August 18, 2025 • 30 mins
Dive into the captivating world of Napoleon Bonaparte through the eyes of his private secretary. This remarkable memoir, forged from years of close friendship and professional collaboration, offers a unique glimpse into the life and mind of one of historys most enigmatic figures. - Summary by Gillian Hendrie and Wikipedia
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Chapter twenty three of Memoirs of Napoleon Bonaparte, Volume three
by Louis Antoine Follilet de Bouriennes. This LibriVox recording is
in the public domain. Read by Jillian Henry, Chapter twenty three,
seventeen ninety nine. Moreaux and Bernadotte. Bonaparte's opinion of Bernadotte
(00:22):
false report, the Crown of Sweden and the Constitution of
the year. Three intrigues of Bonaparte's brothers, Angry conversation between
Bonaparte and Bernadotte. Bonaparte's version, Josephine's version, an unexpected visit
the Meneges Club Salechetti and joseph Bonaparte. Bonaparte invites himself
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to breakfast with Bernadotte country excursion. Bernadotte dines with Bonaparte,
the plot and conspiracy conduct of Lucien Dinner given to
bonape by the Council of the five hundred Bonapartees wish
to be chosen a member of the Directory. His reconciliation
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with say s offer made by the Directory to Bonaparte.
He is falsely accused by Baha to throw a clear
light on the course of the great events which will
presently be developed it is necessary to state briefly what
intrigues had been hatched and what ambitious hopes had risen
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up while we were in Egypt. When in Egypt Bonaparte
was entirely deprived of any means of knowing what was
going on in France, and in our rapid journey from
Frejus to Paris, we had no opportunity of collecting much information.
Yet it was very important that we should know the
real state of affairs and the sentiments of those whom
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Bonaparte had counted among his rivals in glory, and whom
he might now meet among his rivals in ambition. Moreau's
military reputae stood very high, and Bernadott's firmness appeared inflexible.
Generally speaking, Bonaparte might have reckoned among his devoted partisans
the companions of his glory in Italy, and also those
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whom he subsequently denominated his Egyptians. But brave men had
distinguished themselves in the Army of the Rhine, and if
they did not withhold their admiration from the conqueror of Italy,
they felt at least more personally interested in the admiration
which they lavished on him, who had repaired the disaster
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of Schari. Besides, it must be born in mind that
a republican spirit prevailed almost without exception in the army,
and that the Directory appeared to be a government invented
expressly to afford patronage to intriguers. All this planted difficulties
in our way, and rendered it indispensably necessary that we
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should know our ground. We had, it is true, being
greeted by the fullest measure of popular enthusiasm on our arrival.
But this was not enough. We wanted suffrages of a
more solid kind. During the campaign of Egypt, Bernadotte, who
was a zealous Republican, had been war minister. Footnote Bernadotte
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was Minister of War from second July seventeen ninety nine
to fourteenth September seventeen ninety nine, when, as he himself
wrote to the Directory, they accepted the resignation he had
not offered. And footnote Bernadotte had been war minister, but
he had resigned the portfolio to Dubois Cranci three weeks
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before Bonaparte's returned to France. Some partisans of the old
minister were endeavoring to get him recalled and it was
very important to Bonaparte's interest that he should prevent the
success of this design. I recollect that on the second
day of our arrival, Bonaparte said to me quote, I
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have learned many things, but we shall see what will happen.
Bernadott is a singular man. When he was war minister, Uzino,
Salichetti and some others informed him that the constitution was
in danger and that it was necessary to get rid
of c. S. Barras and Fouchet, who were at the
head of a plot. What did Bernadotte do Nothing. He
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asked for proofs. None could be produced. He asked for
powers who could grant them Nobody he should have taken them,
but he would not venture. On that he wavered. He
said he could not enter into the schemes which were
proposed to him. He only promised to be silent on
condition that they were renounced. Bernadott is not a help.
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He is an obstacle. I have heard from good authority
that a great number of influential persons wished to invest
him with extensive power for the public good. But he
was obstinate and would listen to nothing. End quote. After
a brief interval of silence, during which Bonaparte rubbed his
forehead with his right hand. He then resumed quote, I
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believe I shall have Bernadotte and Moreau against me, but
I do not fear Morreau. He is devoid of energy.
I know he would prefer military to political power. The
promise of the command of an army would gain him
over But Bernadott has Moorish blood in his veins. He
is bold and enterprising. He is allied to my brothers.
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Footnote Joseph Bonaparte and Bernadotte had married sisters, Marie Juie
and Eugenie Bernardine Desiree Clarie. The feeling of Bourienne for
Bernadotte makes this passage doubtful. It is to be noticed that,
in the same conversation he makes Napoleon describe Bernadotte as
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not venturing to act without powers and as enterprising. This
stern Republican becoming Prance de Montegago and King of Sweden
in a way compatible with his fidelity to the Constitution
of the year three is good. Notly attributes Bernadott's refusal
to join more to rivalry than to principle. Lovely Tom one,
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page four hundred and forty but in any case, Napoleon
did not dread Bernadott and was soon threatening to shoot him.
See Lucien tom Iwo, page one hundred and seven, end footnote.
He does not like me, and I am almost certain
that he will oppose me if he should become ambitious.
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He will venture anything. And yet you recollect in what
a lookwarm way he acted on the eighteenth fructidor when
I sent him to second Uzuno. This devil of a
fellow is not to be seduced. He is disinterested and clever.
But after all we have but just arrived, know not
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what may happen. Bernadotte, it was reported, had advised that
Bonaparte should be brought to a court martial on the
twofold charge of having abandoned his army and violated the
quarantine laws. This report came to the ear of Bonaparte,
but he refused to believe it, and he was right.
