Memoirs of Napoleon Bonaparte — Complete
interests and those of my family." Then, after a moment's pause,
he added, still addressing Macdonald, "Marshal, where shall I go?"
Macdonald then informed the Emperor what Alexander had mentioned in the
hypothesis of his wishing to reside in Russia. "Sire," added he, "the
Emperor of Russia told me that he destined for you the island of Elba,
or something else."--"Or something else!" repeated Napoleon hastily,
"and what is that something else?"--"Sire, I know not."--"Ah! it is
doubtless the island of Corsica, and he refrained from mentioning it to
avoid embarrassment! Marshal, I leave all to you."
The Marshals returned to Paris as soon as Napoleon furnished them with
new powers; Caulaincourt remained at Fontainebleau. On arriving in Paris
Marshal Ney sent in his adhesion to the Provisional Government, so
that when Macdonald returned to Fontainebleau to convey to Napoleon
the definitive treaty of the Allies, Ney did not accompany him, and the
Emperor expressed surprise and dissatisfaction at his absence. Ney,
as all his friends concur in admitting, expended his whole energy in
battle, and often wanted resolution when out of the field, consequently
I was not surprised to find that he joined us before some other of his
comrades. As to Macdonald, he was one of those generous spirits who may
be most confidently relied on by those who have wronged them.
Napoleon experienced the truth of this. Macdonald returned alone to
Fontainebleau, and when he entered the Emperor's chamber he found him
seated in a small armchair before the fireplace. He was dressed in
a morning-gown of white dimity, and he wore his slippers without
stockings. His elbows rested on his knees and his head was supported
by his hands. He was motionless, and seemed absorbed in profound
reflection. Only two persons were in the apartment, the Duke of Bassano;
who was at a little distance from the Emperor, and Caulaincourt, who was
near the fireplace. So profound was Napoleon's reverie that he did not
hear Macdonald enter, and the Duke of Vicenza was obliged to inform
him of the Marshal's presence. "Sire," said Caulaincourt, "the Duke
of Tarantum has brought for your signature the treaty which is to be
ratified to-morrow." The Emperor then, as if roused from a lethargic
slumber, turned to Macdonald, and merely said, "Ah, Marshal! so you are
here!" Napoleon's countenance was so altered that the Marshal, struck
with the change, said, as if it were involuntarily, "Is your Majesty
indisposed?"--"Yes," answered Napoleon, "I have passed a very bad
night."
The Emperor continued seated for a moment, then rising, he took the
treaty, read it without making any observation, signed it, and returned
it to the Marshal, saying; "I am not now rich enough to reward these
last services."--"Sire, interest never guided my conduct."--"I know
that, and I now see how I have been deceived respecting you. I also
see the designs of those who prejudiced me against you."--"Sire, I have
already told you, since 1809 I am devoted to you in life and death."--"I
know it. But since I cannot reward you as I would wish, let a token of
remembrance, inconsiderable though it be, assure you that I shall
ever bear in mind the services you have rendered me." Then turning to
Caulaincourt Napoleon said, "Vicenza, ask for the sabre which was
given me by Murad Bey in Egypt, and which I wore at the battle of Mount
Thabor." Constant having brought the sabre, the Emperor took it from the
hands of Caulaincourt and presented it to the Marshal "Here, my faithful
friend," said he, "is a reward which I believe will gratify you."
Macdonald on receiving the sabre said, "If ever I have a son, Sire, this
will be his most precious inheritance. I will never part with it as long
as I live."--"Give me your hand," said the Emperor, "and embrace me."
At these words Napoleon and Macdonald affectionately rushed into each
other's arms, and parted with tears in their eyes. Such was the last
interview between Macdonald and Napoleon. I had the above particulars
from the Marshal himself in 1814., a few days after he returned to Paris
with the treaty ratified by Napoleon.
After the clauses of the treaty had been guaranteed Napoleon signed, on
the 11th of April, at Fontainebleau, his act of abdication, which was in
the following terms:--
"The Allied powers having proclaimed 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 renounces
for himself and his heirs the thrones of France and Italy, and that
there is no personal sacrifice, even that of life, which he is not
ready to make for the interests of France."
It was not until after Bonaparte had written and signed the above
act that Marshal Macdonald sent to the Provisional Government his
recognition, expressed in the following dignified and simple manner:--
"Being released from my allegiance by the abdication of the Emperor
Napoleon, I declare that I conform to the acts of the Senate and the
Provisional Government."
It is worthy of remark that Napoleon's act of abdication was published
in the 'Moniteur' on the 12th of April, the very day on which the Comte
d'Artois made his entry into Paris with the title of Lieutenant-General
of the Kingdom conferred on him by Louis XVIII. The 12th of April was
also the day on which the Imperial army fought its last battle before
Toulouse, when the French troops, commanded by Soult, made Wellington
purchase so dearly his entrance into the south of France.--[The battle
of Toulouse was fought on the 10th not 12th April D.W.]
