Memoirs of Napoleon Bonaparte — Complete
he, smiling, "you know we are called the northern barbarians."--"Then,
General," returned I, "you have a fair opportunity of showing that that
designation is a libel."
Some days after Blücher's visit I had the honour of being admitted to a
private audience of the King of Prussia. Clarke and Berthier were also
received in this audience, which took place at the hotel of Prince
Eugène, where the King of Prussia resided in Paris. We waited for
some minutes in the salon, and when Frederick William entered from
his cabinet I remarked on his countenance an air of embarrassment and
austerity which convinced me that he had been studying his part, as
great personages are in the habit of doing on similar occasions. The
King on entering the salon first noticed Berthier, whom he addressed
with much kindness, bestowing praises on the French troops, and
complimenting the Marshal on his conduct during the war in Germany.
Berthier returned thanks for these well-merited praises, for though he
was not remarkable for strength of understanding or energy of mind, yet
he was not a bad man, and I have known many proofs of his good conduct
in conquered countries.
After saluting Berthier the King of Prussia turned towards Clarke, and
his countenance immediately assumed an expression of dissatisfaction. He
had evidently not forgotten Clarke's conduct in Berlin. He reminded him
that he had rendered the Continental system more odious than it was
in itself, and that he had shown no moderation in the execution of his
orders. "In short," said his Majesty, "if I have any advice to give you,
it is that you never again return to Prussia." The King pronounced
these words in so loud and decided a tone that Clarke was perfectly
confounded. He uttered some unintelligible observations, which, however,
Frederick William did not notice, for suddenly turning towards me he
said, with an air of affability, "Ah! M. de Bourrienne, I am glad to see
you, and I take this opportunity of repeating what I wrote to you from
Gonigsberg. You always extended protection to the Germans, and did
all you could to alleviate their condition. I learned with great
satisfaction what you did for the Prussians whom the fate of war drove
into Hamburg; and I feel pleasure in telling you, in the presence of
these two gentlemen, that if all the French agents had acted as you did
we should not, probably, be here." I expressed, by a profound bow, how
much I was gratified by this complimentary address, and the king, after
saluting us, retired.
About the middle of April Bernadotte arrived in Paris. His situation had
become equivocal, since circumstances had banished the hopes he might
have conceived in his interview with the Emperor Alexander at Åbo.
Besides, he had been represented in some official pamphlets as a traitor
to France, and among certain worshippers of our injured glory there
prevailed a feeling of irritation, and which was unjustly directed
towards Bernadotte.
I even remember that Napoleon, before he had fallen from his power, had
a sort of national protest made by the police against the Prince Royal
of Sweden. This Prince had reserved an hotel in the Rue d'Anjou, and
the words, "Down with the traitor! down with the perjurer," were shouted
there; but this had no result, as it was only considered an outrage
caused by a spirit of petty vengeance.
While Bernadotte was in Paris I saw him every day. He but faintly
disguised from me the hope he had entertained of ruling France; and in
the numerous conversations to which our respective occupations led I
ascertained, though Bernadotte did not formally tell me so, that he once
had strong expectations of succeeding Napoleon.
Pressed at last into his final intrenchments he broke through all
reserve and confirmed all I knew of the interview of Åbo.
I asked Bernadotte what he thought of the projects which were attributed
to Moreau; whether it was true that he had in him a competitor, and
whether Moreau had aspired to the dangerous honour of governing France:
"Those reports," replied the Prince Royal of Sweden, "are devoid of
foundation: at least I can assure you that in the conversations I have
had with the Emperor Alexander, that sovereign never said anything which
could warrant such a supposition. I know that the Emperor of Russia
wished to avail himself of the military talents of Moreau in the great
struggle that had commenced, and to enable the exiled general to return
to his country, in the hope that, should the war prove fortunate, he
would enjoy the honours and privileges due to his past services."
Bernadotte expressed to me astonishment at the recall of the Bourbons,
and assured me that he had not expected the French people would so
readily have consented to the Restoration. I confess I was surprised
that Bernadotte, with the intelligence I knew him to possess, should
imagine that the will of subjects has any influence in changes of
government!
During his stay in Paris Bernadotte evinced for me the same sentiments
of friendship which he had shown me at Hamburg. One day I received from
him a letter, dated Paris, with which he transmitted to me one of the
crosses of the Polar Star, which the King of Sweden had left at his
disposal. Bernadotte was not very well satisfied with his residence in
Paris, in spite of the friendship which the Emperor Alexander constantly
manifested towards him. After a few days he set out for Sweden, having
first taken leave of the Comte d'Artois. I did not see him after his
farewell visit to the Count, so that I know not what was the nature of
the conversation which passed between the two Princes.
VOLUME IV. -- 1814-1821
CHAPTER I.
1814.
