Εικόνες σελίδας
PDF
Ηλεκτρ. έκδοση

was hailed as the point of rally to all the philosophers, philanthrc= pists, illuminati, and other revolutionary amateurs, with whom the north of Germany, Poland, Denmark, and Sweden then abounded. A citizen of Hamburgh, or rather of the world, of the name of Seveking, bestowed on him the hand of a sister: and, though he is not accused of avarice, some of the contributions, extorted by our government from the neutral Hanse Towns, are said to have been left behind in his coffers, instead of being forwarded to this capital. Either on this account, or for some other reason, he was recalled from Hamburgh, in January, 1797, and remained unemployed until the latter part of 1793, when he was sent a minister to Tuscany.

When, in the summer of 1799, Talleyrand was forced by the Jacobins to resign his place as a minister of the foreign department, he had the adroitness to procure Rheinhard to be nominated his successor. So that, though no longer nominally the minister, he still continued to influence the decisions of our governinent as much as if still in office; because, though not without parts, Rheinhard has neither energy of character, nor consistency of conduct. He is so much accustomed, and wants so much to be governed, that, in 1796, at Hamburgh, even the then emigrants, Madame de Genlis, and General Valence, directed him, when he was not ruled or dictated to by his wife, or brotherin-law.

In 1800, Buonaparte sent him as a representative to the Hel vetian Republic, and, in 1802, again to Hamburgh; where he was last winter superseded by Bourrienne, and ordered to an inferior station at the Electoral Court at Dresden. Rheinhard will never become one of those daring diplomatic banditti, whom revolutionary governments always employ in preference. He has some moral principles, and, though not religious, is rather scrupulous. He would certainly sooner resign, than undertake to remove by poison, or by the steel of a bravo, a rival of his own, or a person obnoxious to his employers. He would never, indeed, betray the secrets of his government, if he understood they intended to rob a dispatch, or to stop a messenger; but no allurements whatever would induce him to head the parties perpetrating these acts of modern diplomacy.

Our present minister at Hamburgh, Bourrienne, is far from being so nice. A revolutionist from the beginning of the Revolution, he shared with the partisans of La Fayette's imprisonment under Robespierre, and escaped death only by emigration. Recalled afterwards by his friend, the late Director, Barras, he acted as a kind of secretary to him until 1796, when Buonaparte demanded him, having known him at the military college. During all Buonaparte's campaigns in Italy, Egypt, and Syria, he was his sole and confidential secretary; a situation which he lost in 1802, when Talleyrand denounced his corruption and cupidity; because he had rivalled him in speculating in the funds, and profiting by the information which his place afforded him. He was then made a counsellor of state; but in 1803 he was involved in the fraudulent bankruptcy of one of our principal houses, to the amount of a million of livres, 42,0007.; and from his correspondence with it, some reasons appeared to suspect that he frequently had committed a breach of confidence against his master; who, after erasing his name from among the counsellors of state, had him conveyed a prisoner to the Temple, where he remained six months. A small rolume, called Le Livre Rouge of the Consular Court, made its appearance about that time, and contained some articles, which gave Buonaparte reason to suppose that Bourrienne was its author. On being questioned by the grand judge Regnier, and the minister Fouche, before whom he was carried, he avowed that he had written it, but denied that he had any intention of making it public. As to its having found its way to the press, during his confinement, that could only be ascribed to the ill will or treachery of those police agents who inspected his papers, and put their seals upon them. "Tell Buonaparte," said he, “that had I been inclined to injure him in the public opinion, I should not have stooped to such trifles as Le Livre Rouge, while I have deposited with a friend his original orders, letters, and other curious documents, as materials for an edifying history of our misitary hospitals, during the campaigns of Italy and Syria; all authentic testimonies of his humanity and tenderness for the wounded and dying French soldiers.'

After the answers of this interrogatory had been laid before Buonaparte, his brother Joseph was sent to the Temple to nego

tiate with Bourrienne, who was offered his liberty, and a prefecture, if he would give up all the original papers, that, as a private secretary, he had had opportunity to collect. " These papers," answered Bourrienne," are my only security against your brother's wrath, and his assassins. Were I weak enough to deliver them up to-day, to-morrow, probably, I should no longer be counted among the living; but I have now taken my measures so effectually, that were I murdered to-day, these originals would be printed to-morrow. If Napoleone does not confide in my word of honour, he may trust to an assurance of discretion with which my own interest is nearly connected. If he suspects me of having wronged him, he is convinced also of the eminent services I have rendered him, sufficient surely to outweigh his present suspicion. Let him again employ me in any post worthy of him and of me, and he shall soon see how much I will endeavour to regain his confidence."

