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by no means an agreeable event to the suite of my guest: they naturally reasoned, that, had it been the intention of the British Government to allow him to land in England, he would not have been removed further from the Metropolis. He, however, made no observations on the subject himself; still affecting to consider the reports in the newspapers as the surmises of the editors.

We had, during the forenoon of the 26th of July, to beat up from the Start to Plymouth Sound, against a strong northerly wind. Buonaparte remained upon deck the greater part of the day. When going into the Sound, I pointed out the Breakwater to him, and described the manner in which they were forming it. He said, it was a great national undertaking, and highly honourable to the country; enquired the estimated expense, and seemed surprised, when I told him it was expected to be finished for something

less than a million sterling. He added, “I have expended a large sum of money on the port of Cherbourg, and in forming the Boyart Fort, to protect the anchorage at Isle d'Aix; but I fear now, those and many other of my improvements will be neglected, and allowed to go to ruin."

When the ship had anchored, I informed him I was going to wait on the Commanderin-chief, and requested to know if I could convey any message from him. He desired me to return his thanks to Lord Keith, for the kind intentions he had expressed towards him in his letters to me, and to say he was extremely anxious to see his Lordship, if it could be done with propriety. On delivering his message to Lord Keith, he answered, "I would wait upon him with much pleasure, but, to tell you the truth, I have as yet received no instructions as to the manner in which he is to be treated; and until I do

receive these, I cannot well visit him." He then gave me some precautionary orders to prevent his escape, or any attempt to effect it. From which I give the extracts below.

Extract of an Order from Admiral Viscount Keith, G. C. B. to Captain Maitland, of H. M. S. Bellerophon, dated Hamoaze, July 26, 1815.

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"In addition to the orders already received, you are to pay the strictest regard and attention to the directions contained in the enclosed extract of a letter from the Secretary of the Admiralty. If General Gourgaud has not already been taken out of the Slaney, you are to cause him to be removed immediately into the ship you command. I enclose, for your information, a copy of a general order that I have issued, forbidding communication with the ship you command; and it is my intention to order the Liffey and Eurotas to anchor near you, and to row guard."

Extract of a Letter from the Secretary of the Admiralty to Admiral Viscount Keith, G. C. B.; dated 24th July' 1815; enclosed in the foregoing.

66

Referring your Lordship to Mr. Croker's letter of the 1st instant, respecting Buonaparte, I am to signify their Lordships' directions to you, to give the most positive orders to Captain Maitland to prevent all communication whatever with the shore but through him, and by him through your Lordship; and on no account to permit any person whatsoever to go on board the ship, without your Lordship's permission given in writing for that purpose; which permission, for obvious reasons, will only be granted in such cases as the public service may require: and proper measures are to be taken to prevent boats and small craft from crowding near the Bellerophon.

"Your Lordship will restrict the captains and commanders of your squadron from

communicating, until further orders, with

the Bellerophon."

There was also enclosed the following copy of a Memorandum, addressed to the respective Captains of H. M. Ships Liffey and Eurotas.

Ville de Paris, in Hamoaze, 26th July, 1815.

"MEMO:

"The Liffey and Eurotas are to take up an anchorage on each side of the Bellerophon, at a convenient distance, and observe the following directions, as well for the purpose of preventing the escape of Buonaparte, or any of his suite, from that ship, as for restraining shore-boats and others from approaching too close to her, either from curiosity or any other motive.

"A constant watch of an officer, a quarterwatch, and double sentinels, are to be kept by day, as well as a boat manned and armed alongside, in constant readiness, as

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