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History  of  Napoleon  Bonaparte, 
and  wars  of  Europe,  by  W,B, ... 


William  B.  Hewetson 


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HISTORY 


or 


Napoleon    Bonaparte^ 


AKP 


WSX9Xi.  of  (Sarope, 


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REVOLUTION  IN  FRANCE, 

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TO  THB 

TERMINATION  op  the  LATE  WARS 

INCLUDING   ANECDOTES 

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CELEBRATED    CHARACTERS 

TbMX  bave  appeared  dming  amd  once  tlw  HeTolatum 
IN  THREE  VOLUMES. 

By  W.  B.  HEWESTON,  Esq. 
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LOSDon : 

FVBUnOED  BY  RICHARD  BVANS»  KO.  8,  WRITER  ROW,  mTAL« 
#UELDt  ;    JOHH   BOURNE,  nO.  17,  GRBEH  ilOB  ttREBi:^ 
BDIHBVROB.— -SOLD  BY  IHfiRWOOD^  NBKLY, 
AJfD  JONES,  PATER NOtTER   ROV»    ; 

And  ouqr  bi^'had  of  ali^otber  Booksellers  in  tbe  United  Kingdom. 


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PREFACE, 


To  wiita  the  life  of  a  lififlg  person  is  generally  a  wo  A  of 
much  diffipolty.  Actions  which  take  place,  as  it  were,  ia 
our  sight,  are  judged  of  by  men  in  a  very  different  light; 
(ome  approve,  others  condemn  them,  and  all  fiew  them 
in  a  vpartial  manner*  We  haye,  however,  endeavoured 
to  keep  clear,  and  have  stated  thing?  as  they  occurred. 
The  life  of  man  is  prone  to  change,  and  to  undergo 
strange  ^cissitodes ;  but  few,  I  believe,  have  undergone 
grater  than  the  man  whose  life  we  now  commemorate^ 
Were  anj  of  our  acqufiint^nces  to  be  placed  in  situations 
such  as  be  has  been,  it  is  hard  to  say  how  they  would  act; 
fhe  trial  is  a  great  one,  and  recjuire?  ahnost  more  than  a 
man  to  go  through  it. 

The  principal  part  of  tlie  volumes  now  offered  to  the 
puibUc,  consists  in  accounts  of  warlike  exploits,  of  *'  mov- 
iDg-  accidents  by  flood  and  field."  In  thfse  Napoleon  haa 
h»d  a  great  share ;  greater,  indeed,  than  falls  to  the  lot 
of  man  in  general,  and  i^e  has  not  shrunk  from  the  "  deal^ 
mg^  out  the  deadly  blow." 

'  Han  IS  but  the  sport  of  !^ortune,  and  often  held  op  ii| 
a  conspicuous  manner  as  an  example  for  others  to  profit 
by ;  characters,  in  themselves  originally  but  trifling,  are 
aometimes  brought  upon  the  stage  of  life,  and  raised  to 
mighty  power  through  means,  to  us,  apparently  iippro* 
Vable,  yet  we  see  their  elevation,  and  of  coarse  believe 
^'  whaiever  is  is  right  ;^'  for  it  is  the  wisdom  of  Providence 
which  does  it,  to  shew  us  what  it  can  do  when  it  chooses.  . 
The  timp  about  which  we  have  been  writing  waa  oo^ 
VOL.  u  a 


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U  PKBPACX. 

• 

pf  great  moment,  and  fall  of  stran{^  events ;  all  fiarop^ 
was  in  a  state  of  convalsion,  occasioned  by  the  disturbed 
»tate  of  France,  who  shed  her  baleful  influence  where- 
ever  she  reached  to ;  ^he  prevailed,  and  spread  her  de 
structive  measures  over  both  friends  and  foes;  such  days 
were  not  before  seen  in  Europe,  and  Heaven  grant  they 
never  may  be  again! 

'.  From  the  commencement  of  the  revolution,  France 
Exhibits  the  picture  of  a  nation  torn  by  intestine  feuds, 
land  struggling  against  a  myriad  of  united  foes ;  and 
great  and  victorious  against  Ibem  all.  Leaders  of  diffe- 
rent characters  at  times  directed  her  councils  for  a  while, 
but  it  was  reserved  for  Napoleon  Bonaparte  to  put  an 
end  to  the  confusion  which  prevailed  withip  her  territory, 
to  restore  her  to  tranquillity,  make  her  great  among  the 
nations  of  Europe,  and  increase  her  dominions  to  an  al- 
most boundless  extent  The  means  by  which  t^iis  wa^ 
effected  were  indeed  great  and  new;  and  the  efforts  of 
the  people  were  like^  those  of  giants ;  but'.'  their  natura 
seemed  changed,  and  thej  fought  as  though  they  were 
another  set  of  beings. 

*  The  more  we  consider  the  French  revolution  the  mor^ 
we  are  lost  in  wonder  at  the  scenes  we  have  witnessed  in 
its  course ;  and  the  events  that  have  arisen  from  it  are 
sufficient  to  make  us  regard  it  wilh  wonder  and  9  degree 
of  astonishment.  Throughout  its  changes  Bonaparte  haa 
acted  a  conspicuous  part  from  his  first  appearance j 
many  praise,  and  as  many  blame  him,  and  betwixt  both 
it  is  hard  to  gaess  at  the  truth.  That  he  has  in  many  in- 
stances acted  in  a  very  strange  way  cannot  be  denied ; 
but  he  has  in  some  cases  been  fortunate  i^nd  successful. 
V\s  conduct  in  several  cases  merits  condemnation ;  ih# 
whole  of  it,  with  regard  to  Spain,  is  marked  with  much 
%|up|]city ;  he  at  first  appeared  the  friend  of  Charles  ly. 


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WouDd^himself  into  his  secret  thoaghts,  and  vfhen  he  bad 
the  pover,  left  the  unhappy  monarch  to  bewail  bis  in* 
credulity  in  thns  trnstilng  io  verse  than  a  reed.  The 
Prince  of  Peace*  Don  Manuel  Godoy,  alias  the  favourite, 
was  a  tool  of  Bonaparte,  and,  no  doubt,  purchased  by 
inm,  as  his  condact  was  evidently  that  of  a  traitor ;  but 
the  Spanish  people  found  him  out,  and  he  was  obliged 
to  seek  shelter  in  France  from  their  rage.  The  King  and 
his  son  were  also  in  France,  but  more  like  prisoners  than 
any  thing  else.  The  conduct  of  Charles  the  IVth.  was 
Yery  strange,  he  first  abdicated  his  throne  in  favour  ot 
Ferdinand,  and  afterwards  denied  it,  accusing  Ferdbiand 
of  acting  unworthily. 

The  man  who  sits  down  to  write  a  work,  be  it  on  what 
sabject  it  may,  lays  himself  open  to  the  attacks  of  the 
world,  when  once  his  work  gets  into  circulation;  he 
then  becomes  a  butt  for  all  to  dart  at,  and  must  take  his 
share  of  good  or  bad  luck ;  yet,  among  the  many  who 
peruse  it,  friends  are  found  who  will  pardon  his  errors, 
and  praise  him  where  he  really  deserves  it,  and  critics 
who  will  la^h  with  justice.  -That  I  have  deserved  both  of 
these,  I  will  venture  to  afifirm,  altliough  it  is  a  general 
maxim  that  man  should  say  nothing  in  favour  of  himself. 
To  merit  those  sort  of  friends  I  have  been  careful  to 
adhere  to  what  has  been  kno^n  to  have  taken  place^ 
and  to  state  facts  as  they  occurred,  without  adding  to, 
or  taking  from  them.  Much  has  been  written  on  tiie 
subject  of  the  French  revolution,  and  many  writers  have 
described  it  in  very  glowing  terms ;  but  have  they  uU 
adhered  strictly  to  truth  ?  That  is  a  diCBcult  question 
to  be  fairly  answered,  and  many  will  say,  No ;  in  whicli 
I  most  agree  with  them.  But  it  is  impossible  to  be 
otherwise  than  interested  for  or  against  what  passes 
befm  as^  and  strikes  on  our  senses,  as  though  we  were 


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If  PASrACff* 

a  party  in  the  matters  thus  enacted ;  ttie  hmntui  niiid 
cannot  be  whoify  free  from  prejudice,  however  mach  il 
may  be  inclined  to  be  so. 

The  observations  we  have  made  on  the  character  6f 
Bonaparte  have  been  dictated  by  trnth  and  candonr,  at 
least  we  are  of  that  opinion  ;  whether  they  are  so^  bow-t 
ever»  in  reality,  we  leave  to  the  pablic  to  judges  and  on 
that  judgment  we  rely.  We  trust  also,  that  the  work  ^ 
with  which  we  now  present  them  may  be  looked  on  in 
the  way  in  which  it  was  intended  to  be,  namely^  for  their 
amusement  and  information ;  with  this  hope  we  for  the 
present  bid  tiicm  farewell,  and  trust  that  our  next  exer« 
tion  will  be  more  generally  approved  of. 


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THE 

BISTORT 

OF 

NAPOLEON  BONAPARTE, 

AKb 

WARS  OF  EUROPE. 


>^0^*<^^^^^^^>^^<^^i^ 


CHAPtfiR  I. 

X  HE  puenKty  of  heroes  in  erery  SLg6  lias  been  mucli 
descanted  on  by  various  writers,  bat  the  anecdotes  have 
usnally  fiiiled  of  creating  any  extraordinary  interest; 
they  serve  only  to  amuse  weak  minds^  and  fill  up  a  chasm 
in  those  whose  understandings  are  limited  ;  we  shall 
therefore  compress  those  of  Napoleon's  infancy  to  as 
amall  a  compass  as  we  can. 

Kapoleon  Bonaparte  was  bora  on  the  l<kfa  of  AuguM; 
1709,  at  AJaecio,  a  small  town  in  the  island  of  Corsica. 
He  was  the  eldest  son  of  Carlo  Bonaparte^  a  lawyer,  of 
Italian  extraction,  by  his  wife  LetitiaBAuiolini ;  and  it  has 
been  said,  tiiat  Greneral  Paoli  was  his  godfitfher.  General 
Count  Harboeuf  was  the  early  patron  of  Ni^oleon;  he 
Ind  conquered  Corsica  for  the  kingdom  of  France,  and 
was  appointed  governor  of  the  island* 

The  elevation  of  individuals,  whetiier  by  their  merits, 
their  crimes,  or  their  mtrigues,  has  always  aflforded  the 
malignant  an  opportunity  of  calumny,  and  the  curious  a 
fiind  of  inquiry ;  the  one  will  f^lrge  a  foot,  and  the  cre^ 
dttllty  of  the  other  pronounce  it  genuine  and  give  it  cur^ 
rency,  and  thus  the  vile  and  the  virtuous  are  equally  sub** 
jeet  to  misrepresentation  and  abuse* .  Those  narrattons, 
vox.  I.— NO.  I.  B 

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HISTORY   OF   NAPOLEON  BONAPARTE, 


KemoTal  to.  Brieone. 


therefore,  which  iadiscriminately  impute  to  the  family 
and  connections  of  Bonaparte^  file  commission  of  flag^rant 
and  detestable  crimes,  and  ido^rrigible  depravity  of  hearty 
should  be  Ust^ned  to  with  a  catitioiid  iresefye^aftdTsiic)!  as 
elude  enquiry  as  to  their  origin,  or  whose  origin  does  not 
fully  prove  theur  authenticity,  we  have  no  sufficient  war* 
rantry  tobelicfve. 

Whatever  may  be  said  of  Bonaparte's  illegitima«y  is 
Kt  present  destitute  of  the  authority  necessary  for  the  his- 
torian ;  but  be  his  origin  what  it  ma)r,  he  became  so  much 
an  object  of  the  Count  de  MarboeuTs  protection  as  to  have 
Veen  adnitted,  by  his  inBnence  with  the  Marechal  de 
Segiir»  the  Frenoh  Minister  at  War«  as  an  Eltve  du  Roi^ 
into  rEcok  Rotate  MUiiare,  at  Brienne,  in  the  province 
of  Chanpaigne.  Here  it  was  that  he  acquired  a  know« 
ledge  of  the  military  and  political  sciences,  which  he  has 
since  se  well  matnred  by  experience,  and  which  has  en- 
ttbled  him  to  lead  mighty  armies  to  battle,  and  to  con*' 
(|iMr ;  #hich  has  brbught  princes  to  bis  feet  to  sue  for  die 
noBkinal  {MMsession  of  their  states ;  which  has  procured  for 
llim  kingdoms  that  he  has  bestowed  on  those  whom  he 
chose  to  ereale  soYereigns ;  and  which  has  given  him  the 
ilBconlf oiled  and  the  absolute  dominion  of  an  empire  tfiat 
lie  raised  to  be  the  nugbtiest  on  the  continent  of  Europe ; 
•nd  seated  hun  ob  Ihe  throne  ef.fhe  most  ancient  and 
powerful  dynasties  of  the  eivffissed  world. 

The  school  at  Brienne  was  one  of  the  thirteen  Royal 
MiEtary  Schools,  or  Colleges,  which  were  established  in 
various  provinces  of  tiio  kingdom  of  France,  and  they 
Were  parUenlarly  patronised  by  the  two  last  sovereigns  of 
the  Bourbon  family.  These  estabfishments  were  magnt-. 
licently  endowed,  and  the  pupils  enjoyed  every  advan- 
tage which  waa  essential  to  their  domestic  convenience. 

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Aim  WARS  W  MVBOPE. 


The  most  able  masters  saperintended  their  education^ 
andtbej  were  pri&cipalljeDcoiura^edto  acquire  a  com- 
petent knowledge  of  the  ancient  and  modem  languages, 
geography,  history,  the  mafhematics,  and  every  branch 
of  military  science. 

JJEcole  Jioyal  MUitare,  at  Paris,  was  at  the  head  of 
the  other  military  schools  in  the  provinces,  and  it  was  to 
this  school  that  not  only  subordination  was  acknowledged 
by  the  pupils  of  the  others,  but  to  which  they  looked  for- 
ward as  the  haven  of  all  the  youths  of  pre-eminent  genius 
that  the  military  schools  of  the  provinces  had  educated. 

Bonaparte  arrived  at  the  Royal  Military  School  at 
Srieane  in  the  year  1779,  being  then  only  ten  years  old* 
At  this  earfy  age,  however,  he  discovered  a  peculiar  tern? 
per  of  mind.  He  avoided  the  juvenile  sports  and  amnse^ 
ments  of  the  other  pupils,  and  courted  solitude  and  gloom ; 
■rithdcawiAg  himself  from  their  mirth,  he  devoted  his  at- 
In^ion  to  sedentary,  rather  than  to  active  employments, 
and  appeared  entirely  engaged  in  his  own  individual  and 
retired  pursuits.  He  seldom  exposed  himself  to  htt 
eobool-iellows ;  for  as  he  came  only  as  a  monitor,  they  rev 
poised  his  reprimands  and  railleries  by  blows,  which  he  re^ 
ceived  with  indifference,  returned  with  coolness,  and  never 
shunned  by  retreating  from  superior  force. 

Jt  does  not  appear,  that  on  his  first  entrance  at  school, 
uny  extraordinary  acquirements  of  learned  marked  an  in- 
jordinate  desire  of  instruction  or  intenseness  of  applica- 
tion ;  he  seems  to  have  neglected,  if  not  altogether  reject- 
itA»  in  his  early  years,  the  attainment  of  the  Latin  lan- 
guage. He  soon,  however,  applied  himself  with  earnest- 
Bess  to  the  mathematics,  the  rudiments  of  which  he  was 
,tangbt  by  Father  Patrault,  a  minim  at  Brienne.  Fortifi- 
99t|op,  imd  «U  tlie  other  branches  of  iiulitafy  scienee  and 

a? 

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HISTORY  OF  NAFOtKON.  BONAPARTE 


Hu  Kmplojment  ia  tbe  Moan  or  Vacation. 


tactics,  he  studied  with  increasing  ardour ;  and  these, 
with  the  readmg  of  history,  principally  of  antient  Boma 
and  Greece,  were  his  most  delightful  occupation* 

During  the  period  which  Banaparte  continued  at  Bri- 
enne,  a  library  was  formed  for  the  amusement  and  instruc* 
tion  of  the  pupils,  and  which  was  to  be  under  their  entire 
direction.  To  give  them  proper  notions  of  arrangement 
%^d  order,  their  superiors  left  the  distribution  of  the  books 
and  other  affairs  to  the  management  of  two  of  the  boarders, 
chosen  by  their  comrades.  The  calls  of  Bonaparte  on  one 
of  these,  who  was  appointed  libirarian,  were  so  often  and 
so  much  more  frequent  than  the  apptieations  of  his  com- 
panions, that  the  young  man  ^considered  him  tiresome, 
and  sometimes  lost  his  temper ;  Bonaparte  was  not  less  pa^ 
tient  nor  less  positive,  and  on  these  occasions  extorted 
submission  by  blows. 

The  hours  of  vacation  between  his  attendance  on  tho 
preceptors  of  tlie  school  were  spent  in  his  garden,  which 
he  cultivated  so  assiduously  as  to  preserve  its  interior  in 
a  state  of  order  and  cleanliness.  Its  boundaries  became 
impervious,  and  enclosed  a  retreat  that  might  have  been 
coveted  by  a  religioi^s  recluse.  Here,  when  his  horticul« 
tural  labours  were  ended,  he  retired  to  its  harbours  with 
his  mathematical  and  scientific  works ;  and,  i^urrounded 
by  these  and  other  books,  chiefly  on  historical  subjects, 
he  meditated  the  reduction  of  the  principles  he  had  im- 
bibed to  practice.  He  planned  the  attack  and  d«fenco 
of  fortified  places,  the  arrangement  of  hostile^^orps  in  ' 
order  of  battie,  calculated  the  chances  pf  success  on  the 
one  part,  and  of  defeat  on  the  other ;  altered  their  position, 
and  formed  charges  and  victories  upon  papM*,  and  on  the 
ground,  which  he  afterwards  realised  with  sneeass  when 
directing  the  evolntioas  of  the  French  armias.    Uis  mih- 


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Ann  WARS  OF  KUROPK. 


His  Emplojowot  in  tbe  Hours  of  Vacation. 

^ry  ardour  was  inoreased  by  bis  faislonbat  readiog ;  bis 
enthusiasm  was  excited  by  the  lives  of  thosejuicient  legift<* 
kitors,  heroes,  and  warriors,  which  are  recorded  by  th^ 
Tenerabfe  Plutarch,  the  splendour  of  whose  actions  ha¥« 
tpcl^sed  tbe  injustice  at  which  they  scHnetimes  aimed,  and 
which  more  frequently  originated  in  tbe  daring  purposes 
of  the  iactioaa  partisan,  or  in  the  desperate  policy  of  tbe 
ho!d-£Bu:ed  tyrant,  than  in  the  laudable  design  of  the  in^ 
trepid  patriot,  to  free  bis  country  from  despotism;  or, 
than  in  the  resolution  of  the  Chief  of  a  free  people,  to 
preseria  their  independence^  and  secure  their  govern* 
ment  from  treachery.  Ihe  life  of  the  Marshal,  Prince 
of  Saxony,  was  also  a  frequent  recreation  to  Bonaparte, 
after  a  cJose  application  to  the  mathematics.  He  per- 
sisted in  all  his  studies  with  avidity. 

Tbe  Belles  Lettres  were  not  any  source  of  bis  enter* 

fainnient;  his  sole  and  undivided  attention  was  to  milit 

tary  acquirements,  and  a  proficiency  in  the  studies  which 

form  the  habits  of  a  warrior.    Pc^te,  or  liberal  accom- 

plisbments,  be  appeared  to  consider  that  a  soldier  should 

disdain.     He  had,  doubtless,  heard  of  the  achievements 

of  Marlborough  in  tbe  field,  and  perhaps  that  he  had 

also  studied  the  art  of  pleasing,  **  that  by  it  he  gained 

whoever  he  had  a  mind  to  gain ;  and  he  had  a  mind  to 

gain  evei;  body,  because  he  knew  that  every  body  wato 

nutfe  or  less  worth  gaining."    But  it  was  not  by  graces 

illness  of  demeanor  that.  Bonaparte  designed  to  wiu't 

what  he  coald  not  gain  by  mero  force,  he  never  sought 

to  attain  by  a  display  of  any  endeavour  to  please  ;  what 

he  conid  not  possess  by  bis  power,  be  never  relinquished 

the  paiBuit  of,  but  aoquiied  it  by  stratagem,  in  which 

there  was  i^  seeing  of  his  influence.    He  scorned  the 

^its  of  it  roortier,  nor  oven  employed  them  where  U 


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HISTOBT  or  KATOLBOM  BONAPARTE 


Atmemncot  to  Conica. 


fnigfat  have  been  supposed  that  no  other  attempt  woskl 
«acoeed.  All  other  means  which  power  and  the  inge- 
Buity  of  an  uncultivated  mind  would  have  devised,  h^ 
%k&ed  without  hesitation.  His  comrades  called  him  The 
Spartan,  and  he  retained  the  name  until  he  quitted 
Brienne. 

•  Bonaparte's  attachment  to  Corsica  was  almost  pro? er» 
bial.  It  was  usual  for  the  boys  to  receive  the  commu- 
nioq  and  be  conirmed  on  the  same  day,  and  the  cere** 
mooy  was  perCbrmed  at  the  Military  School  by  the  Arch- 
bishop ;  when  he  came  to  Bonaparte,  he  asked  him,  like 
the  rest,  his  Christian  name :  Bonaparte  answered  aloud. 
The  name  of  Napcdeon  being  unoommon,  escaped  the 
Archbishop,  who  desired  him  to  repeat  it,  which  Bona- 
parte did  with  an  appearance  of  impatience.  The  mi-' 
nister  who  assisted,  remarked  to  the  prelate— <<  Napo- 
leon !  I  do  not  know  that  saint"-**'  Parbleu  !  I  believe 
it,**  observed  Bon^[>arte ;  **  the  saint  is  a  Corsiean." 

Ills  fellow  pupils  frequently  initated  him  by  calling 
him  a  French  vassal :  he  retorted  eagerly  and  with  bit«- 
terness.  He  sometimes  declared  a  belief  that  his  destiny 
was  to  deliver  Corsica  on  its  dependence  on  France. 
Tlie  name  of  Paoli  he  never  mentioned  but  wifli  re- 
verence, and  he  aspired  to  the  honour  of  acUeving  the 
Resign  which  the  plans  of  that  officer  could  not  accom- 
plish. Gclhoa  had  added  to  the  calamity  of  his  country 
by  surrendering  it  to  France,  and  thqs  exposed  it  to  a 
subjection  which  it  gallantly  resisted,  but  to  which  supe* 
rior  force  compelled  sulmiission.  To  the  Genoese  his 
hatred  was  inveterate  and  eternal ;  a  young  Corsioan,  on 
his  arrival  at  the  college,  waa  presented  to  Bonaparte 
by  the  other  stndento  as  a  Genoese,  the  floom  of  his 
younteuanoe  instantly  kiindled  into  rage,  he  darted  upoq 


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AND  WARS  OP  EUR0P8«  T 

■  I      (I    I 


His  anmnen — Heads  dlfierent  Parties. 


the  lad  wrth  vehemence,  twisted  Us  hands  m  bis  hair,  and 
was  only  prevented  usnig  farther  violence  by  the  imme~ 
diate  interference  of  the  stronger  boys,  who  dragged  the 
lad  away  from  his  resentment.  His  anger  rekindle^t 
against  this  yoatii  for  many  weeks  afterwards,  as  fre^ 
qaentty  as  he  came  near  hhn. 

His  manners  were  very  remarkable;  pride  was  the 
prominent  feature  of  his  character ;  hki  conduct  was 
austere  :  if  he  committed  an  error,  it  was  not  the  fiiult  of 
a  boy,  it  was  the  result  of  deliberation,  and  what  would, 
n  mature  age,  hare  been  deemed  a  crime.  His  severity 
never  forgave  the  offences  of  his  companions.  His  re- 
solves were  snmoveahle,  and  his  firmness  in  trifies  tinc- 
tured his  behaviour  with  obstinacy  and  eccentricity.  Fre- 
quently engaged  in  qaarreb,  he  was  often  the  greatest 
sulTercT,  as  he  generally  contended  on  the  weakest  side, 
and  though  he  was  mostly  singled  out  as  an  object  of  re- 
Venge,  he  never  complained  to  his  superiors  of  iR  treat-' 
ment.  He  meditated  retafiation  in  sHence,  and  if  he 
could  not  mffict  a  punishment  himself,  he  disdained  ap- 
pealing to  an  authority  that  could  enforce  it 

The  boya  of  the  school  were,  however,  gradually  fa- 
miliarized to  Ms  temper ;  he  wbuM  not  bend  to  them,  and 
they  wera  contented  to  concede  to  him.  He  accepted 
tids  acknowledgment  of  his  superiority,  without  any  ap* 
pearance  of  self  gratulation,  and  although  they  could 
Hot  esteem  him  for  any  of  the  milder  virtues,  they  feared 
his  inflexible  nature,  and  allowed  him  either  to  induce 
In  seclusion,  or  to  associate  with  themselves  as  he  nu|fht 
please.  The  insurrections  of  the  scholars  against  the 
'masters  were  frequent,  and  Bonaparte  was  either  at  the 
head  of  each  rebellion,  or  was  selected  to  advocate  their 
•Miphints.     He  was  therefore  generally  solected  a^  the 

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HISTORY  OP  NAPOL£ON   BaNAPARTB 


Chosen  CapUia — DecUred  unworthy  to  command  hit  Comradei. 

bader,  and  suffered  severe  chastasement*  He  often 
vindioated  his  conduct,  but  never  entreated  pardon.  He 
listened  to  reproach  and  to  reproof,  to  promises  and  to 
threats,  without  emotions  of  fear  or  surprise.  He  was 
"Mver  humiliated  by  those  punishments  that  were  in- 
tended to  disgrace  him,  and  the  ndllely  of  an  ungenerous 
eomrade,  or  a  powerfol  superior,  was  equally  received 
in  sullen  silence.  He  neither  courted  good-will  nor  feared 
)resentment, 

.  The  meetings  of  the  boys  were  on  the  plan  of  a  mili- 
tary establishmept.  They  formed  themselves  into  com- 
panies, each  under  the  command  of  a  captain  and  other 
officers.,  and  the  whole  composed  a  battalion,  with  a  colo- 
nel at  its  head.  The  officers  were  chosen  by  the  boys» 
and  decorated  by  the  ornaments,  usually  attached  to  the 
French  uniform,  these  distinctions  of  rank  being  con- 
ferred by  the  lads,  were  mostly  the  reward  of  some  jpne- 
eminent  virtue  or  ability ;  they  were,  therefore,  consider- 
ed by  those  who  were  so  fortunate  to  obtain  them,  as*  an 
b<Miourable  insignia  of  merit.  Bomqparte  was  unani- 
mously chosen,  and  held  the  rank  of  captain.  He,  how- 
ev^er,  by  no  means  courted  their  approbation  ;  for  he  wai 
soon  afterwards  summoned  before  a  court-martial,  which 
was  called  with  all  due  formality,  and,  on  charges  being 
'proved  against  him,  declared  unworthy  to  conmi^nd 
those  comrades  whose  good-will  he  despised.  The  sen- 
tence disgraced  him  to  the  lowest  rank  in  the  battalion^ 
he  was  stripped  of  tlie  distinguishing  marks  of  his  com- 
laapd,  but  disdained  to  show  that  he  was  affected  by  th« 
disgrace. 

The  younger  boys,  however,  were  partial  to  Bona- 
parte's manners,  for  he  sometimes  encours^ed  them  in 
their  sports,  and  occasionally  pointed  out  some  advantage 


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AnfHf  wjas  m  txftu^Ptr. 


Raises  Fiehl  Worfn^  torn*  fintrenchraentt,  ftc 

wbkAk  » tkeir  warlike  plays  bad  been  omitted  ta  be  dc^ 
eupiedy  bence  be  associated  with  them,  and  they  voted 
luD»  hf  acekunatioQ,  Hit  iKrector  of  thehr  ditenions. 
Tbiis»  if  lie  felt  regret  for  the  loss  of  bis  jurenSe  mili^ 
tsaj  rank,  he  was  now  reeonpensed  by  becomuig  th4 
leader  af  Hm  iads  who  sttboHtted  to  the  authority  ttfey 
kad  bestowed  .on  hiniy  aad  vfikich  attdiority  soon  extended 
itMif  over  all  the  yoQths  iti  the  scbooL  Without  bein^ 
restricted  to  observe  the  niletf  which  are  essentia!  to^  mo^ 
dem  nUitary  daty,  be  ce«id  now  bring  his  forces  into 
liM»  field,  and  direet  adl  tiiefr  operations.  He  availed  him^ 
aelf  of  tiiia  new  conmlaiid,  and  he  disciplined  his  edmrades 
to  a  new  mode  of  warfhre. 

His  ncti^ty  repressed  in  Hkt  only  exercisis  t6  wlneh  hi 
was  attached,  Booiq»arte  retired  to  his  fovoinrite  garden; 
resaned  his  foimer  econfpations^  and  appeared  no  more 
attioag  his  comrades  rnitil  tiie  wmter  of  the  year  V799. 
The  severity  of  tibe  weather  had  driven  him  flrom  his  re^ 
lv«at»  the  snew  had  lam  thick  upon  the  ground,  and  d 
hard  frost  bad  set  iil^.  Bonsq»arte  ever  fertile  in  expedi^ 
«Kts,  determined  to-  open  a  winter  campaign  nptm  a*  new 
ylan.  Hie  modem  art  of  war  succeeded  to  the  ancient 
Hftving  been  deeply  engaged  in  the  study  of  fortification; 
it  was  BStKirel  ttat  he  should  be  desirous  of  reducing  its 
tfMory  to  practice.  He  called  his  fottsw  pupils  around 
IA»,  and  coRectaig  their  gardening  impIettentSy  he  put 
kimself  at  their  head,  and  they'  proceeded  to  procure 
bffge  qaanftlies  of  snow,  which  were  brought  to  parti* 
arias  spots  in  tiie  great  court  of  the  school,  as  be  drrede^. 
WWbt  tbey  trero  thua  oeoupied,  he  was  busied  in  trsichq^ 
the  bomidarfes  of  an  extensive  fortification ;  they  i^oa 
fmaed  eatrenehaiefils,  and  afterwards  eagerly  engaged 
iacoreetittg  forts,  basti<ms,  and  redoubts  of  snow.    Tb«t 

VOL.  I — NO.  J.  a  r^        1 

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40        HISTOEV  OF  NAPOLEON   BONAPARTE 

AnHual  Ezamiiuitioii  of  tbe  Popib. 

—  —  i ■  ■  ■    »■■■■■     _—..--■■■. ...  -  .j^-p .. .     ■ »       ■■    ■■  I    I    ■  J 

laboured  with  activity,  and  Bonaparte  superintended  their 
••xertions* 

The  whole  of  these  works  were  soon  compleated  ac- 
cording to  the  exact  rules  of  art.  The  curiosity  of  the 
people  of  Brienne,  and  even  of  strangers^  was  excited  by 
the  report  of  their  extent  and  scientific  construction^ 
and  they  went  in  crowds  during  the  winter  to  admire 
them.  Bonaparte,  by  turns,  headed  the  assailants  and 
the  opponents ;  he  united  address  with  coun^e,  and  di- 
rected the  operations  with  great  applause.  The  weapons 
of  the  contending  parties  were  snow  balb,  and  he  coatir 
j^ually  kept  up  the  interest  by  some  mUitary  manoeuvre^ 
which  always  surprised  if  he  did  not  astonish.  The  en- 
counters were  equally  earnest  with  those  of  the  summer 
campaign,  but  the  arms  were  different  The  superiom 
now  encouraged  these  games  of  the  boys,  by  praising 
those  who  distinguished  themselves.  The  sports  conti- 
nued throughout  the  winter,  and  it  was  not  until  the  sun 
of  the  month  of  March,  1784,  had  liquified  the  fortress, 
that  it  was  declared  no  longer  tenable. 

The  rudeness  of  manners  which  Bonaparte  displayed, 
and  the  violence  of  temper  to  which  he  was  subject,  were 
not  at  all  softened  ^r  subdued  previous  to  his  quitting 
Brienne ;  his  paroxysms  of  passion  had  sometimes  amount- 
ed even  to  fiiry,  and  his  anger  was  often  so  sudden  and 
w  ulicontrolable  that  few  of  his  comrades  would  venture 
^o  hazard  his  displeasure. 

The  annual  examination  of  the  pupils  by  the  Royal  In- 
spector General,  M.  le  Chevalier  de  Renault,  took  pkce 
soon  after.  This  officer  found  Bonaparte  well  veised 
In  the  art  of  fortification,  and  as  he  hinwelf  owed  his  pre* 
ferment  and  his  fortune  to  his  talents,  and  to  the  nnivev- 
^  testimony  of  an  honourable  conduct,  he  knew  well 


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AND  WARS  OP  EUROPS.  II 

His  Arrival  ^t  the  Militaijr  CoHegeftt  Paris. 

how  to  estimate  the  higenuity  and  ability  which  are  tho 
result  of  inquiry  and  reflection,  and  he  adjudged  tihat 
Bonaparte's  proficiency  in  nriUtary  knowledge  entitled 
him  to  be  sent  to  U  Ecole  Royal  Militaire  at  Paris.  His 
masters,  however,  •  represented  to  the  inspectpr  sevend 
occurrences  un&vourable  to  his  promotion,  but  without 
effect,  and  Bonaparte  arrived  at  the  Military  College  at 
Paris,  on  the  17th  of  October,  1784. 

During  the  time  Bonaparte  continued  at  the  military 

^  school  of  Brieime,  we  have  observed  that  he  seldom 
courted  the  acquaintance  of  his  fellow  students,  nor  was 
induced  to  leave  hb  retreat  either  to  afford  or  receive  any 
of  those  Uttle  offices  of  kindness  which  are  congenial  to 
the  youthful  disposition.  If  he  quitted  his  professional 
duties  or  studies  for  the  company  of  his  comrades,  it  wat 
principally  to  check  the  exuberance  of  their  playfulness^ 
or  to  contemn  the  objects  of  their  sohcitude.  His  aver* 
sion  to  sociability  was  much  increased  by  his  excessive 
indulgence  in  habits  of  suspicion ;  but  if  he  feared  trea- 
chery, he  also  avoided  the  possibility  of  being  betrayed ; 

'  he  bestowed  no  confidence, -nor  accepted  any  favours, 
fiis  temper  was  overbearing  and  irritable.  He  often  en- 
deavoured to  control  the  actions  of  the  other  youtiis* 
Sometimes  he  excited  their  indignation  by  his  sarcasms^ 
but  never  did  he  fear  their  vengeance,  or  shrink  fironsi 
fixtvt  endeavours  to  punish  his  iU- timed  interference ;  he 
bore  their  attacks  with  firmness,  and  repelled  them  M4lh 
equal  violence,  and  with  various  success.  No  threats, 
either  fW>ro  his  equals,  or  his  superiors,  nor  no  impend* 
ing  danger  appeared  to  appal  him,  and  he  seemed  as  iiH 
sensible  to  their  applause  as  to  their  displeasure.  Sternly 
independent,  and  confiding  in  himself  alone,  respecting 
UX^  talents  in  another  winch  he  could  not  employ  to  \Ai^ 

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i^  HISTiMlY  ^  NAPOLE^K  AONAPAHTB 


Hii  Leiiure  Hoon^-EDteri  »  Regiment  of  ArtUlery, 

pwajpurposes,  intriguing  where  he  could  not  commaad, 
jfinn  in  his  resolves,  inpatient  of  restraint;  an4  disdainfii) 
pi  anthority— his  chsraoter  when  he  left  Brienne,  was  as 
revarkable  for  its  turbolence,  as  for  its  ipflexihility,  * 

To  complete  his  knowledge  of  the  mathematics,  wa^ 
the  principal  object  of  Bonaparte  at  the  Military  College 
pf  Paris.  He  laboured  with  unwearied  diligence  under 
the  instructions  of  the  celebrated  ALonge.  The  corps  of 
^tiUery  and  the  corps  of  engineers  were,  at  that  time, 
the  only  oorps  in  France  where  merit  was  certain  of  pror 
motion,  and  in  which  interest  had  no  influence,  and  into 
^ne  of  these  he  determined  to  enter  as  soon  as  he  had 
fmtA  the  requisite  probation* 

T^i^icxt  were  then  about  ^tei  hundred  pupils  at  this 
college,  and  from  them  he  selected  L^uristos,  a  yxmth  of 
jpUc^lwatic  temper^  and  Dupont,  a  daring  and  fearless 
jnung  nan,  for  his  intimates.  He  had  made  one  friend- 
ship at  Brietme,  bn^t  which  he  never  allowed  to  intenmyil; 
Jus  profosoponal  avocations:  this  was  widli  Faucelet  de 
Bottrienae,  who  was,  like  himself,  a  student  of  theniathe^ 
matics,  but  of  remarkably  placid  manners. 

The  leisure  hours  of  Bpnaparte  at  the  college  at  Parity 
W^NTiS  usually  spent  in  pne  of  the  bastions  of  a  spiall  fort, 
called  "  lien  Brane/'  idiich  had  been  erected  for  tho 
use  af  pupils.  Itwas  there  that  he  was  often  seen  with 
|he  works  of  Vauban,  Mailer,  Cohom^  and  Folhard,  open 
ll^foi^  hun,  drawing  plans  for  the  attack  and  defenoe  of 
lUp  little  fort,  ancording  to  the  vJi^  of  the  military  art 

lIoBge  hadso  w^  qaaUfied  Bonaparte  by  his  care  an4 
infeomlMMiy  'that,  on  his  first  examination,  be  passed 
Wil^  prai^»  aod  was  allowed  to  enter  the  regyment  of 
vtilfeiy  it  U  Jere^iagairiAonat  Auxone^  as  Lientenant» 
in  th^  MvA  af  fclr»  17^  w4  hp  immtdiatcly  ft^ 


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w^ 


A^D  WAK3  OF  EUJfpPf.  IB 


Hit  Diisatisfoction  at  U^e  Narrownepiof  his  Income. 


•eeded  to  join  the  regiment  0is  attenUoii  to  the  theory 
of  Jiis  profession  wa3  as  anrexnittini;^  as  ever;  he  devoted 
part  of  the  njght  to  the  stjidy  of  military  det;ails,  aad  pa^t 
most  of  the  day  Id  cooteinpj^tin^  afid  exanuuio^  the  fpr« 
tificaliojis  of  4he  ^^^rrbioji.  In  his  occasional  conversa- 
tioiis  with  the  officers  of  the  regiment,  he  expressed  opi- 
nions which, were  then  considered  as  factious,  both  by 
thoseof  the  higher  orders  and  those  who  were  the  parti- 
sans of  royalty.  His  ill  hamour  was  seldom  concealed 
Against  any  regalations  that  abridged  the  privileges  or 
checked  the  licentiousness  of  the  people,  and  whether 
those  regulations  affected  the  indefeasible  right  of  an  in- 
dividual or  a  public  body,  or  curtailed  the  excessei. 
which  arose  ontof  the  meiBcacy  of  the  laws,  or  the  laxity 
of  their  administration,  he  was  equally  adverse  to  this 
controllii^  power.  *  His  opposition  of  sentiment  to  all 
thc^  measures  of  government  was  uniform,  and  unohange- 
arf^ie.  by  any  endeavours  to  reason  its  inconsistency  or  its 
injustice. 

The  death  4)f  General  Count  Marboenf>  m  the  year 
1786,  deprived  Bonaparte  of  his  protection  and  in* 
0aence ;  the  advantages  which  he  derived  irom  that  ofV 
Seer's  pecuniary  assistance,  were  no  longer  attftinablej 
^4  his  pay  fis  a  Ueiitenant  was  scarcely  adequate  to  supr 
port  the  appearance  Ins  rank  required.  His  dissatisr 
fictioii  was  inpre^se^  by  thi^  narrowness  of  his  income* 
^d  the  oamerous  factions  which  disordered  all  tho 
ffpV^  yof  society  in  Fra^e^  induced  him  to  await  with 
liamhbntncr  for  some  terrible  convulsion  of  the  stat^ 
fi^^  shopld  opitfk  %  path  to  his  military  activity  and  pror 


It  was  miBf  for  a  deeply  reflective  mind  to  imaging 
Itot  9  frcpt  ahaiige  of  affidrs  might  take  place^  and  af 


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14        HISTORY  OF  N*APOLEON  BONAPARTE 


Origin  of  the  Revolutioo. 


even  tlie  energies  of  power  as  well  as  its  abuses  were, 
when  he  felt  or  witnes;>ed  either,  the  objects  of  his  re- 
sentment, every  circumstance  which  tended  to  counteract 
the  operations  of  the  Government  he  rightly  considered 
would  hasten  the  event  he  wished  for.  The  numerous 
venal  factions  which  divided  alike  the  nobility,,  the  clergy, 
and  the  people  of  Paris,  (he  separation  of  their  interests, 
and^tlie  inordinate  selfishness  of  the  individuals  which 
composed  those  bodies ; — ^these  distraotions  increased  his 
hopes,  and  emboldened  his  language. 


^^^^^^^^^0<»»^0^^^0^^*0»^»^^^^^^^^^^»^^^^^^^ 


CHAPTER  I|. 


The  great  and  mighty  revolution  in  which  fate  had 
designeil  this  extraordinary  youug  man  to  perform  a 
character  more  complicated  and  more  important  than 
ever  was  assigned  to  a  single  individual  before,  took  its 
origin  from  the  commencement  of  the  reign  of  Louis  XV, 
like  the  collecting  elements  of  a  tremendous  volcano^ 
it  silently  continued  to  form  its  various  combinations 
till  its  elective  attractions  were  complete,  when  by  a 
convulsive  effort,  it  suddenly  burst  open  the  bosom  of  se-- 
crecy,  and,  rolling  forth  in  torrents  of  trresistibie  con* 
fusion,  threw  down  the  oldest  empires,  monarchies,  and 
tiirones,  in  its  impetuous  course,  without  any  apparen 
object,  but  &at  of  raising  an  obscure  person  to  a  rank 
little  inferior  to  a  Deity  on  earth. 


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AND  WARS  OF  EURaPfi.  IS 

Grandeur  of  Lqnis  HIV, 

During  Ike  reign  of  Looia  i&e  XI  Vth,  France  had  been 
raised  to  tbe  highest  pitoh  of  grandeur  that  she  bad 
lever  seen,  bat  it  was  a  grandeur  by  ^hioh  the  throne 
was  exalted  and  the  people  depressed.  The  glory  of  tha 
king  consisted  in  the  pageantry  of  his  court,  rather  than 
IB  the  opulence  of  his  people,  and  the  revenue-was  ex* 
jMaded  to  disphiy  the  taste  of  the  monarch,  instead^of  im- 
proving the  eondition  of  the  nation. 

At  the  death  of  Louis  Xiy.he  left  the  kingdom  to  his 
9on,  an  infant  in  the  arms  of  his  nurse,  and  the  govern* 
ment  devolved  upon  regents,  and  women,  ^wbose  fiivo- 
Jmis  minds  led  them  constantly  to  resort  to  expedients 
just  snfBcient  to  extricate  the  nation  from  its  temporary 
embarrassmeotSy  but  they  never  adopted  any  grand  and 
prospective  measure  that  was  calculated  for  its  future 
henefit  When  the  king  grew  up,  he  seemed  to  out-run 
the  contemptible  manners  of  tbe  court,  by  adding  a  de- 
gree of  depravity  to  his  own,  which  Ins  exalted  rank  only 
aerved  to  render  more  pernicious;  its  bad  exampla 
jnay  very  properly  be  compared  to  an  orerwhelming 
lood  that  carries  every  thing  before  it*  -^Aii  orders  of 
the  French  people  were  influenoed  by  tbe  Segen^racy  of 
their  leaders,  and  every  privileged  class  wte  so  anxious 
for  the  extension  of  its  rights,  that,  in  pursuit  of  their 
aeyerai  usnipati(yns,  they  were  all  equally  negligent  of 
their  duties.  The  clergy  and  the  nobility  endeavoured 
to  outvie  each  other  in  the  flattery  they  daily  offered  t» 
the  throne»  and  they  expeoted  their  adulation  to  he '  re- 
paid by  the  homage  they  exacted  from  tlie  people*  Rank 
and  authodty  was  supposed  to  be  the  o&ly  I'vrle  of  moral 
fitness;  accordingly  they  established  it  as  a  maxim,  that 
«i|he  win  of  the  kiqg  was   the  only  law/   and  they 


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16        HISTORY  W  KAPOLeOH  BOKAPARTB 

Loab  XVI.  ateends  Ow  Throne. 

teagiit  the  monarch  to  assigB  no  other  reason  for  the 
most  arMttary  act,  than, ''  mo^  is  onr  pleasure/'. 

In  addition  to  the  ;enend  Ut-hoinottr  that  arises  out  of 
Ae  poverty  and  serrHity  of  a  people  nnder  a  de^otio 
l^ovemment,  the  people  of  France  irere  constantly  im* 
fated  by  arbitrary  arrests,  under  the  aifthoritf  otLeUrm 
de  Cdckft,  as  well  as  by  innanierable  persecotions  on  nky 
count  of  religious  opimons,  and  by  sBi  odiMB  tax,  knowtt^ 
in  that  ooant)7  by  tiie  name  of  Gebdk.  Upon  all  these 
topi<5S  the  Utemry  men  of  the  day  wer6  in  tiie  habit  of 
Sttimadteriiftg'  witlf  great  severity;  4M  fliongh  tliey 
ttigkt  hav6  disetfrered  something  nearly  as  objectionribf» 
in  mavy  other  countries  of  Europe,  a  variety  of  accidents- 
combrned  tq  £^ect  their  attention  principalff  to  France. 
The  king  and  his  courtiers  adhered  pertinaciously  to 
their  system,  but  flfere  was  a  public  opiniott  rising  up 
i^^ainst  them,  whick  only  granted  a  truce  until  it  should 
he  able  to  strengthen  itsclfl 

Such  was  the  state  of  tfie  kingdom,  when;  itk  the  year 
1774,  Louis  XVI.  mounted  the  throne.  He  was  a  prhtce 
to  whom  the  people  looked  up  with  much  expectation^ 
as  his  conduct  while  dauphin  had  been  most  exemphiry.  In 
the  year  1770  he  had  married  Marie  Antoinette,  daaghter 
of  Maria  Teresa,  and  sister  to  Joseph  tSe  lU.  Emperor 
of  Germany,  a  princess  of  an  excellent  capaoity  add 
great  dignity  of  mind,  and  which  alliance  might  have 
been  eihinetttly  serviceable  to  the  nation*,  but  Ibr  ths 
egotism  and  seffinhness  of  the  French,  whicb  constantly 
led  them  to  be  guilty  of  any  meanness  rather  than 
to  acknowledge  a  real  obligation  to  any  power  but  their 
own. 

If  the  young  king  and  qnccn  were  not  endowed  irith 


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AND  WARS  OF  EUROPE.  17 


BoTy  of  the  Noblei — CcDsures  on  the  Qaeen. 

every  virtoe,  fhe^  could  not  be  accused  of  any  vice,  and, 
luA  tbej  been  bappily  surrounded  by  a  courti  and  a 
people  as  pure  as  themselves,  tiieir  reign  might  have 
been  truly  happy  for  themselves,  and  prosperous  ibr 
their  country  :  but  the  insolent  arrogance  of  tfa«  nobility^ 
and  tike  supercilious  bigotry  of  the  clergy;  knew  no 
bounds,  and  the  sovereign  was  constantly  restrained  from 
indnlging  the  benevolence  of  his  heart  by  those  who 
would  have  been  disgraced  by  the  precedent; 
..  The  education  of  their  majesties  had  by  no  means 
taught  them  to  husband  the  splendor  with  which  their 
exalted  rank  enabled  them  to  dazzle  the  eyes  of  their 
gatedj  attendants :  the  innocent  pre-eminence  they  pre« 
served  just  above  the  heads  of  the  voluptuous  nobles, 
excited  the  envy  of  ail  the  vicious  and  the  vain,  who 
nnceaangly,  repine  at  the  em'oyments  of  others,  when 
the  consciousness  of  crime  destroys  the  relish  of  their 
own. 

TUs  malignflnt  spirit  soon  found' an  opportunity  of 
displaying  itself.  The  queen  being  a  foreigner,  the 
most  bitter  censures  might  be  pointed  against  her  witli* 
eat  wounding  the  national  vanity  of  the  French  people 
fiir  tiieir  countiy,  and  therefore  the  heroes  of  the  great 
aation  commenced  an  attack  upon  her  conduct^  and,  by 
a  series  of  tininterrupted  calomnies,  persuaded  the  vul- 
gar  and  ignorant  rabble^  who  knew  no  history  beyond  that 
df  fbeir  emi  Fauxbourgs,  that  all  the  confusion  of  the 
siate  bad  been  produced  by  tl&is  one  woman. 

(Srontastaooed  as  the  country  was^  the  utmost  vigour 
and  promptitude  were  required  of  the  government.  Un-' 
finrlmiately,  the  king  possessed  neither,  and  the  system 
of  patching  and  mending,  adopted  in  the  former  reign, 
aw  still  purimed. 

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It  HISTORY  OF  NAPOLCON   BONAPARTE 


Cmises  of  the  Wretchethiets  fuaon^  the  People. 

•  Had  the  king  possessed  an  iBflexibility-  of  Diind,  iie 
might  easily  have  secured  the  Idogdom  against  the  dan- 
gers' wUch  nenaced  it,  for  he  saw  the  necessity  of  a 
more  oeconomical  arrsmgement,  and  on  that  account  ap' 
pointed  Turgot  his  minister  of  finance.  WisdtHn,  inte- 
grity^ and  beneyolence,  marked  the  progress  of  this  ad«> 
iniiHBtration,  which  at  once  restored  the  puMic  credit  and 
rednced  the  grieyances  of  flie  peopto;  but  the  proQ^^y 
and  dissipation  of  the  great  raised  such  violent  clamours 
against  the  prudent  restraints  of  this  minister/ that  tiie 
king  was  persuaded  to  dismiss  him ;  and  he  was  followed 
hj  a  succession  of  those  artificial  great  men,  who  ima^ 
gine  that  all  evils  may  be  remedied  by  dbying  the  disor*^ 
ders  of  the  moment. 

'  A  firm  and  enterprising  prince,  in  the  cireumstaneei^  of 
lioub  the  XVItfay  would  have  benefited  greatly  by  tho 
general  state  of  Europe.  At  the  commencement  of  Ins 
reign,  England,  the  only  power  firom  whom  France  could 
expect  any  cause  of  quarrel,  was  engaged  in  sueh  nnme« 
reus  disputes  with  her  Indian  and  American  colonies, 
that  she  could  have  nothing  to  apprehend  firom  thai 
qumrter.  The  kings  of  Prussia  and  Sweden,  as  well  as 
the  Empress  Catherine,  had  made  such  various  reforms  in 
their  several  states,  that  the  public  were  universally  pre- 
pared for  amelioratiofis  and  improvements,  and  &e  wkolo 
body  of  the  hterati  had  so  fiir  committed  themsehw 
upon  the  reforms  necessary  in  France,  that  ttey  could 
not,  with  any  decency,  have  opposed  the  ^onreotion  •f 
such  abuses  as  the  French  monarch  mig^  havo  been  de* 
termined  to  ttkeU 

'  The  princqpai  oauses  of  the  general  wretchedness  fluit 
afflicted  FVance,  were  the  feudal  system,  and  the  piivi* 
leges  and  exemptions   chiimed  by  the-  nobles  and  #!• 

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Aim  WXM  OV  EUXOFC  tB 

Peniiciou  laflMaoe  •€  tbe  Nvbtea  and  Clerf^. 

saBaaBsaBm^KXi  ■       ,         i  i  wr  ggag— » 

clergy,  who  oppressed  the  people  by  the  most  severe  ae- 
lions  of  senrices  aft4  tythes»  whibt  they  oould  not  them- 
•elves  be  foi^Md  to  contribate  towards  tbe  burdeas  of  tbe 
steie*  The  eiroanistaiiees  ef  tb«  oonatry  required  that 
those  isMiMmities,  the  Usnrpfttic^ns  of  barbaroiul  times, 
Aosid  bttve  been  abolished,  and  fhht  tbe  huids  of  both 
those  classes  AonM  have  become  chargeable  with  an  im* 
post  for  the  soppinrt  of  tbe  public  reyentie. 

Joseph  the  lid.  brotber-in-Iaw  of  the  king,  was  a 
prinoe  of  a  most  enlightened  and  benerdent  mind,  do- 
YOtIng  erery  ho«r  of  bis  life  to  tlie  service  of  bis  country, 
and  exerting  every  effort  to  rescue  bis  people  from  the 
^preMJien  of  the  aristocratieal  ud  ecclesiastical  bodies. 
Tie  jnflaeace  of  those  two  orders  was  nearly  as  perakiotti 
in  Oermafly  m  it  was  in  Franoe,  and  the  emperor  would 
bsqppily  bave  united  his  efforts  witb  those  of  Louis  to  hare 
effected  tft«  iuAependenoe  of  ttieir  people,  and  a  general 
tsktation  m  tbeir  reiq>ective  states.  M.  Targot  bed  re- 
commended ttose  measures  to  tbe  hing;  but  the  selfishness 
and  Ingofry  of  tbe  nobles  and  tba  clergy  deterred  him 
from  foRewing  this  wise  counsel. 

An  undefined  animosity  bad  existed  for  ages  between 
fiiugland  and  Prance,  wblch  was  always  more  powerdtl  in 
the  latter  people  against  the  English  than  in  the  people  of 
England  against  the  French.  The  American  celonies  had 
determined  to  dissolve  the  bond  that  connected  them 
witfi  the' mother  country,  and  to  declare  themselves  inde- 
pendent of  tbe  crown  of  Ebgl«td.  Every  argument  wed 
to  justify  fbi»  violent  separation  was  calculated  to  teach 
the  discontented  that  they  migbt  throw  off  their  allegtance 
Widi  impunity,  and  a  prrfdent  monarch  should  have  seen 
that  he  was  most  sedulously  caHed  upon  to  guard  against 
th^it  introduction  into  his  empire  ;   bat  the  CQurt  of 

P  2 

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90         BISTORT  OF  NAPOLEON  BONAPARTB 

Fraooe  joioi  AmericB. 


France  was  so  strongly  tempted  by  the  opportunity  of 
bumbling  an  old  antagonist,  that  it  seemed  to  overlook  all 
consequences,  and  injudiciously  lent  its  aid  to  achieve 
Che  triumphs  of  rebellion.  One  of  the  American  leaden 
was  admitted  at  Paris  in  tbe  character  of  ambassador, 
and  large  armies  and  fleets  were  fitted  out  an4  sent  to  the 
continent  of  the  new  world,  where  they  fought  side  by 
side  with  those- who  maintained  that  taxation  was  a  frauc} 
—that  both  tlie  nobles  and  clergy  were  like  locusts,  that 
devoured  the  fruits  of  the  earth — and  that  kings  themr 
selves  were  nuisances,  whose  dominions  they  were  fighting 
to  get  rid  of. 

The  forces  of  America  and  France  acted  in  ooiyunction 
for  nearly  six  years,  and  when  the  French  troops  em- 
barked for  their  own  country,  they  returned  to  tell  their 
comrades  and  neighbours  at  home,  that  the  king's  supre- 
macy was  a  vulgar  error,  for  that  they  had  been  assisting 
o  people  to  overthrow  the  established  law,  and  to  reduce 
tlie  burthens  of  taxation  by  governing  themselves. 

Whether  or  not  America  would  have  succeeded  in  se- 
curing her  independence  without  the  co-operation  of 
Francfe,  has  occasioned  diversity  of  opinion ;  but  as  the 
king  had  contributed  largely  to  its  actual  acquirement^ 
his  share  of  eclat  was  Very  considerable*  It  is  not  in  the 
French  character  to  look  beyond  the  gliiter  of  tlie  mo- 
ment, and  therefore  neither  the  king  nor  the  people  saw 
the  immediate  cpn^equences  of  their  sublime^^peculations* 
M.  Necker,  the  then  minister  of  finance,  had,  during 
tbe  war,  say9  »  respectable  writer,  **  attempted  the  brilT 
liant  paradox  of  defraying  t)ie  expenses  without  burr 
jdening  the  people  by  new  t^es «  He  had  raised  loan^ 
on  the  annual  savings  obtained  by  a  reduction  of  the  pubr 
J/c  expenditure,  and  he  would  have  been  entitled  to  tlie 


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AND  WARS  OF  EVROPS*  ttl 


Failure  of  the  Caisse  d*E90ompte. 


eternal  gnititade  of  the  country,  if  that  reductioQ  had 
been  real;  bat  in  spite  of  all  the  plausible  representations 
of  the  minister,  the  revenue  continued  to  be  forestalled 
from  jear  to  year,  and  the  ruin  of  ^e  celebrated  Caisse 
d*E$compte  was  the  consequence  of  its  reUa^pe  up^n  its 
paper  transactions  with  the  government. 

As  the  aflbirs  of  France  were  greatly  influenced  by  the 
fidlnre  of  this  pitiful  bank,  it  will  be  necessary  in  this 
place  to  give  some  account  of  it.  It  was  formed  in  1776, 
about  the  time  of  M.  Neckei^s  appointment,  by  a  com* 
pmiy  of  private  persons,  and  its  capital  was  fixed  at 
S(M),00(X.  sterling.  Its  professed  design  was  to  diseount 
fciUs  at  short  dates,  at  the  rate  of  4  per  cent,  per  annum ; 
but  iMs  interest  bemg  evidently  not  eqoivalent  to  the 
capital  sunk  by  the  proprietors,  they  were  allowed  to 
issue  notes  to  the  amount  of  their  capital,  and,  as  they 
were  not  suspected  of  any  intrigue  with  the  government, 
bywldcblhey  could  be  rendered  incapable  of  converting 
into  spede  at  any  time  all  the  notes  they  might  so  issue^ 
tbeir  paper  was  in  high  credit. 

As  this  discount  'office  arose  with  the  minister,  there 
is  much  reason  to  suppose,  notwithstanding  the  veil  of 
mystery  in  which  the  whole  transaction  is  involved,  that 
St  was  used  by  him  as  one  of  the  shifts  by  which  he  con- 
trived to  postpone  the  catastrophe  of  the  government; 
for  it  only  contmued  its  payments  a  few  months  after  his 
dismissal.  The  stock  was  considerably  above  par,  and 
tte  credit  of  the  Caisse  d^Esc&mpte  wholly  unsuspeoted'i 
when  every  province  was  suddenly  shocked  by  the  news 
that  it  had  stopped  payment.  Scarcely  had  the  spirit  of 
dKseontent,  which  this  event  occasioned,  dissemuiated 
filseU^  when  the  bankruptcy  of  the  govenimeni  was  als# 


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^         HISTORY  OF   NAPOI^BON   BONAPARTE 

Abolition  of  the  Torture. 

antiouiKed^  by  returning,  ufipaicU  the  biiis  that  had  been 
ckKwn  upon  it  for  paying  the  army  in  America. 

A  new  expedient  wasatteny^ted  to  raise  the  aredk  of 
the  Caisse  (tEscompte*  The  kingp  was  prevailed  on  to 
extend  hia  protection  to  the  eompaQy,  and  four  aucceMire 
edicts  were  passed^  by  wbich  the  baaks  in  Paris  were 
ordered  to  receive  Ub  notes  as  currency.  A  lottery  was  also 
establisbedy  with  a  stock  of  one  aiilion  sterlin^^  the  tie^ 
kets  of  wUch  were  dade  purchaseable  in  the  Uko  notes» 
and  an  avraHgeawnt  was  laiade  for  the  payment  of  the  billa 
jdrawB  in  America*  By  such  means  a  temporary  conr 
fidenee  was  eiscited  ;  bat  an  inquiry  was  afloat  of  too  se- 
rious a  nature  to  be  satisfied  by  mere  expedients.  An 
ttkleative  observer  saw  aU  the  seeds  of  commotion  seat** 
tering  themselves  abroad,  thrcmgh  every  familyi  and  into 
«very  bosom,  and  the  only  siil^t  left  for  speculation^ 
was  the  manner  in  which  it  would  commence.r 

In  defiance  of  the  chiUish  attachment  of  the  people  to 
}1.  Neeker>  the  king  f^ppointed  M.  de  Fieury  in  his  situ* 
atton»  and  then  M.  d'Ormesaon.  M.  Calonne^  who,  be- 
side an  acknowkriged  ability  possessed  the  most  refined 
and  pohihed  nmnaera,  followed  afterwards.  Nothing  can, 
hovev^r,  satisfy  a  people  who  are  determined  only  to  be 
satisfied  in  a  certain  way,  and  the  king  should  have  made 
las  elactiony  either  to  have  given  them  all  they  wished,  or 
16  h»v^  temporised  no  longer. 

There  is  no  Feaeon  to  doubt  but  the  king  was  disposed 
t»  relax  the  severities  of  the  government,  and  to  imr 
prove  the  eondition  of  the  people.  Sow  he  abolished  the 
torture,  whieh  had  been  practised,  till  his  time,  m  his 
dominions,  and  he  also  commuted  the  punishment  oi 
^kiath,  which  had  been  inflicted  for  certain  offences  m 


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▲VD  WAE8  OF  EUROPE.  13 


TnstiM  with  Aqiefficfr^HoItend  «iv)  KoplMd. 


die  army  for  one  lets  cruel,  but  m^m  exemplary — l«boar 
in  the  gaUies.  Hit  mBd  and  iexiUe  dispoiiCion  would 
probebfy  iia?e  kidaDed  him  tp  b»ve  conceded  every 
point  that  justice  and  freedom  could  have  required  of 
hm,  bmi  he  happened  to  have  been  either  fupported  or 
opposed  fay  wiae  and  tenpenite  men.  Tb^  queep,  and 
die  rest  of  hia  fiuniiy^  it  is  «aid»  urged  him  to  adhere  to 
tfaaea  priaciplaa  of  fula  he  b%d  received  from  bis  an* 
eeston;  but  ha  acted  mildly  ar  i^baiiuately  n^  he  acted 
aceardhig  to  hia  own  rah,  or  th«t  of  other^--vbe  it  so*^ 
his  misfortunes  entitle  him  to  pity ;  yet  there  can  be  no^ 
iiSfviA  hat }»  mif^t  huve  saved  himself,  if  he  had  pes- 
aasaad  fimmass  eiaough  to  have  decided  for  either  ic^ 
poliara  or  JihcTty. 

'  To  saemre  the  good-wifl  of  the  peoplo  «  tre^  vmr 
entered  in|o  vith  America,  by  vhich  it  mm  itipulatad 
that  the  8l»tea  shoiild  raunhurso  the  sums  Uiat  Franca 
had  expanded  no  their  aoconiit  duHnff  ih^  war^  and  tb^ 
whol0  apaont  (18  aoillicai  of  livras)  was  to  be  paid  by 
aMMMd  inatabnents  in  Ivalv^  yewra,  A  treaty  ofTensive 
and  defensive  was  entered  into  with  Holland,  as  was 
alao  a  commereiid  timty  with  Sof  i«ad.  ]Bvery  tiling 
fidod  af  iii  abjaat  Th^  most  iH-natured  qw^tru^lioni^ 
were  pot  Hpon  every  attempt  to  caacili^to#  fmd  which, 
iutead  of  mcra«iiag8aii9botiw«  •onrod-oaly  to  aggravatf 
the  general  disoonient* 

Afliidat  the  general  .lermQiit  th»  pri9«ip)M  ^  ib«  Anw 
ikinKeTahition  wans  «aaUy  to  h^  dvicov«red  ^  the  gener 
t9ua  cry  of  Ubarly  roftannded  ercyy  where  s  but  the  ida«# 
Mnwyed  by  it  ware  M  diffeiwt  ^  the  »umer^tt4  aitur 
aliaaa  af  tha  {>en»B«  by  «1iom  it  wps  wsh^ed.  Franca 
e<«tained  a  vast  number  of  enlightened  statesmen  i  yai  aa 
lof  the  pojHilatioa  wasas  ignanmt  nsauparsta* 


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24    HISTORY  OF  NAPOLEOV  BONAPART£ 

CompartsoQ  of  the  Parliaments  of  France  and  Bni^bmd. 


tion  and  poverty  could  make  theni.  Instead,  therefore,  of 
erecting  a  sublime  system,  fbat  should  ameliorate  the  condi* 
lion  of  ally  without  operating  oppressively  <  upon  any,  the 
generality  of  Frenchmen  understood  nothing  more  by 
liberty  than  the  removal  of  some  particular  burden,  by 
which  each  was  more  immediately  affected.  Every  one, 
hoirever,  complained  of  some  sort  of  grievance;  and 
though  the  gratification  of  one  would  have  b«en  an  a^ 
fliction  to  another,  yet,  as  neither  precisely  knew  tii 
neighbour's  definition  of  the  term  Mberty,  it  became  a 
common  watch-word  for  them  all. 

In  this  season  of  sordid  infatuation,  the  king  was  eblig-* 
•d  to  contract  for  a  trifling  loan,  the  demands  for  ^MxSt^ 
had  been  of  the  most  honourable  and  legitimate  kind. 
The  explanation  of  tii»  minister  was,  that  several  dis- 
putes had  arisen  in  some  of  the  neighbouring  states,  in 
consequence  of  which  large  armies  had  assembled  on  fha 
French  frontier,  and  it  had  been  tiiought  necessary  t» 
take  all  the  precautions  that  such  an  occasion  required;  a 
large  sum  had  also  been  expended  upon  the  fmrtifioations 
of  Cherbourg. 

The  parliaments  of  France  were  not  exactiy  like  those 
of  England,  alth6ugh  they  did  not  differ  so  much  as  ha# 
been  imagined.  They  were  not  chosen  by  tiie  peojde  as 
Iheir  legislative  representatives,  but  their  sanction  was 
nevertheless  necessary  to  give  authority  to  the  laws,  and 
especially  those  for  raising  money.  In  England  the  go- 
Tcmment  of  France  was  always  considered  a  despotism^ 
yet  the  ministry,  in  the  king's  name,  was  obliged  to  go 
to  parliament  for  the  supplies^  and  the  people  were  not 
obliged  to  submit  to  any  ordinance  that  the  parHanMls 
resisted. 

Those  parliaments  cmisisted  mostly  of  bnryeni,  loid  in 


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'AND  WARS  OP  EUROPE.  ^ 

RenoDttnuioe  from  Uu  Parliament  to  the  Kiof  . 

general  were  obsequioas  enough  to  tbe  longs  will  ?.  bat 
numy  instances  had'  happened  in  which  they  had  sacri« 
ficed  their  politeness  to  their  patriotism,  and  principally . 
at  the  conchision  of  the  late  reign,  when  the  parliament 
of  Paris  determined  to  resist  some  intolerant  measures  of 
the  CSaiboIic  clergy,  and  incnrred  the  displeasure  of 
Lonis  XVth.  in  consequence.  So  firmly  was  this  body 
deterouned  to  maintain  its  prerogatives,  that  they  also 
reflised  to  register  the  edicts  which  the  king  issued  to  raise 
new  taxes,  and  were  joined  in  the  same  determination  by 
the  parliaments  of  Brittany,  Grenoble,  and  others,  all  of 
iriMm  were  sent  into  exile,  and  continued  there  till  they 
-were*  recalled  by  Louis  XVI.  at  his  ascension  to  the 
throne. 

Having  shewn  so  much  firmness  at  a  period  when  the 
ight  of  philosophy  scarcely  rose  jabove  the  poUtical  ho* 
mon,  a  greater  degree  of  submission  coukl  not  be  ex^ 
pected  from  them  at  a  time  when  that  ferment  had  dif- 
fosed  itself  far  enough  to  question  the  propriety  of  every 
existing  estabUshment.  Reform  was  now  called  for  by 
•very  body,  but  nobody  could  see  exactly  how  it  ought 
to  be  began ;  and,  in  their  apprehension  that  they  should 
miss  their  object,  a  disposition  to  suspect  and  quibble 
arose  amongst  all  ranks.  This  made  the  attainment  of 
tiieir  objeet  more  diflicult,  by  inviting  a  contentious  strug-^ 
gle  of  the  passions  to  attend  at  a  deliberation  which  ought 
only  to  have  been  entered  upon  by  the  most  cool  and 
temperate  reaso«»er. 

A  jealousy  of  this  kind  alone  could  have  induced  tlio 
parliament  of  Paris,  to  have  remonstrated  with  the  king 
for  contracting  the  loan  above  alluded  to.  The  amount 
1VAQ  only  three  millions  tiiree  hundred  and  thirty  thou* 
pounds,  and  it  w:as  not  pretended  that  anv  par(  of 

9QU  I.— MO.  2.  R 

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M        iifSTORY  OF   NAPdtEON   BONAPARtft, 

I  '^  ■  -■  ^ 

The  King's  Opponltion  to  ttiB  Parliament. 

It  had  befen  improperly  appropriated;  When  tBfe  depii>^ 
tation  Awaited  on  the  kiDg*  tor  ami6uttee  the-  qoemiou^  conh 
plaint,  he  assume<f  a  degree  of  Hauteur  not  nsoal  in  hH» 
manner,  assuring  the  assembly  that  he  wouM  be  efteyed> 
and  ordered  them  to  register  his  edict  withotit  fiirther  de-  ' 
lay.  The  parliament  complied  ;  but  they  passed  a  reso«« 
lution,  **  That  public  economy  was  the  only  genuine 
source  of  abundant  revenue^  the  only  mean9  efproTidiitg: 
for  the  necessities  of  the  state,  and  restoring  the  credit^ 
t^hich  borrowing  had  reduced  to  the  brink  of  ruin." 

The  king  should  have  been  satisfied  with  Ae  subibisfflott 
that  granted  him  all  he  asked,  and^  hare  snfi^red  the 
spirit  of  t'he  parliament  to  hsrve  ventedr  itself  in-  a  written' 
bravado ;  but,  on  (he  contraryy  he  was  so  weak  as  to  send' 
for  the  deptitationyand  ordered  the  resoiution  to  be  erased 
from  their  records  ;  and,  as  a  strong  mark  of  his  displea** 
^re,  dismissed  one  of  their  officers,  who  was  most  active 
in  promoting  tlie  resolution.  At  the  same  time  he  ob* 
served,  **  That  though  it  was  his  pleasure  that  the  par- 
liament should  communicate  by  ifs  respectful  repriesentcH 
tions  whatever  might  concern  the  good  of  the  puMcj,  yet 
he  never  would  allow  them  so  far  to  abuse  his  eletnency, 
as  to  erect  themselves  into  the  censors  of  his  government*'* 

The  violence  of  this  doctrine  tailght  the  patriots  Aat- 
they  must  not  venture  any  further  resistanice  until  lii^. 
could  strengthen  themselves,  and  the  minister  Was  so  well 
aware  of  the  determined  refractoriness  of  their  dispositk)n»- 
that  he  made  no  attempt  at  conciliation.  In  this  situa^ 
tion,  to  impose  new  taxes  was  impracticable  ;  to  eon-* 
tinuc  borrowing  would  hasten  destruction ;  to  rely  upoar 
Economical  reforms  would  be  found  wholly  inadeqimte ; 
and  he  declared,  that  it  would  be  impossible  to  plaee  ikef 
finances  on  a  solid  basis  but  by  a  genera!  reform  of  all 


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A«l>:  WAR^  OF  EUROPE.  '  ^ 

WPgg==  I      ■  ,1  I  II    » 

Mte^og  of  the  Notables. 

■'■ja- ■      .      '■  -■   —  ■  ^■-. -  .        ■■■■  ,    „aa 

iiiat  wai  vicious  in  the  state*  It  was  a  dilemma  of  no 
oonunon  kind,  and  the  instruclioDs  of  history  were  neces? 
sary  to^ide  him  thfougph  the  difficulty. 
^  Hke  antient  and  legitimate  assembly  of  the  nation  waf 
called  ibe  stalesrgeneral,  but  they  bad  not  mot  sinoe  the 
times  of  Loms  the  Xlllth ;  and  the  supercilious  anroganc* 
«f  the  court  woidd  not  be  likely  to  agree  to  a  convopation 
that  would  be  sure  to  demand  seipe  concessions  in  favor 
of  the  people^ 

Under  those  pircumstonces  M.  Calonne  recpmrnendei 
the  conventipn  of  another  assembly^  which  bad  occasiiinK 
sily  been  substituted  for  the  states-general^  This  was 
known  by  the  title  of  the  Notables^  because  they  con- 
sisted of  persons  of  the  greatest  notoriety,  selected  by  the 
king^  and  summoned  t^  attend  him  as  a  sort  of  extra 
council.  Writs  w^re  issue4  for  calling  this  assembly^ 
and  they  were  to  meet  on  the  29th  ^f  Januaiy,  1787,  to 
the  nuB»ber  of  140.  When  they  arrived  at  Paris,  the 
mimister  w|tt  not  ready  to  lay  his  pins  before  them,  and 
the  meeting  did  not  take  place  till  the  28d  of  February, 
AnM>ngst  them  were  seven  princes  of  the  blood,  with  the 
principal  nobility,  ecclesiastics,  military  men,  and  law* 
yera, 

M.  Calonne  displayed  the  state  of  tlje  kingdpm  to  the 
assembly,  and  accounted  for  the  deficiency  of  the  revenue 
to  the  tipie  that  he  entered  upon  the  administration, 
which  he  proposed  to  provide  for  by  a  territbrial  impost, 
something  like  the  land-tax  in  England,  and  several' 
alterations  in  the  mode  of  managing  the  internal' taxation 
already  established. 

.  The  spirit  of  the  measures  that  he  recommended  w^e. 
that  no  rank  or  older  of  men  were^  be  exempted,  and 
■  .    .    ..  B  2     ' 


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28         HiSTOtfV  OP  NAI^OLfiON  BONAPARTS 

^Xhe  MJouteriJails.  find  letiret  io  ISofland. 

to  make  an  inquiry  into  the  possessions  of  th6'>  ^^r^gf, 
in  order  that  they  might  he  assessed  with  an  equitable 
proportion  of  the  public  burdens.  Such  a  proposition  to 
such  an  assembly,  was  like  asking  k*obbers  for  justice,  and 
cupidity  for  a  generous  spirit  The  Notables  not  only 
refused  to  sanction  these  taxes,  but  also  denied  the  neces- 
sity of  any  increase  of  the  revenue  whatever,  M.  de 
Brienne,  Archbishop  of  Thoulouse^  was  sanguine  in  op- 
posing these  measures,  and  he  was  very  warmly  seconded  . 
by  M.  de  Mirabeau,  who  also  received  great  aid  from  th« 
talents  and  influence  of  M.  de  la  Fayette. 

An  opposition  so  unprincipled  may  be  characterized 
as  a  very  cunning  mode  of  tormenting  a  minister ;  but 
tiiere  are  few  who  will  look  on  it,  even  in  appearance,  as  a 
struggle  for  liberty.  It  was  an  opposition  of  a  most  fac- 
tious and  sordid  kind,  and  no  stronger  proof  of  the  stu- 
pidity of  the  French  can  be  necessary,  than  that  they 
could  confound  it  with  the  cause  of  freedom.  Mirabeau, 
La  Fayette,  and  the  archbishop,  were  called  upon  to 
adopt  a  plan  of  equal  taxation,  which  was  to  relieve  tlie 
people  from  oppression  ;  in  opposing  this  measure^  they 
owned  themselves  the  champions  of  despotism,  and  yet 
they  persuaded  their  infuriated  countrymen  that  they 
were  the  only  true  heroes  of  the  rights  of  man  ! 

The  design  of  the  minister  to  equalize  the  public  bur- 
dens, and,  by  reudering  the  taxes  general,, make  the  load 
bear  easier  upon  the  lower  classes  of  the  people,  was, 
clearly,  just  and  patriotic;'  but  it  unitecl  the  higher  orders 
against  him,  and  the  event  was  such  as  might  be  expected ; 
.  the  intrigues  of  the  nobility,  clergy,  and  magistrates. 
raised  so  loud  an  opposition  to  him,  that,  finding  it  ioi- 
possible  to  stem  the  torrent,  he  not  only -resigned,  but  ro^ 
tired  to  England  from  the  storms  of  persecution, 


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AND  WAKS   OF   CUROPfi.  S9 


State  of  other  Countries — Govcroraentof  Holland. 


CHAPTER  III. 


Though  ihe  conflicts  of  opinions  ran  high  in  FraiiM 
at  this  time,  the  attention  of  parties  was  turned  from  their 
own  affairs,  by  the  events  that  were  passing  in  other 
coantries. 

The  people  of  England  had  resisted  an  obnoxious  im- 
post upon  retail  shopkeepers,  which  the  minister  had  ap- 
parently resolved  to  maintain  against  all  opposition. 
Hits  tax  seemed  indirectly  to  sanction  the  unjust  prin* 
ciple  of  exemption,  and  it  was  censured  with  so  much 
severity,  that  it  was  abandoned,  after  a  struggle  of  almost 
two  years. 

•  In  HoHaaid  a  contention  of  a  different  kind  agitated  the 
public  mind.  The  government  was  nominally  vested  in 
tile  Prince  of  Orange,  as  Stadtholder,  or  head  of  the 
states  ;  but  was  really  lodged  in  the  power  of  the  states- 
general,  or  congress,  consisting  of  representatives  from 
the  seven  provinces.  All  affairs  of  general  consequence 
were  directed  by  this  body,  while  those  of  internal  admi* 
nistration  were  entirely  under  the  directioij  of  the  burgo- 
masters. Both  those  classes  had,  by  a  frequent  return 
to  power,  and  by  an  artful  combination,  transformed 
themselves  into  an  hereditary  aristocracy,  for  they  could 
prevent  the  representation  gomg  out  of  their  own  families^ 
,« void  nothing  was  wanting  to  change  them  into  an  heredi- 
tary government,  but  the  removal  of  the  Stadtholder.  To 
Una  imnister  (fdr  he  was  nothing  else)  they  allowed  just 


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r3D        HISTOBT   OP   NAPOLEON    BONAPARTE, 

State  of  Parties  in  Holland. 


power  sufficient  to  leave  him  open  to  blame  in  case  of 
misfortune,  but  not  sufficient  to  entitle  him  to  praise  ii) 
case  of  success. 

Wealth,  power,  and  insolence,  were  the  trinity  of 
these  wretches ;  and.  becausa  England  refused  to  gratify 
their  cupidity  by  sanctioning  the  illegal  trade  they  car^ 
ried  on  with  her  enemies  during  the  American  wai",  under 
the  mask  of  neutrality,  they  consequently  becaa^  the 
eneinies  of  England,  and  revcBge  as  natarally  threw  theoft 
tnta  the  arms  o£  France. 

i  Then  it  was  that  the  two  parties  were  formed  in  Hal* 
{and,  wbich  have  since  been  distinguished  as  the  French 
and  English  parties.  A  long  and  &Torite  object  of  tba 
TVeoeb  court  had  been  to  estabMsh  a  supreme  contnol  in 
liie  aflbirs  of  Holland,  and  the  patriots,  as  diose  people 
atyled  themselves,  might,  in  their  present  infuriated 
state  of  mind,  he  bought  at  an  easy  price.  Louis  had» 
therefore,  encouraged  their  factious  opposition,  and 
the  Stadtholder,  through  necessky,  allied  hioiself  to  fh^ 
English. 

It  is  almost  unnecessary  to  say,  that  by  the  spirited 
conduct  of  the  Princess  of  Orange,  and  a  small  armj 
dfepat^hed  by  her  brother  the  King  of  Prussia,  tboM 
denagogues  were  sent  back  to  their  shops  and  thmr 
bams.  l%ey  had  resolved  to  maintam  their  ol^ect  by 
ibrce  of  arms,  and  ordered  their  general,  the  Bhingmvv 
of  Salm,  to  defend  the  country  against  the  Prussiana  and 
English ;  but,  when  he  told  them  that  it  wouM  requivo 
money,  it  seemed  that  all  their  patriotism  waa  left  ai 
home^  for  they  expeeted  their  supplies  to  be  sent  by  tbo 
King  of  France ;  and  ipccordingly,  when  the  Prussians 
arrived  at  Utrecht,  there  weve  neither  cannon^ ; 


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AND  WAHS  OT  EUROPt*  9% 


Reformi. 


tion,  proTisions,  soldiers,  nor  even  workmen,  to  repauT 
the  fortifications.  As  to  the  gfeat  men  tiiemselves,  itber 
Aingrave  says,  that  instead  of  being  at  Alphen,  vherer 
they  were  all  to  rally,  and  be  ready  when  called  for, 
every  one  iraagfaied,  or  at  lea^  assigned,  a  plausible  rea^ 
son  to  prove  that  his  presence  was  abselcrtely  necessary  at 
his  own  house. 

•  Whilst  ibese  opeftttions  were  going  on,  a  scene  of  a 
Afferent  kind  wds  preptuing  in  Belgium.  The  emperor 
Joseph,  amofig  the  plans  he  adopted  for  the  benefit  of  hi» 
people,  disclaimed  all  submission  to  the  authority  of  the* 
pope  in  secular  concerns  ;  and  he  suppressed  many  mo^ 
nasteries,  and  reguliated  others. 

•  The  people  of  Bclgiuni  were  then,  as  they  stfll  are^ 
the  most  stupid  bigots  up6n  the  continent  ,*  and  as  that 
was  the  strong-hold  of  the  priesthood,  the  good  emperor 
began  his  reforms  there  first  He  declared  Ostend  a  firee 
port,  and  raised  it  to  great  importance  in  a  short  time« 
The  Scheldt  he  could  not  navigate,  as  it  had  been  btock-* 
aded  by  the  treaty  of  Westphalia,  and  several  powenf 
threatened  bim  with  a  war,  if  he  attempted  to  use  his  owk 
river  contrary  to  their  iniquitous  pretensions.  He,  how^ 
ever,  mtended  to  have  opened  a  canal  from  Antwerp, 
through  Bruges  and  Ostend,  to  the  sea,  sufficient  for  ther 
navigation  of  large  ships;  but  before  his  plan  was  arrang- 
ed, the  clergy  so  far  perverted  the  minds  of  their  besotted 
followers,  that  tliey  rallied  around  them  in  rebellion 
agaljist  that  monarch,  who  was  hourly  exposing  himself 
to  tip  assassination  and  intrigues  of  the  court  and  clergy 
of  B<ttne,-  for  the  sake  of  his  people. 

The   bigoted  Belgians,    beaded   by    their    maddened 
priests^  armed  themselves  in  defence  of  the  antiquated 


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3S        HISTORY   OF   !JAPOLEON    BQNAPARTC^ 

Louis  holds  a  3ed  of  Jiutiee. ' 

corruptioDSy  which  ^had  exhausted  all  llicii  resources^ 
and  spread  desolation  and  misery  over  their  whole 
country.  They  rejected  ali  the  liberal  cflTorts  of  their 
benefactor,  and  annoyed  his  government  by  their 
treasons,  till  the  priests  had  contrived  to  poison  him, 
and  secured  the  wages  of  their  treachery  by  the  vilest  of 
crimes* 

The  assembly  of  the  Notables  gave  the  paurties  an  im- 
portunity of  trying  their  strength,  and  the  result  was  un- 
favorable to  the  court.  Beside  what  took  place  upon*  the 
revenue,  the  state  prisons  and  leitres  de  cachet  werm 
made  subjects  of  animadversion. 

The  Archbishop  of  Thoulouse  made  himself  very  po- 
pular by  his  opposition  to  M .  Calonne's  plans,  and  the 
Ling,  in  the  hopes  of  being  instructed  in  what  was  satis- 
lactory,  appointed  this  prelate  to  the  ministry;  but,  in 
place  of  adopting  a  new  system,  when  the  Notables  wero 
dismissed,  he  pursued  almost  the  same  steps  as  those  he 
had  complained  of,  and  the  states-general  were  loudly 
called  for  by  the  whole  nation. 

A  strong  aversion  to  calling  an  assembly  of  representa- 
tives, seems  to  have  made  the  king  stretch  his  authority 
to  its  utmost,  to  convert  the  parliament  into  abject  tools 
of  submission*  Edicts  were  handed  to  them,  as  if  the 
subject  had  undergone  no  discussion,  and  they  were  re- 
quired to  grant  the  new  taxes.  The  parliament  refused 
in  the  most  positive  terms ;  and  Louis,  as  the  last  resource 
of  his  absolute  authority,  held  a  bed  of  justice,  and  com- 
pelled them  to  enrol  the  impost 

These  beds  of  jus'tice  were  but  seldom  resorted  to  in 
the  most  despotic  times,  and  even  then  it  was  like  the  last 
solemn  appeal  to  the  king  s  authority.    He  was  seated 


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'  '     lNt»  WAKS  OP  EtJROPCl;  83 

^  Braithiiient  of  the  PuUanMBt. 

on  his  throne  in  the  parliament,  and  the  ehrohaent  took 
place  by  his  order,  as  the  supreme  head  of  the  refractory 
assembly. 

^  The  parliament,  though  defeated,  was  ndt  inbdued; 
and,  on  the  following  day,  the  members  entered  a  formal 
protest  against  the  proceedings^  declaring,  **  That  the 
edicts  were  enrolled,  contrary  to  their  resolutions,  by 
the  king's  express  command'-that  they  neither  (Jught  to 
have,  nor  should  have  any  force— -and  tiiat  he  who  should 
presume  tb  carry  them  into  execution,  should  be  ad||udged 
a  traitor,  and  cbndeianed  to  the  gallies;''  This  spirited 
declaration  left  the  king  no  other  alternative;  than  either 
proceeding  to  extremities  in  support  of  his  authority,  or 
reiinqaishing  it  altogether. 

Since  the  commencement  of  the  genehQ  diiscdntent,  the 
capital  was  filled  with  large  bodies  of  troops  ;  and,  about 
a  week  after  the  parliament  had  entered  the  protest,  an 
oflScer  of  the  guards  was  sent;  at  break  of  day,  with 
«  party  of  soldiers,  to  each  melnber,  to  signify  the  king's 
command,  that  he  should  immediately  proceed  tb  Troyes^ 
a  city  of  Champagne,  about  seventy  miles  from  Paris^ 
without  speaking  or  writing  to  any  person  out  of  his 
own  houie  before  hi^  defiartui^e.  These  orders  vrere 
aQ  ob^rved  at  th^  sanfe  moment^  and,  before  the  citizens 
of  Paris  knew  of  the  transaction,  tiieir  representatives 
were  afaready  on  tiie  road  to  th^  place  of  their  banish-^ 
mert; 

Banishment  had  ho  ttthet  effect  on  the  parliament 
fhriak  to  confirm  the  ihembers  hi  their  resolution ;  but 
several  of  the  other  parliaments  evinced  a  degree  of 
spirit  that  cobfouikded  the  courty  and  paralysed  all  Ita 
ineaaurei.    Hie  parKametft  of  GrenobU  immediaiely  at 

VOL.  1.— MO,3.  V  F 


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34        HISTORY  or   KAPOLBON  BONAPXRtE, 
Tbe  Kims  IPT^  '^^  Parliament. 


tttcked  the  Diost  po^oHui  engine  tke  government  pos- 
^^Mcd  for  enforcing  ^bedienoe  to  jts  mandates,  by  de- 
claring it  to  be  a  capital  crime  for  any  person  to  attempt 
to  ttjecntd  ifctiers  tle.boichei  vriAm  its  jurisdiction.  The 
cmiy  Btep  ften  necessary  to  commence  a  civil  war  in  ib» 
eottnti^  vrais,  to  pass  a  decree  of  outlawry  against  tho8# 
who  had  cansed  the  e^e  of  tbe  parliament  of  Paris.  The 
kibg  did  not  wish  to*  provoke  such  a  measure,  aad  he 
theiefere  recsD^d  Ibe  parliament. 

Sieve¥al  economical  regulations  had  taken  place  in  the 
h>yal  household;  but  tiie  pubhc  expenditulre  stiH  fiur  ex- 
ceeded the  revenue^  and  it  was  evidently  impoi^tble  for 
the. government  to  proceed  without  some  very  extra<Nrdi- 
nary  resources  being  opened  for  its  supply. 

About  the  tniddte  ot*  November,  1787,  in  a  full  meeting 
of  tbe  parliament,  the  king  entetred  the  assembly^  at-* 
tended  by  all  the  prinoes,.  dud  a  great  number  of  the 
peers  of  France,'  and  addressed  them  in  a  speech  of  un* 
common  length,  filled  wi&  pitifessions  of  regard*  for  th0 
f)eople,  bht,  at  tbe  same  tiikie,  strongly  expressrve  of  the 
obedience  he  expected  to  his  oolnqumd  for  registering  the 
^icts. 

Louis  pA}btfbIy  imaghied  that  the  dread  of  the  banish- 
•ment,  from  which  the  members  had  been  so  lately  re- 
•callod,  would  hate  ihsuredthe  acquiescence  of  the  assem* 
bly ;  but,  no  sooner  had  the  members  permission  to  de« 
fiver  their  sentitpents,  than  he  was  convinced  that  their 
Spirits  were  whoiiy  unsubdued.  A  debate  tbok  place, 
wHidh  wus  edntlnued  for  nine  honrs^  when  the  kiiig. 
Wearied  by  censtmit  opposition,  and  chagrined  at  the 
fi^edoms  used,  suddenly  rose,  and  ordered  die  edkt'to  be 
registered  without  furthey  delay*    Hits  was  most  untiSp 


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Duke  of  Orleans  and  Two  Meoiberi  baaUbed. 


pectedly  opposed  by-  tbe  Duke  of  Orlecms,  who^  cpn- 
«»iviiig  it  ^a  infriiigement  of  the  rights  of  parliaments 
protested  ag^OMt  the  whole  proceedings  of  the  day,  as 
toeing  thereby  null  and  void.  THiou^h  the  king  could  iio( 
^oQceid  his  astonishment  and  displeasure  at  this  bold  and  • 
decisive  step»  he  repeated  his  orders,  anfji  immediately 
afterwards  quitting  the  assembly,  departed  for  Versailles. 
On  (he  departure  of  Jiis  majesty,  the  parliament  CQ|ifirme4 
the  protest  of  the  Duke  of  Orleans,  and  declared,  that  as 
their  deliberations  had  been  interrupted  they  considered 
the  whole  business  pf  the  day  as  of  no  effect 

The  agitation  Qf  the  king  w;as  excessive ;  he  could  not 
suffer  such  an  attack  upon  his  ppwer  with  impunity^  al- 
though he  might  lament  the  impetuosity  which  had  in- 
slaced  hjm  to  provoke  it.  Accordingly,  a  letter  was  the 
next  day  delivered  to  the  Duke  of  Qrleani^  commimdin^ 
him  to  retire  tp  one  of  his  country  seats^  au4  to  receive 
no  company  there  except  lus  own  iamily*  At  the  same 
time  the  Abbe  Sabbatiere  and  M.  Freteau,  both  members  of 
the  parliament,  who  had  distinguished  themselves  in  the 
debate,  were  seized,  upder  the  authority  of  kttres  4^ 
focheif  apd  sent  to  distant  prisons. 

These  despotic  ineasures  excited  the  indignation  of  tlie 
public^  On  the  following  day  th|s  parliament  waited  on 
the  king^  and  expressed  their  astonishment  and  concern 
that  a  prince  of  the  blood  was  exiled,  and  two  of  their 
members  imprisoned,  for  having  dechred  before  him 
what  their  duty  and  consciences  dictated,  and  at  a  time 
when  his  miyesty  had  declared  that  he  came  to  take  the 
sense  of  the  Assembly,  by  a  plurality  of  voices.  The 
king's  answer  was  reserved,  forbidding,  and  unsatis- 
factory, and  increased  the  resentment  of  the  p^Kptmcnt ; 

F  2 


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9fi       HISTORY  OF  KAPOLEON  BONAPARTE. 


The  Ktog  orderi  their  Release* 


yet  the  members  acted  with  more  moderation  upon  this 
than  upon  an^  other  occasion,  for  they  assembled  and 
ipe^tered  the  edict  for  the  loan,  which  was  the  cause  of 
the  unfortunate  dissension* 

.  The  ling  was  so  pleased  with  the  unexpected  generosity 
of  the  parliament,  that  lie  immediately  ordered  the  two 
members  to  be  released  from  prison,,  and  to  be  confined 
to  their  own  country-seals.  L6uis,  who  when  left  to  pur- 
sue his  own  inclinaitions,  adopted  conciliatory  measures, 
did  not  long  hesitate.  In  the' beginning  of  the  year  1788 
he  recalled  the  Duke  of  Orleans  to  court,  who  soon  after 
Bad  leave  to  retire  to  England,  and  he  permitted  the  two 
exiled  members  to  return  to  the  capital. 

Hie  parliament,  however,  did  not  confine  their  deli- 
berations to  the  breach  of  their  privileges ;  they  considered 
the  despotic  use  mode  of  the  lettres  de  cachet  as  quite  in- 
compatible with  ilie  freedom  of  Rebate,  and  they  fol- 
lowed the  example  of  their  fellows  of  Grenoble,  m  de- 
claring against  the  legality  of  these  instruments,  and  Louis 
was  again  insti^ted  to  measures  of  severity.  Messrs. 
4'Espremenil  and  Monsambert,  whose  bold  harangues 
had  pressed  most  closely  on  the  royal  dignity,  li^eco 
doomed  to  experience  its  immediate  resentment  A  body 
of  armed  troops  surrounded  the  hotel  in  which  the  ps^- 
liament  were  convened,  while  Colonel  Degout  entered  the 
assembly,  secured  the  persons  of  the  obnoxious  members^ 
ind  conducted  them  to  different  prisons. 
''  This  exertion  of  arbitrary  power  called  forth  a  remon-* 
atrance  from  the  parliament,  which  in  boldness  exceedjed 
til  the  representations  of  that  assembly.  They  de- 
clared that  they  were  more  strongly  confirmed,  by  e.very 
prpcecdingy  of  the  innovation  aimed  at  the  constitution* 


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AND  WAHS  OF  EUROPt.  37 


The  Cour  Pl^niere. 


*'  Buty  me,*'  added  they»  "  tbe  French  nation  will  never 
adopt  the  despotic  measures  to  which  you  are  advised, 
and  whose  effects  alarm  the  most  fidthful  of  your  ma- 
gistrates. We  shall  not  repeat  all  the  unfortunate  cir- 
camstasces  that  afflict  us ;  we  shall  only  represent  to  you, 
with  reqpectful  firmness,  that  the  fiindamental  laws  of 
the  kingdom  must  not  be  trampled  upon,  and  th^tj/our 
mUharity  can  only  be  esteemed,  so  long  as  it  is  tempered 
witk  justice.'* 

The  parliament  called  loudly  for  tbe  states-general  to 
be  assembled.    Every  effort  was  used  to  avoid  assembling 
them,  as  if  the  king  had  known  the  ultimate  object  of* 
the  patriots,  but  could  not  prove  it  by  satisfactoiy  evi* 
dence. 

If  tbe  ministry  were  not  among  the  best  of  men,  they 
were  certainly  not  the  most  contemptible. — ^They  could 
appreciate  the  exact  condition  of  the  kingdom,  and  they 
contrived,  as  a  kind  of  dernier  resort,  a  council  the  most 
suitable  to  the  then  situation  of  the  country  that  could 
have  been  devised.  It  was  founded  upon  better  princi* 
pies,  and  was  to  afford  a  new  and  better  system  of  juris- 
prudence than  the  kingdom  had  hitherto  been  governed 
by,  and  at  the  same  time  that  it  would  have  avoided  the 
inischie6  of  tlie  states-general.  M.  Lamoignon,  keeper  of 
the  seals,  was  the  author  of  this  arrangement,  which  was 
to  be  called  the  Cour  de  Pleniere,  and  was  to  be  composed 
of  princes,  peers,  magistrates,  and  military  men,  and  to 
include  some  of  the  best  characters  of  the  nation. 

The  parliament  of  Paris  protested  against  the  appoint* 
ment,  and  declared  they  never  would  assist  at  any  deli- 
|>eTation  at  such  an  assembly.  The  contest  between  the 
parliament  wd  the  court  was  so  violent,  tha);  while  the 


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S8     '  HISTORY  OP  NAPOLEON   BOKAI^ARTB, 


RemonstniDres  a^^simt  the  Ce«r  Pl^hiere. 


former  was  sitting,  a  regiment  of  soMiers  was  ordered  to 
fiurround  the  house.  The  members  sent  ont  for  beds  and 
provisions  with  seeming  indifference,  and  it  was  thonght 
necessary  to  proceed  to  greater  severities  to  bring  theni 
to  submission.  An  officer  was  ordered  to  seisie  the  most 
spirited,  and  shut  them  up  in  prisons,  which  order  Was 
executed ;  but  a  solemn  protest  being  entered  against 
these  proceedings,  his  majesty  was  advised  to  shut  |ip 
the  place  of  their  deliberations,  and  to  suspend  all  the 
parliaments  throughout  the  kingdom. 

Deputations  arrived  from  the  parliaments  of  Grenoble, 
Thoulouse,  &c.  with  remonstrances  against  the  Cour 
Plentere ;  these  were  sent  to  the  Bastille  without  cere^ 
mony,  which  caused  partial  insurrections  in  many  parts 
of  the  country,  and  convinced  the  court  that  reliance  was 
not  to  be  placed  on  the  troops  ;  numbers  of  the  peopio 
were  killed  in  tliese  skirmishes,  but,  in  general,  they  kept 
their  ground,  and  the  parliaments  expressed  their  indig* 
nation  and  resentment  in  the  most  glowing  language, 
^he  necessity  of  assembling  the  states-general  was  urged 
from  all  parts  of  the  kingdom ;  and  Louis  saw  that  no 
other  means  were  left  him  of  saving  the  country  from  flie 
calamities  of  a  civil  war.  In  the  mean  time  the  popai^* 
lar  party  lost  no  time  in  strengthening  itself:  inflam- 
matory writings  were  distributed  among  the  people^  an4 
placards  were  stuck  upon  the  gates  and  public  buildings, 
charging  the  people  with  cowardice  for  submitting  to 
the  arbitrary  measures  of  the  government.  The  vilest 
censures  were  poured  upon  the  royal  family,  chiefly 
upon  the  quern,  who  was  charged  with  stimulatiu]^ 
every  violent   proceeding  ;   and  enigmatical  sentences^ 


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Jk»D  i^AM  OW  WtiOPE.  i0 


Tbe  StateMSeiieral  ordeied  to  be  atsembled. 


writtM  and  «tlic^A  printed,  ejMsitiiiy  the  people  to 
mvalt,  ynn  libenlly  djistributed   and  read  vkh  avi- 


CtfAPTBR  iV. 


▲t  tbie  tioie  the  conflicts  lusnmed  a  new  appearance 
tfery  iasy,  and  a  week  in  France  produced  as  many 
^erenls  as  an  age  elsewhere.  Hie  king  resolved  to  gratify 
At  -wish  of  the  nation  by  Bummoning  the  states-general : 
a  diange  of  ministry  took  place,  and  the  favorite,  M. 
JKecber,  was  leealkd  'to  office  ;  yet  the  lower  orders  of 
4itt  peofia,  who  were  always  devotedto  their  savereign. 
Heft  only  treated  these  inendly  measnres  with  indifference^ 
4Mit  beoame  feroeion&ly  insolent  to  the  authority  and  per* 
^mxk  of  their  king. 

An  arret  was  issued  by  the  king,  in  August  1788,  to 
JiasMaable  stbe  stateS'general  in  the  ^priiq^  of  the  foUowiqg 
.jfiar,  'and  -the  tnteiral  was  employed  by  the  clubs  in  ri- 
iMung  the  plana  imd  pvqparing  them  for  execution. 

•By  efery  considerafte  person  the  assembling  of  tbe 
<states<fgeiieral  was  regarded  as  the  most  important  a)ra  in 
the  hbtoiy  of  France.  The  fibrst  question. related  to  the 
^Bundier  of  whidi  it  should  consist,  and  this  iS^  Necker 
v^  too  politic  lo  determine  of  himself,  he  therefore,  once 
mors,  summoned  the  notables,  and  applied  to  them  for 


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40        HISTORV  Ot  NAPOLfeOK  BOKAPARf^ 

Violent  Storm  in  Fnooe.  ' 

advice;  but  this  meroeuery  body,  who  neither  cared  for 
king  nor  pe<^le,  tfauiking  they  could  preserve  thehr 
own  priviiegesy  only  increased  the  difficulties  by  a  &v 
\olous  adherence  to  precedents  that"  were  no  longer  ap^ 
plicable  to  the  circumstance*  It  was  at  last  settled,  by 
declaring  that  the  number  should  be  twelve  hundred,  and 
that  the  commons,  or  tiers  etat,  as  they  were  called, 
should  be  equal  to  the  other  two  estates  together.  This 
arrangement  equally  satisfied  tlie  king  and  the  people^ 
but  it  was  far  from  agreeable  to  the  sordid  disposition  of 
the  aristocracy  or  the  clergy :  their  pride  was  roused  to 
the  highest,  to  learn  that  one,  hundred  thousand  nobles^ 
and  eighty  thousand  priests,  were  not  considered  of  more 
consequence  than  twenty-five  milUon  of  plebeians !  aAd  if 
the  privileged  orders  thought  themselves  degraded,  the 
dabs  were  busily  prepared  to  increase  their  mortificatioik 

During  the  time  of  tiie  elections  the  spirit  of  discon- 
tent and  tumult,  which  prevailed  all  over  France,  was 
augmented  by  a  scantiness  of  the  necessaries  of  life,  little 
short  of  a  famine,  which  was  occasioned  by  a  violent 
storm ;  and,  like  the  great  revolution  that  was  then  pre- 
paring, this  event  was  the  most  tremendous  of  the  kind 
that  ever  happened  in  Europe. 

Oh  the  morning  of  Sunday,  tlie  13th  of  July,  1788, 
most  of  the  extensive  kingdom  of  France  was  involved  in 
solemn  darkness,  which  was  succeeded  by  a  dreadfbl 
cnmmixture  of  hail,  rain,  thunder,  lightning,  and  wind, 
unitmg  their  fury  to  destroy  every  appearance  of  com^ 
vintage,  and  vegetation.  Dismay  and  horror  diffastfif 
themsehres  through  the  land,  as  if  die  consumikiation 
of  ail  things  was  fast  approaching ;  and  Che  people,  9U 


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The  Kins  meets  the  Statet-General.^ 

their  way  to  charch»  were  so  beaten  by  the  tempest,  that 
they  feH  prostrate  on  the  earthy  now  converted  into  Jl 
quagmire^  by  tfie  concussion  of  the  elements.  Hie  da- 
mages occasioned  by  the  fanyricane>  were  supposed  td 
amoont  to  fonr  millions  sterling,  and  tiie  misery  it  hi* 
lltcted  upon  the  people  was  of  the  most  distressing  kind. 

To  alleviate  the  distresses  of  the  unhappy  sufferers,  th4 
King  ordered  the  profits  of  a  lottery,  amounting  to  twelve 
hnndred  thousand  livres,  to  be  divided  amongst  them; 
and  forgfkve  fhem  all  the  taxes  for  a  year,  iVom  the  timo 
of  their  calamity:  the  benevolence  of  the  Duke  bt  Or- 
leans  was  also  veiy  exteiksive.  Not  only  did  this  deso- 
lating cTent  promote  the  revolution  by  tfab  distress  it  oc- 
casioned^  but  it  gave  the  people  opportunities  of  forming 
tumultuous  assemblies,  that  the  governlhent  C6uld  not  re- 
strain: what  cruel  measures  of  police  could  censure  tt» 
people  for  endeavouring  td  get  bread  ?  Their  business 
called  them  to*  the  bakiii^s  shops,  and  inuftnurs  upon  a 
particular  subject  easily  received  a  more  general  appli- 
bation ;  so  (hat  every  street  became  a  pUbQc  forum,  wber<» 
ufen^  women,  and  children,  indiscriminately  mixed  to* 
gether  to  arraign  the  Conduct  of  the  court* 

At  Itng&k  the  period  arrived,  that  was  fondly  expected 
hj  the  great  mass  of  the  people,  to  end  all  the  disorders 
and  tumults  of  the  kingdom.  His  Majesty  met  the  States- 
General  on  the  4th  of  May,  1789,  in  one  assembly,  and 
left  them,  without  remarking  the  contention  that  was  ia 
embryo,  relative  to  voting  in  separate  chambers.         ' 

*the  Abbe  Sieyes  prevailed  upon  the  conmions  to 
allar  their  style  and  put  an  end  to  the  dispute,  for  the 
general  satis&ction  of  the   people.     His   inotloa   was, 

VOL,  1.— MO.  2.  o 


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4t        HistORY  OF  KAPOLSON   BONAPAlttt^ 

Naeional  AMembly  formed. 


**  ITiat  they  should  declare  themaelyes  the  representative^ 
of  the  natioDy  and  that  the  two  orders  could  be  consi- 
dered in  no  other  light  than  as  deputies  of-  coiporations^ 
vho  could  only  have  a  deliberate  voice  when  they  assem- 
bled in  a  national  character  with  the  national  represen- 
tatives/' This  measure  was  adopted  unanimously ;  and 
the  character  of  States-general  was  lost  in  that  of  ''  Tho 
National  Assembly/'  which  instantly  became  the  uncon- 
trollable sovereign  of  the  country* 

Every  pretension  to  distinct  legislative  power  was  anni- 
hilated by  this  decree ;  and  all  opposition  to  it  was  looked 
on  as  a-sort  of  rebellion :  all  the  moderate  men,  therefore^ 
of  the  two  ordersi  joined  the  National  Assembly. 

A  regular  royal,  noble,  and  clerical  combinatioii  wa# 
ihen  formed,  with  a  view  to  overthrow  the  National  Assem- 
bly i  but  aU  their  proceedings  were  so  contemptiblo,  that 
they  should  hitve  been  ridiculed  for  their  folly  rather  thaft 
punished  for  their  wickedness*  Measures  were  takeA  Sat 
colleoting  a  large  number  of  troops  round  the  metropolis^ 
and  it  was  meant  to  station  a  considerable  body  o&^them 
between  Paris  and  Versailles,  where  the  Assembly  met; 
but,  instead  of  suffering  the  sittings  to  continue  till  tho 
troops  had  arrived,  their  session  was  closed  by  a  ]party  of 
soldiers  taking  possession  of  their  chamber.  Tbis  impo- 
litic step  prepared  both  the  Assembly  and  the  citizens 
for  the  attack  that  was  about  to  be  made  upon  their  rising 
liberties,  altbougb  it  produceci  none  of  the  advantages 
the  combination  expected  from  it ;  foir  the  Assembly  mei 
immediately,  in  a  tennis-court,  and  there  swore  to  eac^ 
other,  **  Never  to  separate  till  they  had  formed  a  new 
Gdnstitution  T 


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AKD  WARS  W  &I7R0PK.  4^ 


Klo;  l)plds  a  Rojal  Sension. 


Frepamtiofls  were  made  by  tiie  patriotic  clubs  for 
training  tiieir  fiiends  in  diflTerent  parts  of  the  kingdom  in 
llitt  use  ef  florms,  smd  a'^ert  time  would  bave  fnrnisfaed  a 
body  powerftll  enoug^li  to  have  made  a  diversion  in  fiivor 
of  the  Assc^bly,in  case  attempt  hful  been  made  to  arrest 
them.  Sadi  a  precantien  was  UBneGessary^  for  the  mem- 
bers again  took  quiet  possession  of  their  own  chamber, 
and  the  govortmient  seemed  to  possess  no  other  f&nctton 
than  that  of  flurnishing  means  to  the  Assembly  to  secure^^ 
^its  triumph* 

*  •'  ^The  Kiag  was  persuaded  to  hold  a  Royid  Session,  and 
fte  three  orders  were  summoned  to  attend  him,  as  if  no 
dispute  had  hiypened.  They  all  met  in  the  great  hall; 
as  <m  the  first  day  of  tiie  conTOcattoa :  the  two  {>ri- 
tileged  orders  entei^  at  the  great *gttes,  the  same  as'his 
Vsjjeiity,  and  were  seated  at  their  ease  in  the  chief  places* 
which  were  assigned^  to  them,  ^diilethe  represeiitatives  of 
die  poe^e  were  obliged  to  squeeze  in  at  a  back  door,' 
and  wer£  detained  many  teunfin  the  rain,  lill  ^*  their 
lordships^  and  *' their "VeV^enees"  ^ere  seated!  An 
i^peech  was  delivered  b^  the  l^ing  upoii  the""  occasion;- 
suited  only  to  the  ds^ktfst  ages  of  political  s<Mrvilify,  and 
incompatible" with  the  opinions  adopted  'by  the  whole 
people*  He  began  '&y  lamenting  the  disputes  that'  had 
taken  place  about  the  form  of  the' meetihg,  and  insisted 
upon*  the Isrdetii 'being  kept  separate,  for  which  purpose 
he  flesired  the  Commons  to  annul  the  famous  decree  by 
Wfidch  they  had  constituted  the  National  Assembly, — a 
snbniisslon  that  it  was  a  great  folly  to  expect ;  for  if  they 
fonid  theft  no  -  other  power  could  dissolve  them,  it  wan 
not  hkely  that  they  would  commit  suicide  upon  theio^^ 

G  2 


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44     ^  HISTORY  or  NAPOLEON  BONAPARTE^* 


RcMlvtiaii  of  MImbeMk 


aelves,  e^paoiany  as  they  contfaraed  to  be  joined  by  de- 
serters ft^Uk  the  other  two  ofders*    Loaie  did  not  fiul  lo» 
esanre  Aem  of  hie  oo-operotniB  to  improye  the  laws  and 
the  oenditkw  of  Ifco  people,  bat  he  piNNBiBed  nothiag  epe^ 
cific ;  and  be  aheohitlsfy  tetoBtA  bm  asiBeat  to  some  of 
tfaehr  noet  fiivoriteipii^ieete.    Hia  pnaoipal'  viah^seened 
to  foe  to  impreas  Ihe  AsanMjr  Wfth  ia^ease  of  his  own 
grealiiott,  aad  that  whafoyer  good  was  doiie»  they  would 
fme  it  tohis  MtJre  eoadeaeeasion.   The  Cohbxmhis  liateaad 
to  him  with  silent  indignation,  which  be  raised  to  the  Hw 
higiiest  dagi^e^  by  coaUMu^imt  iia-defHities  to  bneak  iip»  « 
nnnediaiely  npott  his  dtopartwcb  and  to  tpepmx^  on  the^ 
foDowittg  day«  %o  tfieir  feUpeoti/f 4  ch/nabens. 
:  His  Miyttt/s  hfiBiwsai  wit  instant  iabeyed  by  the 
nobles  attdclelgy^  <battfae  GetaawiaMi  Mo^aioed  notion- 
lass,  dtliQtigh  the  werkiaM  w«ert)  busied  in  taking  dowB 
die  thnnte  and  other  d«slMratmil..    AaMMt  the  aw&l  si^ 
lenoe  that  enanjbd.  If  ..^e-Aneaa,  Gwnd  Mas^rof  the  C^ 
reBMAies,  aj^ioaobed,  imd  eigiiified  that  the  ku\g  had 
ordered  them  to.rotire:  bmt  be,  as  .w#U  as  the  war)anen» 
was  atnick  with  mwe  upon  yeoeivfaiig  a  savera  rebuke 
Sfmm  the  Caoat  dd  Mlrabeaa,  who  had  gi«atly  distw-! 
gwdied  hitnaelf  by  ihe  vigor  <of  his  iaind»  and  the  power 
of  his  elofoeBoe.     ^  We  know,  for  we  ham  heard/ 
said  Mhrabeau,  *^  what  they  have  ai^jgested  to  the  Kiof^ 
but  who  made  ye«  the  oi]gan  between  him  «ad  the  States- 
Oeneral?    ¥o«!  who  baiye  neither  ^eat^  norri^e,  np9 
right  to  epesi  your  tips  hei^ ;  hew  dare  you  to  brii^  hia 
discoarse  to  onr  vecoHectiani    However,  to  avoid  erery 
^>ecie8  of  equivocation  and  deb^,  if  yon  are  osdared  Ui 
f  jcpd  us  from  tius  plaoOi  you  "viU  do  well  te  get  orderf 


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4WI>  WAAS  OF  EUROPX.^  4$ 


Tlie  People  rejaiced—H<a  tiie  lUyal  Family  with  acclamationi . 


fer  the  cmplofaNfflt  of  a  autabla  force,  far  wa  will  onlj 

quit  it  at  tfae  point  cf  tik  bft;^Mfet." 

