I then asked how long it would take to go there: Las Cases answered, "As the tide will be against us, it will require five or six hours." Why these false statements were made, I cannot pretend to say; but it is very certain that Buonaparte never quitted the frigates or Isle d'Aix, after his arrival there on the 3d of July.

General Lallemand took occasion to ask me if I thought there would be any risk of the people, who might accompany Buonaparte, being given up to the Government of France: I replied, "Certainly not; the British Government never could think of doing so, under the circumstances contemplated in the present arrangement."

They left me about half-past nine A. M. In the course of the day, I was joined by the Myrmidon, Captain Gambier, who had been sent to me by Captain Green, of the

Daphne, with a letter he had received from Captain Aylmer, of the Pactolus, in the Gironde, bringing information that it was the intention of Buonaparte to escape from Rochefort in a Danish sloop, concealed in a cask stowed in the ballast, with tubes so constructed as to convey air for his breathing. I afterwards inquired of General Savary, if there had been any foundation for such a report; when he informed me that the plan had been thought of, and the vessel in some measure prepared; but it was considered too hazardous; for had we detained the vessel for a day or two, he would have been obliged to make his situation known, and thereby forfeited all claims to the good treatment he hoped to ensure by a voluntary surrender.

The two Captains dined with me, and afterwards went on board the Myrmidon, to take up a position to the north-east of the

Bellerophon, to prevent vessels from passing close in shore, and thus to render the blockade of the port more complete.

Soon after they left me, a barge was perceived rowing off from the frigates towards the Bellerophon with a flag-of-truce up; on which I recalled Captains Sartorius and Gambier, by signal, that they might be present at any communication that was to be made. The boat got along-side about seven P. M. and brought Count Las Cases, accompanied by General Baron Gourgaud, one of Buonaparte's Aid-de-Camps. On their coming on deck, I immediately addressed Las Cases, saying, "It is impossible you could have been at Rochefort, and returned, since you left me this morning." He replied, "No; it was not necessary; I found the Emperor at Isle d'Aix, on my arrival there." He then told me, he was charged with a letter from General Bertrand. We walked into the cabin, when he delivered it to me; it was as follows.

"Le 14 Juillet, 1815.

"Monsieur le Commandant,

"Monsieur le Comte de Las Cases a rendu compte à l'Empereur de la conversation qu'il à eue ce matin à votre bord. S. M. se rendra à la marée de demain, vers quatre ou cinq heures du matin, à bord de votre vaisseau. Je vous envoye Monsieur le Comte de Las Cases, Conseiller d'Etât, faisant fonction de Maréchal de Logis, avec la liste des personnes composant la suite de S. M. Si l'Amiral, en conséquence de la demande que vous lui avez adressée, vous envoye le sauf conduit demandé pour les Etâts Unis, S. M. s'y rendra avec plaisir; mais au défaut du sauf conduit, il se rendra volontiers en Angleterre, comme simple particulier, pour y jouir de la protection des loix de votre pays.

"S. M. a expédié Monsieur le Maréchal de Camp Baron Gourgaud auprès du

E

Prince Régent, avec une lettre, dont j'ai l'honneur de vous envoyer copie, vous priant de la faire passer au Ministre auquel vous croyez nécessaire d'envoyer cet officier général, afin qu'il ait l'honneur de remettre au Prince Régent la lettre dont il est chargé. "J'ai l'honneur d'être,

Monsieur le Commandant,

Votre très humble et très obéissant Serviteur,

Le Grand Maréchal,

COMTE BERTRAND."

"A Monsieur le Commandant

des Croisières devant Rochefort."

TRANSLATION.

"SIR,

"Count Las Cases has reported to the Emperor the conversation which he had with you this morning. His Majesty will proceed on board your ship with the ebb tide to-morrow morning, between four and five o'clock.