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diff --git a/3552.txt b/3552.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..1e17007 --- /dev/null +++ b/3552.txt @@ -0,0 +1,3876 @@ +The Project Gutenberg Etext of the Memoirs of Napoleon, V2, 1798 +NB#02 in our Napoleon series, by Louis Antoine Fauvelet de Bourrienne + +Copyright laws are changing all over the world, be sure to check +the laws for your country before redistributing these files!!! + +Please take a look at the important information in this header. +We encourage you to keep this file on your own disk, keeping an +electronic path open for the next readers. + +Please do not remove this. + +This should be the first thing seen when anyone opens the book. +Do not change or edit it without written permission. 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FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN ETEXTS*Ver.12.12.00*END* + + + + + +This etext was produced by David Widger + + + + + +MEMOIRS OF NAPOLEON BONAPARTE, VOLUME 2. + +by LOUIS ANTOINE FAUVELET DE BOURRIENNE + +His Private Secretary + +Edited by R. W. Phipps +Colonel, Late Royal Artillery + +1891 + + + + +CONTENTS: +Chapter V. to Chapter XIV. 1798 + + + + +CHAPTER V + +1797. + + Signature of the preliminaries of peace--Fall of Venice--My arrival + and reception at Leoben--Bonaparte wishes to pursue his success-- + The Directory opposes him--He wishes to advance on Vienna--Movement + of the army of the Sombre-et-Mouse--Bonaparte's dissatisfaction-- + Arrival at Milan--We take up our residence at Montebello--Napoleon's + judgment respecting Dandolo and Melzi. + +I joined Bonaparte at Leoben on the 19th of April, the day after the +signature of the preliminaries of peace. These preliminaries resembled +in no respect the definitive treaty of Campo Formio. The still +incomplete fall of the State of Venice did not at that time present an +available prey for partition. All was arranged afterwards. Woe to the +small States that come in immediate contact with two colossal empires +waging war! + +Here terminated my connection with Bonaparte as a comrade and equal, and +those relations with him commenced in which I saw him suddenly great, +powerful, and surrounded with homage and glory. I no longer addressed +him as I had been accustomed to do. I appreciated too well his personal +importance. His position placed too great a social distance between him +and me not to make me feel the necessity of fashioning my demeanour +accordingly. I made with pleasure, and without regret, the easy +sacrifice of the style of familiar companionship and other little +privileges. He said, in a loud voice, when I entered the salon where he +was surrounded by the officers who formed his brilliant staff, "I am glad +to see you, at last"--"Te voila donc, enfin;", but as soon as we were +alone he made me understand that he was pleased with my reserve, and +thanked me for it. I was immediately placed at the head of his Cabinet. +I spoke to him the same evening respecting the insurrection of the +Venetian territories, of the dangers which menaced the French, and of +those which I had escaped, etc. "Care thou' nothing about it," said he; + + --[He used to 'tutoyer' me in this familiar manner until his return + to Milan.]-- + +"those rascals shall pay for it. Their republic has had its day, and is +done." This republic was, however, still existing, wealthy and powerful. +These words brought to my recollection what I had read in a work by one +Gabriel Naude, who wrote during the reign of Louis XIII. for Cardinal de +Bagin: "Do you see Constantinople, which flatters itself with being the +seat of a double empire; and Venice, which glories in her stability of a +thousand years? Their day will come." + +In the first conversation which Bonaparte had with me, I thought I could +perceive that he was not very well satisfied with the preliminaries. He +would have liked to advance with his army to Vienna. He did not conceal +this from me. Before he offered peace to Prince Charles, he wrote to the +Directory that he intended to pursue his success, but that for this +purpose he reckoned on the co-operation of the armies of the Sambre-et- +Meuse and the Rhine. The Directory replied that he must not reckon on a +diversion in Germany, and that the armies of the Sambre-et-Meuse and the +Rhine were not to pass that river. A resolution so unexpected-- +a declaration so contrary to what he had constantly solicited, compelled +him to terminate his triumphs, and renounce his favourite project of +planting the standard of the republic on the ramparts of Vienna, or at +least of levying contributions on the suburbs of that capital. + +A law of the 23d of August 1794 forbade the use of any other names than +those in the register of births. I wished to conform to this law, which +very foolishly interfered with old habits. My eldest brother was living, +and I therefore designated myself Fauvelet the younger. This annoyed +General Bonaparte. "Such change of name is absolute nonsense," said he. +"I have known you for twenty years by the name of Bourrienne. Sign as +you still are named, and see what the advocates with their laws will do." + +On the 20th of April, as Bonaparte was returning to Italy, he was obliged +to stop on an island of the Tagliamento, while a torrent passed by, which +had been occasioned by a violent storm. A courier appeared on the right +bank of the river. He reached the island. Bonaparte read in the +despatches of the Directory that the armies of the Sambre-et-Meuse and +the Rhine were in motion; that they were preparing to cross the Rhine, +and had commenced hostilities on the very day of the signing of the +preliminaries. This information arrived seven days after the Directory +had written that "he must not reckon on the co-operation of the armies of +Germany." It is impossible to describe the General's vexation on reading +these despatches. He had signed the preliminaries only because the +Government had represented the co-operation of the armies of the Rhine as +impracticable at that moment, and shortly afterwards he was informed that +the co-operation was about to take place! The agitation of his mind was +so great that he for a moment conceived the idea of crossing to the left +bank of the Tagliamento, and breaking off the negotiations under some +pretext or other. He persisted for some time in this resolution, which, +however, Berthier and some other generals successfully opposed. He +exclaimed, "What a difference would there have been in the preliminaries, +if, indeed, there had been any!" + +His chagrin, I might almost say his despair, increased when, some days +after his entry into the Venetian States, he received a letter from +Moreau, dated the 23d of April, in which that general informed him that, +having passed the Rhine on the 20th with brilliant success, and taken +four thousand prisoners, it would not be long before he joined him. +Who, in fact, can say what would have happened but for the vacillating +and distrustful policy of the Directory, which always encouraged low +intrigues, and participated in the jealousy excited by the renown of the +young conqueror? Because the Directory dreaded his ambition they +sacrificed the glory of our arms and the honour of the nation; for it +cannot be doubted that, had the passage of the Rhine, so urgently +demanded by Bonaparte, taken place some days sooner, he would have been +able, without incurring any risk, to dictate imperiously the conditions +of peace on the spot; or, if Austria were obstinate, to have gone on to +Vienna and signed it there. Still occupied with this idea, he wrote to +the Directory on the 8th of May: "Since I have received intelligence of +the passage of the Rhine by Hoche and Moreau, I much regret that it did +not take place fifteen days sooner; or, at least, that Moreau did not say +that he was in a situation to effect it." (He had been informed to the +contrary.) What, after this, becomes of the unjust reproach against +Bonaparte of having, through jealousy of Moreau, deprived France of the +advantages which a prolonged campaign would have procured her? Bonaparte +was too devoted to the glory of France to sacrifice it to jealousy of the +glory of any individual. + +In traversing the Venetian States to return to Milan, he often spoke to +me of Venice. He always assured me that he was originally entirely +unconnected with the insurrections which had agitated that country; that +common sense would show, as his project was to advance into the basin of +the Danube, he had no interest in having his rear disturbed by revolts, +and his communications interrupted or cut off: "Such an idea," said he, +"would be absurd, and could never enter into the mind of a man to whom +even his enemies cannot deny a certain degree of tact." He acknowledged +that he was not vexed that matters had turned out as they had done, +because he had already taken advantage of these circumstances in the +preliminaries and hoped to profit still more from them in the definitive +peace. "When I arrive at Milan," said he, "I will occupy myself with +Venice." It is therefore quite evident to me that in reality the +General-in-Chief had nothing to do with the Venetian insurrections; that +subsequently he was not displeased with them; and that, later still, he +derived great advantage from them. + +We arrived at Milan on the 5th of May, by way of Lawbook, Thrust, Palma- +Nova, Padua, Verona, and Mantua. Bonaparte soon took up his residence at +Montebello, a very fine chateau, three leagues from Milan, with a view +over the rich and magnificent plains of Lombard. At Montebello commenced +the negotiations for the definitive peace which were terminated at +Passeriano. The Marquis de Gallo, the Austrian plenipotentiary, resided +half a league from Montebello. + +During his residence at Montebello the General-in-Chief made an excursion +to the Lake of Como and to the Ago Maguire. He visited the Borromean +Islands in succession, and occupied himself on his return with the +organization of the towns of Venice, Genoa, and Milan. He sought for men +and found none. "Good God," said he, "how rare men are! There are +eighteen millions in Italy, and I have with difficulty found two, Dandolo +and Melzi." + +He appreciated them properly. Dandolo was one of the men who, in those +revolutionary times, reflected the greatest honour upon Italy. After +being a member of the great council of the Cisalpine Republic, he +exercised the functions of Proveditore-General in Dalmatia. It is only +necessary to mention the name of Dandolo to the Dalmatians to learn from +the grateful inhabitants how just and vigorous his administration was. +The services of Melzi are known. He was Chancellor and Keeper of the +Seals of the Italian monarchy, and was created Duke of Lodi. + + --[Francesco, Comte de Melzi d'Eryl (1753-1816), vice President of + the Italian Republic, 1802; Chancellor of the Kingdom of Italy, + 1805; Duc de Loth, 1807.]-- + +In those who have seen the world the truth of Napoleon's reproach excites +little astonishment. In a country which, according to biographies and +newspapers, abounds with extraordinary men, a woman of much talent +-(Madame Roland.)- said, "What has most surprised me, since the elevation +of my husband has afforded me the opportunity of knowing many persons, +and particularly those employed in important affairs, is the universal +mediocrity which exists. It surpasses all that the imagination can +conceive, and it is observable in all ranks, from the clerk to the +minister. Without this experience I never could have believed my species +to be so contemptible." + +Who does not remember Oxenstiern's remark to his son, who trembled at +going so young to the congress of Munster: "Go, my son. You will see by +what sort of men the world is governed." + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +1797. + + Napoleon's correspondence--Release of French prisoners at Olmutz-- + Negotiations with Austria--Bonaparte's dissatisfaction--Letter of + complaint from Bonaparte to the Executive Directory--Note respecting + the affairs of Venice and the Club of Clichy, written by Bonaparte + and circulated in the army--Intercepted letter of the Emperor + Francis. + +During the time when the preliminaries of Leoben suspended military +operations, Napoleon was not anxious to reply immediately to all letters. +He took a fancy to do, not exactly as Cardinal Dubois did, when he threw +into the fire the letters he had received, saying, "There! my +correspondents are answered," but something of the same kind. To satisfy +himself that people wrote too much, and lost, in trifling and useless +answers, valuable time, he told me to open only the letters which came by +extraordinary couriers, and to leave all the rest for three weeks in the +basket. At the end of that time it was unnecessary to reply to four- +fifths of these communications. Some were themselves answers; some were +acknowledgments of letters received; others contained requests for +favours already granted, but of which intelligence had not been received. +Many were filled with complaints respecting provisions, pay, or clothing, +and orders had been issued upon all these points before the letters were +written. Some generals demanded reinforcements, money, promotion, etc. +By not opening their letters Bonaparte was spared the unpleasing office +of refusing. When the General-in-Chief compared the very small number of +letters which it was necessary to answer with the large number which time +alone had answered, he laughed heartily at his whimsical idea. Would not +this mode of proceeding be preferable to that of causing letters to be +opened by any one who may be employed, and replying to them by a circular +to which it is only necessary to attach a date? + +During the negotiations which followed the treaty of Leoben, the +Directory ordered General Bonaparte to demand the liberty of MM. de La +Fayette, Latour-Marbourg, and Bureau de Puzy, detained at Olmutz since +1792 as prisoners of state. The General-in-Chief executed this +commission with as much pleasure as zeal, but he often met with +difficulties which appeared to be insurmountable. It has been very +incorrectly stated that these prisoners obtained their liberty by one of +the articles of the preliminaries of Leoben. I wrote a great deal on +this subject to the dictation of General Bonaparte, and I joined him only +on the day after the signature of these preliminaries. It was not till +the end of May of the year 1797 that the liberation of these captives was +demanded, and they did not obtain their freedom till the end of August. +There was no article in the treaty, public or secret, which had reference +to them. Neither was it at his own suggestion that Bonaparte demanded +the enlargement of the prisoners, but by order of the Directory. To +explain why they did not go to France immediately after their liberation +from Olmutz, it is necessary to recollect that the events of the 18th +Fructidor occurred between the period when the first steps were taken to +procure their liberty and the date of their deliverance. It required all +Bonaparte's ascendency and vigour of character to enable him to succeed +in his object at the end of three months. + +We had arrived at the month of July, and the negotiations were tediously +protracted. It was impossible to attribute the embarrassment which was +constantly occurring to anything but the artful policy of Austria: Other +affairs occupied Bonaparte. The news from Paris engrossed all his +attention. He saw with extreme displeasure the manner in which the +influential orators of the councils, and pamphlets written in the same +spirit as they spoke, criticised him, his army, his victories, the +affairs of Venice, and the national glory. He was quite indignant at the +suspicions which it was sought to create respecting his conduct and +ulterior views. + +The following excerpts, attributed to the pens of Dumouriez or Rivarol, +are specimens of some of the comments of the time: + + EXTRACTS OF LETTERS IN "LE SPECTATUER DU NORD of 1797. + + General Bonaparte is, without contradiction, the most brilliant + warrior who has appeared at the head of the armies of the French + Republic. His glory is incompatible with democratic equality, and + the services he has rendered are too great to be recompensed except + by hatred and ingratitude. He is very young, and consequently has + to pursue a long career of accusations and of persecutions. + + ........Whatever may be the crowning event of his military career, + Bonaparte is still a great man. All his glory is due to himself + alone; because he alone has developed s character end a genius of + which no one else has furnished an example. + + + EXTRACT OF LETTER OR 18TH APRIL 1797 in "THE SPECTATEUR DU NORD." + + Regard, for instance, this wretched war. Uncertain in Champagne, it + becomes daring under Dumouriez, unbridled under the brigands who + fought the Vendeeans, methodic under Pichegru, vulgar under Jourdan, + skilled under Moreau, rash under Bonaparte. Each general has put + the seal of his genius on his career, and has given life or death to + his army. From the commencement of his career Bonaparte has + developed an ardent character which is irritated by obstacles, and a + quickness which forestalls every determination of the enemy. It is + with heavier and heavier blows that, he strikes. He throws his army + on the enemy like an unloosed torrent. He is all action, and he is + so in everything. See him fight, negotiate, decree, punish, all is + the matter of a moment. He compromises with Turin as with Rome. He + invades Modena as he burns Binasco. He never hesitates; to cut the + Gordian knot is always his method. + + +Bonaparte could not endure to have his conduct predicated; and enraged at +seeing his campaigns depreciated, his glory and that of his army +disparaged, + + --[The extraordinary folly of the opposition to the Directory in + throwing Bonaparte on to the side of the Directory, will be seen by + reading the speech of Dumolard, so often referred to by Bourrienne + (Thiers, vol. v. pp. 110-111), and by the attempts of Mathieu Dumas + to remove the impression that the opposition slighted the fortunate + General. (See Dumas, tome iii. p. 80; see also Lanfrey, tome i. + pp. 257-299).]-- + +and intrigues formed against him in the Club of Clichy, he wrote the +following letter to the Directory:-- + + TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTORY. + + I have just received, Citizens-Directors, a copy of the motion of + Dumolard (23d June 1797). + + This motion, printed by order of the Assembly, it is evident, is + directed against me. I was entitled, after, having five times + concluded peace, and given a death-blow to the coalition, if not to + civic triumphs, at least to live tranquilly under the protection of + the first magistrates of the Republic. At present I find myself + ill-treated, persecuted, and disparaged, by every shameful means, + which their policy brings to the aid of persecution. I would have + been indifferent to all except that species of opprobrium with which + the first magistrates of the Republic endeavour to overwhelm me. + After having deserved well of my country by my last act, I am not + bound to hear myself accused in a manner as absurd as atrocious. + I have not expected that a manifesto, signed by emigrants, paid by + England, should obtain more credit with the Council of Five Hundred + than the evidence of eighty thousand men--than mine! What! we were + assassinated by traitors--upwards of four hundred men perished; and + the first magistrates of the Republic make it a crime to have + believed the statement for a moment. Upwards of four hundred + Frenchmen were dragged through the streets. They were assassinated + before the eyes of the governor of the fort. They were pierced with + a thousand blows of stilettos, such as I sent you and the + representatives of the French people cause it to be printed, that if + they believed this fact for an instant, they were excusable. I know + well there are societies where it is said, "Is this blood, then, so + pure?" + + If only base men, who are dead to the feeling of patriotism and + national glory, had spoken of me thus, I would not have complained. + I would have disregarded it; but I have a right to complain of the + degradation to which the first magistrates of the Republic reduce + those who have aggrandised, and carried the French name to so high a + pitch of glory. Citizens-Directors, I reiterate the demand I made + for my dismissal; I wish to live in tranquillity, if the poniards of + Clichy will allow me to live. You have employed me in negotiations. + I am not very fit to conduct them. + + +About the same time he drew up the following note respecting the affairs +of Venice, which was printed without the author's name, and circulated +through the whole army:-- + + NOTE. + + Bonaparte, pausing before the gates of Turin, Parma, Rome, and + Vienna, offering peace when he was sure of obtaining nothing but + fresh triumphs--Bonaparte, whose every operation exhibits respect + for religion, morality, and old age; who, instead of heaping, as he + might have done, dishonour upon the Venetians, and humbling their + republic to the earth, loaded her with acts of kindness, and took + such great interest in her glory--is this the same Bonaparte who is + accused of destroying the ancient Government of Venice, and + democratising Genoa, and even of interfering in the affairs of the + prudent and worthy people of the Swiss Cantons? Bonaparte had + passed the Tagliamento, and entered Germany, when insurrections + broke out in the Venetian States; these insurrections were, + therefore, opposed to Bonaparte's project; surely, then, he could + not favour them. When he was in the heart of Germany the Venetians + massacred more than four hundred French troops, drove their quarters + out of Verona, assassinated the unfortunate Laugier, and presented + the spectacle of a fanatical party in arms. He returned to Italy; + and on his arrival, as the winds cease their agitation at the + presence of Neptune, the whole of Italy, which was in commotion, + which was in arms, was restored to order. + + However, the deputies from Bonaparte drew up different articles + conformable to the situation of the country, and in order to + prevent, not a revolution in the Government, for the Government was + defunct, and had died a natural death, but a crisis, and to save the + city from convulsion, anarchy, and pillage. Bonaparte spared a + division of his army to save Venice from pillage and massacre. All + the battalions were in the streets of Venice, the disturbers were + put down, and the pillage discontinued. Property and trade were + preserved, when General Baragney d'Hilliers entered Venice with his + division. Bonaparte, as usual, spared blood, and was the protector + of Venice. Whilst the French troops remained they conducted + themselves peaceably, and only interfered to support the provisional + Government. + + Bonaparte could not say to the deputies of Venice, who came to ask + his protection and assistance against the populace, who wished to + plunder them, "I cannot meddle with your affairs." He could not say + this, for Venice, and all its territories, had really formed the + theatre of war; and, being in the rear of the army of Italy, the + Republic of Venice was really under the jurisdiction of that army. + The rights of war confer upon a general the powers of supreme police + over the countries which are the seat of war. As the great + Frederick said, "There are no neutrals where there is war." + Ignorant advocates and babblers have asked, in the Club of Clichy, + why we occupy the territory of Venice. These declaimers should + learn war, and they would know that the Adige, the Brenta, and the + Tagliamento, where we have been fighting for two years, are within + the Venetian States. But, gentlemen of Clichy, we are at no loss to + perceive your meaning. You reproach the army of Italy for having + surmounted all difficulties--for subduing all Italy for having twice + passed the Alps--for having marched on Vienna, and obliged Austria + to acknowledge the Republic that, you, men of Clichy, would destroy. + You accuse Bonaparte, I see clearly, for having brought about peace. + But I know you, and I speak in the name of eighty thousand soldiers. + The time is gone when base advocates and wretched declaimers could + induce soldiers to revolt. If, however, yon compel them, the + soldiers of the army of Italy will soon appear at the Barrier of + Clichy, with their General. But woe unto you if they do! + + Bonaparte having arrived at Palma-Nova, issued a manifesto on the 2d + of May 1797. Arrived at Mestre, where he posted his troops, the + Government sent three deputies to him, with a decree of the Great + Council, without Bonaparte having solicited it and without his + having thought of making any change in the Government of that + country: The governor of Venice was an old man, ninety-nine years-of + age, confined by illness to his apartment. Everyone felt the + necessity of renovating this Government of twelve hundred years' + existence, and to simplify its machinery, in order to preserve its + independence, honour, and glory. It was necessary to deliberate, + first, on the manner of renovating the Government; secondly, on the + means of atoning for the massacre of the French, the iniquity of + which every one was sensible.. + + Bonaparte, after having received the deputation at Mestre, told them + that in order to obtain satisfaction, for the assassination of his + brethren is arms, he wished the Great Council to arrest the + inquisitors. He afterwards granted them an armistice, and appointed + Milan as the place of conference. The deputies arrived at Milan on + the . . . A negotiation commenced to re-establish harmony between + the Governments. However, anarchy, with all its horrors, afflicted + the city of Venice. Ten thousand Sclavonians threatened to pillage + the shops. Bonaparte acquiesced in the proposition submitted by the + deputies, who promised to verify the loss which had been sustained + by pillage. + + +Bonaparte also addressed a manifesto to the Doge, which appeared in all +the public papers. It contained fifteen articles of complaint, and was +followed by a decree ordering the French Minister to leave Venice, the +Venetian agents to leave Lombard, and the Lion of St. Mark to be pulled +down in all the Continental territories of Venice. + +The General-in-Chief now openly manifested his resolution of marching on +Paris; and this disposition, which was well known in the army, was soon +communicated to Vienna. At this period a letter from the Emperor Francis +II. to his brother, the Grand Duke of Tuscany, was intercepted by +Bonaparte. I translated the letter, which proved to him that Francis II. +was acquainted with his project. He likewise saw with pleasure the +assurances which the Emperor gave his brother of his love of peace, as +well as the wavering of the imperial resolves, and the incertitude +respecting the fate of the Italian princes, which the Emperor easily +perceived to depend on Bonaparte. The Emperor's letter was as follows:-- + + MY DEAR BROTHER--I punctually received your third letter, containing + a description of your unhappy and delicate situation. You may be + assured that I perceive it as clearly as you do yourself; and I pity + you the more because, in truth, I do not know what advice to give + you. You are, like me, the victim of the former inactivity of the + princes of Italy, who ought, at once, to have acted with all their + united forces, while I still possessed Mantua. If Bonaparte's + project be, as I learn, to establish republics in Italy, this is + likely to end in spreading republicanism over the whole country. I + have already commenced negotiations for peace, and the preliminaries + are ratified. If the French observe them as strictly as I do, and + will do, then your situation will be improved; but already the + French are beginning to disregard them. The principal problem which + remains to be solved is, whether the French Directory approve of + Bonaparte's proceedings, and whether the latter, as appears by some + papers distributed through his army, is not disposed to revolt + against his country, which also seems to be probable, from his + severe conduct towards Switzerland, notwithstanding the assurances + of the Directory, that he had been ordered to leave the country + untouched. If this should be the case, new and innumerable + difficulties may arise. Under these circumstances I can, at + present, advise nothing; for, as to myself, it is only time and the + circumstances of the moment which can point out how I am to act. + + There is nothing new here. We are all well; but the heat is + extraordinary. Always retain your friendship and love for me. + Make my compliments to your wife, and believe me ever + + Your best Friend and Brother, + FRANCIS. + + HETZENDORF, July 20, 1797. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +1797. + + Unfounded reports--Carnot--Capitulation of Mantua--General Clarke-- + The Directory yields to Bonaparte--Berthier--Arrival of Eugene + Beauharnais at Milan--Comte Delannay d'Entraigues--His interview + with Bonaparte--Seizure of his papers--Copy of one describing a + conversation between him and Comte de Montgaillard--The Emperor + Francis--The Prince de Conde and General Pichegru. + +While Bonaparte was expressing his opinion on his campaigns and the +injustice with which they had been criticised, it was generally believed +that Carnot dictated to him from a closet in the Luxembourg all the plans +of his operations, and that Berthier was at his right hand, without whom, +notwithstanding Carnot's plans, which were often mere romances, he would +have been greatly embarrassed. This twofold misrepresentation was very +current for some time; and, notwithstanding it was contrary to the +evidence of facts, it met with much credence, particularly abroad. There +was, however, no foundation for the opinion: Let us render to Caesar that +which is Caesar's due. Bonaparte was a creator in the art of war, and no +imitator. That no man was superior to him in that art is incontestable. +At the commencement of the glorious campaign in Italy the Directory +certainly sent out instructions to him; but he always followed his own +plans, and continually, wrote back that all would be lost if movements +conceived at a distance from the scene of action were to be blindly +executed. He also offered to resign. At length the Directory perceived +the impossibility of prescribing operations of war according to the view +of persons in Paris; and when I became the secretary of the General-in- +Chief I saw a despatch of the Directory, dated May, 1796, committing the +whole plan of the campaign to his judgment; and assuredly there was not a +single operation or movement which did not originate with him. Carnot +was obliged to yield to his firmness. When the Directory, towards the +end of 1796, felt disposed to treat for peace, General Clarke, appointed +to conclude the armistice, was authorised, in case Mantua should not be +taken before the negotiation was brought to a close, to propose leaving +the blockade in statu quo. Had such a condition been adopted it would +doubtless hays been stipulated that the Emperor of Austria should be +allowed to provision the garrison and inhabitants of the city day by day. +Bonaparte, convinced that an armistice without Mantua would by no means +conduce to peace, earnestly opposed such a condition. He carried his +point; Mantua capitulated, and the result is well known. Yet he was not +blind to the hazards of war; while preparing, during the blockade, an +assault on Mantua, he wrote thus to the Directory: "A bold stroke of this +nature depends absolutely for success on a dog or a goose." This was +about a question of surprise. + +Bonaparte was exceedingly sensitive to the rumours which reached him +respecting Carnot and Berthier. He one day said to me: "What gross +stupidity, is this? It is very well to say to a general, 'Depart for +Italy, gain battles, and sign a peace at Vienna;' but the execution that +is not so easy. I never attached any value to the plans which the +Directory sent me. Too many circumstances occur on the spot to modify +them. The movement of a single corps of the enemy's army may confound a +whole plan arranged by the fireside. Only fools can believe such stuff! +As for Berthier, since you have been with me, you see what he is--he is a +blockhead. Yet it is he who does it all; it is he who gathers a great +part of the glory of the army of Italy." I told him that this erroneous +opinion could not last long; that each person would be allowed his merit, +and that at least posterity would judge rightly. This observation seemed +to please him. + +Berthier was a man full of honour, courage, and probity, and exceedingly +regular in the performance of his duties. Bonaparte's attachment to him +arose more from habit than liking. Berthier did not concede with +affability, and refused with harshness. His abrupt, egotistic, and +careless manners did not, however, create him many enemies, but, at the +same time, did not make him many friends. In consequence of our frequent +intercourse he had contracted the friendly practice of speaking to me in +the second person singular; but he never wrote to me is that style. He +was perfectly acquainted with the disposition of all the corps, and could +name their commanders and their respective forces. Day or night he was +always at hand and made out with clearness all the secondary orders which +resulted from the dispositions of the General-in-Chief. In fact, he was, +an excellent head of the staff of an army; but that is all the praise +that can be given, and indeed he wished for no greater. He had such +entire confidence in Bonaparte, and looked up to him with so much +admiration, that he never would have presumed to oppose his plans or give +any advise. Berthier's talent was very limited, and of a special nature; +his character was one of extreme weakness. Bonaparte's friendship for +him and the frequency of his name in the bulletins and official +despatches have unduly elevated his reputation. Bonaparte, giving his +opinion to the Directory respecting the generals employed in his army, +said, "Berthier has talents, activity, courage, character--all in his +favour." This was in 1796. He then made an eagle of him; at St. Helena +he called him a goose. He should neither have, raised him so high nor +sunk him so low. + +Berthier neither merited the one nor the other. Bonaparte was a man of +habit; he was much attached to all the people about him, and did not like +new faces. Berthier loved him. He carried out his orders well, and that +enabled him to pass off with his small portion of talent. + +It was about this time that young Beauharnais came to Milan. He was +seventeen years old. He had lived in Paris with his mother since the +departure of Bonaparte. On his arrival he immediately entered the +service as 'aide de camp' to the General-in-Chief, who felt for him an +affection which was justified by his good qualities. + +Comte Delaunay d'Entraigues, well known in the French Revolution, held a +diplomatic post at Venice when that city was threatened by the French. +Aware of his being considered the agent of all the machinations then +existing against France, and especially against the army of Italy, he +endeavoured to escape; but the city being, surrounded, he was seized, +together with all his papers. The apparently frank manners of the Count +pleased Bonaparte, who treated him with indulgence. His papers were +restored, with the exception of three relating to political subjects. +He afterwards fled to Switzerland, and ungratefully represented himself +as having been oppressed by Bonaparte. His false statements have induced +many writers to make of him an heroic victim. He was assassinated by his +own servant in 1802. + +I kept a copy of one of his most interesting papers. It has been much +spoken of, and Fauche-Borel has, I believe, denied its authenticity and +the truth of its contents. The manner in which it fell into the hands of +the General-in-Chief, the importance attached to it by d'Entraigues, the +differences I have observed between the manuscript I copied and versions +which I have since read, and the, knowledge of its, authenticity, having +myself transcribed it from the handwriting of the Count, who in my +presence vouched for the truth of the facts it details--all these +circumstances induce me to insert it here, and compel me to doubt that it +was, as Fauche-Borel asserted, a fabrication. + +This manuscript is entitled, 'My Conversation with Comte de Montgaillard, +on the 4th of December 1796, from Six in the Afternoon till midnight, in +the presence of the Abbe Dumontel.' + +[On my copy are written the words, "Extracts from this conversation, made +by me, from the original." I omitted what I thought unimportant, and +transcribed only the most interesting passages. Montgaillard spoke of +his escape, of his flight to England, of his return to France, of his +second departure, and finally of his arrival at Bale in August 1795.] + + The Prince de Conde soon afterwards, he said, called me to Mulheim, + and knowing the connections I had had in France, proposed that I + should sound General Pichegru, whose headquarters were at Altkirch, + where he then was, surrounded by four representatives of the + Convention. + + I immediately went to Neufchatel, taking with me four or five + hundred Louis. I cast my eyes on Fauche-Borel, the King's printer + at Neufchatel, and also yours and mine, as the instrument by which + to make the first overture, and I selected as his colleague M. + Courant, a native of Neufchatel. I persuaded them to undertake the + business: I supplied them with instructions and passports. They + were foreigners: so I furnished them with all the necessary + documents to enable them to travel in France as foreign merchants + and purchasers of national property. I went to Bale to wait for + news from them. + + On the 13th of August Fauche and Courant set out for the + headquarters at Altkirch. They remained there eight days without + finding an opportunity to speak to Pichegru, who was surrounded by + representatives and generals. Pichegru observed them, and seeing + them continually wheresoever he went, he conjectured that they had + something to say to him, and he called out in a loud voice, while + passing them, "I am going to Huningen." Fauche contrived to throw + himself in his way at the end of a corridor. Pichegru observed him, + and fixed his eyes upon him, and although it rained in torrents, he + said aloud, "I am going to dine at the chateau of Madame ,Salomon." + This chateau was three leagues from Huningen, and Madame Salomon was + Pichegru's mistress. + + Fauche set off directly to the chateau, and begged to speak with + General Pichegru. He told the general that, being in the possession + of some of J. J. Rousseau's manuscripts, he wished to publish them + and dedicate them to him. "Very good," said Pichegru; "but I should + like to read them first; for Rousseau professed principles of + liberty in which I do not concur, and with which I should not like + to have my name connected."--"But," said Fauche, "I have something + else to speak to you about."--"What is it, and on whose behalf?"-- + "On behalf of the Prince de Conde."--"Be silent, then, and follow + me." + + He conducted Fauche alone into a retired cabinet, and said to + him, "Explain yourself; what does Monseigneur le Prince de Conde + wish to communicate to me?" Fauche was embarrassed, and stammered + out something unintelligible. "Compose yourself." said Pichegru; + "my sentiments are the same, as the Prince de Conde's. What does he + desire of me?" Fauche, encouraged by these words, replied, "The + Prince wishes to join you. He counts on you, and wishes to connect + himself with you." + + "These are vague and unmeaning words," observed Pichegru. "All this + amounts to nothing. Go back, and ask for written instructions, and + return in three days to my headquarters at Altkirch. You will find + me alone precisely at six o'clock in the evening." + + Fauche immediately departed, arrived at Bale, and informed me of all + that had passed. I spent the night in writing a letter to General + Pichegru. (The Prince de Conde, who was invested with all the + powers of Louis XVIII, except that of granting the 'cordon-bleu', + had, by a note in his own handwriting, deputed to me all his powers, + to enable me to maintain a negotiation with General Pichegru). + + I therefore wrote to the general, stating, in the outset, everything + that was calculated to awaken in him that noble sentiment of pride + which is the instinct of great minds; and after pointing out to him + the vast good it was in his power to effect, I spoke of the + gratitude of the King, and the benefit he would confer on his + country by restoring royalty. I told him that his Majesty would + make him a marshal of France, and governor of Alsace, as no one + could better govern the province than he who had so valiantly + defended it. I added that he would have the 'cordon-rouge', the + Chateau de Chambord, with its park, and twelve pieces of cannon + taken from the Austrians, a million of ready money, 200,000 livres + per annum, and an hotel in Paris; that the town of Arbors, + Pichegru's native place, should bear his name, and be exempt from + all taxation for twenty-five years; that a pension of 200,000 livres + would be granted to him, with half reversion to his wife, and 50,000 + livres to his heirs for ever, until the extinction of his family. + Such were the offers, made in the name of the King, to General + Pichegru. (Than followed the boons to be granted to the officers + and soldiers, an amnesty to the people, etc). I added that the + Prince de Coude desired that he would proclaim the King in the + camps, surrender the city of Huningen to him, and join him for the + purpose of marching on Paris. + + Pichegru, having read my letter with great attention, said to + Fauche, "This is all very well; but who is this M. de Montgaillard + who talks of being thus authorised? I neither know him nor his + signature. Is he the author?"--"Yes," replied Fauche. "But," said + Pichegru, "I must, before making any negotiation on my part, be + assured that the Prince de Conde, with whose handwriting I am well + acquainted, approves of all that has been written is his name by M. + de Montgaillard. Return directly to M. de Montgaillard, and tell + him to communicate my answer to the Prince. + + Fauche immediately departed, leaving M. Courant with Pichegru. He + arrived at Bale at nine o'clock in the evening. I set off directly + for Malheim, the Prince de Conde's headquarters, and arrived there + at half-past twelve. The Prince was in bed, but I awoke him. He + made me sit down by his bedside, and our conference then commenced. + + After having informed the Prince of the state of affairs, all that + remained was to prevail on him to write to General Pichegru to + confirm the truth of what had been stated in his name. This matter, + which appeared so simple, and so little liable to objection, + occupied the whole night. The Prince, as brave a man as can + possibly be, inherited nothing from the great Conde but his + undaunted courage. In other respects he is the most insignificant + of men; without resources of mind, or decision of character; + surrounded by men of mediocrity, and even baseness; and though he + knows them well, he suffers himself to be governed by them. + + It required nine hours of hard exertion on my part to get him to + write to General Pichegru a letter of eight lines. 1st. He did not + wish it to be in his handwriting. 2d. He objected to dating it + 3d. He was unwilling to call him General, lest he should recognise + the republic by giving that title. 4th. He did not like to address + it, or affix his seal to it. + + At length he consented to all, and wrote to Pichegru that he might + place full confidence in the letters of the Comte de Montgaillard. + When all this was settled, after great difficulty, the Prince next + hesitated about sending the letter; but at length he yielded. I set + off for Bale, and despatched Fauche to Altkirch, to General + Pichegru. + + The general, after reading the letter of eight lines, and + recognising the handwriting and signature, immediately returned it + to Fauche, saying, "I have seen the signature: that is enough for + me. The word of the Prince is a pledge with which every Frenchman + ought to be satisfied. Take back his letter." He then inquired + what was the Prince's wish. Fauche explained that he wished--1st. + That Pichegru should proclaim the King to his troops, and hoist the + White flag. 2d. That he should deliver up Huningen to the Prince. + Pichegru objected to this. "I will never take part in such a plot," + said he; "I have no wish to make the third volume of La Fayette and + Dumouriez. I know my resources; they are as certain as they are + vast. Their roots are not only in my army, but in Paris, in the + Convention, in the departments, and in the armies of those generals, + my colleagues, who think as I do. I wish to do nothing by halves. + There must be a complete end of the present state of things. France + cannot continue a Republic. She must have a king, and that king + must be Louis XVIII. But we must not commence the counter- + revolution until we are certain of effecting it. 'Surely and + rightly' is my motto. The Prince's plan leads to nothing. He would + be driven from Huningen in four days, and in fifteen I should be + lost. My army is composed both of good men and bad. We must + distinguish between them, and, by a bold stroke, assure the former + of the impossibility of drawing back, and that their only safety + lies in success. For this purpose I propose to pass the Rhine, at + any place and any time that may be thought necessary. In the + advance I will place those officers on whom I can depend, and who + are of my way of thinking. I will separate the bad, and place them + in situations where they can do no harm, and their position shall be + such as to prevent them from uniting. That done, as soon as I shall + be on the other side of the Rhine, I will proclaim the King, and + hoist the white flag. Conde's corps and the Emperor's army will + then join us. I will immediately repass the Rhine, and re-enter + France. The fortresses will be surrendered, and will be held in the + King's name by the Imperial troops. Having joined Conde's army, I + immediately advance. All my means now develop themselves on every + side. We march upon Paris, and in a fortnight will be there. But + it is necessary that you should know that you must give the French + soldier wine and a crown in his hand if you would have him cry 'Vive + le Roi! Nothing must be wanting at the first moment. My army must + be well paid as far as the fourth or fifth march in the French + territory. There go and tell all this to the Prince, show my + handwriting, and bring me back his answer." + + During these conferences Pichegru was surrounded by four + representatives of the people, at the head of whom was Merlin de + Thionville, the most insolent and the most ferocious of inquisitors. + These men, having the orders of the Committee, pressed Pichegru to + pass the Rhine and go and besiege Manheim, where Merlin had an + understanding with the inhabitants. Thus, if on the one hand the + Committee by its orders made Pichegru wish to hasten the execution + of his plan, on the other he had not a moment to lose; for to delay + obeying the orders of the four representatives was to render himself + suspected. Every consideration, therefore, called upon the Prince + to decide, and decide promptly. Good sense required him also to do + another thing, namely, to examine without prejudice what sort of man + Pichegru was, to consider the nature of the sacrifice he made, and + what were his propositions. Europe acknowledged his talents, and he + had placed the Prince in a condition to judge of his good faith. + Besides, his conduct and his plan afforded fresh proofs of his + sincerity. By passing the Rhine and placing himself between the + armies of Conde and Wurmser, he rendered desertion impossible; and, + if success did not attend his attempt, his own acts forced him to + become an emigrant. He left in the power of his fierce enemies his + wife, his father, his children. Everything bore testimony to his + honesty; the talents he had shown were a pledge for his genius, his + genius for his resources; and the sacrifices he would have to make + in case of failure proved that he was confident of success. + + What stupid conceit was it for any one to suppose himself better + able to command Pichegru's army than Pichegru himself!