'  lie  attualifiii  of  the  asftemUy  dictated  twe  reM^iitions. 

^vkieh  'vetfe  paistid   ttndiuiDdafrly ;  die  ^hm^  '^  that  Ubev 

penMad  v  their  Cmaer  declaratioBfi,''---.aiid  Uie  othar» 

**  that  Ike  peiwiiia  of  the  deputies  were  Mcred  aad  ia* 

tnlahle.'"      Una  spiriied   e^&dnct  made  many  of  tba 

BobkB,  ti^getfier  w&di  the  DuJce  of  Orieao^  joki  tbe  as- 

mahhf^  the  ibUowi^g:  day ;  and  ea  die  27th  of  J«u^ 

l^r  dfl^B  ifter  the  Toyml  flnfitigiB^  Ui'e  King  reooonaezided 

^a  reaHUBiQg  naAber  of  the  ^o  wdeiti  te  MAite  with  Iha 


'EhMigh  thii  iMtcadittiaBt  by  forbiddii^  and  recaat* 
■iwidhy  a  naian  id  40  idairt  a  period,  was  evident^  tha 
people  did  wt  Appear  to  doubt  Oe  aiiioerity  of  the  pro- 
eeedittf.  The  Mars  apread  with  the  greatest  rapidity; 
and  tbe  iilhabitants  of  VersaiHea^  eeneideriDg  that  Louia 
had  acoomplidied  the  salTalioa  aad  fa^ppiBesa  of  tbe  na- 
tio»»  ran  io  Ae  piOaoB  aiid  aidated  the  rdyal&nuly  wUk 
lepeatedaMlaudtiiiiA  of  gratitiMle.  M.  Necker  also,  who 
was  tfcaagb  to  have  advised  his  Majesty  to  adopt  this 
eaaciiiittoffy  nieaBiirD,  was  hailed  ns  the  warmest  friend  of 
Am  «aaiftfy,  and  the  joyfal  day  was  ooaicluded  by  a  ge- 
aend  iHaiaiBatiait. 

The  pvUio  soar  loahed  wkh  Anxious  expectation  to 
dM  Idbors  lof  the  Natiaital  Aaseaiibly,  as  it  w«is  hnpossibla 
tD  appeae  aay  iegid  objectioii  to  their  proceedings:  In 
flw  interim  all  mthority  was»  in  aoaie  manner,  suspend* 
ed:  their  endeaaofs  *wefe  ahieiy  directed  to  the  6moar 
lioa  of  Ml  new  eoaatitntiai,  and  the  general  persuasion 
ttat  the  ^xistiDg  laws  w^ere  lo  be  aboKsfaed  in  toio,  taught 
Ae  rude  and  unthinking  to  daapise  tfarm^  aud  Ibe  ad- 


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T. 


48        HISTOEY  OF  NAPOLKOK   BOKAWRTE, 


Ttae  Marquis  Valadi. 


ministratioii  of  the  police  doubted  whe^er  they  cooid  en** 
force  what  was  thus  generally  declared  to  be  vicioiu. 

Unfortunately,  at  this  time  neither  of  the  parties  wera 
rfncere  urith  each  other :  .part  of  the  Assembly  intended 
to  convert  the  monarchy  into  a  republic ;  but  they  could 
not  have  avowed  their  design  at  first,  because  the  people 
-would  have  rejected  so  desperate  and  unjust  a  measure^ 
in  a  manner  that  must  have  precluded  the  possibility  of 
ks  being  repeated,  and  tiierefore  their  deteisiination  was 
to  drive  the  King  to  extremities,  so  that,  by  degrees,  he 
Blight  become  odious  to  the  people.  At  the  same  tim«p^' 
the  court  never  meant  to  grant  the  Assembly  all  the  lilmrtf . 
Aat  was  pronused  to  it,  and  tbe  apparent  compUauce 
with  its. wishes  was  merely  a  stratagem  to  allay  the  un*. 
easiness  of  the  populace,  and  put  the  Assembly  off  its* 
guard  for  a  period,  during  which  a  force  might  be  col* 
leeted  able  to  crush  them  altogether. 

Among  the  fervid  imaginations  that  took  their  flight 
upon  this  occasion,  was  that  of  the  Marquis  de  Valadi^ 
«n  officer  who  had  served  in  the  French  guards^  and 
among  the  savages  of  America  had  learned  that  his  owb 
manner  of  life  was  so  much  better  than  what  any  one  else 
could  display,  that  be  would  cut  the  throats  of  one  half  of 
mankind,  if  by  so  doing  he  could  force  his  system  upon 
the  ether.  This  gentleman  was  a  wairn  admirer  of  the 
new  cause  «f  liberty,  because  it  released  him  firom  Qm^ 
pmnfbl  necessity  of  consulting  the  comforts  and  conveni* 
ences  of  others ;  and,  being  one  of  a  cabal  that  now  met 
at  the  residence  of  the  Duke  of  Orleans,  he  invited  at 
many  of  bis  ooon-ades  to  the  entertainment  as  he  conld  prer 
Tail  upon  to  attend.  The  reception  these  truant  soldiery 
met  withy  was  of  the  most  cordial  and  flattering  ki|i4 


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And  WARS  oi  fetRon.  47 


People  join  to  releaie  tome  Soldien. 


and  munben  were  enoouraged  to  foDow  their  example; 
tiie  cfaanns  of  liberty  were  somided  in  the  ears  of  the  8ol« 
diers,  and  they  were  pathetically  implored  not  to  aasist  in 
aheddia;  the  blood  of  their  fellow-^itizena.  From  thoso 
feaats  the  visitors  were  conducted  in  procession  through 
the  city.  Mid  every  seduction  of  female  charms  and  good 
cheer,  which  the  Immense  revenues  of  the  Palais  Royal 
seuld  provide,  were  plentifully  distributed,  to  allure  them 
iuto  an  approbation  of  the  measures  of  the  Assembly. 

Soon  after  the  Assembly  had  united,  a  circumstance 
'hq>pened  which  strongly  marked  the  character  likely  to 
be  ttsaumed  by  the  revolution.  Some  soldiers  of  the 
Frenc^h  giiards  were  imprisoned  in  die  Abbey  of  St.  Ger<» 
main>  who,  vpoa  learning  the  disorder  .that  prevailed  in 
different  coips,  wrote  to  tlie  Palais  Royal,  and,  with 
tiie  confident  gaiety  natural  to  the  French,  described 
themselves  as  having  been  arrested  for  their  attachment  to 
the  people,  and  that  they  were  then  sufferers  in  the  cause 
of  fiberty.  The  letter  was  read  by  one  of  the  oratorSi  of 
whom  many  were  now  constantly  seen  lecturing  to  crowds 
in  the  public  walks;  and,  in  the  intoxication  of  the  mo« 
mcnt,  the  whole  multitude  resolved  upon  liberating  their 
feilow-citi2ens :  the  patriotic  soldiers,  the  bludgeon,  the 
pickaxe,  and  the  crow,  were  put  in  requisition^  and  a 
motley  multitude  proceeded  to  distribute  justice,  without 
preserving  even  the  forms  of  trial ! 

The  consequence  from  such  t  tribunal  should  havo 
keen  apparent  to  every  sober  man  in  France ;  it  could  aa 
easily  inflict  punishment  as  proclaim  liberty ;  and  the 
dMger  arising  ifroln  such  a  state  of  things,  ought  to  have 
m^ed  tvery  honest  man  ug»pit  tfao^a  i|-reguUr  proceed-^ 
ingt*. 


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48       HISTORT  or  rfAI»OLE0»   B<yifAi>ARTfi, 

The  Asfemblf  recommends  Moditnitloii. 


No  effectual  resistance  wad  made  at  the  prison,  and  t 
party  of  dragoons,  ordered  out  upon  tlii^  occasion,  ar- 
rived just  time  enough  to  see  the  released  soldiers  bomd 
in  triumph  as  the  heroes  of  ihe  day.  The  generosity  of 
a  moh-goverDment  burst  upon  them  with  such  urresistiblo 
charms,  that  they  could  not  resist  joining  in  the  catalcade, 
and  the  success  of  this  attempt  encouraged  the  frantie 
malcontents  to  inflict  the  severest  penalties  in  the  samo 
despotic  manner. 

Accounts  of  these  proceedings  were  laid  before  ffao 
Assembly,  who  endeavoured  to  preserve  as  much  respect 
for  the  public  authority  as  they  could,  without  provoking 
the  hasty  disapprobation  of  the  rabble.  The  soldiers 
were  not  imprisoned  for  their  politics,  but  for  difibrent 
crimes,  yet  it  would  have  been  dangerous  to  have  contra^ 
dieted  the  vociferations  of  the  mob ;  it  was  now  a  powerful 
despot,  and,  like  the  most  imperial  tjTant,  would  not 
allow  itself  to  be  mistaken :  the  Assembly,  therefore,  sub** 
missively.  recommended  as  the  most  convenient  compro- 
mise between  order  and  disorder,  that  the  rioters  should 
keep  the  prisoners  under  care  till  the  Eing  could  be  pre« 
vailed  upon  to  send  a  pardon  for  them.  By  this,  the 
shadow  of  authority  was  preserved,  though  the  substance 
had  departed. 

The  court  made  no  objection  to  this,  as  the  forces 
that  had  been  ordered  to  march  to  the  capital  were  now 
approaching  so  fast,  that  a  few  days,  it  was  thought^ 
would  transfer  the  public  authority  (roih  the  weapons, 
of  the  discontented  and  the  disorderly  to  the  point  of 
the  Sayonet.  Most  of  the  foreign  troops  in  tho 
king's  pay  were  upon  their  march,  and  the  frequent 
disturbances    afiTorded    a    pretence    for    establishing  & 


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AND  WARS  OF  BITRdBE.  49 


The  Kin]^  propftet  to  renOTe  the  Parliament. 

eamp  in  the  neighboiirfaood  of  Paris.  Several  rae^smges 
w€re  Mot  to  the  King  upon  this  subject  by  the  Assetnblyi 
but  he  assured  them  that  his  only  object  ifas  to  restore 
tnmqaillity*  The  UDeasiness  of  the  members  increased; 
and  the  King  answered  their  complaints  in  a  way  that 
only  served  to  increase  their  suspicions*  '«  The  troops/' 
said  be,  ''  are  indispensably  necessary  in  Paris,  but  yon 
may  remove  your  rittings  to  Noyon  or  Soissons,  in  which 
ease  I  will  rcpanr  to  Compeigne/'  This  proposal  cculd 
not  poflsiMy  be  acc^tedi  as  it  would  have  placed  the 
Assembly  between  the  princes  in  Paris  and  those  on  tl^ 
frontiers,  while  it  would  have  excluded  all  assistance 
from  their  friends  in  the  capital. 


CHAPtfili  V. 

MuTtJAt  explanations  and  jealousies,  frequent  parox-^ 
^sms  of  frenzy,  and  various  attempts  to  form  a  new  con* 
stitntion,  brought  the  proceedings  of  the  National  As* 
^embly  down  to  the  eleventh  of  July,  when  the  elements 
of  restless  discord  began  to  lour  on  the  expanse  of  politi- 
cal combination,  witii  such  a  menacing  aspect,  tbat  the 
imagination  became  bewildered  by  the  vast  catalogue  of 
miaefies  that  were  announced,  and  the  mind  seemed  to 
stagger  beneath  the  weight  of  its  own  conjectures.  The 
Count  de  Mirabcau  had  expressed  himself  so  forcibly  on 
the  ^ymptoitis  of  a  dangerous  conspiracy  on  the  part  of 
the  court  against  the  deliberations  and  existence  of  th# 

VOL,  I.— NO,  8.  H  n  ] 

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60      HrsTORY  or  napoleon  soNiirPARTe, 

■'■■  ■■■— ^f^etOm.l  I  ■-.  ■     ■  ■    I    III   ■■     ■     I    ^.■■■■       I      I        ^^^^ 

^  The  Miniatry  difoilticd. 

AMembly»  that  the  popular  part}*  looked  to  him  as  a  de« 
liverer,  and  the  court  evidently  began  to  hasten  its  pre- 
parations for  some  desperate  explosion. 

The  confidence  of  the  Assembly  and  the  people  had 
reposed  for  some  days  upon  one  point  only :  M.  Necker 
was  considered  the  firm  friend  of  liberty ;  and  it  was 
thought  impossible  that  any  hostile  measures  could  bo 
attenq>ted,  so  long  as  he  remained  in  the  ministry ;  the 
court  endured  rather  than  employed  him»  and  his  dis* 
missal  from  offiee  was  resolved  upon»  the  moment  tho 
force  was  thought  suflScient  to  triumph  over  the  public 
voice.  *'  The  ministry  is  dismissed^  and  Necker  is  sent 
into  exile!*'  was  echoed  by  every  voice  throughout 
Versailles^  and  the  most  unfeigned  sorrow  was  depicted 
on  every  countenance.  A  new  administration  was  ap« 
pointed,  composed  of  the  most  violent  enemies  of  liberty* 
and  every  one  expected  that  the  foreign  troops  would 
receive  orders  to  seize  upon  the  Members  of  the  Assembly 
without  delay.^ 

Such  important  intelligence  would,  upon  ordinary  og« 
easioos,  have  been  circulated  throughout  Paris  in  a  few 
hours ;  but  all  the  Ingh  roads  and  direct  ways  had  become 
so  barricadoed,  that  no  person,  not  even  the  post,  could 
pass  to  convey  tilie  news.  It  arrived  circuitously,  and  by 
slow  degrees ;  and  when  it  was  first  related,  it  was  treated 
as  a  report,  wickedly  invented  to  excite  confiision:  at  last 
it  reached  the  Palais-Royal,  in  a  shape  that  would  no 
longer  admit  of  a  doubt.  The  minister  was  gone  no  one 
knew  whither,  and  the  representatives  of  the  people 
might  be  already  incarcerated  in  the  dungeons  of  the 
state.  It  is  impossible  to  describe  the  agitation  that  in* 
•tantaneously  convulsed  the  whole  people  of  Paris.  It 
was  a  mixture  of  indignation  and  grief  huiried  on  irope- 


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'1)10    If  Alts   OF   EVROPl.  51 

CaoBlll*  ndBM^aliiu — ^the  Prince  of  Lambete. 

taously  by  all  the  aajdeties  of  doabt  Pleasure  could  no 
longer  please*  and  tbe  least  indication  of  joy  was  consi- 
dered as  a  crime.  All  the  theatres  were  immediately 
closed,  by  order  of  the  people. 

«  Tbe  busts  of  Necker  and  the  Duke  of  Orleans  were 
carried  about  the  streets,  covered  with  crape,  and  the 
air  resounded  with  their  names.  It  was  even  suggested, 
that  the  Kmg  sboohl  be  dethroned,  and  the  Duke  of  Or<* 
leans  appointed  his  successor,  as  the  certain  means  of 
effiecting  the  >  return  of  their  iavorite.  The  bells  of  ih^ 
choFches  were  tolled,  and  the  people  were  collected  in 
crowds  upon  the  bridges,  and  in  all  the  open  places  of 
the  city,  where  the  most- fanciful  and  loquacious  inflamed 
their  indication  with  aatieipatiens  of  military  vengeance 
and  exacutioBs,  to  which  the  late  tumults  had  exposed 
them. 

The  Palais-Royal  became  the  grand  rendezvous,  and 
was  the  most  convenient  spot  for  rallying  ril  the  forces  of 
the  city,  as  well  on  account  of  itjs  being  nearly  in  the  mid* 
die  of' Paris,  as  of  the  ready  access  it  aflTorded  to  all  d«« 
acrqptions  of  people.  In  one  place,  Gorsas,  an  obscure 
schoehnaster,  with  Ciceronian  eloquence,  was  stimulating 
his  audience ;  and  in  another,  Camille  Desmoulins,  an  ad* 
▼ocate  cyf  considerable  talents,  was  irritating  the  passions 
of  the.  multitude  by  every  species  of  theatrical  flourish 
that  his  imagination  couU  suggest.  With  a  pistol  in 
each  hand  Camille  was  vehemently  harrangning,  to  prove 
that  no  man's  life  and  liberty  were  secure  for  a  single 
hour :  when  a  report  was  circulated,  that  Ae  Prince  of 
IiMnbeac,  in  his  march,  bad  strudc  an  old  man  with  his 
sword*  No  pains  were  taken  to  examine  whether  the 
raport  was  true  or  &lse  ;  or  whether,  if  true,  the  Prince 
hid  been  aliflnlated  by  anger,  or  a  humane  dtsirt  of 

H  2 

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tt        HISTORY  OF  KAFOLEOK  BONAPARTE^ 


The  People  defeat  a  Reg tment, 

■■■■  I  ^  ■  .  —a— acBasaa^ 

paving  the  aged  person  from  being  trampled  nnder  bis 
horse's  feet:  a  skirmish  bad  ensued  between  the  troops 
and  the  people,  and  a  uniyersal  cry  of  ^'  To  arms!  to 
arms  T  impelled  every  creature  to  the  field  of  action* 

The  Prinoe  was  found  by  the  rallying  citizens  at  thQ 
head  of  his  cavalry,  near  to  a  spot  where  a  new  bridge 
was  to  be  erected.  Scarcely  had  they  reached  the  ground^ 
when  they  seized  upon  the  stones>  and,  rushing  impe* 
tuously  upon  the  soldiers,  broke  theur  ranks,  and  threw 
them  into  the  greatest  confusion.  The  French  guards, 
alarmed  by  the  sound  of  muske^^  rushed  from  their 
quarters,  and  putting  thepis^^s  under  the  omnmand  of 
the  Marquis  de  Valadi,  flew  .to  the  relief  of  their  country* 
inen.  The  foreign  regiment  was  discomfited,  and  with* 
drew ;  whilst  the  citisens,  flushed  W&  victory,  and  gain- 
ing confidence  from  their  numbers,  were  emboldened  to 
undertake  the  most  desperate  emerprises. 

In  the  evening  of  the  12th  of  July,  the  cavalry  W6r» 
driven  out  of  Paris,  and  it  was  hourly  expected  thsl 
]\(^^lr^^a1  Br^lio,  who  held  the  command  of  all  the  corps  • 
in  the  neighbourhood,  and  who  was  t^ttached  to  the  niost 
despotic  principles,  would  attempt  to  reduce  the  city*: 
The  silent  hours  of  night  were  chased  away  by  th# 
clangour  of  alarums,  and  the  different  rude  weapons  that/ 
an   irregul^  multitude  could  collect  from  the  various ' 
domestic    and  pianufacturing    purposes  to  which  thsj. 
were  usually  appUed^  every  house  became  a  fortress,  aa4  ' 
every  citizen  a  ^14ier.    Morning  arrived,  but  the  Mas* 
shal  did  not  make  l^ii^  fppearaneel    All  wm  smyense, 
but  the  mysterious  delay  h^  »o  .tqndeacy  to  restett  the 
public  tranquillity.    It  w9s  evident  that  no  motive  oooM 
retard  the  interference  of  govemssent  hul  a  desise  t» 
mature  its  plana^  and  as  the  danger  weiiM  ineiuase  by  th# 

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AND  WARS   OP  BUROPf.  1$ 


Thej  mrck  toaitack  the  Battillc 

—aeaagai    j      ■  ir  : 


length  of  time  required  to  strengthen  their  meat oreSi  no 
time  Wtt  to  be  k>st  in  prep«ring^  to  meet  them. 

Tlie  shops  were  all  shot,  and  business  entirely  stopped^ 
^Pbe  electors  of  Paris  were  spontaneously  formed  into  a. 
jMrqnsionary  f  overoment,  and  the  final  issue  of  the  e^/t^ 
%tMi  was  impatiently  expected. 

Dnring  the  night  of  the  Idth,  means  of  correspondeneo 
vere  fbond  between  the  Assembly  and  the  Provisionary 
HqnicipaEty  of  Paris,  when  it  was  discovered  that  M.  do 
FiesseOes,  the  Mayor  of  Paris^who  professed  himself  the 
fiiend  of  the  citizens,  was  secretly  taking  measures  to  be- 
tray them  into  the.  power  of  Bro^o.  An-  intercepted 
oonespondence  proved,  that  the  Marshal  intended  to  en* 
ter  the  city  on  the  following  evening,  when  the  people 
shovid  be  overcome  by  excessive  ihtign^,  and  be  too 
weary  to  resist  the  allurements  of  sleep.  Hostilities  were 
» to  commence  wHhtn  a  few  hours,  and,  by  gaining  the 
i  of  the  Marshal,  his  defeat  might  be  secured. 

Thcf  BttStine,  at  oac^  Hie  fortress  and  the  prison,  was 
the  first  object  of  the  citizens.  It  was  there  that  all  the 
wielKtes  of  the  eoaH  l^ould  fix  fbem  head-quarters :  it  was 
there  that  both  the  depoties  and  their  constituents  woultl 
be  stowed  away  in  cavema  and  in  cells.  On  the  morning 
of  ttietteoior^e  FouBTEsifTH  otJvLT,  1789,  an  army 
of  forty  &onsand  deapenidoes,  whimsicatly  armed  with  ol^ 
fenaiveiDstnimentl  of^veiy  description,  intermingled  with 
a  few  Jrandred  of  soldiers,  comqienced  their  march,  voc(« 
feinting  Ihreagfaont  the  city,  *'  To  the  Baslffle!  to  the 
9i«tiUe  r  They  first  attacked  the  Jfopital  des  Imalides,  . 
where  a  large  magasne  of  arms  was  kept  Scarcely  any; 
resislnce  wan  aMepnptad,  the  magiksrine  was  stripped,  and 
tlM  i^tlerinf  alma  twr?  d4  to  o^rtri  the$e  raw  reeruitt 
into  poofideat  spldierSr 


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6i        HI3T0RT   OF   NAPOLEON   BONAPARTE^ 

The  Baitille  taken  bj  the  Feopleb 

:   ^hen  they  arrived  at  the  Bastille,  a  deputation  from 
the  Provisionary  Municipality  demanded  admission  in  the 
ficune  of  the  people.    Dq  Lannay,  the  gOYernory  was  in  a 
most  critical  situation — his   duty  to  his  sovereign  for^ 
bidding  him  to  yield  to  any  other  power,  and  his  duty 
to  his  countrymen  forbiddiog  him  to  shed  blood  in  tmf 
avoidable  case.-rHe  demanded  a  parley.     "  Deliver  the 
keys !"  was  vociferated  by  the  multitude.    He  hesitated^ 
A  shower  of  stones  and  fire  of  musketry  might  hasten  bis 
decision !  the  experiment  w.as  tried,  and  the  goyemor  re* 
solved  to  stand  a  siege.    Every  attenipt  to  effect  a  breach 
&iled  of  success,  .and  many  of  the  people  were  killed* 
At  length  a  private  soldier  got  over  the  guard-house,  aDil> 
forced  the  first  draw-bridge,  by  means  of  a  hatchet,  while 
others  broke  open  the  outer  gate,  and  entered  the  oourt. 
These  were  soon  repulsed  and  driven  out  of  the  court  by 
the  garrison.    The  conflict  became  most  bloody,  and  tbe 
issue  doubtful.    The  bodies  of  the  wounded  lay  scattered' 
Qn  the  ground,  and  the  fury  of  the  people  iAcreased  even 
to  madness. 

At  this  critical  moment  two  detachments  of  soldiers 
arrived,  headed  by  two  non-commissioned  officers,  and 
these  were  followed  by  a  numerous  train  of  volun^eera, 
treaded  by  a  cttixen  Hulin,  who  had  induced  a  number  of 
tiie  French  guards  also  to  join  the  people.  This  aoces- 
fion  of  strength  invigorated  the  whole  body !  They  set  fire 
to  some  waggons  of  straw,  and,  by  then*  means,  burnt  and 
destroyed  ^le  outworks.  Several  pieces  of  cannon  were 
now  brought  to  play  upon  the  building  ;  and  the  .castle^ 
after  a  few  hours'  resistance,  was  at  length  taken  by  stoniL 
The  news  dartad  through  Paris  as  rapidly  as  the  rays  of 
^e  su,  a^d  on^  i^nbroK^  sbput  deobured  tbo  rapturoM 
joys  of  the  multitttde. 


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AND  WARS   OP  EUROP6.  5ft 


Death  of  McatTB.  De  LaooAy,  Ue  Lotme,  and  Fletiellca. 

gssass=aas=acsaa=a  i  „■     ii  ,  i        ,      «i  .     u    -JL- 


CHAPTER  ?I. 


Afteb  the  taking  of  the  Bastille,  every  individual^ 
frbether  as  spectator  or  assailant,  began  his  own  rektion 
of  the  transaction,  and  it^was  reported,  that  the  governor 
had  decoyed  a  number  of  the  people  within  the  gates, 
and  that,  when  he  had  them  in  his  power,  he  cruelly  put 
them  to  death.  Of  a  man  already  the  object  of  their  ha- 
tred, on  account  of  the  situation  he  held,  no  stronger  pro- 
tence  was  required  for  making  him  a  signal  example  of 
Tengeance. — ^There  is  no  reason  to  believe  that  the  report 
was  true ;  as,  if  it  had,  the  besiegers  would  not  have  8u& 
fered  him  to  have  existed  a  moment  after  they  had  sur* 
rounded  him  with  their  pikes ;  he  was,  however,  not  only 
considered  as  a  prisoner  of  war,  but  they  were  proceeding 
with  him  to  the  Hotel  de  Vilie,  to  deliver  him  to  the 
magistrates,  when  the  spirit  of  unrestrained  power  found 
that  (human  victims  were  necessary  to  its  continuation; 
end  the  mob  fell  instantly  upon  their  prisoner,  and 
bked  him  to  pieces.    M.  de  Losme^  an  inferior  officer^ 

M.  de  Flesselles,  the  Mayor,  shared  the  same  fate ; 

having  no  other  trophies  of  their  renown,  these  fero- 
dealers  in  human  blood,  mounted  the  bleeding 
of  the    Mayor   and  Governor  upon   their  long 

p,  'and'  bore  them  in  savage  procession  through  the 

'■  Natmal  Assembly,  during  this  conflict,  were  not 
nditioa  either  to  assist  or  discourage  any  measures 


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56        HISTORT  OF  NAPOLEON  B6l!tAPAllT£, 


The  AftSembly  made  acquaioted  vith  the  Nevi* 

yeaaMgeaaeaasa      i   i  ,  ■  '         '       ssssssssbssbsssssbs   i        i     i  laMcaag 

of  the  populace.  Various  reports  of  the  intentions  of  the 
court,  as  alarming  as  they  were  unfounded,  were  circu-" 
lated.  At  one  moment  the  members  were  all  to  be  seized, 
and,  after  being  condemned  as  rebels,  wer^  to  suffer  tor- 
tare  ;  at  another,  the  soldiers  were  marching,  with  a  hun- 
dred pieces  of  cannon,  to  batter  their  hall  to  ruins,  and 
burj  the  members  in  the  rubbish !  Some  members  exerted 
their  ebquence  to  inspire  fortitude  and  unanimity  in  the 
Assembly ;  and  a  remonstrance  was  sent  to  the  King,  om 
the  general  state  of  affiurs,  in  consequence  of  the  change 
in  the  ministry.  The  King  answered  in  a  style  too 
proudly,  and  the  Assembly  passed  a  string  of  resolutions^ 
declaring  (bat  no  confidence  whatever  could  be  r^osed 
in  the. new  ministry;  and  resolved  not  to  a4|ouni  ercvk 
during  the  night« 

The  perilous  situation  of  the  Assembly,  induced  them  Ut 
turn  their  attention  to  the  completion  of  the  new  consti^ 
kition;  and  a  committee  was,  therefore,  appointed,   on 
the  14th  of  July,  to  report  upon  it  without  delay.     At 
this  moment.   Viscount   de  Noailtes  unexpectedly   ap-» 
peared  in  the  hall ;  he  had  escaped,  he  said,  from  Paris^ 
and,  with  great  difficulty,  had  contrired  to  pass  the  pa^ 
troles.    When  he  quitted   Paris,  the   whole  city    had 
armed  itself  from  the  HopUal  des  InoaUdeSi  and    the 
Bastille  was  besieged,    fie  had  not  waited  for  the  iss^de  $ 
and  only  knew,  that  the  troops  destined  for  the  Ckic#  p 
de  Mars  were  expected  every  moment  to  relieved  tkHc 
tress,  which  conid  not  be  efiected  without  delilgiffio 
city  in  blood.  ea^ 

.  The  whole  Assembly  was  appalled  at  the  drea^iie 
telligcnce.    "  Let  us  fly  to  the  relief  of  our  fcPV-j 
zens!"  cried  some  of  the  members:   '^  I^ef  u 
burst  into  the  presence  of  Uio  Ki^g,"  exclaimed «  m       x$$ 

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Tb*  If  e#i  cMveyed  to  IA«  Rlng^ 

**  and  odl  upon  Mm  to  behold  iht  froHB  of  hill  conncite  s 
it  k  Mir  titne  that  ho  Bboakl  d«<3ide  whether  he  will  b# 
tli^  km^  or  tho  m^rddrer  of  th«  p«o)[>I(i  T 

A  deputntion  had  beeti  didpatohod  to  the  Kifigf,  but  had 
aot  ittttfned,  although  tha  bail  of  the  Atsemblr  wa» 
scarcely  four  hundred  yards  from  the  palace.  DafiAg 
Aia  ii^rvai,  a  depiitatioa  arrived  from  the  electors  (now 
the  iMgistfatea)  of  Parii,  to  th«  AMombly ;  th<tlr  report 
waa  eoBiethiiig  aiore  preoiee  tiiaii  that  of  de  NoaiUe«i  but 
the  reeolt  had  not  ttaoBpired  when  they  oame  away< 
The  Kmg's  aaswer  arrived ;  it  waft  uaimportaot  aiid  tta^ 
nea&mg,  auch  ae  it  mght  have  been  had  he  not  been 
conscious  of  the  oalamities  of  his  oountry.  In  fine^  a 
third  messenger  reaohed  the  Assembly  from  Parish  and  a 
tiitrd  deputation  was  seat  to  the  King. 

His  Majesty  was  then  retired  to  resti  but  moments 
were  bow  too  precious  to  be  wasted,  in  useless  ceremony. 
The  Duke  de  lianoourt  ingenuously  related  the  alarming 
aspect  of  afibirs  to  the  King,  and,  in  a  candid  and  friendljr 
BMUiner,  explained  to  him  the  personal  danger  io  ^^^lioh 
he  was  expoBed*  His  Majesty  was  soon  oonnnoed  that 
die  Monicipaiity  of  Paris,  with  a  hundred  thousand  tncdi 
in  annsi  woaUl  be  able  to  send  an  army  to  Veitailbs 
saflfaiientto  take  Urn  prisoner  in  bis  own  palace*  No 
SMtf  e  tiOM  was  to  be  lost  in  temporiaingi  *'  What  a  ter^ 
vible  revolt  r  exclaimed  the  King.  '*  No,  Sire  T^  ob- 
served the  Duke,  **  it  is  no  revolt,  but  a  great  Evolu- 
tion ;  the  nation  demaads  only  the  inviolability  of  its  re- 
presentatives:  when  your  Majesty's  troops  shall  have 
bft  the  National  Aasambly  to  the  freedom  of  ito  discus- 
siaas,  there  wiH  not  be  fbond  a  discontented  sut^ect  in  the 

The  Gout  d'Artoia,  one  of  the  Kiag^s  brothers,  had 
vox.  h — NO,  a.  * 

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58        HISTORY  OP  NAPOLEON  BONAPARTE, 

The  Kioff  goef  to  the  Awembly 

■-  i.   .  —  ii Ill  .1,  .1     ,11         '  -    ^^^^— 

incarred  the  severest  animadversions  of  the  people^  in 
Consequence  of  the  haateur  of  his  manners :  he  was  still 
adverse  to  conciliatory  measures.  ''  As  for  you,  Sit,^ 
said  de  Ldanconrt,  **  a  price  is  set  upon  your  head ;  I 
have  myself  seen  the  act  of  proscription  posted  up  in  th» 
streets." 

This  painful  inteliigence  spread  the  greatest  dismay  and 
consternation  throughout  the  whole  court  The  prince 
saw  that  his  only  security  was  in  a  precipitate  flight ;  and 
the  ministers  followed  his  example  with  such  rapidity, 
that  they  escaped  before  the  accounts  of  the  revolution 
could  encourage  the  provincial  patriots  to  close  the  bar* 
riers  of  the  towns  through  which  they  passed. 

The  Duke  de  Liancourt  having  obtained  the  King's 
assurance  that  he  would  attend  the  Assembly,  he  comr 
municated  the  intelligence  shortly  before  bis  Majesty 
was  ready  to  proceed.  The  Assembly  resolved  that  the 
King  ought  to  be  received  with  silence.  The  visit  was 
wholly  unpremeditated  on  both  sides,  and  no  prepara- 
tions were  made  for  it.  Without  a  body-guard,  or  any 
of  the  ensigns  of  royalty,  the  sovereign  of  the  first  em* 
pire  in  the  world,  who  only  a  few  days  before  had  been 
attended  to  the  same  hall  by  llie  proudest  race  of  nobles, 
and  a  long  retinue  of  most  magnificent  attendants,  now 
entered  the  Assembly,  uncovered,  and  unsaluted  by  the 
slightest  ceremonial,  to  implore  protection  against  a  law 
less  rabble. 

Though  the  countenances  of  the  members  were  not 
calculated  to  inspire  the  King  with  much  confidence; 
yet  he  addressed  the  Assembly  without  any  apparent 
embarrassment.  He  exhorted  them  to  use  their  utmost 
endeavours  to  re-establish  tranquillity  ;  and  assured  the 
Aasembly,  that  he  relied  upon  them  in  this  momentous 


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IND  WARS   OF  EUROPE.  59 


'  He  leaves  the  Hall,  applauded  by  the  People. 

crisis  irith  the  utmost  confidence.  At  these  words  many 
demonstrations  of  joy  barst  forth  from  the  seats  occupied 
by  the  nobles  and  the  clergy ;  most  of  the  commons  sat 
silent  and  unmoved:  it  was  not  enough  that  they  had 
liorabled  the  King,  they  must  also  attempt  to  degrade 
him,  and  their  efforts  to  surmount  the  despotism  of  the 
monarchy,  became  converted  into  a  desire  to  exercise  a 
despotic  power  over  the  Sovereign  himself.  *'  I  know,** 
continued  the  King,  **  that  unjust  prejudices  have  been 
conceived ;  I  know  that  false  reports  have  been  propa- 
gated, but  is  not  my  known  character  a  suflScient  answer 
to  those  mahgnant  cafaimnies?  I  come,"  added  he,  "  to 
declare  to  you,  that  I  and  my  people  are  the  same  :  my 
whole  trust  is  in  you ;  assist  me  to  secure  the  salvation 
of  the  state.  I  have  commanded  the  troops  to  retire ;  and 
I  exhort  yoti  to  assure  the  capital  of  tlje  sincerit}-  of  my 
intentions." 

At  the  conclusion  of  this  speech  the  hall  resounded 
with  reiterated  bursts  of  applause ;  and  after  the  presi- 
dent had  assured  his  Majesty  that  tbe  Assembly  would 
take  the  most  eifectual  measures  for  restoring  the  public 
peace,  the  members  all  arose,  and  conducted  the  King 
to  his  palace. 

When  the  King  appeared,  accompanied  by  the  Assemr 
Hy,  the  air  was  rent  by  shouts  of  joy,  and  blessings 
were  poured  upon  his  head,  as  if  he  were  regarded  as  the 
deliverer  of  his  people.  The  whole  manner  of  the  King 
seemed  to  be  changed ;  and  now  that  he  had,  as  it  were, 
escaped  firom  the  restraints  of  despotic  pomp,  he  became 
eager,  to  answer  every  one  that  pressed  about  him,  and 
heard'  with  the  utmost  affability  the  details  which  they 
were  anxious  to  give  of  what  had  happened.  Accordine 
fo  appearances^  both  the  King  an9^he  people  had  becpmf 
free,  and  were  both  conaequentiy  happy. 

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fiO         HISTORV  OF  NAPOLEON   BONAPARTE, 

~     He  arrives  at  the  Hotehde  Ville. 

■■■■■  II*''  ■■  .       ■   

The  National  Assembly  now  possessed  the  sovereiga 
power  in  all  ito  plenitude.  A  deputatioD,  of  eighty 
members,  was  dispatched  from  tiie  Aasembly  to  the  car 
pita! ;  and  Mr.  Bailly,  who  had  been  their  president,  wa« 
appointed  Mayor  of  Paris.  The  Marquis  de  la  Fayette, 
who  bad  also  been  president  of  the  Assembly,  was  made 
commander  of  the  national  guards,  and  M.  Necker,  being 
recalled  by  the  Asse.mbly,  rcsuniedhis  situation  m  m^ 
l»ister. 

The  same  prudence  that  induced  the  King  U  visit  tbo 
>4tional  Assenibly,  prompted  him  to  vi^it  the  ciqpital, 
^d  his  journey  was  attended  with  equal  ^uccess^  Oq 
his  approach  to  Paris  he  was  met  by  M.  de  la  Fayette,  at 
the  head  of  the  national  guards  ;  ^  mixed  multitude  of 
the  citizens  of  Pari9>  irregularly  armed  with  different 
weapons,  and  shouting,  **  Vive  la  Nation  T  indicated 
no  disposition  to  treat  him  very  respectfully.  When  his 
Majesty  arrived  at  the  Hotel  d€  Ville,  he  was  entreated  to 
wear  a  cockade^  that  the  people  had  assumed,  as  the 
ensign  of  their  triumph ;  and,  as  he  evinced  no  objectiony 
the  mob  became  somewhat  reconciled  to  him,  He  was  at 
one  time,  however,  very  near  overturning  all  th^  effects 
of  his  good-nature ;  for  one  of  the  electors  addressing 
him  in  a  style  of  republican  freedom,  he  was  puzzled  for 
an  answer  ;  but  the  Mayor  adroitly  stepped  forward  and 
relieved  the  King  from  the  dilemma,  by  answering  in  hi^ 
name. 

The  conduct  of  Louis  upon  this,  as  upoi^  most  pthei: 
occasions,  displayed  a  high  degree  of  benevolence  an4 
goodness  of  heart ;  he  seemed  to  indulge  all  the  wishes  of 
the  people ;  and  his  conciliatory  manners  pcodoced  sudi 
an  effect  upon  the  multitude,  that  when  be  appeared  at 
«ne  of  the  windows,  a  general,  acclamatioi^  of  **  Vive  1$ 


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AND  WAKS  OF  EUROPE.  61 


Iosu(qcleqcy  of  Passports. 


Rot  r  resounded  from  all  quarters,  in  spite  of  the  ettoiU 
of  some  malignant  and  unprincipled  men,  who  mixed 
amongst  the  crowd,  with  a  determination  at  all  events  to 
excite  hatred  against  him. 

The  propagation  of  falsehood,  and  the  various  alarms 
excited  by  ialse  reports,  gave  the  triumphant  party  an 
opportunity  of  creating  so  much  goroemment^  that  they 
had  places  and  offices  to  bestow  upon  the  most  insignifi* 
WdX  pf  their  retainers.;  and  there  was  scarcely  a  street  in 
P^ris  but  had  its  governor  appointed,  to  tell  the  citizens 
when  they  might  be  permitted  to  go  abroad,  and  when 
tliey  should  be  obliged  to  stay  at  home.  This  mischief 
iras,  however,  much  increased  by  the  circumstance  of 
the  government  being  so  divided,  that  what  was  law  in 
one  district,  was  not  law  in  another;  and  the  characters 
md  fortunes  of  the  people  might  be  exposed  according 
45  they  were  in  this  or  that  section.  Before  any  one  could 
go  abroad,  it  was  necessary  that  he  should  be  furnished 
with  a  card  of  civism  from  the  municipality  of  his  section  ; 
k»ut  9  person  might  be  an  object  of  calumny  in  one  dis- 
trict, who  was  known  to  be  wholly  innocent  in  another ! 
^d  as  no  one  was  ever  certain  that,  bis  passport  would 
pot  beguile  him  to  ^  spot  where  ignorant  ofGciousness 
might  be  waiting  to  place  him  within  the  fangs  of  suspi* 
cion,  the  most  quiet  and  peaceable  of  the  citizen9  saw  no 
safely  but  in  shutting  themselves  up  in  secret,  and  goard*- 
ing  their  very  looks  from  being  construed  intq  symptomf 
pr  treason  against  tbc  inclinations  of  the  mpb. 


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62'        HISTORY  OF   NAPOLEON   BONAPARTE, 

Measures  to  attack  the  Clergy, 


CHAPTER  VII, 


Most  oF  the  princes  of  France  imitated  the  measures 
adopted  in  the  capital,  and  the  jealousies  of*  the  people 
were  roused  upon  the  most  trifling  occasions,  so  that  per* 
sons  were  constantly  exposed  to  the  greatest  dangers,  and 
numbers  of  individuals,  of  every  class,  found  their  only 
safety  in  emigrating  from  their  country. 

News  every  day  arrived  of  the  most  dreadful  crimes 
being  committed  in  all  parts  of  the  kingdom,  and  these 
were  suffered  to  continue  without  restraint,  the  Court  and 
the  Assembly  being  both  influenced  by  the  same  base  mo- 
iivc,  a  desire  to  attach  all  the  odium  to  the  other. 
.  Tlie  clergy  now  saw  the  ineflScacy  of  their  system,  of 
directing  the  attention  of  the  people  to  the  ceremonies  of 
f  eligion,  instead  of  its  precepts  ;  for  no  sooner  were  these 
people  released  from  the  burthen  of  restraint,  than  they 
appeared  to  be  evidently  without  the  least  moral  influence. 
Forged  letters,  in  the  name  of  the  National  Assembly,  and 
forced  edicts^  in  the  name  of  the  King,  were  used,  call* 
ing  upon  the  people  to  withhold  the  tythes,  to  destroy 
the  palaces,  and  bum  t}ie  castles  of  their  landlords  and 
their  priests :  incitements  like  these  were  hardly  wanting, 
for  the  we^  ceremonies  of  the  church  of  Rome  had 
abandoned  the  morak  of  the  French  to  the  guardianship 
of  the  bayonet,  which  being  now  no  longer  apprehended, 
fin  the  effebts  of  animosity  and  revenge  began  to  shew 


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AND  VTAViS   OF   EUROPE.  03 

The  Life  of  M.  Beozeval  demamlcd. 

itself,  wUbt  ruin  and  desolation  spread  throughout  the 
kingdom;  more  pcurticularly  in  Dauphin^,  Burgundy, 
Britany,  and  FrancheCompte,  where  the  finest  buildings 
irere  reduced  to  ashes. 

The  blood  of  M.  Benzeval  was  loudly  called  for.  This 
gentleman  had  commanded  the  Swiss  troops,  and  it  was 
said  that  he  had  written  to  M.  de  Launay,  to  defend  the 
Bastille  to  the  last,  though  no  such  letter  was  ever  au« 
thenticated.  M.  Necker,  who  was  greatly  attached  to 
tfab  officer,  wished  to  employ  the  popularity  he  had  ac-. 
paired  among  the  people  to  soften  their  resentment ;  and 
on  Ua  first  visit  to  Paris,  after  his  recal,  he  took  occasion 
to  implore  the  Municipality,  above  all  things  to  let  their 
proceedings  be  guided  by  goodness,  mildness,  and  justice, 
and  to  pass  a  general  amnesty,  by  which  the  errors  of 
HL  Benzeval,  and  other  misguided  persons,  might  be  for- 
given, and  an  end  put  to  those  disgraceful  scenes,  a  re- 
petition  of  which,  he  added,  would  render  him  incapable 
•f  longer  serving  the  public. 

Tlie  minister's  eloquence  produced  such  an  elTect  on 
Hke  magistrates,  that  they  immediately  acceded  to  his  re- 
quest, and  dispatched  orders  to  Villenaux,  where  M.  Ben- 
seval  was  confined,  to  set  him  at  liberty.  Necker,  pleased 
at  the  triumph  his  virtuous  endeavours  had  gained  over 
tlie  factiooa  disturbers  of  the  public  peace,  hastened  to 
comnutticate  the  joyful  tidings  to  the  King:  however, 
be  bad  scarcely  arrived  at  Versailles  before  every  thing 
tbat  had  beien  done  was  counteracted. 
.  T)be  crowd,  who  had  assembled  at  the  Hotel  de  Ville, 
liad  loudly  a^qplauded  the  mimster's  sentiments,  and  apr 
l^oved  the  act  of  oblivion  by  the  most  enthusiastic  shouls^ 
Imt  the  apirit  of  equivocation  shortly  discovered  that  the 
•lectors  had  not  been  appointed  to  the  magistracy  by  any 


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64        HISTORY  OP  NAPOL£OK   BOKAPARTE, 

A  new  ConttHutional  Code» 

written  law,  and  thef eibi«6  that  they  had  no  autfaarity  to 
prevent  the  shedding  of  blood !  The .  legions  of  tomal- 
tuOtts  rabbi«»  at  whose  call  the  Municipality  had  been 
formed,  and  who  had  hailed  them  as  the  guardians  of 
liberty^  so  long  as  they  were  regarded  as  acooinplices  in 
the  murders  that  were  perpetrated,  now  began  to  treat 
them  as  usurpers,  whose  arroganoe  and  presuttiption  da- 
served  the  most  exemplary  punishment.  They  wer« 
looked  on  as  rebels,  who  had  put  tliemseives  in  opposition 
to  the  national  representatives.  Alarum  bells  were  rung: 
to  call  the  people  together,  and  preparations  were  mado 
ibr  besieging  them  in  the  town-housei  Less  terrific  means 
would  have  induced  them  to  repeal  their  docrees ;  and 
accordmgly  flresh  couriers  were  dispatched  to  continna 
the  arrest  of  M.  BenzevaK 

This  act  of  submission  was  very  gradously  nooived ; 
yet  they  could  not  forgive  M.  Neckar  for  occasioning^ 
this  instance  of  presumption,  though  their  own  proceed- 
ings proved  how  much  they  were  convinced  that  such  a 
measure  was  undoubtedly  necessary. 

The  attention  of  the  National  Assembly  was  prinoipallf 
directed  to  the  formation  of  a  new  constitutional  code^ 
until  the  4th  of  August,  when  the  distressing  aocoonta 
that  arrived  from  all  parts  of  the  country,  obliged  it  to 
consider  of  the  most  effectual  means  of  restoring  traaquit 
lity  to  the  kingdom.  A  more  important  sittiag  nevar 
was  held,  than  that  which  occupied  the  Assembly  on  tba 
evening  of  that  day.  The  enormities  which  had  boaii 
committed  in  almost  every  village,  were  such  aa  tiireat- 
ened  the  destruction  of  the  whole  body ;  and  alt  tha 
feelings  of  selfishness  and  patriotism,  of  fintitade  and 
fear,  united  to  make  some  sacrifices  necessary  to  the  publfo 
happiness. 


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AND  WARS  OP  EUROPE.  63 

Abolltfan  of  Pnidal  SerTteet.--AppoiiitiiieDt  of  a  oew  Ministry. 


•  Tlie  most  awimiili^  debates  tliat  ever  gave  interest  to 
any  public  proceedings  continued,  with  scarcely  any  in* 
terliBssioa,  till  tbe  evening  of  the  fitb  of  Aagiist,  when  a 
decree  of  enancipation  was  passed,  by  which  eveiy  class 
of  the  oonnnntty  received  an  ^qnal  ehum  to  public  jus- 
tice,  and  was  relieved  from  aneqiud  cantribvtio&s  to  tibe 
public  burdens.  To  complete  die  whole  proceediags,  and 
lo  give  an  air  of  soleiaaitf  ,  the  King  was  eompHmented 
vHh  the  iattering  title  of  **  Restorer  of  French  liberty  r 
and  the  deputation  havidf  waited  upon  hiai  with  the 
decarees,  be  invited  the  Assembly  to  accompany  him  to 
sing  Te  Deum  iipon  the  oocasioB. 

Hie  oppesition  to  the  new  oonslittttion  was  now  greatly 
fedooed  ;  for  the  decrees  of  the  Assembly  abolished  feu^ 
dal  services  and  manorial  jurisdictions^  as  well  as  the 
game  laws,  with  the  exclusive  rights  of  chase,'  ef  fldang, 
of  free*  warren,  and  all  those  mischieft  which  the  pea« 
santry  had  been  obliged  to  suffer  from  the  game  of  their 
privileged  neighbours.  The  clergy  were  compelled  to 
give  op  their  tythes,  after  having  voluntarily  resigned 
their  parodriid  fees,  and  resolved  in  no  ease  to  bold 
pluralities  !  It  was  also  decreed^  That  the  nation  should 
discontinue  die  contributions  which  it  had  paid  to  the 
dnirch  of  Borne  ;  and  every  chartered  ri^  and  Spetia' 
privSege,  which  divided  France  into  sepafaie  prtivinces 
sad  cofporations,  was  superseded  by  the  concise  dedanif 
tinn,  Dmt  Feanee  should  henceforth  olily  be  Inhabited  by 
ene  people»  who  should  be  known  by  no  other  appell»* 
tien  thail  that  of  French  Citizens^ 

The  civility  of  the  Assembly  to  the  King  in  the  Iftto 
pmseeding,  induced  him  to  appoint  a  new  ministry,  in 
"viach  he  was  so  thr  fortunate,  that  l|to  choice  was  ap-* 
pmvedefi  yet  the  government -./as   in  no  condition  to 

VOL.   I. — NO.  8.  K 

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HISTOEY   OF   NAPOLEON  BONAPARTE, 

Contractors  refuse  the  Loan.-;>Patriotic  CootribatioB. 


proceed,  for  the  old  malady  in  the  finances  was  yet  un- 
remedied. 

An  opportonity  was  again  offered  of  saving  the  country^ 
and  was  again  destroyed  by  tiie  little  passions  of  that 
soi'disant  august  Assembly.  M.  Necker  presented  him* 
self  in  their  hall^  as  minister  of  the  finances^  and  recjnested 
their  sanction  to  a  loan  of  thirty  millions  of  livres,  as  a 
measure  of  ..indispensable  necessity;  and  eveiy  motive  of 
sound  polioy  should  have  induced  the  meinbers  to  have 
given  the  most  unqualified  assent  to  the  proposition,  in 
order  to  have  secured  that  confidence  firom  the  monied 
interest  which  it  was  willing  to  give,  and  which  the  pro- 
ceedings of  the  Assembly  had  at  that  period  done  nothihg 
to  .'shake  ;  but  humbling  the  minister,  as  a  punishment 
for  the  notions  that  he  seemed  to  entertain  of  their  autho- 
rity, by  asking  a  favour  of  the  Municipality  of  Paris,  was 
too  precious  to  be  neglected,  and  they  declared  their  utter 
want  of  confidence  in  him,  proposing  other  terms  upon 
which  they  would  have  the  loan  contracted  for,  Tlio 
result  was,  that  they  betrayed  their  total  ignorance  of  finan- 
eial  afihirs,  and  the  contractors  would  advance  no  loan 
upon  any  terms  whatever. 

Public  credit  was  now  so  far  depressed,  that  the  royal 
family  were  even  obliged  to  send  their  plate  and  trinkets 
to  be  coined  into  cash,  to  pay  the  current  expences  of  their 
household.  The  state  was  to  be  saved  by  a  patriotic  con- 
tribution,  and  the  members  began  the  farce  in  the  Assem- 
bly, by  suddenly  presenting  all  their  shoe-buckles,  ear* 
rings,  breast-pins,  and  other  trinkets,  to  contribute  to  the 
national  treasury. 

The  efiect  of  this  general  donation  was,  that  ydhm  it 
came  to  be  cast  up,  it  fell  so.  far  short  of  what  was  ex- 
pected, that  it  insensibly  left  the  unpression  upon  every 


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AND   WARS   OP   EUROPE.  67 

Bold  Measure  proposed  by  the  Miniiter. 

^ne*s  mind,  that  something  remained  to  bo  done,  and 
caused  the  minister  to  propose  the  boldest  measure  that 
perhaps  ever  was  attempted,  even  in  tl^  most  despotic 
states.  TUs  extraordinary  proposal  was  nothing  less 
than  Aat  every  man  should  pay  ihe  fourth  of  his  income, 
by  instalments,  in  the  course  of  three  years,  to  the  sup- 
port of  the  state. 

Oppressive  as  this  edict  evidently  was,  it  was  adopted 
by  those  veiy  people  who  had  been  assembled  to  correct 
the  extravagance  of  the  court  when  the  Kmg  required 
the  loan  of  a  few  miUiottS ;  but  the  patriots  were  now  in 
power,  andtbey  resorted  to  a  new  doctrine,  suited  to 
theoccasJOB. 

Hough  tins  tax  was  smoothed  with  the  appellation 
of  a  patriotic  gift,  and  every  person  was  to  state  his  in« 
come,  the  Assembly  were  not  inclined  to  rely  upon  it  as 
tiieir  only  resource  ;  they  took  it  up  as  a  kind  of  supple- 
mentary aid,  to  help  the  government  on  tiH  Aey  should 
have  effected  the  constitution  ;  but  this  was  greatly  de^ 
layed  by  the  different  mterests  that  prevailed  in  the  legis* 
lative  body.. 

There  was  a  third  party  still  more  base  and  hypocri- 
tical than  either  the  -royalists  or  republicans,  because  it 
was  endeavouring  to  make  instruments  of  both,  for  pur- 
poses too  dtsgracefnl  to  be  mentioned.  To  this  facti<Hi, 
Mhabeau,  and  many  of  the  professed  republicans,  be-* 
longed,  whose  principal  object  was,  to  e£fect  the  over-  ^ 
throwof  the  reigning  family,  and  to  place  the  Duke  of 
CMeans  upon  the  throne. — Each  faction  was  desirous  of 
rendering  the  constitution  subservient  to  his  particular 
views ;  and  such  was  the  obstinacy  with  which  every 
part  was  contended,  that  it  was  not  tffl  tiie  3rd  of  Sepr 


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08        HISTORY  OF   NAPOLEON    BONAPARTE, 

QnesCioB  for  UduUdk  tlie  Authority  of  the  Kiof. 


.  tember  ITDl,  tbat  it  was  ready  to  be  laid  before  the 

'itiog- 

.Among  tbe  debates  which  created  the  most  violent 
0Mteiitbn»  waa  the  question  for  limiting  tbe  authority 
of  the  Mwareh*  The  republicans  were  i'or  redueing  him 
to  a  meive  cypher,  in  order  to  afford  an  excuse  for  de- 
posKDg  him  as  a  useless  appendage  of  the  government; 
while  4heAristocrats»  and  the  friends  of  rational  liberty, 
wished  to  allow  him  a  negative  upon  all  proceedings  of 
tbe  legislature,  in  order  to  correct  any  violent  measures 
tbat  might  pass«  A  vote  of  that  nature  being  abi(K>st  es«» 
sential  to  the  very  stile  of  King,  tbe  Orleans  Ihotion  were 
as  zealous  for  it  as  the  Royalists  ;  and  Mirabean  adopted 
a  singular  arti6cei  to  conceal  his  plans  from  the  mob  of 
Paris,  who  coasidared  him  a  staunch  republican,  who^ 
after  delivering  the  most  eloquent  orations  in  the  Assembly 
in  iavonr  of  tbe  Veto,  withdrew  before  the  qoestion  wan 
pmty  that  his  name  might  not  appear  among  the  printed 
votes, 

\  Constant  scenes  of  riot  could  not  fail  to  become  matter 
of  the  most  serious  alarm  to  the  King,  especially  as  the 
obstmacgr  of  the  mob  triunqphed  over  the  efforts  tiwt  were 
exerted  to  subdue  them  ;  it  was,  therefore,  no  impolitio 
resolution  diat  he  adopted,  of  sending  to  tbe  Assembly 
to  declare,  that  it  was  not  Us  wish  to  have  the  absolute 
veto,  and  proposed   a  suspensive   veto,    which  should 

1  pos^ne  laws  during  a  first  and  second  legislature,  bul; 
which  should  bo  withdrawn,  if  a  third  should  vote  for  ita 
pissing. 

.  TUs  wag  generally  approved,  but  it  did  not  seeura 
Ibn  King  th^  least  repose  ;  for  those  cold-blooded. calcu- 
fatinf  patriivta  had  oUier  schemes  in  jiew»  whioh  -  iu:^ 


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AND   WARS   OF   EUROPB.  69 

Royal  Aneot  tvitiibeld. 

duced  tbem  to  grant  him  the  prerogative,  merely  to  betray 
turn  into  their  power. 

Two  great  objects  of  the  revolntion  were  not.  yet 
hrongfat  forward ;  and  as  they  wonld  not  only  create  a 
violent  opposition  throughout  France,  but  also  excite  the 
hostile  interference  of  foreign  powers,  they  co«ld  not  b« 
attempted  till  some  pretence  was  found  for  retainisp 
the  royal  family^  as  hostages  to  be  offered  up  to  popular 
vengeance  in  case  of  opposition. 

The  royal  assent  about  this  time  was  withheld  from  a 
decree  that  had  been  laid  before  the  King  for  his  veto, 
and  daring  this  e^ntfnl  period,  the  iriends  of  the  court 
were  unfiortanate  enough  to  afford  the  factious  leaders 
an  opportunity  of  exciting  a  great  degree  of  agitation 
amongst  their,  followers,  by  a  feast  that  was  given  at  Yer* 
saiUes  to  the  officers  of  a  regiment  lately  arrived,  at  whioh^ 
under  the  exhilirating  influence  of  the  bottle,  they  shewed 
a  strong  dislike  to.  the  oondiict  of  the  Revolution.  Thet 
King  and  Queen  were  prevailed  upon  to  present  the 
Dauphin  to  tUs  party,  and  the  visit  was  received  with 
aach  raptures  of  enthusiastic  loyalty,  that  it  is  ex- 
temely  probable  some  improper  words  said  actions  might 
have  been  witnessed,  which  themselves  would  not  have 
approved  in  the  moments  of  sobriety.  No  such  allowance 
opuld,  however,  be  admitted  by  the  virtuous  members  of 
tlie  Assembly : — ^the  national  cooxade,  they  said,  had 
be»  trampled  on,  and  Mirabeau  declared,  that  if  tbe 
Assembly  would  proaonnce,  that  the  '*  King^s  pei*soa 
only  was  saved,"  he  would  "  accuse  tiie  Queen  of  en« 
<»oungiBg  these  outrages." . 

No  reascming  could  be  heard  among  the  clamours  of  the 
revolution  :  myriads  of  the  Parisians,  consisting  of  tli» 
t  abandoned  persons  of  both  sexes,  marshalled  in  bodies^ 

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70        HISTORY  OP  NAPOLEON   BONAPARTE, 


Lonii  and  liii  Family  brooicht  Prisooen  to  Parii. 

and  proceeded,  oo  the  fourth  day  after  the  banquet,  to  the 
palace  at  Versailles,  and  in  the  most  horrid  procession 
that,  perhaps,  was  ever  witnessed  in  any  age  or  country, 
,  brought  the  King  and  all  his  unhappy  family  prisoners  to 
Paris.  To  describe  this  wicked  and  bloody  attempt 
would  be  deviating  from  our  purpose ;  but  poiiterity  may 
form  some  idea  of  it,  on  being  informed  that  the  Queen 
was  attacked  in  her  bed-chamber,  which  was  only  de* 
fended  by  a  single  centinel,  who  had  scarcely  time  to  call 
0ut,  "  Save  the  Queen,  for  I  alone  am  here  to  defend  her 
Ufb  against  two  thousand  tygersT  when  he  was  trampled 
undeir  foot  by  the  relentless  cannibab.  The  streaming 
heads  of  two  of  the  life-guards  were  carried  on  pikea 
before  their  Majesties'  coach,  in  order  to  give  them  every 
degree  of  pain  that  barbarous  cruelty  could  invent,  and 
the  wanton  cry  of  "  give  us  bread  !"  was  chosen  to  assail 
the  ears  of  that  prince,  whom  they  had  been  more  than  two 
years  endeavouring  to  reduce  to  misery. 

Among  those  who  most  regretted  the  turn  wluch  affairs 
had  now  taken,  were  La  Fayette,  Mounier,  and  Lally 
Tolendal;  the  two  latter  of  whom  urged  their  friends  to 
the  inutility  of  any  iurther  struggle,  now  that  aU  the 
Conns  of  justice  were  wholly  overthrown,  and  the  Assem- 
bly would  be  obUged  to  follow  the  King  to  Paris,  where 
every  man's  life  would  be  held  at  the  mercy,  not  of  those 
whom  they  looked  on  as  their  fellow-citisens,  but  of  the 
sanguinary  ruffians  of  that  degraded  city.  The  royal 
A^Iy  looked  upon  themselves  as  splendid  prisoners,  at 
victims  ready  to  be  sacrificed  whenever  occasion  should 
require  it ;  the  monarchy  was  therefore  virtuaUy  destroyed; 
and,  having  crossed  the  Rubicon,  it  was  not  necessary  to 
l^t  any  longer. 
,  *:|1i^.  first  step  the  ministers  took,  and  which  was  lika 


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AND  WARS   OP  EUROPE.  71 


EodNlastioil  Property  declared  tbe  Property  of  the  NAtioo. 

throirii^  out  a  tub  to  a  whale,  was  the  abolition  of  a 
tax»  *wliidi  Louis  tbe  XVIth  had  been  anxious  to  abolish* 
This  tax  was  a  duty  of  nearly  sixpence  on  a  single  pound 
of  salty  and  was  held  by  tiie  people  in  such  abhorrence, 
that  no  measure  could  ha?e  been  more  popular,  except 
the  remission  of  the  tobacco  duty,  which  was  repealed  at 
the  same  time. 

The  leading  party  in  the  Assembly  surprised  all  Europe^ 
and  eveu  great  part  of  their  own  colleagues^  by  a  pro- 
posal to  seize  upon  all  the  lands  and  revenues  of  tho 
chureh,  in  order  to  pay  off  the  national  debts,  and  relieve 
the  people  firom  the  burthens  that  so  heavily  pressed  upon 
them. 

This  business  came  forward  at  the  end  -of  October ; 
but  though  ihe  subject  was  of  great  importance  to  tiio 
clergy,  as  well  as  to  all  the  principal  families,  by  being 
related  to  that  body,  the  opposition  to  the  pr<^osal  was  of 
little  efiect,  and  a  decree  passed  on  the  3d  of  November, 
by  which  all  the  ecclesiasticill  property  in  the  kingdom 
was  declared  to  be  the  property  of  the  nation,  and  every 
minister  of  public  worship  was  to  receive  his  salary  out 
of  the  public  purse,  like  a  clerk  in  an  office !  The  sup* 
pression  of  monastic  establishments  followed  this  ;  but  it 
is  higUy  creditable  to  the  Assembly,  that,  in  seizing  those 
revenues,  provision  was  made,  that  as  many  of  the  resi- 
dent nuns  and  friars  as  were  disposed  to  continue,  should 
bave  their  stipends  allowed  them  during  their  lives. 

The  seizing  of  the  church  lands  had  so  much  wisdom 
in  it,  that  it  was  of  itself  sufficient  to  secure  a  revolution ; 
it  instantly  became  the  trading  stock  of  the  government 
— a  bank  that  might  be  considered  inexhaustible  ;  and  to 
give  the  monied  interest  a  colour  for  sanctioning  the 
■MMTO^  a  new  kind  of  p^er  money  was  issued  by  tlie 

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72        HISTORY   OP   NAPOLEON    BONAPARTE, 


Assip»t»--Order  of  Nobikiy  aboliilied<^£BiKtftdoiM. 

fii  '  '  " 

Assembly  apon  its  credit  These  drafts  were  called  as* 
aigiDits>  and  the  property  itself  that  was  seised  or  forfeiu^d 
to  the  state,  was  called  national  domains.  The  creditors 
of  the  state  were  paid  in  assignats  or  drafts  upon  the 
national  domains,  so  that  the  great  debts  of  the  countfj 
guaranteed  an  immense  army  for  the  defence  of  the  revo* 
lotion  ;  for  by  this  means  the  nation  would  find  purchasers 
for  her  domains,  and  be  able  to  pay  her  drafts ;  but  if  the 
ancient  order  of  things  were  to  be  restored,  the  pubifo 
creditor  would  suffer  as  fonneriy. 

Having  ventured  upon  this  the  most  haaardous  of  all 
their  measures^  the  Assembly  abolished  the  whole  order 
of  nobility,  at  a  single  sitting,  by  a  laconic  decree,  that 
henceforth  there  should  be  no  distinction  of  orders  in 
France. 

Both  the  nobles  and  clergy  felt  their  losses  more  than 
they  should ;  for,  in  fact,  the  salaries  of  the  clergy,  ak 
aettled  by  the  legiriatnre,  were  not  illiberal;  and,  as  to 
the  nobles,  they  should  bove  seen,  thai  a  very  few  years 
of  peace  would  have  made  the  demagogues  themselves 
#mutous  of  restoring  distinctive  badges,  for  the  sake  of 
maintaining  their  own  rank. 

Emigrations  became  so  common,  that  not  less  than  six 
thousand  bmded  estates  were  advertised  for  public  sale» 
for  which  no  purchasers  could  be  found ;  and  so  much 
property  had  been  conveyed  to  forei^  countries,  that  the 
demand  for  ^ome  of  tlie  principal  articles  of  manufacturo 
was  sensibly  diminished,  insomuch,  that  some  of  ibe 
trading  cities  were  shortly  ruined. 

The  conduct  of  the  Assembly  towards  tte  King  bad 
been  a  nusture  of  msolence  and  respect  3  tkej  had  eviiii» 
oed  a  resohition  ndt  to  let  him  exctcise  bis  prerogativa 
of  the   FUo^md  yet  affected  to  consider  hisasseAlaa 


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AKI>  WARS  OF  EUROPE.  fZ 

Tbe  Kiog  arretted  ^oioi:  to  St.  Cload. 

*T'  *  '  '■ '  ■-■.-"'       -    '      '  '  "*" 

absolutely  necessary  ;  so  that,  after  a  variety,  of  argu- 

menis,  be  was  forced  to  appear  in  the  Assembly,  and 

.J^rofess  his  determination  to  support  the  new  order  of 

things. 

The  Clergy  were  commanded  to  signify  ttcir  assent  to 
Ae  spoliation  of  the  Church,  by  an  oath,  although  at 
variance  with  tlie  whole  system  of  their  education  and 
habits.  Most  of  the  conscientious  Ciei^  refused  to 
take  this  iniquitous  oath,  and  many  of  these  persons 
attached  themselves  to  the  King,  as  sulTering  with  hidl 
tnder  the  same  \ranton  persecution. 

That  the  Kmg  was  disposed  to  prove  that  he  Was  realty 
a  prisoner,  or  that  he  designed  nothmg  more  than  to 
ascertain  the  length  of  his  chain,  cannot  now  be  deter- 
mined ;  but  on  the  18th  of  April,  1791,  he  took  the  reso- 
lution to  ride  with  his  family  to  St.  Cloud,  a  palace  at  a 
sbort  distance,  in  order  to  spend  the  Easter  holidays. 
The  journey  was  hardly  began  wheii  the  Royal  Travel- 
lers were  arrested  by  the  mob,  and  the  soldiers  joined  in 
Ihe  outrage,  upon  the  pretence,  that  they  considered 
iheir  country  in  danger. 

Such  an  insult,,  of  so  glaring  atid  unprovoked  a  nature^ 
could  not  fail  to  rouse  their  indignation,  and  the  King 
repaired  to  the  Assembly  on  the  following  day,  to  com- 
plain. TT^ey  heard  the  complaint  wiih  apparent  respect, 
and  taciily  ceni^nred  the  proceeding,  by  passing  a  decree 
to  authorise  a  prosecution  of  the  journey,  but  not  a 
word  was  said  about  punishing  the  officious  wretches  wh« 
bad  usurped  the  po Wer  of  the  Magistracy. 

This  event  was  impoitant,  as  it  occurred  at  a  period 
wben  the  Emigrant  Princes  were  about  to  attack  the  Re- 
Tohtionists,  with  a  view  to  restore  the  antient  despot- 
ism, and  led  the  King  to  think,  that  his  own  reputation 

VOL.   I. — NO.  4.   .  L 

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74        HISTORY  OP  iVAlTOLEON  lOKAPARTE, 


The  Kinip'i  Reflections. 


required  Um  to  disavow  itny  participation  in  these  hostile 
preparations;  he  therefore  lost  no  time  in  notifying  to 
all  foreign  courts,  that  he  had  assented  to  tibe  new  order 
of  things,  and  **  that  he  and  the  National  Assembly  were 
united  together  by  the  most  sacred  obligations.'' 


^tfw#^##^«*«> 


CHAPTER  VIII. 


JLouKS  knew  that  his  brothers  wished  to  restore  the  mo" 
aarchy  with  its  unlimited  power,  and  he  also  well 
knew  that  the  object  of  the  patriotic  factions  was  to  seek 
A  fair  pretence  for  overthrowing  the  last  of  the  Monarcly 
altogether;  whichever  of  the  parties  might  succeed  was 
to  him  of  less  consequence  than  any  other  person ;  for 
there  could*  be  litUe  doubts  but  the  commencement  of 
the  struggle  would  be  a  signal  for  offering  him  up  as  its 
victim.  His  distance  from  his  brothers  precluded  him 
ffom  desiring  tiiem  to  abandon  an  olgect,  in  which  tfajci^ 
birth-right  was  involved,  and  the  increasing. frenzy  of 
the  National  Assembly  prevented  him  from  expecting 
any  thiqg  like  a  more  moderate  course  from  them.  Sur* 
rounded  by  evils  on  every  side^  where  is  the  man  that 
would  not  have  sought  a  place  of  safety!  No  people 
but  tl^e  inconsiderate  French  would  have  been  surprised 
that  tiie  Royal  Family  had  escaped  from  Parisi  much  less 
iMnre  attributed  it  to  the  worst  of  motives. 


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ANI>  WAlta  OF  EURQP8«  75 


The  llayal  Famity  Icaye  Paris— Tfaeir  Anreit  ai  Tttcmitt. 

On  the  2l8t  of  June,  1791,  the  commaiiduit  pf  the 
castlM^f  the  Thnilleries  was'  met  by  one  of  the  house- 
hold*  who  infonned  him,  that  neither  the  King,  Qaeen, 
X)aqph]n,  nor  the  Princess  Elizabeth,  were  to  be  found ; 
the  news  was  generally  known  aboat  nine  in  the  momihg, 
and  Paris  was  in  the  greatest  confusion. 

The  National  Assembly  met  early,  and  the  President 
communicatied  the  intelligence,  upon  which  H«  Mont* 
morin,  the  Minister  for  Foreign  affairs,  was  ordered  un- 
der arrest,  upon  suspicion  of  his  having  assisted  the  es* 
cape  of  the  family. 

Beports  were  immediately  circulated,  that  the  King 
was  gone  to  put  hin»elf  at  the  head  of  an  army  to  invade 
his  people,  and  the  iBrontiera  were  ordered  to  be  put  in  a 
state  of  defence.  Couriers  were  despatched  to  all  the  de- 
partments, with  orders  to  arrest  every  one  who  shpuld  at- 
tempt to  quit  the  kingdom^  and  to  seize  property  of  every 
kind  that  might  be  found  crossing  the  frontiers.  Yetj 
severe  decrees  were  passed  against  every  person  who 
liad  assiBted  m  rescuing  the  King«  and  an  address  was 
prepared,  to  assure  the  country  at  large;  that  the  Assem* 
^y  woold  maintain  their  posts  with  firmness  and  energy. 

Two  days  were  thus  spent  in  fruitless  coiyecture,  and 
no  discovery  made  as  to  the  circumstances  of  the  de- 
parture, or  the  road  the  family  had  taken,  when  a  mes* 
fmiger  arrived  at  the  bar  of  the  Assembly,  with  tidingf 
^hal  ^  Royal  Family  had  been  arrested  at  Varennes^ 
Md  were  detained  in  custody  thcre^  till  the  orders  of  the 
representatives  of  the  people  should  be  known. 

Hie  Assembly  thought,  it  necessary  to  have  the  chief 
jwtruaienl  of  the  detention  of  the  Royal  f*ngitives  brought 
iMfarethem,  by  a4eputation  of  the  Municipality  of  Paria. 
00  l^egan  Uareeilal  by  stating,  that  his  name  waa  Drou^l^ 

1.2 

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70        HISTORY  OP   NAPOLEON   BONAPARTE^ 

They  are  broni^ht  back  to  Paris— Lbuis  »'  Explanatioo. 

that  be  had  fonnerly  been  a  dragoon  in  the  regiment  of 
Conde,  but  was  actually  post-master  of  St.  Menehoifd. 

On  the  21st  of  June,  at  half  past  seven  in  the  eveifing» 
two  carriages,  and  eleven  horses,  stopped  to  bait  at  hid 
house.  He  fancied  he  recognized  the  Queen,  and,  6b^ 
serving  a  man  at  the  back  part  of  the  carriage,  his  cu- 
riosity had  led  him  to  examine  him  closely,  when  the  re- 
semblance of  the  countenance,  with  the  effigy  of  the 
king  on  an  assignat  of  fifty  livres,  was  so  apparent,  that 
lie  no  longer  doubted. 

These  carriages  were  escorted  by  a  detachment  oT 
dragoons,  which  succeeded  a  detachment'of  hussars,  un- 
der the  idea  of  protecting  treasure.  The  escort  excited 
his  particular  suspicion,  but  being  alone,  and  fearful  of 
exciting  a  premature  alarm,  he  suffered  the  carriages  to 
dejpart,  and  then,  by  a  cross  road,  arrived  at  the  next 
stage  befbce  them,  and  had  the  national  guard  called  out, 
to  stop  the  carriages. 

The  Assembly  appointed  three  Commissioners  to  es^ 
cort  the  prisoners  to  Paris,  and  among  the  few  creditable 
things  that  they  did,  in  the  course  of  their  session,  they 
^ook  every  proper  precaution  upon  this  occasion  to  pre- 
vent their  Majesties  being  exposed  to  the  brutal  attacks 
of  the  multitude. 

When  measures  were  adopted  for  guarding  the  palace 

witfi  greater  strictness,  a  commission  was  appointed  to 

examine  the  Royal  Fugitives,  as  to  the  motives  of  their 

fisght,  upon  which  Louis  declared,  that  he  was  very  fiir 

.from  desiring  to  conceal  them. 

The  Eang  explained,  that  his  reasons  for  undertaking 
the  journey  arose  from  the  outrages  to  which  ht  and  hia 
ttunily  had  been  constantly  exposed,  not  only  on  the  18th 
of  April,  but  subsequent  to  that  period,  which  led  fafaft 


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AND  WARS   OF   EUROPE.  ff 

The  KiD#:  accepts  the  Constitution. 

to  judge,  that  be  could  not  with  safety  continue  in  Paris, 
where  every  branch  of  his  house,  but  particularly  the 
Queen,  was  daily  insulted.  He  chose  to  quit  it  at  mid« 
night,  to  avoid  interruption,  but  he  had  no  intention  of 
passing  the  frontiers.  He  intended  to  reside  for  a  short 
time  at  Montmedy,  because,  being  a  fortified  place,  h» 
could  have  been  visited  by  his  family  without  molestation. 

The  Queen's  vfaidication  was  simple  and  natural ;  she 
declared,  that  as  her  husband  had  determined  to  remove 
bimself  and  family,  it  was  impossible  that  she  could  ad" 
mit  the  thought  of  separating  from  him  and  .her  children: 
and  both  added,  that  their  attendants  were  ignorant  of 
their  intention,  till  they  received  their  orders  to  depart 

The  King's  return  to  the  capital  made  no  alteration  in 
the  proceedings  of  the  Emigrant  Princes,-  whose  number 
was  now  strengthened  by  the  addition  of  Monsieur,  who, 
having  quitted  Paris  at  the  same  time  as  the  King,. had 
fortunately  escaped,  by  taking  another  road ;  but,  as  it 
was  reported  that  troops  were  raising  in  his  Majesty's 
name,  he  thought  proper,  in  a  letter  to  the  National  As- 
sembly, to  disavow  any  participation  in  their  project 

When  the  constitution  was  completed,  it  was  pre- 
sented  to  the  King,  for  his  acceptance;  and  though  a 
simple  Aye  or  No  would  have  been  a  sufficient  answer 
upon  the  occasion,  he  not  only  accepted  it  as  it  stood, 
but  entered  into  its  merits,  and  pointed  out  djeficiencies, 
being  desirous  of  seeing  those  parts  which  he  approved 
accompanied  by  others  that  should  be  worthy  of  them. 

After  stating  a  variety  of  reasons,  that  *had  induced 
him  to  desire  a  reform  of  abuses,  which  he  had  discovered 
soon  after  the  commencement  of  his  reign,  he  concluded 
his  address  nvith  the  following  manly  and  paternal  obser* 
vation,  for  the  consideration  of  the  Assembly. 


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f9        HISTORY  OF   NAPOLEON    BONAPARTE, 

Ilif  Speech  to  the  As^eiobly  on  that  occasioBu 

''  I  accept  then  the  Constituticm ;  1  engage  to  maintain 
K  %t  tiopQ,  to  def(i|i4  it  againat  attacks  froni  abroad,  and 
^  QW«e  it  to  be  exeeuted  by  all. the  means  which  it  puts 
yt^  my  pow^, 

''  While  I  shall  fiuthfoUy  employ  all  the  means  that  are 
mtruikted  ti^  me«  no  reproach  can  be  laid  on  me;  and  the 
nation,  whose  interest  alei^e  ought  to  be  the  supreme 
mifi^  will  explain  iX^  by  those  means  which  the  Gon- 
etiltt^  hM  reserved  to  it. 

*'  Bat,  gentlemi^  for  the  seenrity  of  liberty,  for  Ijie 
UidEridaal  hftHriie«Nl  of  i^  Frenchmen,  there  are  into- 
resli,  in  which  an  mpemna  da^  prescribea  to  us  t^  com- 
bine all  our  eftvrta;  these  int^ests  are,  respeatfor  the 
laws,  the  pe^tabHshnwAt  of  ^rder,  and  the  re-union  of 
aH  the  dtieeni.  Now  th»t  the  Constitution  it  definitively 
aettied,  Frendimm  ttring  under  the  same  laws,  ought  to 
know  no  enemica  but  tfewe  who  infringe  theiffc  Oiseord 
and  anarchy  ate  our  eonmon  enemies  ;  I  will  oppose 
them  with  all  my  p/awer;  it  is  necessaxy  that  yon  and 
your  siicccsseflps  aecend  me  widi  energy,  that  the  law 
may  equaUy  paraAeeA  all  thetse  who  submit  their  ccDdnct 
io  it«-that  all  thoas  whom  the  fears  of  persecution  and 
trmblehave  driven  ^m  their  country,  may  bo  assured 
of  inding,"  at  tkeir  retun,  safety  9nd  traoquillitya  I 
.sp«ak  not  of  thaae  who  have  been  solely  influenced  by 
Iheir  attachment  to  sie«~Can  you  vegard  them  as  cr^ 
•biinalst  As  to  thoae,  wha»  by  personal  iaiiujries,  have 
brought  upon  themaelveA  the  prosecution  of  the  laws,  I 
ahaB  f  rove  in  my  owdnet  to  theq^  that  I  am  the  King 
i^tatt  the  Frenok  iSipied)  Lopis.'' 


-    P,  §*-»•**  I  Wiis  of  opimon.  Gentlemen,  that  I  ought 
to,  pronounce  my  sokmnr  ncceptanceof  the  Constitution 


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IKD  WAkS  OF  EUROM.  ..  79 

Joj  of  the  Aisemblj— Kmbassj  to  the  £mi|;raot  Princes. 

in  the  very  place  hi  which  tt  was  formed  ;  m  cdusequence 
1  shall  come  in  pei^oii  to-ftioitOw,  at  noon,  fo  the  l^a- 
iional  Assembly.'' 

This  Address  was  received  by  the  Assembly,  as  tf  they 
had  recovered  a  proper  sense  of  the  decorum  necessary 
to  be  observed  towards  the  chief  Magistrate  of  a  great 
people.  The  reading  Kras  fallowed  by  Uie  most  lively 
and  enihtisiitttio  {ilaudits,  ftnd  the  sh6u&  of  '<  Vke  le 
j^r  were  as  general  imd  as  loud  as  in  the  most  splen- 
did times  ^f  the  Monarchy.  The  intoxication  had 
scarcely  ceased,  when  the  Assembly  decreed  that  alt 
persons  under  ftrrest  Should  be  immediately  released-— 
that  aO  prosecutims  cftttied  oh  Against  persons  for  acts 
eommitted  in  consequetice  of  the  Revblution,  should  be 
inmiedisttely  sapereeded-^-that  passports  should  be  no 
longer  necessary  to  enable  French  citizens  to  enter  or  go 
oat  of  the  kingdom,  and  that  k  deputation  of  sixty  mem- 
bera  ^bottld  wait  upon  the  King  with  the  decree,  and  ex- 
press tl»e  satisfaction  which  his  acceptance  of  the  Constl- 
tntioA  fasid  dinif^d. 

At  the  smne  time  the  Assembly  £spatched  an  embassy 
fo  the  Eiougrant  Printees^  invi^g  them  to  return  to  (heir 
ooontry,  where  they  should  enjoy  all  the  blessings  of  the 
Constitntion^  and  tesuriag  them,  that  they  should  bb 
protected  from  every  onfrage  by  the  Legislative  Body. 
!nieir  refbssll  served  to  re-kindle  the  resentment  of  the 
peilple,  wbidi  afterwards  burst  tbrth  more  violently  than 
ever. 

A  more  eventful  period  never  occurred  in  the  annals 
wf  niaidkhid  liian  the  moment  of  which  w^  speaL  Tt  was 
wot  Aerely  a  privlfege — a  territory — a  crown,  or  a  suc- 
ifegBittn,  bnt  the  sifbversion  of  the  right^,  the  thrones^ 
mti  te  most  antient  eApires  of  Europe,  that  depended 

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80        HISTORY  OF  NAPOLBON  PONAPARTE, 


Fnrf  of  the  Populace  roach  abated. 


upon  the  rejection  or  acceptance  of  a  single  proposals 
The  labours  of  the  Assembly  had^  in  fact,  closed,  whea 
the  Constitution  was  completed,  and  they  were  to  be 
succeeded  by  a  body  of  men  entirely  new ;  for  they  had 
decreed  that  not  one  of  their  own  members  should  be  re^ 
chosen.  The  character  of  the  new  Assembly  might  be 
influenced  by  the  conduct  of  the  Princes,  for  if  they 
evinced  a  spirit  of  moderation,  moderate  men  might  pre* 
dominate  in  the  elections ;  but  if  discord  were  likely  to 
continue,  the  turbulent  and  boisterous  only  would  ap^ 
pear  either  as  candidates  or  electors. 

The  elections  concluded.  The  old,  (or  as  it  was  called^ 
the  Constituent  Assembly)  dissolved  itself  upon  the  body 
of  new  legislators,  taking  possession  of  the  hall  on  the 
30th  of  September,  1791 :  and,  in  giving  up  their  re* 
cords,  communicated  the  pleasing  intelligence  to  their 
successors,  that  they  left  a  surplus  of  thirty-five  millions 
in  the  national  treasury^  of  which  eighteen  millions  were 
in  specie. 

The  King  had  gained  much  popularity,  and  the  public 
fiiry  had  much  abated ;  for  upon  his  entering  the  hail, 
At  the  dissolution  of  thajj^sembly,  it  was  ordered  that 
no  chair  should  be  seated  by  his^  except  that  of  the 
President,  and  they  condescended  to  stand  and  remaia 
uncovered,  while  his  Majesty  delivered  his  speech*  Hie 
Assembly  was  not  singular  in  these  civilities,  for  their 
Miyesties  not  only  ventured  abroad  without  meeting  with 
insult,  but  were,  on  these  occasions,  greeted  by  various 
testunonies  of  returning  loyalty* 

The  Assembly  having  finished  the  routine  necessafjr 
to  their  formation,  a  deputation  of  sixty  members  wa» 
appointed  to  acquaint  the  King  that  they  were  about  to 
proceed  to  business^  and,  being  admitted  to  his  Mf^esty^ 


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AND   WARSf  OP   EUROPE.  81 

Lacooic  Speech  to  tiie  King  from  the  A«8em|)Iy. 

M •  Ducastel,  their  orator,  said,  ''  Sire,  the  National  As' 
aembly  is  definitively  constituted,  and  has  deputed  us  to 
infoim  yoor  Msyesty  of  it"  Dry  and  laconic  as  this  ad* 
dress  was,  the  author  of.it  did  not  fail  to.  meet  with  ft 
reprimand  on  his  return  to  the  Assembly,  for  using  such 
servile  expressions  as  ''  Sire,"  and  **  Majesty/' 

Two  years  correspondence  had  cemented  an  union 
amongst  all  the  clubs  in  France,  which  rendered  it  easy 
fi>r  an  opinion  to  be  propagated,  and  an  unity  of  action 
to  be  effected  throughout  that  vast  empire  in  a  few  days; 
and  the  zealous  Republicans  availed  themselves  of  this 
opportunity  to  inform  the  whole  country,  that  it  waa 
aboat  to  be  plunged  into  a  most  destructive  and  bloody 
war,  of  which  the  Royal  Family,  if  not  the  sole  cause/ 
alone  the  otyecL 


^^^^#s#s»^^^^ 


CHAPTER  IX. 


The  conduct  of  the  King  and  Queen  was  of  the  virtuous 
and  honorable  kind,  and  every  real  firiend  of  liberty  must 
bave  approved  it,  but  it  was  the  misfortune  of  France  to 
have  fidlen  under  the  government  of  a  set  of  canting  by-' 
|M»crites,'  who  were  any  thing,*  and  every  thing  but  what 
they  pmfessed  to  be,  and  who  knew  no  more  of  {latriotisiri 
tfaao  the  proper  opportunities  upon  which  they  might 
Yeature  the  usurpation  of  its  name. 

Tlie  signal  for  plunging  the  country  into  a  series  of 

VOL.  I.— NO.  4.  M 

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82        HISTORV  OF   KAPOLEON   &ONAPARTE» 


Folty  of  Anaetaanit  Glootg. 


troubles  was,  a  decree  of  oattawrjr  agaiaat  the  Kkig'» 
Brothers  and  the  Emigrants,  His  Majesty  had  not 
abandoned  the  hope  of  inducing'  the  Prinoes  to  li^n  to 
i^eason,  and  he  refused  his  veto  to  the  decree,  witii  a  de^ 
sign  to  issue  a  proclamation,  which  he  hoped  would  an^ 
swer  the  purpose  in  a  less  offensive  manner. 

Mobs  now  paraded  to  the  Assembly,  and  interrupted 
the  business,  upon  pretence  of  offering  addresses  and 
giving  advice,  tod  these  wretches  were  invited  to  the 
honours  of  the  sitting  by  legions  at  a  time  I 

No  limits  were  known,  at  which  the  extravagant  no^ 
tions  and  practices  of  the  people  ought  to  stop ;  Ana* 
ofaarsis  Cloots,  a  Prussian  refugee,  m  a  fit  of  madness^ 
took  it  into  his  head  to  attire  in  theatrical  dresses  a  motiey 
group,  consisting  of  vagabonds,  whom  he  hired  for  the 
purpose,  and'  of  patriots,  whose  brains  were  boiling  with 
republican  fury,  and  had  the  boldness  ia  introduce  them 
to  the  Assembly,  as  ambassadors  from  the  oppressed  peo« 
pie  of  different,  nations,  who  had  appointed  him  their 
orator,  and  demanded  the  interference  of  the  nation  to 
aid  them  in  throwing  off  the  yoke  of  their  tyrants. 
*'  Let  us  march,"  said  this  enthosiast,  '*  at  the  head  of 
two  millions  of  men;  we  will  plant  the  tree  of  liberty 
every  where,  and  deliver  twenty  nations  from  the  fangs 
of  despotism."  The  Assembly  thought  it  an  honour  to 
have  received  the  homage  of  these  rhodomontade  c^ 
nions,  and  accordingly  invited  their  grotesijue  visitors  to 
the  honors  of  the  sitting. 

The  want  of  combination  amongst  the  Combined 
Powers  afforded  an  opportunity  of  preparing  for  the  wttr« 
and  the  Jacobins  exerted  themselves,  to  stinuilata  flieir 
partisans  to  enter  into  the  army,  in  which  they  were  s« 
saccessful^  that  full  two  millions  of  fighting  men  were 


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▲Nf>  WAM  09  SUEOPi^.  83 

^tmmmmasaBssasss    ■  i  '  i     .  i       ... 

War  declared  asaiast  Germany. 

^■HP^^aacaBsa '■  -'  -—    —.  .■..-^  ',  n"  ■■  '..t'..j     r.     ""  ' '.i.i^BBagag 

ready  to  march,  whenever  their  leaders  were  disposed  to 
conduct  them  to  the  field  of  battle ;  and  as  troops  coa- 
tiMed  to  mena«e '  the  ftontiers  notwithstanding  the  par 
cific  dectaratioas  of  some  neighbeunDg  ooiirts^  in  anr 
awer  to  the  temonstruiGes,  the  Assembly  urged  his  Mar 
jesty  to  make  vigorous  preparations  for  war,  and  large 
armiea  were  accordingly  collected. 

Supposing  that^'  no  danger  was  to  be  apprehended  from 
a  sodden  attack,  ttie  Assembly  would  forget  how  much 
the  effects  of  a  well  drawn  manifesto  might  be  frustrated, 
if  they  should  cominence  the  attack  before  they  had  in- 
volved the  dispute  in  so  much  doubt,  as  to  make  it  a 
natter  of  contest  who  were  tJhe  original  aggressors.  Pre- 
liminary negoctations  were  therefore  opened,  imd  the 
necessary  charges  on  both  sides  exchanged,  when  the 
Assembly  declared  war  against  the  Emperor,  as  King  of 
Bohemia  and  Hungary,  on  the  20th  of  April  1792* 

After  what  we  have  seen  pervading  all  ranks,  and  par- 
ticularly the  troops,  it  is  surprising  how  any  officer  could 
be  wiMing  to  trust  himself  in  the  field  at  the  head  of  such 
a  rabble  ;  perhaps  some  acted  from  the  necessity  of 
either  obeying  orders,  or  of  being  punished  as  deserters; 
others,  relying  upon  their  own  patriotism  and  the  purity 
of  their  intentions,  might  bid  defiance  to  the  malice  of 
calumny,  md  others  might  assume  commands  with  a 
view  to  co-operate  with  the  invading  armies  in  restoring 
the  internal  peace  of  their  country. 

Whatever  motives  may  have  influenced  General  Dil- 
lon, the  first  officer  who  marched  to  attack  the  enemy, 
wiU  perhaps  never  be  known;  for,  having  marched  out 
of  Lisle  on  the  28th  of  April,  at  the  head  of  3000  men, 
with  a  design  to  attack  Toumay,  he  was  opposed  by  the 
Austrian   General  Happencourt  and  a  body   of  nine 

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84         HISTORY  OF   NAPOLEOK  BOKill»ARTE, 

Murder  of  General  Uillon. 

liundred  Austrions,  who  no  sooner  appeared,  than  an 
universal  cry  of  **  Treason !"  impelled  them  to  a  shame- 
fill  retreat,  in  which  they  abandoned  all  their  artillery 
and  baggage.  The  General,  who  used  every  exertion  to 
rally  his  followers,  had  scarcely  re-entered  lisle,  when 
the  cowards  instantly  pierced  his  body  witii  a  thoasand 
bayonets  ;  and,  to  increase  their  guilt,  they  not  only 
bung  a  priest  and  an  olBScer  of  artillery,  without  provo- 
cation, but  they  hang  the  whole  of  the  Austrian  pri- 
soners, whom  they  had  captared,  and  with  the  ^  same 
lawless  barbarity. 

Powerful  artnies  were  quartered  on  the  diffiferent  fron- 
tiers, the  generals  and  officers  of  which  were  all  looked 
on  as  Aristocrats,  and  daily  risking  to  be  butchered  in 
the  same'  mutinous  manner,  while  the  King  and  his  Mi- 
nisters, surrounded  by  person^  of  tiie  same  description 
at  home,  were  publicly  insulted  by  them  as  traitors,  who, 
by  fair  appearances,  were  betraying  the  country  to  the 
enemy.  A  member  of-ihe  Assembly,  M.  Brissot,  had 
the  audacity  to  give  authority  to  the  accusation,  by  ac- 
cusing the  King  in  a  journal,  which  he  himself  pub- 
lished, and  his  example  encouraged  one  of  his  followers, 
Condorcet,  to  write  a  threatening  letter  to  the  King, 
grounded  upon  his  own  ignorant  suspicions. 

The  jealousies  and  suspicions,  incident  to  a  state  of 
violent  commotion,  operated  more  fatally  upon  tliose 
who  indulged  them,  than  all  the  evib  of  which  they  were 
so  apprehensive  could  possibly  have* done,  if  they  had 
happened  to  have  had  the  manliness  to  meet  them  boldly. 

After  the  war  had  commenced,  the  post  of  govern- 
ment was  so  much  so  the  post  of  danger,  that  they  only 
considered  themselves  safe  who  found  some  pretence  of 
retiring  ;  and  such  was  the  licentiousness  that  prevailed^ 


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AND  WARS  OF   EUROPE.  65 

The  Kins  deprived  of  his  Body  Giuurdf. 

that  those  who  retired  and  those  who  succeeded^  were 
alike  subject  to  unqaalified  abuse,  as  if  serving  the  pain 
Uc  constituted  a  traitor. 

Tlie  Assembly  hastened  to  pass  such  rash  and  hasty 
decrees  as  they  knew  the  Eling  could  not  sanction,  with 
a  view  to  irritate  the  mob  against  him  for  the  exercise  of 
his  veto;  and  their  refined  policy  led  them  to  decree^ 
tfiat  the  King  should  dismiss  a  corps  of  Swiss  guards^ 
which  did  duty  at  the  palace.  As  was  foreseen,  the  King 
refused  his  assent,  and  he  was  inunediately  accused,  of 
keeping  a  guard  to  fight  against  the  tiberties  of  the  peo* 
pie  ;  and  those  beings,  in  the  shape  of  men,  acted  ex«> 
actly  as  if  the  family  of  the  Sovereign  was  the  only  one 
in  the  kingdom  that  should  remain  unprotected. 

The  Constituent  Assembly  deprived  the  King  of  his 
body-guards ;  ^d,  after  the  numerous  sacrifices  he  had 
made  to  moderate  his  persecutors,  some  of  his  friends 
advised  hhn  to  part  with  these  troops,  as  a  few  compa* 
nies  of  fhem  were  to  do  duty  with  the  National  Guard, 
which  was  to  receive  charge  of  the  Palace.  It  is  likely, 
that  an  adherence  to  his  first  resolution  would  not  have 
been  of  the  least  advantage  tQ  his  Majesty's  family  ;  but 
his  comphance  with  the  clamour  of  the  people  did  not 
procure  it  an  hour's  repose,  for  reports  were  circulated 
so  rapidly,  that  the  most  cautious  were  forced  into  the 
streets,  to  swell  the  riotous  assemblies,  by  this  mere  alarm, 
and  the  Palace*  was  incessantly  surrounded  by  persons, 
waiting  to  seize  some  of  the  household,  whom  they  !se- 
lighted  in  duckiog  in  the  adjoining  water.  The  Queen 
happening  one  ds^y  to  be  at  a  window,  to  take  the  iresh 
air,  she  was  v^ry  much  affected  at  seeing'  a  priest  and 
an  old  officer  dragged  along  by  the  unfeeling  rabble, 
merely  because  they  were  suspected  of  being  Aristocrats  ( 


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88        HISTORY  OI?   KAPOLEON    BONAPARTE, 

War  declared  a|;aiiwit  Fraooe  bj  Germaoy— Change  of  Ministry. 

ium}  h^t  feelings  being,  looked  on  as  a  Ubel  upon  the  free- 
dom of  the  people,  a  caimomer  of  tke  national  guardt 
after  having  addressed  her  in  the  vilest  language,  added, 
*'  tiiait  he  hoped  qne  day  to  have  the  pleasure  of  carrj- 
ing  her  head  upitfi  his  pike." 

.  War  was  now  declared  against  France  by  the  Emperor, 
the  Kkiig  of  Pr«ssia»  and  many  of  the  small  states  of  Ger* 
]imny«  and  some  .skirmishes  had  occurred,  in  which  the 
French  had  been  generally  unsuccessful,  so  that  popular 
fury  was  fed  every  day. 

A  means,  of  security  which  Louis  adopted*  with  a  firm* 
nesSf  that  ibr  the  moment  staggered  his  enemies,  was 
dismissing  the  Republican  Ministry,  of  which  Brissot 
was  the  head,  to  clear  the  way  for  the  friends  of  limited 
monarchy^  headed  by  La  Fayette. 

Though  this  change  seemed  to  weaken  the  Republi* 
<»ms,  it  served  to  arouse  their  energies,  and  occasion 
jQresh  plots  against  the  Court ;  and  the  enmity  between 
the  friends  of  liberty  aad  the  Republicans  became  every 
day  more  open. 

.  The  idea  of  beiuy  sent  back  to  their  former  obscurity 
operated  so  powerfully  upon  the  Republican  factions, 
that  they  were  determiued  to  destroy  the  remains  of  li- 
berty, and  to  establish  a  reign  of  terror  instead  of  the 
Constitution,  to  the  purpose  that  whenever  they  might 
find  it  coBvenienI  to  prevent  any  virtuous  o{5position, 
th^ey  might  slie4  the  blood  of  the  person,  without  his  be- 
lt^ able  to  shelter  himself  under  the  law.  They  divided 
thenuielves  into  different  parties,  amongst  the  ignorant 
and  desperate  class  who  frequented  the  clubs  and  riotous 
'Hfsemblies,  and  by  artful  insinuations,  persuaded  the 
(bolish  people  that  they  should  always  enjoy  an  idle  life ; 
f^f  t^«  when  the  Monarchy  should  be  overthrown,  the 


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AND  WAS3  OF  EUROPE.  87 


Pvt\ef  agaiMC  tk«  Kiafr^ML  Petion. 


property  of  tbe  nch  sbottld  be  divided  aaoBgtt  them,  or* 
as  BrisBOt  said,  ''  the  reign  of  iiktrtf  should  be  beaifr: 
cial  to  its  friends." 

By  such  in&moas  devices,  multitudes  of  wretches  col- 
lected about  the  Assembly,  to  demand  the  deposition  of 
the  Xing,  under  pretence  of  petitioning  the  members. 
At  tbe  head  of  one  of  those  gangs  appeared  a  fellow, 
named  Santerr^,  who  styled  himself  commander  of  the 
citizens  of  St  Antoine,  a  suburb  of  Paris  chiefly  inha- 
bited by  vagrants,  blackguards,  ond  Aieves  ;  and  he  was 
suffered  to  pass  through  the  hall,  followed  by  an  armed 
rabble,  bearing  every  device  that  could  indicate  their 
nefanons  designs.  One  earned  a  scroll,  which  pro- 
fessed  to  be,  "  Advice  to  Louis  XVI. ;''  and  another^ 
that  the  **  People  were  tired  of  suffering/  But,  that 
they  might  not  be  misunderstood,  another  bore  the  con- 
clusive admonition,  ''Tremble,  tyrant!  thy  hour  is 
come." 

M.  Petion,  the  Mayor  of  Paris,  who  had  been  chosen 
by  the  interest  of  the  Brissotines,  always  took  care  to  be 
away  when  any  of  those  scenes  were  to  happen ;  and  if 
moderate  men  complained  of  tlieir  being  allowed,  he  af- 
fected to  discredit  them,  and  treated  tbe  complaints  as 
attempts  to  calumniate  the  people,  and  indicative  of  a 
conspiracy  against  liberty;  in  consequence  he  became 
very  popular  with  the  rabble,  and  could  lead  them  as 
he  pleased.  He  was  a  principal  in  the  Brissotine  party* 
and  his  conduct  is  a  strong  proof  of  the  criminal  designs 
of  those  men ;  for  if  they  possessed  the  smallest  regard 
to  liberty  or  justice,  they  would  have  effected  their  pur- 
pose by  law,  instead  of  the  sanguinary  violence  of  a  mob, 
and  the  matter  of  their  having  rejected  the  law,  is  a  proof 


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^        HISTORY  OP   NAPCLBOfN   BONAPARTE, 


Santerre  heads  m  Rabble. 


that  the  King  had  not  i^iolated  it»  and  that  they  had  no 
ground  for  deposing .  faim  but  their  own  determination  to 
aeize  the  government. 


»#»»#^>#^^»^#^#^##^<^^>*>^#»»**^»^*^*^'»*^<^»'»^»'»» 


CHAPTER  X. 

The  terrible  20th  of  June  at  length  arrived,  and  some  of 
flie  Municipality,  who  were  not  yet  corrupted,  informed 
the  Assembly,  that  the  populace  were  collecting  with 
the  des(ign  of  proceeding  to  some  violent  breach  of  the 
public  peace,  and  that  nothing  short  of  some  strong  inter* 
ference  of  the  legislature  could  avert  the  danger.  The 
friends  of  nioderation  moved  for  a  decree  to  forbid  the 
assembling  of  armed  bodies  of  people,  and  to  prevent 
them  from  surrounding  either  the  Palace  or  tlie  Assem* 
biy;  but  this  was  scouted,  as  trenching  upon  tlie  Ma- 
jesty of  the  people  ;  and  Santerre,  accompanied  by  Le- 
gendre,  a  butcher,  led  their  gangs  through  the  city, 
and,  under  pretence  of  going  to  petition  the  King,  cot* 
lected  all  the  elements  of  crime  and  confusion  in  one 
mass,  with  an  intention  to  bury  the  unfortunate  Monarch 
and  his  family  in  irrevocable  ruin. 

As  some  severe  examples  had  taken  place  among  the 
soldiery,  in  consequence  of  what  had  happened  at  Lblc  ;  ' 

and,  as  the  army  in  general  shrunk  from  the  excesses  of 
the  Republicans,  hopes  were  kept  np  that  a  guard  might 
be  depended  upon  for  the  protection  of  the    palace.  | 


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AND  WARS  OF  CUROPB. 


Almmimg  tltiMMJonof  tlw  KIbi:. 


When  tlia  mob  began  the  alrtaek,  it  was  long  before  they 
gained  adaittaBca ;  bat  tbey  had  foar  pieces  of  cannoo^ 
and  as  the  aoldien  ^ere  strictly  ordered  not  to  fire  upon 
the  pe^^le,  rMstance  be^^ame  as  miachieTOQS  a3  in  every 
ease  in  wUch  the  iil-faled  Louia  had  been  advised  to  at- 
tempt it*  The  assailants  were  provided  with  hatchets, 
oi>ow8,  &c.  and  Ihcy  broke  down  the  gates  said  ^on  of 
the  TliaiUerieSy  and  pointed  their  artillery  against  the 
hall  allotted  to  the  guards/ Miien  the  King  presented  him* 
wM,  attended  t^  the  Princess  Elizabeth,  his  sister,  who 
refused  to  quit  him.  A  iew  of  the  National  Guards  sur* 
rounded  his  Majesty^  determined  to  defend  him^  or  pe^ 
itsh  la  the  attempt. 

The  room  uras  crowded  with  a  multitude  of  men,  wo* 
men,  and  children,  venting  the  usual  ones  of  sedition; 
They  insisted  that  be  should  withdraw  his  veto  firom 
the  decrees  against  his  Brothers  and  the  Clergy,  and 
Legendre,  in  an  insolent  «id  brutal  address,  demand* 
ed  the  King's  attention:  *'  Hear  us,  StrT  said  he» 
<^  for  it  is  your  duty  so  to  do. — ^You  are  perfidious. 
—You  have  always  deceived  us  ;  you  deceive  us  still ; 
but,  beware,  for  the  people  are  tired  of  seeing  them- 
aelves  made  your  laughing-stock  !*  To  which  his  Ma- 
jesty oahnly  replied,  Aat  he  regulated  his  conduct  by 
flie  Constitution^ 

The  resolution  of  the  King^  and  his  fetr  fidthfiil  guards^ 
iBsanned  the  multitude  of  their  ferocity,  and  flte  greater 
part  satisfied  themselves  with  pouring  out  execrations 
and  abuse  upon  the  X^rincess  Elizabeihj  wherm  they  took 
Ibr  the  Queen.  Others  insisted  upon  the  King  putting  , 
•a  a  red  cap;  which  was  one  of  die  emblems  of  liberty 
assumed  by  tiieso  madmen«  Tlie  Kmg  not  only  put  it 
^  with  much  ^^parent  good  humour,  but  tiie  Queen 

VOL,  I.— NO.  4.  N 


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M        HISTORY  OP  NAPOLBON  BONAPARTE, 

The  Mayor  arrifct*  but  too  late. 


having  since  joined  him  with  a  resolution  to  die  by  his 
side,  he  put  one  also  on  the  Dauphin,  whom  her  Majesty 
presented  to  the  rabble.  The  effect  was  such  as  mig^t 
have  been  expected  from  such  an  assemblage.  The  King 
and  Queen  discovered  no  signs  of  tyranny,  and  as  th« 
leaders  could  not  misconstrue  what  the  people  could 
judge  of  by  the  evidence  of  their  senses,  the  volatila. 
crew  were  willing  to  admit  that  the  Monarch  and  his  fii« 
mily  were  very  civil  people ;  **  Oest  Men  humettr  was 
echoed  by  the  crowd,  and,  alter  ranging  through  tha 
apartments,  the  curiosity  of  most  was  satisfied.  A  few 
attempted  to  push  through  the  guards,  but  did  not  suc- 
ceed ;  and  it  should  not  be  forgotten,  that  though  this 
multitude  amounted  to  perhaps  forty  thousand,  no  jn- 
stance  of  robbery  occurred ;  and,  except  breaking  a  few 
mirrors  and  glasses,  very  little  damage. 

When  the  tumult  was  almost  over,  Petion,  and  a  de- 
putation from  the  Legislative  Body,  arrived  at  the  Pa- 
lace, just  to  save  appearances ;  but  the  King  felt  no  ob- 
ligation to  them,  for  the  Mayor  had  been  twice  sent  for, 
before  he  thought  it  necessary  to  take  the  trouble  of  at^ 
tending. 

It  appears  that  his  Miyesty  evinced  no  symptom  of 
fear.  A  grenadier  asked  him  the  question.  ''  No,^'  ho 
answered,  '*  put  your  hand  upon  my  heart,  and  feel  if  it 
betrays  any  signs  of  fear."  . 

The  King  appeared  satisfied  that  he  should,  at  some 
future  period,  fall  a  victim  to  the  fury  of  the  populace^ 
about  which,  however,  he  seemed  indifferent;  but  th^ 
fate  of  his  family  caused  him  great  uneasiness :  even  hit 
anemies  admit,  that  he  was'  both  an  affectionate  husband 
and  a  tender  father.  When  he  was  advised  to  the  adop* 
lion  of  more  vigorous  measures,  he  replied  as  follows  c 


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AND  WARS  OP  EUROPE.'  §t 


Genena  la  Fayette  appears  before  the  Assembly. 


**  Oh!  if  my  wife  and  children  were  not  with  me,  it  would 
so&n  appear  that  I  am  not  so  weak  as  is  imagined,  but 
what  zDouU  become  of  them,  if  the  measures  to  which  you 
allude^  should  Jbil^  His  chief  consolation,  under  hid 
sorrows,  was,  that  if  his  blood  were  shed/  it  would  pro* 
faably  appease  the  rebels,  and  redeem  his  fiunily  from 
destruction. 

General  la  Fayette  appeared  in  Paris.  A  letter  of  tht 
10th  had  been  accompanied  by  one  to  his  Majesty,  in 
which  he  pledged  himself  to  hun,  to^defend  him  against 
Ae  violence  of  the  &ctions;  and,  upon  learning  what 
insults  had  been  oflfered  to  the  Sovereign  on  the  20th,  he 
proved  his  noble  soul  to  be  stimulated  by  that  high  ho- 
nour which  becomes  a  freeman  and  a  soldier,  and  flew 
to  support,  in  person,  the  justice  which  he  had  asserted. 

M.  la  Fayette  was  received  by  the  King  witii  open 
arms,  and  the  National  Guards  conducted  him  in  triumph 
to  and  from  the  Assembly ;  but  it  was  clear,  that  the  ci- 
tizens of  Paris  were  not  disposed  to  second  his  spirited 
endeavours.  In  tiie  Assembly  he  was  listened  to  with 
cold  respect,  while  he  declared  tiiathe  had  agreed  on 
such  measures  with  Marshal  Ltickner,  that  his  absence 
from  the  army  could  not  be  of  the  least  injury,  and  he 
presented  fafanself  before  them  in  his  own  name,  and  that 
of  his  indignant  troops,  to  demand  justice  against  the 
guilty  authors  of  the  disgraceful  scenes  at  the  Palace  on 
the  20th.  Resolution  was  apparent  in  every  word  he 
spoke,  and  the  Jacobins  knew  tiiey  were  not  yet  able  t# 
provoke  him  openly ;  they  suffered  hun  to  withdraw, 
drily  replying,  by  their  President,  that  they  had  **  sworn 
to  maintain  the  laws,  and  knew  how  to  defend  them." 
Some  very  severe  remarks  were  made  on  liis  conduct, 
fmd  a  republican  member  (Gaudet)  moved  that  inquiry  . 

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$%         HISTORY  OF   NAPOLEON  BONAPARTE, 

The  King  confirms  the  Majorca  dismiMal. 

should  be  made  of  the  Minuter  of  War,  whether  he  had 
allowed  M.  la  Fayette  to  quit  the  army.  Thk  motioD 
was  rejected^  and  the  General's  address  was  then  referred 
to  a  committee,  and  many  persons  wore  desirous  of 
marking  it  with  their  decided  ^probation ;  addresses  to 
that  purpose  were  received  from  various  parts  of  the 
country^  and  one  of  them  had  even  twenty  thousand  sig* 
natures. 

At  this  trying  period,  tlie  friends  of  the  King  and  the 
Constitution  seem  to  have  acted  with  as  little  fffmness  as 
before,  yet  they  were  not  inactive^  A.  superior  council 
had  htea  formed  for  scmie  tonei  in  Paris^  styled  the  Di- 
rectory of  the  Pohoe  ;  the  imparity  were  nroderate  meQ» 
and  had  called  upon  the  Mayor,  as  well  as  upon  the  A»» 
sembly,  to  prevent  tlie  disorders  of  tlie  SOtb,  without  ef- 
fect ;  tbey  therefore  exerted  their  own  wtbority,  and 
suspended  bun  as  soon  as  order  was  in  some  measure  re- 
stored. 