Bernadott thought himself bound to the constitution, which he had
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sworn to defend. Hence the opposition He manifested to the
measures of the eighteenth pro Maire. But he cherished no
personal animosity against Bonaparte as long as he was ignorant
of his ambitious designs. The extraordinary and complicated nature of
subsequent events rendered his position of the Crown of Sweden
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in no way incompatible with his fidelity to the Constitution
of the year three. On our first arrival in Paris,
though I was almost constantly with the general, yet as
our routine of occupation was not yet settled, I was
enabled now and then to snatch an hour or two
from business. This leisure time I spent in the society
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of my family and a few friends, and in collecting
information as to what had happened during our absence, for
which purpose I consulted old newspapers and pamphlets. I was
not surprised to learn that Bauroparte's brothers, that is to say,
Joseph and Lucien, had been engaged in many intrigues. I
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was told that cs had for a moment thought of
calling the Duke of Brunswick to the head of the government,
that Barras would not have been very averse to favoring
the return of the Bourbon and that Mula, Roggie, Ducaut
and Gouie alone believed or affected to believe in the
possibility of preserving the existing form of government from what
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I heard at the time. I have good reasons for
believing that Joseph and Lucien made all sorts of endeavors
to inveigle Bernadotte into their brother's party, and in the
hope of accomplishing that object, they had assisted in getting
him appointed war minister. However, I cannot vouch for the
truth of this. I was told that Bernadotte had at
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first submitted to the influence of Bonaparte's two brothers, but
that their urgent interference in their client's behalf induced him
to shake them off, to proceed freely in the exercise
of his duties, and to open the eyes of the
Directory on what the Republic might have to apprehend from
the enterprising character of Bonaparte. It is certain that what
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I have to relate respecting the conduct of Bernadotte to
Bonaparte is calculated. To give credit to these assertions. All
the generals who were in Paris, with the exception of Bernadotte,
had visited Bonaparte during the first three days which succeeded
his arrival. Bernadott's absence was the more remarkable because he
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had served under Bonaparte in Italy. It was not until
a fortnight had elapsed, and then only on the reiterated
entreaties of Joseph and Madame Joseph Bonaparte, his sister in law,
that he determined to go and see his old general
in chief. I was not present at their interview, being
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at that moment occupied in the little cabinet of the Uchentarene,
but I soon discovered that their conversation had been long
and warm, for as soon as it was ended, Bonaparte
entered the cabinet exceedingly agitated and said to me, Burienne,
how do you think Bernadott has behaved? You have traversed
France with me. You witnessed the enthusiasm which my return
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excited you yourself told me that you saw ridiculous exaggeration
of the brilliant and victorious situation of France. He talks
about the defeat of the Russians, the occupation of Genoa,
the innumerable armies that are rising up everywhere. In short,
I know not what nonsense he has got in his head.
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What can all this mean? Said I? Did he speak
about Egypt? Oh? Yes, now you remind me. He actually
reproached me for not having brought the army back with me.
But observed, I have you not just told me that
you are absolutely overrun with troops, that all your frontiers
are secure, that immense levies are going on, and that
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you will have two hundred thousand infantry. If this be true,
what do you want with a few thousand men who
may ensure the preservation of Egypt? He could make no
answer to this, but he is quite elated by the
honor of having been war minister. And he told me
boldly that he looked upon the army of Egypt as lost.
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Nay more, he made insinuations. He spoke of enemies abroad
and enemies at home. And as he uttered these last words,
he looked significantly at me. I too, gave him a glance.
But stay a little. The pair will soon be ripe.
You know Josephine's grace and address. She was present. The
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scrutinizing glance of Bernadott did not escape her, and she
adroitly turned the conversation. Bernadott saw from my countenance that
I had had enough of it, and he took his leave.
But don't let me interrupt you farther. I am going
back to speak to Josephine. I must confess that This
strange story made me very impatient to find myself alone
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with Madame Bonaparte, for I wished to hear her account
of the scene. An opportunity occurred that very evening. I
repeated to her what I had heard from the General,
and all that she told me tended to confirm its accuracy.
She added that Bernadott seemed to take the utmost pains
to exhibit to the General a flattering picture of the
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prosperity of France. And she reported to me as follows
that part of the conversation which was peculiarly calculated to irritate,
but apart quote, I do not despair of the safety
of the Republic, which I am certain can restrain her enemies,
both abroad and at home. As Bernadot uttered these last words,
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continued Josephine, His glance made me shudder. One more word,
and Bonaparte would have commanded himself no longer. It is true,
added she that it was in some degree his own fault,
for it was he who turned the conversation on politics,
and Bernadotte, in describing the flourishing condition of France, was
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only replying to the General, who had drawn a very
opposite picture of the state of things. You know, my
dear Bobyne, that Bonaparte is not always very prudent. I
fear he has said too much to Bernadotte about the
necessity of changes in the government end quote. Josephine had
not yet recovered from the agitation into which this violent
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scene had thrown her. After I took leave of her,
I made notes of what she had told me. A
few days after, when Bonaparte, Josephine, Ortense Eugenne, and I
were together in the drawing room, Bernadotte unexpectedly entered. His
appearance after what had passed was calculated to surprise us.
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He was accompanied by a person whom we requested permission
to introduce to Bonaparte. I have forgotten his name, but
he was I think secretary General while Bernadotte was in office.
