Memoirs of Napoleon Bonaparte — Complete
then said that he would not take part in what he called a rebellion. A
rebellion! Bourrienne, only think of that! A set of imbeciles, who from
morning to night do nothing but debate in their kennels! But all was in
vain. I could not move Bernadotte. He is a bar of iron. I asked him to
give me his word that he would do nothing against me; what do you think
was his answer?"--"Something unpleasant, no doubt."--"Unpleasant! that
is too mild a word. He said, 'I will remain quiet as a citizen; but if
the Directory order me to act, I will march against all disturbers.' But
I can laugh at all that now. My measures are taken, and he will have
no command. However, I set him at ease as to what would take place.
I flattered him with a picture of private life, the pleasures of the
country, and the charms of Malmaison; and I left him with his head full
of pastoral dreams. In a word, I am very well satisfied with my day's
work. Good-night, Bourrienne; we shall see what will turn up to-morrow."
On the 19th I went to St. Cloud with my friend La Vallette. As we passed
the Place Louis XV., now Louis XVI., he asked me what Napoleon was
doing, and what my opinion was as to the coming events? Without entering
into any detail I replied, "My friend, either we shall sleep tomorrow at
the Luxembourg, or there will be an end of us." Who could tell which of
the two things would happen! Success legalised a bold enterprise, which
the slightest accident might have changed into a crime.
The sitting of the Ancients, under the presidency of Lemercier,
commenced at one o'clock. A warm discussion took place upon the
situation of affairs, the resignation of the members of the Directory,
and the immediate election of others. Great heat and agitation prevailed
during the debate. Intelligence was every minute carried to Bonaparte
of what was going forward, and he determined to enter the hall and take
part in the discussion. He entered in a hasty and angry way, which did
not give me a favourable foreboding of what he was about to say. We
passed through a narrow passage to the centre of the hall; our backs
were turned to the door. Bonaparte had the President to his right. He
could not see him full in the face. I was close to the General on his
right. Berthier was at his left.
All the speeches which have been subsequently passed off as having been
delivered by Bonaparte on this occasion differ from each other; as well
they may, for he delivered none to the Ancients, unless his confused
conversation with the President, which was alike devoid of dignity and
sense, is to be called a speech. He talked of his "brothers in arms" and
the "frankness of a soldier." The questions of the President followed
each other rapidly: they were clear; but it is impossible to conceive
anything more confused or worse delivered than the ambiguous and
perplexed replies of Bonaparte. He talked without end of "volcanoes;
secret agitations, victories, a violated constitution!" He blamed the
proceedings of the 18th Fructidor, of which he was the first promoter
and the most powerful supporter. He pretended to be ignorant of
everything until the Council of Ancients had called him to the aid of
his country. Then came "Caesar--Cromwell--tyrant!" and he several times
repeated, "I have nothing more to say to you!" though, in fact, he had
said nothing. He alleged that he had been called to assume the supreme
authority, on his return from Italy, by the desire of the nation,
and afterwards by his comrades in arms. Next followed the words
"liberty--equality!" though it was evident he had not come to St. Cloud
for the sake of either. No sooner did he utter these words, than a
member of the Ancients, named, I think, Linglet, interrupting him,
exclaimed, "You forget the Constitution!" His countenance immediately
lighted up; yet nothing could be distinguished but, "The 18th
Fructidor--the 30th Prairial--hypocrites--intriguers--I will disclose
all!--I will resign my power, when the danger which threatens the
Republic shall have passed away!"
Bonaparte, believing all his assertions to be admitted as proved,
assumed a little confidence, and accused the two directors Barras and
Moulins of having proposed to put him at the head of a party whose
object was to oppose all men professing liberal ideas.
At these words, the falsehood of which was odious, a great tumult arose
in the hall. A general committee was loudly called for to hear the
disclosures. "No, no!" exclaimed others, "no general committee!
conspirators have been denounced: it is right that France should know
all!"
Bonaparte was then required to enter into the particulars of his
accusation against Barras and Moulins, and of the proposals which had
been made to him: "You must no longer conceal anything."
Embarrassed by these interruptions and interrogatories Bonaparte
believed that he was completely lost. Instead of giving an explanation
of what he had said, he began to make fresh accusations; and against
whom? The Council of the Five Hundred, who, he said, wished for
"scaffolds, revolutionary committees, and a complete overthrow of
everything."
Violent murmurs arose, and his language became more and more
incoherent and inconsequent. He addressed himself at one moment to the
representatives of the people, who were quite overcome by astonishment;
at another to the military in the courtyard, who could not hear him.
Then, by an unaccountable transition, he spoke of "the thunderbolts of
war!" and added, that he was "attended by the God of war and the God of
fortune."
The President, with great calmness, told him that he saw nothing,
absolutely nothing, upon which the Council could deliberate; that there
was vagueness in all he had said. "Explain yourself; reveal the plot
which you say you were urged to join."