The  King  did  not  asrist  the  efforts  of  his  Mends  with 
that  determined  steadiness  which  the  boldiiess  of  his  ene- 
mies demanded.  He  had  most- sharply  reproached  P^ 
tion,  and  he  should  not  have  alfo<M3ed  mny  conqilaisanee  ^ 
but  he  began  a  sort  of  coquetry  with  the  Assembly,,  by 
referring  the  matter  to  them.  Th^  declared  thait  they- 
had  no  wish  to  do  the  King's  duty,  and  would  only  in* 
terfere  in  case  of  an  appeal.  The  King  confirmed  this 
dismissal,  an4  the  Assembly  immediately  restored  the 
Mayor. 

On  the  arrival  of  General  la  Fayette  on  the  fh>ntieis. 
be  foond  the  measures  o£  the  enemy  in  great  fonfard* 
^ess,  and  a  sense  pf  the  danger  which  threatened  the 
jceuntry  afibcted  ail  its  iriends.  Under  this  impression 
a  member  arose  in  fhf  A^sembly^  «n  the  7lh  of  July,  and 


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AN1>  WARS  OP.  EUROPE.  93 

runr^  hi      ■■       i  i  ■    ■  ■     —       .         -f  ■»  ^ 

;Thft  KiBff  60M  to  tii«  UalU 

conjured  thom  to  sacrifice  their  oirn  private  views^  and 
to  be<»onie  fiieads  for  the  sake  of  their  country.  **  Let 
all/'  said  he,  "  Who  discover  faults  in  the  Constitution, 
display  a  spirit  of  acconnnodation  to  each  otlicr,  and  let 
OS  swear  that  we  will  unite  to  maintain  it  as  it  is/' 
Scarcely  were  the  last  words  uttered,  when  the  two  sides 
(Republicans  and  Constitutionalists)  arose,  threw  their 
hats  up,  shouted  applauses  jBrom  every  side,  the  two 
parties  embraced,  and  swore  immortal  union,  taking  their 
seats  ladidereHtly,  as  a  sign  of  endless  harmony ! 

TfaMB  lAinutas  of  this  event  wore  ordered  to  be  inune- 
diately  transmitted  to  tiie  King,  and  directions  were 
given  to  communicate  this  glorious  issue  to  all  the  citi- 
zmxs.  Such,  indeed,  was  the  wonderful  combination  of 
events  which  crowded  on  at  this  period,  that  M.  Gamot, 
who  has  since  been  looked  on  as  the  completest  Repub- 
lican,  stood  up  in  defence  of  the  King's  authority,  and 
moved,  that  the  judicial  powers  should  be  especially 
cbargcd  to  redouble  tbeir  vigilance  and  authority. 

On  the-  return  of  tli«  deputation,  who  had  waited  on 
the  £jng,  the  Bishop  of  Lyons  reported,  that  his  Ma* 
jes^,  after  hearing  tbe  extracts  of  the  minutes  read,  an- 
swered,  ''  That  it  was  in>possible  for  bim  to  hear  news 
BO  dear  to  his  heart,  and  tliat  he  yielded  to  his  strong  do- 
mt  of  coming  to  the  Assembly,  to  testify  all  the  joy 
with  wUch  this  bad  inspired  him." 

The  King  soon  after  entered  the  hall,  amidst  conti- 
nued shouts  of  ''  Long  live  the  King  I-— Long  live  I  li- 
berty!" — and  in  tiie  fiibess  of  his  heart,  declared  his 
MUuou»  hope  that  the  end  of  this  union  would  make 
France  survive  the  dangers  which  threatened  her.  The 
Assembly  replied  by  an  address,  in  which  it  said  that 
it  '*  already  $a»  in  (h§  candour  qf  hii  proceeduigs  t/ie 


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94        HISTORY  OF  NAPOLEON   BONAPARTE, 

■      ~  '        -  —    ^  —  '     -  * 

The  Assembly  decrees  the  Comitry  in  danger. 

omens  of  success.**  The  plaudits  of  the  galleries  were 
equally  loud  with  those  of  the  Members;  and  yet  it  would 
scarcely  be  credited,  that  only  one  Sabbath  had  passed, 
when  these  very  people  assailed  this  very  King  with  the 
heaviest  accusations  that  violence  and  bitterness  could 
invent.  A  new  scene  of  riot  was  at  hand,  under  the 
mask  of  a  national  fete,  or  grand  confederation,  to  cele- 
brate the  14th  of  July.  Deputies  from  the  different  de- 
partments were  to  perform  in  the  drama ;  care  was  to  be 
taken  that  such  of  these  visitors,  as  might  not  happen  to 
be  sufficiently  corrupted,  should  not  return  home  with- 
out being  possessed  of  all  the  firebrands  of  strife  that 
might  yet  be  wanting  to  inflame  the  sober  hamlets  of  die 
country,  to  make  them  as  licentious  as  the  metropolis. 
Brissot  and  his  party  threw  off  the  mask  which  they  had 
assumed  for  a  few  days,  and  after  a  torrent  of  declama* 
tion,  in  which  he  declared,  that  the  danger  lay  in  the^ 
Palace,  the  Assembly  decreed  concisely,  "  The  Coun- 
try is  IN  DANGER,*' and  two  Addresses,  filled  with  alarm, 
were  drawn  up,  and  sent  to  the  armies  and  the  dqrart-' 
ments« 

Dissipation  and  idleness  were  so  long  prevalent,  that 
the  number  of  debtors  and  poor  was  considerably  in- 
creased, and  many  thousands,  not  originally  corrupt, 
became  so  in  the  unfeeling  hope  of  being  able  to  ruin 
their  landlords^  and  creditors,  by  overthrowing  royalty. 
The  wounding  the  King^s  feelings  was  resorted  to  in 
every  shape,  and  as  the  late  triumph  of  the  Mayor  af* 
forded  a  great  opportunity,  die  mob  used  every  mean» 
to  insult  the  King  and  liis  friends  with  shouts  of  **  Long* 
live  Petion ! — Down  with  royalty,  &c." 

Whilst  the  last  remains  of  Royalty  were  brought  into 
•ontempty  they  were  also  snccessftd  in  assuring  the  peo» 


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AND   WARS   OF   EUROPE.  &5 

The  Duke  of  Brunswtok*s  M aoifetto. 

pie  that  the  Court  prevented  the  success  of  the  French 
arms,  by  its  intri^es  with  those  combined  against 
France.  In  this  they  were  in  some  degree  sanctioned  by 
the  Combined  Powers  themselves,  who,  instead  of  march- 
ing as  they  shoald  have  done,  with  a  strong  column  into 
the  heart  of  the  country,  while  it  was  yet  undefended, 
continued  issuing  their  feeble  threats  upon  the  frontiers. 
"  It  is  not  in  the  success  of  their  arms,''  said  the  Ja- 
cobins, "  that  the  enemy  places  his  hopes ;  it  is  in  the 
intrigues  of  the  Thuilleries.  It  is  the  army  of  couriers 
that  pass  between  Coblentz  (the  hcad^quarters  of  the 
emigrant  Princes)  and  the  Court,  whom  alone  we  have  to 
fear,  and  not  the  soldiers  of  Brunswick." 

A  Manifesto  was  circulated  tlirough  France,  signed  by 
the  Duke  of  Brunswick  as  Generalissimo. — This  Mani- 
festo declared  the  intention  of  the  Emperor  and  King  of 
Prussia  to  restore  order  to  France — to  restore  the  King 
to  his  power,  and  release  the  Royal  Family^ to  protect 
all  persons  who  submitted  to  the  King— that  all  persons 
found  in  arms  should  be  punished  severely — all  the  mem- 
bers of  the  assembly  and  others  responsible  with  their 
lives — it  threatened  the  most  exemplary  punishment  on 
every  one  who  controlled  the  King,  or,  as  it  is  said,  held 
him  in  subjection—it  promised  that  the  troops  of  the 
I>uke  of  Brunswick  should  observe  the  strictest  disci- 
pline, and  treat  all  well-disposed  subjects  witli  mildness 
— ^and  called  on  the  people  to  suffer  them  to  enter  the 
kingdom,  and  give  them  every  assistance. 

Itt  an  additional  declaration,  he  resolved  to  punish  the 
people  of  Paris  if  the  King  should  be  insulted,  and  states, 
in  case  of  the  B^yal  Family  being  carried  off,  all  places 
which  did   not  oppose  their  passage^  should  be   sub- 


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06         HISTORY  OF   NAPOLEON   BONAPARTE, 

Tbe  Kin|:*s  Letter  to  the  Atsembly,  disavowinjc  the  Manifesto. 

ject  to  the  severest  penalties,  and  that  no  place  of  re- 
treat was  to  be  the  choice  of  his  most  Christian  Majesty, 
unless  it  was  eSected  under  the  offered  escort. 


r#v  ^«####w^#  ^^■»9*^*^-*  ^#^^^<^^<^^«^^  ^^^^0^  *»<>'*■ 


CHAPTER  XI. 


Nothing,  during  the  whole  course  of  the  Revolution, 
did  so  much  mischief  as  publishing  tJiis  wretched  Mani- 
festo ;  for  it  made  no  difference  whatever  between  the 
sober  well-meaning  friends  of  limited  monarchy  and  the 
all-destroying  Jacobins,  who  threatened  even  life  itself  witii 
unlimited  destruction.  '^  Who  then,  do  these  combined 
armies  come  to  favour,**  swd  every  considerate  French- 
man, "  but  the  friends  of  a  worn-out  despotism,  which 
I  can  only  recollect  with  abhorrence  V  ITie  conclusion 
was  perfectly  natural.  "  This  enemy  must  be  repelled, 
and  then  the  friends  of  liberty  may  be  able  to  establish  a 
free  constitution." 

On  the  3rd  of  August,  two  days  after  this  Manifesto 
had  been  read  in  the  Assembly,  the  King  wrote  to  that 
body,  and,  rather  injudiciously,  suggested  tlie  possibi- 
lity of  its  not  being  genuine,  disavowing  all  its  senti- 
ments, and  promising  every  thing  that  they  could  ex- 
pect of  him.  His  declarations  were  now  at  an  end, 'his 
promises  useless.  A  motion  was  made  to  print  his  Let- 
ter and  send  it  td  the  eighty-three  departments,  but  tho 


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J 


AND   WARS   OF   BUROPfi.  07 

Petion*a  Petition  creates  violeat  agiUtion  io  Ibe  Assembly. 

previous  question  was  instantly  passed, .  aniidst  the  shouts 
of  the  galleries. 

Thariot  said,  that  the  King  had  written  this  Letter  be* 
cause  he  knew  that  the  Municipality  of  Paris  were  going 
to  demand  his  deposition,  Petion  appeared  at  the  head 
of  a  gang,  and  pretended  he  came  from  the  forty-eight 
sections  of  Paris,  to  demdnd  the  King's  exclusion^  from 
the  throne,  and  that  responsible  ministers  should  be  ap- 
pointea  until  the  election  of  a  new  king  in  a  national 
Gonyention. 

He  supported  this  petition  by  a  sketch  of  what  he 
caUed  the  King's  conduct  since  the  Revolution,  which, 
he  said,  proved  him  to  be  an  enemy  to  the  people,  to  the 
laws,  and  to  France.  The  petition  created  a  most  vio- 
lent  agitation  in  the  Assembly,  so  that  the  president  was 
obliged  to  adjourn  the  sitting  ;■  and,  in  the  evening,  the 
Assembly  resolved  to  determine  the  question  on  that  day 
se'nnight. 

All  busmess,  save  treason,  ceased  in  Paris,  from  the 
3rd  of  August;  and  the  leaders  of  the  National  Assembly 
were  busy  in  passing  decrees  that  should  favor  tlie  in- 
surgents: patroles  of  the  rabble  were  also  placed,  by 
Petion  and  Santerre,  so  as  to  prevent  the  possibility  of 
the  King's  tscapt.  Matters  being  arranged  for  carrying 
the  decree  into  execution,  on  the  day  before  the  Assem- 
bly had  resolved  to  pass  it,  the  palace  was  atUoked  on 
the  10th  of  August  As  many  of  the  leading  members  of 
the  Assembly  were  desirous  of  aiding  in  the  assault,  who 
at  the  same  time  wished  to  be  concealed,  it  was  resolved 
that  the  riot  should  not  commence  till  after  dark  :  it  was 
not  till  eleven  o'clock  that  Danton  called,  "  To  arms  1  to 
arms !"  and  all  the  belb  were  rung,  to  proclaim  the  city 
ia  a  state  of  insurrection. 

VOL.   1.-— NO.  5.  Q 

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88        HISTORY  OF   NAPOLEON  BONAPARTC 

The  Pftlaoe  attacked  bjr  the  Mob. 


The  city  of  Paris  had  little  to  do  in  the  affair:  the 
chiefs  of  the  parties  counted  upon  thirteen  or  fourteen 
thousand  of  tlieir  own  ruffians  in  the  metropolis,  and 
they  had  about  five  thousand  more  firom  the  depart* 
ments ;  many  were  soldiers  who  had  been  drummed  out 
of  their  regiments  for  their  crimes,  and  many  galley-* 
slaves :  of  tliese  classes  were  the  femous  Marseillois,  and 
Federates  of  the  West,  as  they  were  called,  who  had 
been  brought  to  Paris  to  assist  at  the  (Ste  on  the  I4tk  of 
July ;  and,  by  mixing  themselves  in  every  part  of  the  city^ 
'  end  keeping  up  a  constant  noise,  they  collected  a  great 
number  of  idlers  round  them,  which,  to  a  spectator, 
made  them  appear  more  numerous  than  they  were. 

The  conquest  of  the  palace  was  not  affected  so  easily 
as  it  had  been  on  the  20th  of  June;  for  though  the  at« 
tack  commenced  at  one  in  the  morning,  it  was  nine  be" 
fore  the  outer  gates  were  forced.  Son^e  preparations  had 
been  made  for  resistance,  but,  like  every  effort  of  the 
tinfortunate  Louis,  it  was  more  an  attempt  at  resolution 
than  resolution  itself.  Beside  a  part  of  die  Swiss  guavd 
find  a  few  of  the  national  grenadiers,  who  were  resolved 
to  defend  the  constitution,  there  was  a  considerable  body 
1  of  Royalists,  who  had  resolved  to  subdue  the  traitors  or 
perish  in  the  attempt,  the  whole  amounting  to  near  tliree 
thousand  armed  men.  A  body  of  this  kind,  headed  by 
a  bold  and  intrepid  chief,  would  have  amply  secured  a 
victory,  if  they  had  attacked  the  insurgents,  instead  of 
femaining  cooped  up  in  the  palace. 

W&eu  the  outer  gates  were  forced,  the  assailants  were 
met  by  the  King's  guards,  who,  by  a  close  6rft,  drove 
them  back,  and  obliged  them  to  leave  font  pieces  of  can* 
tkon  behind  them.  The  Swiss  formed  m  the  great  cour^ 
y^kihi  tlie  cannpn  played  upon  the  palace,  and  had  al* 


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AHD  WARS  OF  ErSOPE.  .^ 

The  Royal  Family  go  to  Uie  Atsembly. 

B^ady  pierced  tke  roof;  the  boflies  of  the  slain  were 
strewed  eft  every  side,  and  the  folly  of  resistance  became 
evident  ev^  moment;  for,  in  the  multitude  of  advisers^ 
■p  OM  had  the  oonmumd.  The  defenders  of  the  palace 
peen  heeame  a  tnnmltuots  crowd,  with  no  advantage 
#ver  Aeir  adversaries,  and  much  inferior  to  them  ki 
Mmber.  They  ftUed,  and  they  felU  for  want  of  a  c^m* 
loander ;  they  were  overpowered  by  nnmbefs,  and  th» 
trinnphant  haribarians  enjoyed  the  sport  of  catting  them 
Ip  pieces  and  dragging  their  mangled  carcases  in  thehr 
horrible  prooesmons.  Ail  the  Swiss  fonnd  wwre  irim- 
manly  pnt  to  death  in  cokt  blood,  and  their  remaitta 
(exhibited  fixed  at  the  end  of  pikes  1  About  Unpse  ^Mh 
sand  personSi  on  both  )iides»  lost  their  lives  in  this  attach; 
and  more  would  have  suffered,  but  that  a  part  of  tha 
^ards  hadesoorted  the  Royal  Kmnly  to  the]Assemhly« 
•  liouis  seems  to  have  |^  saeh  an  aversi(qii  to  the  shed* 
lling  of  Mood,  timt  he  expose^  himself  to  ^the  most  vat 
>rarrantable  treatment,  simply  becanae  tiie  offenders  eat 
rtilated  uponhb  foribearsnce.  The  danger  was  greater 
and  more  presiring  than  ever ;  this  every  one  ef  his  fiienda 
and  ftmiiy  knew;  and  it  is  smyrismg,  that,  after  the 
length  that  the  Assembly  had  gone,  he  did  net  dosriy 
see,  ttathemnst  ekherbe  driven  from  his  thrann  orfighyt 
jB  ddenoe  of  it  Yet  he  does  not  appear  ta  have  had 
audi  a  view  of  the  strigect;  for,  when  he  w^s  Mfewad  hjr 
Ae  Qoeen  and  the  Prineess  his  sister,  m  the  midit  of 
their  brare  defenders ;  after  he  had  heard  the  dreidftl 
howKngs  of  a  thonaand  toagttes  bellow  ^onC  tha  ones  of 
^  deposition  T  and ^deathr  after  the  nobles  and  giiaitts 
had  satisCed  him  of  victory,  and  the  Queen  had  rondvad 
to  die  by  his  s!Be ;:  he  took  tfM  nnaeconntable  resolatiott, 
^fthrawmghhasrif  and  family  ifita  «e«ra»iaf  thejila* 

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100     HISTORY  OF  NAPOLEON   BONAPARTE, 

The  Royal  Family  confined  in  the  Temple. 

tional  Assembly,  lest  he  should  be  supposed  to  violate 
the  constitution  ;  and,  previous *to  his  leaving  the  pahce, 
gave  positive  orders  not  to  fire  upon  the  people ! 

A  series  of  singular  events  had  placed  him  now  in  9, 
most  distressing  situation.  The  members  of  the  Assem** 
bly,  to  which  he  had  retreated,  thought  no  business  of 
so  much  consequence  as  passing  the  decree  of  Deposit* 
tion ;  but  they  could  not  proceed  to  business  in  the  King's 
presence,  because  it  was  .  contrary  to  the  eonstitutioii ; 
this  gave  a  pretence  for  forcing  the  Boyal  Family  into  a 
comer,  where  the  secretaries  kept  thdr  books,  which 
deprived  them  even  of  the  poor  consolation  pf  ex^ 
changing  thoughts,  and  subjected  them  to  the  cruel  state 
of  a  prison,  while  it  was  alleged  that  their  persons  wer^ 
sacred. 

Fourteen  hours  of  mortification  and  pain  being  thus  in* 
flicted  upon  their  helpless  captives,  the  low  pride  qf  these 
narrow-minded  repubiicana  became  satiated  with  thus  exr 
arcising  their  tyranny,  and  they  decreed  that  the  execur 
tive-  power  should  be  taken  from  the  King,  and  that  ha 
and  his  family  should  be  confined  in  the  Temple.  T9 
increase  tbe  pain  of  the  family,  orders  were  issued  that 
Fetion  sboold  go  in  the  same  carriage,  to  take  them  t0 
prison;  this  traitor  not  only  insulted  them  by  his  adr 
vice  on  thtiir  journey,  .but  occarionally  ^topped  the  car* 
riage,  that  they  might  hear  the  ^eeches  of  the  infamous 
orators  who  irritated  the  people  ag^nst  tbem  by  tlieir 
foul  ealumniea. 

;  The  Revolution  took  a  tarn  which  seemed  to  dispel 
the  hopes  of  all  good  men.  The '  Assembly  was  about  to 
dissolve ;  for  a  National  Convention  wa»  appointed  to  as- 
aemUe  on  the  20th  of  September,  to  constitute  a  Repub- 
-Jic,  and  little  hope  remained  that  this  Assembly  woal4 
not  long  have  the  power  of  d^ng  mischief. 

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AND  WARS  OP  EUROPE,  101 

Bonaparte  leaTet  Corsica,  and  retnrof  to  PlEurii. 


CHAPTER  XII. 


At  Ae  time  the  Notables  met,  in  the  year  ITS?^  the 
discontents  in  Fans  were  extreme,  and  they  increased  ra- 
pidly until  the  year  1789,  when  the  takings  of  tiie  BastiDa 
began  the  Revolution. 

No  individual  in  France  had  remained  careless  of  its 
affairs,  and  many,  who  were  not  natives  or  inhabitants, 
partook,  either  by  education  or  the  possession  of  pro-^ 
perty  in  that  nation,  or  by  acquaintance  or  relationship 
with  its  inhabitants,  or  from  other  causes,  a  lively  into* 
rest  in  the  disagreements  between  the  government  and 
the  people :  a  great  number,  who  were  desirous  of  cabnij 
otMerving,  or  hastening  or  delaying  the  hnportant  con* 
sequences  that  were  expected,  hurried  td  the  spot,  at 
tfiey  were  urged  either  by  curiosity  or  interest. 

Some  of  those,  who  had  eagerly  crowded  to  the  Frendi 
capital,  expected  to  derive  pprat  advantages  from  a  rup- 
ture with  the  Court ;  among  them  was  Napoteon  Bona- 
parte: he  had  quitted  the  regiment  of  artillery  shortly 
after  Che  death  of  his  patron.  Count  Marbceuf,  and  retired 
home  to  Corsica;  he  found  his  mother  a  widow,  in  very 
indifferent  circumstances,  and  several  chfldren  depending 
•n  her  exertions  for  support :  Napoleon  might  not  have 
added  to  her  incumbrances,  though  it  is  not  very  likely 
that  he  afforded  her  relief.  The  education  of  a  soldier 
and  the  mauners  of  the  army  an  not  calculated  to  be  of 

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102     HISTOSy.  OF  NAPOLEpK  BOKAPARTE^ 

OpportooMgr  Affijrded  NspoleoDof  diahigtfithihc  hiBlseir, 
■  ■  ..       j^ 

service  to  him  in  any  employment  of  any  kind  that  the 

trifling  island  of  Corsica  could  offer. 

During  the  time  Bonaparte  remained  with  his  mother 
lie  applied  mach  to  study  ;  but  though  he  returned  to  his 
books  with  fresh  ardour^  it  was  principally  because  .  the 
experience  he  had  had  aa  an  oflfcer^  had  confirmed  his 
fondness  forliii^  profession ;  he  did  not  labour  with  that 
strict  attention  that  he  had  done  early  in  Bfe  at  Brienne, 
Ifatwith«taij§ing  the  exercise  and  amusemeots,  im  which 
lie  ailerwards  took  such  ^tive  part,  his  epnstitution  suf- 
fered much  from  long  ipaption  during  the  time  he  va3  at 
school:  his  form  was  calculated  to  resist  fatigue,  and  pos-t 
aessed  much  strength,  but  he  bore  the  appearance  of  de- 
licate heakb ;  his  despondency  of  promotUm  in  the  King's 
army  heightened  the  melanctoly  of  his  appeai^no^^  but 
I^s  character  imparted  a  sternness  to  his  countenanco 
that  was  not  so  agreeable  as  remarkable  in  a  Tery  yo«Dg 
man. 

.  From  the  prinrnples  which  he  had  early  avowed,  it  waa 
leaspnabie  to  believe  that  he  would  declare  against  th« 
King,  Steady  in  his  passion  for  military  glory,  he  di4 
not  slip  so  favourable  an  opportunity  as  the  discontent! 
iC  Paris  afforded^  Af  signalizing  iiiasctf  in  &?imr  of  some 
one  party,  Amind  such  as  hi#  fiNrces  itself  into  wtio^ 
fiKMB  difficult  situations.  He  seized,  widi  enthusiasm, 
the  sense  of  that  deeree  which  acknowledged  no  distiac* 
tiea  of  raiJe,  althoqgh  some  might  have  tlicii  ooiycqtared 
thai  it  was  likely  to  iifjuFe  his  ftituni  firospeots. 

It  cannot  be  believed  thal^  possessing  these  sentiments, 
Bonaparte  eould  consider  Louis  XVI,  as  ^beftlberef  hia 
people;  and  the  moi»  so  when  he  knew  dM4  nnkappy 
priaoe's  tbrone  was  encircled  hy  flfitlerers,  who  were  all 
«jterestad  in  snftportiB^  the  greatest  t^q^ee— that  TQf9l 


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AND  WAKS   OF   BUROPB.  103 

■  "i         .1        ^  I  I  ee 


CoffimiMionert  from  the  Attembiy  arretfedby  •nier  of  La  Fayette. 

&vour  was  the  only  road  which  led  to  miiitftry  preTer- 
menty  and  that  corrupt  minaters  and  an  effMunate  eonrt 
opposed  an  insuperable  barrier  to  genuine  merit  iiiien  it 
dared  to  approach  the  throne ;  he  expected,  in  conunoii 
with  every  other  subaltern  officer  who  possessed  no  in- 
fluence at  conrty  or  who  had  no  means  to  purchase  it» 
very  little  distmotion.  Faithfid  aenrioe  was  often  repaid 
by  a  cross  of  St  Louis ;  an  empty  honour,  which  equally 
decked  a  faithful  defender  of  ttie  fltate,  or  the  parasite  of 
a  needy  courtier. 

Bonaparte  continued  at  Paris  until  the  year  1790,  when 
the  disputes  of  the  Corsicans  occasioned  some  troops  to 
be  organiae4  in  that  island,  and  he  was  appointed  to  the 
command  of  a  battalion  of  national  guards  at  ^accio, 
lu8  native  town;  litde  service,  however,  was  required  of 
these  levies,  and  Bonaparte  had  sufficient  leisure  to  pur- 
sue his  military  studies.  He  war  which  took  place  be- 
tween France  and  the  combined  powers  opened  a  large 
field  for  obaervation;  the  manoeuvres^  of  the  opposing 
armies,  to  admirably  detailed  at  that  period,  gave  him 
an  opportunity,  whieh  he  ardently  seized,  of  examining, 
correcting,  and  maturing  that  system  of  wariare  that  has, 
by  its  activity  and  resources,  assisted  in  conquering  some 
of  the  finest  provinces  of  Europe. 

The  Ajssembly  failed  in  arresting  La  Fayette  :  that  ge- 
neral imprisoned  their  commissioners  on  their  arrival  at 
Sedan ;  and,  on  th6  night  of  the  18th  of  August,  he  re- 
•olved  to  leave  the  army  he  commanded,  which  had  al- 
ready manifested  their  discontent  at  his  conduct.  Before 
morning  he,  was  on  his  horse,  and,  with  seventeen  com- 
panions, quitted  the  French  territories'*. 

*  They  had  not,  however,  travelled  many  mile*  before  they 
were  arrested  by  an  AusUian  patrole,  and  conducted  to  Li»- 


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104      HISTORY  OP  NAPOLEON   BON^PARTl!, 


La  Fayette  and  his  Family  in  the  Fortrcs9  of  Olmutz. 

This  great  man  was  forsaken  by  those,  very  people  for 
whose  happiness  he  had  exerted  all  his  abilities :  his  life 

embourg;  they  were  afterwards  separately  imprisoned  ai 
WeseL  La  Fayette  here  fell  sick  with  fatigue  and  mortifica-^ 
fion,  and  hb  life  was  despaired  of.  The  King  of  Prussia  inti-^ 
mated  to  him,  that  his  situation  should  be  ameliorated  if  h« 
would  draw  up  plans  against  France.  La  Fayette  spurned 
Ae  proposal  with  scorn :  himself  and  bis  companions  M'ere 
conveyed,  in  a  waggon,  to  Magdebourg,  where  they  remained 
during  a  whole  year,  in  a  dark  and  humid  vault,  strongly 
barricadoed.  He  was  afterwards  removed  to  Neiss,  with 
some  others,  to  be  delivered  up  to  Austria,  and  was,  sooa 
after,  immured  in  the  dungeons  of  Olmutz.  By  the  contri^- 
Vance  of  two  American  gentlemen  La  Fayette  escaped,  but 
was  soon  retaken. 

His  captivity  now  became  more  rigorous,  and  his  malady 
increased  with  great  violence.  Neither  .himself,  nor  any  of 
his  fellow-prisouers,  had  received  any  information  during 
their  confinement  respecting  their  families;  Madame  La 
Fayette  was  imprisoned  at  Paris,  and  hourly  expected  to  be 
led  to  the  guillotine.  Robespierre  fell,  her  life  was  pre^ 
served,  and,  some  time  afterwards,  she  was  released.  At  the 
end  of  1795  she  had  sufficiendy  recruited  her  strength  to 
attempt  the  execution  of  a  project  she  had  long  meditated^ 
She  went  to  Vienna,  with  her  two  daughters,  and  obtained  an 
audience  of  the  £mperor,  who  would  only  allow  her  to  share 
the  horrors  of  her  husband's  prison.  She  entered  the  fortress 
of  Olmutz  with  her  two  lovely  daughters,  where  they,  were 
treated  with  the  greatest  inhumanity.  Her  health  soon  be^ 
came  so  much  injured,  that  she  requested  permission  to  visit 
Vienna  for  a  week,  to  breathe  the  fresh  air,  and  consult  « 
physician ;  hi  two  months* she  was  informed  that  tliis  permia^ 
sion  was  allowed  her,  on  condition  that  her  daughters 
were  confined  in  an  apartment  by  themselves,  and  that 
she  herself  should  never  enter  the  prison  again.  She  ii>- 
ttantly  wrote  a  positive  refusal  of  this  indulgence,  whicb^ 
in  reference   to  her   husband's   imprisonment^  concludes 


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AND   WARS   OF   EtROPE^  105 


Dumourier  appoioted  ComioaDder^n-chier. 

was  preserved  from  their  fury  by  his  retreat;  and, 
when  he  claimed  the  pity  of  the  world,  he  fell  under  the 
vengeance  of  a  combination  of  sovereigns. 

When  the  Assembly  were  acquainted  with  La  Payette'^ 
escape,  they  nominated  Dumourier  commander-in-chief. 
He  had  been  minister  at  war,  and  at  that  time  appeared 
very  well  disposed  towards  the  King ;  but,  after  La 
Fayette  escaped,  he^  affected  counter-revolutionary  sen^- 
timents,  and  by  those  means  obtained  the  confidence  of 
the  Republicans  ;  Marshal  Luckner  also  attached  him- 
self to  the  rising  party,  as  well  as  Biron,  Montesqttieu, 
Kellerman,  and  Custine.  Commissioners  were  to  ascer^ 
tain  the  opmions  of  the  generals,  and  their  report  Was 
successful.  The  appointment  of  civil  officers,  to  be  with 
the  armies  and  in  the  garrisons,  and  to  assist  at  the  coun^- 
cib  of  war,  was  a  measure  which  served  the  Assembly 
most  egregiously,  when  it  required  accurate  information 
respecting  the  troops,  their  operations,  and  the  officers 
who  commanded  in  chief. 
,    The  great  talents  of  La  Fajette  had  checked  the  whole 

thus :  *'  Whatever^  then,  may  be  the  state  of  my  own  health, 
and  the  inconvenience  attending  die  stay  of  my  daughters  in 
this  place,  we  vrill  most  gratefully  take  advantage  of  the 
goodness  bis  Imperial  Migesty  has  expressed  towards  us, 
by  the  permission  to  share  in  all  the  miseries  of  his  captivity.'' 
The  unhappy  sufferers  complained  no  more,  although  they 
continued  to  inhale  an  air  so  infected  by  a  common  sewer 
imder  the  window  of  their  dungeon,  that  the  soldiers,  on 
ppening  the  door,  were  accustomed  to  apply  their  hands  to 
their  noses.  They  were  not  liberated  until  Bonaparte  inter* 
fered  in  their  behalf  in  1797.  In  September  they  quitted 
their  dungeons :  La  Fayette,  with  his  family,  retired  to  Ham-, 
burgh,  and  in  the  beginning  of  1800,  Bonaparte  peixnitted 
ihem  to  return  to  France. 

VOL.  I.— NO.  5.  P 

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106      HISTORY  OF  NAPOLEON  BONAPARTE^ 
Loapry  and  Verdao  raireiider  to  the  Combined  Anniei. 

■      ,.-  ■  ■!      _JX.  •  ^ ■  -     .  II         _  ■ 

Austriaa  and  Prussian  armies,  ahhough  he  had  not  more 
than  twenty  thousand  men  under  his  command.  He  be- 
ing no  longer  opposed  to  the  enemy,  the  combined  armies 
resolved  to  advance  as  far  as  possible  into  France.  Tliey 
bombarded  Longwy  with  such  violence  for  fifteen  hours 
as  threatened  to  bury  it  in  ruins,  and  the  town  capita* 
lated.  The  Assembly  ordered  a  court-martial  to  sit  on 
the  magistrates  who  surrendered  it,  and  they  were  exe» 
cuted.  - 

Verdun  was  next  invested ;  it  was  in  want  of  every 
thing ;  the  enemy  had  a  secret  correspondence  with  the 
inhabitants ; — the  town  was  considered  untenable,  and  the 
municipal  officers  advised  its  surrender.'  Although  the 
garrison  was  only  two  battalions,  Beaurepaire,  the  com- 
mander, determined  to  hold  out  as  long  as  possible ;  but 
finding  all  his  efforts  useless,  and  his  coUeagues  wanting 
to  capitulate,  he  drew  a  pistol  firom  his  belt,  in  the  midst 
of  a  council  of  war,  and  discharged  it  against  his  tem- 
ple. 

The  consternation  at  Paris,  when  it  was  known  that 
Longwy  and  Verdun  had  surrendered,  was  immense«^ 
All  were  alarmed,  lest  the  rqport  should  be  true,  that 
the  Duke  of  Brunswick  would  be  in  the  neighbourhood 
of  Paris;  Danton,  howerer,  the  Minister  of  Justice, 
whilst  despair  was  seated  on  eveiy  countenance,  declared 
there  were  at  least  80,000  stand  of  Inarms'  in  Paris.  He 
proposed  that  they  should  be  delivered  «p,  nod  a  body 
of  volunteers  raised  and  equipped  with  Ihem.  Has  was 
decreed,  and  that  all  who  were  not  incapable  should  be 
ready  to  march,  lliese  steps  exhilarated  the  fiiOing  spi- 
rits of  the  Parisians,  and  they  crowded  to  put  them  into 
action. 
It  was  supposed  thb  volunteers  would  be  enrolled  im 


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AND  WARS  OF  EUROPE.  107 

I,  ,  ■      I  I 

Fvj  of  the  Popolaoe— MatMore  of  Priofti  and  9wi«  Oflleert . 


fbe  districts  to  wfaich  they  belonged,  bat  somethiitg  else 
was  in  tiew.  Alarm  guns  were  fired  at  two  o'cloek  in 
tbe  morning  of  the  2nd  of  September;  the  tocsin  was 
Bounded ;  the  coontry  declared  to  be  in  danger^  ttari  tk« 
.people  invited  to  meet  in  the  Champ  de  Mars,  friini 
whence  as  was  said,  they  were  instantly  to  niorch  against 
the  common  enemy.  Myriads  were  collected ;  «id  wfaeof 
the  resolations  of  the  Assembly  moved  by  Danten,  camtt 
to  be  understood,  the  universal  cry  was,  ''  To  arms,  cb* 
tizens !  to  arms !  the  enemy  is  at  hand.  Every  garrisoo 
has  fallen!  every  garrison  has  betr^fed  as!  We  are  in 
the  hands  of  traitors  !^  During  this  sort  of  frenzy,  news 
was  spread  that  4000  French  troops  sent  to  reinforce 
Verdun,  had  treacherously  been  led  into  ambuscade,  and 
crueDy  cut  to  pieces.  The  fury  of  die  populace  was 
raised  to  its  utmost  height-—''  We  have  no  one  to  tnist 
to,  and  we  must  face  the  enemy  !**  they  exclaimed—* 
"  We  are  to  be  slaughtered  like  sheep,  and  shall  we  not 
turn  upon  our  haters? — ^Tothe  Abbaye!  and  the  two 
Cannes !  Let  evecy  traitor  suffer  I''  Sach  were  the  propo- 
sals  in  the  hall  of  the  Jacobins,  and  such  the  exclamations 
of  the  furies  that  crowded  the  streets  i  The  Cardinal  de 
Rochefoucault,  .and  *aboat  130  (some  say  320)  priests 
were  handed  out  of  the  prison,  two  by  two,  into  the 
street  Vaugerard,  and  there  put  to  death  in  cold  blood ; 
for  the  strong  pleas  of  innocence  and  age  were  of  no 
avail*  lli^y  wreaked  their  vengeance  on  the  unfbrtonate 
Swiss  officers  who  were  confined  in  the  Abbye  prison.  * 
These  acts  of  guilt  were  attended  with  the  solemn  mockery 
of  a  jtiiy  of  nine  Italians  and  three  Frenchmen ;  but 
their  fate  was  determined  previous.  It  was  said  before 
their  execution,  Ilfiut  le  largir,  <'  He  must  be  set  at  li- 
berty ;''*but  alas  \  it  was  only  to  be  led  through  ranks  of 

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108      HIStORY   OF   NAPOLEON.  BONAPARTE, 


Matiacrei  contiou^d — Murder  of  the  Prfncen  de  Lamlafie. 

ra£Bans»  |o  be  methodically  cat  to  pieces,  or  run  through 
the  body  with  countless  pikes.  The  Swiss  officers  were 
all  murdered,  their  commander-in-chief  alone,  M.  d'Affry, 
had  the  good  fortune  to  escape,  owing  to  a  mistake  of  the 
mob. 

The  ladies  of  the  Court,  who  had  been  imprisoned  on 
the  day  on  which  the  palace  was  attacked,  were  mur- 
dered in  ''  La  Forced  The  princess  de  Lamhalle  was 
one,  a  woman  of  the  mQSt  exquisite  [^accomplishments 
both  of  body  and  mind.  When  summoned  to  appear  be* 
fore  the  tribunal,  she  was  ei\joying  that  repose  which 
her  melancholy  situation  too  often  denied  her,  She  be« 
eame  a  victim  to  the  cru^l  rage  of  the  populace;  for  as 
she  came  out  of  the  prison,  filled  with  horror  at  the  sight 
of  the  number  of  dead  bodies  which  she  had  to  pass  over, 
%  ruffian  struck  her  widi  a  sabre  on  the  ba<?k  part  of  her 
head,  which  caused  a  violent  efiusion  of  blood;  her 
bowels  and  her  heart  were  taken  out,  and  her  head  placed 
on  a  pike.  Other  circumstances  attended  her  death,  ac- 
companied with  such  acts  of  savage  indecency,  that  if 
they  could  be  related,  they  would  appear  as  incredible  ai 
they  are  dreadful. 

AHer  glutting  themselves  in  tliis  cruel  way,  the  mob 
formed  a  bloody  cavalcade ;  the  heads  and  bodies  of  those 
most  inimical  to  them  were  fi?(ed  on  pikes,  and  borne 
through  the  streets  for  a  considerable  length  of  time.  At 
last  they  stopped  at  the  Palais  Boyal,  and  the  remains 
of  the  victims  were  exposed  to  a  surrounding  mob ;  pre- 
viously, however,  shewing  to  the  Queen  tiie  mutilated 
limbs  of  the  Princess  Lamballe,  More  than  five  thou- 
sand persons  perished  in  this  massacre. 

Tlie  force  of  the  French  commander-in-chief  at  this 
period,  it  is  said,  did  not  pqual  that  under  the  authority 


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c 


AND  WARS  OF'  EUROPE*  109 


Dmooarier  reioforoed. 


of  General  Clairfait;  bat  in  this  moment  of  suspense*  the 
B^litaiy  genhis  of  Domoarier  barst  forth  with  great- splen- 
d<Mr:  bj^  the  wonderful  maaoeavres  and  stratagems  which 
hia  hiTentive  mind  was  preparing  for  execution, .  he  re- 
solved to  divide  his  strength.  To  Galbaud*  who  was 
stationed  at  a  pass  in  the  forest  of  Argonne,  which  Bu- 
mourier  lool^ed  on  as  of  the  first  importance  to  the  issue 
of  the  campaign,  he  sent  Dillon  (4th  of  September)  with 
considerable  reinforcements.  Just  at  this  time  it  wias 
abandoned  by  Galbaud,  as  impossible  to  be  retained ; 
bat  when  he  saw  the  supplies  which  had  been  sent  him, 
he  returned  to  its  defence  with  renewed  vigour;  and  it 
proved,  in  a  manner,  to  France,  what  Thermopylae  had 
been  to  Greece.  Dumourier,  in  the  mean  time,  took  the 
post  at  Grand  Pre  under  his  own  protection.  It  was 
soon  contested  for  by  the  enemy ;  and  as  he  could  not 
ret£n  it  against  the  furious  attack  of  such  a  force  as  he 
had  to  contend  with,  he  retreated  to  St.  Menehoud,  a 
strong  town,  situated  about  twenty-six  miles  W.  S.  W.  of 
Verdun.  The  Austrians  lost  a  great  number  of  men,  to* 
gether  with  prince  Charles  de  Ligne. 
.  Bournonville  joined  Dnmourier,  with  fifteen  thousand 
men,  as  well  as  Kellerman,  with  the  army  under  his  com- 
mand. (September  20)  Dumourier  now  found  himself  in  a 
eondition  to  put  an  end  to  the  incursions  of  the  enemy. 
Kelierman,  at  the  head  of  sixteen  thousand  men,  repulsed 
a  greatly  superior  division  of  the  enemy,  and  rendered  all 
their  stratagems  abcilive.  The  Duke  of  Brunswick  at  the 
head  of  the  Prussian  troops,  endeavoured  to  surround  Ge- 
neral KcUerman,  and  thus  cut  off  his  retreat,  it'hc  should  be 
vaoquished ;  but,  the  cautious  eye  of  Dumourier  disar- 
ranged all  his  plans, 
Jp  spitp  of  the  reinforcements  which  Dumuuricr  had 


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1 10      HISTORY  OP  NAPOLEON   BOKAf  ARTE, 


The  Dnke  of  Brmuwick  demamlt  bo  Armiftice. 


SO  lately  jeceif  ed,  hit  foree  was  still  scarcely  one-tfaird 
^rliat  the  enemy  could  muster.  They  were  hi  possessiov 
of  Varemoies,  and  their  can^  on  (he  heights  of  La  Limw 
was  considered  unpregnabte.  The  French  army,  there^ 
lbre»  had  no  retreat  in  an  easterly,  vesterty,  (ir  northerly 
direction,  and  the  roads  to  the  south,  at  this  season  of 
the  year,  were  nothing  but  mire.  These  reasons  IikewiM> 
discouraged  th^  enemy  from  an  active  perseverance.  Tber 
great  importance  of  the  pass  which  Ditton  so  nobly  de-' 
fended,  has  been  noticed.  It  prevented  the  Dnke  of 
Brunswick  from  arriving  at  Paris  in  the  way  he  at  first 
intended,  and  it  i^peared  to  him  almost  imposrible  to 
make  the  French  abandon  it.  In  this  situation  no  otheif 
alternative  was  left  him  than  to  attempt  a  tedious  route  by 
the  way  of  Varennes  and  Grand  Pr6,  which  would  have 
added  at  least  fifty  miles  to  his  march ;  a  sad  addition, 
since  his  troops  were  to  much  dispirited,  and  almost 
starving.  They  were  seized,  too,  with  a  dreadful  dis«. 
temper,  which,  in  its  ravages  proved  more  destructive 
than  ^the  weapons  of  the  French,  and  it  was  rendered 
more  violent  by  the  improper  use  of  unripe  grapes,  in* 
stead  of  bread,  of  which,  it  is  reported,  they  Were  en* 
tirely  deprived  for  the  space  of  four  days. 

In  so  melancholy  a  state,  the  Duke  of  Brunswick  do* 
manded  an  armistice.  It  is  worthy  remarking  how  a 
change  of  circumstances  induces  a  man  to  act  incon* 
sistent  In  July  the  Duke  published  his  (amed  Mani- 
festo; and,  in  September,  he  declared  his  willing- 
ness to  acknowledge  the  very  constitution  against, 
which  he  had  taken  up  arms.  He  is  reported  to  have 
said  to  Dumourier,  respecting  tfie  King;  "  Make  him 
**  your  King,  under  the  strictest  limits.  Do  not  content 
**  yourselves  with  tying  him  up  like  the  King  of  Bug* 


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AN1>  WAB8  OF  EUROPE.  Ill 


H«  etaoi^ef  Fmaot^Yetdnn  ic^teko. 


I  hJBi  a  King  of  the  MahratteB— make  Um  a 
V  Stadlhelder-HOfdce  him  the  principal  tax-gatherer  of 
**  the  GOimtr]r----give  him  only  a  place«-fhis  is  all  we  ask, 
**  and  then  we  shall  have  a  pretext  for  retiring  * 
.  The  Prossian  army  inunediBtely  after  eracuated  France, 
and  their  exampla  was  followed  by  the  troops  of  Austria 
and  Hesse  CasseL  On  leaving  the  entrenched  oamp  on 
the  heights  of  La  Lone,  the  French  fonnd  abont  three 
hnndred  horses  half  devoured,  so  dreadfidly  in  want  had 
the  enemy  been  of  provisions. 

Soon  after  die  Fr^ieh  retook  Verdon,  and  they  fol* 
lowed  up  their  conquest  by  the  re-cqpture  of  Longwy, 
(October  22)  under  (reneral  Valence,  and  Franoe  being 
tbus'^fireed  firon  the  allied  aripiies^  the  Assembly  decreed 
the  country  no  longer  in  danger. 


^»^»»^»^###»^r»^#^^^#^^»i»##»»#»^#^^»#'#^^^#^ 


CHAPTER  XIII. 


Whbm  Royal^.was  suspended,  the  Assembly  placed  the 
government  in  the  hands  of  seven  Ministers,  who  were 
denominated  the  Executive  Council,  and  in  those  were 
included  the  Republican  ministers  of  Ijouis,  by  whose 
dvVBiissal  he  had  so  much  offended  the  Assembly  and  lbs 
ehibs.     ' 

The  season  for  the  meeting  of  the  Convqntion  came  at 
last ;  every  one  looked  to  it  witii  anidety  for  flie  resto* 
ration  of  luurmony.  and  order. 


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112      history' OP   NAPOLEON   BONAt»ARTE, 

Royalty  abolUbcd  by  the  ConrentioD. 

On  the  21st  of  September,  the  National  Asseinbly  re- 
signed its  functions,  and  gave  up  its  power  to  the  Con-^ 
vention,  by  an  address  of  renunciation,  and  an  assurance 
that  they  would  serve  as  an  advanced  guard  of  the  new 
legislature.  The  Convention  chose  Petion  their  presi- 
dent ;  and, .  having  decreed  that  the  laws  should  be  con- 
tinued .in  force,  and  the  usual  taxes  •demanded,  CoHet 
d'Herbois  rose,  and  said,  that  the  Convention  ought  not 
to  adjourn,  till  it  had  decreed  the  total  abolition  of  Roy-* 
alty  in  France.  Deputies  rose  to  demand  that  the  ques- 
tion might  be  instantly  pnt.  M .  Bazire  exclaimed  against 
the  ardoor  which  seemed  to  have  taken  possession  of  tiieir 
minds,  and  besought  them  to  argue  a  question  of  so  much 
magnitude  with  the  dignity  that  became  ihem.  His  ad- 
vice was  looked  on  as  the  duU  prudence  of  a  vulgar  mind^' 
unworthy  the  practice  of  philosophers  of  superior  light, 
and  the  National  Convention  briefly  decreed,  that  **  Roy- 
alty is  abolished  in  France."  Loud  applauses,  and  ex- 
clamations of  "  Vive  la  Nation  !*'  following  the  decree ; 
minutes  of  the  sitting  were  ordered  to  be  sent  to  the  De- 
partments, and  to  the  armies,  as  well  as  to  be  proclaimed 
throughout  Paris. 

At  the  next  Sitting  M.  Condorcot  was  elected  Vice- 
president,  and  the  Convention  decreed  : 

1.  That  all  public  acts  should  be  datec^  the  first  year 
of  the  French  Republic. 

2.  That  the  seal  of  the  country  shall  be  changed,  and 
have  for  a  legend,  "  French  Republic.'' 

9.  That  the  National  Seal  shall  represent  a  woman,  sit- 
ting on  a  bundle  of  arms,  and  holding  a  pike  in  her  hand,' 
with  a  cap  of  liberty  upon  it,  and  upon  the  exergue,  the 
words^  "  Archives  of  the  French  Republic." 

4.  That  no  petitioners  shall  be  admitted  to  the  b^  till 
the  eireninff  sittmsr.  ,^         i 

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ANB  WARS   OP  eVKOPE  113 


TiolMt  DiipBtc*  of  the  Parties. 


Those  decrees  liaving  passed,  a  debate  ensued,  irhich 
tended  to  guide  tke  judgment,  as  to  the  chwacter  of  the 
proceedings  likely  to  be  adopted  by  the  convention.  A 
motion  was  made,  Tliat  all  citizens,  without  distinction^ 
aire  eligible  to  vacant  places ;  and  that  all*  the  members  of 
the  judiciary  bodies,  now  in  the  eatercise  of  their,  fonc- 
tions,  shall  be  changed. 

Several  foreigners  were  among  the  members;  amongst 
them  was  Anacharsis  Cloots,  and  the  ringleaders  of  many 
*gangs  of  rioters;  snch  as  Legendre,  the  butcher,  who 
had  assisted  Santerre  in  breaking  into  the  Palace,  and  in- 
sulting the  King  on  the  20th  of  June ;  and  Tallien,  who 
signed  the  order  for  assembling  the  assassins  of  Paris  to 
murder  the  unhappy  prisoners  on  the  3d  and  Sd  of  Sep- 
tember. 

Now  diat  the  King  was  no  longer  in  their  way,  the  par* 
ties  began  to'disfrfay  themselves  in  their  violence  and 
abuse  of  each  other.  The  Brissotins,  though  fully  as 
treacherous  as  the  Robesperians,  and  the  Orleanites^  were 
not  so  cruel ;  and,  as  they  kept  the  government  in  their 
own  power,  they,  had  no  view  in  encouraging  the  bloody 
scenes  which  had  so  long  disgraced  the  country. 

Viohnt  disputes  took  place  between  the  parties,  and 
(Ixmvet,)  a  man  as  vain  as  tiie  rest,  but  not  equally  con-»  * 
tminated  with  guik,  publicly  noted  Marat,  Robespierre^ 
and  Chaboty  as  leaders  in  the  massacres,  and  conspirators 
gainst  the  new  government  No  doubts  were  held  of  the 
truth  of  theaccusations;  bad  they  been  remarked  properly 
by  those  in  power,  tiie  distnrbor^  of  the  public  peace  might 
have  got  some  respeot.for  the  laws ;  but  Brissot  resorted 
to  the  cowsfiUy  and  illusive  practice  of  moving  the  order 
of  the  day. 

This  corruption  of  the  leaders  of  every  party  prevented 

Vol.  1.— N9.  5«  9 


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114     HISTOItY  OP  ^APOLEOlff.  BOKAl^ARTE^ 


The  Dotcby  of  Sav^y  sunreoders  lo  tbo  French. 


the  Convention,  as  it  had  done  the  NatioD&l  AsBembly^ 
from  using  any  means  adapted  to  enforee  obedience  to> 
the  laws. .  The  members  flattered  tbe  lieeptiousnes^  of  the 
mob  contrary  to  their  consoiences,  because  they  were  not 
independent  enough  to  harangue  in  defence  of  justice : 
and  the  country  became  the  seat  of  vice,  to  an  immense 
extent;  or,  as  one  of  the  republican  members  of  the  Con- 
vention expressed  himself,  **  an  immeasurable  mass  of 
crimes,  unknown  to  the  most  savage  nations,  burst  fortli 
as  a  torrent,  whose  dikes  were  broken,  and,  spreading 
itself  over  a  vast  empire,  threatening  to.  deluge :  the  whole 
globe." 

To  such  a  state  did  France  jarrive  very  soon  afte^  the  . 
Convention  had  assembled;  yet  this  did  not  hinder  it» 
friends  in  other  countries  from  presenting  congratulatory  ■ 
addresses,  and  exerting  themiselves  to  give  every  effect  to 
its  measures:  this  conduct  would  seem   very  strange^ 
but  for  the  following  considerations :  first,  .that  most  of 
the  powers  of  Europe  had  been  so  fast  approaching  to . 
despotism,  that  the  people  hardly  saw  the  means  of  keep- 
ing freedom  but  by  some  desperate  measure,  and»  se- 
condly, that  as  they  were  not  witnesses  of  the  crilHes  com- 
mitted in  France,  but  merely  heard  of  theHi  (hfougfa 
those  powers,  whose  injustice  towards  La  Fayette^  and 
the  real  friends  of  liberty,  made  them  totally  unworthy  of 
credit. 

On  the  26th  of  September  the  Convention  was  ac- 
quainted that  the  Bnchy  of  Savoy  had  surrendered  their 
country  to  the  French  troops,  in  hopes  of  passing  under 
the  government  of  France.  It  was  one  of  the  first  prin- 
ciples of  the  Revolntion,  that  no  wars  conld  be  justified, 
save  those  of  defence ;  and  that  France  should,  not  keep 
the  dominions- of  her  neighbours  as  conquests:  but,  like 


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AND  WARS   OP  EUKOP£«  11^ 

The  EiBignmU  ordered  to  quit  Fnuioe. 

all  their  iSne  theories^  this  was  too  stfoiig  for  t&e  patriots 
to  registy  and  jn.  a  very  short  tinie  it  was  decreed  that 
Savoy  should  fo|rm  an  eighty^foorth  ttepartment  of  France,  . 
vMipr  the  title  of  MofU  Blanc*]  General  Montesquiea  had 
been  accased  as  a  traitor^  and  a  decree  of  dismissal  issued, 
of  course,  in  the  hasty  naimeir  that  the  Convenlion  did 
their  bosiiiess ;  when  Qeneral  Montesquiea's  ietter  was 
read,  staling  bis  entrance  into  Savoy,  although  it  was 
tot^ly  apart  ^m  charges  exhibited  agaiast  him,  the  de- 
cree of  dismissal  was  recalled ;  so  that  every  oQ^r  was 
instantly  taught,  that  innocence  was  no  security^  unle$s 
-crowned  by  success;  and  guilt  no  fi|ult,  if  covelred  by  a 
triumph ;  and  the  doetrine  was  soon  carried  to  its  utmost 
extent,  by  bxiogiag  all  the  generals  to  pillage  the  tertito- 
ries  contiguous  to  France,  or  shed  their  blood  under  the 
guillotine*  The  fiews  of  the  Conveation  towards  their 
neighbours  by  degrees  unfolded  themselves,  and  they 
were  only  interrupted  to  invent  some  new  scourge  to  aflUct 
.their  own  people. 

H  If  aay  emigrants  now  returned  to  their  n&tive  country, 
in  the  idea  that  they  would  procure  -the  support  and  pro- 
t0Qtion  of  their  fellow-citizens ;  but  the  CoQventipa  issued 
a  decree,  which  we  niust  consider  as  uaneeessarily  severe. 
It  was  folly  to  suppose,  that  a  few  obscure  individuals, 
seeking  shelter  idiere  they  w6re  bom,  could  have  influence 
enoi^  to  overturn  the  constitution  of  France ;  and  yet 
they  Wtfe  commanded  to  quit  the  kingdom  (27  September) 
in  twen^-four  hours,  or  to  be  put  t6  death,  should  they 
not  oemply. 

During  this  time  the  armies  shewed  a  degree  of  courage, 
and  fought  with  that  success  tliat  dismayed  the  oldest 
military  councils  of  Europe.  Tbionville  resisted  ail  the 
Austrian  attempts  to  reduce  it  during  the  whole  ca*n- 

0.2 


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116      HISTORY  OF  KAPOLEOK   BONAPARTE, 

ThioDVille  resists  the  Auttriaiis. 

paign.  This  sQiaU^  bat  strongs  place,  was  commanded 
by^Gcnerd  Wimpsen,  "wbiy  when  suttimoned-  to  surren- 
der, replied:  **  Yau  may  destroy  the  fortress,  and  not 
leave  one  stone  upon  another ;  but  you  cannot  bum  tbe 
ramparts."  An  anecdote'  concerning  the  siege  of  this 
place  detlerres  notice,  as  it  described  the  fixed  resohttion 
of  its  defenders^  Having  gotten  a  quantity  of  forage  in 
one  of  their  sallies,  they  made  a  wooden  horse  for  'Uie 
inspection  of  the  enemy,  with  a  box  hanging  from  his 
neck  filled  with  hay,  bearing  ^this  inscription :  When  this 
'  horse  hfis  eaten  this  hay,  then  the  city  of  Thionville  wiQ 
surrender.  They  kept  their  word.  The  general  resisted 
the  attacks  of  a  force  which  amounted  to  about  twenty- 
eight  thousand  men,  and  in  different  successful  sallies  he 
did  them  immense  misehief.  He  was-  at  last  relieved  by 
the  retreat  of  the  combined  powers,  when  he  and  his  gal- 
lant troops  received  those  marks  of  gratitude  and  esteem 
to  which  their  gallant  conduct  justly  entitled  ihem«  The 
most  remarkable  siege  which  distinguished  this  campaign 
was  that  of  Lisle,  a  strong  fortified  tovm  of  French  Flan- 
ders. The  enemy  looked  on  the*  possession  of  the  city  as 
oi^  the  greatest  importance  to  their  undertaking,  and  its 
redaction  was  thought  worthy  of  the  greatest  profusion 
of  men  and  money.  It  was  besieged  about  the  beginning 
of  September^  and  on  the  23d  of  that  month  the  Assembly 
received  a  declaration  from  ks  defenders,  that  they  would 
bury  themselves  under  the  ruins  of  the  town  soonw'than 
ftbandon  their  post.** 

Six  days  afterwards  (29th  September,)  it  was  sanmoned 
to  surrender  by  the  Dukc'of  Saxe-Teschen,  who  received 
from  the  council-general  this  spirited  reply :  *'  We  have 
renewed  an^oath  to  be  true  to  the  nation,  or  to  die  at  our 
post.    We  will  not  be  guilty  of  perjury."    The  eonsc- 


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urn  WARS  OF  EUROPE.  '117 


Tlie  Siege  of  Lille  rmlMd. 


quences  of  thb   deolaratioii  could   easily    be  foreBeen. 
jlie  Awtikii  batteriefl  weve  dupectlsr  opened  upon  it,  and 

.  levoUed  for  a  week,  aganst  timt  part  of  the*  town  inlia- 
bited  by  the  lower  ord»s  of. the  ootmnuiiity,  no  doubt 
ta  render  thou  rdbcMians  od  aocbuirt  •of*  their  sufferings, 
nnd^by  tiiifl  meaw  dbtaia  a  oapitnlatkm  when-  the  popu- 
lace became  superior  to  tbe  magistrateft.  Hie  Duke'd 
idea  was  exlraaely  n^<MHil;  but  after  mOk  an  immense 

.  Wjwte^of  ammtinitkwi,  as?aciimtnitfir«  continued  for  a 
week,  mqst  have.  occMisioned,  .teibund,  that  the  people 

.  were  as  \^jjb1  aslMr  mafiaHates^  So^finr  were  any  symp- 
toms jsf  mjUinyjf rem  being'  disbsvefod/as  the  Duke  sup- 
posed/tbe.  keysvoC  the  dty  were  hiing  up^on  the  tree 
of  liberty  in  the  centfeiof  tiie  gveat  sqaarg,  accompanied 
w%tk  a  solemn  09A9  that.  Jie.idio  should  take  tiiem  down, 
with  an 'idea  of  capitutatm,  sliould.be  mstantly  put  to 
4ealh.  The  magistnitea  and:  .military  divided  themselves 
into  distinct  companies,  each  of  windi  had  its  pecnliar 
duty,  and. efen  the  womeaand  children  employed  them- 

.  aelves  in  presenting  the  fatal  eflhcts  w)iich  resulted  from 

•  tbe  enemy's  bombasdment  The  city  was  sadly  shattered 
by  the  instruinents  of  death  'tbat  were  almost  incessantly 
thrown  into  it;  and  they  preferred  taking  refuge  in  cellars 
and  vaults,  ratber  than  capitulate.  As  if  moved  by  one 
soul,  the  inhabitants  of  these  houses  which  were  reduced 
to  ruins,  found  a  shelter  in  those  which  still  remained 

.  habitable. 
•  Fnuling  that  nothing,  however  horrible,  could  induce 
vtfaem  to  surrender,  the  Austrians  raised  the  siege  after  a 
i^ombardment  of*  seven  days.  The  lorn  sustained  by  tbe 
city  of  lisle  did  not  exceed  five'  hundred :  and  of  this 
vomber,  nearly  three*foui*tbs  were  women  and  children. 
This  is  the  more  remarkable,  as,  besides  their  batter- 


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:  li8      HISTORY  OF  NAPOLKOir   SaNAPARTE, 

The  f  fenck  Fleet  •ttacic  Onaglte. 

|ng  trains  the- Austrians  iare  stated  t6  hare  IbrowB  6^000 
\)pDib3|  aadiMfOOO  red-hbt  shot  into  Haa  impovtamt  plaoe. 

The  mmies  in  tha  south:  were  stili  more  rapid  in '  aiic- 
K^gs.  General  Anselm,  bred  an  eoclesiaitiey  cressed  the 
Var  on  the  28lth  of  September,  and  co^^ratiog^  with 
Admina  TrugueC,  who  had  a  fleet  of  nhie  tfaft  of  the 
lin^f  he  took  possesaian  of  Nice,  a  sea-poit  town,  iu* 
touted  at  th6  month  of  the  Vir»  deaerted  by  the  garrison 
pf  Fie^montf  se,  wJbenaver  the  ■  vicleriotts  republicans 
inade  their  appearanne.  This  mode  was  followed  by 
Villit  Eraaoa,  Ibmfeslban,  aml:the  wMb  of  that  tmitory ; 
.  hot,  Qwiig  to  the  impradenee  of  Ifae  General,  and  to  the 
Irani  of  cdrder  which  the  anny  disooyered,  the  troops 
gliye  general  disgust,  and  tbdr  reputation  was  regarded 
.  vritb  contempt  lUs  cizcnmatatiee  was  ao  sorely  felt  by 
the  National  Gonrention,  being  ao  different  to  the  recep* 
tipn  of  Montesquieu,  that  Anselm  was  deprived  of  Us 
militaiy  rsnkf  and  confine^  in  prison  for  several  years. 

The  Admiral  of  the  French  fleet  raiaed  the  popular, 
hati^  against  that  country,  by  an  net  of  severity  gene« 
rally  looked  on  as  uqustifiable.  He  had  dispotched  ^  a 
flag  of  trace,  on  hia  arrival  fitOnagb^  with  apradam-P 
aUon  to  the  inhabitants^  that  the  French  naiion  were  anxi* 
ous  to  be  their  friends,  T|iia  was  taken  to  their  ma* 
gistratea  by  ope  of  his  captains.  At  a  ^at  distance  the 
Admiral  went  in  anotlier  boat,  wifliout  an  officer,  and 
gave  strict  orders  to  the  fleet  not  to  approach  the  sho^i^ 
that  no  alarm  might  be  given.  The  people  at  first  dis- 
covered no  hostile  diiq[>osition  towards  the  captam,  but 
when  he  addressed  them  on  the  purport  of  hia  mission, 
which  they  looked  on  as  wanting  tliem  to  rebel  against 
their  government,  he  was  saluted  by  a  shower  of  maski> 


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AND  WARS  OP  ElWOI^lii  119 

Geoeral  MoAtetquiea  retires  from  Coxniiwod* 


try,  the  effect  of  which  was,  that  Marshal  ^Lahouliere's 
aid-de-camp,  two  midshipmen,  and  four  aeamen,  were 
killed,  and  the  captain,  with  the  a4jutant-general  of  thd 
land  forces  were  wounded.  Tliis  raised  the  indignation 
of  the  Admiral;  and  he  would  take  no  apology  from  the 
magistrates,  as  it  appeared  to  him  that  such  conduct 
would  admit  of  no  excuse.  His  boat  being  placed  out 
of  danger,  he  directly  gave  orders  to  the  squadron  to  drop* 
their  anchors  and  opeq  a  tremendous  fire  against  the  town. 
It  was,  likewise,  attacked  from  the  shore  by  Jf  arshal 
Lahouliere,  and,  after  it  was  plundered  by  the  conquerors, 
it  was  set  on  fire  in  seyeral  parts. 

The  haughty  spirit  of  the  French  began  iiow  to  skew 
itself  towards  Geneva*  The  taking  of  Savoy,  gave  great 
alarm  to  the  neighbouriiig  states,  and  the  aristocrAtical 
party  in  Geneva  were  under  weighty  apprehensions. 
They  wished  for  a  garrison  of  1,600  men  from  tlie  other 
Swiss  cantons,  while  the  French  contended  that  Geneva 
ahoidd  be  under  the  inspection  of  their  own  republic. 
The  Con^entioii  likewise  had  an  eye  to  the  republic  of 
Geneva,  as  the  Swiss  garrison,  appeared  to  give  m\ich  of- 
fence. Monlesquiem  appeared  before  the  ciipy,  but  his 
tesolutioBivas  totally  subdaed.  The  aristocrats  overcame 
ids  resolves,  and  caosed  him  to  exceed  hi3  orders,  by 
exhibiting  the  olive  branch  of  peace;  the  consequence 
vas,  the  Swiss  garrison  was  disbanded,  and  the  French 
general  withdrew  his  troops.  By  this  conduct,  General 
Monteaqaiea  became  a  mark  for  fresh  calumny,  aud  va* 
fious  chaises  were  preferred  against  hun ;  be  fancied  he 
should  recieve  no  justice  if  he  consented  to  atrial,  and 
that  every  action  of  his  life  would  be  misconstrued  by 
Ins  enemies;  he  therefore  retired  into  Switzcrkuid. 


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130  HISTORY  or 


-  .Operations  of  General  OiKifflr.  > 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

We  now  take  a  view  of  the  condact  of  Custme  on  tlie 
tapper  Rhine,  whose  glorious  career  has  few  parallels  in 
military  tactics.  AMien  he  began  hts  course  of  victory  * 
on  the  39th  of  September,  the  dreadftil  state  of  the  roirds, 
and  die  great  quantity  of  rain  which  had  fallen,  made  it 
extremely  diflScult  for  him  to  muster  his  forces  at  Landau. 
He  began  his  march,  faowerer,  in  the  face  of  every  op* 
position,  and  arrived  at  Spires  on  the  following  day. 
Tlierc  he  found  the  Austrlans  prepared  to  give  him  a 
warm  reception.  Their  right  was  defended  by  a  risiufi;' 
ground,  and  their  left  by  thick  hedges.  These  positions 
did  not  prevent  him  from  giving  lliem  battle,  and  ho 
compelled  them  to  retire  within  the  city.  Here  they 
tliought  themselves  secure,  but  tiie  triuaiphant  Custinc 
soon  taught  them  otlierwise.  Finding  that  it  would  be 
delaying  tii«e  to  force  the  gates  by  his  artillery,  he  pro- 
posed to  his  troops  to  cut  them  down  with  axes,  which 
was  adopted,  and  quickly  aGCompKsfaed.  The  army 
made  a  passage  for  themselves,  and  suffered  more  tiuok 
they  could  have  done,  had  they  not  been  so  precipitate. 
Thf.  enemy,  from' the  houses  whure  they  had  taken  shelter, 
poured  a  most  tremendous  fire  on  them  ;  but  the  general^ 
cool  in  the  midst  of  danger,  found  means  to  dislodge- 
them  by  his  artillery  and  howitzers,  and  in  a  short  time: 
took  entire  possession  of  the  city.  Three  thousand  pri- 
soners, a  prodigious  quantity  of  artillery  and  kawkseci^ 
were  the  fruits  of  this  conquest. 


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NAPOLEOK  BONAPARTE*  121 

Spires  and  Fnnkfort  taken  by  the  Repoblican  Troops. 


A  division  of  Custine'«  sunny,  untier  General  Neavig- 
ner,  took  Worma^  andtlie  &U  of  Spires  almost  instandy 
followed.  They  conquered  so  rapidly,  that  the  enemy 
i^ere  unable  to  secure  their  stores  and  ammunition,  im« 
mcDse  quantities  of  which  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  victors*. 
By  order  of  M.  Custtne,  the  Biriiop  of  Spires,  with  the 
chapter  and  the  nm^strales,  were  obliged  to  pay  large 
sums  fbir  the  benefit  of  the  Republican  troops*  This 
conquest  only  sharpened  the  appetite  of  the  Crenersd  and: 
his  array  for  fresh  g^ry.  He  reached  Menta  on  the  I9tli 
of  October,  veoA  although  the  garrison  at  this  place  con- 
sisted of  six  thousand  men,  the  very  next  day  he  sum^ 
moned  the  Governor  to  surrender.  One  day  only  was 
asked,  in  order  to  prepare  a  definitive  answer,  and  yet  a 
heavy  fire  was  kept  up  from  the  garrison.  Tliis  gave 
rise  to  a  second  and  more  peremptory  message  from  M. 
Cusdne,  which  had  tbe*wished-for  effect.  The  town 
capitulated,  and  the  troops  marched  out  with  the  hof 
nours  of  war,  but  under  this  e?>  press  condition,  that  they 
should  not  appear  in  arms  against  the  French  Repufolio 
BO'  long  as  tile  war  continaed.**»Frankfort  was  the  next 
place  he  attacl^d,  of  which  he  took  possession  on  the 
S8d  of  the  same  month.  A  large  sum  was  exacted  from  ' 
tiie  magistrates  of  this  city,  for  it  had  been  a  very  active 
place  in  affonUng  {detection  to  the  Emigrants*  The 
"sum  demanded  is  stated  to  have  been  fifteen  hundred 
thousand  florins. 

'  M.  Custine's  ambition  was  not  satisfied  with  his  rapid 
^eonquests,  splendid  as  they  were,  for  he  meant  to  have 
•marchied  to  Coblente,  had  not  an  unforeseen  disappoint- 
ment ameif.  Coblentz  was  a  nest  of  enmity  against  the 
'IVetteh  Repttblio  ;  it  was  bis  resolution  to  have  directed 
^his  vengeance  against  it,  .had  he  got  the  reinforoemenia 

VOLt  I,— NO,  6»  E 

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Y22      HISTORY  OF  NAPOLEON   BONAPARTE, 


General  Cnt tine'i  object  deieaced. 


under  General  Kellerman,  of  whose  slow  movements  he 
loudly  complained.  He  wanted  him  to  advance  towards 
Treves,  and  Coblentz,  by  way  of  the  rivers  Sorre  and 
Moselle,  leaving  only  a  small  detachment  to  keep  watch 
over  the  Prussians.  Kellerman  exculpated  himself  from 
these  charges,  by  declaring,  that,  since  he  had  not  the  co- 
-operation  of  M.  Dumourier,  General  Valence  and  himself 
could  muster  only  twenty-nine  thousand  men  between 
them;  a  force,  totally  unable  fo  force  its  way  through 
fifty-five  .thouamid  Prussians.  And  he  deemed  it  trea« 
oherous  and  itnpnlitie  to  leave  the  firontiers  of  Franco 
again  exposed  to  the  enemy. 

•  General  Gustine,  thus  finding  it  impossible  to  go  oh 
with  his  favorite  object,  continued  in  the  cbace  of  glory 
through  the  doBunions  ^  the  Prin6e  of  Hesse.  He  was 
doomed,  however,  to  suffer  a  change  of  fortune,  l^ho 
Prussians,  Hessians,  and  Austrians  joined,  so  that  it  was 
impossible  for  him  to  end  the  campaign  as  he  began  it.   -* 

General  Dumourier  was  now  about  to  make  a  more 
splendid  figure  in  the  field  of  battle  than  ever.  He  con- 
sulted with  the  Convention  about  the  r^^lations  required 
in  the  armies,  and  to  put  them  on  a  proper  footing  for 
the|  next  campaign.  His  ardour  in  the  pursuit  of  glory 
and  victoiy  was  such,  that  he  remamed  only  four  days  at 
Paris  about  tUs  important  business*  when  he  departed  to 
join  the  araiy.  His  chief  object  was  the  conquest  of  such 
of  the  Netherlands  as  belonged  to  Austria*.  Since  the 
enemy  were  obliged  to  raise  the  siege  of  lisle,  they  were 
constantly  forced  to  reti^at  before  the  victorious  arms  of 
the  Bepublic;  butonce  beyond  the  frontiers,  theya(reed« 
if  possible,  to  stop  their  career,  when  within  their  own 
territories.  The  chief  object  for  this  ms^ter  was  to  concen- 
trate their  strenig;th,  since  they  had  been  so  soattered  ift 


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AND  WARS  OF  BUROPS.  123 

DaoKNirier  defeaii  tbc  Anitrmnt  at  Bomo. 

*'■■'•  ■        ■'  I 

almost  every  dicection,  while  retreatiBi|^.  This  imoe 
performed,  they  determined  to  act  upon  the  defensive^ 
and  prevent  the  Republican  commander  from  advancing 
into  their  territories.  Dumourier  found  that  the  Aus- 
trians  were  resolved  .to  put  an  end  to  his  career ;  for,  at 
the  village  of  Bossn,  where  the^  had  taken  a  most  excel- 
lent position,  they  shewed  they  were  disposed  to  dispute 
his  progress.  An  action  commenced  (4th  November) 
between  the  hostile  armies,  and  victory  was  not.  slow  in 
declaring  for. the  French.  The  Austriann  bad  between 
eight  and  ten  thousand  men ;  they  lost  one  hundred  and 
fifty  killed,  and  two  hundred  made  prisoners.  Dnmou- 
vier's  loss  was  only  twenty  men.  He  admits  that  his  ar- 
tillery was  superior  to  the  enemy,  and  that  the  ardour 
4if  his  cavahry  was  irresistible. 

It  is  just  to  observe,  that  the  Aust'^ians  had  n6t  the 
most  distant  idea  .of  so  sudden  an  attack  from  Dumourier. 
The  officers  of  note  had  prepared  a  sumptuous  enter- 
tamment,  like  men  who  had  nothing  to  fear,  little  sup- 
posing it  was  so  shortly  to  becimie  the  properly  of  the 
French  commander.  His  stay  was  short,  having  more 
interesting  plans  in  his  eye,  and  he  le/l  Bossu  on  the 
next  morning,  at  an  early  hour.  He  marched  towards 
Mens,  and  soon  came  in  sight  of  the  enemy's  force, 
posted  on  the  heights  of  Gemappe.  Their  right  was  de- 
fended by  that  village,  and  their  left  by  an  almost  im- 
]»enetTabl*^  wood.  This  favourable  position,  made  still 
more  so  by  the  help  of  the  river  Lorneau  and  a  strcmg 
fortification  of  three  tier  of  cannon,  in  all  about  one 
Imndred  pieces  of  heavy  artillery,  seemed  to  defy  the 
most  formidabie  attacks,  and  might  have  instilled  disnniy 
even  to  view  it  from  a  distance.  But  Dumourier  was 
proof  against  fear;  and  neither  the  dreadful  roar  of  c^- 

B  2        . 


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124      HISTORY  OF  NAVdLEOK  BONAPARTE, 

The  fiMDooi  Battle  of  Geowppe* 

nen^  Bertheawihl  explosiooof  libelLs,  ootild  lessen  his 
fortitude*  It  rose  beyohd  all  opposition  ;  hia  presence 
of  mind  never  abandoned  him,  and  he  commanded  sol- 
diers whose  conrage  equalled  his  own,  altiioag«h  theiir 
experience  was  di^ubtless  inferior.  The  first  qiiaUfic»- 
iion  was  all  they  required  with  such  a  general ;  they  were 
thiefly  young  men,  fall  of  fire  and  spirit,  whose  eagei^ 
ness  to  have  a  close  engagement  with  the  enemy  it  was 
almost  impossiUe  to  restrain.  In  fact,  it  was  not  the  wisk 
nor  the  interest  of  the  General  to  check  it.  He  was  de* 
lighted  t^  behold  it,  and  all  the  restraints  he  laid  upon  if, 
were  only  intended  to  increase  its  violence.  Dumourtei^s 
situation  being  evidently  disadvantageous^  stationed  in  k 
sort  of  valley,  and  the  enemy  on  the  heights,  he  had  no 
great  hopes  of  success  from  his  artitfery,  as  it  would  b^ 
very  difficult,  in  the  hurry  of  an  engagement,  to  point 
them  so  as  to  do  any  material  injury.  ArtiUery  in  an 
t>peB  plain,  and  cMefly  directed  agaiai^  an  enemy  on  an 
eminence,  is  at  best  but  an  uncertain  way  of  fighting, 
and  of  this  the  General  was  convinced  after  a  three  honrs 
trial.  A  general  engagement  took  place  on  the  8th,  and 
a  dreadful  cannonade  continued  till  ten.  It  was  evident 
to  Dumourier,  that  no  decisive  step  could  be  eflfectod  by 
tlie  artillery,  which  he  allows  was  equal  to  that  of  the  • 
Austrians,  for  which  reason  he  resolved  to  abandon  the 
use  of  them  for  the  present,  and  use  the  bayonet.  On 
going  through  the  troops  which  composed  ftis  line,  he 
was  glad  to  perceive  tlieir  former  inpatient  zeal  con- 
tinued unabated. 

.  To  accomplish  his  designs  he  ordered  Adjutant-General 
TTiuvehot  to  attempt  the  village  of  Carigtion,  which  it 
Nvas  necessary  to  posses^,  that  he  might  assail  Gemappe 
from  that  quarter,  while,   he  informs  us,  that   a  heavy 


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ANirWASS  OOP  CUROPBt  1% 

£galit6*  Onlto  «>f  Orleftiu,  has  a  Gommaod  Ibere. 

fire  of  artiUeiy  was  kept  up  on  the  enemy's  right  The 
.£reiich  army  did  not  exceed  30;000,  while  the  Austrian 
troops  are  stated  to  have  amounted  to  upwards  of  20,000^ 
inchiding  900A  davalty^  Other  accounts  say  the*  Freaoli 
amounted  to  40,000,  and;  ihff  Austrians  to  SS^OOO.  Dm 
TaiHgoard^  Ibnniiig.  the 'right  wing  of  thi^  .army,  waa 
commanded  by  >  Generals  Dam{)ierre  and  BoumonviUea 
with  whose  talents  and  attachment  to  their  country  thp 
.-world  is  acquainted.  The  ctotre  was  entrusted  to  8te- 
tenboffe^  Desporets,  Droaet,  and  Sgalite,  (tl^e  presexiyt 
Duke  of  Orleans.),  and  of  .whom  US.  Oumourier  spoke  i|i 
.terms  of  great  praise..  Tfaas  Geberal  had  ooo}  valouic, 
the  more  remarkable,  as  he  w^s  young»  a  time  at  whicii 
«oohess  aadJdeliberatioa  are  not  dO  oftea  evinced  as 
fiery'  intrepidity.  The  first  redoubt  was  an  easy  cojoh 
quest,  and  carried  with  but  little^  hazard.  But  by  the 
numerous  obstructidns  which  presented  themselves,  thi» 
Commander  ia  Chief  observed  his  centre  would  be  lA 
.danger,  as  the.  enemy  were  marching  all  their  cavaky 
into  the  plain,  for  the  purpose  of  flanking  Pumouiier'a 
.columns.  He  despatched  lieutenapt-General  Egalite  to 
counteract  tiiis  manoeuvre  of  tlie  Au^trians;  and,  suo- 
eeediflg  in  this,  be  led  them  on  to  attack  the  second  tier 
of  cannon.  Fearfal  that  the  force  under  Egalite  would 
not  be  sufficient  to  carry  this  redoubt,  ho  fortunately 
came  to  his  assistanoe  himself,  witii  the  third  regiment  of 
chasseurs  and  the  sixth  of  hussars,  and  not  only  checked 
the  enem/s  cavalry,  but  a  formidable  foe,  that  threa- 
tened thekr  total  ruin. 

Dumourier  observed.  Boumonville's  cavalry  in  a  stale 
of  confusion  when  be  visited  the  right  wing,  owing  to 
the  General's  absence  at  the  head  of  his  brave  infantry. 
end  the  first  and  second  redonbts  in  posSessioA  of  the 


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T26      HISTORY  OP  I^APOLfiON  BONAPARTE, 
-   The  Freodh  Traopt  aaxirat  to  attack  Mom. 

French.  The  commander  inX;hief  rallied  the  disordered 
CKvebj,  who  vigorously  aincked  tfie  enemy^  by  this 
•time  approached  to  the  right  &ank  of  the  repablicaii 
army.  They  had  no  reason  to  be  prou^  of  their  success, 
for,  aRhough  every  effort  was  wed  to  force  the  Parisian 
volunteers,  they  were  received  by  them  wiA  the  greatest 
bravery  and  fortitude,  killing  sixty  of  them  at  the  first 
discharge. 

The  left  wmg  got  possession  of  the  village  of  6emappe» 
and  the  centre  were  masters  of  the  second  redoubt,  as 
already  mentioned.    It  was  yet  necessary  to  bring  the 
•enemy  to  action  on  the  heights,  which  was  of  shorter 
continuance  than  those  that  preceded  it;  for  the  rapid 
and  almost  unparalleled  successes  of  the  Republicans  in 
so  short  a  time  had  dismayed  the  Austrians.    The  Com- 
mander in  Chief  found  it  impossible  to  express  his  con* 
tent  with  the  gaUant  conduct  of  his  troops  and  th^ 
Generals  upon  this  remarkable  occasion.    Although  the 
men  were  strangers  to  proper  nourishment  fer  three  days, 
and  were  unable  to  prepave  their  soup  on  this  dreadful 
day,  they  exclaimed,  almost  with  a  degree  of  disrespect, 
ihat  they  would  march  against  Mens,  which  they  were 
resolved  to  carry  by  storm.     M.  DuQiourier  promised 
them  that  satisfaction  on  the  following  day  ;  and  he  was 
delighted  to  remark,  that  neither  hunger  nor  fatigue  re- 
pressed their  ardour  and   intrepidity.    He  designed  to 
draw  a  line  round  the  city,  and  attack  it  in  several  places 
at  once.    But  his  preparations  were  found  to  be  unneces- 
sary, for  the  panic*  struck  Austrians  evacuated  Mons  on 
the  night  before,  laavmg  only  a  garrison  behind  them  of 
400  men,  who  likewise  retreated  about  nine  on  that  evenr- 
ing,  locking  the  gates  of  th^  city.    In  place  of  wanting  his 
batteries  to  bombard  the  town,  as  he  at  first  expectecU 


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AND  WARS  OF   EUROPE.  1^7 

i=«=g^=g  I  III  ii3Bggaagsggsargggaa> 

Valour  of  Baptiste,  Damowier*!  Valet 


ttie  maigitftrates  were  ready  to  invite  him,  the  inhabitants 
having  broken  down  the  gates,  barricaded  by  the  Aus- 
trians  on  their  leaving  them.  General  Dumourier,  whose 
generosity  was  equal  to  his  miKtaiy  valonr,  on  having 
the  keys  of  the  city,  made  this  reply:  "  that  tfie  French 
came  as  brothers  and  friends,  to  engage  them  to  keep 
their  gates  constantly  shut  against  their  ancient  oppres- 
sors, and  to  defend  the  liberty  they  had  now  acquired.'' 

This  battle,  one  of  the  most  memorable  ever  fought^ 
completely  decided  the  fate  of  the  Ketherlands.  The 
loss  of  the  Austrians  on  the  6th  of  November,  has  been 
estimated  at  no  less  than  4000  killed  and  wounded,  ^  ith 
a  number  of  prisoners,  whilst  the  French  had  no  more 
than  900  kilkd,  according' to  Dumourier's  own  account, 
although  it  is  likely  that  the  difierence  was  not  so  great. 
Tbk  day  was  reiparked  by  some  acts  of  individual  va« 
lour,  which  will  be  remembered  by  the  admirers  of  forti- 
tude to  the  latest  posterity.  Baptisle,  General  Dumou- 
licr^s  yaleVde-chambre,  rallied  five  squadrons  of  cavalry 
and  two  battalions  of  national  guards,  and  rushed  in, 
sword  in  hand,  to  the  ^entrenchments  of  the  enemy,  and 
totally  dislodged  them.  The  aid-de-camp  appeared  at 
Ihe  bar  of  the  Conveutioji  with  despatches  from  the 
General  in  Chief,  and,  like  a  son  of  Mars,,  introduced 
himself  as  foIlo\^  :-^ 

-^^  I  can  a  soldier^  not  an  orator-^the  soldier  of  a  Re* 
pubfican  army  should  never  open  his  mouth  but  to  bite- 
off  the  end  of  his  cartridge ;  but  I  offer  t6  the  just  admi- 
ration of  the  ConvQDtion  the  brave  Baptiste,  General 
Dumourier^s  valet-de-chambre,  who  forced  the  enemy, 
sword  in  faitfid,  to  quit  their  entrenchments.  Th^ 
General   having   asked    him   what   reward  he  wished 


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128       HISTORY  OF   NAPOLEON  BONAPARTE^ 

•   BaptUte  prescotetl  at  Che-Bar  of  the  Conveation. 


fer,  he  replied,  tlie  honour  of  wearing  ilie  national  uni* 
Ibnn;' 

When  Baptiste  advanced  to  tlie  bar,  tlie  hall  resounded 
with  bursts  of  applause*  He  was  three  times  embraced 
by  lientenant-Colonel  Lioure,  by  whom  he  was  intro* 
iluced,  wlilch  caused  the  plaudits  to  be  renewed,  when 
tiie  President  thas  addressed  him : — 

"Brave  citizen,  you  have  raised  yourself  to,  the  rant 
of  a  first  defender  of- the  French  Republic  ;  till  you  re- 
ceive the  reward  which  it  owes  you,  enter  the  temple  of 
the  laws,  amidst  our  acclainations.  The  legislators  are 
happy  to  find  among  them  orit  of  the  brave  conquerors 
•fMons.** 

TIic  President  embraced  him,  and  tlie  scene  finished 
with  marks  of  sa,tisfaction  and  joy.  * 

General  Dumourier  resolved-  to  follow  up  these  glorious 
victories  by  getting  farther  into  the  enemy's  country  ;  and 
from  Mons  he  marched  towards  Brussels.  The  rear  of 
the  enemy,  to  tlie  amount  of  10,000  men,  he  found 
posted  on  the  heights  of  Anderlecht,  three  miles  West- 
ward of  that  city,  under  the  command  of  the  Prince  of 
Wirtemberg.  He  met  with  strong  opposition,  which 
lasted  upwards  of  six  hours.  The  Prince,  after  a  great 
loss  in  killed  and  wounded,  retreated  and  joined  the  main 
body  of  the  army,  while  the  French  Commander  in  Chief 
entered  (14th  November)  Brussels  in  triumph. 

Tournay,  Malines,  Ghent,  and  Antwerp,  opened 
their  gates  to  the  French.  General  Valence  took  Loti- 
vain  and  Namur,  after  a  slight  opposition  on  the  part  of 
the  Austrian  Commander,  on  the  2d  of  December,  and 
the  General^  Biron  and  Miranda  were  equally  victorious. 


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AND  WARS   OF  EUROPE.      '   '  129 

Dumoorier  defeafii  the  AvtCriiui  General  Stany. 

Hie  French  fleet  entered  the  port  of  Ostend  on  the  15th 
of-  the  previous  month ;  and,  with  the  exception  of  Lux* 
emburgh,  the  Republicans  were  masters  of  the  Austrian 
Nedierlands  before  the  end  of  the  year  1792*  Dumou- 
rier  received  proposab  for  an  armistice  from  the  Prince 
of  Saxe  Teschen,  in  behalf  of  General  Clairfait;  he  sent 
it  to  tlie  Executive  Council,  and  returned  for  answer, 
Aat  he  should  in  the  mean  time  continue  his  campaign. 
He  followed  up  his  rapid  marches  and  conquests,  by  pur- 
suing the  enemy  into  the  territory  of  liege.  He  pro- 
ceeded (21st  of  November)  with  5000  men  to  Title- 
Bont,  behind  which  place  he  found  the  army  of  the  ene* 
^j  encamped,  their  advanced  guard  consisting  of  be- 
tween 3  and  4000  men. 

Having  gained  Tlrlemont,  he  advanced  the  next  daj 
towards  Liege,  and  on  the  27th  he  fell  in  with  the  rear- 
ward of  the  Imperial  troops,  close  to  the  gates  of  the 
city,  in  force  about  12,000  men,  commanded  by  General 
Staray.  A  bloody  contest  ensued,  and  the  Trench  were 
victorious,  forcing  the  enemy  to  give  up  no  less  than  six 
villages  and  a  strong  entrenchment.  The  Austrians  lost 
about  six  hundred  men  killed  and  wounded,  with  their 
general,  a  prodigious  quantity  of  artillery,  and  a  number 
of  prisoners  and  deserters. 

This  great  general's  design  was,  after  his  triumph  at 
Gemappe  and  the  conquest  of  Belgium,  to  increase  his 
laurels  by  overcommg  HoUand  also,  and  his  army  being 
leinforced  with  60,000  Dutch  and  Brabanters,  to  take 
the  Austrian  army  in  the  rear ;  and,  by  dictating  a  peace 
on  the  field  of  battle,  enable  France  to  arrange  her 
constitution  and  settle  her  own  tranquillity.  This  de- 
sign was  overturned  by  the  spirit  of  the  Maratists,  who 
preached  the  necesmty  of  removing  the  General^  fearfdl 

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130      HISTORY  OF   NAPOLEON   BONAPARTE, 

Louis  the  XVItIv  accased. 

■      r  ■  \n 

lie  should  gain  more  popularity  than  they  thought  coiir 
sistent  with  their  cloct^in^  of  equality.  The  war  minia-* 
ter,  M.  Pache,  under  the  influence  of  this  sanction^  cii^ 
minally  neglected  Dumourier's  army.  The  brave  troops 
were  in  want  of  the  common  necessaries  of  life,  at  th<t 
tune  immense  sums  were  voted  in  the  Convention  toi 
grant  them  relief. 

The  result  was,  that  upwards.of  15,000  men  were  ia 
the  hospitals,  upwards  of  25^000  deserted  through  miseiy 
and  di3gusty  and  more,  than  10,00Qi  horses  died  of  iuyge 
gcr. 

The  factions  towards  l^ch  otl^er  were  influenced  by 
far  different  motives.  The  Brisotines  had  the  govem<* 
roent,  the  Jacobins  the  passions  of  the  mob;  and  tho 
Orleanites  the  way  of  corrupting  the  partizans*  of 
both  by  money.  Tlieir  power  was  so  equal,  that,  im 
spite  of  their  hatred  of  each  other,  their  rancour  boiled 
in  their  bosoms,  and  exerted  its  efforts  to  vent  itself,  un- 
til its  vehemence  became  too  strong  for  r<^straint ;  and 
then  it  eOected  an  uniworthy  unioU;. betwixt  them  all  td 
renew,  their  projects  against  their  feeble  king,,  who  wa% 
defenceless  and  within  their  power*  The  cowsu^ds  be*-^ 
gan  their  attack  by  judging  him  on  (he  very  ground  on 
which  they  agreed  to  the  motion  for.brii^ii^'  him  to, 
trial ;  namely,  that  *'  a  decree  of,  acousation.sbvttld  pass 
"  against  tlie  principal  traitpr^  Louis*  Xy{  f  in  fact,  hm 
was  usually  spoken  of  ju  .alidebatos,  as  l4>uis  the  /traitor  ; 
and  in  this  spiiit  thty  began  a  ^process  ofj^a^passiniatfteii^ 
which  they  sought  to  evader  c^^^^Ui^r  it  miAH*  th#r 
tnock  forios  of  a  trjaU . 

Tlie  appearance  of  TQctitude  was  endewtoiMred  to  bo, 
preserved  by  this. speeches  made  about  jus^^s  yetwhen^ 
Mapnel  moved  .that  w^qever.  u^fl^rtook  th«<  defenQ9'0f 


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Hb  is  ti'leB  aii?l  fairad  gniffy. 

Jjityahi  ^ofiU  be  fmt  Utfdefr  Vke  protec/ttoYi  of  Ihb  Iav» 
tliey  answered  him  by  mui^Mrs  and  hpottegs ;  and  those 
who  did  defend  him  were  sent  to  the  scafifold.  Mannel 
khn^lfy  HnA  fceVsftht,  who  looked  on  the  p^ocfeediilg  as 
h  cohspikMy^  c^dtanit  ttiihrdef ,  tti^y  g^illolihed  also. 

On  the  11th  of  December  the  kin^  was  b'roa^ht  to  the 
Imkt,  and  ^as  perfaill^  10  ohnsie  M.  M.  Diesez'e,  Tron- 
bbet,  afid  M&teBheH>esi  ik  dejfenders.  The  trial  lasted 
ttkty^blir  4ieLjs,  nd  beings  imti^fibd  Ih^y  ha\l  played  the 
forc^  len^  enoiifh,  th(9  Convenlioa  |[>roBoikneed  tuni 
gtlilly. 

The  same  cordiality  did  not  previ^I  6i  to  die  seiitence 
as  lAUk  rej^ard  to  the  verdict.  The  Brissotines,  less  san- 
punary  than  their  antagonists,  were  so  well  satisfied  with 
having  obtafaied  his  powet,  that  they  did  not  trtsfa  to  take 
liis.Iifey  irhibt  Oileanij  mtd  i|obesJ[)ierre  iraro  bent  on 
Mkkg  satisfied  With  nothing  short  Of  his  blood. 

Wbet  tbe  J»r0^ei  «efift/ ^as  redd,  which  had  the  ail« 
#wers  of  ay  the  tiiefnbers  to  the  <|u^stioti,  What  punish^ 
Ptent  thall  he  sttfit  f  even  the  blobd  hottnd^  of  the 
Convention  were  struck  with  h<Nrror,  when  tiiey  heard 
that  iPhilip  Eg^M,  duke  of  Orleans,  the  King's  own  re- 
lation, Md  the  eifily  one  whose  word  had  the  slightest  in« 
flnenoe  with  the  people,  had  votM  for  death ! 

Ott  the  roll  there  was  a  lAajoiity  of  five  for  deatb* 
When  tito  fittid  deei^n  was  properly  ascertained,  tb6 
JhresMenf,  with  a  sotemn  tone  of  voice,  and  with  his  bead 
imeevered>  said, 

"  In  consequence  of  this,  I  declare,  that  the  punish- 
**  ment  decreed  by  the  National  Conv(;ntLon  ^  against 
**  iiouis  Capet  is  death/' 


The  King's  couneil-  Wer^  agaiil  admitted  to  the  bar, 

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s  :;: 

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132     HISTORY  O^  NAPOLEON  BONAPARTE, 


sa 


He  appeals  to  the  Nation. 


and  M.  Deseze  read  the  copy  of  a  letter  to  the  Coavea« 
tiOD,  in  the  King^s  hand-writing. 

'*  I  owe  it  to  my  honour,  I  owe  it  to  my  fanuIy»'not  to 
**  subsu)ribe  to  a  sentence  which  declares  me  guilty  of  a 
''  crime  of  which  I  cannot  accuse  myself.  In  eofut" 
**  quenee,  I  appeal  to  the  Nation  from  the  sentence  of  its 
**  Hepreseniatives  ;  and  I  commit,  by  these  presents,  to 
**  the  fidelity  of  my  d^hiders^  to  mal^e  known  to  the 
*'  National  CouTention  this  appeal  by  all  'the  means  in 
'<  their  power ;  and  to  demand  that  mention  of  it  be 
"  made  in  the  minutes  of  their  sittings. 

(Signed)  *'  Louis.*' 

When  he  presented  this  letter,  M •  Deseze  exclaimed* 
with  his  usual  flow  of  eloquencci  **  Do  not  afllict  France 
**  by  a  judgment  that  will  appear  dreadfitl,  when  fiye 
««  voices  only  were  thought  enough  to  carry  it"  He 
then  beseeched  the  Convention  to  refer  their  judgment 
to  the  tribunal  of  the  people.  '*  Ton  liave  either  for- 
"  gotten  or  destroyed,''  said  the  fascinating  M.  Tron- 
chet,  "  the  lenity  which  the  law  allows  to  criminals,  of 
**  requiring  at  least  two  thirds  of  the  voices  to  constitute 
<<  a  definitive  judgment."  The  last  effort  that  they 
could  make  in  favour  of  the  fallen  Monarch,  was  to  ask 
a  respite,  and  delay  the  execution  of  the  sentence ;  but 
this  was  likewise  refused.  The  members  were  merely 
to  give  a  simple  yes  or  no  ;  and  at  midnight,  tiie  19th  of 
January,  there  I4>peared  for  the  respite  310,  and  against 
it  880 ;  majority  70  for  immediate  execution. 

Louis  entreated  a  respite  for  only  three  days,  that  he 
should  not  be  hurried  away  without  a  propef  preparation 
for  this  awful  change ;  but,  with  a  degree  of  sa?age  bar^ 


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AND  WARS  OF  £UmOP«.  13S 

Takes  leave  if  the  Qaeen  and  bis  Familj. 

barity,  which  will  be  remembered  to  their  atter  dis- 
grace whik  time  endures,  the  Convention  refused  his 
request. 

The  sentence  was  not  finaUy  determined  before  tvm 
o'clock,  and  the  decree  was  ordered  to  the  Executive 
Council,  who  Wjere  directed  to  notify  it  to  Xiouis,  and  to 
have  it  executed  within  twenty-four  hours  afterwards; 
and  to  take  all  means  of  Safety  and  police  that  might  np* 
pear  to  them  requisite  during  the  execution. 

Roland,  Claviere,  Monge,  Le  Brun,  Pache,  and  Garef. 
were  the  Council,  who  ordered  the  execrable  Santerre  1» 
procure  1200  of  the  greatest  ruffians  of  Paris,  armed  wltii 
sixteen  rounds  each,  to  form  round  the  carriage  of  the 
helpless  Monarch,  and  by  noon  on  the  21st  to  drag  hia 
to  the  scaffolds 

^  Paris  was  illuminated  on  the  20th,  and  no  person  per- 
mitted  to  go  at  large  in  the  streets.  Bodies  of  armed 
men  patroled  in  every  district  of  tliat  immense  metropo- 
lis; the  sound  of  coaches  ceased,  the  streets  deserted^ 
and  the  city  buried  in  an  awful  silence.  About  two 
o'clock  in  the  morning  of  (he  fatal  21st,  voices  were 
heard  through  tlie  gloom  of  lamentation  and  distress ; 
but  wbeMe  they  came  or  what  they  were,  no  one  has  ever 
discovered. 

This,  with  many  other  things,  alarmed  the  people. 
The  unhappy  Monarch  passed  all  Sunday  in  preps^ring 
for  his  change.  His  coolness  and  patience  evinced  great 
eminence  of  soul ;  but  the  parting  of  his  family  was  too 
painful  to  tlie  feelings  of  humanity !  The  Queen  hung 
round  his  neck  in  delirious  anguish;  the  Princess  Royal 
{^rasped  bis  hand ;  the  Dauphin  caught  bis  knees ;  and 
Madame  Elizabeth  bathed  his  feet  with  her  tears.  The 
Queen  was  at  last  taken  from  him  in  a  state  of  insensibi^ 


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134      HISTORY   OF  NAPOLEON   B02CAPARTC, 

Conducted  to  the  Beaffold. 


lity,  wliicb  flhc  did  not  recover  from  b^Ore  two  o  clock 
on  Monday  aflemoon.  Hie  Kiag^  on  thiB  sad  spectacle^ 
shewed  all  the  affection  of  a  husband,  a  father,  a  brother  ; 
and>  seeming*  to  be  more  affected  by  the  affliction  of  diose 
so  dear  and  so  beloved  than  by  bis  own  imsfortanes,  con* 
soled  them  in  the  most  soothing  manner*  Having  gono 
through  this  trying  scene,  he  now  prepared  to  meet  his 
God«  The  conversation  which  he  was  aQowed  to  hold 
with  his  confessor,  if  i%  said,  was  pious,  sensible,  an4 
animated ;  and  his  hope  was  full  of-  immortality.  He 
protested  his  innocence,  and  forgave  his  enemies  from  his 
heart.  On  Monday  morning  as  the  clocks  struck  eighty 
he  was  summoned  to  his  fate.  He  was  conducted  to  a 
coach  belonging  to  the  Mayor  of  Paris,  in  which  wero 
two  soldiers  of  tlie  gend'armerie.  He  was  attended  by 
hb  Confessor,  and  aided  to  step  into  the  carriage  by  toe 
or  two  of  the  sentinels,  who  were  at  the  gato  of  ths 
Temple. 

•,  The  place  of  execution  was  filled  with  an.  immenss 
crowd  of  people,  and  large  bodies  of  horse  and  foot  were 
there  to  awe  the  multitude.     The  most  deadly  silence 
prevailed,  while  the  coach  advanced  slowly  towards  ths 
scaffold.     Louis  mounted  it  with  fortitude,  a  film  step» 
and  unaltered   countenance.     He  was  attended  on  the 
scaffold  by  his  confessor,  and  two  or  three  municipal  offi- 
cers.    He  looked  apouiMi  upon  tlie  people  with  a  compia- 
cent  countenance,  and   was  preparing  to  address  thcm» 
when  the  ruffian  Santerre  cried  oat,    *'  No  speeches  I 
**,  come,  no  speeches  !"    and   suddenly  the  drums  beat* 
aad  trumpets  sounded.     He  spoke,  bnt  the  only  cxpi*ea« 
sions  that  could  be disttnetly heard,  were  these: 

'^  I  forgive  my  enemies :  may  God  ibitgive  them,  and 

s 
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l^td-^J^^'tf^U^Ut't.  ;;  /k.  ..,*  .•>'..;vi^  .<./#U.. 


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Al^D  \V^A»9  OF  EUROPB.  135 

Hif  Death  aod  Chsraeter. 

iwt  lay  mj  innooeut  blord  to  the  charge  of  the  nation ! 
GimI  blessmy  people,** 

The  confessor  went  on  his  knees,  and  implored  th« 
King's  blessing,  mho  gave  it  with  sm  affertionate  embrace. 
The  unfortunate  Monarch  then  placed  Iris  head  upon  th«f 
block  with  wonderfdl  serenity,  and  ceased  to  live  in  this 
world !  Before  his  execution,  he  wrote  to  the  National 
Convention,  entreating  to  be  buried  near  his  father  in  the 
cathedral  of  Sens,  in  the  department  of  Yonne,  82  miles 
south-south-east  of  Paris,  and  35  west-south-west  of 
Troyes,  capital  of  the  department  of  Auhy.  They 
passed  to  the  order  of  the  day.  He  was  buried  in  the 
cemetery  ground  of  the  new  Magdelain,  about  800  feet 
north  of  the  place  of  execution,  and  his  grave  filled  with 
quick  lime. 

The  understanding  of  Louis  was  far  beyond  medio« 
crity;  he  had  acquired. a  great  fund  of  knowledge  by 
reading;  his  memory  was  very  tenacious  ;  and  his  judg« 
tatfnt  in  arranging  what  his  memory  had  retained,  was 
fmqnently  dispkiyed  in  a  way  that  was  highly  creditablo 
to  him«  Ofi  the  state  and  interests  of  France  and  the 
powen  «f  .EQiope»  he  wa&  by  no  means  at  a  Ioks.  His^ 
%m*%$A  geogK^iywvre  hid  favourite  studies.  To  the 
fomM  h«*  paid,  much' attention;  ^^^  ^^  proficiency  in 
th0  laHerwtti*  so  greati  that  the  instructions  to  the 
navi^atot  Ferouse;  were ' drawn  up  by  his  own  hand: 
he  was  ioMigUied  to  be  the  beat  geographer  in  bis  king* 
Aiga^  and:  he  ocoasiooaUy  practlited  aome  «£  tlie  mechani- 
cal arts. 

Jiiftt,  beoeficent^  a  good  husband,  a  good  fatlier,  and  a 
k>«6f  of  his.  paople;  he  would,  had  he  lived  at  a  time 
kaa  t«j>iiknl»  when  tlia  higher  tdonts  are  not  required 

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I3G     HXSTORV  OP  NAPOLEON   BONAPARTE^ 

Roland  resignf  his  OAoe.  * 

ff      _  I  .  'i  I    I  ■ 

itt  a  ruler,  have  done  hooour  to  a  throne.;  Tlie  fiuth  in 
which  he  had  been  educated,  he  followed  with  sincerity 
8Bd  warmth,  but  with  no  mixture  of  uncharitable  zeaL 
On  the  goodness  of  the  Deity  he  relied.  That  relianco 
gave  him  consolation  in  the  latter  part  of  his  reig^,  and 
fortitude  in  the  hour  of  death*  He  resorted  to  it  for  sup- 
port, and  it  made  him  triumph  over  slander,  captivi^^ 
and  the  grave. 


CHAPTER  Xr. 


Their  unhallowed  project  was  scarcely  finished,  wlien. 
fte  short-^sighted  Republicans  discovered,  that  in  despite 
of  all  their  sanguine  expectations  and  their  guilty  la«^  . 
hours,  the  RepubHc  could  not  exist  a  single  day.  Iliey. 
bad  just  Kved  long  enough  to  soil  their  consciences  with 
the  blackest  crimes,  and  when  they  fancied  to  reap  the 
reward  of  their  guilt,  they  found  tiieir  peace  of  mind  ex- 
changed for  ceaseless  chagrin  and  remorse.  Hie  mmister 
Roland  wrote  a  letter  of  resignation  to  the  Convention 
two  days  after  leading  the  King  to  the  scaffold,  and  in 
the  interim  ipade  up  bis  accounts,  and  declared  his  re- 
solution never  to  sit  in  the  council  again,  for  the  mem^ 
bers  were  guilty  of  misapplying  the  public  money. 

The  Convention  accepted  the  resignation  of  Roland, 
and  though  the  minister  of  war,  Pache,  who  had  misap- 
plied  the  supplies  for  the  arrny^  was  obliged  to  remove^ 


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AND  WARS   of?   EtJROI*E.  137 

^         ■  '■  '  -,■,■'■"■...' 

Bad  Conduct  of  (he  French  Government 

^  '        '  ...  ■         -  ^ 

to  appease  that  anny,  he  had  accomplices  enough  to  gei 
him  appointed  Mayor  of  Paris. 

A  great  patt  of  Europe  were  induced  to  imagine  th.it 
th^  power  of  France  could  not  last ;  for,  added  to  the 
troubles  by  which  she  appeared  to  be  committing  sui^ 
cide  upon  herself,  it  was  understood  that  the  combined 
powers  had  formed  a  partition  treaty,  by  which  France 
was  to  be  dismembered,  and  most  of  her  territories  di\id« 
ed  amongst  the  hostile  powers ;  and  one  of  the  mos£ 
powerftil  states  of  Europe  (England),  assisted  by  Holland^ 
Spain,  and  Naples,  had  shewn  a  disposition  to  join  the 
raagtie. 

The  French  government's  conduct  was  marked  by 
tQch  injustice  and  aggression,  that  its  own  partizans  would 
hitTe  been^  ashamed  of  defending  it,  if  they  had  time  to 
veflect :  but  the  English  ministry  made  use  of  so  many 
imneaessary  measures  of  provocation,  that  it  caused  art 
obftftnate  denial  of  its  just  complamts^  which  could  only 
be  maintained  by  its  otm  foolish  irritations.  The  admi-'- 
nistration  was  in  the  hands  of  a  set  of  quacks^  who 
Ihoaght  themselves  able  to  play  off  the  talents  of  great 
War-minister8>  and  had  been  deceived  in  several  plans 
to  display  fheir  genius  in  this  way ;  had  they  allowed 
this  opportunity  to  pass  by  unimproved,  the  probability 
was^  that  another  might  not  offer ;  and  then,  notwitli- 
standing  their  vast  abilities^  they  might  be  transmitted 
to  posterity  with  no  more  fame  than  their  plodding  pre* 
decessorsi  The  executive  council  in  vain  gave  such  a 
commentary  [upon  the  decree  of  fraternization  as  would 
have  defeated  its  end  ;  in  vain  they  offered  to  leave  the 
affair  of  the  Scheldt  to  the  Belgians  and  the  Dutch.  The 
English  government,  though  it  had  to  do  with  furies, 
whose  rage  could  be  calmed  only  by  soothing  treatuK^Qt, 

V01..I.-.N0.6.  T  o,,.edbvGoogle 


1S8      HirrORY   OF   NAP0LE:ON   BONAPARTK, 


Damourier  refitt  Jiis  Armjr. 


those  to  bluster  rather  than  conciliate ;  and  the  result  was» 
that  the  Convention  said  that  this  government  was  resolved 
to  go  to  war  at  all  rates^  and  therefore  published  its  own 
declaration  of  war  against  both  England  and  Holland  oa 
the  2d  of  February  1793. 

The  success  of  the  Republican  armies  on  the  frontiers 
was  not  so  quick  as  it  had  been.  The  Prussians  had 
fixed  on  the  recapture  of  Frankfort,  and,  from  the  ill- 
will  the  inhabitants  bore  the  French,  they  succeeded  with 
great  ease. 

Custine  was  not  cast  aown  by  the  surrender  of  Frank** 
fbrt  and  Mentz  ;  but  resolved  to  stop  the  progress  of  th* 
enemy.  The  Prussian  army  was  50,000  strong,  and  Cus- 
tine could  only  muster  23,000;  yet  he  maintained  his 
ground  and  secured  a  retreat  into  a  wood  ;  from  whencs 
he  could  annoy  the  enemy,  and  prevent  his  advancing 
into  the  country. 

General  Dumourier,  when  the  Low  Countries  wers 
subdued,  turned  his  thoughts  to  the  discipline  of  tbs 
army,  and  the  supply  of  its  wants  ;  he  was  also  busied 
with  a  negociation  with  the  English  government,  to  pre- 
vent the  war  extending  to  England  or  Holland.  He  not 
only  wished  to  keep  at  peace  with  tliose  powers,  but  to 
obtain  their  good  offices  to  assist  the  means  he  meant  to 
adopt  for  the  release  of  the  Royal  Family,  and  restoring 
order  in  France. 

When  hostilities  actually  commenced,  Holland  was  an 
object  of  attention  to  the  French  [Republic,  as  its  con* 
quest  would  give  them  a  marked  superiority  ^over  the  bel- 
ligerent powers.  It  has  been  thought  that  Britain  and 
Holland  relied  ^on  the  defection  of  Dumourier,  or  they 
would  not  have  begun  hostilities  in  so  hasty  a  manner. 
J  lis  plan  seems  to  have  been,  to  advance  with  a  body  of 


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AND  ^ARS  OP  15VR0PE.  13?) 

Dumourier  enters  Holland. 

troops  posted  at  Moerdyk,  and  coveriD^  that  place,  as 
also  Gertniydenberg,  six  miles  farther  north  than  Breda, 
on  the  right,  and  Bergen-op-Zoom,  Sternberg,  Klandert, 
and  WiHiamstadt  on  the  left,  to  get  into  Holland  by  the 
aeaofDort. 

Damourier,  mean  time,  ordered  General  Miranda  to 
march  towards  Maestricht,  with  a  part  of  his  army,  to 
annoy  it  with  red-hot  balls  and  bombs,  but  not  to  attempt 
a  siege  at  such  a  season  of  the  year ;  and  on  being  told 
4iat  the  CoBunander-in-Chief  was  beyond  M6erdyk>  ho 
waft  to  leave  the  siege  to  the  conduct  of  General  Valence^ 
who  was  coming  from  I^uris,  and  lose  no  time  in  poshing 
on  to  Nuneguen. 

