appointed to the +<i>Dragon</i>, 74, and shortly afterwards to the <i>Carrère</i>, a French 40-gun +frigate taken near Elba. He remained <span class="pagenum"><a id="pagexxxiv" name="pagexxxiv"></a>(p. xxxiv)</span> in command of her in the +Mediterranean till the Peace of Amiens.</p> + +<p>The <i>Carrère</i> was paid off on October 4, 1802. Eleven days afterwards +Maitland was appointed by Lord St Vincent to the <i>Loire</i>, a fine 46-gun +frigate. War broke out again on May 18, 1803, and the <i>Loire</i> started on +a brilliant career of captures,<a id="footnotetag1" name="footnotetag1"></a><a href="#footnote1" title="Go to footnote 1"><span class="smaller">[1]</span></a> which included the 10-gun brig +<i>Venteux</i>, cut out from under the Isle of Bas by two of the <i>Loire's</i> +boats, the <i>Braave</i> privateer, and the 30-gun frigate <i>Blonde</i>, captured +in August 1804 after a pursuit of twenty hours and a desperate running +fight.</p> + +<p>An official letter written by Maitland in June 1805, gives us a vivid +glimpse of frigate service in the old days:—</p> + +<h6><i>Captain Maitland to Rear-Admiral Drury, + Cork.</i></h6> + +<p class="right5"><span class="smcap">Loire, Muros Road, Spain</span>,<br> +<span class="right5"><i>June 4, 1805.</i></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sir</span>,—Being informed that there was a French privateer of 26 guns +fitting out at <span class="pagenum"><a id="pagexxxv" name="pagexxxv"></a>(p. xxxv)</span> Muros, and nearly ready for sea, it struck me, +from my recollection of the bay (having been in it formerly, when +lieutenant of the <i>Kingfisher</i>), as being practicable either to bring +her out or destroy her with the ship I have the honour to command. I +accordingly prepared yesterday evening for engaging at anchor, and +appointed Mr Yeo, with Lieutenants Mallock and Douglas, of the marines, +and Mr Clinch, master's-mate, to head the boarders and marines, +amounting, officers included, to 50 men (being all that could be spared +from anchoring the ship and working the guns), in landing and storming +the fort, though I then had no idea its strength was so great as it has +proved. At nine this morning, on the sea-breeze setting in, I stood for +the bay in the ship, the men previously prepared, being in the boats +ready to shove off. On hauling close round the point of the road, a +small battery of 2 guns opened a fire on the ship; a few shot were +returned; but perceiving it would annoy us considerably, from its +situation, I desired Mr Yeo to push on shore and spike the guns; +reminding the men of its being the anniversary <span class="pagenum"><a id="pagexxxvi" name="pagexxxvi"></a>(p. xxxvi)</span> of their +Sovereign's birth, and that, for his sake, as well as their own credit, +their utmost exertions must be used. Though such an injunction was +unnecessary, it had a great effect in animating and raising the spirits +of the people. As the ship drew in, and more fully opened the bay, I +perceived a very long corvette, of 26 ports, apparently nearly ready for +sea, and a large brig of 20 ports, in a state of fitting; but neither of +them firing, led me to conclude they had not their guns on board, and +left no other object to occupy my attention but a heavy fort, which at +this moment opened to our view, within less than a quarter of a mile, +and began a wonderfully well-directed fire, almost every shot taking +place in the hull. Perceiving that, by standing further on, more guns +would be brought to bear upon us, without our being enabled to near the +fort so much as I wished, I ordered the helm to be put down; and when, +from the way she had, we had gained an advantageous position, anchored +with a spring, and commenced firing. Although I have but little doubt +that, before long, we should have silenced the fort, yet, from the +<span class="pagenum"><a id="pagexxxvii" name="pagexxxvii"></a>(p. xxxvii)</span> specimen they gave us, and being completely embrasured, it +must have cost us many lives, and caused great injury to the ship, had +not Mr Yeo's gallantry and good conduct soon put an end to their fire.</p> + +<p>I must now revert to him and the party under his command. Having landed +under the small battery on the point, it was instantly abandoned; but +hardly had he time to spike the guns, when, at the distance of a quarter +of a mile, he perceived a regular fort, ditched, and with a gate, which +the enemy (fortunately never suspecting our landing) had neglected to +secure, open a fire upon the ship. Without waiting for orders he pushed +forward, and was opposed at the inner gate by the Governor, with such +troops as were in the town, and the crews of the French privateers. From +the testimony of the prisoners as well as our own men, it appears that +Mr Yeo was the first who entered the fort, with one blow laid the +Governor dead at his feet, and broke his own sabre in two. The other +officers were despatched by such officers and men of ours as were most +advanced, and the narrowness of the gate would permit to push +<span class="pagenum"><a id="pagexxxviii" name="pagexxxviii"></a>(p. xxxviii)</span> forward. The remainder instantly fled to the further end +of the fort, and from the ship we could perceive many of them leap from +the embrasures upon the rocks, a height of above 25 feet. Such as laid +down their arms received quarter....</p> + +<p>The instant the Union was displayed at the fort, I sent and took +possession of the enemies' vessels in the Road, consisting of the +<i>Confiance</i>, French ship privateer, pierced for 26 twelves and nines, +none of which, however, were on board; the <i>Bélier</i>, French privateer +brig, pierced for 20 eighteen-pounder carronades; and a Spanish merchant +brig in ballast. I then hoisted a flag of truce, and sent to inform the +inhabitants of the town, that if they would deliver up such stores of +the ship as were on shore, there would be no further molestation. The +proposal was thankfully agreed to. I did not, however, think it +advisable to allow the people to remain long enough to embark the guns, +there being a large body of troops in the vicinity. A great many small +vessels are in the bay, and hauled up on the beach. None of them having +cargoes of any value, I conceive it <span class="pagenum"><a id="pagexxxix" name="pagexxxix"></a>(p. xxxix)</span> an act of inhumanity to +deprive the poorer inhabitants of the means of gaining their livelihood, +and shall not molest them. On inspecting the brig, as she had only the +lower rigging overhead, and was not in a state of forwardness, I found +it impracticable to bring her away, and therefore set fire to her: she +is now burnt to the water's edge. I cannot conclude my letter without +giving the portion of credit that is their due to the officers and men +on board the ship. They conducted themselves with the greatest +steadiness and coolness; and although under a heavy fire, pointed their +guns with the utmost precision, there being hardly a shot that did not +take effect.... It is but fair at the same time to state that, much to +the credit of the ship's company, the Bishop and one of the principal +inhabitants of the town came off to express their gratitude for the +orderly behaviour of the people, there not being one instance of +pillage; and to make offer of every refreshment the place affords.</p> + +<p>I am now waiting for the land breeze to carry us out, having already +recalled the officers and men from the fort, the <span class="pagenum"><a id="pagexl" name="pagexl"></a>(p. xl)</span> guns being +spiked and thrown over the parapet, the carriages rendered +unserviceable, and the embrasures, with part of the fort, blown up.</p> + +<p>I have the honour to be, &c.,</p> + +<p class="right10 smcap">Fred. L. Maitland.</p> + +<p>On June 27, 1805, the Common Council of the City of London voted him +their thanks for his distinguished conduct in Muros Bay. The Committee +of the Patriotic Fund at Lloyd's presented him with a sword, and on +October 18 he received the freedom of the city of Cork in recognition of +his exertions for the protection of Irish trade.</p> + +<p>In the following winter the <i>Loire</i> had a narrow escape. Marshall thus +describes the incident:—</p> + +<p>"On the 13th Dec. 1805, the <i>Loire</i>, accompanied by the <i>Alcmene</i> +frigate, fell in with the Rochefort squadron, consisting of six sail of +the line, three frigates, and three corvettes. Maitland immediately sent +the <i>Alcmene</i> to the fleet off Brest, himself keeping company with the +Frenchmen. Being to leeward, and desirous of obtaining <span class="pagenum"><a id="pagexli" name="pagexli"></a>(p. xli)</span> the +weather-gage, as the safest situation for his own ship, he carried a +heavy press of sail, and in the night of the 14th, having stretched on, +as he thought, sufficiently for that purpose, put the <i>Loire</i> on the +same tack as they were. About two <span class="smcap">A.M.</span>, it being then exceedingly dark, +he found himself so near one of the largest ships as to hear the officer +of the watch giving his orders. As the noise of putting about would have +discovered the <i>Loire's</i> situation, Captain Maitland very prudently +abstained from doing so, until, by slacking the lee braces and luffing +his ship to the wind, the enemy had drawn sufficiently ahead. At +daylight he had the satisfaction to observe them four or five miles to +leeward; and although he was chased both on that and the following day +by a detachment from the enemy's squadron, he returned each evening and +took his station on the French admiral's weather-beam, sufficiently near +to keep sight of them till the morning. During the night between the +16th and 17th, several large ships were seen to windward running down, +and which, on perceiving the <i>Loire</i> and those to leeward of her, made +such signals <span class="pagenum"><a id="pagexlii" name="pagexlii"></a>(p. xlii)</span> as proved them also to be enemies. Captain +Maitland had now no alternative but to make sail in order to get from +between those two squadrons, the latter of which afterwards proved to be +from Brest."</p> + +<p>On November 28, 1806, Maitland was appointed to the <i>Emerald</i>, a 36-gun +frigate. During the whole of her commission he cruised with ceaseless +activity and made a very great number of captures. He was present with +Lord Gambier's fleet outside Aix Roads in April 1809, when Cochrane made +his famous fire-ship attack on the French fleet. The <i>Emerald</i> was one +of the few ships which, on the 12th, were sent by Gambier, much against +his will, to support Cochrane in the <i>Impérieuse</i>. One can well imagine +that her gallant commander shared Cochrane's indignation at seeing so +daring an enterprise shorn of its fruits by the weakness and +irresolution of their chief.</p> + +<p>Maitland's next appointment, dated June 3, 1813, was to the <i>Goliath</i>, a +cut-down 74. He commanded her for twelve months on the Halifax and West +India stations. Having been found seriously defective, she was paid off +at Chatham in October 1814. <span class="pagenum"><a id="pagexliii" name="pagexliii"></a>(p. xliii)</span> In the following month Maitland +was appointed to the <i>Boyne</i>, then fitting at Portsmouth for the flag of +Sir Alexander Cochrane, commander-in-chief on the coast of America.</p> + +<p>In January 1815 he was at Cork, and had collected a large fleet of +transports and merchant vessels bound for America. The fleet was ready +to sail, but was detained at Cove by a succession of strong westerly +winds. Before the wind changed the news came that Napoleon had escaped +from Elba.</p> + +<p>Maitland's orders were at once countermanded, and he was removed to the +ship with which his name will always be associated, the <i>Bellerophon</i>, +74. This famous old ship had fought on the First of June, at the Nile, +and at Trafalgar; she was now once more to render a conspicuous service +to the country.</p> + +<p>She sailed from Plymouth with Sir Henry Hotham's squadron on May 24, +1815. Her commander's record of the memorable events which took place on +board her during the following weeks is in the reader's hands, and +nothing more need be said of them here. Let it suffice to note that the +controversies <span class="pagenum"><a id="pagexliv" name="pagexliv"></a>(p. xliv)</span> which have raged around the story of Napoleon's +exile, and which have tarnished so many reputations, have left +Maitland's without a stain. "My reception in England," said Napoleon +himself to Maitland, as he bade him farewell in the cabin of the +<i>Bellerophon</i>, "has been very different from what I expected; but it +gives me much satisfaction to assure you, that I feel your conduct to me +throughout has been that of a gentleman and a man of honour."</p> + +<p class="p2">Up to this point the materials for Maitland's biography are somewhat +scanty. After this his journal, preserved at Lindores, gives us a very +full record of his services.</p> + +<p>In October 1818 he was appointed to the <i>Vengeur</i>, 74. She had been +intended to bear the flag of Rear-Admiral Otway on the Leith station. In +June 1819, however, she was ordered to join the squadron destined for +South America under the command of Sir Thomas Hardy—Nelson's Hardy. The +squadron left Spithead on September 9, having on board Mr Thornton, +H.B.M.'s minister to Brazil.</p> + +<p>The following year was spent on the South <span class="pagenum"><a id="pagexlv" name="pagexlv"></a>(p. xlv)</span> American coast. In +the disturbed political condition of the Continent, the duties of the +British naval officers on the station were sometimes difficult and +delicate, as British ships and British subjects frequently got into +trouble with the forces of the revolted Spanish colonies. Maitland's +time was spent chiefly at Rio de Janeiro. In 1807, when Napoleon's +troops first appeared in the Tagus, the Portuguese Court had emigrated +to Brazil and had been there ever since. Maitland's journal contains +many amusing notes—not always printable—about King John VI. and his +disreputable family. "The king is very fond," he writes, "of comparing +himself to the Regent of Great Britain, and does it as follows: 'His +father is mad, so was my mother. I was Regent, so is he. I am very fat, +so is he. I hate my wife, so does he.'" One anecdote which he tells of +the king "must," he thinks, "raise him in the opinion of every British +subject. When the Count de la Rocca was Spanish Ambassador at the +Brazils, upon a rejoicing day the Portuguese ships were dressed with the +national flag at the main, the British colours at the fore, and Spanish +<span class="pagenum"><a id="pagexlvi" name="pagexlvi"></a>(p. xlvi)</span> at the mizzen. The Count being at Court, drew the (then) +Prince to a window which commanded a view of the harbour, and said to +him, 'I have to ask your Royal Highness to look at those ships. The +British colours are at the fore and my master's at the mizzen +topmast-head. Were it only occasionally or alternately I should not +complain, but it is never otherwise, and I feel it my duty, considering +the close family connection that subsists between H.M. the King of Spain +and your Royal Highness, to represent it to you, as it hurts my feelings +in a manner I cannot express.' The King of Portugal tapped him gently on +the shoulder and said to him, 'I'll tell you what, my friend, had it not +been for that flag and the nation to whom it belongs, neither your +master nor I would have had a flag to hoist at all.'"</p> + +<p>That was true enough; still, the Portuguese were getting a little tired +of the British flag. The Peninsular War had made Portugal almost a +British dependency. Lord Beresford remained in command of the Portuguese +army after the peace, and many other important appointments were held +<span class="pagenum"><a id="pagexlvii" name="pagexlvii"></a>(p. xlvii)</span> by English officers. The old monopoly of trade with Brazil +had been broken down in favour of the English, to the ruin of not a few +Portuguese merchants. These grievances, the continued absence of the +Court in Brazil, and the general misgovernment of the country, had +caused widespread discontent. Matters became critical after the outbreak +of the Spanish revolution in January 1820. In the spring of that year +Beresford went out to Brazil to lay the state of affairs before the +king, and to try to induce him to return to Portugal. The king would +neither go himself nor allow his son to go. On August 13, Beresford +sailed from Rio for Lisbon in Maitland's ship, the <i>Vengeur</i>.</p> + +<p>While she was crossing the Atlantic, revolution broke out in Portugal. A +military rising took place at Oporto on the 24th of August, and when the +<i>Vengeur</i> reached Lisbon on October 10, Maitland found that the Regency +had been deposed and a provisional Junta installed in the capital. +Beresford was absolutely forbidden to land, even as a private +individual, and was requested to leave the port without delay. +<span class="pagenum"><a id="pagexlviii" name="pagexlviii"></a>(p. xlviii)</span> The provisional Government told him plainly that in the +existing state of public feeling they could not be responsible for his +safety if he came on shore. After remaining for nearly a week on board +the <i>Vengeur</i> in the Tagus, he went on to England in a packet-boat.</p> + +<p>Maitland had expected to return to England, but at Lisbon he received +orders to proceed immediately to the Mediterranean on secret service. On +October 27 he reached the Bay of Naples, where he found a British +squadron of five ships under Sir Graham Moore.</p> + +<p>Serious political trouble had arisen in Naples. After the fall of Murat, +Ferdinand IV. had been restored to his throne by the Congress of Vienna, +and in 1816 had assumed the title of King of the Two Sicilies. Under the +restored monarchy discontent had been steadily growing. There had been +no violent counter-revolution, but the interests of the country had been +sacrificed without scruple to those of the king's friends, the swarm of +courtiers who had shared his ignoble exile at Palermo. The revolutionary +society of the Carbonari spread rapidly, alike in the army and in civil +<span class="pagenum"><a id="pagexlix" name="pagexlix"></a>(p. xlix)</span> society. In Naples, as in Portugal, the Spanish revolution +brought things to a crisis. On July 2, 1820, a military outbreak took +place at Nola. This was followed by a general demand for a Constitution, +which the king was powerless to resist. On July 13 he took the oath to +the Constitution before the altar in the royal chapel.</p> + +<p>A revolution in Naples would in all probability be followed by similar +uprisings in the Papal States. Metternich was seriously alarmed. A +conference of sovereigns and ministers to consider the affairs of Naples +was arranged to be held at Troppau, in Moravia, in October 1820. England +and France stood aloof from action, and the matter remained in the hands +of the Emperor of Austria, the Czar, and the King of Prussia. It was +resolved to invite King Ferdinand to meet his brother sovereigns at +Laibach, in the Austrian province of Carniola, and through him to +address a summons to the Neapolitans, requiring them, in the name of the +three Powers and under threat of invasion, to abandon their +Constitution.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="pagel" name="pagel"></a>(p. l)</span> Ferdinand could not leave the country without the consent of the +Legislature. This was only given on his swearing to maintain the +existing Constitution. He did so with effusions of patriotism, and on +December 13 he embarked on board the <i>Vengeur</i>, Maitland's ship, which +conveyed him to Leghorn. On reaching Leghorn he addressed a letter to +the sovereigns of the Great Powers repudiating all his recent acts. He +reached Laibach in due course; and the Congress which took place there +in January 1821 resulted in the restoration of absolutism at Naples and +the occupation of the country by the Austrians.</p> + +<p>It was a curious coincidence that Maitland should within a few years +have had two sovereigns as passengers,—one the central figure of modern +European history, the other the good-natured elderly buffoon who in this +country is chiefly remembered as the husband of the friend of Lady +Hamilton. Maitland thus records the voyage:—</p> + +<p><i>Naples Bay, Wednesday, Dec. 13, 1820.</i>—A good deal of rain during the +night; in <span class="pagenum"><a id="pageli" name="pageli"></a>(p. li)</span> the morning the wind to the east. A general order +came on board for the captains to attend the admiral in their barges, +for the purpose of attending the King of Naples off to the <i>Vengeur</i>, +dressed in full uniform, with boots and pantaloons; a note, likewise, +from the admiral telling me he intended to get the squadron under way +and see the King out of the bay, the <i>Révolutionnaire</i> forming astern of +the <i>Vengeur</i>, and he, with the five ships in line of battle, taking a +position on our weather quarter; and when he takes his leave each ship +is to pass under our stern, and there and then salute. The yards are to +be manned and the ships to salute, beginning when the <i>Vengeur</i> fires +her second gun. It is the intention of the French squadron to weigh also +and stand out. At three <span class="smcap">P.M.</span> the King of Naples came on board in Sir +Graham Moore's barge, attended by the admiral and all the captains of +the squadron except myself (as I stayed on board to receive him), and +all the captains of the French squadron. He was saluted and cheered by +all the ships except the Neapolitan, one of which manned her rigging, +but no salute was given. As <span class="pagenum"><a id="pagelii" name="pagelii"></a>(p. lii)</span> soon as the King was on board, +unmoored, as did <i>Révolutionnaire</i> and <i>Duchesse de Berri</i>. Employed +beating out. At about ten <span class="smcap">P.M.</span> the <i>Révolutionnaire</i> was on our +weather-bow when a thick heavy squall came on which blew the main +top-sail away. When the squall cleared away a little, I saw the +<i>Révolutionnaire</i> close to us on our lee-bow, off the wind and stemming +for us, and so near it was impossible the ships could clear each other. +It therefore became necessary to adopt the measure which would soften +the first blow as much as possible, and I ordered the helm to be put +down. When the ship came head to wind she struck the <i>Révolutionnaire</i> +just before the mainmast, slewed our cut-water right across, carried +away the jib-boom, spritsail yard, &c., and then backed clear of her. A +lad fell overboard from the <i>Révolutionnaire</i> and made a great noise, +which enabled us to send a boat and pick him up, he having got upon one +of our life-buoys. Got the runners up and the messenger through the +hawse-holes, and set them up with the top tackles, which enabled us soon +to make sail. Saw the <i>Duchesse de Berri</i> working out.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="pageliii" name="pageliii"></a>(p. liii)</span> <i>Dec. 14.</i>—Strong breeze to the westward, with sea getting +up. Saw <i>Révolutionnaire</i> to leeward. On examination, found the +cut-water so much shook I determined to run on to Baia and secure the +bowsprit; made signal to prepare to anchor, and bore up little after 8 +<span class="smcap">A.M.</span> Anchored in fifteen fathom water. The <i>Révolutionnaire</i> was +examined also, when I found her mainmast was sprung; sent the master and +carpenter to survey the damage she had sustained, two or three of her +timbers being broke. They reported she might be put in a state to +proceed in two days. Sent Lieutenant Drewry up to the Admiral with a +letter giving an account of our disaster, and informing him I should +proceed as soon as the weather would admit of it, taking +<i>Révolutionnaire</i> with me if she was ready, otherwise directing him to +follow. Got an answer from him in the evening offering the King any +ship, even <i>Rochefort</i> (the flagship), if we could not proceed; and that +he had ordered <i>Active</i> down here, to be ready to relieve +<i>Révolutionnaire</i> if she could not go. In the morning, when the King +came out, he took hold of both my <span class="pagenum"><a id="pageliv" name="pageliv"></a>(p. liv)</span> hands, squeezed them, and +shook them very heartily, saying, "I am infinitely obliged to you for +the way in which you manœuvred the ship last night, for had it not +been for your promptitude she must have been dismasted." Dined with his +Majesty, who sent me an invitation, and took my place, by his direction, +at his right hand, in the way I used when Bonaparte was with me, and was +a good deal struck with the similarity of situation. On the King's left +sat the Princess of Paterna, created by him Duchess of Floridia. She is +married to him, but does not assume the title of Queen, because she is +not of blood royal. She is an uncommonly handsome woman for her time of +life,—which the Prince of Babro tells me is very near fifty,—her +manners pleasing, and quite those of a woman of high rank. He seems much +attached to her, was particular in recommending good dishes to her, and +once or twice when he spoke to her took her hand, and shook and prest it +in a friendly affectionate way.</p> + +<p><i>Baia, Dec. 15.</i>—Strong gale, with very heavy squalls and showers of +rain. The <span class="pagenum"><a id="pagelv" name="pagelv"></a>(p. lv)</span> King is, in my opinion, much better at an anchor here +than beating about the sea in a gale of wind. Employed securing the +bowsprit.... Dined with the King, who told us several anecdotes of his +sea excursions; and he really is a tolerably good sailor. In the evening +a deputation of the Parliament came on board to condole with his Majesty +on the accident that had befallen the ship, and to wish him a pleasant +voyage and a speedy return to his country. In the evening pointed the +yards to the wind.... While at dinner, H.M. sent out to have "Rule +Britannia" played by the band, and drank success to the British Navy +with three cheers.</p> + +<p><i>Dec. 16.</i>—In the morning the weather fine, with light wind W.S.W. +Unmoored ship.... Stood over towards Capri till half-past one, when we +tacked. The King told us at dinner he had been one of six who in seven +days killed nine thousand quails on Capri Island, where in the month of +May some years they come in millions.... Got round Ischia at 10 o'clock +<span class="smcap">P.M.</span> +<span class="spaced2">. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .</span></p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="pagelvi" name="pagelvi"></a>(p. lvi)</span> <i>Leghorn Roads, Wednesday, Dec. 20.</i>—Employed all night +beating into Leghorn Roads.... At eight, pratique boat came off and gave +us pratique, and soon after the Governor of Leghorn came to pay his +respects to the King, with a fine large barge. His Majesty soon got very +impatient to go on shore, and would hardly give us time to make the +necessary preparations for sending him out of the ship with due honours. +At half-past nine he left the ship, accompanied by the Duchess of +Floridia.... Saluted with twenty-one guns, and manned yards and cheered +him as he left the ship. I accompanied him on shore, and when about to +take my leave he asked me to dinner. I went, therefore, to the Grand +Duke's palace, which is in the square; and when I got there the Marchese +di Ruffo soon arrived, and, desiring my company in another room, +produced the Order of St Ferdinand of the second class, and told me he +had the King's sanction to present me with it; and when we were talking +about it his Majesty came into the room and put it over my neck, and +then led me by the hand and presented me to the Princess Paterna, when +<span class="pagenum"><a id="pagelvii" name="pagelvii"></a>(p. lvii)</span> I returned my humble thanks to his Majesty, knelt, and kissed +his hand. The princess told me it was her intention to send by me +something as a present from her to my wife. The Marchese di Ruffo then +came in and told me he had something further to communicate, and took me +into the other room, when he gave me from his Majesty a remarkably +handsome gold snuff-box with his portrait on it,—a very good likeness, +set with twenty-four diamonds, some of them large, particularly four at +the corners. He gave me also two other boxes, one for Captain Pellew and +the other for the captain of the <i>Fleur de Lis</i>, and informed me he +meant to give 3000 ducats to the <i>Vengeur's</i> ship's company and 1500 to +each of the frigates. Dined with the King, and came off in the evening.</p> + +<p><i>Dec. 21.</i>—... To Franschetti the banker to obtain the money given by +the King of Naples to the ships' companies; and after waiting a long +time and having a great deal of trouble with a very stupid old fellow, +we managed to get it from him.... Got my patent as Commander of the +<span class="pagenum"><a id="pagelviii" name="pagelviii"></a>(p. lviii)</span> Order of St Ferdinand and of Merit, for which I had to pay +ten ducats as a fee to the secretary's clerk,—a part of the ceremony I +did not bargain for, as the order cannot be of any use to me, there +being a rule against officers accepting of foreign orders except in +particular cases.</p> + +<p><i>Dec. 22.</i>—... At eleven the boats came off and brought all my traps, +and a small parcel from the Princess Paterna, containing a very handsome +gold necklace and bracelets, requesting I would accept them for her sake +and present them to my wife. His Majesty, as well as the princess, have +behaved to me in a most munificent way, having loaded me with favours +and marks of their affection, which I shall ever remember with the +warmest gratitude. As I have now done with the King of Naples, it may be +as well to say a few words of his person and habits. He is a tall thin +fair man, now seventy years of age, uncommonly robust and active for +that time of life, which may be attributed in a great measure to his +temperance and love of field-sports, which has been ever his ruling +passion, and often <span class="pagenum"><a id="pagelix" name="pagelix"></a>(p. lix)</span> occasioned him to neglect the more imposing +and serious duties of a king. As a man, he must be liked by every one +who comes immediately in contact with him, as he is cheerful and +good-humoured, though not a man of much information. While on board the +ship he was generally up before daylight,—which at this season of the +year is not saying much,—took a cup of coffee and a bit of biscuit,—to +strengthen his stomach as he said,—and then said prayers, having two +friars and a priest with him. At noon he dined, when he ate a very +hearty meal, and drank about half a bottle of Neapolitan wine a good +deal diluted with water, and ate nothing for the remainder of the day. +In the evening he played picquet, and went to bed at eight or half +past....</p> + +<p>The <i>Vengeur</i> returned to England in the spring of 1820, and Maitland +was appointed to the <i>Genoa</i>, guardship at Portsmouth, from which he was +superseded in October on the completion of his three years' continuous +service on the peace establishment. The midshipmen of the <i>Genoa</i> +presented him with a sword as a mark of respect.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="pagelx" name="pagelx"></a>(p. lx)</span> Then followed a period of rest. In 1816 he had bought from his +mother the estate of Lindores, near Newburgh, in Fifeshire, which had +been in her family since 1569. Here he now spent several years, chiefly +occupied in the improvement of the property. During the war he had made +some £16,000 out of prize-money, part of which was spent in building the +present mansion-house, overlooking the beautiful Loch of Lindores. In +the spring of 1826 he visited London to arrange for the publication of +the <i>Narrative</i>, which, after some fruitless negotiations with John +Murray, was accepted by Colburn on satisfactory terms.</p> + +<p>On February 13, 1827, Maitland was appointed to the <i>Wellesley</i>, 74. In +December 1826, Mr Canning, in response to an appeal from the Portuguese +Regency, had sent English troops to Lisbon to protect the Government of +Portugal against the threatened attack of Spain. Maitland was ordered to +Lisbon, and the <i>Wellesley</i> spent the autumn and winter of 1827 in the +Tagus. After a spring cruise up the Mediterranean, she returned to +England in May 1828. On June 26 she again sailed <span class="pagenum"><a id="pagelxi" name="pagelxi"></a>(p. lxi)</span> for the +Mediterranean, carrying the flag of Admiral Sir Pulteney Malcolm, who +was then going out to succeed Sir Edward Codrington in command of the +Mediterranean station. On August 24 she joined the squadron under +Codrington at Navarino.</p> + +<p>Maitland remained in Greek waters for the next two years. The tragic +drama of the Greek Revolution, after seven years of horrors, had now +reached its final act. By the Treaty of London, in July 1827, England, +Russia, and France had undertaken to put an end to the conflict in the +East, and to establish the autonomy of Greece. In the following October +the battle of Navarino had been fought, and the Turkish fleet destroyed. +Ibrahim Pasha still held the fortresses of the Morea, which he was +shortly to evacuate under the pressure of a French army corps. In April +1828 war had broken out between Turkey and Russia.</p> + +<p>Desultory fighting was still going on in Crete, which had been utterly +devastated by years of barbarous warfare. In October the <i>Wellesley</i> +went to Suda Bay, and most of the winter was spent by Maitland on the +coast <span class="pagenum"><a id="pagelxii" name="pagelxii"></a>(p. lxii)</span> of Crete, endeavouring to bring about an armistice, and +superintending the blockade which the Powers had established in order to +prevent military supplies from reaching the Turks in the island. The +blockade was raised early in 1829; and during the following months +Maitland visited nearly every point of interest on the Greek coast and +in the Greek islands, as well as Sicily, the coast of Asia Minor, and +Constantinople. Like most Englishmen who have served in the Levant, he +developed a considerable respect for the Turk, and a quite unbounded +contempt for the Greek. After the armistice negotiations in Crete he +writes: "I found the conduct of the Turkish chiefs throughout manly, +straightforward, and sincere, while that of their opponents was very +much the reverse;" and in another place he writes of the Greeks that "a +more perfidious, ferocious, and cruel race does not exist." Needless to +say he did not think much of "our pretty Greek Committee."</p> + +<p>In the summer of 1830 the <i>Wellesley</i> returned to England. Maitland +attained his flag on July 22, 1830. At the reconstruction of the Order +of the Bath in 1815 he <span class="pagenum"><a id="pagelxiii" name="pagelxiii"></a>(p. lxiii)</span> had been made a C.B.; on November 17, +1830, he was advanced to be a K.C.B. In 1835 he received the Greek Order +of the Redeemer.</p> + +<p>During his South American and Mediterranean cruises Maitland kept a very +full and interesting private journal. It reveals him to us as a man of +immense mental activity and power of observation, hard humorous +common-sense, and an almost Pepysian interest in all the doings of +mankind. Politics, archæology, cricket, theatricals, scandal, the terms +of a treaty, the <i>menu</i> of a good dinner, the armament of a foreign +frigate, the toilette of a pretty woman,—everything interests him, and +is observed, remembered, and noted in his diary. A few extracts have +been given; within the limits of this sketch they cannot be multiplied. +His account of the slave-market at Constantinople may serve as a +specimen of his power of picturesque description.</p> + +<p><i>October 12, 1829.</i>—... We then crossed the harbour, and went to the +slave-market. It is held in a small square, with some houses in the +middle, and on two sides <span class="pagenum"><a id="pagelxiv" name="pagelxiv"></a>(p. lxiv)</span> of the square are small rooms, where +the slaves for sale are kept until their turn comes to be put up. +Adjoining the doors of these rooms or cells are raised platforms of wood +on which a number of black women and girls were sitting; and I saw a few +white ones inside. Outside these platforms are others, where the +purchasers or those intending to purchase slaves were placed; and +between the two platforms there is a passage three or four feet wide. At +another corner of the market there were some black men and boys, chained +by the legs to prevent their escaping, and among them we saw a very +good-looking respectably dressed young man, also in chains. We were told +he was a Georgian, but could not discover his history, though it is +probable that his master had died, and that he was sold in consequence. +He was smoking a pipe, and looked very disconsolate. A little after nine +o'clock, the chief of the market arrived, and the sale began. Two or +three black girls were first put up. A crier went round the square, +followed by the slave for sale, passing through the passage before +mentioned. When any person bids, the crier <span class="pagenum"><a id="pagelxv" name="pagelxv"></a>(p. lxv)</span> goes on, calling +the sum bid, until some one bids higher, and continues calling till no +more is bid, when the slave becomes the property of the highest bidder. +There were three or four criers, with each a slave following them, going +round the bazaar at the same time. At last a very pretty-looking white +girl about sixteen years of age was put up for sale. Several bids had +been made before I discovered her; and when I came up to the place where +she was standing, Lambrino, the admiral's interpreter, asked the crier +what sum was bid for her. He answered 1200 piastres; upon which the girl +turned round in a rage, and said to Lambrino, "You dog-faced fellow, +what is that to you?" and the interpreter being a little man, with high +shoulders and a face very much shaped like a dog's, the girl's remark +excited a general laugh. The crier, however, was by no means pleased at +the young lady for making such a display of her temper, as it was likely +to hurt her sale, and he therefore reprimanded her. They then passed on +along the passage and came to one of the divans, where a man about forty +was sitting smoking his pipe. He <span class="pagenum"><a id="pagelxvi" name="pagelxvi"></a>(p. lxvi)</span> stopped the crier, and took +the girl by the hand, felt all up her arm to the shoulder, then drew her +a little nearer and opened her waistcoat, which exposed a beautiful +white bosom, and the effect seemed electric, for he immediately bid 1300 +piastres, and after pulling down the lower part of her veil so as to +show the whole of her face, and looking at her teeth, he allowed the +crier to proceed. The girl had been angry at Lambrino, and seemed a good +deal distressed when the Turk was examining and handling her. I saw a +blush of either modesty or indignation cross her countenance; but the +instant the additional piastres were bid (whether from gratified vanity +or what other cause I cannot say, for these poor creatures are very +proud of bringing a high price) a smile of satisfaction beamed over her +face, and she marched off in apparent good humour. I had seen enough of +this horrid scene, and was tired of seeing a fellow-creature paraded +about and handled like a horse, therefore was rejoiced when the admiral +proposed we should leave it. Before we went away, a fellow, apparently +an Armenian, came up and said he had a <span class="pagenum"><a id="pagelxvii" name="pagelxvii"></a>(p. lxvii)</span> handsome young Greek +girl for sale if we would like to see her. As, however, none of us under +any circumstances could have purchased her, we declined his offer....</p> + +<p>A characteristic feature of Maitland's diary is his constant reference +to his wife. He had married, in 1804, Catherine, second daughter of +Daniel Connor of Ballybricken, County Cork. They had only one child, who +died in infancy. Maitland loved his wife with lifelong devotion; +wherever the service called him, her picture hung in his cabin, and he +carried her image in his heart. Every letter she wrote to him is noted +in his journal; and it is full of references to her in words of devoted +attachment. Thus on the voyage home from South America in 1820 he +writes: "Crossed the equator at eleven o'clock at night, and we are once +more, Heaven be praised, in the northern hemisphere, which contains all +I love and delight in in this world, and every mile we go draws us +nearer to the sole mistress and possessor of my heart.... A more +affectionate, kind, attached wife no man on earth is blessed with than +myself." He was <span class="pagenum"><a id="pagelxviii" name="pagelxviii"></a>(p. lxviii)</span> bitterly disappointed when from Lisbon he +was ordered to the Mediterranean. As the ship passed Gibraltar he wrote: +"This was the day I had settled in my own mind that I was to arrive at +Portsmouth, and there meet the dearest and best of wives.... I had +expected this day to be the happiest of human beings, and now the event +that would make me so appears as distant as ever." When he was at +Naples, Mrs Maitland appears to have fallen under religious influences +of the kind which often embitter family relations; and it is pathetic to +read the expression of her husband's grief and anxiety lest the love +which was the chief joy of his life should be estranged. "I fear much," +he writes, "I shall have to regret the longest day I have to live, +having left her in Scotland, instead of taking her abroad with me, as +she was in a nest of fanatical foolish women who have the madness to +believe they are inspired from above." Happily the cloud soon passed, +and he notes the receipt of "one of her own dear affectionate kind +letters, such as she used formerly to write." A little later comes the +joyful entry: "Bore up and made <span class="pagenum"><a id="pagelxix" name="pagelxix"></a>(p. lxix)</span> sail, with a fine strong +Levant wind, which cleared us of the Gut of Gibraltar by noon; and I can +now look forward with confidence to meeting my beloved Kate in about two +weeks' time."