Bonaparte betrayed no appearance of astonishment. He received Bernadotte with
perfect ease, and they soon entered into conversation. Bonaparte, who
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seemed to acquire confidence from the presence of those who
were about him, said a great deal about the agitation
which prevailed among the Republicans, and expressed himself in very
decided terms against the Manege Club footnote. The Menege Club,
the last resort of the Jacobin, formed in some ninety
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nine and closed seven or eight months afterwards. Joseph Bonaparte
Erroure tom One, page two hundred and fifty one, denies
that he or Lucien, for whom the illusion is meant,
were members of this club, and he disputes this conversation
ever having taken place. Lucien Tom One, page two hundred
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and nineteen treats this club as opposed to his party
and footnote. I seconded him by observing that Monsieur Mouholds
of my department, who was a member of that club,
had himself complained to me of the violence that prevailed
in it. But General, said Bernadotte, your brothers were its
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most active originators. Yet added he in a tone of firmness,
you accuse me of having favored that club, and I
repel the charge. It cannot be otherwise than false. When
I came into office, I found everything in the greatest disorder.
I had no leisure to think about any club to
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which my duties did not call me. You know well
that your friend Sallychetti, and that your brother, who is
in your confidence are both leading men in the Minege
Club to the instructions of I know not whom is
to be attributed the violence of which you complain at
these words, and especially the tone in which Bernadotte uttered,
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I know not whom Bonaparte could no longer restrain himself. Well,
General exclaimed he furiously, I tell you plainly, I would
rather live wild in the woods than in a state
of society which affords no security. Bernadotte then said, with
great dignity of manner, good God, General, what security would
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you have from the warmth evinced by Bonaparte? I saw
plainly that the conversation would soon be converted into a dispute,
and in whisper I requested Madame Bonaparte to change the conversation,
which she immediately did by addressing a question to someone present. Bernadotte,
observing Madame Bonaparte's design, checked his warmth. The subject of
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conversation was changed, and it became General. Bernadotte soon took
up his hat and departed. One morning when I entered
Bonaparte's chamber, it was, I believe three or four days
after the second visit of Bernadotte. He said, quote, well, Brienne.
I wager you will not guess with whom I am
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going to breakfast this morning. Really general I with Bernadotte.
And the best of the joke is that I have
invited myself. You would have seen how it was all
brought about if you had been with us at the
Tiert Francis yesterday evening. You know we are going to
visit Joseph today at moch Fontaine. Well, as we were
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coming out of the theater last night, finding myself side
by side with Bernadotte, and not knowing what to talk about,
I asked him whether he was to be of our
party today. He replied in the affirmative. And as we
were passing his house in the Lucis Salpine footnote Joseph
Bonaparte lays great stress on the fact that Napoleon would
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not have passed this house, which was far from the theater.
Earl to one, page two hundred and fifty one and footnote.
And as we were passing his house in the Lucius Salpine,
I told him, without any ceremony, that I should be
happy to come and take a cup of coffee with
him in the morning. He seemed pleased. What do you
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think of that Pollyanne. Why, General, I hope you may
have reason on your part to be pleased with him.
Never fear, Never fear, I know what I am about.
This will compromise him with Goye. Remember you must always
meet your enemies with a bold face. Otherwise they think
they are feared, and that gives them confidence. End quote.
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Bonaparte stepped into the carriage with Josephine, who was always
ready when she had to go out with him, for
he did not like to wait. They proceeded first to
Bernadotte's to breakfast, and from thence to Marrontine. On his return,
Bonaparte told me very little about what had passed during
the day, and I could see that he was not
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in the best of humors. I afterwards learned that Bonaparte
had conversed a good deal with Bernadotte, and that he
had made every effort to render himself agreeable, which he
very well knew how to do when he chose, but
that in spite of all his conversational talent, and supported
as he was by the presence of his three brothers
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and Annual de Saint Jean Dargerie, he could not withstand
the Republican firmness of Bernadotte. However, the number of his
partisans daily augmented, for all had not the uncompromising spirit
of Bernadotte. It will soon be seen that Moreau himself
undertook charge of the Directors who were made prisoners on
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the eighteenth Blumaire. Bernadott's shrewd penetration made him one of
the first to see clearly into Bonaparte's designs. He was
well convinced of his determination to overthrow the constitution and
possess himself of power. He saw the Directory divided into
two parties, the one duped by the promises and assurances
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of Bonaparte, and the other conniving with him for the
accomplishment of his plans. In these circumstances, Bernadott offered his
services to all persons connected with the government, who, like himself,
were averse to the change which he saw good reason
to apprehend. But Bonaparte was not the man to be
outdone in cunning or activity, and every moment swelled the
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ranks of his adherents. On the sixteenth Brumaire, I dined
in the Rue de la Vitoire. Bernadotte was present, and
I believe General Jordains Also, while the Grand Conspiracy was
hastening to its accomplishment, Madame Bonaparte and I contrived a
little plot of a more innocent kind. We let no
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one into our secret, and our sixteenth premire was courned
with complete success. We had agreed to be on the
alert to prevent any fresh exchange of angry words. All
succeeded to the utmost of our wishes. The conversation languished
during dinner, but it was not dullness that we were
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afraid of. It turned on the subject of war, and
in that vast field, Bonaparte's superiority over his interlocutors was undeniable.