Political revolutions are generally stormy, yet, during the great change
of 1814 Paris was perfectly tranquil, thanks to the excellent discipline
maintained by the commanders of the Allied armies, and thanks also to
the services of the National Guard of Paris, who every night patrolled
the streets. My duties as Director-General of the Post-office had of
course obliged me to resign my captain's epaulette.
When I first obtained my appointment I had been somewhat alarmed to
hear that all the roads were covered with foreign troops, especially
Cossacks, who even in time of peace are very ready to capture any horses
that may fall in their way. On my application to the Emperor Alexander
his Majesty immediately issued a ukase, severely prohibiting the seizure
of horses or anything belonging to the Post-office department. The ukase
was printed by order of the Czar, and filed up at all the post-offices,
and it will be seen that after the 20th of March, when I was placed
in an embarrassing situation, one of the postmasters on the Lille road
expressed to me his gratitude for my conduct while I was in the service.
On the 10th of April a ceremony took place in Paris which has been much
spoken of; and which must have had a very imposing effect on those who
allow themselves to be dazzled by mere spectacle. Early in the morning
some regiments of the Allied troops occupied the north side of the
Boulevard, from the site of the old Bastille to the Place Louis XV.,
in the middle of which an altar of square form was erected. Thither the
Allied sovereigns came to witness the celebration of mass according to
the rites of the Greek Church. I went to a window of the hotel of the
Minister of the Marine to see the ceremony. After I had waited from
eight in the morning till near twelve the pageant commenced by the
arrival of half a dozen Greek priests, with long beards, and as richly
dressed as the high priests who figure in the processions of the opera.
About three-quarters of an hour after this first scene the infantry,
followed by the cavalry, entered the place, which, in a few moments
was entirely covered with military. The Allied sovereigns at length
appeared, attended by brilliant staffs. They alighted from their horses
and advanced to the altar. What appeared to me most remarkable was the
profound silence of the vast multitude during the performance of the
mass. The whole spectacle had the effect of a finely-painted panorama.
For my own part, I must confess I was heartily tired of the ceremony,
and was very glad when it was over. I could not admire the foreign
uniforms, which were very inferior to ours. Many of them appeared
fanciful, and even grotesque, and nothing can be more unsoldier-like
than to see a man laced in stays till his figure resembles a wasp. The
ceremony which took place two days after, though less pompous, was much
more French. In the retinue which, on the 12th of April, momentarily
increased round the Comte d'Artos, there were at least recollections for
the old, and hopes for every one.
When, on the departure of the Commissioners whom Napoleon had sent to
Alexander to treat for the Regency, it was finally determined that the
Allied sovereigns would listen to no proposition from Napoleon and
his family, the Provisional Government thought it time to request that
Monsieur would, by his presence, give a new impulse to the partisans
of the Bourbons. The Abby de Montesquieu wrote to the Prince a letter,
which was carried to him by Viscount Sosthenes de la Rochefoucauld, one
of the individuals who, in these difficult circumstances, most zealously
served the cause of the Bourbons. On the afternoon of the 11th Monsieur
arrived at a country-house belonging to Madame Charles de Dames, where
he passed the night. The news of his arrival spread through Paris
with the rapidity of lightning, and every one wished to solemnise his
entrance into the capital. The National Guard formed a double line from
the barrier of Bondy to Notre Dame, whither the Prince was first to
proceed, in observance of an old custom, which, however, had become very
rare in France during the last twenty years.
M. de Talleyrand, accompanied by the members of the Provisional
Government, several Marshals and general officers, and the municipal
body, headed by the prefect of the Seine, went in procession beyond
the barrier to receive Monsieur. M. de Talleyrand, in the name of the
Provisional Government, addressed the Prince, who in reply made that
observation which has been so often repeated, "Nothing is changed in
France: there is only one Frenchman more."
--[These words were never really uttered by the Comte d'Artois, and
we can in this case follow the manufacture of the phrase. The reply
actually made to Talleyrand was, "Sir, and gentlemen, I thank you; I
am too happy. Let us get on; I am too happy." When the day's work
was done, "Let us see," said Talleyrand; "what did Monsieur say? I
did not hear much: he seemed much moved, and desirous of hastening
on, but if what he did say will not suit you (Beugnot), make an
answer for him . . . and I can answer that Monsieur will accept it,
and that so thoroughly that by the end of a couple of days he will
believe he made it, and he will have made it: you will count for
nothing." After repeated attempts, rejected by Talleyrand, Beugnot
at last produced, "No more divisions. Peace and France! At last I
see her once more, and nothing in her is changed, except that here
is one more Frenchman." At last the great critic (Talleyrand) said,
"This time I yield; that is really Monsieur's speech, and I will
answer for you that he is the man who made it." Monsieur did not
disdain to refer to it in his replies, and the prophecy of M. de
Talleyrand was completely realised (Beugnot, vol. ii, p. 119)]--
This remark promised much. The Comte Artois next proceeded on horseback
to the barrier St. Martin. I mingled in the crowd to see the procession
and to observe the sentiments of the spectators. Near me stood an old
knight of St. Louis, who had resumed the insignia of the order, and who