Senate. Woe to the members of the government they have patched up until the return of their Bourbons, for that is what they are aiming at. But to-morrow I shall place myself at the head of my guards, and we will march on the Tuileries.'

Whilst Napoleon thus gave way to such idle threats, the marshal listened in silence; at length, perceiving him somewhat more calm, he replied, Sire, it appears, then, that you are not aware of what has taken place in Paris, of the establishment of a provisional government, and -' 'I know it all, and what then?' Sire,' added the marshal presenting to him a paper, 'here is something which will tell you more than I can.' Macdonald thereupon gave him a letter from Marshal Beurnonville, announcing the forfeiture of the emperor, pronounced by the Senate, and the determination of the Allied Powers not to treat with Napoleon, or any member of his family. 'Marshal,' said the emperor, may this letter be read aloud?' 'Certainly, Sire.' The letter was then handed to Barre, who read it. An individual then present afterwards described to me the impression which the reading of the letter produced on Napoleon. His features were violently contracted, as I have often observed them on similar momentous occasions. He did not, however, lose his self-command, which, indeed, he could always preserve when policy or vanity required it; and when the reading of Beurnonville's letter was ended, he affected to persist in his intention of marching on Paris. Sire,' exclaimed Macdonald, that project must be renounced. Not a sword would be drawn from its scabbard to second you in such an enterprise.'

The question of the emperor's abdication now began to be seriously entertained. Caulincourt had already hinted to Napoleon that, in the event of his abdicating personally, there was still a possibility that the Allies might agree to a council of regency. This idea, and the opposition of the marshals to his desperate project of marching upon Paris, determined Napoleon to sign his abdication, which he himself drew up in the following

terms:

"The Allied Powers having declared, 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 is ready to descend the throne, to leave France, and even to lay down his life, for the welfare of the country, which is inseparable from the rights of his

son, those of the regency, of the empress, and the maintenance of the laws of the empire. Given at our palace of Fontainebleau, April 2d, NAPOLEON.'

1814.

After having written this act the emperor presented it to the marshals, saying, 'Here, gentlemen! are you satisfied?'

This abdication of Napoleon was certainly very useless, but had circumstances recurred to render it of any importance, the act would possibly have proved altogether invalid. To most people its meaning would appear unequivocal, but not so to me, who was so instructed in the cunning to which Napoleon never hesitated to resort, whenever a purpose was to be gained by it. I beg the reader to observe, that Napoleon does not say that 'he descends from the throne,' but that he is ready to descend from the throne.' This was a subterfuge, by the aid of which he intended to open new negotiations respecting the form and conditions of regency for his son, in case of the Allied Sovereigns acceding to that proposition. This would have enabled him to gain time, and, blinded to his real situation, he had not yet resigned all hope.

In this state of feeling he joyfully welcomed a piece of intelligence communicated to him by General Allix. The general stated that he had met an Austrian officer, who was sent by Francis II. to Prince Schwartzenberg, and who positively assured him, that all which had taken place in Paris was contrary to the wish of the Emperor of Austria. That this may have been the opinion of the Austrian officer is possible, and even probable, but subsequent events proved that it was nothing more. However, as soon as General Allix had communicated this good news, as he termed it, to Napoleon, the latter exclaimed to the persons who were about him, 'I told you so, gentlemen. Francis II. cannot carry his enmity so far as to dethrone his daughter. Vicenza, go and desire the marhals to return my act of abdication. I will send a courier to the Emperor of Austria.'

Thus Bonaparte, in his shipwreck, looked round for a saving plank, and buoyed himself up with self-deceptions. The Duke de Vicenza went to Marshals Ney and Macdonald, whom he found just stepping into the carriage to proceed to Paris. Both positively refused to return the act to Caulincourt, saying, 'We are sure of the concurrence of the Emperor of Austria, and will take all responsibility upon ourselves.' The sequel suf

ficiently proved that they were better informed than General Allix.

During the conversation with Marshal Macdonald, which has been just related, the emperor was seated. When he came to the resolution of signing his abdication, he rose abruptly, and walked with hurried steps once or twice up and down the apartment. After the act was signed, he said, 'Gentlemen, the interests of my son, the interests of the army, and above all the interests of France, must be defended. I therefore appoint as my commissioners to the Allied Powers, the Duke de Vicenza, the Prince of the Moskowa, and the Duke de Ragusa-are you satisfied?' He added after a pause, I think all these interests are intrusted to good hands.' All present answered as with one voice, 'Yes, Sire.' But no sooner was the answer pronounced, than the emperor threw himself on a small yellow sofa which stood near the window, and striking his thigh with his hand, with a sort of convulsive motion, he exclaimed, 'No, gentlemen, I will have no regency. With my guards, and Marmont's corps, I shall be in Paris to-morrow.' Ney and Macdonald vainly endeavoured to undeceive him, respecting this impracticable design. He rose with marked ill-humour, and rubbing his head, as he was in the habit of doing when much agitated, he said in a loud and authoritative tone,' Retire.'