When we retired to the drawing rooms, a great number
of evening visitors poured in, and the conversation then became animated,
and even gay Bonaparte was in high spirits. He said
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to someone, smiling and point out to Bernadotte. You are
not aware that the General Yonder is a champ. A champ,
repeated Bernadotte, also in a tone of pleasantry. Ah, General,
you contradict yourself. Only the other day you text me
with favoring the violence of the friends of the Republic,
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and now you accuse me of protecting the choin, you
should at least be consistent. Footnote. Thechinp so called from
their use of the cry of the screech owl Chtouin
as a signal, were the revolted peasants of Brittany and
of men and footnote. A few moments after availing himself
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of the confusion occasioned by the throng of visitors, Bernadotte
slipped off. As a mark of respect to Bonaparte, the
Council of the five hundred appointed Lucienne its president. The
event proved how important this nomination was to Napoleon. Up
to the nineteenth Brumaire, and especially on that day. Lucien
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evinced a degree of activity, intelligence, courage, and presence of
mind which are rarely found united in one individual. I
have no hesitation in stating that to Lucian's nomination and
exertions must be attributed the success of the nineteenth Bluemaire.
The general had laid down a plan of conduct from
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which he never deviated. During the twenty three days which
intervened between his arrival in Paris and the eighteenth Bluemire,
he refused almost all private invitations in order to avoid
indiscreet questions, unacceptable offers and answers which might compromise him.
It was not without some degree of hesitation that he
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yielded to a project started by Lucian, who, by all
sorts of maneuvering, had succeeded in prevailing on a great
number of his colleagues to be present at a grand
subscription dinner to be given to Bonaparte by the Council
of the Ancient. The disorder which unavoidedly prevailed in a
party amounting to upwards of two hundred and fifty persons,
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animated by a diversity of opinions and sentiments. The anxiety
and distrust arising in the minds of those who were
not in the grand plot, rendered this meeting one of
the most disagreeable I ever witnessed. It was all restraint
and dullness. Bonaparte's countenance sufficiently betrayed his dissatisfaction. Besides the
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success of his schemes, demanded his presence elsewhere. Almost as
soon as he had finished his dinner, he rose, saying
to Berthier and me, I am tired, Let us be gone.
He went round to the different tables, addressing to the
company compliments and trifling remarks, and departed, leaving at table
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the persons by whom he had been invited. This short
political crisis was marked by nothing more grand, dignify noble
than the previous revolutionary commotions. All these plots were so
contemptible and were accompanied by so much trickery, falsehood and treachery,
that for the honor of human nature, it is desirable
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to cover them with a veil. General Bonaparte's thoughts were
first occupied with the idea he had conceived even when
in Italy, namely to be chosen a director. Nobody dared
yet to accuse him of being a deserter from the
Army of the East. The only difficulty was to obtain
a dispensation on the score of age, and was this
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not to be obtained. No sooner was he installed in
his humble abode in the Rue de la Victois than
he was assured that on the retirement of Ribel, the
majority of suffragees would have devolved on him had he
been in France, and had not the fundamental law required
the age of forty, but that not even his warmest
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partisans were disposed to violate the yet infant constitution of
the year three. Bonaparte soon perceived that no efforts would
succeed in overcoming this difficulty, and he easily resolved to
possess himself wholly of an office of which he would
nominally have had only a fifth part had he been
a member of the Directory. As soon as his intentions
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became manifest, he found himself surrounded by all those who
recognized in him the man they had long looked for.
These persons, who were able and influential in their own circles,
endeavored to convert into friendship the animosity which existed between c.
S and Bonaparte. This angry feeling had been increased by
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a remark made by c. S and reported to Bonaparte.
He had said, after the dinner at which Bonaparte treated
him so disrespectfully, quote, do you see how that little
insolent fellow behaves to a member of a government which
would do well to order him to be shot? End? Quote?
But all was changed when able mediators pointed out to
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Bonaparte the advantage of uniting with C. S. For the
purpose of overthrowing a constitution which he did not like.
He was assured how vain it would be to think
of superseding him, and that it would be better to
flatter him with the hope of helping to subvert the
Constitution and raising up a new one. One day someone
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said to Bonaparte in my hearing quote, seek for support
among the party who call the friends of the Republic Jacobin,
and be assured that Says is at the head of
that party. End quote. On the twenty fifth London Yeer
seventeenth of October, the Directory summoned General Bonaparte to a
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private sitting. He offered me the choice of any army
I would command, said he to me the next morning.
I would not refuse, but I asked to be allowed
a little time for the recovery of my health, and
to avoid any other embarrassing offers. I withdrew. I shall
go to no more of their sittings. He attended only one.
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After this. I am determined to join C. S's party.
It includes a greater diversity of opinions than that of
the profligate Barras he proclaims everywhere that he is the
author of my fortune. He will never be content to
play an inferior part, and I will never bend to
such a man. He cherishes the mad ambition of being
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the support of the republic, What would he do with me?
C S, on the contrary, has no political ambition. No
sooner did c S begin to grow friendly with Bonaparte
than the latter learned from him that Barras had said, quote,
the little corporal has made his fortune in Italy and
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does not want to go back again. Bonaparte repaired to
the Directory for the sole purpose of contradicting this allegation.
He complained to the directors of its falsehood, boldly affirmed
that the fortune he was supposed to possess had no existence,
and that even if he had made his fortune, it
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was not at all events at the expense of the republic.
You know, said he to me, that the minds of
Hydria have furnished the greater part of what I possess.
Is it possible, said I, that Barras could have said so,
when you know so well of all the peculations of
which he has been guilty since your return. Bonaparte had
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confided the secret of his plans to very few persons,
to those only whose assistance he wanted. The rest mechanically
followed their leaders, and the impulse which was given to them.
They passively awaited the realization of the promises they had
received and on the faith of which they had pledged themselves.
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End of Chapter twenty three.
