It was bold and masterly. Even when he was told that Grouchy was in his rear with a large force, his plans were not shaken, though this might have somewhat retarded his movements. The skilful veteran knew that it was on the field of Waterloo where the fate of the day was to be decided, and if even Grouchy had attacked Bulow's corps, there was nothing to prevent the first and second corps from joining the British army by Ohain. Grouchy could only, at farthest, have checked the third and fourth corps. There cannot be a moment's doubt of the anxiety and exertions of the Prussians to assist on the 18th. The cordiality and friendship of the Prussians have been felt and acknowledged by every officer who has had occasion to visit Prussia subsequently; this has been particularly the case with the military.

This short campaign of "Hours" was a joint operation. The honours must be shared. On the 16th, the Prussians fought at Ligny under the promise of our co-operation, which could not, however, be given to the extent it was wished or hoped. On the 18th, Lord Wellington fought at Waterloo, on the promise of the early assistance of the Prussians, which, though unavoidably delayed, was at last given with an effect, which perhaps had never before been witnessed. The finest army France ever saw, cominanded by the greatest and ablest of her chiefs, ceased to exist, and in a moment the destiny of Europe was changed.

roit fait; mais une nouvelle de cette nature auroit pu entrainer le general le plus distingué à prendre des precautions, ou la resolution de changer l'offensive vigoureuse en simple demonstration."

No. IX.

BUONAPARTE'S PROTEST.

Volume IX. page 99.

"JE proteste solennellement içi, à la face du Ciel et des hommes, contre la violence qui m'est faite, contre la violation de mes droits les plus sacrés, en disposant par la force de ma personne et de ma liberté.

"Je suis venu librement à bord du Bellerophon; je ne suis point prisonnier ; je suis l'hôte de l'Angleterre. J'y suis venu à l'instigation même du Capitaine, qui a dit avoir des ordres du Gouvernement de me recevoir, et de me conduire en Angleterre, avec ma suite, si cela m'étoit agréable. Je me suis presenté de bonne foi pour venir me mettre sous la protection des lois d'Angleterre. Aussitôt assis à bord du Bellerophon, je fus sur le foyer du peuple Britannique. Si le Gouvernement, en donnant des ordres au Capitaine du Bellerophon, de me recevoir ainsi que ma suite, n'a voulu que tendre une embûche, il a forfait à l'honneur et flêtri son pavillon. Si cet act se consommoit, ce seroit en vain que les Anglais voudroient parler à l'Europe de leur loyauté, de leurs loix, et de leur liberté. La foi Britannique s'y trouvera perdue dans l'hospitalité du Bellerophon. J'en appelle à l'histoire; elle dira qu'un ennemi, qui fit vingt ans la guerre aux peuples Anglois, vint librement, dans son infortune, chercher un asile sous ses loix. Quelle plus éclatante preuve pouvaitil lui donner de son estime et de sa confiance? Mais comment repondit-on en Angleterre à une telle magnanimité ?— on feignit de tendre une main hospitalière à cet ennemi, et quand il se fut livré de bonne foi, on l'immola.

"A bord du Bellerophon,

4 Août 1815."

(Signé) "NAPOLEON.

TRANSLATION.

I hereby solemnly protest, in the face of Heaven and of men, against the violence done me, and against the violation of my most sacred rights, in forcibly disposing of my person and my liberty.

"I came voluntarily on board of the Bellerophon; I am not a prisoner-I am the guest of England. I came on board even at the instigation of the captain, who told me he had orders from the government to receive me and my suite, and conduct me to England, if agreeable to me. I presented myself with good faith, to put myself under the protection of the English laws. As soon as I was on board the Bellerophon, I was under shelter of the British people. If the government, in giving orders to the captain of the Bellerophon to receive me as well as my suite, only intended to lay a snare for me, it has forfeited its honour, and disgraced its flag. If this act be consummated, the English will in vain boast to Europe their integrity, their laws, and their liberty. British good faith will be lost in the hospitality of the Bellerophon. I appeal to history; it will say that an enemy, who for twenty years waged war against the English people, came voluntarily, in his misfortunes, to seek an asylum under their laws. What more brilliant proof could he give of his esteem and his confidence? But what return did England make for so much magnanimity?—They feigned to stretch forth a friendly hand to that enemy; and when he delivered himself up in good faith, they sacrificed him.

"On board the Bellerophon,

(Signed)

"NAPOLEON.

4th August 1815."

We have already, in the text, completely refuted the pretence that Buonaparte was ensnared on board the Bellerophon. Every expression of Captain Maitland went to disown any authority to treat with Napoleon, or grant him con

ditions of any kind; nor could he say more when his private opinion was demanded, than that he had no reason to suppose that Napoleon would be ill received in England. This was in presence of Captain Sartorius and Captain Gambier, both of whom Captain Maitland appealed to in support of his statement. We do not, however, feel it too much, on the present occasion, to copy the letters which passed betwixt Lord Keith, on the one hand, and Captain Maitland, Captain Sartorius, and Captain Gambier, on the other.

"SIR,

"Tonnant, at anchor under Berryhead, 7th August 1815.

"Count Las Cases having this morning stated to me, that he understood from you, when he was on board the Bellerophon in Basque Roads, on a mission from General Buonaparte, that you were authorised to receive the General and his suite on board the ship you command, for conveyance to England; and that you assured him, at the same time, that both the General and his suite would be well received there; you are to report for my information such observations as you may consider it necessary to make upon these assertions. "I am, Sir,

"Your most obedient humble servant,

"Captain Maitland,

Bellerophon."

"KEITH, Admiral.

"MY LORD,

"H. M. S. Bellerophon,

Plymouth Sound, 8th August, 1815.

"I have to acknowledge the receipt of your Lordship's letter of yesterday's date, informing me that Count Las Cases had stated to you, that he had understood from me, when he was on board the Bellerophon in Basque Roads, on a mission from General Buonaparte, that I was authorised to re

ceive the General and his suite on board the ship I command, for a conveyance to England; and that I assured him, at the same time, that both the General and his suite would be well received there; and directing me to report, for your Lordship's information, such observations as I may consider it necessary to make upon these assertions. I shall, in consequence, state, to the best of my recollection, the whole of the transaction that took place between Count Las Cases and me, on the 14th of July, respecting the embarkation of Napoleon Buonaparte, for the veracity of which I beg to refer your Lordship to Captain Sartorius as to what was said in the morning, and to that officer and Captain Gambier (the Myrmidon having joined me in the afternoon) as to what passed in the evening.

"Your Lordship being informed already of the flag of truce that came out to me on the 10th of July, as well as of everything that occurred on that occasion, I shall confine myself to the transactions of the 14th of the same month,

"Early in the morning of that day, the officer of the watch informed me, a schooner, bearing a flag of truce, was approaching on her joining the ship, about seven a. M. the Count Las Cases and General L'Allemand came on board, when, on being shown into the cabin, Las Cases asked me if any answer had been returned to the letter sent by me to Sir Henry Hotham, respecting Napoleon Buonaparte being allowed to pass for America, either in the frigates or in a neutral vessel. I informed him no answer had been returned, though I hourly expected, in consequence of those dispatches, Sir Henry Hotham would arrive; and, as I had told Monsieur Las Cases when last on board, that I should send my boat in when the answer came, it was quite unnecessary to have sent out a flag of truce on that account :-there, for the time, the conversation terminated. On their coming on board, I had made the signal for the Captain of the Slaney, being desirous of having a witness to all that might pass.

"After breakfast (during which Captain Sartorius came