--to pretend + to be better acquainted with the frontier provinces than Pichegru, + who commanded them, and had placed his friends in them as commanders + of the towns! This self-conceit, however, ruined the monarchy at + this time, as well as at so many others. The Prince de Conde, after + reading the plan, rejected it in toto. To render it successful it + was necessary to make the Austrians parties to it. This Pichegru + exacted, but the Prince of Conde would not hear a word of it, + wishing to have confined to himself the glory of effecting the + counter-revolution. He replied to Pichegru by a few observations, + and concluded his answer by returning to his first plan--that + Pichegru should proclaim the King without passing the Rhine, and + should give up Huningen; that then the army of Conde by itself, and + without the aid of the Austrians, would join him. In that case he + could promise 100,000 crowns in louis, which he had at Bale, and + 1,400,000 livres, which he had in good bills payable at sight. + + No argument or entreaty had any effect on the Prince de Condo. The + idea of communicating his plan to Wurmser and sharing his glory with + him rendered him blind and deaf to every consideration. However, it + was necessary to report to Pichegru the observations of the Prince + de Conde, and Courant was commissioned to do so. + +This document appeared so interesting to me that while Bonaparte was +sleeping I was employed in copying it. Notwithstanding posterior and +reiterated denials of its truth, I believe it to be perfectly correct. + +Napoleon had ordered plans of his most famous battles to be engraved, and +had paid in advance for them. The work was not done quickly enough for +him. He got angry, and one day said to his geographer, Bacler d'Albe, +whom he liked well enough, "Ah! do hurry yourself, and think all this is +only the business of a moment. If you make further delay you will sell +nothing; everything is soon forgotten!" + +We were now in July, and the negotiations were carried on with a +tardiness which showed that something was kept in reserve on both sides. +Bonaparte at this time was anything but disposed to sign a peace, which +be always hoped to be able to make at Vienna, after a campaign in +Germany, seconded by the armies of the Rhine and the Sambre-et-Meuse. +The minority of the Directory recommended peace on the basis of the +preliminaries, but the majority wished for more honourable and +advantageous terms; while Austria, relying on troubles breaking out in +France, was in no haste to conclude a treaty. In these circumstances +Bonaparte drew up a letter to be sent to the Emperor of Austria, in which +he set forth the moderation of France; but stated that, in consequence of +the many delays, nearly all hope of peace had vanished. He advised the +Emperor not to rely on difficulties arising in France, and doubted, if +war should continue and the Emperor be successful in the next campaign, +that he would obtain a more advantageous peace than was now at his +option. This letter was never sent to the Emperor, but was communicated +as the draft of a proposed despatch to the Directory. The Emperor +Francis, however, wrote an autograph letter to the General-in-Chief of +the army of Italy, which will be noticed when I come to the period of its +reception: It is certain that Bonaparte at this time wished for war. He +was aware that the Cabinet of Vienna was playing with him, and that the +Austrian Ministers expected some political convulsion in Paris, which +they hoped would be favourable to the Bourbons. He therefore asked for +reinforcements. His army consisted of 35,900 men, and he desired it to +be raised to 60,000 infantry and 10,000 cavalry ready for the field. + +General Desaix, profiting by the preliminaries of Leoben, came in the end +of July to visit the scene of the army of Italy's triumphs. His +conversations with Bonaparte respecting the army of the Rhine were far +from giving him confidence in his military situation in Italy, or +assurance of support from that army in the event of hostilities +commencing beyond the mountains. It was at this period that their +intimacy began. Bonaparte conceived for Desaix the greatest esteem and +the sincerest friendship. + + --[Desaix discontented with the conduct of affairs in Germany, + seceded from the army of the Rhine, to which he belonged, to join + that of Napoleon. He was sent to Italy to organise the part of the + Egyptian expedition starting from Civita Vecchia. He took with him + his two aides de camp, Rapp and Savary (later Duc de Rovigo), both + of whom, on his death, were given the same post with Bonaparte.]-- + +When Desaix was named temporary commander of the force called the army of +England, during the absence of General Bonaparte, the latter wrote to the +Directory that they could not have chosen a more distinguished officer +than Desaix; these sentiments he never belied. The early death of Desaix +alone could break their union, which, I doubt not, would eventually have +had great influence on the political and military career of General +Bonaparte. + +All the world knows the part which the General-in-Chief of the army of +Italy took at the famous crisis of the 18th Fructidor; his proclamation, +his addresses to the army, and his celebrated order of the day. +Bonaparte went much into detail on this subject at St. Helena; and I +shall now proceed to state what I knew at the time respecting that +memorable event, which was in preparation in the month of June. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +1797. + + The royalists of the interior--Bonaparte's intention of marching on + Paris with 25,000 men--His animosity against the emigrants and the + Clichy Club--His choice between the two parties of the Directory-- + Augereau's order of the day against the word 'Monsieur'--Bonaparte + wishes to be made one of the five Directors--He supports the + majority of the Directory--La Vallette, Augereau, and Bernadotte + sent to Paris--Interesting correspondence relative to the 18th + Fructidor. + +Bonaparte had long observed the struggle which was going on between the +partisans of royalty and the Republic. He was told that royalism was +everywhere on the increase. All the generals who returned from Paris to +the army complained of the spirit of reaction they had noticed. +Bonaparte was constantly urged by his private correspondents to take one +side or the other, or to act for himself. He was irritated by the +audacity of the enemies of the Republic, and he saw plainly that the +majority of the councils had an evident ill-will towards him. The +orators of the Club of Clichy missed no opportunity of wounding his self- +love in speeches and pamphlets. They spared no insults, disparaged his +success, and bitterly censured his conduct in Italy, particularly with +respect to Venice. Thus his services were recompensed by hatred or +ingratitude. About this time he received a pamphlet, which referred to +the judgments pronounced upon him by the German journals, and more +particularly by the Spectator of the North, which he always made me +translate. + +Bonaparte was touched to the quick by the comparison make between him and +Moreau, and by the wish to represent him as foolhardy ("savants sous +Moreau, fougueuse sous Buonaparte"). In the term of "brigands," applied +to the generals who fought in La Vendee, he thought he recognized the +hand of the party he was about to attack and overthrow. He was tired of +the way in which Moreau's system of war was called "savants." But what +grieved him still more was to see sitting in the councils of the nation +Frenchmen who were detractors and enemies of the national glory. + +He urged the Directory to arrest the emigrants, to destroy the influence +of foreigners, to recall the armies, to suppress the journals sold to +England, such as the 'Quotidienne', the 'Memorial', and the 'The', which +he accused of being more sanguinary than Marat ever was. In case of +there being no means of putting a stop to assassinations and the +influence of Louis XVIII., he offered to resign. + +His resolution of passing the Alps with 25,000 men and marching by Lyons +and Paris was known in the capital, and discussions arose respecting the +consequences of this passage of another Rubicon. On the 17th of August +1797 Carnot wrote to him: "People attribute to you a thousand absurd +projects. They cannot believe that a man who has performed so many great +exploits can be content to live as a private citizen." This observation +applied to Bonaparte's reiterated request to be permitted to retire from +the service on account of the state of his health, which, he said, +disabled him from mounting his horse, and to the need which he constantly +urged of having two years' rest. + +The General-in-Chief was justly of opinion that the tardiness of the +negotiations and the difficulties which incessantly arose were founded on +the expectation of an event which would change the government of France, +and render the chances of peace more favourable to Austria. He still +urgently recommended the arrest of the emigrants, the stopping of the +presses of the royalist journals, which he said were sold to England and +Austria, the suppression of the Clichy Club. This club was held at the +residence of Gerard Desodieres, in the Rue de Clichy. Aubry, was one of +its warmest partisans, and he was the avowed enemy of the revolutionary +cause which Bonaparte advocated at this period. Aubry's conduct at this +time, together with the part he had taken in provoking Bonaparte's +dismissal in 1795, inspired the General with an implacable hatred of him. + +Bonaparte despised the Directory, which he accused of weakness, +indecision, pusillanimity, wasteful expenditure, of many errors, and +perseverance in a system degrading to the national glory. + + --[The Directory merited those accusations. The following sketches + of two of their official sittings present a singular contrast: + + At the time that the Directory were first installed in the + Luxembourg (27th October 1795)." says M. Baileul, "there was hardly + a single article of furniture in it. In a small room, round a + little broken table, one of the legs of which had given way from + age, on which table they had deposited a quire of letter-paper, and + a writing desk 'a calamet', which luckily they had had the + precaution to bring with them from the Committee of Public safety, + seated on four rush-bottomed chairs, in front of some logs of wood + ill-lighted, the whole borrowed from the porter Dupont; who would + believe that it was in this deplorable condition that the member's + of the new Government, after having examined all the difficulties, + nay, let me add, all the horrors of their situation, resolved to + confront all obstacles, and that they would either deliver France + from the abyss in which she was plunged or perish in the attempt? + They drew up on a sheet of letter-paper the act by which they + declared themselves constituted, and immediately forwarded it to the + Legislative Bodies." + + And the Comte de La Vallette, writing to M. Cuvillier Fleury, says: + "I saw our five kings, dressed in the robes of Francis I., his hat, + his pantaloons, and his lace: the face of La Reveilliere looked like + a cork upon two pins, with the black and greasy hair of Clodion. M. + de Talleyrand, in pantaloons of the colour of wine dregs, sat in a + folding chair at the feet of the Director Barras, in the Court of + the Petit Luxembourg, and gravely presented to his sovereigns as + ambassador from the Grand Duke of Tuscany, while the French were + eating his master's dinner, from the soup to the cheese. At the + right hand there were fifty musicians and singers of the Opera, + Laine, Lays, Regnault, and the actresses, not all dead of old age, + roaring a patriotic cantata to the music of Mehul. Facing them, on + another elevation, there were two hundred young and beautiful women, + with their arms and bosoms bare, all in ecstasy at the majesty of + our Pentarchy and the happiness of the Republic. They also wore + tight flesh-coloured pantaloons, with rings on their toes. That was + a sight that never will be seen again. A fortnight after this + magnificent fete, thousands of families wept over their banished + fathers, forty-eight departments were deprived of their + representatives, and forty editors of newspapers were forced to go + and drink the waters of the Elbe, the Synamary or the Ohio! It + would be a curious disquisition to seek to discover what really were + at that time the Republic and Liberty."] + + +He knew that the Clichy party demanded his dismissal and arrest. He was +given to understand that Dumolard was one of the most decided against +him, and that, finally, the royalist party was on the point of +triumphing. + +Before deciding for one party or the other Bonaparte first thought of +himself. He did not imagine that he had yet achieved enough to venture +on possessing himself of that power which certainly he might easily have +obtained. He therefore contented himself with joining the party which +was, for the moment, supported by public opinion. I know he was +determined to march upon Paris with 25,000 men had affairs taken a turn +unfavourable to the Republic, which he preferred to royalty. He +cautiously formed his plan. To defend the Directory was, he conceived, +to defend his own future fortune; that is to say, it was protecting a +power which appeared to have no other object than to keep a place for him +until his return. + +The parties which rose up in Paris produced a reaction in the army. The +employment of the word 'Monsieur' had occasioned quarrels, and even +bloodshed. General Augereau, in whose division these contests had taken +place, published an order of the day, setting forth that every individual +in his division who should use the word 'Monsieur', either verbally or in +writing, under any pretence whatever, should be deprived of his rank, and +declared incapable of serving in the Republican armies. This order was +read at the head of each company. + +Bonaparte viewed the establishment of peace as the close of his military +career. Repose and inactivity were to him unbearable. He sought to take +part in the civil affairs of the Republic, and was desirous of becoming +one of the five Directors, convinced that, if he obtained that object, he +would speedily stand single and alone. The fulfilment of this wish would +have prevented the Egyptian expedition, and placed the imperial crown +much sooner upon his head. Intrigues were carried on in Paris in his +name, with the view of securing to him a legal dispensation on the score +of age. He hoped, though he was but eight-and-twenty, to supersede one +of the two Directors who were to go out of office. + + --[The Directors had to be forty years of ago before they could be + appointed.]-- + +His brothers and their friends made great exertions for the success of +the project, which, however, was not officially proposed, because it was +too adverse to the prevailing notions of the day, and seemed too early a +violation of the constitution of the year III., which, nevertheless, was +violated in another way a few months after. + +The members of the Directory were by no means anxious to have Bonaparte +for their colleague. They dissembled, and so did he. Both parties were +lavish of their mutual assurances of friendship, while they cordially +hated each other. The Directory, however, appealed for the support of +Bonaparte, which he granted; but his subsequent conduct clearly proves +that the maintenance of the constitution of the year III. was a mere +pretest. He indeed defended it meanwhile, because, by aiding the triumph +of the opposite party, he could not hope to preserve the influence which +he exercised over the Directory. I know well that, in case of the Clichy +party gaining the ascendency, he was determined to cross the Alps with +his army, and to assemble all the friends of the Republic at Lyons, +thence to march upon Paris. + +In the Memorial of St. Helena it is stated, in reference to the 18th +Fructidor, "that the triumph of the majority of the councils was his +desire and hope, we are inclined to believe from the following fact, +viz., that at the crisis of the contest between the two factions a secret +resolution was drawn up by three of the members of the Directory, asking +him for three millions to support the attack on the councils, and that +Napoleon, under various pretences, did not send the money, though he +might easily have done so." + +This is not very comprehensible. There was no secret resolution of the +members who applied for the three millions. It was Bonaparte who offered +the money, which, however, he did not send; it was he who despatched +Augereau; and he who wished for the triumph of the Directorial majority. +His memory served him badly at St. Helena, as will be seen from some +correspondence which I shall presently submit to the reader. It is very +certain that he did offer the money to the Directory; that is to say, to +three of its members. + + --[Barras, La Revelliere-Lepaux, and Rewbell, the three Directors + who carried out the 'coup d'etat' of the 18th Fructidor against + their colleagues Carnot and Bartholemy. (See Thiers' French + Revolution", vol. v. pp. 114,139, and 163.)]-- + +Bonaparte had so decidedly formed his resolution that on the 17th of +July, wishing to make Augereau his confidant, he sent to Vicenza for him +by an extraordinary courier. + +Bonaparte adds that when Bottot, the confidential agent of Barras, came +to Passeriano, after the 18th Fructidor, he declared to him that as soon +as La Vallette should make him acquainted with the real state of things +the money should be transmitted. The inaccuracy of these statements will +be seen in the correspondence relative to the event. In thus distorting +the truth Napoleon's only object could have been to proclaim his +inclination for the principles he adopted and energetically supported +from the year 1800, but which, previously to that period, he had with no +less energy opposed. + +He decidedly resolved to support the majority of the Directory, and to +oppose the royalist faction; the latter, which was beginning to be +important, would have been listened to had it offered power to him. +About the end of July he sent his 'aide de camp' La Vallette to Paris. +La Vallette was a man of good sense and education, pleasing manners, +pliant temper, and moderate opinions. He was decidedly devoted to +Bonaparte. With his instructions he received a private cipher to enable +him to correspond with the General-in-Chief. + +Augereau went, after La Vallette, on the 27th of July. Bonaparte +officially wrote to the Directory that Augereau "had solicited leave to +go to Paris on his own private business." + +But the truth is, Augereau was sent expressly to second the revolution +which was preparing against the Clichy party and the minority of the +Directory. + +Bonaparte made choice of Augereau because he knew his staunch republican +principles, his boldness, and his deficiency in political talent. He +thought him well calculated to aid a commotion, which his own presence +with the army of Italy prevented him from directing in person; and +besides, Augereau was not an ambitious rival who might turn events to his +own advantage. Napoleon said, at St. Helena, that he sent the addresses +of the army of Italy by Augereau because he was a decided supporter of +the opinions of the day. That was the true reason for choosing him. + +Bernadotte was subsequently despatched on the same errand. Bonaparte's +pretence for sending him was, that he wished to transmit to the Directory +four flags, which, out of the twenty-one taken at the battle of Rivoli, +had been left, by mistake, at Peschiera. Bernadotte, however, did not +take any great part in the affair. He was always prudent. + +The crisis of the 18th Fructidor, which retarded for three years the +extinction of the pentarchy, presents one of the most remarkable events +of its short existence. It will be seen how the Directors extricated +themselves from this difficulty. I subjoin the correspondence relating +to this remarkable episode of our Revolution, cancelling only such +portions of it as are irrelevant to the subject. It exhibits several +variations from the accounts given by Napoleon at St. Helena to his noble +companions in misfortune. + +Augereau thus expressed himself on the 18th Fructidor (4th September +1797):-- + + At length, General, my mission is accomplished, and the promises of + the army of Italy are fulfilled. The fear of being anticipated has + caused measures to be hurried. + + At midnight I despatched orders to all the troops to march towards + the points specified. Before day all the bridges and principal + places were planted with cannon. At daybreak the halls of the + councils were surrounded, the guards of the councils were amicably + mingled with our troops, and the members, of whom I send you a list, + were arrested and conveyed to the Temple. The greater number have + escaped, and are being pursued. Carnot has disappeared.' + + --[In 1824 Louis XVIII. sent letters of nobility to those members + of the two councils who were, as it was termed, 'fructidorized'. + --Bourrienne]-- + + Paris is tranquil, and every one is astounded at an event which + promised to be awful, but which has passed over like a fete. + + The stout patriots of the faubourgs proclaim the safety of the + Republic, and the black collars are put down. It now remains for + the wise energy of the Directory and the patriots of the two + councils to do the rest. The place of sitting is changed, and the + first operations promise well. This event is a great step towards + peace; which it is your task finally to secure to us. + +On the 24th Fructidor (10th September 1797) Augereau writes: + + My 'aide de camp', de Verine, will acquaint you with the events of + the 18th. He is also to deliver to you some despatches from the + Directory, where much uneasiness is felt at not hearing from you. + No less uneasiness is experienced on seeing in Paris one of your + 'aides de camp',-(La Vallette)- whose conduct excites the + dissatisfaction and distrust of the patriots, towards whom he has + behaved very ill. + + The news of General Clarke's recall will have reached you by this + time, and I suspect has surprised you. Amongst the thousand and one + motives which have determined the Government to take this step may + be reckoned his correspondence with Carnot, which has been + communicated to me, and in which he treated the generals of the army + of Italy as brigands. + + Moreau has sent the Directory a letter which throws a new light on + Pichegru's treason. Such baseness is hardly to be conceived. + + The Government perseveres in maintaining the salutary measures which + it has adopted. I hope it will be in vain for the remnant of the + factions to renew their plots. The patriots will continue united. + + Fresh troops having been summoned to Paris, and my presence at their + head being considered indispensable by the Government, I shall not + have the satisfaction of seeing you so soon as I hoped. This has + determined me to send for my horses and carriages, which I left at + Milan. + +Bernadotte wrote to Bonaparte on the 24th Fructidor as follows:-- + + The arrested deputies are removed to Rochefort, where they will be + embarked for the island of Madagascar. Paris is tranquil. The + people at first heard of the arrest of the deputies with + indifference. A feeling of curiosity soon drew them into the + streets; enthusiasm followed, and cries of 'Vive la Republique', + which had not been heard for a long time, now resounded in every + street. The neighbouring departments have expressed their + discontent. That of Allier has, it is said, protested; but it will + cut a fine figure. Eight thousand men are marching to the environs + of Paris. Part is already within the precincts; under the orders of + General Lemoine. The Government has it at present in its power to + elevate public spirit; but everybody feels that it is necessary the + Directory should be surrounded by tried and energetic Republicans. + Unfortunately a host of men, without talent and resources, already + suppose that what has taken place has been done only in order to + advance their interests. Time is necessary to set all to rights. + The armies have regained consistency. The soldiers of the interior + are esteemed, or at least feared. The emigrants fly, and the non- + juring priests conceal themselves. Nothing could have happened more + fortunately to consolidate the Republic. + +Bonaparte wrote as follows, to the Directory on the 26th Fructidor: + + Herewith you will receive a proclamation to the army, relative to + the events of the 18th. I have despatched the 45th demi-brigade, + commanded by General Bon, to Lyons, together with fifty cavalry; + also General Lannes, with the 20th light infantry and the 9th + regiment of the line, to Marseilles. I have issued the enclosed + proclamation in the southern departments. I am about to prepare a + proclamation for the inhabitants of Lyons, as soon as I obtain some + information of what may have passed there. + + If I find there is the least disturbance, I will march there with + the utmost rapidity. Believe that there are here a hundred thousand + men, who are alone sufficient to make the measures you have taken to + place liberty on a solid basis be respected. What avails it that we + gain victories if we are not respected in our country. In speaking + of Paris, one may parody what Cassius said of Rome: "Of what use to + call her queen on the banks of the Seine, when she is the slave of + Pitt's gold?" + +After the 18th Fructidor Augereau wished to have his reward for his share +in the victory, and for the service which he had rendered. He wished to +be a Director. He got, however, only the length of being a candidate; +honour enough for one who had merely been an instrument on that day. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +1797. + + Bonaparte's joy at the result of the 18th Fructidor.--His letter to + Augerean--His correspondence with the Directory and proposed + resignation--Explanation of the Directory--Bottot--General Clarke-- + Letter from Madame Bacciocchi to Bonaparte--Autograph letter of the + Emperor Francis to Bonaparte--Arrival of Count Cobentzel--Autograph + note of Bonaparte on the conditions of peace. + +Bonaparte was delighted when he heard of the happy issue of the 18th +Fructidor. Its result was the dissolution of the Legislative Body and +the fall of the Clichyan party, which for some months had disturbed his +tranquillity. The Clichyans had objected to Joseph Bonaparte's right to +sit as deputy for Liamone in the Council of Five Hundred. + + --[He was ambassador to Rome, and not a deputy at this time. When + he became a member of the council, after his return from Rome, he + experienced no opposition (Bourrienne et ses Erreurs, tome i. + p. 240).]-- + +His brother's victory removed the difficulty; but the General-in-Chief +soon perceived that the ascendant party abused its power, and again +compromised the safety of the Republic, by recommencing the Revolutionary +Government. The Directors were alarmed at his discontent and offended by +his censure. They conceived the singular idea of opposing to Bonaparte, +Augereau, of whose blind zeal they had received many proofs. The +Directory appointed Augereau commander of the army of Germany. Augereau, +whose extreme vanity was notorious, believed himself in a situation to +compete with Bonaparte. What he built his arrogance on was, that, with a +numerous troop, he had arrested some unarmed representatives, and torn +the epaulettes from the shoulders of the commandant of the guard of the +councils. The Directory and he filled the headquarters at Passeriano +with spies and intriguers. + +Bonaparte, who was informed of everything that was going on, laughed at +the Directory, and tendered his resignation, in order that he might be +supplicated to continue in command. + +The following post-Thermidorian letters will prove that the General's +judgment on this point was correct. + +On the 2d Vendemiaire, year VI. (23d September 1797), he wrote to +Augereau, after having announced the arrival of his 'aide de camp' as +follows: + + The whole army applauds the wisdom and vigour which you have + displayed upon this important occasion, and participates in the + success of the country with the enthusiasm and energy which + characterise our soldiers. It is only to be hoped, however, that + the Government will not be playing at see saw, and thus throw itself + into the opposite party. Wisdom and moderate views alone can + establish the happiness of the country on a sure foundation. As for + myself, this is the most ardent wish of my heart. I beg that you + will sometimes let me know what you are doing in Paris. + +On the 4th Vendemiaire Bonaparte wrote a letter to the Directory in the +following terms: + + The day before yesterday an officer arrived at the army from Paris. + He reported that he left Paris on the 25th, when anxiety prevailed + there as to the feelings with which I viewed the events of the 18th + He was the bearer of a sort of circular from General Augereau to all + the generals of division; and he brought a letter of credit from the + Minister of War to the commissary-general, authorising him to draw + as much money as he might require for his journey. + + It is evident from these circumstances that the Government is acting + towards me in somewhat the same way in which Pichegru was dealt with + after Vendemiaire (year IV.). + + I beg of you to receive my resignation, and appoint another to my + place. No power on earth shall make me continue in the service + after this shocking mark of ingratitude on the part of the + Government, which I was very far from expecting. My health, which + is considerably impaired, imperiously demands repose and + tranquillity. + + The state of my mind, likewise, requires me to mingle again in the + mass of citizens. Great power has for a longtime been confided to + my hands. I have employed it on all occasions for the advantage of + my country; so much the worse for those who put no faith in virtue, + and may have suspected mine. My recompense is in my own conscience, + and in the opinion of posterity. + + Now that the country is tranquil and free from the dangers which + have menaced it, I can, without inconvenience, quit the post in + which I have been placed. + + Be sure that if there were a moment of danger, I would be found in + the foremost rank of the defenders of liberty and of the + constitution of the year III. + +The Directory, judging from the account which Bottot gave of his mission +that he had not succeeded in entirely removing the suspicions of +Bonaparte, wrote the following letter on the 30th Vendemiaire: + + The Directory has itself been troubled about the impression made on + you by the letter to the paymaster-general, of which an 'aide de + camp' was the bearer. The composition of this letter has very much + astonished the Government, which never appointed nor recognised such + an agent: it is at least an error of office. But it should not + alter the opinion you ought otherwise to entertain of the manner in + which the Directory thinks of and esteems you. It appears that the + 18th Fructidor was misrepresented in the letters which were sent to + the army of Italy. You did well to intercept them, and it may be + right to transmit the most remarkable to the Minister of Police. + --(What an ignoble task to propose to the conqueror of Italy.) + + In your observations on the too strong tendency of opinion towards + military government, the Directory recognises an equally enlightened + and ardent friend of the Republic. + + Nothing is wiser than the maxim, 'cedant arma togae', for the + maintenance of republics. To show so much anxiety on so important a + point is not one of the least glorious features in the life of a + general placed at the head of a triumphant army. + +The Directory had sent General Clarke + + --[H. J. G. Clarke, afterwards Minister of War under Napoleon, + 1807-1814, acid under the Bourbons in 1816, when he was made a + Marshal of France. He was created Due de Feltre in 1819.]-- + +to treat for peace, as second plenipotentiary. Bonaparte has often told +me he had no doubt from the time of his arrival that General Clarke was +charged with a secret mission to act as a spy upon him, and even to +arrest him if an opportunity offered for so doing without danger. That +he had a suspicion of this kind is certain; but I must own that I was +never by any means able to discover its grounds; for in all my +intercourse since with Clarke he never put a single question to me, nor +did I ever hear a word drop from his mouth, which savoured of such a +character. If the fact be that he was a spy, he certainly played his +part well. In all the parts of his correspondence which were intercepted +there never was found the least confirmation of this suspicion. Be this +as it may, Bonaparte could not endure him; he did not make him acquainted +with what was going on, and his influence rendered this mission a mere +nullity. The General-in-Chief concentrated all the business of the +negotiation in his own closet; and, as to what was going on, Clarke +continued a mere cipher until the 18th Fructidor, when he was recalled. +Bonaparte made but little count of Clarke's talents. It is but justice, +however, to say that he bore him no grudge for the conduct of which he +suspected he was guilty in Italy. "I pardon him because I alone have the +right to be offended." + +He even had the generosity to make interest for an official situation for +him. These amiable traits were not uncommon with Bonaparte. + +Bonaparte had to encounter so many disagreeable contrarieties, both in +the negotiators for peace and the events at Paris, that he often +displayed a good deal of irritation and disgust. This state of mind was +increased by the recollection of the vexation his sister's marriage had +caused him, and which was unfortunately revived by a letter he received +from her at this juncture. His excitement was such that he threw it down +with an expression of anger. It has been erroneously reported in several +publications that "Bacciocchi espoused Marie-Anne-Eliza Bonaparte on the +5th of May 1797. The brother of the bride was at the time negotiating +the preliminaries of peace with Austria." + +In fact, the preliminaries were signed in the month of April, and it was +for the definitive peace we were negotiating in May. But the reader will +find by the subjoined letter that Christine applied to her brother to +stand godfather to her third child. Three children in three months would +be rather quick work. + + + AJACCIO, 14th, Thermidor, year V. (1st August 1797). + + GENERAL--Suffer me to write to you and call you by the name of + brother. My first child was born at a time when you were much + incensed against us. I trust she may soon caress you, and so make + you forget the pain my marriage has occasioned you. My second child + was still-born. Obliged to quit Paris by your order, + + --[Napoleon had written in August 1796 to Carnot, to request that + Lucien might be ordered to quit Paris; see Iung, tome iii. + p. 223.]-- + + I miscarried in Germany. In a month's time I hope to present you + with a nephew. A favourable time, and other circumstances, incline + me to hope my next will be a boy, and I promise you I will make a + soldier of him; but I wish him to bear your name, and that you + should be his godfather. I trust you will not refuse your sister's + request. + + Will you send, for this purpose, your power of attorney to + Baciocchi, or to whomsoever you think fit? I shall expect with + impatience your assent. Because we are poor let not that cause you + to despise us; for, after all, you are our brother, mine are the + only children that call you uncle, and we all love you more than we + do the favours of fortune. Perhaps I may one day succeed in + convincing you of the love I bear you.--Your affectionate sister, + + CHRISTINE BONAPARTE. + + --[Madame Bacciocchi went by the name of Marianne at St. Cyr, of + Christine while on her travels, and of Eliza under the Consulate.-- + Bourrienne.]-- + + P.S.--Do not fail to remember me to your wife, whom I strongly + desire to be acquainted with. They told me at Paris I was very like + her. If you recollect my features you can judge. C. B. + + +This letter is in the handwriting of Lucien Bonaparte.' + + --[Joseph Bonaparte in his Notes says, "It is false that Madame + Bonaparte ever called herself Christine; it is false that she ever + wrote the letter of which M. de Bourrienne here gives a copy." It + will be observed that Bourrienne says it was written by her brother + Lucien. This is an error. The letter is obviously from Christine + Boyer, the wife of Lucien Bonaparte, whose marriage had given such + displeasure to Napoleon. (See Erreurs, tome i. p. 240, and Iung's + Lucien, tome i p. 161).]-- + +General Bonaparte had been near a month at Passeriano when he received +the following autograph letter from the Emperor of Austria: + + + TO MONSIEUR LE GENERAL BONAPARTE, GENERAL-IN-CHIEF + OF THE ARMY OF ITALY. + + MONSIEUR LE GENERAL BONAPARTE--When I thought I had given my + plenipotentiaries full powers to terminate the important negotiation + with which they were charged, I learn, with as much pain as + surprise, that in consequence of swerving continually from the + stipulations of the preliminaries, the restoration of tranquillity, + with the tidings of which I desire to gladden the hearts of my + subjects, and which the half of Europe devoutly prays for, becomes + day after day more uncertain. + + Faithful to the performance of my engagements, I am ready to execute + what was agreed to at Leoben, and require from you but the + reciprocal performance of so sacred a duty. This is what has + already been declared in my name, and what I do not now hesitate + myself to declare. If, perhaps, the execution of some of the + preliminary articles be now impossible, in consequence of the events + which have since occurred, and in which I had no part, it may be + necessary to substitute others in their stead equally adapted to the + interests and equally conformable to the dignity of the two nations. + To such alone will I put my hand. A frank and sincere explanation, + dictated by the same feelings which govern me, is the only way to + lead to so salutary a result. In order to accelerate this result as + far as in me lies, and to put an end at once to the state of + uncertainty we remain in, and which has already lasted too long, I + have determined to despatch to the place of the present negotiations + Comte de Cobentzel, a man who possesses my most unlimited + confidence, and who is instructed as to my intentions and furnished + with my most ample powers. I have authorised him to receive and + accept every proposition tending to the reconciliation of the two + parties which may be in conformity with the principles of equity and + reciprocal fitness, and to conclude accordingly. + + After this fresh assurance of the spirit of conciliation which + animates me, I doubt not you will perceive that peace lies in your + own hands, and that on your determination will depend the happiness + or misery of many thousand men. If I mistake as to the means I + think best adapted to terminate the calamities which for along time + have desolated Europe, I shall at least have the consolation of + reflecting that I have done all that depended on me. With the + consequences which may result I can never be reproached. + + I have been particularly determined to the course I now take by the + opinion I entertain of your upright character, and by the personal + esteem I have conceived towards you, of which I am very happy, M. le + General Bonaparte, to give you here an assurance. + + (Signed) FRANCIS. + + +In fact, it was only on the arrival of the Comte de Cobentzel that the +negotiations were seriously set on foot. Bonaparte had all along clearly +perceived that Gallo and Meerweldt were not furnished with adequate +powers. He saw also clearly enough that if the month of September were, +to be trifled away in unsatisfactory negotiations, as the month which +preceded it had been, it would be difficult in October to strike a blow +at the house of Austria on the side of Carinthia. The Austrian Cabinet +perceived with satisfaction the approach of the bad weather, and insisted +more strongly on its ultimatum, which was the Adige, with Venice. + +Before the 18th Fructidor the Emperor of Austria hoped that the movement +which was preparing in Paris would operate badly for France and +favourably to the European cause. The Austrian plenipotentiaries, in +consequence, raised their pretensions, and sent notes and an ultimatum +which gave the proceedings more an air of trifling than of serious +negotiation. Bonaparte's original ideas, which I have under his hand, +were as follows: + + 1. The Emperor to have Italy as far as the Adda. + 2. The King of Sardinia as far as the Adda. + 3. The Genoese Republic to have the boundary of Tortona as far as + the Po (Tortona to be demolished), as also the imperial fiefs. + (Coni to be ceded to France, or to be demolished.) + 4. The Grand Duke of Tuscany to be restored. + 5. The Duke of Parma to be restored. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +1797. + + Influence of the 18th Fructidor on the negotiations--Bonaparte's + suspicion of Bottot--His complaints respecting the non-erasure of + Bourrienne--Bourrienne's conversation with the Marquis of Gallo-- + Bottot writes from Paris to Bonaparte on the part of the Directory + Agents of the Directory employed to watch Bonaparte--Influence of + the weather on the conclusion of peace--Remarkable observation of + Bonaparte--Conclusion of the treaty--The Directory dissatisfied with + the terms of the peace--Bonaparte's predilection for representative + government--Opinion on Bonaparte. + +After the 18th Fructidor Bonaparte was more powerful, Austria less +haughty and confident. Venice was the only point of real difficulty. +Austria wanted the line of the Adige, with Venice, in exchange for +Mayence, and the boundary of the Rhine until that river enters Holland. +The Directory wished to have the latter boundary, and to add Mantua to +the Italian Republic, without giving up all the line of the Adige and +Venice. The difficulties were felt to be so irreconcilable that within +about a month of the conclusion of peace the Directory wrote to General +Bonaparte that a resumption of hostilities was preferable to the state of +uncertainty which was agitating and ruining France. The Directory, +therefore, declared that both the armies of the Rhine should take the +field. It appears from the Fructidorian correspondence, which has been +already given, that the majority of the Directory then looked upon a +peace such as Bonaparte afterwards made as infamous. + +But Bonaparte, from the moment the Venetian insurrection broke out, +perceived that Venice might be used for the pacification. Bonaparte, +who was convinced that, in order to bring matters to an issue, Venice and +the territory beyond the Adige must fall beneath the Hapsburg sceptre, +wrote to the Directory that he could not commence operations, +advantageously, before the end of March, 1798; but that if the objections +to giving Venice to the Emperor of Austria were persisted in, hostilities +would certainly be resumed in the month of October, for the Emperor would +not renounce Venice. In that case it would be necessary to be ready on +the Rhine for an advance in Germany, as the army of Italy, if it could +make head against the Archduke Charles, was not sufficiently strong for +any operations on a grand scale. At this period the conclusion of peace +was certainly very doubtful; it was even seriously considered in, what +form the rupture should be notified. + +Towards the end of September Bottot, Barras' secretary, arrived at +Passeriano. He was despatched by the Directory. Bonaparte immediately +suspected he was a new spy, come on a secret mission, to watch him. He +was therefore received and treated with coolness; but Bonaparte never +had, as Sir Walter Scott asserts, the idea of ordering him to be shot. +That writer is also in error when he says that Bottot was sent to +Passeriano to reproach Bonaparte for failing to fulfil his promise of +sending money to the Directory. + +Bonaparte soon gave Bottot an opportunity of judging of the kind of +spirit which prevailed at headquarters. He suddenly tendered his +resignation, which he had already several times called upon the Directory +to accept. He accused the Government, at table, in Bottot's presence, +of horrible ingratitude. He recounted all his subjects of complaint, +in loud and impassioned language, without any restraint, and before +twenty or thirty persons. + +Indignant at finding that his reiterated demands for the erasure of my +name from the list of emigrants had been slighted, and that, in spite of +his representations, conveyed to Paris by General Bernadotte, Louis +Bonaparte, and others, I was still included in that fatal list, he +apostrophised M. Bottot at dinner one day, before forty individuals, +among whom were the diplomatists Gallo, Cobentzel, and Meerweldt. The +conversation turned upon the Directory. "Yes, truly," cried Bonaparte, +in a loud voice, "I have good reason to complain; and, to pass from great +to little things, look, I pray you, at Bourrienne's case. He possesses +my most unbounded confidence. He alone is entrusted, under my orders, +with all the details of the negotiation. This you well know; and yet +your Directory will not strike him off the list. In a word it is not +only an inconceivable, but an extremely stupid piece of business; for he +has all my secrets; he knows my ultimatum, and could by a single word +realize a handsome fortune, and laugh at your obstinacy. Ask M. de Gallo +if this be not true." + +Bottot wished to offer some excuse; but the general murmur which followed +this singular outburst reduced him to silence. + +The Marquis de Gallo had conversed with me but three days before, in the +park of Passeriano, on the subject of my position with regard to France, +of the determination expressed by the Directory not to erase my name, and +of the risk I thereby ran. "We have no desire," continued he, "to renew +the war; we wish sincerely for peace; but it must be an honourable one. +The Republic of Venice presents a large territory for partition, which +would be sufficient for both parties. The cessions at present proposed +are not, however, satisfactory. We want to know Bonaparte's ultimatum; +and I am authorised to offer an estate in Bohemia, with a title and +residence, and an annual revenue of 90,000 florins." + +I quickly interrupted M. de Gallo, and assured him that both my +conscience and my duty obliged me to reject his proposal; and so put at +once an end to the conversation. + +I took care to let the General-in-Chief know this story, and he was not +surprised at my reply. His conviction, however, was strong, from all +that M. de Gallo had said, and more particularly from the offer he had +made, that Austria was resolved to avoid war, and was anxious for peace. + +After I had retired to rest M. Bottot came to my bedroom and asked me, +with a feigned surprise, if it was true that my name was still on the +list of emigrants. On my replying in the affirmative, he requested me to +draw up a note on the subject. This I declined doing, telling him that +twenty notes of the kind he required already existed; that I would take +no further steps; and that I would henceforth await the decision in a +state of perfect inaction. + +General Bonaparte thought it quite inexplicable that the Directory should +express dissatisfaction at the view he took of the events of the 18th +Fructidor, as, without his aid, they would doubtless have been overcome. +He wrote a despatch, in which he repeated that his health and his spirits +were affected--that he had need of some years' repose-that he could no +longer endure the fatigue of riding; but that the prosperity and liberty +of his country would always command his warmest interests. In all this +there was not a single word of truth. The Directory thought as much, and +declined to accept his resignation in the most flattering terms. + +Bottot proposed to him, on the part of the Directory, to revolutionise +Italy. The General inquired whether the whole of Italy would be included +in the plan. The revolutionary commission had, however, been entrusted +to Bottot in so indefinite a way that he could only hesitate, and give a +vague reply. Bonaparte wished for more precise orders. In the interval +peace was concluded, and the idea of that perilous and extravagant +undertaking was no longer agitated. Bottot, soon after his return to +Paris, wrote a letter to General Bonaparte, in which he complained that +the last moments he had passed at Passeriano had deeply afflicted his +heart. He said that cruel suspicions had followed him even to the gates +of the Directory. These cruel suspicions had, however, been dissipated +by the sentiments of admiration and affection which he had found the +Directory entertained for the person of Bonaparte. + +These assurances, which were precisely what Bonaparte had expected, did +not avail to lessen the contempt he entertained for the heads of the +Government, nor to change his conviction of their envy and mistrust of +himself. To their alleged affection he made no return. Bottot assured +the hero of Italy of "the Republican docility" of the Directory, and +touched upon the reproaches Bonaparte had thrown out against them, and +upon his demands which had not been granted. He said: + +"The three armies, of the North, of the Rhine, and of the Sambre-et- +Meuse, are to form only one, the army of Germany.--Augereau? But you +yourself sent him. The fault committed by the Directory is owing to +yourself! Bernadotte?--he is gone to join you. Cacault?--he is +recalled. Twelve thousand men for your army?--they are on their march. +The treaty with Sardinia?--it is ratified. Bourrienne?--he is erased. +The revolution of Italy?