Generri  Dumonrier,  bibfore  be  attempted  to  penetrate 
into  Holland,  published  an  address  to  the  people  of  that 
oooptry,  whom  he  called  Batavians,  and  entreated  them 
to  rid  themselves  of  what  he  called  a  tyrannical  yoke — . 
the  government  of  the  Stadtholder.  His  force  consisted 
of  twenty-one  battalions,  only  two  of  them  troops  of  the 
line,  amounting,  by  his  own  account,  to  13,700  men,  in- 
cluding cavalry  and  light  troops.  He  entered  the  terri- 
tories of  Holland  on  the  17th  of  February,  and  Breda  was 
blockaded  by  his  right  dii^ision,  under  General  d'Arcon, 
while  he  ordered  Oolonel  Itc  Clerc,  commander  of  the 
left,  to  blockade  Bergeniop-Zoom.  The  out-works  were 
abandoned,  and  Breda  was  inundated.  On  the  23cl,  Du- 
mourier sunnnoned  Governor  Byladd,  the  commander  of 
Breda  to  surrender,  and  this  not  being  complied  with,  he 
mounted  four  mortars,  and  as  many  howitzers,  when  a 
heavy  bombardment  continued  for  some  hours,  but 
ceased  towards  evening.  It  was  renewed  next  day  on 
the  part  of  the  Frenoh  with  great  vigour,  when  the  Go- 
vernor thoat^ht  it  best  to  surrendev 

T  3 

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140       HISTORY   OF   NAPOLEON   BONAPARTE, 

General  Clairfait  compels  the  French  to  retreat. 


Klundert,  (a  strong  fortified  town,  about  14  miles  N.  W, 
of  Breda,  and  16  N.  £.  of  Bergen-op-Zoom)  was  defended 
by  the  Governor  with  the  greatest  gallaatry,  but  as  he 
bad  no  more  tlian  150  men,  it  was  impossible  to  hold  out 
against  the  force  of  the  enemy,  and  he  surrendered,  Th# 
next  objects  of  Dumoarier's  attention  were  Williamstadt 
^d  Gertruydenberg,  the  former  was  attacked  by  a  de» 
tuohnient  under  the  conuaaod  of  General  Bemeron,  mA 
M.  d'Ar^on  wa^  ordered  to  attack  the  latter,  which  h# 
compelled  to  surrender  on  the  4tb  of  March.  General 
BemeroQ  carried  on  the  ttege  of  Willianstadt  and  Ber« 
gen-op^Zoom  with  great  vigour  aaaisted  by  Le  Clerc, 
while  the  Commander-in-Chief  was  about  to  transport  hia. 
army  from  Moerdyk  to  Dort,  (a  distance  of  about  11 
miles),  by  means  of  boats  which  be  got  at  Gertruyden- 
hetf,  but  there  ihb  brilUant  successes  of  M.  Dumourier 
were  ordained  to  finiah* 

Although  the  army  was  shamefully  neglected  by  tho 
war«>minister,  it  was  still  strong  and  rei|>ectablf ':  this  in- 
duced Miranda  to  go  on  with  the  siege  of  Maestricht  with 
vigour,  having  the  command  of  a  large  body  of  men, 
irhile  Gencr^  Le  None  encamped  his  troops  at  Herve,  a 
\illage  about  nine  miles  from  Liege.  General  Valence's 
outposts  extended  to  Aix-la-Chapelle  and  the  banks  of 
the  Roer.  The  Austrian  General  (Clairfait),  having 
made  the  passage  of  this  river  on  the  1st  of  March,  came 
to  an  engagement  with  the  French  forces  on  the  side  of 
Dum,  (about  16  miles  £•  of  AiXf'la-Chapelle)  obliging 
them  to  retreat  to  Alderhaven,  with  the  loss  of  2000  men. 
twelve  pieces  of  eannon,  tUrteen  ammunition  waggons, 
and  the  military  chest.  The  FreQch  were  the  next  day 
attacked  by  the  Archduke,  who  took  their  batteries  and 
nine  pieces  of  cannon. 


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AND  WARS   OP   EUFOPE,  141 


Miranda  forced  (o  retreat. 


The  Prince  of  Saxe  Cobourg  obtained  a  victory  over 
tbem,  by  compelling'  them  to  abandon  Aix-Ia-Chapelle, 
and  retreat  near  Liege,  leaving  behind  them  4000  killed 
on  the  field,  1600  prisoners,  and  20  pieces  of  cannon* 
After  a  defeat  like  this,  it  was  not  likely  that  General 
Miranda  woald  continue  the  siege  of  Maestricht,  or  in 
fact  find  it  practicable,  as  he  was  informed  next  day^ 
that  the  enemy  were  marching  towards  Wyck,  on  the 
other  side  of  the  river,  35,000  strong,  undoubtedly  with 
a  view  to  grant  every  assistance  to  the  garrison.  He 
could  scarcely  withdraw  the  9000  troops  stationed  thef'e, 
tinder  the  command  of  General  Leucneiir,  before  tlie  i!d« 
vanced  guard  of  the  enemy  attacked  them.  The  bom- 
bardment was,  however,  continued,  and  much  injnry 
done  the  town  from  the  flames.  But  General  Miranda 
ordered  a  retreat  at  night,  his  artillery  being  sent  before, 
under  the  escort  of  4000  men,  arrived  safe  at  Tongres, 
the  enemy  finding  it  impracticable  to  overcome  this  rear- 
guard.  At  Tongres,  he  was  forced  to  retreat  to  Hans 
and  St  Tron,  where  he  joined  General  Valenoe,  who 
was  compelled  to  desert  Liege. 


M^^jj^jjjij^f  rrr<  rrr'  — *'"***^**^*****'^'*** 


CHAPTER  XTI/ 


TflS  eondnct  of  the  Convention  and  its  ministers  w^  so 
disgusting  to  the  Commander-in-Chief,  that  he  would  no 
longer  carry  the  horrors  of  war  into  foreign  states,  for  the 


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42      HISTORY  OF   NAPOLEON    BONAPARTE, 


The  French  raise  CoDtfibutioiii  to  Rruisels. 

*   -  '       ,        ■  '  .■ - 


ke  of  strengthening  pow^r,  which  appeared  to  roscu^ 
itiona  from  the  will  of  a  single  despot,  to  place  them 
ider  the  caprices  of  a  milUon  of  tyranU,  who  would 
bmit  to  no  rule. 

The  first  sound  of  French  liberty  had  oanght  the  Bel- 
inSy  and  nothii^  was  talked  of  among  them  but  of  b»- 
1^  incorporated  with  France.  Republican  delight  waA 
pt  amongst  thenii  for  some  while,  by  an  assurance  that 
iy  would  be  relieved  from  the  burdens  imposed  by  th« 
nperor,  and  that  their  brothers,  the  French,  were  ind- 
eed to  rescue  them  from  the  yoke,  out  of  mere  kind* 
ss.  But  the  Commissioners  of  the  Convention  gave  a 
rious  example  when  they  came  to  Brussels ;  for  they 
Led  very  heavy  contributions  to  pay  the  expenses  of 
\  delivering  armies.  These  and  other  outrages  com* 
Lied  in  Belgia^  Dumourier  says,  not  only  took  the  af- 
tions  of  the  people  from  France,  but  made  it  unsafe  to 
irter  an  army  among  them. 

the  French  forces  met  with  a  great  resistance  from  the 
itch  and  English  troops,  which  now  arrested  their  pro- 
»s,  and  as  the  British  gun-boats  could  act  in  the  Hol- 
ds Diep,  and  Bies  Boso&,  the  General  retreated,  lest 
should  get  between  the  Hollanders  and  tlie  incensed 
Igians. 

Pumourior^Ant  to  Uege,,whflre  .tlwiJlyQPit^  received 
I  with  every  mark  of  joy,  hoping  that  they  would  Ke 
to  conquests  under  bun  equally  glorious  as  Gcmappe. 
s  strength  and  tigour  of  the  French  army  were  not  now 

same,  and  the  xg^x^  they  so  re joiced  to  see  again, 
(  not  the  same  Dumourier  who  conquered  the  Ne- 
rlands.  Oh  A^  15th  of  March  the  Austrians  resolved 
eehice  Tirlemont ;  the  French  had  only  400  men  there, 

they  fought  with  fury  before  they  surrendered,  and 


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AND  WABS   OF   EUROPE.  !48 

The  French  defeated  at  Neenriodeo. 

the  Aostrians  were  the  next  day  obliged  to  evacuate  it^ 
1>j  Dumourier  in  person^  and  retreated  towards  St.  Tron. 
On  the  18th  an  engagement  was  foaght  at  Neerwindpn» 
which  lasted,  with  increased  fury  on  both  sides«  from 
•even  in  the  morning  till  five  in  the  afternoon^  whon  the 
Fi^ch  were  unable  to  cope  with  Uie  enemy  any  longer^ 
and  the  Austrian  cavahy  completely  routed  them.    The 

'  BepubUoans'  courage  on  this  occasion  is  said  to  Jiave  hbea 
Tery  grea^  and  the  skill  they  exhibited;  but  they  had  to 
fight  with  superior  numbers  of  well^discipfined  troops. 
If.  Dumourier  attributes  this  da/s  loss  to  Miranda^  who 
commanded  the  left  wing,  to  a  blunder  of  General  La 
Marcfae,  and  tiie  jealousy  of  Valence. 
'  The  loss  of  the  French  in  this  battle,  Dumourier  esti* 
nates  at  9000  men,  with  a  number  of  canntfn ;  while  be 
elates  the  lo^s  of  the  Austrians  at  1400.  To  add  to  this, 
Ae  army  was  farther  weakened  by  the  loss  of  6000  men 
who  deserted  towards  Brusseb  and  France* 

The  BepubUcan  army  conducted  tbeur  retreat  with  a 
great  degree  of  order  and  regularity,  making  it  nearly  a 
kmd  of  Victorf,  tUl  they  got  to  Oodsenhoyen,  a  league 
to  the  southward  of  .Tniemont*    Here  they  formed  ia 

'  erder  of  battle,  but  the  hostile  armies  rested  aH  night 
wpoft  tfaehr  arms^  On  the  90th  M*  Dumeurier  took  pes- 
iession  of  the  heights  of'Cumttch,  near  Hrlemont,  and 
thus  gaTe  him  a  means  of  carrying  off  his  magazines. 
'  On  the  22d  Dumourier  experienced  a  soTere  attadk 
ftmn  the  enemy  at  Louvain.  The  battle  was  remarkably 
sanguinary,  and  a  da/s  fighting  terminated  in  the  defeat 
ef  the  Imperial  troops,  who  lost  an  immense  number  of 
men  in  killed  and  wounded.  Previous  to  this  action  tlxe 
Xepublican  Commander-in-Chief  had  sent  Colonel  Montt 
jeye  to  the  Prince  of  Coboerg,  to  negociate  a  treaty  re- 


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144      HISTORY  OF  NAPOLEON   B0NAPART£^ 


Mectinirof  Dumoorler  aod  Colonel  Mack. 


specling  the  woaoded  and  prisoners*  of  which  he  thii9 
»peaks:  **  He  saw  Colonel  Mack,  an  officer  of  great  nM>« 
rit,  who  remarked  to  Colonel  Mon^oye,  that  it  might  b# 
advantageous  to  both  parties  to  agree  to  a  suspansion  of 
arms.    Dumonrier,  who  had  careAiUy  considered   tht 
state  of  his  army,  sent  Mon^oye  to  Colonel  Mack  on  th» 
22d,  to  know  if  he  would  come  to  Loiavain*  and  state  tha 
same  to  Dnmonrier*    He  came  that  evening.    Some  ar* 
tides  were  verbally  agreed  to :  First,  that  neither  army 
diould  attack  the  other.    Secondly,  that  the  French  should 
retire  to  Brussels  without  any  opposition*    And  lastly* 
that  Dumourier  and  Colonel  Mack  should  meet  after  tlM, 
evacuation  of  Brussek,  to  settle  any  articles  tiiat  might 
be  deemed  necessary."    Whether  it  arose  from  an  idea 
tiiat  Dumourier  was  not  to  be  trusted^  or  from  some  otbaif 
cause,  cannot  with  accuracy  be  known,  but  the  Impo« 
nalists  paid  no  respect  to  the  verbal  stipulation,  for,  uih  . 
der  the  command  of  Glairfait,  they  attacked  the  advanced 
guard  at  Pillenberk,  and  compelled  the  French  general  t» 
quit  Louvain.    Dumourier,  on  this  defeat,  conveyed  Ua 
wounded,  sutfd  the  flour  meaiit  for  his  troops,  in  boats  (9 
Mechlin;  and  performed  his  retreat  to  Brussels  in  tba 
night,  or  he  would  have  repented  most  bitterly  of  Ub 
late  alliance.    He  spoke  in  terms  not  very  honourable  t^ 
the  Austrians  on  this  occasion ;  that,  if  he  had  neglected 
the  above  precaution,  he  believed,  **  that  in  spite  of  the 
stipulation  agreed  to  by  Colonel  Mack,  they  would  most 
likely  have  seized  this  opportunity  to  destroy  the  French 
army.''    He  continued  to  regard  bis  promise,  and  he  ad<* 
mils  that  the  Prince  of  Cobourg  observed  some  regard  tor 
it,  by  continuing  at  Louvain  three  days  longer,  watehinf 
the  rear-guard  of  the  French  only  by  small  detachmenta 
at  a  time.    Dumourier  marched  through  Brussels  on  the 


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AND  WARS  OF  EUROPE.  145 


Geneiml  Miranda  •rdered  to  be  arrested* 


25th  of  March,  and  the  citadel  of  Antwerp  (about  26 
miles  north  of  Bnumeb)  was  the  only  place  of  which  he 
coald  retain  the  possession.  Here  he  placed  2000  men, 
with  provisions  for  six  months,  in  order  to  keep  up  a 
conmiunication  with  the  troops  left  at  Breda  and  Gertruy- 
denberg.  It  was  his  meaning  to  hare  formed  beyond  the 
frontiers  of  the  Republic,  by  Namar,  Mons,  Toumajr, 
Courtray,  Antwerp,  and  Breda,  to  enable  him  to  put 
his  army  in  a  more  commanding  situation ;  but  he  says 
that  the  evacuation  of  Namnr  having  broken  this  line,  he 
was  completely  disconcerted  in  his  plan. 

On  his  arrival  at  Ath,  he  received  an  order  from  the 
Convention  to  arrest  General  Miranda  and  the  Colonel 
of  the  73d  regiment  of  infimtry;  but,  though  he  com- 
plained of  Mh^nda,  he  knew  the  violent  temper  of  the 
present  legislators  too  well  to  execute  such  orders. 
Colonel  Mack  arrived  at  Ath  on  the  same  day,  and 
another  c<mference  occurred,  the  j-esult  of  which  was, 
**  That  the  French  army  should  still  remain  in  the  posses- 
sion of  Mens,  Toumay,  and  Courtray,  and  not  be  harassed 
by  the  Imperial  army ;  that  G^eneral  Dumourier,  who 
stated  to  Colonel  Mack  his  view  of  marching  against  Paris, 
should,  when  they  were  ready,  r^;iilate  the  Imperialists, 
who  were  to  be  as  auxiliaries  in  their  phm ;  that  should 
Dumourier  want  no  assistance,  an  event  greatly  to  be 
desired,  the  Imperialists  should  advance  no  fiurther  than 
the  frontiers  of  France,  and  the  evacuation  of  Belgium 
should  repay  this  condescension :  but  if  Dumourier  was 
unable  to  efTect  a  limited  monarchy  (not  a  counter-revo^ 
hition,)  he  should  state  the  number  of  troops  which  the 
Imperialists  must  fhmish  in  aid  of  the  plan,  and  those  to 
be  entirely  under  Dumourier^s  direction. 
If  be  was  thus  unequivocal  in  the  deelaratioa  of  his 
VOL,  i,«-NO,  7.  V  n        }     ^ 

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146      HISTORY   OF   NAPOLEON    BONA?ART£, 

Damourier  esplAins  bis  Sentiments. 

mteutions  to  Colonel  Mack,  he  was  full  as  plain  to  the 
three  commissioners  from.  Paris,  who  came  to  ascertain 
his  views  concerning  the  ruling  government  of  France, 
though  their  real  reason  was  to  converse  with  him  about 
the  affairs  of  the  Netheriands.  When  the  deputies 
arrived  at  Toumay  he  was  in  company  with  Madame 
SiUery,  young  Egalite,  General  Valence,  and  others. 
It  was  reasonable  to  suppose  that  the  meeting  between 
him  and  the  Commissioners  woold  not  be  carried  on  with 
much  moderation,  chiefly  so,  as  the  General  was  re- 
solved to  conceal  his  designs  no  longer.  He  exclaimed 
bitterly  against  the  cruelty  and  bad  policy  of  the  Jaco- 
bins, considering  them  the  cause  of  all  the  misfortunes 
which  came  upon  the  country.  He  exclaimed,  ''  They 
will  ruin  France,  but  though  they  call  me  a  Csesar,  a 
Cromwell,  or  a  Monk,  I  will  try  to  save  it."  The  Com- 
missioners did  not  think  it  prudent  to  prolong  the  alter- 
cation, but  the  next  day  they  returned,  fully  intent  on 
discovering,  if  possible,  how  far  he  meant  to  push  the 
matter,  and  what  kind  of  government  he  wished  in 
France,  but  they  found  it  proper  to  disguise  their  senti« 
ments. 

.  The  most  candid  declaration  of  his  own  sentiments, 
and  what  he  meant  to  do  for  the  salvation  of  France, 
was  made  by  Dumourier*  He  very  plainly  called  the 
members  of  the  Convention  a  horde  of  ruffians,  whom  he 
thought  of  with  the  greatest  abhorrence  ;  the  volunteers 
of  Paris  he  called  poltroons,  and  predicted  that  their 
efforts  would  be  finally  ineffectual.  "  As  for  the  rest,"* 
he  continued,  **  tiiere  yet  is  a  party«  If  the  Queen  and 
her  family  are  threatened,  I  will  march  to  Paris — ^it  ia 
my  fixed  re8olutipn--4Uid  the  Convention  shall  not  exist 
three  weeks  longer,''^^  On  being  questioned  as  to  the 

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AND  WARS    OP   EUROPE.  147 


The  GoDventioD  order  Dumoarier  to  be  snpt neded. 

.  jneans  he  would  employ »  he  gave  them  to  know  that  he 
was  the  steady  advocate  of  a  limited  monarchy ;  and  that 
he  would  certainly  be  in  Paris  in  three  weeks ;  for  his  hav-» 
ing  succeeded  so  well  in  such  a  villainous  cause,  had  mado- 
him  uneasy  ever  since  the  celebrated  battle  of  Gemappe. 

On  the  return  of  the  Conunissioners  to  Paris,  they 
stated  their  conversation,  and  the  Convention  ordered 
Diimourier  to  be  superseded  in  the  chief  command  by 
M.  Boumonville,  who  went  with  four  Commissioners  ap- 
pointed to  arrest  him.  The  Commissioners  did  not  go 
directly  to  the  camp,  but  they  forwarded  a  message  to 
M.  Dumourier,  to  meet  them  at  lisle,  and  answer  those 
charges  which  had  been  preferred  against  him.  With« 
out  appearing  to  have  any  suspicions  of  danger,  he  re- 
plied, that  the  situation  of  the  army  was  such,  il  required 
his  presence  and  attention;  as  the  troops  in  Antwerp  had 
deserted  the  place,  and  he  had  been  compelled  to  order 
the  garrisons  of  Breda  and  Gertruydenberg  to  capitulate, 
on  the  condition  that  they  were  to  return  back  to  France ; 
he,  himself,  in  order  to  occupy  the  camp  of  Maulde, 
having  raised  that  of  Toumay.  At  the  same  time  he  or- 
dered General  Miaczmski,  who  commanded  at  Orchies, 
to  march  to  Lisle,  and  arrest  the  Commissioners  sent  to 
apprehend  him.  Miaozinski  incautiously  discbsed  the 
object  of  his.  mission,  which  he  prudently  should  have 
concealed,  as  it  was  evidently  a  dangerous  measure.  The 
consequence  was,  that  as  he  entered  Lisle  the  gates  were 
shut  behind  him,  he  was  arrested,  conveyed  to  Paris, 
condemned  and  executed,  by  that  sanguinary  tribunal, 
the  National  Convention.  Dumourier  was  baffled  in  his 
efibrts  to  gain  possession  of  Conde  and  Valenciennes,  by 
the  two  Generab  Ferrand  and  Ecuyer,  both  strong  in  the 
Republican  interest,  though  they  owed  their  elevation  in 

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148      HISTORY  OP   I^APOLEON    BONAPARTE, 

He  seises  the  tour  Commissioners  Prisoners. 

the  army  entirely  to  General  Dumourier.  "  Ferrand,* 
says  the  General,.  **  was  at  that  age  when  he  could  not 
well  have  been  suspcoted  of  fanaticism ;  he  had  exclaimed 
Tiolently  against  anarchy  and  jacobin  principles  in  times 
past,  but  he  lost  his  opinions  and  his  gratitude  together. 

It  was  a  bold  attempt  to  arrest  a  general  of  Dumourier's 
extraordinary  talents  at  the  head  of  his  army,  as  the  Com- 
missioners had  no  reason  to  belieye  that  his  army  was  dis- 
affected to  him.  On  the  1st  of  April  they  went  to  M. 
Dumourier's  head-quarters  at  St.  Amand,  and,  on  being 
introduced  to  the  General,  they  candidly  unfolded  the  ob- 
ject of  their  mission.  After  a  conversation  of  some  hours, 
Dumourier  found  it  impossible  to  gain  them  to  his  plans, 
or  convince  them  of  the  wickedness  of  the  Jacobins ;  he 
gave  a  signal  to  some  soldiers  who  took  them  into  cus- 
tody, and  requested  General  Clairfait  to  confine  them 
at  Toumay,  his  then  head-quarters,  that  their  lives 
might  be  answerable  for  any  iiyury  done  to  the  persons 
of  the  Royal  Family  of  France. 

)  On  the  evening  of  the  2nd  of  April  he  published  an 
addresS)  and  on  the  3rd  repaired  to  the  camp  to  explain 
its  contents  to  the  soldiers,  and  they  approved  his  designs. 
Next  day  he  set  out  for  Cond6,  leaving  the  care  of  St. 
Amand  to  General  Thouvenot;  but  on  the  way  he  re- 
ceived the  most  humiliating  intelligence,  by  an  officer,  from 
his  confidential  fheni  General  Neuffly,  that  the  soldiers 
were  nearly  in  a  state  of  open  rebellion,  and  that  he  would 
not  advise  him  to  proceed,  as  his  life  might  be  in  danger. 
On  the  road  he  passed  a  body  of  volunteers  going  the  same 
way  that  he  was,  but  they  offered' him  no  molestation. 
Ho  had  scarcely  received  the  message  of  his  friend  firom 
the  officer,  when  a  detachment  of  the  volunteers,  having 
quitted  the  high  way,  and  ronning  towards  bim  with 


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AND    WARS   OF   KUITOPS.  I49 


Dumonrier  qiiiu  the  Republican  Service. 

t. 


threatening,  countenances,  shouted,  "  Stop !  stop  T 
There  was  no  time  to  deliberate,  in  the  midst  of  the 
Hfreatest  danger ;  he  mounted  a  horse  belonging  to  a  ser- 
vant of  General  Egalite  (then  Duke  de  Chartres),  and 
with  the  greatest  difficulty  escaped,  the  whole  body 
having  fired  upon  him  at  once. 

The  General  proceeded  by  the  Scheldt  to  the  territory 
of  the  ImperiaUsts ;  where  he  helcl  a  conversation  with 
Colonel  Mack,  and  passed  the  night  in  preparing  the 
proclamatioti  of  the  Prince  of  Cobourg,  which  was  issued 
the  5th  of  the  month,  accompanied  by  one  of  his  own. 
The  General  placed  great  reliance  on  his  influence  with 
the  troops,  for  at  this  meeting  it,  was  agreed  that  when 
M.  Dumourier  got  Cond6,  it  was  to  be  given  over  to  the 
Austrians  to  be  used  as  a  magazine,  should  the  French 
Commander-in-Chief  feel  it  necessary  to  apply  for  as- 
sistance to  the  Imperialists.  Dumourier's  manifesto  re- 
capitulated the  services  he  had  done  to  his  country ;  and 
he  related  the  unpardonable  neglect  of  his  army  during 
the  former  winter  by  the  War  Minister.  He  omitted  not 
the  barbarous  conduct  of  the  Jacobins  towards  the  best 
offiicen  of  the  RepubUc,  and  especially  towards  himself. 
He  detailed  the  reasons  by  which  he  was  governed  in  ar> 
resting  the  Conunissioners,  and  insisted  that  necessity 
called  for  this  step ;  and  gave  a  most  accurate  descriptiem 
of  the  evils  which  would  inevitably  come  upon  Franccj 
unless  they  estabUshed  a  rational  constitution.  He  closed 
this  paper  by  exhorting  the  people  of  France  to  restore 
the  constitution  of  1789— 90,  and— 91,  which  they  had 
sworn  to  maintain;  solemnly  protesting  he  t^pearo^iii 
arms  for  no  other  purpose,  which  being  done,  he  wcM^ft 
rtnga  all  public  employment  and  eiqoy  in  retireMBl| 


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160       HISTORY   OF   NAPOLEON  BONAPARTE, 
Other  Geoerelt  follow  him. 

tlie  pleasing  thought,  that  he  had  giFen  happiness  to  hit 
fellow-citisens. 

Besides  the  Generab  Valenc6,  Egalit6,  and  Thoavenot, 
Colonels  Thouvenot  and  Moon^oye,  and  Madame  de 
Sillcry,  who  quitted  the  Republic  "with  M.  Damourier, 
he  was  followed  by  a  regiment  of  dragoons,  and  the 
principal  part  of  the  hussars  of  B^rchiny;  but  the  chiaf 
part  of  the  army  were  soon  taught  to  look  on  him  as  a 
traitor,  and  submitted  to  General  Dampierre,  who  sue* 
ceeded  him  in  the  command. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 


DuMovRiBR*s  loss  was  not  the  principal  embarrassment 
the  Republic  met  with.  The  people  in  many  of  the 
Western  and  Southern  departments  of  France,  arose  in 
open  rebellion  against  the  tyranny  of  the  Convention* 
The  disorganizing  spirit  of  the  Jacobins  was  such,  that 
they  paid  no  regard  to  the  prejudices  'or  the  delicacy  of 
the  people ;  but,  under  the  name  of  fenaticism,  they  per- 
secuted  every  thing  that  was  decent  and  regular.  The 
zealots  in  religion  were  shocked  by  frequent  processions 
of  lewd  women,  heathenishly  attired  as  goddesses,  ready 
to  receive  the  devotions  of  their  licentious  worshippers. 
The  friends  of  virtue  were  outraged  in  every  relation  by 
the  members  of  the  legislature,  who,  both  by  their  prao- 


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J 


AND   WARS   OP   EUROPE.  131 

La  Veadee  opposes  the  Repablfc 

tices  aud  laws,  gave  every  facility  to  dissolutions  of  the 
Inarriage  contract;  and  the  }overs  4)f  order  vi^ere  cha- 
f  cined  at  the  increasing  practices  of  casual  cohabitation 
and  irregular  intercouse.  Novelty  seemed  to  be  tlie 
ruling  principle  of  the  goyemment,  and  the  guillotine 
the  only  argument  it  condescended  to  use  for  the  con- 
viction of  the  people.  Resistance  to  such  a  system  be- 
came a  sacred  obligation,  and  the  persecuted  priests  took 
advantage  of  the  public  feelings,  to  arm  their  flocks,  in 
various  parts  of  the  country,  into  powerful  amues  against 
the  Convention. 

La  Vendee  was  the  first  department  that  opposed  the 
Republic,  and  there  the  Royalists  collected  in  great 
numbers  ;  but  they  acted  more  under  the  impulse  of  pas- 
sion than  from  any  regular  plan.  A  few  troops  were 
sent  against  them,  and  they  were  dispersed ;  although  it 
was  known  that  sixty  out  of  the  eighty-four  departments 
were  highly  disaffected.  The  Royalists  are  not  to  blame 
on  this  account,  if  it  be  true,  that  the  courage  of  the  Just 
is  less  than  the  desperation  of  the  unjust :  for  they  were 
panic-struck  with  the  unheard-of  cruelties  of  the  Jacobins. 

It  was  reported  to  the  Convention,  that  800  of  these 
counter-revolutionist  prisoners  were  taken  on  the  left 
bank  of  the  Loire,  and  that  all  immediately  were  mas* 
sacred  in  cold  blood.  This  v^as  looked  on  perfectly  re- 
gular, for  the  Convention  meant  every  Royalist  found 
with  arms  to  be  shot.;  and  if  without  them  to  be  guil- 
lotined.  A  system  of  terror  was  established,  and  a  man 
was  fearful  lest  his  own  thoughts  should  escape  him; 
and  the  Convention  established  a  praying  inquisition* 
called  the  Revolutionary  Tribunal ;  by  which  they  often 
executed  persons  whose  thoughts  were  detected  by  the 
aukward  means  they  toek  to  conceal  them. 


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TS2      HISTORY   OF   NAPOLEON    BONAPARTE, 

;■■■.■■  it  "i;..     .M.,-.....    -J,,.     ,     „■  I..M.  ,■■..,.  „,:     '  ■:       t-b  i— .-i     m^ 

The  BovrboD  Family  ordered  under  Arrest — Conf  ress  held  at  AntivM'p. 


The  Convention  decreed,  that  all  the  Bourbdn  family 
should  be  detained  as  hostages  for  safety  of  llie  commis- 
sioners,  not  excepting  the  ci-devcM  Duke  of  Orleans. 
This  Prince,  tho  first  of  the  blood-royal  of  France,  and 
the  richest  subject  iu  Europe,  debased  himself  to  the 
lowest  whim  of  the  multitude,  and  when  they  used  the 
vmversal  cry  of  "  IHierty  and  equality,"  he  applied  for 
leave  to  change  his  princely  style,  and  to  be  called  Phi- 
lippe Egalite.  By  his  arts  and  his  money  ho  had  ac- 
quired great  popularity]  and  a  seat  in  the  Convention; 
but  when  it  was  discovered  that  he  had  befit  thus  low 
with  the  ba^  desire  of  lengthening  out  a  shameful  life, 
and  with  a  view  to  pfaice  the  crown  on  his  own  head,  they 
determined  to  put  him  aside ;  and  the  first  decree  was 
shortly  followed  up  by  that  which  ordered  all  the  Bour- 
bon family  under  arrest 

As  the  Convention  was  taking  the  most  adequate  mea- 
sures for  recovering  what  it  had  lost,  the  Combined 
Powers  were  collecting  all  their  foliy,  with  a  design  (if 
it  can  be  said  they  acted  with  any  design)  to  lose  what 
advantage  tliey  had  gained.  Generals  Neuilly,  Dumas, 
Bemcron,  and  sevei^  other  officers  and  soldiers,  joined 
Dumourier,  where  they  united  with  the  Austrians,  and 
proclaimed  the  son  of  Louis  King,  by  the  title  of  Louis 
XVn.  and  thus  explained  their  views  to  satisfy  those 
who  might  wish  to  join  them.  A  Congress  took  place  at 
Antwerp,  of  the  coalesced  Princes,  which  was  attended 
by  the  Prince  of  Orange,  the  Duke  of  York,  Prince  Co- 
bourg.  Lord  Auckland,  the  Spanish,  Prussian,  Neapo- 
litan, and  other  ministers,  from  their  several  courts ;  and 
this  Congress  was  so  flushed  with  their  nominal  conqtMSts, 
that  they  obliged  Prince  Cobourg  to  recal  lib  proclami- 
ti«n  of  the  5th ;  and  broke  their  fkith  with  the  Frenck 


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AND  WARS  OF  EUROPE.  153 

»— _■  '  11-  -  .^l-       ■  ■!  .  I  .1.-  I  it  III  I     I  _  .  H- 

General  Dampierre  kUlcd. 

Genera^  trpm  too  great  a  confidence  in  their  own  power. 
The  moderate  men  in  France  now  saw  no  alternative, 
bat  submiasion  to  the  reigning  gOTemment,  or  to  the 
ancient  and  hateftil  despotism ;  the  fonaer  most  oonreot 
itself  in  time  ;  the  latter  they  knew  would  become  worse, 
and  they  left  the  Cmnbined  Powers  to  follow  their  own 
plana,  and  joined  with  the  Convention  to  defend  the 
country.  General  Dumourier  and  the  officers  with  him 
withdrew  into  retirement,  and  most  of  the  sdUieni  found 
means  to  return  to  France. 

The  Austrian  General  stated  that  the  armistice  was  at 
an  end;  and  large  bodies  of  Fjiglish,  Hanotrerian,  and 
Prussisin  troops  having  arrived,  it  was  fixed  on  to  at- 
tack the  French  frontiers  in  ten  different  points  at  once, 
and  advantages  were  gained  in  the  time  that  was  em- 
ployed in  re-organizing  the  French  armies. 

General  Wunnser  was  appointed  to  the  siege  of  Lan- 
dau, and  Prince  Cobourg  invested  Condi;  but  the  views 
of  the  Allies  were  chiefly  devoted  to  Yalenciepmes,  where 
the  French  General  Dampierre  was  anxiow  to  find  pro- 
tection for  a  camp  he  was  about  to  form.  The  Dtd:e  of 
York,  with  the  British  and  Hanoverian  tro^s,  took  the 
direction  at  this  important  post,  which  was  curried  on 
with  much  credit  to  the  British  arms ;  as,  after  %  long 
contest,  the  enemy  was  compelled  to  give  vip  his  cwf, 
and  leave  both  Cond6  and  Val^ciennes  to  the  besiegers. 

Geneial  Dampierre  was  killed  in  one  of  those  actiona ; 
and.  his  death  was  a  great  loss  to  the  French,  as  most  of 
their  best  generals  were  either  under  arrest^  or  driven 
from  the  army  on  groundless  suspicions  and  accusations^ 
yet  the  soldiers  defended  their  garrisons  with  superior 
bravery. 

General  Custine  h^d  been  much  dissatisfied  with  the 

VOL.  I. — NO.  7.  X 

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154       HISTORY   OF   NAPOLEON    BONAPARTE, 
General  Guitine  complaiof  of  his  Troops. 


conduct  of  the  soldiers^  and  took  up  a  great  deal  of  time 
in  restoring  discipline  in  his  army,  without  much  effect. 
He  was  obliged  to  remain  on  the  defensive ;  but,  assisted 
by  General  HoiTchard  and  a  few  other  able  ofiicers,  he 
defended  this  frontier  from  the  advance  of  the  enemy. 
He  had  been  forced  to  use  some  severe  examples  of  mi- 
litary execution  in  his  camp;  yet^  after  attempting  to 
surprise  the  Prussians  at  Sembacb,  he  stated  to  the  Con- 
vention, that  he  could  have  no  success  widi  such  troops. 
**  Our  artillery/'  said  he,  **  did  wonders,  and  the  battle 
was  Ih  ouir  favour;  but  as  ourin&ntry  was  forming,  our 
cavalry  rode  up  towards  them,  and  a  battalion  of  our 
troops  taking  them  for  the  enemy,  they  ran  away.  I  did 
all  I  could  to  stop  them,  but  in  vain,  and  as  they  run  off 
they  fired  at  our  troops  and  behaved  like  cowards." 

The  Combined  Powers  do  not  appear  to  have  used 
any  efforts  to  make  any  of  the  factions  overthrow  the 
rest;  and  it  does  not  appear  that  any  of  them  sought  to 
secure  itself  by  the  help  of  the  Combined  Powers ;  yet 
fhey  failed  not  to  accuse  each  other  with  as  much  keen- 
ness as  if  they  were  certain  of  each  others  guilt. 

The  struggle  between  them  began  upon  a  discussion 
in  the  Convention  relative  to  handing  General  'Miranda 
over  to  the  Revolutionary  Tribunal,  which  the  Brisso« 
tines  were  bent  on  preventing  by  denouncing  Marat 
himself.  He  was  charged  with  inciting  the  people  to 
massacre  ;  to  which  he  only  replied  by  a  declaration  of  his 
Republican  principles  and  his  love  for  the  people,  of 
whose  attachment  he  protested  tiiat  he  ^^uld  soon  satisfy 
the  Convention;  and,  accordingly,  a  most  tremendous 
uproar  took  place  in  the  galleries,  which  hindered  an} 
irther  discussion.  As  soon  as  the  debate  could  be  re- 
sumed* his  arrest  was  decreed.    Thus  for  the  Brissotines 


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ANp  WARS   OP   EUROPE.  155 


Debates  in  the  CooTention — ^Trinmph  of  the  Jacobins. 

"weTe  trhimphaiit,  but  the  decree  against  i  General  Mi- 
randa passed  also.  The  next  day  Petion  moved  for  the 
repeal  of  latter  decree ;  **  Miranda/',  he  said,  **  was 
sacrificed  by  Dmnoarier,  only  for  having  the  courage 
to  denounce  him  four  days  before  his  treachery  was  .re- 
vealed." Tins  opinion  would  have  been  supported  by 
the  Maratists^  if  their  accusations  had  had.  any  other 
foundation  than  mere  caprice;  but  they.  hiMi  thrown  em- 
barrassments and  discord  in  the  way  of  both  Dnmourier 
and  Miranda  from  the  same  motives,  and  *  therefore  de- 
claimed against  shewing  lenity  to  conspirators^  The  gal- 
leries, at  the  same  time,  applauded  their  sanguinary  doc- 
trines, and  hooted  those  members  who  spoke'  in  favour 
of  PetionV  motion.  The  debate  could  not  proceed  until 
the  military  hacl  cleared  the  hall;  when  Petion's  motion 
'  was  lost  by  the  order  of  the  day. 
*  Afterwards  a  greater  triumph  was  gained  by  the  Ja- 
cobins, upon  the  acquittal  of  Marat  on  the  charges  of 
exciting  to  murder  and  carnage,  andijoining  to  cUssolve 
the  Convention.  The  hall  was  attacked  on  the  24th  of 
April,  by  a  mixed  assemblage  of  those  petitionerii  who 
had  been  headed  by  Petion,  Santerre,  &c.  who  asked 
permission  to  file  through  the  Assembly,  to  shew  their 
joy  at  the  acquittal  of  the  "Friend  of  the  People.'* 
Leave  being  given,  the  visitors  took  possei^ion  of  the 
vacant  seats,  and  a  general  shout  of,  "  Lspg  live  the 
Nation!  long  live  Marat P  welcomed  him  to  his  place, 
where  he  was  conducted  by  a  large  body  of  municipal 
#fRcers  and  gcns^d'armes. 

The  piiblic  mind  being  strongly  agitated  by  vague  re- 
ports of  dangers  and  conspiracies,  which  nobody  could 
trace,  but  which  every  body  was  sure  would  complete  th^ 
ruin  ofcvcry  family  in  France ;  an  alarm  was  given,  atfour 

X  2 

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156      HISTORY   OF    NAPOLEON    BONAFARTE, 


Ad  loMiTcciion  pre  vested. 


o*cIock  in  the  morDing  of  the  3l8t  •£  May,  by  tbe  Ung^/ 
of  guhB,  mad  the  sotuidiiig  of  the  tocsu.    TUs  iraar  thor 
Qonnion  tagnal  of  iiuNurreetioii  audi  •btnii ;  and  it  alwayic 
threw  the  city  into  tiie  graadaest  eoaftiaion.    Those  only- 
in  the  lecret  knew  tiie  dengere  to  be  apprehended^  or 
how  they  were  to  approach  or  be  avoided.    The  Con-r 
vention  would  be  the  rallying  point  in  tUa  case,  as  the 
palace  had  fonnerly  been ;  asd,  if  the  opposition  should- 
not  be  safficientiy  powerful,  a  few  inflammatory  speeches 
from  the  fiaurtien  might  arouse  thenr  partisans  to  rash 
upon  the'victims  and  massacre  them  out  of  hand;  in*, 
which  event,  Ae  ceremony  of  false  aecitsati<Hi  weald  be. 
spared,  and  Ae  risk  of  aeqaitlal  avoided*    Snch  was  the- 
plan  of  Marat,  but  it  lailed ;  for  there  were  at  Paris  a 
number  of  armed  volunteers  from  the  departments  which 
the    Brissotines  represented,    who  mired  amongst  the 
crowd,  and  by  their  presence  deterred  the  cowardly  Pa- 
risians fWrni  proceeding  to  Ihehr  usual  acts,  of  outrage. 
In  the  Coniventioo  the  greatest  uproar  prevailed;  and 
the  only  fhct  that  ooold  be  dearly  understood,  was,  thai 
the  administration  and  the  poliee  were  divided,  and  thi^ 
each  party  MMpended  the  other,  and  disputed  its  ordeA 
whenever  it  got  the  majority;  and  every  spectator  saw, 
that  whichever  shooid  muster  stroHgeM  wouU  charge  the 
ether  with  iht  coui^Mracy.    Marat  demanded  a  decree  of 
accusation  against  the  Brissdtinea,  aa  accomplices  of  Da^ 
laourier,  though  nothing  could  be  worse  bud.    The  mob 
would  net  defliio  thenr  charge  so  aioeIy«  they  would  give 
no  reason  for  demanding  their  heads  but  havmg  **  in* 
cun^d  their  displeasure."     Deputations  were  sent  to 
pacify  the  p<^op]e,  and  prevail  cyn  them  io  let  the  Con- 
rentioii  go  on  with  its  deliberations.    It  was  impossible 
to  get  u  hearing ;  the  members  were  insulted,  imd  no 


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AND  WARS  OP   KUROPB.  l^^ 


Parlies  formed  in  Fnnce. 


antirer  could  be  had  but  the  cry  of  **  Aconse  them !  acr 
mm  lbe«i  T  At  kit,  wtm  by  tBifigae  and  deispair,  tbo 
weak  mea  joined  the  bad,  and  a  decide  was  passed,  t# 
put  Iweaty'-fiNir  of  the  representatiYes.  and  iiiini3ters  over 
to  the  RevohitkiRary  TribuaaL  Three  of  them^  however^ 
had  been  fticlnded  in  the.  nnntber,  beoaofe  they  had  said 
something  to  ofilbnd  Legendre  the  batcher;  QJ\i  Marat 
ioteroeded  to  ha^e  them  dismissed,  whioh  reduced  th^ 
whole  to  twenty -one. 

Brery  one  nidw-saw  that  the  very  shadow*  of  liberty 
had  flown;  and  that  if  the  nu^joiity  of  the  Convention 
had  tiie  means  o£  stiUing  the  voiee  of  the.  minority,  tb^ 
system  of  representation  was  at  an  end :  and  pany 
thousands  resolved  to  resist  the  osnrpation  of  the  o)igap- 
ohy ;  and  powerful  parties  were  formed  in  varioas  parts 
of  France,  in  order  to  assist  the  pR>scribed  depati^  in 
restormg  the  Republic 

Experience  had  not  been  so  advantageous  to  those  de* 
puties  as  bright  have  been  expected ;  notwithstanding 
the  intrigues  to  which  they  had  frequently  resorted,  when** 
ever  ibef  had  been  determined  to  gain  the  point  over  the 
Royalists,'  tiiey  had  no  eonoeption  of  seeing  the  sao^e 
arts  prsietised  against  ^themselves;  and  therefore  n^^^y 
of  them  weakly  miagined  that  they  should  be  perfectly 
secure  in  their  own  innocence.  Boyalists  they  were  no^ 
and  traitors  they  were  not;  this  they  could  easily .proye^ 
whether  they  appeared  before  the  Revolutionary  Tribur 
nsd  or  before  their  constituents  in  their  several  depart- 
ments ^  and  thus  some  chose  to  throw  themselves  upon 
their  trial,  and  others  into  the  arms  ot  their  friends. 

Having  thus  set  «them  upon  a  defence  which  should 
oblige  them-  to  avoid  all  connection  with  the  Royalists^ 
the  Jacobins  appointed  commissaries  in  every  place,  to 


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158     HISTORY  OF   NAPOLEON   BONAPARTE, 


ScTcral  Dcparcmentf  declare  airainst  the  Convention. 

charge  them  with  a  new  and  undefined  orime»  caUeU  Fe* 
dendism ;  the  guilt  of  which  they  could  magnify  in  prcK 
portion  as  the  people  were  ignorant  of  its  nature. 

Petion,  Gaudet,  Gorsas,  and  many  others,  travelled 
into  the  western  departments  in  disguise,  and  they  dis- 
covered, that,  though  they  were  generally  acquitted  of 
royalism,  great  prejudices  were  held  against  them  as  fe- 
deralists. They  saw,  for  the  first  timci  the  extent  of 
their  delusion. 

About  twenty  of  them  arrived  at  Caen,  in  Calvados, 
where  they  found  the  brave  defender  of  Thionville  (Ge- 
neral Wimpfen),  at  the  head  of  2000  men,  in  the  centra 
of  eight  departments .  which  had  declared  against  the 
Convention.  Those  who  had  overthrown  the  Bastille 
on  the  14th  of  July,  and  the  palace  on  the  10th  of  Au- 
gust, were  seeking  a,  shelter  firom  the  scaffold,  and  they 
found  themselves  in  the  midst  of  an  empire :  here  Gorsaa 
found  courage  without  the  aid  of  liis  eloquence,  and  Pe- 
.  tion  found  soldiers  without  the  aid  of  intrigue:  here  were 
senators  drawn  from  the  seat  of  legislation ;  and  here  waa 
a  people  in  want  of  a  government !  Circumstances  were 
made  for  them;  they  were  not  called  upon  for  any  extra- 
ordinary eflbirt ;  the  only  thing  required  of  them  was»  to 
have  followed  their  good  fortune  without  going  out  of  the 
ordinary  course*  A  declaration  of  their  union,  and  a 
protest  against  the  proceedings  of  tlie  Convention,  would 
ha? e  brought  all  the  western  departments  under  their 
banners;  and  the  possession  of  Evreux,  which  General 
Wimpfen  would  have  secured  with  10,000  troops,  would 
have  assisted  them  to  have  cut  off  the  supplies  from  Paris, 
and  shut  it  from  the  coast  They  might  then  have  tri- 
umphed over  the  Convention,  and  saved  their  country 


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AND   WARS   OF   ErROPC.  159 

The  People  (hreateo  to  inarch  a^iait  Parii. 

from  what  they  looked  on  as  the  greatest  of  fcvils ;  bbt 
their  political  bigotry  would  not  permit  this.  They  sus- 
pected that  both  General  Wimpfen  and  his  partisans  were 
Royalists,  and  they  could  not  fight  for  justice  in  com- 
pany with  Royalists,  without  sharing  it  with  them  when 
it  was  obtained ; — an  idea  as  shocking  to  a  Republican, 
as  it  would  be  for  a  Christian  to  admit  an  unbeliever  into 
the  same  heaven  with  himself. 

This  caution  forced  the  Deputies  to  undertake  another 
journey,  m  hopes  of  raising  an  army  all  of  their  own 
opinions ;  but  they  were  so  long  in  reaching  Bourdeanx, 
that  troops  were  sent  before  them,  and  the  people  were 
dispersed  for  want  of  leaders  :  nothing  was  left  but  pro-, 
jects  of  escape,  and  these  generally  iailed ;  except  Lou- 
vet  (who  was  probably  the  least  guilty  amongst  them) 
they  all  fell  into  the  hands  of  ther  Jacobins,  or  perished 
of  hunger  in  their  hiding-places. 

The  people  arose  in  some  parts  in  very  great  numbers; 
and,  in  many  instances,  were  able  to  send  deputies  to  tho 
Convention  in  defiance  of  its  armed  force,  threatening  to 
march  against  Paris  unless  their  representatives  were  li- 
berated. Angers,  Bourdeaux,  Lyons,  RocUbrt,  Nantes, 
Caen,  Marseilles,  Toulon,  St.  Malo,  and  all  the^  surround* 
ing  districts,  were  ready  to  proclaim  Louis  XVII.  and 
the  Constitution  of  1789,  as  soon  as  a  standard  could 
have  been  erected  for  them  in  a  central  point ;  but  th# 
Princes  did  not  appear,  and  the  Combined  Powers  neg- 
lected them ;  so  that  the  Convention,  by  the  fear  of  its 
police  and  the  power  of  its  army,  prevented  any  regular 
eorrespondence  being  kept  up  between  them. 


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60      HISTORY   OP    NAPOLEON    BONAPARTE, 

France  to  be  attacked  in  federal  points. 


CHAPTER  XVIIt- 


The  different  powers  bad  three  piMt  tar  the  march  to 
Paris;  one  was  to  direct  the  prineipal  opanitioiia  aiponst 
the  departments  of  the  North  and  of  CSalais;  Ihaaaoottd, 
to  force  their  way  by  the  Seine,  and  the  mens  conti* 
guous  to  it;  by  which  it  wonld  be  easy  to  oenvey  all  the 
stores  and  heavy  arfiBery;  and  the  third  was,  to  take  ad- 
vantage of  the  c<Hifiision  into  which  the  surrender  of  Va- 
lenciennes, &e.  had  thrown  the  Republic,  which  bad  led 
to  the  execution  of  a  number  of  generals  and  officers, 
and  to  proceed  with  a  very  strong  fbree  firom  thence  to- 
wards the  capital.  In  either  case,  Spain  was  to  penetrate 
on  the  side  ef  the  Pyrennees,  and  Prussia  on  that  of  the 
Rhine.  The  first  proposition  was  adopted  ;  and  the 
Austrians  were  to  reduce  Cambray,  while  the  Duke  of 
York  besieged  Dunkirk;  this  gave  the  Convention  all 
the  advantage  it  required,  which  was  time  to  place  all 
the  resources  of  the  Republic  in  the  management  of  un- 
doubted Jacobins. 

The  Commissioners  with  the  army  could  discover  the 
talents  and  principles  of  the  officers,  and  they  did  not 
scruple  to  raise  a  subaltern  to  a  command,  at  the  expense 
of  his  superior  officer,  if  they  saw  the  least  preference. 
General  Custine,  who  undertook  the  unpopular  task  of 
reforming  the  vices  of  his  army,  was  so  much  disliked, 
that  he  would  not  attack  the  Combined  Armies,  so  long 
as  they  were  satisfied  t^  waste  their  time  in  battering 


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AND  WARS  OF  fiUROPE.  161 

Caitin*  guillotioed^The  Uttke  of  Tork^rrivei  before  Dunlcirk. 


down  fortresses.  He  was  aware  the  time  which  they 
lost  would  be  of  the  greatest  advantage  to  him  in  exei«- 
Ming  the  hordes  of  vecmits  which  hourly  arrived  from 
tiie  departmettts ;  and  that  a  few  weeks  would  enable 
liOD  to  rsoover  all  that  was  lost  by  the  retreat  of  Ihimoit* 
rimr.  The  reasonings  of  the  Commissioners  were  not  so ; 
liiey  fancied  that  in  a  short  tone  the  Combined  Powers 
wooU  recover  their  senses^  and  flie  lives  of  ibrty  or  fiily 
Oamsand  anfiscipGned  sokBers  were  nothing ;  they  would 
put  twiee  that  number  in  ti^aimng  to  supply  their  places ; 
and  if  the  general  would  not  attack  the  enem/s  works 
with  the  army  he  had  got^  they  would  appoint  some  ge- 
neral that  wouUL  His  objections  Were  of  no  urdi),  and 
only  tended  to  prove  that  he  was  ail  Aristocrat,  by  his  at^ 
lachmeat  to  an  eld  system,  and  they  bad  hhn  arrested  ott 
the  chasge  of  aiding  the  enemy  by  his  manoeuvres  and 
delays  s  no  regard  was  had  to  his  former  services  and 
viclories.  Without  delay,  Gepend  Houchard  was  ap- 
pointed Commailder-in-C%iefy  and  Custine  was  guillo- 
tined as  a  tnritor. 

The  Duke  of  Tork  got  before  Dunkirk  on  the  9Scfa  of 
August  The  naval  force,  which  was  to  have  acted  widi 
his  Boyal  Highness,  did  not  arrive  in  time;  and  the 
French  ooUected  troops  from  the  armies  of  the  Ittnne  and 
Moselle  before  the  British  were  ready  to  begin  (be  attack. 
On  die  7th  of  September,  therefore.  General  Houchard 
sallied  firom  the  garrison,  and,  supported  by  his  gun^boats, 
totally  routed  the  besieging  army,  and  took  the  principal 
part  of  the  artillery  and  stores. 

Most  of  the  powers  were  now  disheartened  at  their  iB- 

suceess ;  and  as-  it  was  thought  that  England  was  loudest 

^  in  fanning  the  arrangements,  they  looked  on  her  to  pay 

a  great  share  of  their  expenses,  as  a  reward  for  their  fiir* 

VOL.  I.^NO.  7.  Y  n  ] 

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162      HISTORY  OF  NAPOLEON   BONAPARTE,  * 

Saogttioarjr  Sfiepf  of  the  CoiiTCDtion. 

ther  co-operation.  Engiandy  on  the  other  hand,  Wlui 
more  earnest  in  the  contest,  as  she  was  driven  further 
from  the  object ;  for,  as  the  war  was  undertaken  by  her 
Ministers,  they  would  have  made  any  sacrifice  sooner 
than  acknowledge  a  defeat  Some  naval  advantages  were 
obtained,  and  arrangements  were  making,  by  which  th» 
French  Colonies  in  the  East  and  West  Indies  were  to  b« 
placed  in  the  hands  of  Great  Britain  by  their  commanders ; 
this  induced  the  Ministry  to  subsidize  most  of  the  powers 
of  Europe;  and  thus  it  was' resolved  to  try  the  event  of 
another  campaign. 

-  'Scarcely  a  town  or  village  of  France  escaped  the  hor- 
rors of  military  execution.  Aristocrats,  Royalists,  Priests, 
or  Federalbts,  were  thought  to  be  concealed  all-over  the 
country,  and  the  most  sanguinary  decrees  were  voted  by 
the  Convention  against  these  wretched  persons,  and  those 
who  assisted  them.  Children  were  hurried  to  execution 
for  strivmg  to  save  their  parents  from  the  scaffold  ;  and 
wives  for  domg  acts  of  kindness  to  their  husbands  under 
sentencec  Passengers  could  not  travel  without  their 
passports  were  witnessed  at  every  [turnpike ;  nor  could 
any  inhabitant  retire  to  rest  till  he  had  given  the  police  a 
list  of  every  one  under  his  roof.  Every  means  were  con- 
trived to  afford  an  excuse  for  destroying  the  people,  as 
if  the  Convention  had  consiited  of  monsters,  who  only 
took  pleasure  in  shedding  of  blood ;  yet  was  the  exampk 
of  Brutus,  and  that  more  recent  one  of  their  own  heroic 
countryman,  Paris,  lost  upon  these  pusillanimous  Frendi- 
men;  and  it  was  left  to  a  young  female  to  inflict  justice 
upon  the  leader  of  these  wretches. 

Charlotte  CordS,  from  Caen,  in  tiie*  department  of 
Calvados,  formed  the  design  of  ridding  her  country  firom 
the  rule  of  Marat,  whom  she  looked  on  as  the  greatest 


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AND  WARS   OF   EUROPfi.  163 


Charlotte  Cord^  mnrden  Marat. 


nfonster^upon  earth,  although  she  was  certain  that  her 
life  would  answer  for  the  undertaking.  Eager  to  exe- 
cute her  designs,  she  wrote  to  him  on  the  12th  of  Juljt 
stating  that  she  had  business  of  the  last  importance  to 
communicate,  on  which  the  safety  of  the  country  de« 
pended.  Having  received  no  answer  to  this  request,  she 
applied  a  second  time  thus :  '^  Have  you  received  my 
letter?  if  you  have  received  it,  I  rest  on  your  politeness. 
It  is  enough  that  I  am  unfortunate  to  claim  your  atten-r 
tion."  On  the  18th,  in  the  evening,  she  was  admitted, 
and  tibe  conversation  turned  on  the  alarming  state  of 
Caen,  and  the  views  of  the  Deputies  who  had  there  taken 
shelter.  Marat  remarked  that  the  traitors  should  soon  be 
i^prehended,  and  pay  for  their  rebellion  with  their  beads 
upon  a  scaflTold.  This  speech  fired  the  heroic  Charlotte 
with  ungovernable  rage ;  and,  finding  a  ••  propitious 
moment  to  accomplish  her  designs,  she  plunged  a  dagger 
to  his  heart  The  commission  of  this  deed  gave  her  no 
fear  ;  she  left  the  house  perfectly  tranquil ;  and  on  being 
told,  when  arrested,  that  she  would  inevitably  be  put  to 
death,  her  conduct  shewed  the  most  sovereign  contempt. 

She  was  tried  on  the  same  day  before  the  Revolutionary 
Tribunal,  and  the  firmness  of  her  answers  and  the  cou- 
rage  of  her  conduct  created  general  admiration.     She  j 

looked  on  the  host  of  her  judges  with  thkt  conteqipt  that 
shewed  what  Utde  justice  she  tfiought  was  to  be  obtained 
from  them.  "  Where  was  the  necessity  of  bringing  me 
before  you?"  said  she ;  *'  I  thought  I  should  be  given  up 
to  the  rage  of  the  Parisians,  and  be  torn  to  pieces  by 
Unem ;  I  hoped  that  my  head,  stuck  at  the  top  of  a  pike, 
would  have  preceded  Marat  on  his  state  bed,- to  be  a  ral- 
lying point  to  Frenchmen,  if  there  are  still  any  worthy 
•f  being  called  so ;  but  if  I  am  not  to  be  so  'h«nii»ured,' 

T  2 


^   J 


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164       HISTORY  OP   NAPOLEOJ^I    BONAPARTE, 
The  Qiieea  remoTed  fron  the  Teniple. 


ny  memory  will  soon  be  hoMwred  by  aii  FraMce."  Aeat^ 
te»oe  4>f  death  was  uMtaBdy  pnoiuMHicedi^  aad  eke  was 
guillottiied  die  Mme  day. 

.  Tbe  YvC^e  of  this  one  damsel  was  ef  more  use  to  the 
CflMse  «f  mankind,  th^fl  all  wko  raised  their  puny  strengtii 
against  Uiat  infamous  Convention.  3he  inspired  her 
eoun^men  with  that  resentment  whieh,  as  k  will  be 
seen,  lUfilled  her  own  prophecy.  Her  &te  was  hardly 
pronounceit  when  a  young  man,  filled  with  deiigbC  «t 
her  courage,  enlreated  the  ju^es  to  aec^  him  for  her, 
and  to  be  guiMotined  instead  of  her.  His  prayer  they 
would  not  grant,  but  they  sent  him  to  the  guiMotine  along 
with  her.  A  m^nfoer  of  the  Con¥ention  (Adam  Lux), 
penetrated  equally,  hastily  wrote  an  omtioB  in  honour  of 
the  action,  wfaerem  he  proposed  to  erect  a  staKne  to  her, 
inscribed.  Greater  than  Brutus.  His  head  also  they  eat 
off. 

Out  of  about  37,-600  victims  seeured  in  the  different 
prisons  of  the  Repufoiic,  they  for  some  time  overlooked 
tlie  Queen  and  her  children.  The  spokesmen  of  the 
Gommittee,  Barrere,  the  greatest  eoward  fai  all  Franee, 
the  most  complete  poltroon  in  aH  Europe,  now  asked 
the  Convention  fo  make  the  proper  Mrrangements  for 
sending  her  Majesty  to  the  guillotine  in  the  most  ^de- 
grading manlier  that  could  be  invented.  Accordingly,  at 
12  o'clock  at  night,  on  the  1st  of  August,  two  oAiceiu 
went  to  the  Temple,  in  a  hackney  coach,  to  remove  her 
from  that  place  to  the  common  prison.  The  removal  * 
was  marked  with  systematical  crulety.  She  was  not  al- 
lowed the  least  notice,  but  was  obliged  to  ^el  out  of  bed, 
and  deliver  up  every  thing  she  had  to  tiie  officers,  which 
was  only  25  louis  and  her  pocket-book.  They  alkwod 
her  to  bid  farewei  to  lier  sister  Elizabeth  and  her  d«a|;lH 


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[ 


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t 


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l.vJit,  r.u'-'h.  Il/^fu  ;'Jt,rmi,i  .Hi*  X<A,>  .".  /«•.,<'  ,!^.-u..i- /  .m,   Jo.^-./,  .1,  A")  t,-    /i.    7-frw  „,/  ,;•,./■  /V'/r^  .<•  f.tUn.kv  A.fAr. 


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AND  'H'ARS   OF   EUROPE.  165 


Tbe  Queen  tofHij^r  tefore  tb«  RevotuCionary  Tribanal— Her  death. 

ter,  but  refti&ed  her  seeing  her  son,  alledgiug  as  a  reason, 
that  ^  he  was  imioceiit,  and  would  not  suffer  ;*'  clearly 
telling  her  that  both  tiie  Princess  Buoabeth  and  tbe  Prin- 
cess Royal  would  follow  her  to  the  guillotine. 

When  she  was  two  months  at  the  Conciergerie,  in  a 
cell  eiglit  feet  square,  half  under  ground,  with  nodiing 
irat  a  bag  filled  with  straw  to  sleep  upon,  and  a  soup  diet; 
llie  innocent,  the  generous,  the  dignified,  the  perse- 
cuted, Mana  Antoinette,  Queen  of  France,  daughter  of 
Maria  Theresa,  and  sister  of  the  Emperor  Joseph,  waa 
taken  before  the  Revolutionary  Tribunal,  to  hear  its  pre- 
determined sentence.  It  would  be  a  jest  to  talk  of  a  trial, 
for  no  such  thing  took  place  in  France  for  two  years 
from  the  10th  of  August  179S.  The  sentence  of  the 
Queen,  and  of  every  other  person  that 'was  passed  in  that 
period,  whether  of  acquittal  or  condemnation,  was  de- 
termined by  those  infamous  judges  before  tfiey  came  into 
court,  without  any  regard  to  tiie  evidence,  whatever  it 
might  be. 

The  death  of  this  Princess  happened  anndst  the  shqirtt 
of  the  Parisians,  and  aH  the  courage  and  gallantry  of  tbe 
great  nation  was  collected  to  overwhehn  and  insnk  a 
feeUp,  defenceless  woman!  Three  people  were  disco- 
Ycred  dipping  their  handkerchiefs  in  her  blood  ;  they 
were  immediately  arrested ;— what  became  of  them  is  un- 
known, they  were  never  liberated,  but  they  were  never 
executed,  at  least  not  publicly. 

Barrere  proposed  to  the  Convention  a  decree  for 
obliging  every  person  to  deliver  in  a  true  statement  of  his 
whole  property,  and  how  it  had  been  acquired;  "in 
order  that  the  Oommittee  of  Public  Safety  might  raise  a 
loan  without  oporessing  the  poor.^    Ilie  amount  of  this 


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166      HISTORY  OF   NAPOLEON   BONAPARTE, 
Different  Clatsei  of  Parties  io  the  AtMmblj. 

■         ■         1       I  I         ■      r  !■    ■  -i-.JULi_i. 

loan  was  only  twelve  millions ;  but,    though    the    wise 
Committee  laid  it  so  low,  the  waiy  members  of  the  Con- 
vention  saw  its  consequences  so  clearly,  that  they  wished 
the  reporter    would  re-consider    his  motion  before  he 
pressed  it  upon  the  Assembly.     In  fact  there  were  some 
delicate  feelings,  by  which  part  of  the  leading  Jacobins 
were  governed,  that  tiie  Committee  did  not  reckon  on  ; 
and,  those  not  being  of  a  kind  to  admit  of  explanation, 
kept  them  bhmdering  on  many   occasions,  when  their 
measures  did  not  meet  with  approbation. 
^  The  Jacobins  consisted  of  two  very  different  classes 
of  men.     One   of   those   classes   openly  avowed    their 
object,    and  publicly  confessed  their  ,  determination  to 
wade  to  it,  even  though  it  was  through  seas  of  blood. 
To   this  class  belonged   Marat,   Barrere,   Robespierre, 
Danton,  Camot,  Billaud  Varennes,  Collet  Herbois,  and 
all  tile  members  of  the  Committee.    The  distinction  be- 
tween this  class  and  the  Republicans  was,  that  the  latter 
would  not  accomplish  its  object,  by  bloodshed,  till  they 
had  passed  laws  which  would  cover  their  iiyustice  and 
sanctify  thiBir  guilt ;  whereas  this  first  class  of  Jacobins 
wanted  no  cloak  at  all,  and  looked  on  the  law  as  an  un- 
necessary obstacle.    The  second  class  were  quite  cordial 
with  the  first  in  their  resolutions   to  accomplish  their  ob- 
ject, whatever  it  might  require.    Of  this  class  was  San- 
terre,  Tallien,  Legendre,   Liecointre,  the  Hebertists,  and 
a  great  part  of  the  Convention,  who  had  given  way  to 
many  expensive  habits,  which  they  could  not  continue, 
if  they  were  not  allowed  "  to  profit  by  the  reign  of  li- 
berty," and  this  would  be  impossible,  if  the  inquiry  pro- 
posed by  the  Committee  were  to  be  set  on  foot. 
A  word  to  Barrere  to  re-oonsider  his  motion,  was  all 


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AND  WARS  OP  EUROPE.  167 


Sir  Cbarlei  Grey  reinforce!  ttie  Duke  of  York. 

that  could  be  done  upon  tlie  subject ;  and  if  the  Committee 
were  too  dull  to  take  the  hint ;— why,  then,  said  Tallien, 
"  patience."  No  other  4>art  of  the  plan  was  objected  to ; 
and  it  was  decreed,  tnat  all  single  men  and  widowers, 
of  the  age  of  18  to  25,  should  march  to  the  armies,  and 
men  of  all  ages  put  in  requisition:  that  married  men 
should  forge  arms  and  transport  provisions  ;  the  women 
make  tents  and  clothes,  attend  the  hospitals,  and  maka 
lint  of  old  linen ;  and  the  old  men  should  require  them- 
selves  to  be  taken  to  the  public  squares,  to  excite  cou- 
rage in  the  warriors,  to  preach  hatred  of  kings,  and  the 
onity  of  the  Republic :  that  the  national  buildings 
should  be  turned  into  store-houses ;  the  ground  of  the 
cellars  be  washed  with  ley,  to  extract  saltpetre  ;  that  all 
horses,  carriages,  muskets,  fowling-pieces,  and  arms  of 
eyery  kind,  should  be  given  up  for  the  use  of  the  Re- 
public: that  all  the  plate  of  the  churches  should  \ft 
coined  for  the  national  treasury,  and  all  the  bells  c^t 
into  cannon;  and  that  the  members  named  to  enfo/ce 
these  decrees  *  should  be  invested  with  unlimited  aui^o- 
rity.  1 

A  reinforcement  was  sent  to  the  Duke  of  York,  u|der 
Sir  Charles  Grey,  which  enabled  the  Allies  to-ma^e  a 
stand  in  Flanders  longer  than  the  French  expected  i  and 
they  thou^t  it  proper  to  strike  terror  into  the  Array, 
and  to  urge  it  to  the  mo^t  desperate  exertions  byA  new 
example  of  severity.  Barrere,  therefore,  moved  w  leava 
to  have  General  Houchard  guillotined ;  "  becauie,  said 
he,  ''  he  is  exposed  to  strong  suspicions  ;  irst,  that 
**  when  he  defeated  the  English,  he  did  not  d^ive  them 
''  into  the  sea ;.  secondly,  that  when  he  surr^ded  the 
"  Dutch  he  did  not  cut  them  to  pieces ;  thir/(ly,  that  he 
**  sent  no  aid  to  the  troops  at  Cambray;  end,  foQrthl)r« 


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168     HISTORY  OP  NAPOLROK  BONAPARTE, 

Gen.  Honchard— the  Duke  of  Orleans  &  twenty-oiieBrissotlaes  gnillorfaieil. 


**  that  when  he  retreated  from  Henin^  he  exposed  hia 
"  rear  to  great  danger."  It  need  hardly  be  added  that 
Hoachard  was  guillotined.  Marshal  Lnckner  followed 
him  soon  after,  as  also  Madame  Roland,  because  she  re- 
fesed  to  tell  the  place  of  her  husband's  concealment; 
then  Philippe  Egalit6,  Duke  of  Orleans,  and  twenty«one 
of  the  Brissbtines.  This  number  bemg  completed,  al- 
though Petion,  Roland,  and  .many  others,  were  yet  at 
large,  still  it  was  imagined  the  Convention  was  not  pro- 
perly purified,  and  fiftyrfour  more  of  the  members  were 
arrested,  who  were  guillotined^  whenever  the  Committee 
found  those  executions  answer  its  purposes. 

Looking  on  England  as  the  principal  in  the  war,  the 
Committee  of  Public  Safety  adopted  such  a  conduct  to- 
wards it  as  should  irritate  it  beyond  measure.  Barrere 
occasionally  made  pompous  speeches  for  the  purpose  of 
Enouncing  the  English  government.  Billaud  Varennes 
thought  the  worst  thing  that  could  be  done,  was  to  talk 
of  a  descent  upon  England,  and  to  insult  both  the  govern- 
ment and  people  by  bad  language.  "  We  must  attack 
^  lome  in  Rome  itself,'^  said  he ;  let  the  fate  of  Car- 
**  ttege  be  the  fate  of  England,  and  let  her  proud  capi- 
*'  tsf  be  levelled  to  the  dust  T  and,  soon  afterwards,  a 
meaadre  of  great  malice,  not  against  the  government  but 
the  people,  was  adopted ;  all  English  goods  and  manu- 
focturvs  were  strictly  forbidden  throughout  France,  which 
it  was  >ainly  supposed  would  turn  all  the  manufacturers 
of  Bimingham,  Sheffield,  Manchei^ter,  and  Glasgow  into 
beggars,  and  thus  ruin  the  country.  The  British  navy, 
however,  was  so  successful,  and  opened  such  channels  of 
commerce,  that  this  stupid  decree  was  scarcely  felt ;  and 
the  trade  oT  England  increased  so  much,  that  more  mer* 
chants  and  olliers  made  fortunes  in  England  between  tho 


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AND  WARS   OF   EUROPK.  169 


State  of  the  Slaves  in  the  Colonies. 


years  1796  and  1800,  tkan  ever  were  made  in  any  age  or 
country  in  the  same  space  of  time. 

The  Convention  was  daily  hearing  of  some  new  disas* 
ter  happening  to  the  trade  and  commerce  of  France,  un* 
til  it  was  nearly  mined.  Decrees  were  passed  for  giving 
liberty  to  the  slaves  ;  and  they  were  not  only  freed  from 
their  iniquitous  slavery,  but  their  rude  minds  had  imbib- 
ed, in  about  two  years,  as  many  raw  notions  about  liberfy 
an*!  equality  as  it  would  take  a  century  to  digest.  The 
poor  beings  were  not  merely  informed  that  their  masters 
were  tyrants  and  oppressors,  but  they  were  left  without 
a  guide,  as  to  the  moral  obligations  laid  on  them  by 
their  new  condition ;  and  as  it  never  struck  them,  that  in 
recovering  their  rights,  they  were  bound  to  perform  du- 
ties, they  thought  freedom  from  service  meant  freedom 
from  labour ;  and  by  literally  constructing  the  doctrines 
they  had  been  taught,  they  hoped  to  share  land  as  well 
as  Uberfy  with  their  masters.  Idleness  and  want  soon 
spread  among  all  the  black  tribes  m  the  West  Indies ;  and 
they  began  to  pillage  the  whites,  which  being  resisted, 
many  shocking  slaughters  took  place ;  the  repetition  of 
which,  the  constituted  authorities  were  unable  to  pre* 
rent.  Various  applications  wore  made  to  the  mother 
country  by  the  planters,  but  the  Commissioners  appoint- 
ed by  Grovemment,  were  as  wOd  in  their  notions  of  Uber- 
ty  as  the  legislators  themselves,  so  that  the  planters  saw 
no  chance  of  a  proper  system  being  settled  ;  and,  at  last, 
the  Convention  found  that  the  Colonies  had  invited  the 
English  to  taiLe  possession  of  them. 


VOL,  Ii<— NO.  8.  z 

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170      HISTORY   OF   NA?QLSOV   BONAPARTE, 

Marseilles  offered  to  lie  surrcBuvrej^ 


CHAPTER  XIX. 


By.  an  a^eement  entered  into  between  certsun  Commis- 
SLoqers  firoi^  Toulon  and  Mars^ill^9  on  behalf  of  their  fel> 
low  citizepSy  and  Ijprd  Hood  on  behi^lf  of  Great  Britain^  it 
was  agreed  that  they  should  be  given  up  by  the  inhabi- 
tants to  the  ij^oglish,  to  faif  kept  until  peacp  should  take 
.place;  and  in  case  of  the  Alonarchy  being-  restored^  then 
to  bb  returned  to  France. 

,  The  fulfilling  of  tJhose  conditions  a;s  \q,  Ma]:9eille4,  wa^ 
prevented  by  the  Republican  General  Carteau  taking: 
possessipn  of  it  before  the  J^ritish  troops  arrived*  ToUj- 
lon  fell  into,  the  pow^r  of  Lord  Hood  ;.  apd-in  that  dis* 
tant  region  the  British  government  begaji  a  co-operation 
Ti^ith  the  Royalis^y  which  alinost  exhaus)ted  tl^e  hopes  of 
that  pa.triotic  b9dyy  and  was  the  cayse  of  fixing  the  des- 
tiny of  France,  by  displaying  the  ^i)!,  and  bringing  into 
public  notice  that  extraordinary  genius^  which  ^.t  eyeiy 
moment  since  th^t  period  has.  influenced  the  Hero  of 
these  pages. 

After  a  resistance  from  the  French  fleet  in  tlve  harbour 
of  Toulon^  which  was  ^ai^sed  by  a  differenpe  bet>E|reeii 
Admirals  'logoff  ^nd  St.  Julien^  its  coromapders,  part 
of  the  English  troops  were  l^ded  ;  but  they  l^ad,  scarce- 
ly got  possession  of  the  place,  and  the  fleet,  when  Barras 
and  Freon,  the  two  National  Commissioners  at  MarseiDes, 
made  immense  exertions  to  regain  Toulon.  The  Con* 
ftntion    Mgerly   assisted^    by   sending  immense    sums 


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AKt)  WARS  6F  feVROPE.  17 1 


The  Bni^lih  poBieii  ToqIod. 


fi  the  dotfOfAti  D^piavtaeiits,- 16  tme  ad  tcpiip  a  nmiH 
ber  of  new  bftttiUem. 

The  French  and  English  troops  had  some  skiraiiahes^ 
which  ended  in  ttfe  j^eticb  getting  on^  of  tiie  ad^aneed 
posts,  and  obligih^  ihe  Goales^d  Forces  to  shetor 
thenselves  ^iOkih  iHt  fcM^fs  thai  ph)teoted  the  place. 
Tlie  English  ra^ed  wdHtH  bk  all  tbe  heights;  and  sap- 
jAed  ftem  with  tii6  caniio^  df  the  low^t  decks  <rf  tin 
French  Hne  of  hiMe  iMpfst,  and  reinforcemenii  df 
S|>aniidiy  Sarfiniad^  ai^d  l^icSKan  troops  ^imved  to  the 
sncconi'  of  the  garrisoii; 

Bsih*as,  and  Freoi,  Gotainisi^iotfers  from  the  Conveflh 
Gxm,  c6tlccted  aiD  the  jMitg  men  in  l^eqtfiiilion ;  they  hiA 
an  immense  qoanfity  of  HhSntrf,  sM  85,61)0  troops  word 
otdered  froin  Lyons.  Each^  ettinf  4as  bufy  itt  attacking 
and  defending  detached  points  ;  trild  the'  ke^ts  of  La 
Orasse  were  defended  by  Hhfb/y  eAimAi,  dhig|fed  ^  a 
veVy  difficnlt  ascent  with  gresit  Idboa^  mS  ^oulderfat 
dispatch. 

On  th6  aoth  ef  Septembeir  tibe  Pr^nclr  mMkeA  Fort 
Faron'  «td  succeeded.  Of  siith  colss^qaen66  ITds'  thitf 
pniSt,  ^ch  -wbA  abtodoned  by  the  Spainislk  ^arri96iif,  tfitfl 
ft  WfdT  eveh  tlien  cdicula^ed  to  renAnr  flie  posiiesin6A  ei 
1Pouf6tt  pf^'^'sorfons.  "A  cotintil  i]iittV6ffift«eIy  ^seaiMed, 
bM  it  w1^  ddf^rmia^d  io  re^jjroksj^s'  the  redottbt.  A  se- 
vere engagement  was  foaght,  and*  the  French  at  length 
abaMotiedr  Fa^bn ;  litit'  ihtnre  than  a  fdnrlh  of  tbehr  num- 
ber relkmedtd  besdf-qnarters  ;  for  those  who  escaped  the 
bidtet  or  bsaiydnet,  were  killed  in  escajiinig  over  the  preci- 
{iices'iH  tiieir  ffightf.  The  English  afteirwards  destroyed 
tffro  new  6'afterie^  \diidfi^^re  IflLely  to  dtanoy  tiie  fleet ;  biit 
sb  ^eat'wa^  fli6  (tfdbur  6t^  ft^tA,  that  a  detachment 
utid^r  (SiEiieral  Lapoy|ie  stormed^  ibe  bti|^  dT  Cape 

a  S 


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172       HISTORY   or   NAPOLEON    BONAPARTE, 


Bonaparte  appvointed  General. 


Bran.  The  success  of  this  event,  gained  by  superiority 
of  numbers,  rendered  the  fate  of  the  garrison  daily  more 
doubtiuL    . 

A  reinforcement  arrived  from  Gibraltar,  under  the 
Qonuniand  of  lieutenant  General  O'Hara,  who  had  been 
made  Governor  of  Toulon;  and  afterwards,  by  a  commis- 
sion under  the  great  seal  of  England,  he,  and  Lord  Hood, 
and  Sir  Gilbert  Elliot,  were  appointed .  Commissioners 
Plenipotentiary  of  his  Britannic  Miyesty.  Dugommier 
was  Commander  in  Chief  of  the  French  army  :  he  had 
distinguished  himself  by  his  victories  over  the  forces  of 
ihe  King  of  Sardinia,  and  the  soldiers  were  much  attach- 
ed to  him.  The  Deputies  furnished  cannon,  ammuni- 
tion, and  provisions  in  abundance  :  whatever  the  be- 
siegers wanted,  was  had  by  instant  requisitions ;  and  the 
deeds  of  the  Republican  troops  were  witnessed  and  re- 
warded by  the  representatives  of  the  people.  Large 
bodies  of  troops  arrived  from  Lyons,  and  invested  the 
city  with  cheering  hopes  of  success. 

An  immense  body  of  artillery  was  opposed  to  the  great 
naval  arsenal  of  the  South.  The  conquest  or  surrender 
of  this  arsenal  it  was  resolved,  should  be  made  at  any  rate. 
The  magnitude  of  the  service  required  it  should  be  en- 
trusted to  an  engineer  worthy  of  the  occasion;  and  the 
Deputies  deliberated  cautiously  before  they  nominated  a 
person  to  the  situation. 

Napoleon  Bonaparte,  who  had  re-entered  the  corps 
of  artillery,  and  served  as  a  lieutenant,  was  recommended 
by  his  countryman  Salicetti,  the  Deputy  from  Corsica, 
and  one  of  the  National  Commissioners  with  the  army  at 
Toulon,  to  Barras,  who  promoted  him  to  the  rank  ot 
General,  and  gave  him  the  command  of  the  artillery  des- 
tiaed  to  reduce  the  arseaaL    The  event  warranted  the 


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AND   WARS   OF   EUROPE.  173 


Gencrai  O'Han  takeo  by  the  Frencb. 


prudence  of  the  appokitmeiit,  for  Bonaparte  contributed, 
by  his  military  talents^  greatly  to  decide  the  iate  of  Tou- 
lon and  of  France. 

Napoleon's  first  operation  iras  decisive  of  success. 
Seeing  that  the  possession  of  Malbousqnet,  cme  of 
the  outposts  of  Toulon,  would  enable  him  to  bombard 
the  town  and  arsenal,  he  opened  a  battery  of  heavy  can- 
non and  mortars  on  the  height  of  Arenes,  which  annoyed 
that  position  amazingly,  by  an  incessant  fire  of  shot  and 
shells.  Governor  O'Hara  seeing  the  necessity  of  taking 
immediate  steps  for  the  security  of  so  important  a  post, 
determined  to  destroy  the  new  works,  which  were  termed 
the  Convention  Battery,  and  carry  off  the  artillery. 

Having  procured  some  seamen  from  the  fleet,  to  de- 
fend a  post,  from  which  he  meant  to  withdraw  some  Bri- 
tish soldiers;  at  five  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  the  SOth 
of  November,  a  corps  of  400  British,  300  Sardinians, 
600  Neapolitans,  600  Spaniards,  and  400  French,  march- 
ed from  the  town,  under  the  command  of  Sir  David 
Dundas.  Although  they  weTe  obliged  to  cross  the  new 
river  on  one  bridge  only,  to  divide  into  four  columns  to 
march  across  oliye  grounds,  divided  by  stone  walls,  and 
to  ascend  a  considerable  height,  cut  into  wine  terraces, 
they  surprised  the  redoubt ;  but  in  place  of  forming  upon 
and  occupying  the  summit  of  the  hill,  agreeable  to  orders 
and  military  prndence,  after  having  done  all  the  objects 
of  the  expedition,  they  eagerly  followed  the  French 
troops,  ascended  other  distant  heights,  and  at  last  were 
compelled  to  retreat,  by  the  French,  who  profited  by  their 
disorder,  and  compelled  them  to  give  up  the  advantages 
they  first  obtained.  General  O'Hara,  who  mounted  the 
battery  when  the  French  were  dispossessed,  tad  when  he 


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174       HISTORY  OF  NAFOLKON  HONihPARTE, 


The  Freoch  yrtrf  niebes^M. 


thought  the  abject  of  the  day  was  obtained^  alfived  In 
time  to  witnese  the  reYerse,  and  to  be  wounded  and  made 
prisoner  by  the  French.  His  woond,  though  not  dan^ 
gerous,  had  bled  much*  and  by  thi*^  with  the  eirertioni 
he  had  used,  he  was  so  fnuoh  ifeakened  that  he  could 
not  retire  siany  paces  with  the  trdops,  but  domed  to  be 
left  by  two  eoldiefs  Who  were  assisting  him,  and  whom 
he  ordered  to  proceed  and  sa^^e  themselves. 

The  expeolatiotiB  of  the  heaiegtts  were  much  raised 
by  this  event ;  they  began  to  make  nearer  approaches  to 
the  town;  and  by  means  of  their  batteries,  not  only  tir 
,  tacked  seTsrel  ialportamt  po«ts»  but  threatened  a  general 
assault  The  geeniaon  was  m  an  akrmmg  situation  ;  the 
French  anMy,  whioh  was  near  40,009  itoen,  was  hourly 
iBcresMig,  aad  eommanded  by  an  iafrepid  and  able  ge- 
neral; mA.  their  hMeflies  were  managed  under  the  di- 
rection of  Bottaparte,  who^  though  a  mere  youth,  dis^ 
played  the  mioit  etel  and  dannftteea  cMrage.  Hie  alKed 
troops  never  exoeedM  12,M0  raak  aad  file,  and  iTefo 
much  daninshed  iy  disease  and  death  :  ttey  were  con^ 
posed  of  ft¥e  diffeMit  natiens,  frem  wheM  a  firm  co-ope 
ration  could  nv^  flrom  die  d^Esreufce  o#  thek  hngaage 
and  other  eauaes^  be  expected,  fhese  hteul  fo  defend  a 
otrcomferenee  of  fifteen  aiifes,  iMdudfa^  eight  principal 
and  intermediaee  peeta^  which  alone  required  9000  meil. 

At  two  o'cbok  ib  the  morning  of  die  ITCh  of  Decem- 
bicr,  the  Freneb  epaned  two  new  bMteries  on  Fort  Hut- 
gaave ;  abd  ftem  diese  and  fk«  fovtaey  oneii,  kept  lip  a 
very  haairy  oamiotfaide,  which  Iffle'd  ifittAy  and  destroyed 
the  vrorics.  The  weather  being  rtttny,  tiiey  secretly  as* 
semblcd^alarg^  body  of  troops,  with  which  they  stortii'- 
ad  the  worka,  and  entered  with  fixed  bayett^t^,  on  tii<^ 


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AND   WARS    OP   EUROPE.  175 


Taaloo  retoWed  to  be  ev^ujited. 


*iA^  dpku^^  by  the  Spaniards^  ou  wliicii  the  Britisb 
m4  other  troops  were  <»b)jg€!4  to  retire  tewards  tke  ^re 
9f  Balaqnief . 

An  attacl^  took  pkce  w  oil  the  posts  heM  by  the  gs^ry 
riMNDL  on  the  mott^taiii  of  Fioroii.  They  were  repufee^* 
however,  hn  the  east  side,  by  i^bout  700  men^  ooBimaQded 
fay  Colonel  Jemagnai^,  a  Piedmontese^  o^er,  who  porish^ 
ed  on  the  occasion ;  bat  they  penetrate^  by  the  back  of  the 
«aoi|iitain,  although  1800  feet  higb»  w^  deemed  inac« 
oessible,  so  as  to  ooecqpy  the  side  whj^ejb^  overlooks  Ton- 
Vw.  The  Engliah  troops  behaved  themselves,  with  great 
tiravery;  while  the  Fretich,  trusting  to  ^eir  numbers, 
eharged  with  unusual  intrepidity<  and  success.  The 
Sleputy  Arena,  who  was  a  Ceraiean,  led  one  of  Ifceir 
eelumns ;  and  General  Cenrofii,  a  sulueot  of  the  Kiog  of 
Sardinia,  greatly  distuiguiAhed  hiMi^eIf•  The  9fiw  Gene- 
ral Bonaparte,  signalwed  Umself  by  a  prenaptitucle  of 
exertion  which  masked  him  as  one  of  the  aUsst  ca»di« 
dates  for  military  gbry.  It  is  said,  that  m  ^  hesA  of 
1|i0  engagement,  Banqu.  foniid  ftuJt  with  tiie  djreetien  of 
a  giiB»  whioh.  had  been  pointed  undser  the  ocd^r  oC  Boa»> 
parte ;  (he  young  General  reqn^stods  he  would  aMead  10 
Us  duty,  am  a  National  O0mB|i8sil»|ier,  ^  I  witt  do  my 
dsity,^  said  h^^  ^  aooon&ng  to  my  own  judgiiMl^  and 
be  aaswerablB  for  the  oonseqiieBeee  witk  my  hefti.'' 
Nothing  was  cafMbb  of  indnning  Um  to  fbreg«  ai^  pu« 
pote  wfaiich  he  hadphumed. 

A  009mI  of  flag  and  geAeral  officers  was  held*  irik# 
thought  it  impracticable  to.  segain  the-  posis  they  bid 
lost;  and,  as  the  tow»  wae  qot  tenable,  while  Ih^  re^ 
main^'  in  possession  of  the  enemy,  it  waSi  de^laramied 
thai  TbutoB  should:  be  evaouated.     The  tBeope.  Witfei 


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176      HISTORY  vOF   ^'APOLEON    BONAPARTE, 


Groat  Distress  of  the  fnhabitaiits. 


therefore  witlidrawn,  and,  in  the  course  of  the  evening 
of  the  17th  of  December,  the  Combined  Fleet  took  up  a 
new  station  ii^  the  outer  road.  Early  next  morning  the 
sick  and  wounded,  and  the  British  fi<^ld  artillery,  were 
sent  off;  the  Neapolitans  having  left  their  post  without 
orders,  embarked  at  noon ;  and  steps  were  taken  to  with- 
draw the  British,  Piedmontese,  and  Spaniards,  amount* 
ing  to  about  7000  men,  during  the  night. 

The  retreat  was  to  be  effected. as  quick  as  possible,  for 
the  enemy  commanded  the  town  by  their  shot  and  shells, 
and  also  some  of  the  ships.  The  Allies  removed  their 
shipping  out  of  the  reach  of  the  shot  and  shells,  with 
which  they  were  annoyed  without  intermission,  till  ten 
at  night  of  the  19th  of  December,  when  the  town  was 
set  on  fire  in  different  places  by  the  Allies,  as  well  as 
part  of  the  shipping,  after  which  they  made  a  hasty  re- 
treat, and  the  Republicans  occupied  it  next  morning  at 
three  o'clock*  Much  property  and  a  number  of  yesseb 
were  left  an  easy  prey  to  the  conquerors,  but  the  inhabi- 
tants  were  in  a  situation  truly  deplorable.  When  they 
saw  Aat  flight  was  resolved  on,  they  repaired  in  crowds 
to  the  shores,  and  entreated  that  protection  whioh  tin 
crown  of  Britain  had  pledged  itself  to  grant  them.  Seve- 
ral eflbrts  were  made  to  get  thousands  of  them  to  the 
sUps,  yet  it  was  impossible  to  avoid  leaving  multitudes  be* 
Und  to  suffer  the  tortures  whioh  would  doubtless  be  made 
use  of'on  them  by  their  enraged  countrymen.  Numbers 
wen  seen  to  take  away  their  own  lives,  thinking  that  a 
more  easy  method  of  finishing  existence  than  what  they 
had  to  look  for  from  the  Republicans ;  others  threw  them- 
selves into  the  water,  making  many  firuitless  attempts  to 
reach  the  Biitish  vessels.  The  flames  spread  with  wonderful 


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AND   WARS  OF   EUROPE.  177 


Toulon  .restored  to  France. 


rapidity^  and  the  ships  set  on  fire  were  every  instant  in 
dbugsr  of  blowing  up,  and  buryini^  all  around  them  in 
tolal  destruction. 

But  if  the  land  shewed  so  much  horror,  it  was  no  less 
dreadUd  on  boatd  tbs  ships.  These  they  filled  with 
groups  of  er^ry  sort,  men,  women,  and  children,  old 
Bhd  y^uAg,  and  of  all  natiofls.  They  had  on  board  the 
flick  fram  the  hospitak,  and  the  festering  wounds  of  those 
yet  andrest,  were  dreadfully  offensive  as  well  as  danger^ 
ous.  So  horrible  a  sight  was  perhaps  only  exceeded  by 
the  compiainrts  and  ories  of  multitudes  for  their  husbands, 
fktliers,  or  dnldren,  who  had  been  unatoidably  left  on 
#liore«    No  language  conld  do  justioe  to  this  melancholy 


To  the  miseries  already  mentioned,  there  was  an  al- 
most real  fiMnine,  as  the  food  on  board  was  not  nearly 
sufficient  for  such  a  multitude,  and  .almost  unfit  for  use. 
Thirtf-one  sbqM  of  the  Une  were  found  at  Toulon,  thir* 
teen  wvre  left  behind,  none  burnt  in  the  harbour,  and  one 
at  Leghovn,  bendes  four  more  which  Lord  Hood  bad  sent 
to  Brest  and  Rocbefort,  with  6000  seamen  belonging  to 
France,  wliom  be  tkoagbt  it  dangerous  to  trust  to.  The 
French  acquired  more  than  one  hundred  pieces  of  cauGoi^ 
four  hundred  oxen,  sheep,  and  hogs,  with  gi^09i  quanti- 
ties of  forage^  and  every  species  of  provision. 

Thus,  after  a  siege  of  about  three  nnrnths,  and  an  in- 
oeaamtassaukfor  five  successive  days  Bind  nights,  Toulon 
vrjas  restored  to  FraoMse.  The  French  had  provided  4000 
ladders  for  an  assanlt ;  but,  on  the  etaouatidny^ey  en- 
tered it  at  sev^n  o'clock,  on  the  l&th  of  December,  1793. 
•  Some,  who  hod  aided  the  Allies,  remained  behimt 
and  perished,  either  by  their  own  hands  or  tfia  guillo- 
tine.   At  Toulon,  as  well  as  at  Marseittes,  the  moat  cmel 

VftJ..  I.— NO.  fiL  A  A 


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178      HISTORY   OP   NAPOLEON    BONAPARTS, 
Great  Disturbances  %t  Lyoni. 


punishments  were  inflicted  on  the  Royalists^  and  the  vic- 
tory was  stained  by  the  most  terrible  and  indiscriminate 
carnage.  The  population  became  daily  and  visibly  de- 
creased by  the  constant  slaughter  of  the  people.  The 
principal  habitations  were  destroyed  by  workmen,  in* 
vited  from  the  neighbourhood  to  demolish  the  town. 
The  name  of  Toulon  was  changed  for  that  of  Port  de  h 
Montague;  and  a  grand  fete  was  celebrated  at  Paris  in 
honour  of  the  event,  at  which  the  members  of  the  Con* 
vention  walked  in  procession. 

The.  genius  and  talents  of  Bonaparte  were  discovered 
.by  this  siege :  it  was  a  stage  worthy  of  his  action,  and 
the  recollection  of  his  exertions  at  this  important  time, 
was  favourable  to  his  future  advancement  in  the  armies  of 
the  Republic. 

A  sanguinary  conflict  took  place  at  Lyons  ;  but  the 
people  of  this  place  [acted  vdth  more  caution,  for  they 
professed  the  strongest  attachment  to  the  Convention^ 
while  they  were  collecting  troops  with,  the  greatest  ac- 
tivity, to  repel  any  force  that  might  be  sent  against  them^ 
whenever  they  thought  proper  to  shew  their  insurgency. 
The  chief  people  were  persons  who  had  got  wealth  by 
trade  and  manufactures,  who  were  desirous  to  eqjoy 
thtur  property  in  ease  and  safety,  and  cared  but  little 
about  the  triumph  of  liberty.  Many  nobles^  and  a  crowd 
of  emigrants  and  priests  were  there;  and  the  crimes  of 
those  who  took  on  themselves  the  name  of  patriots,  served 
to  excite  in  Liybns  a  powerful  insurrection. 

Laupel,  a  constitutional  priest,  and  Chalier,  the  mayor, 
gained  over  the  populace  by  bribes  and  largesses.  Hie 
vaults  under  the  town-house  "were  stufled  with  prisoners  ; 
and  the  towsmen  thought  that  plunder,  captivity,  and 
periiaps  death,  would  be  their  lot.    Thw  fears,  wen 


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AND   WARS    OF   EUROPE.  179 

>  The  Major  put  to  Death. 

augmented  by  the  disaficcted,  who  said  that  tfie  Jacobins- 
only  waited  the  arrival  of  some  troops  from  Kellerman, 
to  commence  a  slaughter  of  Uie  Royalists  by  preventing 
their  escape^  and  then  handing  them  over  to  the  na- 
tional axe. 

Their  fears  being  thus  heightened,  caused  them  to  'at- 
tempt the  destruction  of  those  from  whom  they  appre- 
hended such  evils.  The  sections  met,  under  the  idea  of 
adopting  plans  of  general  safety,  and  seized  on  the 
arsenal.  Excesses  usual  on  insurrections,  excited  by  one 
party  wishing  to  produce  desperation  in  the  other,  were 
committed  without  remorse.  The  municipality,  which 
was  devoted  to  the  Convention,  took^shelter  in  the  town- 
house  ;  but,  in  the  night  of  the  29th  of  May,  they  were 
taken  out  by  the  enraged  people,  and  the  mayor  was  de- 
posed and  put  to  death. 

Two  Commissioners  from  each  uf  the  sections  of*  Mar- 
seiOes  were  appointed.  All  Provence  followed  the  ex- 
ample, and  the  insurrection  became  formidable.  It  was 
settled  that  a  congress  should  be  held  at  Bourges,  and 
that  two  representatives  and  a  battalion  from  each  district 
should  assemble  there.  The  Convention  were  acquainted 
with  these  events,  amt  General  Cartaux  was  sent  from 
the  army  of  Italy,  at  the  very  period  when  two  battalbns 
from  Marseilles  and  Aix^  destined  for  Lyons,  teok  pos- 
session of  Avignon.  They  however  abandoned  that 
place,  and  the  river  Durance  separated  the  forces  of 
each  party. 

Villeneuve-Tourette,  formerly  a  colonel  in  the  regi- 
ment of  Artois,  was  appointed  General,  and  being  joined 
by  the  troops  from  Toulon,  gave  Cartaux  battle.  They 
at  first  were  successfhl,  but  the  conventional  troops  hav- 


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]80      HISTORY  OF   NAPOLEON    BONAPARTE, 
Lyons  prepares  for  Defence. 


ing  bees  increaBed,  tbey  were  triumpbant,  and  the  prin* 
cipal  cities  were  reduced  to  their  own  reiBooroes* 

Hie  army  of  Mameiiles^  under  Villeneave,  occapied 
the  heights.  The  M arseillese  were  not  onantmoui ; 
many  of  the  sections  stated  their  wish  to  accept  the  new 
constitution,  so  suddenly  framed,  by  the  Jacobins ;  and 
the  difference  was  so  violent,  that  the  blood  which 
was  spilled  offered  a  prelude  to  what  was  expected  to 
ensue* 

The  Jaeobins'  hopes  were  increased  by  VilleneuTo 
being  driven  from  the  heights,  which  were  attacked  and 
carried  by  General  Cartaux.  Villeneuve,  with  500  of 
his  troops,  the  municipal  officers,  and  a  .number  of  citi* 
zens,  took  shelter  in  the  city  of  Toulon,  and  Marseilles 
surrendered. 

Lyons  now  depended  on  the  strength  of  its  own  citi^ 
zens ;  they  had  sought  to  esci^  the  storm,  by  accept- 
ing the  new  constitution,  Hey  sent  deputies  to  the 
Convention,  but  they  were  recMved  with  strong  disple*? 
sure,  and  saved  themselves  from  imprisonment  hy  flight, 
A  messi^e  was  sent  them,  that  **  they  must  deliver  up 
their  ne^  magistrates,  if  they  expected  mercy;  the  bkiod 
of  the  patriots  shed  by  them  demanded  vengeance." 
These  oflbrs  were  rejected,  and  the  inhabitants  prepared 
for  an  ebstinato  defence.  Hiey  were  in  want,  hnwever, 
of  cannon,  for  Keilerman  had  got  aH  their  erdnaaoe, 
under  tiio  view  of  supplying  Ae  army  of  Ilaiy.  Th$ 
townsmen  were  undisciplined ;  they  were  chiefly  the  &* 
thers  of  families,  who  tremUed  for  Iheir  wives  and  chil- 
dren, and  their  property ;  and  aldiough  an  tpsmense 
body  were  in  arms,  not  more  than  10,000  eonld  b^  de- 
pended on.    The  Jacobins  contiBned  withiii  the  wsdis 


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AND  WARS   OF   EUROPE.  18] 


\ttacked  by  tbe  Republtcao  Forces. 

reiohite  and  deteniimed,  and  the  populace  was  entirely 
under  their  command. 

^  Precy,  formerly  a  colonel  in  the  constitotional  guards 
of  the  Kin^y  was  elected  Crenend  by  acclamation.  The 
fortifications  were  improved,  and  cannon  cast;  and  suck 
was  tbe  general  sentiment,  that,  while  the  young  were 
in  arms,  the  Women  and  old  men  worked  at  the  redoubts, 
and  encouraged  the  wani(Hrs. 

The  army  designed  for  the  attack  was  nearly  10,000 
troops  of  the  line,  8000  cavahy,  several  battalions  of  na- 
tional  guaitls  letied  in  the  neigbbouring  departments^ 
600  artillerymen,  and  20  battering  guns,  besides  mortars. 
The  usual  plans' of  a  siege  were  had  recourse  to;  and, 
besides  the  arms  of  tbe  besiegers,  their  success  was 
assisted  by  the  poorer  inhabitants,  who  not  only  brought 
intelligence  into  the  camp  of  the  Republicans,  but  di« 
rected  their  negoeiations  by  means  of  signals. 

A  tremendous  shower  of  bombs  and  red-hot  balls  was 
poured  in,  and  the  city  was  set  on  flre  in  forty-two 
pheea  in  a  night.  It  was  threatened  also  by  famine ; 
and  two  columns  of  armed  citizens  sallied  out  to  procure 
com,  one  was  cut  off,  except  five,  who  got  back  into 
the  town,  and  their  leader,  Servand,  was  shot.  Tbe  re- 
sistance was  obstinate ;  Dubois  Grance,  the  deputy,  was 
recalled  to  account  for  bis  conduct.  The  besiegers  had 
some  advcmti^es,  but  famine  being  added  to  the  miseries 
of  war,  die  citizens,  after  a  siege  of  fifty-five  days,  in 
which  they  shewed  the  most  h^oic  courage,  yielded  ^to 
f«  enemy,  against  whom  valour  was  unavailing. 

Collet  d'Herbois,  Coutfaon,  Sec.  were  the  new  depu* 
ties,  and  they  wouM  not  grant  any  terms  till  the  leaders  of 
tbe  tumult  were  given  up.  The  chiefs,  therefore,  both 
civil  and  military,  many  of  the  principal  inhabitants,  and 


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182      HISTORY   OF   NAPOLEON   BONAPART&, 

The  Convention  vote  the  Destruction  of  theXiCz*   • 


those  proscribed  by  the  Jacobins,  to  the  number  of  2000 
sallied  from  the  city,  to  seek  a  home  in  a  foreign  land.  A 
few  waggons  with  the  remnant  of  their  scanty  fortunes,  and 
some  four-pounders  accompanied  the  fugitives.  Amongst 
them  were  a  great  number  of  females,  resolved  to  follow 
their  husbands,  and,  with  their  children,  to  share  their 
fate.  On  entering  the  defiles  of  St.  Cyr  and  St.  Germain, 
they  were  surrounded  by  near  50,000  men:  they  per* 
formed  prodigies  of  valour;  only  SOO  men  and  women 
escaped  with  lif^p ;  they  were  mostly  covered  with  wounds, 
And  were  moved  from  dungeon  to  dungeon  until  they 
suffered  by  disease  and  punishment.  About  sixty,  how- 
ever, succeeded  in  obtaining  an  asylum  with  the  .neigh- 
bouring peasantry. 

'  A  fourth  part  of  the  city  was  destroyed  by  the  besieg- 
ers.  The  Commissioners  ordered  the  demoUtion  of  tho 
principal  buildings.  The  Convention  voted  that  the  city 
should  be  destroyed ;  that  this  ancient  city  should  not  be 
called  by  its  former  name ;  and  that  a  column  should  be 
built  upon  its  ruins,  to  attest  its  crimes  and  its  punishr 
mcnts. 

The  sufferings  of  the  wretched  inhabitants  were  never 
surpassed.  Measures  were  really  taken  to  transport 
numbers  to  another  place ;  and  the  Deputy  Freron,  when 
he  entered  the  town,  ordered  guillotines  to  be  erected, 
and  announced  that  "  terror  was  the  order  of  the  day.** 
He  was  surpassed  in  cruelty  by  Collet  d'Herbois :  this  > 
ruffian's  pro-consulship  in  the  south  was  one  scene  of 
bloodshed.  A  J;^and  of  Parisian  Jacobins,  and  a  column 
of  the  revolutionary  army  marched  in  before  him.  The 
process  of  the  national  axe,  did  not  suit  his  impatient 
vengeance  ;  and  the  bayonets  of  the  infantry,  and  some- 
tirne^  th0  sabres  of  the  cavalry,  were  used  to  abate  his 


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AND  WARS   OF   EUROPE.  183 

The  Calendar  altered  by  the  CoBfeiiCkm. 

insatiable  tliirst  of  carnage.  Even  these  did  not  answer 
his  horrid  purposes  with  sufficient  celerity,  and  grape- 
shoty  and  the  fusilades  of  the  troops,  daily  strewed  the 
great  square  of  the  city  with  the  dying  and  the  dead,  and 
flooded  the  town  with  the  blood  of  the  unhappy  inhabi- 
tants. . 


>#»#^#^^^^»#^#^^#^^^l|»^^l#^^#^»»#»■»^»»##^l»»^^» 


CHAPTER  XX. 


The  Convention  ainused  themselves  with  altering  tiie 
Calendar,  dividing^  the  year  into  twelvemonths  of  thirty 
days  each,  and  conferring  on  the  five  intercalary  days 
the  epithet  of  sans-culottides,  afterwards  complementary 
days.  Each  month  was  divided  into  three  decades,  or 
periods  of  ten  days,  and  tiie  tenth  was  appointed  to  be 
a  day  of  rest.  They  decreed  the  Republican  year  to 
commence  on  the  23d  of  September,  the  anniversary  of 
the  Convention  entering  upon  its  functions,  and  began 
ihe  Republican  era  from  that  day,  dating  all  their  public 
acts  subsequent  to  that  period 

Year  of  the  French  Republic. 

Hie  autumnal  months  were  called, 

23  September,       Vendemiaire 
28  October,  Brumaire 

22  November,      Ffimaire 


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184       HISTORY   OF    NAPOLEOX    BONJJPARTE, 
French  Setttrmeiits  la  the  Batt  laleenby  Ittt  British. 

The  winter  months  were  called, 

22  December,       Nivose 

21  January,  Pluviose 

20  February,        Ventose 

The  spring  months  were  called, 

22  March,  Germinal 

21  April,  Floreal 
21  May,              Prarial 

The  sammer  months  were  called, 

20  June,  Messidor 

20  July,  Thermidor 

r  19  August,  Fructidor. 

The  days  of  each  decade  were  called  in  its  oraer  pri* 
medi,  doudi,  up  to  decadi,  and  the  complementary  days 
w«re  to  be  kept  as  national  fetes* 

It  was  enacted,  .that  every  priest  found  in  arms  against 
the  interest  of  the  Bepablic  should  be  punished  as  a  trai- 
tor ;  and  that  all  priests  under  sixty  years  of  age,  should 
be  banished  to  French  Guiana,  if  they  had  not  taken  the 
oaths  fixed  by  the  constitution. 

On  the  7th  of  November,  the  Republican  bishop  of 
.Paris,  M.  Gobet,  his  vicars,  and  som^  other  mem- 
bers of  the  ecclesiastical  body,  entered  the  hall  of  the 
Convention,  where  they  made  a  solemn  surrender  of 
tiieir  offices,  and  abjured  the  christian .  reUgion  at  the 
same  time. 

The  campaign  was  not  in  favour  of  the  Allies,  for 
though  the  British  took  fort  Jeremie,  Cape  Nicola  Mole, 
and  Pondicherry,  with  all  the  settlements  of  the  French 
on  the  coast  of  Coromandel ;  yet  the  Republicans  in 
Europe  were  more  successful,  and  as  they  had  the  for- 


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AND  WARS   OF   EUROPE.  185 


nm  HoptkHcMi  Mbat  Cknma  ^fkrwmer. 


midable  liaes  at  Weissembui^  and  on  the  Lauter,  fidnt 
hopes  of  success  were  held  by  the  Austrians  of  taking 
Landau*  General  Wnnnser  loYeUed  all  his  streiifth 
against  these,  and  on  the  13th  was  permittod  to  penetrate 
them*  The  town  of  Weissemborg  made  a  BMre  resolute 
oppositkHi  than  Lanterbu^g  had  done,  and  it  did  not 
eapitalate  till  the  end  of  October,  whioh  cost  the  An* 
fttrians  about  800  men*  This  victory  made  the  enemy 
push  im  to  Strasburgb,  where  the  Bepublicans  were 
again  beaten  on  the  2&th,  when  the  Austrian  General 
made  himself  master  of  Wansenau.  On  the  S7th  he  was 
warmly  engaged  by  the  French,  but  they  suffered  most 
severely,  ms  their  loss  has  been  counted  at  9000  men ; 
tUs  encouraged  Wurmser  to  invest  Ldoidau.  PiebegtUf 
formerly  a  Serjeant  of  artillery,  conceived  aa  ecceeUeut 
plan  finr  eonquering  Alsace;  he  was  well  seconded  by 
Hoche,  who  bad  also  wielded  a  halbert  before  he  grasp- 
ed a  truncheon^ 

Oil  the  21st,  Wnnnser  was  defeated  by  the  Republic 
Otns,  irho  compelled  him  to  retreat ;  and  their  vietori- 
one  march  was  almost  to  the  gates  of  Hagenau.  The 
amy  of  Ihe  Moselle  formed  a  junction  with  the  army  of 
the  Rhine ;  and  the  Prussians  were  defeated  near  Saar* 
iifiick ;  their  loss  was  consderable.  The  enemyHi  camp 
at  Blieacastte  was  takcm  by  the  Freseh  on  the  following 
day ;  imd,  without  allowing  them  to  recover  from  dieir 
aiahn,  they  went  towards  Deux  Fonts,  under  the  cele- 
brated General  Hoche«  By  the  skill  and  gallantry  'of 
dns  ofiber,  the  heights  of  Milleback  and  Homback  were 
soon  subdued,  and  the  Prussians  found  that  Deux  Ponts 
was  no  longer  tenable. 

TU  Republicans  sufficed  severely  by  making  a  vio 
leri  aitack  on  the  Duke  of  Brunswick  in  the  vicinity  of 

vox,    I. — NO.    8.  B    B 


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186      HISTORY   OF   NAPOLEON   BONAPARTE, 


Picliegni  ap^inted  to  the  Aimy  of  the  North. 


JLauter;  but  thejrsoon  had  an  ample  compensation  from 
the  victories  of  Picbegru,  who,  on  the  8th  of  December, 
took  all  the  redoubts  of  the  enemy  which  defended  Hi^o* 
nau,  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet.  The  22d  was  also  glo- 
rious for  the  French,  who  made  great  havoc  of  the  Allies 
in  forcing  them  from  Bischoilers.  The  Republicans  fol- 
lowed the  fugitives  as  far  as  the  heights  of  Wrotte,  where 
they  were  said  to  be  strongly  fortified ;  yet  nothing  could 
resist  the  ardour  of  the  French.  Pichegru  attacked  them 
with  his  artillery,  but  finding  that  this  proved  ineJSectual, 
and  that  the  ardour  of  his  troops  wanted  sbmething  more 
decisive,  he  marched  up  to  tlie  entrenchments,  which-  he 
completely  carried  after  a  strong  resistance  of  three  hours, 
and  got  possession  of.  all  tlie  posts  which  the  Allies  had 
abandoned,  and  triumphantly  entered  Weissemburg  on 
the  27th  of  the  same  month.  General  Wurmser  retreated 
to  the  Rhine,  and  the  Duke  of  Brunswick  fell  back  to 
protect  Mentz. 

The  siege  of  Landau  was  raised,  when  it  was  reduced 
to  the  greatest  distress ;  and,  by  a  career  of  victories,  the 
French  easily  got  Kaiserslautem,  Grermersheim,  and 
'  Spires.  Such  was  the  animation  inspired  into  the  Repub- 
licans by  the  active  measures  of  the  twoyoung  generals^ 
who  now  maintained  the  glory  of  their  country,  that  the 
name  of  the  French  army  struck  terror  into  their  ene- 
mies. 

'  The  command  of  the  northern  army  was  given  to  Gen. 
Pichegru ;  but  as  Jourdan  was  declared  to  have  retired 
with  honour  to  hknself,  and  with  the  gratitude  of  his 
country,  nothing  excluded  him  from  subsequent  authori- 
ty, and*  he  was  soon  after  named  to  the  command  of  the 
army  of  the  Sambre  and  the  Mouse.  The  French  were 
formidably  prepared  near  MaroUes,  and  thek  artiUcry 


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AND  WARS  OP  EUROPE.  187 

The  British  and  the  French  Rojalitts. 

galled  the  outposts  of  the  Allied  Powers ;  but  the  enemy 
having  crossed  the  Sambre  in  great  force^  vigorously  at-^ 
tacked  their  redoubts,  put  great  numbers  of  the  Bepub^ 
licans  to  the  sword,  and  made  SOD  prisoners. 