Chapter twenty three of Memoirs of Napoleon Bonaparte, Volume three
by Louis Antoine Follilet de Bouriennes. This LibriVox recording is
in the public domain. Read by Jillian Henry, Chapter twenty three,
seventeen ninety nine. Moreaux and Bernadotte. Bonaparte's opinion of Bernadotte
(00:22):
false report, the Crown of Sweden and the Constitution of
the year. Three intrigues of Bonaparte's brothers, Angry conversation between
Bonaparte and Bernadotte. Bonaparte's version, Josephine's version, an unexpected visit
the Meneges Club Salechetti and joseph Bonaparte. Bonaparte invites himself
(00:47):
to breakfast with Bernadotte country excursion. Bernadotte dines with Bonaparte,
the plot and conspiracy conduct of Lucien Dinner given to
bonape by the Council of the five hundred Bonapartees wish
to be chosen a member of the Directory. His reconciliation
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with say s offer made by the Directory to Bonaparte.
He is falsely accused by Baha to throw a clear
light on the course of the great events which will
presently be developed it is necessary to state briefly what
intrigues had been hatched and what ambitious hopes had risen
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up while we were in Egypt. When in Egypt Bonaparte
was entirely deprived of any means of knowing what was
going on in France, and in our rapid journey from
Frejus to Paris, we had no opportunity of collecting much information.
Yet it was very important that we should know the
real state of affairs and the sentiments of those whom
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Bonaparte had counted among his rivals in glory, and whom
he might now meet among his rivals in ambition. Moreau's
military reputae stood very high, and Bernadott's firmness appeared inflexible.
Generally speaking, Bonaparte might have reckoned among his devoted partisans
the companions of his glory in Italy, and also those
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whom he subsequently denominated his Egyptians. But brave men had
distinguished themselves in the Army of the Rhine, and if
they did not withhold their admiration from the conqueror of Italy,
they felt at least more personally interested in the admiration
which they lavished on him, who had repaired the disaster
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of Schari. Besides, it must be born in mind that
a republican spirit prevailed almost without exception in the army,
and that the Directory appeared to be a government invented
expressly to afford patronage to intriguers. All this planted difficulties
in our way, and rendered it indispensably necessary that we
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should know our ground. We had, it is true, being
greeted by the fullest measure of popular enthusiasm on our arrival.
But this was not enough. We wanted suffrages of a
more solid kind. During the campaign of Egypt, Bernadotte, who
was a zealous Republican, had been war minister. Footnote Bernadotte
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was Minister of War from second July seventeen ninety nine
to fourteenth September seventeen ninety nine, when, as he himself
wrote to the Directory, they accepted the resignation he had
not offered. And footnote Bernadotte had been war minister, but
he had resigned the portfolio to Dubois Cranci three weeks
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before Bonaparte's returned to France. Some partisans of the old
minister were endeavoring to get him recalled and it was
very important to Bonaparte's interest that he should prevent the
success of this design. I recollect that on the second
day of our arrival, Bonaparte said to me quote, I
(04:01):
have learned many things, but we shall see what will happen.
Bernadott is a singular man. When he was war minister, Uzino,
Salichetti and some others informed him that the constitution was
in danger and that it was necessary to get rid
of c. S. Barras and Fouchet, who were at the
head of a plot. What did Bernadotte do Nothing. He
(04:25):
asked for proofs. None could be produced. He asked for
powers who could grant them Nobody he should have taken them,
but he would not venture. On that he wavered. He
said he could not enter into the schemes which were
proposed to him. He only promised to be silent on
condition that they were renounced. Bernadott is not a help.
(04:48):
He is an obstacle. I have heard from good authority
that a great number of influential persons wished to invest
him with extensive power for the public good. But he
was obstinate and would listen to nothing. End quote. After
a brief interval of silence, during which Bonaparte rubbed his
forehead with his right hand. He then resumed quote, I
(05:11):
believe I shall have Bernadotte and Moreau against me, but
I do not fear Morreau. He is devoid of energy.
I know he would prefer military to political power. The
promise of the command of an army would gain him
over But Bernadott has Moorish blood in his veins. He
is bold and enterprising. He is allied to my brothers.
(05:35):
Footnote Joseph Bonaparte and Bernadotte had married sisters, Marie Juie
and Eugenie Bernardine Desiree Clarie. The feeling of Bourienne for
Bernadotte makes this passage doubtful. It is to be noticed that,
in the same conversation he makes Napoleon describe Bernadotte as
(05:56):
not venturing to act without powers and as enterprising. This
stern Republican becoming Prance de Montegago and King of Sweden
in a way compatible with his fidelity to the Constitution
of the year three is good. Notly attributes Bernadott's refusal
to join more to rivalry than to principle. Lovely Tom one,
(06:19):
page four hundred and forty but in any case, Napoleon
did not dread Bernadott and was soon threatening to shoot him.
See Lucien tom Iwo, page one hundred and seven, end footnote.
He does not like me, and I am almost certain
that he will oppose me if he should become ambitious.
(06:40):
He will venture anything. And yet you recollect in what
a lookwarm way he acted on the eighteenth fructidor when
I sent him to second Uzuno. This devil of a
fellow is not to be seduced. He is disinterested and clever.
But after all we have but just arrived, know not
(07:00):
what may happen. Bernadotte, it was reported, had advised that
Bonaparte should be brought to a court martial on the
twofold charge of having abandoned his army and violated the
quarantine laws. This report came to the ear of Bonaparte,
but he refused to believe it, and he was right.