</p> + +<a id="img002" name="img002"></a> +<div class="figcenter"> +<img src="images/img002.jpg" width="260" height="325" alt="" title=""> +<p class="smcap">Lady Maitland</p> +</div> + +<p>From 1832 to 1837 Maitland was Admiral Superintendent of the dockyard at +Portsmouth. In July 1837 he was appointed commander-in-chief in the East +Indies and China. He hoisted his flag on his own old ship the +<i>Wellesley</i>, now commanded by Captain Thomas Maitland, afterwards Earl +of Lauderdale, and sailed for Bombay on the 11th of October. Lady +Maitland accompanied him to the East.</p> + +<p>When the advance from Bombay towards Afghanistan was made in 1838, it +was decided that a naval force should proceed along the coast to +co-operate with the troops. In January 1839, Maitland, in the +<i>Wellesley</i>, joined the squadron in the Indus, and was requested by Sir +John Keane, the military commander-in-chief, to "proceed to Kurrachee +and take it." He arrived with his squadron before Kurrachee the 1st of +February, and sent a flag of truce, summoning the fort of Manora, which +formed the <span class="pagenum"><a id="pagelxx" name="pagelxx"></a>(p. lxx)</span> chief defence of the town. The Baluchi garrison +refused all terms, and fired on the boats of the squadron, which were +engaged in landing troops. The <i>Wellesley</i> accordingly opened fire, and +soon reduced the fort to ruins and brought the commandant to terms. The +British flag was hoisted on the fort by Lieutenant Jenkins of the +<i>Wellesley</i>. The town also surrendered, and was occupied by the 40th +Regiment and the 2nd Bombay Native Infantry. The British Government thus +easily obtained possession of the chief port of the Punjab.</p> + +<p>After the capture of Kurrachee, Maitland returned to Bombay, and thence +proceeded to Bushire, where difficulties had arisen with the Persian +authorities. At an interview with the Governor, the Admiral demanded +permission for himself and his officers to land and communicate freely +with the British Resident. The Governor agreed to this, but refused to +allow the Admiral to embark from the landing-place opposite the +Residency. Next morning, March 25, all the boats of the squadron, manned +and armed, proceeded to the shore to protect the embarkation of the +Admiral and other <span class="pagenum"><a id="pagelxxi" name="pagelxxi"></a>(p. lxxi)</span> officers. The following account by an +eyewitness of what then took place is given in Low's <i>History of the +Indian Navy</i>:—</p> + +<p>"The Persians had assembled to the number of several hundreds, and the +Governor, with his body-guard, was determined to prevent, if possible, +the property being shipped before the Residency. The first boat which +approached the shore was fired upon, and one Persian had his musket +presented at Captain Maitland. He was just on the eve of firing, when +fortunately the Admiral and two Indian naval officers in a moment +wrenched it from his hands, and kept possession of the piece, which they +found loaded with a heavy charge. You may imagine how strongly inclined +the marines must have been to fire. The benevolent spirit of the +Admiral, however, would not allow it till the throwing of stones, and +continued firing from the Persians, called forth two volleys, which +caused the Persians to evacuate the breastwork. One was killed and two +wounded; their fire upon us, fortunately, did not injure any one, but +the Commodore and several other officers were struck with stones. After +this the <span class="pagenum"><a id="pagelxxii" name="pagelxxii"></a>(p. lxxii)</span> Residency was put in a state of defence, Captain +Hennell (the Political Agent), had all the property conveyed as quickly +as possible on board the <i>Wellesley</i>, <i>Elphinstone</i>, <i>Clive</i>, and +<i>Emily</i>, and finally abandoned the Residency on the morning of the 28th, +when surrounded by four or five hundred armed Persians, composed of +Bushirees and Tungustanees, with Baukr Khan at their head.... And on the +morning of the 29th the <i>Wellesley</i> and the other vessels reached +Kharrack, bringing along with them the whole Residency establishment."</p> + +<p>On May 9, 1839, the Officiating Secretary to the Government of India +wrote to Maitland: "The Right Hon. the Governor-General highly applauds +the cordial and able assistance offered by the officers and crews of +H.M.'s and the Hon. Company's ships, in the removal on board the ships +of the Resident and his suite from the Residency at Bushire,—an +operation which, but for their aid, might have been attended with +difficulty and danger." Maitland was bitterly attacked by the +Anglo-Indian press for his forbearance on this occasion, which it was +said had lowered British prestige in <span class="pagenum"><a id="pagelxxiii" name="pagelxxiii"></a>(p. lxxiii)</span> the eyes of the +Persians. It is possible that our relations with Persia might have been +improved by the slaughter of the Bushire mob by the <i>Wellesley's</i> +marines, but apparently the Admiral thought otherwise.</p> + +<p>The Bushire incident was followed by a cruise round the Persian Gulf, in +the course of which the Admiral had various interviews with the local +chiefs, and impressed upon them the necessity of keeping the peace and +respecting British interests.</p> + +<p>It was his last service. He died at sea, off Bombay, on November 30, +1839. A letter from the late Admiral Philip Somerville,<a id="footnotetag2" name="footnotetag2"></a><a href="#footnote2" title="Go to footnote 2"><span class="smaller">[2]</span></a> then a +lieutenant on board the <i>Wellesley</i>, describes the closing scenes.</p> + +<p>"On our arrival at Bombay, Nov. 3," he writes, "the tents had not been +pitched more than a week or so, and the one fitted by the Government for +the Admiral was so very large that, after our arrival, he had to remain +for some days on board ship ere <span class="pagenum"><a id="pagelxxiv" name="pagelxxiv"></a>(p. lxxiv)</span> it was ready. You may fancy +the state the ground was in after five months' heavy rain,—the chill +and damp scarcely possible to describe,—evaporation of course following +the excessive heat of the day. A week had scarcely passed ere he felt +its effects, but he could say nothing. On the 15th November I dined with +him on shore. He seemed then tolerably well. On Sunday, 17th, he visited +the ship, and returned to his tent. On the 18th he dined with her +Majesty's 6th Regiment, and complained a little that day. The 21st, he +was out to see our sailors and marines exercising. The complaint from +that time made rapid progress. Saturday, 23rd, Lady Maitland went to a +large party, but returned to the Admiral very early. Sunday 24th and +Monday 25th he was dangerously ill; 26th and 27th, rather easier. +Preparations were made for going to sea. On the 28th, the poor old +fellow was brought off and hoisted on board in a palankeen. I saw him +for a moment. Poor Sir Frederick lay with his head thrown back, his +mouth a little open, his cheeks sunk, and his whole frame totally +changed. He was conveyed to his cabin. We immediately <span class="pagenum"><a id="pagelxxv" name="pagelxxv"></a>(p. lxxv)</span> got +under way. All gloom, and solemn silence prevailed. I daresay some at +least were in deep thought, some thinking of his former prosperity, +others of the money he had made; perhaps some thought of the happy and +honourable day on which Bonaparte surrendered. After lingering until +Saturday the 30th, at 11.45 he expired. One can scarcely conceive the +sensation caused by the mournful event. The countenances of all evinced +deep sorrow for their chief, a man who was looked up to by all who knew +him, and greatly beloved by those under his command....</p> + +<p>"On Monday morning, preparations having been made the previous day, the +troops of the garrison and boats from the ships began to assemble. The +ship was painted black all over, and her yards topped in mourning. The +body was conveyed in his own boat, the barge, the other boats following +in order with their colours half-mast, presenting a very imposing sight. +On leaving the ship, minute-guns began; and on the corpse reaching the +shore, it was received with a guard of honour, and the fort commenced +firing minute-guns as we formed in procession. <span class="pagenum"><a id="pagelxxvi" name="pagelxxvi"></a>(p. lxxvi)</span> The troops +had their arms reversed, and the same people who received the Admiral +that day fortnight at the dinner given by the 6th Regiment formed part +of the parade that sorrowful moment. They lined the road through which +we passed, and reached to the church. Here the body was received in the +usual way, and all the respectable attendants followed it into the +cathedral. The lesson was read by the officiating Archdeacon, and on +coming to the grave in the aisle of the church, the Bishop read the +service in a very affecting and solemn manner. After the ceremony we +returned to our respective ships."</p> + +<hr class="small"> + +<p>A monument to Sir Frederick's memory was erected in Bombay Cathedral by +the officers of his command. "Among names," writes Lieutenant Low in his +<i>History</i>, "which will ever be held in affection by the officers whose +record of service is now 'as a tale that is told,' that of Maitland, the +gallant and chivalrous seaman, to whom the mighty Napoleon surrendered +his sword on the quarter-deck of the <i>Bellerophon</i>, will ever be +prominent; and this record of his <span class="pagenum"><a id="pagelxxvii" name="pagelxxvii"></a>(p. lxxvii)</span> worth and nobility of +character, and that other memorial on the walls of the Cathedral Church +of St Thomas, will testify to the grateful remembrance in which his +memory is held by the officers of the Indian Navy."</p> + +<a id="img003" name="img003"></a> +<div class="figcenter"> +<a href="images/img003.jpg"> +<img src="images/img003tb.jpg" width="400" height="286" alt="" title=""></a> +<p class="smcap">Chart of Basque Roads</p> +</div> + +<h3><span class="pagenum"><a id="page001" name="page001"></a>(p. 001)</span> NARRATIVE</h3> + + +<p>On Wednesday the 24th of May, 1815, I sailed from Cawsand Bay, in +command of His Majesty's ship Bellerophon, and under the orders of +Rear-Admiral Sir Henry Hotham, whose flag was hoisted in the Superb. I +received sealed instructions, part of which were to be opened on getting +to sea, and part only to be examined in the event of my being separated +from the Admiral. Those which I opened contained directions to detain, +and send into port, all armed vessels belonging to the Government of +France.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page002" name="page002"></a>(p. 002)</span> On Sunday the 28th of May, we joined His Majesty's ships Astrea +and Telegraph, stationed off Isle Dieu, on a secret service; and the +following day, three transports, under charge of the Helicon, arrived +from England, having on board arms and ammunition, to supply the +Royalists in La Vendée, for whose support and assistance I now found the +squadron, of which the Bellerophon formed one, was destined.</p> + +<p>On Tuesday the 30th of May, I received orders from Sir Henry Hotham, to +take the Eridanus under my command, and proceed off Rochefort, for the +purpose of preventing a corvette from putting to sea, which, according +to information received by the British Government, was to carry +proposals from Buonaparte to the West India Colonies, to declare in his +favour. I had likewise orders to reconnoitre the Roadstead of Rochefort, +and report to the Admiral the number and state of the ships of war lying +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page003" name="page003"></a>(p. 003)</span> there. Accordingly, on the 31st of May, I ran into Basque +Roads, and found at anchor, under Isle d'Aix, two large frigates, a ship +corvette, and a large brig, all ready for sea, which I afterwards +ascertained to be the Méduse, Saale, Balladière, and Épervier. Nothing +occurred worth mentioning until the 9th of June, when the Vésuve French +corvette came in from the northward, and got into Rochefort, +notwithstanding every effort to prevent her; the ships under my orders +having been driven to the southward, during the night, by a strong +northerly wind, accompanied by a southerly current. She was from +Guadaloupe, and immediately on passing the Chasseron light-house, +hoisted the tri-coloured flag.</p> + +<p>On the 18th of June, I detained and sent to Sir Henry Hotham, the Æneas +French store-ship, commanded by a lieutenant of the navy, with a crew of +fifty men, loaded with ship-timber for the arsenal of Rochefort; +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page004" name="page004"></a>(p. 004)</span> but he, being of opinion that she did not come within the +intention of the order, liberated her.</p> + +<p>On the 21st of June, I detained and sent to the Admiral, under charge of +the Eridanus, the Marianne French transport, from Martinique, having on +board 220 of the 9th regiment of light infantry, coming to France to +join the army under Buonaparte. The Eridanus was sent to England with +her, and did not return to me, being employed on other service.</p> + +<p>On the 27th of June, the Cephalus joined us, bringing with her the +declaration of war against France; after which we were employed several +days, taking and destroying chasse-marées, and other small coasting +vessels.</p> + +<p>On the 28th of June, I received intelligence, from one of the vessels +captured, of <span class="pagenum"><a id="page005" name="page005"></a>(p. 005)</span> Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo; and on the 30th, a +boat came off from Bourdeaux, bringing the following letter, without +date or subscription, written on very thin paper in English, and +concealed within a quill. I give the contents verbatim.</p> + +<h6>Copy of a Letter received by Captain Maitland, of H.M.S. + Bellerophon, off Rochefort, on the 30th of June, 1815, without + date or subscription.</h6> + +<p>"With great degree of certainty, being informed that Buonaparte might +have come last night through this city from Paris, with the new Mayor of +Bourdeaux, with a view to flight, by the mouth of this river, or La +Teste, the author of the last note sent by Mr —— hastily drops these +few lines, to give the British Admiral advice of such intention, that he +may instantly take the necessary steps, in order to seize the man. His +ideas will certainly have brought him to think it natural, that the +British stations will be less upon their guard in this quarter <span class="pagenum"><a id="page006" name="page006"></a>(p. 006)</span> +than any where else. The writer benefits by this opportunity to inform +the Admiral that, since the last note, some alteration has taken place +with regard to the troops spread in these two Divisions; in lieu of 800 +to 1000 in this city, there are now 5000, which is supposed owing to the +intention of compressing the minds of this populace in this decisive +instant.</p> + +<p>"It is supposed the British Admiral is already informed of the Grand +Army being totally defeated and destroyed, the abdication of Buonaparte, +&c. and the arrival of the allies near the Capital.</p> + +<p>"An attempt should be made on this Coast, with no less than 8000 men +altogether. Immediate steps are wanted to put a stop to the supposed +flight.</p> + +<p>"Should the attempt be made on the Coast from La Teste to Bourdeaux, an +immediate <span class="pagenum"><a id="page007" name="page007"></a>(p. 007)</span> diversion should be made on this side; the success +is beyond any doubt.</p> + +<p>"A sharp eye must be kept on all American vessels, and particularly on +the Susquehannah, of Philadelphia, Captain Caleb Cushing; General +Bertand and another goes with him. The two entrances of Bourdeaux and La +Teste must be kept close; a line or two is expected, on the return of +the bearer from the Admiral, or Chief Officer on the Station. As this is +writing, the news is spread generally, that the Duc de Berri and Lord +Wellington are in Paris."</p> + +<p>The note alluded to had been received, and forwarded unopened, to the +Admiral in Quiberon Bay.</p> + +<p>Though my attention was called so strongly to Bourdeaux, or la Teste +d'Arcasson, as the parts of the coast from whence Buonaparte would +probably attempt to <span class="pagenum"><a id="page008" name="page008"></a>(p. 008)</span> escape, it was my decided opinion that +Rochefort was much more likely to be the port where the trial would be +made. I therefore sent the Myrmidon off Bourdeaux, the Cephalus to +Arcasson, and remained with only the Bellerophon, off Rochefort. From +this period, until my return to England, the ship was never, by day or +night, more than three miles from the land. Considering it of much +importance to communicate the intelligence contained in the letter from +Bourdeaux, to my commanding officer, with as little delay as possible; +as I had no vessel left with me, after detaching the two ships under my +orders, I sent the Bellerophon's barge, under the charge of a +lieutenant, with directions to endeavour to join some one of the +cruisers stationed off Isle Dieu. I gave him an order, addressed to the +Captain of any of His Majesty's ships he might fall in with, to proceed +without loss of time, to join the Admiral in Quiberon Bay, with the +despatch accompanying it. <span class="pagenum"><a id="page009" name="page009"></a>(p. 009)</span> This boat was fortunate enough to +fall in with His Majesty's ship Cyrus, Captain Carrol; who, in +consequence, after hoisting in the barge, proceeded to Quiberon Bay.</p> + +<p>As the coasting-vessels were not worth sending into port for +condemnation, (and considering the circumstances under which the ship I +commanded was placed, I should not have felt justified in weakening her +complement, even for a prize of value,) I was in the habit of using such +captures, as marks for the men to practice firing at. The Cephalus had a +chasse-marée in tow for that purpose, when the letter, inserted above, +was received; and I detached her so shortly afterwards, that Captain +Furneaux had no opportunity of destroying her, but was obliged to cast +her off. After he had left me some time, I observed the vessel drifting +to sea, and determined to run down and sink her. While approaching her +in this view. I was sweeping the horizon with my glass, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page010" name="page010"></a>(p. 010)</span> when I +discovered, at a considerable distance, a small white speck on the +water, which had the appearance of a child's boat with paper sails; but +I could plainly perceive something that had motion in it; and, after +firing on and destroying the chasse-marée, I stood towards the object +which had engaged my attention, and found it to be a small punt, about +eight feet long, flat-bottomed, and shaped more like a butcher's tray +than a boat. In it were a young man about eighteen years of age, and a +boy about twelve, who had got into the punt to amuse themselves, and, +happening to lose one of their oars, were drifted to sea. They had been +thirty-six hours without refreshment of any kind, and with only one oar +and a bit of board, which they had formed into something like another; +they were quite exhausted with fatigue, and their hands very much +blistered. When we picked them up, there was a strong breeze blowing off +the land, so that there cannot be a doubt, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page011" name="page011"></a>(p. 011)</span> had not Providence +sent us to their assistance, they must have perished. I kept the boys on +board two or three days, for the purpose of recruiting their strength, +and then landed them with the punt, close to their village, to the great +joy and wonder of their parents and countrymen.</p> + +<p>On the first of July, we spoke a ship from Rochefort, the master of +which gave information, that the frigates in Aix Roads had taken in +their powder, and were in all respects ready to put to sea; also, that +several gentlemen in plain clothes, and some ladies, supposed to form +part of Buonaparte's suite, had arrived at Isle d'Aix: in short, upon +the whole, that there was little doubt of its being his intention to +effect his escape, if possible, from that place, in the frigates. On +receiving this information, I anchored the Bellerophon as close to the +French squadron as the batteries would permit, kept guard-boats rowing +all night, and prepared <span class="pagenum"><a id="page012" name="page012"></a>(p. 012)</span> my ship's company for the description +of action in which I thought it was probable they would be engaged. I +trained one hundred of the stoutest men, selecting them from the +different stations in the ship; it being my intention, after firing into +and silencing one frigate, to run the Bellerophon alongside of her, +throw that party in, and then, leaving her in charge of the first +lieutenant, to have proceeded in chase of the other.</p> + +<p>His Majesty's ship Phœbe joined us this evening, and brought with her +the Bellerophon's barge. Captain Hillyar having orders to take a station +off Bourdeaux, I recalled the Myrmidon from that service.</p> + +<p>On the 7th of July, I received a letter from Sir Henry Hotham, together +with fresh orders, from which the following are extracts:—</p> + +<h6><span class="pagenum"><a id="page013" name="page013"></a>(p. 013)</span> Extract of a Letter from Rear-Admiral Sir Henry Hotham, + K.C.B., addressed to Captain Maitland of H.M.S. Bellerophon, + dated Quiberon Bay, July 6, 1815.</h6> + +<p>"It is impossible to tell which information respecting Buonaparte's +flight may be correct; but, in the uncertainty, it is right to attach a +certain degree of credit to all: that which I now act on, is received +this morning, from the chief of the Royalists, between the Loire and the +Vilaine.</p> + +<p>"Although the force of the Bellerophon would be sufficient for the ships +at Isle d'Aix, if they were to give you an opportunity of bringing them +to action together, you cannot stop them both, if the frigates separate; +I am, therefore, now anxious you should have a frigate with you: +therefore if any of them should be with you, keep her for the time I +have specified; but if you have no frigate, and this should be brought +to you by a twenty-gun ship, keep her with <span class="pagenum"><a id="page014" name="page014"></a>(p. 014)</span> you for the same +time; she will do to keep sight of a French frigate, although she could +not stop her.</p> + +<p>"If this is delivered to you by Lord John Hay of the Opossum, do not +detain him, as her force would be of no use to you, and I want him +<i>particularly</i>, to examine vessels which sail from the Loire."</p> + +<h6>Extract of an Order from Rear-Admiral Sir Henry Hotham, K.C.B.; + addressed to Captain Maitland of H.M.S. Bellerophon, dated + Superb, Quiberon Bay, 6th July, 1815.</h6> + +<p>"Having this morning received information that it is believed Napoleon +Buonaparte has taken his road from Paris for Rochefort, to embark from +thence for the United States of America, I have to direct you will use +your best endeavours to prevent him from making his escape in either of +the frigates at Isle d'Aix; for which purpose you are, notwithstanding +former orders, to keep any <span class="pagenum"><a id="page015" name="page015"></a>(p. 015)</span> frigate which may be with you, at +the time you receive this letter, in company with the ship you command, +for the space of ten days, to enable you to intercept them in case they +should put to sea together: but if you should have no frigate with you +at the above time, you will keep the ship delivering this, (which will +probably be the Slaney or Cyrus,) in company with the Bellerophon, ten +days, and then allow her to proceed in execution of the orders her +Captain has received from me."</p> + +<p>The Slaney brought the letter and order, parts of which are extracted +above, and having no frigate in company, I detained her as part of the +force under my command, though she was, on the 8th, sent down to the +Mamusson passage, with orders for Captain Green of the Daphne, and did +not return until the evening of the 11th.</p> + +<p>On the 8th of July, I was joined by a <span class="pagenum"><a id="page016" name="page016"></a>(p. 016)</span> chasse-marée bringing a +letter from Sir Henry Hotham, part of which is as follows:—</p> + +<h6>Extract of a Letter from Rear-Admiral Sir Henry Hotham, K.C.B., + addressed to Captain Maitland, of H.M.S. Bellerophon, dated + Superb, Quiberon Bay, July 7, 1815.</h6> + +<p>"Having sent every ship and vessel out from this bay, to endeavour to +intercept Buonaparte, I am obliged to send the chasse-marée, which has +been employed in my communications with the Royalists, with this letter, +to acquaint you that the Ferret brought me information last evening, +after the Opossum had left me, from Lord Keith, that Government +received, on the night of the 30th, an application from the rulers of +France, for a passport and safe conduct for Buonaparte to America, which +had been answered in the negative, and, therefore, directing an increase +of vigilance to intercept him: but it remains quite uncertain where he +will embark; and, although it <span class="pagenum"><a id="page017" name="page017"></a>(p. 017)</span> would appear by the measures +adopted at home, that it is expected he will sail from one of the +northern ports, I am of opinion he will go from one of the southern +places, and I think the information I sent you yesterday by the Opossum +is very likely to be correct; namely, that he had taken the road to +Rochefort; and that he will probably embark in the frigates at Isle +d'Aix; for which reason I am very anxious you should have force enough +to stop them both, as the Bellerophon could only take one, if they +separated, and that might not be the one he would be on board of. I have +no frigate to send you; if one should join me in time, I will send her +to you, and I hope you will have <i>two</i> twenty-gun ships with you. I +imagine, from what you said in your letter by your barge, that you would +not have kept the Endymion with you, especially as the Myrmidon would +have rejoined you, by the arrangements I sent down by the Phœbe for +Sir John Sinclair <span class="pagenum"><a id="page018" name="page018"></a>(p. 018)</span> to take her place off the Mamusson; +therefore, I trust that my last order to Captain Hope will not have +deprived you of his assistance, but hope it may have put him in a better +situation than before. The Liffey is seventy or eighty miles west from +Bourdeaux, and the Pactolus, after landing some person in the Gironde, +goes off Cape Finisterre, where the Swiftsure is also gone; and many +ships are looking out in the Channel and about the latitude of Ushant.</p> + +<p>"Buonaparte is certainly not yet gone; I presume he would naturally +await the answer from our Government, which only left London on the 1st; +my own opinion is, that he will either go with a force that will afford +him some kind of security, or in a merchant vessel to avoid suspicion.</p> + +<p>"The orders from the Admiralty, received last evening, are, that the +ships which are looking out for him, should remain on that <span class="pagenum"><a id="page019" name="page019"></a>(p. 019)</span> +service <i>till further orders, or till they know he is taken</i>, and not +regard the time of ten days or a fortnight, which they first named: +therefore you will govern yourself by that, and keep any ship you have +with you till one of those events occurs, without attending to the ten +days I specified in my letter to you by the Opossum yesterday, and make +the same known to any ship you may communicate with. The information you +sent me, which had been transmitted to you from Bourdeaux, is now proved +to have been erroneous, by our knowing that Buonaparte was at Paris as +late as the 30th of June, and that paper must have been written on the +29th, as you received it on the 30th. The Eridanus will not rejoin you; +she has been stationed, by Lord Keith, off Brest.</p> + +<p>"Let me know by the return of the chasse-marée, particularly, what ships +you have with you, and where the other ships are, as far as you know, +and what position <span class="pagenum"><a id="page020" name="page020"></a>(p. 020)</span> you keep in. If you had ships enough to +guard Basque Roads, and the Channel between Isle d'Oleron and the long +sand (where a frigate may pass), you would be sure of keeping them in, +by anchoring; but that would afford you little chance of taking +Buonaparte, which is the thing to be desired; therefore I think you +would be better off the light-house, where I dare say you keep yourself; +and on that particular subject I do not think it necessary to give you +any instructions, as I depend on your using the best means that can be +adopted to intercept the fugitive; on whose captivity the repose of +Europe appears to depend. If he should be taken, he is to be brought to +me in this bay, as I have orders for his disposal; he is to be removed +from the ship in which he may be found, to one of his Majesty's ships."</p> + +<p>Nothing of consequence occurred on the 9th; but on the 10th of July, at +daylight, the officer of the watch informed me that a <span class="pagenum"><a id="page021" name="page021"></a>(p. 021)</span> small +schooner was standing out from the French squadron towards the ship: +upon which I ordered everything to be ready for making sail in chace, +supposing she might be sent for the purpose of reconnoitring. On +approaching, she hoisted a flag of truce, and joined us at seven <span class="smcap">A.M.</span> +She proved to be the Mouche, tender to the ships of war at Isle d'Aix, +and had on board, General Savary Duc de Rovigo, and Count Las Cases, +chamberlain to Buonaparte, charged with a letter from Count Bertrand +(Grand Maréchal de Palais) addressed to the Admiral commanding the +British Cruisers before the port of Rochefort.</p> + +<p>Soon after the Mouche arrived, I was joined by the Falmouth, bringing me +a letter and secret orders from Sir Henry Hotham, some extracts from +which I shall insert for the better understanding what follows, previous +to entering into what passed with Buonaparte's attendants.</p> + +<h6><span class="pagenum"><a id="page022" name="page022"></a>(p. 022)</span> Extract of a Letter from Rear-Admiral Sir Henry Hotham, + K.C.B., addressed to Captain Maitland, of H.M.S. Bellerophon; not + dated, but must have been written on the 8th of July, 1815.</h6> + +<p>"I sent a chasse-marée to you yesterday with a letter, and you will now +receive by the Falmouth, officially, the orders which I therein made you +acquainted with.</p> + +<p>"I send you four late and very interesting French papers, by which you +will see all that has been done and said on the subject of providing for +Buonaparte's escape from France: you will see that the Minister of the +Marine had been directed to prepare ships of war for that purpose; that +they were placed at Buonaparte's disposal; and that two frigates in +particular had been provided for him: also that it was announced to the +two Chambers, that he left Paris at four o'clock on the 29th; likewise +that it was believed in Paris, he had taken <span class="pagenum"><a id="page023" name="page023"></a>(p. 023)</span> the road by +Orleans to Rochefort; and I have no doubt that the two frigates at Isle +d'Aix are intended for him, and I hope you will think so too, and I am +sure you will use your utmost endeavours to intercept him. I am sorry I +have not a frigate to send you; I have literally none but the Endymion +under my orders. Captain Paterson is off Brest, by Lord Keith's order; +and the Phœbe is also ordered to that station, when the Hebrus +arrives off the Gironde.</p> + +<p>"The attention at home appears to be paid chiefly to the ports in the +Channel, but I have received no additional means whatever to guard those +of the Bay. I have long been expecting a frigate from the Irish station, +but none has yet appeared; and I have written to Lord Keith for two +frigates; but they cannot join me in time, I fear."</p> + +<h6><span class="pagenum"><a id="page024" name="page024"></a>(p. 024)</span> Extract of an Order from Rear-Admiral Sir Henry Hotham, + K.C.B., addressed to Captain Maitland, of H.M.S. Bellerophon, + dated H.M.S. Superb, Quiberon Bay, 8th July, 1815.</h6> + +<p>"The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty having every reason to believe +that Napoleon Buonaparte meditates his escape, with his family, from +France to America, you are hereby required and directed, in pursuance of +orders from their Lordships, signified to me by Admiral the Right +Honourable Viscount Keith, to keep the most vigilant look-out for the +purpose of intercepting him; and to make the strictest search of any +vessel you may fall in with; and if you should be so fortunate as to +intercept him, you are to transfer him and his family to the ship you +command, and there keeping him in careful custody, return to the nearest +port in England (going into Torbay in preference to Plymouth) with all +possible expedition; and on your arrival <span class="pagenum"><a id="page025" name="page025"></a>(p. 025)</span> you are not to permit +any communication whatever with the shore, except as herein after +directed; and you will be held responsible for keeping the whole +transaction a profound secret, until you receive their Lordships' +further orders.</p> + +<p>"In case you should arrive at a port where there is a flag-officer, you +are to send to acquaint him with the circumstances, strictly charging +the officer sent on shore with your letter, not to divulge its contents: +and if there should be no flag-officer at the port where you arrive, you +are to send one letter express to the Secretary of the Admiralty, and +another to Admiral Lord Keith, with strict injunctions of secrecy to +each officer who may be the bearer of them."</p> + +<p>Messrs Savary and Las Cases, who came on board, from the Schooner above +mentioned, at seven o'clock on the 10th of <span class="pagenum"><a id="page026" name="page026"></a>(p. 026)</span> July, presented the +following letter to me:—</p> + +<p class="right10 smaller">"Le 9 Juillet, 1815.</p> + +<p>"Monsieur l'Amiral,</p> + +<p>"L'Empereur Napoléon ayant abdiqué le pouvoir, et choisi les États Unis +d'Amérique pour s'y réfugier, s'est embarqué sur les deux frégates qui +sont dans cette rade, pour se rendre à sa destination. Il attend le sauf +conduit du Gouvernement Anglais, qu'on lui a annoncé, et qui me porte à +expédier le présent parlementaire, pour vous demander, Mons. l'Amiral, +si vous avez connoissance du dit sauf conduit; ou si vous pensez qu'il +soit dans l'intention du Gouvernement Anglais de se mettre de +l'empêchement à notre voyage aux États Unis. Je vous serai extrêmement +obligé de me donner là-dessus les renseignemens que vous pouvez avoir.</p> + +<p>"Je charge les porteurs de la présente <span class="pagenum"><a id="page027" name="page027"></a>(p. 027)</span> lettre de vous faire +agréer mes remercîmens et mes excuses, pour la peine qu'elle a pu vous +donner.</p> + +<p class="leftaligned">"J'ai l'honneur d'être,<br> +<span class="left10">Monsieur l'Amiral,</span><br> +<span class="left20">de Votre Excellence, &c. &c.</span><br> +<span class="left50">Le Grand Maréchal Ct<sup>e</sup>. <span class="smcap">Bertrand</span>."</span></p> + +<p class="smaller noindent"> + "À Monsieur l'Amiral commandant<br> +les Croisières avant Rochefort."</p> + +<p class="center p2">TRANSLATION.</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Sir</span>,</p> + +<p>"The Emperor Napoleon having abdicated the throne of France, and chosen +the United States of America as a retreat, is, with his suite, at +present embarked on board the two frigates which are in this port, for +the purpose of proceeding to his destination. He expects a passport from +the British Government, which has been promised to him, and which +induces me to send the present flag of truce, to demand of you, Sir, if +you have <span class="pagenum"><a id="page028" name="page028"></a>(p. 028)</span> any knowledge of the above-mentioned passport, or if +you think it is the intention of the British Government to throw any +impediment in the way of our voyage to the United States. I shall feel +much obliged by your giving me any information you may possess on the +subject.</p> + +<p>"I have directed the bearers of this letter to present to you my thanks, +and to apologise for the trouble it may cause.</p> + +<p class="leftaligned">"I have the honour to be,<br> +<span class="left10">Your Excellency's most obedient, &c. &c.</span><br> +<span class="left50">Grand Marshal Count <span class="smcap">Bertrand</span>."</span></p> + +<p class="smaller noindent">"To the Admiral commanding<br> +the Squadron before Rochefort."</p> + +<p>The bearers of the letter had instructions to demand of me, whether I +would prevent Buonaparte from proceeding in a neutral vessel, provided I +could not permit the frigates to pass with him on board. Having +received, in my orders, the strictest <span class="pagenum"><a id="page029" name="page029"></a>(p. 029)</span> injunctions to secrecy, +and feeling that the force on the coast, at my disposal, was +insufficient to guard the different ports and passages from which an +escape might be effected, particularly should the plan be adopted of +putting to sea in a small vessel; I wrote the following reply to the +above communication; hoping, by that means, to induce Napoleon to remain +for the Admiral's answer, which would give time for the arrival of +reinforcements.</p> + +<p class="right10 smaller">"H.M.S. Bellerophon,<br> + off Rochefort, July 10th, 1815.</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Sir</span>,</p> + +<p>"I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of yesterday's date, +addressed to the Admiral commanding the English cruisers before +Rochefort, acquainting me that the Emperor, having abdicated the throne +of France, and chosen the United States of America as an asylum, is now +embarked on board the frigates, to proceed <span class="pagenum"><a id="page030" name="page030"></a>(p. 030)</span> for that +destination, and awaits a passport from the English Government; and +requesting to know if I have any knowledge of such passport; or if I +think it is the intention of the English Government to prevent the +Emperor's voyage.</p> + +<p>"In reply, I have to acquaint you, that I cannot say what the intentions +of my Government may be; but, the two countries being at present in a +state of war, it is impossible for me to permit any ship of war to put +to sea from the port of Rochefort.</p> + +<p>"As to the proposal made by the Duc de Rovigo and Count Las Cases, of +allowing the Emperor to proceed in a merchant vessel; it is out of my +power,—without the sanction of my commanding officer, Sir Henry Hotham, +who is at present in Quiberon Bay, and to whom I have forwarded your +despatch,—to allow any vessel, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page031" name="page031"></a>(p. 031)</span> under whatever flag she may +be, to pass with a personage of such consequence.</p> + +<p class="leftaligned">"I have the honour to be,<br> +<span class="left20">Sir,</span><br> +<span class="left10">Your very humble servant,</span><br> +<span class="left50 smcap">Fred. L. Maitland,</span> +<span class="left20">Captain of H.M.S. Bellerophon."</span></p> + +<p class="smaller noindent">"Le Grand Maréchal<br> + Comte Bertrand."</p> + +<p>The Duke of Rovigo and Count Las Cases remained on board between two and +three hours, during which time I had a great deal of conversation with +them, on the state of affairs in France; in which they did all they +could to impress me with the idea that Buonaparte was not reduced to the +necessity of quitting Europe; but that, in doing so, he was actuated +solely by motives of humanity; being unwilling, they said, that any +further effusion of blood should take place on his account. They +declared also, that his party was still very <span class="pagenum"><a id="page032" name="page032"></a>(p. 032)</span> formidable in the +centre and south of France, and that, if he choose to protract the war, +he might still give a great deal of trouble; and that, although his +ultimate success might not be probable, there was still a possibility of +fortune turning in his favour, and therefore they argued it was the +interest of England to allow him to proceed to America. To all this I +could give little or no reply, being quite ignorant of what had occurred +in France, further than the decisive victory obtained by the Duke of +Wellington at Waterloo. During the time the Frenchmen were with me, I +received some French newspapers from Sir Henry Hotham; but my time was +so fully occupied in writing to him, and in discussions with my +visitors, that it was not in my power to read them: I therefore drew +them back to the subject that had occasioned their visit, and said, +"Supposing the British Government should be induced to grant a passport +for Buonaparte's going to America, what pledge could <span class="pagenum"><a id="page033" name="page033"></a>(p. 033)</span> he give +that he would not return, and put England, as well as all Europe, to the +same expense of blood and treasure that has just been incurred?"</p> + +<p>General Savary made the following reply: "When the Emperor first +abdicated the throne of France, his removal was brought about by a +faction, at the head of which was Talleyrand, and the sense of the +nation was not consulted: but in the present instance he has voluntarily +resigned the power. The influence he once had over the French people is +past; a very considerable change has taken place in their sentiments +towards him, since he went to Elba; and he could never regain the power +he had over their minds: therefore he would prefer retiring into +obscurity, where he might end his days in peace and tranquillity; and +were he solicited to ascend the throne again, he would decline it."