Memoirs of Napoleon Bonaparte — Complete
actively Bonaparte was seconded in the execution of plans for the social
regeneration of France; all seemed animated with new life, and every one
strove to do good as if it were a matter of competition.
Every circumstance concurred to favour the good intentions of the First
Consul. Vaccination, which, perhaps, has saved as many lives as war has
sacrificed, was introduced into France by M. d'Liancourt; and Bonaparte,
immediately appreciating the value of such a discovery, gave it
his decided approbation. At the same time a council of Prizes was
established, and the old members of the Constituent Assembly were
invited to return to France. It was for their sake and that of the
Royalists that the First Consul recalled them, but it was to please the
Jacobins, whom he was endeavouring to conciliate, that their return was
subject to restrictions. At first the invitation to return to France
extended only to those who could prove that they had voted in favour
of the abolition of nobility. The lists of emigrants were closed, and
committees were appointed to investigate their claims to the privilege
of returning.
From the commencement of the month of Germinal the reorganisation of the
army of Italy had proceeded with renewed activity. The presence in Paris
of the fine corps of the Consular Guard, added to the desire of showing
themselves off in gay uniforms, had stimulated the military ardour of
many respectable young men of the capital. Taking advantage of this
circumstance the First Consul created a corps of volunteers destined for
the army of reserve, which was to remain at Dijon. He saw the advantage
of connecting a great number of families with his cause, and imbuing
them with the spirit of the army. This volunteer corps wore a yellow
uniform which, in some of the salons of Paris where it was still
the custom to ridicule everything, obtained for them the nickname of
"canaries." Bonaparte, who did not always relish a joke, took this in
very ill part, and often expressed to me his vexation at it. However,
he was gratified to observe in the composition of this corps a first
specimen of privileged soldiers; an idea which he acted upon when he
created the orderly gendarmes in the campaign of Jena, and when he
organised the guards of honour after the disasters of Moscow.
In every action of his life Bonaparte had some particular object in
view. I recollect his saying to me one day, "Bourrienne, I cannot yet
venture to do anything against the regicides; but I will let them see
what I think of them. To-morrow I shall have some business with Abrial
respecting the organisation of the court of Cassation. Target, who is
the president of that court, would not defend Louis XVI. Well, whom do
you think I mean to appoint in his place? . . . Tronchet, who did defend
the king. They may say what they please; I care not."
--[On this, as on many other occasions, the cynicism of Bonaparte's
language does not admit of a literal translation.]--
Tronchet was appointed.
Nearly about the same time the First Consul, being informed of the
escape of General Mack, said to me, "Mack may go where he pleases; I am
not afraid of him. But I will tell you what I have been thinking. There
are some other Austrian officers who were prisoners with Mack; among
the number is a Count Dietrichstein, who belongs to a great family in
Vienna. I will liberate them all. At the moment of opening a campaign
this will have a good effect. They will see that I fear nothing; and who
knows but this may procure me some admirers in Austria." The order
for liberating the Austrian prisoners was immediately despatched. Thus
Bonaparte's acts of generosity, as well as his acts of severity and his
choice of individuals, were all the result of deep calculation.
This unvarying attention to the affairs of the Government was manifest
in all he did. I have already mentioned the almost simultaneous
suppression of the horrible commemoration of the month of January, and
the permission for the revival of the opera balls. A measure something
similar to this was the authorisation of the festivals of Longchamps,
which had been forgotten since the Revolution. He at the same time gave
permission for sacred music to be performed at the opera. Thus, while in
public acts he maintained the observance of the Republican calendar,
he was gradually reviving the old calendar by seasons of festivity.
Shrove-Tuesday was marked by a ball, and Passion-week by promenades and
concerts.
CHAPTER XXXV
1800.
The Memorial of St. Helena--Louis XVIII.'s first letter to Bonaparte
--Josephine, Hortense, and the Faubourg St. Germain--
Madame Bonaparte and the fortune-teller--Louis XVIII's second letter
--Bonaparte's answer--Conversation respecting the recall of Louis
XVIII.--Peace and war--A battle fought with pins--Genoa and Melas--
Realisation of Bonaparte's military plans--Ironical letter to
Berthier--Departure from Paris--Instructions to Lucien and
Cambacérès--Joseph Bonaparte appointed Councillor of State--
Travelling conversation--Alexander and Caesar judged by Bonaparte.
It sometimes happens that an event which passes away unnoticed at
the time of its occurrence acquires importance from events which
subsequently ensue. This reflection naturally occurs to my mind now
that I am about to notice the correspondence which passed between Louis
XVIII. and the First Consul. This is certainly not one of the least
interesting passages in the life of Bonaparte.