--it is adjourned. Advise the Directory, then: I +repeat it, they have need of information, and it is to you they look for +it." + +The assertion regarding me was false. For six months Bonaparte demanded +my erasure without being able to obtain it. I was not struck off the +list until the 11th of November 1797. + +Just before the close of the negotiation Bonaparte, disgusted at the +opposition and difficulties with which he was surrounded, reiterated +again and again the offer of his resignation, and his wish to have a +successor appointed. What augmented his uneasiness was an idea he +entertained that the Directory had penetrated his secret, and attributed +his powerful concurrence on the 18th Fructidor to the true cause--his +personal views of ambition. In spite of the hypocritical assurances of +gratitude made to him in writing, and though the Directory knew that his +services were indispensable, spies were employed to watch his movements, +and to endeavour by means of the persons about him to discover his views. +Some of the General's friends wrote to him from Paris, and for my part I +never ceased repeating to him that the peace, the power of making which +he had in his own hands, would render him far more popular than the +renewal of hostilities undertaken with all the chances of success and +reverse. The signing of the peace, according to his own ideas, and in +opposition to those of the Directory, the way in which he just halted at +Rastadt, and avoided returning to the Congress, and, finally, his +resolution to expatriate himself with an army in order to attempt new +enterprises, sprung more than is generally believed from the ruling idea +that he was distrusted, and that his ruin was meditated. He often +recalled to mind what La Vallette had written to him about his +conversation with Lacuee; and all he saw and heard confirmed the +impression he had received on this subject. + +The early appearance of bad weather precipitated his determination. On +the 13th of October, at daybreak, on opening my window, I perceived the +mountains covered with snow. The previous night had been superb, and the +autumn till then promised to be fine and late. I proceeded, as I always +did, at seven o'clock in the morning, to the General's chamber. I woke +him, and told him what I had seen. He feigned at first to disbelieve me, +then leaped from his bed, ran to the window, and, convinced of the sudden +change, he calmly said, "What! before the middle of October! What a +country is this! Well, we must make peace!" While he hastily put on his +clothes I read the journals to him, as was my daily custom. He paid but +little attention to them. + +Shutting himself up with me in his closet, he reviewed with the greatest +care all the returns from the different corps of his army. "Here are," +said he, "nearly 80,000 effective men. I feed, I pay them: but I can +bring but 60,000 into the field on the day of battle. I shall gain it, +but afterwards my force will be reduced 20,000 men--by killed, wounded, +and prisoners. Then how oppose all the Austrian forces that will march +to the protection of Vienna? It would be a month before the armies of +the Rhine could support me, if they should be able; and in a fortnight +all the roads and passages will be covered deep with snow. It is +settled--I will make peace. Venice shall pay for the expense of the war +and the boundary of the Rhine: let the Directory and the lawyers say what +they like." + +He wrote to the Directory in the following words: "The summits of the +hills are covered with snow; I cannot, on account of the stipulations +agreed to for the recommencement of hostilities, begin before five-and- +twenty days, and by that time we shall be overwhelmed with snow." + +Fourteen years after, another early winter, in a more severe climate, was +destined to have a fatal influence on his fortunes. Had he but then +exercised equal foresight! + +It is well known that, by the treaty of Campo-Formio, the two belligerent +powers made peace at the expense of the Republic of Venice, which had +nothing to do with the quarrel in the first instance, and which only +interfered at a late period, probably against her own inclination, and +impelled by the force of inevitable circumstances. But what has been the +result of this great political spoliation? A portion of the Venetian +territory was adjudged to the Cisalpine Republic; it is now in the +possession of Austria. + +Another considerable portion, and the capital itself, fell to the lot of +Austria in compensation for the Belgic provinces and Lombard, which she +ceded to France. Austria has now retaken Lombard, and the additions then +made to it, and Belgium is in the possession of the House of Orange. +France obtained Corfu and some of the Ionian isles; these now belong to +England. + + --[Afterwards to be ceded by her to Greece. Belgium is free.]-- + +Romulus never thought he was founding Rome for Goths and priests. +Alexander did not foresee that his Egyptian city would belong to the +Turks; nor did Constantine strip Rome for the benefit of Mahomet II. Why +then fight for a few paltry villages? + +Thus have we been gloriously conquering for Austria and England. An +ancient State is overturned without noise, and its provinces, after being +divided among different bordering States, are now all under the dominion +of Austria. We do not possess a foot of ground in all the fine countries +we conquered, and which served as compensations for the immense +acquisitions of the House of Hapsburgh in Italy. Thus that house was +aggrandised by a war which was to itself most disastrous. But Austria +has often found other means of extending her dominion than military +triumphs, as is recorded in the celebrated distich of Mathias Corvinus: + + "Bella gerunt alli, to felix Austria nube; + Nam quae Mars allis, dat tibi regna Venus." + + [Glad Austria wins by Hymen's silken chain + What other States by doubtful battle gain, + And while fierce Mars enriches meaner lands, + Receives possession from fair Venus' hands."] + +The Directory was far from being satisfied with the treaty of Campo- +Formio, and with difficulty resisted the temptation of not ratifying it. +A fortnight before the signature the Directors wrote to General Bonaparte +that they would not consent to give to the Emperor Venice, Frioul, Padua, +and the 'terra firma' with the boundary of the Adige. "That," said they, +"would not be to make peace, but to adjourn the war. We shall be +regarded as the beaten party, independently of the disgrace of abandoning +Venice, which Bonaparte himself thought so worthy of freedom. France +ought not, and never will wish, to see Italy delivered up to Austria. +The Directory would prefer the chances of a war to changing a single word +of its ultimatum, which is already too favourable to Austria." + +All this was said in vain. Bonaparte made no scruple of disregarding his +instructions. It has been said that the Emperor of Austria made an offer +of a very considerable sum of money, and even of a principality, to +obtain favourable terms. I was never able to find the slightest ground +for this report, which refers to a time when the smallest circumstance +could not escape my notice. The character of Bonaparte stood too high +for him to sacrifice his glory as a conqueror and peacemaker for even the +greatest private advantage. This was so thoroughly known, and he was so +profoundly esteemed by the Austrian plenipotentiaries, that I will +venture to say none of them would have been capable of making the +slightest overture to him of so debasing a proposition. Besides, it +would have induced him to put an end to all intercourse with the +plenipotentiaries. Perhaps what I have just stated of M. de Gallo will +throw some light upon this odious accusation. But let us dismiss this +story with the rest, and among them that of the porcelain tray, which was +said to have been smashed and thrown at the head of M. de Cobentzel. +I certainly know nothing of any such scene; our manners at Passeriano +were not quite so bad! + +The presents customary on such occasions were given, and the Emperor of +Austria also took that opportunity to present to General Bonaparte six +magnificent white horses. + +Bonaparte returned to Milan by way of Gratz, Laybach, Thrust, Mestre, +Verona, and Mantua. + +At this period Napoleon was still swayed by the impulse of the age. He +thought of nothing but representative governments. Often has he said to +me, "I should like the era of representative governments to be dated from +my time." His conduct in Italy and his proclamations ought to give, and +in fact do give, weight to this account of his opinion. But there is no +doubt that this idea was more connected with lofty views of ambition than +a sincere desire for the benefit of the human race; for, at a later +period, he adopted this phrase: "I should like to be the head of the most +ancient of the dynasties cf Europe." What a difference between +Bonaparte, the author of the 'Souper de Beaucaire', the subduer of +royalism at Toulon; the author of the remonstrance to Albitte and +Salicetti, the fortunate conqueror of the 13th Vendemiaire, the +instigator and supporter of the revolution of Fructidor, and the founder +of the Republics of Italy, the fruits of his immortal victories,--and +Bonaparte, First Consul in 1800, Consul for life in 1802, and, above all, +Napoleon, Emperor of the French in 1804, and King of Italy in 1805! + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +1797 + + Effect of the 18th Fructidor on the peace--The standard of the army + of Italy--Honours rendered to the memory of General Hoche and of + Virgil at Mantua--Remarkable letter--In passing through Switzerland + Bonaparte visits the field of Morat--Arrival at Rastadt--Letter from + the Directory calling Bonaparte to Paris--Intrigues against + Josephine--Grand ceremony on the reception of Bonaparte by the + Directory--The theatres--Modesty of Bonaparte--An assassination-- + Bonaparte's opinion of the Parisians--His election to the National + Institute--Letter to Camus--Projects--Reflections. + +The day of the 18th Fructidor had, without any doubt, mainly contributed +to the conclusion of peace at Campo Formio. On the one hand, the +Directory, hitherto not very pacifically inclined, after having effected +a 'coup d'etat', at length saw the necessity of appeasing the +discontented by giving peace to France. On the other hand, the Cabinet +of Vienna, observing the complete failure of all the royalist plots in +the interior, thought it high time to conclude with the French Republic a +treaty which, notwithstanding all the defeats Austria had sustained, +still left her a preponderating influence over Italy. + +Besides, the campaign of Italy, so fertile in glorious achievements of +arms, had not been productive of glory alone. Something of greater +importance followed these conquests. Public affairs had assumed a +somewhat unusual aspect, and a grand moral influence, the effect of +victories and of peace, had begun to extend all over France. +Republicanism was no longer so sanguinary and fierce as it had been some +years before. Bonaparte, negotiating with princes and their ministers on +a footing of equality, but still with all that superiority to which +victory and his genius entitled him, gradually taught foreign courts to +be familiar with Republican France, and the Republic to cease regarding +all States governed by Kings as of necessity enemies. + +In these circumstances the General-in-Chief's departure and his expected +visit to Paris excited general attention. The feeble Directory was +prepared to submit to the presence of the conqueror of Italy in the +capital. + +It was for the purpose of acting as head of the French legation at the +Congress of Rastadt that Bonaparte quitted Milan on the 17th of November. +But before his departure he sent to the Directory one of those monuments, +the inscriptions on which may generally be considered as fabulous, but +which, in this case, were nothing but the truth. This monument was the +"flag of the Army of Italy," and to General Joubert was assigned the +honourable duty of presenting it to the members of the Executive +Government. + +On one side of the flag were the words "To the Army of Italy, the +grateful country." The other contained an enumeration of the battles +fought and places taken, and presented, in the following inscriptions, a +simple but striking abridgment of the history of the Italian campaign. + + 150,000 PRISONERS; 170 STANDARDS; 550 PIECES OF SIEGE ARTILLERY; + 6OO PIECES OF FIELD ARTILLERY; FIVE PONTOON EQUIPAGES; NINE 64-GUN + SHIPS; TWELVE 32-GUN FRIGATES; 12 CORVETTES; 18 GALLEYS; ARMISTICE + WITH THE KING OF SARDINIA; CONVENTION WITH GENOA; ARMISTICE WITH THE + DUKE OF PARMA; ARMISTICE WITH THE KING OF NAPLES; ARMISTICE WITH THE + POPE; PRELIMINARIES OF LEOBEN; CONVENTION OF MONTEBELLO WITH THE + REPUBLIC OF GENOA; TREATY OF PEACE WITH THE EMPEROR OF GERMANY AT + CAMPO-FORMIO. + + LIBERTY GIVEN TO THE PEOPLE OF BOLOGNA, FERRARA, MODENA, MASSA- + CARRARA, LA ROMAGNA, LOMBARD, BRESCIA, BERGAMO, MANTUA, CREMONA. + PART OF THE VERONESE, CHIAVENA, BORMIO, THE VALTELINE, THE GENOESE, + THE IMPERIAL FIEFS, THE PEOPLE OF THE DEPARTMENTS OF CORCYRA, OF THE + AEGEAN SEA, AND OF ITHACA. + + SENT TO PARIS ALL THE MASTERPIECES OF MICHAEL ANGELO, OF GVERCINO, + OF TITIAN, OF PAUL VERONESE, OF CORREGGIO, OF ALBANA, OF THE + CARRACCI, OF RAPHAEL, AND OF LEONARDO DA VINCI. + + +Thus were recapitulated on a flag, destined to decorate the Hall of the +Public Sittings of the Directory, the military deeds of the campaign in +Italy, its political results, and the conquest of the monuments of art. + +Most of the Italian cities looked upon their conqueror as a liberator- +such was the magic of the word liberty, which resounded from the Alps to +the Apennines. On his way to Mantua the General took up his residence in +the palace of the ancient dukes. Bonaparte promised the authorities of +Mantua that their department should be one of the most extensive; +impressed on them the necessity of promptly organising a local militia, +and of putting in execution the plans of Mari, the mathematician, for the +navigation of the Mincio from Mantua to Peschiera. + +He stopped two days at Mantua, and the morrow of his arrival was devoted +to the celebration of a military funeral solemnity, in honour of General +Hoche, who had just died. His next object was to hasten the execution of +the monument which was erecting to the memory of Virgil. Thus, in one +day, he paid honour to France and Italy, to modern and to ancient glory, +to the laurels of war and to the laurels of poetry. + +A person who saw Bonaparte on this occasion for the first time thus +described him in a letter he wrote to Paris:--"With lively interest and +extreme attention I have observed this extraordinary man, who has +performed such great deeds, and about whom there is something which seems +to indicate that his career is not yet terminated. I found him very like +his portraits--little, thin, pale, with an air of fatigue, but not of +ill-health, as has been reported of him. He appears to me to listen with +more abstraction than interest, and that he was more occupied with what +he was thinking of than with what was said to him. There is great +intelligence in his countenance, along with which may be marked an air of +habitual meditation, which reveals nothing of what is passing within. +In that thinking head, in that bold mind, it is impossible not to believe +that some daring designs are engendering which will have their influence +an the destinies of Europe." + +From the last phrase, in particular, of this letter, one might suspect +that it was written after Bonaparte had made his name feared throughout +Europe; but it really appeared in a journal in the month of December +1797, a little before his arrival in Paris. + +There exists a sort of analogy between celebrated men and celebrated +places; it was not, therefore, an uninteresting spectacle to see +Bonaparte surveying the field of Morat, where, in 1476, Charles the Bold, +Duke of Burgundy, daring like himself, fell with his powerful army under +the effects of Helvetian valour. Bonaparte slept during the night at +Maudon, where, as in every place through which he passed, the greatest +honours were paid him. In the morning, his carriage having broken down, +we continued our journey an foot, accompanied only by some officers and +an escort of dragoons of the country. Bonaparte stopped near the +Ossuary, and desired to be shown the spot where the battle of Morat was +fought. A plain in front of the chapel was pointed out to him. An +officer who had served in France was present, and explained to him how +the Swiss, descending from the neighbouring mountains, were enabled, +under cover of a wood, to turn the Burgundian army and put it to the +rout. "What was the force of that army?" asked Bonaparte.--"Sixty +thousand men."--"Sixty thousand men!" he exclaimed: "they ought to have +completely covered these mountains!"--"The French fight better now," said +Lannes, who was one of the officers of his suite. "At that time," +observed Bonaparte, interrupting him, "the Burgundians were not +Frenchmen." + +Bonaparte's journey through Switzerland was not without utility; and his +presence served to calm more than one inquietude. He proceeded on his +journey to Rastadt by Aix in Savoy, Berne, and Bale. On arriving at +Berne during night we passed through a double file of well-lighted +equipages, filled with beautiful women, all of whom raised the cry of +"Long live, Bonaparte!--long live the Pacificator! "To have a proper +idea of this genuine enthusiasm it is necessary to have seen it. + +The position in society to which his services had raised him rendered it +unfit to address him in the second person singular and the familiar +manner sometimes used by his old schoolfellows of Brienne. I thought, +this very natural. + +M. de Cominges, one of those who went with him to the military school at +Paris, and who had emigrated, was at Bale. Having learned our arrival, +he presented himself without ceremony, with great indecorum, and with a +complete disregard of the respect due to a man who had rendered himself +so illustrious. General Bonaparte, offended at this behaviour, refused +to receive him again, and expressed himself to me with much warmth on the +occasion of this visit. All my efforts to remove his displeasure were +unavailing this impression always continued, and he never did for M. de +Cominges what his means and the old ties of boyhood might well have +warranted. + +On arriving at Rastadt + + --[The conference for the formal peace with the Empire of Germany + was held there. The peace of Leoben was only one made with + Austria.]-- + +Bonaparte found a letter from the Directory summoning him to Paris. He +eagerly obeyed this invitation, which drew him from a place where he +could act only an insignificant part, and which he had determined to +leave soon, never again to return. Some time after his arrival in Paris, +on the ground that his presence was necessary for the execution of +different orders, and the general despatch of business, he required that +authority should be given to a part of his household, which he had left +at Rastadt, to return. + +How could it ever be said that the Directory "kept General Bonaparte away +from the great interests which were under discussion at Rastadt"? Quite +the contrary! The Directory would have been delighted to see him return +there, as they would then have been relieved from his presence in Paris; +but nothing was so disagreeable to Bonaparte as long and seemingly +interminable negotiations. Such tedious work did not suit his character, +and he had been sufficiently disgusted with similar proceedings at Campo- +Formio. + +On our arrival at Rastadt I soon found that General Bonaparte was +determined to stay there only a short time. I therefore expressed to him +my decided desire to remain in Germany. I was then ignorant that my +erasure from the emigrant list had been ordered on the 11th of November, +as the decree did not reach the commissary of the Executive Directory at +Auxerre until the 17th of November, the day of our departure from Milan. + +The silly pretext of difficulties by which my erasure, notwithstanding +the reiterated solicitations of the victorious General, was so long +delayed made me apprehensive of a renewal, under a weak and jealous +pentarchy, of the horrible scenes of 1796. Bonaparte said to me, in +atone of indignation, "Come, pass the Rhine; they will not dare to seize +you while near me. I answer for your safety." On reaching Paris I found +that my erasure had taken place. It was at this period only that General +Bonaparte's applications in my favour were tardily crowned with success. +Sotin, the Minister of General Police, notified the fact to Bonaparte; +but his letter gave a reason for my erasure very different from that +stated in the decree. The Minister said that the Government did not wish +to leave among the names of traitors to their country the name of a +citizen who was attached to the person of the conqueror of Italy; while +the decree itself stated as the motive for removing my name from the list +that I never had emigrated. + +At St. Helena it seems Bonaparte said that he did not return from Italy +with more than 300,000 francs; but I assert that he had at that time in +his possession something more than 3,000,000. + + --[Joseph says that Napoleon, when he exiled for Egypt, left with + him all his fortune, and that it was much nearer 300,000 francs than + 3,000,000. (See Erreurs, tome i. pp. 243, 259]-- + +How could he with 300,000 francs have been able to provide for the +extensive repairs, the embellishment, and the furnishing of his house in +the Rue Chantereine? How could he have supported the establishment he +did with only 15,000 francs of income and the emoluments of his rank? +The excursion which he made along the coast, of which I have yet to +speak, of itself cost near 12,000 francs in gold, which he transferred to +me to defray the expense of the journey; and I do not think that this sum +was ever repaid him. Besides, what did it signify, for any object he +might have in disguising his fortune, whether he brought 3,000,000 or +300,000 francs with him from Italy? No one will accuse him of +peculation. He was an inflexible administrator. He was always irritated +at the discovery of fraud, and pursued those guilty of it with all the +vigour of his character. He wished to be independent, which he well knew +that no one could be without fortune. He has often said to me, "I am no +Capuchin, not I" But after having been allowed only 300,000 francs on +his arrival from the rich Italy, where fortune never abandoned him, it +has been printed that he had 20,000,000 (some have even doubled the +amount) on his return from Egypt, which is a very poor country, where +money is scarce, and where reverses followed close upon his victories. +All these reports are false. What he brought from Italy has just been +stated, and it will be seen when we come to Egypt what treasure he +carried away from the country of the Pharaohs. + +Bonaparte's brothers, desirous of obtaining complete dominion over his +mind, strenuously endeavoured to lessen the influence which Josephine +possessed from the love of her husband. They tried to excite his +jealousy, and took advantage of her stay at Milan after our departure, +which had been authorised by Bonaparte himself. My intimacy with both +the husband and the wife fortunately afforded me an opportunity of +averting or lessening a good deal of mischief. If Josephine still lived +she would allow me this merit. I never took part against her but once, +and that unwillingly. It was on the subject of the marriage of her +daughter Hortense. Josephine had never as yet spoken to me on the +subject. Bonaparte wished to give his stepdaughter to Duroc, and his +brothers were eager to promote the marriage, because they wished to +separate Josephine from Hortense, for whom Bonaparte felt the tenderest +affection. Josephine, on the other hand, wished Hortense to marry Louis +Bonaparte. Her motives, as may easily be divined, were to, gain support +in a family where she experienced nothing but enmity, and she carried her +point. + + --[Previous to her marriage with Louis, Hortense cherished an + attachment for Duroc, who was at that time a handsome man about + thirty, and a great favourite of Bonaparte. However, the + indifference with which Duroc regarded the marriage of Louis + Bonaparte sufficiently proves that the regard with which be had + inspired Hortense was not very ardently returned. It is certain + that Duroc might have become the husband of Mademoiselle de + Beauharnais had he been willing to accede to the conditions on which + the First Consul offered him his step-daughter's hand. But Duroc + looked forward to something better, and his ordinary prudence + forsook him at a moment when he might easily have beheld a + perspective calculated to gratify even a more towering ambition than + his. He declined the proposed marriage; and the union of Hortense + and Louis, which Madame Bonaparte, to conciliate the favour of her + brothers-in-law, had endeavoured to bring about, was immediately + determined on (Memoires de Constant). + + In allusion to the alleged unfriendly feeling of Napoleon's brothers + towards Josephine, the following observation occurs in Joseph + Bonaparte's Notes on Bourrienne: + + "None of Napoleon's brothers," he says, "were near him from the time + of his departure for Italy except Louis who cannot be suspected of + having intrigued against Josephine, whose daughter he