</p> + +<p>"If that is the case," I said, "why not <span class="pagenum"><a id="page034" name="page034"></a>(p. 034)</span> ask an asylum in +England?" He answered, "There are many reasons for his not wishing to +reside in England: the climate is too damp and cold; it is too near +France; he would be, as it were, in the centre of every change and +revolution that might take place there, and would be subject to +suspicion; he has been accustomed to consider the English as his most +inveterate enemies, and they have been induced to look upon him as a +monster, without one of the virtues of a human being."</p> + +<p>This conversation took place while I was writing my despatches to Sir +Henry Hotham; and the Frenchmen were walking in the cabin, frequently +interrupting me, to enforce their statement of Buonaparte's situation +being by no means so desperate as might be supposed; from which I took +the liberty of drawing a conclusion directly opposite to the one they +were desirous of impressing on my mind.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page035" name="page035"></a>(p. 035)</span> Captain Knight, of the Falmouth, who carried my despatches to +the Admiral, was present during the whole of this conversation, but did +not join in it. This was the first certain information I had received of +Buonaparte's position since the battle of Waterloo.</p> + +<p>Tuesday, the 11th.—About noon, a small boat came off from the Island of +Oleron, to where the ship was at anchor in Basque Roads, rowed by four +men, in which sat two respectable-looking countrymen, who asked for the +Captain; and upon my being pointed out to them, requested to speak with +me in private. When shown into the cabin, where I went accompanied by +Captain Gambier, of the Myrmidon, they acquainted me, that a message had +been sent from Isle d'Aix, early that morning, for a man who was +considered the best pilot on the island for the Mamusson passage, being +the only person that had ever taken a frigate <span class="pagenum"><a id="page036" name="page036"></a>(p. 036)</span> through; that a +large sum of money had been offered to him to pilot a vessel to sea from +that passage, and that it certainly was Buonaparte's intention to escape +from thence; either in the corvette, which had moved down some days +before, or in a Danish brig, which was then lying at anchor near the +entrance.</p> + +<p>On receiving this information, I immediately got under weigh, and though +the flood-tide had just made in, beat the ships out of the Pertuis +d'Antioche before it was dark, when I sent the Myrmidon off the +Mamusson, with orders to anchor close in with the entrance, when the +weather would admit of it; while I remained with the Bellerophon and +Slaney, which rejoined me that evening, under weigh between the +light-houses.</p> + +<p>On the 12th of July, the Cyrus being seen in the offing, I ordered her +by telegraph <span class="pagenum"><a id="page037" name="page037"></a>(p. 037)</span> to take a position close in with the Baleine +light-house, and to examine strictly every vessel that might attempt to +put to sea from the Pertuis de Breton, as Buonaparte was on the spot, +endeavouring to escape to America.</p> + +<p>The same evening, the white flag made its appearance for the first time +on the towers of Rochelle; on seeing which, I felt it my duty to run +into Basque Roads, accompanied by the Slaney; and having anchored, I +hoisted the Bourbon colours at the main-top-gallant mast-head, and fired +a royal salute. During the whole of this afternoon, however, two +tri-coloured flags were kept flying in Rochelle; and before sunset all +the white flags were struck, and every where replaced by those of +Buonaparte.</p> + +<p>On the 13th of July, nothing of importance occurred, except the white +flag being <span class="pagenum"><a id="page038" name="page038"></a>(p. 038)</span> once more hoisted all over Rochelle, as well as on +the Isle of Oleron, to the entire exclusion of the tri-coloured ensign. +We could plainly perceive, that the frigates, from whom we were distant +about three miles, were perfectly ready to put to sea, should an +opportunity offer; having their sterns covered with vegetables, their +top-gallant yards across, studding sail gear rove, and numerous boats +passing between them and the island the whole day:—all indications, +well known to professional men, of preparing for sea.</p> + +<p>The ships under my command were accordingly kept with slip buoys on +their cables, and, as soon as it was dark, the top-sail and top-gallant +yards were swayed to the mast-heads, the sails stopt with rope yarns, +and every thing kept ready to make sail at a moment's warning. +Guard-boats were also kept rowing all night, as near the frigates as +they could venture, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page039" name="page039"></a>(p. 039)</span> having signals established to show in the +event of the enemy getting under sail.</p> + +<p>On the 14th of July, at daybreak, the officer of the watch informed me, +that the Mouche was standing out from Isle d'Aix, bearing a flag of +truce, which I ordered to be accepted. Here it is necessary to mention, +that the British flag of truce, being a white flag at the +fore-top-gallant mast-head, which was also hoisted as a matter of course +when Buonaparte was received on board, has by some persons been +construed into the Bourbon flag, and thence into an intentional insult +to him. It never was my intention, nor do I believe it could have been +that of any British officer, to treat with insult any fallen enemy, much +less one who had shown such confidence as to throw himself on the +protection of his former foe.</p> + +<p>When the schooner, the Mouche, reached <span class="pagenum"><a id="page040" name="page040"></a>(p. 040)</span> the ship, Count Las +Cases came on board, attended by General Count Lallemand. This meeting +was highly interesting to me, as Lallemand had been a prisoner for three +weeks in the Camelion under my command in Egypt, with Junot, whose +Aid-de-Camp he then was; and General Savary, who accompanied Count Las +Cases in his first visit to the Bellerophon, had lived nearly as long at +Sir Sydney Smith's table with me, at the Turkish camp at El Arish, when +the convention, which takes its name from that place, was under +discussion, being Aid-de-Camp to General Dessaix, who negotiated on the +part of the French.</p> + +<p>On their coming on board, I made the signal for the Captain of the +Slaney, being desirous of having a witness to any conversation that +might pass, as our communications were chiefly verbal: he arrived while +we were at breakfast.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page041" name="page041"></a>(p. 041)</span> When Count Las Cases came on the quarter-deck, he informed me +that he was sent off to learn whether I had received an answer from the +Admiral to the letter he had brought off on the 10th instant. I told him +that I had not, but, in consequence of the despatch which I had +forwarded to him, I had not a doubt he would immediately repair here in +person, and I was hourly in expectation of seeing him, adding, "If that +was the only reason you had for sending off a flag of truce, it was +quite unnecessary, as I informed you, when last here, that the Admiral's +answer, when it arrived, should be forwarded to the frigates by one of +the Bellerophon's boats; and I do not approve of frequent communications +with an enemy by means of flags of truce." I then went into the cabin +and ordered breakfast, to prevent further discussion until the arrival +of Captain Sartorius.</p> + +<p>When breakfast was over, we retired to <span class="pagenum"><a id="page042" name="page042"></a>(p. 042)</span> the after-cabin. Count +Las Cases then said, "The Emperor is so anxious to spare the further +effusion of human blood, that he will proceed to America in any way the +British Government chooses to sanction, either in a French ship of war, +a vessel armed <i>en flute</i>, a merchant vessel, or even in a British ship +of war." To this I answered, "I have no authority to agree to any +arrangement of that sort, nor do I believe my Government would consent +to it; but I think I may venture to receive him into this ship, and +convey him to England: if, however," I added, "he adopts that plan, I +cannot enter into any promise, as to the reception he may meet with, as, +even in the case I have mentioned, I shall be acting on my own +responsibility, and cannot be sure that it would meet with the +approbation of the British Government."</p> + +<p>There was a great deal of conversation <span class="pagenum"><a id="page043" name="page043"></a>(p. 043)</span> on this subject, in the +course of which Lucien Buonaparte's name was mentioned, and the manner +in which he had lived in England alluded to; but I invariably assured +Las Cases most explicitly, that I had no authority to make conditions of +any sort, as to Napoleon's reception in England. In fact, I could not +have done otherwise, since, with the exception of the order inserted at +page 24, I had no instructions for my guidance, and was, of course, in +total ignorance of the intention of His Majesty's ministers as to his +future disposal. One of the last observations Las Cases made before +quitting the ship was, "Under all circumstances, I have little doubt +that you will see the Emperor on board the Bellerophon;" and, in fact, +Buonaparte must have determined on that step before Las Cases came on +board, as his letter to his Royal Highness the Prince Regent is dated +the 13th of July, the day before this conversation.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page044" name="page044"></a>(p. 044)</span> During the above-mentioned conversation, I asked Las Cases +where Buonaparte then was? He replied, "At Rochefort; I left him there +yesterday evening." General Lallemand then said, "The Emperor lives at +the Hotel in the Grand Place, and is now so popular there, that the +inhabitants assemble every evening in front of the house, for the +purpose of seeing him, and crying, 'Vive l'Empereur!'"</p> + +<p>I then asked how long it would take to go there: Las Cases answered, "As +the tide will be against us, it will require five or six hours." Why +these false statements were made, I cannot pretend to say; but it is +very certain that Buonaparte never quitted the frigates or Isle d'Aix, +after his arrival there on the 3rd of July.</p> + +<p>General Lallemand took occasion to ask me if I thought there would be +any risk of the people, who might accompany Buonaparte, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page045" name="page045"></a>(p. 045)</span> being +given up to the Government of France: I replied, "Certainly not; the +British Government never could think of doing so, under the +circumstances contemplated in the present arrangement."</p> + +<p>They left me about half-past nine <span class="smcap">A.M.</span> In the course of the day, I was +joined by the Myrmidon, Captain Gambier, who had been sent to me by +Captain Green, of the Daphne, with a letter he had received from Captain +Aylmer, of the Pactolus, in the Gironde, bringing information that it +was the intention of Buonaparte to escape from Rochefort in a Danish +sloop, concealed in a cask stowed in the ballast, with tubes so +constructed as to convey air for his breathing. I afterwards inquired of +General Savary, if there had been any foundation for such a report; when +he informed me that the plan had been thought of, and the vessel in some +measure prepared; but it was considered too hazardous; for had we +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page046" name="page046"></a>(p. 046)</span> detained the vessel for a day or two, he would have been +obliged to make his situation known, and thereby forfeited all claims to +the good treatment he hoped to ensure by a voluntary surrender.</p> + +<p>The two Captains dined with me, and afterwards went on board the +Myrmidon, to take up a position to the north-east of the Bellerophon, to +prevent vessels from passing close in shore, and thus to render the +blockade of the port more complete.</p> + +<p>Soon after they left me, a barge was perceived rowing off from the +frigates towards the Bellerophon with a flag-of-truce up; on which I +recalled Captains Sartorius and Gambier, by signal, that they might be +present at any communication that was to be made. The boat got alongside +about seven <span class="smcap">P.M.</span> and brought Count Las Cases, accompanied by General +Baron Gourgaud, one of Buonaparte's Aid-de-Camps. On <span class="pagenum"><a id="page047" name="page047"></a>(p. 047)</span> their +coming on deck, I immediately addressed Las Cases, saying, "It is +impossible you could have been at Rochefort, and returned, since you +left me this morning." He replied, "No; it was not necessary; I found +the Emperor at Isle d'Aix, on my arrival there." He then told me, he was +charged with a letter from General Bertrand. We walked into the cabin, +when he delivered it to me; it was as follows:—</p> + +<p class="right10 smaller">"Le 14 Juillet, 1815.</p> + +<p>"Monsieur le Commandant,</p> + +<p>"Monsieur le Comte de Las Cases a rendu compte à l'Empereur de la +conversation qu'il a eue ce matin à votre bord. S. M. se rendra à la +marée de demain, vers quatre ou cinq heures du matin, à bord de votre +vaisseau. Je vous envoye Monsieur le Comte de Las Cases, Conseiller +d'État, faisant fonction de Maréchal de Logis, avec la liste des +personnes composant la suite <span class="pagenum"><a id="page048" name="page048"></a>(p. 048)</span> de S. M. Si l'Amiral, en +conséquence de la demande que vous lui avez adressée, vous envoye le +sauf conduit demandé pour les États Unis, S. M. s'y rendra avec plaisir; +mais au défaut du sauf conduit, il se rendra volontiers en Angleterre, +comme simple particulier, pour y jouir de la protection des loix de +votre pays.</p> + +<p>"S. M. a expédié Monsieur le Maréchal de Camp Baron Gourgaud auprès du +Prince Régent, avec une lettre, dont j'ai l'honneur de vous envoyer +copie, vous priant de la faire passer au Ministre auquel vous croyez +nécessaire d'envoyer cet officier général, afin qu'il ait l'honneur de +remettre au Prince Régent la lettre dont il est chargé.</p> + +<p class="leftaligned"> +"J'ai l'honneur d'être,<br> +<span class="left20">Monsieur le Commandant,</span><br> +<span class="left10">Votre très humble et très obéissant Serviteur,</span><br> +<span class="left20">Le Grand Maréchal,</span><br> +<span class="left50 smcap">Comte Bertrand."</span></p> + +<p class="smaller noindent">"À Monsieur le Commandant<br> + des Croisières devant Rochefort."</p> + +<p class="center p2"><span class="pagenum"><a id="page049" name="page049"></a>(p. 049)</span> TRANSLATION.</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Sir</span>,</p> + +<p>"Count Las Cases has reported to the Emperor the conversation which he +had with you this morning. His Majesty will proceed on board your ship +with the ebb tide to-morrow morning, between four and five o'clock.</p> + +<p>"I send the Count Las Cases, Counsellor of State, doing the duty of +Maréchal de Logis, with the list of persons composing His Majesty's +suite.</p> + +<p>"If the Admiral, in consequence of the despatch you forwarded to him, +should send the passport for the United States therein demanded, His +Majesty will be happy to repair to America; but should the passport be +withheld, he will willingly proceed to England, as a private individual, +there to enjoy the protection of the laws of your country.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page050" name="page050"></a>(p. 050)</span> "His Majesty has despatched Major General Baron Gourgaud to the +Prince Regent with a letter, a copy of which I have the honour to +enclose, requesting that you will forward it to such one of the +ministers as you may think it necessary to send that general officer, +that he may have the honour of delivering the letter with which he is +charged to the Prince Regent.</p> + +<p class="leftaligned"> +<span class="left10">"I have the honour to be,</span><br> +<span class="left20">Sir,</span><br> +<span class="left20">Your very humble servant,</span><br> +<span class="left50 smcap">Count Bertrand."</span></p> + +<p class="smaller noindent">"To the Officer commanding the<br> + Cruizers off Rochefort."</p> + + +<h6><span class="pagenum"><a id="page051" name="page051"></a>(p. 051)</span> <i>List of persons composing the suite of Napoleon Buonaparte, +enclosed in the above Letter, and the manner in which they were +distributed during the passage to England.</i></h6> + +<p class="center smcap">Bellerophon.</p> + +<p class="center"><i>Généraux.</i></p> + +<ul class="none"> +<li>Le Lieutenant Général Comte Bertrand, G<sup>d</sup>. Maréchal.</li> +<li>Le Lieutenant Général Duc de Rovigo.</li> +<li>Le Lieutenant Général Baron Lallemand Aide de Camp de S. M.</li> +<li>Le Maréchal de Camp Comte de Montholon Aide de Camp de S. M.</li> +<li>Le Comte de Las Cases Conseiller d'État.</li> +</ul> + +<p class="center"><i>Dames.</i></p> + +<ul class="none"> +<li>Madame la Comtesse Bertrand.</li> +<li>Madame la Comtesse de Montholon.</li> +</ul> + +<p class="center"><i>Enfans.</i></p> + +<ul class="none"> +<li>3 Enfans de Madame la Comtesse Bertrand.</li> +<li>1 Enfant de Madame la Comtesse de Montholon.</li> +</ul> + +<p class="center"><i>Officiers.</i></p> + +<ul class="none"> +<li>M. de Planat, Lieutenant-Colonel.</li> +<li>M. Maingaut, Chirurgien de S. M.</li> +<li>M. Las Cases, Page.</li> +</ul> + +<p class="center"><span class="pagenum"><a id="page052" name="page052"></a>(p. 052)</span> <i>Service de la Chambre.</i></p> + +<ul class="none"> +<li>M. M. Marchand <span class="lalign60">1 Valet de Chambre.</span></li> +<li>Gilli <span class="lalign60">Valet de Chambre.</span></li> +<li>St Denis <span class="lalign60">Valet de Chambre.</span></li> +<li>Novarra <span class="lalign60">Idem.</span></li> +<li>Denis <span class="lalign60">Garçon de Garderobe.</span></li> +</ul> + +<p class="center"><i>Livrée.</i></p> + +<ul class="none"> +<li>Archambaud <span class="lalign60">1 Valet de pied.</span></li> +<li>Gaudron <span class="lalign60">Valet de pied.</span></li> +<li>Gentilini <span class="lalign60">Id.</span></li> +</ul> + +<p class="center"><i>Service de la Bouche.</i></p> + +<ul class="none"> +<li>M. M. Fontain <span class="lalign60">1 Maître d'Hôtel.</span></li> +<li>Piéron <span class="lalign60">Chef d'Office.</span></li> +<li>La Fosse <span class="lalign60">Cuisinier.</span></li> +<li>Le Page <span class="lalign60">Idem.</span></li> +<li> </li> +<li>2 Femmes de Chambre de Madame la Comtesse Bertrand. +<li>1 Femme de Chambre de Madame la Comtesse de Montholon. +</ul> + +<p class="center"><i>Suite des personnes qui accompagnent S. M.</i></p> + +<ul class="none"> +<li>1 Valet de Chambre <span class="lalign60">du Duc de Rovigo.</span></li> +<li>1 do. <span class="lalign60">du Comte Bertrand.</span></li> +<li>1 do. <span class="lalign60">du Comte de Montholon.</span></li> +<li>1 Valet de pied <span class="lalign60">du Comte Bertrand.</span></li> +<li><span class="add2em">Total 7.</span></li> +</ul> + +<p class="center"><span class="pagenum"><a id="page053" name="page053"></a>(p. 053)</span> <i>Recapitulation.</i></p> + +<ul class="none"> +<li>Généraux <span class="ralign20">5</span></li> +<li>Dames <span class="ralign20">2</span></li> +<li>Enfans <span class="ralign20">4</span></li> +<li>Officiers <span class="ralign20">3</span></li> +<li>Service de la Chambre de S. M. <span class="ralign20">5</span></li> +<li>Livrée de S. M. <span class="ralign20">3</span></li> +<li>Service de la Bouche <span class="ralign20">4</span></li> +<li>Suite des personnes qui accompagnent S. M. <span class="ralign20">7</span></li> +<li> <span class="ralign20">—</span></li> +<li>Total <span class="ralign20">33</span></li> +<li> <span class="ralign20">—</span></li> +</ul> + +<p class="p2 center smcap">La Corvette.</p> + +<p class="center"><i>Officiers.</i></p> + +<ul class="none"> +<li>Le Lieutenant Colonel <span class="lalign60">Resigni.</span></li> +<li>Le Lieutenant Colonel <span class="lalign60">Schultz.</span></li> +<li>Le Capitaine <span class="lalign60">Autrie.</span></li> +<li>Le Capitaine <span class="lalign60">Mesener.</span></li> +<li>Le Capitaine <span class="lalign60">Prontowski.</span></li> +<li>Le Lieutenant <span class="lalign60">Rivière.</span></li> +<li>Le Sous Lieutenant <span class="lalign60">S<sup>te</sup> Catherine.</span></li> +</ul> + +<p class="center"><i>Suite de S. M.</i></p> + +<ul class="none"> +<li>Santini <span class="lalign60">Huissier.</span></li> +<li>Chauvin <span class="lalign60">Id.</span></li> +<li>Rousseau <span class="lalign60">Lampiste.</span></li> +<li><span class="pagenum"><a id="page054" name="page054"></a>(p. 054)</span> Archambaud <span class="lalign60">Valet de pied.</span></li> +<li>Joseph <span class="lalign60">Id.</span></li> +<li>Le Charron <span class="lalign60">Id.</span></li> +<li>Lisiaux <span class="lalign60">Garde d'Office.</span></li> +<li>Ortini <span class="lalign60">Valet de pied.</span></li> +<li>Fumeau <span class="lalign60">Idem.</span></li> +</ul> + +<p class="center"><i>Recapitulation.</i></p> + +<ul class="none"> +<li>Officiers <span class="ralign20">7</span></li> +<li>Suite <span class="ralign20">10</span></li> +<li> <span class="ralign20">—</span></li> +<li>Total <span class="ralign20">17</span></li> +<li> <span class="ralign20">—</span></li> +</ul> + + +<p>Enclosed was likewise a copy of the well-known letter addressed by +Buonaparte to His Royal Highness the Prince Regent.</p> + +<p>"Altesse Royale,</p> + +<p>"En butte aux factions qui divisent mon pays et à l'inimitié des plus +grandes puissances de l'Europe, j'ai terminé ma carrière politique, et +je viens comme Thémistocle m'asseoir sur le foyer du peuple Britannique. +Je me mets sous la protection de ses loix, que je réclame de votre +Altesse Royale, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page055" name="page055"></a>(p. 055)</span> comme au plus puissant, au plus constant, et +au plus généreux de mes Ennemis."</p> + +<p class="leftaligned"> +<span class="left20">"Rochefort, 13 Juillet, 1815,</span><br> +<span class="left50">"Signé, <span class="smcap">Napoleon</span>."</span></p> + +<p class="center p2">TRANSLATION.</p> + +<p class="right10 smaller">"Rochefort, July 13th, 1815.</p> + +<p>"Your Royal Highness,</p> + +<p>"A victim to the factions which distract my country, and to the enmity +of the greatest powers of Europe, I have terminated my political career, +and I come, like Themistocles, to throw myself upon the hospitality of +the British people. I put myself under the protection of their laws; +which I claim from your Royal Highness, as the most powerful, the most +constant, and the most generous of my enemies.</p> + +<p class="left50 smcap">Napoleon."</p> + +<p>On reading the above, I told Monsieur <span class="pagenum"><a id="page056" name="page056"></a>(p. 056)</span> Las Cases that I would +receive Buonaparte on board, and immediately forward General Gourgaud to +England by the Slaney, along with my despatches to the Admiralty; but +that he would not be allowed to land until permission was received from +London, or the sanction of the Admiral at the port he might arrive at +obtained. I assured him, however, that the copy of the letter with which +he was charged would be forwarded without loss of time, and presented by +the Ministers to his Royal Highness. Count Las Cases then asked for +paper, that he might communicate by letter to Bertrand my acquiescence +in the proposal he had brought, for my receiving, and conveying to +England, Buonaparte and his suite.</p> + +<p>When General Gourgaud was about to write the letter, to prevent any +future misunderstanding, I said, "Monsieur Las Cases, you will recollect +that I am not authorised to stipulate as to the reception of Buonaparte +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page057" name="page057"></a>(p. 057)</span> in England, but that he must consider himself entirely at the +disposal of his Royal Highness the Prince Regent." He answered, "I am +perfectly aware of that, and have already acquainted the Emperor with +what you said on the subject."</p> + +<p>It might, perhaps, have been better if this declaration had been given +in an official written form; and could I have foreseen the discussions +which afterwards took place, and which will appear in the sequel, I +undoubtedly should have done so; but as I repeatedly made it in the +presence of witnesses, it did not occur to me as being necessary; and +how could a stronger proof be adduced, that no stipulations were agreed +to respecting the reception of Buonaparte in England, than the fact of +their not being reduced to writing? which certainly would have been the +case had any favourable terms been demanded on the part of Monsieur Las +Cases, and agreed to by me.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page058" name="page058"></a>(p. 058)</span> The French boat was soon after despatched with the letter to +Bertrand, in charge of a French naval officer, who had attended Las +Cases on board; and as soon as I had finished the following despatch to +the Secretary of the Admiralty, I sent Captain Sartorius, of the Slaney, +to England, accompanied by General Gourgaud.</p> + +<h6>Extract of a Letter from Captain Maitland, of His Majesty's ship + Bellerophon, addressed to the Secretary of the Admiralty, dated + in Basque Roads, 14th July, 1815.</h6> + +<p>"For the information of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, I have +to acquaint you that the Count Las Cases and General Lallemand this day +came on board His Majesty's ship under my command, with a proposal from +Count Bertrand for me to receive on board Napoleon Buonaparte, for the +purpose of throwing himself on the generosity of the Prince Regent. +Conceiving myself authorised by their Lordships' secret order, I have +acceded to the <span class="pagenum"><a id="page059" name="page059"></a>(p. 059)</span> proposal, and he is to embark on board this +ship to-morrow morning. That no misunderstanding might arise, I have +explicitly and clearly explained to Count Las Cases, that I have no +authority whatever for granting terms of any sort, but that all I can do +is to carry him and his suite to England, to be received in such manner +as his Royal Highness may deem expedient.</p> + +<p>"At Napoleon Buonaparte's request, and that their Lordships may be in +possession of the transaction at as early a period as possible, I +despatch the Slaney (with General Gourgaud, his Aide de Camp), directing +Captain Sartorius to put into the nearest port, and forward this letter +by his first Lieutenant, and shall in compliance with their Lordships' +orders proceed to Torbay, to await such directions as the Admiralty may +think proper to give.</p> + +<p>"Enclosed, I transmit a copy of the letter <span class="pagenum"><a id="page060" name="page060"></a>(p. 060)</span> with which General +Gourgaud is charged, to his Royal Highness the Prince Regent, and +request that you will acquaint their Lordships, that the General informs +me, he is entrusted with further particulars, which he is anxious to +communicate to his Royal Highness."</p> + +<p>When these gentlemen had left the ship, as well as the Saale's barge, I +said to Monsieur Las Cases, I propose dividing the after-cabin in two, +that the ladies may have the use of one part of it. "If you allow me to +give an opinion," said he, "the Emperor will be better pleased to have +the whole of the after-cabin to himself, as he is fond of walking about, +and will by that means be able to take more exercise." I answered, "As +it is my wish to treat him with every possible consideration while he is +on board the ship I command, I shall make any arrangement you think will +be most agreeable to him."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page061" name="page061"></a>(p. 061)</span> This is the only conversation that ever passed on the subject +of the cabin; and I am the more particular in stating it, as Buonaparte +has been described, in some of the public Journals, as having taken +possession of it in a most brutal way, saying, "Tout ou rien pour +moi:"—All or nothing for me. I here therefore, once for all, beg to +state most distinctly, that, from the time of his coming on board my +ship, to the period of his quitting her, his conduct was invariably that +of a gentleman; and in no one instance do I recollect him to have made +use of a rude expression, or to have been guilty of any kind of +ill-breeding.</p> + +<p>As the ship had for some time been kept clear for action, with all the +bulkheads down, it became necessary to prepare for the reception of so +many guests, by putting the cabins up again: in consequence of making +the requisite arrangements, it was past one o'clock in the morning +before I <span class="pagenum"><a id="page062" name="page062"></a>(p. 062)</span> could get to bed. About ten at night, the officer of +the watch informed me that a boat from the shore had asked permission to +come alongside. A man being allowed to come on board from her; "I am +sent off from Rochelle," said he, "to inform you that Buonaparte this +morning passed that town in a chasse-marée, with another in company, for +the purpose of escaping to sea by the Pertuis de Breton: he is now in +that passage, and means to set sail this night." I told him, "that I +doubted his information, having at that moment one of his attendants on +board, who had come with a proposal for me to receive him into the ship." +I then asked him how he came by his intelligence? He answered, "The +vessels passed close to a boat that I was in; and I saw a man wrapt up +in a sailor's great coat, whom one of the people with me asserted to be +him: for my part, I am not acquainted with his appearance, never having +seen him; but when the owner of the vessels attempted <span class="pagenum"><a id="page063" name="page063"></a>(p. 063)</span> to go on +board of them, he was kept off, and told that they were required for two +or three days, when they would be restored with ample payment." He told +his story so circumstantially, and with such confidence, that I feared +there must be grounds for what he stated; and the anxiety of my +situation may be easily conceived, when it is recollected that I had +sent off a ship to England with despatches, announcing the intention of +Buonaparte to embark the following morning in the Bellerophon. After a +little consideration, I determined to inform Las Cases abruptly of the +intelligence I had received, and endeavour to judge by the effect it had +on his countenance, whether there was any truth in the report or not. I +accordingly went into the cabin and did so; he seemed perfectly calm and +collected, saying, "Pray at what hour does your informant state the +Emperor to have passed Rochelle?" "At ten <span class="smcap">A.M.</span>" "Then I can safely +assert, on my honour, that he was <span class="pagenum"><a id="page064" name="page064"></a>(p. 064)</span> not in either of those +vessels. I left him at half-past five this evening, when it was his full +intention to come on board this ship to-morrow morning; what he may have +done since that hour, I cannot be responsible for." I answered, "As you +give your word of honour that Buonaparte had not left Isle d'Aix when +you quitted it, I shall trust to what you say, and take no steps in +consequence of the information that has been brought to me, but conclude +it has originated in some mistake."</p> + +<p>About three in the morning, the officer of the watch awoke me, and said +that another boat wished to come alongside. I rose and went upon deck +immediately, and found that she brought the same intelligence from +another quarter; and they both eventually proved correct, to a certain +extent: for two chasse-marées, as I was afterwards informed, had been +prepared, manned, and officered from the frigates, to be used as a +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page065" name="page065"></a>(p. 065)</span> last resource to attempt an escape in, in the event of Las +Cases' mission to the Bellerophon not being successful; and they had +actually passed Rochelle, in their way to Pointeau d'Aguillon, at the +hour specified, and were there to await his joining them should it prove +necessary.<a id="footnotetag3" name="footnotetag3"></a><a href="#footnote3" title="Go to footnote 3"><span class="smaller">[3]</span></a></p> + +<p>After I had determined to abide by Las Cases' assurance, that Buonaparte +had not quitted Isle d'Aix, I enquired of the person who brought off the +information in the <span class="pagenum"><a id="page066" name="page066"></a>(p. 066)</span> evening, "What was the state of Rochelle, +and whether I might with safety send a boat there to purchase +refreshments?" as the white flag was then hoisted all over the town; he +said, "he would not recommend it, as, though the towns-people were well +inclined towards the Bourbon family, the garrison, consisting of four +thousand men, were all attached to Buonaparte; but if he were once on +board the ship, there would be no risk in doing so, as their fear of his +meeting with bad treatment would keep the soldiers in awe."</p> + +<p>At break of day, on the 15th of July, 1815, l'Épervier French brig of +war was discovered under sail, standing out towards the ship, with a +flag of truce up; and at the same time the Superb, bearing Sir Henry +Hotham's flag, was seen in the offing. By half-past five the ebb-tide +failed, the wind was blowing right in, and the brig, which was within a +mile of us, made no <span class="pagenum"><a id="page067" name="page067"></a>(p. 067)</span> further progress; while the Superb was +advancing with the wind and tide in her favour. Thus situated, and being +most anxious to terminate the affair I had brought so near a conclusion, +previous to the Admiral's arrival, I sent off Mr Mott, the First +Lieutenant, in the barge, who returned soon after six o'clock, bringing +Napoleon with him.</p> + +<p>On coming on board the Bellerophon, he was received without any of the +honours generally paid to persons of high rank; the guard was drawn out +on the break of the poop, but did not present arms. His Majesty's +Government had merely given directions, in the event of his being +captured, for his being removed into any one of his Majesty's ships that +might fall in with him; but no instructions had been given as to the +light in which he was to be viewed. As it is not customary, however, on +board a British ship of war, to pay any such honours <span class="pagenum"><a id="page068" name="page068"></a>(p. 068)</span> before +the colours are hoisted at eight o'clock in the morning, or after +sunset, I made the early hour an excuse for withholding them upon this +occasion.</p> + +<a id="img004" name="img004"></a> +<div class="figcenter"> +<img src="images/img004.jpg" width="350" height="564" alt="" title=""> +<p class="smcap">Portrait of Napoleon</p> +</div> + +<p>Buonaparte's dress was an olive-coloured great coat over a green +uniform, with scarlet cape and cuffs, green lapels turned back and edged +with scarlet, skirts hooked back with bugle horns embroidered in gold, +plain sugar-loaf buttons and gold epaulettes; being the uniform of the +Chasseur à Cheval of the Imperial Guard. He wore the star, or grand +cross of the Legion of Honour, and the small cross of that order; the +Iron Crown; and the Union, appended to the button-hole of his left +lapel. He had on a small cocked hat, with a tri-coloured cockade; plain +gold-hilted sword, military boots, and white waistcoat and breeches. The +following day he appeared in shoes, with gold buckles, and silk +stockings—the <span class="pagenum"><a id="page069" name="page069"></a>(p. 069)</span> dress he always wore afterwards, while with me.</p> + +<p>On leaving the Épervier, he was cheered by her ship's company as long as +the boat was within hearing; and Mr Mott informed me that most of the +officers and men had tears in their eyes.</p> + +<p>General Bertrand came first up the ship's side, and said to me, "The +Emperor is in the boat." He then ascended, and, when he came on the +quarter-deck, pulled off his hat, and, addressing me in a firm tone of +voice, said, "I am come to throw myself on the protection of your Prince +and laws." When I showed him into the cabin, he looked round and said, +"Une belle chambre," "This is a handsome cabin." I answered, "Such as it +is, Sir, it is at your service while you remain on board the ship I +command." He then looked at a portrait <span class="pagenum"><a id="page070" name="page070"></a>(p. 070)</span> that was hanging up, +and said, "Qui est cette jeune personne?" "Who is that young lady?" "My +wife," I replied. "Ah! elle est très jeune et très jolie," "Ah! she is +both young and pretty."<a id="footnotetag4" name="footnotetag4"></a><a href="#footnote4" title="Go to footnote 4"><span class="smaller">[4]</span></a> He then asked what countrywoman she was, +begged to know if I had any children, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page071" name="page071"></a>(p. 071)</span> and put a number of +questions respecting my country, and the service I had seen. He next +requested I would send for the officers, and introduce them to him: +which was done according to their rank. He asked several questions of +each, as to the place of his birth, the situation he held in the ship, +the length of time he had served, and the actions he had been in. He +then expressed a desire to go round the ship; but, as the men had not +done cleaning, I told him it was customary to clean the lower decks +immediately after their breakfast, that they were then so employed, and, +if he would defer visiting the ship until they had finished, he would +see her to more advantage.</p> + +<p>At this time I proposed to him to allow me to address him in English, as +I had heard he understood that language, and I had considerable +difficulty in expressing myself in French. He replied in French, +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page072" name="page072"></a>(p. 072)</span> "The thing is impossible; I hardly understand a word of your +language:" and from the observations I had an opportunity of making +afterwards, I am satisfied he made a correct statement, as, on looking +into books or newspapers, he frequently asked the meaning of the most +common word. He spoke his own language with a rapidity that at first +made it difficult to follow him; and it was several days before I got so +far accustomed to his manner of speaking, as to comprehend his meaning +immediately.</p> + +<p>In about a quarter of an hour, he again intimated a desire to go round +the ship; and although I told him he would find the men rubbing and +scouring, he persisted in his wish of seeing her in the state she then +was. He accordingly went over all her decks, asking me many questions; +more particularly about any thing that appeared to him different from +what he had been <span class="pagenum"><a id="page073" name="page073"></a>(p. 073)</span> accustomed to see in French ships of war. He +seemed most struck with the cleanliness and neatness of the men, saying +"that our seamen were surely a different class of people from the +French; and that he thought it was owing to them we were always +victorious at sea." I answered, "I must beg leave to differ with you: I +do not wish to take from the merit of our men; but my own opinion is, +that perhaps we owe our advantage to the superior experience of the +officers; and I believe the French seamen, if taken as much pains with, +would look as well as ours. As British ships of war are constantly at +sea, the officers have nothing to divert their attention from them and +their men; and in consequence, not only is their appearance more +attended to, but they are much better trained to the service they have +to perform."</p> + +<p>"I believe you are right," said he. He <span class="pagenum"><a id="page074" name="page074"></a>(p. 074)</span> then went on to talk of +several naval actions; adding, "Your laws are either more severe, or +better administered, than ours; there are many instances of French +officers having conducted themselves ill in battle, without my being +able to punish them as they deserved:" among others, he mentioned the +names of two naval officers; and speaking of one of them, said, "He +ought to have suffered death, and I did all I could to bring it about, +but he was tried by a French naval court-martial, which only dismissed +him the service." I observed, "The laws appear sometimes to be +administered with more than sufficient severity. I commanded a frigate +in the affair of Basque Roads; and in my opinion, the sentence of death +on the Captain of the Calcutta was unjust: he could do no more to save +his ship, and she was defended better and longer than any one there." He +answered, "You are not aware of the circumstances that occasioned his +condemnation; <span class="pagenum"><a id="page075" name="page075"></a>(p. 075)</span> he was the first man to quit his ship, which was +fought some time by her officers and crew after he had left her."