But I must first beg leave to make an observation on the 'Memorial of
St. Helena.' That publication relates what Bonaparte said respecting the
negotiations between Louis XVIII. and himself; and I find it necessary
to quote a few lines on the subject, in order to show how far the
statements contained in the Memorial differ from the autograph letters
in my possession.
At St. Helena Napoleon said that he never thought of the princes of the
House of Bourbon. This is true to a certain point. He did not think of
the princes of the House of Bourbon with the view of restoring them to
their throne; but it has been shown, in several parts of these Memoirs,
that he thought of them very often, and on more than one occasion their
very names alarmed him.
--[The Memorial states that "A letter was delivered to the First
Consul by Lebrun who received it from the Abbé de Montesquieu, the
secret agent of the Bourbons in Paris." This letter which was very
cautiously written, said:--
"You are long delaying the restoration of my throne. It is to be
feared you are suffering favourable moments to escape. You cannot
secure the happiness of France without me, and I can do nothing for
France without you. Hasten, then, to name the offices which you
would choose for your friends."
The answer, Napoleon said, was as follows:--
"I have received your royal highness' letter. I have always taken a
lively interest in your misfortunes, and those of your family. You
must not think of appearing in France; you could only return here by
trampling over a hundred thousand dead bodies. I shall always be
happy to do anything that can alleviate your fate and help to banish
the recollection of your misfortunes."--Bourrienne.]--
The substance of the two letters given in the 'Memorial of St. Helena'
is correct. The ideas are nearly the same as those of the original
letters. But it is not surprising that, after the lapse of so long an
interval, Napoleon's memory should somewhat have failed him. However,
it will not, I presume, be deemed unimportant if I present to the reader
literal copies of this correspondence; together with the explanation of
some curious circumstances connected with it.
The following is Louis XVIII's letter:--
February 20,1800.
SIR--Whatever may be their apparent conduct, men like you never
inspire alarm. You have accepted an eminent station, and I thank
you for having done so. You know better than any one how much
strength and power are requisite to secure the happiness of a great
nation. Save France from her own violence, and you will fulfil the
first wish of my heart. Restore her King to her, and future
generations will bless your memory. You will always be too
necessary to the State for me ever to be able to discharge, by
important appointments, the debt of my family and myself.
(Signed) Louis.
The First Consul was much agitated on the reception of this letter.
Though he every day declared his determination to have nothing to do
with the Princes, yet he hesitated whether or no he should reply to this
overture. The numerous affairs which then occupied his mind favoured
this hesitation. Josephine and Hortense conjured him to hold out hope
to the King, as by so doing he would in no way pledge himself, and
would gain time to ascertain whether he could not ultimately play a far
greater part than that of Monk. Their entreaties became so urgent that
he said to me, "These devils of women are mad! The Faubourg St. Germain
has turned their heads! They make the Faubourg the guardian angel of the
royalists; but I care not; I will have nothing to do with them."
Madame Bonaparte said she was anxious he should adopt the step she
proposed in order to banish from his mind all thought of making himself
King. This idea always gave rise to a painful foreboding which she could
never overcome.
In the First Consul's numerous conversations with me he discussed with
admirable sagacity Louis XVIII.'s proposition and its consequences. "The
partisans of the Bourbons," said he, "are deceived if they suppose I
am the man to play Monk's part." Here the matter rested, and the King's
letter remained on the table. In the interim Louis XVIII. wrote a second
letter, without any date. It was as follows:
You must have long since been convinced, General, that you possess
my esteem. If you doubt my gratitude, fix your reward and mark out
the fortune of your friends. As to my principles, I am a Frenchman,
merciful by character, and also by the dictates of reason.
No, the victor of Lodi, Castiglione, and Arcola, the conqueror of
Italy and Egypt, cannot prefer vain celebrity to real glory. But
you are losing precious time. We may ensure the glory of France.
I say we, because I require the aid of Bonaparte, and he can do
nothing without me.
General, Europe observes you. Glory awaits you, and I am impatient
to restore peace to my people.
(Signed) LOUIS.
This dignified letter the First Consul suffered to remain unanswered
for several weeks; at length he proposed to dictate an answer to me. I
observed, that as the King's letters were autographs, it would be more
proper that he should write himself. He then wrote with his own hand the
following:
Sir--I have received your letter, and I thank you for the
compliments you address to me.
You must not seek to return to France. To do so you must trample
over a hundred thousand dead bodies.
Sacrifice your interest to the repose and happiness of France, and
history will render you justice.
I am not insensible to the misfortunes of your family. I shall
learn with pleasure, and shall willingly contribute to ensure, the
tranquillity of your retirement.
(Signed) BONAPARTE.
He showed me this letter, saying, "What do you think of it? is it not
good?" He was never offended when I pointed out to him an error of
grammar or style, and I therefore replied, "As to the substance, if such
be your resolution, I have nothing to say against it; but," added I, "I
must make one observation on the style. You cannot say that you shall