Memoirs of Napoleon Bonaparte — Complete
Bourbons; that is what they are looking forward to. But to-morrow I
shall place myself at the head of my Guards, and to-morrow we shall be
in the Tuileries."
The Marshal listened in silence, and when at length Napoleon became
somewhat calm he observed, "Sire, it appears, then, that you are not
aware of what has taken place in Paris--of the establishment of a
Provisional Government, and--"--"I know it all: and what then?"--"Sire,"
added the Marshal, presenting a paper to Napoleon, "here is something
which will tell you more than I can." Macdonald then presented to him
a letter from General Beurnonville, announcing the forfeiture of the
Emperor pronounced by the Senate, and the determination of the Allied
powers not to treat with Napoleon, or any member of his family.
"Marshal," said the Emperor, before he opened the letter, "may this be
read aloud?"--"Certainly, Sire." The letter was then handed to Barre,
who read it. An individual who was present on the occasion described to
me the impression which the reading of the letter produced on Napoleon.
His countenance exhibited that violent contraction of the features which
I have often remarked when his mind was disturbed. However, he did not
lose his self-command, which indeed never forsook him when policy
or vanity required that he should retain it; and when the reading of
Beurnonville's letter was ended he affected to persist in his intention
of marching on Paris. "Sire," exclaimed Macdonald, "that plan must be
renounced. Not a sword would be unsheathed to second you in such an
enterprise." After this conversation between the Emperor and Macdonald
the question of the abdication began to be seriously thought of.
Caulaincourt had already hinted to Napoleon that in case of his
abdicating personally there was a possibility of inducing the Allies to
agree to a Council of Regency. Napoleon then determined to sign the act
of abdication, which he himself drew up in the following terms:--
The Allied powers having declared that the Emperor Napoleon is the
only obstacle to the re-establishment of peace in Europe, the
Emperor Napoleon, faithful to his oath, declares that he is ready to
descend from the throne, to leave France, and even to lay down his
life for the welfare of the country, which is inseparable from the
rights of his son, those of the Regency of the Empress, and the
maintenance of the laws of the Empire. Given at our Palace of
Fontainebleau, 2d April 1814.
(Signed) NAPOLEON.
After having written this act the Emperor presented it to the Marshals,
saying, "Here, gentlemen! are you satisfied?"
This abdication of Napoleon was certainly very useless, but in case of
anything occurring to render it a matter of importance the act might
have proved entirely illusory. Its meaning might appear unequivocal to
the generality of people, but not to me, who was so well initiated in
the cunning to which Napoleon could resort when it suited his purpose.
It is necessary to observe that Napoleon does not say that "he descends
from the throne," but that "he is ready to descend from the throne."
This was a subterfuge, by the aid of which he intended to open new
negotiations respecting the form and conditions of the Regency of his
son, in case of the Allied sovereigns acceding to that proposition. This
would have afforded the means of gaining time.
He had not yet resigned all hope, and therefore he joyfully received a
piece of intelligence communicated to him by General Allix. The General
informed the Emperor that he had met an Austrian officer who was sent
by Francis II. to Prince Schwartzenberg, and who positively assured him
that all which had taken place in Paris was contrary to the wish of the
Emperor of Austria. That this may have been the opinion of the officer
is possible, and even probable. But it is certain from the issue of a
mission of the Duc de Cadore (Champagny), of which I shall presently
speak, that the officer expressed merely his own personal opinion.
However, as soon as General Allix had communicated this good news, as
he termed it, to Napoleon, the latter exclaimed to the persons who
were about him, "I told you so, gentlemen. Francis II. cannot carry his
enmity so far as to dethrone his daughter. Vicenza, go and desire the
Marshals to return my act of abdication. I will send a courier to the
Emperor of Austria."
Thus Bonaparte in his shipwreck looked round for a saving plank,
and tried to nurse himself in illusions. The Duke of Vicenza went to
Marshals Ney and Macdonald, whom he found just stepping into a carriage
to proceed to Paris. Both positively refused to return the act to
Caulaincourt, saying, "We are sure of the concurrence of the Emperor of
Austria, and we take everything upon ourselves." The result proved that
they were better informed than General Allix.
During the conversation with Marshal Macdonald which has just been
described the Emperor was seated. When he came to the resolution of
signing the abdication he arose and walked once or twice up and down his
cabinet. After he had written and signed the act he said, "Gentlemen,
the interests of my son, the interests of the army, and above all,
the interests of France, must be defended. I therefore appoint as my
commissioners to the Allied powers the Duke of Vicenza, the Prince of
the Moskowa, and the Duke of Ragusa. . . . Are you satisfied?" added he,
after a pause. "I think these interests are consigned to good hands."
All present answered, as with one voice. "Yes, Sire." But no sooner
was this answer pronounced than the Emperor threw himself upon a small
yellow sofa, which stood near the window, and striking his thigh with
his hand with a sort of convulsive motion, he exclaimed, "No, gentlemen:
I will have no Regency! With my Guards and Marmont's corps I shall be in
Paris to-morrow." Ney and Macdonald vainly endeavoured to undeceive him
respecting this impracticable design. He rose with marked ill-humour,
and rubbing his head, as he was in the habit of doing when agitated, he
said in a loud and authoritative tone, "Retire."