</p> + +<p>He next said, "I can see no sufficient reason why your ships should beat +the French with so much ease. The finest men of war in your service are +French; a French ship is heavier in every respect than one of yours, she +carries more guns, those guns of a larger calibre, and has a great many +more men." I replied, "I have already accounted for it to you, in the +superior experience of our men and officers." "I understand," said he, +"from some Frenchmen who were on board your ship for several days,<a id="footnotetag5" name="footnotetag5"></a><a href="#footnote5" title="Go to footnote 5"><span class="smaller">[5]</span></a> +that you take great pains in exercising your guns, and training your men +to fire at a mark." I answered, "I did so, because I considered +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page076" name="page076"></a>(p. 076)</span> it of the greatest importance;" and I added, "that if the +frigates had attempted to put to sea, he would probably have had an +opportunity of seeing the effect of it." He asked me "if I thought two +frigates, with four-and-twenty pounders on their main decks,<a id="footnotetag6" name="footnotetag6"></a><a href="#footnote6" title="Go to footnote 6"><span class="smaller">[6]</span></a> were a +match for a seventy-four gun ship; and whether it was my opinion, if he +had attempted to force a passage in the ships at Isle d'Aix, it would +have been attended with success." I replied, "that the fire of a +two-deck ship was so much more compact, and carried such an immense +weight of iron, in proportion to that of a frigate, and there was so +much difficulty in bringing two or three ships to act with effect at the +same time upon one, that I scarcely considered three frigates a match +for one line-of-battle ship;—that, with respect to forcing a passage +past the Bellerophon, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page077" name="page077"></a>(p. 077)</span> it must have depended greatly on +accident, but the chances were much against it; as the frigates would +have had to beat out against the wind for three or four leagues, though +a narrow passage, exposed to the fire of a seventy-four gun ship, which, +from being to windward, would have had the power of taking the position +most advantageous for herself." He then said, reverting to what had +passed before about firing at marks, "You have a great advantage over +France in your finances: I have long wished to introduce the use of +powder and shot in exercise; but the expense was too great for the +country to bear." He examined the sights on the guns, and approved of +them highly; asked the weight of metal on the different decks, +disapproving of the mixture of different calibres on the quarter-deck +and forecastle. I told him the long nines were placed in the way of the +rigging, that they might carry the fire from the explosion clear of it, +which a <span class="pagenum"><a id="page078" name="page078"></a>(p. 078)</span> carronade would not do: he answered, "That may be +necessary, but it must be attended with inconvenience." His enquiries +were generally much to the purpose, and showed that he had given naval +matters a good deal of consideration.</p> + +<p>On seeing the additional supply of wads for each deck made up along with +the shot-boxes, in the form of sophas, with neat canvass covers, he +observed, "The French ships of war have all the preparations for action +that you have, but they have not the way of combining appearance with +utility."</p> + +<p>We had breakfast about nine o'clock, in the English style, consisting of +tea, coffee, cold meat, &c. He did not eat much, or seem to relish it; +and when, on enquiry, I found he was accustomed to have a hot meal in +the morning, I immediately ordered my steward to allow his Maître +d'Hôtel to give directions, that he might invariably be <span class="pagenum"><a id="page079" name="page079"></a>(p. 079)</span> served +in the manner he had been used to; and after that we always lived in the +French fashion, as far as I could effect that object.</p> + +<p>During breakfast he asked many questions about English customs, saying, +"I must now learn to conform myself to them, as I shall probably pass +the remainder of my life in England."</p> + +<p>The Superb, as I before observed, had been seen in the offing early in +the morning, and was now approaching with a light breeze: he asked two +or three times how soon she would anchor, seemed very anxious to know +whether the Admiral would approve of my having received him; and when I +went to wait on Sir Henry Hotham, requested I would say he was desirous +of seeing him.</p> + +<p>The Superb anchored about half-past ten, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page080" name="page080"></a>(p. 080)</span> and I immediately +went on board, and gave the Admiral an account of all that had occurred, +adding, "I trust I have done right, and that the Government will approve +of my conduct, as I considered it of much importance to prevent +Buonaparte's escape to America, and to get possession of his person." +Sir Henry Hotham said, "Getting hold of him on any terms would have been +of the greatest consequence; but as you have entered into no conditions +whatever, there cannot be a doubt that you will obtain the approbation +of his Majesty's Government."</p> + +<p>He then said, "How do you feel as to keeping him? would you like to part +with him?" "Certainly not," was my answer: "as I have had all the +anxiety and responsibility of conducting this matter to an issue, I am +of course desirous of taking him to England; but, as I do not wish to +keep him, or any man, in my ship against <span class="pagenum"><a id="page081" name="page081"></a>(p. 081)</span> his will, if he +desires to remove into another, I shall certainly not object."</p> + +<p>I then delivered Buonaparte's message, that he was desirous of receiving +a visit from the Admiral, who said he would wait upon him with much +pleasure.</p> + +<p>I soon after returned to the Bellerophon, and told Buonaparte that the +Admiral meant to wait on him; upon which he desired Count Bertrand to go +and pay his respects to Sir Henry. I accompanied him, and while the +Admiral was preparing for his visit, Captain Senhouse attended General +Bertrand through the ship.</p> + +<p>In the afternoon, Sir Henry Hotham, accompanied by Captain Senhouse, and +Mr Irving, his secretary, came on board the Bellerophon. They were +introduced to Buonaparte by General Bertrand, in the after-cabin, where +he had a good deal of <span class="pagenum"><a id="page082" name="page082"></a>(p. 082)</span> conversation with them: he showed his +portable library, which was laid out in small travelling cases round the +cabin; asked various questions, principally relative to the discipline +and regulation of our ships of war, and finally invited them all to +remain to dinner.</p> + +<p>Dinner was served about five o'clock upon Buonaparte's plate. This was +arranged by his Maître d'Hôtel, whom I had told to regulate every thing +in the manner most likely to be agreeable to his master.</p> + +<p>When dinner was announced, Buonaparte, viewing himself as a Royal +personage, which he continued to do while on board the Bellerophon, and +which, under the circumstances, I considered it would have been both +ungracious and uncalled for in me to have disputed, led the way into the +dining-room. He seated himself in the centre at one side of the table, +requesting <span class="pagenum"><a id="page083" name="page083"></a>(p. 083)</span> Sir Henry Hotham to sit at his right hand, and +Madame Bertrand on his left. For that day I sat as usual at the head of +the table, but on the following day, and every other, whilst Buonaparte +remained on board, I sat by his request at his right hand, and General +Bertrand took the top. Two of the ward-room officers dined daily at the +table, by invitation from Buonaparte, conveyed through Count Bertrand.</p> + +<p>He conversed a great deal, and showed no depression of spirits: among +other things, he asked me where I was born. I told him, in Scotland. +"Have you any property there?" said he. "No, I am a younger brother, and +they do not bestow much on people of that description in Scotland." "Is +your elder brother a Lord?" "No, Lord Lauderdale is the head of our +family." "Ah! you are a relation of Lord Lauderdale's! he is an +acquaintance of mine, he was sent Ambassador from your King to <span class="pagenum"><a id="page084" name="page084"></a>(p. 084)</span> +me, when Mr Fox was Prime Minister: had Mr Fox lived, it never would +have come to this, but his death put an end to all hopes of peace. +Milord Lauderdale est un bon garçon;" adding, "I think you resemble him +a little, though he is dark and you are fair."<a id="footnotetag7" name="footnotetag7"></a><a href="#footnote7" title="Go to footnote 7"><span class="smaller">[7]</span></a></p> + +<p>When dinner was over, a cup of strong coffee was handed round; he then +rose and went into the after-cabin, asking the Admiral and all the party +to accompany him, the ladies among the rest. This was the only time I +ever saw them in the apartment in which he slept.</p> + +<p>After some conversation, he said, in a cheerful and playful way, that he +would show us his camp bed; and sent for Marchand, his premier valet de +chambre, who received his order, and soon returned with <span class="pagenum"><a id="page085" name="page085"></a>(p. 085)</span> two +small packages in leather cases; one of which contained the bedstead, +which was composed of steel, and, when packed up, was not above two feet +long and eighteen inches in circumference; the other contained the +mattress and curtains, the latter of green silk. In three minutes the +whole was put together, and formed a very elegant small bed, about +thirty inches wide.</p> + +<p>He then went out, and walked the quarter-deck for some time, and retired +to his cabin about half-past seven o'clock. Soon after, when the Admiral +was going to return to his ship, he proposed to Bertrand to take leave +of him. He went into the cabin, but returned immediately with an +apology, saying he was undressed, and going to bed.</p> + +<p>In the course of the afternoon, the Admiral invited Buonaparte, with the +ladies and all his principal officers, to breakfast, the following +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page086" name="page086"></a>(p. 086)</span> day: which invitation was accepted, apparently, with much +satisfaction.</p> + +<p>When I went on deck, early the next morning, (the 16th of July) I +observed that the Superb had the tompions out of her guns, and the man +ropes on her yards, as if for the purpose of saluting and manning ships; +and as I had received Buonaparte without even the guard presenting arms, +I felt that he might conceive I had intentionally treated him with +disrespect. I therefore sent the officer of the watch with my +compliments to Sir Henry Hotham, and begged to know if it was his +intention to salute Buonaparte on his going on board, and to receive him +with manned yards; and, if so, whether I was to do the same, on his +quitting the Bellerophon. He sent for answer, that it was not his +intention to salute, but he meant to man ship; that I was not to do so +on his quitting the Bellerophon, but was at liberty to man yards on his +return. I likewise <span class="pagenum"><a id="page087" name="page087"></a>(p. 087)</span> received directions from the Admiral to +hoist a signal, when the boat with his visitors was ready to leave the +ship, that he might have time to make the necessary preparations.</p> + +<p>About ten <span class="smcap">A.M.</span> the barge was manned, and a captain's guard turned out. +When Buonaparte came on deck, he looked at the marines, who were +generally fine-looking young men, with much satisfaction; went through +their ranks, inspected their arms, and admired their appearance, saying +to Bertrand, "How much might be done with a hundred thousand such +soldiers as these." He asked which had been longest in the corps; went +up and spoke to him. His questions were put in French, which I +interpreted, as well as the man's answers. He enquired how many years he +had served; on being told upwards of ten, he turned to me and said, "Is +it not customary in your service, to give a man who has been in +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page088" name="page088"></a>(p. 088)</span> it so long some mark of distinction?" He was informed that the +person in question had been a sergeant, but was reduced to the ranks for +some misconduct. He then put the guard through part of their exercise, +whilst I interpreted to the Captain of Marines, who did not understand +French, the manœuvres he wished to have performed. He made some +remarks upon the difference of the charge with the bayonet between our +troops and the French; and found fault with our method of fixing the +bayonet to the musquet, as being more easy to twist off, if seized by an +enemy when in the act of charging.</p> + +<p>On getting into the boat, he looked at the barge's crew, and said, "What +a very fine set of men you have got!" He then turned to Las Cases, who +had come on board the ship in plain clothes, but now appeared in a naval +uniform, and said jocularly, "Comment, Las Cases, vous êtes <span class="pagenum"><a id="page089" name="page089"></a>(p. 089)</span> +militaire?" "What, Las Cases, are you a military man? I have never till +now seen you in uniform." He answered, "Please your Majesty, before the +revolution I was a lieutenant in the navy; and as I think an uniform +carries more consideration with it in a foreign country, I have adopted +it."</p> + +<p>His attention was now drawn to the men on the Superb's yards, as well as +to the appearance of the ship, about which he made some observations, +and asked several questions; among others, whether she was French or +English; what her age was; the number of guns she carried, and the +weight of metal on each deck.</p> + +<p>On going alongside, General Bertrand went up and announced to the +Admiral, that the Emperor, for they always gave him that title, was in +the boat. He then went up, and was received by Sir Henry Hotham on the +quarter-deck, where a <span class="pagenum"><a id="page090" name="page090"></a>(p. 090)</span> captain's guard was turned out to him. +He was immediately shown into the cabin, and, after looking round him, +requested to have the officers presented, which was done; when he asked +nearly the same questions of each, that he had put to those of the +Bellerophon the day before. He then expressed a wish to go through the +ship; and did so, accompanied by several of his own suite, the Admiral, +Captain Senhouse, and myself. The men were drawn up at divisions, and +every thing was in the nicest order. He appeared much pleased with all +he saw, and drew many comparisons between French and English ships of +war. On going through the wings and storerooms, he said to General +Savary, "Our ships have nothing of this sort:" who answered, "All the +new ones, built at Antwerp, were constructed on this plan." When he +returned to the quarter-deck, he questioned the Admiral and myself very +minutely, about the clothing and victualling <span class="pagenum"><a id="page091" name="page091"></a>(p. 091)</span> of the seamen. It +was then, on being told that all that department was under the charge of +the purser, he said in a facetious way, "Je crois que c'est quelquefois +chez vous, comme chez nous, le commissaire est un peu coquin." "I +believe it happens sometimes with you, as it does with us, that the +purser is a little of a rogue." This was addressed to the Admiral and +me, with whom he was conversing, and not to the people, as has been +represented; nor was there a man that could have understood it, as it +was spoken in French, and not within their hearing. He asked to see the +Chaplain, put a few questions to him as to the number of Catholics and +foreigners in the ship, and whether any of them spoke the French +language. A Guernsey man was pointed out to him, but he had no +conversation with him.</p> + +<p>He was then shown into the cabin, where breakfast was prepared: during +which meal <span class="pagenum"><a id="page092" name="page092"></a>(p. 092)</span> he talked a good deal, but ate little, the +breakfast being served in the English manner. I observed, during the +whole time of breakfast, that Colonel Planat, who was much attached to +him, and of whom Buonaparte always expressed himself in terms of +affection, had tears running down his cheeks, and seemed greatly +distressed at the situation of his master. And, from the opportunities I +afterwards had of observing this young man's character, I feel convinced +he had a strong personal attachment to Buonaparte;—and this, indeed, as +far as I could judge, was the case also with all his other attendants, +without exception.</p> + +<p>On rising from the breakfast-table, the whole party went into the +after-cabin, where a discussion took place about Buonaparte's horses and +carriages, which had been left at Rochefort, and which he was desirous +of having forwarded to England. I had formerly agreed, in the event of +their <span class="pagenum"><a id="page093" name="page093"></a>(p. 093)</span> arriving, to receive two carriages, and five or six +horses, as many as the ship could conveniently stow; but as they had not +come, the Admiral now consented to give a passport for a vessel to +transport the whole of them, consisting of six carriages and forty-five +horses: which was accordingly made out, and forwarded to Monsieur +Philibert, the senior naval officer at Isle d'Aix, but I believe it was +never acted upon.</p> + +<p>We all returned to the Bellerophon about noon, when the ships present +manned their yards, the boat was immediately hoisted in, and the ship +got under weigh, in pursuance of orders from the Admiral, of which the +following is an extract.</p> + +<h6>Extract of an Order from Rear Admiral Sir Henry Hotham, K.C.B., + addressed to Captain Maitland of H.M.S. Bellerophon, dated + Superb, in Basque Roads, July 15th, 1815.</h6> + +<p>"You are hereby required and directed to take the Myrmidon under your +orders, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page094" name="page094"></a>(p. 094)</span> and, putting on board her such persons composing a +part of the suite of Napoleon Buonaparte as cannot be conveyed in the +Bellerophon, you are to put to sea in H.M.S. under your command, in +company with the Myrmidon, and make the best of your way with Napoleon +Buonaparte and his suite to Torbay, and there landing the officer of the +ship bearing my flag, whom I have charged with a despatch addressed to +the Secretary of the Admiralty, as well as an officer of the ship you +command, for the purpose of proceeding express to Plymouth with the +despatch you will herewith receive, addressed to Admiral Lord Keith, and +a copy of these instructions (which you will transmit to his Lordship,) +await orders from the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, or his +Lordship, for your further proceedings."</p> + +<p>During the time we were heaving the anchor up, and setting the sails, +Buonaparte <span class="pagenum"><a id="page095" name="page095"></a>(p. 095)</span> remained on the break of the poop; and was very +inquisitive about what was going on. He observed, "Your method of +performing this manœuvre is quite different from the French;" and +added, "What I admire most in your ship, is the extreme silence and +orderly conduct of your men:—on board a French ship, every one calls +and gives orders, and they gabble like so many geese." Previous to his +quitting the Bellerophon he made the same remark, saying, "There has +been less noise in this ship, where there are six hundred men, during +the whole of the time I have been in her, than there was on board the +Épervier, with only one hundred, in the passage from Isle d'Aix to +Basque Roads."</p> + +<p>Soon after the ship was under weigh, the Mouche joined, with three or +four sheep, a quantity of vegetables, and other refreshments,—a present +from the French Commodore to Buonaparte. After receiving <span class="pagenum"><a id="page096" name="page096"></a>(p. 096)</span> them +on board, we made sail, accompanied by the Myrmidon, for England.</p> + +<p>In working out, we passed within about a cable's length of the Superb. +He asked me if I considered that was near enough for a naval engagement: +I answered, that half the distance, or even less, would suit much +better; as it was a maxim in our navy, not to be further from our enemy +than to give room for working the yards, and manœuvring the ship.</p> + +<p>He remained upon deck all the time the ship was beating out of the +Pertuis d'Antioche. Having cleared the Chasseron shoal about six <span class="smcap">P.M.</span>, +dinner was served. He conversed a great deal at table, and seemed in +very good spirits; told several anecdotes of himself; among others, one +relating to Sir Sydney Smith. Knowing that I had served under that +officer on the coast of Syria, he turned to me and said, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page097" name="page097"></a>(p. 097)</span> "Did +Sir Sydney Smith ever tell you the cause of his quarrel with me?" I +answered he had not. "Then," said he, "I will.—When the French army was +before St Jean d'Acre, he had a paper privately distributed among the +officers and soldiers, tending to induce them to revolt and quit me; on +which I issued a proclamation, denouncing the English commanding-officer +as a madman, and prohibiting all intercourse with him. This nettled Sir +Sydney so much, that he sent me a challenge to meet him in single combat +on the beach at Caiffa. My reply was, that when Marlborough appeared for +that purpose, I should be at his service; but I had other duties to +fulfil besides fighting a duel with an English commodore." He pursued +the subject of Syria, and said, patting me (who was sitting next him) on +the head; "If it had not been for you English, I should have been +Emperor of the East; but wherever there is water to float a <span class="pagenum"><a id="page098" name="page098"></a>(p. 098)</span> +ship, we are sure to find you in our way."</p> + +<p>During the 17th and 18th of July, the weather was very fine, and nothing +of note occurred. Several strange vessels were seen, about which +Buonaparte and his attendants were very inquisitive, in order, I +presume, that they might judge whether they would probably have escaped +or not, had they put to sea. The only ship of war fallen in with on +those days was the Bacchus sloop, which I pointed out; and at the same +time informed him, that we had several frigates cruising in this +position, for the purpose of intercepting him, had he got past the ships +stationed close in with the land. This, as it afterward appeared, was +not the case: the Endymion having gone into the Gironde, the Liffey +having sprung her bowsprit and returned to England, and the others, from +various causes, having quitted the station; so that, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page099" name="page099"></a>(p. 099)</span> had he +passed the squadron off Rochefort, there can be little doubt he would +have made his voyage in safety to America.</p> + +<p>About this time, Buonaparte amused himself by playing at cards after +breakfast: the game was <i>vingt-un</i>, in which all the party joined, +except myself. He proposed that I should play with them, but I told him +I had no money, making it a rule to leave it all with my wife before I +went to sea: on which he laughed, and good-humouredly offered to lend me +some, and trust me until we arrived in England: I, however, declined his +offer, having the numerous duties of the ship to attend to.</p> + +<p>As my despatch of the 14th instant to the Secretary of the Admiralty had +been very short, and written in great haste,—being desirous that his +Majesty's Ministers should be made acquainted with the important +arrangements agreed upon, as early <span class="pagenum"><a id="page100" name="page100"></a>(p. 100)</span> as possible,—I considered +it right to make a more detailed report to the Commander in Chief; and +therefore wrote a despatch to Lord Keith, of which the following are +extracts, intending to send it by the officer who should announce to him +the Bellerophon's arrival in Torbay.</p> + +<h6>Extract of a Letter From Captain Maitland, Addressed To Admiral + Viscount Keith, G.C.B., Dated on Board H.M. Ship Bellerophon, at + Sea, July 18th, 1815.</h6> + +<p>"Having received directions from Sir Henry Hotham to forward the +accompanying despatch to your Lordship by an officer, I avail myself of +the opportunity to explain the circumstances under which I was placed +when induced to receive Napoleon Buonaparte into the ship I command.</p> + +<p>"After the first communication was made to me by Count Bertrand (a copy +of which, with my answer, has been forwarded to your Lordship by Sir +Henry Hotham) that <span class="pagenum"><a id="page101" name="page101"></a>(p. 101)</span> Buonaparte was at Isle d'Aix, and actually +embarked on board the frigates for the purpose of proceeding to the +United States of America, my duty became peculiarly harassing and +anxious, owing to the numerous reports, that were daily brought from all +quarters, of his intention to escape in vessels of various descriptions, +and from different situations on the coast, of which the limited means I +possessed, together with the length of time requisite to communicate +with Sir Henry Hotham at Quiberon Bay, rendered the success at least +possible, and even probable. Thus situated, the enemy having two +frigates and a brig, while the force under my command consisted of the +Bellerophon and Slaney (having detached the Myrmidon to reinforce the +Daphne off the Mamusson passage, where the force was considerably +superior to her, and whence one of the reports stated Buonaparte meant +to sail,) another flag of truce was sent out, for the ostensible reason +of enquiring whether <span class="pagenum"><a id="page102" name="page102"></a>(p. 102)</span> I had received an answer to the former, +but I soon ascertained the real one to be a proposal from Buonaparte to +embark for England in this ship.</p> + +<p>"Taking into consideration all the circumstances of the probability of +the escape being effected, if the trial was made either in the frigates, +or clandestinely in a small vessel, as, had this ship been disabled in +action, there was no other with me that could produce any effect on a +frigate, and, from the experience I have had in blockading the ports of +the bay, knowing the impossibility of preventing small vessels from +getting to sea, and looking upon it as of the greatest importance to get +possession of the person of Buonaparte; I was induced, without +hesitation, to accede to the proposal, as far as taking him on board, +and proceeding with him to England: but, at the same time, stating in +the most clear and positive terms, that I had no authority <span class="pagenum"><a id="page103" name="page103"></a>(p. 103)</span> to +make any sort of stipulation as to the reception he was to meet with.</p> + +<p>"I am happy to say, that the measures I have adopted have met with the +approbation of Sir Henry Hotham, and will, I trust and hope, receive +that of your Lordship, as well as of his Majesty's Government."</p> + +<p>On the 29th, a conversation took place between Madame Bertrand and +myself, about Buonaparte's voyage to Elba. She asked me if I was +acquainted with Captain Usher. On my answering in the negative, she +said, "The Emperor is very fond of him: he gave him his portrait set +with diamonds, and has another which he intends for you." I replied, "I +hope not, as I cannot accept of it. Captain Usher's situation and mine +were very different, and what might be proper in him would not be so in +me." She rejoined, "If you do not accept of it, you will offend him very +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page104" name="page104"></a>(p. 104)</span> much." "If that is the case," I said, "I shall be obliged to +you to take steps to prevent its being offered, as I wish to save him +the mortification, and myself the pain, of a refusal; and I feel it +absolutely impossible, situated as I am, to take a present from him. In +receiving him on board, I had no direct authority from my Government, +and I have yet to learn whether my conduct will be approved of. Besides, +were I to receive a present of such value, it might possibly be said, +that I was actuated by selfish motives; whereas all the measures I have +taken were dictated solely by the desire of serving my country to the +best of my judgment: if, therefore, I am to receive any reward, it must +come from that quarter."</p> + +<p>On the 20th of July, early in the morning, we spoke the Swiftsure, on +her way from England to reinforce me in the blockade of Rochefort. The +astonishment of <span class="pagenum"><a id="page105" name="page105"></a>(p. 105)</span> Captain Webley can scarcely be conceived, when, +on his entering the ship, I said, "Well, I have got him." "Got him! got +whom?" "Why, Buonaparte; the man that has been keeping all Europe in a +ferment these last twenty years." "Is it possible?" said he; "well, you +are a lucky fellow." We had some further conversation; but Captain +Webley was not introduced to Buonaparte, who had not then left his +cabin; and as the Swiftsure was going to the southward, and I was +desirous of getting to England as quickly as possible, we soon parted +company.</p> + +<p>During the 21st and 22nd of July, we exchanged signals with two or three +others of our ships, which I took care to explain were on the look-out +for my guest; and he seemed by this time pretty well convinced that an +attempt to elude our cruisers would have been fruitless. On the latter +day, the Prometheus showed her number, while we <span class="pagenum"><a id="page106" name="page106"></a>(p. 106)</span> were at +dinner: when Buonaparte expressed a wish to know whether the ships at +Brest had hoisted the white flag or not. I sent for the officer of the +watch, and desired him to ask the question by telegraph. In a few +minutes he returned, with an answer in the affirmative. Buonaparte made +no remark upon this information; but asked, with apparent indifference, +how the question and answer had been conveyed; and when I explained it +to him, he approved highly of the usefulness of the invention.</p> + +<p>During meals, he always entered very freely and familiarly into +conversation with those about him, addressing himself frequently to Las +Cases and me; asking many questions about the manners, customs, and laws +of the English; often repeating the observation he had made on first +coming on board, that he must gain all the information possible on those +subjects, and conform himself to them, as he should <span class="pagenum"><a id="page107" name="page107"></a>(p. 107)</span> probably +end his life among that people. Monsieur Las Cases, it appears, had +emigrated from France early in the revolution, and remained in England +until the peace of Amiens, when he was allowed to return to his own +country.</p> + +<p>Sunday, the 23rd of July, we passed very near to Ushant: the day was +fine, and Buonaparte remained upon deck great part of the morning. He +cast many a melancholy look at the coast of France, but made few +observations on it. He asked several questions about the coast of +England; whether it was safe to approach; its distance, and the part we +were likely to make. About eight in the evening, the high land of +Dartmoor was discovered, when I went into the cabin and told him of it: +I found him in a flannel dressing-gown, nearly undressed, and preparing +to go to bed. He put on his greatcoat, came out upon deck, and remained +some time looking at the <span class="pagenum"><a id="page108" name="page108"></a>(p. 108)</span> land; asking its distance from +Torbay, and the probable time of our arrival there.</p> + +<a id="img005" name="img005"></a> +<div class="figcenter"> +<img src="images/img005.jpg" width="600" height="398" alt="" title=""> +<p class="smcap">Napoleon on Board the Bellerophon</p> +</div> + +<p>At daybreak of the 24th of July, we were close off Dartmouth. Count +Bertrand went into the cabin, and informed Buonaparte of it, who came +upon deck about half-past four, and remained on the poop until the ship +anchored in Torbay. He talked with admiration of the boldness of the +coast; saying, "You have in that respect a great advantage over France, +which is surrounded by rocks and dangers." On opening Torbay, he was +much struck with the beauty of the scenery; and exclaimed, "What a +beautiful country! it very much resembles the bay of Porto Ferrajo, in +Elba."</p> + +<p>The ship was scarcely at anchor, when an officer came alongside, +bringing an order from Lord Keith; of which I give an extract.</p> + +<h6><span class="pagenum"><a id="page109" name="page109"></a>(p. 109)</span> Extract of an Order from Admiral Viscount Keith, G.C.B., + addressed to Captain Maitland, of H.M.S. Bellerophon, dated Ville + de Paris, Hamoaze, 23rd July, 1815.</h6> + +<p>"Captain Sartorius, of His Majesty's ship Slaney, delivered to me last +night, at eleven o'clock, your despatch of the 14th instant, acquainting +me that Buonaparte had proposed to embark on board the ship you command; +and that you had acceded thereto, with the intention of proceeding to +Torbay, there to wait for further orders. I lost no time in forwarding +your letter by Captain Sartorius to the Lords Commissioners of the +Admiralty, in order that their Lordships might, through him, be +acquainted with every circumstance that had occurred on an occasion of +so much importance; and you may expect orders from their Lordships for +your further guidance. You are to remain in Torbay until you receive +such orders; and in the mean time, in addition to the directions +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page110" name="page110"></a>(p. 110)</span> already in your possession, you are most positively ordered to +prevent every person whatever from coming on board the ship you command, +except the officers and men who compose her crew; nor is any person +whatever, whether in His Majesty's service or not, who does not belong +to the ship, to be suffered to come on board, either for the purpose of +visiting the officers, or on any pretence whatever, without express +permission either from the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, or from +me. As I understand from Captain Sartorius, that General Gourgaud +refused to deliver the letter with which he was charged for the Prince +Regent, to any person except his Royal Highness, you are to take him out +of the Slaney, into the ship you command, until you receive directions +from the Admiralty on the subject, and order that ship back to Plymouth +Sound, when Captain Sartorius returns from London."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page111" name="page111"></a>(p. 111)</span> Along with the above order, I received a letter from Lord +Keith, of which I give some extracts.</p> + +<p>"You will perceive by the newspapers, that the intelligence had reached +London before Captain Sartorius, owing to his long passage. I have a +letter from Lord Melville to-day, enforcing in the strongest manner the +former orders,—even that no person, myself or Sir John Duckworth +excepted, shall be suffered to come on board the ship, till orders are +sent from Government; which you will be so good as strictly to comply +with. Let him and his want for nothing; and send to me for any thing +Brixham cannot furnish; I will send it to you by a small vessel. You may +say to Napoleon, that I am under the greatest personal obligations to +him for his attention to my nephew, who was taken and brought before him +at Belle <span class="pagenum"><a id="page112" name="page112"></a>(p. 112)</span> Alliance, and who must have died, if he had not +ordered a surgeon to dress him immediately, and sent him to a hut. I am +glad it fell into your hands at this time, because a Frenchman had been +sent from Paris on the mission, a Monsieur Drigni."</p> + +<p>Buonaparte recollected the circumstance alluded to, and seemed much +gratified with Lord Keith's acknowledgments.</p> + +<p>Napoleon and all his attendants were very anxious to see as many +newspapers as possible, but particularly the Courier, which they +considered the Ministerial paper, and most likely to contain the +intentions of Government respecting them. They received little +encouragement from any of them, but least of all from those which are +supposed to take the Ministerial side in politics, as they not only +contained a great deal that was personally offensive, but stated, in +very plain terms, that none <span class="pagenum"><a id="page113" name="page113"></a>(p. 113)</span> of the party would be allowed to +land in England, and that St Helena was the probable place of their +ultimate destination. Buonaparte himself always affected to consider +this as a mere newspaper report, though I believe it gave him a good +deal of uneasiness. His followers received it with much irritation and +impatience, frequently endeavouring to convince me that our Government +could have no right to dispose of them in that way, and talking to me, +as if I had been one of his Majesty's Ministers, and had influence in +determining on their future destination. All I could say on the subject +did not prevent them from frequently recurring to it, and appealing +against the injustice of such a measure.</p> + +<p>This morning General Gourgaud returned from the Slaney, which we found +lying here, not having been permitted to land, and having refused to +deliver the letter he had been charged with for the Prince <span class="pagenum"><a id="page114" name="page114"></a>(p. 114)</span> +Regent to any person except his Royal Highness himself.</p> + +<p>When I was conversing with Madame Bertrand, she said, "Had the Emperor +gained the battle of Waterloo, he would have been firmly seated on the +throne of France." I answered, "It certainly might have protracted his +downfall, but, in all probability, he would have been overthrown at +last, as the Russians were fast advancing, and he never could have +resisted the combined forces of the Allies." To which she replied, "If +your army had been defeated, the Russians never would have acted against +him." "That I cannot believe," I said, "as they were using every effort +to join and support the Allies; and the assertion is ridiculous." "Ah," +said she, "you may laugh at it, and so may other people, nor will it, +perhaps, now be discovered; but remember what I say, and be assured that +at some future period it <span class="pagenum"><a id="page115" name="page115"></a>(p. 115)</span> will be proved, that it never was +Alexander's intention to cross the frontiers of France, in opposition to +him."</p> + +<p>In the course of the day I received many applications for admittance +into the ship: among others a note from a lady residing in the +neighbourhood, accompanied by a basket of fruit, requesting a boat might +be sent for her next morning. I returned a civil answer, informing her +that my instructions would not admit of her request being complied with: +no more fruit was sent from that quarter. Lord Gwydir and Lord Charles +Bentinck also applied for admittance, but with no better success.</p> + +<p>No sooner was Buonaparte's arrival known in the neighbourhood, than the +ship was surrounded by a crowd of boats, people being drawn from all +quarters to see this extraordinary man. He came often upon deck, and +showed himself at the gangways <span class="pagenum"><a id="page116" name="page116"></a>(p. 116)</span> and stern windows, apparently +for the purpose of gratifying their curiosity, of which, as he observed +to me, the English appeared to have a very large portion.</p> + +<p>In the evening, the officer who had been sent to Plymouth, on the ship's +arrival, with despatches for Lord Keith, returned, bringing letters, +from which I give the following extracts:—</p> + +<h6>Extract of a Letter from Admiral Viscount Keith, G.C.B., + addressed to Captain Maitland, of H.M.S. Bellerophon, dated Ville + de Paris, Hamoaze, July 24, 1815.</h6> + +<p>"The officer of the ship you command has just delivered to me your +letter of this date, reporting your arrival in Torbay, with the +Bellerophon and Myrmidon, having on board Napoleon Buonaparte and his +suite. I have also received your other letter, explaining the +circumstances under which you were placed, when you were induced to +receive Napoleon on board; and I shall <span class="pagenum"><a id="page117" name="page117"></a>(p. 117)</span> transmit the same to +the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, in confident expectation, that +his Majesty's Government will fully approve of your conduct."</p> + +<h6>Extract of a Letter from Admiral Viscount Keith, G.C.B., + addressed to Captain Maitland, of H.M.S, Bellerophon, dated 24th + July, 1815.</h6> + +<p>"I take the opportunity of your officer's return, to congratulate you +and the nation, and to thank you for the perfect manner in which you +entered into my views on the subject, and for the management of the +blockade, about which I was most anxious. It will not be long ere you +are instructed by the Government: the first express would arrive about +four o'clock this morning, and I attempt a telegraph message, but it is +cloudy. I beg you will send for any thing you may want, to me, and it +shall be sent instantly; and I beg to present my respects to Napoleon, +and if I can render him any civility, I will consider it my duty, as +well <span class="pagenum"><a id="page118" name="page118"></a>(p. 118)</span> as in gratitude for Captain Elphinstone's report of the +attention he received from him on the field of battle."</p> + +<p>During the 25th of July, the concourse of people round the ship was +greater than the day before, and the anxiety of the Frenchmen was +considerably augmented by the confidence with which the newspapers spoke +of the intention to remove Buonaparte to St Helena. In the afternoon, he +walked above an hour on deck, frequently stood at the gangway, or +opposite to the quarter-deck ports, for the purpose of giving the people +an opportunity of seeing him, and, whenever he observed any well-dressed +women, pulled his hat off, and bowed to them.</p> + +<p>At dinner he conversed as usual, was inquisitive about the kinds of fish +produced on the coast of England, and ate part of a turbot that was at +table, with much relish. <span class="pagenum"><a id="page119" name="page119"></a>(p. 119)</span> He then spoke of the character of the +fishermen and boatmen on our coast, saying, "They are generally +smugglers as well as fishermen; at one time a great many of them were in +my pay, for the purpose of obtaining intelligence, bringing money over +to France, and assisting prisoners of war to escape. They even offered, +for a large sum of money, to seize the person of Louis, and deliver him +into my hands; but as they could not guarantee the preservation of his +life, I would not give my consent to the measure."