The  courts  of  London  and  Vienna  had  united  to  make 
the  most  violent  struggle  in  the  common  cause,  and  Colo- 
nel Mack,  an  officer  in  the  Emperor's  confidence,  was 
sent  to  I^ndon  to  arrange  the  campaign  with  the  British 
ministry.  Whilst  the  other  powers  were  ofii&ring  the  most 
generous  sacrifices,  the  King  of  l^ussia,  who  had,  one  of 
the  ^jrst,  tempted  them  into  the  contest,  was  base  enough 
to  tamper  with  the  RepubUc  for  a  separate  peace ;  and 
by  saying  he  would  withdraw  firom  the  confederacy,  ex- 
torted a  subsidy  of  52,0001.  per  month  from  the  Dutch 
and  English  Governments,  besides  an  immediate  pay- 
ment of  300,000L 

The  French  were  to  force  their  way  through  Namur 
and  the  district  of  Liege,  to  attack  the  Austrians  with  a 
great  force  near  Toumay,  and  besiege  Cond6,  .Quesnoy, 
and  Valenciennes  ;  but  this  plan  was  unfolded  by  an  offi- 
cer who  deserted  to  the  Austrians.  The  opening  of  the 
campaign  was  delayed  to  an  advanced  period  of  the 
year. 

The  British  government  consented  to  aid  the  Royalists 
in  Britanny.  The  troops  for  this  purpose  were  to  be 
commanded  by  the  Eiiri  of  Moira.  But  whilst  they  were 
encamped  near  Southampton,  the  situation  of  the  British 
army  in  the  ^Netherlands,  made  his  Lordship  comply  with 
a  very  urgmit  request  from  the  ministry,  to  land  a  rein- 
forc^nent  in  the  Low  Countries;  he  so  fiir  succeeded, 
that  he  defeated,  both  at  Aloste  and  Malines,  a  considera- 
ble French  force,  which  would  otherwise  have  annoyed 
the  Duke  of  York's  army,    liiose,  however,  to  whom 

B   B  2 

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188       HISTORY  OF   NAPOLEON  BONAPARTE, 


The  Duke  of  York  commanil*  the  British  Army. 

these  succours  were  inteildedt  were  subdued  by  the  vic- 
torious Bttpublicana  before  the  eari  could  reaok  them. 

The  people  of  Noimotttiery  in  the  isle  of  'that  name, 
bad  remarkably  strengthened  their  fortificationa  ;  but 
they  seemed  to  hare  kio&ed  on  their  cause  as  desperate, 
for  they  voluntarily  surrendered  the  town  before  the  Re- 
publican army  arriyed  near  their  batteries.  It  was  ex- 
pected th«it  the  sanguinary  dispositions  of  the  Bepubhcans 
wodd  use  these  unhappy  men  with  uncommon  acTerity, 
hnving  been  an  muok  aeeustomed  to  shed  human  bbod. 
fire  hundred  wer6  abet  at  Nantz,  as  the  guillotine  was 
net  theui^t  suffimntly  eKpeditious.  Multitudes  were 
dispatched  by.  grapeshot^  or  sunk  in  barges,  accprding 
to  their  conqueror's  whim,  and  it  is  stated  tiiat  more  than 
4000  suffered  ia  a  single  pit. 

'The  number  of  780,000  men  were  ready  to  take  the 
field  against  the  enemy,  esolusiTe  of  the  second  requifth< 
tion.  Against  this  immense  multitude  the  Allies  could 
only  bring  356,090,  exclusive  of  the  aid  they  mi^ht  get 
from  Spain,  Portugal*  Sardinia,  and  Naples*  Prince 
Gobonrg  had  140JBQO  men  under  hia  cominand ;  the  Duke 
of  York  40,000  ;  the  Dutch  army  20,000;  Austrians  on 
the  Rhine  60,000  ;  Prussians  64,000  ;  troops  of  the  enk- 
pire,  20,000;  and  the  Enugrants  under  Cond6,  12,000 
men. 

His  Heyal  Highness  the  Duke  of  Yofk  took  the  com- 
mand of  the  British  forceSk  He  accompanied  the  Aus- 
tria General  Glair&it,  to  Videnciennes,  to  hold  a  coun- 
cil of  war,  along  with  Prince  Saxe  Cobourg ;  and,  after 
canyassing  the  most  proper  sleps  to  be  adopted,  each  re- 
turned to  his  head^quarters.  The  Rep;iblican  troops, 
at  the  close  of  the  month,  i^peared  in  West  Flanders, 
and  gave  battle  to  the  out^posts  at  Gateau,  Beauvais  and 


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AND   WARS   OF   EUROPE.  189 


The  Emperor  of  Germany  commandfl  the  Allies. 


Aofennes ;  bat  tbe  Austrian  cavalry^  which  then  appear- 
ed, ootnpeUed  the  enemy  to  retreat,  with  the  loss  of  about 
900  men,  while  that  of  the  Anstfiaos  was  Only  190.  A 
pCtf-t  of  the  Republican  army  haviag^  snipriMd  the  Hes- 
sttins  stationed  atTenbreiril,  between  Werwick  and  Ypres, 
gM  in  the  rear  of  the  Hanotvrian  piquets,  and  cnt  ott 
their  retreat.  Bat,  a  considerable  ^aee  BrtMsig  trwxk 
Menin,  the  French  rethred  with  precipitatiDB,  after  ful- 
filling the  object  ibey  had  in  view. 

As  dkfputes  hail  arkeift  mnong  the  Ihriiv^s  in  the  Com- 
bined Artny,  a^  to  what  rank  they  ihonld  hold,  it  was 
resolf  ed  that  the  Emperor  in  perMH  should  be  Com- 
martdet-tat-Ghief !  and  on  Ins  aniyal  at  Brusseb,  in  April, 
he  was  complimented  by  the  States  with  the  title  of  Di|ke 
of  Brabant  Tliis  wi»  i^ended  with  the  most  solemn 
marks  of  flattery  and  adfilatidn.  The  keys  of  the  gates 
of  Louvain  were  presented  to  his  Imperial  Majesty,  bear- 
ing this  faiscription  :  "  Cmseir  adesi^  Jhetnent  CMliT — 
^  GsBsar  is  present,  the  Gauls  shall  tremble  T  On  his 
arrival  at  ValeAciennes,  the  Combined  Army  received 
Irim  with  every  mark  of  joy,  and  was  reviewed  by  him 
on  fhc  heights  above  Cateau,  and  marched,  in  eight  co*- 
Im^iM,  on  the  following  day,  toirarda  the  small  but 
sttottg  tflTwn  of  Landrecy.  PHuce  Christian,  of  Hesse 
Darmstadt,  commanded  the  first  column,  consisting  of 
Atistrians  and  iDuteh,  whose  destbation  was  Catillon, 
which,  fiffcer  soti^  resistance,  they  obliged  to  surrender. 
Crcneral  Alvintzy,  who  commanded  the  second  ooliunn, 
obliged  the  enemy  to  quit  their  entrenchments  at  Ma- 
:fiinguer,  Oisy,  and  Nouyion,  taking  the  forest  of  the 
last-mentioned  name.  Tlie  third  column,  commanded  by 
the  Emperor  in  person  and  the  Priwce  of  Cobourg, .  had 
i(s  share  of  su<5cess,  in  tbe  reduction  of  the  two  villages 


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190       HISTORY   OF   KAPOLEdN    BONAPARTE, 

The  BritUh  defeat  the  RcpuMicans. 

Aibouviile  and  Wassigoy,  and  the  advslQced  guard  got 
possession  of  Grand  and  Petit  Blocus.  JJhe  fourth  and 
fifth  columns  were  commanded  by  the  Duke  of  York^  one 
by  himself,  and  the  other  by  Sir  William  Erskine.  The 
village  of  Vaus,  witii  the  works  which  defended  it,  and 
,  the  Republican  entrenchments  in  the  ]Krood  of  Bohain^ 
were  marked  for  th^n. 

.  His  Royal  Highness  was  persuaded  that  the  enemy  had 
a  very  strong  position;  he  determined,  if  it  co«ld  be 
done,  to  turn  their  right  wing,  and  commanded  the  whol# 
column  to  march  forward,  under  cover  of  the  high 
ground,  while  a  proper  number  of  cavalry  was  to  deceive 
the  French,  and  divert  them  from  the  object  he  had  in 
view.  When  the  action  began,  the  fire  of  the  Republi- 
cans was  very  brisk ;  but  on  seeing  that  they  could  not 
retain  their  position,  they  retreated,  when  a  part  were 
cut  off  in  the  wood,  and  the  remainder  retired  towards 
the  main  army  by  the  village  of  Bohain.  The  forces 
under  Sii*  William  Erskine  were  no  less  victorious.  The 
three  remaining  columns,  commanded  by  the  Prince  of 
Orange,  did  not  come  to  action  with  the  enemy,  as  they 
were  only  meant  to  watch  the  French  on  the  side  of  Gam- 
bray.    These  successes  of  the  AlGes  enabled  them  to  lay 

'    siege  to  Landrecy,  which  was  entrusted  to  the  charge  of 
the  Prince  of  Orange. 
The   Psince  of  Cobourg  had  part  of  his  troops  at 

^  Blocus  and  .Nouvion,  formerly  mentioned,  which  the 
Republicans  attacked  on  the  21st,  but  by  the  assistftnco 
of  the  Duke  of  York,  with  five  battalions  of  Austrian, 
and  the  brigade  of  British  cavalry,  under  Sir  Robert 
Lowrie,  they  were  driven  from  Blocus,  while  victory 
was  in  their  favour  at  Nouvion,  having  forced  General 
Alvintzy  to  retreat.    The  French  were  collecting  troops 


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AND   WARS   OF   EUROPE.  1»I 


General  Pichepu  defeats  the  Allies. 


from  the  camp  of  Caesar,  near  Cambray,  where  the  Duke 
of  York  sent  General  Otto,  with  some  cavalry,  to  ascer- 
tain their  strength,  and  offer  them  battle,  if  he  should 
think  it  advis^abie ;  bat,  finding  their  force  was  far  su- 
perior to  his  own,  he  declined  an  engagement  till  the 
morning  of  the  24th,  when  he  received  reinforcements  • 
in  consequence  of  which  he  was,  at  length,  victorious, 
forcing  the  enemy  to  quit  the  field  in  great  confusion/ 
with  the  loss  of  1,200  men  and  three  pieces  of  cannon. 
The  loss  of  the  Allies  was  little  short  of  that  of  the  enemy ; 
for,  on  the  following  day,  the  Duke  of  York  was  at- 
tacked by  the  French  at  all  points,  but  they  were,  how- 
ever, forced  to  yield  to  the  British  commander,  after  an 
obstinate  resistance.  The  Combined  Powers  suffered 
very  severely  in  this  battle,  but  we  find  no  statement  of 
it  upon  record. 

The  French  may  now  be  considered  as  having  begun 
the  campaign ;  for  the  attack  was  so  general  as  to  reach 
aloi^  the  frontiers  finom  Treves  *to  the  sea,  a  distance  of 
about  180  miles.  Tlie  column  under  the  command  of 
the  Emperor  was  attacked  by  the  Bepublik»ns,  without 
effect  These  skirmishes  were  only  stratagems  to  deceive 
the  Combined  Powers,  and  preyent  them  fron^  under- 
standing the  design  of  the  RepubUcans.  The  Austrian 
general  Clairfait,  having  joined  at  Moocron  with  the  Ha- 
noverian troops,  resolved  to  act  upon  the  offensive,  when 
he  should  receive  his  expected  increase  of  six  bi^talions 
of  Austrian  infantry.  These  designs  did  not  esciqpe  Gre- 
neral  Pichegru,  by  whom  they  were  disconcerted;  for 
that  officer  attacked  the  post  at  Moucron,  which,  after  a 
warm  resistance  by  the  Allies,  was  obliged  to  surrender. 
Courtray  yielded  to  the  French,  which  produced  the  eva- 
cuation of  Menin ;  that  place,  from  the  victories  acquired 


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102      HISTORY  OP  NAPOLEON   BONAPARTE, 
Lmirtcg  mrraiderB  to  the  Allies* 


ky  the  eii^ny»  h^vuig  daspaired  of  relief.  The  j^arrison, 
whkh  was  of  four  baitatioBs  of  Hanoverians,  and  four 
companies  of  Enkigrants,  fought  through  the  RepublicaR 
troops,  and  retreated,  with  little  loss,  to  Ingelmunster.  ' 


^»»^^^0^  »^^^^»#^S»^^»»^»^»^^S»^  ^^*St^0^ 


CHAPTER  XXI. 


Lakdrbcy  surrendered  to  the  Combined  Powers  kite 
days.  With  such  fury  had  the  plaee  b^en  attacked,  tliat 
only  two  houses  escaped  the  vengeance  of  the  cannon  tX 
the  end  of  the  siege.  Two  hundred  of  Ae  inhabitants 
lost  their  Kves,  and  1200  of  the  garrison ;  th6  remainder 
of  the  soHiers  were  iftade  pnaonera  of  war  to  the  nmabor 
of  4400  men.  The  RepublioMis,  however,  were  trinan- 
phant  towards  Treves,  with  the  amy  rf  the  MeseHie. 
It  was  ordered  to  march  from  IiOBgway  towards  Arkm, 
in  order  to  intercept  ail  oonmtunieatiQn  between  Luxem- ' 
bourgh  and  Treves,  with  the  countries  of  Liege  and  N»- 
mur ;  this  was  executed  with  spirit  iky  Qetteatal  Jourdan. 
He  entirely  defeated  General  Beanlieu*  The  battle  lasted 
two  days,  according  to  tiie  French  General,  and  the  car- 
nage on  eiAer  side  was  dreadfhl;  but  there  is  no  an* 
thority  fbr  the  number  of  killed,  wounded,  or  prisoners* 

A  severe  engagement  took  place  between  the  Duke  of 
York  and  a  Republican  Army  of  30»000  men,  at  Toumay. 
The  right  flank  of  the  Combined  Army  was  meant  to  be 
turned  by  the  French ;  but  they  were  unsuccessful,  for 


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AND  WARS  'OP  «ErROPE.  198 


ne  Rnperor  Joiiii  the  Duke  0f  Toilr. 


tke  regiment,  coiMnaiided  by  Prince  KftumtE,  and  po»ted 
in  aireod,  yepidsed  thett  Willi  Ion.  Foiled  in  ftas  at- 
Umpi^  tbej  ioagirt  to  ferce  llie  center  of  the  Dnke's 
army,  and  attacked  ft  iffitfa  gtettt  jntrepiditj,  in  fhe  face 
of  the  powerfnl  artillery  by  lAadk  it  was  defended.  Baft 
the  Republicans  retreated  with  the  loss  of  9000  men. 

General  Gkirfifft  made  a  conqnest  over  (he  enemy,  and 
obliged  Ihem  to  take  shelter  ih  Gonrtray;  bat  he  was  . 
quickly  forced  to  netreat  across  the  Heule,  and  to  con- 
tinue   it  towards  Tbielt ;    where  he  protected  Ghent, 
BmgeSy  and  Ostend. 

Tlie  northern  Republican  army  crossed  the  Sambre, 
and  took  Binche ;  winch  obliged  General  Kaanitz  to  re- 
treat, and  station  himself  betwixt  that  place  and  Rouve- 
roy,  in  order  to  defend  Mons  against  an  attack  from  that 
qaarter.  The  French  were  determmed  to  dislodge  him; 
and  tbey  attacked  him  on  the  14th  of  May,  with  tiieir 
usual  impetuosity;  but  fortune  smiled  on  their  antago- 
msts,  who  obliged  them  to  repass  fhe  Sambre  with  the 
loss  of  5000  men,  and  a  few  pieces  of  cannon.  Thi^ 
cdated  the  Emperor,  as  he  thought  it  had  secured  him 
that  part  of  the  country;  for  this  reason  be  resolved 
to  march  to'die  assistance  of  his  Royal  Highness  the  Duke 
of  York,  at  Toamay.  The  forces  of  the  Emperor,  the 
Ihike,  and  General  Clairfait  were  to  join,  and  act  against 
tiie  line  of  fte  Republicans,  and.  in  this  grand  attack  it 
was  thought  tfiey  would  be  able  to  drive  tiie  enemy  oat* 
of  Fhnders.  This  was,  however,  disconcerted,  owing  to 
aome  illicit  correspondence  with  the  people  of  Lisle ;  and 
Ae  French  possessed  the  secret  ere  it  was  fit  for  eicecution. 

The  Combined  army,  in  five  columns,  began  its  march 
on  the  16fli,  in  the  evening ;  two  of  tiie  columns  were 
tfieant  to  force  the  passages  of  the  Marque  ^  and^  making 

TOL.  i.^iro,  9#  c  c 

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104      HISTORY  OF  NAPOLEON   BONAPART£, 

gg=gg8ggaa—i ^ 
The  Dake  of  York  rouU  the  Repablicam. 

aoeaaav  itr     nt     •  ■■       ■     ■  '  i  ■     — ■  ,      ■  ■' \  ■  ,i,:jm    ,\  >  .        '     s 

a  vigorous  attack  on  the  French  posts  on  the  river,  were 
to  protect  the  three  columns  which  remained. '  But  it  * 
was  so  late  before  they  could  attain  their  object/ and  the  ^ 
men  so  much  exhausted,  that  they  relinquished  the  exe- 
cution of  the  rest  of  their  plan.  ^  The  column  on  the 
right,  under  General  Basce,  was  as  fully  unfortunate  ;  for 
the  Republicans  at  Moucron,  being  much  more  numerous 
than  he  had  supposed,  he  did  not  think  it  prudent  to  giv9 
them  battle,  but  resumed  his  former  position  at  Warco- 
ing.  The  column  under  General  Otto  had  more  success/ 
as  they  drove  tlie  enemy  from  Waterloo,  and  forced  their 
way  towards  Turcoing.  The  Duke  of  York  likewise  re- 
pulsed the  Republicans,  made  them  evacuate  Lannoy, 
and  marched  on  to  Roubaix ;  but  he  did  not  judge  it  ne^ 
cessary  to  proceed  forward,  being  unacquainted  with  the 
situation  of  the  columns  on  his  right  and  left.  The  Duke  - 
having  acquainted  the  Emperor  with  his  designs,  the 
British  forces  were  ordered  to  march  forward  and  attack 
Morveaux,  as  his  Majesty  was  compelled  to  co-operate 
with  General  Clairfait'.  The  Republicans  were  routed 
from  their  works  at  Morveaux  by  the  intrepid  General 
Abercromby;  and  the  affairs  of  the  17th  might  be  said 
to  finish  with  success  to  the  Combined  Powers,  but  it  wag 
of  short  duration. 

The  French  attacked  Turcoing  on  the  morning  of 
the  18th  ;  it  was  commanded  by  Colonel  Devay,. 
and  the  Duke  of  York  sent  two  battalions  of  Aus- 
trians  in  order  to  make  a  diversion  in  that  quarter;  and 
they  were  strictly  ordered  to  join  the  army,  if  pushed  ; 
but,  tlirough  some  mistake,  they  joined  the  Colonel  at 
Turcoing,  so  that  a  chasm  was  made  in  the  right  of  the 
Duke  s  forces,  of  which  it  was  to  be  expected  the  Re- 
publican General  would  take  advantage,  A  body  of 
K>,000  French  jere   seen   advancing  from  -Lisle,  and 


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AND  WARS  OP   fiUROPS.  195 

The  AUies  defeated  by  the  French. 

another,  having  made  General  Otto  abandon  his  position 
near  Waterloo,  attacked 'the  British  forces  in  the  rear. 
The^  troops  under  the  command  of  the  Duke,  unable 
to  stand  against  the  enemy,  gave  way,  and  the  Duke 
iras  forced  to  fly  to  join  Greneral  Otto,  with  whom  he 
remained,  on  account  of  the  distressed  situation  of  his 
own  army.  It  is  hard  to  say  with  whom  the  blame  should 
rest ;  the  Allies  are  charged  with  a  want  of  vigour  and 
firmness,  while  tiie  Austrians  blame  the  Hanoverians,  who, 
they  say,  "  were  the  first  to  retreat.  They  caused  the 
greatest  confusion ;  their  cavalry  not  only  destroyed  their 
infantry,  but  ^threw  all  into  such  disorder,  that  they  were 
a  prey  tp  the  pursuing  enemy." 

Agreeable  to  one  acoimnt,  the  loss  of  the  Allies  in  this 
aflbir  amounted  to  3000  men  ;  a  number  we  cannot  think 
*' exaggerated,  when  we  consider  that  the  loss  of  the  British 
alone  has  been  reckoned  at  not  less  than  1000  men,  and 
43  pieces  of  cannon.  Two  columns  under  his  Imperial 
Mfigesty  and  the  Prioee  of  Saxe  Cobourg,  were  also  de« 
feated  with  loss,  whUe  General  Clairfait  could  afford  no 
assistance,  as  his .  army  was  divided  from  tlie  rest  by 
the  Ly^.  These  unfortunate  events  again  decided  the  fate 
of  the  Netherlands,  and  diffused  consternation  through- 
out the  whole  couutiy ;  nor  were  a  few  Imperial  procla* 
mations  able  to  support  the  spirits  of  the  Emperor's  sub- 
jects. The  scattered  troops  of  the  allies  being  collected^ 
they  were  again  attacked  by  the  Republicans  on  the  22d, 
with  a  force  of  about  100,000  men,  designing,  if  possi- 
ble, to  turn  the  right  wing  against  the  out-posts ;  the 
French  at  first  succeeded,  but  a  support  being  sent  under 
Greneral  Fox,  that  able  officer  made  the  Allies  maintain 
their  position.  Tliis  dreadful  contest  lasted  from  five  in 
the  morning  till  nine  at  night,  when  victory  was  in  favoui* 

c  c  2 

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106      HISTORY  or  NAFOLX0K  BOffM^ARTE, 


Alternate  ▼icU>ric9  of  t^  dUferant  Powen. 


of  the  Combined  Powiera ;  imd  tke  Fre&eh  findiiig 
sitaation  no  longer  tenable*  withdrew  in  tiie  nigiit,  and 
marched  baok  towards  Lble.  Their  siq^poeed  Um  ia  at 
most  incredible,  being  aUted  at  12,000  BseB.  Thna  the 
French  were  defeated  for  the  moment  in  their  plan  of 
forcing  the  Scheldt,  and  investing  Toumay«  General 
Pichegru  commanded  on  this  occasion*  and  his  skiU  was 
displayed  in  the  position  of  his  army.  The  right  and 
left  MTings,  with  the  rear,  were  guarded  fay  a  wood^  ae 
that  it  was  impossible  for  cavalry  to  do  them  the  least 
injury. 

General  Beaaliea  marched  into  the  dncby  of  BoaiDea» 
attacked  and  took  the  town  of  that  name,  conquered  ei 
large  body  of  the  French  stationed  there,  and  gave  up 
the  town  to  plunder.  The  Repnbiicaas  lost  about  19N 
men  killed,  800  prisoners,  and  6  pieces  of  cannon. 

The  French  were  successfully  attacked  by  Genersl 
Kaunitz  on  the  ^tk ;  and  he,  coming  on  them  by  8ur> 
prise,  forced  them  to  retreat  with  speed,  leaving  behind 
them  50  pieces  of  cannon.  Their  loss  in  killed  has  been 
stated  at  3000,  and  9000  prisoners,  while  that  of  tiie 
Austrians  has  been  called  trifling.  The  Republican^ 
were  also  beaten  at  Keyserslautem  by  Marshal  Moilen- 
dorf;  he  surprised  their  entrenchments,  and  put  numbers 
to  the  sword. 

These  partial  victories,  however,  gave  no  lasting  ad^ 
vantages  to  the  allied  interest  When  Beaulieu  was  doing 
no  more  than  trifling  in  Bouillon,  Jourdan  invaded  tiie 
duchy  of  Luxembourg  with  an  army  of  40,006  men, 
and  directly  got  possession  of  Arlon,  which  obliged  Beau- 
lieu  to  give  up  his  late  conquest,  and  retreat  with  speed 
to  defend  Namur. 

AVhen  Jourdan  was  able  to  stop  the  communication 


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The  AUiet  i»pidljr  dcfeaieO. 


httweM  GbaifWoi  and  Bmssela,  be  thoughi  to  lay  siege 
tir  tike  Aurmer  phms  bat  tbe  Priaee  of  Oraafe  attack- 
ed bim  md  <ibiigAd  biia  ivith  great  l64B  la  rai^e  tha, 
tfif^e  Md  vecroea  tbe  Sambre*  The  Ft eaeb  seon  re- 
liwtod  tbeir  atepa  with  60^000  omq,  aod  destroyed  a 
atromg  :frodrk  wUeb  had  been  thrown  ap  £np  the  defence 
ef  ChailefoL  Thia  iraa  a  place  of  very  great  mpoT** 
teBBe  ia  the  opiaioii  of  the  Conbined  Powers,  whioh 
■ade  tie  Prince  of  Saxe  Cobonrg  undertalte  its  relief  by 
every  mean  in  hia  power.  At  the  wish  of  the  Prince  oS 
Orange  and  Oenend  Beanhea^  he  went  with  the  princir^ 
pal  part  of  tha  OonfaiBfld  Axmy  and  made  a  junction 
^m  tha  troops  Badar  thasa  oSfiera  on  the  21th  at  Nivel- 
les,  situated  »7  milea  Noirth.nortb.weat  ef  Charleroi,  and 
»  North-east  by  Eas«  of  M«is.  Hie  chief  part  of  Joar- 
dan's  army  was  atTen^leuve,  Gosaelies^  and  Fleurus,  in 
«rder  to  covet  the  siege  of  Gharkroi.  The  Kepublican 
posts  were  attacked  on  the  26th  in  the  morning,  and  de- 
fended with-  fary  tiB  the  afternoon  was  fiwr  advanced.  At 
length,  vietory  smiled  on  the  French,  who  gained  a  signal 
advantage  over  the  AHios,  and  forced  them  to  retreat  U> 
HaHe  with  graat  loss.  They  continued  thek  victorioua 
career  towards  Brussels^  and  made  Cobonrg  retreat  from 
Halle  ;  and  Cliarteroi  snrr^dered  by  capitulation. 

Defeat  now  followed  upon  the  heeb  of  the  Allies  with 
an  astonishing  degree  of  rapidity.  Ypres  was  besieged  by 
a  KepubUcan  Army  of  30,000  men,  and  th«r  operations 
were  defended  by  another  of  24,000  strong-  Looking  on 
this  place  as  the  key  to  West  Flanders,  the  Allies  deters 
mined  to  spare  no  expense  in  guarding  it  from  the  ene- 
my ;  but  General  Clairfait,  in  wanting  to  make  the  enemy 
raise  the  siege,  was  three  times  defeated  within  five  days, 
after  fighting  at  the  head  of  an  army  which  kept  its 


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198      HISTORY   OF   KAPOLEOK   BONAPARTE, 

'-         '  ~  ■  ■  '  y 

The  Republicans  defeat  the  Spaniard!. 

.'     ■     ■  ■     -  '  '        -  ■     'f  ■      ss^agqy 

ground  like  a  wall  of  brass  ;  and,, at  last,  was  obliged  to 
make  a  precipitate  retreat,  in  tlie  greatest  conAision  to 
Ghent,  about  44  miles. distant ;  where  he  learned,  that 
there  was  no  further  intercourse  between  that  place  and 
Oudenarde.  Ypres,  after  a  gallant  resistance,  surrender* 
ed  to  the  Bepublicans  under  General  Moreau  on  the  17tli 
of  June,  on  terms,  it  is, said,  not  always  held  out  by  the 
victors  to  the  conquered.  On  the  defeat  of  the  Austrian 
General  Clairfoit,  the  interest  of  the  Combined  Powers 
was  every  day  more  desperate.  General  Walmoden  was 
obliged  to  abandon  Bruges  to  the  Tictorious  RepuUicaas* 
'  who  were  received  by  the  magistrates  on  the  24thof  Jiuie^ 
with  the  greatest  cordiality,  after  signing  submission  to 
the  armies  and  sovereignty  of  the  French. Republic. 

On  the  side  of  Spain  the  Republicans  were  equally 
brilliant.  In  the  vicinity  of  St  Jean  de  Luz,  ten  miles 
South-  west  of  Bayonne,  an  aotion  was  fought,  in  vrhidi 
the  French  were  conquerors,  having  dispersed  or  taken 
prisoners  three  regiments,  and  an  Irish  one  from  Ultona 
was  entirely  destroyed.  The  Spaniards  abandoned  Bou- 
lon,  and  their  camp  at  Ceret,  in  the  month  of  April ;  and 
soon  after.  General  Dagobert  took  Urge],  a  town  situated 
near  the  East  borders  of  Spain,  in  the  province  of  Cata- 
lonia, about  85  miles  North-northvwest  of  Barcelona,  the 
capital.  He  found  the  citadel  able  to  hold  out  for  a 
length  of  time,  and  the  bridge  having  been  destix>yed» 
he  was  obliged  td  wait  for  reinforcements,  during  winch 
liiBC  he  was  shot  by  a  cannon  ball,  and  General  Dugom-  • 
roier  succeeded  him.  One  victory  gained  by  the  French 
BOW  was  generally  the  prelude  of  anotlicr.  On  the  1st 
of  May  they  obtained  a  victory  near  Ceret,  on  the  borders 
of  Spain,  the  fruits  of  which  were  2000  prisoners,  the 
astonishing  number  of  200  pieces  of  cannon,  and  tho 


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.  1M1>  WAKS  or  KUHOPC.  109 

^ictariei  of  Ike  Brituh  in  the  West  lodiei. 

Spanish  .camps,  mag^azities,  and  equipage,  lliis  was  fol- 
kwed  by  a  blow  mo/^  terrible  to  Spain,  their  principal 
aitey  being  ahnost  wholly  destroyed,  and  their  baggage 
and  artillery  taken  by  the  conquerors.  At  CoUioure^ 
about  15  miles  Sonth-east  of  Perpigtian,  7000  Spaniards 
laid  down  their  arms  before  the  Repablicans. 

St.  Elmo  was  quitted  by  the  Spanish  forces  on  the  23d 
of  May,  and  port  Vendies  surrendered  to  General  Dugom- 
mier.  Equally  successful  were  the  RepnblicanI  in  Italy, 
and  vietoiy  followed  aU  the^ir  movements.  In  Piedmont 
akme  they  took  60  pieces  of  cannon  and  2000  prisoners 
besides  quantities  of  provisions  and  stores,  and  a  manu* 
fJMtory  of  cloth  of  great  value.  Neither  the  Alps  nor 
the  Pyrenees  had  obstacles  to  check  the  Republicans. 
General  Dumas,  who  commanded  the  aimy  of  the  Alps, 
followed  a  superior  enemy  through  the  most  dangerous 
places,  and  got  possession  of  the  Sardinian  artillery  and 
aagaeines,  after  many  bloody  conflicts. 

The  victories  of  the  British  in  the  West  Indies,  were 
as  rapid  as  those  of  the  French  on  the  Continent  of  Eu- 
Wfe,  owing  to  the  ^  skill  and  courage  of  the  two  brave 
commanders.  Sir  John  Jervis  and  Sir  Charles  Grey ;  so 
that  time  was  not  granted  the  enemy  even  to  put  them- 
solves  upon  their  guard ;  ,and,  before  it  could  reasonably 
be  supposed  that  (me  island  was  reduced,  they  appeared 
in  full  force  before  another.  On  the  conquest  of  Marti- 
nico  the  troops  were  instantly  embarked  for  St.  Lucia, 
whieh  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  British  on  the  4th  of 
April.  The  enemy  lost  a  great  quantity  of  stores  and 
artillery ;  but  the  subjugation  of  the  island  was  accom- 
plished without  much  carnage  on  either  side. 

Here  the  commander-in-chief  left  Colonel  Sir  Charles 
Oordon  ;  and  on  the  day  on  vhich  be  finished  the  reduc- 


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f (X)  .  HISTOHY  OP  HAPOLBOK  tOVATARTE, 


GoadftlMpe  fiiiveMtert  to  nm  BrMtb. 


tioa  ef  St.  Lacki,  he  embarked  liis  troops  and  rcdamed 
to  Marfmioo*  Ob  ike  6ih  and  Tth^  ik$  tand  ftrocs  ^Mm 
rcBMyved  to  the  ttaBSpertB ;  «iid  m  Ike  Mi, «  det»di^ 
neat  Wi  sent  to  reduoo  the  smdl  islttds  cded  Am 
Samts,  (situated  on  the  South  of  Omdaloupe,)  wUeh  tha^ 
executed  with  ibe  grescte^t  gaUoayirf  ittid^ispslch.  Tw» 
of  4he^  ships,  the  Boyne  and  file  Toteran,  amdiosed  oa 
the  momin;  of  &e  t(Mi  off  Poia<r^a-P«trcu  iii  Gmds* 
kmpe,  and  thoagii  4e  troopiji  were  not  aH  anv^d.  Sir 
Charles  Gnsy  resoWed  to  make  a  land^  at  Qosiei'  Btff 
Ae  next  movning',  \4ieii  his  4roaps  were  covered  4ky  tho 
{^ns  of  llie  Winchelsea,  iriiioh  Lord  OaiCos  ittit  up  M 
dose  to  the  French  batteries,  that  they  abandoned  4ieas 
iratii  precipitatfon.  Next  day,  (the  I3<h,)  at  4hre  in  tho 
morning',  Sir  Charles  toe^k  the  Foft  caHed  Ftenr  4'Bpoo,  «t 
fte  point  of  the  bi^yonot,  and  tttts  got  temiDdiate  posses* 
lion  of  Grmde  Terre  ;  this  was  feUowed  on  the  20Ch  by 
the  conquest  of  Bassotorve,  (sitoaitod  'On  the  S<m<h  msit 
ef  "Ae  island,)  which  surnendored  hj  capitolation.  It  is 
staled  that  tiie  mnmber  of  men  at  Gaaidrioape,  ^paiifiedl 
to  bear  arms,  amounted  to  9677,  of  winch  Iho  'eumf 
are  said  'to  hare  lost  232  m  kiHod,  wounded  and  prioa^wa 
at  Fleur  d'Epee,  and  Ae  Brithdi  about  80.  Tbo  Con^ 
Biandor-in->chief  returned  agsnto  Maninioo,  and  lA  At 
command  of  Guadalevpe  wiitb  Geneval  Dondaa. 

One  ekeomstaiee  of  Hbs  perM  wsis,  the  bad  faam^o* 
moot  of  the  Bk'iHish  Navy,  whkh  made  ths  Frenehfumo^ 
o>ar  merdhant  vessels  so  muei,  4iat,  in  the  monti  mt 
May,  tiKsy  took  00  sail,  wUbt  our  'capteres  wero  A 
BMSt  nothing;  anong  others,  they  <ook«igbt  Westl»* 
diamen,  and  the  Ui^n  packet,  with  a  yast  qmrnlntf  of 
money. 

This   metiMd  of  annoylDg  o^r  tade  waa   strattfe^ 


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AND  WABS  OF   EVEOPfi.  St)! 

Battle  of  «lie  tnt  of  Jime. 

abandoned  by  the  French;  and  their  tMudety  ibr  «  coi>* 
voy,  expected  every  hour  from  Anierict>  irith  the  tich 
produce  of  their  West-India  island*,  made  the  ConTefl* 
tioB  order  a  fleet  of  26  soil  of  tlie  line  (in  May)  to  put  to 
sea  from  Brest  in  order  ho  protect  it.  The  feoamaad  waa 
given  to  Admiral  YiUaret  Joyeuse ;  and  he  had  on  board 
one  of  tlie  representatives  of  the  people,  J^Sto  Bon  St. 
Andre,  as  a  Commissioner,  or  spy  upon  the  Admiraf* 
conduct.  As  Lord  Hove,  the  !&iglish  Commander,  had 
information  of  this  rich  convoy,  he  pnt  to  sea  in  the 
same  month,  with  26  sail  of  ttie  line.  On  the  S91b,  the 
British  admiral  saw  the  French  fleet;  but  it  was  at  a 
great  distance  from  him,  on  his  weather  bow.  When 
they  came  quite  in  sight  of  each  otber^  and  within  reach 
of  shot,  the  20ih  and  following  days  were  taken  up  witli 
a^  number  of  manoeuvres  and  skirmislies  till  the  1st  of 
June,  when  his  lordship  forced  the  enemy  to  a  close  ao^ 
tton,  after  having  got  what  mariners  call  tfieir  weather- 
gage,  lliis  wonderful  naval  engagement  was  fought  on 
both  sides  with  the  most  determined  bravery;  but  the 
Britidi  tars  were  superior  to  the  Republican  sailors^ 
both  in  knowledge  and  discipline.  In  manoeuvring  be^ 
fore  the  grand  attack,  several  of  the  French  ships  were 
much  dami^ed,  and,  at  best,  they  could  in  no  sense  be 
thought  fit  to  cope  with  the  British  commander. 
'  Some  ships  in  both  fleets  had  their  masts  completely 
carried  away  ;  and  die  numbers  who  were  slain,  or 
otherwise  perished,  make  humanity  shudder.  The  Le 
Vengeur  of  74  guns  was  sunk,  and  all  hands  on  board 
perished.  The  patriotic  sentiments  of  tlie  crew 
will  probably  command  the  admiration  of  the  latest 
posterity.  When  the  guns  upon  the  lower  deck  were 
completely  under  water,  tliey  continued  firing  those  of 

VOL.   !•— NO.  0.  D    D 

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202      HISTORY  OF  NAPOLEON   BOKAPARtg, 

Tin  Britisli  Fleet  victoriovt. 

the  upper  tier ;  and  when  going  into  eternity,  they  made 
the  air  resonhd  with  the  cries  of  **  Vive  la  Republique  ! 
"  Vive  la  liberty,  et  la  France  T  About  an  hour  after, 
the  engagement  became  -general  and  bloody ;  the  Repub- 
lican Admiraly  who  was  engaged  with  the  Queen  Char- 
lotte^ crowded  off,  and  his  example  was  followed  by  aU 
that  were  able  to  carry  sail.  The  British  fleet  were  also 
much  disabled,  since  many  of  the  French  ships  escaped 
after  they  had  struck;  and  two  of  them  in  particular 
had  no  difficulty  in  getting  clear  off  with  a  small  sail  on 
a  battered  foremast  Six  out  of  the  twenty-six  were 
taken  into  Plymouth  by  the  British  Admiral ;  so  that  the 
loss  of  the  Republicans  on  this  memorable  day,  amount* 
ed  to  seven  sail  of  the  line,  including  the  unfortunate  Ije 
Vengeur  which  went  to  the  bottom.  TPhe  British  had 
272.  .men  killed,  and  787  wounded.  The  loss  of  the 
French  must  have  been  great,  and  has  been  reckoned  at 
1900  in  killed  and  wounded.  This  was  thought  at  the 
time  to  be  the  most  sanguinary  and  best  fought  actions 
that  ever  took  place  on  the  ocean. 

The  French,  upon  the  whole,  were  no  great  losers  by ' 
this  battle,  for  they  gained  the  object  for  which  it  was 
undertaken.  But  a  iew  days  after  it  was  fought,  the 
rich  American  convoy  arrived  in  safety,'  consisting  of 
160  sail,  whose  cargoes  were  moderately  valued  at  fiv« 
millions  sterling,  exclusive  of  a  vast  quantity  of  naval 
stores  and  provisions  which  they  had  on  board* 


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AlfD  WARS  OF  EUROPE.  203 

All  Foreignert,  expeHed  the  ComcBtioo. 


CHAPTEiR  XXI|/ 

The  political  state  of  France  evinced  the  greatest  powen 
pf  human  energy^  and  every  thing  was  done  to  direct 
the  State  against  the  danger  which  threatened  it.  A  mili* 
tary  Commission  was  formed  under  Carnot  and  others^ 
;vrh6  suited  themselves  to  the  spirit  of  the  times* 
.  Such  miracks,  if  we  may  so  call  them»  were  acted  by 
this  people,  that  they  seemed  to  know  no  political  weak* 
ness»  as  if  they  adopted  it  as  an  infallible  mami* 
^'  That  a  nation  to  be  great  'tis  sufficient  that  she  wiUs  it." 

Tlie  sections  of  the  Brissotinea  and  the  Jacobins  siSl 
continued  at  variance,  tlie  latter  were  Christians^ 
and  thought  that  power  in  the  hands  of  the  former^ 
rould  be  as  dangerous  to  them  as  if  in  the  BoyaKsta, 
and  Robespierre  resolved  to  take  advantage  of  this  pioa| 
idea. 

All  foreigners  were  expelled  from  the  ConYention^  and 
the  people  taught  that  they  had  been  so  ofteti  deceived^- 
anew  Ibe  of  conduct  was  best  to  be  adopted.  Danton, 
unconscious  of  the  danger  of  himself  and  his  friends, 
entered  the  tribune,  and  recommended  confidence  in  the 
Committee,  Nineteen  of  his  Colleagues  were,  however, 
l^nillotined  in  a  shorter  space  than  an  Equitabfe  Court 
yrould  have  taken  to  look  over  their  papers* 

Ilis  friends  little  thought  they  would  so  soon  becomor 

{he  victims  of  the  same  hasty  judgment    The  Conven-i 

tion  were  informed,  (31st  March,)  by  Liegendre  that  fouif 

of  their  members  were  arrested ;  "  Danton  is  one  of  them ; 

D  n  2 


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804     HISTORY  OF  NAPpLSON  BONAPARTE, 

Executioa  of  DaotoD. 
i»         ■■     -  '  ■  ■  11  ■      -         ■■■ 

*'  I  know  not  the  others ;  you  should  hear  them  ;  I  am 

''  pure,  and  so  I  believe  is  Danton."  This  gave  offence  to 
Robespierre,  who  exclaimed  at  Legendre's  not  seeming 
to  know  the  others,  a^d  he.  moved  the  previous  question^ 
which  was  carried. 

I  A  decree  of  arrest  being  confirmed  against  Danton,  La- 
eroiXy  Phitippeanxy  Camille  Desraoulins,  and  Herault 
Sechelles,  tiiey  were  brought  before  iixe  Revolutionary 
Trilraiia!.  None  appeared  to  be  agitated.  The  wit  of 
Danton  di8c<Hi€6rted  the  Judges,  and  he  tlirew  small  baUs 
about  the  size  of  a  pm  in  tlieir  fietces.  All  the  prisoaeis 
asked  for  Robespierre  to  be  present,  but  he  excused 
Iiimself  under  the  view  of  assassination.  They  were 
sentenced  at  two,  and  in  three  hour»  afterwards  brought 
out  to  the  guillotine.  Danton  suffered  last,  and  turned 
kimself  up  to  the  dreadful  axe  ¥rith  such  magnanimity 
thatibe  spectators  were  penetvated  with  respect. 
<  Danton  is  described  as  a  man  of  abilities  and  oloquenoe^ 
trained  to  the  law.  His  person  was  tall,  rather  corpulent, 
and  bat  few  could  look  at  him  without  being  prepos^ 
sessed  in  his  favour.  Many  counter  revolutionary 
diargcs  wese  alledged  against  him,  but  were  never  prov- 
ed* Whett  in  the  prison  of  the  Conciergerie,  he  thus 
exclaimed,  **  lis  better  to  be  a  fisherman  than  govern 
''  men  ;  the  fools  as  they  see  me  pass  to  the  scaffold  will 
^  cry,  ^  Vive  la  Bepublique.'  Last  year  I  had  the  Rc- 
''  volutionary  Trftunal  instituted ;  I  beg  pardon ;  it  was 
^  to  prevent  the  nassacresof  September.*' 

Danton  is  thought  to  have  been  the  planner  of  the  at- 
tack upon  the  palace  on  the  10th  of  August,  which  dread- 
fiii  outrage  was  executed  by  the  ruffian  Westerman,  and 
they  both  ptsrished  in  one  day  on  the  same  scaffold. 

At  this  period-  Fouquier  TinviUe,  the  public  accuser. 


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AMI  WAB8  4>P  BVR5PH*  Q05 


The  PtmouB  £liiahelh  tried  and  executed. 

mm 


devoaikded  that  the  aiater  of  the  ci-devant  King^  should  be 
gpirea  up  to  the  BevotntioBary  Tribunal.  •  The  Pdocess 
£iizabeth  was  accordingly  sent  to  the  prison  of  the  Con^ 
Qfejqg^ie  en  the  10th  of  May,  and  appeared  before  her 
judge's.  The  trial  vas  of  the  same  hasty  kind  wUch  had 
always  distinguished  this  bloody  court,  being  composed 
•f  a  few  absurd  questions  put  to  the  prisoner:  she 
bad  neitheir  advocates  nor  witnesses  of  airy  description 
vhatcTer,  and  was  condemned  to  the  guiSotsne  without 
lortbeir  ceremony. 

;  Bobespierre  fed  his  yanity  by  taking  the  lead  at  a  pro- 
fession in  hononr  of  the  Supreme  Being.  And  the  auk  ward 
joy  which  he  shewed  in  return  for  this  flattery;  gave  the 
malevolent  an  opportunity  of  calling  him  an  ambitious' 
conspirator,  who  meant  to  usurp  the  sovereign  power. 
Attempts  were  soon  made  to  assassinate  some  of  his  par« 
ty,  and  he  was  foolish  enough  to  exalt  himself  into  a  ser- 
irantof  the  Most  High,  and  mounted  the  tribune  to  thank 
God  that  he  and  his  party  as  faithful  servants  to  their 
country,  ware  accounted  worthy  of  the  daggers  of  ty- 

jpant^. 

Though  the  majority  held  all  the  authority  of  France 
IB  dieir  own  hands,  and  could  send  Bobespierre  to  the 
guillotine  with  as  much  ease  as  they  had  sent  Danton  and 
hundreds  of  others,  they  were  fearftil  of  the  JFacobtn* 
Club,  which  was  totally  devoted  to  Bobespierre,  as  aho 
of  the  Conttnittee  of  Public  safety.  The  policy,  Aere- 
fore,  was  to  create  jealousy  between  the  Committee  and 
tbe  Club^  by  representing  the  latter  as  a  check  upon  the 
Govenunent.  Tbe  bait  succeeded ;  the  Committee  thought 
to  see  its  rival  annihilated  in  its  fiivour,  and  Bobespierre 
feared  that  he  must  sacrifice  one  of  his  supports,  or  he 
could  not  secure  either.    His  wish  was  in  ftivour  of  the  ' 


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fM     HIST6RY  OF  NAPOLBOV  BONAPARTE, 


Robetpierre  ordered  into  arrost. 


Club«  for  by  their  assistance  he  could  overthrow  the 
Committee,  and  .form  another,  devoted  soleljr  to  his.  iar-: 
terest. 

To  the  Chtb,  Robespierre  declared  his  relmnoe  «ti  their 
zral  and  good  opinion,  and  his  friends  strove  to  get  are* 
sdation  passed  in  favour  of  his  patriotism.  Tbispro* 
daced  false  accusations;  and  it  was  soon  reported  thaA  he 
was  arming  his  partisans  against  the  Convention.  Bil- 
laud  Varennes  declared  it  was  resolved  in  the  Jacobn 
Club  to  murder  a  number  of  the  representatives,  and  a 
violent  speech  against  tyrants  ended  with  a  charge 
against  Robespierre,  that  the  words  probity  and  -virtue^ 
were  in  his  month,  but  be  put  those  qualities  und^ 
fpot  by  his  practice. . 

~  These  charges  so  deeply  impressed  the  mind  of  Ro-» 
bespierre,  that  he  rushed  towards  the  tribune  to  vindi* 
cate  hi^iself,  but  he  was  not  listened  to.  A  multitudo. 
of  voices  shouted,  *'  Down  ivith  the  tyrant,  down  with 
the  tyrant!"  ~ 

After  Tallien  had  ended  a  speech  against  him,  hft 
moved  that  the  sittings  of  the  Convention  should  be  per- 
manent till  the  Revolution  was  completed ;  that  Robes- 
pierre and  his  gang  should  be  instantly  airested ;  and  it 
was  resolved  that  Henriot,  the  commander,  and  his  wholp 
staff,  should  be  all  arrested. 

Robespierre  still  endeavoured  to  defend  himself ;  but 
so  violent  was  the  Convention  now,  that  he  was  not  al- 
lowed to  be  heard.  Couthon  and  Le  Bas  used  every 
means  to  protect  him,  but  in  vain  5  and  when  they  failed, 
they  voluntarily  entreated  to  be  included  in  the  decree 
of  arrest  When  this  passed  the  Convention,  an  usher, 
was  directly  ordered  to  take  Maximilian  Robespierre  into 
safe  custody.    He  hesitated  to  obey,  but,  Robespierrn 


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'     AND  WARS   OP  EUROPE.  207 

Robefpiem  Cfcapei  to  tlie  Hotel  de  Vtlle. 

gmng  a  signal  of  obedience,  he  followed  him  out  of  tb6 
halL  Tlie  administrator  of  police^  one  of  their  parti- 
sansy  reAised  to  admit  them  at  the  Luxembourg,  and 
tbey  were  taken  to  the  Hotel  de  Vilie. 

Henriot  found  means  to  escape  ;  but  his  troops  were 
not  hear^  in  the  cause,  his  artillery  excepted.  He  form- 
ed them  in  three  divisions ;  one  to  protect  the  Hotel  de 
Ville,  another  against  the  Committee  of  Public  Safety, 
and  a  third  to  operate  against  the  Convention.  Robes- 
pierre and  his  companions  in  the  Hotel  de  Viile  formed 
tliemselves  into  a  Convention,  and  pronounced  the  repre- 
sentatives of  the  people  to  be  traitors  to  their  country. 
Iliis  was  the  most  alarming  moment  since  the  begin- 
ning of  the  Revolution.  The  most  worthy  inhabitants 
•f  Paris  imagined  their  destiny  turned  on  the  event  of 
this  day ;  and  taking  advantage  of  the  alarm  bell,  they 
roosed  the  citizens  by  the  cry  of  Vive  la  Convention ! 

The  representatives  of  the  people  iii  the  Convention, 
were  very  active ;  for,  on  hearing  of  the  escapee  of  Robes- 
pierre and  his  associates,  they  voted  them  outlaws  and 
tndton,  and  some  of  their  meitkbers  were  chosen  to  lead 
the  people  against  the  usurpers.  A  proclamation  was 
issued^  urging  the  inhabitants  to  defend  their  liberties  and 
national  representation. 

The  members  of  the  Convention  appointed  to  com- 
mand the  people,  found  themselves  able  to  attack  tiie 
Hotel  de  Ville,  where  the  outLiw  and  his  associates  bad 
taken  shelter.  Bourdon  de  FOise  appeared  at  the  Pkce 
die  Greve,  and  read  the  proclamation  issued  by  the  Con- 
wention ;  on  bi^  getting  into  the  hall  in  complete  armour, 
the  rebeb  were  deserted  in  'their  greatest  danger,  and 
turned  their  own  weapons  on  themselves,  but  most  were 
pnevented  from  their  designs.    Robespierre  fired  a  pistol 


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208   HISTORY  OP  NAPOLEON  BONAPARTE^ 


Robeipierre  and  others  exeotttfMf. 


in  his  moutb,  which  wounded  him  ia  the  jaw,  while  a 
gens  d'anne  wounded  him  in  Us  side.  His  broiher  brok* 
a  leg  and  an  ann  by  jumping  but  of  a  window  ;  Le  Baa 
shot  himself  upon  the  spoL 

The  ci-devant  commander  of  die  troops  endeavoured 
to  bring  them  to  defend  the  traitors ;  but  by  the  ohmour 
of  some  persons  in  the  streets,  he  was  thrown  oat  of  the 
window.  The  rebels  were  taken  before  the  Revolu- 
tionary Tribunal,  and,  as  it  was  not  difficult  to  make  ottt 
their  persons,  the  process  was  easy,  iThey,  with  Hidt 
numerous  associates  in  villainy,  were  condemned  to  die 
in  the  Place  de  la  Revolution,  where  the  blood  of  the 
unfortunate  Louis  XVI.  of  his  penitent  consort,  and 
of  many  innocent  persons,  had  been  shed.  On  the  28lh  of 
July,  at  seven  in  the  evening,  they  were  escorted  to  th^ 
place  of  execution,  attended  by  a  greater  number  df 
people  than  ever  assembled  on  a  similar  occasion.  Bat 
nothing  can'  justify  the  transports  which  were  seen  in 
every  face,  while  the  people  werd  unamm^us  in  ex- 
claiming, *'  Ah,  the  Villains  !  Live  the  Republic !  Live 
•'the  Convention!"  The  faces  of  Maximilian  Robes- 
pierre, Gontfaon,  and  Henriot,  attracted  the  populdoe,  as 
they  were  covered  with  blood  and  wounds. 


«  ^v»^s»^sr».y<»»^^#^#»^#» 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

The  bat(]eof  Fleurus  seemed  decisive  of  the  (ate  of  the 
Netherlands.  It  was  fought  on  the  very  ground  on 
which  the  French  had  discomfited  the  AIHes  a  century 


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fkb .   *»     REraju^^    r-iAr 


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AA'*<rARS  OF  £t;ROi>£.  409 

Bnisflels  larreDden  to  the  Freoch. 

before,  and  Jourdan,  with  Republican  troops,  was  the 
rival  of  ihe  Mafsnal  Loiembour^h.  A  balloon  was  ele- 
vated^ to  wjiicb  £tienne,  Adjatani-fienferal  of  the  army, 
was  attached,  and  he  corresponded  with  the  French  Ge- 
neral during  tlie  action,  and  acquainted  him  of  every 
fresh  position  taken  by  (he  enemy.  He  conveyed  his* 
informatioh  by  notes  fastened  to  a:n  arrow.  The  loss  of 
the  Coinhined  Forces  was  very  great.  They  retreated  id 
all  quarters,  and  leu  Bruges,  Toiirhay,  Mons,  Onde- 
itarde,  Bircrssels,  and  eveni  Namur,  unprotected. 

The  I)uke  of  Tork  retreated  fromToumay  to  Renaix, 
and  General  Wahnoden  left  Bruges.  Earl  Vtoira,  how- 
ever, gave  the  British'  Commander  iii  Chieif  mlnch  assis- 
tance, after  be  had  rebiilsed  the  French  at  Alost,  wiiero 
Lieutenant  Colonels  Doyle  and  Vandeleiir  distinguished 
theinselvex  -  1 1  af  Malines,  where  he  forced  theiii  to  re- 
tire, after  t!;cy  had  attacked  the  outposts  of  the  Ciuke  hi 
front  of  the  candl  leading  from  Brussels  to  Antwerp. 

The  Prince.of  Saxe  Cobourg,  however,  was  determin- 
ed not^  to  give  up  the  ancient  domain  of  tile  House  ot 
Austria  without  a  severe  struggle.  !flte  collected  the  re<-' 
miiki  of  the.  army,  whicli  the  French  attacked  aloid  forced 
from  Mons.  Tie  rear  guard  6t  the  AHies  quitted  tne 
^own  6y  one  gat'e^  while  the  van  of  the  French  entered 
hy  imother.  The  Prince  fortined  iimself^  at  Soigiiies, 
and  made  the  post  as  strong  as  tha{  oP  Jemappe.  The 
French,  l^owever,  braved  the  fire  of  the  immense  ai€t 
lery,  and  shewed  their  excellent  discioline  by  being 
Beedless  of  the  slaughter  wEici  ensnecL  't^eir  victory 
was  completed'  (Lmidst  a  ioffiEIe  cariiage.  The'  Aus^ 
^ans  quickTy  passed  throtig^h  Brussels :  the  ihihabitaht^ 
saw  their  flight  with  satisfactioh.  iiey  opeoed  t^ei^ 
gates  to  tho  French  wit&  t&e  greatest  joy,  anfl  prochum- 

roU   I.— KO.  ft  »   B  rn^^n]o 

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210      HISTORY   OF   NAPOLEON  ^tfcAPARTE, 

Genenl  Clatrfait  defeated. 


ed  their  anion  with  the  Republic,  which  was  so  eminently 
victorious.  Oudenarde,  Ghent,  and  Ostend,  joined  ui 
these  exaltations,  and  the  sovereignty  of  the  Low  Coun- 
tries was  lost  to  Austria,  probably  for  ever. 

The  French  armies  of  the  North,  Sambre,  and  Mease, 
joined  at  Brussels,  and  got  an  immense  quantity  of  stores 
and  magazines,  during  their  rapid  career.  The  luxuri- 
ant crops  of  the  Netherlands  were  on  the  ground ;  and 
the  Republicans  levied  heavy  contributions  of  money  and 
com.  Nieupdrt  resisted  till  the  .19th,  though,  during 
the  blockade,  it  was  dreadfully  bombarded  by  an  army  of 
dO,000  men. 

The  Prince  of  Orange  was  stationed  at  Waterloo ;  but 
on  account  of  the  strong  reinforcements  which  the  enemy 
were  constantly  receiving,  found  the  post  at  Waterloo 
no  longer  tenable,  and  retreated  across  the  Dyle  witk 
great  loss.  He  fixed  his  head-quarters  at  Niel,-.  where 
the  French  did  not  suffer  him  to  remain  long.  The  Stadt- 
holder  invited  the  Dutch  to  give  every  tenth  man  to  save 
his  country  and  humble  France ;  but  his  subjects  listened 
with  coldness  and  indifference. 

General  Kleber  marched  from  Brussels  to  LioUvain,  on 
the  15th  of  July,  with  one  division  under  his  command ; 
to  favour  which  movement  Lefevre  and  others  continued 
their  march  in  the  front  of  the  Dyle.  At  a  place  called 
the  Iron  Mountain,  General  Clairfait  endeavoured  to  stop 
the  enemy,  but  was  defeated  with  the  loss  of  6000  men 
in  killed,  wounded,  and  prisoners.  The  Abbey  of  Flo- 
,  rival  was  seized  upon  by  Generals  Dul).ois  and  Lefevre,. 
while  Kleber  attacked  Louvaih,  which,  after  a  gallant 
resistance,  was  obliged  to  surrender.  In'  the  rapid  re- 
treat towards  iTirlemont,  the  Austriians  lost  a  prodigious 
number  of  men  in  killed  and  taken  prisoners, . 


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AKD  WARS  OP  EUROPE,  211 


The  Territory  of  Liege  taken  bj  the  French, 


.  Namurwas  evacuated  ill  the  night  of  the  IGthbyVOene'- 
ral  Beaulieu,  land  on  the  20th  the  keys  were  oJSered  at 
Qie  bar  of  the  Convention. 

;  llie  femous  pass  at  the  town  of  Lier,  defended  by 
General  Wahnoden,  was  forced,  and  a  trumpeter  dis- 
patched to  Antwerp,  to  announce  their  design  of  ent*- 
ing  that  city.  On  the  34th  they  got  possession  of  Ant-* 
wcrp  without  opposition,  and  found  immense  magazilnes 
of  hay  with  thirty  pieces  of  cannon;  altiiough  the  cdm* 
bined  powers  had  destroyed  magazines  of  forage. at  their 
departure  valued  at  half  a  million  sterling. 

By  the  retreat  of  the  Austrians  from  Lonvain,^  the 
iprbole  territory  of  liege  was  exposed  to  the  intrepid 
Jourdtn.  He  pressed  &e  enemy  to  Maestricht,  when  his 
advanced  gix^Ltd  marched,  on  the  27th,  towards  the  river 
J^r,  while  the  combined  army  was  stationed  before  liege, 
where  it  defied  the  cannonade  of  the  French  for  som6 
^e,  but  at  length  retreated  with  loss^.  The  Bepublicans 
entered  liege,  while  the  Allies  entrenched  themselves  on 
the  height  Qf  Chartreux.  ' 

The  Allies  abandoned  Fort  LQIo  on  the  river  Scheldt^ 
ai^d  General  Moreau  took  the  island  of  Cadsand,  in  which 
were  seventy  pieces  of  cannon,  one-third ,  of  which  were 
brass,  a  great  quantity  of  tents  and  waggons,  with, 
military  and  other  stores.  General  Almain  summoned 
the  garrisoQ  of  Sluys ;  but  Vanderdugan  repliedl,  **  the 
honour  pf  defending  a  place  like  Sluys,  that  of  command- 
ing  a  brave  garrison,  and  the  confidence  they  repose  in 
me,  arc  my  answer."  This  brave  ojfficcr  bore  the  attacks 
of  the  besiegers  till  the  25th  of  August,  at  which  time  he 
surrendered.  The  garrison  were  made  prisoners,  btil 
H^  ]French  general  allowed  them  to  march  out  with  the 
bonours  of  war,  in  testimony  of  their  K*^'''**  ^f^*(^^ 


f)S     HISTORY  pF  Sr^BOtEpN  fOKiiPARTE, 


CoDtioaed  Suoceu  of  the  French  Armiei . 

1^      ^ 


'Pk9  W^^  ^f'  ^^  BliUie  and  AfQ^elle  i^ere  abo  yioto- 
Mipr%.  Jl^  W^pumry  battle  ens)Die4  at  Spirp9>  and  vifs- 
tory  seemed  doubtfal.  The  next  d^j  the  Fri^fi^lf  attack* 
^  the  Phi^sians  witb  ^eater  v^qur,  and  ffter  9fi^pn  at- 
t|p^8  Gariie4  the  posts  w)i^h  the  Pmssians  bad  fort|fie4 
o|i  ^  f9P  of  piatobetgy  acooi^ited  the  loftiest  pipiintaqi 
ip  Uie  (^rrite^  9f  I^PPX  ]Popft,  TTie  ^pul^Uc^  U^Jf. 
piii^  i(«iM>  Resides  a^upnmtion,  va^^os,  horses,  vf^  ^ 
ni}D4>er  ff  prisoners.  The  Prussian  troops,  qoqE)n)^e<| 
^iy  |hf  Pr^p?  pf  Hqhenlojje,  retrp^ted  t^  f  djckhf^flfeji, 
At  Tripstadt,  after  a  bloody  qontest,  the  Frepch  werp 
viotoqous,  and  took  two  bowits&ers^  if|t|)  g\x  pieces  of 
fiafinon. 

llie  Freqch  attacl^ed  every  pof t  of  the  ^nemy  froi|i 
Jif^e^st^t  to  the  Phine,  a  4i$tance  of  ^venteen  mil^^ 
ajong'  the  rpv^r  X^etu^cB.  A-  cannonade  began  at  two 
p'clock  fn^  cqntinued  till  e^ht  in  the  evening,  when  the 
troops  pf  the  JBfiperor  retreated  witi)  ^xeat  pf ecipitationi 
a^d  pa^^^d  pyqr  .fte  Bhi^ie^  while  the  Prussians  retreated 
towards  Guntersblam,  and  a  part  towards  Mentz.  Kei- 
serslautep  siirrendered  -  to  the  French  without  oppo* 
4itio9. 

Treves^  Lf^idrecy,  Valenciennes^  Qucsnoy,  and  Condf , 
f<pU  into  the  bands  of  the  French.  Hie  Republicans 
found  Id  these  places  an  immense  quantity  of  stores  of 
eyery  deifory)tion«  with  upwards  of  500  pieces  of  cannon^ 
and  plenty  of  musquets  and  ammunition.  It  is  stated^ 
mt  not  less  that  3,000,0001.  bad  been  expended  on  the 
fprtiSca^ons  of  Valenciennes  by  his  Imperial  Majesty.  A 
ti»oi;^s^4  emigrants  were  here  delivered  up  to  t^ieir^im* 
IJI^cc^m  ^pantrymen. 

Tbfi  Bfit^I{  amy,  on  retreating  from  Antwerp,  march* 
^^WMlBpffik    ^e  f]|g;ht  fBolnin^  passed  t)irough  tbf 

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AND  jy^BB  Qg  EpyQpgt  ai3 

The  Duke  of  Tork  retreats  across  the  Mease. 

icitjr  Qfi  the  4tb  of  August,  and  the  left  inarched  round  i^ 
Iff  Of 4f?  \9  occupy  a  pps^^op  about  four  {niles  distant,  to 
^^9Pfn^  W|Jli  ||ie  ^ri^opr  Tl?«  Ppi??©  of  Or^ge  was 
4)l€Q9Pfei)  in  fnili^ '  t^e  town  and  garrison  in  the  best 
-  $td^^  of  f}pf$Hf  ^  yfhio\i  it  w^  believed  woujd  be  power- 
fully assisted  by  ti^  Pul^p  of  Tprk^  army^  consisting  of 
^,QPPfi{e|i.  Thp  Difkip,  however,  retreated  from  Breda 
^T^df  S.gi3-)p-Di^  ^  ittie  enfl  of  A^^t;  ^th  little  or 
Bo  opposition  from  the  enemy. 

.  Geifpr^l  Pichegru  w^  ^t  the  head  of  80,000  men.  Tha 
]^jepyt)Uc^s  fiirpf4  ^  village  of  Bpxtel  on  the  24th,  with 
tftpir.  advanced  gufurd.  Qis  Rpyal  Higbniess  retreated 
§cr9S9  the  ^epse  09  t}i^  16t)i»  and  took. a  position  about 
li^ee  miles  from  Qrayc.  In  these  attacks  the  Dutch  say 
^  the  41Iips  lost  2000  men,  and  add,  that  the  Buke  of 
'Ypr^L's  {^treat  gave  so  «asy  a  parage  into  Holland,  tliat 
an  eiffmjr.of  v^qh  le33  courage  tbui  th^  French,  woifhi 
Ip^y^  f  eqdily  undertaken  it. 

Thp  ^ripcc  of  Cobojirg  u^ed  aU  his  efforts  to  rouse  the 
^rptes  of  Germany  to  m^e  «  desperate  effort  in  vindica- 
tion  of  Gennanic  liberty.  He  allowed  that  the  resourcea 
ja(  the  Fjrench  were  ipexbau^tible,  q^4  ^^if  forces  innu- 
merable. |Ie  deolared,  that  if  they  did  not  assist  in  re- 
pelling t|ie  inv£^4^>  be  wquUI  pass  the  Hhine,  a^d  leave 
the|n  and  their  property  to  be  plundered  by  the  R^pub- 
licajis. 

Tbi9f  however,  was  not  the  time  for  ifisujpg.mapifea- 
4)»ef,  wIm^Q  tJ^e  French  were  so  eminei^^y  yictorioi^ip 
^j^^i  fiyerj  ^uart^f  ;  but  th^  Emparpr  loojeed  on  Aiiu- 
t^  ander  the  same  necessity  to  try  the  e;9(p^rinient  H^ 
i»dmitt^4  that  his  resources  w^e  total^  ^adequate  tp 
4S9mbat  such  ^a  tncmy  with  any  chajpce  of  success.    He 


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214      HISTORY  OF  NAPOLEON  BONAPARTC, 

.■!  ■  I.I,-,  '  I.  .lit 

The  FreochteDter  Aiz-la-Chapelle. 

felt  indignant  at  his  Prussian  Majesty,  for  accepting  a 
subsidy  from  Great  Britain^  and  omitting  to  fulfil  his 
compact.  He  stated  that  so  strong  were  the  French 
armies,  and  so  inconceivably  rapid  their  march,  that  he 
was  under  the  necessity  of  withdrawing  his  forces,  and 
employing  them  to  defend  his  own  dominions. 

The  Prince  of  Saxe  Cobourg  was  dismissed  from  his 
command,  and  bid  farewel  to  bis  army  in  a  most  pathetic 
*  address. 

The  Austrians,  under  General  Latour,  were  stronglj 
entrenched  near  liegc,  and  two  strong  camps  were  occu^ 
pied  by  18,000  men  on  the  river  Aywaille,  whose  banks 
were  also  defended  by  very  steep  rocks;  The  Republicans 
carried  all  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet,  and  took  the  camps 
at  full  charge.  The  loss  of  the  Austrians  here  was  very 
considerable.  General  Clair&it,  then  between  liege  and 
Maestricht,  sent  eighteen  battalions  to  support  Latoor, 
by  which  opportune  assistance  ho  collected  the  scattered 
remains  of  his  army.  The  Firench  again  gave  battle  on 
fhe  next  day,  and  he  was  obliged  to  retreat  to  Herve,  after 
losing  all  his  artillery. 

^  General  Clairfait  retreated  to  Juliers,  and  the  French 
made  their  triumphal  entry  into  Aix-la-Chapelle. 

His  position  at  Juliers  was  taken  with  that  judgment 
for  which  he  has  always  been  eminently  distinguiished ; 
but  the  French  crossed  the  Roer,  and  gave  battle  to  all 
the  posts  of  the  brave,  but  unfortunate  Austrian  com- 
mander. The  conflict  was  terrible,  and  continued  four 
days,  but  victory  was  ^in  favour  of  the  Republicans. 
Claiifait,  unable  to  maintaui  the  oombat,  and  having  suf* 
fered  great  bss,  took  advantage  of  a  fog,  and  effected 
his  retreat    Juliers  immediately  surrendered,  and  the 


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AND  WARS  OF  EUROPE  215 

___  '  ^       "     r 

The  Army  of  the  Rhine  oonitaotly  Tictorioni. 

arsenal*  was  found  abundantly  supplied.  The  Austiian 
genend  retlreated  in  the  greatest  confusion,  and  he  lost 
niunbers  of  men  both  in  retreating  and  fighting. 

,  Cologne  was  taken  by  the  French  on  the  6th  of  October, 
and  they  were  welcomed  by  the  inhabitants  with  every 
demonstration  of  joy. 

.  CoUents  was  odious  to  the  Republioaas,  as  being  ear- 
liest IB  sheltering  the  emigrants.  The  Allies  were  busied 
f&r  two  months  in  throwing  up  very  formidable  redoubts 
before  it.  In  October  General  Jourdan  sent  General 
Marcean  to  Coblentz,  with  his  division;  he  fell  in  with 
4ie  Hussars  of  the  Alliies  op  the  22i,  when  he  boldly  en- 
l^ed  ihpm,  kiUed  vast  numbers,  and  took  fifty  prison- 
era.  On  the  following  day  he  took  the  redoubts  with  his 
iaSuktrf,  by  assault,  and  the  Austrians  repassed  the 
BUne  in  confusion.  The  Republican  army  of  the  Rhine 
was  going  on  from  victory  to  victory.  Frankendal 
lielded  to  the  Freneb  on  the  17th  of  October,  and  the 
next  day  they  triumphantly  entered  into  Worms.  The 
mns^  of  the^  Moselle  took  Bingen,  from  whence  the  siege 
of  Mentz  may  be  said  to  have  been  begun. 


»»«*>»^###»»*'#^ 


CHAPTIill  JSXIV. 

'  Fort  Crevecoeur  and  Bois-Ie-Bue  fell  into  the  hands  of 
the  Republicans, 


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ilG     HisTORt  OF  inxvoLtari  AcMA^artc, 

JL  6dt!fh  colamti  defe&ted. 


After  the  takings  bi  Bois-le-Dbc,  Gen^nS  PMhi^gttf 
asked  for  leav^  of  absetfce  fiponi  tts  aiUy,  Iffir  b^WA  btt^liq|. 
been  mach  }Djare^.  He  had  cotnibstMted  dtnKfi^  two  a6^ 
live  campcugns,  wiffidat  ifem^  oii6d  bieateii.  Thfi  (Sen- 
Veution  granted  his  reqtfeit,  zHA  nomiiteted  GMMI 
Moreau  to  succeed  him. 

The  Duk^  of  To^k  states,  that  oA  il!(i  ISBi-  m  ]I«(>«Ih 
licans  attaclled  aA  Ae  advanced  posts  on  Us  ^'f^t^Ai§ 
with  gre&t  force,  aihd  tTiat  die  |[yost  t6  Hth  left  bTtfiffr  87tif 
regiment  was  fotHtQ,  which  6l>T7^ed  Madoy  H6pe  lo  retiM 
on  {he  dylLe  alonfg  l!he  Waial,  i^Utfar  b6  did  M  some  titev 
and  did  not  meet  w^  mach  opposifkii  Arott  ft^  eneidyi 
His  Itoyat  Highness  then  adds,    ^^  unibi^taniite^,  kdfM 
ever,  a  strong  b6dy  of  d^e  enem/f  hnss^s,  bdii|;  irib^ 
faked  for  the'corpi^  of  jfloh^n,  the  regiment  dFdweUhfliem 
(o  come  on  nnmolestd'd,  wh6n  tbb  bossani  lAiMdMfel) 
attacked;  and  the  Aar^owi^si  of  fhe  djfke,  #MA»  M 
every  o(h6r  occ^ion^nlti&rt  haVe  allbrded  ar  sb^uiSty'  ter  A< 
infantry,  m  thi^  in^taAce  adted  a|^aiiM  them,  «l  tti^ 
were  drfveri  off  it  by  thd  eAem/^  chaCrge.^    OP  the  Wft 
regiment  only  th^  raafof  iDid  My  men*  €^ckpiA  the  dt^ab** 
tations  of  the  field  of  battle.    General  Picbegru  says,  that 
he  made  600  prisoners,   besides  69  emigrants,  and  took 
four  pieces  of  cannon.    Three  hundred  of  the  unforta* 
nate  emigrants  were  also  cut  to  pieces. 

The  French  having  made  the  passage  of  the  Hense, 
in  order  to  attack  the  left  wiog  of  his  army,  on  the  4th 
of  November  Gen^nri^WfttfActi'MmMered  a  sortie  from 
Nimeguen,  under  Major-General  de  Buigh,  consisting  of 
800Q  men^  inchiding  Dutch,  Bi9tidl>  and  Hanaveriaos. 
By  the  official  returns  the  Republicans  lost  about  SOOmen. 
aud  that  of  the  Allies,  independent  of  the  Dutch^  was 


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AND  WARS  OP  fiVROFB,  317 

EvMMCioa  of  NinMgttM  by  th»  Bvhfiib. 

£!••  The  intrepid  C^neral  de  Burgk,  nrho  ooiiiiiiaiided» 
WQS  woHoded*  TUi  ofeeked  Ae  d«»igi»  of  the  FrenoU 
tfeo|Ni. 

liie  t«iwii  was  te  be  deserted  on  the  evenings  of  the  7tl| 
•f  October*  The  Hasoverian  and  British  troops  effeeted 
a  retreat  in  a  tolerable  manner  ;  but  their  harry  in  de^ 
stroying-  the  bridge  before  the  Dntch  troops  couhl  reach 
it,  prodnced  the  most  fatal  eftots  to  the  Allies.  Finding 
it  on  ftre,  they  sought  to  pass  Ate  river  over  the  great 
fiying  bridge  ;  but  no  sooner  had  tiiey  got  upon  it,  than 
it  swung  round,  either  owing  to  tike  Republican  artiUery 
having  out  the  ropes,  by  whidi  it  was  kept  in  one  po- 
sition, or  from  a  mistake  of  the  troops,  who,  tliinking 
that  the  enemy  had  possession  of  the  bridge,  fired  upon 
it  for  a  length  of  time.  The  issue  was,  fliat  they  perish* 
ed  by  shot,  or  m  the  river,  or  were  taken  by  thd  Repub- 
licans, who  then  had  possessioik  of  Nimeguen.  General 
Miehaud  obtained  the  possessioA  of  Phflippine,  on  the 
Scheldt,  and  of  Sas^de*6hent. 

Hie  French  passed  the  House,  and  General  Kleber 
summoned  Ments,  but  wi&out  etbet  In  spite  of  two 
sorties,  the  batteries  were  completed  in  less  than  two  days, 
with  some  sti'ong  works  on  the  Idmberg.  Hie  Republic 
can  artiUery  was  increased  by'thirty  pieees  of  cannon. 
General  Kfeber  a  second  time  summoned  the  town,  and 
wlien  the  trumpeter  left  Ae  gates  the  besieging  army 
poured  shot  and  shells  m  the  town,  and  continued  it  dur- 
ing the  night  In  the  whole  circumference  of  Hit  city  it 
was  not  easy  to  find  a  spot  that  could  be  looked  on  as  a 
place  of  safety ;  many  public  and  private  boiUtngs  were 
wholly  destroyed,  and  nothing  was  heard  but  the  dismal 
groans  of  ftkt  wounded  and  &e  dying. 

This  dreadfid  spectacle  lasted  for  three  days;  at  the 

VOL.  I.— NO,  10,  f   W  rr^c^n]f> 

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818     HISTORY  OF   NAPOLEON   PONAPARTE, 


BeUegaide  Minreoden  to  tbe  French. 


end  of  which  time. the  governor,  overpowered  by  the  sup- 
plications q(  the  miigistrates  and  people,  offered  to  pego- 
ciate  with  General  Kleber,  and  the  city  surrendered  by  ca- 
pitalatioii  on  the  4th  of  November.  The  garrison  weft 
made  prisoners  of  war,  and  were  not  to  bear  arms  against 
France  till  regularly  exchanged^ 

The  army  of  the  Eastern  Pyrenees  was  commanded  by 
General  Doppet,  who  marched  w  the  14th  of  June  from 
Puycerda  to  Campredon,  which  he  made  his  head-quar- 
ters, after -he  had  become  master  of  Tonges  and  Ribes« 
At  Ripoll  he  attacked  a  manufactory  of  arms,  which  the 
Spaniards  had  established  there,  and  added  a  great  quan- 
*  tity  of  them  to  his  military  stores.  Th^  siege  of  Belle- 
garde  was  carried  on,  to  relieve  which  place  Count  do 
rdnion  made  a  bold  attempt,  after  being  reinforced  by 
foreign  battalions  lately  come  from  Africa.  The  Repub- 
licans at  first  gave  way,  but  returned  to  the  charge,  soon 
took  the  heights,  ^rom  which  they  were  driven,  and 
finished  the  defeat  of  the  Spaniards,  who.left  2S00  dead 
in  the  field. 

Bellegarde  surrendered  to  General  Dugomnner  on  tbe 
SiOth  of  the.  ensuing  month,  the  garrison  of  which  con- 
sisted of.  6000  men.  On  the  day  following  Count  de 
rUnion  made  a  very  gallant  attempt  to  retake  it,  but  was 
forced  to  give  up  every  idea  of  succeeding  after  losing 
600  men,  and  four  pieces  of  cannon.  Here  the  victori* 
ous  career  of  General  Dugommier  ended,  by  a  victory 
he  gained  over  the  Spaniards  and  emigrants  at  Spouilles. 
Great  havoc  was  made  of  the  unfortunate  emigrants ;  but 
a  thousand  Spaniards  and  Portuguese  obtained  quarter  as 
prisoners  of  war^  While  General  Dugommier  was  di- 
recting the  operations,  he  was  killed  by  a  sliell.  The 
same  montl^  Count  da  YtltMU  a&d  three  other  Spanish 


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AHD  WAHS  OF  EtKOPE.  It  19 

:  The  FreacH  deflect  the  Spaaludt. 

Generals  were  killed  near  St.  Fernando  de  Figneres.  This 
place  cost  the  Spanish  court  an  enormons  sum.  of  money, 
and  six  months  were  spent  in  erecting  batteries  f<Mr  its 
defence,  all  mounted  with  pieces  of  very  heavy  artillery« 
Their  strength  here  was  40,000  men,'  and  their  entrench « 
ments  remarkably  strong.  These  great  works,  which 
took  them  six  months  to  complete,  were  carried  by  the . 
Republicans  in  three  hours ! 

The  array  of  the  Western  Pyrenees  was  fUUy  as  sue* 
cessfiil ;  for  the  redoubt  of  M^  Louisa,  the  camp  of 
St  Jean  de  Lu£,  and  the  fort  of  St.  Barbe,  were  stormed 
and  taken  in  the^course  of  a  day  by  Delaibrde,  general 
ef  division.  The  Spaniards  lost  a  vast  number  of  men  in 
kiHed,  besides  tents,  cannon,  and  prodigious  quantities  of 
smmunition  and  small  arms.  The  villages  of  Bera  and 
Lessaca  also  fell  ihtd  the  power  of  the  French :  these  were 
a  most  valuable  acquisition,  as  they  contained  oitensi/e 
granaries 'to  support  the  army. 

•  A  division  of  the  Republicaq  apnyp  commanded  by 
General  Moncey,  took  the  port  of  the  passage  ;  the  day 
following  St.  Sebastian'  was  invested,  and  surrendered 
by  capitulation ;  ihe  garrison  were  made  prisoners  of  war. 
No  sooner  were  these  places  reduced,  than  two  ships, 
laden  with  powder,  ball,  wine,  and  other  article^,  not 
knowing  of  the  surrender,  entered  the  port  of  the  pas- 
sage, and  were  a  prey  to  the  Republicans,  who  pushed 
their  advanced  posts  as  far  as  die  gates  of  Tolosa. 

The  Spaniards  strove  to  rally  their  scattered  forees, 
but  all  their  efforts  against  the  victorious  Republicans 
were  of  no  aval,  for  0000  of  them  Were  beaten  by  600 
French!  at  which  time,  however,  150  of* the  Walloon 
guards  deserted  to  them,  a  matter  which  makes  it  probar- 
ble  that  the  Republicans  were  as  much  indebted  for  vie* 

F  V  2 

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tSO  .-HISTORY  OP  VAPOLBON  BONAPARTE^ 
Sncoeufnl  Atteclcof  ttie  French  on  F«rt  Fleor  d'Epte. 

lory  to  Che  disaffection  of  the  SpanifordB  as  to  th^  Ofwft 
intreptdily.  They  had  a  liae  of  posts  of  forty  he^tK 
yMch  the  Fronch  attacked  in  twelve  places  at  once»  and 
did  not  wait  to  be  assaulted  by  the  eneaiy.  The  Spani- 
ards were  strongly  fortified,  but  the  Repnblicana  earrie< 
their  entrenchments  near  Beddaditz,  Gubeg,  and  Villa- 
nenva,  and  their  works,  which  had  taken  np  more  than  a 
year,  were  totally  demolished. 

The  British  forces  in  thb  West  Indies,  too  weak  to 
conquer  th.e  French  islands,  were  exioeediBjgly  dect>eased 
by  disease,  and  Migor  General  Pandas  died  at  Goadn* 
loupe,  after  a  few  days  iHness.  But  this  did  not  tenni- 
nate  the  misfortunes  of  Aitaib  k  India.  A  French  squa- 
dron tqqieared  off  Fort  Fleur  d*Ep6e  on  Ifce  Si,  of  June^ 
of  two  ships  of  50  guns  each,  one  of  40,  one  firigate,  and 
five  tran^^orts. 

The  coriimandani  of  that  place,  Coknel  Drummond, 
was  much  deceived  about  the  actual  force  of  the  Repob* 
Itcans,  when  he  computed  them  at  900  men.  Owing  to 
this  mistake,  he  agreed  to  the  earnest  ia^ortanity  of 
Hit  royalists,  to  be  sent  against  them ; .  and  a  detadn 
ment  of  180  volunteers,  under  the  command  of  Captain 
JtrDowall,  of  the  43d  regiment,  were  sanguine  enough 
to  suppose  that  they  should  surprise  them  at  the  village  of 
Cozier,  where  they  were  posted ;  but  the  first  fire  made 
the  Reyalisis  retreat,  v^  few  of  whoi|i  returned  to 
the  fort.  The  French  sent  thirteen  boats  fiill  of  men  an 
the  5lli,  and  attacked  Fort  Fleur  d'Bp6e  the  next  day, 
which  they  took  by  assault,  and  made  the  Brilah  garri- 
son retreat  to  Fort  Louis  with  much  loss ;  but  this  pboe 
was  not  thonght  tenable,  so  that  Cdonel  Drummcnd  re- 
treated U>  Basseterre. 

Victor  HogUes,  a  man  calculated  for  desperate  attonpto 


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ANB  WkZS  OF  timoFS.  221 

Tktoc  HiiiBes  arms  the  people  of  tolour. 

being  entrusted  by  the  Convention  with  discret^naiy  au* 
tberilyj  proceeded  to  put  the  island  in  the  best  st^tej^^;* 
feiioe:  he  i^soed  the  decree  relative  to  the  emancipa* 
tioB  of  the  slaves^  funuBhed  a  body  of  tbem  -withannour 
and  appttpelp  and  equipped  many .  of  th*e  mulattoes,  oa 
whom  he  thought  he  could  depend.  Sir  Charles  Grey 
was  equaHy  as  diligent;  he  assembled  all  the  troops  Jie 
could  at  the  shortest  notice^  and  sailed  from  St  Kitt's  for 
Gfuukd^npe^  where  he  arrivedon.the  19th  of  June^  mider 
cover  of  the  British  fleet. 

•He  best  tro^qps  ouiuu>t  expect  success  when  they  are 
to  contend  with  greatly  superior  numbers,  inflamed  by 
Tiolent  passions.  Sir  Charles  was  assured  of  this  ;  and 
as  tiie  laioy  season  had  bfigatt^  he  resohed,  if  possible, 
to  finish  the  campaign  by  a  decisive  blow ;  he  diipaudn 
od  Brigadier  General  Symes»  trith  three  battalions  of 
gruBudievs  and  light  .ufiuitiyy  and  a  battalion'Of  sailon^ 
to  begin  an  attack  upon  Poini-a*Petre,  and  try  to  take  it 
by  sorpiise.  Owiag  to  an  em>r  of  the  guide,  they  got 
to  the  strongest  side,  and  were  exposed  to  tbe  fire  of  the 
Bepubiicans  in  a  pbce  where  sealing  ladders  were  of  no 
use.  Their  retreat  was  retarded  by  a  continued  firing 
firom  the  houses :  the  'British  (General,  and  two  other 
oflicers  of  rank,  were  wounded,  and  €00  men  were  losL 

Sir  Charles  Grey  sent  a  detachment  of  troops  and  sea^ 
men  to  cover  the  retreat  of  the  unfortunate  division.— 
They  retired  to  Gozier,  and  embarked  part  of  the  forces. 
The  town  and  shipping  were  attempted  to  be  destroyed 
by  batteries  of  heavy  artillery,  and  mortars,  and  the  gun- 
boats battered  the  fort  at  Point-arPetre  aiid  La  Flenr 
d'Epee*  Victor  Hugnes  made  such  able  dispositions, 
that  although  not  a  military  man,  he  gained  a  decided  su- 
periority. 


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$22      HISTORY   OP  NAPOLEON    BOKAPARTE, 


Guadaloupe  restored  to  fYimce^ 


The  Admiral  and  the  General,  who  had  retired  to  Mar- 
tinique, awaited  in  vain  the .  assistance  they  sought  fiiom 
England,  and  resolved  to  adopt  a  defensive  warfare,  imtil 
they  should  arrive.  TTicy  were  in  hopes  that  the  naval 
force  at  Salee  would  render  Basseterre  secure.  The 
watchful  spirit  of  the  enemy  was  predominant,  for  a 
landing  was  eifected,  during  a  dark  night  They  seia?- 
ed  on  Petitbourg,  and  basely  killed  many  of  the  sick  and 
wounded,  and  annoyed  the  English  posts,  and  the 
men  of  war,  with  red-hot  shot  so  well,  that  General  Gn« 
ham  unwillingly  agreed  to  capitulate,  and  the  British 
troops  were  allowed  the  honours  of  war.  No  terms 
could  be  obtained  for  the  white  and  free  people  of  co- 
lonr,  although  ihey  had  taken  the  oath  of  allegiance  to 
bis  Britannic  Majesty  ;  a  covered  boat  only  was  granted, 
in  which  some  of  the  Royalists  were  taken  to  a  place 
of  safety :  the  remainder,  who  proposed  to  cut  their  way 
through  tlie  ranks  of  th^ir  countrymen,  suffered  as  rebels, 
by  the  guillotine,  or  perished  by  the  musketry  of  those 
who  made  them,  prisoners. 

Thus  aided  by  a  small  force  from  France  and  a  (ew 
fines,  annulling  slavery,  Cruadaloupe  was  restored  to 
FVance ;  and  if  the  humanity  of  Victor  Hugues  was  as 
conspicuous  as  his  talents,  he  would  have  been  surpass* 
ed  by  few  men  of  the  present  times. 


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AND  WARS  O^  EUROPE.  223 


The  CoBvcntioii  divided  Into  Faotioot. 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

Thb  ConTentioD  was  divided  into  factions.  The  Jaoo- 
bin  Ciab  oontiiiiiedy  and  acted  on  the  same  system  that 
R4>bespierre  had  planned.  The  Moderatists  were  name-* 
rems,  but  did  not  possess  energy  enough  to  preserve  their 
power.  A  number  of  the  members  of  the  Convention 
wefe'e  denounced  by  Taliien  and  otKers^  of  having  been 
the  tools  of  Robeipierre,  and  for  not  destroying  his  power 
when  they  'had  the  means.  The  articles^  twenty-six  in 
number,  were  separately  discussed,  and  declared  calum- 
nious.  This  decision  re-established  the  power  of  Bar* 
lere,  ice.  at  tfie  expense  of  TaUien  and  others,  and  it  was 
i^teed  between. tiie  parties  that  neither  should  disturb 
the  harmony  of  the  Convention  by  accusing  the  other. 

This  was,  however,  near  being  interrupted,  in  con* 
sequence  of  an  attempt  made  to  kill  TaUien  by  a  pistol 
shot,  which  wounded  him.  The  Jacobin  Club  was  moved 
to  be  sui^essed,  but  the  majority  wished  to  suspend 
die  motioD  tiD  the  report  of  the  state  of  France  was  made, 
aiid  in  tte  mean  time  a  report  of  Tailim's  health  was  to 
be  insertad  in  the  bnlletin  and  read  every  day. 

The  inflaeace  of  the  Jacobin  Club  visibly  declined. 
Addresses  were  presented  and  satires  published  against 
flieBi.  Cambaceres  read  an  address  in  the  Convention, 
urgii^  Ae  necessity  of  the  people  relying  on  their,  re^ 
presentatives;  it  invited  them  to  seek  out  modest  men, 
who  ponrted  i|o  envbytnents,  but  practised  Eepublican 


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t24     HISTORY  OF   HA'P^KrEOV   tOlf*?ARTB, 


virtues  without  pride.    This  address  was  received  and 
ordered  to  be  printed  and  circulated. 

The  whims  of  the  Revolution  yet  continued,  and  the 
Convention  allowed  the  citizens  of  the  National  Institu- 
tion of  Music,  to  euter  their  haU,  and  play  several 
pieces  composed  by  Jean  Jacques  Rousseau.  These  mu- 
sicians appeared  to  have  been  of  no  common  talent,  for 
they  prevailed  em  the  Convention  to  «lleiid.*t&em  in  a 
|irocestion»  and  to  celebrate  a  ftstivtf  tk  konou^^  of  the 
dtiMii  of  Geneva.  ^ 

The  Jacobins  felt  that  their  stmiglkms  goitf^;  ik^j 
raM>lved»  however,  to  mke  one  efcrt  te  lec^vei:  th^if 
aacendaney.  Ths  day  befoie  the  Ooinmifttee»  which  ,^^^ 
appointed  tx>  examine  into  tiia  state  of  die  popvilar  »p^ 
cieties,  gave  in  their  report,  the  "  Societf  ef  Defeadere 
^  of  the  Republic,  one  and  indivisible^"  ttttiog  %%  tht 
ci-devant  Jacobins,  did  bomage  to  the  Addffeis  pf  tli« 
Convention  te  the  people,  feUoitated  it  on  the  dflBtni#r 
tioa  of  the  reign  of  terror,  and  added,  that^  ia  taking 
iheir  present  naine,  they  aimed  at  eo-oper^ting  ia  iBr 
atr^cting  the  people  in  dieir  rights  and  duties.  The 
Contentiea  ordered  honourable  mention  of  this,  and  ii^ 
sertton  in  the  bulletin.  The  Jacobins  did  not  e^^ot. 
this,  they  looked  to  the  reaction  of  thw  Ad4irea8  ;  but; 
at  all  events  they  hoped  now  to  stand  wdi  with  the  pei^ 
pie.  The  Convention  en  the  next  day  veacivedl  the  lar 
port  on  the  societies.  The  galleries  and  hall  weie 
crowded,  and  the  streets  were  strongly  guarded  aad  pa-* 
faded  by  patroies.  It  was  presented  by  Dehaae,  who 
staled  by  what  measia  the  societies  and  daha  hpid  kept 
their  aacendancy,  and  (uroposed,  that  aU  eerrsqioB^ea^ 
eies  between  societies  shbuld  be  prohibited  ;  that  aiL  pe^ 
titioDs  ^  addressee  should  ^  uidi^ida^y  •igM^t  ^kat 


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ANi>  WARS'*OF  £UROPE.  224 

"*  •  t'  ''  I  .       II     I       '    n  1  '     ,       ssssasssaati 

Milder  meararei  used  by  the  Coo?eatioii» 

'  '■  •     ■         '    '   .  "     "■'     ■■' '  .'  '"     '  ■    '    ■  '** 

'tiiosei  who,  ds  presidents    or  secretaries,   should  sign 

ibem  itt^a  coOective  Bame  should  be  imprisoned,  and  that 
descriptiYe  li^ts  of  t&«  members  of  each  society  should 
be  given  to  the  different  municipalities.  The  decree 
'passed,  and  popular  societies  should  from  tfaenceforfh, 
be  lodked  on  as  legally  abolished. 

The  Conyeuti6n  how  investigated  the  cause   of  the 
cruelties  Which  had  been  committed  in  La  Vendee ;  thej 
fouo'd  that  it  arose  in  the  conduct  of  the  Robespier* 
reaii  foction,  and  the  representative  Carrier,  who  was  de-^ 
nounced,  dnd  executed,  with  two  members  of  the  Revo^ 
lutionary  Committee    of  Nantz.    This  bold  man's  de* 
-,rfence  was   ingenious,  an  honourable  testimony   of  his 
abilities,  but  a  wicked  memorial  of  the  cruelty  of  hit 
lieart.    Others  were  tried  and  acquitted.    Justice  was 
tempered  with  mercy.    A  pardon  was  offered  to  the  in- 
surgent Royalists,  if  they  threw  down  their  arms  within 
a  month,  in  their  respective  communes.     Commissioners 
were  nominated  to  visit  the  various  places  in  a  state  of 
rebellion,  in  order  to  effectuate  the  objects  of  the  pro* 
'cldmafion,  and  the  most  promising  consequences  followed. 
This  influence  was  not  simply  beneficial  in  the  interioi'f 
it  spread  itself  beyond  the  territories  of  France,  and  the 
Convention  daily  got  accounts   of  the   aid  it  gave  the 
French  armies  in  their  progress.    The  Flemish  and  Ger* 
Inan  cities  threw  their  gates  open  to  those  who  conquer^ 
bd  in  the  nkme  of  the  Republic  to  extend  the  blessings  of 
Kberty,  and  whose  vi<?toHe8  were  meant  to  further  tilie 
ilnion  of  all  Nations,  iii  one  universd  sentiment  of  free;;' 
dom  and  Happiness.    The  subjects  of  those  powers  jst 
#&f  with  tlie  Republic  rejoiced  in  the  destructipn^of  the 
system  of  revdlutiotiary  tyranny  that  had  fettered  France* 

VOL.   I. — NO.   10.  O   O 


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226      HISTORY  OF   NAPOLEON   BONAPARTE, 


The  Stad (holder  visit!  Amsterdam  id  dispiise. 


^      ITie  people,   wBom,  under  Robespierre,  they  would 

'  force  as  conquerors,  now  courted  them  and  looked  on 
tlieiTi  as  their  deliverers' and  their  brethren. 

The  states  of  Friesland  agreed  to  acknowledge  the  Re- 
public of  France,  to  end  their  connnection  with  Great 
Britain,  and  sign  a  treaty  of  peace  and  alliance  with  the 
Convention.     In  other  provinces  also,  resolutions  were 

'  passed,  clearly  inimical  to  the  Stadtholder's  government. 
Republican  sentiments  shewed  themselves  so  plainly  in 

'  Amsterdam,  that  the  government  of  Holland,  on  the  17thy 
positively  forbad  all  popular  discussions  on  political 
subjects,  and  the  presenting  of  petitions  or  memorials 
on  any  account  whatever.  Soon  after  this,  the  Stadt- 
holder  went  to  Amsterdam  in  disguise,  to  ascertain  the 
true  state  of  the  public  mind.  His  situation  wa«  very 
distressing.  He  had  published  many  spirited  addresses 
to  the  people,  but  was  unable  to  instil  into  them  a  spirit  of 
resistance.  The  opposite  party  would  subject  the  coun-* 
try  to  a  foreign  power  rather  than  join  in  any  way  to 
secure  its  independence. 

Many  respectable  citizens  of  Amsterdam  drew  up  a 
petition,  and  presented  it  to  the  magistrates  early  in  Ho* 
vember.  It  stated  the  sudden  appearance  of  die  heredi* 
tary  Prince  of  Orange  and  the  Duke  of  York  in  that 
city,  which,  they  affirmed,  had  n6  other  object  in  view 
than  to  check  the  deliberations  of  their  High  Mighti* 
ncsses,  to  induce  them  to  receiye  British  troops,  and  to 
consent  to  a  general  inundation.  The  petition  condemiH 
ed  such  measures,  and  if  they  did  m)t  desire  to  receive 
the  French,  they  were  not  inclined  to  stop  the  subjuga<- 
tion  of  Holland  by  the  only  methods  that  could  be  pro- 
perly adopted  wiUi  that  yiew.    The  petition  was  success^ 


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AND  WAB5  OP  EUROPEU  227 

Tlie  French  croas  the  Meuie. 


fill ;  the  magistrates  n^ould  not  attempt  the  iaundation, 
and  many  of  the  petitioners,  who  were  arrested,  were 
taken  from  prison  in  triumph. 

Though  the  Republicans  did  not  advance  with  their 
usual  rapidity,  the  Combined  Powers  found  it  very  dif- 
ficult to  act  upon  the  defensive.  Numbers  were  cut 
off  by  disease,  while  the  hospitals  were  in  want  of 
assistance  and  suitable  medicines.  The  militaiy  were 
without  clothing  and  shoes,  and  the  sudden  changes  ok 
the  weather  at  this  eventful  period,  caused  a  putrid  fever, 
which  made  the  most  dreadful  destruction. 

The  republicans  made  an  attempt  to  cross  the  Waal, 
firom  Nimeguen,  upon  four  rafts,  two  were  sent  to  the 
bottom  by  the  British  troops,  another  drove  towards  that 
side  ^occupied  by  the  Dutch,  and  the  fourth  got  back  in 
safety.  They  tried  the  passage  of  the  river  above  Nime-> 
giien,  both  in  boats  and  on  rafls,  to  the  amount  of  5000 
men  ;  200  of  them  surprised  an  Hanoverian  piquet  at 
Fanneren,  took  a  battery,  spiked  three  pieces  of  cannon, 
and  threw  another  into  the  river  without  losing  a  single 
man.  But  another  body  of  French  Iroops  was  allowed 
by  the  Austrians  to  reach  the  middle  of  the  river  £m- 
merick,  when  they  opened  a  dreadful  fire  from  their  bat- 
teries, and  drowned  the  most  part  of  the  troops.  On  the 
15th,  however,  the  French  were  befriended  by  a  most 
intense  frost,  which  made  both  the  Meuse  and  the  Waal 
passable  on  foot  within  a  week ;  and  the  French  march- 
ed a  strong  column  across  the  Meuse  on  the  27th,  near 
Ihe  village  of  Driel.  The  right  wing,  which  reached 
firom  Nimeguen  to  fort  St  Andre,  was  to  keep  a  watch- 
ful eye  on  the  Combined  Powers,  and  the  centre  took 
possession  of  the  Bommel  Waert  and  Langstraat,  while 
the  left  wing  forced  the  lines  of  Breda, 
o  G  2 

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S28 ,  mrroRT  of  napoleon  bonapartb, 

Th«  DttfeiHf  Y«nneAV»  the  British  Army. 

The'  Dutch,  muible  to  retain  Bommel,  attempted  to 
cross  the  Waal;  but  the  Republicans  defeated  them. 
The  ice  over  the  Waal  was  so  strong,  that  heavy  artil- 
lery could  be  taken  across  it  with  ease  and  safety.  The 
Republicans  instantly  proceeded  to  take  possession  of 
the  Tieler  Waert,  between  the  Waal  and  the  Leek.  Hie 
Allies,  fearing  for  Culenber^  and,  Gorcum,  selected  the 
following  troops :  ten  battalions  of  British  infantry,  six 
squadrons  of  light  cavalry,  and  150  hussars  of  ^  Rohan, 
and  gave  the  chief  comniand  to  Major-general  David 
Diindas;  with  these,  amounting  in  all  to  about  6500 
infantry  and  of  1000  cavalry,  the  Allies  drove  the 
French  from  Wardenberg  on  the  80tb,  and  marched  to- 
wards Thuyl,  which  they  attacked  with  greajt  impetuosity, 
and  altiiough  it  was  defended  by  thp  batteries  of  Bom- 
mei,  which  flanked  it  with  a  nqmber  of  men  who 
were  stationed  for  its  defence,  the  British  forces, carried 
it  with  the  bayonet,  and  forced  the  French  to  cro^  the 
river,  with  the  loss  of  four  pieces  of  cannon,  and  a'  con-  „ 
siderable  number  of  n^en.  A  reinforcement  of  Austrian 
troops  induced  the  Allies  to  try  their  strength  with,  the  Re- 
putlican  arjny.  But  General  Piche^u  opposed,  them 
with  too  formidable  a  force  to  accomplish  .their,  yic^ws, 
and  all  their  exertions  were  unable  to  ensure  the.  victory. 

The  Ibuke  of  York  left  the  British  army,  and  retjurn-. 
fed  to  London,'  which  announced  that  the   Court  of  St, 
jJames's  thought  the  conquest  of  Holland  by  the  French 
unavoidable.    While  the  Duke  of  York  held  the  chief*  ' 
command,  the  army  was  in  a  wretched  condition,  and  it  , 
jDOuld  not  be  thought  that  its  situation  wou|d  be  bettered,^, 
when  ^nder  a  foreigner  (General  Walmoden.)    Patriotic  . 
subscriptions  were  raised  in  England,  to  supply  the  array 
friljh  Qanpel  vests,  and  other  necessaries  essential  in  that 


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AVD  WJkRS  OF  EUROPE.  239 

Gcnefal  Pichegin  crof lei  the  Waal  io  force,  and  takes  Utrecht. 

country.  The  dreadftil  state  of  the  sick  and  wounded  be- 
came hopeless  and  appalUng ;  and  it  was  common  in  the 
annjr  on  a  man  being  taken  to  the  hospital,  .to.  say»  '« thai 
**  he  was  sent  to.the  shambles.*^ 


**<*#«**^**#  0^^^^m  m^*'^^^^ 


CBAFTOR  XXTSb 


I^^s  AlUe9  oaUed aconiwtt  of  wear  ondie  4tb of  JaMW9# 
1795^  at  which  it  was  resolved  to  f^re  up  their  pc^iti^na ; 
on  the  river  Waal.    They,  spiked'  all  the  heavy  caiinoa 
whwb  Ihey  could  not  taksoaway*  .and  destroyed  qnaBti^ 
tief  of  ammumtion.    On  the  .^th»  howerer,  a  skinntsk 
took  place  with  the  tropps  «ndar  General  Dundas/and^  ^ 
duwgl  ^^  4ay«.the  British^  and  French,  repnl^edl  each^- 
oth^r  .90  less  tbaii  fo v  time«» 

Geneiiil  ]Pi«iiegfi|  crossed  the  Waal  with  70^000  meiit^ : 
aii4 '  attwked  the  position  occupied  by  Geaeral  WffaM*'^. 
dei|»  betireeiirNiivegQmand  Amiheiia;    The  Allies^ wcra 
defeated.    Unprepared  for  resistance,  or  for  flighV.the]^. 
wei9  obliged  to  tak0  shdtor in opefi  ahadsyor  in  the  open 
ahr,i,  «ft  tbiSv.  inol^m^Bit, season^  .#nd  in  their  netmal  -vast, 
nun^h^  /of  9kex^  iHromeii»»»and  children,  -were  firooen  to 
death.    The  French  took  Utrecht  without  opposition,  * 
forthe  troops  in  the.pay  of  Great. Britain  had  retired 
^y  the  way  f»f  Ameiffbct.  to  ,2olphenix  .Rotterdaia  aniK.. 


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230      HISTORY   OP   NAPOLEON   BONAPARTE, 

The  Prince  of  Oraoge  aad  Family  quit  Holland. 

rendered  on  the  ISth^  and  Dort  followed  it  on  the  next 
day* 

The  Princess  of  Orange  and  the  younger  female 
branches  of  the  family  escaped  on  the  15th,  with  the.plate, 
jeweby  and  whatever  eke  of  value  they  could  carry  off. 
The  Stadtholder  and  the  hereditary  Prince  of  Orange 
did  not  leave  Holland  till  the  19th»  the  day  on  which 
Dort  surrendered  to  General  Pichegru,  His  Serene 
Highness  got  into  an  open  boat  at  Scheveling,  having 
only  three  men  with  him  who  were  acquainted  with  row« 
ing,  but  he  arrived  at  Harwich  on  the  21st  in  safety. 
The  Stadtholder  did  not  leave  the  Hague  without  much 
opposition;  for  the  French  party  insisted  he  should  bo 
responsible  for  all  the  troubles  of  the  country.  He  was 
indebted  to  the  fidelity  of  his  horse  body  guards,  and  a 
regiment  of  Swiss,  for  his  escape;  they  fired  upon  the 
people,  and  his  flight  was  secured  at  the  expense  of  the 
lives  of  some  of  the  most  forward  patriots. 

Dr.  Kraayenhoff,  who  had  been  banished  for  his  anti* 
stadtholderian  sentiments,  arrived  at  Amsterdam  on  the 
17th  of  January,  with  a  letter  firom  the  Republican  com- 
mander in  chief,  that  the  people  should  be  prepared  to 
receive  the  French  army ;  and  on  the  19tb  that  valuable 
city  was  taken  possession  of  by  only  thirty  hussars.  In 
eveiy  square  the  French  planted  the  tree  of  liberty, 
and  decorated  the  Dutchmen's  hats  with  tri-coloured 
cookadep.  . 

On  the  20th  CreMeral  Pichegni  marched  into  Amdtei^ 
dam  with  5000  men.  A  proclamation  was  issued  the  day 
before,  declaring  to  the  world,  "  That  the  United  Pro- 
vinces were  firee  and  independent ! 

The  surrender  of  Amsterdam  was  ibllowed  by  Leyden 
and  Hsorlaem.    On  tiie  90tb  of  January  the  French' took 

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AND  WARS  OP  EUROPE.  231 

The.  BrenPh  Army  enter  Amvterdam. 


.  l^ssession  of  Flushing,  Middleburgh,  and  the  island  of 
Wakheren.  By  order  from  the  states,  Breda  and  Wil- 
liamstadt  opened  their  gates  to  the  HepubKcans,  by  whom 
they  were  besieged. 

Bergen-op-Zoom  was  garrisoned  by  4000  men,  in  which 
was  included  the  (Wth  regiment,  belonging  to  Great  Bri- 
tain ;  but  the  States  General,  having  ordered  every  gar- 
flsoaed  town  to  submit  to  the  French,  in  consequence  of 
.  the  Stadtholder^s  abdication,  produced  its  immediate  ca- 
pitulation. The  Governor,  however,  wished  that  the 
British  regiment  might  be  allowed  to  return  home  ;  the 
French  General  would  not  comply,  and  they  were  kept 
prisoners  of  war.  The  entire  province  of  Zealand  sub- 
mitted to  General  Michaud. 

The  French  Generals  asked  for  a  large  supply  of  pro- 
visions and  clothing  for  the  soldiers,  and  the  French  Re- 
public pledged  itself  to  pay  the  value.  A  proclamation 
issued  by  the  Stated-General  at  the  Hague,  stated  that 
this  demand  was  made  in  the  language  of  an  ally.  It  was 
by  the  prudence  and  humanity  of  Pichegru,  that  these 
changes  m  Holland  were  so  ably  effected.  The  Frendi-en* 
tered  Amsterdam  in  small  divisions ;  and  the  whole  way 
from  the  river  Waal  to  that  city,  was  covered  with  officers 
and  men,  who  looked  more  Kke  travellers  than  warriors. 

The  British  army  was,  during  this  time,  pursued  by 
the  Bepublicam  army,  consisting  of  more  than  30,000 
men*  General  Abercrombie  conducted  the  retreat  welt, 
but  his  troops  were  in  a  miserable  condition,  and  wanted 
ahnost  evejry  thing  they  should  have  had.  The  occasional 
thaws. delayed  his  progress,  and  made  his  situation  much 
more  deplorable,  for  his  half-iamished  troops  were  ofteh 
obliged  to  get  through  mire  and  water  that  reached  nearly 


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r^S2      HISTORY  OF  'NAPOLEON   BtWAPARTE, 

The  BritUb  Army  cnterk  at  Braneo  foi<  Engliad. 

ta  their  knapsacks.  Numbers  of  •  4he  sick  were  left  -be- 
hind id  their. route;  and^itts^tfaeii^t  tiiat  from^l^MJO 
mea,  of  which  thearniy  consisted  when  they  bogsn'tlie 
retreat*  it  was  reduced  to  half  that  nutaiber  in  liie  foegte- 
niog  of  February-  In  the  march  from  Amersfbrt  SOO-  men 
were  frozen  to  deatii,  besides  grcHt  numbers  of  wometa 
and  children.  It  took  160  wag^gons  to  teni^Te  tife 
sick.  Many,  who  wefe  ideapable  of  being  r^moted^ 
were  left  behind.  At  last,  on  the  12th  of  Febnmry/liib 
Army  crossed  the  Emms  at  Bheine,  and  proseooted  dieir 
march  without'  interruption  till  the  24th  of  the  mcmdiy  it 
wluch  time  the  posts  of  Nieiidiuys  and  Velthuys*  chiefly 
defended  by  Emigrants,  were  forced  by  the  RepubUoans. 
The  division  of  the  British  army  under  Lord  Cathoait 
(who  had  taken  a  more  westerly  route),  was  doomed  to 
suffer  much  more,  his  rear  being  continually  harassed  I7 
the  advance  of  the  Republicans.  He  everywhere  tiiet 
with  losses  from  the  unpopularity  bf  the  Orange  interest 
The  British  army  arrived  at  Bremen  on  the  S7tii  and 
28th  of  March,  and  remained  there  till  the  10th  of  Aprils 
when  they  embarked  for  England. 

The  campaign  on  the  Rhine  shewed  notiiing  V€iry  brit 
liant.  The  Republican  troops  coDtitiued  a  long  tteio  m 
a  state  of  inactivity  ;  they  however  took  Fort  du  Rhin^ 
iriuch  protected  Manheim.  TJje  surrender  of  Manfaeim 
saved  it  from  the  horrors  of  a  bombardment.  The  troopk 
whicli  had  been' occupied  at  Fort  du  BJhin,  rdmforeed 
tiiose  before  Mentet  but  the  siege  did  not  takei  plac^  tiB 
Ibe  ensuing  sunimer. 

The  French  penetrat<^l  into  the  north-east  part  of  the 
bishoprick  of  Munster,  and  ailer  a  dreadiiil  en|pa^ment 
they  became  mast^ts  of  Bentheiiii«    On  (he  81st  of  Marok' 


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AND  WARS  0F  EUKpPE«  223 

Uopanlleled  Suopetfei  of  the  RefMiblicini. 

they  beat  the  A^trians  with  much  loss^  and  $xed  them- 
selves at  Binen.  The  Combuied  Powers  appear  to  faaro 
lost  all  their  energy,  whilst  the  succesi^  of  the  French  w^ 
anlimited. 