The Marshals withdrew, and Napoleon was left alone with Caulaincourt.
He told the latter that what had most displeased him in the proceedings
which had just taken place was the reading of Beurnonville's letter.
"Sire," observed the Duke of Vicenza, "it was by your order that the
letter was read."--"That is true. . . . But why was it not addressed
directly to me by Macdonald?"--"Sire, the letter was at first addressed
to Marshal Macdonald, but the aide de camp who was the bearer of it
had orders to communicate its contents to Marmont on passing through
Essonne, because Beurnonville did not precisely know where Macdonald
would be found." After this brief explanation the Emperor appeared
satisfied, and he said to Caulaincourt, "Vicenza, call back Macdonald."
The Duke of Vicenza hastened after the Marshal, whom he found at the end
of the gallery of the Palace, and he brought him back to the Emperor.
When Macdonald returned to the cabinet the Emperor's warmth had entirely
subsided, and he said to him with great composure, "Well, Duke of
Tarantum, do you think that the Regency is the only possible thing?"--
"Yes, Sire."--"Then I wish you to go with Ney to the Emperor Alexander,
instead of Marmont; it is better that he should remain with his corps,
to which his presence is indispensable. You will therefore go with Ney.
I rely on you. I hope you have entirely forgotten all that has separated
us for so long a time."--"Yes, Sire, I have not thought of it since
1809."--"I am glad of it, Marshal, and I must acknowledge to you that I
was in the wrong." While speaking to the Marshal the Emperor manifested
unusual emotion. He approached him and pressed his hand in the most
affectionate way.
The Emperor's three Commissioners--that is to say, Marshals Macdonald
and Ney and the Duke of Vicenza had informed Marmont that they would
dine with him as they passed through Essonne, and would acquaint him
with all that had happened at Fontainebleau. On their arrival at Essonne
the three Imperial Commissioners explained to the Duc of Ragusa the
object of their mission, and persuaded him to accompany them to the
Emperor Alexander. This obliged the Marshal to inform them how he was
situated. The negotiations which Marmont had opened and almost concluded
with Prince Schwartzenberg were rendered void by the mission which he
had joined, and which it was necessary he should himself explain to
the Commander of the Austrian army. The three Marshals and the Duke
of Vicenza repaired to Petit Bourg, the headquarters of Prince
Schwartzenberg, and there the Prince released Marmont from the promise
he had given.
CHAPTER XXXVI.
1814.
Unexpected receipts in the Post-office Department--Arrival of
Napoleon's Commissioners at M. de Talleyrand's--Conference of the
Marshals with Alexander--Alarming news from Essonne--Marmont's
courage--The white cockade and the tri-coloured cockade--
A successful stratagem--Three Governments in France--The Duc de
Cadore sent by Maria Louisa to the Emperor of Austria--Maria
Louisa's proclamation to the French people--Interview between the
Emperor of Austria and the Duc de Cadore--The Emperor's protestation
of friendship for Napoleon--M. Metternich and M. Stadion--Maria
Louisa's departure for Orleans--Blücher's visit to me--Audience of
the King of Prussia--His Majesty's reception of Berthier, Clarke,
and myself--Bernadotte in Paris--Cross of the Polar Star presented
to me by Bernadotte.
After my nomination as Director-General of the Post office the business
of that department proceeded as regularly as before. Having learned that
a great many intercepted letters had been thrown aside I sent, on the
4th of April, an advertisement to the 'Moniteur', stating that the
letters to and from England or other foreign countries which had been
lying at the Post-office for more than three years would be forwarded to
their respective addresses. This produced to the Post-office a receipt
of nearly 300,000 francs, a fact which may afford an idea of the
enormous number of intercepted letters.
On the night after the publication of the advertisement I was awakened
by an express from the Provisional Government, by which I was requested
to proceed with all possible haste to M. de Talleyrand's hotel. I rose,
and I set off immediately, and I got there some minutes before the
arrival of the Emperor's Commissioners. I went up to the salon on the
first floor, which was one of the suite of apartments occupied by the
Emperor Alexander. The Marshals retired to confer with the monarch, and
it would be difficult to describe the anxiety--or, I may rather say,
consternation--which, during their absence, prevailed among some of the
members of the Provisional Government and other persons assembled in the
salon where I was.
While the Marshals were with Alexander, I learned that they had
previously conversed with M. de Talleyrand, who observed to them, "If
you succeed in your designs you will compromise all who have met in this
hotel since the 1st of April, and the number is not small. For my part,
take no account of me, I am willing to be compromised." I had passed
the evening of this day with M. de Talleyrand, who then observed to the
Emperor Alexander in my presence, "Will you support Bonaparte? No, you
neither can nor will. I have already had the honour to tell your Majesty
that we can have no choice but between Bonaparte and Louis XVIII.;
anything else would be an intrigue, and no intrigue can have power to
support him who may be its object. Bernadotte, Eugène, the Regency,
all those propositions result from intrigues. In present circumstances