</p> + +<p>At three in the morning of the 26th of July, Captain Sartorius returned +from London; having carried my despatch announcing Buonaparte's +intention to embark in the Bellerophon, and brought with him orders for +me to proceed to Plymouth Sound. We immediately got under weigh, +accompanied by the Myrmidon and Slaney. While heaving the anchor up, Las +Cases <span class="pagenum"><a id="page120" name="page120"></a>(p. 120)</span> came upon deck, when I told him the ship was ordered to +Plymouth, supposing, if he thought it requisite, he would acquaint his +master. Soon after the ship was at sea, Madame Bertrand made her +appearance, when she attacked me with some warmth for having neglected +to acquaint Buonaparte with the orders I had received, and told me he +was excessively offended. As she had once or twice before, when every +thing did not go exactly as she wished, held the same language, I +determined to ascertain whether Buonaparte had expressed any +dissatisfaction, and, if so, to come to an explanation with him, as, +though I was inclined to treat him with every proper consideration, it +never was my intention to be looked upon as responsible to him for my +movements; I therefore told Las Cases what she had said, and requested +he would ascertain whether Napoleon really had felt displeased. He +immediately went into the cabin, and on his return assured me that there +must <span class="pagenum"><a id="page121" name="page121"></a>(p. 121)</span> have been some mistake, as nothing of the kind had taken +place.</p> + +<p>The ship's removal to the westward was by no means an agreeable event to +the suite of my guest: they naturally reasoned, that, had it been the +intention of the British Government to allow him to land in England, he +would not have been removed further from the Metropolis. He, however, +made no observations on the subject himself; still affecting to consider +the reports in the newspapers as the surmises of the editors.</p> + +<p>We had, during the forenoon of the 26th of July, to beat up from the +Start to Plymouth Sound, against a strong northerly wind. Buonaparte +remained upon deck the greater part of the day. When going into the +Sound, I pointed out the Breakwater to him, and described the manner in +which they were forming it. He said, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page122" name="page122"></a>(p. 122)</span> it was a great national +undertaking, and highly honourable to the country; enquired the +estimated expense, and seemed surprised, when I told him it was expected +to be finished for something less than a million sterling. He added, "I +have expended a large sum of money on the port of Cherbourg, and in +forming the Boyart Fort, to protect the anchorage at Isle d'Aix; but I +fear now, those and many other of my improvements will be neglected, and +allowed to go to ruin."</p> + +<p>When the ship had anchored, I informed him I was going to wait on the +Commander-in-chief, and requested to know if I could convey any message +from him. He desired me to return his thanks to Lord Keith, for the kind +intentions he had expressed towards him in his letters to me, and to say +he was extremely anxious to see his Lordship, if it could be done with +propriety. On delivering his message to Lord Keith, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page123" name="page123"></a>(p. 123)</span> he +answered, "I would wait upon him with much pleasure, but, to tell you +the truth, I have as yet received no instructions as to the manner in +which he is to be treated; and until I do receive these, I cannot well +visit him." He then gave me some precautionary orders to prevent his +escape, or any attempt to effect it. From which I give the extracts +below.</p> + +<h6>Extract of an Order from Admiral Viscount Keith, G.C.B., to + Captain Maitland, of H.M.S. Bellerophon, dated Hamoaze, July 26, + 1815.</h6> + +<p>"In addition to the orders already received, you are to pay the +strictest regard and attention to the directions contained in the +enclosed extract of a letter from the Secretary of the Admiralty. If +General Gourgaud has not already been taken out of the Slaney, you are +to cause him to be removed immediately into the ship you command. I +enclose, for your information, a copy of a general order that I have +issued, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page124" name="page124"></a>(p. 124)</span> forbidding communication with the ship you command; +and it is my intention to order the Liffey and Eurotas to anchor near +you, and to row guard."</p> + +<h6>Extract of a Letter from the Secretary of the Admiralty to + Admiral Viscount Keith, G.C.B., dated 24th July, 1815, enclosed + in the foregoing.</h6> + +<p>"Referring your Lordship to Mr Croker's letter of the 1st instant, +respecting Buonaparte, I am to signify their Lordships' directions to +you, to give the most positive orders to Captain Maitland to prevent all +communication whatever with the shore but through him, and by him +through your Lordship; and on no account to permit any person whatsoever +to go on board the ship, without your Lordship's permission given in +writing for that purpose; which permission, for obvious reasons, will +only be granted in such cases as the public service may require: and +proper measures are to be taken to prevent boats and small craft from +crowding near the Bellerophon.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page125" name="page125"></a>(p. 125)</span> "Your Lordship will restrict the captains and commanders of +your squadron from communicating, until further orders, with the +Bellerophon."</p> + +<h6>There was also enclosed the following copy of a Memorandum, + addressed to the respective Captains of H.M. Ships Liffey and + Eurotas.</h6> + +<p class="right10 smaller">"Ville de Paris, in Hamoaze,<br> + 26th July, 1815.</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Memo</span>:</p> + +<p>"The Liffey and Eurotas are to take up an anchorage on each side of the +Bellerophon, at a convenient distance, and observe the following +directions, as well for the purpose of preventing the escape of +Buonaparte, or any of his suite, from that ship, as for restraining +shore-boats and others from approaching too close to her, either from +curiosity or any other motive.</p> + +<p>"A constant watch of an officer, a quarter-watch, and double sentinels, +are to be kept by day, as well as a boat manned and armed alongside, in +constant readiness, as a guard-boat: <span class="pagenum"><a id="page126" name="page126"></a>(p. 126)</span> the same precaution is to +be observed all night, with the exception, that one of the boats, in +charge of a lieutenant, is to row guard, and to be relieved every hour.</p> + +<p>"No shore-boats, or others, are to be suffered, either by night or by +day, to approach nearer the Bellerophon than one cable's length; and no +boats are to be permitted to loiter about the ship, even at that +distance, either from curiosity or any other motive: neither the +captains of the Liffey or Eurotas, nor any other officer belonging to +those or any other ships, are to go on board the Bellerophon, either to +visit, or on any pretence whatever, without permission from me in +writing."</p> + +<p class="left50">Signed, <span class="smcap">Keith</span>, Admiral.</p> + +<p>A Copy.</p> + +<p class="smaller noindent"><span class="left10">Keith, Admiral.</span><br> + To the respective Captains of the<br> +<span class="left10">Liffey and Eurotas.</span></p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page127" name="page127"></a>(p. 127)</span> When I returned on board, I found the frigates had taken their +positions as directed in the last order, and their boats were +endeavouring as much as possible to keep the shore-boats at the +specified distance from the ship. I stated to Buonaparte what Lord Keith +had said; to which he answered, "I am extremely anxious to see the +Admiral, and therefore beg he will not stand upon ceremony: I shall be +satisfied to be treated as a private person, until the British +Government has determined in what light I am to be considered." He then +complained of the two frigates being placed as guard-ships over him, "as +if," said he, "I were not perfectly secure on board a British +line-of-battle ship;" and added, "The guard-ships' boats have been +firing musquetry all the evening, to keep the shore-boats at a distance: +it disturbs and distresses me, and I shall be obliged to you to prevent +it, if it lies in your power." I immediately sent to the <span class="pagenum"><a id="page128" name="page128"></a>(p. 128)</span> +Captains of the frigates, to put a stop to the firing.</p> + +<p>On the 27th of July, I received a letter from the Secretary of the +Admiralty, of which I give an extract:—</p> + +<h6>Extract of a Letter from the Secretary of the Admiralty, + addressed to Captain Maitland, of H.M.S. Bellerophon, dated 25th + July, 1815.</h6> + +<p>"I have received and laid before my Lords Commissioners of the +Admiralty, your letter of yesterday's date, reporting your arrival in +the Bellerophon in Torbay, accompanied by the Myrmidon, having on board +Napoleon Buonaparte and suite, and transmitting a copy of a letter you +had addressed to Admiral Lord Keith, reporting your proceedings, under +the various circumstances which occurred prior to his embarkation, of +which their Lordships have been pleased to direct me to signify their +approval."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page129" name="page129"></a>(p. 129)</span> I waited on Lord Keith in the morning, and carried with me +Buonaparte's original letter to the Prince Regent, which General +Gourgaud had refused to deliver to Captain Sartorius: finding that one +of his own officers would not be allowed to proceed with it, he now +consented to its being forwarded through the Admiral. I reported to his +Lordship all the occurrences of the previous day; and that, in +consequence of the frequent repetition in the newspapers of its being +the intention of his Majesty's Government to send Buonaparte to St +Helena, he, as well as the officers of his suite, had expressed much +uneasiness. I also carried a message from him, stating his desire to see +his Lordship, and that he would willingly waive all ceremony, and be +considered as a private person. To which Lord Keith answered, "I shall +now have no difficulty whatever, having received full instructions as to +the manner in which he is to be treated: he is to be considered +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page130" name="page130"></a>(p. 130)</span> as a General Officer, and have the respect due to that rank +paid him, and no more: you may therefore say I shall wait on him +to-morrow forenoon." He then put into my hands the following additional +orders.</p> + +<h6>Extract of a Letter from Admiral Viscount Keith, G.C.B., + addressed to Captain Maitland, of H.M.S. Bellerophon, dated Ville + de Paris, Hamoaze, 27th July, 1815.</h6> + +<p>"I herewith transmit an extract of an order, containing certain +directions relative to Buonaparte and his suite, and you are forthwith +to carry the same into execution; sending on board the Liffey or +Myrmidon, with directions similar to those that have been addressed to +yourself, such of his suite as are to be withdrawn from the ship you +command."</p> + +<h6>Extract of an Order from the Lords Commissioners of the + Admiralty, to Admiral Viscount Keith, G.C.B., dated July 25th, + 1815.</h6> + +<p>"That he should give immediate orders, that, upon the arrival of the +Bellerophon, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page131" name="page131"></a>(p. 131)</span> Napoleon Buonaparte should remain, until the +Prince Regent's further pleasure shall be signified, on board of that, +or such other ship of war as we shall appoint, and shall not be +permitted on any account to come on shore; or to hold communication with +the shore, or with other vessels, either personally, or by writing. Not +more than four or five persons of his suite (exclusive of menial +servants) are to remain on board the same ship with himself: the +remainder of his suite are to be kept under similar restraint, on board +of other vessels of war. Napoleon Buonaparte is to be considered and +addressed as a General Officer."</p> + +<p>In consequence of those orders, several of the officers of inferior +rank, and some of the servants, were sent to the frigates appointed to +guard us.</p> + +<p>In the afternoon Sir Richard and Lady Strachan, accompanied by Mrs +Maitland, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page132" name="page132"></a>(p. 132)</span> came alongside the ship. Buonaparte was walking the +deck, and, when I told him my wife was in the boat, he went to the +gangway, pulled off his hat, and asked her if she would not come up and +visit him. She shook her head; and I informed him, that my orders were +so positive, I could not even allow her to come on board. He answered, +"C'est dur, ça." "That is very hard." And addressing himself to her, +"Milord Keith est un peu trop sevère; n'est-ce pas, Madame?" "Lord Keith +is a little too severe; is he not, Madam?" He then said to me, "Ma foi, +son portrait ne la flatte pas; elle est encore plus jolie que lui." "I +assure you her portrait is not flattering; she is handsomer than it is." +I told him Sir Richard Strachan was in the boat with her, and that he +was second in command of the Channel fleet: he bowed to him, and said, +"He appears a very young man to hold so high a rank."</p> + +<a id="img006" name="img006"></a> +<div class="figcenter"> +<img src="images/img006.jpg" width="550" height="325" alt="" title=""> +<p class="smcap">H.M.S. Bellerophon at Plymouth.</p> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page133" name="page133"></a>(p. 133)</span> There were this day a great many boats round the ship, full of +people, among which were a number of well-dressed females. He expressed +himself in strong terms of admiration of the beauty of the English +women, and was desirous of knowing which were the ladies,—"les dames +comme il faut," as he termed it; as they were all so well dressed that +he could not distinguish them.</p> + +<p>In the evening a letter was sent to me by Lord Keith, of which I subjoin +an extract:—</p> + +<h6>Extract of a Letter from Admiral Viscount Keith, G.C.B., + addressed to Captain Maitland of H.M.S. Bellerophon, dated Ville + de Paris, Hamoaze, 27th July, 1815.</h6> + +<p>"From the representation you have made to me of the dissatisfaction +expressed by Buonaparte, on observing by the newspapers that he was to +be sent to St Helena; it will be necessary that you redouble your +vigilance to prevent his escape; and you are therefore to station double +sentinels, and <span class="pagenum"><a id="page134" name="page134"></a>(p. 134)</span> resort to every other means that may be +necessary for frustrating any such intention."</p> + +<p>On the 28th of July, Lord Keith came on board, between eleven and twelve +o'clock, and was shown by me into the cabin, where Count Bertrand +introduced him to Buonaparte. I immediately withdrew, and cannot +therefore state what passed between them; but Lord Keith afterwards +informed me, that Buonaparte had been very anxious to know whether the +Government had come to any determination with regard to his disposal; of +which his Lordship professed total ignorance.</p> + +<p>After Lord Keith came out of the cabin, he remained some time with +Buonaparte's suite, who were collected in the state room. Madame +Bertrand drew him aside, and entered into conversation with him, saying +what she had repeated to me a hundred times, that it would be the height +of injustice <span class="pagenum"><a id="page135" name="page135"></a>(p. 135)</span> to send them to St Helena, and endeavouring to +persuade him to interfere in preventing her husband at least from going, +should Napoleon be sent there.</p> + +<p>During the whole of the 29th of July it rained incessantly, and nothing +worth relating took place: the Frenchmen were deprived of their usual +amusement of admiring the ladies, and being admired in return, not a +boat having made its appearance. They often remarked, with the +characteristic vivacity of their nation, that they were placed in the +situation of Tantalus,—so many beauties in view, without the +possibility of approaching them.</p> + +<p>On Sunday, the 30th of July, the crowd of boats was greater than I ever +remember to have seen at one time. I am certain I speak within bounds +when I state, that upwards of a thousand were collected round the ship, +in each of which, on an <span class="pagenum"><a id="page136" name="page136"></a>(p. 136)</span> average, there were not fewer than +eight people. The crush was so great, as to render it quite impossible +for the guard-boats to keep them off; though a boat belonging to one of +the frigates made use of very violent means to effect it, frequently +running against small boats, containing women, with such force as nearly +to upset them, and alarming the ladies extremely. The French officers +were very indignant at such rude proceedings, saying, "Is this your +English liberty? Were such a thing to happen in France, the men would +rise with one accord and throw that officer and his crew overboard."</p> + +<p>After the ship's arrival in England, Buonaparte seldom left the cabin +earlier than five o'clock in the afternoon; passing his time in walking +up and down the after-cabin, reading a great deal,<a id="footnotetag8" name="footnotetag8"></a><a href="#footnote8" title="Go to footnote 8"><span class="smaller">[8]</span></a> and often falling +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page137" name="page137"></a>(p. 137)</span> asleep on the sopha, having within these two or three years +become very lethargic.</p> + +<p>I this day informed him, that Lord Keith had received an intimation, +that Sir Henry Bunbury, one of the Under Secretaries of State, was to +arrive in the course of the day with the decision of the British +Government as to his future disposal. He asked me many questions, but, +although Lord Keith had acquainted me that Buonaparte was to go to St +Helena, he had at the same time desired me not to communicate this +information, and I was therefore obliged to evade his interrogatories as +I best could.</p> + +<p>In the newspapers of this day there appeared the lists of persons +proscribed by the Government of France. Among the first class were the +names of Bertrand, Savary, and Lallemand: the first treated it with +derision, the two others appeared much alarmed, and often asked me if I +thought <span class="pagenum"><a id="page138" name="page138"></a>(p. 138)</span> it possible the British Government would deliver them +up to Louis. I said, "Decidedly not; you have been received on board an +English man of war, and it never can be the intention of the Ministers +to deliver you over to punishment." They were not, however, satisfied by +any means; and a French frigate, bearing the white flag, which lay in +Hamoaze, was an object of much jealousy to them.</p> + +<p>When I waited on Lord Keith, the morning of the 31st of July, he +acquainted me that Sir Henry Bunbury had arrived, and was to accompany +him on board at ten o'clock. He also showed me a notification of the +decision of Government respecting Buonaparte, in which he was styled +General throughout. It stated, that he was to be sent to St Helena, and +to be permitted to take with him three of the higher class of those that +had accompanied him from France, and twelve <span class="pagenum"><a id="page139" name="page139"></a>(p. 139)</span> domestics, who +were to be selected by himself, with the exception of Savary and +Lallemand, who were not on any account to be permitted to go with him. I +immediately returned on board, to be in readiness to receive Lord Keith +and Sir Henry Bunbury; and informed Buonaparte, that he might expect +them. He asked me if I knew what they were to communicate; and having +then received his Lordship's sanction for doing so, I told him, I +understood it was determined he was to be sent to St Helena. His mind +had, by this time, been so much prepared by the newspapers for that +event, that he did not show any very strong emotion at receiving the +intimation; though he complained, in strong terms, of the injustice of +such a measure. As, however, the Admiral's barge was seen approaching, +and I was obliged to go upon deck to receive him, I had very little +conversation with him at that time.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page140" name="page140"></a>(p. 140)</span> Lord Keith and Sir Henry Bunbury arrived about half-past ten in +the forenoon, when I showed them into the cabin, where Buonaparte was +attended by Count Bertrand. I then withdrew, leaving them shut up with +him for about half an hour, when Lord Keith called me into the +fore-cabin, where all the suite were assembled, and I presented each of +them to the Admiral and Sir Henry. They all appeared very much +distressed, but particularly Savary and Lallemand; who were extremely +urgent to know how they were to be disposed of; protesting, most +vehemently, against their being given up to France, as a breach of all +faith and honour. Madame Bertrand again tried to induce Lord Keith to +use his influence with our Government, to prevent Bertrand from +accompanying Buonaparte to St Helena.</p> + +<p>As soon as the Admiral had left the ship, Buonaparte sent for me, and +showed <span class="pagenum"><a id="page141" name="page141"></a>(p. 141)</span> me the same paper Lord Keith had communicated to me in +the morning. When I had read it, he complained vehemently of his +treatment in being sent to St Helena, saying, "The idea of it is perfect +horror to me. To be placed for life on an island within the Tropics, at +an immense distance from any land, cut off from all communication with +the world, and every thing that I hold dear in it!—c'est pis que la +cage de fer de Tamerlan. (It is worse than Tamerlane's iron cage.) I +would prefer being delivered up to the Bourbons. Among other insults," +said he,—"but that is a mere bagatelle, a very secondary +consideration,—they style me General! they can have no right to call me +General; they may as well call me Archbishop, for I was head of the +church, as well as the army. If they do not acknowledge me as Emperor, +they ought as First Consul; they have sent Ambassadors to me as such; +and your King, in his letters, styled me brother. <span class="pagenum"><a id="page142" name="page142"></a>(p. 142)</span> Had they +confined me in the Tower of London, or one of the fortresses in England, +(though not what I had hoped from the generosity of the English people,) +I should not have so much cause of complaint; but to banish me to an +island within the Tropics! They might as well have signed my +death-warrant at once, as it is impossible a man of my habit of body can +live long in such a climate."</p> + +<p>He then expressed a desire to write another letter to the Prince Regent; +and I carried it the same afternoon to Lord Keith, by whom it was +immediately forwarded to London.</p> + +<p>Generals Savary and Lallemand this day made many appeals to me on the +injustice of our Government delivering them up to France; saying they +had not a doubt it was intended, else why except them from accompanying +the Emperor, as they were <span class="pagenum"><a id="page143" name="page143"></a>(p. 143)</span> both married men, and Savary the +father of a large family:—it was not the wish of either to have gone to +St Helena; but their being expressly excepted, and their names appearing +in the list of proscribed, was but too sure a proof of their intended +fate. Savary added, "Were I to be allowed a fair and impartial trial, I +should have nothing to fear, never having accepted a situation under +Louis; but at present, when faction runs so high, I should inevitably be +sacrificed to the fury of party. Lallemand's case is quite different: he +held a command under the King, and, on Napoleon's return from Elba, +joined him with his troops; therefore, his situation would at any time +be a dangerous one:—but I lived in the country all the time Louis was +in France, and did not come forward until Buonaparte's arrival in Paris, +when he directed me to take the command of the Gendarmerie."</p> + +<p>Lallemand said, "My reason for coming <span class="pagenum"><a id="page144" name="page144"></a>(p. 144)</span> on board the Bellerophon +with Las Cases on the morning of the 14th, was to ascertain whether +there would be a risk of any of the Emperor's followers being delivered +up to the French Government, in the event of their accompanying him to +England; when you assured me there could be no danger of it." I replied, +"My answer to you was, that I was of opinion there could be no risk of +the British Government taking such a step; and I see no reason now to +alter that opinion. As I have received you on board the Bellerophon, I +consider you under the protection of the British flag, and myself, in a +great measure, responsible for your personal safety; and under that +impression I will write on the subject to Lord Melville, as the Minister +under whose immediate control I act, that your minds may be set at rest, +though, I repeat, you run no hazard of being sent to France." The same +evening, before I went to bed, I wrote the letter which follows:—</p> + +<p class="right10 smaller"><span class="pagenum"><a id="page145" name="page145"></a>(p. 145)</span> "H.M.S. Bellerophon,<br> + Plymouth Sound, 31st July, 1815.</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">My Lord</span>,</p> + +<p>"I am induced to address your Lordship in consequence of having +observed, in the intimation delivered to Napoleon Buonaparte of the +number of persons allowed to accompany him to the Island of St Helena, +that the names of Savary and Lallemand are expressly excepted, which, +together with their being proscribed in the French newspapers, has +created in them a belief that it is the intention of His Majesty's +Government to deliver them up to the King of France. Far be it from me +to assume such an idea; but I hope your Lordship will make allowance for +the feelings of an officer who has nothing so dear to him as his honour, +and who could not bear that a stain should be affixed to a name he has +ever endeavoured to bear unblemished. These two men, Savary and +Lallemand (what their characters or conduct in their <span class="pagenum"><a id="page146" name="page146"></a>(p. 146)</span> own +country may be I know not), threw themselves under the protection of the +British flag; that protection was granted them with the sanction of my +name. It is true, no conditions were stipulated for; but I acted in the +full confidence that their lives would be held sacred, or they should +never have put foot in the ship I command, without being made acquainted +that it was for the purpose of delivering them over to the laws of their +country.</p> + +<p>"I again beg leave to repeat to your Lordship, that I am far from +supposing it to be the intention of His Majesty's Government to deliver +these men over to the laws of their country; but, as they are strongly +impressed with that belief, and I look upon myself as the cause of their +being in their present situation, I most earnestly beg your Lordship's +influence may be exerted that two men may not be brought to the scaffold +who claimed <span class="pagenum"><a id="page147" name="page147"></a>(p. 147)</span> and obtained at my hands the protection of the +British flag.</p> + +<p class="leftaligned"> +<span class="left10">"I have the honour to be,</span><br> +<span class="left20">&c. &c. &c.</span><br> +<span class="left50 smcap">"Fred. L. Maitland."</span></p> + +<p class="smaller noindent">"The Viscount Melville,<br> + &c. &c. &c."</p> + +<p>I felt convinced that Buonaparte, after the notification he had +received, would be too much depressed in spirits to make his appearance +on deck this day; and sent a boat to some of my friends, who were +waiting in hopes of seeing him, to say there was no chance of his coming +out, as he was much distressed at the communication which had been made +to him. I was, therefore, a good deal surprised, on turning round, to +find him standing at my elbow; and I can only account for his showing +himself as usual, by supposing either that he was not in fact so much +annoyed as I had believed <span class="pagenum"><a id="page148" name="page148"></a>(p. 148)</span> him to be, or that he was actuated +by a desire of creating a feeling of commiseration among the English +people in his behalf.</p> + +<p>At dinner he conversed as usual; and, indeed, it was quite astonishing +with what elasticity his spirits regained their usual cheerfulness, +after such trials and disappointments. He never, in my hearing, +threatened to commit suicide; nor do I believe he did on any occasion: +the only expression I ever heard him make use of, that could in any way +be construed into such a threat, was, that he would not go to St +Helena,—"Je n'irai pas à St Hélène."</p> + +<p>As Buonaparte always retired early to bed, it was the custom for the +French ladies and officers to assemble every evening in the ward-room, +and partake of wine and water, punch, or bishop—a mixture consisting of +Port, Madeira, nutmeg, and <span class="pagenum"><a id="page149" name="page149"></a>(p. 149)</span> other ingredients, well known to +sailors, and much relished by our foreign guests.</p> + +<p>I was sitting this evening next Montholon, when Madame Bertrand entered; +I said to her, "Will you not sit down and take something?" She gave an +answer which I took for No; and passed rapidly into the first +lieutenant's cabin, which she had occupied since she came on board. +Montholon, who had observed her with more attention than I had done, +immediately rose and followed her. There was instantly a shriek from the +cabin, and a great uproar; and some one called out 'The Countess is +overboard.' I ran upon deck, that, in the event of its being so, a boat +might be lowered down, or the guard-boats called to her assistance. On +looking over the quarter, and seeing no splash in the water, I felt +satisfied it was a false alarm, and returned to the ward-room. Madame +Bertrand had by this time <span class="pagenum"><a id="page150" name="page150"></a>(p. 150)</span> been placed on her bed, where she +was lying in strong hysterics, at intervals abusing the English nation +and its Government, in the most vehement and unmeasured terms; sometimes +in French and sometimes in English. Lallemand was walking up and down +the ward-room much agitated, joining in the abuse; saying, among other +things, "that it was horrible to bring a set of people on board the ship +for the purpose of butchering them." I turned to him, and said, +"Monsieur Lallemand, what a woman says in the state of violent +irritation that Madame Bertrand at present is, I consider of little +consequence, and am willing to make every allowance for the situation +you are placed in; but I cannot stand by and hear such terms used of the +Government of my country; and if you do not desist, or make use of more +respectful language, I shall be under the necessity of taking measures +that will be very unpleasant both to you and myself."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page151" name="page151"></a>(p. 151)</span> This had the effect of silencing him. When the bustle had +subsided, I retired to my cabin, and was employed in writing the +foregoing letter to Lord Melville, in behalf of Messrs Savary and +Lallemand; when the latter, attended by Generals Montholon and Gourgaud, +came in. They immediately entered into conversation with me about the +cruelty of their situation: among many other things, they said, "You may +depend upon it, the Emperor never will go to St Helena; he will sooner +put himself to death; he is a man of determined character, and what he +says he will do." "Has he ever said he will put himself to death?" I +asked. They answered, "No; but he has said he will not go, which amounts +to the same thing; and were he to consent himself, here are three of us +who are determined to prevent him." I told them they had better consider +the consequences well, before they ventured on a measure of that kind.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page152" name="page152"></a>(p. 152)</span> The next day, August 1st, 1815, I waited on Lord Keith, and +reported all that had occurred during the preceding day. I also showed +him the letter I had written and meant to send to Lord Melville, +respecting Generals Savary and Lallemand; he read it, and said, "that +though he did not agree with me in opinion as to my honour or character +being implicated, yet that he saw no harm in the letter." He then said, +"You may tell those gentlemen who have threatened to be Buonaparte's +executioners, that the law of England awards death to murderers, and +that the certain consequence of such an act will be finishing their +career on a gallows."</p> + +<p>After quitting his Lordship, I had an interview with Sir Henry Bunbury, +previous to his setting out for London, and stated to him my feelings +respecting the cruelty of delivering up to the French Government, men +who had been received under the <span class="pagenum"><a id="page153" name="page153"></a>(p. 153)</span> protection of the British +flag. I said that I had no belief myself that any such intention +existed; but that they were so strongly impressed with the conviction of +it, that I had been induced to write to Lord Melville, and now begged to +state to him, that I should consider myself dishonoured for ever, if +they suffered death through my means. He listened, but did not speak +till I had finished; when he told me he would repeat what I had said to +his Majesty's Ministers.</p> + +<p>Madame Bertrand kept her bed the whole of this day, and did not appear +at dinner. When Buonaparte came upon deck, he asked Mr O'Meara, the +surgeon, after her health; and then said, with an incredulous smile, "Do +you really think, Doctor, she meant to drown herself?" I put the same +question to Montholon; who said he had not a doubt of it, for, when he +followed her into the cabin, she was in <span class="pagenum"><a id="page154" name="page154"></a>(p. 154)</span> the act of throwing +herself out of the gallery window; that he rushed forward and caught +hold of her, and that she continued suspended by the bar that goes +across the window, with the greater part of her body hanging out, until +he received assistance to drag her in. The bar above-mentioned had been +placed there for the purpose of preventing people from falling overboard +when the window was open and the ship had much motion at sea.</p> + +<p>On returning on board after being with Lord Keith, I went into Madame +Bertrand's cabin to see how she was, and found her in bed. I asked her, +how she could be so indiscreet as to attempt to destroy herself? "Oh! I +am driven to desperation," she said; "I do not know what I do; I cannot +persuade my husband to remain behind, he being determined to accompany +the Emperor to St Helena." She then ran into a great deal of abuse of +Napoleon, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page155" name="page155"></a>(p. 155)</span> saying, "If his ends are served, he does not care +what becomes of other people. 'Tis true he has always given Bertrand +lucrative and honourable situations, but the expense attending them is +such, that it was impossible to save money; and he has never given him a +grant of land, or any thing that permanently bettered our fortune."<a id="footnotetag9" name="footnotetag9"></a><a href="#footnote9" title="Go to footnote 9"><span class="smaller">[9]</span></a> +On another occasion, she came into the cabin which I occupied, when I +was writing, and, after exacting a promise of secrecy towards the +remainder of the suite, she entreated I would take measures to prevent +her husband from accompanying Buonaparte, and begged me to write a +letter in her name to Lord Keith, to induce him <span class="pagenum"><a id="page156" name="page156"></a>(p. 156)</span> to interfere. +I told her it would appear extremely officious in me to write on such a +subject, but that any thing she chose to put on paper I would deliver to +his Lordship. She did write, and I carried the letter; but his Lordship +declined interfering, desiring me to say, he considered it the duty of +every good wife to follow the fortunes of her husband. In the course of +the conversation above-mentioned, she became extremely warm in speaking +of Napoleon, saying, "He deserves nothing at our hands; and, indeed, +there is not one of his people who would not most gladly quit him." +Whenever she became animated, she could not pour out her feelings in the +English language fast enough, (though she spoke it remarkably well, +having received her education partly in England,) when she had always +recourse to French; and though I frequently reminded her that there was +nothing but a piece of canvass between us and the ward-room, where there +were <span class="pagenum"><a id="page157" name="page157"></a>(p. 157)</span> generally some of the French officers, I could by no +means keep her within bounds. The consequence of which was, that all she +said was heard and understood by one of them. When Madame Bertrand had +left me, Count Montholon requested to speak with me in private. He +carried me up to his cabin on the quarter-deck, where I found Generals +Gourgaud and Lallemand, who told me they had been informed of what +Madame Bertrand had said to me; and they had requested to see me, for +the purpose of contradicting her assertion, that they were desirous of +quitting Buonaparte: that, so far from that being the case, there was +not one of them that would not follow him with pleasure wherever he +might be sent, or that would not lay down his life to serve him: they +also required secrecy towards the Countess. I answered, "Why really, +gentlemen, this is very extraordinary; you pretend to know all that +passed in a private conversation I have had with <span class="pagenum"><a id="page158" name="page158"></a>(p. 158)</span> Madame +Bertrand, and then to bind me to secrecy: you may depend upon it, I will +enter into no such engagement, until I know by what means you obtained +your information." They then told me that one of them had been in the +quarter-gallery, and overheard all she said.</p> + +<p>Nothing of importance occurred during the 2nd of August. Buonaparte did +not appear upon deck; nor would he consent to nominate the people who +were to accompany him to St Helena; he still seemed to indulge a hope, +that the Government might be induced to reconsider the decision. I had +half an hour's conversation with him in the cabin: it consisted, on his +part, of complaints of the cruelty of sending him to St Helena. He +likewise asked me many questions about that island, as to its extent, +climate, and productions, whether it would be possible to take exercise +on horseback, if there was game of any kind upon it, &c.: <span class="pagenum"><a id="page159" name="page159"></a>(p. 159)</span> to +all of which I could only answer from report, never having visited the +island myself. He conversed very little at dinner, and appeared unwell. +In the evening, General Bertrand informed me that the sentinel's calling +out "All's well!" during the night disturbed him, and prevented his +sleeping; upon which I gave directions they should not do so while he +remained on board.</p> + +<p>During the 3rd of August Buonaparte kept his cabin. When I went to the +Admiral, I met him escorting some ladies, in company with Sir William +Lemon, to the Ville de Paris's barge. On being introduced to Sir +William, he told me that a report was in circulation that a boat was to +have been under the Bellerophon's stern the night before, at ten +o'clock, for the purpose of effecting Buonaparte's escape. Although I +gave no credit to the report, I immediately returned on board, and asked +the first lieutenant if Buonaparte had been seen <span class="pagenum"><a id="page160" name="page160"></a>(p. 160)</span> that morning; +he informed me that he had not attended breakfast, and that no person +had seen him but his own people. I then sent to the Eurotas, which lay +astern of the ship, to enquire if he had appeared at the stern windows; +but was answered in the negative: upon which I desired one of the young +gentlemen to go out on the spanker-boom and look into the cabin windows, +to ascertain if he was sitting on the sofa; but he could not discover +him in any part of the cabin. I then became extremely uneasy, and sent +my servant in to bring some paper out, who on entering found the object +of my anxiety stretched out on his bed with his clothes on, and the +curtains drawn close round him, with every appearance of being unwell. I +had before asked Count Bertrand about him, who said he had passed a bad +night, and was too ill to leave his apartment.</p> + +<p>Instead of retiring to his bed this evening <span class="pagenum"><a id="page161" name="page161"></a>(p. 161)</span> between eight and +nine o'clock, as was his usual custom, I heard him and another person (I +believe General Bertrand) pacing up and down the cabin until past +eleven; and in consequence gave directions to the officer of the watch +and the sentries to be particularly vigilant; and ordered one of the +guard-boats to remain under the ship's stern all night. He had still +declined all this day giving a list of those that he wished to attend +him to St Helena.</p> + +<p>At three in the morning of the 4th of August, the officer of the watch +brought me a letter from Lord Keith, informing me that a courier had +just arrived from London, and that it was probable the ship would be +required to put to sea at a moment's notice. In consequence of this +order, we unmoored at daylight, bent the top-gallant sails, and made +other preparations for getting under weigh. The Frenchmen were very +watchful of all our motions, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page162" name="page162"></a>(p. 162)</span> appeared much alarmed and +annoyed, and questioned me frequently as to the cause. I told them, what +was literally the fact, that I had received directions to be ready to +put to sea, but had no orders to carry it into effect; and that was all +I knew.</p> + +<p>Between seven and eight o'clock, I waited on Lord Keith, who said he had +received information that a habeas corpus had been taken out for the +purpose of bringing Buonaparte on shore, and that a lawyer was on his +way down to serve it; desiring me, therefore, to be ready to put to sea +whenever the signal might be made.