Bernadott thought himself bound to the constitution, which he had
(07:23):
sworn to defend. Hence the opposition He manifested to the
measures of the eighteenth pro Maire. But he cherished no
personal animosity against Bonaparte as long as he was ignorant
of his ambitious designs. The extraordinary and complicated nature of
subsequent events rendered his position of the Crown of Sweden
(07:44):
in no way incompatible with his fidelity to the Constitution
of the year three. On our first arrival in Paris,
though I was almost constantly with the general, yet as
our routine of occupation was not yet settled, I was
enabled now and then to snatch an hour or two
from business. This leisure time I spent in the society
(08:05):
of my family and a few friends, and in collecting
information as to what had happened during our absence, for
which purpose I consulted old newspapers and pamphlets. I was
not surprised to learn that Bauroparte's brothers, that is to say,
Joseph and Lucien, had been engaged in many intrigues. I
(08:25):
was told that cs had for a moment thought of
calling the Duke of Brunswick to the head of the government,
that Barras would not have been very averse to favoring
the return of the Bourbon and that Mula, Roggie, Ducaut
and Gouie alone believed or affected to believe in the
possibility of preserving the existing form of government from what
(08:48):
I heard at the time. I have good reasons for
believing that Joseph and Lucien made all sorts of endeavors
to inveigle Bernadotte into their brother's party, and in the
hope of accomplishing that object, they had assisted in getting
him appointed war minister. However, I cannot vouch for the
truth of this. I was told that Bernadotte had at
(09:10):
first submitted to the influence of Bonaparte's two brothers, but
that their urgent interference in their client's behalf induced him
to shake them off, to proceed freely in the exercise
of his duties, and to open the eyes of the
Directory on what the Republic might have to apprehend from
the enterprising character of Bonaparte. It is certain that what
(09:32):
I have to relate respecting the conduct of Bernadotte to
Bonaparte is calculated. To give credit to these assertions. All
the generals who were in Paris, with the exception of Bernadotte,
had visited Bonaparte during the first three days which succeeded
his arrival. Bernadott's absence was the more remarkable because he
(09:54):
had served under Bonaparte in Italy. It was not until
a fortnight had elapsed, and then only on the reiterated
entreaties of Joseph and Madame Joseph Bonaparte, his sister in law,
that he determined to go and see his old general
in chief. I was not present at their interview, being
(10:14):
at that moment occupied in the little cabinet of the Uchentarene,
but I soon discovered that their conversation had been long
and warm, for as soon as it was ended, Bonaparte
entered the cabinet exceedingly agitated and said to me, Burienne,
how do you think Bernadott has behaved? You have traversed
France with me. You witnessed the enthusiasm which my return
(10:37):
excited you yourself told me that you saw ridiculous exaggeration
of the brilliant and victorious situation of France. He talks
about the defeat of the Russians, the occupation of Genoa,
the innumerable armies that are rising up everywhere. In short,
I know not what nonsense he has got in his head.
(10:59):
What can all this mean? Said I? Did he speak
about Egypt? Oh? Yes, now you remind me. He actually
reproached me for not having brought the army back with me.
But observed, I have you not just told me that
you are absolutely overrun with troops, that all your frontiers
are secure, that immense levies are going on, and that
(11:23):
you will have two hundred thousand infantry. If this be true,
what do you want with a few thousand men who
may ensure the preservation of Egypt? He could make no
answer to this, but he is quite elated by the
honor of having been war minister. And he told me
boldly that he looked upon the army of Egypt as lost.
(11:44):
Nay more, he made insinuations. He spoke of enemies abroad
and enemies at home. And as he uttered these last words,
he looked significantly at me. I too, gave him a glance.
But stay a little. The pair will soon be ripe.
You know Josephine's grace and address. She was present. The
(12:06):
scrutinizing glance of Bernadott did not escape her, and she
adroitly turned the conversation. Bernadott saw from my countenance that
I had had enough of it, and he took his leave.
But don't let me interrupt you farther. I am going
back to speak to Josephine. I must confess that This
strange story made me very impatient to find myself alone
(12:28):
with Madame Bonaparte, for I wished to hear her account
of the scene. An opportunity occurred that very evening. I
repeated to her what I had heard from the General,
and all that she told me tended to confirm its accuracy.
She added that Bernadott seemed to take the utmost pains
to exhibit to the General a flattering picture of the
(12:50):
prosperity of France. And she reported to me as follows
that part of the conversation which was peculiarly calculated to irritate,
but apart quote, I do not despair of the safety
of the Republic, which I am certain can restrain her enemies,
both abroad and at home. As Bernadot uttered these last words,
(13:12):
continued Josephine, His glance made me shudder. One more word,
and Bonaparte would have commanded himself no longer. It is true,
added she that it was in some degree his own fault,
for it was he who turned the conversation on politics,
and Bernadotte, in describing the flourishing condition of France, was
(13:33):
only replying to the General, who had drawn a very
opposite picture of the state of things. You know, my
dear Bobyne, that Bonaparte is not always very prudent. I
fear he has said too much to Bernadotte about the
necessity of changes in the government end quote. Josephine had
not yet recovered from the agitation into which this violent
(13:57):
scene had thrown her. After I took leave of her,
I made notes of what she had told me. A
few days after, when Bonaparte, Josephine, Ortense Eugenne, and I
were together in the drawing room, Bernadotte unexpectedly entered. His
appearance after what had passed was calculated to surprise us.
(14:18):
He was accompanied by a person whom we requested permission
to introduce to Bonaparte. I have forgotten his name, but
he was I think secretary General while Bernadotte was in office.