Bonaparte repeated again the same things. But only those who were
present can form any idea of his manner. There was not the slightest
connection in what he stammered out. Bonaparte was then no orator. It
may well be supposed that he was more accustomed to the din of war than
to the discussions of the tribunes. He was more at home before a battery
than before a President's chair.
Perceiving the bad effect which this unconnected babbling produced on
the assembly, as well as the embarrassment of Bonaparte, I said, in
a low voice, pulling him gently by the skirt of his coat, "withdraw,
General; you know not what you are saying." I made signs to Berthier,
who was on his left, to second me in persuading him to leave the hall;
and all at once, after having stammered out a few more words, he turned
round exclaiming, "Let those who love me follow me!" The sentinels
at the door offered no opposition to his passing. The person who went
before him quietly drew aside the tapestry which concealed the door, and
General Bonaparte leaped upon his horse, which stood in the court-yard.
It is hard to say what would have happened if, on seeing the General
retire, the President had said, "Grenadiers, let no one pass!" Instead
of sleeping next day at the Luxembourg he would, I am convinced, have
ended his career on the Place de la Revolution.
CHAPTER XXV.
1799.
The two Councils--Barras' letter--Bonaparte at the Council of the
Five Hundred--False reports--Tumultuous sitting--Lucien's speech--
He resigns the Presidency of the Council of the Five Hundred--He is
carried out by grenadiers--He harangues the troops--A dramatic scene
--Murat and his soldiers drive out the Five Hundred--Council of
Thirty--Consular commission--Decree--Return to Paris--Conversation
with Bonaparte and Josephine respecting Gohier and Bernadotte--The
directors Gohier and Moulins imprisoned.
The scene which occurred at the sitting of the Council of the Ancients
was very different from that which passed outside. Bonaparte had
scarcely reached the courtyard and mounted his horse when cries of "Vive
Bonaparte!" resounded on all sides. But this was only a sunbeam between
two storms. He had yet to brave the Council of the Five Hundred, which
was far more excited than the Council of the Ancients. Everything tended
to create a dreadful uncertainty; but it was too late to draw back. We
had already staked too heavily. The game was desperate, and everything
was to be ventured. In a few hours all would be determined.
Our apprehensions were not without foundation. In the Council of the
Five Hundred agitation was at its height. The most serious alarm marked
its deliberations. It had been determined to announce to the Directory
the installation of the Councils, and to inquire of the Council of the
Ancients their reasons for resolving upon an extraordinary convocation.
But the Directory no longer existed. Sieyès and Roger Ducos had joined
Bonaparte's party. Gohier and Moulins were prisoners in the Luxembourg,
and in the custody of General Moreau; and at the very moment when the
Council of the Five Hundred had drawn up a message to the Directory,
the Council of the Ancients transmitted to them the following letter,
received from Barras. This letter; which was addressed to the Council
of the Ancients, was immediately read by Lucien Bonaparte, who was
President of the Council of the Five Hundred.
CITIZEN PRESIDENT--Having entered into public affairs solely from my
love of liberty, I consented to share the first magistracy of the
State only that I might be able to defend it in danger; to protect
against their enemies the patriots compromised in its cause; and to
ensure to the defenders of their country that attention to their
interests which no one was more calculated to feel than a citizen,
long the witness of their heroic virtues, and always sensible to
their wants.
The glory which accompanies the return of the illustrious warrior to
whom I had the honour of opening the path of glory, the striking
marks of confidence given him by the legislative body, and the
decree of the National Convention, convince me that, to whatever
post he may henceforth be called, the dangers to liberty will be
averted, and the interests of the army ensured.
I cheerfully return to the rank of a private citizen: happy, after
so many storms, to resign, unimpaired, and even more glorious than
ever, the destiny of the Republic, which has been, in part,
committed to my care.
(Signed) BARRAS.
This letter occasioned a great sensation in the Council of the Five
Hundred. A second reading was called for, and a question was started,
whether the retirement was legal, or was the result of collusion, and
of the influence of Bonaparte's agents; whether to believe Barras, who
declared the dangers of liberty averted, or the decree for the removal
of the legislative corps, which was passed and executed under the
pretext of the existence of imminent peril? At that moment Bonaparte
appeared, followed by a party of grenadiers, who remained at the
entrance of the hall.
I did not accompany him to the Council of the Five Hundred. He had
directed me to send off an express to ease the apprehensions of
Josephine, and to assure her that everything would go well. It was some
time before I joined him again.
However, without speaking as positively as if I had myself been an
eye-witness of the scene, I do not hesitate to declare that all that has
been said about assaults and poniards is pure invention. I rely on what
was told me, on the very night, by persons well worthy of credit, and
who were witnessess of all that passed.
As to what passed at the sitting, the accounts, given both at the time
and since, have varied according to opinions. Some have alleged that
unanimous cries of indignation were excited by the appearance of the