married. + These calumnies are without foundation" (Erreurs, tome i. p. 244)]-- + +On his arrival from Rastadt the most magnificent preparations were made +at the Luxembourg for the reception of Bonaparte. The grand court of the +Palace was elegantly ornamented; and at its farther end, close to tho +Palace, a large amphitheatre was erected for the accommodation of +official persons. Curiosity, as on all like occasions, attracted +multitudes, and the court was filled. Opposite to the principal +vestibule stood the altar of the country, surrounded by the statues of +Liberty, Equality, and Peace. When Bonaparte entered every head was +uncovered. The windows were full of young and beautiful females. But +notwithstanding this great preparation an icy coldness characterized the +ceremony. Every one seemed to be present only for the purpose of +beholding a sight, and curiosity was the prevailing expression rather +than joy or gratitude. It is but right to say, however, that an +unfortunate event contributed to the general indifference. The right +wing of the Palace was not occupied, but great preparations had been +making there, and an officer had been directed to prevent anyone from +ascending. One of the clerks of the Directory, however, contrived to get +upon the scaffolding, but had scarcely placed his foot on the first plank +when it tilted up, and the imprudent man fell the whole height into the +court. This accident created a general stupor. Ladies fainted, and the +windows were nearly deserted. + +However, the Directory displayed all the Republican splendour of which +they were so prodigal on similar occasions. Speeches were far from being +scarce. Talleyrand, who was then Minister for Foreign Affairs, on +introducing Bonaparte to the Directory, made a long oration, in the +course of which he hinted that the personal greatness of the General +ought not to excite uneasiness, even in a rising Republic. "Far from +apprehending anything from his ambition, I believe that we shall one day +be obliged to solicit him to tear himself from the pleasures of studious +retirement. All France will be free, but perhaps he never will; such is +his destiny." + +Talleyrand was listened to with impatience, so anxious was every one to +hear Bonaparte. The conqueror of Italy then rose, and pronounced with a +modest air, but in a firm voice, a short address of congratulation on the +improved position of the nation. + +Barras, at that time President of the Directory, replied to Bonaparte +with so much prolixity as to weary everyone; and as soon as he had +finished speaking he threw himself into the arms of the General, who was +not much pleased with such affected displays, and gave him what was then +called the fraternal embrace. The other members of the Directory, +following the example of the President, surrounded Bonaparte and pressed +him in their arms; each acted, to the best of his ability, his part in +the sentimental comedy. + +Chenier composed for this occasion a hymn, which Mehul set to music. A +few days after an opera was produced, bearing the title of the 'Fall of +Carthage', which was meant as an allusion to the anticipated exploits of +the conqueror of Italy, recently appointed to the command of the "Army of +England." The poets were all employed in praising him; and Lebrun, with +but little of the Pindaric fire in his soul, composed the following +distich, which certainly is not worth much: + + "Heros, cher a la paix, aux arts, a la victoire-- + Il conquit en deux ans mille siecles de gloire." + +The two councils were not disposed to be behind the Directory in the +manifestation of joy. A few days after they gave a banquet to the +General in the gallery of the Louvre, which had recently been enriched by +the masterpieces of painting conquered in Italy. + +At this time Bonaparte displayed great modesty in all his transactions in +Paris. The administrators of the department of the Seine having sent a +deputation to him to inquire what hour and day he would allow them to +wait on him, he carried himself his answer to the department, accompanied +by General Berthier. It was also remarked that the judge of the peace of +the arrondissement where the General lived having called on him on the +6th of December, the evening of his arrival, he returned the visit next +morning. These attentions, trifling as they may appear, were not without +their effect on the minds of the Parisians. + +In consequence of General Bonaparte's victories, the peace he had +effected, and the brilliant reception of which he had been the object, +the business of Vendemiaire was in some measure forgotten. Every one was +eager to get a sight of the young hero whose career had commenced with so +much 'eclat'. He lived very retiredly, yet went often to the theatre. +He desired me, one day, to go and request the representation of two of +the best pieces of the time, in which Elleviou, Mesdames St. Aubin, +Phillis, and other distinguished performers played. His message was, +that he only wished these two pieces on the same night, if that were +possible. The manager told me that nothing that the conqueror of Italy +wished for was impossible, for he had long ago erased that word from the +dictionary. Bonaparte laughed heartily at the manager's answer. When we +went to the theatre he seated himself, as usual, in the back of the box, +behind Madame Bonaparte, making me sit by her side. The pit and boxes, +however, soon found out that he was in the house, and loudly called for +him. Several times an earnest desire to see him was manifested, but all +in vain, for he never showed himself. + +Some days after, being at the Theatre des Arts, at the second +representation of 'Horatius Cocles', although he was sitting at the back +of a box in the second tier, the audience discovered that he was in the +house. Immediately acclamations arose from all quarters; but he kept +himself concealed as much as possible, and said to a person in the next +box, "Had I known that the boxes were so exposed, I should not have +come." + +During Bonaparte's stay at Paris a woman sent a messenger to warn him +that his life would be attempted, and that poison was to be employed for +that purpose. Bonaparte had the bearer of this information arrested, +who: went, accompanied by the judge of the peace, to the woman's house, +where she was found extended on the floor, and bathed in her blood. The +men whose plot she had overheard, having discovered that she had revealed +their secret, murdered her. The poor woman was dreadfully mangled: her +throat was cut; and, not satisfied with that, the assassins had also +hacked her body with sharp instruments. + +On the night of the 10th of Nivose the Rue Chantereine, in which +Bonaparte had a small house (No. 6), received, in pursuance of a decree +of the department, the name of Rue de la Victoire. The cries of "Vive +Bonaparte!" and the incense prodigally offered up to him, did not however +seduce him from his retired habits. Lately the conqueror and ruler of +Italy, and now under men for whom he had no respect, and who saw in him a +formidable rival, he said to me one day, "The people of Paris do not +remember anything. Were I to remain here long, doing nothing, I should +be lost. In this great Babylon one reputation displaces another. Let me +be seen but three times at the theatre and I shall no longer excite +attention; so I shall go there but seldom." When he went he occupied a +box shaded with curtains. The manager of the opera wished to get up a +special performance in his honour; but he declined the offer. When I +observed that it must be agreeable to him to see his fellow-citizens so +eagerly running after him, he replied, "Bah! the people would crowd as +fast to see me if I were going to the scaffold." + + --[A similar remark made to William III. on his lending at Brixham + elicited the comment, "Like the Jews, who cried one day 'Hosanna!' + and the next "Crucify Him! crucify Him!"]-- + +On the 28th of December Bonaparte was named a member of the Institute, in +the class of the Sciences and arts. + + --[Napoleon seems to have really considered this nomination as a + great honour. He was fond of using the title in his proclamations; + and to the last the allowance attached to the appointment figured in + the Imperial accounts. He replaced Carnot, the exiled Director.]-- + +He showed a deep sense of this honour, and wrote the following letter to +Camus; the president of the class: + + CITIZEN PRESIDENT--The suffrage of the distinguished men who compose + the institute confers a high honour on me. I feel well assured + that, before I can be their equal, I must long be their scholar. If + there were any way more expressive than another of making known my + esteem for you, I should be glad to employ it. True conquests--the + only ones which leave no regret behind them--are those which are + made over ignorance. The most honourable, as well as the most + useful, occupation for nations is the contributing to the extension + of human knowledge. The true power of the French Republic should + henceforth be made to consist in not allowing a single new idea to + exist without making it part of its property. + BONAPARTE. + + +The General now renewed, though unsuccessfully, the attempt he had made +before the 18th Fructidor to obtain a dispensation of the age necessary +for becoming a Director. Perceiving that the time was not yet favourable +for such a purpose, he said to me, on the 29th of January 1798, +"Bourrienne, I do not wish to remain here; there is nothing to do. They +are unwilling to listen to anything. I see that if I linger here, I +shall soon lose myself. Everything wears out here; my glory has already +disappeared. This little Europe does not supply enough of it for me. I +must seek it in the East, the fountain of glory. However, I wish first +to make a tour along the coast, to ascertain by my own observation what +may be attempted. I will take you, Lannes, and Sulkowsky, with me. If +the success of a descent on England appear doubtful, as I suspect it +will, the army of England shall become the army of the East, and I will +go to Egypt. + +This and other conversations give a correct insight into his character. +He always considered war and conquest as the most noble and inexhaustible +source of that glory which was the constant object of his desire. He +revolted at the idea of languishing in idleness at Paris, while fresh +laurels were growing for him in distant climes. His imagination +inscribed, in anticipation, his name on those gigantic monuments which +alone, perhaps, of all the creations of man, have the character of +eternity. Already proclaimed the most illustrious of living generals, +he sought to efface the rival names of antiquity by his own. If Caesar +fought fifty battles, he longed to fight a hundred--if Alexander left +Macedon to penetrate to the Temple of Ammon, he wished to leave Paris to +travel to the Cataracts of the Nile. While he was thus to run a race +with fame, events would, in his opinion, so proceed in France as to +render his return necessary and opportune. His place would be ready for +him, and he should not come to claim it a forgotten or unknown man. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +1798. + + Bonaparte's departure from Paris--His return--The Egyptian + expedition projected--M. de Talleyrand--General Desaix--Expedition + against Malta--Money taken at Berne--Bonaparte's ideas respecting + the East--Monge--Non-influence of the Directory--Marriages of + Marmont and La Valette--Bonaparte's plan of colonising Egypt--His + camp library--Orthographical blunders--Stock of wines--Bonaparte's + arrival at Toulon--Madame Bonaparte's fall from a balcony--Execution + of an old man--Simon. + +Bonaparte left Paris for the north on the 10th of February 1798--but he +received no order, though I have seen it everywhere so stated, to go +there--"for the purpose of preparing the operations connected with the +intended invasion of England." He occupied himself with no such +business, for which a few days certainly would not have been sufficient. +His journey to the coast was nothing but a rapid excursion, and its sole +object was to enable him to form an opinion on the main point of the +question. Neither did he remain absent several weeks, for the journey +occupied only one. There were four of us in his carriage--himself, +Lannes, Sulkowsky, and I. Moustache was our courier. Bonaparte was not +a little surprised on reading, in the 'Moniteur' of the 10th February, an +article giving greater importance to his little excursion than it +deserved. + + "General Bonaparte," said the 'Moniteur', "has departed for Dunkirk + with some naval and engineer officers. They have gone to visit the + coasts and prepare the preliminary operations for the descent [upon + England]. It may be stated that he will not return to Rastadt, and + that the close of the session of the Congress there is approaching." + +Now for the facts. Bonaparte visited Etaples, Ambleteuse, Boulogne, +Calais, Dunkirk, Furnes, Niewport, Ostend, and the Isle of Walcheren. +He collected at the different ports all the necessary information with +that intelligence and tact for which he was so eminently distinguished. +He questioned the sailors, smugglers, and fishermen, and listened +attentively to the answers he received. + +We returned to Paris by Antwerp, Brussels, Lille, and St. Quentin. The +object of our journey was accomplished when we reached the first of these +towns. "Well, General," said I, "what think you of our journey? Are you +satisfied? For my part, I confess I entertain no great hopes from +anything I have seen and heard." Bonaparte immediately answered, "It is +too great a chance. I will not hazard it. I would not thus sport with +the fate of my beloved France." On hearing this I already fancied myself +in Cairo! + +On his return to Paris Bonaparte lost no time in setting on foot the +military and scientific preparations for the projected expedition to the +banks of the Nile, respecting which such incorrect statements have +appeared. It had long occupied his thoughts, as the following facts will +prove. + +In the month of August 1797 he wrote "that the time was not far distant +when we should see that, to destroy the power of England effectually, it +would be necessary to attack Egypt." In the same month he wrote to +Talleyrand, who had just succeeded Charles de Lacroix as Minister of +Foreign Affairs, "that it would be necessary to attack Egypt, which did +not belong to the Grand Signior." Talleyrand replied, "that his ideas +respecting Egypt were certainly grand, and that their utility could not +fail to be fully appreciated." He concluded by saying he would write to +him at length on the subject. + +History will speak as favourably of M. de Talleyrand as his +contemporaries have spoken ill of him. When a statesman, throughout a +great, long, and difficult career, makes and preserves a number of +faithful friends, and provokes but few enemies, it must be acknowledged +that his character is honourable and his talent profound, and that his +political conduct has been wise and moderate. It is impossible to know +M. de Talleyrand without admiring him. All who have that advantage, no +doubt, judge him as I do. + +In the month of November of the same year Bonaparte sent Poussielgue, +under the pretence of inspecting the ports of the Levant, to give the +finishing stroke to the meditated expedition against Malta. + +General Desaix, whom Bonaparte had made the confidant of all his plans at +their interview in Italy after the preliminaries of Leoben, wrote to him +from Affenbourg, on his return to Germany, that he regarded the fleet of +Corfu with great interest. "If ever," said he, "it should be engaged in +the grand enterprises of which I have heard you speak, do not, I beseech +you, forget me." Bonaparte was far from forgetting him. + +The Directory at first disapproved of the expedition against Malta, which +Bonaparte had proposed long before the treaty of Campo-Formio was signed. +The expedition was decided to be impossible, for Malta had observed +strict neutrality, and had on several occasions even assisted our ships +and seamen. Thus we had no pretext for going to war with her. It was +said, too, that the legislative body would certainly not look with a +favourable eye on such a measure. This opinion, which, however, did not +last long, vexed Bonaparte. It was one of the disappointments which made +him give a rough welcome to Bottot, Barras' agent, at the commencement of +October 1797. + +In the course of an animated conversation he said to Bottot, shrugging +his shoulders, "Mon Dieu! Malta is for sale!" Sometime after he himself +was told that "great importance was attached to the acquisition of Malta, +and that he must not suffer it to escape." At the latter end of +September 1797 Talleyrand, then Minister of Foreign Affairs, wrote to him +that the Directory authorized him to give the necessary orders to Admiral +Brueys for taking Malta. He sent Bonaparte some letters for the island, +because Bonaparte had said it was necessary to prepare the public mind +for the event. + +Bonaparte exerted himself night and day in the execution of his projects. +I never saw him so active. He made himself acquainted with the abilities +of the respective generals, and the force of all the army corps. Orders +and instructions succeeded each other with extraordinary rapidity. If he +wanted an order of the Directory he ran to the Luxembourg to get it +signed by one of the Directors. Merlin de Douai was generally the person +who did him this service, for he was the most constant at his post. +Lagarde, the Secretary-General, did not countersign any document relative +to this expedition, Bonaparte not wishing him to be informed of the +business. He transmitted to Toulon the money taken at Berne, which the +Directory had placed at his disposal. It amounted to something above +3,000,000 francs. In those times of disorder and negligence the finances +were very badly managed. The revenues were anticipated and squandered +away, so that the treasury never possessed so large a sum as that just +mentioned. + +It was determined that Bonaparte should undertake an expedition of an +unusual character to the East. I must confess that two things cheered me +in this very painful interval; my friendship and admiration for the +talents of the conqueror of Italy, and the pleasing hope of traversing +those ancient regions, the historical and religious accounts of which had +engaged the attention of my youth. + +It was at Passeriano that, seeing the approaching termination of his +labours in Europe, he first began to turn serious attention to the East. +During his long strolls in the evening in the magnificent park there he +delighted to converse about the celebrated events of that part of the +world, and the many famous empires it once possessed. He used to say, +"Europe is a mole-hill. There have never been great empires and +revolutions except in the East, where there are 600,000,000 men." He +considered that part of the world as the cradle of all religious, of all +metaphysical extravagances. This subject was no less interesting than +inexhaustible, and he daily introduced it when conversing with the +generals with whom he was intimate, with Monge, and with me. + +Monge entirely concurred in the General-in-Chief's opinions on this +point; and his scientific ardour was increased by Bonaparte's enthusiasm. +In short, all were unanimously of one opinion. The Directory had no +share in renewing the project of this memorable expedition, the result of +which did not correspond with the grand views in which it had been +conceived. Neither had the Directory any positive control over +Bonaparte's departure or return. It was merely the passive instrument of +the General's wishes, which it converted into decrees, as the law +required. He was no more ordered to undertake the conquest of Egypt than +he was instructed as to the plan of its execution. Bonaparte organised +the army of the East, raised money, and collected ships; and it was he +who conceived the happy idea of joining to the expedition men +distinguished in science and art, and whose labours have made known, in +its present and past state, a country, the very name of which is never +pronounced without exciting grand recollections. + +Bonaparte's orders flew like lightning from Toulon to Civita Vecchia. +With admirable precision he appointed some forces to assemble before +Malta, and others before Alexandria. He dictated all these orders to me +in his Cabinet. + +In the position in which France stood with respect to Europe, after the +treaty of Campo-Formio, the Directory, far from pressing or even +facilitating this expedition, ought to have opposed it. A victory on the +Adige would have been far better far France than one on the Nile. From +all I saw, I am of opinion that the wish to get rid of an ambitious and +rising man, whose popularity excited envy, triumphed over the evident +danger of removing, for an indefinite period, an excellent army, and the +possible loss of the French fleet. As to Bonaparte, he was well assured +that nothing remained for him but to choose between that hazardous +enterprise and his certain ruin. Egypt was, he thought, the right place +to maintain his reputation, and to add fresh glory to his name. + +On the 12th of April 1798 he was appointed General-in-Chief of the army +of the East. + +It was about this time that Marmont was married to Mademoiselle +Perregaux; and Bonaparte's aide de camp, La Valletta, to Mademoiselle +Beauharnais. + + --[Sir Walter Scott informs us that Josephine, when she became + Empress, brought about the marriage between her niece and La + Vallette. This is another fictitious incident of his historical + romance.--Bourrienne.]-- + +Shortly before our departure I asked Bonaparte how long he intended to +remain in Egypt. He replied, "A few months, or six years: all depends on +circumstances. I will colonise the country. I will bring them artists +and artisans of every description; women, actors, etc. We are but nine- +and-twenty now, and we shall then be five-and-thirty. That is not an old +age. Those six years will enable me, if all goes well, to get to India. +Give out that you are going to Brest. Say so even to your family." I +obeyed, to prove my discretion and real attachment to him. + +Bonaparte wished to form a camp library of cabinet editions, and he gave +me a list of the books which I was to purchase. This list is in his own +writing, and is as follows: + + CAMP LIBRARY. + +1. ARTS AND SCIENCE.-- Fontenelle's Worlds, 1 vol. Letters to a German +Princess, 2 vols. Courses of the Normal School, 6 vols. The Artillery +Assistant, 1 vol. Treatise on Fortifications, 3 vols. Treatise on +Fireworks, 1 vol. + +2. GEOGRAPHY AND TRAVELS.-- Barclay's Geography, 12 vols. Cook's +Voyages, 3 vols. La Harpe's Travels, 24 vols. + +3. HISTORY.-- Plutarch, 12 vols. Turenne, 2 vols. Conde, 4 vols. +Villars, 4 vols. Luxembourg, 2 vols. Duguesclin, 2 vols. +Saxe, 3 vols. Memoirs of the Marshals of France, 20 vols. President +Hainault, 4 vols. Chronology, 2 vols. Marlborough, 4 vols. Prince +Eugene, 6 vols. Philosophical History of India, 12 vols. +Germany, 2 vols. Charles XII., 1 vol. Essay on the Manners of +Nations, 6 vols. Peter the Great, 1 vol. Polybius, 6 vols. +Justin, 2 vols. Arrian, 3 vols. Tacitus, 2 vols. Titus Livy, +Thucydides, 2 vols. Vertot, 4 vols. Denina, 8 vols. +Frederick II, 8 vols. + +4. POETRY.-- Osaian, 1 vol. Tasso, 6 vols. Ariosto, 6 vols. +Homer, 6 vols. Virgil, 4 vols. The Henriade, 1 vol. +Telemachus, 2 vols. Les Jardin, 1 vol. The Chefs-d'Oeuvre of the +French Theatre, 20 vols. Select Light Poetry, 10 vols. La Fontaine. + +5. ROMANCE.-- Voltaire, 4 vols. Heloise, 4 vols. Werther, 1 vol. +Marmontel, 4 vols. English Novels, 40 vols. Le Sage, 10 vols. +Prevost, 10 vols. + +6. POLITICS AND MORALS.