</p> + +<p>On returning on board, I had an interview with Buonaparte, who was very +urgent to know why the ship was preparing for sea. I told him, by Lord +Keith's directions, that it was the intention of our Government, his +removal should take place at sea; and that we were going out to meet the +Northumberland, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page163" name="page163"></a>(p. 163)</span> the ship which was to convey him to St Helena.</p> + +<p>He begged I would write to Lord Keith, and say he wished very much to +see him; and Count Bertrand told me he was also desirous of having the +newspapers. I accordingly wrote to his Lordship, who was then on board +the Tonnant: who, however, declined visiting him, but sent me a note, of +which the following is an extract.</p> + +<h6>Extract of a Note from Admiral Viscount Keith, addressed to + Captain Maitland, of H.M.S. Bellerophon, dated Tonnant, 4th + August.</h6> + +<p>"I send you the paper, and shall be glad to hear the determination of +the General, whom you may inform that the answer is arrived from London, +and that I have no authority to alter, in any degree, any part of the +former communication; which induces me to wish the selection of the +persons he is inclined should attend him."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page164" name="page164"></a>(p. 164)</span> I communicated the contents to General Bertrand, who made his +report to Buonaparte. On his coming out of the cabin, I pressed him on +the subject of nominating those that were to go with him to St Helena; +but the only answer he returned was, "L'Empereur n'ira pas à St +Hélène;"—the Emperor will not go to St Helena.</p> + +<p>Soon after nine o'clock, the Bellerophon's signal was made to prepare to +weigh, and at half-past nine to weigh: we immediately started. As the +light air of wind that blew was right into the Sound, and the flood-tide +against us, the guard-boats were sent ahead to tow; but, soon observing +a suspicious-looking person in a boat approaching the ship, I ordered +one of them to cast off, keep under the ship's stern, and not allow any +shore boat, under any pretext, to come near us. The person alluded to +proved afterwards to have been the lawyer mentioned by Lord Keith; not +with a Habeas <span class="pagenum"><a id="page165" name="page165"></a>(p. 165)</span> Corpus, but a subpœna for Buonaparte to +attend a trial at the Court of King's Bench as a witness. He was, +however, foiled: as Lord Keith avoided him, and got on board the +Prometheus, off the Ramehead, where he remained until joined by the +Tonnant; while the guard-boat prevented him from approaching near enough +to the Bellerophon, to serve his writ on me.<a id="footnotetag10" name="footnotetag10"></a><a href="#footnote10" title="Go to footnote 10"><span class="smaller">[10]</span></a></p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page166" name="page166"></a>(p. 166)</span> While the ship was working out of the Sound, two well-dressed +women in a boat <span class="pagenum"><a id="page167" name="page167"></a>(p. 167)</span> kept as close to her as the guard-boat would +allow, and, whenever Buonaparte appeared <span class="pagenum"><a id="page168" name="page168"></a>(p. 168)</span> at the stern windows, +stood up and waved their handkerchiefs.</p> + +<p>On joining the Prometheus off the Ramehead, where Lord Keith's flag was +then flying, I received the following note from his Lordship.</p> + +<p class="right10 smaller">No date; received August 4th, in the Afternoon.</p> + +<p>"I have been chased all day by a lawyer with a Habeas Corpus: he is +landed at Cawsand, and may come off in a sailing-boat during the night; +of course, keep all sorts of boats off, as I will do the like in +whatever ship I may be in.</p> + +<p class="right10 smcap">Keith."</p> + +<p class="smaller noindent">"Captain Maitland."</p> + +<p>Buonaparte wrote another letter this evening to the Prince Regent, which +I carried to Lord Keith, who again told me of his having been chased all +day by a lawyer: who had first started him out of his own house, then +followed him to the <span class="pagenum"><a id="page169" name="page169"></a>(p. 169)</span> Tonnant, where he attempted to get in at +one side, as his Lordship left her on the other; he afterwards pursued +him towards Cawsand, but the Admiral being in a twelve-oared barge, +out-rowed him, and gave him the slip round the Ramehead. It was on his +return from this chase that he attempted to get on board the +Bellerophon.</p> + +<p>Buonaparte now confined himself entirely to his cabin, never coming on +deck, or appearing at breakfast or dinner. He was not served from the +table, but what he ate was prepared and carried in to him by Marchand, +his favourite valet de chambre. Messrs Bertrand and Las Cases passed +much time with him; and this evening the protest was prepared, which +will appear in the sequel.</p> + +<p>On the morning of the 5th of August, the weather was overcast, with a +strong breeze <span class="pagenum"><a id="page170" name="page170"></a>(p. 170)</span> of wind, and the sea began to rise, much to the +discomposure of my poor French guests. Soon after breakfast, my signal +being made from the Tonnant, where Lord Keith had now hoisted his flag, +I told General Bertrand that I was going to the Admiral, and would +convey anything Buonaparte had to say to him. He requested I would wait +until a letter or paper, then under preparation, was finished, which was +intended for me, but a copy to be presented to Lord Keith. I waited +nearly an hour, when he brought me Buonaparte's protest. I delivered it +to the Admiral, stating at the same time that I wished to have a copy; +and was afterwards furnished with one by his Lordship's secretary. I +insert it here.</p> + + +<h5><i>Buonaparte's Protest.</i></h5> + +<p>"Je proteste solennellement ici, à la face du Ciel et des hommes, contre +la violence qui m'est faite, contre la violation de mes <span class="pagenum"><a id="page171" name="page171"></a>(p. 171)</span> droits +les plus sacrés, en disposant par la force, de ma personne et de ma +liberté.</p> + +<p>"Je suis venu librement à bord du Bellerophon; je ne suis point +prisonnier; je suis l'hôte de l'Angleterre. J'y suis venu à +l'instigation même du Capitaine qui a dit avoir des ordres du +Gouvernement de me recevoir, et de me conduire en Angleterre avec ma +suite, si cela m'étoit agréable. Je me suis présenté de bonne foi pour +venir me mettre sous la protection des loix d'Angleterre. Aussitôt assis +à bord du Bellerophon, je fus sur le foyer du peuple Britannique. Si le +Gouvernement, en donnant des ordres au Capitaine du Bellerophon, de me +recevoir ainsi que ma suite, n'a voulu que tendre une embûche, il a +forfait à l'honneur et flêtri son pavillon. Si cet acte se consommoit, +ce seroit en vain que les Anglais voudroient parler à l'Europe de leur +loyauté, de leur loix, et de leur liberté. La foi Britannique <i>s'y +trouvera perdue dans l'hospitalité <span class="pagenum"><a id="page172" name="page172"></a>(p. 172)</span> du Bellerophon</i>. J'en +appelle à l'histoire; elle dira qu'un ennemi qui fit vingt ans la guerre +aux peuples Anglois, vint librement, dans son infortune, chercher un +asile sous ses loix. Quelle plus éclatante preuve pouvait-il lui donner +de son estime et de sa confiance? Mais comment répondit-on en Angleterre +à une telle magnanimité?—On feignit de tendre une main hospitalière à +cet ennemi, et quand il se fut livré de bonne foi, on l'immola.</p> + +<p class="right10">"Signé, <span class="smcap">Napoléon</span>."</p> + +<p class="smaller noindent">À bord du Bellerophon,<br> + 4 Août, 1815.</p> + + +<p class="center p2">TRANSLATION.</p> + +<p class="center"><i>Buonaparte's Protest.</i></p> + +<p>"I hereby solemnly protest, in the face of Heaven and of men, against +the violence done me, and against the violation of my most sacred +rights, in forcibly disposing of my person and my liberty. I came +voluntarily <span class="pagenum"><a id="page173" name="page173"></a>(p. 173)</span> on board of the Bellerophon; I am not a prisoner, +I am the guest of England. I came on board even at the instigation of +the Captain, who told me he had orders from the Government to receive me +and my suite, and conduct me to England, if agreeable to me. I presented +myself with good faith to put myself under the protection of the English +laws. As soon as I was on board the Bellerophon, I was under shelter of +the British people.</p> + +<p>"If the Government, in giving orders to the Captain of the Bellerophon +to receive me as well as my suite, only intended to lay a snare for me, +it has forfeited its honour and disgraced its flag.</p> + +<p>"If this act be consummated, the English will in vain boast to Europe of +their integrity, their laws, and their liberty. British good faith will +be lost in the hospitality of the Bellerophon.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page174" name="page174"></a>(p. 174)</span> "I appeal to History; it will say that an enemy, who for twenty +years waged war against the English people, came voluntarily, in his +misfortunes, to seek an asylum under their laws. What more brilliant +proof could he give of his esteem and his confidence? But what return +did England make for so much magnanimity? They feigned to stretch forth +a friendly hand to that enemy; and when he delivered himself up in good +faith, they sacrificed him.</p> + +<p class="right10">"Signed, <span class="smcap">Napoleon</span>."</p> + +<p class="smaller noindent">"On board the Bellerophon,<br> + 4th August 1815."</p> + +<p>On the above I shall only observe, that no snare had been laid, either +on the part of His Majesty's Government or mine. I was placed before +Rochefort for the open purpose of preventing Buonaparte from making his +escape from that port; and the exertions of myself and those under my +command had been so completely successful, that the <span class="pagenum"><a id="page175" name="page175"></a>(p. 175)</span> intention +of forcing past the ships under my orders, as well as every other plan +proposed, of which there appear to have been several, were abandoned as +utterly hopeless. And so far was I from seeking communication with +Napoleon, that all the flags of truce proceeding from him, were strongly +reprobated by me, as improper, except in extraordinary cases, and were +only resorted to when, as appears from Lord Keith's letter of the 23rd +of July, orders had been sent from Paris for his arrest, and when (as +has since been proved) one or more intimations had been given by the +officer commanding in Isle d'Aix, that, if he did not depart, he would +be under the necessity of detaining him. Besides, it is now perfectly +ascertained, that the determination of repairing to England was adopted +at a consultation held by Buonaparte on the night of the 13th of July, +when his letter to the Prince Regent was written; and Messrs Las Cases +and Lallemand were sent on the morning of <span class="pagenum"><a id="page176" name="page176"></a>(p. 176)</span> the 14th to discover +if I would receive him on board the Bellerophon, and convey him to that +country.</p> + +<p>On the morning of the 6th of August, when walking the deck with Monsieur +Las Cases, he for the first time mentioned, that he understood me to +have assured him that the Emperor would be well received in England, and +allowed to reside there. I replied, "I cannot conceive how you could so +far misunderstand me, as I constantly, in my communications with you, +stated that I could make no promises whatever: that I thought my orders +would bear me out in receiving him on board, and conveying him to +England; but even in doing that, I acted very much upon my own +responsibility. You questioned me frequently, as to my private opinion; +and as I was quite ignorant upon the subject, I could only say I had no +reason to believe he would be ill received." It did not, however, +require my assistance <span class="pagenum"><a id="page177" name="page177"></a>(p. 177)</span> to raise the hopes of those about +Buonaparte, respecting the manner in which he was to be received in +England; as one of his followers, on the passage home, asked me if I +thought the Prince Regent would confer the order of the Garter upon him. +If there was any misunderstanding, (which I cannot allow to have been +the case,) Monsieur Las Cases has himself to blame. When he came on +board of the Bellerophon for the purpose of treating, he concealed his +knowledge of the English language; which, as I had considerable +difficulty in expressing myself in French, could only be intended for +the purpose of throwing me off my guard, that he might take advantage of +any expressions that fell from me, or the officers I had always present +at our meetings. Even after he was on board with Buonaparte, though he +acknowledged he could read English, and always translated the newspapers +for his master, he affected not to be able to speak it. What his actual +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page178" name="page178"></a>(p. 178)</span> knowledge of the language was, the following extract of a +letter, from a friend of mine on board the Northumberland, dated at sea, +August the 22nd, 1815, will show:</p> + +<p>"I do not know, whether Las Cases ever let you know he could speak +English; but this I can assure you, that he speaks it very near as well +as Madame Bertrand, and can hold a conversation, or maintain an argument +in it, with as much fluency as she can."</p> + +<p>This forenoon, I had a long conversation with Buonaparte. He complained +bitterly of the conduct of the British Government; and entered, at +considerable length, into the state of his affairs when he determined +upon the measure of repairing on board the Bellerophon. "There still," +said he, "was a large party in the South, that wished me to put myself +at its head; the army behind the Loire was also desirous of my return. +At ten o'clock of the night before I embarked, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page179" name="page179"></a>(p. 179)</span> a deputation +from the garrison of Rochelle waited upon me, with an offer to conduct +me to the army; in addition to which, the troops that were in Rochefort, +Bourdeaux, and Isle d'Aix, amounting to twelve thousand men, were at my +disposal. But I saw there was no prospect of ultimate success, though I +might have occasioned a great deal of trouble and bloodshed, which I did +not choose should take place on my account individually;—while the +Empire was at stake, it was another matter."</p> + +<p>In the afternoon, Mr O'Meara, the surgeon, informed me that General +Savary had made a proposal to him to accompany Buonaparte to St Helena +as his medical attendant; Monsieur Maingaut, his surgeon, being a young +man with whom he was little acquainted, having suffered so much from +seasickness in the passage from Rochefort, that he felt averse to +undertaking another sea voyage. He consulted me as to the propriety +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page180" name="page180"></a>(p. 180)</span> of accepting the offer. I told him it must depend very much +upon his own feelings; but if he had no dislike to it, he had better +accept the proposal, on condition that our Government consented, and +agreed to pay his salary; but, in that case, an official communication +must pass, through me, to the Admiral on the subject. This was the first +intimation I received of Buonaparte having made any arrangement towards +complying with the notification he had received from our Government.</p> + +<p>About nine <span class="smcap">A.M.</span> a large ship was seen to leeward, which, on closing, +proved to be the Northumberland. The whole squadron then stood in, and +anchored to the westward of Berryhead. I went on board the Tonnant, and +reported to Lord Keith that Buonaparte had at last made up his mind to +move from the Bellerophon without force being used; and that Count +Bertrand was desirous of seeing his Lordship, that he might make the +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page181" name="page181"></a>(p. 181)</span> necessary arrangements about the people who were to accompany +him. By the Admiral's directions, I returned to my ship and brought +Monsieur Bertrand to him. Soon after Sir George Cockburn arrived, and +they were shut up together for nearly two hours.</p> + +<p>When I first went on board the Tonnant, I received a memorandum from +Lord Keith, from which I give an extract; and at the same time a verbal +intimation, that I should receive an order in writing the next day, to, +remove Buonaparte, and such part of his suite as he might select, to the +Northumberland.</p> + +<h6>Extract of a Memorandum from Admiral Viscount Keith, G.C.B., + addressed to Captain Maitland, of H.M.S. Bellerophon, dated + Tonnant, off the Start, 6th August, 1815.</h6> + +<p>"All arms of every description are to be taken from the Frenchmen of all +ranks on board the ship you command; and they are <span class="pagenum"><a id="page182" name="page182"></a>(p. 182)</span> to be +carefully packed up and kept in your charge, while they remain on board +the Bellerophon; and afterwards in that of the captain of the ship to +which they may be removed."</p> + +<p>While we were at dinner, Generals Bertrand and Montholon were employed +making out lists of what would be required by the French officers and +the ladies, to render them comfortable during their voyage to St Helena, +which were despatched to Plymouth by Sir George Cockburn's secretary.</p> + +<p>In the course of the evening Lord Keith and Sir George Cockburn came on +board the Bellerophon; when the latter was introduced to Buonaparte.</p> + +<p>As soon as General Bertrand was at leisure, I told him I had orders to +remove Napoleon to the Northumberland the following day, and also to +take away the arms <span class="pagenum"><a id="page183" name="page183"></a>(p. 183)</span> from him and his attendants, giving him to +understand that they would be returned on their arrival at their +destination. He seemed much hurt at being deprived of his arms, but said +he would give directions for their being delivered; and I received them +the next morning, with the exception of Buonaparte's sword, which, by an +order I subsequently received from Lord Keith, he was permitted to wear, +when quitting the ship.</p> + +<p>About half-past nine in the evening, Mons. Bertrand told me that +Buonaparte was desirous of seeing me. On going into his cabin, he said, +"Bertrand informs me you have received orders to remove me to the +Northumberland; is it so?" I answered in the affirmative. "Have you any +objection," he said, "to writing a letter to Bertrand, acquainting him +of it; that I may have a document to prove that I was forced to quit the +ship, and that my inclinations <span class="pagenum"><a id="page184" name="page184"></a>(p. 184)</span> were not consulted." I replied, +"I can have no objection to write such a letter, and shall do it this +evening." I was then going to retire, when he requested me to remain, +having more to say. "Your Government," he continued, "has treated me +with much severity, and in a very different way from what I had hoped +and expected, from the opinion I had formed of the character of your +countrymen. It is true I have always been the enemy of England, but it +has ever been an open and declared one; and I paid it the highest +compliment it was possible for man to do in throwing myself on the +generosity of your Prince: I have not now to learn, however, that it is +not fair to judge of the character of a people by the conduct of their +Government." He then went on, (alluding to the Government,) "They say I +made no conditions. Certainly I made no conditions; how could an +individual enter into terms with a nation? I wanted nothing of them but +hospitality, or, as the ancients would <span class="pagenum"><a id="page185" name="page185"></a>(p. 185)</span> express it, 'air and +water.' My only wish was to purchase a small property in England, and +end my life there in peace and tranquillity. As for you, Capitaine," +(the name by which he always addressed me) "I have no cause of +complaint; your conduct to me has been that of a man of honour; but I +cannot help feeling the severity of my fate, in having the prospect of +passing the remainder of my life on a desert island. But," added he with +a strong emphasis, "if your Government give up Savary and Lallemand to +the King of France, they will inflict a stain upon the British name that +no time can efface." I told him, in that respect, they were under an +erroneous impression; that I was convinced it was not the intention of +his Majesty's Ministers to deliver them up. "Je l'espère," "I hope so;" +was his only reply.—I then took my leave of him for the night.</p> + +<p>That I may not break in upon the occurrences <span class="pagenum"><a id="page186" name="page186"></a>(p. 186)</span> of the 7th, I +shall here insert the letter I wrote at Buonaparte's request, and a copy +of the orders under which I acted in removing him from the Bellerophon +to the Northumberland.</p> + +<p class="right10 smaller">"H.M.S. Bellerophon, Start Bay,<br> +<span class="right5">7th August, 1815.</span></p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Sir</span>,</p> + +<p>"I beg to acquaint you that I have this day received orders from Lord +Keith, Commander in Chief of the Channel Fleet, to remove General +Buonaparte from the ship I command, to his Majesty's ship +Northumberland; and I have to request you will intimate the above to the +General, that he may prepare for the removal.</p> + +<p>"I likewise enclose a copy of an order respecting the arms of General +Buonaparte and the whole of his attendants, and request you will give +directions for their being <span class="pagenum"><a id="page187" name="page187"></a>(p. 187)</span> delivered to me, that they may be +disposed of as the order directs.</p> + +<p class="leftaligned"> +<span class="left10">"I have the honour to be,</span><br> +<span class="left20">&c. &c. &c.</span><br> +<span class="left50 smcap">Fred. L. Maitland."</span></p> + +<p class="smaller noindent">"Lieut. General Count Bertrand."</p> + +<h6>Copy of the order alluded to.</h6> + +<p class="right10">"By the Right Hon. Viscount Keith, G.C.B.,<br> + &c. &c. &c.</p> + +<p>"You are hereby required and directed to deliver the persons, named +below, into the charge of Rear Admiral Sir George Cockburn.</p> + +<p class="leftaligned"> +<span class="left10">"Given on board the Tonnant,</span><br> +<span class="left10">At anchor under Berryhead,</span><br> +<span class="left20">7th August, 1815.</span><br> +<span class="left50"><span class="smcap">Keith</span>, Admiral.</span></p> + +<p class="left20">"By command of the Admiral,<br> + "<span class="smcap">James Meek</span>, Secretary."</p> + +<ul class="none smaller"> +<li>"To F. L. Maitland, Esq.</li> +<li>Captain of H.M.S. Bellerophon."</li> +<li><span class="pagenum"><a id="page188" name="page188"></a>(p. 188)</span> General Buonaparte.</li> +<li>Count Bertrand, his Wife, three children, one female servant, and her child.</li> +<li>General Montholon, his Wife, one child, and one female servant.</li> +<li>General Gourgaud.</li> +<li>Le Comte de Las Cases, and his son.</li> +<li>Marchand, Premier Valet de Chambre.</li> +<li>St Denis, ditto.</li> +<li>Novarra, ditto.</li> +<li>Piéron, Chef d'Office.</li> +<li>Le Page, Cuisinier.</li> +<li>Archambaud, Premier Valet de Pied.</li> +<li>Gentilini, Valet de Pied.</li> +<li>Bernard, domestique du Comte Bertrand.</li> +</ul> + +<p>The four domestics underneath, who had come to England in the Myrmidon, +also accompanied him:—</p> + +<ul class="none smaller"> +<li>Cipriani, Maître d'Hôtel.</li> +<li>Santini, Huissier.</li> +<li>Rousseau, Lampiste.</li> +<li>Archambaud, Valet de Pied.</li> +</ul> + +<h6><span class="pagenum"><a id="page189" name="page189"></a>(p. 189)</span> Extract of a Letter from Admiral Viscount Keith, G.C.B., + addressed to Captain Maitland, of H.M.S. Bellerophon, dated + Tonnant, off Berryhead, 7th August, 1815.</h6> + +<p>"When the General quits the ship, it is not intended to take his sword +from him, but to let him wear it, but not the others. Pistols, guns, &c. +must, <i>as in all instances</i>, be removed for the safety of the ship, but +the arms are carefully to be kept, and restored at a proper occasion."</p> + +<p>On the morning of the 7th of August, 1815, Count Las Cases made an +application to me for permission to wait on Lord Keith, having a +communication to make to him. I, in consequence, went to his Lordship, +and obtained leave to send him. When the Admiral came on board the +Bellerophon, in the forenoon, to attend Buonaparte in his removal to the +Northumberland, he informed me that Monsieur Las Cases had represented +to him, that I had promised Buonaparte should <span class="pagenum"><a id="page190" name="page190"></a>(p. 190)</span> be well received +in England, and allowed to remain there; and the same day he wrote a +letter to me containing the above statement, and directing me to report +upon it, which I afterwards did, as will hereafter appear.</p> + +<p>Count Bertrand was employed, during the morning, making out a list of +those that were to proceed to St Helena with Buonaparte, in which +General Gourgaud's name was omitted, and Colonel Planat was nominated +his Secretary. This offended Monsieur Gourgaud so much, that he made use +of some very strong language to General Bertrand; and after a good deal +of altercation, it was arranged, I believe by Buonaparte himself, that +Gourgaud should take Planat's place. There was also another cause of +disagreement. The number of domestics allowed to go to St Helena being +only twelve, did not admit of all the officers taking their personal +attendants; General <span class="pagenum"><a id="page191" name="page191"></a>(p. 191)</span> Montholon was obliged to leave a servant +who had been with him many years, and Count Bertrand's was the only +exception.</p> + +<p>General Bertrand had been so much employed all the morning making +preparations for their removal, that he did not come to breakfast until +every one had finished; his wife remained at the table, as I did also, +as a mark of attention to him. She soon commenced an attack on her +husband, to induce him to quit Buonaparte and remain in England. He +seemed much distressed, but remained silent. At last, she turned to me, +and begged I would give an opinion, and use my influence in favour of +her proposal. I said, "Madame Bertrand, I have from the beginning +endeavoured to avoid meddling in the very unpleasant discussions that +have been going on for some days; but, as you demand my opinion, and +force me to give it, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page192" name="page192"></a>(p. 192)</span> I must acquaint you that I think, if your +husband quits his master at such a time as the present, he will forfeit +the very high character he now bears in this country." I then rose from +the table and went upon deck.</p> + +<p>A short time after, Madame Bertrand came on deck, and, addressing me +with much indignation in her countenance, said, "So, Captain Maitland, I +hear the Emperor is not to have the whole of the after-cabin on board +the Northumberland." I told her, I understood that Sir George Cockburn +had received orders to that effect. "They had better treat him like a +dog at once," said she, "and put him down in the hold." I had for +several days been kept in a state of irritation that cannot be +described, and such as few people have had an opportunity of +experiencing. Madame Bertrand had, it will be readily understood, some +share in <span class="pagenum"><a id="page193" name="page193"></a>(p. 193)</span> causing this; and on her making the above remark, I +am sorry to say, the little self-possession that still remained gave +way, and I answered in these words, "Madam, you talk like a very foolish +woman; and if you cannot speak more to the purpose, or with more respect +of the Government I have the honour to serve, I request you will not +address yourself to me." Just before she went out of the ship, however, +she came up to me in a conciliatory and friendly manner, that did her +the highest honour, and said, "Captain Maitland, you called me a very +foolish woman this morning, but I should be sorry to part with you on +bad terms; have you any objection to shake hands with me? as God knows +if we shall ever meet again." "Very far from it," I answered; "I should +be extremely sorry you left the ship without receiving my good wishes +for your happiness and prosperity; and if, in the warmth of my temper, +and under the <span class="pagenum"><a id="page194" name="page194"></a>(p. 194)</span> harassing circumstances of my situation, I have +said anything unpleasant, I most sincerely beg your pardon, and hope you +will forgive and forget it."</p> + +<p>Soon after breakfast, Marchand came and said the Emperor wished to see +me: I went into the cabin. "I have requested to see you, Captain," said +he, "to return you my thanks for your kindness and attention to me +whilst I have been on board the Bellerophon, and likewise to beg you +will convey them to the officers and ship's company you command. My +reception in England has been very different from what I expected; but +it gives me much satisfaction to assure you, that I feel your conduct to +me throughout has been that of a gentleman and a man of honour." He then +said, he was desirous of having Mr O'Meara, the surgeon of the +Bellerophon, to accompany him; and asked my opinion of him in his +medical capacity, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page195" name="page195"></a>(p. 195)</span> as well as of his principles. I replied, +that I had the highest opinion of him, both for his skill and attention; +that he had given me so much satisfaction while under my command, that I +had procured his removal from two different ships in which he had served +with me previous to my appointment to the Bellerophon, that he might +accompany me; and that I was convinced he was a man of principle and +integrity. After conversing some time longer with him, during which he +spoke in the warmest terms of affection of General Bertrand, and the +obligations he felt to him for his remaining with him during his +adversity, when he knew strong efforts had been used to induce him to +abandon him, I took my leave; and this was the last time I was ever +alone with him.</p> + +<p>Soon after, Sir George Cockburn came on board, attended by Mr Byng as +his secretary, for the purpose of examining Buonaparte's <span class="pagenum"><a id="page196" name="page196"></a>(p. 196)</span> +baggage: he had directions to apply to some person of his suite to +attend at the search. The proposal was made to Count Bertrand; but he +was so indignant at the measure, that he positively refused either to be +present himself or to direct any other person to superintend. General +Savary, however, consented, and was present, as well as Marchand. The +covers of the trunks were merely opened, and Mr Byng passed his hand +down the side, but the things were not unpacked. Once or twice, when the +door of the after-cabin was opened, Buonaparte expressed his obligation +to Mr Byng for the delicate manner in which he conducted the search, by +bowing to him. When they came to the boxes containing the money, of +which there were two, Marchand was permitted to take out such sum as was +considered necessary for paying the wages of the servants that were to +be left behind, and for other contingent expenses. <span class="pagenum"><a id="page197" name="page197"></a>(p. 197)</span> One box, +containing four thousand gold Napoleons, was retained and put under my +charge, where it remained until my arrival in London, when I delivered +it to Sir Hudson Lowe to be restored to its owner, as will be seen by +the following order, receipts, &c.</p> + +<p class="right10">"By the Right Hon. Viscount Keith, G.C.B.,<br> + &c. &c. &c.</p> + +<p>"You are hereby required and directed to receive into your custody such +a sum of money belonging to General Buonaparte, as will be delivered +into your charge by Rear-Admiral Sir George Cockburn, granting proper +receipts for the same.</p> + +<p class="leftaligned"> +<span class="left10">"Given on board the Tonnant,</span><br> +<span class="left10">At anchor under Berryhead,</span><br> +<span class="left20">7th August, 1815,</span><br> +<span class="left50">"<span class="smcap">Keith</span>, Admiral."</span></p> + +<p class="smaller noindent">"To F. L. Maitland, Esq.<br> + Captain of H.M.S. Bellerophon."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page198" name="page198"></a>(p. 198)</span> "J'ai laissé le sept d'août, à bord du Bellerophon, à Monsieur +le Capitaine Maitland, une somme de quatre vingt mille francs, en quatre +mille Napoleons d'or.</p> + +<p class="right10"><span class="right5 smcap">"Marchand,</span><br> + Premier Valet de Chambre."</p> + +<p>On the 7th of August, I have left on board the Bellerophon, in charge of +Captain Maitland, the sum of eighty thousand francs, in four thousand +gold Napoleons.</p> + +<p class="right10"><span class="right5 smcap">Marchand,</span><br> + 1st Valet de Chambre.</p> + +<p>"I acknowledge to have received a box with four paper packages, <i>said</i> +to contain four thousand gold Napoleons, the property of Napoleon +Buonaparte.</p> + +<p class="right10">"August 7th, 1815,<br> + <span class="smcap">"Fred. L. Maitland</span>."</p> + +<p class="smaller noindent">"Approved, George Cockburn."</p> + +<p>As I shall not have to revert to the <span class="pagenum"><a id="page199" name="page199"></a>(p. 199)</span> subject of the money, I +shall here subjoin the receipt I obtained on delivering it at the +Admiralty Office, though it is of a date some time posterior.</p> + +<p class="right10 smaller">"Admiralty, September 14, 1815.</p> + +<p>"Received from Captain Maitland a box, containing four packages, marked +each 20,000 francs, and said to contain four thousand Napoleons d'or."</p> + +<p class="right10">"H. <span class="smcap">Lowe</span>, Major General."</p> + +<p>About eleven <span class="smcap">A.M.</span>, Lord Keith came on board in the Tonnant's barge, to +accompany Buonaparte from the Bellerophon to the Northumberland. Count +Bertrand immediately went into the cabin to inform him of his Lordship's +arrival: it was, however, full two hours before it was reported that he +was ready to attend him. About one o'clock, the barge of the Admiral was +prepared; a Captain's guard turned out, and by Lord Keith's direction, +as Napoleon <span class="pagenum"><a id="page200" name="page200"></a>(p. 200)</span> crossed the quarter-deck to leave the ship, the +guard presented arms, and three ruffles of the drum were beat, being the +salute given to a General Officer.</p> + +<p>He walked out of the cabin with a steady, firm step, came up to me, and, +taking off his hat, said, "Captain Maitland, I take this last +opportunity of once more returning you my thanks for the manner in which +you have treated me while on board the Bellerophon, and also to request +you will convey them to the officers and ship's company you command:" +then turning to the Officers, who were standing by me, he added, +"Gentlemen, I have requested your Captain to express my gratitude to you +for your attention to me, and to those who have followed my fortunes." +He then went forward to the gangway; and before he went down the ship's +side, bowed two or three times to the ship's company, who were collected +in the waist and on the forecastle; <span class="pagenum"><a id="page201" name="page201"></a>(p. 201)</span> he was followed by the +ladies and the French Officers, and lastly by Lord Keith. After the boat +had shoved off, and got the distance of about thirty yards from the +ship, he stood up, pulled his hat off, and bowed first to the Officers, +and then to the men; and immediately sat down, and entered into +conversation with Lord Keith, with as much apparent composure as if he +had been only going from one ship to the other to pay a visit.</p> + +<p>About a quarter of an hour before Buonaparte quitted the Bellerophon, +Montholon came to me on the quarter-deck, and said, "I am directed by +the Emperor to return you his thanks for the manner in which you have +conducted yourself throughout the whole of this affair; and he desires +me to say, that the greatest cause of disappointment he feels in not +being admitted to an interview with the Prince Regent is, that he had +intended to ask as a favour from his <span class="pagenum"><a id="page202" name="page202"></a>(p. 202)</span> Royal Highness, that you +should be promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral." I answered, "that +although the request could not have been complied with under any +circumstances, as it was contrary to the regulations of our naval +service, yet I do not the less feel the kindness of the intention." "He +meant also," he said, "to have presented you with a box containing his +portrait, but he understands you are determined not to accept it." I +replied, "In the situation I am placed, it is quite impossible I can +receive any present from him." "He is perfectly aware," said he, "of the +delicacy of your situation, and approves of your conduct." I then said, +"I feel much hurt that Count Las Cases should have stated to Lord Keith, +that I had promised Buonaparte should be well received in England, or +indeed made promises of any sort. I have endeavoured to conduct myself +with integrity and honour throughout the whole of this transaction, and +therefore cannot allow such an assertion to go uncontradicted." +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page203" name="page203"></a>(p. 203)</span> "Oh!" said he, "Las Cases negotiated this business; it has +turned out very differently from what he and all of us expected. He +attributes the Emperor's situation to himself, and is therefore desirous +of giving it the best countenance he can; but I assure you, the Emperor +is convinced your conduct has been most honourable": then taking my +hand, he pressed it, and added, "and that is my opinion also."</p> + +<a id="img007" name="img007"></a> +<div class="figcenter"> +<img src="images/img007.jpg" width="300" height="351" alt="" title=""> +<p class="smcap">Tumbler given to Captain Maitland by Napoleon</p> +</div> + +<p>In the course of the afternoon, I attended General Savary and Lallemand +on board the Northumberland, where they went for the purpose of taking a +last farewell of their master. I had very little conversation with him +myself, but they remained with him a considerable time. When I was about +to return to my ship, I went into the cabin to tell them they must +accompany me. They approached him in the after-cabin, where he was +standing, when he embraced each of them most affectionately, after the +French <span class="pagenum"><a id="page204" name="page204"></a>(p. 204)</span> manner, putting his arms round them, and touching their +cheeks with his. He was firm and collected; but, in turning from him, +the tears were streaming from their eyes. On getting on board, all the +squadron got under weigh, the Tonnant and Bellerophon to return to +Plymouth, the Northumberland, with two troop ships in company, to +proceed to St Helena. The following day she was joined by a frigate and +several sloops of war from Plymouth, when she made sail to the westward.</p> + +<p>Having now brought my narrative down to the period of Buonaparte's +quitting the ship, it only remains for me to give some account of his +person and character, as far as it fell under my view. In doing so, I +shall endeavour, as far as possible, in the same spirit with which the +foregoing narrative is written, to avoid being biassed, either by +favourable or unfavourable feelings towards him. What he may have been +when at the head of <span class="pagenum"><a id="page205" name="page205"></a>(p. 205)</span> the French Empire, with the destiny of the +greater part of Europe under his control, I have no peculiar means of +knowing; all I can pretend to do is, to describe him as he was on board +the Bellerophon; adding a few anecdotes, which have been omitted in the +course of the narrative, as serving to throw some further light upon his +character.</p> + +<p>Napoleon Buonaparte, when he came on board the Bellerophon, on the 15th +of July, 1815, wanted exactly one month of completing his forty-sixth +year, being born the 15th of August, 1769. He was then a remarkably +strong, well-built man, about five feet seven inches high, his limbs +particularly well-formed, with a fine ancle and very small foot, of +which he seemed rather vain, as he always wore, while on board the ship, +silk stockings and shoes. His hands were also very small, and had the +plumpness of a woman's rather than the robustness of a man's. His eyes +light grey, teeth good; and <span class="pagenum"><a id="page206" name="page206"></a>(p. 206)</span> when he smiled, the expression of +his countenance was highly pleasing; when under the influence of +disappointment, however, it assumed a dark gloomy cast. His hair was of +a very dark brown, nearly approaching to black, and, though a little +thin on the top and front, had not a grey hair amongst it. His +complexion was a very uncommon one, being of a light sallow colour, +differing from almost any other I ever met with. From his having become +corpulent, he had lost much of his personal activity, and, if we are to +give credit to those who attended him, a very considerable portion of +his mental energy was also gone. It is certain his habits were very +lethargic while he was on board the Bellerophon; for though he went to +bed between eight and nine o'clock in the evening, and did not rise till +about the same hour in the morning, he frequently fell asleep on the +sofa in the cabin in the course of the day. His general appearance was +that of a man rather older than he then was. His manners <span class="pagenum"><a id="page207" name="page207"></a>(p. 207)</span> were +extremely pleasing and affable: he joined in every conversation, related +numerous anecdotes, and endeavoured, in every way, to promote good +humour: he even admitted his attendants to great familiarity; and I saw +one or two instances of their contradicting him in the most direct +terms, though they generally treated him with much respect. He +possessed, to a wonderful degree, a facility in making a favourable +impression upon those with whom he entered into conversation: this +appeared to me to be accomplished by turning the subject to matters he +supposed the person he was addressing was well acquainted with, and on +which he could show himself to advantage. This had the effect of putting +him in good humour with himself; after which it was not a very difficult +matter to transfer a part of that feeling to the person who had +occasioned it. Lord Keith appears to have formed a very high opinion of +the fascination of his conversation, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page208" name="page208"></a>(p. 208)</span> and expressed it very +emphatically to me, after he had seen him: speaking of his wish for an +interview with the Prince Regent, "D——n the fellow," he said, "if he +had obtained an interview with his Royal Highness, in half an hour they +would have been the best friends in England."