The  French  thought  ijhe  port  of  Roias,  jin  Qat^onia,  ^ 
place  of  great  importance ;  but  before  its  ireduqtioQ  it 
yms  xiecessary  to  get  possession  of  Fort  Bont^j^,  whic^ 
comn^anded  the  bay ;  an  object  which  the  Republicaiiiii 
gained  with  the  ntmost  valour  and  intrepidity.  Thp 
great  floods,  from  the  melting  of  the  snow,  with  ibices- 
sant  rains,  delayed  the  operations  of  the  besiegers,  and 
they  were  inactive  for  twenty-three  days.  It  beiQ|^  im- 
possible to  open  the  second  parallel,  a  stropg  battery  >vqb 
.erected,  and  on  the  3d  of  January  they  began  the  att^cfc 
upon  the  city.  The  garrison  embarked  in  the  njjghtf 
leaving  only  540  men  to  defend  the  city,  who  iostantiy 
surrendered.  On  the  5th  of  May,  9000  Spaniards  hav- 
ing appeared  on  the  side  of  Sistellia,  and  shewed  an  in- 
tention to  surround  the  RepubUcans,  were  routed 
with  great  /slaughter. 

Were  we  to  enumerate  the  various  victories  of  the  Re- 
publican armsi  we  should  swell  our  work  much  beyond 
its  intended  limits.  We  shall  therefore  briefly  state,  thai 
Camoti  a  member  of  the  Committee  of  Public  Safety, 
appeared  at  the  bar  of  the  Convention,  and  gave  in  a  long 
list  of  victories^  which  was  ordered  to  be  printed  and  cir« 
culated  to  the  armies  of  the  Republi^,  as  a  stimulus  to 
further  exertions.  This  account,  though  highly  exag-* 
fr^rated,  was  equally  surprising,  as  they  were  achieved 
during  a  period  of  only  seventeen  months* 

In  the  year  1795  (I4th  March)  an  action  was  fought  in 
the  Mediterranean^  between  a  British  fleet,  commanded 
by  Admiral  Hotham,  consisting  of  14  sail  of  the  line  m^ 

VOL.  I. — NO,  10,  H  H 

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234      HISTORY   OF   NAPOLEON   BONAPARTE,* 

The  Capture  of  two  French  Line  or  Battle  Ships  by  Admiral  Hotham. 


three  frigates,  and  a  Republican  fleet  of  15  sail  of  the  line 
and  three  fingates.  When  the  hostile  fleets  had  come  in 
^ight  of  each  other.  Admiral  Hotham  gave  the  signal  for 
a  general  cjiase  the  next  day,  when  one  of  the  French 
line  of  battle  ships  was  seen  without  her  topmasts,  of  which 
the  Inconstant  availed  herself,  and  attacked,  raked,  and 
harasb-ed  her  dreadfully,  till  the  Agamemnon  came  up, 
when  the  French  ship  was  quite  disabled.  But  the  British 
vessels  being  at  a  great  distance  from  their  own  fleet, 
were  obliged  to  leave  her,  when  they  saw  more  of  fbe 
enemy's  ships  coming  to  assist  her. 

On  tlie  morning  of  the  14tli  they  discovered  the  disa- 
bled ship  towed  by  anotlier,  so  far  to  leeward  of  their 
own  fleet  as  to  give  a  chance  that  they  might  be  cut  off. 
For  this  purpose  nothing  was  left  unattempted,  and  the 
French  were  so  situated  as  to  give  them  up  for  lost,  or 
come  to  a  general  engagement.  They  made  a  weak  at- 
tempt to  support  them ;  tliey  were  cut  ofl^  by  tlie  Bedford 
and  Captain,  and  deserted  by  the  main  body  of  the  fleet. 
The  captured  ships  were  la  Ca-ira  of  80  guns,  and  fe 
Censeur  of  74. 

Admiral  Cornwallis,  with  five  ships  of  tlie  line,  and 
two  frigates,  fell  in,  on  the  7th  of  June,  with  a  fleet  of 
merchant  ships,  convoyed  by  three  ships  of  the  line  and 
six  frigates ;  and  altliough  the  ships  of  war  made  their 
•scape,  he  was  lucky  enough  to  capture  eight  merchant- 
men, laden  witli  wine  and  military  stores.  But,  on  the 
16th,  near  tlie  Penmarks,  a  signal  was  made  from  the 
Pliaeton  of  an  enemy's  fleet  in  sight,  which  consisted  0f 
thirteen  sail  of  th«  line  and  two  brigs,  besides  a  cutter 
and  3everal  frigates ;  a  force  which  it  would  have  been 
madnoss  to  attempt  to  face.  The  wind  changed  in  fa- 
vour of  the  encBiy,  so  that,  by  niue  o'clock^the  next  morH* 


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AND  WARS   OF   EUROPE*  235 

^rd  Bridport  captures  three  French  L!ne  of  Battle  Ships. 


ing,  the  ships  in  front  of  llie  enemy's  lino  began  firing 
upon  the  Mars^  who  kept  up  a  running  fire  the  whole  day, 
as  did  the  rest  of  the  British  fleet.  Admiral  Cornwallis 
escaped  from  this  dangerous  situation  "by  an  excellent 
manoeuvre;  he  threjw  out  signals  of  a  large  fleet  of  British 
ships  being  at  hand,  so  that  the  French  Admiral  did  not 
think  it  prudent  to  pursue  him,  and  he  escaped  with  very 
little  loss. 

This  fleet  was«  on  the  23d  of  the  same  month,  attacked 
by  Lord  Bridport,  who  had  a  fleet  of  fourteen  sail  of  the 
line  and  eight  frigates.  On  the  22d,  about  day-break,  a 
signal  was  made  by  the  Nymph  and  Astrea,  that  an  ene- 
my's fleet  was  in  sight ;  but  the  British  Admiral  seeing 
they  had  no  intention  to  bring  him  to  an  action,  hove  out 
a  signal  for  chasing  them  with  four  of  the  swiftest  sailing 
ships,  which  was  continued  during  tlie  whole  day  and 
the  ensuing  night,  but  they  were  almost  becalmed.  They 
came  up  with  the  Republican  fleet  on  the  morning  of  the 
23d,  when  an  action  took  place  at  six  o'clock,  and  lasted 
till  three  p  the  afternoon,  when  the  British  Admiral  took 
the  Alexander  (formerly  belonging  to  England),  the  For- 
midable, and  the  Tigr6.  Being  close  in  with  the  shore, 
his  lordship  was  unable  to  extend  his  conquest,  and  found 
it  attended  with  much  difficulty  to  keep  those  he  had 
already  captured.  The  rest  of  the  enemy's  squadron  got 
safe  into  TOrient.  The  Iqss  of  the  British  in  this  action 
has  been  stated  at  31  men  killed,  an4  H^  wounded;  that 
of  the  Republicsms  is  unknown. 

An  event  of  great  importtfnee  to  the  interest  of  France, 
and  fatal  to  that  of  the  Combiner!  Powers,  took,  place ;  for, 
en  the  10th,  it  was  announced  to  the  Convention,  that  the 
Committee  of  Puhhc  Safety  had  made  peace  with  the 
(Jrand  Duke  of  Tuscany.    Three  days  after,  tbe  Cout 

n  H  2 

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239      HI8T0K7  OP  UTA^OLEON  BONAPARTE, 

Peace  witb  the  Grand  JOuke  of  Tnscaay  ratified. 

Tention  diftcaBsed  the  merits  of  this  treaty,  when  some  of 
the  violeot  Moantain  party  denied  the  cemp^tency  of  the 
Committee  to  negooiate  a  peace  unknown  to  the  Conren-f 
tion ;  but  it  was  determined,  that  all  which  obstructed 
the  establishment  of  peac«  was  highly  impolitic,  and 
against  the  prosperity  of  the  nation.  The  competency 
df  the  Gonmiittee  was  acknowledged  almost  unanimouslj, 
and  the  treaty  ratified  amidst  the  plaudits  of  the  members 
and  spectators. 


##«######«###^s#^ 


CHAPTER  XXYII. 


Tk  t  Fr^ch  Convention,  on  the  laM  day  tf  Ihe  year  1794, 
ctiMidered  a  decree  ftat  had  been  pttaed,  that  no  quarter 
should  be  giren  16  British^  H<Qk>yeritti,  or  Spamsh  troops, 
and  whidi  of  course  w'ould  6ot  allow  the  French  troops 
to  take  the  sorMJider^f  ady  «f  those  nations^  but  con- 
signed the  ittdividQalil,  #hd  stied  ttf  {be  Reftarblicans  for 
liiercy,  to  deliberate  Mau^tftf .  Tbe  C^nteition  passed 
fills  decree  hk  ^  jhH  idea,  fliit  they  shooM  be  able  ter 
flestroy  as  well  as  subdue  ikiStt  efie^c»;  hid,  id  spits  6C 
the  exertions  of  the  Commissienefs  who  attended  the 
al^es,  it  wa*  approved  by  Vevy  few  df  the  soldiers,  and 
it  evinced  no  extraordinary  eMH  hi  ftkvMr  ^f  Ae  JEl^nb- 
Kcad  artos.  He  same  Convention  in  which  this  decree 
9Sfpt^  and  by  whoai  it  waa  declared  a  Uw,  took  advan* 


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AND  VTAM  or  EVROPB;  *      337 


Pieaee  tinned  bttwtea  Frmtbe  and  ProMit. 


tage  <yf  its  wei^Uffils  to  regain  their  credit  for  humanitj^ 
by  repeaKbg^  it  Somto  of  flie  members  Dsade  ioitg  speeohev 
on  the  occabiott,  and  its  repea^  was  decreed  with  as  lonA 
and  general  plandrts  as  it  had  passed. 

llie  annrtersary  of  the  death  of  the  Kii^  was  kept  si 
festival  itk  the  Thnillerieir.  A  soaft>kl  was  raised  before  the 
Statue  of  Liberty;  the  President  of  the  Coaveation  made 
a  speech;  the  populace  exchiikied»  ^'  Vite la  Repubttque t 
Vke  la  Cortoention  f  and  a  general  discharge  of  artillery 
finished  the  ceremony. 

A  disagreement  which  had  taken  place  between  tii4 
Prussian  and  Austriaii  commanders  and  their  troops,  arbsil 
to  a  great  height,  and  was  much  increased  by  a  report 
circulated  throagh  Switzerland  by  a  Prussian  agent,  that 
the  court  of  Serlia  had  concfaded  a  treaty  of  peace  with 
the  French  Republic,  lliis  gained  credit;  and  it  was  so 
much  applauded,  oriSo  little  blamed,  that  anegociatioB 
^as  actually  opened  at  Basle  by  thi^e  agents  from  the 
King  of  Prussia,  and  by  a  plenipotentiary,  publiol^ 
avowed  as  such,  whoiA  M.  Bartfaelemy  iMt  at  Baskf. 
'  It  is  supposed  that  this  negociation  would  have  b6M 
retarded,  if  not  brokefi  off,  had  Aot  the  Committee  of 
Public  Safety  agreed  to  the  admissioii  of  seci^  atfide^L 
After  being  warmly  disdussed  by  botb  parties,  it  was 
finally  signed ;  a  treaty  favourable  to  France,  sino^  thai 
country  got  all  it  desired.  To  the  Ktog  of  frttsm  It  iraa 
not  90  favourable,  since  he  thereby  lost  the  fxp^^MOsAj 
of  taking  the  lead  in  a^ustiag  aild  ahringing  tiie  irffilifii 
of  the  continent 

llie  peace  with  l^ssia  wftii  instantly  fbftowed  by  a 
treaty  of  peace  with  the  court  of  Madrid,  nrossia  Imv- 
mg  withdrawn  from  ih»  coalition,  the  ti'oops  of  the  Re^ 
piibbc  were  hastily  nfturching  toWirds  tte  e^itid  of  th^ 

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238      HISTORY  OP   NAPOLEON    BONAPARTE, 

Peace  ■igned  between  France  and  Spain. 

Spanish  dominiotts,  so  that  the  Spanish  Cabinet  found  it 
Becessary  to  order  M.  d'Yriarte  to  come,  to  immediate 
terms  i^ith  the  enemy.  So  hastily  was  th^s  matter  con- 
ducted, that  peace  was  concluded  between  M.  d'Ynarte 
and  M.  Bardielemy,  at  Basle,  before  General  Servaa 
from  the  Committee  of  Public  Safety,  and  M.  d'Iranda, 
frcMn  the  court  of  Spain,  had  a  single  meeting  at  Bayonne, 
the  place  appointed  to  meet  at.  It  was  signed  by  M , 
Barthelemy  and  M.  d'Yriarte  on  the  22d  of  July ;  by  virtue 
of  which  the  French  surrendered  all  their  conquests  on 
the  territories  of  Spain,  and  restored  all  the  artillery  and 
ammunition  they  took  in  the  conquered  towns,  cities,  or 
garrisons;  and  Spain  restored  all  their  possessions  in 
the  island  of  St.  Domingo.  The  French  Republic  also 
agreed  that  the  King  of  Spain  should  mediate  for  Portu* 
gal»  Sardinia,  Naples,  and  the  Duke  of  Parma,  with  all 
the  princes  of  Italy.  The  Dutch  RepubUc  was  included 
iu  the  treaty,  so  that  a  severe  blow  was  aimed  at  the 
power  of  Great  Britain  in  the  West  Indies,  and  its 
naval  schemes  in  the  Mediterranean  were  much  an* 
Doyed* 

Switzerland  kept  a  neutrality  during  the  various  chan* 
ges  of  the  French  Revolution  ;  but  many  of  tiie  canton^ 
i^hewed  a  disposition  in  no  way  friendly  to  the  Republican 
cause.  Basle  did  not  acknowledge  France  till  the  treaty 
was  signed  between  it  and  Prussia;  for,  from  tiie  10th  of 
August  1792,  till  that  time,  M.  Barthelemy  was  only  known 
there  as  a  private  individual.  The  Chancellor  of  Basle, 
M.  Ochs,  was  active  in  bringing  about  a  iriendly  recon- 
ciliation between  France  and  Prussia,  and  in  his  house 
the  treaty  with  Spain  was  signed.  The  rapid  manner  ia 
which  the  forces  of  the  Republic  proceeded  from  victory 
to  victory  powerAiUy  effected  the  political  sentiments  of 


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AND  WARS   OF   EUROPE.  230 


Execution  of  Fouquier  Tinvillc  and  others. 


the  Swiss  cantons^  many  immediately  expressing  tlieir 
attachment  to  the  interest  of  France. 

At  this  time  M.  Fouquier  Tinville,  the  president  of 
the  late  revolutionary  tribunal,  three  of  the  judges,  the 
pnblic  accuser,  and  eleven  of  the  jurors,  were  found 
guilty  of  injustice  and  cruelty,  and  executed  in  the  Place 
de  Grave.  These  horrible  men  had  lists  of  proscription 
daily  made  out,  and  those  who  executed  them,  if  they 
^d  not  find  those  named  in  the  lists  within  the  houses,  aK 
^ays  took  care  to  bring  away  their  number,  without  re- 
gard to  their  persons.  Hie  committee  of  Nantz  seized 
all  who  were  rich,  and  men  of  talents  and  humanity.  The 
scenes  of  execution  at  this  place  were  horrid  in  the  ex- 
treme; in  one  of  the  prisons  were  800  women^  and  as 
many  children,  in  want  of  every  thing ;  they  were  shot 
in  crowds,  and  drowned  in  the  river  Loire  in  lighters  and 
vessels  crammed  with  the  unfortunate  victims.  The  ac- 
counts given  by  those  who  were  concerned  in  these  dread- 
ful transactions '  are  hardly  credible.  One  would  almost 
th'mk  that  the  human  race  had  changed  its  character,  and 
degenerated  into  worse  than  brutes. 

Hie  evidence  given  on  the  trials  of  those  who  held  the 
reins  of  power  at  Nantz  was  heart-breaking ;  women  at 
the  latest  period  of  their  time,  and  infants,  were  put  into 
the  lighters  to  be  drowned.  This  mode  of  execution  the 
wretch  Carrier  and  his  associates  used  to  laugh  at,  and 
call  National  Baptisms,  Immersions,  an4  Bathings.  .  At 
one  place  one  of  the  witnesses  saw  the  bodies  of  seventy- 
five  women,  firom  the  age  of  fifteen  to  eighteen,  lying 
uncovered :  but  the  soul  sickens  at  the  recital  of  scenes, 
such  as  are  described  even  by  those  concerned  in  them. 

Soon  after  the  execution  of  these  ruflians  an  insnrrec* 
tion  was  organised  in  Paris ;  the  streets  were  posted  with 


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SIO      HISTORV  OF  NAMLEON   BONAPARTE, 

Iniurrecfionat  Paris  and  Tooioo. 

bilJi»,  charging  the  Convention  with  keepu^  biref^d  from 
the  people.  The  generde  was  beat  to  arm^^  the  Cooe 
.v,ci>tion  met,  and  the  utmost  tumult  ensued*  Tbe  in^ur^ 
^ents  rushed  int9  the  hall  of  the  Convention,  and  t)ie 
faUerics  were  in  an  uproar ;  Ferimd,  o^e  f^  U>e  repre- 
sentatives, wfis  assafsoated,  ai^d  J^s  head  placed  op  a 
pike.  AUuo&t  ^1^  thp  i^efnbers  left  tbeae  horrible  9GaDes; 
the  kyr  w,ho  stayed  were  tjhe  irieigul^  of  the  Jacobins,  and 
JBEpmediately,  at  the  re(;|eu^t  of  the  triumphant  faction, 
{tass^  8e.yeral  decrees  ftgainstt  the  moderate  parly*  In 
ithe  ^erno^,  J^awever,  the  lurmed  force  of  Paris  drove 
out  the  iasurgei^ts^  Tl^e  prefident  thanked  Hie  cdtizens 
for  sa\^ng  the  Convention,  and  their  first  business  was  to  • 
Repeal  the  decFc^0  demanded  during  the  tumult,  and  to 
^dopt  measles  for  punishing  t)ie  coospirators.  In  the 
^mean  time  it  was  decreed,  that  some  of  the  deputies, 
who  h^d  favoured  the  inanrgents,  should  be  arrested^ 

The  Jacobins  w.ere  not  subdued:  the  man  whf  mur^ 
dered  Ferrand  was  taken,  a^d  condeomed  to  death.  On 
jhis  way  to  execution  he  was  rescued  by  Uie  sam  culottes 
of  tlie  Fauxbourg  de  St.  4^ntovKe.  An anned  force  mariched 
against  ^le  suburb,  aud  .9  conflict  ensued;  the  militoy 
wece  compelled  to  retire  ;  b^  at  jast  they  made  Ihe  in- 
habitants su^ren^er  the  fssassin,  and  tgiye  up  their  nrms 
and  caniK>n.  A  military  .c9mi9isi^on  having  jbetm  foined, 
many  of  the  i^ers  :\(rere  tried  and  executed.- 

The  insurrectioii  4^  not,  ho^i^eyer,  confine  itself  to 
l^aris ;  it  broke  out  a$  Toulon,  fund  the  ni»nrg<fnt3  t<HMk 
Aeir  way  to\^ards  j^arseilles ;  tJbiey  w^'^g  k^w^ytti  ii^r-* 
ceptedif  and  up\mi:4s  o;f  3)00  7<yulonese  pri|b9pers  ^ajpen  tp 
Mwseilles.  The  re^lt  FdS  i\ififi^^  f^mispifwi  ^  "E^vifi^ 
nnd  f^ttaching  lit  tp  the  niterc^t^  of  ^  {Uipyi^Ue. 
.    Paring  4hi$  y^ear  died  ^  i^ortungte  Kop  fnd  kwtfifr 


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AND  WARS   OF   EUROPE.  241 


Death  of  the  Daaphin. — The  Princess  delirered  to  the  Emperor. 

parent  of  Louis  XVI.  who  had  been  for  a  long  time  in  a 
bad  state  of  health.  Ever  since  the  auttunn  of  1792,  he  ^ 
had  been  detained  a  prisoner  in  the  Temple.  Confine- 
ment brought  on  a  swelling  in. his  knee  and  left  wrist, 
which  caused  a  fever,  that  ended  his  life  on  the  9th  of 
June.  It  has  often  been  said,  that  he  was  poisoned  by 
order  of  the  Convention ;  but  as  no  confirmation  of  such 
a  report  ever  reached  as,  we  are  induced  to  suppose  his 
deatli  was  natural.  The  Convention  soon  after  offered  to 
liberate  the  Princess,  the  only  surviving  branch  of  that 
unfortunate  family,  in  place  of  the  ibur  commissioners 
who  were  arrested  by  General  Dumourier.  The  Empe- 
ror of  Germany  agreed  with  this  proposal,  and  the  Prin« 
Cess  was  delivered  at  Basle  to  the  Austrian  envoy,  the 
Commissioners  at  the  same  time  being  restored  to  their 
country. 

The  disturbances  by  which  Paris  was  lately  convubed, 
^md  ^the  factions  apparent  even  in  the  bosom  of  the 
Convention,  seemed  to  demand  a  system  of  government, 
the  executive  power  of  which  might  be  efficient  to  tri'* 
nmph  over  opposition,  and  quell  insurrection  in  the  bud* 
The  Convention  were  constantly  busied  in  forming  a  new 
constitution,  and  on  the  23d  of  June  it  was  presented  by 
the  Committee  of  Eleven,  when  all  the  articles  were  sepai< 
rately  discussed.  Some  were  sent  back  to  the  Committee; 
for  their  further  examination.  The  Convention  restored 
the  Primary  AiisembHes  ;  and  the  whole  system  might  be 
said  to  have  been  totally  changed.  After  two  months  the 
Convention  declared,  on  the  23d  of  August,  that  the 
constitution  was  completed,  and  they  sent  it  to  the  Pri- 
mary Assemblies  for  their  acceptanceand  confirmation. 

From  this  constitution  the  greatest  hopes  were  enter- 
tained.   The  Republicans   looked  on    it  as  a    defence 
VOL.  I.— NO.  11,  I  I 

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242      HISTORY   OF   NAPOLEON    BONAPARTE, 


DetcrtptkNi  of  Conica. 


against  the  encroachoneiits  of  powerfal  individuab  on  the 
libortieB  of  tko  people,  and  as  securing  the  eiyoyment  of 
every  political  privilege. 


CHAPTER  XXTIII* 

Having  detailed  the  leading  events  of  the  revolution,  we 
win  just  give  a  short  discription  of  the  island  which 
claims  the  birth-place  of  the  Hero  of  these  pages. 

The  island  of  Corsica  claims  the  notice  of  the  historian, 
as  being  that  country  which  gave  birth  to  Napoleon 
Bonaparte. 

Corsica  is  situated  in  the  Mediterranean  sea,  and  di- 
vided from  the  island  of  Sardinia  by  the  Straits  of  Boni- 
fkcio ;  it  is  about  170  miles  east  of  Toulon,  100  miles 
south  of  Genoa»  and  80  miles  soutli  west  of  Leghorn.  It 
m  150  miles  in  length  from  north  to  south,  and  from  40 
to  50  miles  in  breath ;  it  is  about  500  miles  in  circum- 
ference, and  is  bordered  by  many  bays  and  promon- 
tories. 

The  atmosphere  is  pure  and  healthy^  and  it  is  one  of 
the  most  temperate  countries-  in  the  south  of  Europe^ 
The  harbours  are  very  numerous ;  on  the  north  it  has 
Conturi ;  on  the  west  St  Fiorenzo,  Isola,  Rossa,.  Calvi« 
and  Ajoccio  ;  on  the  south  Bonifacio  ;  and  on  the  east 
Porto  Veccliio,  Bastia,  and  Maoinajo.  A  chain  of  moun- 
tains rises  beyond  Aleria,  stretching  across  the  island 

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AND  WARS   OF  EUROPBi  S49 

DescripUoo  of  Corsica. 

from  east  to  west,  but  not  dividing  it  ni  equal  parts,  al^ 
thougk  the  great  division  of  Corsica  is  into  the  Di  qua 
dei  Monti,  the  country  on  this  side  the  moontains,  an<) 
the  jDi  la  dei  Monti,  the  country  on  the  other  side  the 
mountains,  reckoning  from  Bastia:  the  coast  is  diversir 
iied  by  mountainous'  rocky  hills,  covered  with  vines^ 
olives,  and  mulberries, .  and  by  plains  with  rich  waving 
lands,  abounding  with  corn  and  pasturage :  the  province 
of  Balagna  may  be  called  the  garden  of  Corsica ;  near 
St.  Fiorenzo,  however,  are  some  low  marshy  grounds^ 
nvhich  render  that  town  very  unhealthy ;  the  interior  of 
the  island  is,  in  general,  mountainous,  but  interspersed 
with  fruitful  vallies  and  large  tracts  of  inhabited  wood- 
land. The  farmers  live  in  yiUages,  so  that  there  i# 
scarcely  a  detached  farmhouse  to  be  seen. 

The  island  is  extremely  well  watered ;  it  has  iqany 
lakes  and  rivers,  but  the  rivers  are  not  navigable,  their 
i)urrents  are  very  rapid,  and  the  torrents,  after  great 
rains,  bring  down  fragments  from  the  mountains  larga 
enough  to  dash  a  vessel  to  pieces;  their  prodqoe  is  ooa^ 
fined  to  trouts  and  eels,  but  oa  the  c^ast  are  sturg^ntf 
and  pilchards  of  exquisite  taste,  and  remarkably  fint 
oysters^  The  animals  of  the  island  are  horsee  of  a  Tety 
fmall  breed;  asses,  and  «inles,  Tevy  smalU  but  strong} 
and  bla^k  cattle,  which  are  larger  m  pioportionp  bat  they 
give  T«ry  little  mi&,  and  their  flesh  is  toii^;  the  natives 
use  oil  instead  of  butter,  but  in  some  parts,  make  quan- 
tities of  cheese.  Goats  browse  on  the  hiU^^  wd  the  Aeep 
are  very  fine,  the  pairtwe  being  •d^>ted  to  thit  smaller 
aniina]8,  Hbe  forests  abn«nd  with  deer,  and  m  animal 
like  a  stag,  with  homii  Bke  a^ ram;  li  is  wiU  and.  GaUe4 
»  wtfroU     V»  OorsbaDs  delight  as  himlbig  tibe  itiM 

I  i2 


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244      HISTORY  OF  NAPOLEON   BONAPARTE, 

DescripcioD  of  Corsica. — Ajacdo  the  birth  place  of  Napoleon. 

boar«  for  which  they  have  a  breed  of  dogs  peculiarly 
excellent;  they  have  hares  and  foxes,  but  neither  rab- 
bits nor  wolves;  they  have  plenty  of  birds  and  game, 
and  no  poisonous  animals.  The  forests  are  extensive^ 
with  every  kind  of  forest  trees ;  pomegranate  trees  grow 
to  great  perfection,  as  well  as  the  mulberry.  The  grain 
is  wheat,  barley,  rye,  and  millets  honey  is  obtained  in 
vast  qufmtitids,  but  the  taste  is  rather  bitter.  In  the 
island  are  mines  of  lead,  iron,  copper,  silver,  alum,  and 
saltpetre;  granite,  porphyry,  jasper,  and  rock  chrystal 
are  very  abundant ;  and  quantities  of  coral  are  fished  up 
on  the  coast* 

Bastia,  which  is  on  the  east  side  of  the  island,  is  re-< 
garded  as  the  capital  of  Corsica ;  it  has  a  fine  appear- 
ance from  the  sea,  being  built  on  the  declivity  of  a  hill: 
its  castle  commands  the  town  and  harbour ;  its  cathedral 
is  not  remarkable^  but  the  church  of  St.  John  is  a  fine 
building;  the  port,  however,  cannot  b6  entered  by  ships 
of  war.  Gorte  is  in  the  centre  of  the  island,  and  is  proper* 
]y  the  capital;  it  is  situated  partly  at  the  foot  and  part- 
ly on  the  declivity  of  a  rock,  in  a  plain,  surrounded  by 
mountains  of  a  prodigious  height,  and  at  the  confluence 
of  the  rivers  Tavignano  and  Restonica.  Upon'  the  point 
of  a  rock  which  rises  above  the  rest,  is  the  casfle,  with 
only  one  winding  passage  to  climb  up  to  it,  and  where 
imhf  two  persons  can  go  abreast;  this  town  has  a  univer- 
si^. 

«  Ajaccio  OB  the  west  side  of  the  island,  and  the  hand- 
somest town,  gave  birth  to  Napoleon  Bonaparte ;  it  has 
many  good  streets  and  beantifiil  walks,  with  a  citadel  and 
palaoe.  The  inhaUtants  of  Ajaccio  are  tiie  genteelest 
and  bestbred  people  ii|  the  island;  it  has  the  remaina  of 


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4ND  WARS  OP  fUROPE.      .  245 


Deteriptioo  of  Conici. 


a  colony  of  Greeks,  who  settled  there  in  1077.  The  hai^ 
bonr  is  wide,  safe,  and  commodioos,  and  has  an  excellent 
mole. 

Caivi  has  nothing  remarkable  but  a  large  and  conre- 
nient  harbour.  Corsica  has  several  other  toims,  but 
tliose  are  the  principal. 

The  Greeks  called  this  island  Callista  and  Cymns  ;  the 
Romans  knew  it  by  its  present  name ;  it  was  first  inhar 
bited  by  a  colony  of  PhenicianSy  and  afterwards  by  the 
Phoceans,  the  Etruscans,  and  the  Carthagenians  snoces* 
siTcly ;  then  the  Romans,  who  settled  two  colonies  here*  . 
After  the  fall  of  the  Roman  empire,  it  passed  throngk 
the  hands  of  the  Goths,  the  Chreek  Emperors,  the  Lom* 
bards,  and  the  Saracens. 

.  In  the  eighth  century,  Corsica  was  conquered  by 
Charles  Martel,  who  gave  it  to  the  See  of  Rome,  by 
whom  it  was  transferred  to  the  Pisans,  and  from  whom 
it  was  conquered  by  Genoa.  The  Genoese  used  the 
natives  so  tyrannically  that  they  were  often  in  a  state  of 
iTebellion,  which,  however,  for  want  of  a  leader,  was 
soon  suppressed*' 

Henry  IT.  of  France,  assisted  by  Solyman  the  Magni- 
ficent, Emperor  of  the  Turks,  invaded  the  island  in  the 
year  1563,  and  were  joined  by  the  insurgent  inhabitants; 
but  the  Genoese,  assisted  by  Charles  V.  of  Spain,  pre* 
Tented  their  success.  The  war  was  finished  by  an  ac- 
commodation honourable  to  the  Corsicans.  The  power 
of  the  Genoese  was  mtolerable  ;  they  used  all  the  rigour 
dmt  arbitrary  power  could  inflict,  and  practised  eveiy 
sort  of  extortion  and  cruelty  ;  they  degraded  the  noble 
fiimilies,  sent  crowds  of  native  to  the  gallics  for  trifling 
offences,  prohibited  all  foveign  trade  with  the  natives, 
sad  placed  over  them  needy  adventurers  for  governors. 


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349     HISTORY  OF  NAPOLEON  BONAPARTE, 

Description  of  Corsica. — Theodore  Baron  Neiiboff. 

wfaote  desp^cate  foytunea  rendered  then  haogbty^  atari- 
dmm$p  fuid  tyrumiQal. 

The  Corsicans  were  despised,  oppressed,  and  plunder* 
«d  ontil  the  year  1729,  when  a  poor  woman  being  unable 
to  pay  to  a  Genoese  coUeetor  a  PaoU,  (a  piece  of  money 
of  about  the  value  of  five  pence  English  currency),  her 
effects  were  seized.  The  inhabitants  espoused  her  cause ; 
m  conflict  ensued  ;  they  became  masters  of  the  capital, 
and  proceeded  to  elect  military  chiefs.  The  Genoese, 
wiable  to  conquer  them  alone,  solicited,  and  obtained 
the  powerful  assistance  of  the  Emperor  Charles  VI.  The 
Corsicans  were  again  compdled  to  enter  into  aa  accom* 
raodation  with  their  tyrants  ;  on  condition,  however,  that 
the  Emperor  would  ratify  the  treaty,  which  was  signed 
in  17da 

This  treaty  was  violated  the  next  year,  and  the  Corsi- 
caas  again  took  up  arms.  They  chose  for  their  general, 
Giafien,  a  military  chief  in  the  last  insurrection;  and 
with  bim  associated  Giaeento  Paoli,  a  gentleman  of  good 
ftnily,  of  distinguished  merit,  and  the  father  of  the  ce- 
lebrated General  Pascal  Paoli.  Duriugf  this  war,  in  the 
year  1796,  Theodore  Baron  Neidioff  appeared  in  the 
island,  with  assurances  to  the  Corsicans  of  very  power*r 
ftit  asaistanceft  This  sbgular  man  was  of  the  county  of 
Marck,  in  Westphalia.  He  was  educated  in  the  French 
serviecy  and  travelled  into  England,  the  Netherlands,  and 
Italy.  He  was  a  matt  of  abilities  and  address ;  and  hav« 
ing  an  idea  of  becoming  king  of  Corsica,  he  went  ta 
TuMS,  where  lie  obtained  a  supply  of  money,  arms,  and 
ammunition.  He  then  repaired  to  Leghorn,  and  wrote  a 
letter  to  the  Coraican  ehiefe,  Giafferi  and  PaoU,  offering' 
great  assistance  to  the  nation,  if  they  would  elect  bim 
their  king.    From  the  favourable  mrnner  in  which  this 


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AMD  WARS  OF  fiCROPE«  247 


Theodon  pwclalmed  Kia^  of  Coniea. 


i^iioatioa  wai  recdvecU  he  landed  in  Corsica  in  the 
npting  of  ?786,  He  was  a  man  of  a  vefy  stately  appear^ 
anee,  and  the  Torkish  dxem,  whidi  he  wore,  added  to 
the  dignity  of  his  oiein.  He  bvonght  with  him  abont 
1000  zechiaa  of  TVmus^  beaidea  arms  and  ammunition* 
His  mauners  were  so  engaging,  and  his  promisee  of  fb« 
reign  asaistanoe  so  plaustUe  and  magnifieent,  that  ho 
was  immediately  proclaimed  king.  He  assumed  ereij 
mark  of  royal  dignity,  had  his  goarde  and  officers  of 
state,  eonferred  titles  of  honour,  and  coined  money,  both 
silver  and  copper.  He  blodied  up  the  Genoese  fortifiea* 
tions,  and  was  neither  inactive  nor  unsucoessftii  in  his 
warbke  operations ;  but  the  assistance  he  had  promised 
not  arriving,  tiie  Corsicans  shewed  marks  of  disapprobfr* 
tion.  In  eight  months  after  his  election  he  found  it  ex- 
pedient to,  leave  them;  assuring  them  that  he  would  go 
himself  in  search  of  the  long  expected  succours ;  and, 
having  settled  a  plan  of  government  in  his  absence,  he 
qaitted  the  island  in  November.  The  courts  of  Great 
Britain  and  France  had  forbidden  their  subjects,  by  pro- 
clamation, from  giving  any  assistance  to  the  Corsicans. 
He  went,  therefore,  to  Holland,  where  he  got  credit  to 
a  great  amount  from  several  rich  merchants,  who  trusted 
him  wkh  cannon  and  other  warlike  stores,  under  the 
charge  of  a  supercargo.  With  these  he  retnmed  to 
Corsica  in  1789  ;  s^d,  on  his  arrival,  says  the]  Historianf 
of  Corsica,  *'  he  put  to  death  the  supercargo,  that  he 
^  migta^  not  be  troubled  from  demands  being  made  upon 
•*  him."'— The  French,  however,  were  so  powerfol  in  the 
island,  tliat,  although  Theodore  threw  in  his  supply  of 
warlike  stores,  he  was  afraid  to  venture  his  person,  the 
Genoese  having  set  a  high  price  upon  bis  head.  He 
ahose,  therefore,  to  give  up  his  throne,  and  to  sacrifice 


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248      HISTORY  OF  NAPOLEON   BONAPARTtf, 


Theodore  tbrown  ioto  prison  in  Enfland.— His  Death. 


hi»  ambition  to  his  safety.  After  experiencing  great 
changes  of  fortune,  he  came  to  England;  but  his  sitaa* 
tion  here  grew  wretched,  and  he  was  reduced  to  such 
distress  as  to  be  thrown  into  prison  for  debt. 

The  late  Horace  Walpole,  Earl  of  Orford,  greatly  in- 
terested himself  in  procuring  a  [subscription  in  favour  of 
the  unfortunate  Theodore,  and  a  very  handsome  sum 
was  produced* 

He  was,  at  last,  freed  from  prison  by  an  act  of  insol* 
vency,  in  consequence  of  which  he  made  over  Corsica 
fot  the  benefit  of  his  creditors,  and  it  was  actually  regis- 
tered accordingly.  He  died  soon  after,  and  was  buried 
in  the  church  yard  of  St  Anne's,  Soho,  where  a  plain 
monument  is  erected  to  him^  with  the  follpwing  inscrip- 
tion; 

Near  this  place  is  interred  Theodore,  King  of  Corsica,  who 
died  in  this  parish^  December  11, 1750,  immediately  after 
leaving  the  King's  Bench  Prison,  by  the  benefit  of  an  act 
of  insolvency ;  in  consequence  of  which  he  registered  his 
kingdom  of  Corsica  for  the  benefit  of  his  creditors. 

The  Grave,  great  Teacher !  to  a  level  brings 
Heroes  and  beggars,  galley-slaves  and  kings ; 
But  Theodore  this  Moral  learn*d,  ere  dead —    ) 
Fate  pour'd  its  lesson  on  his  living  head,        C  ' 
Bestow'da  kingdom^  and  deny'd  him  bread.    J 

Theodore  left  a  son,  who  lived  many, years  in  this 
^  country,  under  the  name  of  Colonel  Frederick,  and  who 
shot  himself  in  the  year.  1796,  in  great  distress  of^mind^ 
occasioned  by  the  indigence  of  his  circumstances,  under 
the  portal  of  Westminster  Abbey.  The  Colonel  had  a 
spHf  an  officer  in  the  British  army^  who  was  killed  ia 
the  American  war. 


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AND  WARS    OF   EUROPE.  249 


Paoli  formi  a  re|:ulBr  ■vitem  of  administration. 


The  Genoese  now  applied  to  the  French  King,  who 
sent  an  army  into  the  island  in  1788,  and  in  1740  ef- 
fectually reduced  it.  At  the  end  of  the  year  1741,  the 
French  having  more  important  objects  in  view,  withdrew 
their  forces  from  the  island,  alter  having  put  the 
Genoese  in  complete  possession  of  it.  Bat  the  moment 
that  the  French  had  left  the  island,  the  Corsicans  re- 
sumed their  arms  ;  and,  from  that  period,  the  war  con- 
tinued under  different  chiefs  till  1756,  when  Pascal  Paoli 
was  elected  to  the  chief  command.  Great  Britain  had 
ordered  her  subjects  to  give  no  aid  to  the  Corsicans; 
but^  in  1745,  from  a  revolution  in  her  political  connec- 
tions, some  English  ships  of  war,  with  a  Corsican  chief 
on  board,  were  sent  into  the  Mediterranean^  as  auxilia- 
ries to  the  King  of  Sardinia.  Tliese  ships  attacked 
Bastia  and  Fiorenzo,,  of  which  they  put  the  Corsicans  in 
possession.  At  the  peace,  however,  in  1763,  a  severe 
proclamation  was  issued  by  the  British  court,  in  which 
thes<i  brave  islanders  were  styled  rebels.  Paoli  had  the 
address  to  engage  all  ranks  to  provide  what  was  neces-^ 
sary  for  carrying  on  the  war  with  spirit,  and  drove  the 
Genoese  to  the  renlotest  comers  of  the  island.  He  cor- 
rected innumerable  abuses,  and  formed  a  regular  sys- 
tem of  administration  i  He  civilized  the  manners  of  the 
Corsicans,  established  a  university^  and  settled  schools 
ia  every  village  of  the  kingdom.  He  encouraged  the 
Corsicans  to'  apply  to  agriculture,  Qommerce,  and  civil 
occupations,  Mhich  had  been  interrupted  by  the  long 
continuance  of  the  yrar.  The  nation  became  firm  and 
united ;  and,  had  not  tlie  French  again  interposed,  the 
Corsicans  would  have  entirely  driven  the  Genoese  from 
the  island.  But,  when  Paoli  was  on  the  point  of  sue- 
cesslully  terminating  the    war,  the  Genoese  in    1764 

VOL.  I. — NO.  11.  K    K  ^    _.  Pnnal(> 

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250      HISTORY   OF   NAPOLEON    BONAPARTE, 


Paoli  retires  to  Encrland. 


made  a  treaty  with  the  French,  by  which  the  latter  en- 
gaged to  garrison  the  fortified  towns  of  Corsica  for  the 
lenu  of  four  years.  In  1767,  the  Genoese  sold  theur 
sovereignty  to  the  French  King,  who,  to  tlie  garrisons 
already  in  Corsica,  sent  a  powerful  body  of  troops,  un- 
der '  the  command  of  the  Count  de  Vaux.  Flattermg 
manifestoes  were  published  to  induce  the  Corsicans  to 
become  subjects  of  France  ;  but  filled  with  the  love  of 
liberty,  they  defeated  the  French  in  several  engage- 
ments. Fresh  troops  being  sent  from  France,  the  con- 
test at  last  became  too  unequal ;  the  natives,  reduced  by 
their  victories,  were  impelled  to  submit ;  and  ii>  June 
1769,  the  brave  Paoli,  forced  to  abandon  his  country  to 
its  fate,  embarked  on  board  an  English  ship,  landed  at 
Leghorn,  and,  going  soon  after  to  London,  lived  there 
many  years,  protected  and  supported  by  the  British 
court. 

Corsica  being  thn»  subdued,  the  French  commander 
new  modelled  the  government  of  the  island,  which  was 
•placed  under  the  parliament  of  Provence.  The  natives 
quitted  their  counti^y  in  great  numbers ;  while  the  most 
intrepid  of  those  that  remained,  took  shelter  in  tlie 
mountainous  parts,  and  seized  every  opportunity  of 
iJilling  upon  their  enemies,  when  separated  into  small 
parties;  and  they  put  to  death  all  the  French  that  fell 
into  their  hands.  As  nothing  could  overcome  the  spirit 
of  the  natives,  the  most  dreadful  cruelti(*s  were  exer- 
cised upon  all  who  were  made  prisoners  ;  and  by  the 
year  1778,  when  the  French  King,  who  had  enslaved 
tlicse  islanders,  declared  himself  the  protector  and  guar- 
dian of  the  liberties  of  America,  which  in  the  end 
proved  so  fatal  to  himself,  the  poor,  friendless  and  de- 
*<rWd  Cowicaos  were  n'early  extirpated, 

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AND  WARS   OF   EUROPE.  251 

Corsica  decreed  to  be  the  83d  Departmeot  of  Fraoce. 

The  revolution  of  France  in  1789,  caused  at  last  a 
change  in  the  political  aspect  of  Corsica.  From  the  time 
when  it  was  conquered^  this  island  was  retained  in  sub- 
jection only  by  military  despotism.  They  never  con^- 
finned  the  infamous  contract  by  which  a  nation  was 
transferred  from  the  dominion  of  Genoa  to  that  of  Fr^ce. 
The  meeting  of  the  states  general  at  Versailles  had  kin- 
dled in  the  bosoms  of  these  brave  men  the  hopes  of  being 
reinstated  in  their  rights.  These  hopes  were  followed  by 
a  rumour  that  they  were  once  more  to  be  given  to  the  de- 
tested dominion  of  Genoa;  or  at  least  that  they  were  to 
be  kept  as  a  servile  appendage  to  a  land  of  freedom.  In 
such  a  state  of  doubt  the  passions  of  the  multitude  are 
easily  excited.  They  proposed  to  form  a  national  guard ; 
the  citizens  of  Bastia  assembled  for  that  purpose  in  the 
church  of  St.  John ;  the  army  marched  to  disperse  them, 
and  in  the  contest  some  lives  were  lost  In  this  state  the 
island  continued^  when  deputies  (among  whom  was  Pas- 
cal Paoli,  who  had  just  revisited  his  native  country)  ap- 
peared at  the  bar  of  the  National  Constituent  Assembly^ 
entreating  in  the  name  of  the  people  of  Corsica,  that 
they  might  be  irrevocably  united,  by  a  del^ree  of  the 
legislature,  to  the  French  nation,  as  a  constituent  part  of 
the  empire*  This  request  was  too  reasonable,  and  too 
flattering  to  the  Assembly,  not  to  be  directly  complied 
with ;  and  Corsica  was  decreed  tow  be  an  eighty-third  de« 
partment  of  France*  This  was  followed  by  a  motion  of 
the  Count  de  Mirabeau  (who  regretted  that  his  youth  had 
been  disgraced  in  sharing  in  the  conqaest  of  this  island) 
to  restore  all  who  had  emigrated,  except  for  civil  crimes, 
to  their  rank,  their  rights*  and  their  property.  The  illus- 
trious Paoli,  who  had  so  often  appeared  as  the  general  in 

K    K   2, 

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252       HISTORY  OF   NAPOLEON  BONAPARTE, 


The  Corticans  dissatisfied  with  the  Measures  of  the  ConveotioD. 


chief,  was  naw  satisfied  to  be  commandant  of  the  national 
guard  at  Bastia. 

In  the  year  1790,  Bonaparte  got  the  command  of  a 
battalion  of  national  guards  at  Ajaccio,  ^d  did  duty  in 
his  native  town,  until  he  re-entered  the  corps  of  artillery, 
and  for  his  services  at  Toulon  received  the  rank  of  gene- 
ral. This  instance  of  wisdom  and  liberality  in  the  first 
National  Assembly  bf  France,  who,  when  they  renounc- 
ed all  views  of  war  and  conquest,  seemed  desirous  of 
establishing  the  blessings  of  real  liberty,  seemed  to  pro- 
mise a  lasting  connection  between  France  and  Corsica. 
But  when  this  Assembly  was  dissolved,  their  successors 
were  men  of  very  inferior  talents  and  characters,  and 
guided  by  less  enlightened  views.  The  events  which  fol- 
lowed the  revolution  of  the  10th  of  August  1792,  were 
not  calculated  to  ensure  the  attachment  of  the  Corsicans 
to  the  new  RepubUc.  Dissatisfaction  with  the  measures 
of  the  French  Convention,  and  particularly  with  those 
which  evinced  an  intention  to  overthrow  all  religion,  be- 
came so  manifest,  that  it  soon  excited  suspicion  and  { 
roused  to  violence.  On  the  2d  of  April  1793,  the  po-  ' 
pular  society  of  Toulon  accused  General  Paoli  to  the 
Convention,  as  a  supporter  of  despotism.  They  stated 
that  the  general,  along  with  the  administrators  of  the  de- 
partment, had  inflicted  every  hatdship  upon  the  patriots, 
and  favoured  the  emigrants  and  rdractory  priests.  They 
demanded  that  he  should  fall  under  the  avenging  sWord 
of  the  law.  The  Convention  decreed,  that  General  Paoli 
and  the, Attorney  General  of  Corsica  should  be  ordered 
to  the  bar  to  give  an  account  of  their  conduct. 

The  Convention  received  a  letter  from  the  commist 
pipners  sent  to  Corsica  to  arrest  General  Pagli,  that  ihey 


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AND  WARS   OF   EUROPE.  253 


Con ica  tnntferred  to  the  Domioion  of  Great  Britain. 


thought  it  not  prudent  to  attempt  it  for  the  present,  and 
in  the  same  month  a  letter  was  read  from  the  General,  re^ 
gretting  that  his  extreme  old  age  and  bodily  infirmities 
made  it  impossible  for  him  to  cross  the  sea  and  travel 
200  leagues  bj  land,  to  appear  at  the  bar  of  the  Conven- 
tion, but  offering  to  retire  from  his  country,  if  it  were 
thought  necessary  to  the  safety  and  peace  of  Corsica,  lu 
October,  however,  Paoli  sent  to  Lord  Hood  for  a  few 
ships,  to  co-operate  with  him  against  the  French  in  the 
island,  and  to  attack  the  redoubt  at  Fomill,  a  post  about 
two  miles  from  the  town  of  Fiorenze.  Captain  Linzee, 
however,  failed,  from  false  information  being  given  him 
respecting  some  cannon,  which  annoyed  him  from  the 
town,  and  also  from  the  want  of  ardour  in  the  Corsicans, 
who  had  agreed  to  storm  the  posts  on  the  land  side :  as, 
however,  they  never  made  the  least  movement  to  effect  that 
service  during  the  action,  the  whole  force  of  the  enemj 
was  directed  against  the  British. 

In  May,  1794,  Lord  Hood  got  the  surrender  of  the 
town  and  citidal  of  Bastia,  from  Gentili  the  comman- 
dant, and  in  July  the  union  of  the  island  of  Corsica  to  the 
crown  of  Great  Britain  was  formally  concluded.  Gene- 
ral Paoli  assisted  tliis  measure  by  a  very  spirited  addrcM 
to  the  people.  The  town  of  Calvi  surrendered  on  the 
10th  of  August,  after  a  siege  of  fifty-one  days.  Sir 
Gilbert  Elliot  was  appointed  Viceroy,  and  met  the  first 
parliament  of  Corsica  on  the  9th  of  February,  1795. 

Thus  was  the  country,  which  gave  birth  to  Napoleon 
Bonaparte  transferred  to  the  dominion  of  Great  Britain^ 
at  a  time  when  the  world  was  astonished  by  the  pro- 
gress of  the  French  arms  ;  when  the  plans  of  the  British 
Government  itself  were  frustrateid  by  the  subjugation  of 


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254      HISTORY  OP  NAPOLEON   BONAPARrE, 

*'.-ny  parte  arrested.— Hii  Release — aod  Arrival  at  Paris, 

Holii'.'  -*,    and   aiuiosl   every   country   on  the    continent 
distressed  in  its  means  and  resources. 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 


*  Bonaparte,  after  the  siege  of  Toulon,  where  his  actions 
were  so  conspicuous,  and  where  he  got  the  rank  of  General, 
was  sent  to  Nice,  but  was  arrested  there  by  Befiroi,  the 
deputy,  who  first  displaced  him  from  his  command.  He 
was  accused  of  being  a  Terrorist,  and  being  sanguinary 
towards  the  persecuted  inhabitants :  he  was  soon  released, 
but  lost  his  command  in  the  artillery,  although  not  dis- 
charged the  service :  he  was  offered  a  command  in  the 
infantry,  but  refused  to  accept  it. 

While  he  stayed  at  Nice  the  war  offered  materials  of 
great  value  to  a  mind  so  filled  with  military  enthusiasm  : 
be  was  constantly  employed,  and  spent  much  of  the  night 
in  stddy. 

When  firee  from  arrest,  he  went  to  Paris  to  state  his 
complaints.  -Aubry,  the  representative,  then  at  the 
head  of  the  military  department,  refused  him  any  more 
than  the  commission  in  the  infantry  he  had  been  offered. 
Bonaparte  demanded  his  discharge,  which  was  refused : 
he  then  asked  permission  to  retire  to  Constantinople,  pro* 
bably  with  a  view  of  serving  in  the  Turkish  army,  but 
this  was  likewise  refused. 


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AND   WARS    OF    EUROPE.  255 

Bonaparte^in  London. — His  Eoibarrassments. 

In  the  year  1794  he  got  the  command  of  an  expedition 
against  Ajaccio,  his  native  town,  in  the  island  of  Corsica, 
in  which,  however,  he  was  repulsed  by  Masteria,  a  rela- 
tion, who  was  at  that  time  in  the  British  service,  and  had 
servedander  General  Elliot  at  the  siege  of  Gibraltar.  The 
object  of  the  expedition  being  defeated,  he  returned  to 
Paris. 

It  has  b«en  stated,  that  Bonaparte  solicited  a  commis- 
sion in  the  British  army,  which  has  as  often  been  denied. 
It  is  however  certain  that  Bonaparte  was  in  England,  but 
the  object  of  his  appearance  here  is  n^t  known.  He 
lodged  in  the  Adelphi,  and  remained  in  London  but  a 
short  time.  This  information  was  procured  from  General 
Miranda,  who  says  he  visited  him  in  England  at  the  time. 
We  state  the  circumstance  on  the  authority  of  that  Gene- 
ral, the  last  time  he  was  in  this  country,  before  his  expe- 
dition to  South  America :  it  is  likely,  that  the  time  when 
Bonaparte  was  here,  was  the  middle  of  the  year  1798  ; 
for  the  Convention  suspecting  him,  whilst  he  com- 
manded in  Corsica,  of  tampering  to  surrender  the  island 
to  the  English,  the  deputies  le  Courbc,  St.  Michael,  and 
two  others,  ordered  his  arrest :  he  quitted  the  array  in 
consequence,  and  perhaps  came  to  England  immediately, 
and  departed  in  time  to  be  present  at  the  siege  of 
Toulon. 

After  Bonaparte  had  been  removed  from  the  artillery, 
and  his  ill  success  before  Ajaccio,  he  remained  in  great 
obscurity,  and  laboured  under  much  pecuniary  embar- 
rassment: his  friends  were  not  numerous,  and  he  was 
often  obliged  for  five  or  six  livrcs  to  M.  Guerin,  a  mer- 
chant at  Marseilles ;  but  the  assistance  he  received 
from  others  was  even  still  more  trifling.  Ilis  pros- 
pects were  shaded  by    adversity,  and  he   had   no   cer- 

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256       HISTORY   OP   NAPOLEON    BONAPARTE, 

—     _-. L —  ■■ 

ObjectioDf  to  the  new  Constitution. 

lain  expectation  of  either  employment  or  supporti  when, 
at  the  latter  end  of  the  year  1795,  he  had  again  hopes  of 
being  called  into  action.  £- 

Whilst  the  forty-eight  sections  of  Paris  seemed  unani-* 
mous  in  theur  acceptance  of  the  new  constitution.  Qn9f~ 
six  of  them  rejected  the  decree  that  two-third^f^e 
members  of  the  Convention  should  be  re-elected  foB  the 
new  legfelature,  and  the  decree  which  ^declared,  thM  if 
the  departments  did  not  re-elect  two-tliirds,  tlie  Conve^i- 
tion  would  form  an  elective  body,  and  supply  the  defici- 
ency by  its  own  nomination.  These  two  obnoxious  laws 
were  denominated  the  laws  of  the  5th  and  13tb  Fructidor 
(22d  and  30th  August),  and  were  sent  into  the  depart- 
ments with  the  constitutional  act.  The  scene  of  horror 
and  tumult  which  prevailed  in  Paris  was  dreadful.  The 
warmest  debates  took  place,  and  the  spirit  of  the  Parisians 
was  imitated  by- many  of  the  departments. 

During  these  transactions,  the  primary  assemblies  of 
almost  all  the  departments  of  the  Republic  signified 
their  acceptance  of  the  constitution,  the  decrees  being 
blamed  by  some,  and  approved  by  others.  This  gave  an 
opportunity  to  the  Convention  to  declare,  that  the  ma- 
jority of  each  department  was  in  favour  of  the  decreed ; 
this  was  disputed  by  the  sections  ;  who,  having  got  leave 
to  inspect  the*  records,  insisted  that  the  majority,  if  their 
voice  was  fairly  ascertauied,  would  be  in  favour  of  a  new 
legislature  ;  because  they  discovered  that  where  a  vbok 
primary  assembly  were  unanimous  for  repealing  the  de- 
crees, it  was  marked  by  the  Convention  as  a  single  voi^ 
alihough  some  of  them  consisted  of  1500  or  2000  persons^ 
But  the  simple  truth  did  not  meet  the  views  of,  either* 
Th#  Convention  received  the  deputations  with  haugbts* 
nesa^  and  contempt,  and  often  denied  them  admittance. 


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AND  WARS  or   BUROPC  257 


The  CoQveatloo  declares  iltelf  io  a  state  of  permaneDcy. 

»*■'=»=  ^  '        '  »>— .^r^ —  ,^ 

The  langnage  of  the  sectioDs  and  the  schemes  they 
seemed  resolved  to  adopt,  made  the  Convention  claim 
the  protection  of  a  military  force  from  the  committees 
of  government  The  idea  that  no  soldier  would  attack 
the  1^  or  rights  of  a  fellow  cslizen,  made  the  people  of 
Paris  pay  little  attention  to  the  military  preparations  of 
the  legisIaUire.  Means  were  declared  to  be  necessary  to 
hring  the  Convention  within  the  bounds  of  reason  and 
justice ;  and  they  were  pamted  as  a  body  of  tyrants  and 
assassins^  still  containing  the  mnrderers  of  the  2d  of  Sep-^ 
tember,  the  conspirators  of  the  31st  of  May»  the  ap-^ 
planders  of  the  assassination  of  the  Gironde>  the  asso« 
ciates  of  the  Mountain  chiefs,  and  the  act6rs  of  the  d^ 
cemviral  tyranny, 

)  This  language  was  comparatively  moderate.  The  re* 
estabUshment  of  revolutionary  tribunals  was  strongly  re* 
commended ;  and  it  was  proposed  that  every  deputy 
akould  stand  a  trial,  and  iko  more  evidence  be  required 
against  him  than  his  public  conduct. 
.  The  arrests  passed  by  the  sections  were  annulled^  and 
tlie  commanders  of  the  armed  force  were  ordered  not  to 
obey  them.  The  Convention  decbured  itself  in  a  state 
of  permanence,  and  matters  seemed  to  be  fiuit  coming  to 
a  crisis. 

At  seven  o'clock  in  the  evening,  a  municipal  officer 
appeared  with  sis  dragoons,  and  two  trumpeters,  on  the 
Place  dtt  Theatre  Francois,  to  publish  the  decree,  and, 
at  the  smne  time  a  crowd  rushing  from  the  theatre,  in- 
ereased  that  without,  and  hissings  and  hootings  inter- 
rupted the  ceremony;  one  of  the  heralds  was  attacked,^ 
and  the  flambeau  he  held  extinguished.  The  Convene 
lion  ordered  the  deputies  to  secure  the  electors  who 
^voald  not  obey  the  law  which  ordered  tke  dosing  of  the 

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258      HISTORY   or   NAPOLEON   BONAPARTE, 

I  ir  r"1f 

General  Meaott  euperoeded  io  hit  oommaad  of  the  Paris  troops. 

assemblies.  The  electoral  body,  however,  waited  for 
the  decree  of  the  Convention  to  separate ;  for  when  the 
troops  arrived,  the  place  of  meeting  was  empty. 

The  Convention  issued  a  proclamation,  which  stated, 
that "  after  having  exhausted  all  paternal  means*  they 
^'  were  resolved  to  put  an  end  to  the  shameful  struggle, 
**  between  the  general  'will  of  the  people  and  a  handful 
**  of  Royalists." — "  Friends  to  the  laws !  defenders  of 
*'  hberty !"  it  concluded^  **  listen  to  the  voice  of  duty, 
**  and  as  soon  as  the  cry  of  '  Aid  to  the  law !'  shall  be 
*'  heard,  join  the  banners  of  virtue  ;  at  the  sight  of  you 
*'  the  conspirators  will  fly,  and  peace  and  happiness  will 
"  be  raised  upon  the  ruins  of  faction.^' 

The  Convention  continued  to  order  troops  into  the 
metropolis,  and  mingled  with  them  some  hundreds  of 
the  Terrorists  who  were  confined  in  prison,  from  their 
mortal  antipathy  against  the  sections.  Such  a  guard 
was  loudly  exclaimed  against  by  the  sections  ;  for 
they  conceived  it  a  signal  for  the  return  of  a  govern- 
ment hke  that  of  Robespierre.  General  Menou,  who 
commanded  the  military  force  of  Paris,  was  despatch- 
ed to  where  the  sections  met^  to  effect  their  disper-^ 
sion,  or  take  away  their  arms.  The  Deputy;  who 
was  chosen  to  visit  the  sections,  and  General  Meno« 
had  long  conferences  with  them,  when  they  said  they 
would  gladly .  lay  down  their  arms,  if  the  Convention 
would  disarm  the  Terroristsr  ;  but,  as  they  had  no 
authority  to  come  to  terms  with  the  •  sections,  the 
troops  were  withdrawn  on  both  sideB^  which  offended 
the  Convention,  and  for  whieh  General  Mepou  was 
superceded. 

Barras,  who  was  charged  witli  the    directicm  of  ibe 
.armed  force,  was  appointed  in  his  place,  and  W  dete^ 

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AND   WARS    OP   EUBOPE.  259 


Barras  succeeds  Menou,  and  appoints  Bonaiiarte  second  in  command. 

mined  to  avail  himself  of  the  assistance  of  a  -  general  in- 
whom  he  could  confide.  Who  could  be  better  qualified 
them  Napoleon  Bonaparte,  who  had  served  at  Toulon 
with  such  success,  as  to  confirm  that  opinion  he  enter* 
tained  of  his  talents,  ^ich  had  made  him  appoint  him 
a  generalt  there  was  no  time  for  hesitation;  he  sent 
immediately  for  Bonaparte,  and  gave  him  the  second 
command  of  the  Conventional  troops  then  in  Paris. 

The  sections  beat  to  arms,  and  appeared  more  serious 
in  the  military  preparations.  The  inhabitants  were, 
alarmed  at  midnight  by  the  sound  of  drums,  and  a  knock- 
ing at  almost  every  door,  with  the  incessant  cry  of  **  To 
'^arms,  to  arms,  citizens!  every  one  to  his  section*— 
''liberty  or.  death!"  This  produced  no  material  efiect, 
as  the  people  did  not  think  that  the  assault  was  to  be  at 
night.  About  noon,  however,  the  next  day,  the  people 
were  again  in  motion,  in  order  to  march  their  forces 
against  the  ThuiUeries. 

.  The  troops  of  the  Convention  reached  from  the  Pont 
Neuf,  along  the  quays  on  the  right  bank  of  the  Seine, 
to  the  Champs  Elysees,  and  continued  to  the  Boule* 
varda;  the  people  occupied  the  Rue  St.  Honore,  the 
Place  de  Vendome,  St.  Roch,  and  the  Place  du  Palais 
Royal.  The  Convention  deceived  the  people,  in  the 
morning,  by  sending  to  the  sections,  and  in  receiving 
and  agitating  propositions  for  peace,  whilst  they  gain- 
^d  time  to  reinforce  their  positions,  and  encourage  the 
troops  to  fire  on  the  people  when  ordered.  The  debates 
in  the  Convention,  and  messages  and  letters  to  General 
Danicau,  who  commanded  the  troops  of  the  Parisians^ 
l^pt  the  people  dispussi^g  instead  of  fighting ;  and,  to 
their  astonishment,  the  post  of  the  citizen?  at  St.  RocH 

L  L  3 

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890     HISTORY  or  KAPOLEOK  BONAPARTE, 
Dreadfol  tlaai^hter  io  Park. 


was  suddenly  fired  upon  in  the  Ckil  de  Sac  Dftupbin, 
and  a  dreadliil  scene  of  sbnghter  began. 

The  citizens  on  the  Northern  side  of  the  river  were 
in  close  -and  terrible  combat,  those  on  the  opposite  were 
endeavouring  to  reach  the  Cbnventiott  by  the  qiiaynof 
Voltaire,  though  the  cannon  of  the  Convention,  which 
defended  each  end  of  the  bridge,  presented  to  their 
view  a  most  threatening  appearance.  Tbe^  conflict  on 
the  one  side  of  the  river  was  not  long ;  for  the  com^ 
mander  of  the  column  having  tried  to  force  the  passage 
without  artillery,  and  but  ill  provided  with  ammanition, 
a  discharge  of  musketry  was  made,  which  quickly  dia* 
persed  his  followers :  the  artOleiy  was  commanded  b j 
Bonaparte.  The  battle  near  the  Thailleries,  where  the 
Convention  was  sitting,  raged  vrith  great  fury,  the  can- 
non being  frequently  seized  by  the  insurgents,  and  as 
often  retaken  by  the  national  troops.  Though  the  sec* 
tionaries  had  no  artillery,  they  made  a  gpiUant  oppositicii* 
and,  after  many  repulses,  still  returned  to  the  charge, 
and  did  not  retreat  till  after  a  bloody  conflict  of  four 
hours,  Witban  two  hours,  the  firing  of  the  cannon  was 
heard  again,  which  did  not  snd  till  midnight,  when  the 
troops  of  the  Ccmvention  wer6  masters  of  the  field  oT 
battle,  and  routed  the  cHizens  at  every  post  The  church 
of  St  Roch,  and  the  Pahis  d'Egaliti,  were  forced ;  the 
gates  were  opened  by  the  cannon,  and  the  people  who 
had  sought  refuge  irithin  the  wafls,  were  slaughtered. 
The  few  deputies  who  were  in  the  Convention,  staid  in 
their  places,  with  their  president  at  their  head.  Many  of 
the  otiiers ,  mixed  wHh  tike  troops  witiiout  The  aumbei' 
of  people  Wain  on  this  memorable  day>  has  b^ep  sUtsd 


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AND  WASS  OP  EUKOPB.  261 

■■  ■         ■       ^  ■■  I         I  I- 

The  National  CooTention  dissolved. — ^TKeir  actions. 

—■p-      ••sssssss  nr""'-r,  .  .    "■■■    .  ^      ■        ■,■■  ir  ■  -wi 

BarraSy  having  had  the  chief  command,  received  att 
the  honours  and  the  credit  that  the  Convention  fixed  ta 
the  services  of  the  day.  The  distinguished  share  that 
Bonaparte  had  in  the  affair,  was  eclipsed  by  the  sup#* 
rior  pretensiln  of  his  superior.  The  unpopularity  of 
the  measure  was  not  likely  to  endear  him  to  the  Paii* 
iriatts ;  but  he  acquired  notice,  «nd  Barras  was  at  length 
so  well  pleased  with  his  conduct,  that  he  took  an  eariy 
opportunity  of  rewarding  him.  • 

A  commission  of  five  members,  was  appointed  t» 
consider  the  most  effectual  means  for  saving  the  country; 
and  as  this  had  been  almost  a  watch  word  for  carrying 
into  efi^ct  some  revolutionary  measure,  it  caused  on  ftM 
account  a  great  degree  of  alarm. 

The  report  given  in  by  the  commission,  recomnend- 
ing  the  sitting  of  the  Convention  ta  be  permanent^  Waa 
annulled  ;  and,  on  the  day  fixed  by  law,  the  27th  Octo- 
ber, the  president  declared  that  the  National  Convention 
was  dissolved. 

This  Convention  continued  87  months  and  four  days 
sitting,  tfiey  put  to  death  the  successor  of  an  hundred 
kings,  and,  in  one  day,  broke  that  sceptre,  for  which 
fourteen  centuries  had  procured  almost  a  religious  vene- 
ration ;  they  made  France  an  armed  nation,  and  sent  a 
million  and  a  half  of  men  into  the  field,  who  defeated 
the  combination  of  all  the  great  powers  of  the  continent, 
and  subdued  Holland.  They  enacted  11,210  kws»«nd, 
300  conspirators,  and  140  insurrections  were  denoimc- 
ed,  and  18,613  persons  ended  their  lives  by  the  guiUo- 
tine.  Th6  civil  war  at  Lyons  cost  81,200  men,  ^d  tliat 
at  MarseUles  729.  At  Toulon  14,825  lives  were  diatrpy- 
ied  ;  and  in  the  South,  after  the  fall  of  Bobespierre,  740 
jMividuals   perished^    The  war  in  La  Vendee  caused 

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262      HISTORY   OP   NAPOLEON    BONAPARTE, 
The  Executive  Directory  elected. 


the  de9tractioxi  of  900,000  men,  and  more  than  20>000 
dwellings.  Four  thousand  seven  hundred  and  ninety 
persons  committed  suicide,  through  terror  or  tlie  dread- 
ful enormities  that  were  committed ;  and  3400  women 
died  of  premature  deliveries,  from  tho  ^ame  cause ; 
20,000  human  beings  perished  of  famine,  and  1550  were 
driven  to  incurable  insanity.  In  the  colonies  124,000 
white  men,  women  and  children,  and  60,000  people  of 
colour  were  massacred,  and  two  towns  and  3200  habita- 
tions burnt.  The  loss  of  men  by  the  war  alone,  is  esti- 
mated at  upwards  of  800,000,  and  123,789  Emigrants, 
were  for  ever  excluded  from  entering  France.  These 
were  the  events  that  happened  during  the  time  of  that 
Convention,  which  closed  its  sittings,  by  decreeing,  that 
the  punishment  of  death  should  be  abolished  at  the  ter- 
mination of  the  war  I 


*»»»-0^^^*'»*0*-*'*^:»^*'*^»^^^^^^^*.^'^0  0  0^***^^^» 


CHAPTER  XXX. 

,  The  Convention  finished  its  sittings,  by  electing  itself 
into  a  body,  to  complete  the  members  wanting  in  the 
Council  of  Five  Hundred.  On  the  Council  of  Five 
Hundred  and  the  Council  of  Ancients  being  formed, 
they  retired  to  their  respective  halls.  The  Council  of 
Ancients  appointed  Larevelliere  Lepaux,  their  president; 
and  the  Council  of  five  hundred  elected  Danon  for  their 
president  A  list  of  60  names  was  given  to  the  Coun- 
cil of  Ancients,  firom  which  they  w^re  to  elect  an  B3(fi^ 

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AND   WARS  OF   EUROPE.  26& 


BoDBiMTte  wUiU  tbe  Director  Camot. 


cutive  Directory  of  five  persons,  and  Ije|>aax,  Letoor* 
near,   Rewbel,  Sieyes,  'and  BarraSi  were  declared  duly  . 
elected.      Sieyes  declined  the  office,   and  Camot  was 
appointed  in  his  room. 

The  palace  of  the  Luxembourg  was  fixed  on  as  tbe, 
residence  of  the  Executive  Directory,  and  was  to  be 
named  the  Palace  of  the  Directory.  The  dress  of  the 
Directors  was  very  magnificent  ;  the  constitution  de- 
creed that  they  should  wear  it  at  all  times  when  they 
gave  audience ;  the  legislative  authorities  were  also  ha- 
bited in  their  halls  in  very  showy  dresses. 

When  the  Directory  were  [inaugurated,  Bonaparte,  a& 
General  of  the  armed  force  of  Paris,  waited  on  each  of 
the  five  Directors.  Gamot,  who  succeeded  Sieyesy  lived 
at  the  top  of  a  house  beneath  the  ruins  of  the  Luxem- 
bourg, his  official  apartments  not  being  ready;  it  wa^  jn 
a  Monday  that  Bonaparte  presented  himself,  the  day 
when  a  celebrated  writer  regularly  visited  Carnot.  This 
person  was  singing  an  air,  accompanied  by  a  young  lady 
on  the  piano-forte.  Tiie  appearance  of  Bonaparte,  a 
little  well-made  olive  complexioned  youth,  amid  five  or 
six  tall  young  men,  who  paid  him  great  attention,  was 
a  great  contrast :  he  entered  the  room  and  bowed  with 
an  air  of  ease  and  self  possession,  and  the  author  in 
question  asked  Camot  who  the  gentlemen  were*  The 
Director  answered,  **  the  General  of  the  armed  force  of 
''  Paris,  and  his  aids-de-carap."  His  being  unlike  such 
Generals  as  Santerre  or  Rossignol  was  striking.  "  What 
**  is  his  name  V  said  the  author, ''  Bonaparte.'^  "  Has 
^*  he  great  nulitary  skill  T  "  So  it  is  said."  '*  What 
*'  has  he  ever  done  that  is  remarkable  ?"  *'  He  is  the 
**  officer  who  commanded  the  troops  of  the  Convention 
•<  on  tbe  day  of  Vendemiaire*"    The  inquirer  was  one 


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9^      HISTORY  OF  NAFOLEOK   BONAPARTE, 


The  British  ref  ol««  to  attempt  a  detoeat  oa  the  French  coast. 

•f  Hbe  electors  af  VeDdemiaire  ;  be  retired  to  an  obsciire 
pert  of  the  room,  tod  looked  on  the  new  visitor  in 
Aouglitfiihiesd  and  silence. 

Boniq^arte  seeing  the  young  ladj  stiU  at  her  instni- 
ment,  and  the  company  taken  np  with  luni>  said,  "  I 
**  have  stopped  year  amusements ;  some  person  was 
"  singing,  I  beg  I  may  not  interrupt  the  party."  The 
Director  apologized ;  the  General  insisted,  and  after  two 
€>r  throe  national  airs  were  played,  he  rose,  and  took  his 
kave.  When  he  departed,  the  conversation  turned  on 
Bonaparte,  and  Oamot  predicted  from  this  short  inter- 
view, ^at  the  young  Geneial,  would  not  long  retain  a 
command  that  an  aspiring  genius  would  consider  only 
as  a  step  to  future  fame  and  glory. 

*  Barras  was  not  wanting  in  discernment ;  and  he,  there* 
fore,  duly  valued  the  exertions  of  Bonaparte  in  the 
business  of  the  sections ;  be  saw  that  he  was  fitted  for 
a  station  in  which  vigilance  and  activity  were  essentially 
requisite,  and  he  procured  faim  the  command  of  the 
army  of  the  interior;  the  high  rank  of  this  appointment 
was  attended  with  adequate  emolumcots,  and  carried 
wilb  it  considerable  influence. 

In  this  year,  1795,  La  Vendee  was  again  in  a  state  of 
nsurrection ;  the  Vendean  chiefs  were  suqpected,  a  cor^ 
leqpondenee  with  the  English  was  iiUercepted,  Charette 
and  Stofllet  issued  a  manifesto  on  the  pan  of  ikt  Ven- 
deans,  and  civil  war  again  seemed  inevitable. 

The  British  government,  convinced  that  if  France  en* 
joyed  all  ber  strength,  she  would  be  too  power&l  for 
her  opponents,  resolved  to  attempt  a  descent  on  her 
coasts.  'Regiments  of  Emigrants  were  raised,  which 
were  recruited  partly  by  the  unfortunate  Toolonese,  who 
were  saved  from  the  massacre  in  that  city,  and  by  vo- 


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AND  WAR3   OF  EUROPE.  265 

KxpeditloB  to  Qoiberoo. 

■■    ■ 

lunteers  from  amongst  the  French  prisoners:  M.  de 
Poisaye  had  the  command  of  the  expedition  ;  and  the 
gallant  Count  de  Sombreuil  and  Count  d'Hervilly  vo^ 
lonteered  their  services  on  this  occasion,  hoping  to  re- 
store tranquillity  to  their  distracted  country. 

The  expedition  was  provided  with  liberality^  and  from 
the  judicious  equipment  of  their  army,  and  the  great  sup- 
ply of  arms  and  stores,  whith  they  could  distribute 
on  their  landing,  they  had  no  doubt  of  the  most  favourable 
/esults. 

When  they  were  a  fortnight  at  sea,  the  fleet  anchor^ 
ed  in  the  bay  of  Quiberon,  imd  about  2500  men  landed 
-on  the  morning  of  the  27th  June,  before  whom  200  Re* 
publicans  appeared  to  make  a  stand,  but  were  easily  put 
to  flight.  Multitudes  of  peasants  came  from  all  quarters 
to  see  the  army,  and  were  much  pleased  with  the  ex- 
pedition. They  were  supplied  with  large  quantities  of 
different  necessaries,  and  upwards  of  28,000  muskets 
were  distributed  among  them. 

The  fort  of  Quiberon  surrendered  to  M.  d'Hervilly. 
It  was  afterwards  settled  in  a  council  of  war,  to  remove 
the  main  army  within  the  peninsula  and  fort  of  Quibe- 
ron, while  M.  Vauban,  who  commanded  some  regular 
troops  and  Chouans,  was  to  continue  in  his  station  at 
Camae,  on  tlie  north-east  of  Quiberon  Bay,  about  six 
miles  south-west  of  the  town  of  Auray.  On  the  3d  and 
4th  of  July,  the  Republicans  attacked  the  Chouans, 
when  tlie  Emigrants  found  it  impossible  to  keep  them  to 
their  posts.  The  wretched  people  of  Carnae  and  its  vi- 
cinity were  filled  with  terror  at  the  departure  of  the  Emi- 
grant army.  The  Republicans  had  procured  the  best  in- 
telligence respecting  their  antagonists,  and  they  were  no 
sooner  within  the  peninsula  than  they  attacked  all  their 

▼ot.  I.— NO.  1%  MM 

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260      HISTORY  OP   NAPOlbCOM    B0NAPART£, 


The  Emisnuitt  defcmted  4C  Qifiberoli. 


other  posts.  Part  of  the  Emigrants  were  saved  by  the 
British  boats,  while  the  rest  were  porsaed  under  the 
canifon  of  the  fort 

The  €oByention  despatched  Bladl  and  TaHien  to  raise 
the  neighboaring  departments,  whilst  General  Hoche 
•rgahised  an  army  ;  he  obliged  the  Emigrants  to  retire 
under  fort  Penthie\Te,  whilst  he  occupied  the  village  of 
St  Barbe,  and  entrusted  General  Lemoine  to  construct 
strong  works  on  the  heights  of  St  Barbe,  which  is  so 
situated  that  it  commands  the  communication.  Almost 
every  person  in  the  EmigrsEnt  army  began  to  discover 
the  Aeceessity  of  a  retreat  9  but  the  contusion  increased 
in  a  (rightful  degree.  By  order  of  M.  de  Puisaye  and  Sir 
J^B.-  Warren/  the  whole  of  the  provisions  on  board  the 
transports  were  disembarked  ;  and  these  provisions^ 
destined  for  the  army,  were  given  away  among  the 
hordes  of  useless  €houans  who  crowded  the  peninsula. 
Bf.  Ae  Puisaye's  army,  consisting  of  Emigrants,  Chouans^ 
and  British,  amounted  to  12,000  men,  of  which  5000 
were  to  raise  the  blockade,  by  attacking  the  B«pub- 
licans  at  St.  Barbe.  The  Emigrants  carried  the  two  first 
camps,  and  the  Repubhcans,  under  General  Humbert, 
retreated  with  apparent  confusion ;  bu^  on  attacking 
the  third,  two  masked  batteries  were  opened  on  them, 
auid  a  terrible  slaughter  ensued.  To  aid  their  retreat, 
tlie  Emigrants  threw  away  their  arms,  their  knapsacks, 
and  their  very  shoes,  but  it  is  likely  that  none  of  them 
would  have  escaped,  if  the  firing  from  the  British  fleet 
had  not  stopped  the  pursuit  of  the  Republicans.  Many 
nobles  were  left  dead  on  the  field.  General  d'HerviOy, 
was  badly  wounded,  and  the  Republicans  took  three 
pieces  of  cannon. 

lioche  attacked  Fort  Penthicvre  with  SOOOmmi,  led  oa 


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AND  WARS  OP  EUROPE.  267 

The  Royallits  attack  tbe  island  of  Noirmoutier  and  are  repuUed. 

by  Generals  Humbert  and  Valle,  aided  by  numbers  of 
deserters  from  the  Royalists ;  900  men  scaled  the  rocks, 
and,  being  assisted  by  part  of  the  garrison,  got  posses- 
sion of  one  of  the  advanced  works,  and  planted  the  tri- 
coloured  flag;  the  entrenched  camps  were  forced,  and 
M.  de  Puisaye  being  wounded,  retired  on  board  one  of 
the  English  vessel ;  but  the  Royalists  rallied  under  the 
gallant  Sombreuil,  who  wished  to  hold  out  until  the 
liTomen  and  children,  who  were  throwing  themselves 
into  the  sea,  had  obtained  an  asylum  on  board  the  Eng- 
lish fleet 

It  was  impossible  to  resist  the  Republicans:  «ome  of 
the  chiefs  endeavoured  to  escape  in  the  boats  sent  ( 
their  succour;  the  firing  recommenced,  and  the  unhappy 
Emigrants  were  IbrQed  either  to  perish  by  the  swords  of 
the  victors,  or  the  waves  of  the  sea.  The  accomplished 
Sombreuil,  the  bishop  of  Do],  with  the  clergy  who  fol^ 
lowed  him,  and  almost  the  whole  of  the  Emigrant  offi- 
cers, were  taken  and  guillotined.  Most  of  the  privates^ 
except  the  Chouans,  effected  their  escape. 

The  defeat  of  this  expensive  expedition  did  not  satis* 
fy  England  that  the  sulijugation  of  France  was  impossi- 
ble. The  fleet  of  Sir  John  B.  Warren  continued  oflT 
the  coast  of  Britany  the  remaining  part  of  the  year,  not 
without  hopes  of  doing  something  extraordinary  in  for 
vour  of  the  Royalists.  A  council  of  war  being  held  in 
42uiberon  bay,  it  was  resolved  td  attack  the  island  of 
Noirmoutier,  which  was  formeriy  held  by  the  people  of 
Vendee.  It  was  attacked,  and  the  assailants  were  re- 
pulsed with  considerable  loss.  The  extravagance  of  this 
lUtempt  with  such  a  force  was  obvious,  against  a  fortress 
^efepded  by  120  pieces  of  cannon,  and  15,000  oi€9v 


U   Hf^ 


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268      HISTORY  OF   NAPOLRON   BONAPARTE, 

The  city  of  Manheim  taken  by  the  Republican  troops. 

The  isle  of  Dieu,  however,  was  taken  possession  of,  and 
the  British  cruisers  kept  the  coast  in  continual  alarm. 

The  campaign  in  Flanders  began  by  the  siege  of  Liox- 
embourg,  which  surrendered  to  the  Bepnblicans  on  the 
7th  of  June.  This  has  been  reckoned  one  of  the 
strongest  fortifications  in  Europe.  Its  garrison  was 
10,000  men,  commanded  by  the  celebrated  Marshal  Bent 
der,  and  all  supplies  were  cut  off  before  it  capitulated. 
The  army  of  the  Sambre  and  Mouse,  under  General 
Jourdan,  crossed  the  Rhine  near  Dusseldorff,  and  got 
possession  of  it,  and  invested  Mentz,  after  the  Austrians 
had  taken  a  strong  position  on  the  Lahn,  between  the 
towns  of  Nassau  and  Diesbourg.  The  array  of  the 
Hliine  and  Moselle,  under  General  Pichegru,  passed  the 
river  opposite  Manheim,  which  fine  city  was  taken  pos- 
session of  by  the  Republicans, 

The  army  under  the  command  of  Jou'rdan,  forced 
the  posts  of  the  Austrians  on  the  Lahn,  crossed 
the  Maine,  and  3Ientz  was  completely  blockaded.  A 
division  of  General  Pichegm's  army  had  orders  to  take 
ground  that  might  prevent  the  junction  of  Glairfait's 
army  wilh  that  of  Marshal  Wurmser,  who  was  marching 
in  great  force  to  relieve  Manheim,  in  order  to  prevent  its 
surrender ;  but  the  French  cavalry  having  plundered  the 
peasantry,  the  Austrians  surprised  them.  The  ground 
was  disputed  with  great  obstinacy,  but  the  Austrian 
troops,  by  following  up  their  success^  caused  the  whole 
division  of  the  enemy  to  fall  back  on  Manheim.  This 
suggested  to  the  Republican  Generals  the  idea  of  giving 
up  their  pursuit ;  and  Jourdan  saw  that  his  station  was 
no  longer  tenable ;  for  fhe  enemy  had  attacked  his  reaft 
aoid  took  a  considerable  part  pf  bis  artilleiyf 


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AND  WARS  OP  EUROPS.  209 

The  Avstrians  defeat  iht  Fiepcb. 

Prince  Uohenlohe  of  Prussia  saqprised  the  Republi- 
cans at  Keiserslauteni ;  but  the  Plrussians  making  inune* 
diate  restitution^  the  treaty  then  on  foot,  was  continueiL 
Hobenlohe  is  charged  with  having  encouraged  Clairfait 
tQ  attack  the  Republicans  by  the  information  he  gave 
respecting  their  position  and  the  weakness  of  their  force. 
The  French  were  surprised  ;  and  General  Jourdan  was 
forced  to  raise  the  siege  of  Mentz  and  conunenoe  a  re* 
Iveat.  The  army  of  the  Sambre  and  Meuse  was  ^imme* 
diately  pursued  by  the  enemy»  when  Gkiirfait  had  col- 
lected his  scattered  forces  along  the  Neckar ;  at  which 
time  General  Pichegru  crossed  the  Rhine^  in  order  to 
reinforce  the  army  on  the  left,  leaving  a  strong  garrisoo 
at  Manheim*  The  army  under  General  Jourdan  was 
hotly  pursued  by  Clairfait,  and,  after  a  variety  of  skir- 
misheSt  retreated  to  Dusseldorff,  where  it  first  crossed 
the  Rhine.  The  garrison  of  Mentz  received  strong  m- 
infbrcementSf  and  the  Austrians,  in  no  manner  alarmed 
for  its  safety,  two  of  their  divisions  crossed  the  Rhine, 
and  attacked. the  remainder  of  the  French  army  en- 
trenched before  that  place,  and  exerted  their  strength 
to  no  purpose  for  several  months.  The  Republicans 
fought  with  fiiry  and  desperation  for  a  long  time,  but 
were,  at  last,  forced  to  relinquish  all  their  posttf,  their 
artillery  having  been  seized  by  the  enemy,  and  their 
works  demdished. 

The  Austrians  bow  were  masters  of  the  whole  coim- 
try  from  Landam  to  the  banks  of  the  H oseOe ;  at  which 
ditical  time.  General  Joardan  assembled  ail  the  Repub* 
Iican  forces  on  the  left  side  of  the  Rhine ;  and,  leaving 
a  strong  party  at  Dnsseldorff,  he  advanced,  and  check- 
ed the  Austrians  in  that  quaiiar.  The  town  of  Manf- 
liieim  was  yiolen^  aasauHed  by  the  Austrians,  and  wai 


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270     HISTORY  OF  NAPOLEON   BONAPARTE, 

Embargo  on  Dutch  ships  in  British  Ports. 

nearly  destroyed  by  fire.  The  French  garrison  sarren* 
dered  prisoners  of  war,  to  the  amount  of  8000  men. 
In  the  Palatinate,  the  Austrians  were  in  possession  of  the 
whole  country  from  the  Rhine,  in  a  direction  north* 
west,  through  Landai;  to  Deux  Fonts,  and  from  that 
quarter  their  conquest  extended  north  to  the  country 
akmg  the  Moselle  as  for  as  Treves.  He  Republicans 
made  a  most  furious  assault  upon  the  Austrians,  every 
inch  was  disputed  in  the  keenest  manner,  but  they  suc- 
ceeded in  lini].ting  the  boundaries  of  the  Austrians  ;  and 
a  cessation  of  hostilities  was  agreed  to  for  three  moutUs. 
The  army  of  Italy  acted  on  the  defensive,  as  the  com- 
bined forces  were  much  superior,  although  the  rigour  of 
the  season  prevented  any  very  active  operations. 

The  Cabinet  of  St.  James's,  after  the  conquest  of 
Holland,  and  the  treaty  signed  between  that  country  and 
France,  laid  an'  embargo  on  all  Dutch  ships  in  British 
ports,  and  five  men  of  war,  and  sixty  sail  of  other  vessels 
were  detained ;  an  order  for  reprisals  was  fdso  granted 
against  the  ships,  goods,  and  subjects  of  Holland. 

The  Dutch  factories  in  Asia  were  taken  by  the  British 
government ;  its  power  was  thus  increased  in  the  Eastern 
world,  and  tiie  Cape  of  Good  Hope  was  taken  by  an 
expedition  under  Vice  Admiral  Sir  George  Keith  Et 
phinstone. 

The  islands  of  Grenada,  Dominica,  St  Lucia,  and  St 
Vinpenf  s,  in  the  West  Indies,  were,  however,  powerfiiUy 
incited  to  rise  against  the  British  government;  and  the 
decree  for  emancipating  ^the  slaves,  was  carefiilly  pro* 
nmlgated. 

\  Victor  Hngues  landed  a  body  of  troops  in  the  island 
ef  St  Lucia,  in  the  montii  of  April  1795;  these  wers 
joined  by  the  people  of  polonr,  and  the  old  French  U^ 


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AND  WARS   OP  EUROPE.  271 


The  Weit  India  itlaodi  excited  to  insurrectioa  by  Victor  Hugnes. 


habitants,  who  got  accessions  of  strength  from  the  negro 
slaves.  General  Stuart,  who  commanded  in  the  island,, 
attacked  Sonffriere,  occupied  by  the  rebels,  and  fell  into 
an  ambuscade,  -but  from  which  he  fortonately  escaped* 
Two  days  afterwards  he  gave  them  battle  at  Souffnere, 
but  was  defeated  with  the  loss  of  200  men,  and  a  num- 
ber of  officers.  This  obliged  the  British  troops  to  shelter 
themselves  withm  the  fort,  and  they  abandoned  the  whole 
island  in  the  month  of  July. 

Grenada  was  also  encouraged  by  Victor  Hugnes,  who 
sent  a  number  of  men  for  that  purpose  from  Guadaloupe, 
and  the  Lieutenant  Governor  and  many  inhabitants  were 
made  prisoners,  and  the  French  kept  possession  in  the 
island.  To  add  to  the  miseries  of  the  colonists  the  in- 
surrection was^  followed  by  the  yellow  fever,  which  caus- 
ed more  havoc  than  the  sword. 

The  subjugation  of  Dominica  was  projected  by  Victor 
Ungues,  and  the  French  inhabitants  of  that  island,  and 
a  detachment  from  Guadaloupe,  were  joined  by  a  great 
number  of  negroes.  One  company  of  regulars  only 
was  stationed  on  this  island,  and  must  have  fallen  into 
the  power  of  the  insurgents,  had  not  the  British  inhabi- 
tslnts  with  invincible  fortitude,  obliged  them  to  suiren- 
der.  Many  executions  of  the  French  inhabitants  follow- 
ed, and  several  disaffected  were  sent  to  England.  The 
island  of  St.  Vincents  was  also  in  insurrection  ;  the  Bri- 
tish troops  were  repulsed  by  the  Caribs  in  two  actions, 
who  were  not  totally  subdued  at  the  end  of  the  yean 

Jamaica  also  had  a  share  of  these  colonial  calamities. 
A  terrible  fire  broke  out  at  Montego  Bay,  which  did 
much  mischief,  and  reduced  the  greater  part  of  the 
town  ;  ihe  Maroon  Indians  took  up  arms,  and  a  melan- 
choly war  ensued.     Bloodhounds  were  sent    for  (rom 


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{172      HISTORV  OF  NAPOLEON   BONAPARTB, 

The  Ceaieur  and  a  number  of  Merchantmen  taken  Irf  the  French. 


Caba  to  hant  down  the  unhappy  negroes,  and  the  policy 
of  the  British  government  has^  in  this  instance,  been 
much  questioned  both  at  home  and  abroad. 

The  British  Mediterranean  fleet  of  about  sixty  sail  of 
merchantmen,  homeward-bound,  under  the  protection 
of  three  ships  of  the  line  and  four  frigates,  waa  over* 
taken  by  a  French  fleet  of  nine  sail  of  the  line  and  a 
number  of  Irigates,  off  Cape  St.  Vincent,  commaBded 
by  Admiral  Richery,  whe  had  left  the  port  of  Toulon 
only  a  little  time  before.  When  the  British  commodore 
saw  the  French  squadron  making  towards  him  with  a 
press  of  sail,  he  made  llie  signal  for  the  fleet  to  disperse* 
In  the  mean  time,  the  Republican  Admiral  dispatched  Us 
frigates  to  prevent  the  escape  of  the  merchant  idiips. 
The  Bedford  and  the  Formidable,  as  weU  as  the  frigates^ 
effected  their  escape,  but  the  retreat  of  the  Censeur  o( 
74  guns  was  entirely  cut  off,  and  near  thirty  of  the  mer-' 
ehantmen  fell  into  the  hand^  of  (the  French, 
y  During  these  transactions,  the  happy  terminatios  ot 
civil  war  in  La  Vendue  seemed  approaching ;  for  Stefflet 
and  Chare  tie  where  captured  and  shot,  and  their  fi>llower» 
submitted  to  the  Constituted  Authorities^ 


^f*wf*»**^****^*'»^*^**^*'^^^'**^^^^***^*^»^^^* 


CHAPTER  XXXI. 

JostPHiKE  La  Paoeeie,  when  twenty-two  years  of  age^ 
carried  the  Viscount  Alexander  de  Beauhamois,  Sligor 
in  a  royal  French  regiment  of  in&ntry ;  both  were  de- 


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AXb  WARS   6t   EURdPE.  273 

General  BeauharnoU  i^uilloiincd. 


scended  iVom  noble  families,  both  uatives  of  Martinique, 
knd  both  educated  in  France.  The  fortune  of  the  beau- 
tiiiil  Josephine  was  a  pleasing^  addition  to  the  slender  in- 
come of  the  youthfCil  Viscount;  their  expenditure  was 
liberal ;  and,  having  been  introduced  at  court,  their  rank, 
their  manners,  and  the  elegance  of  their  entertainments, 
ensured  them  the  best  company  in  Paris. 

At  the  beginning  of  the  Revolution,  M.  de  Beauhamois 
ilras  chosen,  by  the  nobility  of  the  baliwick  of  Blois,  a 
deputy  to  the  States-General,  or  National  Assembly*; 
and,  in  June  1791,  he  was  elected  their  president,  and  in 
that  capacity  signed  the  proclamation  to  the  French  peo- 
ple on  the  jourhf^y  of  the  King  to  Varennes.  He 'served 
under  General  Biron  in  April  1792,  and  bore  the  rank 
bf  Adjutant-General  whbn  the  French  were  defeated 
near  Mons.  H0  succeeded  Custine  in  the  command  of 
the  army  of  the  Rhine ;  was  suspended  by  the  deputies 
in  August  1793,  and  soon  after  arrested  witli  his  wife. 
He  was  consigned  to  the  guillotine  on  the  23(1  c^f'  July 
1796;  if  Robespierre  had  not  followed  him,  a  few  days 
after,  Madame  Beauharnois  would  also  have  perished  on 
the  Republican  s^aflTold.  In  one  of  the  36  lists  of  per- 
sons destined  by  Fouquier  Thionville  to  feed  the  guiIlo> 
tine  for  36  successive  days,  appeared  the  name  of  Ma- 
dame dc  Beauhamois ;  another  list  contained  the  name  of 
Barras.  On  the  12th  of  AlEigust  1794,  she  was  released 
by  Legendre.  Barras  had  the  national  seals  taken  off 
her  house,  in  the  Rue  de  Victoire,  a  few  weeks  after,  and 
honoured  her  with  his  protection,  by  sqjouming  in  her 
hotel,  until  October  1795,  when  his  being  chosen  to  the 
office  of  Director,  required  that  he  should  make  use  of 
the  splendid  suite  of  apartments  allotted  to  him  in  the 
palace  of  the  Luxembourg. 

VOL.  I.— NO.  12.  N  U 

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274       HISTORY  OP  NAPOLEON  BONAPARTE, 

Bonaparte  appoiated  Commander  in  Chief  &  marries  Madame  Beauhanioti*  * 

'  BarraSy  dignified  as  one  of  the  chief  magistrates  oi 
France,  found  it  inconvenient  to  continue  his  intimacy  • 
with  Madame  Beauhamois;  had  their  attachment  been 
mutual,  it  was  either  easOy  subdued,  or  it  had  suddenly 
subsided,  for  the  lady  agreed  to  an  arrangement,  which 
shewed  her  obedience  to  the  wishes  ^f  her  friend,  and 
the  self  command  that  she  had  acquired  over  her  own 
feelings  ;  she  agreed  to  give  her  hand  to  Napoleon  Bo* 
naparte,  the  General  of  the  interior,  if  the  General  could 
be  brought  to  offer  her  his  vows  of  conjugal  affection* 
The  plan  was  formed,  and  Barras  proceeded  to  provide 
his  mistress  with  a  husband,  and  his  friend  with  a  wife. 

The  army  of  Italy  had  no  leader ;  Camot  displaced 
General  Scherer  for  habitual  intoxication.  Bonaparte 
having  shewn  his  talents  both  at  Toulon  and  on  the  13th 
Vendemiaire,  Barras  recommended  him  to  Camot,  as 
most  likely  to  serve  the  Republic  ftdthfully  in  Italy. 
Carnot's  high  opinion  of  the  genius  of  Bonaparte,  se- 
conded the  nomination.  Barras  offered  to  Bonapaite, 
Madame  Beauhamois,  and  300,000  livres,  and  Caraot 
offered  him  the  army.  Barras  t6ld  him  tiie  lady  and  the 
army  were  equally  necessary  to  a  youthful  and' aspiring 
General ;  his  friendship,  gallantry,  and  ambition,  were 
roused,  and  as  the  terms  of  the  offer  signified,  tliat  nei* 
ther  could  be  gratified  without  the  other,  he  obliged  hi& 
friend  Barras,  and  became  the  husband  of  Madame 
Beauhamois,  and  Ck)mmander-in-Chief  of*  the  army  of 
Italy. 

Bonaparte  arrived  at  head  quarters  early  in  the  spring 
of  }796.  lie  lived  familiarly  with  the  soldiers,  marched, 
on  loot,  at  their  head,  suffered  their  hardships,  redressed 
their  grietances,  and  acquired,  by  attenlioA  t?  their  de- 
sires, their  esteem  and  affection.    His  umj  ws«  tery  in> 


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AKD  WARS  OF  EUROPE.  275 

,__  *  _ 

The  Battle  of  Monteootle. 

ferior  in  point  of  nnmbcrs  to  that  of  his  enemies : — **  Bat*         \ 
if  we  are  vanquished,"  said  he,  ^'  I  shall  have  too  much 
^— if  conquerors,  we  stand  in  need  of  nothing.** 

Tie  Austrians  and    Piedmontese  occupied  all   those 
parts  of  the  Alps,  which  coBunand  the  river  of  Genoa.   * 
The  French  had  their  right  supported  hy  Savona,  and 
their  left  towards  Montenotte,  while  two  demi-brigadei» 
were  much  advanced  in  front  of  their  right  at  Voltri. 

After  seme  time  spent  in  movements  intended  to  de- 
ceive the  French,  hostilities  were  commenced  by  tho 
Imperialists.  Beaulieu  ordered  10,000  men  to  attack  the 
post  of  Voltri.  General  Cervoni  with  3000  men  retreat- 
ed in  the  night,  in  great  order,  to  the  church  of  Our 
JjBdj  of  Savona,  and  Bonaparte  covered  him  with  1500 
men,  posted  expressly  in  the  avenues  of  Sospello,  and  on 
the  heights  of  Verraggio^  On  the  10th  Beaulieu,  witii 
15,000  men,  attacked  and  drove  in  all  which  supported 
the  centre  of  the  French,  and  at  one  o'clock  of  the  day 
was  before  the  redoubt  of  Montenotte,  the  last  of  their 
entrenchments.  In  spite  of  repeated  charges  this  redoubt 
arrested  the  progress  of  the  enemy.  The  chief  of  brigade, 
Bampon,  who  commanded  these  1500  men,  made  his 
soldiers  take  an  oath  to  perish  in  the  redoubt,  and,  for 
the  whole  night,  kept  the  enemy  at  the  dist^ce  of  pistol* 
shot*  In  the  night  time.  General  Laharpe,  took  post 
Ibehind  the  redoubt,  and  Bonaparte,  followed  by  the. 
Generals  |Berthier  and  Massena,  and  the  Commissioner 
Salieetti,  brought  op  his  centre  and  his  left,  at  one 
o'clock  in  the  morning,  by  Ahara,  on  the  flank  and  rear 
of  the  Austrians.  On  the  11th,  at  day  break,  Beaulieu 
and  Laharpe  attacked  each  other  with  vigour,  and  van* 
ous  success,  when  Massena  appeared,  deaKng  death  and 
tenor  on  tlie  Austro-Sardinians,  where  General  Argtn* 
V  N  2 

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27G       HISTORY   CF   NAPOLEON    BONAPARTE, 

'. -  ■   ■   ■  =:^ 

Bonaparte  suiniKonsieB  General  Povera. 


teau  commanded.  The  enemy's  Generals,  Koccaviup 
and  Argenteau,  were  wounded,  and  the  rout  was  com? 
plete.  Fifteen  hundred  men  were  killed,  and  2500  mado. 
prisoners^  of  which  sixty  were  officers  ;  several  standards 
werjB  also  taken*  The  French  made  themselves  masters 
of  Carcara  on  the  12th,  and  also  of  Cairo. 

ipeaulieu  was  yet  able  to  send  assistance  from  bis  right 
wing  to  the  left  of  the  Austro-Sardinian  army.  Bona- 
parte changed  his  head-quarters  to  Carcara  on  the  12th, 
and  ordered  General  Liaharpe  to  march  to  Sozello,  ii^ 
order  to  threaten  the  eight  battalions  of  the  enemy  sta- 
tioned -thprc,  and  on  the  day  following  by  a  rapid  and 
cjonqealed  march,  to  get  to.  the  town  of  Cairo,  white 
Geueral  Massena  was  to  gain  the  heights  of  Dego,  at  the 
time  that  the  Generais  'Menaud  and  Joubert  occupied 
one  of  the  heights  of  Biestro,  and  the  otiier  the  position 
qf  St  Marguerite.  This  movement  following  the  battle 
«f  Montenotte,  placed  the  French  army  on  the  other  sidfl 
of  the  Alps. 

General  Augereau  forced  Millesimo,  while  the  Gene^ 
rals  Menaud  and  Joubert  drove  the  enemy  from  all  their, 
posts,  and  surrounded  a  corps  of  1500  Austrian  pen^*. 
diers,  commanded  by  Laeutenant-General  Povera,  a 
knight  of  the  order  of  Maria  Theresa,  who  gallantly  re- 
tired to  the  mountain  of  Cossaria,*and  entrenched  him-: 
self  in  an  old  castle  extremely  strong,  on  account  of  its 
position.  Augereau  ordered  his  artillery  to  advance, 
when  a  cannonade  was  kept  up  for  several  hours.  In  the 
course  of  the  day,  Bonaparte,  vexed  at  finding  his  march 
checked  by  a  handful  of  men,  ordered  General  Povera 
to  be  summoned  to  surrender.  He  requested  to  speak 
with  the  Commander-in-Chief,  but  a  lively  cannonade 
i»{}mmencing  on  the  right  wing  of  the  Frcuchi  liindcrvd 


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AND   WARS   OF   EUROPE.  277 

That  General  surrenden.  . 

\k\m  from  going  to  Povera,  who  treated  with  Geueral 
Augereau  for  several  hours  ;  Augereau,  at  length  formed 
bis  men  into  four  columns,  and  advanced  against  the 
castle.  Joubert  entered  the  enem/s  works  with  seven 
paen,  when,  being  wounded  in  the  ""h^ad,  he  was  thrown 
pn  the  ground ;  his  soldiers  thinking  him  dead,  his  column 
relaxed.  The  second  column,  under  General  Banel,  ad- 
vanced in  silence,  when  ihp  General  was  killed.  The 
third  column,  under  Adjutant-General  Quenin,  who  was 
9lso  killed,  was  in  like  manner  disconcerted. 

Night  coming  on  made  Bonaparte  fear,  that  the  ene- 
my would  attempt  to  make  their  way  sword  in  hand :  he 
therefore  made  dispositions  to  prevent  them. 

Next  momjng  the  hostile  armies  faced  each  other  ;  the 
French  left/ under  Augereau,  keplrGeneral  Povera  blocker 
aded  ;  several  of  the  enemy's  regiments  strove  to  pene* 
irate  tbp  centre  of  the  French,  but  were  repulsed  by 
Gene^td  Menand,  who  was  then  ordered  to  fall  l>ack  on  the 
right  wing.  Before  noon  General  Massena  extended  his 
line  beyond  the  enemy's  left,  which  occupied  the  village 
pf  Dego,  strongly  entrenched.  The  French  pushed 
their  light  troops  as  far  as  the  road  leading  from  Diego  to 
Spino.  General  Laharpe's  division  marched  in  three 
close  columns ;  the  one  on  his  left,  under  General  Gausse» 
crossed  the  Bonnida,  and  attacked  the  right  of  the  ene- 
my's left  wmg ;  General  Cervoni,  with  the  second  column* 
ako  passed  the  Bonnida,  covered  by  one  of  the  French 
batteries,  and  advanced  against  the  enemy;  while  the 
third  column,  under  Adjutant-General  Boyer,  turned  a 
ravin»  and  cut  off  their  retreat  The  enemy  had  not 
time  to  capitulate;  and  the  French  columns,  spreading 
terror  and  death,  put  them  to  the  rout.  General  Povera, 
frith  the  corps  be  commanded  at  Cossariai  surrendere4 


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478      HISTORY  OP  NAPOLEON   BONAPARTE, 


The  Direeforj  write  to  Bonaparte. 


prisoners  of  war.  By  this  victory  the  French  acquired 
Jtmb  seven  to  nine  thousand  prisoners^  and  the  enemy 
kadMaraOOOkiUed. 

On  the  15thy  Beaulien,  with  the  flower  of  his  army,  at^ 
lacked  the  village  of  Dego  and  carried  it  Massena,  when 
ht  had  formed  part  of  his  troops  began  the  attack,  bat  was 
repulsed  in  three  attempt^.  Crcneral  Cansse  was  not  more 
finrtunate;  he  attacked  the  enemy,  and  was  on  the  point  of 
ebargiBg  with  the  bayonet,  when  he  fell  mortally  wound- 
ed. In  this  situation,  observing  General  Bonaparte,  he 
collected  his  strength,  and  asked  him  if  Dego  was  retaken, 
—"The  posts  are  ours,"  replied  the  Greneral.— **  Then,** 
saidCausse,  "  Vhe  la  Rep^blique  1  I  die  content."  The 
aflhir,  however,  was  not  yet  decided,  and  it  was  already 
two  o'clock  in  the  afternoon.  Bonaparte  ordered  a  demi-r 
brqfade  to  form  under  General  Victor,  whilst  Adjutant-^ 
General  Lanus,  rallying  a  demi-brigade  of  light  infantry, 
threw  himself  on  the  enem/s  left.  These  movements 
eanied  Dego  ;  the  cavalry  completed  the  rout  of  the  ene* 
vy,  who  left  600  dead  and  1400  prisoners*  G^ineral 
Biuwa  took  the  post  of  San-Giovanni,  which  commands 
the  valley  of  tbe  Bormida.  General  Angerean,  having 
drove  the  enemy  flrom  the  redonbts  of  Montezemo,  comr 
oranieated  with  the  valley  of  the  Tanaro^  which  Serra<f 
rier^s  division  had  afaready  occupied. 

The  Directory,  in  their  despatches  to  Bonaparte,  ex^ 
fimacA  what  they  felt,  in  finding  they  had  chosen  him 
to  condnct  tiie  army  of  Italy  to  victory.  **To-d^, 
General  T  said  they,  **  receive  the  tribute  of  national 
gratitude ;  merit  it  more  and  more,  and  prove  to  Europe^ 
that  BeanUen,  by  changing  the  scene  of  action,  has  nof 
changed  his  opponent ;  that,  beaten  in  the  north,  he  shall 
he  constantly  defeated  by  the   brave  army  of  Italy; 


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AND  WARS   OF   EUROPE.  27» 

Geoenl  Masieoa  croisei  tht  Tanaro. 


aad  that,  with  such  defenders,  liberty  shidl  triamph  over 
the  impotent  eflbrts  of  the  enemies  of  the  Republic.'* 

General  Laharpo*and  the  chief  of  brigade,  Rampon, 
also  receiTed  honourable  testimonies  of  tlie  regard  which 
the  Directory  had  of  their  exertions, 
)  The  movements  of  Oenerab  Augereau,  Bayrand,  and 
Joobert,  obliged  the  enemy  to  evacuate  the  entrenched 
camp  during  night  General  Serrurier  entered  Ceva,  in 
which  was  a  garrison  of  between  seven  and  eight  hundred 
men.  The  heavy  artillery  had  not  been  able  to  keep 
peace  with  the  army  in  the  mountains,  and  were  not  yet 
arrived.  The  Piedmontese  army,  driven  from  Ceva, 
took  a  position  at  the  confluence  of  the  Cursaglia.  On 
the  20th  Serrurier  attacked  their  right  by  the  village  of 
SL  Michael,  and,  passing  the  bridge,  compelled  them, 
after  three  hours  fighting,  to  evacuate  the  village;  but 
the  Tanaro  not  being  fordable,  the  division  destined  to 
attack  their  left  could  harass  them  only  by  its  riflemen. 
General  Serrurier  therefore  retreated:  the  enemy's  po- 
sition was  formidable ;  surrounded  by  two  deep  and  im- 
petuous rivers,  they  had  destroyed  all  the  bridges,  and 
erected  strong  batteries  on  the  banks.  Both  armies  re- 
ciprocally sought  to  deceive  each  other  by  false  manoeu- 
vres, to  conceal  their  real  intentions. 

General  Massena  crossed  the  Tanaro  near  Ceva,  and 
occupied  the  village  of  Lezegno.  Guieux  and  Fioreila, 
generals  of  brigade,  took  the  bridge  of  the  Torra.  Bona- 
parte meant  to  bear  down  on  Mondovi,  and  compel  the 
enemy  to  change  the  field  of  battle ;  but  General  Colli, 
dreading  the  issue  of  an  action,  which  must  have  been 
decisive  on  so  extended  a  line,  retreated.  At  day-break 
the  two  armies  were  in  right  of  each  other,  and  the  en- 
gagement began  in  tha  viUage  of  Vico,    General  Guieux 


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180   HISTORV  of  napoleon  BONAPARTE, 

Tbe  King  of  Sardinia  sues  for  Peace. 

bore  down  on  the  left  of  Moudovi,  while  the  Generals 
Fiorella  and  Dammartin  carried  the  redoubt  which  covers 
ed  the  enemy *s  centre;  the  Sardinian  army  abandoned 
the  field  of  battle^  and  on  that  evening  the  French  en- 
tered Mondovi.  The  enemy's  loss  amounted  to  1800 
men,  of  whom  1300  were  prisoners. 

The  enemy  crossed  the  Stura,  and  took  a  position  be- 
tween Coni  and  Charasco.  The  French  entered  the 
town  of  Bena.  General  Serrurier,  on  the  25tli,  marched 
to  la  Trinite,  and  cannonaded  the  town  of  Fossano,  the  i 
head  quarters  of  General  Colli.  General  Massena  ad-  j 
Tanced  against  Cherasco,  and  drove  in  tlie  enemy's  grand 
guard.  Eonaparte  sent  General  Dujard,  and  his  own  aid- 
dc-camp,  Marmont,  to  reconnoitre  the  place^  and  plant 
howitzers  to  beat  down  the  palisades.  The  enemy  evaca- 
ated  the  town  and  repassed  the  Stura.  This  victory  was 
of  tlie  greatest  consequence  ;  for,  besides  supporting  the 
right  wing,  it  gave  an  ample  supply  of  subsistence.  The 
French  threw  bridges  of  boats  across  the  Stura^  and  Fos- 
sano  surrendered  to  Serrurier.  General  Augereau  march- 
ed against  Alba,  which  surrendered,  and  threw  several 
bridges  of  boats  across  the  Tanaro,  to  enable  the  army 
to  pass  the  river. 