-- The Old Testament. The New Testament. The +Koran. The Vedan. Mythology. Montesquieu. The Esprit des Lois. + + +It will be observed that he classed the books of the religious creeds of +nations under the head of "politics." + +The autograph copy of the above list contains some of those +orthographical blunders which Bonaparte so frequently committed. Whether +these blunders are attributable to the limited course of instruction he +received at Brienne, to his hasty writing, the rapid flow of his ideas, +or the little importance he attached to that indispensable condition of +polite education, I know not. Knowing so well as he did the authors and +generals whose names appear in the above list, it is curious that he +should have written Ducecling for Duguesclin, and Ocean for Ossian. The +latter mistake would have puzzled me not a little had I not known his +predilection for the Caledonian bard. + +Before his departure Bonaparte laid in a considerable stock of Burgundy. +It was supplied by a man named James, of Dijon. I may observe that on +this occasion we had an opportunity of ascertaining that good Burgundy, +well racked off, and in casks hermetically sealed, does not lose its +quality on a sea voyage. Several cases of this Burgundy twice crossed +the desert of the Isthmus of Suez on camels' backs. We brought some of +it back with us to Frejus, and it was as good as when we departed. James +went with us to Egypt + +During the remainder of our stay in Paris nothing occurred worthy of +mention, with the exception of a conversation between Bonaparte and me +some days before our departure for Toulon. He went with me to the +Luxembourg to get signatures to the official papers connected with his +expedition. He was very silent. As we passed through the Rue Sainte +Anne I asked him, with no other object than merely to break a long pause, +whether he was still determined to quit France. He replied, "Yes: I have +tried everything. They do not want me (probably alluding to the office +of Director). I ought to overthrow them, and make myself King; but it +will not do yet. The nobles will never consent to it. I have tried my +ground. The time is not yet come. I should be alone. But I will dazzle +them again." I replied, "Well, we will go to Egypt;" and changed the +conversation. + + --[Lucien and the Bonapartists of course deny that Napoleon wished + to become Director, or to seize on power at this time; see Lucien, + tome 1. p. 154. Thiers (vol. v. p. 257) takes the same view. + Lanfrey (tome i. p. 363) believes Napoleon was at last compelled by + the Directory to start and he credits the story told by Desaix to + Mathieu Dumas, or rather to the wife of that officer, that there was + a plot to upset the Directory, but that when all was ready Napoleon + judged that the time was not ripe. Lanfrey, however, rather + enlarges what Dumas says; see Dumas, tome iii. p. 167. See also + the very remarkable conversation of Napoleon with Miot de Melito + just before leaving Italy for Rastadt: "I cannot obey any longer. I + have tasted the pleasures of command, and I cannot renounce it. My + decision is taken. If I cannot be master, I shall quit France + (Miot, tome i. p. 184).]-- + +The squabble with Bernadotte at Vienna delayed our departure for a +fortnight, and might have had the most disastrous influence on the fate +of the squadron, as Nelson would most assuredly have waited between Malta +and Sicily if he had arrived there before us.' + + --[Sir Walter Scott, without any authority, states that, at the + moment of his departure, Bonaparte seemed disposed to abandon the + command of an expedition so doubtful and hazardous, and that for + this purpose he endeavoured to take advantage of what had occurred + at Vienna. This must be ranked in the class of inventions, together + with Barras mysterious visit to communicate the change of + destination, and also the ostracism and honourable exile which the + Directory wished to impose on Bonaparte. --Bourrienne.]-- + +It is untrue that he ever entertained the idea of abandoning the +expedition in consequence of Bernadotte's affair. The following letter +to Brueys, dated the 28th of April 1798, proves the contrary: + + Some disturbances which have arisen at Vienna render my presence in + Paris necessary for a few days. This will not change any of the + arrangements for the expedition. I have sent orders by this courier + for the troops at Marseilles to embark and proceed to Toulon. On + the evening of the 30th I will send you a courier with orders for + you to embark and proceed with the squadron and convoy to Genoa, + where I will join you. + + The delay which this fresh event has occasioned will, I imagine, + have enabled you to complete every preparation. + +We left Paris on the 3d of May 1798. Ten days before Bonaparte's +departure for Egypt a prisoner (Sir Sidney Smith) escaped from the Temple +who was destined to contribute materially to his reverses. An escape so +unimportant in itself afterwards caused the failure of the most gigantic +projects and daring conceptions. This escape was pregnant with future +events; a false order of the Minister of Police prevented the revolution +of the East! + +We were at Toulon on the 8th. Bonaparte knew by the movements of the +English that not a moment was to be lost; but adverse winds detained us +ten days, which he occupied in attending to the most minute details +connected with the fleet. + +Bonaparte, whose attention was constantly occupied with his army, made a +speech to the soldiers, which I wrote to his dictation, and which +appeared in the public papers at the time. This address was followed by +cries of "The Immortal Republic for ever!" and the singing of national +hymns. + +Those who knew Madame Bonaparte are aware that few women were more +amiable and fascinating. Bonaparte was passionately fond of her, and to +enjoy the pleasure of her society as long as possible he brought her with +him to Toulon. Nothing could be more affecting than their parting. On +leaving Toulon Josephine went to the waters of Plombieres. I recollect +that during her stay at Plombieres she incurred great danger from a +serious accident. Whilst she was one day sitting at the balcony of the +hotel, with her suite, the balcony suddenly gave way, and all the persons +in it fell into the street. Madame Bonaparte was much hurt, but no +serious consequences ensued. + +Bonaparte had scarcely arrived at Toulon when he heard that the law for +the death of emigrants was enforced with frightful rigour; and that but +recently an old man, upwards of eighty, had been shot. Indignant at this +barbarity, he dictated to me, in a tone of anger, the following letter: + + HEADQUARTERS TOULON, + 27th Floreal, year VI. (16th May 1798). + + BONAPARTE, MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE, TO THE MILITARY + COMMISSIONERS OF THE NINTH DIVISION, ESTABLISHED BY THE LAW OF + THE 19TH FRUCTIDOR. + + I have learned, citizens, with deep regret, that an old man, between + seventy and eighty years of age, and some unfortunate women, in a + state of pregnancy, or surrounded with children of tender age, have + been shot on the charge of emigration. + + Have the soldiers of liberty become executioners? Can the mercy + which they have exercised even in the fury of battle be extinct in + their hearts? + + The law of the 19th Fructidor was a measure of public safety. Its + object was to reach conspirators, not women and aged men. + + I therefore exhort you, citizens, whenever the law brings to your + tribunals women or old men, to declare that in the field of battle + you have respected the women and old men of your enemies. + + The officer who signs a sentence against a person incapable of + bearing arms is a coward. + (Signed) BONAPARTE. + + +This letter saved the life of an unfortunate man who came under the +description of persons to whom Bonaparte referred. The tone of this note +shows what an idea he already entertained of his power. He took upon +him, doubtless from the noblest motives, to step out of his way to +interpret and interdict the execution of a law, atrocious, it is true, +but which even in those times of weakness, disorder, and anarchy was +still a law. In this instance, at least, the power of his name was nobly +employed. The letter gave great satisfaction to the army destined for +the expedition. + +A man named Simon, who had followed his master in emigration, and dreaded +the application of the law, heard that I wanted a servant. He came to me +and acknowledged his situation. He suited me, and I hired him. He then +told me he feared he should be arrested whilst going to the port to +embark. Bonaparte, to whom I mentioned the circumstance, and who had +just given a striking proof of his aversion to these acts of barbarity, +said to me in a tone of kindness, "Give him my portfolio to carry, and +let him remain with you." The words "Bonaparte, General-in-Chief of the +Army of the East," were inscribed in large gold letters on the green +morocco. Whether it was the portfolio or his connection with us that +prevented Simon from being arrested I know not; but he passed on without +interruption. I reprimanded him for having smiled derisively at the ill +humour of the persons appointed to arrest him. He served me faithfully, +and was even sometimes useful to Bonaparte. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +1798. + + Departure of the squadron--Arrival at Malta--Dolomieu--General + Barguay d'Hilliers--Attack on the western part of the island-- + Caffarelli's remark--Deliverance of the Turkish prisoners--Nelson's + pursuit of the French fleet--Conversations on board--How Bonaparte + passed his, time--Questions to the Captains--Propositions discussed + --Morning music--Proclamation--Admiral Brueys--The English fleet + avoided Dangerous landing--Bonaparte and his fortune--Alexandria + taken--Kleber wounded--Bonaparte's entrance into Alexandria. + +The squadron sailed on the 19th of May. The Orient, which, owing to her +heavy lading, drew too much water, touched the ground; but she was got +off without much difficulty. + +We arrived off Malta on the 10th of June. We had lost two days in +waiting for some convoys which joined us at Malta. + +The intrigues throughout Europe had not succeeded in causing the ports of +that island to be opened to us immediately on our arrival. Bonaparte +expressed much displeasure against the persons sent from Europe to +arrange measures for that purpose. One of them, however, M. Dolomieu, +had cause to repent his mission, which occasioned him to be badly treated +by the Sicilians. M. Poussielgue had done all he could in the way of +seduction, but he had not completely succeeded. There was some +misunderstanding, and, in consequence, some shots were interchanged. +Bonaparte was very much pleased with General Baraguay d'Hilliers' +services in Italy. He could not but praise his military and political +conduct at Venice when, scarcely a year before, he had taken possession +of that city by his orders. General Baraguay d'Hilliers joined us with +his division,--which had embarked in the convoy that sailed from Genoa. +The General-in-Chief ordered him to land and attack the western part of +the island. He executed this order with equal prudence and ability, and +highly to the satisfaction of the General-in-Chief. As every person in +the secret knew that all this was a mere form, these hostile +demonstrations produced no unpleasant consequences. We wished to save +the honour of the knights--that was all; for no one who has seen Malta +can imagine that an island surrounded with such formidable and perfect +fortifications would have surrendered in two days to a fleet which was +pursued by an enemy. The impregnable fortress of Malta is so secure +against a 'coup de main' that General Caffarelli, after examining its +fortifications, said to the General-in-Chief, in my presence, "Upon my +word, General, it is luck: there is some one in the town to open the +gates for us." + +By comparing the observation of General Caffarelli with what has been +previously stated respecting the project of the expedition to Egypt and +Malta, an idea may be formed of the value of Bonaparte's assertion at St. +Helena: + +"The capture of Malta was not owing to private intrigues, but to the +sagacity of the Commander-in-chief. I took Malta when I was in Mantua!" + +It is not the less true, however, that I wrote, by his dictation, a mass +of instructions for private intrigues. Napoleon also said to another +noble companion of his exile at St Helena, "Malta certainly possessed +vast physical means of resistance; but no moral means. The knights did +nothing dishonourable nobody is obliged to do impossibilities. No; but +they were sold; the capture of Malta was assured before we left Toulon." + +The General-in-Chief proceeded to that part of the port where the Turks +made prisoners by the knights were kept. + +The disgusting galleys were emptied of their occupants: The same +principles which, a few days after, formed the basis of Bonaparte's +proclamation to the Egyptians, guided him in this act of reason and +humanity. + +He walked several times in the gardens of the grandmaster. They were in +beautiful order, and filled with magnificent orange-trees. We regaled +ourselves with their fruit, which the great heat rendered most delicious. + +On the 19th of June, after having settled the government and defence of +the island, the General left Malta, which he little dreamed he had taken +for the English, who have very badly requited the obligation. Many of +the knights followed Bonaparte and took civil and military appointments. + +During the night of the 22d of June the English squadron was almost close +upon us. It passed at about six leagues from the French fleet. Nelson, +who learned the capture of Malta at Messina on the day we left the +island, sailed direct for Alexandria, without proceeding into the north. +He considered that city to be the place of our destination. By taking +the shortest course, with every sail set, and unembarrassed by any +convoy, he arrived before Alexandria on the 28th of June, three days +before the French fleet, which, nevertheless, had sailed before him from +the shores of Malta. The French squadron took the direction of Candia, +which we perceived on the 25th of June, and afterwards stood to the +south, favoured by the Etesian winds, which regularly prevail at that +season. The French fleet did not reach Alexandria till the 30th of June. + +When on board the 'Orient' he took pleasure in conversing frequently with +Monge and Berthollet. The subjects on which they usually talked were +chemistry, mathematics, and religion. General Caffarelli, whose +conversation, supplied by knowledge, was at once energetic, witty, and +lively, was one of those with whom he most willingly discoursed. +Whatever friendship he might entertain for Berthollet, it was easy to +perceive that he preferred Monge, and that he was led to that preference +because Monge, endowed with an ardent imagination, without exactly +possessing religious principles, had a kind of predisposition for +religious ideas which harmonised with the notions of Bonaparte. On this +subject Berthollet sometimes rallied his inseparable friend Monge. +Besides, Berthollet was, with his cold imagination, constantly devoted to +analysis and abstractions, inclined towards materialism, an opinion with +which the General was always much dissatisfied. + +Bonaparte sometimes conversed with Admiral Brueys. His object was always +to gain information respecting the different manoeuvres, and nothing +astonished the Admiral more than the sagacity of his questions. +I recollect that one day, Bonaparte having asked Brueys in what manner +the hammocks were disposed of when clearing for action, he declared, +after he had received an answer, that if the case should occur he would +order every one to throw his baggage overboard. + +He passed a great part of his time in his cabin, lying on a bed, which, +swinging on a kind of castors, alleviated the severity of the sea- +sickness from which he frequently suffered much when the ship rolled. + +I was almost always with him in his cabin, where I read to him some of +the favourite works which he had selected for his camp library. He also +frequently conversed, for hours together, with the captains of the +vessels which he hailed. He never failed to ask whence they came? what +was their destination? what ships they had met? what course they had +sailed? His curiosity being thus satisfied, he allowed them to continue +their voyage, after making them promise to say nothing of having seen the +French squadron. + +Whilst we were at sea he seldom rose before ten o'clock in the morning. +The 'Orient' had the appearance of a populous town, from which women had +been excluded; and this floating city was inhabited by 2000 individuals, +amongst whom were a great number of distinguished men. Bonaparte every +day invited several persons to dine with him, besides Brueys, Berthier, +the colonels, and his ordinary household, who were always present at the +table of the General-in-Chief. When the weather was fine he went up to +the quarter-deck, which, from its extent, formed a grand promenade. + +I recollect once that when walking the quarter-deck with him whilst we +were in Sicilian waters I thought I could see the summits of the Alps +beautifully lighted by the rays of the setting sun. Bonaparte laughed +much, and joked me about it. He called Admiral Brueys, who took his +telescope and soon confirmed my conjecture. The Alps! + +At the mention of that word by the Admiral I think I can see Bonaparte +still. He stood for a long time motionless; then, suddenly bursting from +his trance, exclaimed, "No! I cannot behold the land of Italy without +emotion! There is the East: and there I go; a perilous enterprise +invites me. Those mountains command the plains where I so often had the +good fortune to lead the French to victory. With them we will conquer +again." + +One of Bonaparte's greatest pleasures during the voyage was, after +dinner, to fix upon three or four persons to support a proposition and as +many to oppose it. He had an object in view by this. These discussions +afforded him an opportunity of studying the minds of those whom he had an +interest in knowing well, in order that he might afterwards confide to +each the functions for which he possessed the greatest aptitude: It will +not appear singular to those who have been intimate with Bonaparte, that +in these intellectual contests he gave the preference to those who had +supported an absurd proposition with ability over those who had +maintained the cause of reason; and it was not superiority of mind which +determined his judgment, for he really preferred the man who argued well +in favour of an absurdity to the man who argued equally well in support +of a reasonable proposition. He always gave out the subjects which were +to be discussed; and they most frequently turned upon questions of +religion, the different kinds of government, and the art of war. One day +he asked whether the planets were inhabited; on another, what was the age +of the world; then he proposed to consider the probability of the +destruction of our globe, either by water or fire; at another time, +the truth or fallacy of presentiments, and the interpretation of dreams. +I remember the circumstance which gave rise to the last proposition was +an allusion to Joseph, of whom he happened to speak, as he did of almost +everything connected with the country to which we were bound, and which +that able administrator had governed. No country came under Bonaparte's +observation without recalling historical recollections to his mind. +On passing the island of Candia his imagination was excited, and he spoke +with enthusiasm of ancient Crete and the Colossus, whose fabulous renown +has surpassed all human glories. He spoke much of the fall of the empire +of the East, which bore so little resemblance to what history has +preserved of those fine countries, so often moistened with the blood of +man. The ingenious fables of mythology likewise occurred to his mind, +and imparted to his language something of a poetical, and, I may say, of +an inspired character. The sight of the kingdom of Minos led him to +reason on the laws best calculated for the government of nations; and the +birthplace of Jupiter suggested to him the necessity of a religion for +the mass of mankind. This animated conversation lasted until the +favourable north winds, which drove the clouds into the valley of the +Nile, caused us to lose sight of the island of Candia. + +The musicians on board the Orient sometimes played serenades; but only +between decks, for Bonaparte was not yet sufficiently fond of music to +wish to hear it in his cabin. It may be said that his taste for this art +increased in the direct ratio of his power; and so it was with his taste +for hunting, of which he gave no indication until after his elevation to +the empire; as though he had wished to prove that he possessed within +himself not only the genius of sovereignty for commanding men, but also +the instinct for those aristocratical pleasures, the enjoyment of which +is considered by mankind to be amongst the attributes of kings. + +It is scarcely possible that some accidents should not occur during a +long voyage in a crowded vessel--that some persons should not fall +overboard. Accidents of this kind frequently happened on board the +'Orient'. On those occasions nothing was more remarkable than the great +humanity of the man who has since been so prodigal of the blood of his +fellow-creatures on the field of battle, and who was about to shed rivers +of it even in Egypt, whither we were bound. When a man fell into the sea +the General-in-Chief was in a state of agitation till he was saved. He +instantly had the ship hove-to, and exhibited the greatest uneasiness +until the unfortunate individual was recovered. He ordered me to reward +those who ventured their lives in this service. Amongst these was a +sailor who had incurred punishment for some fault. He not only exempted +him from the punishment, but also gave him some money. I recollect that +one dark night we heard a noise like that occasioned by a man falling +into the sea. Bonaparte instantly caused the ship to be hove-to until +the supposed victim was rescued from certain death. The men hastened +from all sides, and at length they picked up-what?