Shortly afterwards Bourrienne was released, and a salary, equal to that of a counsellor of state, was granted him, until some suitable place became vacant. On Champagny's being appointed a minister of the home department, the embassy at Vienna was demanded by Bourrienne, but refused, as previously promised to Rochefoucault, our late minister at Dresden. When Rheinhard, in a kind of disgrace, was transferred to that relatively insignificant post, Bourrienne was ordered with extensive instructions, to Hamburgh. The Senate soon found the difference between a timid and honest minister, and an unprincipled and crafty intriguer. New loans were immediately required from Hamburgh; but hardly were these acquitted, than fresh extortions were insisted on. In some secret conferences, Bourrienne is however said to have hinted, that some douceurs were expected, for alleviating the rigour of his instructions. This hint has no doubt been taken, because he suddenly altered his conduct, and instead of hunting the purses of the Germans, pursued the persons of his emigrated countrymen; and, in a memorial, demanded the expulsion of all Frenchmen, who were not registered and protected by him, under the pretence that every one of them who declined the honour of being a subject of Buonaparte must be a traitor against the French government and his country.

Bourrienne is now stated to have connected himself with several stock-jobbers, in Germany, in Holland, and in England; and already to have pocketed considerable sums by such connexions. It is, however, not to be forgotten, that several houses have been ruined in this capital by the profits allowed him, who always refused to share their losses; but, whatever were the consequences, enforced to its full amount the payment of that value, which he chose to set on his communications.

A place in France would no doubt have been prefered by Bourrienne, particularly one near the person of Buonaparte. But if nothing else prevented the accomplishment of his wishes, his long familiarity with all the Buonapartes, whom he always treated as equals, and even now (with the exception of Napoleone) does not think his superiors, will long remain an insur

mountable barrier.

I cannot comprehend how Buonaparte (who is certainly no bad judge of men) could so long confide in Bourrienne, who, with the usual presumption of my countrymen, is continually boasting, to a degree that borders on indiscretion, and, by an artful questioner, may be easily led to overstep those bounds. Most of the particulars of his quarrel with Napoleone I heard him relate himself, as a proof of his great consequence, in a company of forty individuals, many of whom were unknown to him.

On the first discovery which Buonaparte made of Bourrienne's infidelity, Talleyrand complimented him upon not having suffered more from it. "Do you not see," answered Buonaparte," it extraordinary gifts of my extraordinary good

is also one of the

fortune? Even traitors are unable to betray me.

Plots respect

me as much as bullets." I need not tell you, that Fortune is the sole divinity sincerely worshipped by Napoleone.

LETTER XXVI.

Paris, August, 1805.

MY LORD,

JOSEPH BUONAPARTE leads a much more retired life, and sees less company, than any of his brothers or sisters. Except the members of his own family, he but seldom invites any guests, nor has Madame Joseph those regular assemblies and circles which Madam Napoleone and Madame Louis Buonaparte have. His hospitality is, however, greater at his country seat, Morfontaine, than at his hotel here. Those whom he likes, or does not mistrust, (who, by the bye, are very few) may visit him without much formality in the country, and prolong their stay according to their own inclination or discretion; but they must come without their servants, or send them away on their arrival.

As soon as an agreeable visitor presents himself, it is the etiquette of the house to consider him as an inmate; but to allow him at the same time a perfect liberty to dispose of his hours and his person, as suits his convenience or caprice. In this extensive and superb mansion, a suit of apartments is assigned him, with a valet-de-chambre, a lacquey, a coachman, a groom, and a jockey, all under his own exclusive command. He has allotted him a chariot, a gig, and riding-horses, if he prefers such an exercise. A catalogue is given him of the library of the chateau; and every morning he is informed what persons compose the company at breakfast, dinner, and supper, and of the hours of these different repasts. A bill of fare is at the same time presented to him, and he is asked to point out those dishes to which he gives the preference, and to declare whether he chuses to join the company, or to be served in his own rooms.

During the summer season, players from the different theatres of Paris are paid to perform three times in the week; and each guest, according to the period of his arrival, is asked in his turn to command either a comedy or a tragedy, a farce or a ballet. Twice in the week, concerts are executed by the first performers of the Opera Buffa; and twice in the week invitations to tea-parties are sent to some of the neighbours, or accepted from them.

« ΠροηγούμενηΣυνέχεια »