Irhe  King  of  Sardinia,  shut  up  in  Turin^  detemuDed 
fo  treat  for  peace.  General  Colli,  commander-in-chief 
of  his  army,  addressed  a  letter  to  Bonaparte,  stating,  that 
as  the  king  had  sent  plenipotentiaries  to  Genoa  to  treat 
for  peace,  under  the  mediation  of  the  court  of  Spain;  he 
thought  the  interests  of  humanity  required,  tliat  hostilities 
should  be  suspended  during  the  dependence  of  the  nego- 
ciation.  He  therefore  proposed  an  armistice,  in  order 
to  prevent  the  effusion  of  human  blood.  Bonaparte  re- 
plied, that  the  Executive  Directory  preserved  the  ri^ht 


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^AND  WARS   OP   EUROPE.  Sftl 

^ BoDaparte  addresses  his  Army. 

of  treating  ibr  peace  ;  it  was  therefore  uecesaary  that  tb^ 
plenipotentiaries  of  tbe  King  should  repair  to  Paris^  or 
wait  at  Genoa  the  arrival  of  those  whom  the  French  go- 
vernment should  send  thither.  He  further  obderved^ 
that  tbe  military  position  of  the  two  armies  prevented 
every  unqualified  suspension  of  arms ;  and  although  he 
was,  convinced  that  his  government  was  disposed  to  grant 
reasonable  conditions  of  peace  fd  hill  majesty,  yet  he 
could  not  arrest  his  march.  There  was,  [however,  he 
remarked,  a  means  by  which  General  CoDi  might  attain 
bis  purpose,  conformable  to  tbe  true  interests  of  his  courts 
and  which  would  prevent  an  effusion  of  blood ;  and  that 
was  to  put  into  his  possession  two  of  tbe  threfe  fortresses 
of  Coni,  Alexandria,  or  Tortona;  they  could  then  wait 
tbe  issue  of  negociations,  which  probably  might  be  pro- 
tracted. A  peace  was  granted  to  the  unfortunate  mo- 
narch :  he  surrendered  Exilles,  Tortona,  Coni,  Alexan- 
dria, and  Cbsiteau  Dauphin,  as  the  pledges  of  bis  faith,- 
and  relinguisbed  Savoy  and  the  county  of  Nice  for 
evefr. 

Bonaparte  immediately  after  this  addressed  his  army 
from  bis  head -quarters  at  Cherasco;  be  there  stated  to 
them  the  great  things  they  had  done  in  the  short  space  of 
fourteen  days,  and  the  magnanimity  they  preserved  under 
the  different  privations  they  experienced ;  that,  destitute 
of  every  thing,  they  had  supplied  every  thing,  and  with- 
out shoes,  and  often  without  bread,  had  peribrmed  ha- 
rassing marches ;  he  theti  promised  them  the  conquest  of 
Italy,  but  on  the  express  condition  that  they  did  not  pil- 
lage or  plunder ;  that  they  were  coming  as  friends  $uid 
brothers,  and  to  dictate  ai  peace  that  would  indemnify 
,tlieir  country  for  what  it  had  s^icrificed.  He  tells  them,  that 
those  guilty  of  marauding  shall  be  instantly  shot,  but  that 

VOL.  T.— NO.  12.  o    o  r-  T 

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982      HISTOKY  OF  NAPOLEON   BONAPARTE, 


Bonapaite  advaiioes  to  the  Po, 


he  in  general  sees  them  obedient  and  sub^iissiye ;  and 
cMehides  by  stating^  that  the  French  come  to  break  the 
chains  of  the  Italians,  and  as  enemies  only  to  those 
tyrants  who  ensUve  them. 

CHAPTER  XXXIf. 

4LvT£R  signing  the  armistice  with  die  King  of  Sardinia, 
on  the  29th  of  April,  Bonaparte  marched  his  army  to- 
wards the  Po.     Masseua  had  reached  Alexandria,  and 
seized    on    the   magazines,    which    the   Anstrians  had 
sold  to  the  town.      On  the  6th  of  May  the  army  of 
Italy  took  possession  of  Tortona;  they  found  here  more 
than  one    handred   pieces   of   brass    cannon,   and  im- 
mense  magazines.^    Ceva  and  Coni   were  in   an  equal 
state  of  defence,  and  liberally  provisioned.    Thus  the  war 
supported  itself,  and  the  successes  of  the  French  furnish-^ 
ed  them  with  the  means  of  making  new  conquests.    The 
stipulations  of  the  fourth  article  of  the  armistice,  induced 
the  general  of  the  Austrian  army  to  believe  that  Bona- 
parte wished  to  cross  the  Po  at  Vaienza ;  but  Bonaparte 
hastened  by  a  forced  march  to  Castel  San-Giovanni  with 
5000  grenadiers  and  1500  horse.    Andreossi,  chief  of 
battalion  of  artillery,  and  Adjutant-General  Froutin,  with 
iOO  dragoons,  reconnoitred  the  Po  as  for  as  Placenza,  and 
took  five  bouts  loaded  with  rice,  on  board  of  which  were 
300  sick,  and  all  the  army  medicines.    On  the  7tb,  at 
nine  in  the  morning,  Bonaparte  reached  the  Po,  oppo- 
tite  Placenza.    Two  squadrons  of  hussars  on  the  oppo- 
HJte  side  of  the  river  seemed  determined  to  dispute  ttie 
f^ttftsn  o  «,   Tlie  French  troops  got  into  the  boats,  and  landed 


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AND  WARS  OF  CtJKOFE.  285 

Bonaparte  sends  Pletorei  of  Cwngg^o  to  Paris* 

t>a  the  other  side,  when  the  enemy's  cavalrj  retted.  Hie 
divisions  of  the  army  passed  the  river  in  the  course  of  the 
day.  In  the  mean  tiiae  BeaaUeu,  acquainted  irith  the 
march  of  the  Fr^noh,  was  convinced  of  the  useleesneaa  qf 
his  entrenchments  on  the  Tesino,.  and  his  redoubts  at 
Pavia.  On  the  8th  at  noon  Bonaparte  heard  that  a  di- 
vision of  the  enemy  wfta  near  ;  he  advanced,  and  finind 
them  entrenched  in'  the  ^hge  of  Fbmbio,  with  SO  piieces 
of  cannon.  After  a  spirited  resistaBce,  the  Aostiians  re- 
treated, and  were  porsned  as  far  a» the  Adda. 

Another  body  of  the  Imperialistsreached  Codogna,  the 
head  quarters  of  General  Laharpe,  at  two  in  the  mofter 
ing,  and  drove  in  the  French  videttes.  General  Liaharpe 
ordered  a  demi-brigude  to  advance,  when  the  enemy 
were  drove  back  and  disappeared  ;  but  Laharpe  was  kil- 
led by  a  ball.  General  Berthier  went  directly  to  Codog- 
na,  pursued  the  enemy,  and  took  Casal,  with  a  vast 
quantity  of  baggage.  The  passage  of  the  Po  was  a  great 
operation,  as  in  many  places  that  river  could  not  have 
been  passed  in  two  months.  This  alarmed  all  Ihe  states 
of  Italy,  and  the  Infant  Duke  of  Panna  signed  an  armisr 
tice  with  Bonaparte. 

In  this  he  engages  to  pay  afaititary  contribution  of 
2,000,000  livres  French  money  ;  to  furnish  2300  draught 
horses  and  harness,  and  others  for  the  officers  and  the  ca- 
valry ;  to  give  up  twenty  pmntings,  and  lodge  a  quan- 
tity of  wheat  and  oats,  and  furnish  2000  oxen  for  die 
French  army. 

Bonaparte  informed  the  Birectory  of  his  intention  of 
sending  to  Paris,  as  soon  as  possible,  the  finest  piotures 
of  Correggio,  and  amoi^  others  a  St.  Jerome,  said  to  be 
bis  mtfster^f  iece.  **  I  conless,''  observed  Bonaparte, 
#^  Iba  saint  has  chosen  m  unlucky  moment  to  arrive  at 

o  o  2  ^        ,  . 

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284      HISTORY  OF   HAPOLEON   BONAPARTE, 


PasMige  of  the  Bridge  of  Lodi. 


**  Paris ;  but  I  hope  you  will  grant  him  the  honours  of 
"  the  mufteum." 

The  Senate  of  Venice  ordered  Louis  XVIII.  to  quit 
its  territories,  and  the  Grand  Duke  of  Tuscany  sued  for 
favour.    The  King  of  Naples  sent  to  Genoa  to  make 
peace,  and  all  the  sea  ports  of  the  Peninsula  were  shut 
sgaihst  the   Englisb.    The  road  to  Milan,  which  was 
opened  to  the  French,  was  not  sate  until  the  Austrians 
were  driven  from  the  hanks  of  the   Adda.     Bonaparte 
had  so  disposed  the  march  of  his  divisions,  that,  in  less 
than  three  hours^  he  could  unite  them  ;  but  Beaulieu  had 
placed  the  Adda  between  himself  and  the  French,  and 
waited  for  them  at  the  end  of  a  bridge,  100  toises  in 
length,  fuid   he  hoped  to  stop  their  progress  by  covering 
it  with  a  numerous  firtiUery.    This  bridge  lay  at  the 
town  of  Lodi ;  it  was  at  the  head  of  it,  on  the  side  next 
thp  city,  that  Bpnaparte  was  to  plant,  under  a  sh6wer  of 
grape-shot,  two  pieces  of  cannon,  to  prevent  the  enemy 
from  breaking  it  down,  whilst  a  colunm  was  forming  to 
caney  tb^  pass.    The  French  entered  Lodi,  and  Beftulieu, 
with  his  whole  army,  and  SO  pieces  of  heavy  cannon,  de- 
fended the  passage  of  the  bridge.    Bonaparte  formed  all 
his  artillery,  and  the  cannonfide  was  kept  up  for  many 
hours  with  great  vivacity.    The  troops  formed  in  close 
colunm  with  a  battalion  of  carabineers  at  their  head,  fol- 
lowed by  all  the  grenadier  battalions,  at  charge^step, 
amidst  reiterated  aoclMnations  of  **  Vi^p  la  B^publique  F' 
They  shewed  themselves  at  the  bridge ;  but  the  Austrians 
kept  ^f  so  tremendous  %  iire,  that  those  who  advanced 
fell  by  colninna;  they  retreated*  but  were  ralEed,  and  the 
slaughter  was  again  dreadfol ;  a  second  time  they  retreated* 
but  Bonaparte  was  immoveable  in  his  determination ;  again 
they  darted  forfraitit  over  thfd^  bodies  of  t|iehrcoiniades, 


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J  ,     AND   WARS   OP   EUROPE.  285 

Defeat  of  the  Aastrians  at  Lodi. 

and  the  Generals  Berthicr,  Massena,  Cervoni,  Dallemagne* 
the  chief  of  brigade  Lasnes,  and  the  chief  of  battalion 
Dapat,  placed  themselves  at  the  head  of  the  column,  and 
passed  the  bridge  ;  the  Generals  Rusca/  Augereau,  and 
Bayrand,  with  their  divisions,  passed  the  Adda,  a  few 
ir/iles  below  Lodi,  when  the  French  began  to  force  tho 
bridge,  and  attacked  the  Austrians  suddenly  in  the  rear, 
wheii  they  thought  the  French  only  on  one  side  of  the 
river,  and  this  decided  the  fortune  of  the  day.  The  line 
of  artillery  was  instantly  carried,  Beaulieu's  order  of 
battle  broken,  and  the  French  troops  spread  terror  and 
death  in  every  direction  ;  the  hostile  army  was  dispersed, 
though  the  Austrian  cavahy  strove  to  protect  the  retreat 
of  the  infantry,  and  chiirged  the  French.  The  Imperial* 
ists  lost  20  pieces  of  cannon,  and  between  two  and  three 
thousand  men,  killed,  wounded,  and  taken  prisoners. 
The  brave,  but  unfortunate  Beaulieu,  with  the  remains 
of  his  army,  took  reiuge  under  Mantua,  and  abandoned 
Pizzighitone,  Cremona,  and  all  tlie  Milanese,  to  the 
French*  Bonaparte,  in  his  dispatches  to  the  Directory, 
after  stating  this  memorable  battle,  observes.  That  al- 
tfiough  the  French  had  been  engaged  in  many  warm 
contests,  none  approached  the  terrible  passage  of  the 
Bridge  of  Lodi ;  the  French  pursued  the  Austrians  as 
far  as  Pizzighitone,  and  entered  it  on  the  12th,  after  a 
brisk  cannonade,  and  took  about  400  prisoners.  Cremo- 
na surrendered  to  them,  and  the  vanguard  of  Bonaparte 
took  the  route  to  Milan,  and  entered  it  on  the  l&th,  hav- 
ing received  the  submission  of  Pavia,  where  they  found 
immense  magazines  of  the  Imperial  army.  The  conquest 
of  Lombardy  might  now  be  regarded  as  complete ;  for, 
idthough  the  castle  of  Milan  stiU  held  out,  the  tri-colour- 
fi  flag  floated  from  the  Lak£  of  Como,  and  the  frontiers 


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289     HISTORY  OF  NAPOLEON   BONAPARTE, 

""'  Archduke  and  Dnchess  leave  their  Capital. 

€f  the  GrisoDSy  as  lar  as  the  gates  of  Parma.  Such  ra- 
pid Miccess,  in  so  short  a  time»  made  some  days  of  repose 
necessary  to  an  army  so  much  engaged.  Hie  Aostrians 
lad  quitted  Milan  soon  after  the  news  of  the  battle  of 
Lodi ;  and,  when  the  French  were  about  to  enter  tho 
city,  a  deputation  of  the  inhabitants  carried  them  the 
hty  of  its  gates*  The  court  of  the  Archduke  departed, 
S9IS  the  Archduke  and  Duchess  shewed  great  sorrow  at 
^ttiog  their  capital;  the  streets  and  squares,  through 
which  they  passed,  were  crowded  with  people,  who 
abewed  neither  ^oy  nor  sorrow,  and  few  of  the  nobility 
attended  the  court  in  its  flighty  The  people  collected 
in  great  crowds  to  witness  the  entry  of  the  French,  and 
irimost  all  wore  the  national  cockade ;  the  Imperial  arms 
were  taken  s^way  from  most  of  the  public  buildings,  and 
many  of  the  nobility  took  the  arms  off  their  carriages. 
On  the  14th  of  May,  the  tree  of  liberty  was  planted  in 
the  grand  square ;  (md  on  the  same  day,  General  Mas- 
aeoa  entered  the  city  with  his  troops.  A  deputation  with 
Ibe  Archbishop,  went  out  to  meet  him;  upon  entering, 
he  clapped  the  keys,  which  had  been  given  him,  one 
i^ostthe  other,  in  token  of  rejoicing. 

Bonaparte's  entry  was  extremely  brilliant ;  the  nobility 
mid  gentry  of  the  city  went  ont  to  meet  him  in  their  most 
splendid  carriages,  and  returned  in  the  procession,  amidst 
the  shouts  of  an  immense  populace ;  the  carialcade  went  to 
the  Archducal  palace,  where  be  was  to  lodge,  with  seve- 
ral bands  of  musicians,  playing  patriotic  tunes,  and  90on 
afbr  his  arrival,  he  sat  down  to  a  dinner  of  two  hundred 
covers.  The  day  was  concluded  by  an  elegant  ball* 
where  the  ladies  vied  with  each  other  in  patriotism,  by 
wearing  the  Frendh  national  colours  in  ever)'  part  of 
their  dress.     The  next  day,  Bonaparte  received  visits 


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AND  WARS  OF  EUROPE.  287 

^    A  large  coDtributimi  leried  on  Lombardy. 

from  the  citi2end,  and  in  the  evemng  there  was  a  con- 
cert of  vocal  and  instrumental  music  at  the  theatre.  AH 
the  chests  which  contained  tilie  property  of  the  Arch- 
duke and  the  city,  were  emptied  into  the  French  coffers, 
'  and  a  splendid  fete  was  given  the  day  after,  with  much 
enthusiasm,  which  finished  in  the  evening  with  a  general 
illumination ;  the  whole  was  tennitiated  by  sending  dts 
putations  into  the  different  towns  and  villages,  to. instruct 
the  people  in  the  principles  of  liberty  and  equality.      '^ 

A  proclamation  was  issued  by  Bonaparte  to  the  peo- 
ple of  Lombardy  on  the  80th  Floreal,  or  2lst  of  May, 
stating,  "  That  the  French  people  looking  on  the  peo- 
*'  pie  of  Lombardy  as  their  brethren,  had  a  right  to  ex- 
*'  pect  a  just  return,  and  he,  therefore,  should  impose  a 
*'  contribution  of  20,000,000  livres,  to  be  raised  in  cqud 
*'  proportions,  by  the  different  districts  of  Lombardy : 
«'  the  necessities  of  the  army,'*  says  he  **  require  it,. 
•*  and  it  is  a  small  sum  for  a. country  so  fertile.'' 

Twenty-one  standards  of  the  Austrian  and  Piedmontese 
armies  had  been  already  sent  to  Paris,  aiid  presented  to 
the  Executive  Directory.  These  were  received  in  a 
public  sitting,  amidst  the  acclamations  of  '*  Vive  la  Be- 
"  publique  T  and  the  day  on  which  Bonaparte  entered 
Milan,  the  ambassadors  of  the  King  of  Sardinia  signed 
at  Paris,  the  definitive  treaty  oi  peace  between  that  so- 
vereign and  France.  The  government,  anxious  to  en- 
courage the  ardour  of  the  troops,  by  publicly  acknow- 
ledging their  services,  decreed  the;  celebration  of  a  Fete 
des  Victoires,  on  the  29th  of  May,  and  it  was  observed 
at  Paris.  ^  -       '        .  ^_P' 

Great  preparations  were  made  in  the  Champ  de  Marr 
for  this  grand  ceremony.  Several  ornamental  statues 
were  erected,  and  military  ensigns  festooned  together  in 


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288      SlISTORY   OF  NAPOLEON   BONAPARTE, 

_  # 

F^te  des  Y ictoirei  celebrated  at  Paris. 

m 

various  parts  of  the  fields  added  to  the  dignity  of  tlie 
place* 

The  constituted  authorities  irere  on  a  mount  raised  in 
the  middle,  and  lai^e  bodies  of  cavalry  and  infantry 
were  ranged  round  them.  An  immense  crowd  assem- 
bled ;  the  Directory  advanced  to  the  sound  of  rousic» 
and  after  a  profound  silence  was  observed,  the  decree 
was  read,  and  the  i»'esident  of  the  Directory  addressed 
the  crowd  in  an  appropriate  speech ;  discharges  of  ar- 
tillery, and  music  continued  after  the  ceremony  to  ex- 
hilarate the  people,  and  forming  themselves  into  dancing 
parties,  the  day  was  spent  in  mirth  and  festivity. 

While  these  feats  were  acted  on  the  banks  of  the  Seine, 
Bonaparte,  faithful  to  his  plan  of  activity,  made  dispo* 
sitions  to  attack  the  castle  of  Milan  and  preparing  to 
pursue  the  remains  of  the  Austrian  army,  meditated  an 
attack  on  the  dominions  of  Rome  and  Naples.  On  the 
20th  of  May,  he  published  an  energetic  Address  to  his 
brethren  in  arms. 

He  states  to  them  that  they  came  Uke  a  torrent  from 
the  Apennines,  and  dispersed  all  who  opposed  them; 
that  Piedmont  had  made  peace  with  France,  Lorobardy 
hoisted  the  Bepablican  flag,  and  the  Dukes  of  Parma 
and  Modena  owed  their  political  existence  to  their  gene- 
rosity. That  nlttch,  however,  remained  to  be  done; 
forced  marches  to  perform,  enemies  to  conquer,  laurefs 
to  gather,  and  injuries  to  avenge  ;  he  points  out  to  tbem 
his  plan  of  rousing  the  Soman  people,  to  restore  the 
capital,  and  thus  have  the  glory  of  renovating  the  finest 
part  of  Europe;  and  that  the  French,  free  and  respect- 
ed by  the  worid,  will  give  Europe  a  glorious  peace,  and 
that  they  wiU  return  to  their  homes* 


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AND   TTARS    OF    EtROPiE.  289 

The  IralfatM  Hue  ajc^inst  the  French. 


CHAPT£R  XXXI I  r. 

TkE  Dake  of  Modena  was  more  alarmed  as  the  Frencli 
proceeded:  he,  therefore,  wished  for  peace,  aad  pur- 
chased an  armistice  of  Bonaparte  at  a  most  excessive 
price;  he  agreed  to  pay  to  the  French  Repablic 
7,500,000  livres  Frmich  money;  to  famish  2,500,000 
Uvres  in  provisions  and  military  stores,  for  the  French 
army;  and  to  deliver  up  20  paintings  taken  from  his 
gallery,  or  his  dominions,  to  be  selected  by  persons  nomi« 
nated  by  the  French. 

General  Despinoy,  the  French  comniandant  of  Milhn^ 
observing  ofi  the  24di,  that  the  people  were  collecting  in 
the  suburbs  of  the  city^  on  the  side  of  Pavia,  ordered 
some  troops  to  march  there^  whom  the  rebels  attempted 
to  disarm;  bat  the  French  detaclmient^  having  wounded 
and  taken  some  of  them,  put  the  rest  to  flight  This 
moyement  took  place  at  the  same  moment  at  Vareza* 
Pavia,  and  Lodii  The  tocsin  was  sounded  in  the  comn 
try;  the  peasants  assassinated  Ae  persons  employed  ifi 
the  administration ;  and  the  garrison  left  at  Pavia,  hav- 
ing been  surprised  in  their  quarters^  were  disarmed. 

Bonaparte  set  oat  flrom  Milan  on  the  24th,  to  repair  to 
Lodi^  leaving  on)y  at  Milan  suiBcient  troops  to  blockade 
the  eastlei  Scarcely  had  he  reached  Lodi,  when  Gene- 
ral Despinoy  kifbrmed  hlsi,  that  three  hours  after  his  de* 
parture  the  tocsin  was  sounded  in  Lombardy,  mid  that  it 
was  indostrioosly  ciroiilaled  that  Nice  was  taken  by  the 
JB^JWi,  the  igrmy  cff  Cond^  arrived  by  Switzerland,  on  the 

▼01.  !•— NO,  18.  p  P  n        } 

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290      HISyORY   OF   NAPOLEON    BONAPARTE, 


Bonaparte  orders  the  village  of  BioAttcu  to  be  burned. 

borders  of  the  Milanese,  and  Beau  lieu,  reinforced  with 
60,000  men,  was  on  his  march  to  Milan.  Everywhere 
the  people  were  called  on  to  arm  against  the  French ;  the 
nobles  had  discharged  their  domestics,  telling  them,  that 
equality  did  not  allow  the  contiuaance  of  their  servi-* 
ces ;  and  all  the  partisans  of  the  house  of  Austria,  the 
sbirri,  and  agents  of  the  customs,  appeared  in  (he  front. 
The  inhabitants  of  Pavia,  reinforced  with  five  or  six 
thousand  peasants,  invested  the  citadel,  in  which  there 
were  only  300  French. 

At  Milan,  the  people  tore  down  the  tree  of  liberty, 
and  trampled  tlie  national  cockade  under  foot.  General 
Despinoy,  the  commander,  mounted  his  horse,  whilst 
patroles  put  the  populace  to  flight.  The  gate  Icadm^  to 
Pavia  was  still  in  the  hands  of  the  rebels,  who  expected 
the  peasants,  whom  tliey  meant  to  introduce  into  the 
city  ;  to  force  them  to  submission,  a  terrible  charge  was 
made,-  and  this  restored  tranquillity,  but  the  city  was 
given  up  to  pillage  for  24  hours. 

When  Bonaparte  was  acquainted  with  these  proceed- 
ings, he  hastened  back  with  800  horse,  and  a  battaUon  ef 
grenadiers.  When  he  arrived  at  Milan,  h^  ordered  a 
number  of  hostages  to  be  arrested,  and  those  to  be  shot 
who  were  taken  in  arms ;  at  the  same  time  acquainting 
tlM  archbisliop,  chapter,  monks,  and  nobles,  that  they 
were  responsible  for  the  public  tranquillity.  Order 
being  re-established  at  Milan,  Bonaparte  proceeded  to 
Pavia. 

The  chief  of  brigade,  Lasnes,  attacked  Binasco,  wbieb 
seven  or  eight  hundred  armed  peasants  seemed  determin- 
ed to  defend;  he  charged  them^  and,  having  killed  about 
too,  dispersed  the  rest.  Bonaparte  ordered  the  village 
to  btt  burned,  which  exhibited  a  horrible  spectacle,  and, 


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AND  WARS  OF   EUROPE.  291 


The  people  take  the  castle  of  Pav4a. 


as  he  says^  extorted  many  a  sigh  from  the  General.  He 
then  sent  the  archbishop  of  Milan  to  Pavia,  with  the 
following  proclamation  : 

*'  Milan,  6  Prairial,  4th  year, 
(25  May,  1796.) 
**  A  mis-kd  mnltitade,  dcstitate  of  the  means  of  re- 
**  sistance,  have  been  guilty  of  the  greatest  excesses  in 
*'  several  commanes,  contemning  the  Republic  and  the 
«<  brave  army  triumphant  over  so  many  kings.  This 
**  inconceivable  frenzy  merits  pity  ;  the  unhappy  peo- 
**  pie  are  led  astray,  only  to  conduct  them  to  ruin.  The 
''  General  in  Chief,  faithful  to  the  principles  the  French 
^  nation  have  adopted,  who  do  not  make  war  on  the 
^  people,  earnestly  wishes  to  leave  a  gate  open  to  re* 
^  pentance  ;  but  those  who,  in  24  hours,  shall  not  lay 
<■'  down  their  arms,  and  take  anew  the  oath  of  obedience 
"  to  the  French  Republic,  shall  be  treated  as  rebels,  and 
**  their  villages  burned.  May  the  terrible  example  of 
^  Binasco  mak«  them  open  their  eyes  !  its  fate  shall  be 
<'  that  of  all  the  towns  aAd  villages  which  persist  in 
«  xevolt" 

•'(Signed)    bonapabte« 

At  day-break,  the  General  reached  Favia,  when  the 
rebels  were  driven  back.  The  place  was  filled  with  a 
multitude  of  people,  and  in  a  state  of  defence  ;  the 
castle  was  taken,  and  the  French  troops  were  prisoners. 
The  General  made  the  artillery  advance,  and  after  some 
discharges,  summoned  the  insurgents  to  submit,  and  have 
r-ecouTce  to  French  generosity ;  but  they  answered,  that 
wb*le  Pavia  had  walls,  they '  would  not  surrender.  Ge- 
nerd  Dammartiii  formed  the  6th  battalion  of  gr«nadiars 

"^  r-        T 

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293      HISTORY  OP  NAPOLEON  B0NAPART6, 

Bonaparte  orders  the  monidpaiitj  to  be  shot. 

in  close  coliunn,  with  two  eight-pounders  in  their  van; 
and  each  man  having  a  hatchet,  the  gates  were  barst 
open,    on    which  the  multitude  dispersed,  and  songM 
safety  in  caves  and  on  hoqse-tops,  attempting,  by  thraw-r 
i^g  down  tiles,  to  dispute  the  entry  of  the  troops  into 
the  streets.    ''  Thrice,"  said  Bonaparte,  ^'  had  the  order 
"  to  set  fire  to  the  city  eiq>ircd  on  my  hp%^  when  the  gta* 
**  risen  of  the  castle  arrived,  and  hastened  with  m«i  of 
*' joy  to   embrace   their   diliverers.    Their  names  w«r« 
**  called    over,    and  none  were    fbmid  missing ;  if  th« 
^'  blood  of  a  single  Frenchman  had  been  abed,  I  had  rc- 
*'  solved  to  raise  on  the  ruins  of  Pavia  a  colmnn,  oil 
'*  which  these  impressive  words  were  to  be  ioserSM^d, 
/'Here  stood  the  city  of  Pavia T    Bonaparte  ordered 
the  whole  municipality  to  be  shot,  and  900  hostages  to  ht 
arrested,    and    sent    immediately   into    France*      Tha 
pumshmeots   of  Bonaparte  for  insurrection   were  tra» 
mendoos;  the  village  of  9inaspo   burned,  Milan  given 
tip  to  pillage,  and  many  of  its  principal  infaabitanta  put 
to  death ;  the  municipality  of  Pavia  shot,  aflber  the  city 
being  taken,  were  terrible  examples  of  his  severity. 

Bonaparte  issued  a  proclamation,  stating,  that  the 
nobles,  the  priests,  and  the  stents  of  Austria,  had  led 
astray  the  people  of  these  delightful  countries  ;  that 
the  French  army,  as  genei^ous  as  brave,  weuld  treat  as 
brethren  the  peaceable  natives,  but  that  it  would  be  ter- 
rible as  the  fire  of  heaven  to  rebels,  and  tp  the  Tiliagea 
that  gave  them  protection.  He,  therefore,  declared  all 
those  villages  in  a  state  of  r«»belliim  which'  had  not  com* 
plied  with  his  order  on  tlie  25th  ;  and  ordered  the  Gpeoe- 
rals  to  march  against  them  the  troij^B  accessary  to  sap- 
preas  the  insurgents,  to  set  fire  to  them,  and  to  shoot,  oa 
tfie  spot,  all  w|po  had  anas  in  Hwhr  haada.    All  priaatii 

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AHm  WAItS  OP  EUROP£.  S83 


Tbi  MiTtoeie  etamm  hita»  «t  the  Theatre. 


and  noblefl,  in  the  refaellioas  communes,  were  to  be  ar* 
rested  as  hostages,  and  sent  into  France  ;  every  TiDago 
where  the  tocsin  was  sminded  was  to  be  instantly  burnt  { 
and  the  Generals  were  responsible  for  the  exeeutien  of 
the  order.  The  Tillages,  where  a  single  Frenchman  was 
asBaasiaated,  were  to  pay  three  times  the  sam  they-  an- 
ani^  paid  to  the  Archduke,  untfl  they  gave  up  die 
asaaasin.  Every  man  found  with  a  musket  and  ammuai* 
tion,  was  te  be  immediately  shot,  by  order  of  the  Gene* 
nd  eamnumding  the  jurisdiction.'  Wherever  concealed 
arms  were  found,  the  place  was  to  pay  thrice  its  usual 
i^venne  by  way  of  fine ;  and  every  house  where  a  nms« 
ket  was  found,  was  to  be  burnt,  unless  the  proprietor  de» 
ehired  to  whom  it  belonged.  All  the  nobles  and  rich 
persons  who  excited  the  people  to  revolt,  were  to  ba 
taken  as  hoslagesi  and  sent  to  France,  and  a  part  of 
their  revenues  confiscated. 

Bonaparte  attended  the  theatre  at  Milan,  at  die  rqpre« 
seatatioa  of  Hetastasio^s  opera  of  Oato ;  and  ^the  nh 
dience,  as  if  anxfous  te  regain  the  esteem  of  a  man^ 
whose  austerity  was  equalled  only  by  his  power,  ap« 
plauded  every  sentence  which  they  chose  to  apjriy  to 
bim,  and  a  crown  of  laureb  was  phiced  on  his  head. 

Venice  did  not  recognize  a  sister  in  the  FVencfa  B^ 
public,  but  saw  in  it  a  democracy,  to  which  her  aristo* 
eracy  was  less  aecammodating  than  to  Baparora  aod 
Kings.  Iiresohiteas  to  what  side  she  should  take,  and 
unwiRing  to  engage  in  war,  she  tiiought  a  aewlrati^ 
trould  save  her  from  danger,  and  perhaps  only  looked  oa 
the  success  of  the  French  in  her  tenritories,  as  the  means 
of  delivering  her  the  sooner  fipoiQ  both  <hem  antf  tiie 
Imperialists. 

^onaparte  had  been  at  Brescia,  nmking'  dii^esitions'ta 

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204       HISTORY  OF   NAVOLEON   BONAPARTE, 

n — i n ,  .^H 

The  AustriaiM  driveo  out  of  Italy. 

ioduce  Beaulieu  to  believe,  that  be  meant  to  tarn  him 
by  the  head  of  the  lake,  in  order  to  cut  him  off  from  the 
road  to  the  Tyrol,  by  way  of  Biva.  At  two  in  the  mom* 
iag,  all  the  divisions  were  in  motion,  and  marched  to- 
wards Borghetto,  where  Bonaparte  intended  to  cross  the 
Mincio :  they  crossed  that  river  and  engaged,  when  the 
Anstrians  fotight  with  the  utmost  bravery,  and  retreated 
only  after  performing  acts  of  the  greatest  intrepidity: 
the  Austrians  lost  1500  men,  and  500  horse,  in  killed  and 
prisoners ;  among  the  latter  was  Prince  Cato,  Lieutenant- 
Crcneral  in  the  army  of  the  King  of  Naples,  and  Com- 
mander-in-Chief of  the  Neapolitan  cavalry.  The  French 
also  took  five  pieces  of  cannon,  two  twelve-pounders  and 
three  six-pounders,  with  seven  or  eight  waggona  loaded 
with  warlike  stores.  At  Ca3tlenuovo  many  magazines 
were  taken,  part  of  which,  however,  had  been  burnt 
Thus  the  Austrians  were  driven  out  of  Italy,  and  the 
French  advanced  posts  reached  the  mountains  of  Ger- 
many. In  these  engagements  nothing  could  equal  the 
courage  of  the  French  troops^  but  the  gaiety  with  which 
they  made  their  rapid  marches,  singing  alternately  songs 
in  praise  of  their  country  and  of  their  loves. 

The  division  of  General  Massena  took  Verona,  which 
had  been  thp  refuge  of  Liouis-Stanislaus,  brother  of  the 
last  King  of  the  French,  and  of  his  little  court  of  Emi- 
grants, to  whom  the  Venetians  had  given  a  ready  recep- 
tiott.  Charles  de  la  Croix,  the  French  minister  for 
fifeign  affairs^  wrote  to  Quurini,  the  minister  of  the  Re- 
public of  Venice,  that  he  was  astonished  such  a  permis- 
sion had  been  given  to  the  fugitive  Prince,  who  having 
stated  the  matter  to  the  Senate,  they  returned  for  answer, 
that  this  Republic  of  Venice  had  not  transgressed  a|^nst 
a  proper  respect  to  the  Republic  of  France  ;  that  the  aQ^ 


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ANP  WARS  OF  EUROPE:  WS 

Looif,  the  Brother  of  the  late  Kin^,  quits  Verooa. 

cient  Committee  of  Public  Safety  expressed  their  satis- 
ihctioD,  that  the  ci-devant  Count  de  Prorence  remained 
in  the  Venetian  state,  rather  than  any  where  else,  and 
they  relied  that  the  Directory  would  not  act  against  the 
sentiments  and  principles  of  the  Committee.  This  ex- 
planation seemed  to  give  satisfaction,  but  the  victories  of 
the  French  army  having  made  a  great  impression  on  the 
Senate  of  Venice,  the  Marquis  Carletti  was  desired  to 
signify  to  the  brother  of  Louis  XVI.  that  he  must  quit 
the  territory  with  all  possible  expedition.  To  this  noti- 
fication, for  which  he  was  not  in  the  least  prepared,  "  I 
will  go  but  under  two  conditions:—!.  Let  the  golden 
book  be  brought  me,  in  which  the  names  of  my  family  are 
inscribed,  that  I  may  strike  mine  out  with  my  own  hand. 
2.  Let  the  armour  be  delivered  to  me,  which  my  ancestor, 
Henry  IV.  presented  to  the  Republic,  as  a  token  of 
friendship.''  Botli  requests  were  refused,  and  he  soon 
after  quitted  Verona. 

The  life  of  this  Prince,  while  he  continued  at  Verona, 
was  singularly  regular.  At  eight  in  the  morning,  he  was 
dressed,  and  wore  the  insignia  of  the  orders  to  which  he 
belonged;  he  passed  much  of  the  morning  in  writing, 
and  was  visible  only  to  his  chancellor  ;  his  table  was  fru- 
gal ;  after  dinner  be  gave  audience  to  a  few,  and  then 
.  shiit  himself  up  in  his  chamber,  where  he  was  frequently 
beard  to  walk  in  great  agitation.  .  Towards  the  evening 
he  generally  grew  more  calm,  and  had  a  small  party  of 
his  courtiers,  who  read  to  him,  and  conversed.  Ho 
never  went  out,  nor  paid  any  visits,  either  in  Verona  or 
its  vicinity.  He  constantly  read  the  Moniteur,  and  other 
French  newspapers,  and  went  by  the  name  of  the  Count 
de  Lille.  Whenever  any  of  his  courtiers  called  him  by 
the  title  of  majesty  he  was  observed  to  sigh  heavily. 

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290      HISTORY   or  NAFOLEON   BONAPARTE, 


Tbe  Fnoch  ioveit  MwtM. 


Bonaparte  removed  to  Verona  on  the  third  of  June, 
ivbere  he  left  a  strong  garrison,  to  secure  the  three  braflges 
across  the  Adige  at  that  place.  General  Beaulieu  was 
sncceeded  by  Marshal  Wurmser*  who  had  indeed  not 
been  mach  more  fortunate^  but  who  had  ^ected  more* 

After  the  action  at  Borghetto^  the  passage  of  the  Miii- 
cioy  the  taking  of  Peschiera,  and  the  flight  of  the  enemy 
into  the  Tyrol,  the  French  invested  Mantua,  which  r^ 
quired  a  formal  siege,  and  they  had  few  means  wherewith 
to  undertake  it.  Meaning  to  penetrate  into  the  Tjrolese, 
Bonaparte  addressed  a  manifesto  to  the  warlike  people  of 
these  lofty  mountains.  He  informed  them,  that  he  was 
about  to  cross  their  territory,  to  compel  the  court  of  Vi- 
enna to  a  peace,  as  necessary  to  Europe  as  to  its  own  sub- 
jects. It  was  their  own  cause  he  was  to  defend,  for  they 
had  been  harassed  by  a  war,  undertaken  to  gratify  tbe 
passions  of  a  single  family. 

He  promised  that  every  thing  should  be  paid  for ;  but 
threatens  them  with  destruction  if  they  take  up  their  arms 
against  him,  and  vows  vengeance  against  the  towns  and 
viOages. 


^#««^#^«^^^#  ###»»»e»»«i*#»^^#.»»<»»#^»#»###^*^ 


CHAPTER  XXXIV. 

Ns  w  commotions  took  place  in  the  Imperial  Fiefs,  which 
border  on  the  states  of  Genoa^  Tuscany,  and  Piedmont ; 
the  coiiinumications  of  the  ariny  with  the  river  of  Genoa 


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AKD  trARS   OF  EUROPE.  Wf 


General  Au^ereau  crosses  the  Po. 


were  menaced,  the  convoys  attacked^  and  tbe  couriel^ 
assassinated.  It  was  necessary  also  to  keep  an  eye  on  th6 
castle  of  Milan,  and  cBtrj  on  the  siege  of  Mantaa;  Tlie 
greatest  activity  was  hardly  sufficient  for  the  many  opera* 
tions  that  were  required. 

General  Lasnes  entered  the  Imperial  Piefs  willi  1200 
horse,  arrested  and  shot  the  chiefs  of  the  revolt,  and 
burned  their  habitations.  The  same  severity  was  dis^ 
played  in  the  environs  of  Tortona;  a  proclamation  was 
issued  and  strictly  executed.  All  the  seigrieurs  faoldmg 
Imperial  Fiefs,  were  to  repair  in  person  to  Tortona,  there 
to  take  the  oath  of  obedience^  to  the'  Bepublic ;  and  if 
within  five  days  after  the  publication  of  the  order  they 
had  not  done  so,  their  goods  were  to  be  confiscated.  The 
inhabitants  were  to  carry  to  the  military  agent  at  Tortona, 
within  twenty-four  hours  after  notice,  the  sum  of  tiie 
military  Qontribution,  which  Was  to  be  enhaneed  one-* 
tenth  for  each  day's  delay  of  payments  All  persons,  after 
tbe  space  of  forty- eight  hours,  found  Irith  arms  or  am- 
munition, were  to  be  shot  All  the  bells  which  sounded 
the  tocsin  were  to  be  tak«|^down  rfi-om  their  steeples^ 
and  broken  to  pieces,  within  twenty-four  hours  after  the 
proclamation ;  and  those  who  neglected  to  do  so,  to  be 
considered  as  rebels,  and  their  villages  burned^ 

General  Augereau  having  crossed  the  Poat  Bofgdfbfte, 
arrived  at  Bologna  on  the  19th,  where  he  found  400  of 
the  Pope's  soldiers,  who  were  made  prisoners.  Bona- 
parte left  Tortona  on  the  17th,  and  arrived  on  the  19th 
at  Modcna,  whence  he  sent  orders,  by  Adyutant-General' 
Vignole,  to  the  garrison  of  Urbino,  to  surrender  prisoners 
of  war ;  after  this  he  continued  his  march  to  Bologna, 
where  he  arrived  at  midnight.  The  French  took  in  Fort 
Urbino  90  pieces  of  cannon,  hi  excellent  condition,  SOO^ 

VOL.    I.— NO.    13.  C     Q  Digitized  by  Google 


298      HISTORY   OP   NAPOLEON    BONAPARTE, 

j_  ■  -  ■  ;  .  I.I,  i 

The  French  enter  the  Gtznli  Duchy  ofToscaoy. 

niuskets,  aad  provtsious  for  600  men  ibr  two  months. 
Fort  Urbino  was  encircled  by  a  wall  with  covered  bastions^ 
and  surrounded  by  ditches  full  of  water,  having  a  covered 
way  newly  repaired.  It  was  commanded  by  a  knight  of 
Malta,  with  300  men,  who  were  taken  prisoners.  At 
Bologna  the  cardinal  legate  was  taken,  with  all  the  offi- 
cers of  the  etat-major,  and  four  standards.  The  cardinal 
legate  of  Ferrara  was  also  taken  prisoner,  with  the  com- 
mandant of  that  fort,  who  was  Ukewise  a  knight  of  Malta. 
In  the  castle  of  t'errava  &ere  were  114  pieces  of  ca&non.' 
The  twenty  paintings  which  were  to  be  furnished  by 
Parma,  were  on  their  way  to  Paris ;  and  among  them 
the  celebrated  one  of  St.  Jerome,  so  highly  esteemed  that  a 
million  Itvres  was  offered  to  redeem  it.  The  paintings  from 
Modena  was  also  on  the  road,  and  the  citizen  Barthelemy 
was  employed  in  selecting  about  filly  of  tlie  paintings  of 
Bologna,  while  others  were  engaged  at  Pavia  and  Bologna 
in  collecting  plants  and  other  objects  of  natural  history. 

After  taking  Bologna  a  French  division  proceeded  to 
Ferrara  and  Faenza,  whose  submission  promised  that  of 
Romagna }  a  column  of  the  French  army  also  marched 
ixom  Reggio,  across  the  Apennines,  to  Pistoia,  and  threa- 
tened to  advance  to  Rome  by  t^e  way  of  Florence.  This 
intelligence  threw  the  court  of  the  Grand  Duke  into  the 
greatest  akurm ;  Manfredini,  his  prime  minister,  was  sent 
to  Bologna  in  great  haste,  to  state  to  the  French  General^ 
that  as  a  passage  through  Tuscany  had  been  denied  the 
troops  of  Naples,  it  would  be  unjust  to  violate  a  territory 
the  Allies  had  respected,  and  with  which  France  was  at 
peace.  The  Grand  Duke,  however,  could  not  hinder 
the  French  entering  his  territories,  and  could  only  get  a 
promise  from  Bonaparte,  that  he  would  not  enter  Flo- 
rence.   The  Frebch  army  marched  rapidly  towards  Lieg* 

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AVD   WARS   OF  EUROPE.  299* 

p  They  take  Potiession  of  Le|:honi. 

horn :  it  is  likely  that  Man! redini  had  not  this  expedition 
confided  to  him;  but  Bonaparte,  on  reaching  Pistoia, 
acquainted  the  Grand  Dake  of  the  circumstance  by  a 
letter,  wherein  he  observ'ed  that  the  fla^  of  the  French 
Republic  was  hourly  insulted  in  the  port  of  Leghorn,  the 
property  of  the  French  merchants  violated,  and  every  hour 
marked  by  some  attempt  against  the  French,  as  contrary 
to  the  interests  of  the  Republic  as  to  the  law  of  nations. 
The  Executive  Directory  had  often  coinplained  to  th« 
minister  of  his  Royal  Highness,  at  Paris,  who  had  been 
forced  to  avow  the  impossibility  his  master  found  in 
checking  the  English,  and  keeping  neutrality  in  the  port 
of  Leghorn.  The  Directoi^y,  therefore,  felt  it  their 
dqty  to  repel  force  by  force,  and  make  their  commerce 
be  respected  ;  and  had  ordered  him  to  send  a  division  of 
the  army  under  his  command,  to  take  possession  of  Leg- 
*  horn ;  he  had  therefore  the  honour  to  inform  his  Royal 
Highness,  that  a  division  of  the  army  would  enter  that 
city  on  the  28th,  but  would  conduct  itself  agreeable  to 
the  principles  of  the  neutrality  it  was  to  maintain ;  and 
the  flag,  the  garrison,  and  the  property  of  his  Royal  High- 
ness, and  his  people,  would  be  scrupulously  respected. 
The  General  was  idso  to  assure  the  Grand  Duke  of  the 
wish  entertained  by  the  French  Government  for  a  cpn- 
tinTtation  of  the  firiendship  which  united  the  two  states, 
and  of  its  convicton,  that  his  Royal  Highness,  witnessing 
the  excesses  committed  by  the  English  ships,  and,  unable 
to  prevent  'them,  would  applaud  the  measures  adopted 
by  the  Directory. 

Bonaparte  left'  Pistola  to  join  the  column  abeady  at 
the  gates  of  Leghorn,  An  English  frigate,  on  going  out 
ef  die  harbour,  was  fired  at,  but  without  eSect*  A  few 
^mtn  before  the  French  troops  arriyedi  more  than  forty 

9    9^  Digitized  by  GoOgk 


300      HISTORY  OF   KAPOLEON   BONAPARTE, 

Bonaparte  entertained  bjr  the  Grand  Duke. 

English  ships,  fully  laden,  left  Leghorn,  The  General 
ordered  the  Chevalier  Spannochi,  gavemor  of  the  citjr 
for  the  Grand  Duke,  to  be  arrested ;  he  i^ras  eonducted 
to  Florence,  mid  sept  tp  prison  by  order  of  the  Grand 
Duke, 

Bonaparte  ordered  seals  to  be  put  on  jdl  the  English 
magazines^  A  stropg  garrison,  under  General  Vaubois, 
was  left  in  Leghorn,  Sonaparte,  with  Berthier,  and  a 
part  of  the  6tat  major,  passed  through  Florence,  and  was 
fsntertained  by  the  Grand  Duke  very  superbly*  It  has 
been  already  mentioned,  that,  pn  the  !^th«  General 
Bonaparte  had  directed  the  consul  of  the  French  Repilb^ 
lie  at  Leghorn,  tp  put  s«als  pn  all  the  magazines  belong^ 
ing  to  the  English ;  he  was  also  ordered  to  take  similar 
measures!  as  to  those  appertaining  to  .the  Emperor,  the 
Empress  of  Russia,  and  ip  general  all  the  princes  or 
Subjects  of  states  with  whom  the  French  were  at  war ; 
and  to  emplpy  every  means  necessary  to  discover  the 
merchandise  deposited  in  the  Jiouses  of  the  different  mer- 
chants at  liegliom,  and  take  possession  of  them. 

While  Bpnaparte  was  at  table  with  the  Grand  Duke  at 
Florence,  a  courier  brought  sews  of  the  taking  of  the 
pastle  of  Milan,  with  2800  prisoners,  150  pieces  of  can- 
non, 20|000  pounds  of  powder,  and  a  great  qusuitily  of 
useful  stores*  If  the  ypun^  sovereign  pominally  s^ved  his 
dominions,  his  feelings  muot  have  sufiered  by  entertain- 
ing in  his  palace  a  genera^  whose  ffunily  had  been  reck.^ 
oned  among  his  subjects,  who  left  a  gariison  in  Leghonii 
and  who  destroyed  all  the  commercial  interconme  he* 
f ween  his  friends  the  English  an<i  the  only  port  in  Us 
dominipns,  9e  was  even  obUigedf  to  punish  the  governpi 
of  his  principal  town,  because,  no  doubt,,  lie  had  bee« 
^9  obedient  tp  hi«  master.    Tlie  redootiw  of  tke  cnstle 


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AND  WARS  OF  EUKOPE.  ■     SOI 

siy^— ■'  —  -  I    M.         ■     I'l    ■  ■■■„-.■-"         ,  T  '■;    I         '   I   j-.i.  ■    ■    aaaz^gg 

An  Argdstice  concliKkd  with  the  Pope. 

of  Milan,  annouDced  now,  must  have  given  additional 
chagrin  to  the  Grand  Duke.  When  the  conmuMioner, 
Salicetti,  passed  through  Florence,  two  days  after  Bona* 
parte,  he  received  an  invitation  from  his  Royal  Highness, 
which  he  declined. 

An  armistice  was  concluded  with  the  Pope,  on  cont 
dition  that  his  Holiness  should  send  to  Paris,  to  obtaiQ 
from  the  Executive  Directory  a  definitive  peace,  hy  of- 
fering reparations  for  the  losses  suffered  by  the  Frencb  ia 
his  territory.  That  the  ports  belonging  to  the  Pop» 
should  be  shut  against  the  vessels  of  those  at  war  with  ik» 
Republic,  and  t>e  open  ta  French  sUps^  That  the  Aeiidi 
array  should  oontinae  i»  possession  of  the  legfitions  of 
Bologna  and  Fcrtanu  That  tiie  eitidel  of  Ancona  sbo«14^ 
be  given  to  Ac  French  irittoii  five  day%  with  its  artiUirjr 
and  store.  '  That  the  Pope  should  give  up  to  the  Fvench 
Rqpoblic  one  hundred  paintings,  b«sts,  vases^  or  statuei^ 
IB  the  choice  of  commisswries^  wbo  should  be  sent  1^ 
Rome ;  among  tfiese  articles,  the  bust  ia  braaae  «f  Jumh 
Brutus,  and  that  in  naiMtof  K«vcu0  Bni«u%  both  pjSMPed 
in  the  Capitnt  shoiUd  bo  partieiilaily  comprised;  mi 
also  five  bnadred  manuscripts,  to  be  aefeded  by  4be  mM» 
ccmmisaaries*  And  ttat  the  Pope  should  pay  la  IUmi 
French  Republic  31,000,000  of  livres,  French  moosj,  of 
whieh  ISjSOO^OOO  Kvf es  shoiM  he  in  specie^  or  g([fld  and 
sibei  ingols^jmdtho  rmiiawig  ^SOOjOOO m 
■ierehandfl»»  horaas»  «r  vaam^  m  ahoAhl  ba 
by  Ihe  agMUs  of  ttetRopsblio. 


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S02      HISTORY  OF   NAPOLEON   BONAPARTE, 

Forto-Femjo,  io  the  Island  of  Elba,  rarrenden  to  the  British. 


CHAPTER  XXXy. 


On  the  9tfa  July  1796,  a  British  sqaaJiron  appeared  off 
Porto-Ferrajo,  on  the  island  of  Elba,  and  summoned  it 
to  surrender.  Ne](t  morning  a  strong  detachment  effected 
ft  landing/  and  took  possession  of  the  top  of  an  adjacent 
biU,  where  they  erected  a  battery,  which  commanded 
the  town.  Two  letters  were  sent  to  the  goyernor  by  two 
ofBcers,  accompanied  by  a  drum,  one  from  Sir  Gilbert 
Elliot,  and  another  from  M sgor  Duncan,  who  commanded 
tte  expedition.  The  Governor  called  an  assembly,  and 
bdving  laid  before  it  the  contents  pf  the  letters,  the  reso- 
lution adopted  was»  that  the  place  being  in  want  of  pro* 
visions,  and  without  a  force  able  to  eope  with  their  aa* 
tagOBists,  it  would  be  most  adriseable  to  surrender  on 
conditions.  Next  day  these  were  proposed  tb  the  Britisb 
eonmander,  and  finally  accepted:  the  conditions  were 
five  in  number;  and  the  terms  most  scrupulously  ob* 
served. 

'  i  'The  French  General,  unwilling,  in  the  sequel^  to  have 
his  policy  confounded  with  that  of  the  second-rate  statesr 
man,  to  ^om  he  was  opposed,  directed  his  attentiM  to 
the  deliverance  of  his  natiye  c^untiy  by  means  of  a 
Mcret  expedition.  To  effect  the  reduction  of  Corsica 
seems  to  have  b^n  the  chief  object  in  first  taking  pos- 
session of*  Leghorn,  although  Bonaparte,  no  doubt,  like- 
wise meant  by  this  measure  to  dsetroy  die  British  com- 
merce carried  on  in  that  port.    The  garrisons  o(  Corsica 


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AND   WARS   OF   EUROPE.  SOS 


Conica  sunciMlerf  to  the  French. 


belonging  to  Great  Britain  had  been  in  a  miserable^state 
for  months  previous  %o  its  being  evacuated,  insomuch 
that  the  soldiers  were  obliged  to  continue  in  their  quarters. 
The  Viceroy  was  arrested  as  he  made  the  tour  of  the 
island,  and  only  liberajted  on  the  express  condition,  that 
he  should  withdraw  his  forces  from  the  interior  parts  of 
the  country.    The  inhabitants  refused  to  pay  the  duties, 
or  in  any  manner  to  acknowledge  the  authority  of  the 
British    government    The  Republicans  from   leghorn 
carried  thither  supplies  of  provisions,  and  gave  them  iu« 
structions  as  to  their  future  conduct.    On  getting  intel- 
ligence that  the  British  troops  seriously  meant  to  evacu- 
ate the  island.  General  Qontili,  the  commandant  at  Leg- 
horn, despatched  Casatta  with  a  body  of  men,  who  effect- 
ed a  landing  on  the  18th  of  October:  the  day  following 
he  was  joined  by  a  large  body  of  partisans  of  France,  at 
whose  head  he  began  a  rapid  march  towards  Bastia,  where 
he  arrived  on  the  20th,  and  made  himself  master  of  the 
heights.     Powerfully  aided  by  the  inhabitants,  he  sum- 
moned the  commander  of  the  fort  to  surrender  to  the 
French  Republic,  allowing  him  but  one  hour  to  delibe- 
rate.    The  garrison,  alarmed  at  the  idea  of  being  ^cut  off 
from  the  sea,  hastily  got  on  board  their  ships.     General 
Casatta  took  several  hundred  prisoners,  a  great  portion 
pf  whom  were  emigrants,  and  got  possession  of  seyeral  ^ 
magazines.     From  Bastia  the   Republican  General  pro- 
ceeded to  St.  Fiorenza,  with  two  pieces  of  cannon,  and 
succeeded  in  reducing  the  town.    He  made  most  of  the 
garrison  prisoners,  and  took  some  mortars  and  pieces  of 
cannon,  which  the  English  had  not  time  to  spike. 

Tlie  British  squadron  moved  beyond  the  reach  of  the 
Republican  cannon  ;  and  the  Viceroy,  with  the  troops 
he  had  carried  off  from  Bastia,  took  refuge  in  Porto- 

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304      HISTORY  OF  NAPOLEON   BONAPARTE, 


Peace  Ukes  plaoe  beiwwn  Franoe  and  Naplek. 

Fem^  The  French  took  prisoneni  the  garrison  of 
Sonifaoio,  wUch  wns  foUowed  by  the  oaptnre  of  Ajaccio ; 
myi  the  whole  iiknd  bocame  subject  to  the  Repnblioens, 
after  the  anrival  of  Gentili  in  person,  at  the  bead  of  the 
whole  Corsican  refugees  on  the  continent*  Umis  were 
the  British  dfiven  from  the  Mand  of  Corsica,  and  obliged 
to  give  up  the  Gulph  of  St.  Fiorenzo,  where  they  did 
considerable  iiyury  to  the  French  RepubKc.  Some  ships 
of  war  couU  not  be  got  out  of  the  port  of  Ajaccio,  but 
were  burnt  by  the  French.  A  minister  was  directly  sent 
bom  the  Republic,  to  give  to  Coisica  another  eonstitu- 
tion. 

A  treaty  of  peace  was  signed  between  Ae  Republic 
and  Naples ;  it  was  mutnally  agreed,  that  neither  of  the 
powers  should  furnish  troops,  ships,  money,  or  other 
ossbtauce  to  their  enemies,  under  any  pretext  whateycr,; 
and  that  the  earliest  oppurtunaty  shouM  be  embraced  for 
ooDcluding  between  them  such  a  commercial  treaty  as 
migfat  be  for  the  advantage  of  both.  His  Majesty,  the 
King  of  the  two  Sicilies,  pledged  himsetf  to  keep  the 
strictest  neutrality  with  respect  to  the  whole  of  the  heU 
ligeneot  powers,  and  admit  none  of  their  ships  of  war 
into  any  of  its  ports,  if  Ihey  exceeded  fb^ur  in  number. 
His  ports  were  to  be  open  to  «H  tradmg  vessels  of  the 
Republic,  but  tlieir  ships  of  war  wwe  to  be  restricted  tffr 
fenr^ 

Bomqmrte  formerly  granted  an  amistiee  to  Ae  Dtfke 
of  Parma,  which  was  now  to  be  turned  into  «  treaty  ef 
pcac«t  Under  the  mediatim  of  the  Kmg  of  Spun,  and  in 
the  person  of  the  Uanfms  del  Gampo,  his  plenipoteft-* 
tiary  mt  Paris.  This  treaty  was  nearly  tlm  eame  us  that 
between  France  and  the  King  of  the  Two  Sicittes.  The 
Suke  was  to  gvmX  »  free  passage  Ihiwugb  bis  4eniinioa» 


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AND  WARS  OF  EUROPE.  30^ 

The  Pope  wav«n  In  hii  eoiidoet 

te  tbe  troops  of  the  Aepublic,  but  to  refase  the  same 
privilege  to  the  forces  of  any  of  the  Combined  Powers 
at  war  with  France.  Hie  Pope  was  not  so  soccessful  in 
treating  with  the  Republic  ;  for,  aldiough  he  was  totaDy 
unable  ta  contend  with  so  formidable  an  enemy,  when 
Marshal  Wurmser  gained  any  success,  he  disdained  to 
treat  with  France  ;  but,  when  Bonaparte  was  every- 
where triiunphant,  he  changed  his  tone  and  behaviour ; 
the  Directory,  therefore,  did  not  tUnk  proper  to  close 
with  his  Holiness  till  they  had  humbled  him  stiit  more. 

Wurmser  had  collected  in  the  T^rrol  the  Wrecks  of 
&e  Austrian  army,  and  received  powerful  reinforce- 
ments, while  Bonaparte  was  employed  in  his  expedition 
to  Leghorn  and  against  the  States  of  the  Pope.  Aftet 
die  engagement  of  Borghetto,  tbe  Imperialists  retreated' 
to  the  mountains,  with  an  intent  to  dispute  the  passes  of 
tbe  Tyrol ;  they  fortified  thehr  lines  from  the  lake  of  GSarda 
to  the  Adige  with  infinite  labour.  Massena  ordered 
General  Joubert  to  attack  the  Imperialists  by  flie  Bo^ 
chetta  di  Champion  ;  the  French  climbed  up  the  rocks* 
killed  100  mea^  and  took  200  prisoners,  with  400  tents 
and  all  the  baggage.  During  this,  tbe  chief  of  bat« 
taUon^  Recce,  baring  carried  the  important  pest  of  Be« , 
lona,  killed  300  men,  and  took  70  prisoners,  tbe^  Aus' 
IfiaM  abandoned  their  entrenehfflettts.r  Such  wae  the 
event  of  the  first  battle  between  the  two  armies  sine# 
tjie  new  €reneral  assumed  the  commands 

Some  days  after  insurrections  appeared  in  the  Romag'^ 
nn.  General.  Augereau  ordered  a  body  of  troops  to  set 
•ut,  with  caniMNft  and  waggons  amply  supplied.  A  nu- 
laeroas  phalanx  presented  themselves,  and  were  attBck<< 
cd  i>y  ttie  Bepabliean  troops,  at  twp  points,  the  one  oft 
tba^ds  of  Imobi,  and  the  oAier  on  tbe  side  of  Argenta^ 

VOL.  I- — NO.  13,  BR  r"  T 

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306       HISTORY   OF   NAPOLEON  BONAPARTE, 


Mantua  clo««ly^  betiffcd. 


The  defence  was  terrible ;  but  after  an  eogagemeat  of 
three  hours,  disorder  took  place  amongst  the  insurgents, 
and  part  were  cut  to  pieces,  and  part  saved  themselTes 
by  flight ;  the  town  of  Lugo  was  surrounded,  and  de*- 
livered  up,  for  three  hours,  to  be  piUaged  by  the  troops. 
Every  individual  found  in  arms  was  put  to  death.  The 
army  returned  with  an  immense  booty  ;  and  Bologna  ex- 
hibited one  of  the  richest  fairs  that  had  been  witnessed 
for  many  years,  the  plunder  being  exposed  there  for  sale. 
The  siege  of  Mantua  was  hotly  pressed  forward  ;  tha 
garrison  made  a  roost  gallant  resistance.  Abeat4000 
men,  on  the  16th  of  July,  sallied  from  two  of  the  gates^ 
and  drove  in  all  the  French  advanced  posts,  and  retreat- 
ed  into  the  city.  On  the  18th  General  Murat  and  Ad- 
jutant-General Vignole,  with  2000  men,  were  to  attack 
the  right  of  the  Austrian  entrenched  camp ;  while  6e- 
neral  D'Allemagne^  with  a  strong  column,  attacked  the 
}eft.  Andreossi,  chief  of  battalion  of  artillery,  with  five 
gun-boats  gave  a  false  alarm  to  the  enemy,  and,  by 
drawing  theur  fire,  enabled  the  Generals  d'Altemagno 
and  Murat  to  carry  disorder  into  the  enemy's  ranks. 
During  this,  Chasselonp,  chief  .o^  br^;ade  of  engineers, 
under  a  fire  of  grape-shot  from  the  ramparts,  directed 
the  opening  of  the  trenches.  The  batteries  of  St. 
George,  Pradelhi,  and  La  Favorite,  began  to  play  against 
tlie  fortress.  Soon  after  the  batteries  opened,  several 
parts  of  the  town  were  on  fire  ;  and  the  custom-honae, 
the  palace  of  Colloredo,  and  several  caveats,  were  re- 
duced' to  ashes.  At  day-break,  the  Austrians  made  a 
sHlIy  under  a  dreadfbl  fire  from  the  ramparts ;  but  the 
Repttblieans,  posted  behbd  banks,  and  occupying  every 
place  which  could  protect  them  finom  the  enemy's  fire^ 
vaited  for  them  in  silence,  and   annoyed   them  from 


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AND  WAftS  OF  EXJROPlE.^  907 

'..    "*^.  ■■-.  ..-I  ■'■■■■'  "    '■  »»^ 
TJie  Freodi  Mvopolw  in  Italy. 


GOttoealed  sitaatioDS ;  the  ImperisdisU  Tetoroed  within 
theiralb»  and  the  French,  in  the  following  night,  su^ 
ceeded  in  complecting  their  trenches. 

General  Berthicr,  had  summoned  the  OoTemor  to  snr- 
fender,  ohserring,  that  as  he  was  attacked  on.all-sidei?,.h# 
conld  not  long  defend  the  town,  and  that  an  ilWjadged 
obstinacy  woald  entirdy  min  the  unfortunate  city;  the 
laws  of' war,  therefore,  prescribed  to  him  to  surrender 
it;  but»  if  he  dionld  persevere  in  his  resistance,  be 
would  be  responsible  for  the  blood  thus  uselessly  shed, 
and  for  the  destruction  of  the  place  ;  a  conduct,  which 
should  compel  the  French  General  to  treat  him  with  all 
the  rigours  of  war«  The  Count  Canto  Dlrles,  General 
Conunandant,  answered,  that  the  laws  of  honour  and  of 
duty  compelled  him  to  deTend  the  city  entrusted  to  his 
oommand. 

Fiel4  Marshal  Wmmser  directed  a  column  towards 
Sala,  from  which  {dace,  and  from  Brescia,  he  dislodged 
4ie  IVench,  whibt  another  division  of  ins  army  compel- 
led tbe  French  army  to  evacuate  Verona,  and  raise  Ae 
riege  of  Mantua;  by  these  successes  the  Austrians  gain- 
ed 'an  -immense  quantity  of  artillery  and  stores,  which 
tiie  Frendi  left  behind  them. 

Bonaparfb  had  the  art  of  inspiring  his  troops  wilb  an 
embosiasm  which  nothing  could  resist;  yet  his  severity 
rendered  the  French  so  unpopular  in  Italy,  that  before 
Bonaparte  left  the  siege  of  Mantua,  the  PVench  army  was 
^erywhere  received  with  execration  and  insult ;  they 
were  refused  waggons  to  convey  the  sick  and  wounded 
to  Iheb  quarters,  and  many  died. on  the  roads;  the  pea- 
aants  insulted  them  in  the  agonies  of  death ;  their  super, 
stilion  represented  the  French  as  infidels,  whom  it  was 
their  duty  to  drive  from  their  countKy. 


i 


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90a       HISTORY  OK  NAPOLBON  BONiLPARTE, 


Bonaparte  (unitt  tlM  waal  ooadiitioD  to  hit  despatches. 

In  lii»  despatches  to  the  Direotory»  Banaparte  ontted 
Ibe  common  fonn  of  conclosion,  **  Saint  et  respect:"--- 
**  Salut"  only  appeared  to  his  deapatobfs,  whilst  ttM) 
«ther  Creaerah  closed  theirs  in  the  osual  vmj.  Roederer, 
a  pmcipsll  jouiuafisty  expressed  his  fears  at  the  crttiGal 
situation  in  wlneh  the  Repnblic  ifas  placed,  and  cited 
the  examples  of  Sylla,  Marins,  and  GsMar,  who  conquer* 
ed  the  liberties  of  their  country  by  dispersing  amoBg 
their  armies  the  treasures  they  had.ilmassed. 

The  victories  of  Wurmser  placed  the  French  armies 
in  a  very  delicate  situation*  On  the  1st  of  August^  the 
army  advanced,  while  the  Austrians  detached  a  force  to 
Castigliona,  where  General  Valette  had  be«n  left  with 
1800  men  to  defend  that  imporlant  post,  and  to  keep  the 
diWsion  of  Wurmser  at  a  disttoce  ;  but  Valette  wsn 
completely  defeated,  and  escaped  with  only  half  his 
troops  to  Monte^Chiaro.  Bonaparte,  vecxed  by  the  isaue 
of  this  affair,  instantly  suspended  General  Valette. 

The  two  armieb  faced  each  other  on  the  morning  of 
the*  3d.  The  Imperialists,  not  waiting  the  attack  of  the 
French,  suiroiilided  the  advanced  guard  of  General  Mas- 
aena,  near  Castigliona,  and  took  General  Pigeon  prisoner, 
with  three  pieces  of  flying  ailillery.  The  French  had 
Ilppes  <tf  penetrating  the  Austrian  Une,  alid'  the  latter 
extended  it  .in  order  to  surround  the  French;  the  Ijupe- 
riaUsts  were  thrown  into  disprder,  and  retreated  to  Salo; 
but  that  place  bemg  in  the  handa  of  the  Fiiencb>  they 
wandered  through  the  mountains^  and  many  of  them  ▼era 
taken.  Meaatiae  General  Augereau  took  Gaslig^oaay 
and  during  the  day.  maintained  several  obstinate  actions 
with  the  enemy,  who  fought  with  great  braveiy. 

General  Wurmser  assembled  the  remains  of  bis  araiy# 
and  drew  up  between  the  viHage  of  Scanello^  which  snp^ 


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AND  WARS   OF  EUROPE.  309 

■lit  t  ■         ■■  ■    I 

He  deceives  an  Austrian  column  Co  raneoder. 

ported  his  right,  and  La  Cbiesa,  which  covered  his  left* 
Bonaparte  hastened  in  person  to  Lonado,  to  be  certain 
of  the  number  of  troops  he  could  detach  from  it;  but 
on  arriving  there,  a  messenger  summoned  the  comman- 
dant at  Lonado  to  surrender,  which  was  completely 
surrounded.  Bonaparte  had  recourse  to  stratagem ; 
there  were  but  a  few  hundred  men  at  Lonado,  and  tfie 
place  must  have  surrendered  ;  he  ordered  the  messenger 
to  be  brought  before  him,  and  his  ejes  uncovered.  Bo- 
naparte told  him»  that  if  his  General  indulged  the  hope 
of  taking  the  CoHkHUME^der-in-Chief,  of  the  army  of  Italy, 
bo  had  oftly  to  advance;  that  he  ought  to  know  that 
officer  was  at  Lonado^  as  every  one  knew  the  Republican 
araqr  was  a4  that  place  ;  and  that  all  the  officers  belong- 
ing to  the  division  should  be  responsible  for  the  insult 
he  had  been  guilty  ef  towards  the  General  in  Chief.  He 
then  tokt  the  mess^ger,  that  if  bis  division  did  not,  with-  ' 
in  eigkt  tntnates,  ligr  down  their  arms,  he  would  have  no 
mercjr.  The  officer  was  confounded  at  seeing  the  Ge- 
neral, and  reinnied  with  his  answer.  Preparation  wa^ 
now  affected  to  be  made  for  attacking  the  enemy,  when 
the  whole  column  of  4000  men,  with  four  pieces  of  can- 
non, and  throe  tftandards^  laid  down  their  arms.  An  in- 
stance of  the  8uc4)e8afiil  termmatioii  of  an  affair,  occa- 
sioned by  an  extnKHrdinafjF  presenoo  of  mind  in  a  criti- 
lial  moment* 


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310      HISTORY  OP   NAPOLEON    BONAPARTE, 


AcliTity  of  Bonaparte.— Verooa  sammoneil  by  the  Freodi. 


CHAPTER  XXXYI  ^ 

^  "Bonaparte  being  satisfied  of  the  destructiori  of  aU  tht 
hostile  corps  from  Gavardo  and  Salo,  on  the  5th  of  Au- 
gust, ordered  the  whole  army  to  make  a  retrogade  move- 
ment, whilst  Genera!  Serrurier's  division  advanoed  fiv«n 
Marcaria,  in  order  tq  turn  General  Wnrmscr's  left.  This 
movement  had,  in  some  degree,  the  desired  effect,  and 
Wurmser  extended  his  right  wing  to  observe  their  reiEur. 
General  Augereau  attacked  the  enemy's,  centre,  wUle 
Massena  attacked  the  right ;  the  cavalry,'  under  Gencsial 
Beaumont,  proceeded  to  the  right,  to^  support  the  light 
artillery  and  infantry.  The  French  were  viotorioas,  and 
obtained  18  pieces  of  cannon,  and  190  amnmnition  wag- 
gons. The  Austrians  lost  in  killed,  wounded,  and  pri- 
soners, about  2000  men.  The  activity  of  Bonaparti 
during  the  last  week,  had  been  inoessaDt,  and,  il  is  said, 
that  hd  had  no  sleep  di^ring  all  that  period. 

Augereau  and  Massena  forced  the  Auatrians  to  raise 
{he  siege  of  Peschiera,  and  to  abandon  the  line  of  the 
Mincio.  On  the .  7th,  Augereau  passidd  the  Mincio  at 
Peschiera,  while  General  Sorrurier  advanced  to  Yeront 
and  got  there  at  ten  at  night,  the  very  moment  the  divi- 
sion under  General  Massena  had  recovered  its  former 
position  ;  the  rear  guard  <^  the  Austrians  was  yet  at 
Verona,  the  gates  of  which  were  shut,  and  the  draw- 
bridges raised.  Tlie  Proveditor  of  the  Venetian  B«- 
public  being  summoned  to  open  them,  answered,  that  he 
could  not  comply  within  two  hours ;  Bonaparte  ordered 


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A^D   WARS  OF   EUROPE.  311 


Marsbal  WurmserraiseA  the  blockade  of  Maniua.    ^ 

*  ^-  -  ■  —  -« 

the  gates  to  be  burst  open  with  camton-sliot.  The 
Prench  seized  all  stores  in  the  place,  and  resumed  their 
former  position,  while  the  Imperialists  retreated  through 
the  Tyrol.  The  blockade  of  Mantua  being  raised  by 
Wurmser,  its  garrison  destroyed  the  works  of  the  French  . 
and  carried  into  the  place  140  pieces  of  heavy  artillery, 
which  the  latter  had  left  in  their  trenches/ with  provisions 
for  a  considerable  period. 

On  the  news  of  the  successes  of  the  Austrians,  it  was 
thought  that  victory  ^had  abandoned  the  Republican 
standards.  Much  agitation  was  produced  at  Cremona, 
Casal  Maggiore,  and  two  villages  in  the  environs  of  this 
hst.town.  At  Cremona,  after  the  surprise  of  Brescia,  it 
was  suggested  to  preserve  the  tree  of  libei^ty,  to  hang  on 
it  those  who  had  assisted  in  planting  it  At  Casal  Mag  • 
giore,  the  Commandant,  as  be  was  going  to  embark,  was 
insulted.  His  embarkation  was  strongly  opposed,  and, 
in  trying  to  escape,  he  rushed  into  the  river,  and  there 
met  death.  On  the  21st  of  July,  the  French  garrison  in 
the  citadel  of  Ferrara,  suddenly  left  it,  having  spiked 
their  cannon,  and  thrown  into  the  river  what  ammuni- 
tion  they  could  not  carry  off;  tranquillity  was  maintain- 
ed until  the  arrival  of  tbe  Vice-Liegate,  which  caused  as 
much  surprise  as  the  departure  of  the  French  troops. 
His  entry  was  modest,  but  having  replaced  the  Papal  M 

arms,  the  Municipality  and  national  guards  repaired  in- 
stantly to  the  place,  when  they  were  again  pulled  down, 
and  replaced  by  those  of  the  Republic.  On  the  news  oi 
the  victories  of  the  French,  the  Vice-Lega^  returned  to 
Rome ;  by  the  armistice  concluded  at  Bologna,  that  city 
^d  Ferrara  were  to  continue  in  the  possession  of  the. 

Frtnch. 

,  On  the  9tb,  a  courier  arrived  from  General  Berthier, 


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3! 8      HISTORY  OP   NAPOLEON   BONAPARTE, 

The  blockade  of  Mantua  again  undertaken  by  the  French. 


to  the  Gitizen  Miot,  at  Florence,  and  sent  forward  bj  the 
latter  to  the  Chevalier  Azzara,  the  Spanish  Ambassador 
at  Rome.  He  brought  news  very  favourable  to  the 
French  ;  but  the  general  prejudice  took  him  to  be  a  man 
sent  on  purpose  from  Rome,  to  prevent  any  credit  being 
paid  to  the  former  reports.  In  the  afternoon,  two 
Frenchmen  were  insulted  ;  the  minister  Cacault  wanted 
to  despatch  a  courier  to  Paris,  to  acquaint  the  Directory 
of  these  indecencies,  but  the  Chevalier  Azzara  urged  him 
to  forbear,  and  promised  to  use  every  means  to  obtma 
proper  satisfaction.  The  French  minister,  Gaeadt, 
positively  demanded,  that  the  government  should  punish 
those  wlio  had  insulted  the  French  commissaries.  The 
chief  of  them,  a  huntsman  of  Cardinal  Altieri,  esexp' 
ed  ;  the  goverment  determined  rigorously  to  maintain 
the  edict  published  to  guarantee  the  safety  of  th^ 
French. 

At  Genoa,  some  new  miraclts  announced  that  the  end 
of  the  successes  of  the  Republican  armies  was  at  ia'tt 
arrived,  and  that  they  were  on  the  eve  of  being  expelted 
from  Italy;  and  the  Italians,  friendly  to  Austria,  eoii' 
gratulated  themselves  therewith.  Hie  French  army 
harassed  €reneral  Wurmser  in  his  retreat,  who  fixed  his 
head  quarters  on  the  other  side  of  IVent,  after  buming 
some  of  the  flotilla  he  had  established  on  the  Lake  of 
Garda,  and  evacuating  Riva.  This  gave  the  French 
time  to  restore  order  in  the  army,  and  to  exchange  ib* 
prisoners,  whom  the  successes  of  the  Imperialists  had  oh* 
tatned.  After  some  very  obstinate  encounters,  llio 
blockade  of  Mantua  was  again  commeneed,  by  the  divi' 
sirm  of  General  Ssdiugnet. 

The   Directory  received  the  standards  taken  -by  tfat 
AHtty  of  It^ly ;  on  which  occasion  the  Citioen  DtitailK^ 


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AMD  WARS  Ot  KtJR6»&.  313 

^  ^— —  — -"^— "T-^cmi 

If  aMOTii  enteis  Traot, 

e-  ■  ■  I     ■        I  II  I  nil 

Aid-de  camp  ol  General  Bcrtliier,  wws  charged  with  pro^ 
senting  tham. 

Tlie  President  of  the  Direetory  expressed  the  liv^ 
satisfaction  with  which  the  Executive  Directory  received 
tfiese  trophies  of  victory^  *'  Brave  warrior  T  said  he, 
^*  return  to  yoar  companions  in  arms  ;  tell  them  that  the 
**  national  gratitude  strives  to  emulate  their  services, 
**  and  that  they  may  reckon  on  the  esteem  of  their  fellow^ 
"  citiaens,  as  well  as  on  the  admiration  of  posterity." 

Hw  Austrian  army,  however,  prepared  to  revenge  its 
disasters ;  but  its  bravery  was  again  forced  to  yield  ta 
tfie  genius  of  Bonaparte.  The  French  went  to  Verona, 
where  they  heard  that  the  Imperialists  had  marched  with 
two-tliirds  of  their  forces  towards  Bassano,  and  with  th^ 
other  third  occupied  Alia;  they  marched  forwi»'d,  aad^ 
on  the  4th  of  September,  an  engagement  began  with 
Massena's  division,  and  the  head  of  the  coluQin  of  Ge«» 
neral  Vaubois,  advancing  from  Torbola,  attacked  the 
Imperialists  on  the  right  bank  of  the  Adige,  in  the  village 
of  SerraviHe ;  the  contest  was  dreadftil  on  both  sides ; 
the  two  divisions  of  the  French  anny,  separated  by  the 
Adige,  seemed  emulous  of  each  other;  every  individual 
of  the  army  performed  prodigies  of  valour  ;  and  the 
enemy,  after  two  hours  hard  fighting,  quitted  their  posi- 
tion at  Marco,  on  the  left  of  the  Adige,  and  retreated  to 
Roveredo,  availing  themselves  of  all  the  defensive  posts 
which  the  ground  afforded- them. 

Vaubois' .  division  crossed  the  Adige,  and  effected  its 
junction,  and  Massena  entered  Trent,  after  exchanging 
a  few  cannon  shot  with  the  enemy's  rear  guard.  Bona^^ 
parte,  finding  that  tiie  Imperialists  held  a  strong  position 
at  Lavis,  behind  the  river  Lavisio,  on  the  road  to  Botsen, 
attacked  the  Austrians  in  person  with  his  vteguard.    Hie 

VOL.   1.— NO.  14,      '  »   8  n  } 

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914      HISTORY  OF   NAPOLEON   BONAFARTE, 

The  French  General  iiines  a  Proclamatiim  to  the  Tyrolese. 

progress,  however,  was  stopped  by  the  gallant  defence 
of  the  enemy;  but  Vaubois*  division  arriving,  the  pas* 
sage  of  the  bridge  was  effected,  and  the  entrenchments 
in  the  Tillage  were  forced. 

Before  the  French  General  entered  the  Tyrol,  be 
issued  a  proclamation,  stating,  that  the  French  army  were 
victorious,  and  came  as  friends  into  their  country,  with 
every  intention  of  doing  good,  and  enjoining  them  to  sub' 
mit ;  that  their  religion  and  property  should  be  respected, 
but  that  all  found  taking  part  against  France  should  suffer 
deaths 

On  Bonaparte's  arrival  at  Trent,  he  arranged  an  ad* 
ministration  f6r  the  Principality  ;  he  ordered  that  ail 
acts  should  be  in  the  name  of  the  French  Republic.  All 
strangers  holding  public  employments,  were  obliged  to 
quit  the  territory  of  Trent  in  24  hours,  and  the  Council 
were  to  replace  them  by  natives  of  the  country.  The 
Commandant- General  of  the  place  was  to  hold  the  office 
of  Captain  of  the  city,  and  the  Council  was  charged 
with  the  execution  of  the  decree  on  their  responsibility. 


^^■*0^**^0^*^^^^0^*^^^^^'*^^^^^^^^^*^^^^^*^^^ 


CHAPTER  XXXYIK 


Tu£  hopes  of  the  campaign  were  now  centered  in  the 
Archduke  Charles,  and  all  the  blunders  of  the  war  were 
to  be  repaired  by  the  taknts  of  this.  Prince;  it  was 
ktoown  that  the  French  had  considerable  supplies  iroat 


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AND  WARS  OP  EUROPE.  915 

The  Archduke  Chsrlei  conraiaiidi  the  Aui triao  annj. 


the  armies  of  the  North  and  of  the  Rliine,  to  reinforce 
the  army  of  Italy,  but  this  was  looked  on  as  a  favourable 
circttmstance,  which  would  render  victory  more  certain 
vhere  it  was  meant  to  seek  it :  and  so  few  doubts  woko 
entertained  of  the  speedy  subjugation  of  France,  that 
the  Combined  Powers  only  permitted  the  armistice  to 
continue,  till  fine  weather  should  enable  them  to  take  a 
pleasant  march  to  Paris.  j 

On  the  23rd  of 'May  1796,  the  Austrian  Commander^ 
in  Chief,  informed  General  Jourdan,  that  the  armistioe 
mas  to  cease,  and  that  hostilities  would  commence  on  the 
last  day  of  that  month.  General  Jourdan  accordingly 
marched  with  the  army  of  the  Sambre  and  Meuse,  when 
General  Marceau  repulsed  the  Austrians  on  the  right 
bank  of  the  Nahe^  and  the  French  General  Championet 
-was  equally  isucceasful 'at  Nidder  Diebach.  General 
Kleber,  on  the  same  day,  marched  towards  the  Sieg,  and 
on  the  1st  of  June,  obtained  a  victory  .over  the  Austrianf, ) 
who  lost  2400  men,  indnding  wounded  and  prisoners.       .   j 

The  Archduke  pursued  Lefebvre  on  the  16th,  and 
Creneral  Kray,  with  32  squadrons  o(  light  horse,  and  ten 
battalions  of  infantry,  a  ciHps  of  riflemen,  and  a  nam-  , 
ber  of- artillery  horse,  marched  towards  Cologne  and 
Dusseldorff.  General  Kleber  was  defeated,  bat  passed 
the  Sieg  in  the  night,  and  continued  his  route  to  Dussel- 
dorff, while  Jourdan  crossed  at  Neuwied  with  the  rest  of 
bis  army,  the  Archduke  having  given  him  but  little  trou-  . 
ble  during  his  retreat. 

Marshal  Wurmser  was  attacked  by  General  Moreaii ; 
he  was  stationed  between  Frankendal  and  the  Aehut,  his 
front  protected  by  a  canal,  and  his  left  wing  by  the  Re- 
bach.     The  French  passed  the  fortifications,  with  the 
't:irater  up  to  their  chinsy  in  defiance  of  a  tren^endous  firo 

s2 


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316       HISTORY  or  KAPOLBON  BONAPARTE, 


Geaenil  Deuix  ordered  to  eog^ift  the  Auttrians. 

of  miuketry  and  caHBOB ;  tkey  engaged  the  Austrians 
witk  un^xanipled  ifit^f)Qosity»  took  their  front  works, 
aad  made  bridges  for  the  passage  of  their  cavalry ;  the 
▲ustrians  were  defeated^  and  obliged  to  take  shelter  u- 
def  the  cannon  of  Maaheim.  The  most  part  of  the 
Austrian  forces  having  gone  towards  die  Lower  Rhine, 
to  pursae  General  Jourdan,  orders  were  sent  by  the  Di- 
rectory to  General  Moreau,  to  cross  the  river,  which  he 
effected  61  the  34th.  The  RepubKcans  carried  all  the 
works  in  the  islands  of  the  Rhine  with  the  bayonet,  and 
with  sndi  rapidity,  that  the  Austrians  could  not  destroy 
the  bridges  which  kept  ap  their  conunnmcation  with 
their  different  divisions  ^  and  they  fell  into  the  hands  of 
the  French. 

General  Laroche  ^nade  himself  master  of  tlie  MottQ< 
tain  of  Knubis,  said  to  be  the  highest  of  tiie  groape 
eedled  die  Black  Mountains,  taking  two  standards,  two 
pieces  of  cannon,  and  400  prisoners.  Next  day  Frei* 
burgh  was  ^sarried  by  General  Saint  Cyr,  wilih  the  bayo^ 
|Mt.  The  march  of  the  Republican  left  wing  was  alwajrs 
inftermpted  by  conflicts  with  the  enemy ;  but  at  <)st,  the 
Imperial  General  La  Tour  made  a  Tig<oro«s  oppositioi, 
bwt  widioHt  effoct;  on  the  same  day,  Bibrach,  in  the 
valley  of  Kintzig,  was  tak<en  possession  of  by  General 
Feiraiot.  Possessed  of  FVeiburgb,  General  Moreaa  could 
acft  against  the  left  wing  of  the  Archduke  s  army,  and  cut 
0ff  his  communication  with  the  Prince  of  Conde.  It 
also  laid  open  to  him  the  territory  of  the  Dnke  of  Wir- 
temberg,  and  the  roads  which  led  to  the  Austrian  maga- 
oines  at  ViUengea  and  RotfawieL 

General  Desaix  bad  orders  to  engage  the  Austrians  at 
Bastadt  on  the  4th  of  July.  To  oblige  them  to  abandon 
i^astadt  by  tornihg  their  left.  General  I^eo9qrbe  cittacM 


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AND  WARS  OP   KtJROPE.  317 

The  Frcoch  eater  FnmkinL 

ihem  between  Olbach  and  the  mountains,  while  General 
JDecaen  was  ordered  to  seize,  if  possible,  on  the  bridge 
of  Kuppenheim^  and  dislodge  tfaem  from  the  mountains  ; 
and,  ailer  aa  obstinate  conflict  of  three  hours,  the  Re- 
publicans forced  them  to  abandon  Kuppenheim.  The 
left  side  of  the  river  was  stiU  possessed  by  the  Austriaos 
near  Olbach  ;  tbe  passage  was  forced  by  the  French  in* 
fienlry,  who  also  attacked  the  wood  of  Nidderbichel,  and 
after  a  contest  of  three  boors  they  were  successful,  while 
another  demi-brigade  of  infimtry  took  possession  of  the 
^woods  near  Ottersdorff.  Both  wings  of  the  Austrian 
army  being  neariy  surrounded,  were  under  the  necessity 
of  seeking  shelter  by  repassing  the  Murg.  The  French 
anade  1900  prisoners,  but  their  own  loss  was  perhaps 
gaarc  eonsideimbk,  as  the  Anstrians,  from  tlieir  positiofi, 
<:ould  act  widi  greater  advantage. 

General  Desaix  began  liis  operations  willi  the  left  wing 
by  attecking  the  village  of  Malscfa,  where  he  fought  from 
■aine  in  die  morning  till  ten  at  night,  when  he  took  the 
ifWage»  and  made  S08  prisoners.  The  loqperial  army 
iwas  checked  by  Suzamie  and  Delmas,  stationed  between 
Ifiuohentem  aad  Ettiingen,  in  defiance  of  the  eiforts  of 
Prince  Charles,  who  headed  them  in  person. 

The  right  wnq^  of  the  Bqpublican  anny  proceeded  to 
tlie  plains  of  the  Maine,  and  the  left  took  its  station 
befcm  Frankfiirt.  The  magiatrales  weore  sumnMncd  to 
surrender,  which  was  stremto«sly  opposed  by  the  Aus- 
trian garrisQBi.  Tfa  Frensh  began  a  boBriwrdment,  when 
nany  parts  of  Ae  city  being  suddeidy  in  flames*  the  gar- 
rison agreed  to  sumnder,  and  the  Republicans  on  the 
next  movning  entered  in  triumph* 

The  Archduke  Charles  was  eagerly  pursued  by  tbe 
]^pobMcanSy  and  sqpon  learning  liiat  the  French  meant 


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K 


318       HISTORY  OP  NAPOLEOK  BONiUPARTE, 

The  Aaetriaos  driven  from  Statguard. 

to  cat  off  his  coinmunicatioti  with  General  Frolich  and 
the  Prince  of  Cond6»  who  were  marchfaig  to  Stutguard, 
the  Archdake  deemed  it  expedient  to  retire  to  Vahingen* 
Morean  posted  some  troops  at  Bniphsal,  to  watch  the  mo* 
tions  ef  the  enemy  ia  Philipsburg  and  Manheim.  Gene* 
ral  St.  Cyr,  after  an  obstinate  conflict,  drore  the  Austria 
ans  from  Statgnard.  His  next  object  was  to  make  them 
abandon  their  posts  in  the  rear  of  that  town ;  the  attack 
commenced  at  four  in  the  i^raoon  with  nnconunon  se* 
verity^  against  General  Baillet  and  Prmce  John  of  Lichr 
ienstein.  The  former  defended  himself  most  gallantl| 
till  evening,  when,  as  the  RepuUicans  conld  occupy  the 
ground  on  the  right  flank  of  the  Prince  of  Lichtenstein, 
the  fire  of  their  musketry  crossed  in  their  ranks,  orden 
were  sent  to  General  Devay,  then  on  his  march,  to  com« 
forward  with  the  utmost  dispatch.  He  arrived  whenths 
troops  under  the  command  of  the  Prince  of  lichtensteio 
were  in  danger  of  being  totally  destroyed,  and  con^^ 
led  the  Republicans  to  retire.  The  Prince  gallantly  efr 
fected  the  passage  of  the  Neckar  on  the  19th,  and  en- 
camped his  troops  at  Felbach,  that  he  might  keep  up  a 
communication  with  Ulm,  without  experiencing  any  iia- 
portant  opposition. 

The  Archduke,  with  a  considerable  part  of  his  annyi 
marched  from  Nordlingen,  crossing  the  Eger,  to  goani 
the  roads  to  Donawerth.  The  Rep^iblicans  compelled 
General  Hotze  to  abandon  his  position  on  the  8th,  but 
the  attempts  against  Greneral  Biese  were  defisated.  Tbe 
Prince  of  Cond6  had  retired  to  Monnheim,  where  bi^ 
Itoyal  Highness  was  informed  of  the  critical  situation  of 
Wartensleben,  who  durst  not  hazard  an  engagement  with 
General  Jourdan,  to  which  the  Republican  commander 
wished  if  possible  to  force  hinu    General  MLoreananivej 


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AND  WARS   OV   EUKOPfi.  319 


The  Ardidok^  refreati  to  Donawertb. 


on  the  9th,  and  next  day  came  to  an  engagement  with 
the  left  wing  of  "the  amy  of  General  Hotze,  which  they 
fought  widi  the  utmost  fury»  obliging  his  advanced  posts 
to  give  way.  On  the  11th  the  Archduke  made  prepara- 
tions for  a  general  attack  on  the  Republicans ;  his  prin- 
cipal army  was  in  three  columns  or  divisions,  the  centre 
being  commanded  by  the  Prince  of  Furstenberg,  the  right 
wing  by  General  Hotze,  and  the  left  by  La  Tour.  The 
centre  and  left  were  to  engage  the  same  divisions  of  the 
Republican  army^  while  the  division  under  General  Riese 
repulsed  them  in  the  vicinity  of  Laningen,  continuing  its 
route  with  a  few  to  reach  the  rear  of  Mt)reau's  station. 
It  was  settled  that  a  strong  advanced  guard  should  ma- 
noeuvre on  the  left  wing  of  the  French  army,  to  compel 
them  to  abandon  the  heights  of  Umenheim.  The  battle 
took  place  on  the  10th,  at  seven  in  the  morning,  when 
the  Austrian  army  repulsed  the  advanced  guard  of  the 
Republicans  ;  but  the  division  which  proceeded  to 
TJmemheim  was  under  the  necessity  of  retiring.  By  this 
the  right  flank  of  General  Hotze  being  exposed,  ho  was 
obliged  to  iall  back  to  Forcheim ;  but  tlie  Prince  of  Fur- 
stenberg  and  General  La  Tour  were  enabled  to  maintain 
the  advantages  they  had  acquired.  The  conflict  was 
tdbst  desperate,  and  continued  seventeen  hours ;  but  when 
the  Archduke  was  strengthening  his  right  wing  to  bring 
it  again  into  action,  he  received  intelligence  that  War- 
tensleben  was  obliged  to  retreat  towards  Amberg,  and 
that  a  'division  of  General  Jourdan's  army  had  reached 
Numberg,  with  the  intention  of  uniting  its  strength  to 
the  forces  under  General  Morcau ;  this  made  his  Royal 
Highness  conclude,  that  if  he  should  be  finally  defeated 
the  consequences  might  be  alarming.  He  thercibre  re- 
Inctantly  dotermined  to  decline  an  attack,  although  Gen. 


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320       HISTORY  OF   NAPOLEON    BONAPARTE, 

The  Victoriei  of  the  French  €a«se  UoeauocM  in  Vlemuu 

Kicse  faad  proceeded  successfully  to  Haydenkeim,  \>J 
obliging  the  French  Etat-Major-Genecal  to  retreat  to  Ko< 
nigsbron,  and  got  possession  of  four  leagues  of  country 
in  the  rear  of  the  French  army.  At  the  approach  of  day 
the  Austrians  began  their  retreat  towards  Donawerth. 

The  Archduke  arrived  at  Donawerth  on  the  13th. 
There  he  passed  the  Danube  and  encamped  his  ariny  at 
Baio,  behind  the  Acha,  eight  miles  east-south-east  of 
Donawerth. 

The  Republican  General  brought  his  troops  to  Dillin* 
gen  and  Laningen,  to  pass  thp  Danube,  as  the  Austrians 
had  made  it  impracticable  to  cross  at  any  other  place. 
Meanwhile  General  Ferinot  took  the  route  to  Bregaots, 
where  he  seized  a  number  of  mortars,  one  howitzer,  22 
pieces  of  cannon,  40  large  barges,  and  40,000  sacks  of 
oats,  flower,  and  barley.  By  these  wonderful  movemeots 
the  Bepubliccms  established  a  communication  between 
the  armies  of  the  Sambre  and  Meuse,  the  Bhine  and 
Moselle,  and  the  army  of  Italy  under  General  Bonaparte. 

The  Archduke  determined  to  march  to  the  relief  of 
Wartensleben,  whom  Jourdan  had  pursued  almost  to 
Batisbon;  Wartensleben,  however,  retreated  towards 
Wurtzburg.  On  the  24th  the  garrison  of  Koeniogstiea 
surrendered  by  capitulation :  here  the  victors  found  9n 
immense  quantity  of  military  stores. 

The  Victories  of  the  French  gave  great  uneasiness  to 
the  court  of  Vienna,  as  eadi  day  was  more  calamitottt 
than  the  former  one,  aiid  tbe  very  throne  of  Gemmj 
seemed  tottering  to  its  basLsi.  The  destruction  of  hii 
armies  in  Italy,  and  the  progress  of  Jourdan  and  Moreao» 
made  a  strong  impression  on  t}ie  mind  of  tbe  Emperofy 
Mhose  government  now  seemed  to  lie  at  tbe  mercy  ^ 
France;  yet  was  that  prince   forced  to   wiluess  furtbc' 


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AN1>  WARS  oy  EUROt»E.  32t 


Several  GermaB  Princei  make  Peace  with  F|WKe. 

disasters  in  tbe  degradation  of  the  Princes  of  the  em« 
pire,  who  were  now  ^compelled  to  make  peace  on  any 
terms. 

A  treaty  of  peace  was  concluded  on  the  6th  of  August^ 
between  the  Dake  of  Wertemberg  and  France,  whicti 
was  ratified  by  the  legislative  body.  By  virtue  of  this 
treaty  the  Republicans  got  all  his  rights  and  revenues  on 
the  left  side  of  the  IUune»  and  his  Serene  Hig^ess  en- 
gaged to  banifib  ftom  his  territories  all  Emigrants-  and^ 
exikd  priests. 

An  anoistice  was  ooaolnded  between  France  and  the^ 
fircle  of  Saabia»  on  the  27th  of  July,  by  wbieh  it  agreed: 
to  fbniish  the  Repnblie  with  money  and  stores.  A  treaty 
4if  peace  between  the  Marquis  of  Baden  and  France  was 
ntified  at  Paris  on  the  22d  of  August  The  ElectxMr  of 
Biifaria  sent  ambassadors  to  tpeat  witk  General  Momait, 
while  the.  Dint  of  Ratisbon.  gave,  much  alarm,  by  resolv«- 
ing  to>  lajic  before  his  Imperial  Mi^esty  its  wishes  for  » 
gtnefal  pacifieation.  The  Repnblie,  however,  did  not 
grant  an  armistice  to  any  of  these  states,  without  obtain-^ 
ing  very  Tabiable  considerations  for  the  most  trifling  con- 
ceasions;  and  no  neutrality,  no  truce,  no  peace,  was  ob- 
buned  by  the  weaker  powers,  without  heavy  contribu* 
of  this  nature. 


voi,  I.««.HO.  14.  T  T 

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322      HISTORY   OP    NAPOLEO>J    BONAPARTE, 

Tbe  Circle  or  Francoma  pay  a  Tery  heavy  Cofitribatioo, 


CHAPTER  XXXVII. 

The  contributions  levied  by  General  Moreau  were  veiy 
eiicessive,  but  Jourdan  was  muoh  more  extravagant  in 
bis  demands  on  the  Deputies  of  Franconiay  with  whoB 
General  Emouf  concluded  an  armistice.  The  Circle  was 
to  pay  6,000,000  of  livres  to  the  Republic,  and  fanusb 
necessaries  for  the  army  t&the  amount  of  2,000,000  more; 
to  be  paid  in  the  space  of  forty-five  days.  Soon  after  the 
Deputies  were  astonished  at  a  letter  they  received  from 
General  Emouf,  statmg  that  the  business  of  the  annistice 
was  contrary  to  the  sentiments  of  the  Commander  Id 
Chief,  who  declared  it  null  and  void;  and  when  Jourdaa 
was  requested  to  explftin  bis  designs,  he  refused  to  re- 
turn any  satisfactory  answer. 

A  sense  of  danger  seemed  to  inspire  the  cabinet  of  Vi- 
enna with  a  degree  of  energy  suitable  to  the  occasion, 
and  instead  of  eking  out  their  resources,  as  if  to  male 
them  sufficiently  durable,  it  began  to  collect  them  with^ 
i^iew  to  render  them  sufficiently  powerfuL  The  Arck- 
duke  having  abandoned  Donawerth,  occupied  a  stronf 
position  behind  the  Lech,  where  it  joins  the  Daottbe, 
but  having  imformation  that  a  division  of  the  Republicans 
under  General  Bernadotte  was^  marching  towards  Batis- 
bon,  while  Jourdan's  army  was  directly  in  front  of  War- 
tensleben*s,  his  Royal  Highness  marched  troops  along  tbe 
right  bank  of  the  Danube,  leaving  Qeneral  La  Tour  to 
watch  Moreau,  while  be  himself  meant  to  pass  the  river 


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AND  WARS  OF  EUROPE.  323 


Tlie  Aostrians  retreat  to  Sultxbach. 


at  Ingolfltadt,  to  act  against  Joardan,  while  General  War- 
tensleben  was  to  engage  him  in  front.  '  He  passed  the 
Danube  on  the  17tb,  both  at  Neuberg  and  Ingolstadt,  in 
which  last  fortress  he  placed  a  very  strong  garrison,  not 
merely  to  protect  his  own  rear,  but  also  to  annoy  the  leR 
4ank  of  Gemeral  Moreau,  should  he  put  in  execution  his 
intention  of  marching  to  Ratisbon  and  Landslmt. 

General  Jourdan  ordered  Lefebvre  to  engage  the  right 
•flank  of  the  Austrians  encamped  at  Sultzbacfa,  where  a 
large  body  of  troops,  with  a  powerflil  tarain  of  artillery, 
had  been  stationed  by  General  Wartensleben.  Lefebvre 
succeeded  in  forcing  the  Austrians  to  abandon  the  heights 
after  a  gallant  resistance.  The  Republican  centre  was 
•charged  with  the  attack  on  the  enemy's  front  before 
Saltsbach,  and  General '  Ney,  to  facilitate  this  object, 
marched  with  the  vanguard  from  Herspruck  towards 
Soltzbach,  by  the  only  road  that  was  practicable  for  the 
conveyance  of  artillery.  The  distance  was  twenty-two 
miles,  the  whole  road  being  flanked  by  lofty  mountains, 
which  enabled  the  Imperialists  to  do  incredible  mischief 
to  the  Republicans. 

General  Ney  gave  orders  to  attack  the  woods  with  the 
bayonet,  while  his  right  wing,  to  deceive  the,  Austrians 
as  to  the  ultimate  point  of  attack,  was  ordered  to  ascend 
the  hill.  The  Imperialists  under  General  Hohenlohe 
began  a  heavy  fire  fi'om  the  woods  but  the  French  troops 
entering  it,  the  Austrians,  unable  to  resist,  left  them  the 
possession  of  it.  (Seneral  Jourdan  changing  his  position, 
ordered  General  Colaud's  division  to  support  his  van» 
guard,  which,  with  the  Generals  Ney  and  Grenier,  en- 
abled the  right  wing  of  the  Republican  army  to  turn  the 
left  of  the  Austrians,  and  made  them  retreat  to  SuKzbach, 
their  strongest,  though  only  remaining  position. 

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324      HISTORY  OF   NAi^LfiOii   BONAPARTE, 


The  Aastriani  SBtnat  m  the  N4^U 


SulUbacb  was  wholly  iaaccMsible  in  firoB(t»  die  Akiris 
pi  it  were  defended  by  aiiiUery  and  isahmiry.  A  «mU 
plain  on  the  kft  of  the  rock,  being  encircled  lotk  veali, 
the  position^of  the  Be^blicans  prevented  &eir  reaohtag; 
4ty  except  through  a  narrow  deffle.  As  it  did  not  strike 
the  Anstrians  that  their  left  was  in  danger,  tiiey  negledt- 
ed  to  take  possession  of  a  hamlet,  environed  with  toes 
and  hedges,  as  well  as  of  that  part  of  the  wotkl  beyend 
the  plain.  This  did  not  esoape  General  J4mrdan,  who 
ordered  General  Ney  to  occupy  the  hamlet  with  light  ia- 
iantry,  and  Grenier  was  to  get  possesaion  of  the  wood  at 
the  head  of  a  brigade.  The  Austrians,  on  being  aade 
acquainted  with  these  mancenvres,  endeavoured  to  re^ 
cover  the  wood,  but  General  Grenier  compdkd  Ihen  Is 
fall  back  towards  the  rock.  The  phiin  beiag  held  by  the 
ftepublicans  they  oommettced  a  heavy  canaonadiBg 
against  the  enemy. 

The  heights  on  the  left  were  at  length  reached  by 
General  Lefebvre,  where  the  enemy  fought  with  the  moil 
determined  bravery.  The  troops  by  which  the  {^ce  was 
defended  retreated  in  the  night,  which  prevMited  l^ 
fisbvre  from  pursuing  them ;  but  as  he  was  now  anaster 
0(f  idle  heights,  the  forces  could  encamp  on  the  fieU  of 
battle. 

Championnet  and  Bonneau  proseed  ou  to  Amberg  t« 
eheok  tlie  progress  of  the  Austrian  troops  statiDned  is 
that  quarter,  and  icame  up  with  tlie  enemy  on  the  heights 
of  Poperg.  They  were  directly  attacked  by  Cham^n- 
net  and  BonnesM,  who  forced  them  to  retreat  to  Amberg 
afteranobstiiiale«ngagteientafiveliw  hoars.  General 
Wartensleben  changed  his  head-quarters  in  the  nigkt 
towards  ScfawartnenfoM,  heUnd  the  Mab;  and  on  the 
next  day  the  division  under  Ckaioral  Grenier,  m«rcbe4 


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AKD  WAHS  OF  EUmOPE.  32S 

The  Aicbduke  pfewei  on  Geneial  Jdardaa. 

to  Amberi^,  and  made  tin  AuslriaiM  recross  the  Wils» 
one  of  the  feeders  of  flie  Nab. 

On  liie  18th,  in  the  evening.  Prince  Charles  was  in- 
formed of  General  Wartensleben's  being  forced  to 
abandon  Amberg,  and  retreat  across  the  Nab.  Two  days 
after  he  reached  Hemmau,  with  Us  right  column,  which 
gave  him  the  command  of  the  road  to  Ratisbon,  &xid  al- 
lowed him  to  annoy  the  right  flank  of  General  Jonrdan's 
army,  which  had  marched  towards  the  Nab.  On  the 
S2nd,  the  Archduke's  advanced  g^ard  engaged  the  French 
under  General  Bemadotte,  who  had  taken  a  position 
near  the  village  of  Teining.  The  Republican  forces 
were  obliged  by  the  Austrian  General  Nauendorf,  to  re- 
treat to  Neumarck,  from  which  place  he  was  driven  the 
next  day,  by  the  Archduke ;  he  retreated  to  Numberg, 
^hich  left  the  right  flank  and  the  rear  of  General  Jour- 
dan's  army  totally  exposed ;  and  the  military  talents  of 
Prince  Charles  enabled  him  to  profit  by  the  valour  of  his 
troops. 

The  Archduke  and  General  Wartensleben  pressed 
upon  General  Jourdan  on  the  24th ;  the  latter  moving 
against  the  front,  and  the  former  against  the  flank  of  his 
army  ;  which  most  have  been  fbflowed  by  a  decisive 
battle,  had  not  the  Republican  Commander-in-Cbief 
been  induced  to  retreat.  Genera]  Bemadotte  evacuated 
Nuniiberg,  and,  in  great  kaste,  marched  on  towards  For* 
cheim,  while  the  Austrians  at  L«uff  made  it  inqtossible 
for  Jourdan  to  carry  that  passage.  General  Kleber  re- 
treated towards  PegnitE,  where  he  received  the  orders  of 
General  Jonrdaa  to  march  directly  for  Pondenst^, 
where  be  arrived  at  midaight.  The  Archduke  having 
despatched  Nauendarf  by  the  way  of  Ratisbon,  to  co- 
operate widi  Genoxd  La  Tour,  to  threaten  the  left  flank 


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320       HISTORY  OP   NAPOLEON   BONAPARTE, 

Genenl  Joardan  still  retreats. 

of  MoreaUy  contiiiaed  his  pursuit  of  the  French  Coidi- 
mander-in-Chief.  By  the  skilful  movements  of  th« 
Archduke,  Jourdan,  on  the  29th,  found  it  necessary  to 
retreat  to  Bamberg,  where  he  took  possession  of  both 
sides  of  the  Bednitz.  He  was  pursued  by  the  Archduke, 
but  his  retreat  was  well  covered. 

General  Moreau  sought  to  gain  intelligence  of  the 
miovements  of  the  Austrians  along  the  Danube  ;  but  it 
.  does  not  appear  that  he  was  acquainted  with  the  sad  re- 
verses experienced  by  General  Jourdan.  General  De- 
saix  had  orders  to  attack  the  enemy  at  Ingolstadt,  on  tlie 
Ist  of  September,  and  oblige  them  to  destroy  the  bridge  ; 
the  Republicans  were  attacked  by  the  enemy  at  day- 
break, when  La  Tour  was  reinforced  by  detachments 
from  the  Prince  under  General  Nauendorf,  who,  on  his; 
march,  defeated  the  French,  and  forced  them  to  take 
shelter  in  a  wood.  This  was  followed  by  a  desperate 
battle,  when  the  Republicans  were  enabled  t6  repulse  La 
Tour  with  great  loss. 

'  An  officer  was  sent  to  acquaint  .the  Commander  in 
Chief  with  the  state  of  affairs,  but  he  lost  his  way,  and 
Moreau's  army  were  not  engaged  ;  the  issue  of  the  cam- 
paign  might  have  been  quite  different,  had  Iiloreau 
brought  his  forces  into  the  field. 

General  Jourdan  arrived  at  Schweinibrth,  whither  he 
had  retreated  by  forced  marches*  Prince  Charles  reach- 
ed Bamberg  on  the  31st,  crossed  the  Maine  on  the  2nd 
and  3rd  of  September,  and  soon  got  possession  of  Wurtz* 
burg,  to  which  place  General  Jourdan  used  every  exer- 
tion to  arrive  before  them,  and  was  only  three  leagues 
from  it,  on  the  day  it  was  taken  possession  of  by  Gene* 
r^il  Uotze.  Jourdan  made  a  dreadfol  attack  on  the  ad- 
viinced  guard  of  General  Hotze,  but  could  not  make  anv 


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AND   WARS    OF    EUROPE.  327 

^>  II  ■    ■  .1.1  .  r  .  j_. 

Geeeral  Maroean  wounded. 

impression  on  their  line,  and  returned  to  his  camp  at 
Homach. 

General  Wartensleben  was  to  pass  the  bridge  at  Det« 
telbachy  and  engage  Jourdan's  centre,  while  General 
Kray  was  charged  with  turning  his  left  wing.  The  at- 
tack was  begun  by  the  troops  under  General  Stzarray, 
but  the  Republicans  made  him  fall  back,  and  deprived 
him  of  his  first  position.  Wartensleben  crossed  the 
river  with  his  cavalry,  and  came  to  action  with  the  left 
wing  of  the  French.  Jourdan  weakened  his  right  wing, 
in  order  to  strengthen  his  left,  and  thus  enabled  Stzarray 
to  resume  his  former  station.  The  left  of  Jourdan's 
'army  was  repulsed  by  the  Austrian  cavalry,  and  obliged 
to  take  refuge  behind  the  wood:  his  left-wing  was  im* 
petuously  attacked  by  numbers  superior  to  his  own,  and 
Jourdan  again  commenced  a  reireat,  and  again  expe* 
rienced  misfortunes.   ' 

The  retreat  was  committed  to  the  youthful  atid  gal- 
lant General  Marceau,  to  be  covered  from  the  enemy, 
till  the  Republicans  were  able  to  evacuate  the  defiles  of 
Altenkirchen.  Some  French  chasseurs  in  a  wood,  firing 
upon  some  Austrian  hussars,  Marceau  arrived  to  recon- 
noitre the  ground,  with  an  officer  and  some  artillery.  A 
Tyrolean  chasseur  recognised  his  rank,  and  discharged  a 
carbine  at  him,  the  contests  of  which  passed  through  bis 
body.  The  General  descended  from  his  horse  ;  was 
taken  to  Altenkirchen,  and  carried  through  the  columns 
by  the  grenadiers.  On  the  next  day,  Altenkirchen  was 
occupied  by  the  enemy's  advanced  guard  ;  and  when  the 
Austrian  General,  Haddick,  was  told  of  the  circumstance, 
he  sent  the  wounded  French  General  a  guard  of  safety, 
accompanied  by  General  Kray.  This  ancient  warrior 
could   not  avoid   shedding  tears;   he  was   opposed    t« 


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328      HISTORY   OF   NAPOLEON    BONAPARTE, 
UU  death  awl  burial. 

Mairceau  Utr  two  years  past;  aiid»  ia  the  oiidflt  of  Gonr 
flicty  these  two  generous  minds  only  waited  for  peace  to 
manifest  their  sentiments.  Hopes  of  saving  Marceaa 
were  still  kept  ap»  and  Prince  Charles'ft  princqpal  snrgeoo 
exerted  himself  to  the  utmost*  in  vain.  In  the  morning 
the  symptoms  were  more  daogeroas;  the  General  was 
seised  with  a  heaviness  in  his  head,  and  expired  about 
six  o'clock.  The  Austrian  regiments  of  Barco  and 
Blankenstein,  who  knew  him  on  the  field  of  battle,  die^ 
puled  the  honour  of  paying  him  the  last  offices;  but 
they  were  prevented,  as  the  French  officers  attending 
bim,  prevailed  upon  Prince  Charles  to  allow  his  remains. 
iB  be  given  to  his  brethren  ia  arms.  The  Prince  request- 
ed»  that  the  Austrians  might  be  acquainted  with  the 
moment  of  his  interment,  to  join  with  the  French  in  per- 
fcrming  the  last  military  honours;  his  body  was  inter- 
red in  the  fortified  camp  at  Coblentz,  under  the  dischaig^ 
of  the  artillery  of  both  armies, 

Marceau  had  well  served  the  Republic  in  the  field;  his 
oomrados,  and  their  oiemies,  both  admired  his  bravery 
and  honoured  his  memory,  and  the  solemnilies,  which 
the  contending  armies  assisted  to  heighten;  were  heard 
of  at  Paris,  and  listened  to  with  enthusiastic  attention ; 
and  the  Parisians  fancied  tilat  the  respect  paid  to*  the  de- 
ceased B«pubUcan  General,  was  a  homage,  to  tha  genios 
and  glory  o£  the  Bepuhlic. 