--the quarter of a +bullock, which had fallen from the hook to which it was hung. What was +Bonaparte's conduct? He ordered me to reward the sailors who had exerted +themselves in this occasion even more generously than usual, saying, +"It might have been a sailor, and these brave fellows have shown as much +activity and courage as if it had." + +After the lapse of thirty years all these things are as fresh in my +recollection as if they were passing at the present moment. In this +manner Bonaparte employed his time on board the Orient during the voyage, +and it was also at this time that he dictated to me the following +proclamation: + + HEADQUARTERS ON BOARD THE " ORIENT," + the 4th Messidor, year VI. + + BONAPARTE, MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE, + GENERAL-IN-CHIEF. + + SOLDIERS--You are about to undertake a conquest the effects of which + on civilisation and commerce are incalculable. The blow you are + about to give to England will be the best aimed, and the most + sensibly felt, she can receive until the time arrive when you can + give her her deathblow. + + We must make some fatiguing marches; we must fight several battles; + we shall succeed in all we undertake. The destinies are with us. + The Mameluke Beys who favour exclusively English commerce, whose + extortions oppress our merchants, and who tyrannise over the + unfortunate inhabitants of the Nile, a few days after our arrival + will no longer exist. + + The people amongst whom we are going to live are Mahometans. The + first article of their faith is this: "There is no God but God, and + Mahomet is his prophet." Do not contradict them. Behave to them as + you have behaved to the Jews--to the Italians. Pay respect to their + muftis, and their Imaums, as you did to the rabbis and the bishops. + Extend to the ceremonies prescribed by the Koran and to the mosques + the same toleration which you showed to the synagogues, to the + religion of Moses and of Jesus Christ. + + The Roman legions protected all religions. You will find here + customs different from those of Europe. You must accommodate + yourselves to them. The people amongst whom we are to mix differ + from us in the treatment of women; but in all countries he who + violates is a monster. Pillage enriches only a small number of men; + it dishonours us; it destroys our resources; it converts into + enemies the people whom it is our interest to have for friends. + + The first town we shall come to was built by Alexander. At every + step we shall meet with grand recollections, worthy of exciting the + emulation of Frenchmen. + BONAPARTE. + + +During the voyage, and particularly between Malta and Alexandria, +I often conversed with the brave and unfortunate Admiral Brueys. +The intelligence we heard from time to time augmented his uneasiness. +I had the good fortune to obtain the confidence of this worthy man. +He complained bitterly of the imperfect manner in which the fleet had +been prepared for sea; of the encumbered state of the ships of the line +and frigates, and especially of the 'Orient'; of the great number of +transports; of the bad Outfit of all the ships and the weakness of their +crews. He assured me that it required no little courage to undertake the +command of a fleet so badly equipped; and he often declared, that in the +event of our falling in with the enemy, he could not answer for the +consequences. The encumbered state of the vessels, the immense quantity +of civic and military baggage which each person had brought, and would +wish to save, would render proper manoeuvres impracticable. In case of +an attack, added Brueys, even by an inferior squadron, the confusion and +disorder amongst so great a number of persons would produce an inevitable +catastrophe. Finally, if the English had appeared with ten vessels only, +the Admiral could not have guaranteed a fortunate result. He considered +victory to be a thing that was impossible, and even with a victory, what +would have become of the expedition? "God send," he said, with a sigh, +"that we may pass the English without meeting them!" He appeared to +foresee what did afterwards happen to him, not in the open sea, but in a +situation which he considered much more favourable to his defence. + +On the morning of the 1st of July the expedition arrived off the coast of +Africa, and the column of Septimus-Severus pointed out to us the city of +Alexandria. Our situation and frame of mind hardly permitted us to +reflect that in the distant point we beheld the city of the Ptolemies and +Caesars, with its double port, its pharos, and the gigantic monuments of +its ancient grandeur. Our imaginations did not rise to this pitch. + +Admiral Brueys had sent on before the frigate Juno to fetch M. Magallon, +the French Consul. It was near four o'clock when he arrived, and the sea +was very rough. He informed the General-in-Chief that Nelson had been +off Alexandria on the 28th--that he immediately dispatched a brig to +obtain intelligence from the English agent. On the return of the brig +Nelson instantly stood away with his squadron towards the north-east. +But for a delay which our convoy from Civita Vecchia occasioned, we +should have been on this coast at the same time as Nelson. + +It appeared that Nelson supposed us to be already at Alexandria when he +arrived there. He had reason to suppose so, seeing that we left Malta on +the 19th of June, whilst he did not sail from Messina till the 21st. +Not finding us where he expected, and being persuaded we ought to have +arrived there had Alexandria been the place of our destination; he sailed +for Alexandretta in Syria, whither he imagined we had gone to effect a +landing. This error saved the expedition a second time. + +Bonaparte, on hearing the details which the French Consul communicated, +resolved to disembark immediately. Admiral Brueys represented the +difficulties and dangers of a disembarkation--the violence of the surge, +the distance from the coast,--a coast, too, lined with reefs of rocks, +the approaching night, and our perfect ignorance of the points suitable +for landing. The Admiral, therefore, urged the necessity of waiting till +next morning; that is to say, to delay the landing twelve hours. He +observed that Nelson could not return from Syria for several days. +Bonaparte listened to these representations with impatience and ill- +humour. He replied peremptorily, "Admiral, we have no time to lose. +Fortune gives me but three days; if I do not profit by them we are lost." +He relied much on fortune; this chimerical idea constantly influenced his +resolutions. + +Bonaparte having the command of the naval as well as the military force, +the Admiral was obliged to yield to his wishes. + +I attest these facts, which passed in my presence, and no part of which +could escape my observation. It is quite false that it was owing to the +appearance of a sail which, it is pretended, was descried, but of which, +for my part, I saw nothing, that Bonaparte exclaimed, "Fortune, have you +abandoned me? I ask only five days!" No such thing occurred. + +It was one o'clock in the morning of the 2d of July when we landed on the +soil of Egypt, at Marabou, three leagues to the west of Alexandria. We +had to regret the loss of some lives; but we had every reason to expect +that our losses would have been greater. + +At three o'clock the same morning the General-in-Chief marched on +Alexandria with the divisions of Kleber, Bon, and Menou. The Bedouin +Arabs, who kept hovering about our right flank and our rear, picked up +the stragglers. + +Having arrived within gunshot of Alexandria, we scaled the ramparts, and +French valour soon triumphed over all obstacles. + +The first blood I saw shed in war was General Kleber's. He was struck in +the head by a ball, not in storming the walls, but whilst heading the +attack. He came to Pompey's Pillar, where many members of the staff were +assembled, and where the General-in-Chief was watching the attack. I +then spoke to Kleber for the first time, and from that day our friendship +commenced. I had the good fortune to contribute somewhat towards the +assistance of which he stood in need, and which, as we were situated, +could not be procured very easily. + +It has been endeavoured to represent the capture of Alexandria, which +surrendered after a few hours, as a brilliant exploit. The General-in- +Chief himself wrote that the city had been taken after a few discharges +of cannon; the walls, badly fortified, were soon scaled. Alexandria was +not delivered up to pillage, as has been asserted, and often repeated. +This would have been a most impolitic mode of commencing the conquest of +Egypt, which had no strong places requiring to be intimidated by a great +example. + +Bonaparte, with some others, entered the city by a narrow street which +scarcely allowed two persons to walk abreast; I was with him. We were +stopped by some musket-shots fired from a low window by a man and a +woman. They repeated their fire several times. The guides who preceded +their General kept up a heavy fire on the window. The man and woman fell +dead, and we passed on in safety, for the place had surrendered. + +Bonaparte employed the six days during which he remained in Alexandria in +establishing order in the city and province, with that activity and +superior talent which I could never sufficiently admire, and in directing +the march of the army across the province of Bohahire'h. He sent Desaix +with 4500 infantry and 60 cavalry to Beda, on the road to Damanhour. +This general was the first to experience the privations and sufferings +which the whole army had soon to endure. His great mind, his attachment +to Bonaparte, seemed for a moment about to yield to the obstacles which +presented themselves. On the 15th of July he wrote from Bohahire'h as +follows: "I beseech you do not let us stop longer in this position. My +men are discouraged and murmur. Make us advance or fall back without +delay. The villages consist merely of huts, absolutely without +resources." + +In these immense plains, scorched by the vertical rays of a burning sun, +water, everywhere else so common, becomes an object of contest. The +wells and springs, those secret treasures of the desert, are carefully +concealed from the travellers; and frequently, after our most oppressive +marches, nothing could be found to allay the urgent cravings of thirst +but a little brackish water of the most disgusting description. + + --[Some idea of the misery endured by the French troops on this + occasion may be gathered from the following description is + Napoleon's Memoirs, dictated at St. Helena: + + "As the Hebrews wandering in the wilderness complained, and angrily + asked Moses for the onions and flesh-pots of Egypt, the French + soldiers constantly regretted the luxuries of Italy. In vain were + they assured that the country was the most fertile in the world, + that it was even superior to Lombard; how were they to be persuaded + of this when they could get neither bread nor wine? We encamped on + immense quantities of wheat, but there was neither mill nor oven in + the country. The biscuit brought from Alexandria had long been + exhausted; the soldiers were even reduced to bruise the wheat + between two stones and to make cake which they baked under the + ashes. Many parched the wheat in a pan, after which they boiled it. + This was the best way to use the grain; but, after all, it was not + bread. The apprehensions of the soldiers increased daily, and rose + to such a pitch that a great number of them said there was no great + city of calm; and that the place bring that name was, like + Damanhour, a vast assemblage of mere huts, destitute of everything + that could render life comfortable or agreeable. To such a + melancholy state of mind had they brought themselves that two + dragoons threw themselves, completely clothed, into the Nile, where + they were drowned. It is nevertheless true that, though there was + neither bread nor wine, the resources which were procured with + wheat, lentils, meat, and sometimes pigeons, furnished the army with + food of some kind. But the evil was, in the ferment of the mind. + The officers complained more loudly than the soldiers, because the + comparison was proportionately more disadvantageous to them. In + Egypt they found neither the quarters, the good table, nor the + luxury of Italy. The General-in-Chief, wishing to set an example, + tried to bivouac in the midst of the army, and in the least + commodious spots. No one had either tent or provisions; the dinner + of Napoleon and his staff consisted of a dish of lentils. The + soldiers passed the evenings in political conversations, arguments, + and complaints. 'For what purpose are we come here?' said some of + them, 'the Directory has transported us.' 'Caffarelli,' said others, + 'is the agent that has been made use of to deceive the General-in- + Chief.' Many of them, having observed that wherever there were + vestiges of antiquity they were carefully searched, vented their + spite in invective against the savants, or scientific men, who, they + said, had started the idea of she expedition to order to make these + searches. Jests were showered upon them, even in their presence. + The men called an ass a savant; and said of Caffarelli Dufalga, + alluding to his wooden leg, 'He laughs at all these troubles; he has + one foot to France.'" + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +1798. + + The mirage--Skirmishes with the Arabs--Mistake of General Desaix's + division--Wretchedness of a rich sheik--Combat beneath the General's + window--The flotilla on the Nile--Its distress and danger--The + battle of Chebreisse--Defeat of the Mamelukes--Bonaparte's reception + of me--Letter to Louis Bonaparte--Success of the French army-- + Triumphal entrance into Cairo--Civil and military organisation of + Cairo--Bonaparte's letter to his brother Joseph--Plan of + colonisation. + +On the 7th of July General Bonaparte left Alexandria for Damanhour. In +the vast plains of Bohahire'h the mirage every moment presented to the +eye wide sheets of water, while, as we advanced, we found nothing but +barren ground full of deep cracks. Villages, which at a distance appear +to be surrounded with water, are, on a nearer approach, discovered to be +situated on heights, mostly artificial, by which they are raised above +the inundations of the Nile. This illusion continually recurs; and it is +the more treacherous, inasmuch as it presents to the eye the perfect +representation of water, at the time when the want of that article is +most felt. This mirage is so considerable in the plain of Pelusium that +shortly after sunrise no object is recognisable. The same phenomenon has +been observed in other countries. Quintus Curtius says that in the +deserts of Sogdiana, a fog rising from the earth obscures the light, and +the surrounding country seems like a vast sea. The cause of this +singular illusion is now fully explained; and, from the observations of +the learned Monge, it appears that the mirage will be found in almost +every country situated between the tropics where the local circumstances +are similar. + +The Arabs harassed the army without intermission. The few wells met with +in the desert were either filled up or the water was rendered unfit for +use. The intolerable thirst with which the troops were tormented, even +on this first march, was but ill allayed by brackish and unwholesome +water. The army crossed the desert with the rapidity of lightning, +scarcely tasting a drop of water. The sufferings of the troops were +frequently expressed by discouraging murmurs. + +On the first night a mistake occurred which might have proved fatal. +We were advancing in the dark, under feeble escort, almost sleeping on +our horses, when suddenly we were assailed by two successive discharges +of musketry. We aroused ourselves and reconnoitred, and to our great +satisfaction discovered that the only mischief was a alight wound +received by one of our guides. Our assailants were the division of +General Desaix, who, forming the advanced guard of the army, mistook us +for a party of the enemy, and fired upon us. It was speedily ascertained +that the little advanced guard of the headquarters had not heard the "Qui +vive?" of Desaix's advanced posts. + +On reaching Damanhour our headquarters were established at the residence +of a sheik. The house had been new whitened, and looked well enough +outside, but the interior was inconceivably wretched. Every domestic +utensil was broken, and the only seats were a few dirty tattered mats. +Bonaparte knew that the sheik was rich, and having somewhat won his +confidence, he asked him, through the medium of the interpreter, why, +being in easy circumstances, be thus deprived himself of all comfort. +"Some years ago," replied the sheik, "I repaired and furnished my house. +When this became known at Cairo a demand was made upon me for money, +because it was said my expenses proved me to be rich. I refused to pay +the money, and in consequence I was ill-treated, and at length forced to +pay it. From that time I have allowed myself only the bare necessaries +of life, and I shall buy no furniture for my house." The old man was +lame in consequence of the treatment he had suffered. Woe to him who in +this country is suspected of having a competency--a hundred spies are +always ready to denounce him. The appearance of poverty is the only +security against the rapine of power and the cupidity of barbarism. + +A little troop of Arabs on horseback assailed our headquarters. +Bonaparte, who was at the window of the sheik's house, indignant at this +insolence, turned to one of his aides de camp, who happened to be on +duty, and said, "Croisier, take a few guides and drive those fellows +away!" In an instant Croisier was in the plain with fifteen guides. A +little skirmish ensued, and we looked on from the window. In the +movement and in the attack of Croisier and his party there was a sort of +hesitation which the General-in-Chief could not comprehend. "Forward, +I say! Charge!" he exclaimed from the window, as if he could have been +heard. Our horsemen seemed to fall back as the Arabs returned to the +attack; and after a little contest, maintained with tolerable spirit, the +Arabs retired without loss, and without being molested in their retreat. +Bonaparte could no longer repress his rage; and when Croisier returned he +experienced such a harsh reception that the poor fellow withdrew deeply +mortified and distressed. Bonaparte desired me to follow him and say +something to console him: but all was in vain. "I cannot survive this," +he said. "I will sacrifice my life on the first occasion that offers +itself. I will not live dishonoured." The word coward had escaped the +General's lips. Poor Croisier died at Saint Jean d'Acre. + +On the 10th of July our headquarters were established at Rahmahanie'h, +where they remained during the 11th and 12th. At this place commences +the canal which was cut by Alexander to convey water to his new city; and +to facilitate commercial intercourse between Europe and the East. + +The flotilla, commanded by the brave chief of division Perree, had just +arrived from Rosette. Perree was on board the xebec 'Cerf'. + + --[Bonaparte had great confidence in him. He had commanded, under + the General's orders, the naval forces in the Adriatic in 1797.-- + Bourrienne]-- + +Bonaparte placed on board the Cerf and the other vessels of the flotilla +those individuals who, not being military, could not be serviceable in +engagements, and whose horses served to mount a few of the troops. + +On the night of the 14th of July the General-in-Chief directed his march +towards the south, along the left bank of the Nile. The flotilla sailed +up the river parallel with the left wing of the army. But the force of +the wind, which at this season blows regularly from the Mediterranean +into the valley of the file, carried the flotilla far in advance of the +army, and frustrated the plan of their mutually defending and supporting +each other. The flotilla thus unprotected fell in with seven Turkish +gunboats coming from Cairo, and was exposed simultaneously to their fire +and to that of the Mamelukes, fellahs, and Arabs who lined both banks of +the river. They had small guns mounted on camels. + +Perree cast anchor, and an engagement commenced at nine o'clock on the +14th of July, and continued till half past twelve. + +At the same time the General-in-Chief met and attacked a corps of about +4000 Mamelukes. His object, as he afterwards said, was to turn the corps +by the left of the village of Chebreisse, and to drive it upon the Nile. + +About eleven in the morning Perree told me that the Turks were doing us +more harm than we were doing them; that our ammunition would soon be +exhausted; that the army was far inland, and that if it did not make a +move to the left there would be no hope for us. Several vessels had +already been boarded and taken by the Turks, who massacred the crews +before our eyes, and with barbarous ferocity showed us the heads of the +slaughtered men. + +Perree, at considerable risk, despatched several persons to inform the +General-in-Chief of the desperate situation of the flotilla. The +cannonade which Bonaparte had heard since the morning, and the explosion +of a Turkish gunboat, which was blown up by the artillery of the xebec, +led him to fear that our situation was really perilous. He therefore +made a movement to the left, in the direction of the Nile and Chebreisse, +beat the Mamelukes, and forced them to retire on Cairo. At sight of the +French troops the commander of the Turkish flotilla weighed anchor and +sailed up the Nile. The two banks of the river were evacuated, and the +flotilla escaped the destruction which a short time before had appeared +inevitable. Some writers have alleged that the Turkish flotilla was +destroyed in this engagement. The truth is, the Turks did us +considerable injury, while on their part they suffered but little. We +had twenty men killed and several wounded. Upwards of 1500 cannon-shots +were fired during the action. + +General Berthier, in his narrative of the Egyptian expedition, enumerates +the individuals who, though not in the military service, assisted Perree +in this unequal and dangerous engagement. He mentions Monge, Berthollet, +Andreossy, the paymaster, Junot, and Bourrienne, secretary to the +General-in-Chief. It has also been stated that Sucy, the commissary- +general, was seriously wounded while bravely defending a gunboat laden +with provisions; but this is incorrect. + +We had no communication with the army until the 23d of July. On the 22d +we came in sight of the Pyramids, and were informed that we were only +about, ten leagues from Gizeh, where they are situated. The cannonade +which we heard, and which augmented in proportion as the north wind +diminished, announced a serious engagement; and that same day we saw the +banks of the Nile strewed with heaps of bodies, which the waves were +every moment washing into the sea. This horrible spectacle, the silence +of the surrounding villages, which had hitherto been armed against us, +and the cessation of the firing from the banks of the river, led us to +infer, with tolerable certainty, that a battle fatal to the Mamelukes had +been fought. The misery we suffered on our passage from Rahmahanie'h to +Gizeh is indescribable. We lived for eleven days on melons and water, +besides being momentarily exposed to the musketry of the Arabs and the +fellahs. We luckily escaped with but a few killed and wounded. The +rising of the Nile was only beginning. The shallowness of the river near +Cairo obliged us to leave the xebec and get on board a djerm. We reached +Gizeh at three in the afternoon of the 23d of July. + +When I saluted the General, whom I had not seen for twelve days, he thus +addressed me: "So you are here, are you? Do you know that you have all +of you been the cause of my not following up the battle of Chebreisse? +It was to save you, Monge, Berthollet, and the others on board the +flotilla that I hurried the movement of my left upon the Nile before my +right had turned Chebreisse. But for that, not a single Mameluke would +have escaped." + +"I thank you for my own part," replied I; "but in conscience could you +have abandoned us, after taking away our horses, and making us go on +board the xebec, whether we would or not?" He laughed, and then told me +how sorry he was for the wound of Sucy, and the death of many useful men, +whose places could not possibly be filled up. + +He made me write a letter to his brother Louis, informing him that he had +gained a complete victory over the Mamelukes at Embabeh, opposite Boulac, +and that the enemy's loss was 2000 men killed and wounded, 40 guns, and a +great number of horses. + +The occupation of Cairo was the immediate consequence of the victory of +Embabeh. Bonaparte established his head-quarters in the home of Elfy +Bey, in the great square of Ezbekye'h. + +The march of the French army to Cairo was attended by an uninterrupted +succession of combats and victories. We had won the battles of +Rahmahanie'h, Chebreisse, and the Pyramids. The Mamelukes were defeated, +and their chief, Mourad Bey, was obliged to fly into Upper Egypt. +Bonaparte found no obstacle to oppose his entrance into the capital of +Egypt, after a campaign of only twenty days. + +No conqueror, perhaps, ever enjoyed a victory so much as Bonaparte, and +yet no one was ever less inclined to abuse his triumphs. + +We entered Cairo on the 24th of July, and the General-in-Chief +immediately directed his attention to the civil and military organization +of the country. Only those who saw him in the vigour of his youth can +form an idea of his extraordinary intelligence and activity. Nothing +escaped his observation. Egypt had long been the object of his study; +and in a few weeks he was as well acquainted with the country as if he +had lived in it ten years. He issued orders for observing the strictest +discipline, and these orders were punctually obeyed. + +The mosques, the civil and religious institutions, the harems, the women, +the customs of the country-all were scrupulously respected. A few days +after they entered Cairo the French were freely admitted into the shops, +and were seen sociably smoking their pipes with the inhabitants, +assisting them in their occupations, and playing with their children. + +The day after his arrival in Cairo Bonaparte addressed to his brother +Joseph the following letter, which was intercepted and printed. Its +authenticity has been doubted, but I saw Napoleon write it, and he read +it to me before he sent it off. + + CAIRO, + 7th. Thermidor (25th July 1798) + + You will see in the public papers the bulletins of the battles and + conquest of Egypt, which were sufficiently contested to add another + wreath to the laurels of this army. Egypt is richer than any + country in the world in coin, rice, vegetables, and cattle. But the + people are in a state of utter barbarism. We cannot procure money, + even to pay the troops. I maybe in France in two months. + + Engage a country-house, to be ready for me on my arrival, either + near Paris or in Burgundy, where I mean to pass the winter. + + --[Bonaparte's autograph note, after enumerating the troops and + warlike stores he wished to be sent, concluded with the following + list: + + 1st, a company of actors; 2d, a company of dancers; 3d, some dealers + in marionettes, at least three or four; 9th, a hundred French women; + 5th, the wives of all the men employed in the corps; 6th, twenty + surgeons, thirty apothecaries, and ten Physicians; 7th, some + founders; 8th, some distillers and dealers in liquor; 9th fifty + gardeners with their families, and the seeds of every kind of + vegetable; 10th, each party to bring with them: 200,000 pints of + brandy; 11th, 30,000 ells of blue and scarlet cloth; 12th, a supply + of soap and oil. --Bourrienne.]-- + + (Signed) BONAPARTE + + +This announcement of his departure to his brother is corroborated by a +note which he despatched some days after, enumerating the supplies and +individuals which he wished to have sent to Egypt. His note proves, more +convincingly than any arguments, that Bonaparte earnestly wished to +preserve his conquest, and to make it a French colony. It must be borne +in mind that the note here alluded to, as well as the letter above +quoted, was written long before the destruction of the fleet. + + + + + +End of this Project Gutenberg Etext of The Memoirs of Napoleon, V2, 1798 +by Louis Antoine Fauvelet de Bourrienne + |