<a id="footnotetag11" name="footnotetag11"></a><a href="#footnote11" title="Go to footnote 11"><span class="smaller">[11]</span></a> He appeared to have +great command of temper; for, though no man could have had greater +trials than fell to his lot during the time he remained on board the +Bellerophon, he never, in my presence, or as far as I know, allowed a +fretful or captious expression to escape him: even the day he received +the notification from Sir Henry Bunbury, that it was determined to send +him to St Helena, he chatted and conversed with the same cheerfulness as +usual. It has been asserted that he was acting a part all the time he +was on board <span class="pagenum"><a id="page209" name="page209"></a>(p. 209)</span> the ship; but still, even allowing that to be the +case, nothing but great command of temper could have enabled him to have +sustained such a part for so many days, in his situation.</p> + +<p>I shall here relate a circumstance that occurred during the passage to +England, which will show in a strong point of view the freedom that +subsisted between him and those of his attendants in whom he had +confidence. A conversation took place respecting the relative state of +cultivation in France and in England. My opinion being asked, I said, +that though the climate of France was much superior to that of England, +I believed that agriculture had arrived at a greater state of perfection +with us than in France. Most of the Frenchmen treated the idea with +ridicule; upon which I said, let us refer to Monsieur Las Cases, who has +lived several years in England. "You are right," said he; "there can be +no doubt, that agriculture has arrived to much <span class="pagenum"><a id="page210" name="page210"></a>(p. 210)</span> greater +perfection in England than in France; but what I admire most in England, +are the country-seats of your noblemen and gentlemen; there you surpass +France very much." General Bertrand then took up the conversation, and +said, that he was assured, that thirty thousand pounds sterling was +annually expended on the park and grounds of Blenheim. Buonaparte +immediately reduced that sum into livres; and observed, "The thing is +impossible: the English people are not fools; they know the value of +money, and no individual either could or would expend such a sum for +such a purpose." He then spoke of the expense of keeping up Malmaison, +one of the country palaces in France; stating the sum it cost annually, +which did not exceed five thousand pounds. Bertrand still persisted in +his statement, and made a reference to me. I, however, could give no +information further than saying, that from what I had heard of the Duke +of Marlborough's finances, he <span class="pagenum"><a id="page211" name="page211"></a>(p. 211)</span> could not possibly lay out any +such sum on Blenheim. Monsieur Bertrand would not give up the point, but +repeated his assertion. On which Buonaparte said, with quickness, "Bah! +c'est impossible." "Oh!" said Bertrand, much offended, "if you are to +reply in that manner, there is an end of all argument;" and for some +time would not converse with him. Buonaparte, so far from taking +umbrage, did all he could to soothe him and restore him to good-humour, +which was not very difficult to effect.</p> + +<p>One morning he began to talk of his wife and child, and desired Marchand +to bring two or three miniature pictures to show me: he spoke of them +with much feeling and affection. "I feel," said he, "the conduct of the +allied sovereigns to be more cruel and unjustifiable towards me in that +respect than in any other. Why should they deprive me of the comforts of +domestic society, and take from me what must be <span class="pagenum"><a id="page212" name="page212"></a>(p. 212)</span> the dearest +objects of affection to every man—my child, and the mother of that +child?" On his expressing himself as above, I looked him steadily in the +face, to observe whether he showed any emotion: the tears were standing +in his eyes, and the whole of his countenance appeared evidently under +the influence of a strong feeling of grief.</p> + +<p>There were two pictures of young Napoleon: one in the dress of a Polish +lancer, and the other with long curly flowing ringlets: they both +represented a fair, strong, chubby boy, with features very much +resembling those of his father. That of his mother, a very fair woman, +with good features, but by no means handsome.</p> + +<p>From the observations I was enabled to make, I very much doubt Monsieur +Savary's statement, that the passion of ambition was so completely +overcome in his bosom, "that had it been proposed to him again to ascend +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page213" name="page213"></a>(p. 213)</span> the throne of France, he would have declined it"; and I do +think, that if he had succeeded in eluding the British cruisers and +arrived in America, he would always have looked forward to returning to +France. In all his conversations, he spoke of ambition as a quality +absolutely necessary to form the character of a soldier. On one +occasion, Savary spoke of Kleber, (who was left by Napoleon in command +of the army when he quitted Egypt,) in terms of high encomium; this +brought on a discussion upon the respective merits of that officer and +Dessaix, whose aid-de-camp Savary had been during the negotiation of the +convention of El Arish. Buonaparte, speaking of Kleber, bestowed upon +him great praise as an officer; but he added, "He was deficient in one +of the most necessary qualifications of a soldier,—ambition. He was +indolent, and required constant spurring. Dessaix, on the contrary, had +all his abilities, which were kept in constant activity by a mind whose +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page214" name="page214"></a>(p. 214)</span> ambition there was no satisfying; and, had they both lived to +the present period, he would have been much the greater man of the two."</p> + +<p>It does not appear from the statement of Buonaparte's attendants, that +he had made any very considerable provision for the future, in the event +of a reverse of fortune. They often regretted his poverty; and Madame +Bertrand assured me that he was not possessed of more than a million of +francs—forty-two thousand pounds of our money<a id="footnotetag12" name="footnotetag12"></a><a href="#footnote12" title="Go to footnote 12"><span class="smaller">[12]</span></a>; which, if correct, +is certainly not a very large sum for a man who had had so many millions +at his disposal. "The <span class="pagenum"><a id="page215" name="page215"></a>(p. 215)</span> Emperor has always declared," she said, +"that he would rise or fall with the country, and never would enrich +himself out of the public property." He also upon one occasion, when +there was some intention of leaving Madame Bertrand with her children in +England, after stating Bertrand's poverty as an objection to that +arrangement, said to me, "My finances are not such as to enable me to +give him much assistance."</p> + +<p>Buonaparte's carriage, which was taken at the battle of Waterloo by the +Prussian cavalry, contained many articles of great value. In it was a +necessaire, in which all the instruments, bason, &c. were composed of +gold; a sword set with diamonds, and a diamond necklace, estimated at a +very large sum of money, which one of his sisters (I think, the Princess +of Borghese) put round his neck the night he took leave of her at Paris, +on his setting out to join the army previous to the battle of Waterloo, +and <span class="pagenum"><a id="page216" name="page216"></a>(p. 216)</span> which he had taken off and deposited in a secret place in +the carriage; Marchand, his valet de chambre, being so nearly taken by +the Prussian hussars, that he quitted the carriage without having time +to secure it. But I have since learned from Las Cases's Memoirs, that +the necklace alluded to was saved, and that Las Cases had it concealed +about his person all the time he was on board the Bellerophon.</p> + +<p>It has been stated in many of the public prints, that had not the +Marquis of Anglesea received a wound when he was leading on a charge, +Buonaparte must have fallen into his hands. In consequence of observing +this assertion, I asked Generals Bertrand and Gourgaud whether they knew +if any such occurrence had taken place: both of whom replied, "Certainly +not; the Emperor was frequently in the midst of the British troops +(pêle-mêle avec les troupes Angloises); but at no time during the battle +was he in <span class="pagenum"><a id="page217" name="page217"></a>(p. 217)</span> danger of being captured by a charge of cavalry."</p> + +<p>The midshipmen of the Bellerophon were in the habit of occasionally +performing plays, to amuse themselves and the officers during the +tedious operations of a blockade. Buonaparte being told of it by Savary, +requested that they would oblige him by acting one for his amusement. +During the performance, Madame Bertrand sat next to him, and +interpreted. He appeared much amused, and laughed very heartily at our +ladies, who were personated by great strapping fellows dressed in +women's clothes, and not in the most tidy fashion. He had the patience +to remain to the end of the third act, though, when attending the Opera +at Paris, he had always retired at the end of the first.</p> + +<p>I heard several of the French officers discussing the merits of the +British troops. <span class="pagenum"><a id="page218" name="page218"></a>(p. 218)</span> One of them said, "The cavalry is superb." I +observed, "In England we have a higher opinion of our infantry." "You +are right," said he; "there is none such in the world: there is no +making an impression on them: you may as well attempt to charge through +a wall: and their fire is tremendous." Another of them observed: "A +great fault in your cavalry is their not having their horses +sufficiently under command: there must be something wrong in the bit, as +on one or two occasions in a charge, they could not stop their horses: +our troops opened to the right and left, let them pass through, and then +closed their ranks again, when they were either killed or taken +prisoners."</p> + +<p>I never heard Buonaparte speak of the battle of Waterloo, or give an +opinion of the Duke of Wellington; but I asked General Bertrand what +Napoleon thought of him. "Why," replied he, "I will give <span class="pagenum"><a id="page219" name="page219"></a>(p. 219)</span> you +his opinion nearly in the words he delivered it to me. 'The Duke of +Wellington, in the management of an army, is fully equal to myself, with +the advantage of possessing more prudence.'"</p> + +<p>During the time that Buonaparte was on board the Bellerophon, we always +lived expressly for his accommodation—entirely in the French manner; +that is to say, a hot meal was served at ten o'clock in the morning, and +another at six in the evening; and so nearly did they resemble each +other in all respects, that a stranger might have found difficulty, in +coming into the cabin, to distinguish breakfast from dinner. His maître +d'hôtel took the joints off the table, cut them up in portions, and then +handed them round. Buonaparte ate a great deal, and generally of strong +solid food: in drinking he was extremely abstemious, confining himself +almost entirely to claret, and seldom taking more than half-a-pint at a +meal. <span class="pagenum"><a id="page220" name="page220"></a>(p. 220)</span> Immediately after dinner, strong coffee was handed +round, and then some cordial; after which he rose from table, the whole +meal seldom lasting more than twenty or twenty-five minutes: and I was +told, that during the time he was at the head of the French Government, +he never allowed more than fifteen minutes for that purpose.</p> + +<p>After he had quitted the ship, being desirous to know the feeling of the +ship's company towards him, I asked my servant what the people said of +him. "Why, Sir," he answered, "I heard several of them conversing +together about him this morning; when one of them observed, 'Well, they +may abuse that man as much as they please; but if the people of England +knew him as well as we do, they would not hurt a hair of his head;' in +which the others agreed." This was the more extraordinary, as he never +went through the ship's company <span class="pagenum"><a id="page221" name="page221"></a>(p. 221)</span> but once, immediately after +his coming on board, when I attended him, and he did not speak to any of +the men; merely returning their salute by pulling off his hat; and in +consequence of his presence, they suffered many privations, such as not +being allowed to see their wives and friends, or to go on shore, having +to keep watch in port, &c.; and when he left the ship, the only money he +distributed was twenty Napoleons to my steward, fifteen to one of the +under-servants, and ten to the cook.</p> + +<p>It may, perhaps, be interesting to give a slight sketch of the principal +persons who accompanied Buonaparte to the Bellerophon; premising, that I +do not pretend to be minutely correct in the view I took of them: the +trying circumstances in which these unfortunate men were placed, being +such as required more than common temper; and I think it very doubtful, +whether, in <span class="pagenum"><a id="page222" name="page222"></a>(p. 222)</span> the same situation, Englishmen would have +maintained equal forbearance.</p> + +<p>Count Bertrand was a man of about forty-four years of age, five feet ten +inches in height, of a slight make and prepossessing appearance: his +manners extremely placid and gentle, though evidently of a warm temper; +and showed himself rather hasty in his conduct to Sir George Cockburn, +about searching the baggage; as Sir George was not acting upon his own +authority, but by the directions of his superiors, and was inclined to +conduct himself with as much consideration as his orders would admit. He +was an affectionate attentive husband, and much attached to his +children.</p> + +<p>The Countess Bertrand was then of a tall, slight figure. Her maiden name +was Dillon; her father was an Irishman in the French service, who lost +his life during the revolution, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page223" name="page223"></a>(p. 223)</span> and was related to Lord +Dillon. Though, perhaps, a little warm, she has undoubtedly many +excellent qualities: she showed herself to be a kind mother and +affectionate wife; and if she easily took offence, she as easily forgot +it; and any little dispute that occurred between her and me, was amply +atoned for by the frank and affectionate manner in which she took leave +when we were about to part, perhaps for ever.<a id="footnotetag13" name="footnotetag13"></a><a href="#footnote13" title="Go to footnote 13"><span class="smaller">[13]</span></a> They had, at the time +I speak of, three fine children,—two boys and a girl; the eldest boy +about five years of age, who seemed to have a natural turn for the +profession of his father: his constant amusement, in which the young +lady and little Montholon joined, was forming <span class="pagenum"><a id="page224" name="page224"></a>(p. 224)</span> lines and +squares, and other military evolutions, on the quarter-deck.</p> + +<p>General Savary, Duc de Rovigo, was a tall handsome man, then about +forty-six years of age, of a cheerful disposition; and notwithstanding +the alarm he was in lest he should be given up to the French Government, +he never forgot himself so far as to make use of a rude expression in my +presence. He was Minister of Police after Fouché. As a great deal had +been said about Captain Wright's death, I spoke to him one day upon the +subject, and told him it was generally believed in England that he had +been murdered: he said, "I took much pains in investigating that matter, +and in ascertaining the cause of his death; and I have not a doubt that +he cut his own throat in a fit of delirium." Neither Savary nor +Lallemand were allowed to accompany Buonaparte to St Helena; but on the +Bellerophon's return to Plymouth, after transferring <span class="pagenum"><a id="page225" name="page225"></a>(p. 225)</span> Napoleon +to the Northumberland, both of them, together with Planat and the other +officers with the exception of three, were, by an order from the +Admiralty, sent on board the Eurotas frigate, which conveyed them to +Malta, from whence, after remaining some time as prisoners in Fort St +Angelo, they were allowed to proceed to Smyrna.</p> + +<p>General Lallemand<a id="footnotetag14" name="footnotetag14"></a><a href="#footnote14" title="Go to footnote 14"><span class="smaller">[14]</span></a> was about forty-two years of age, of a thick +strong make; his manners not pleasing, and his appearance by no means +prepossessing. During the whole time he was in the Bellerophon, he was +morose and abstracted, and seemed much alarmed lest he should be given +up <span class="pagenum"><a id="page226" name="page226"></a>(p. 226)</span> to the French Government; and there can be little doubt, +had he fallen into its power, he would have shared the fate of Ney, as +he had, with the troops under his command, joined Napoleon on his return +from Elba. He had formerly been, for several years, one of Buonaparte's +aide-de-camps, and during the time he was in the Bellerophon always did +that duty in rotation with Montholon and Gourgaud; one of them sleeping +in his clothes on a mattress every night outside of the door of the +cabin he slept in. The other two aide-de-camps, Generals Montholon and +Gourgaud, were young men about thirty-two years of age, the former an +officer in the cavalry, and the other in the artillery: they were both +of good families; but their attachment to Buonaparte induced them to +give up their country and property to follow him.</p> + +<p>Madame Montholon was a quiet unassuming woman, gave no trouble, and +seemed <span class="pagenum"><a id="page227" name="page227"></a>(p. 227)</span> perfectly satisfied, provided she were allowed to +accompany her husband. She had with her one fine little boy, about four +years old, and I believe left another child at nurse in France.</p> + +<p>Count Las Cases, though he bore the title of Counsellor of State, held +no official situation with Buonaparte; nor did I perfectly understand +how he came to accompany him on his departure from France, as he was not +with him in Elba: but the intimacy appeared to have been formed since +his return from that island. Napoleon was fond of his conversation. He +was of small stature, being little more than five feet high, and +slightly made. He always spoke of his master in terms of enthusiasm, and +resisted every application from his wife and family to remain behind, +being determined to follow wherever Buonaparte might be sent. He took +with him his eldest son, a quick intelligent boy of thirteen.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page228" name="page228"></a>(p. 228)</span> Monsieur Maingaut, the surgeon, with all the domestics beyond +the twelve who went to St Helena, were conveyed in the Bellerophon to +Portsmouth, and from thence sent to Cherbourg, and landed there. +Monsieur Saint Catharine, a lad about sixteen, nephew to the Empress +Josephine, and a native of Martinique, was provided with a passage to +that island in one of our sloops of war.</p> + +<p>Captain Prontowski, a Pole, was allowed to proceed to St Helena, some +time after the Northumberland sailed. Why this indulgence was granted to +him, I never clearly understood; but it was said to be in consequence of +the representations he made to the British Government, of the very +strong attachment he entertained to his fallen master,—a feeling, as +far as I could judge, which prevailed with equal force in the breasts of +all those who accompanied him from France, without excepting Madame +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page229" name="page229"></a>(p. 229)</span> Bertrand, who, when not influenced by the horror she +entertained of being banished to St Helena, always spoke of him not only +with affection, but in the language of respect and enthusiasm.</p> + +<hr class="small"> + +<p class="p2">[Sir Walter Scott adds at the end of his notes:—</p> + +<div class="quote"> + <p>I declare against abridgement. You are publishing a great and + interesting national document, in which accuracy is everything, + and abridgement takes greatly from its authenticity. Anything + that can be pointed out as what might be personally injurious to + these individuals whose attachment to a fallen master renders + them objects of interest ought of course to be retrenched. But on + no other account would I in Capt. M.'s place consent to alter a + word of a narrative written down at the time; and this you may + depend upon, that the more minute the narrative is the more it + will be interesting to the public. Minuteness is in itself the + voucher for authenticity. I presume to press this general remark.</p> + + <p>The whole narrative is as fine, manly, and explicit an account as + ever was given of so interesting a transaction. It is one in + which Captain Maitland not only vindicates his own character, but + guarantees that of the British nation. I really, since an + opportunity is given me by Capt. Maitland's confidence, protest + against its being snipped and <span class="pagenum"><a id="page230" name="page230"></a>(p. 230)</span> clipped like the feet of + the ladies who wished to qualify themselves for the glass + slipper.</p> + + <p>The corrections in point of mere style are generally for the + better, and, I think, ought to be adopted. But let an idea get + abroad that your narrative has been altered and modified to suit + existing times, and the public suspicion will greatly outrun the + fact and suppose that material cancels or alterations have been + made.]</p> +</div> + +<a id="img008" name="img008"></a> +<div class="figcenter"> +<a href="images/img008.jpg"> +<img src="images/img008tb.jpg" width="500" height="262" alt="" title=""></a> +<p>Facsimile of part of Sir Walter Scott's + Notes on the "Narrative"</p> +</div> + +<h3><span class="pagenum"><a id="page231" name="page231"></a>(p. 231)</span> APPENDIX.</h3> + + +<p>So many erroneous statements have gone abroad, as to the terms of +Buonaparte's reception on board the Bellerophon, that I conceive it +right to give the following correspondence, although at the expense of +some repetition; in order to its being distinctly seen, that the good +faith of the British nation was not compromised on that occasion, but +that His Majesty's Government were at perfect liberty, as far as those +terms were concerned, to act as they thought best.</p> + +<p class="right10 smaller">"Tonnant, at anchor under Berryhead,<br> + 7th August, 1815.</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Sir</span>,</p> + +<p>"Count Las Cases having this morning stated to me that he understood +from you, when he was on board the Bellerophon in Basque Roads, on a +mission from General Buonaparte, that you were authorized to receive the +General and his suite on board the ship you command, for conveyance to +England; and that you assured him, at the same time, that both the +General and his suite would be well received <span class="pagenum"><a id="page232" name="page232"></a>(p. 232)</span> there; you are to +report for my information, such observations as you may consider it +necessary to make upon these assertions.</p> + +<p class="leftaligned">"I am, Sir,<br> +<span class="left10">Your most obedient,</span><br> +<span class="left20">humble servant,</span><br> +<span class="left50"><span class="smcap">Keith</span>, Admiral."</span></p> + +<p class="smaller noindent">"Captain Maitland,<br> + Bellerophon."</p> + +<p class="right10 smaller">"H.M.S. Bellerophon,<br> + Plymouth Sound, 8th August, 1815.</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">My Lord</span>,</p> + +<p>"I have to acknowledge the receipt of your Lordship's letter of +yesterday's date, informing me that Count Las Cases had stated to you, +that he had understood from me when he was on board the Bellerophon in +Basque Roads, on a mission from General Buonaparte, that I was +authorized to receive the General and his suite on board the ship I +command, for a conveyance to England, and that I assured him at the same +time, that both the General and his suite would be well received there; +and directing me to report for your Lordship's information such +observations as I may consider it necessary to make upon these +assertions. I shall, in consequence, state, to the best of my +recollection, the whole of the transaction that took place between Count +Las Cases and me, on the 14th of July, respecting the embarkation of +Napoleon Buonaparte, for the veracity of which I beg to refer your +Lordship to Captain Sartorius as to what was said in the <span class="pagenum"><a id="page233" name="page233"></a>(p. 233)</span> +morning, and to that officer and Captain Gambier (the Myrmidon having +joined me in the afternoon) as to what passed in the evening.</p> + +<p>"Your Lordship being informed already of the flag of truce that came out +to me on the 10th of July, as well as of every thing that occurred on +that occasion, I shall confine myself to the transactions of the 14th of +the same month.</p> + +<p>"Early in the morning of that day, the officer of the watch informed me, +a schooner, bearing a flag of truce, was approaching: on her joining the +ship, about seven <span class="smcap">A.M.</span> the Count Las Cases and General Lallemand came on +board, when, on being shown into the cabin, Las Cases asked me if any +answer had been returned to the letter sent by me to Sir Henry Hotham +respecting Napoleon Buonaparte being allowed to pass for America, either +in the frigates or in a neutral vessel. I informed him no answer had +been returned, though I hourly expected, in consequence of those +despatches, Sir Henry Hotham would arrive; and, as I had told Monsieur +Las Cases, when last on board, that I should send my boat in when the +answer came, it was quite unnecessary to have sent out a flag of truce +on that account:—there, for the time, the conversation terminated. On +their coming on board, I had made the signal for the Captain of the +Slaney, being desirous of having a witness to all that might pass.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page234" name="page234"></a>(p. 234)</span> "After breakfast (during which Captain Sartorius came on board) +we retired to the after-cabin, when Monsieur Las Cases began on the same +subject, and said, 'The Emperor was so anxious to stop the further +effusion of blood, that he would go to America in any way the English +Government would sanction, either in a neutral, a disarmed frigate, or +an English ship of war.' To which I replied, 'I have no authority to +permit any of those measures; but if he chooses to come on board the +ship I command, I think, under the orders I am acting with, I may +venture to receive him and carry him to England; but, if I do so, I can +in no way be answerable for the reception he may meet with (this I +repeated several times); when Las Cases said, 'I have little doubt, +under those circumstances, that you will see the Emperor on board the +Bellerophon.' After some more general conversation, and the above being +frequently repeated, Monsieur Las Cases and General Lallemand took their +leave: and I assure your Lordship that I never, in any way, entered into +conditions with respect to the reception General Buonaparte was to meet +with; nor was it, at that time, finally arranged that he was to come on +board the Bellerophon. In the course of conversation, Las Cases asked me +whether I thought Buonaparte would be well received in England; to which +I gave the only answer I could do in my situation—'That I did not at +all know what was the intention of the British Government; but I had no +reason to suppose he would not be well received.' It is here worthy of +remark, that <span class="pagenum"><a id="page235" name="page235"></a>(p. 235)</span> when Las Cases came on board, he assured me that +Buonaparte was then at Rochefort, and that it would be necessary for him +to go there to report the conversation that had passed between us (this +I can prove by the testimony of Captain Sartorius, and the first +Lieutenant of this ship, to whom I spoke of it at the time), which +statement was not fact; Buonaparte never having quitted Isle d'Aix, or +the frigates, after the 3rd.</p> + +<p>"I was, therefore, much surprised at seeing Monsieur Las Cases on board +again before seven o'clock the same evening; and one of the first +questions I put to him was, whether he had been at Rochefort. He +answered, that on returning to Isle d'Aix, he found that Buonaparte had +arrived there.</p> + +<p>"Monsieur Las Cases then presented to me the letter Count Bertrand wrote +concerning Buonaparte's intention to come on board the ship (a copy of +which has been transmitted to your Lordship by Sir Henry Hotham); and it +was not till then agreed upon that I should receive him; when either +Monsieur Las Cases, or General Gourgaud (I am not positive which, as I +was employed writing my own despatches), wrote to Bertrand to inform him +of it. While paper was preparing to write the letter, I said again to +Monsieur Las Cases, 'You will recollect I have no authority for making +conditions of any sort.' Nor has Monsieur Las Cases ever started such an +idea till the day before yesterday. That it was not the <span class="pagenum"><a id="page236" name="page236"></a>(p. 236)</span> +feeling of Buonaparte, or the rest of his people, I will give strong +proof, drawn from the conversations they have held with me.</p> + +<p>"As I never heard the subject mentioned till two days ago, I shall not +detail every conversation that has passed, but confine myself to that +period.</p> + +<p>"The night that the squadron anchored at the back of Berryhead, +Buonaparte sent for me about 10 <span class="smcap">P.M.</span> and said he was informed by +Bertrand, that I had received orders to remove him to the +Northumberland, and wished to know if that was the case; on being told +that it was, he requested I would write a letter to Bertrand, stating I +had such orders, that it might not appear that he went of his own +accord, but that he had been forced to do so. I told him, I could have +no objection, and wrote a letter to that effect (a copy of which is here +annexed), which your Lordship afterwards sanctioned, and desired me, if +he required it, to give him a copy of the order.</p> + +<p>"After having arranged that matter, I was going to withdraw, when he +requested me to remain, as he had something more to say: he then began +complaining of his treatment in being forced to go to St Helena: among +other things, he observed, 'They say I made no conditions: certainly, I +made no conditions: how could a private man (<i>un particulier</i>) make +conditions with a nation? I wanted nothing <span class="pagenum"><a id="page237" name="page237"></a>(p. 237)</span> from them but +hospitality, or (as the ancients would express it) air and water. I +threw myself on the generosity of the English nation; I claimed a place +<i>sur leurs foyers</i>, and my only wish was to purchase a small estate and +end my life in tranquillity.' After more of the same sort of +conversation I left him for the night.</p> + +<p>"On the morning he removed from the Bellerophon to the Northumberland, +he sent for me again, and said, 'I have sent for you to express my +gratitude for your conduct to me, while I have been on board the ship +you command. My reception in England has been very different from what I +expected; but you throughout have behaved like a man of honour; and I +request you will accept my thanks, as well as convey them to the +officers, and ship's company of the Bellerophon.'</p> + +<p>"Soon afterwards Montholon came to me from Buonaparte; but, to +understand what passed between him and me, I must revert to a +conversation that I had with Madame Bertrand on the passage from +Rochefort.</p> + +<p>"It is not necessary to state how the conversation commenced, as it does +not apply to the present transaction; but she informed me, that it was +Buonaparte's intention to present me with a box containing his picture +set with diamonds. I answered, 'I hope not, for I cannot receive it.' +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page238" name="page238"></a>(p. 238)</span> 'Then you will offend him very much,' she said. 'If that is +the case,' I replied, 'I request you will take measures to prevent its +being offered, as it is absolutely impossible I can accept of it; and I +wish to spare him the mortification, and myself the pain, of a refusal.' +There the matter dropt, and I heard no more of it, till about half an +hour before Buonaparte quitted the Bellerophon, when Montholon came to +me, and said he was desired by Buonaparte to express the high sense he +entertained of my conduct throughout the whole of the transaction: that +it had been his intention to present me with a box containing his +portrait, but that he understood I was determined not to accept it. I +said, 'Placed as I was, I felt it impossible to receive a present from +him, though I was highly flattered at the testimony he had borne to the +uprightness of my conduct throughout.' Montholon then added, 'One of the +greatest causes of chagrin he feels in not being admitted to an +interview with the Prince Regent, is, that he had determined to ask as a +favour, your being promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral.' To which I +replied, 'That would have been quite impossible, but I do not the less +feel the kindness of the intention.' I then said, 'I am hurt that Las +Cases should say I held forth any assurances as to the reception +Buonaparte was to meet with in England.' 'Oh!' said he, 'Las Cases is +disappointed in his expectations; and as he negotiated the affair, he +attributes the Emperor's situation to himself: but I can assure you, +that he (Buonaparte) <span class="pagenum"><a id="page239" name="page239"></a>(p. 239)</span> feels convinced you have acted like a man +of honour throughout.'</p> + +<p>"As your Lordship overheard part of a conversation which took place +between Las Cases and me on the quarter-deck of the Bellerophon, I shall +not detail it; but on that occasion, I positively denied having promised +anything as to the reception of Buonaparte and his suite; and I believe +your Lordship was of opinion he could not make out the statement to you.</p> + +<p>"It is extremely unpleasant for me to be under the necessity of entering +into a detail of this sort; but the unhandsome representation Monsieur +Las Cases has made to your Lordship of my conduct, has obliged me to +produce proofs of the light in which the transaction was viewed by +Buonaparte as well as his attendants.</p> + +<p>"I again repeat, that Captains Gambier and Sartorius can verify the +principal part of what I have stated, as far as concerns the charge made +against me by Count Las Cases.</p> + +<p class="leftaligned"> + "I have the honour to be,<br> +<span class="left10">Your Lordship's</span><br> +<span class="left20">Most obedient humble servant,</span><br> +<span class="left50 smcap">Frederick L. Maitland."</span></p> + +<p class="smaller noindent">"To the Right Hon.<br> + Viscount Keith, G.C.B.<br> + &c. &c. &c."</p> + +<p class="right10 smaller"><span class="pagenum"><a id="page240" name="page240"></a>(p. 240)</span> "Slaney, in Plymouth Sound,<br> + 15th August, 1815.</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">My Lord</span>,</p> + +<p>"I have read Captain Maitland's letter to your Lordship, of the 8th +instant, containing his observations upon the assertions made on the +preceding day by Count Las Cases; and I most fully attest the +correctness of the statement he has made, so far as relates to the +conversations that took place in my presence.</p> + +<p class="leftaligned"> + "I have the honour to be,<br> +<span class="left10">Your Lordship's</span><br> +<span class="left20">Most obedient humble servant,</span><br> +<span class="left50">G. R. <span class="smcap">Sartorius</span>,</span><br> +<span class="left50">Capt. of H.M.S. Slaney."</span></p> + +<p class="smaller noindent">"To the Right Hon.<br> + Viscount Keith, G.C.B.<br> + &c. &c. &c."</p> + +<p>A letter to the same effect as the foregoing was written to Lord Keith, +by Captain Gambier, of the Myrmidon, and forwarded by his Lordship to +the Admiralty, with my report; of which, by some accident, the Admiral's +secretary did not furnish me with a copy.</p> + + +<h3><span class="pagenum"><a id="page241" name="page241"></a>(p. 241)</span> ADDITIONAL APPENDIX.</h3> + +<h4>I.</h4> + +<h6>LIST OF OFFICERS borne on the Books of H.M.S. Bellerophon in July 1815.</h6> + +<ul class="none"> +<li>Captain Fred. L. Maitland.</li> +<li>Lieutenant Andrew Mott.<a id="footnotetag15" name="footnotetag15"></a><a href="#footnote15" title="Go to footnote 15"><span class="smaller">[15]</span></a></li> +<li> <span class="add2em">"</span> <span class="add2em">William Walford.</span></li> +<li> <span class="add2em">"</span> <span class="add2em">John Bowerbank.</span></li> +<li> <span class="add2em">"</span> <span class="add2em">Gabriel Christie.</span></li> +<li> <span class="add2em">"</span> <span class="add2em">Edward William Ramsay.</span></li> +<li>Captain of Marines, George Marshall.</li> +<li>Lieutenant of Marines, J. W. Simpson.</li> +<li> <span class="add2em">"</span> <span class="add2em">Henry Smith.</span></li> +<li>Master, Stephen Vale.</li> +<li>Surgeon, Barry O'Meara.</li> +<li>Assistant-Surgeon, A. Milne.</li> +<li> <span class="add2em">"</span> <span class="add2em">E. Graebke.</span></li> +<li>Chaplain, J. W. Wynne.</li> +<li>Purser, George Jackson.</li> +</ul> + +<h6><span class="pagenum"><a id="page242" name="page242"></a>(p. 242)</span> II.</h6> + +<h6>Letter from <span class="smcap">Ephraim Graebke</span>, assistant-surgeon on board H.M.S. + Bellerophon, to his mother, giving an account of Napoleon's + surrender (British Museum, Additional MSS. 34,710, f. 81).</h6> + +<p class="right10 smaller">H.M.S. Bellerophon, Plymouth Sound,<br> + Tuesday, July 30, 1815.</p> + +<p class="smcap">My dear Mother,</p> + +<p>You will be surprised at not hearing from me, and knowing the +Bellerophon's arrival in England, but when I tell you no private letters +were allowed to leave the ship before to-day, that will cease. It's +unnecessary to say that we have got Buonaparte and suite on board, as it +was known in England previous to our arrival, which took place on the +24th instant in Torbay. The circumstances which led to his surrender +were his defeats in all points, and was it not for the strict blockade +we kept up would [<i>sic</i>] have escaped to America. We heard of his being +on board the French frigate Saale off <span class="pagenum"><a id="page243" name="page243"></a>(p. 243)</span> Rochfort, from which +moment we watched his movements if possible more closely than before. On +the morning of the 14th instant, observing a schooner bearing a flag of +truce on board standing towards us, we hove to for her, when Count +Lascazas and General Lallemande came on board with proposals from +Buonaparte, in consequence of which we came to anchor in the evening in +the roads off Rochelle. Next morning, 15th instant, at 4 <span class="smcap">a.m</span>. observed a +man-of-war brig standing out and beating towards us, we immediately +dispatched all our boats. Lieut. Mott in the barge brought Buonaparte on +board at 7, the boats were busily employed in bringing his retinue and +baggage, and I never saw men exert themselves so much as ours did that +day, lest Admiral Hotham should take him, as he was off the harbour in +the Superb, and saw him coming on board here, and did all in his power +to get in, but did not come to anchor before 11 in the forenoon. +Buonaparte is a fine-looking man, inclined to corpulency, is five feet +six inches in height, his hair turning grey, and a little bald on the +crown of the head, no whiskers, complexion French yellow, eyes grey, +Roman nose, good mouth and chin, neck short, big belly, arms stout, +small white hands, and shews a good leg. He wears a cocked hat somewhat +like our old-fashioned three cornered ones, with the tri-coloured +cockade in it, plain green coat, cape red, and cuffs the same, plain +gold epaulets, and a large star on the left breast, white waistcoat and +breeches and white silk stockings, thin <span class="pagenum"><a id="page244" name="page244"></a>(p. 244)</span> shoes and buckles. +Eats but two meals in the day, breakfast and dinner, and these are +sumptuous, fish, flesh, and fowl, wines, fruit, various French dishes +&c. &c. He breakfasts about eleven and dines at six, is about half an +hour at each, when he generally comes on deck or goes into the +after-cabin to study. We do not know what's to be done with him yet, he +remains on board until we hear from the allies. In his suite are Marshal +Bertrand, Duc de Rovigo [Savary] once the French minister of police, +Counts Lascazas and Montholon, Generals Lallemande and Gourgou, several +Lieut.