Bonaparte betrayed no appearance of astonishment. He received Bernadotte with
perfect ease, and they soon entered into conversation. Bonaparte, who
(14:40):
seemed to acquire confidence from the presence of those who
were about him, said a great deal about the agitation
which prevailed among the Republicans, and expressed himself in very
decided terms against the Manege Club footnote. The Menege Club,
the last resort of the Jacobin, formed in some ninety
(15:00):
nine and closed seven or eight months afterwards. Joseph Bonaparte
Erroure tom One, page two hundred and fifty one, denies
that he or Lucien, for whom the illusion is meant,
were members of this club, and he disputes this conversation
ever having taken place. Lucien Tom One, page two hundred
(15:22):
and nineteen treats this club as opposed to his party
and footnote. I seconded him by observing that Monsieur Mouholds
of my department, who was a member of that club,
had himself complained to me of the violence that prevailed
in it. But General, said Bernadotte, your brothers were its
(15:44):
most active originators. Yet added he in a tone of firmness,
you accuse me of having favored that club, and I
repel the charge. It cannot be otherwise than false. When
I came into office, I found everything in the greatest disorder.
I had no leisure to think about any club to
(16:05):
which my duties did not call me. You know well
that your friend Sallychetti, and that your brother, who is
in your confidence are both leading men in the Minege
Club to the instructions of I know not whom is
to be attributed the violence of which you complain at
these words, and especially the tone in which Bernadotte uttered,
(16:27):
I know not whom Bonaparte could no longer restrain himself. Well,
General exclaimed he furiously, I tell you plainly, I would
rather live wild in the woods than in a state
of society which affords no security. Bernadotte then said, with
great dignity of manner, good God, General, what security would
(16:50):
you have from the warmth evinced by Bonaparte? I saw
plainly that the conversation would soon be converted into a dispute,
and in whisper I requested Madame Bonaparte to change the conversation,
which she immediately did by addressing a question to someone present. Bernadotte,
observing Madame Bonaparte's design, checked his warmth. The subject of
(17:14):
conversation was changed, and it became General. Bernadotte soon took
up his hat and departed. One morning when I entered
Bonaparte's chamber, it was, I believe three or four days
after the second visit of Bernadotte. He said, quote, well, Brienne.
I wager you will not guess with whom I am
(17:34):
going to breakfast this morning. Really general I with Bernadotte.
And the best of the joke is that I have
invited myself. You would have seen how it was all
brought about if you had been with us at the
Tiert Francis yesterday evening. You know we are going to
visit Joseph today at moch Fontaine. Well, as we were
(17:57):
coming out of the theater last night, finding myself side
by side with Bernadotte, and not knowing what to talk about,
I asked him whether he was to be of our
party today. He replied in the affirmative. And as we
were passing his house in the Lucis Salpine footnote Joseph
Bonaparte lays great stress on the fact that Napoleon would
(18:17):
not have passed this house, which was far from the theater.
Earl to one, page two hundred and fifty one and footnote.
And as we were passing his house in the Lucius Salpine,
I told him, without any ceremony, that I should be
happy to come and take a cup of coffee with
him in the morning. He seemed pleased. What do you
(18:38):
think of that Pollyanne. Why, General, I hope you may
have reason on your part to be pleased with him.
Never fear, Never fear, I know what I am about.
This will compromise him with Goye. Remember you must always
meet your enemies with a bold face. Otherwise they think
they are feared, and that gives them confidence. End quote.
(19:03):
Bonaparte stepped into the carriage with Josephine, who was always
ready when she had to go out with him, for
he did not like to wait. They proceeded first to
Bernadotte's to breakfast, and from thence to Marrontine. On his return,
Bonaparte told me very little about what had passed during
the day, and I could see that he was not
(19:23):
in the best of humors. I afterwards learned that Bonaparte
had conversed a good deal with Bernadotte, and that he
had made every effort to render himself agreeable, which he
very well knew how to do when he chose, but
that in spite of all his conversational talent, and supported
as he was by the presence of his three brothers
(19:44):
and Annual de Saint Jean Dargerie, he could not withstand
the Republican firmness of Bernadotte. However, the number of his
partisans daily augmented, for all had not the uncompromising spirit
of Bernadotte. It will soon be seen that Moreau himself
undertook charge of the Directors who were made prisoners on
(20:06):
the eighteenth Blumaire. Bernadott's shrewd penetration made him one of
the first to see clearly into Bonaparte's designs. He was
well convinced of his determination to overthrow the constitution and
possess himself of power. He saw the Directory divided into
two parties, the one duped by the promises and assurances
(20:28):
of Bonaparte, and the other conniving with him for the
accomplishment of his plans. In these circumstances, Bernadott offered his
services to all persons connected with the government, who, like himself,
were averse to the change which he saw good reason
to apprehend. But Bonaparte was not the man to be
outdone in cunning or activity, and every moment swelled the
(20:52):
ranks of his adherents. On the sixteenth Brumaire, I dined
in the Rue de la Vitoire. Bernadotte was present, and
I believe General Jordains Also, while the Grand Conspiracy was
hastening to its accomplishment, Madame Bonaparte and I contrived a
little plot of a more innocent kind. We let no
(21:13):
one into our secret, and our sixteenth premire was courned
with complete success. We had agreed to be on the
alert to prevent any fresh exchange of angry words. All
succeeded to the utmost of our wishes. The conversation languished
during dinner, but it was not dullness that we were
(21:33):
afraid of. It turned on the subject of war, and
in that vast field, Bonaparte's superiority over his interlocutors was undeniable.