The marshals withdrew, and Napoleon was left alone with Caulincourt. He told the latter, as I afterwards heard, that what had most displeased him in the proceedings which had just taken place, was the reading of Beurnonville's letter. Sire,' observed the Duke de Vicenza, 'it was by your order that the letter was read.' 'Yes, that is true, but why was not that letter addressed directly to me by Macdonald?' Sire, the letter was at first addressed to Macdonald, but the aide-de-camp who was the bearer of it had orders to communicate its contents to Marmont, on passing through Essonne, because Beurnonville did not know precisely where Macdonald was to be found.' After this explanation, which did not take more than three minutes, the emperor appeared satisfied, and said to Caulincourt, Vicenza, call back Macdonald.'

The Duke de Vicenza hastened after the marshal, whom he found at the end of the gallery of the palace engaged in conversation, and brought him back to the

emperor. On his returning, Napoleon, who had quite recovered his usual composure, calmly addressed him, 'Well, Duke de Tarento, do you think that the regency is the only possible thing?' 'Yes, Sire.' Then I wish you to go with Ney to the Emperor Alexander, instead of Marmont; it is better that he should remain with his corps, to which his presence is indispensable. You will therefore go with Ney-I rely on you. I trust you have entirely forgotten all that has separated us for so long a time.' 'Yes, Sire, I have not thought of it since 1809.' 'I am glad of it, marshal, and I must acknowledge to you that I was in the wrong.' While speaking to the marshal the emperor manifested unusual emotion. He approached him, and pressing his hand in the most affectionate manner, he uttered but one word more, 'Depart.'

The emperor's three commissioners, that is to say, Marshals Macdonald and Ney, and the Duke de Vicenza, informed Marmont, that they would dine with him as they passed through Essonne, and acquaint him with all that had taken place at Fontainebleau. On their arrival at Essonne, the three imperial commissioners explained to the Duke de Ragusa the object of their mission, and persuaded him to accompany them to the Emperor Alexander. This obliged the marshal to inform them how he was situated. The negotiations which Marmont had opened, and almost concluded, with Prince Schwartzenberg, were rendered null by the mission which he had joined; and which it was necessary he should him self explain to the commander of the Austrian army. The three marshals and the Duke de Vicenza repaired to Petitbourg, the head-quarters of Prince Schwartzenberg, and there the prince released Marmont from the promise he had given.

CHAP. XLVI.

Conference of the Marshals with Alexander-Mutiny in the Corps of Marmont-they return to Order-unconditional Abdication required of Napoleon-Farewell Interview between Napoleon and Macdonald-unconditional Abdication signed.

AFTER my nomination as director-general of the postoffice, the business of that department proceeded as regularly as before. I sent on the 4th of April an ad

vertisement to the Moniteur, stating that the letters to and from England and other foreign countries, which had been lying at the post-office for more than three years, would be forwarded to their respective addresses. This produced to the post-office a receipt of nearly 300,000 francs, a sum which will give some idea of the prodigious quantity of intercepted letters, and the system which characterized the imperial government during the time of its existence.

On the night after the publication of my advertise ment, I was awakened by an express from the provisional government, requesting me to proceed with all possible haste to M. de Talleyrand's hotel. I lost no time in repairing thither, and arrived a few minutes before the emperor's commissioners. I went up to the saloon on the first floor, which was one of the suite of apartments occupied by the Emperor Alexander. The marshals were conferring with that monarch, and it would be difficult to describe the anxiety, or, indeed, I might say the consternation, which prevailed among some of the members of the provisional government and other individuals who were assembled in the saloon where I was.

During the interview of the marshals with Alexander, which lasted a considerable time, I had an opportunity of learning some particulars of a conversation which they had already had with M. de Talleyrand. The prince observed to them, 'Gentlemen, what is it you are about to do? If you succeed in your designs, you will compromise all who have met in this place since the 1st of April, and that number is not inconsiderable. As for me, I am willing to be compromised, take no account of me.' I had passed the evening of this day with M. de Talleyrand, who had observed to the Emperor Alexander, in my presence, Will you support Bonaparte? No, you neither can nor will. I have already had the honour to tell your majesty, that there can be no other alternative than between Napoleon and Louis XVIII., any other choice whatsoever would be but an intrigue, and no intrigue will possess sufficient strength and consistency long to sustain him who may be its object. Bernadotte, Eugene, the regency, all these are but intrigues. Under present circumstances nothing but some fixed principle is sufficiently strong to establish the new order of things, on which we now find our