-Colonels and Captains, to enumerate them would be tedious. We +have 33 on board, 17 were sent on board the Myrmidon, Captn. Gambier. +There are two Countesses on board, but not to be compared even to our +English ladies. Their children are handsome.... We performed the comedy +of the "Poor Gentleman" before Buonaparte and suite. I acted the part of +Corporal Foss. It went off very well, our scenery was excellent. The +female dresses were badly suited for Midshipmen. I long to hear from you +and will expect to hear all the news.... I wish you were all here to see +Buonaparte, the curiosity of all ranks to see him is excessive. There +are Admiralty orders not to allow any person whatever on board, but they +crowd in boats round the ship, and he very condescendingly stands +looking at them through a spyglass. There are two frigates, one on each +side of us, the Eurotas and Liffey, and their boats are <span class="pagenum"><a id="page245" name="page245"></a>(p. 245)</span> +constantly rowing about the ship to keep off the boats. We prisoners +have no other amusement than to look at them contending for places. I +hope we will soon be allowed to go ashore, as I want to see Captain +Sandys. You must be tired reading this long epistle. We took some +prizes, one ship laden with Buonaparte's soldiers, one chasse marée +laden with resin, and the Cephulus man-of-war brig sent in a West +Indiaman laden with sugar, coffee, &c. from Martinique bound to France, +and for which we will share by mutual agreements. Give my affectionate +love to Ally, Anne, Wilhelmina, Sophia and Jane. I know the want of not +being near them as my shirts are going to pieces, as soon as I can +afford the sum I will get some new ones. I have the old number the same +as when I left you and bought none since.... I remain, my dear mother, +your affectionate son,</p> + +<p class="right10 smcap">Ephraim Graebke.</p> + +<p><i>P.S.</i>—I think myself very lucky to belong to the old Bellerophon at +this important time. Lose no time in answering this letter.</p> + +<p class="smaller noindent"> + Mrs <span class="smcap">Graebke</span>,<br> + <span class="smcap">Midleton, Co. Cork</span>.</p> + +<h4><span class="pagenum"><a id="page246" name="page246"></a>(p. 246)</span> III.</h4> + +<h6>Extracts from <i>Memoirs of an Aristocrat, and Reminiscences of the + Emperor Napoleon, by a Midshipman of the Bellerophon</i> [George + Home]. London, Whittaker & Co., and Bell & Bradfute, Edinburgh, + 1838.</h6> + +<p>About six in the morning, the look-out man at the mast-head announced a +large ship of war standing direct in for the roadstead, which Captain +Maitland, suspecting to be the Superb, bearing the flag of Admiral Sir +Henry Hotham, he gave immediate orders to hoist out the barge, and +dispatched her, under the command of the first lieutenant, to the French +brig, being apprehensive that if the Admiral arrived before the brig got +out, that Napoleon would deliver himself up to the Admiral instead of +us, and thus have lost us so much honour.</p> + +<p>As our barge approached, the brig hove to, and from the moment she came +alongside, we watched every motion with deep anxiety. Like all +Napoleon's movements, he was not slow even in this, his last free act. +The barge had not remained ten minutes alongside, before we saw the +rigging of the brig crowded with men, persons stepping down the side +into the boat, and the next moment she shoved off, and gave way for the +ship; while the waving of the men's hats in the rigging, and the +cheering <span class="pagenum"><a id="page247" name="page247"></a>(p. 247)</span> which we heard faintly in the distance, left no doubt +that the expected guest was approaching. A general's guard of marines +was ordered aft on the quarter-deck, and the boatswain stood, whistle in +hand, ready to do the honours of the side. The lieutenants stood grouped +first on the quarter-deck, and we more humble middies behind them, while +the captain, evidently in much anxiety, kept trudging backwards and +forwards between the gangway and his own cabin, sometimes peeping out at +one of the quarter-deck ports, to see if the barge was drawing near.</p> + +<p>It is a sin to mix up any trifling story with so great an event; but a +circumstance occurred so laughable of itself, rendered more so from the +solemnity of the occasion, that I cannot resist mentioning it. While in +this state of eager expectation, a young midshipman, one of the Bruces +of Kennet, I think, walked very demurely up to Manning, the boatswain, +who was standing all importance at the gangway, and after comically +eyeing his squat figure and bronzed countenance, Bruce gently laid hold +of one of his whiskers, to which the boatswain good-naturedly submitted, +as the youngster was a great favourite with him.</p> + +<p>"Manning," says he, most sentimentally, "this is the proudest day of +your life; you are this day to do the honours of the side to the +greatest man the world ever produced or ever will produce."</p> + +<p>Here the boatswain eyed him with proud delight.</p> + +<p>"And along with the great Napoleon, the name <span class="pagenum"><a id="page248" name="page248"></a>(p. 248)</span> of Manning, the +boatswain of the Bellerophon, will go down to the latest posterity; and, +as a relic of that great man, permit me, my dear Manning, to preserve a +lock of your hair."</p> + +<p>Here he made an infernal tug at the boatswain's immense whisker, and +fairly carried away a part of it, making his way through the crowd, and +down below with the speed of an arrow. The infuriated boatswain, finding +he had passed so rapidly from the sublime to the ridiculous, through the +instrumentality of this imp of a youngster, could vent his rage in no +way but by making his glazed hat spin full force after his tantalizer, +with a "G—d d——n your young eyes and limbs." The hat, however, fell +far short of young Bruce, and the noise and half burst of laughter the +trick occasioned drew the attention of the Captain, who, coming up, with +a "What, what's all this?" the poor boatswain was glad to draw to his +hat and resume his position.</p> + +<p>The barge approached, and ranged alongside. The first lieutenant came up +the side, and to Maitland's eager and blunt question, "Have you got +him?" he answered in the affirmative. After the lieutenant came Savary, +followed by Marshal Bertrand, who bowed and fell back a pace on the +gangway to await the ascent of their master. And now came the little +great man himself, wrapped up in his gray greatcoat buttoned to the +chin, three-cocked hat and Hussar boots, without any sword, I suppose as +emblematical of his changed condition. Maitland received him with every +mark of respect, as far as <span class="pagenum"><a id="page249" name="page249"></a>(p. 249)</span> look and deportment could indicate; +but he was <i>not</i> received with the respect due to a crowned head, which +was afterwards insidiously thrown out against Maitland. So far from +that, the captain, on Napoleon's addressing him, only moved his hat, as +to a general officer, and remained covered while the Emperor spoke to +him. His expressions were brief, I believe only reiterating what he had +stated the day previous in his letter to the Prince Regent, "That he +placed himself under the protection of the British nation, and under +that of the British commander as the representative of his sovereign." +The captain again moved his hat, and turned to conduct the Emperor to +the cabin. As he passed through the officers assembled on the +quarter-deck, he repeatedly bowed slightly to us, and smiled. What an +ineffable beauty there was in that smile, his teeth were finely set, and +as white as ivory, and his mouth had a charm about it that I have never +seen in any other human countenance. I marked his fine robust figure as +he followed Captain Maitland into the cabin, and, boy as I was, I said +to myself, "Now have I a tale for futurity."</p> + +<p class="p0 spaced2">. . . . . . . . . . . . . . </p> + +<p>I shall never forget that morning we made Ushant. I had come on deck at +four in the morning to take the morning watch, and the washing of decks +had just begun, when, to my astonishment, I saw the Emperor come out of +the cabin at that early hour, and make for the poop-ladder. Had I known +what human misery is as well as I do now, when I have <span class="pagenum"><a id="page250" name="page250"></a>(p. 250)</span> myself +experienced the most cruel injustice and persecution on a lesser scale, +the restlessness of Napoleon, or his being unable to close an eye, would +have in no way surprised me. If a petty care can break our sleep, what +must have been <i>his</i> feeling who had lost the fairest empire on the face +of the globe; nay, who had lost a world? From the wetness of the decks, +he was in danger of falling at every step, and I immediately stepped up +to him, hat in hand, and tendered him my arm, which he laid hold of at +once, smiling, and pointing to the poop, saying in broken English, "the +poop, the poop"; he ascended the poop-ladder leaning on my arm; and +having gained the deck, he quitted his hold and mounted upon a +gun-slide, nodding and smiling thanks, for my attention, and pointing to +the land he said, "Ushant, Cape Ushant." I replied, "Yes, sire," and +withdrew. He then took out a pocket-glass and applied it to his eye, +looking eagerly at the land. In this position, he remained from five in +the morning to nearly mid-day, without paying any attention to what was +passing around him, or speaking to one of his suite, who had been +standing behind him for several hours.</p> + +<p>No wonder he thus gazed, it was the last look of the land of his glory, +and I am convinced he felt it such. What must have been his feelings in +those few hours, how painful the retrospect, and how awful the look +forward!—<i>there</i> still lay before him that land which he had made so +famous, where his proud name had risen until it "o'ershadowed the +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page251" name="page251"></a>(p. 251)</span> earth with his fame"; there had he been worshipped almost as a +god, and bowed to by every servile knee, that now, in the hour of bitter +adversity, had basely deserted and betrayed him. Never man was read such +a lesson as must have passed before him in that brief space, unless, +really, that the greatness of the change, the suddenness of the fall had +benumbed all feeling, and left him only a mass of contending passions +which combated and stilled each other by the very violence of their +working. But this was not the case with Napoleon, his emotion was +visible, he hung upon the land until it looked only a speck in the +distance, and then, turning, stepped from the gun-slide into the arms of +his faithful Bertrand, who stood ready to receive his fallen master. He +uttered not a word as he tottered down the poop-ladder, his head hung +heavily forward, so as to render his countenance scarcely visible, and +in this way he was conducted to his cabin.</p> + +<p class="p0 spaced2">. . . . . . . . . . . . . . </p> + +<p>Amongst other plans for killing the time, and lightening the tedium of a +sea passage to the refugees, we bethought us of getting up a play. This +was managed by one of the lieutenants of marines, a fellow of great +taste, and some one or two of the midshipmen, who pretended to skill in +the Shakespearian art. What the piece was I do not recollect, but when +it was announced to the Emperor, by Captain Maitland, and the immortal +honour of his imperial presence begged, for a few minutes, he laughed +very heartily, consented instantly; and <span class="pagenum"><a id="page252" name="page252"></a>(p. 252)</span> turning to Lady +Bertrand, told her that she must stand his interpreter. The stage was +fitted up between decks, more, I am afraid, in ship-shape than +theatrical style; and, sure enough, Napoleon and his whole suite +attended. He was much amused with those who took the female parts, +which, by the way, was the most smooth-chinned of our young gentlemen, +remarking that they were rather a little Dutch built for fine ladies; +and, after good-naturedly sitting for nearly twenty minutes, he rose, +smiled to the actors, and retired. I mention these circumstances, by way +of showing the last glimpses of sunshine that enlivened the exile's +closing scene.</p> + +<p>On the 23rd, we made the land; and, on the 24th, at seven <span class="smcap">P.M.</span>, we came +to an anchor in Torbay, when the first lieutenant was immediately put on +shore, with orders to proceed by land to Plymouth, with dispatches for +Lord Keith, at that time admiral on the Plymouth station.</p> + +<p>I happened to be midshipman of the boat, which conveyed the first +lieutenant on shore; and no sooner had we got clear of him, than I was +taken prisoner by some twenty young ladies, marched off to a fine house +in the little town, regaled with tea and clouted cream, and bored with +five thousand questions about Napoleon, the ridiculousness of which I +have often laughed at since. "What like was he—was he really a man? +Were his hands and clothes all over blood when he came on board? Was it +true that he had killed three horses in riding from Waterloo to the +Bellerophon? Were we not all <span class="pagenum"><a id="page253" name="page253"></a>(p. 253)</span> frightened for him? Was his voice +like thunder? Could I possibly get them a sight of the monster, just +that they might be able to say they had seen him?" etc. etc. I assured +those inquisitive nymphs, that the reports they had heard were all +nonsense; that the Emperor was not only a man, but a very handsome man +too; young withal, had no more blood upon his hands or clothes than was +now upon their pure white dresses; that if by chance they got a look of +him at the gangway, they would fall in love with him directly; that so +far from his hands being red with blood, they were as small, white, and +soft as their own charming fingers, and his voice, instead of resembling +thunder, was as sweet and musical as their own. This account of the +Emperor's beauty perfectly astonished the recluses of Torbay; some +misbelieved altogether, while the curiosity of others was excited beyond +all bounds. A general proposition was now made, that I should bundle +them, like live cattle, into my little cutter, and take them all on +board to gratify their curiosity at once. This was quite contrary to +orders. Not a soul was allowed to come on board the ship, and I had to +plead a thousand excuses for my want of gallantry, in not complying with +the very natural wish of my young companions. As far as I was concerned, +resistance was vain; I was again seized, hurried down to the boat, and +had the pleasure of seeing it filled to cramming with the charmers of +Torbay. This was a devil of a mess;—I might as well have gone <span class="pagenum"><a id="page254" name="page254"></a>(p. 254)</span> +into the mouth of a cannon, as have carried such a cargo alongside the +ship,—the thing was impossible. So I had nothing for it, but to call +aside the boat's crew, and whisper to them to use gentle violence with +my young boarders, and set them down on shore. This was glorious fun to +Jack;—to work they fell, and in the midst of screams, laughter, and a +few d——n my eyes, ma'am, don't kick so hard, on the part of the +Bellerophons, we had our nymphs safely deposited on terra firma, and +were off in a trice, enjoying the general discomfiture of the poor +ladies, who were equally laughed at by the lookers-on, on shore.... We +left Torbay, on the 26th July at 4 <span class="smcap">A.M.</span>, and at 4 in the evening came to +an anchor in Plymouth Sound, just within the breakwater, then only +beginning to shew its head above water at low tide. It has since, I am +told, been made a splendid affair; but it then only afforded footing for +a few gazers from the shore, who perched themselves upon it to watch the +cabin-windows of the Bellerophon, in hopes of getting a glimpse of the +Emperor.</p> + +<p class="p0 spaced2">. . . . . . . . . . . . . . </p> + +<p>The signal for the Emperor's being on deck was the officers uncovering. +No sooner was this ceremony noticed, than the rush from without took +place, and the screaming and swearing commenced, which was very +considerably heightened upon one occasion by a plan of some of our +wise-headed young gentlemen. Being in want of amusement, they bethought +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page255" name="page255"></a>(p. 255)</span> them of priming the fire engine, which happened to be standing +on the poop, and after clapping a relay of hands ready to ply it to +advantage, we uncovered, and waited the approach of the boats. No sooner +were they within reach, than off went the water-spout, which fell "alike +on the just and the unjust," for both the dockyard men and the +spectators who came within its compass got a good ducking. This prank +created an infernal confusion, and our trick having been twigged by the +first lieutenant, the chief actors in this notable exploit were ordered +up to the mast-head to enjoy their frolic for a few hours, which +evidently much gratified the unfortunate sufferers from the effects of +the operation.</p> + +<p class="p0 spaced2">. . . . . . . . . . . . . . </p> + +<p>Maitland, knowing how he stood with "the powers that be," was determined +not to commit himself by accepting of any present of value from +Napoleon, as he knew it would be directly made a handle of to injure his +character as a British officer. He, therefore, I believe, refused to +accept of a gold snuff-box tendered him by the Emperor as a mark of his +esteem, but he did not refuse the offer of a few dozens of French wine, +as a present to Mrs Maitland, who had been personally introduced to +Napoleon, as far as introduction was possible, that is, she had been +permitted to come within a foot or two of the ship, and Napoleon most +condescendingly stepped to the gangway, smiled and bowed to her. Mrs +Maitland was a charming little woman in those <span class="pagenum"><a id="page256" name="page256"></a>(p. 256)</span> days,—alas! we +are all getting old now,—a daughter of green Erin, and Napoleon seemed +greatly pleased with her appearance, hence the offer of this trifling +present as a token of respect. The captain took it on shore in the gig, +and no sooner had she struck the beach than the custom-house officers +jumped on board, and made a seizure of it, hauled the boat up upon the +beach, and clapped his Majesty's broad arrow upon her, that fatal mark +indicative of being in "the hands of the Philistines" of the revenue. I +shall never forget Maitland's countenance when he came on board after +this ridiculous and provoking affair. Being deprived of his own boat by +"the land-sharks," he was obliged to hire a shore boat to bring off +himself and his boat's crew, and she was nearly alongside before the +first lieutenant discovered that there was a naval officer in her, and +on taking a look with his glass, he exclaimed, "Good God! there is the +captain coming off in a shore boat." The side was manned, and when +Maitland stepped on board, he turned to Mott with a most rueful +countenance, remarking, "they have seized the wine." This was petty +work, and to make the thing more provoking, they had poor Maitland stuck +up next day in the Plymothian journals as having been detected in the +act of conveying wine and other presents on shore, received from +Napoleon. What was the fate of the wine, I do not know, but the gig, of +course, was restored immediately, and I should suppose the wine also, +considering the shameful nature of the seizure.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page257" name="page257"></a>(p. 257)</span> On the 4th of August we left Plymouth Sound in company with the +Tonnant, bearing the flag of Admiral Lord Keith, and on the 6th we came +to an anchor off Berryhead, there to wait the arrival of the +Northumberland, which was hourly expected. She made her appearance in +the course of the day, and after due salutes from both admiral's ships, +in which noisy greeting we of course joined, for we are very polite at +sea, in our own thundering way, she took up her station close by us.</p> + +<p>Towards evening Lord Keith came on board of us, and had a long personal +interview with Napoleon in the cabin, which we may judge was not of the +pleasantest nature. From some intemperate threat of Savary, I believe, +who had declared that he would not allow his master to leave the +Bellerophon alive, to go into such wretched captivity, it was judged +proper to deprive the refugees of their arms. A good many swords, and +several brace of pistols, marked with a large silver N. at the butt end, +were brought down to the gun-room, where they remained for some hours. +Three of the swords belonged to Napoleon, and two of them were pointed +out to us as those he wore at Marengo and Austerlitz.</p> + +<p>I never in my life felt such a strong inclination to lay my hands on +what was not my own. A sword I durst not think of, but could I have got +a brace of pistols, or even one solitary pistol, belonging to Napoleon, +I would have thought myself the happiest man alive; but it would not do, +detection was certain, and with bitter vexation I saw them carried +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page258" name="page258"></a>(p. 258)</span> out of the gun-room. Now, reader, do you think this would have +been a pardonable theft? Their value was nothing in my eyes; it was a +relic of the great man I wanted, and I cared not what it was, or how I +came by it; therefore, had I been able to secure a pistol, my conscience +would never have smote me with having done wrong; and I am sure, could +the Emperor have known with what a pure spirit of devotion I meant to +commit the theft, he would have ordered me a brace instantly.</p> + +<p>It was this night settled that our surgeon, Barry O'Meara, who +afterwards became so conspicuous for his spirited defence of his patient +against the tyranny of Sir Hudson Lowe (I hate to write that man's +name,) should follow Napoleon to St Helena in the character of surgeon, +his own, who looked a poor creature, and was continually sea-sick while +on board, having declined, I believe, to accompany him farther, and the +7th was appointed for Napoleon leaving the ship.</p> + +<p>The 7th came; it was a dull cloudy sunless day, and every countenance +was overcast with gloom. We had not seen the Emperor for a week, and we +were all anxious to observe the change that the horrible tidings of his +destination had made upon him. Lord Keith, Admiral Cockburn, and Captain +Ross, came on board about eleven o'clock; and it was intimated to +Napoleon, that they were ready to conduct him on board the +Northumberland. A general's guard of marines was drawn up on the +quarter-deck, to receive him as he came out of the <span class="pagenum"><a id="page259" name="page259"></a>(p. 259)</span> cabin; +while part of his suite, and we officers, were ranged about, anxiously +waiting the appearance of the future exile of St Helena.</p> + +<p>Napoleon was long of attending to the intimation of the Admiral's; and +upon Cockburn's becoming impatient, and remarking to old Lord Keith that +he should be put in mind, Keith replied, "No, no, much greater men than +either you or I have waited longer for him before now; let him take his +time, let him take his time." This was nobly said of the fine old +Scotchman; and although Cockburn and I are blood relations, and I have a +particular penchant for my lineage, I cannot help remarking that his +manner denoted a great want of feeling. I suppose he was pitched upon by +Castlereagh as a proper tool to execute his harsh commands.</p> + +<p>At length Napoleon appeared, but oh, how sadly changed from the time we +had last seen him on deck. Though quite plain, he was scrupulously +cleanly in his person and dress, but that had been forgot, his clothes +were ill put on, his beard unshaved, and his countenance pale and +haggard. There was a want of firmness in his gait; his brow was +overcast, and his whole visage bespoke the deepest melancholy; and it +needed but a glance to convince the most careless observer that Napoleon +considered himself a doomed man. In this trying hour, however, he lost +not his courtesy or presence of mind; instinctively he raised his hat to +the guard of marines, when they presented arms as he passed, slightly +inclined his head, and even <span class="pagenum"><a id="page260" name="page260"></a>(p. 260)</span> smiled to us officers as he passed +through us, returned the salute of the admirals with calm dignity, and, +walking up to Captain Maitland, addressed him with great eagerness for +nearly ten minutes.</p> + +<p>How distinct is every feature, every trait, every line of that majestic +countenance in my mind's eye at this moment, now that two-and-twenty +years have passed away; but who could witness such a scene and ever +forget it? The Romans said that a "great man struggling with adversity +was a sight that the gods looked on with pleasure." Here, indeed, was +adversity, and here was true greatness struggling against it; but to a +mere mortal it was a heart-rending sight. The ship's deck looked like a +place of execution, and we only wanted the headsman, his block, and his +axe, to complete the scene.</p> + +<p>The purport of his speech to Captain Maitland, was thanking <i>him</i>, his +officers, and ship's company, for the polite attention he had received +while on board of the Bellerophon, which he should ever hold in kind +remembrance. Something more he would have said after the first pause, +and a feeling of deep emotion laboured in his face, and swelled his +breast, he looked earnestly in Maitland's face for a moment, as if he +was about to renew his speech, but utterance seemed denied; and, +slightly moving his hat in salutation, he turned to Savary and +L'Allemand, who were not allowed to accompany him to St Helena, and +spoke to them for a few minutes.</p> + +<p>What a horrid gloom overhung the ship: had his <span class="pagenum"><a id="page261" name="page261"></a>(p. 261)</span> execution been +about to take place there could not have prevailed a more dead silence, +so much so, that had a pin fallen from one of the tops on the deck, I am +convinced it would have been heard; and to any one who has known the +general buzz of one of our seventy-fours, even at the quietest hour, it +is a proof how deeply the attention of every man on board must have been +riveted. Before leaving the ship he turned to us on the quarter-deck, +once more waved his hand in token of adieu, took hold of the man-ropes, +and walked down the side, taking his seat in the Northumberland's barge +between Lord Keith and Admiral Cockburn.</p> + +<p>Even in this hour of hopeless misery, he lost not sight of that +indescribable charm by which he won the hearts of men. On looking back +to the ship he saw every head, that could get stuck out of a port, +gazing after him; even the rough countenances of the men bespoke a +sympathy for his cruel fate, and, apparently conscious of their +feelings, the exiled chief again lifted his hat, and inclined his head +to the gazing ship's company.</p> + + +<h3>THE END.<br> + +PRINTED BY WILLIAM BLACKWOOD AND SONS.</h3> + + +<p class="p4"><a id="footnote1" name="footnote1"></a> +<b>Footnote 1:</b> They are fully detailed in Marshall's <i>Naval Biography</i>, +vol. ii. part 1, pp. 387 <i>et seq.</i><a href="#footnotetag1"><span class="smaller">[Back to Main Text]</span></a></p> + +<p><a id="footnote2" name="footnote2"></a> +<b>Footnote 2:</b> Admiral Somerville married Mary Stuart, eldest daughter of +David Maitland Makgill Crichton of Rankeilour, and grand-niece of Sir +Frederick. I am indebted for the use of this letter to the courtesy of +his son, Mr D. M. M. Crichton Somerville.<a href="#footnotetag2"><span class="smaller">[Back to Main Text]</span></a></p> + +<p><a id="footnote3" name="footnote3"></a> +<b>Footnote 3:</b> Chasse-Marées are small decked vessels, rigged as luggers; +they are generally from twenty to thirty-five tons burthen, and are used +almost exclusively for the coasting trade of France. Though there is no +doubt that, during the summer months, a vessel of this description might +succeed in making the voyage to America; yet if we take into +consideration the indolent habits that Buonaparte had of late years +given way to; the very small space for the accommodation of himself and +suite, and for the stowage of provisions, water, and other necessaries; +that there was no friendly port he could have touched at, to gain +supplies;—the utter impracticability of his reaching his destination in +a vessel of that description, even if he had eluded the vigilance of our +cruisers, will at once be evident to every one.<a href="#footnotetag3"><span class="smaller">[Back to Main Text]</span></a></p> + +<p><a id="footnote4" name="footnote4"></a> +<b>Footnote 4:</b> I have been induced to insert Buonaparte's observation on +Mrs M.'s portrait, as well as one he made on seeing her alongside of the +Bellerophon in Plymouth Sound, as they show, in a strong point of view, +a peculiar trait in his character; that of making a favourable +impression on those with whom he conversed, by seizing every opportunity +of saying what he considered would be pleasing and flattering to their +feelings.</p> + +<p>[I have passed over the important and interesting passage respecting Mrs +M. I trust she will consent it should remain, for I think everything +connected with such a remarkable passage of history becomes historical. +Perhaps it will somewhat change the view of the subject, and relieve Mrs +M.'s delicacy, if we consider it not as immediately applicable to Mrs M. +personally, but as a point illustrative of Bonaparte's address. It was +of importance to him to secure Capt. Maitland's good opinion, and he +took a delicate and ingenious way of giving pleasure. I have always +understood that there could be only one opinion of the justice of the +compliment, yet I think the praise would have been bestowed even had the +portrait less charm. I do pray that Mrs M. will consent to be +<i>immortal</i>.—<span class="smcap">Scott</span>.]<a href="#footnotetag4"><span class="smaller">[Back to Main Text]</span></a></p> + +<p><a id="footnote5" name="footnote5"></a> +<b>Footnote 5:</b> They were part of the officers and crew of the Æneas +store-ship, mentioned as having been detained on the 18th of June, who +were on board the Bellerophon about a week, and were landed at Isle +d'Aix, in a chasse-marée, a few days before Buonaparte's arrival there.<a href="#footnotetag5"><span class="smaller">[Back to Main Text]</span></a></p> + +<p><a id="footnote6" name="footnote6"></a> +<b>Footnote 6:</b> I was afterwards told, that one of the frigates, at Isle +d'Aix, had changed her eighteen pounders for twenty-fours.<a href="#footnotetag6"><span class="smaller">[Back to Main Text]</span></a></p> + +<p><a id="footnote7" name="footnote7"></a> +<b>Footnote 7:</b> [It was an odd idea that you should be like Lord +Lauderdale.—<span class="smcap">Scott</span>.]<a href="#footnotetag7"><span class="smaller">[Back to Main Text]</span></a></p> + +<p><a id="footnote8" name="footnote8"></a> +<b>Footnote 8:</b> The books that seemed to occupy his attention, when I had +an opportunity of observing him, were, a Life of Washington, and a +translation of Ossian's Poems.<a href="#footnotetag8"><span class="smaller">[Back to Main Text]</span></a></p> + +<p><a id="footnote9" name="footnote9"></a> +<b>Footnote 9:</b> [I cannot assent to your leaving out what Madame Bertrand +said respecting Bonaparte. But if she spoke favourably of him in her +calmer moments, I think it might be mentioned in this place so as to +claim some allowance for her irritated state of feelings. It is, +by-the-by, precisely at such moments that real opinions start out which +are at other times carefully suppressed. What she said in her passion +was very true: B. was not fond of rendering his favourites independent. +I really think you cannot leave it out: as well omit the threat of +Savary &c., to kill B.—<span class="smcap">Scott</span>.]<a href="#footnotetag9"><span class="smaller">[Back to Main Text]</span></a></p> + +<p><a id="footnote10" name="footnote10"></a> +<b>Footnote 10:</b> [The business of the Habeas Corpus is so whimsical that +Capt. M. should get some legal friend to give a brief idea of the nature +of the process and the purpose for which it was resorted to. The book +will certainly be instantly translated into French, and such an +explanation as I have hinted at will be extremely necessary. It should +be thrown into a note; a few words should be added on the absurdity of +the attempt. It will be otherwise thought and said that Bonaparte was +kidnapped out of England contrary to the English laws. The real nature +of the transaction should be distinctly explained.—<span class="smcap">Scott</span>. The following +note accordingly appears in the original edition:—]</p> + +<p>To prevent erroneous impressions from going abroad, and to put this +curious circumstance in its true light, I have prevailed on a friend, +who was educated for the English bar, to favour me with the following +account of the writs of the Habeas Corpus and subpœna; by which it +will appear that no such process, or any other, as far as I can +understand, could have had the effect of removing Buonaparte from one of +His Majesty's ships, and causing him to be landed in England in +opposition to the commands of the Government of the country.</p> + +<p>"It is a common mistake to suppose that the celebrated Habeas Corpus Act +made it a matter of right, for every person, under any restraint +whatever to obtain this writ. That statute related to persons committed +by legal process for criminal offences, and the object of it was to +prevent them being detained an unnecessary or unreasonable length of +time, without being brought to trial. Other cases of alleged illegal +detention were left as at common law: in these the granting or refusal +of the writ is discretionary in the Court, or Judge applied to, and it +will only be issued on a proper case being laid before them. No such +writ, it is believed, was ever applied for in Buonaparte's case; nor, if +applied for, would it have been obtained. Where a foreigner, in private +life, is brought to England, and detained against his will, the Court +will grant the writ; but any application of Buonaparte, or on his +behalf, must have shown him to have surrendered, and to have been then +detained as a prisoner of war. Under that character, he was not entitled +to the benefit of this writ; the Courts having refused it on the +application of individuals brought to England as prisoners of war, even +when applied for by the subject of a neutral power, who swore to his +having been compelled by force to serve the enemy, and to have been +captured in the course of that compulsory service.</p> + +<p>"The real transaction alluded to, is understood to have been this: an +individual being under prosecution for a libel on a naval officer, +censuring his conduct on the West India station, when a French squadron +was in those seas, pretended that it would aid his defence to show that +the French ships were at that time in an unserviceable condition, and +that Buonaparte would be able to prove the fact. He accordingly obtained +a subpœna for him to attend as a witness on the trial in the Court of +King's Bench, and endeavoured himself, and not by a lawyer, as at first +supposed, to get on board the Bellerophon to deliver it.</p> + +<p>"This transaction probably gave currency to the rumours of a Habeas +Corpus having been issued, particularly as one description of that writ +is, the proceeding for bringing a prisoner into Court to give evidence, +which having given, he is remanded to gaol.</p> + +<p>"Had the individual in question succeeded in his attempt to get on board +the ship, and deliver the subpœna, it would have been of no +assistance either to himself or Buonaparte, if it was at all intended to +benefit the latter, as it would not have been possible for him to obey +it, there not being any authority for Captain Maitland, who was +answerable for his safety as a prisoner, allowing him to do so. It was, +however, considered the most prudent course, by Lord Keith, not to +permit the delivery of the process, the exact nature of which was at the +moment unknown, lest it might involve himself or Captain Maitland in any +difficulty, by an apparent disrespect to the Court, and more +particularly as it might create erroneous impressions in Buonaparte's +mind, that a breach of the law was committed in his not being permitted +to comply with the terms of the document, not aware that it contained no +power authorising his release from detention as a prisoner of war."<a href="#footnotetag10"><span class="smaller">[Back to Main Text]</span></a></p> + +<p><a id="footnote11" name="footnote11"></a> +<b>Footnote 11:</b> [I do entreat and conjure that the natural and sailor-like +speech of Lord Keith be not tampered with. It is really a sin to knock +the spirit out of a work by such over-delicacy.—<span class="smcap">Scott</span>.]<a href="#footnotetag11"><span class="smaller">[Back to Main Text]</span></a></p> + +<p><a id="footnote12" name="footnote12"></a> +<b>Footnote 12:</b> Since this narrative was written in the year 1815, it has +been proved by Buonaparte's will, that either his attendants were +misinformed, or that they, as well as himself, misrepresented the state +of his finances, as he left in the hands of Lafitte, the banker, in +Paris, a sum of money amounting to nearly four hundred thousand pounds +sterling, besides a very considerable sum said to be vested in the +American funds.<a href="#footnotetag12"><span class="smaller">[Back to Main Text]</span></a></p> + +<p><a id="footnote13" name="footnote13"></a> +<b>Footnote 13:</b> [I think the handsome and gentlemanlike account of Madame +Bertrand is a complete <i>amende honorable</i> for anything said of her in +the course of the journal, and forms a complete refutation to the +objections made in the sense of delicacy towards that lady for +mentioning some part of the conversation when in warmer moments. If you +were to mention your having afterwards met her in France, I think it +would be interesting.—<span class="smcap">Scott</span>.]<a href="#footnotetag13"><span class="smaller">[Back to Main Text]</span></a></p> + +<p><a id="footnote14" name="footnote14"></a> +<b>Footnote 14:</b> [Lallemand, if I recollect right, had begun the +counter-revolution in Bonaparte's favour in the north-east of France, +and anticipated the moment of success, so that his scheme had failed. I +have some reason to think (being at Paris at the time and much with +those who knew something of what was going on) that he would have been +condemned to death along with Ney had he fallen into the hands of the +restored Government. His person should be described.—<span class="smcap">Scott</span>.]<a href="#footnotetag14"><span class="smaller">[Back to Main Text]</span></a></p> + +<p><a id="footnote15" name="footnote15"></a> +<b>Footnote 15:</b> "Our new first lieutenant, Mr Andrew Mott, was the best +officer I ever saw in charge of a quarter-deck. I often wondered when +that man slept, eat, or dressed himself, for he was hardly ever missed +from deck, was always fresh and vigorous, and his dress and appearance +would, at any time, have done honour to the queen's drawing-room. +Maitland was, withal, rather a little easy-going, and it occurred to me +that, knowing his defect in this way, he contrived always to get a +tolerable tartar of a first lieutenant, so that between the captain's +good nature and the lieutenant's severity, which he occasionally checked +and tempered when he thought the lieutenant was likely to exceed bounds, +the ship was kept in capital discipline."—Home's <i>Memoirs</i>, p. 209.<a href="#footnotetag15"><span class="smaller">[Back to Main Text]</span></a></p> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Surrender of Napoleon, by +Sir Frederick Lewis Maitland + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SURRENDER OF NAPOLEON *** + +***** This file should be named 28934-h.htm or 28934-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/8/9/3/28934/ + +Produced by StevenGibbs, Christine P. Travers and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +https://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +https://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at https://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit https://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including including checks, online payments and credit card +donations. To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + https://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + + +</pre> + +</body> +</html> diff --git a/28934-h/images/img001.jpg b/28934-h/images/img001.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..d020ab7 --- /dev/null +++ b/28934-h/images/img001.jpg diff --git a/28934-h/images/img002.jpg b/28934-h/images/img002.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..a3f157a --- /dev/null +++ b/28934-h/images/img002.jpg diff --git a/28934-h/images/img003.jpg b/28934-h/images/img003.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..46a2149 --- /dev/null +++ b/28934-h/images/img003.jpg diff --git a/28934-h/images/img003tb.jpg b/28934-h/images/img003tb.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..a94a144 --- /dev/null +++ b/28934-h/images/img003tb.jpg diff --git a/28934-h/images/img004.jpg b/28934-h/images/img004.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..9ed854f --- /dev/null +++ b/28934-h/images/img004.jpg diff --git a/28934-h/images/img005.jpg b/28934-h/images/img005.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ebe422e --- /dev/null +++ b/28934-h/images/img005.jpg diff --git a/28934-h/images/img006.jpg b/28934-h/images/img006.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..a9e6a6d --- /dev/null +++ b/28934-h/images/img006.jpg diff --git a/28934-h/images/img007.jpg b/28934-h/images/img007.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..f6dc2ed --- /dev/null +++ b/28934-h/images/img007.jpg diff --git a/28934-h/images/img008.jpg b/28934-h/images/img008.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..578c444 --- /dev/null +++ b/28934-h/images/img008.jpg diff --git a/28934-h/images/img008tb.jpg b/28934-h/images/img008tb.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c31a255 --- /dev/null +++ b/28934-h/images/img008tb.jpg |