When we retired to the drawing rooms, a great number
of evening visitors poured in, and the conversation then became animated,
and even gay Bonaparte was in high spirits. He said
(21:57):
to someone, smiling and point out to Bernadotte. You are
not aware that the General Yonder is a champ. A champ,
repeated Bernadotte, also in a tone of pleasantry. Ah, General,
you contradict yourself. Only the other day you text me
with favoring the violence of the friends of the Republic,
(22:18):
and now you accuse me of protecting the choin, you
should at least be consistent. Footnote. Thechinp so called from
their use of the cry of the screech owl Chtouin
as a signal, were the revolted peasants of Brittany and
of men and footnote. A few moments after availing himself
(22:40):
of the confusion occasioned by the throng of visitors, Bernadotte
slipped off. As a mark of respect to Bonaparte, the
Council of the five hundred appointed Lucienne its president. The
event proved how important this nomination was to Napoleon. Up
to the nineteenth Brumaire, and especially on that day. Lucien
(23:02):
evinced a degree of activity, intelligence, courage, and presence of
mind which are rarely found united in one individual. I
have no hesitation in stating that to Lucian's nomination and
exertions must be attributed the success of the nineteenth Bluemaire.
The general had laid down a plan of conduct from
(23:23):
which he never deviated. During the twenty three days which
intervened between his arrival in Paris and the eighteenth Bluemire,
he refused almost all private invitations in order to avoid
indiscreet questions, unacceptable offers and answers which might compromise him.
It was not without some degree of hesitation that he
(23:46):
yielded to a project started by Lucian, who, by all
sorts of maneuvering, had succeeded in prevailing on a great
number of his colleagues to be present at a grand
subscription dinner to be given to Bonaparte by the Council
of the Ancient. The disorder which unavoidedly prevailed in a
party amounting to upwards of two hundred and fifty persons,
(24:08):
animated by a diversity of opinions and sentiments. The anxiety
and distrust arising in the minds of those who were
not in the grand plot, rendered this meeting one of
the most disagreeable I ever witnessed. It was all restraint
and dullness. Bonaparte's countenance sufficiently betrayed his dissatisfaction. Besides the
(24:30):
success of his schemes, demanded his presence elsewhere. Almost as
soon as he had finished his dinner, he rose, saying
to Berthier and me, I am tired, Let us be gone.
He went round to the different tables, addressing to the
company compliments and trifling remarks, and departed, leaving at table
(24:51):
the persons by whom he had been invited. This short
political crisis was marked by nothing more grand, dignify noble
than the previous revolutionary commotions. All these plots were so
contemptible and were accompanied by so much trickery, falsehood and treachery,
that for the honor of human nature, it is desirable
(25:14):
to cover them with a veil. General Bonaparte's thoughts were
first occupied with the idea he had conceived even when
in Italy, namely to be chosen a director. Nobody dared
yet to accuse him of being a deserter from the
Army of the East. The only difficulty was to obtain
a dispensation on the score of age, and was this
(25:36):
not to be obtained. No sooner was he installed in
his humble abode in the Rue de la Victois than
he was assured that on the retirement of Ribel, the
majority of suffragees would have devolved on him had he
been in France, and had not the fundamental law required
the age of forty, but that not even his warmest
(25:58):
partisans were disposed to violate the yet infant constitution of
the year three. Bonaparte soon perceived that no efforts would
succeed in overcoming this difficulty, and he easily resolved to
possess himself wholly of an office of which he would
nominally have had only a fifth part had he been
a member of the Directory. As soon as his intentions
(26:21):
became manifest, he found himself surrounded by all those who
recognized in him the man they had long looked for.
These persons, who were able and influential in their own circles,
endeavored to convert into friendship the animosity which existed between c.
S and Bonaparte. This angry feeling had been increased by
(26:43):
a remark made by c. S and reported to Bonaparte.
He had said, after the dinner at which Bonaparte treated
him so disrespectfully, quote, do you see how that little
insolent fellow behaves to a member of a government which
would do well to order him to be shot? End? Quote?
But all was changed when able mediators pointed out to
(27:07):
Bonaparte the advantage of uniting with C. S. For the
purpose of overthrowing a constitution which he did not like.
He was assured how vain it would be to think
of superseding him, and that it would be better to
flatter him with the hope of helping to subvert the
Constitution and raising up a new one. One day someone
(27:28):
said to Bonaparte in my hearing quote, seek for support
among the party who call the friends of the Republic Jacobin,
and be assured that Says is at the head of
that party. End quote. On the twenty fifth London Yeer
seventeenth of October, the Directory summoned General Bonaparte to a
(27:50):
private sitting. He offered me the choice of any army
I would command, said he to me the next morning.
I would not refuse, but I asked to be allowed
a little time for the recovery of my health, and
to avoid any other embarrassing offers. I withdrew. I shall
go to no more of their sittings. He attended only one.
(28:14):
After this. I am determined to join C. S's party.
It includes a greater diversity of opinions than that of
the profligate Barras he proclaims everywhere that he is the
author of my fortune. He will never be content to
play an inferior part, and I will never bend to
such a man. He cherishes the mad ambition of being
(28:37):
the support of the republic, What would he do with me?
C S, on the contrary, has no political ambition. No
sooner did c S begin to grow friendly with Bonaparte
than the latter learned from him that Barras had said, quote,
the little corporal has made his fortune in Italy and
(28:58):
does not want to go back again. Bonaparte repaired to
the Directory for the sole purpose of contradicting this allegation.
He complained to the directors of its falsehood, boldly affirmed
that the fortune he was supposed to possess had no existence,
and that even if he had made his fortune, it
(29:19):
was not at all events at the expense of the republic.
You know, said he to me, that the minds of
Hydria have furnished the greater part of what I possess.
Is it possible, said I, that Barras could have said so,
when you know so well of all the peculations of
which he has been guilty since your return. Bonaparte had
(29:42):
confided the secret of his plans to very few persons,
to those only whose assistance he wanted. The rest mechanically
followed their leaders, and the impulse which was given to them.
They passively awaited the realization of the promises they had
received and on the faith of which they had pledged themselves.
(30:05):
End of Chapter twenty three.
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