Unalterable determination of the Allies with respect to Napoleon--
Fontainebleau included in the limits to be occupied by the Allies--
Alexander's departure from Paris--Napoleon informed of the necessity
of his unconditional abdication--Macdonald and Ney again sent to
Paris--Alleged attempt of Napoleon to poison himself--Farewell
interview between Macdonald and Napoleon--The sabre of Murad Bey--
Signature of the act of unconditional abdication--Tranquillity of
Paris during the change of Government--Ukase of the Emperor of
Russia relative to the Post-office--Religious ceremony on the Place
Louis XV.--Arrival of the Comte d'Artois--His entrance into Paris--
Arrival of the Emperor of Austria--Singular assemblage of sovereigns
in France--Visit of the Emperor of Austria to Maria Louisa--Her
interview with the Emperor Alexander--Her departure for Vienna.
When Marmont left Paris on the receipt of the intelligence from Essonne,
Marshals Macdonald and Ney and the Duke of Vicenza waited upon the
Emperor Alexander to learn his resolution before he could have been
informed of the movement of Marmont's troops. I myself went during the
morning to the hotel of M. de Talleyrand, and it was there I learnt
how what we had hoped for had become fact: the matter was completely
decided. The Emperor Alexander had walked out at six in the morning
to the residence of the King of Prussia in the Rue de Bourbon. The two
sovereigns afterwards proceeded together to M. de Talleyrand's, where
they were when Napoleon's Commissioners arrived. The Commissioners being
introduced to the two sovereigns, the Emperor Alexander, in answer
to their proposition, replied that the Regency was impossible, as
submissions to the Provisional Government were pouring in from all
parts, and that if the army had formed contrary wishes those should
have been sooner made known. "Sire," observed Macdonald,
"that--was--impossible, as none of the Marshals were in Paris, and
besides, who could foresee the turn which affairs have taken? Could
we imagine that an unfounded alarm would have removed from Essonne the
corps of the Duke of Ragusa, who has this moment left us to bring
his troops back to order?" These words produced no change in the
determination of the sovereigns, who would hear of nothing but the
unconditional abdication of Napoleon. Before the Marshals took leave of
the Emperor Alexander they solicited an armistice of forty-eight
hours, which time they said was indispensable to negotiate the act of
abdication with Napoleon. This request was granted without hesitation,
and the Emperor Alexander, showing Macdonald a map of the environs of
Paris, courteously presented him with a pencil, saying, "Here, Marshal,
mark yourself the limits to be observed by the two armies."--"No, Sire,"
replied Macdonald, "we are the conquered party, and it is for you to
mark the line of demarcation." Alexander determined that the right bank
of the Seine should be occupied by the Allied troops, and the left
bank by the French; but it was observed that this arrangement would be
attended with inconvenience, as it would cut Paris in two, and it was
agreed that the line should turn Paris. I have been informed that on a
map sent to the Austrian staff to acquaint Prince Schwartzenberg
with the limits definitively agreed on, Fontainebleau, the Emperor's
headquarters, was by some artful means included within the line. The
Austrians acted so implicitly on this direction that Marshal Macdonald
was obliged to complain on the subject to Alexander, who removed all
obstacles.
When, in discussing the question of the abdication conformably with
the instructions he had received, Macdonald observed to the Emperor
Alexander that Napoleon wished for nothing for himself, "Assure him,"
replied Alexander, "that a provision shall be made for him worthy of the
rank he has occupied. Tell him that if he wishes to reside in my States
he shall be well received, though he brought desolation there. I shall
always remember the friendship which united us. He shall have the
island of Elba, or something else." After taking leave of the Emperor
Alexander, on the 5th of April, Napoleon's Commissioners returned to
Fontainebleau to render an account of their mission. I saw Alexander
that same day, and it appeared to me that his mind was relieved of a
great weight by the question of the Regency being brought to an end. I
was informed that he intended to quit Paris in a few days, and that
he had given full powers to M. Pozzo-di-Borgo, whom he appointed his
Commissioner to the Provisional Government.
On the same day, the 5th of April, Napoleon inspected his troops in
the Palace yard of Fontainebleau. He observed some coolness among his
officers, and even among the private soldiers, who had evinced such
enthusiasm when he inspected them on the 2d of April. He was so much
affected by this change of conduct that he remained but a short time on
the parade, and afterwards retired to his apartments.
About one o'clock on the morning of the 6th of April Ney, Macdonald, and
Caulaincourt arrived at Fontainebleau to acquaint the Emperor with the
issue of their mission, and the sentiments expressed by Alexander
when they took leave of him. Marshal Ney was the first to announce
to Napoleon that the Allies required his complete and unconditional
abdication, unaccompanied by any stipulation, except that of his
personal safety, which should be guaranteed. Marshal Macdonald and the
Duke of Vicenza then spoke to the same effect, but in more gentle terms
than those employed by Ney, who was but little versed in the courtesies
of speech. When Marshal Macdonald had finished speaking Napoleon said
with some emotion, "Marshal, I am sensible of all that you have done for
me, and of the warmth with which you have pleaded the cause of my son.
They wish for my complete and unconditional abdication. . . . Very well.
I again empower you to act on my behalf. You shall go and defend my