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AND   WARS   OF    EUROPE.  329 

The  Frenclr  re-cross  .the  Rhine. 


CHAPTER  XXXIX. 

The  Republicans  having  re-crossed  the  Rhine  at  three 
different  places,  the  Archduke  detached  a  Ibrce  towards 
Ukareth  and  the  Sieg,.  taking  the  route  towards  the 
Maine*  with  the  remainder  of  his  ibrces,  which  river  he 
pressed  on  the  25th9  to  commence  hostilities  against 
General  Moreau,  leaving  a  sufficient  force  between 
Mayence  and  Francfort.  After  tlie  defeat  of  Jourdan^ 
Moreau  could  not  possibly  penetrate  farther  into  Bava^ 
ria  nor  remain  for  any  time  in  the  places  he  then  occu- 
pied ;  and  Prince  Charles  could  send  larger  reinforce- 
ments to  General  La  Tour  in  proportion  as  Jourdan  re- 
tired from  the  Danube  and  the  Maine.  The  coolness  and 
talents  of  Moreau  had  room  for  exertion,  and  were,  per- 
haps never  exceeded  on  any  similar  occasion. 

The  hostile  armies  engaged  on  the  7th  of  September 
near  Mainbur ;  the  Austrians  were  defeated  by  the  cen- 
tre of  the  Republican  army,  and  500  of  them  taken  pn-> 
soners.  Three  days  after.  General  Moreau  commenced 
a  retreat  taking  the  route  towards  Meuberg,  and  a  num- 
ber of  bloody  conflicts  took  place.  When  he  was  hard 
pressed  by  the  Austrians,  he  united  his  forces  in  one 
body,  and  fell  upon  them  with  such  fury  that  be  forced 
them  to  retire,  and  fell  back  by  degrees  towards  the 
Rhine.  A  detachment  from  the  Archduke,  strengthened 
by  troops  l^om  Manheim  and  Philipsburg,  attacked  Ge« 
neral  Sherer  on  the  18th,  who  was  stationed  at  Bruchsal, 
and  obliged  him  to  retreat  to  KehU    Here  ihe  Repu|^li« 

?0L.  !• — NO.  14»  V   u 


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330       HISTORY   OF    NAPOLEON    BONAPARTE, 


The  Anstrians  driven  from  Kehl 


caus  were  again  attacked  by  all  the  iorces  the  enemy 
could  collect,  who  succeeded  in  getting  as  far  as  the 
head  of  the  bridge,  over  the  Rhine,  where  they  were 
checked  by  the  batteries  of  that  place,  and  were  thrown 
into  the  utmost  confusion.  The  works  of  importance 
remained  with  the  Republicans,  who  drove  the  Austrians 
from  the  town  of  Kehl  by  a  tremendous  fire.  The  na- 
tional guards  of  Strasburg,  were  ordered  by  General  Mo- 
reau  to  secure  Kehl,  the  bridge  and  the  forts  on  the  isles 
of  the  Rhine,  as  of  the  utmost  importance  in  his  retreat 

Moreau  engaged  the  Austrians  near  Steinliausen,  in 
the  most  furious  manner,  and  La  Tour  was  near  being 
totally  ruined,  although  he  met  the  Republicans  with  all 
his  force.  Prince  Charles  directed  his  march  along  the 
right  bank  of  the  Rhine,  with  a  view  to  cut  off  the  re- 
treat of  General  Moreau,  and  arrived  at  Radstadt  on  the 
5th  of  October*  To  annoy  the  Republican  army  in  its 
retreat,  a  body  of  Austrians  were  stationed  between  the 
Neckar  and  the  Danube,  as  well  as  to  cover  all  the  passes 
of  the  Black  Forest  and  mountains. 

As  General  Moreau  had  sufficient  time  to  think  of  his 
farther  retreat,  he  took  tlie  route  of  Stockach  with  the 
principal  part  of  his  army.  All  the  defiles  in  his  flank 
and  rear  were  occupied  by  the  Austrians,  while  the  rapid 
movements  of  the  Archduke  evinced  a  determination  to 
destroy  the  bridges  on  the  Rhine,  prior  to  his  arrival 
there.  Nothing  but  the  greatest'courage  and  intrepidity 
were  able  to  extricate  tlie  French  from  theur  situation, 
for  ail  communication  with  France  was  totally  cut  off. 

To  force  tlie  passage  of  tlie  Black  Forest  the  Repub- 
licans had  yet  to  accomplish;  the  centre  of  the  French 
army  made  a  violent  attack  on  the  Austrians,  stationed  ia 
tb«  Val  d'fiofer,  a  most  terrific  defik,  narrowed  bv  loftf 


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AND  WARS  OF   EUROPE.  331 

General  Warteosleben  daogennif  I  j  wounded. 

mountaiDS  for  several  leagues,  nor  more  in  some  places 
than  ten  fathoms  wide.  The  right  and  left  wings  soon 
cleared  the  defile,  without  any  loss,  and  reached  Frei<- 
burg  on  the  13th,  takuig  possession  of  Watdkirch  on  the 
ensuing  day,  and  ranging  themselves  along  the  heights 
on  the  right  bank  of  the  Eltz,  while  the  convoys  and 
baggage  binder  the  protection  of  the  right  wing,  passed 
by  the  way  of  the  Forest  towns.  On  finding  that  it  was 
not  practicable  to  prevent  fh^  retreat  of  General  Moreau, 
La  Tour  proceeded  to  join  Prince  Charles  near  Hom*- 
berg,  and  the  Prince  of  Conde  and  General  Frolich  pur- 
sued the  French,  while  retreating  through  the  Black 
Forest  and  mountains.  The  Archduke  having  united  his 
forces,  gave  battle  to  the  left  wing  and  centre  of  the;  Re- 
publican army.  Wartenslebc^,  with  the  centre  division, 
was  to  force  the  heights  behind  Martinsell ;  and  General 
Petrasch,  with  the  left  wing,  was  ordered  to  march  to 
Emendingen.  L^  Tour,  who  commanded  the  right,  had 
a  terrible  opposition,  being  repeatedly  repulsed  in  his  ati* 
tempts  on  Kinsingen,  till  the  Arcbdtike  with  the  grena- 
diers, made  himself  master  oi  the  village.  Upon  this 
occasion.  General  Wartensleben  was  dangerously  wound? 
ei  in  the  arm,  while  bringing  the  centre  into  action. 

The  Austrians  attacked  Nimborg,  or  Newenbnrg,  but 
without  any  important  efiecL  The  next  day>  General 
Morton  retired  towards  Huninguen,  where  a  large  bridge 
was  established.  His  position  was  formidable,  his  right 
wing  touching  the  Rhine,  his  left  at  Kandern,  and  his 
centre  division  at  Schlingen,  where  he  meant  to  remain 
for  some  time,  if  the  Austrians  did  not  make  him  alter 
liis  resolution.  The  Imperial  army  moved  on  the  23rd 
iu  four  columns:  those  commanded  by  the  Prince  of 
Conde  and  the  Prince  of  Fnrstenber{^  were  to  manq^uvre 

V  V  2 

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^dS       HISTORY  OF   NAPOLfiOK  BOKApARTE, 


General  BoiinumWlle  appointed  to  oommtnd. 


fto  as  to  prevent  the  Republicuis  from  sdiiding  troops 
from  their  left;  the  others,  under  La  Tour'  and  'Naneii*^ 
dorf,  were  to  attack  the  left  wing,  and  endeavour  to  tort 
their  flank.  After  an  obstinate  conflict,  which  lasted  till 
night,  the  Republicans  retreated  te  Altingen,  and  passed 
ih»  Rhine  at  Auningnen,  without  anj  opposition  from 
Ifae  enemy.  This  last  movement  ended  a  retreat,  which 
can  scarcely  be  equalled  m  history,  imd  whicfh  will  trand^ 
oiit  the  talents  of  General  Moreau  to  posterity  with  tm* 
fading  glory  and  honour. 

lUness  having^  made  General  Jourdan  resign  the  com^ 
mand,  it  was  given  to  General  Boumonville,  Comman* 
der  in  Chief  of  the  northern  army. 

The  Austrians  made  many  spirited  eflbrts  to  gain  po$» 
session  of  Kehl,  and  the  bridge  of  Huninguen,  but  were 
atill  repulsed ;  the  Archduke  durst  not  leave  the  Brisgaw 
exposed  to  General  Moreau,  and  the  conquest  of  KeU 
was  of  the  greatest  importance  to  secure  his  troops  wtii^ 
in  winter  quarters. 

The  Archduke  resolved  on  a  regular  siege ;  and  open- 
ing his  trenches  on  the  25th  of  November,  he  commenced 
a  cannonading,  which  lasted  fifteen  days  without  inter- 
val. A  second  attack  was  made  upon  it  on  the  25lh  of 
December,  wben  its  defence  became  doubly  dangerous 
and  difficult,  the  intercourse  with  Strasburg  beino-  cut 
off  by  breaking  down  the  bridge*,  and  rendering  the 
boats  totally  useless.  After  finishing  their  second  parallel, 
the  Austrians  attacked  and  carried  the  Republican  camp 
and  the  battery  which  defended  it.  The  French  were 
again  raflied  by  General  Lacombe ;  and,  that  they  might 
fight  with  determined  valonr,  he  destroyed  the  bridges  to 
t>revent  their  return.  This  had  the  effecl,  and  Uiey  de- 
feated ^  Austrians  with  much  loss. 


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AK1>  WARS  OP  EUROPE.  333 

Kehl  surrenderi  to  the  Aintriaiis.  ^ 


Hie  artillery  of  the  Austrians  was  now  ti»o  dreadful 
for  the  Republicans  to  withstand ;  they  had  no  commu- 
nication with  the  opposite  bank,  bxA  no  hope  of  any  re- 
lief. General  Desaix  proposed  a  capitnlation  to  Ihti 
Archduke,  and  he  signed  it,  allowing  the  French  94  hours 
to  carry  off  their  artillery  and  stores. 

Hie  surrender  of  Kehl  ended  this  desperate  cunpttgtt 
on  the  Rhine,  at  the  conclusion  of  which  it  appears,  that 
the  hostile  nations  had  more  respect  for  each  other  than 
they  had  previously  entertained.  Both  had  fought  wMi 
so  much  valour,  as  left  it  doubtful  whedier  most  honour 
was  dtie  to  the  conquerors  or  tiie  vanquished,  and  te 
struggle  had  been  kept  up  without  either  side  committn^ 
any  act  of  cruelty  or  perfidy  dishonourable  to  the  cbi^ 
racter  of  the  bravest  soldier. 


»  #«#^#4M^^4>^^4N»«#4>^  #^##  MAr«>tf  ^#»# 


CHAPTER  XL. 

The  long  defence  maiiftained  by  the  garrison  of  Kehl, 
diverted  the  attention  of  the  Archduke  Charles  fromthe 
affairs  of  Italy,  whence  he  intended  to  follow  Wurmoe r, 
to  stop  the  career  of.  the  victorious  Bonaparte,  and  the 
French  Oovemment  took  this  interval  to  increase  tlie 
strength  of  their  brave  army.  The  want  and  wretched- 
ness of  which  the  troops  had  such  reason  to  complain, 
during  the  whole  of  the  war,  seemed  now  to  disappear, 
^d  from  this  time,  quitting  the  simplicity  and  virtue  of 


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334      HISTORY   OP'  NAPOLEON   BONAPARTE, 

CoDfideooe  of  the  Army  in  Bonaparte. 

a  Republican  Leader,  the  seeds  of  ambitioo  were  sewn  in 
the  breast  of  the  great  General. 

Every  soldier  was  now  rewarded  to  the  full  extent  of 
his  services,  and,  instead  o(  the  proud  character  of  a 
public  Creditor,  found  himself  under  daily  obligations  to 
that  General,  by  whom  alone  he  judged  bis  comforts 
were  increased.  Every  individual  gave  praise  to  the 
Commander-in-Chief,  as  the  restorer  of  all  order,  the 
provider  of  all  good,  and  the  object  of  their  adoration 
and  their  hope. 

'-  The  stem  language  of  the  Republicans  were  softened  by 
the  manners  of  the  candidate  for  a  crown,  and  the  views  and 
conduct  of  Bonaparte  were  guided  entirely  by  bis  own  in- 
terest. Vdiatamomentto  cherish  the  ambition  of  an  ardent 
and  aspiring  mind !  Placed  at  the  head  of  armies,  whose  de- 
votion would  have  made  them  follow  him  in  the  most  roman- 
tic expeditions,  hfuled  by  all  the  world  as  the  victor  over 
the  greatest  generals  of  the  universe,  who  were  obliged 
to  acknowledge  their  admiration  of  his  talents  and  their 
submission  to  his  arms ;  he  must  have  been  more  or  less 
than  human  who  would  have  refused  to  take  to  himself 
the  advantages  that  the  state  of  things  offered  to  him,  for 
the  mere  sake  of  having  his  forbearance  and  virtue  jre- 
corded  by  the  few  who  would  have  Md  sense  enough  to 
discern  it. 

"^  The  retreat  of  the  armies  from  Germany  left  Bonaparte 
without  hope  of  any  movement  in  his  favour  in  the,  Tyrol, 
which  he  expected  from  Moreau ;  but  if  he  had  no  hope 
from  co-operation  he  had  no  fear  from  a  rival ;  and  hav- 
ing completed  his  arrangements  for  th%  campaign  ia 
Italy,  he  prepared  to  frustrate  the  attempts  that  the  Ans- 
trians  were  making  to  preserve  Mantua ;  and  Field-Mar- 
ehal  Murmser,  with  all  his  misfortunes^  persevered  nutb 


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AND   WARS   OP   KUROPE.  335 

General  Wuiroser  escapes  the  French.. 

aconstancy  which  procured  him  greater  glory . than  has 
been  gained  by  all  the  German  Generals  who  preceded 
him  in  Italy. 

A  rapid  march   of  twenty  leagues  in  two  days  discon* 
certed  the   Imperialists.     On  the  8th  the   army  was  in 
motion,   and  near  the  village  of  Solagna  fell  in  with  the 
Aastrians.     Augereau  and  Massena  about  seven  in  the 
morning  began  the    engagement ;  the   ImperiaUsts  wero 
at  length  rented,  when  General   Murat  sent  cavalry  in 
pursuit  otf  them.    The  French  marched  to  Bassano,  which 
was  still  occupied  by  General  Wurmser,  and  his  head- 
quarters.    General  Wurmser  and  the  treasure  of  the  army 
'  escaped' ^pnly  by  a  moment.    In   six  days  the   French 
fought  two    battles,   and   came   to  four  engagements.; 
they  took  twenty-one  standards,   and  several  thousand 
prisoners  ;  and   tliough  they  fought  in  defiles,  they  ad- 
vanced in  these   six  days  upwards  of  forty-five  leagues, 
and  took  seventy  pieces   of  cannon,  with  their  waggons 
and  equipments. 

Marshal  Wurmser  fled  to   Montebello,   between  Vi- 
cenza  and  Verona.     On  the  9th  Augereau  proceeded  to 
Padua,   and  took  part  of  the  baggage  of  the  Austrian 
army,  with  400  men  who  escorted  it ;.  his  intention  was 
to  cnt  off  Wurmser's  retreat  to  Trieste.    •  Massena  march- 
ed from  Vicenza  the  same  day,  to  advance  to  the  Adige 
and  cross  it  at  Ronco.     Bonaparte  on  leaving  Trent  had 
left  General  Kilmaine   at  Verona,  with   orders  to  plant 
artillery  on  the  ramparts,  but  his  force  was  unable  to 
controul  a  populous  town  and  repulse  a  numerous  army, 
who   would  spare  nothing  to  render  them  masters  of  so 
important  a  post.     General  Wurmser  defiled  the  whole 
night  of  the  9th  along  the  Adige,  which  he  crossed  at 
Porto- Legnago.     On  the  10th  Kfassena  passed  the  Adige 


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330      HISTORY   OP   NAPOLEON    BONAPARTE, 
Matmoot  lent  to  Parit  with  Tropbiet. 


\ 


ui  Ronco :  at  day-break  on  the  11th  Botiapfurfe  direotfid 
Geueral  Massena,  who  bad  Grossed  the  Adige  ddring  Ae 
night,  to  march  to  Sanguinetto  to  obstruct  the  pHasage 
of  tile  AUstrians  from  Porto-LegAag^o  to  Mantua,  and, 
by  placing  them  between  two  fires,  ciq;>tiire  General 
Wurmser  and  all  his  army.  General  Sahnguet,  who 
was  before  Mantua,  was  directed  to  send  5000  men  to 
get  possession  of  Governolo,  a  point  whereby  the  Aai- 
trians  might  escape  ;  they  were  also  to  occupy  Castellare, 
and  destroy  all  the  bridges  on  the  river  Tavone  as  far  as 
Ponte  Molino.  General  Murat,  with  a  detadmient  W  ' 
light  horse,  arrived  at  Cerea,  and  falling  in  with  Wuna* 
ser's  division,  defeated  some  squadrons  of  cavafapf.  GeiM- 
ral  Pigeon,  who  commanded  Massena's  advanced  gnaid, 
finding  the  cavalry  engaged,  pushed  forward  Ins  l^ht  in- 
fantry to  sustain  tliem,  and  took  possession  of  a  bridge 
across  which  the  Austrians  were  obliged  to  pass.  Wunn- 
ser  immediately  made  his  dispositions,  and  having  de- 
feated the  French  advanced  guard,  retook  the  village  and 
bridge  of  Cerrea.  Bonaparte,  attracted  by  the  cannonade, 
hastened  to  the  spot,  but  the  moment  was  lost. 

The  Citizen  Marmont,  aid-de-camp  of  General  Bosir 
parte,  conveys  to  Paris  twentj-two  standards  taken  fi^ 
the  Imperialists ;  he  was  presented  to  the  Directoiy  ^ 
the  Minister  of  War,  in  presence  of  a  crowd  of  citixesSr 
whom  the  ceremony  had  attracted. 

Marmont  then  addressed  the  Directory  by  observiDff 
that 'the  twenty-two  standards  he  presented  were  tabf 
in  fourteen  days.  The  victories  of  the  aitny  of  Italy  mH 
a  sure  pledge  of  its  affection  for  the  Republic ;  it*  be* 
how  to  defend  the  laws  and  how  to  obey,  them,  as  weB  9$ 
ti>  combat  external  enemies.  '*  Deign,"  added  be,  *'  to 
consider  it  as  one  of  the  firmest  columns  of  liberty ;  9i 


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AND  WARS  OF   EUROPE..  337 

Great  pejoicinct  at  Bologna* 


believe,  that  while  the  soldiers  composing  it  exist,  the 
government  will  have  intrepid  defenders." 

RevelUere  Lepaux,  President  of  the  Directory,  made  an 
impressive  reply,  and  presented  him  with  a  pan*  of  pistols,. 

A  peace  was  negociated,  or  rather  accepted .  by  the 
Duke  of  Parma.  This  yras  highly  advantageous  to  the 
French,  who  required  every  thing  that  could  be  asked, 
and  received  every  thing  that  was  required. 

Reggio  was  in  arms,  and  expelled  the  troops  of  the 
DuKe  of  Modena  that  formed  its  garrison  ;  Ferrara  and 
Bologna  sent  deputies  to  ofTer  their  assistance.  The  Re- 
gency that  governed  the  states  of  the  Duke  of  Modena 
Bince  -his  flight  began  to  repair  the  fortifications  of  his 
capital,  but  the  French  entered  the  town  on  the  8th  of 
October,  declared  the  armistice  broken  by  the  sovereign 
of  Modena,  and  took  under  their  protection  the  people 
of  that  city  and  of  Reggio. 

In  a  sitting  at  Bologna,  called  by  the  French,  it  was 
decided,  that  the  senate  as  well  as  its  individual  members 
should  receive  and  give  only  the  title  of  Citizen.  On  the 
16th  of  October  the  tree* of  liberty  was  planted  in  the 
grand  square,  amidst  the  joyous  acclamations  of  Viva  la 
Mepublica  Franceses  and  a  grand  illomination  took  place. 
Some  persons,  however,  occasioned  a  tumult,  during 
which  there  were  several  excesses ;  but  Bonaparte  having 
arrived,  published  a  proclaipation,  in  which  he  stated, 
that  the  constitution  and  the  national  guard  would  forth- 
with be  organised.  He  declared  himself  the  enemy  of 
tyrants,  but  above  all,  the  sworn  foe  of  villains,  plun« 
derers,  and  anarchists;  and  that  he  was  determined. to 
order  those  to  be  shot  who  violated  social  order.    . 

Ferrara  joined  in  every  measure  to  establish  a  republic 
can  :uhninistration ;  and  at  Genoa  the  French  solemni^d 

VOL.   I.— NO.  15#  X   X 


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938      HISTORY  OF  NAPOLEON   BONAPARTE, 

II      'f"-  '■  It 

Bonaparte  writes  to  General  Berthler  aod  Cardinal  Matthei. 

die  auniversajry  of  the  fifth  year  of*  the  Republic.  Dis- 
contentfty  howeyer,  were  shewn  in  many  parts  of  Italy ; 
die  inhabitants  of  the  Imperial  Fiefs  were  again  tempted 
to  fnsurrection  against  the  French,  who  had  entered  these 
Fiefs  to  the  number  of  1000  men.  The  Gonyeyance  of 
powder  and  other  warlike  stores  into  the  Fiefs,  had  ex- 
cited suspicions,  and  Bonaparte  ordered  the  Governor  of 
Tortona  to  send  a  detachment  to  the  Flefii.  Hie  par- 
ticulars of  this  expedition  are  unknown,  but  many  per- 
sons were  taki^n  in  arms,  and  shot,  and  depots  of  arms 
and  stores  were  discovered.  ^The  French  were  annoyed 
jki  the  mountainous  parts  of  tff Ontserrat :  the  convoys  des- 
tined for  the  French  armies  were  often  dispersed,  and 
General  Dujard  of  the  artillery  had  been  killed.  Bona- 
parte, however,  caused  the  malcontents  to  be  defeated 
&tii  p^t  to  flight ;  scarcely  a  day  passed  without  num- 
bers of  them  being  shot. 

fionapatte,  in  a  letter  to  General  Berthier,  published 
at  Milan,  mentioned  that  ht  was  informed  several  Geno- 
ese merchants  had  left  Genoa,  and  takei\  refuge  in  Milan, 
pretending  that  the  French  vfere  to  bombard  Genoa ;  be 
directed  that  they  should  leave  Lombardy  immediately, 
and  retvtm  home,  as  it  was  bis  wish  to  prevent  the  ma- 
kvotebt  fit)m  disturbing  the  Genoese  people,  to  whom 
he  owed  obligations,  on  account  of  the  grain  they  had 
fohiishcd  in  a  time  of  scarcity,  and  the  friendship  tiiej 
had  always  shewn  towards  the  Republic. 

Prom  a  similar  motive  Bonaparte  wrote  a  letter  to 
Ctntbnal  Matthd,  in  which,  after  observing  tiiat  the  CI^ 
^msttinetsk  the  latter  was  placed  in  were  truly  novel,  he 
stated,  to  (bh  cause  alone  he  wished  to  attribute  the  es* 
t^tttisil  ^fkiMi  eommitted  by  him.  The  moral  and  chris- 
tian ^virtuat,  vvUch  the  world  acknowledged  in  the  Ca^ 


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AND  WARS  OF  RUROPE.  ^39 

Rojalty  abolished  ia  Loiiit>ardy. 

^Unal,  made  the  General  desire  h^  inrould  returo  to  his 
£ocese»  and  assure  the  ministers  of  religioq,  w4  tb^  dif* 
ferent  congregations,  of  the  special  protectip^  tb^  Frencli 
General  woold  grant  them  wbibt  tbey  forjbo^e  to  inter* 
meddle  in  politics.  He  also  ordered  that  the  unifonq^  of 
the  legions  of  the  Cispadane  cities  should  be  the  same  as 
that  of  the  Milanese,  and  ordered  gl)  strangers,  priests  ^ 
well  as  seculars,  employed  under  the  regal  govenpaentg 
and  in  the  service  of  the  ArcbdnLe  and  Emperorp  to  le^ye 
the  Milanese  in  fifteen  days,  wdess  they  had  been  em- 
ployed for  upwards  of  fifteen  yeans^  The  (Joiwutt^e  of 
GoTemment  of  Lombardy  published  iipr^^lwn^n  in 
the  name  of  the  Frenob  Bepubli^^  fbolishpng  fqij^Bitj  for 
ever,  and  no  one  was  to  hi9!9P  jaiqr  titl^  but  that  ^£3lizan| 
or  that  conferred  by  his  nfficp  or  pisgifeAsiwf  .. 

Tbns  did  ;Bon^part«t^  by  hi^  iw^^rly  a^Wgipiplap 
secure  the  infliien<;e  of  Francefp  thoffo  #atef  if^Mk  ^ 
bad  cQiiqu^red  withb^  ampef^ 


jPHAPTBR  XU« 


Bonaparte  hearing.that  an  Anstriaja  corps  watfidYancf 
jng  and  had  encamped  on  the  Pjava,  detached  General 
Vassena  to  Bassano  on  the  Brenta,  with  ordera  to  retre^lt 
to  Vicenza  the  instant  the  enen^  passed  the  .Piayfu  He 
als6  ordered  General  Vaubois  to  attack  ,th0  4>1isjiif^lpo8tll 
in  the  Trentiui  and  above  all  to  drive  jtben^  froia  the^ 
xx2 

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340   HI^ORY  OF  NAPOLEON  BONAPARTE, 

General  Aogereaa  beats  the  Autriant, 

positions  between  tiie  Lavisio  and  the  Brenta.  Hie  at- 
tack was  on  the  2d,  ^hen  the  French  made  a  very  spi* 
rited  resistance;  Crenend  Gnienx  carried  St.  Michael, 
and  burnt  the  enemy's  bridge  ;  but  the  Austrians  ren- 
dered abortive  the  attack  of  the  French  on  Segonzano,  and 
the  85th  demi-brigade  suflTered  greatly.  Bonaparte  or* 
dered  Segonzano  to  be  attacked,  and  at  the  same  time 
hearmg  that  the  Imperialists  had  passed  the  Piava,  he 
pressed  forward  with  Augereau*s  division;  and  having 
Joined  the  division  of  MiEunena  at  Vicenza,  marched  on 
the  5th  to  meet  the  Austrians,  who  had  passed  the  Brenta. 
Hie  action  was  obstinate  and  bloody,  but  success  in- 
clilied  to  the  French,  who  kept  the  field  of  battle,  while 
the  Austrians  repassed  the  Brenta. 
^  The  'Austrians  attacked  General  Vaubois,  and  threat- 
'  ened  to  turn  him  in  several  points';  this  forced  him  to 
retreat  to  La  Pietra.  On  the  7th  an  obstinate  battle  en« 
sued,  in  which  the  French  took  two  pieces  of  cannon, 
and  1900  prisoners,  but  on  the  iqiproa^  of  night,  a  panio 
aeized  part  of  the  troops.  On  the  8th  this  dirision  had 
a  position  at  JSjyqli  and  La  Corona,  by  means  pf  a  bridge 
which  Bonaparte  had  thrown  over  the  river. 

The  General  in  Chief  arrived  with  troops  at  Verona  on 
the  8th  at  noon.  On  the  11th  he  learnt  that  the  Austrians 
were  encamped  at  Villa  Niova';  the  troops  advanced  from 
Verona,  and  fell  in  with  their  vanguard,  who  were  rolited 
and  pursued  by  General  Augereau  for  three  miles  an^  a 
half.  On  ^e  12th  the  French  found  themselves  in  pfei- 
sence  of  the  enemy;  they  >ngaged  them  instantly,  and 
the  attack  was  made  with  skill  and  gallantry,  Massena^s 
division  attacking  their  leil,  and  Angereau's  their  right ; 
th6  success  of  both  was  complete;  Aiigereau  took  tl^  vit- 
)age  6f  Caldero  and  200  prisoners  ;  Massena  flanked  tho 


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AND   WAFS   OF   EUROPE.  341 

The  French  Troops  pass  the  Adif  e. 

Imperialists,  and  took  five*pieces  of  cannon  ;  but  ^erain, 
which  fell  in  torrents,  having  changed  suddenly  into  a 
kind  of  hail,  driving  into  the  faces  of  the  French  troops, 
favoured  the  enemy.  The  Austrians  succeeded  in  re^ 
taking  the  height,  and  at  night  both  armies  kept  their  re- 
spective positions* 

Bonaparte  knowing  that  the  Imperial  army  under  Field 
Marshal  Alvinzi^  approached  Verona,  to  form  a  junction 
with  the  column  of  'his  army  in  the  Tyrol,  defiled  along 
the  Adige  with  the  divisions  of  Augereau  and  Massena, 
and  threw  a  bridge  of  *bo«(t8  across  at  Ronco,  where  the 
French  passed  the  river..  The  General  had  hopes  of  ar- 
riving in  the  morning  at  Villa  Nova,  and  taking  the  ene* 
my's  park  of  artillery  and  magazines,  and  attacking  them 
in  flank  and  rear.  The  head-quarters  of  General  Alvinzi 
were  at  Caldero;  but  liaving  intelligence  of  the  move-p 
ments  of  the  French,  he  had  sent  a  regiment  of  Croats, 
and  some  Hungarian  regiments,  into  the  village  of  Ar^ 
cola,  a  post  extremely  strong,  in  the  midst  of  marshes 
and  canals. 

.^  Before  day-break  the  divisions  of  Massepa  and  Augc^ 
reau  completed  the  passage  of  the  Adige,  and  advanced 
on  two  causeways  that  traverse  a  morass  for  several  miles. 
The  column  .commanded  by  Massena  first  encountered 
jand  jirove  in  the  Austrian  advanced  posts,  while  that 
mdet  Augereau,  after  having  compelled  their  posts 
to  fall  back,  was  stopped  at  the  village  of  Areola,  now 
keld  by  the  Imperial  troops.  A  canal  that  flanked  a 
dyk«  on  the  side  of  the  vilhge  hmdered  the  French  from 
turning  it,  and  to  get  possession  of  it  they  had  to  pass 
under  the  enemy's  fire,  and  cross  by  a  small  bridge,  upon 
which  the  imperialists  kept  up  a  terrible  fire  iVom  the  ad- 
jacent houses,  which  they  had  fortified.    The  French 


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342      HISTORY   OF   NAPOLEON    BONAPARTE, 

Battle  of  Areola. 


troops    made    maDy    efforts  to  carry  the  bridge,  but 
vere  ^iH^pubed.    It  was  in  vain  that  their  generals  threw 
themselves  at  the  head  of  the  columns,  to  induce  them  to 
pass  the  little  bridge  of  Areola  ;  this  proved  only  injuri- 
ous to  themselves ;  for  they  were  ahnost  all  wounded,  and 
several  carried  out  of  the  field.    Augereau,  taking  a  stand* 
ard,  advanced  to  the    bridge,  where  he  remained  for 
several  minutes,  without  causing  any  effect :  it  was  how* 
ever,  absolutely  necessary  to  pass  this  'bridge,  or  march 
several  leagues,  which  would  have  destroyed  the  whole 
operations.    Bonaparte,  apprised  of  the  diflSeulties  of 
Augereao,  ordered  General  Guieux  to  cross  the  river 
Adige  nnder  the  light  artillery,  at  a  feny  two  miles  be- 
low Rooco ;  be  was  then  to  bear  down  on  Areola  and 
turn  k ;  but  this  march  was  long,  and  the  day  far  ad- 
vanced.   It  was  liowever  necessary  to  carry  Aroola  td 
get  on  the  enemy^s  rear;  Bonaparte,  therefore,  hastened 
to  the  spot ;  he  asked  the  soldiers  if  they  still  were  the 
conquevors  of  Lodi !    His  presence  cfiused  an  enthusiasm 
among  the  troops,  and  confirmed  him  in  his  deaise  to 
risk  (he  passage  ;  he  leaped  off  his  horse,  and  seizing  a 
standard  rushed  forward  at  the  head  of  the  grenadiers  to* 
wards  At  bridge,  crying,  **  Follow  your  General  T    Ik 
oolamn  had  nadied  mthin  thiufy  paces  of  the  taidge* 
when  the  tenible  fin  of  the  Austriaas  made  it  seooiL 
Gtenerals  Vignole  aad  li^snes  wene  wounded,  and  Mairoot 
the  Geaaral's  aid^de-canp,  was  killed.    Bonaparte  was 
thrown  from  his  Imrseintoaanrsh,  from  whence  lie  got 
out  widi  difficulty  4inder  ithe  eimm/s  fire;  he  mounted 
again,  aad  ike  ^ohima  nllied ;  but  the  Imperialists  did 
not  advance  to  take  advamtage  of  dim  iortanate.tnomeBt» 
as  they  ahduld  have  doae« 
The  French  renounced  ihe  ^lenign  of  £>r|Bng  4he  tilisge 


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AND  WARS  OF  EUROPE.  343 

The  French  Tictorioas  at  Areola. 

in  front,  and  to  wait  the  ar^ral  of  General  Guieux,  who 
succeeded  in  carrying  the  village,  taking  four  pieces  of  can- 
Hon,  and  a  great  nnmber  of  prisoners  The  Austrian  Gene- 
ral persevered,  and  Bonaparte  thought  it  fit  to  evacuate 
the  village,  on  learning  that  the  Imperialists  had  removed 
all  their  stores  to  Vicenza,  to  advance  towards  Ronco. 
On  the  16th  the  Austrians  attacked  the  French  in  all  di- 
rections :  the  column  of  General  Massena  defeated  the 
enemy,  and  pursued  them  to  the  gates  of  Caldero,  taking 
1500  prisoners,  with  six  pieces  of  cannon  and  four  stand- 
ards. Augereau's  column  repulsed  the  Austrians,  but 
could  not  recover  the  village  of  Areola.  A  judgment 
may  be  formed  of  the  firmness  displayed  on  both  sides, 
Irom  the  attacks  at  this  village,  where  several  Generals 
vrere  wounded.  The  same  evening  Bonaparte,  with  a 
column  carrying  facines,  adv^ced  to  the  canal  to  effect 
a  passage,  but  found  it  impracticable  from  the  rapidity 
of  the  current. 

The  Austrians'  left  was  supported  by  the  marshes,  and 
kept  in  check  the  French  right  by  their  superrior  num- 
bers. Bonaparte  ordered  Hercules,  the  officer  of  his 
groides,  to  select  twenty-five  men  of  his  company,  and,  ad- 
vancing along  tiie  Adige,  turn  all  the  marshes  which  sup- 
ported tlie  Austrian  left,  and  fall  afterwards  at  full  gal- 
lop on  the  enemy's  backs,  making  several  trumpets  sound. 
This  manoeuvre  was  quite  successful ;  the  Austrian  infan- 
try gave  way,  but  still  made  resistance,  when  a  small 
column  of  eight  or  nine  hundred  men,  with  four  pieces 
of  cannon,  succeeded  in  putting  them  to  the  route. 
General  Massena  marched  straight  to  the  village  of  Ar- 
eola, which  he  took,  and  pursued  the  enemy  near  the 
village  of  St.  Bonifacio. 

Bonaparte  wrote  to  the  Director  Caniot,  and  expressed 


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344       HISTORY   OP   NAPOLEON  BONAPARTE, 

Bonaparte  takes  possession  of  Beri^mo. 

bis  hope  of  being  abb  in  ten  days  to  address  him  from 
Mantua.  "  Never/'  said  he,  "  was  afield  of  battle  so 
valorously  disputed  as  that  of  Areola ;  scarcely  have  I 
any  generals  left;  their  courage  and  devotion  to  their 
country  were  without  example.'' 

Never  was  an  army  in  a  more  critical  situation  than 
that  of  Bonaparte  upon  this  occasion;  the  Imperialists 
made  the  greatest  efforts,  and  had  brought  from  the  Aus- 
trian states  all  their  disposable  forces  ;  and  by  these 
means  they  were  enabled  to  form  in  Italy  a  new  army, 
more  considerable  than  the  two  ahready  •xtirminated, 
before  the  succours  sent  from  France  to  Bonaparte 
could  join  his  army ;  it  required  all  the  genius  of  that 
General,  and  the  zeal  of  his  brethren  in  arms,  to  tri^ 
umpk  over  the  cool  courage  and  bravery  of  the  Austrian 
armies. 

However  great  the  loss  sustained  by  Alvinzi  may  have 
been,  his  army  was  far  from  being  destroyed  :  driven 
into  the  mountains,  it  was  difficult  to  attack  him,  and 
Bonaparte  could  not  forget  that  Mantua  still  held  out  in 
his  rear.  The  point  was  to  keep  Alvinzi  in  check,  and 
exclude  him  all  the  passes  by  which  he  could  communi- 
cate with  Mantua.  General  Vaubois  advanced  to  Bivoli, 
but  the  Imperialists  drove  him  beyond  Castel  Nuova. 

A  sortie  was  made  from  Mantua  on  the  23d,  but 
General  Kilmaine  obliged  the  troops  to  return,  and  took 
200  men,  a  howitzer,  and  two  pieces  of  cannon.  Marshal 
Wurmser  commanded  in  person ;  it  was  the  third  time  be 
had  made  a  sally,  and  each  time  with  indifferent  success. 

Under  an  idea  of  having  received  offence  from  the 
Government  of  Venice,  Bonaparte  took  possession  of 
the  citadel  o&  Bergamo.  General.  Baraguey  d'Hilliers, 
commandant  of  Lombardy,  issued  a  proclamation^  stat- 


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iiND   WARS   bF   EtJRoFE.  .  34d^ 

The  Standards  taken  at  Areola  presented  to  the  Directory. 

■_j^  „  ■■  I ,  I  ,..i.  /       ,,,i.   I 

ing  that  he  v^as  constrained  to  occupy  the  town  and 
citadel,  to  anticipate  the  enemies  of  the  French  Repoblic« 
and  keep  the  seat  of  war  at  a  distance  from  the  habita- 
tions of  the  Bergamese; 

The  army  of  General  Alvinzi  was  on  the  Brenta,  and 
in  the  Tyrol,  while  that  of  the  Republic  stretched  along 
the  Adige,  having  an  adyanced  guard  in  front  of , Verona. 
Mantua  was  reduced  to  the  last  extremity,  as  the  garri- 
son fed  only  on  horse  flesh,  whilst  General  Bonaparte^ 
relying  on  its  surrender,  was  occupied  with  his  cor- 
respondence, and  in  preparing  for  the  ensuing  campaign* 

The  standards  taken  at  Areola  arrived,  and  were  rer 
eeived  by  the  Executive  Directory -in  a  puUBc  sitting; 
The  Minister  of  War  presented  Lamarois^  chief  of  bat- 
talion, and  aid-de-camp  of  General  Bomaparte;  who, 
afler  a  long  harangue,  filled  with  encomiiUns  on  bis  com- 
mander, and  his  brothers  in  arms,  was  answered  in  the 
same  style.  "  Return,"  said  the  preside^nt,  ^*  to  those 
brave  warriors,  tell  them  the  marble  of  ihe  Pantheon 
awaits  their  names,  and  that  they  are  already  engraven 
on  the  hearts  of  all  true  Frenchmen." 


CHAPTER  XLII. 


A  PRELIMINARY  Step  to peace wfis  taken,  afterthein- 
•(illation  of  the  Directory  gave  tfie  French  Ooveniflimt  a 

•      VOL.  I<— KO.  16.  Y    V  rc^c^n\f> 

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S46     HISTORY  OF  NAPOLEON   BONAPARTE, 


Lord  Malnetbmy  Airifes  at  Paris  to  treat  for  Peace. 

settled  form ;  a  message  had  been  delivered  ta  PariiameBt 
from  his  Majesty  of  England,  stating  the  satisfisu^tion  with 
which  he  saw  a  change  of  system  in  France^  which  he  hoped 
would  remove  all  that  might  hinder  a  general  pacification, 
and  an  application  was  made  to  the  French  Government^ 
Sept.  9,  for  pisssports  for  a  British  Envoy  to  go  to  Paris, 
to  make  overtures  for  peace.  Lord  Malmesbnry  made  his. 
entry  into  Paris,  as  Plenipotentiary  of  the  King  of  Great 
Britain,  on  the  24th  of  October  1796,  and  the  next  day 
had  his  first  conference  with  the  Minister  for  Foreign 
Affairs,  The  negociation  was  not  began  under  very  fa- 
vourable auspices,'  for  the  Directory  took  occasion  to 
declare,  that  they  doubted  the  sincerity  of .  the  English 
Government,  and  ^us  shewed  a  disposition  on  their 
part  opposite  to  conciliation. 

The  Britbh  Minister  stated  the  willingness  of  his  court 
to  remove  all  obstacles  to  the  desired  object,  that  might 
arise  out  of  mere  forms  ;  and  that  it  was  willing  to  take 
for  the  basis  of  peace  the  principle  of  restitution.    Thi» 
was  sufiicient  to  shew,  that  England  did  not  carry  on  the 
war  to  increase  her  own  power  at  the  expense  of  her 
Allies,  and  that  she  desired  peace,  even  at  the  expense 
of  her  conquests,  if  France  would  make  a  similar  sacri- 
fice.   The  Directory  rejected  this  with  the  most  insolent 
disdain;  they  had  bound  thenlS^lve^  by  law  not  to  abao- 
don  their  conquests ;  and  all  that  could  be  drawn  from 
tlie  discussions  that  took  place  between  their  Minister 
and  Lord  Mahuesbury,  was,  that  they  were  determined  to 
keep  what  tliey  had  taken,  and  receive  back  what  titer 
had  lost.    The  English  negociator  declared,  that  he  had 
not   powers  to  admit  this  principle,  upon    \\Widi   the 
French  Minister,  Charles  de  la  Croix,  haughtily  ordered 
l^ia  to  go  home  and  fetch  them,  and  to  take  care  ih»t 


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AKD  WARS  OF  EVROI»E.  347 

The  NefocUtioo  broke  off— A  French  Fleet  reachei  Ireland. 


Beither  be,  nor  any  of  the  persons  he  brouglii  with  nim, 
were  found  in  Paris  after  the  expiration  of  fi>rty*eight 
hoars.  . 

Scarcely  was  the  negociation  broken  off  before  the 
French  sent  a  force  against  Ireland,  to  act  with  a  power- 
fill  body  of  the  natives,  who  were  to  declare  that  country 
independent  of  Great  Britain.  The  body  of  Irish  unit^ 
for  this  purpose  had  despatched  Lord  Edward  Fitzgerald 
and  Mr.  Arthur  O'Connor,  as  their  ambassadors  extraorn 
dinary  to  the  Directory  of  France,  to  obstruct  the  nego- 
eiatton  with  Lord  Mabnesbury;  and  these  persons,  wit|t 
the  French  Greneral  Hoche,  settled  the  plan  of  an  attack 
on  Ireland,  flrom  which  the  Directory  hoped  to  reap  great 
advantage.  Eighteen  sail  of  the  line,  and  thirteen  firir 
gates,  were  fitted  out  at  Brest,  to  convey  troops  lo  t}ie 
western  coast  of  Ireland.  The  armament  put  to  sea  m 
December,  but  was  overtaken  by  a  storm,  which  dis^ 
parsed  the  greatest  part  of  the  fleet,  and  obliged  it  to  re> 
turn  to  port  in  a  very  shattered  state.  Eight  sail  only 
reached  Ireland,  where,  unable  to  learn  the  destiny  of 
their  commander  and  the  rest  of  the  fleet,  they  remained 
only  three  days,  and  then  quitted  Bantry  Bay,  without 
attempting  to  land. 

How  came  they  not  to  land  ?  The  truth  was,  that  the 
Irish  wished  to  establish  an  independent  republic  for 
themselves,  and  they  only  wanted  the  French  with  a  small 
force  to  act  as  auxiliaries  ;  whilst  the  Fraich  wanted  lo 
make  a  conquest  of  Irehmd,  that  they  might  either  keep 
it  to  annoy  Great  Britain,  or  barter  it  with  thi^t  power  for 
better  conditions  of  peace ;  hence  was  the  desire  of  Franco 
to  land  a  force  to  suppress  the  Irish  and  expel  the 
English. 

fifm  this  difference  of  opinion,  the  Irish  leaders  did 
J  Y  9 

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340      HISTORY  OF  NAPOLEON   BONAPARTE^ 


Tbe  Court  of  Rome  arms. 


not  instract  their  frienda  to  assist  their  Allies  in  landing, 
and  the  French  cpminaiidcr  would  not  land  a  force  he 
knew  to  be  unequal  to  the  designs  of  the  government 
from  whom  he  had  received  bis  instructions.  The  fleet 
returned  into  port,  after  encountering  two  very  violent 
Storms,  in  whidh  three  ships  of  the  line  mid  three  frigates 
foundered,  with  the  greatest  part  of  their  crews. 

The  Court  of  Rome  bad  armed*  and  advanced  towards 
die  Romagna  the  few  troops  it  could  keep  on  toot,  with 
an  intention,  as  was  suspeotedt  to  dtsinrb  the  states  which 
had  declared  tbemselves  free.  It  appeared  to  be  the  wish 
of  the  Emperor,  diatWurmsersbouM  escape  from  Mantua 
with  bis  garrison,  by  throwmg  hinnelf  into  tbe  territprie* 
pf  the  Pope.  Bonaparte  drew  from  bis  army  a  body  of 
troops,  tQ  assemble  at  Bologna,  and  form  a  moveable 
column:  and,  as  they  arrived  fai  different  directions,  this 
gave  them  tbe  appearance  of  a  corps  amouDtiog  to  up? 
wards  of  15;000  men.  Rome  was  apprebeosive  that  this  army 
was  meant  to  act  against  her,  and  this  belief  produced 
the  desired  effect  The  eye  of  Bonaparte  wiw  on  the  Po, 
the  Adige,  the  movements  of  the  entmy»  and  tbe  txtt- 
tions  ef  General  Wurmser^  either  to  effect  a  junction  or 
escape,  and  orders  were  given  to  the  «rmy  to  be  ready 
for  action*  ^ 

The  Commander  m  Chief  arrived  at  Bologna  witb.20QO 
men,  to  make  an  impressioa  on  the  Coutt  t>f  Rome,  and 
^ause  It  to  adopt  a  pacific  system :  he  also  opened  a  oe- 
goeiation  with  the  Grand  Duke  of  Tbacany,  relative  to 
^e  garrison  of  Lieghom ;  and  thought  his  presence  at 
Bologna  would  bring  this  affair  to  a  condosien.  Tbe 
General  was  informed  that  the  enemy  were  in  motion  oo 
all  their  line,  and  that  the  Austrian  division  at  Padaa  lisd 
on  tbe  8tb,  attacked  the  advanced-guard  of  General  Av 


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AND  WARS   OF  EUROPE.  349 


Bonaparte  arrives  at  Verona. 


gereau,  al  Bevilaqua,  in  front  of  Porto  Legnago.  The 
officer  whp  commanded  that  advanced  guard  retired  to 
Porto  Legnago;  but  hia  spirited  resistance  gave  him 
time  to  advertise  the  whole  French  line  of  the  enem/s 
gmrch. 

Bonaparte  ordered  the  column  he  had  assembled  to  set 
out  by  a  forced  march,  to  reinforce  General  Augereau's 
division,  and  oppose  the  enemy's  enterprises  on  the 
J^wer  Adige.  He  himself  set  out  for  the  blockade  of 
Mantua,  and  after  giving  the  necessary  orders,  proceeded 
from  thence  to  Verona,  where  he  arrived  at  the  moment 
the  Imperialists  atUcked  in  force  the  advanced  guard  of 
Massena  s  division  posted  at  St  Michael.  The  contest 
was  severe,  but  in  two  hours  the  Austrians  were  r^« 
pulsed. 

Hie  Austrians  threw  a  bridge  across  the  river  at  Aut 
guiari,  by  which  their  advanced  guard  passed;  and  on 
the  same  day  Bonaparte  learned  that  General  Joubert  was 
forced  to  evacuate  La  Conma,  to  assume  a  position  in 
front  of  Bivoli.  The  General  bad  intelligence  that  the 
enemy  commenced  a  lively  cannonade  on  the  Adige,  be- 
tween Ronco  and  Porto-Legnago.  The  forces  in  front  of 
General  Joubert  left  no  doubt  as  to  the  intentions  of  the 
Austrians.  It  was  evident  that  Alvinai  wished  to  pene- 
trate by  Rivoli  with  his  principal  forces,  and  in  this  di- 
recticm  to  reach  Mantua.  Bonaparte  formed  his  resolu- 
tion, and  put  in  motion  a  part  of  the  division  of  General 
Massena.  He  ordered  the  troops  under  General  Rey,  at 
Desanzano,  to  advance  in  different  columns  to  Rivoli, 
and  set  out  in  person  with  all  his  etat-major  for  that 
place,  which  he  reached  at  midnight.  General  Bona- 
parte having  assumed  the  command,  directed  JToubert  to 
resume  the  position  in  front  of  the  plateau  of  Rivoli,  and 


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360      HISTORY  OP  NAPOLEON   BONAPARTE, 

I  k 

EogafemeDt  at  Rivoli. 


particularly  the  post  of  San- Marco,   which   had  beeq 
'  eracoated.    This  was  the  onl;  point  by  which  the  enemy 
could  advance  their  cavalry  and  artilleiy,  between  the 
*  Adige  and  the  lake  of  Garda. 

The  Commander-in-Chief  spent  the  night  in  viewing^ 
the  ground  and  the  position  of  the  Imperialists,  who  oc« 
cupied  a  formidable  line,  neariy  20,000  strong,  their 
right  at  Caprino,  and  their  left  behind  San-Marco.  Al- 
vinzi  had  formed  his  plan  of  attack,  when  he  hoped  to 
surround  General  Jouberf s  division.  This  he  now  strove 
to  execute,  ¥rithout  a  suspicion  of  the  arrival  of  the 
French  General  in  person,  or  of  the  reinforcements 
The  order  to  retake  the  small  posts  in  front  of  the  plateau 
of  Rivoli,  occasioned  a  fire  of  musketry  between  the  ad- 
vanced posts ;  but  the  re-capture  of  San-Marco  by  the 
French,  at  five  in  the  morning,  brought  on  a  general 
battle,  which  gaye  unejisiness  to  Alvinsi,  as  it  retarded 
his  plan  of  attack. 

One  of  tfio  Austrian  columns  proceeded  to  the  plateau 
of  Rivoli,  with  an  intent  to  carry  it,  and  in  this  direction 
threatened  to  tnm  the  right  and  centre.  Bonaparte 
ordered  General  Lecterc  to  charge  the  Imperialists  if  they 
carried  the  plateau;  a  detachment  of  dnigoona  was  to 
flank  the  Austrian  infantry,  who  attacked  the  French 
centre.  Jonbevt  sent  some  battalions  firom  the  heights  of 
San-Marco,  who  threw  themselves  on  the  plateaa,  and 
tiie  Imperialists  were  driven  into  the  valley  of  the  Adige* 
leaving  a  great  number  of  dead,  and  part  of  their  artil- 
lery. The  Austrian  column  which  had  been  on  its  march 
to  turn  the  French,  and  cut  off  their  retreat,  formed  be? 
bind  Rtvoli,  and  covered  all  the  heights  between  the 
Adtge  and  the  Lake  of  Garda,  so  that  the  French  line 
was    pompletely  tnrned.    The  Austrians,    confident  of 


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AMD   WARS   OF   EUROPE.  351 


The  Amtrian  Column  taken  Pritonert. 


success,  exclaimed,  'VWe  have  them!"  and  advanced 
with  fury  to  carry  the  eBtrenohments  of-  Rivoli,  but  were 
repulsed  in  three  .different  attacks;  meanwhile  Bonaparte- 
had  planted  »four  pieces  of  light  artillery,  that  cannonad* 
ed  the  right  of  the  Austrian  line.  The  troops  under 
Generals  Brune  and  Mounier,  advanced  in  three  columns 
and  attacked  the  right  wing  of  the  Austrian  line..  In  on 
instant  the  whole  Austrian  column,  consisting  of  4000 
men,  were  taken  prisoners. 

Bonaparte  having  ,no  intelUgence  of  General  Angereau, 
thought  his  communication  with  Verona  might  be  inter- 
cepted. The  Imperialists  still  had  La  Corona ;  Joubert 
was  to  attack  that  place,  and  he  directed  the  troops  which 
Joubert  could  spare  to  proceed  towards  Verona  and  Cas* 
tel  Nuovo,  and  set  out  for  the  latter  place,  where  he  learn- 
ed that  the  Austrian  column  of  10,000  men,  under  Gene- 
ral Provera,  had  crossed  the  Adige  under  the  fire  of  anu* 
merous  artillery  at  Anguiari,  and  that  General  Guieux, 
who  guarded  the  Adige  in  that  quarter,  was  obliged 
to  retire  to  Ronco.  Having  arrived  at  Villa  Franca, 
he  ordered  four  demi-brigades  to  advance  from  that  place ; 
and  concluding  that  Augereau,  if  not  defeated,  was 
following  Provera,  he  proceed'ed  to  Roverbella,  where 
he  arrived  wiUi  his  reinforcements. 

Bonaparte  hastened  to  St.  Anthony,  and  gave  orders 
la  attack  Provera  on  the  16th.  This  General  unable  to 
make  himself  master  of  St  George  by  main  force,  and 
having'  no  intelligence  of  Alvinzi's  army,  could  oaly  in- 
dulge a  hope  of  engaging  the  French  with  advantage, 
when  acting  with  a  poweifiil  sally  of  the  garrison  of  Man* 
tua.  Bonaparte  laboured  to  prevent  this,  and  surround 
the  column  of  Provera.  General  Scrrurier,  witli  1500 
men,   proceeded  to  J^a  l^avoritc,  whilst  Gc^ieral  Victor 


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352       HISTORY  OP  NAPOLEOK   BONAPARTE, 
General  Proveim  iiirreiiden  to  the  French. 


attacked  and  turned  General  Provera'stroops,  and  Gene^ 
ral  Miolis  who  occupied  St  George,  made  a  sally  so 
fortanatelVf  that  Provera  found  himself  and  bis  column 
completely  surrounded ;  on  which  this  gallant  General 
and  the  remainder  of  his  column  surrendered  at  dis* 
cretion. 

General  Aivinzi*s  army  was  now  quite  enfeebled ;  with- 
in four  days  the  Republicans  had  fought  two  pitched 
battles,  six  inferior  actions,  and  took  nearly  25,000 
prisoners,  with  twenty  standards,  sixty  pieces  of  cannon^ 
with  their  waggons,  and  all  the  baggage  of  General  Pro- 
vera^s  column,  besides  killing  or  wounding  about  6000 
mcki.  General  Rey  was  to  conduct  llie  prisoners  to  Gre- 
noble by  detachments  of  8000  men,  one  day's  march  from 
each  other,  under  the  escort  of  the  S6th  demi-brigade 
and  a  squadron  of  cavalry.  All  the  troops  performed 
wonders.  **  The  Roman  legions,"  said  Bonaparte  in  his 
despatches, ''  are  reported  to  have  marched  twenty-four 
miles  a* day.  Our  brigades,  though  fighting  at  intervals, 
march  thirty.** 


0  0^.*^^^^**^^^*^ 


CHAPTER  WAM. 


The  division  of  General  Augereau  proceeded  to  Padua; 
and  advanced  to  Oitadella,  from  whence  the  Austriaas 
fled  at  its  approach.  General  Massena,  who  had  left  Vt'* 
cenza  to  drive  the  Austrians  from  Bassano  learned  on 


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AND  WARS   OF   EUROPE.  353 

The  Aastrians  retreat. 


the  26tb,  that  they  bad  evacuated  that  place  in  the  nighty 
and  proceeded  to  Carpenedolo  and  Crespo ;  he  therefore 
directed  General  Menard  to  file  along  the  right  bank  of 
the  Brenta  to  Carpenedolo  and  ordered  another  party^ 
with  two  pieces  of  artillery,  ta  proceed  to  this  village  by 
the  left  bank  of  the  Brenta ;  these  troops  came  np  with 
the  Imperialists  near  Carpenedelo^  when  an  action  took 
place  on  the  bridge,  but  the  latter  were  forced  to  retreat 
leaving  dOO  dead,  and  900  prisoners.  General  Joubert 
marched  after  the  Austrians,  who  fled  into  the  Tyrol, 
where  he  encountered  their  rear  guard,  and,  at  Avio, 
after  a  slight  action,  took  900  prisoners. 

The  Imperialists  retired  to  Mori  and  Torbola,  their 
right  covered  by  the  lake,  and  their  left  by  the  Adige. 
General  Murat  embarked  with  200  men,  and  landed  his 
troops  at  Torbola.  General  Vial,  with  the  light  infantry, 
after  a  severe  march  through  the  snow,  turned  tlie  po- 
sition of  the  Aastrians,  and  obliged  450  men  and  twelve 
officers  to  surrender.  General  Joubert  entered  Roveredo, 
and  the  Austinans  having  fortified  the  pass  of  Galliano, 
famous  by  the  victory  which  the  French  gained  there  on 
their  entering  the  Tyrol,  seemed  to  dispute  their  en- 
trance into  Trent.  General  Beliard  strove  to  turn  the 
right  of  tlie  Austrians,  while  General  Vial  routed  them^ 
and  arrived  at  Trent,  where  he  found  3000  sick  and 
wounded  the  Austrians  had  left  behind  them  in  their 
flight ;  several  magazines  were  also  taken  at  this  place. 
General  Massena  ordered  two  demi-brigades  to  advance, 
and  attack  the  castle  of  La  Scala,  but  its  defenders  fled 
on  the  approach  of  the  French,  and  left  a  part  of  their  , 
baggage  behmd  them. 

The  gallant  but  unfortunate  Wurmser  had  often  sallied, 
but  had    always  been  overcome  ;  yet  his  valour  gained 
VOL.   I. — NO.   15.  z   z 

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3:>4       HISTORY   OF    NAPOLEON   BONAPARTE, 


Mantua  surrenders  to  the  Freuch. 


him  the  admiration  of  the  enemy  he  fought  ^ith ;  the 
siege  which  he  sustained  is  said  to  have  cost  the  Emperor 
22,000,  and  the  French  24,000  men,  and  at  last  was 
abandoned  through  the  pressure  of  famine  and  disease. 
On  the  2d  of  February  1797  a  conference  was  held  be- 
tween Generals  Wurmser  and  Serrurier,  to  settle  the 
articles  of  capitulation,  when  it  appeared  that  the  hospi- 
tals were  crowded  with  sick,  and  ail  th<i  horses  were  de- 
voured by  that  part  of  the  garrison  who  had  survived  tlie 
dreadful  conflicts  without,  and  the  horrors  within  the, 
walls.  On  this  occasion  Bonaparte  shewed  the  gene- 
rosity of  a  soldier  towards  Marshal  Wurmser,  a  veteran, 
seventy  years  of  age,  who,  after  losing  the  greater  part 
of  his  array,  and  the  country  of  the  Tyrol,  conceived  the 
project  of  taking  refuge  in  Mantua,  though  distant  irom 
it  five  da;s  march ;  and  who  attained  this  object  in  spite 
of  the  efforts  of  Bonaparte  to  prevent  him. 

The  citadel  was  taken  possession  of  the  3d  of  February  : 
the  Austrians  marched  out  with  the  honours  of  war,  but 
became  prisoners.  General  Wiirmser  was  exempted  with 
bis  whole  suite,  the  general  officers,  the  etat-major,  and 
whoever  else  the  brave  veteran  thought  proper  to  nomi- 
nate. He  was  allowed  100  cavalry,  six  pieces  of  cannon 
and  their  waggons,  and  500  persons  of  his  own  chusing; 
and  the  700  men  who^accompanied  him  were  not  to  act  in 
a  hostile  manner  against  tlie  French  Republic  for  three 
months.  News  of  this  surrender  was  helu-d  with  the  most 
avdy  joy  at  Paris,  and  the  constituted  authorities  used 
every  means  to  give  eclat  to  the  event. 

On  the  18th  of  February  the  Executive  Directory  re- 
paired to  the  ball  of  public  audience,  and  the  standards 
taken  in  the  late  engagements  were  -introduced  amidht 
tht  shouts  of  **  Vive  Fa  Bepublique  !"    These  were  pre- 


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AND  WARS   OP  EUROPE.  '  366 


Angereaa  presents  the  Standards  to  the  Directory. 


ceded  by  the  Minister  of  War,  with  the  Chief  of  Squa- 
dron, Bassieres,  who  was  entrusted  by  the  General  in 
Chief  to  present  them  to  the  Directory.  The  minister, 
after  stating  in  his  address,  that  the  army  of  Italy  still 
presented  new  monuments  of.  its  glory,  informed  the  Di- 
rectory, that  they  now  saw  the  trophies  of  its  last  suc- 
cesses—the standards  of  Alvinzi  and  of  the  captive  Pro- 
vera.  "At  this  moment,  "  said  he,  "  30,000  of  these 
Austrians,  who  had  flattered  themselves  with  compelling 
us  to  repass  the  Alps,  climb  those  Alps  themselves ;  but 
they  climb  them— vanquished,  disarmed,  and  prisoners !" 

On  the  28tb,  whilst  musicians  performed  favourite  airs, 
a  dischargeof  artillery  announced  the  arrival  of  sixty  stan« 
dards  taken  at  Mantua,  and  of  General  Aagereau,  charg- 
ed with  presenting  them  to  the  Directory.  He  entered 
amidst,  universd  acclamations  and  reiterated  cries  of 
*•  Vive  la  Republique  !''  and  was  preceded  by  sixty  vete- 
ran warriors,  each  with  republican  pride  carrying  an  Aus- 
trian standard.  The  General  was  presented  to  the  Di- 
rectory by  the  Miniater'of  War,  who  addressed  htm  in  a 
flattering  speech. 

There  was  great  impatience  to  hear  the  General.  Near 
him  stood  bis  father,  a  veteran  whose  martial  appearance 
seemed  still  to  breathe  ardour  of  battle;  and  his  brother, 
who,  as  aid-de-camp,  was  the  companion  of  his  toils* 
Near  him  was  a  brother  of  General  Bonaparte  (Jerome), 
twelve  years  of  age ;  every  one  sought  to  recognise  in 
tliis  youth  traits  of  the  conqueror  of  Italy.  A  profound 
silence  prevailed,  when  General  Augereau  addressed  the 
Directory.  He  tells  them  that  the  army  of  Italy  charges 
him  with  being  the  organ  of  its  sentiments,  and  its  at- 
tachment to  the  constitution ;  that  it  will  justify  the  re- 
putation it  had  gained;  that  the  preservation  of  Mantua 

z  z  3 

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350  HISTORY  OP  NAPOtEON  BONABARTE, 


BoMparte  addresses  the  Army. 


V.  as  the  great  hope  of  the  Aasirians  in  Italy — its  numer- 
ous garrison,  the  fame  of  its  general,  its  ample  supplies 
all  fostered  this  idea — but  the.  army  of  Italy  took  posses- 
sion  of  it  for  the  Republic ;  that  they  have  devoted  them- 
selves to  the  constitution,  and  will  endeavour  to  give 
tlie  Republic  that  peace  so  desirable  to  every  one. 

The  President  of  the  Directory  stated  the  satisfaction 
they  felt,  and  the  pleasure  experienced  by  all  French- 
men, on  seeing  within  that  circle  the  honourable  trophies 
presented  by  one  of  the  heroes  of  Areola.  "  Brave 
General !"  continued  he,  "  inform  your  brethren  in 
arms,  that  their  exploits,  now  crowned  by  the  capture 
of  Mantua,  have  excited  an  universal  enthusiasm,  which 
has  reduced  to  silence  the  implacable  enemies  of  their 
country ;  carry  to  them  the  tribhte  of  our  gratitude  in  the 
name  of  the  triumphant  Republic,  that  delights  lo  reckon 
them  among  her  firmest  supports^" 

General  Bonaparte,  who  knew  the  value  of  a  compli- 
ment in  season,  would  not  let  this  opportunity  slip  of 
paying  his  court  to  the  amqr>  he  ^therefore  addressed 
them  in  a  proclamation ;  in  which  he  details  their  ex- 
ploits^he  tells  them  that  they  have  proved  victorious  in 
fourteen  pitched  battles  and  seventy  engagements — had 
taken  more  than  100,000  prisoners,  500  field  pieces,  and 
2000  large  cannon ;  tiiat  the  countries  they  took  have 
paid  the  army,  and  tha^  they  besides  had  sent  home  thirty 
millions.  He  tells  them  Uiat  the  Kings  of  Sardinia  and 
Naples,  the  Pope  and  the  Duke  of  Parma,  are^iow 
leagued  with  them  ;  that  the  Emperor  alone  was  opposed 
to  them,  and  that  they  are  to  seek  for  peace  in  the  states 
of  Austria  ;  and  concludes  by  telling  them  to  remember 
HmX  they  are  carrying  liberty  to  the  brave  l{ungarians« 


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AND  WARS   OV   EUROPE.  357 

Intercepted  Letter  the  Cease  oflireakii^  the  Armistioe. 


CHAPTER  XLI¥« 

An  ardent  mind,  like  thatof  Bonaparte,  could  not  want 
opportonities  of  indulging  its  ambition.  The  Papal 
States  could  now  be  invaded  without  any  apprehensions 
being  entertained  from  a  too  extensive  dispersion  of  the 
Republican  troops;  and  an  intercepted  letter  from  the 
Pope's  Secretary  to  the  i^i^uncio  at  Vienna,  gave  a  pre- 
tence for  breaking  the  armistice  that  ,had  been  con- 
cluded. ''. 

BoD£^arte  wrote  to  Cardinal  Matthei,  saying,  that  as 
the  court  of  Rome  wished  for  war,  she  should  have  it ; 
that  to  destroy  the  temporal  power  of  the  Pope  he  had 
only  to  wish  it  He  tells  him  to  advise  his  hoUaess— the 
FVench  Govemment  allows >  him  to  receive  proposals  of 
peace,  and  all  may  be  settled.  The  Cardinal  in  answer 
says,  that  his  Holiness  had  always  sought  to  maintain 
peace,  and  had  suffered  much  from  his  wishes  ;  that  the 
saceess  of  his  army  in  Italy  had  mbled  the  French  Go- 
vernment; that  they  required  of  the  Pope  to  sacrifice  his 
conscienoe,  by  the  destruction  of  all  that  was  the  basts  of 
relifian  and  morality ;  that  the  Court  of  Rome  must  pre- 
pare for  war-«his  aimy  was  formidable  bat  not  invinci- 
ble ;  that  they  wish  abo  for  peace,  and  will  be  happy  to 
make  one  in  the  great  affair  of  pacification. 

On  the  5th  of  January  1797,  Bonaparte  recalled  the 
French  minister  from  Rome,  and  wrote  the  following 
letter:- 


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dS8     HISTORV  OP   NAPOLEON   BONAPARTE, 

The  Pope  suptflicates  Tor  Peace. 


TO    CARDINAL    MATTHEl 

**  Tlie  influence  of  foreigners  at  Rone  will  be  its  ruin : 
the  words  of  peace  which  J  charged  you  to  carry  to  hit 
holiness,  were  stifled  by  men  to  whom  the  glory  of  Rom* 
is  nothing.  You  are  witness  how  much  I  desired  to  avoid 
the  horrors  of  war;  but  the  letter  which  I  send  you,  and 
of  which  I  have  the  original,  will  convince  you  of  the 
perfidy,  blindness,  and  obstinacy  of  the  Court  of  Rome. 
Whatever  may  happen,  J  entreat  you  tp  assure  his  Holi- 
ness, tbat  he  may  remain  at  Ropie  without  any  inquie- 
tude ;  as  the  first  minister  of  religion,  he  shall  find  pro- 
tection for  himself  and  the  Church.  My  great  care  shall 
be  to  introduce  no  change  in  the  religion  which  is  esta- 
blished.       .  •^ 

BpNAPARTE.** 

'  General  Victor  was  ordered  to  Rome^  which  he  began 
by  taking  Imola,  and  then  Fuenza,  Forli,  Cezena,  Ba< 
venna,  8cc.  with  as  little  di£Bculty.  The  Papal  troops 
attempted  to  fortify  themselves  upon  the  Lenis  ;  bat  in 
place  of  trusting  to  their  own  courage,  their  hopes  were 
grounded  dp  the  blessings  of  St.  Peter  and  St.  FauL 
Victor  was  not  to  be  charmed  into  submission,  and  he 
drove  them  fbrward,  "  like  chaff  before  the  "jnnd"  A 
general  terror  spread  through  the  ecclesiastical  states; 
all  ranks  sought  to  escape  with  their  property  into  Na- 
ples, and  the  Pope  despatched  four  plenipotentiaries 
with  a  letter  to  Bonaparte,  praying  for  peace. 

This  letter,  with  ita  answer,  will  sh^w,  that  if  oar 
hero  knew  how  to  flatter,  when  it  would  aerve  his  tan)« 
be  himself  was  not  insensible  to  flattery. 


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AND    tVARS    OF    EUROPE.  359 


The  Pope  writes  to  Bonaparte. 


POPE    PIUS    VI.    TO    GENERAL    BONAPARTE. 

**  Dear  Son,  health  and  apostolic  benediction !    . 

**  Desiring  to  terminate  amicably  our  differences  with 
the  Freach  Republic,  by  the  retreat  of  the  troops  which 
jou  command,  we  send  and  depute  to  you,  as  our  Pleni- 
potentiaries, two  ecclesiastics,  tlie  Cardinal  Matthei, 
who  is  perfectly  known  to  you,  and  M.  Galeppi;  and 
two  seculars,  the  Duke  Louis  Braschi,  our  nephew,  and 
the  Marquis  Gamillo  Massiuo,  who  are  invested  with  our 
full  powers  to  concert,  promise,  and  subscribe  such  con- 
ditions as  we  hope  wil^be  just  and  reasonable,  obliging 
ourselves,  under  our  faith  and  word,  to  approve  and 
ratify  them  in  a  special  form,  in  order  that  they  may  be 
valid  and  inviolable  in  all, future  time.  Assured  of  the 
sentiments  of  good-will  which  you  have  manifested,  we 
have  abstained  from  removing  any  thing-  from  Rome,  by 
which  you  will  be  persuaded  of  the  entire  confidence 
which  we  repose  in  you.  We  conclude  by  assuring  you 
of  our  most  perfect  esteem,  and  presenling  you  with 
the  paternal  apostolic  benediction. 

-Pius,P.  P.VI.^ 

Given  at  St.  Peter,  in  Rome,  the  12th  February  1797, 
tlie  22d  year  of  our  Pontificate. 

Bonaparte,  General  in  Chief  of  the  Army  of  Italy,  to 
Ills  Holiness  the  Pope. 

Head'  Quarters  at  Tolenlino,  I  Ventose,  5lh  Year. 
"  Most  Holy  Father! 
"  I  ought  to   thank    your  Holiness   for   the  obliging 
things  contained  in  the  letter,  which  you  have  taken  the 
trouble  to  write  to  me. 


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3flO      HISTORY   OF   NAPOLEON    BONAPARTE, 
Peace  concluded  between  the  Pope  and  France. 

**  The  peace  between  the  French  Republic  and  yonr 
.Holiness  is  just  signed.  I  felicitate  myself  on  being  able 
to  contribute  to  your  personal  safety. 

''  I  entreat  your  Holiness  to  guard  against  the  persons 
now  at  Rome,  who  are  sold  to  the  courts^  the  enemies  of 
peace,  or  who  suffer  themselves  to  be  guided  exclusively 
by  the  passion  of  hatred,  which  the  loss  of  territory  en- 
genders. 

**  Europe  knows  the  pacific  inclinations  and  the  virtue 
of  your  Holiness.  The  French  Republic  will  be  one  of 
the  truest  friends  of  Rome. 

"  I  send  my  aid- de-camp,  chief  of  bj^'gade,  to  express 
to  your  Holiness  the  perfect  estei^  and  veneration  which 
I  have  for  your  person,  and  to  entreat  you  to  confide  in 
the  desire  which  I  have  to  give  you,  on  every  occasion, 
the  respect  and  veneration,  with  which  I  have  tue  honour 
to  be, 

**  Your  iqost  obedient  servant, 

"  Bonaparte." 

The  peace  between  the  Republic  and  the  Pope  was 
ratified  by  the  latter,  and  confirmed  by  the  French  Go- 
vernment :  it  settled  that  there  should  be  peace,  amity, 
and  good  will  between  the  Republic  and  his  HoUoess, 
and  that  the  latter  revoked  all  consent,  by  writing  or 
promise,  given  to  the  coalition  against  the  Republic, 
abd  to  every  treaty  of  alliance,  ofiensive  or  defensivCt 
with  any  power  or  state  whatever.  It  was  agreed  that 
ships  of  war  or  corsairs  of  the  powers  armed  against  tbe 
BepubUc  should  not  enter,  during  the  present  war,  into 
the  ports  or  roads  of  the  ecclesiastical  state.  He  Be* 
public  should  enjoy,  as  before  the  war,  all  the  prerogfl* 
tives  which  France  had  at  Rome.    Tbe  Pope  renounced 


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AND   Wkns  OF   EUROPE.  361 

Termi  ai^reed  to  by  the  Pope. 

/      ■■  ■       •         '  I,  ■  ..a 

all  rights  to  the  territory  of  Ayignon^  the  Comtat  Ve- 
naissiu  and  its  dependencies^  and  gave  the  Repablic,  all 
his  rights  to  the  territories^  known  by  the  names  of  the 
Legations  of  Bologna,  Ferrara^  and  Romagna;  he  engaged 
to  pay  to  the  treasurer  of  the  French  army^  before  the  5th 
of  March,  the  snm  of  15,000,000  of  livres  Toomois, 
10,000,000  in  specie,  and  five  in  diamonds  and  other 
precious  articles,  out  of  the  sum  of  about  16,000,000 
still  remaining  due  on  the  9th  article  of  the  armistice, 
signed  at  Bologna  on  the  21st  of  June  fast,  and  to  fur- 
nish to  the  army  800  cavalry  horses  equipped,  800  draft 
horses^  besides  oxen,  buffaloes,  and  other  produce  of 
the  territory  oPSLchurch.  The  Pope  engaged  to  pay 
to  the  Republic  fimoney,  diamonds^  or  other  valuables, 
the  sum  of  15,000,000  tivres  Toumois,  '10,000,000  in  the 
montS  of  March,  and  5,000,000  in  that  of  April  follow- 
ing. The  article  of  the  treaty  of  armistice  concerning 
the  manuscripts  and  objects  of  the  arts,  was  to  be  com- 
pleted with  all  promptitude.  The  French  army  was  to 
evacuate  the  whole  of  the  territory  left  to  the  Pope^  when 
the  articles  relating  to  the  payments  should  be  accom- 
plished. His  Holiness  agreed  to  disavow  by  his  minister 
at  Paris  the  assassination  of  Basseville,  Secretary  of  Le- 
gation, and  to  pay  the  sum  of  300,000  livres  to  those 
who  suffered  by  that  deed :  he  engaged  to  set  at  liberty^ 
those  in  confinement  for  their  political  opinions«  The 
General  in  Chief  was  to  suffer  his  HolinessV  troops,  who 
were  prisoners  of  war^  to  return  home ;  and  it  was  agreed, 
that  sundry  articles  of  minor  consideration  were  to  bo 
obligatory  for  ever  on  his  Holiness  and  his  successors* 

Bonaparte  appears  ti;^have  understood  the  art  of  inter* 
fering  where  his  interfiBrence  was  not  asked.  The  little 
republic  of  Santa  Marino  had  given  the  General  no  cause.. 

VOL.  I.— no*  16.  S  A 


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562      HISTORY   OF   NAPOLEON   BONAPARTE, 

Bonaparte  tends  an  Embassy  to  San  Marino. 

to  quarrel  with  it,  yet  it  did  not  escape  his  notice ;  he  at- 
tacked it  by  a  shower  of  favours  ;  and  under  an  idea  of  re« 
moving  any  uneasiness  this  free  state  might  suffer  from 
the  contiguity  of  the  French  army,  he  sent  to  offer  it  his 
protection.  Citizen  Monge  was  introduced  to  the  two 
Captain  Regents  of  that  Republic,  and  addressed  them 
in  a  long  speech,  in  which  he  told  them,  that  he  came 
on  the  part  of  General  Bonaparte  in  the  name  of  the 
French  Republic,  to  assure  that  of  St.  Marino  of  peace 
and  friendship  ;  that  if  any  part  of  their  frontiers  was 
disputed,  or  any  part  of  the  neighbouring  states  was 
necessary  to  them,  he  requested  |k||  would  let  him 
know ;  as  the  French  Republic  wa»l|y;er  to  prove  her 
friendship,  and  he  congratulated  hiniselt  on  being  th« 
means  which  procured  him  the  opportunity  of  testifying 
the  veneration  tliey  inspired  in  all  the  friends  of  liberty. 

The  republic  had  preserved  its  liberty  since  the  5th 
century.  The  population  did  not  exceed  5000 ;  but  its 
revenue  was  equalled  by  the  simplicity  of  its  govern- 
ment, and  its  power  preserved  its  existence  without 
allies.  By  virtue  and  independence  they  had  got  over 
all  the  intrigues  which '  Cardinal  Alberoni  had  excited 
against  them ;  and  at  the  present  time  no  power  had  tfat 
means  or  the  inclination  to  disturb  their  tranquillity. 

The  candidate  for  a  diadem  and  an  empire  knew  well, 
that  whoever  can  be  made  to  rely  upon  another,  will  be 
rendered  unable  to  serve  himself:  in  this  view  it  appeared 
to  the  Regents  ;  but  the  proposition  was  corrupt,  for  it 
was  impossible  that  so  diminutive  a  state  could  speak  its 
sentiments,  surrounded  by  large  armies;  it  temporised, 
and  endeavoured,  by  flattering  Napoleon,  to  prevail 
upon  him  to  keep  bis  kindness  to  himself,  and  Itt  then 
alone. 


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AND  WARS   OF   EUROPE.  8G3 

Hit  offered  Friendship  declined. 
■  ■   ■"'■"'  --■"■»  ■■'■        --  ■         -        '  — 

The  specious  plan  however  did  not  answer  the  Gene- 
tal's  expectations — ^they  acknowledged  the  kindness  of 
the  Great  Nation  in  thus  noticing  tbem^  but  bid  him  tell 
the  hero  who  sent  him,  that,  satisfied  with  their  medio- 
crity, they  were  afraid  to  accept  the  generous  offer  he 
had  made  of  enlarging  their  territory,  which  might  com- 
promise their  liberty  :  that  they  felt  the  magnanimity  of 
the  conqueror  of  Italy,  and  would  ever  cherish  the  grati- 
tude they  now  experienced. 

This  incident  is  far  firom  trifling,  as  it  helps  to  unfold 
his  character  when  it  was  little  understood.  Spite  of  the 
wisdom  with  wkioli  these  independent  people  had  re- 
fused his  offers,  g*c|p  his  return  from  Tolentino,  Bona- 
parte sent  their  state  four  pieces  of  cannon  in  the  name 
of  the  French  Republic,  and  directed  a  supply  of  corn, 
which  they  wished  to  purchase,  to  be  delivered  to  them 
gratuitously. 

It  is  natural  to  remark,  that  the  General  had  upwards 
of  1000  cannon  he  had  no  kind  of  occasion  for,  and  that 
the  state  of  Santa  Marino  had  existed  above  a  thousand 
years  without  feeling  the  want  of  them.  Not  so  .the 
other  part  of  the  conqueror's  generosity.  A  supply  of 
com  was  a  substantial  good,  which  they  had  an  occasion 
for,  but  their  wish  was  to  buy  it,  and  they  could  afford 
to  pay  for  it,  better  than  those  he  pillaged  could  afford 
to  part  with  it  without  money.  Bonaparte  would,  how- 
ever, be  generous ;  yet  the  people  of  Marino  ate  his 
''  Dainties  with  reluctance,  for  they  regarded  them  as 
deceitful  meat." 

The  General  gained  much  fame  from  the  literary 
world,  by  the  means  that  he  took  to  flatter  the  vanity  of 
leanied  men ;  the  village  of  Pietola  b  the  ancient  spot  of 
Andes,  where  Virgil  was  bom,  and  was  formerly  part  of 

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364       HISTORY   OF   NAPOLEON  BONAPARTE, 
Bonaparte  asiittt  his  Family. 

the  liberalities  of  Aagustus.  It  had  probably  suffered 
equally  during  the  siege  of  Mantua  as  in  the  wars  of  the 
Triumvirate;  but  tbe  conqueror  of  Italy  was  no  lesrde* 
sirous  of  fame  than  Augustus :  Virgil  was  in  his  recolleo* 
tion  ;  and  Bonaparte  gave  orders,  that  the  ancient  patri« 
mony  of  the  Mantuan  Bard  should  be  distinguished,  and 
tiiat  its  inhabitants  should  be  indemnified  for  all  the  losses 
they  had  sustained  by  the  war« 


s   • 


CHAPTER  XLV. 


f  Whilst  Bonaparte  was  thus  advancing  bis  fortune,  his 
family  seem  to  have  been  equally  diligent  His  brothers, 
Joseph  and  Lucien,  availed  themselves  of  bis  credit,  and 
with  Utile  either  of  talents  or  property,  obtained  seats  in 
the  legislative  body.  Louis,  his  third  brother,  was  ap- 
pointed a  lieutenantrcolonel  in  the  army  of  Italy,  and 
Jerome,  though  a  mere  school-boy,  was  presented  to  the 
chief  magistrates  and  people  of  France.  Jt  was  perhaps 
policy  that  made  t&e  General  appropriate  a  part  of  his  im- 
mence  riches  towards  raising  his  mother  and  sister  firoio 
the  mediocrity  of  their  former  station  ;  yet  he  is  at  least 
entitled  to  the  merit  of  not  having  neglected  a  duty  in 
tl^is  instance;  nor  should  it  be  forgotten,  that  he  owes 
much  of  his  success  to  the  wise  and  judicious  arrange- 
fnents  of  Madame  Bonaparte,  who  kept  his  mind  whoUl 
freed  from  domestic  or  family  disappointments. 

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AND  WARS  OF  BI/ROPE.  865 

-  -^^  ■  =aag=aaat 

The  Arebdiike  commaodt  the  Amtrian  Army. 

The  war  lasted  in  Italy  daring  the  winter.  The  det* 
traction  of  Alvinsi^s  army  making  it  neoesBary  to  fiwa 
another  to  cover  the  hereditary  states^  the  court  of  Vi« 
enna  gave  the  command  of  this  new  army  to  the  Arolh 
duke.  His  good  fortnne  on  the  Rhme,  and  the  attach^ 
ment  of  the  soldiery  to  his  Royal  Highness,  gate  every 
hope  of  success  :  but  hk  lanreb  &ded  before  the  formi* 
dable  warrior  he  had  to  encomiten  The  weather,  and  Ao 
&tigae  the  troops  had  experienced,  suspended  further 
operations  on  the  Rhme,  Preparations  were  made  for  open* 
ing  the  campaign  with  decisive  effect,  and  were  hastened  to 
second  the  invasfon^f  Germany,  wluch  Bcmaparte  medi- 
tated from  the  northern  frontier  of  Italy.  The  army  of  tlio 
*3ainbre  and  Mouse  was  entrusted  to  the  command  of  Oea. 
Hoche,  while  Moreau  kept  that  of  the  army  of  the  BUm 
and  Moeslle.  When  Hoche  assumed  his  command,  lio> 
shewed  tiie  firmness  of  his  mind  by  an  act  of  wholesoiw 
severity  ;  he  cashiered  a  great  number  of  officers,  and 
dismissed  or  arrested  about  one  hundred  commissariei» 
for  extortions  and  dilapidations  of  various  kinds,  Ii^ 
Italy  the  greatest  efforts  were  made  to  fornish  the  Arch* 
duke  with  a  powerful  army;  and  hostilities  commenoed 
before  Bonaparte  made  peace  with  the  Pope. 

From  the  battle  of  Bivoli  the  anny  of  Italy  occupied 
the  banks  pf  the  Piava  and  the  Lavisio,  while  the  Impe- 
rial  army,  under  Prince  Charles,  held  the  opposite  bank 
of  the  Piava,  its  centre  behind  the  €ordeyoIe,  and  its 
rigfht  supported  by  the  Adige.  On  the  10th  General 
Massena  proceeded  to  Fehri,.  and  the  Austrians  evaca<r 
'  ated  CordcYole,  and  marched  to  Bellum.  General  Ser-r 
rurier^s  division  on  the  I2th  crossed  the  Piava,  opposito 
the  village  of  Vidor,  and  having  routed  an  Austrian 
^orps  that  opposed  its  passage^  advanced  nqpidly  to'St^ 


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h 


S06     HISTORY  OP  NAPOLEON    BONAPARTE, 

J    ■     I  - —  .      =m 

The  FreBcb  Army  croia  tbe  Alpf. 

Salvador ;  but  the  Austrians  having  inteUigence  of  that 
passage  of  the  river,  evacuated  their  caiiq>  of  La  Cam* 
pana.  (Greneral  Massen^'s  division  having  reached  Bel- 
ham,  pmnBued  the  Imperi^ists  towards  Cadore,  ai^d  ^or* 
jroonding  their  rear-gu^d,  took  700  prisoners^  aipong 
whom  was  General  Lasignan,  who  having  disgraced  hiph 
self  by  bis  conduct  towards  the  French  sick  at  Brescia^ 
Jlpnaparte  sent  hini  to  France,  withput  (he  liberty  of  be* 
jsg  e:ichangedf  \ 

•  Tlie  Directory  had  seconded  every  measure^to  render 
pertain  the  success  of  Bonaparte,  and  procure  a  glorious 
pea€0  to  the  Republic.  Whole  divisipns  were  drawn  from 
the  armies  on  the  Bhine,  for  Italy ;  from  the  banks  of 
this  river  they  crossed  part  of  the  republic,  and  sur« 
mounted  the  barrier  of  thf  Alps,  till  then  thought  imper* 
vious,  but  of  which  General  Kellerman,  by  struggling 
against  climate,  the  elements,  and  the  seasons,  had  sue* 
i^eeded  in  maintaining  the  free  passage.  This  march,  the 
BMMt  difficult  ever  effected  on  the  continent  by  an  armed 
isprps,  during  the  winter  season,  without  meeting  any  de- 
lay, and  without  being  suspected,  enabled  them  to  contend 
in  Carinthia  with  the  men  they  had  so  often  defeated  oa 
the  other  side  of  the  Rhine..  These  reinforcements  hav- 
ing joined  the  army  of  Italy,  Bonaparte  crossed  the  Tra- 
jamento,  and  shewed  bis  troops  from  the  top  of  tb» 
None  Alps,  (a  barrier,  which  no  modem  nation  had 
hitherto  passed),  the  basons  of  the  Adriatic  and  of  the 
Danube,  in  which  last  Vienna  seemed  to  point  out  to 
them  the  object  of  their  exploits.  Scarcely  had  the  caoH 
paign  commenced,  and  scarcely  in  climates  more  fitvour* 
able  would  they  have  thought  cf  openidg  it,  when  Bonih 
parte  aU-e^dy  threatened  the  states  of  Austria.  Natoit 
was  yet  dormant  in  these  black  regions,  when  the  inona^ 


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AND  WARS   OP  EUROPE.  367 


Tke  French  take  Gradisca. 


tains  of  the  Tyrol  and  Carinthia  were  scaled.  Prince 
Charles  made  a  precipitate  retreat^  very  different  from 
that  of  General  Korean,  who  led  back  his  army,  parsned, 
but  victorious,  from  the  banks  of  the  Danube  to  the  bor- 
ders of  the  Rhine. 

General  Serrurier  advanced  to  Gradisca,  filing  along 
the  heights  that  command  the  town.  To  prevent  th« 
Imperialists  from  finding  out  this  manoeuvre.  General 
Bemadotte  made  the  riflemen  attack  their  entrenchments ; 
but  the  French  soldiers  adranced  to  the  walls  of  Gradisca, 
where  they  were  received  by  a  very  heavy  discharge  of 
musketry  and  grape-shot.  Genera]  Serrurier  having 
gained  the  heights  which  commanded  Gradisca,  cut  off 
every  means  of  retreat  to  the  garrison,  who  were  also 
convinced  of  the  inutility  of  defence.  General  Bema* 
dotte  summoned  the  Austrian  commandant  to  surrender 
in  ten  minutes.  He  observed,  that  the  Governor  had 
defended  the  town  like  a  brave  man,  and  gained  the 
esteem  of  all  military  men  by  his  conduct,  and  conclud- 
ed by  informing  him,  that  the  grenadiers  and  chasseurs 
demanded  loudly  the  assault.  The  Governor  agreed  to 
a  capitulation,  by  which  it  was  settled,  that  in  a  quarter 
of  an  hour  after  signing  it  the  garrison  should  march  out 
with  all  the  honours  of  war,  the  olBScers  keeping  their 
swords,  and  to  return  home,  on  condition  of  not  serving 
until  exchanged.  Three  thousand  prisoners,  the  flower 
of  the  army  of  Prince  Charles,  ten  pieces  of  cannon,  and 
eight  standards,  were  the  fruits  of  this  operation. 

The  taking  of  Gradisca  had  advantages  of  which  the 
French  General  hastened  to  profit,  and  he  issued  a  pro- 
clamation to  the  people  of  the  province  of  Goritz,  to 
prepare  them  for  the  expedition  designed  across  their 
territory* 


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368       HISTORY  OF   NAPOLEON   BONAPARTE, 


The  French  tt^ll  Tictorioni. 


On  the  21st  of  march  the  French  entered  Goritz,  tho 
Ajistrian  army  having  retreated  with  such  haste  that  thej 
abandoned  1500  sick,  and  all  their  magazines,  which 
were  taken  possession  of  by  the  French.  In  these  maga- 
zines were  680  casks  of  flour,  each  weighing  three  quin« 
tab,  making  in  all  2040  quintals,  besides  what  was  iar- 
nished  to  the  division  of  Bemadotte. 

General  Guieux  fell  in  with  the  Imperialists  entrench- 
ed at  Pufero,  took  two  pieces  of  cannon  and  100  prisoners, 
porsuing  the  rest  into  the  defiles  of  Caporetto,  as  far  as 
the  Austrian  La  Chinse,  leaving  the  field  of  battle  covered 
with  their  dead.  General  Maasena  approached  Tarvis 
lirith  his  division;  JBoniq>arte  therefore  hoped  that i  the 
2000  men  whom  General  Guieux  had  pushed  before  htm» 
would  fisdl  into  the  hands  of  Massena.  The  General  of 
division,  Dugna,  entered  Trieste  on  the  night  of  the 
23d.  The  French  likewise  got  hold  of  the  celebrated 
nines  of  Ydria,  where  they  found  much  substance,  and 
icarried  it  off  m  waggons. 

}  General  Massena  on  arriving  at  Tarvis,  was  attacked  by 
an  Austrian  division  from  Chigenfurth,  which  had  coow 
to  assist  the  division  that  was  surrounded ;  but  afler  a 
hard  conflict  he  put  them  to  the  rout^  taking  a  vast  num- 
ber of  prisoners,  among  whom  were  three  Generals  :  the 
Emperor's  cuirassiers,  arrived  from  the  Rhine,  sufiereJ 
severely.  Meanwhile  General  Guieux  drove  the  colusui 
he  had  defeated  ,at  Pufero  as  far  as  Austrian  La  Cfaiosci 
a  post  well  entrenched,  but  which  was  carried  by  assault 
General  Kables,  m  person,  defended  La  Chinse  with  500 
^enadiers.  By  the  laws  of  war  these  500  men  migU 
have  been  pujt  to  the  sword,  but  this  barbarous  j-ight  list 
always  been  disclaimed  by  the  French. army.  The  hostile 
column,  on  finding  La  Chinse  taken,  fell  into  the  middb 


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▲NO  WARS  OF  BVBOPK.  3G9 


More  Staodardi  tent  to  Paris. 


of  the  divisioB  of  General  Massena,  who  made  the  whole 
of  them  prisoaers.  Thirty  pieces  of  camion,  400  wag- 
gons»  5000  men,  and  four  generals,  fell  into  the  hands 
of  the  French. 

The  division  of  Massena  now  oocnpied  ihe  defiles  of  the 
Hone  Alps.  The  Imperialists  had  been  so  imprudent  as 
to  entangle  in  the  Noric  Alps  all  their  baggage,  and  part 
of  their  army,  which  were  of  course  taken.  The  battle 
at  Tarvis  was  fought  on  a  height  which  commands  a  yiew 
of  Germany  and  Dalmatia.  In  many  places  to  which  the 
French  line  extended,  the  snow  was  three  feet  deep ; 
and  the  cavalry  charging  on  the  ice,  sufiTered  many  acci* 
dents. 


^***^0***-**»  #^##i^#^^^#^»^^##^#«^^##^##«^#^^ 


CIlAPTfiR  XLVI. 


The  Directory  wrote  letters  of  thanks  to  each  of  th# 
Generals,  and  pointed  out  the  service  his  division  had 
rendered  to  its  country  ;  the  army  answered  these  eulo- 
gies by  meriting  new  ones*  General  Bonaparte  sent  to 
Paris  twenty-four  standards,  twelve  of  which  were  taken 
from  the  troops  of  the  Emperor  in  the  late  actions,  and 
twelve  from  the  forces  of  the  Pope  ;  and  the  Adjutant* 
Oeneral  Kellerman,  who  was  wounded  in  a  charge  of 
cavalry,  at  the  passage  of  the  Tagliamento,  was  appoint^ 

VOL.  I. — NO.  16.  3  B 


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370      HISTORY  or  KAPOLEON  BONAPARTE, 


The  Tyrol  Mkmitt  to  the  Fkench. 


ed  to  carry  theoi.    €reBeial  Semirier  ioon  followed  him 
with  twenty-one  Austriui  and  Venetian  standards. 

Tke  French  column  sent  by  Bonaparte  to  foree  the 
submission  of  the  Tyrol,  and  afterwards  join  him  on  the 
Drave,  fulfilled  their  nissioD,  and  passed  as  conquerors 
a  country  which.  Austria  regarded  as  one  of  the  strcngest 
bulwarks  of  her  empire.  The  ditisions  of  Generals  Jou- 
berty  Baraguey  d'HiilierSy  and  Dehnas  surrounded  an 
Austrian  corps  stationed  on  the  Lavis.  After  an  obstir 
nate  engagement  the  French  took  4000  prisoners,  three 
pieces  of  cannon,  and  two  standards,  and  killed  nearly 
2000  men,  most  of  whom  were  Tyrolean  chasseurs. 

The  enemy  had  manifested  a  disposition  to  maintain 
themselves  on  the  Adige.  General  Joubert,  with  the 
division  under  his  command,  proceeded  to  Salurn.  Ge- 
neral Vial  passed  the  river  to  prevent  the  enemy  from 
retreating  to  Botzen.  The  firing  began  with  great 
wariKh,  and  General  Dumas,  who  commanded  the 
cavalry,  pushed  into  the  village  of  Tr^min,  taking  000 
prisoners  and  two  pieces  of  cannon.  The  wrecks  of  the 
Austrian  column,  under  General  Laudon,  were  unable 
to  reach  Botzen,  and  obliged  to  wander  in  the  mountains: 
Joubert  entered  Botzen,  and  having  detached  a  force  to 
follow  General  Laudon,  marched  directly  to  Claufeo. 
The  Imperialists  availing  themselves  of  the  country  made 
the  best  dispositions  ;  the  attack  was  warm  and  well  con- 
certed, and  the  issue  long  uncertain.  The  light  infantry 
clambered  up  almost  inaccessible  rocks ;  the  centre  of  the 
Imperialists  was  penetreated,  and  obliged  to  give  way, 
when  the  rout  became  general.  In  this  action  the  French 
took  1500  prisoners.  General  Joubert  arrived  at  Brixen, 
in  pursuit  of  the  Austrians,  white  General  Dumas  killed 
several  of  their  dragoons  with  his  own  band,  and  received 


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AND  WAB8  OP  BUltOPB.  37t 


•  Geoeial  Clarke  goci  to  VioBa  and  oiEen  Peace. 

two  slight  cute  of  a  sabre,  his  aid-de-caiap  being  at  the 
same  time  dangeroasly  woanded.  At  difiereat  places 
the  French  found  mi^;azine8  of  eveiy  kind,  and  30,000 
qiuntab  of  flour.  Through  tbe  whole  of  the  Tyrol,  Ca« 
rinthia,  and  Camiola,  the  Imperialists  left  behind  them 
•their  hospitids. 

Bonaparte  pHUished  a  proclamation  to  tbe  inhabitants 
of  Carinthia,  stating  Aat  the  French  army  did  not  enter 
their  country  to  conquer  it,  car  to  make  any  diange  in 
4hehr  religion,,  manners,  or  customs;  they  were  the 
fiiends  of  all  nations,  and  particularly  of  the  brave  people 
of  Germany*  The  Directory  sent  General  Clarke  to  Vi« 
enna,  as  plenipottetiary,  to  negociate  for  peace;  but 
the  Imperial  Court  had  declared  it  did  not  acknowledge 
the  French  Republic.  General  Clarke  asked  for  a  pass- 
port to  go  to  the  Emperor  himself;  bnt  his  miabters 
beaded  that  the  moderation  of  the  proposals  which  the 
General  was  charged  to  make,  would  induce  his  miyesty 
to  conclude  a  peace.  He  invited  them  not  to  join  in  a 
contest  against  their  sentiments,  and  to  foraish  such  pro- 
visions as  the  French  army  might  require  ;  declaring, 
that  he  would  protect  their  religion,  customs,  and  pro- 
perty, and  not  exact  any  contribution.  Tbe  imposts  the 
inhabitants  had  paid  the  Emperor,  would  indemnify  them 
for  the  losses  attending  the  march  of  the  French  amy, 
and  for  whatever  they  might  furnish.  ) 

During  this  campaign  Prince  Chiles  lost  nearly  20,000 
men  taken  prisoners,  and  was  now  drivim  from  the  Vene- 
tian territories ;  frcmn  the  Higher  and  Lower  Camiola, 
Carinthia,  the  district  of  Trieste,  and  the  whole  of  the 
Tyrolese.  Near  Villach  the  French  found  a  magaane  of 
cast  iron,  cartridges,  and  powder,  and  mines  of  lead, 

8  B  2 


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d7£     HISTORY  OF  NAPOLBOiir  BOKAFARTS, 

Booaparte  writes  to  the  Archduke. 

Steel,  iron,  and  copper ;  and  near  Claffenfurth  they  found 
manufactories  of  arms  uid  cloth. 

On  the  1st  of  April  the  division  of  General  Massena, 
*;fonning  an  advanced  guard,  encountered  the  Imperialists 
in  the  defiles  between  Freisach  and  Neumark ;  thoir  rear* 
guar^was  pursued  by  the  French  so  rapidly,  that  the 
Archduke  was  compelled  to  bring  back  from  his  line  of 
btfttle  eight  battalions  of  grenadiers,  those  who  had  taken 
Kehl,  and  who  were  now  the  hope  of  the  Austrian  army. 
The  combat,  which  was  between  the  flower  of  the  Aus- 
train  army  and  the  veteran  troops  of  the  army  of  Italy, 
was  one  of  the  most  furious  that  had  bi^pened  during  the 
war.  The  Imperialists  had  a  grand  position,  crowded 
with  cannon  ;  but  it  protracted  for  a  short  time  the 
defeat  of  their  rear-guard  ;  their  grenadiers  were  totally 
routed,  leaving  the  field  of  battle  covered  with  their  dead, 
and  firom  five  to  six  hundred  prisoners.  The  Austrians 
defiled  during  tlie  night,  and  the  French  entered  Neu- 
mark,  their  head  quarters  being  advanced  the  same  day 
to  Freisach.  Here  they  found  4000  quintab  of  flour,  and 
a  quantity  of  brandy  and  oats ;  they  found  also  about  tha 
same  quantity  of  stores  at  Neumark. 

Credit  is  due  to  the  French  Greneral,  that  beings  as  he 
-was,  on  the  point  of  arriving  under  the  walls  of  Vienna, 
where  a  probable  success  might  have  given  him  the  power 
of  overturning  for  ever  the  throne  of  the  house  of 
'  Austria,  he  should  have  offered  pea^eu  From  his  head- 
quarters at  Clagenfurth,  Bonaparte  wrote  to  Priooe 
Charles.  He  telb  him  that  hostilities  had  lasted  for  six 
years,  and  that  all  the  continent  but  Austria  bad  made 
peace  ;  that  the  Executive  Directory  expressed  its  wish 
to  bis  Imperial  Majesty  to  end  the  contest,,  but  that  ti^esi 


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AND  WARS  OF  EUROPE.  37S 

The  Arebdnke*!  Aniwer. 


overtures  were  defeated  by  the  British-— he  urges  him  to 
peace,  and  says  he  should  be  prouder  of  the  civic  crown 
due  from  his  overture,  than  of  all  the  glory  likely  to  result 
from  the  most  brilliant  military  exploits.  ^ 

The  Archduke  replied,  that  though  he  made  war,  yet 
he  wished  for  peace ;  that  in  the  state  in  which  he  was 
placed  it  did  not  rest  with  him  to  terminate  the  quarrebi, 
of  tiie  contending  powers,  but  that  he  must  wait  for 
superior  orders  on  so  weighty  a  concern  ;  and  that,  what- 
ever may  be  the  result,  he  begs  the  General  to  accept  of 
Us  esteem  and  consideration. 

While  the  French  troops  were  on  their  march  to  Frei- 
each,  the  Archduke,  by  an  aid-de-camp,  requested  a  sus* 
pension  of  arms  for  four  hours  ;  this  was  inadmissible  \ 
as  in  four  hours  he  would  have  joined  General  Spork,  ta 
prevent  which  Bonaparte  had  hastened  his  march  botk 
night  and  day.  « 

In  Vienna  the  most  \iolent  orders  followed  each  other, 
with  a  rapidity  tending  to  increase  the  alarm.  Many 
withdrew  themselves  firom  the  horrors  of  a  siege  and  left 
the  town ;  and  though  a  number  appeared  ready  to  rally 
round  the  monarch,  and  unite  to  defend  the  country,  ht 
could  not  be  much  encouraged  by  an  attachment,  whicli, 
had  cost  so  dear  to  the  noble  volunteers  of  Vienna,  who 
had  faced  the  ahny  of  Italy  to  meet  with  death  or  surren* 
der  prisoners.  In  vain  was  Prince  Charles  at  the  head  of 
the  Imperial  armies ;  he  had  been  still  more  unfortunate 
than  his  predecessors,  and  every  thing  expected  from  hii 
talents  had  deceived  their  ultimate  hopes. 

Bonaparte  changed  his  head-quarters  to  Judenburg, 
and  prepared  for  decisive  measures ;  but  Lieutenant- 
General  the  Count  dt  BeOegarde,  and  Major-General 
Jtfonreldt  wrote  to  him,  und  stated,  that  his  Imperial 


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374     HISTORY  OP  NAPOLEON   BONAPARTE, 


f 


An  Armistice  between  the  Fraieb  and  Aottriant. 

Majesty  wished  to  coacnr  in  tenmnaiting  a  war  that  deso- 
lated the  two  nations.  Frook  the  overture  nade  by  the 
French  General  to  Prince  Chaiiea,  the  Emperor  had  de« 
pvted  them  to  know  the  CreaeraTs  proposals  oa  a  matter 
cf  snch  importance.  Persuaded  of  the  desire  and  inten- 
tions of  the  two  powers  to  end  this  dtsastroos  war,  las 
Iloyal  Highness  desired  a  saqpensiom  of  anas  for  ten  days 
to  facilitate  the  attainment  of  so  desirable  an  object. 

Bonaparte  replied  to  this  applicoitioiiy  timt,  viewing 
Ihe  position  of  the  two  armies^  a  suspension  of  arms  was 
disadvantageous  to  the  French ;  but  if  it  opened  a  road 
to  peace,  so  beneficial  to  the  two  nations,  be  would  con- 
tent without  hesitation  to  their  request.  The  French  Re- 
public  had  oAm  evinced  to  his  Majesty  her  wish  to  pi^ 
an  end  to  this  contest ;  she  was  «tiH  the  same,  and  he  did 
not  doubt,  from  the  conference  he  had  wilb  them,  ftat 
peace  would  be  at  length  re-established  between  the  Be* 
public  and  his  Majesty. 

The  condition  of  the  armistice  entered  inio  by  the 
French  General  and  the  Archduke  on  the  7th,  provided, 
that  there  should  be  a  suspension  of  arms  between  the 
French  and  Imperial  armies,  calculating  firom  the  even- 
ing of  fhe  7th  to  that  of  the  13(k  By  the  second  article 
the  French'  were  to  retain  the  following  line :— The  ad* 
Tanced  posts  of  the  right  wing  to  keq;>  possession  of  the 
position  tiiey  then  occupied  between  Finme  and  Trieste^ 
and  this  line  to  be  extended  as  far  as  Bastadt  andlients. 
It  was  also  stipulated  that  the  suspension  of  arms  should 
extend  to  the  T^ol ;  and  that  the  Oenerab  commanding 
the  troops  in  that  quarter  should  regulate  together  the 
posts  they  were  severally  to  occupy.  Hmrtiiilies  wers 
not  to  take  place  in  the  l^rol  until  twenty-four  hoais 
tdler  the  General  in  Chief  should  have  resolved  on  it,  and 


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AND  WARS  ov  £tmops.  S76 


Fresll  Eiicag«meDtf  take  place. 


in  any  case  not  until  twonty*four  hoars  after  the  genetab 
commanding  the  Rrench  and  Imperial  troops  in  the  Tyrol 
should  ho  informed  of  the  eiromnstanee* 

IVevions  to  tiie  conelusion  of  this  armistice  the  cam- 
jpoigii  on  the  Bliino  had  beeaeommencedy  General  Hocho 
mforming  General  Wen|ecky  that  the  armistice  betweea 
the  advanced  posts  was  to  cease  en  the  IGth  ;  a  similar 
notice  was  given  by  General  Moreau  to  the  Austrian  con* 
mander  on  the  Upper  Rhine.  Genera]  Kray,  who  com- 
manded  the  left  wing  of  the  Austrian  army,  on  the  idea 

'  that  a  convention  was  agreed  on  in  Carinthia,  requested 
permission  io  send  an  officer  with  powers  to  conclude 
an  armistice.  Hoche  demanded  the  evacuation  of  the 
Lahn,  and  the  cession  of  Ehrenbreitstein ;  but  the 
Imperial  General  thinking  that  the  situation  of  the 
two  armies  did  not  authorise  this,  the  conference  was 
terminated. 

The  Austrian  left  occupied  a  position  ifa  firotit  of  the 
bridge  of  Neuwied,  having  its  right  supported  by  the 

"  village  of  Hotterdorf,  and  its  left  resting  on  Bendorf. 
The  strength  of  the  entrenchments  presented  a  very  for* 
mtdable  aspect,  and  did  honour  to  the  veteran  abilities  of 
Creneral  Kray.  The  Imperialists  began  the  action  with  a 
lively  cannonade,  but  the  French  infantry  carried  the  vil« 
lage  and  the  line  of  redoubts  with  fi^ed  bayonets.  The 
cavalry  now  decided  the  battie,  and  the  Imperialists, 
thrown  into  disorder,  were  forced  to  retreat,  leaving 
all  the  cannon  of  their  batteries,  several  field-pieces 
and  ammunition  waggons,  besides  the  principal  part 
of  their  baggage,  three  or  four  standards,  and  4000 
prisoners. 

The  Austrians  had  drawn  a  reinforcement  of  twenty  or 
thirty  thousand  men  from  the  Rhine,  and  sent  them  to 


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370     HISTORY  OF  NAPOLfiOM   BONAPARTE, 

The  ArmtsUoe  beoomet  genenU* 

Italy.  This  weakened  the  Swabian  line,  and  assisted 
General  Moreaii,  who  effected  the  passage  of  the  river  by 
«  coup  de  main.  In  the  night  of  the  19th  a  body  of 
troops  crossed  to  the  right  bank  in  boats,  sacceeded  in 
re-establishing  the  bridges,  by  which  the  rest  of  the  army 
passed  the  river,  and  commenced  offensive  operations. 
Several  engagements  took  place  daring  the  day,  bat  the 
Imperialists  were  defeated,  and  pursued  to  Offenburg ; 
and  in  the  evening  the  RepabUcan  flag  waved  on  the  bas* 
tious  of  that  Kehl,  which  a  French  garrison,  the  year 
before,  defended  against  the  Austrian  army.  The  Aus- 
trians  lost  almost  every  thing.  Five  French  Generals 
were  wounded;  and,  from  the  resistance  made  by  the 
Im{>erialists,  the  loss  of  the  Republican  army  was  very 
Considerable. 

Happy  for  the  countries  threatened  with  being  the 
theatre  of  war,  the  suspension  of  arms  between  Austria 
and  France  saved  them  from  the  like  calamities  they 
sustained  the  last  campaign,  and  promised  to  restore  the 
repose  of  the  continent.  Bonaparte  sent  a  courier  with 
the  news,  who  reached  Gener^  Moreau's  head-quarters  in 
the  night,  and  hastened  along  the  French  line  to  the  head- 
quarters  of  General  Hoche.  A  line  of  dcmarkation  was 
agreed  on,  and  a  friendly  intercourse  established  between 
the  two  «atiops« 


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i»tk  WARS  OF  EUROPE.  377 

A  French  Deticbment  laodi  in  Wales. 


CHAPTER  XLYII. 

'  If  the  efforts  of  France  w«re  crowned  with  success  upon 
the  continent,  nothing  ever  equalled  the  misfortunes  that 
befel  her  exertions  on  the  ocean  ;  and,  even  in  port,  the 
fthips  of  that  nation  were  not  always  safe  ;  for  such  was 
the  ardour  of  tlie  English  sailors^  that  they  often  attacked 
^nd  cut  out  vessels  from  under  the  batteries*  On  one* 
occasion  only  did  the  French  gain  a  partial  triumph  in  a 
similar  attempt ;  the  coast  of  Devonshire  was  on  the  22d 
o\  February  thrown  into  alarm  by  the  appearance  of  three  • 
frigates,  which  entered  the  small  harbour  of  Iliracombe, 
scuttled  some  merchant  sliips,  and  attempted  to  destroy 
some  other  vessels.  From  this  they  soon  departed,  stand- 
ing across  the  channel  towards  Pembrokci  They  were  . 
found  to  consist  of  two  frigates  and  two  smaller  vessels^ 
steering  from  the  British  channel  to  turn  St.  David's 
head  ;  from  whence  they  steered  towards  Fishguard^  and 
came  to  an  anchor  in  a  small  bay,  where  they  hoisted 
French  colours  and  put  out  their  boats. 

Near  Fishguard  they  effected  a  debarkation  on  the 
morning  of  the  23d,  when  numbers  of  them  traversed 
tlie  country  in  search  of  provisions,  plundering  the  houses 
they  found  abandoned^  but  offered  little  molestation  to 
the  inhalbitants,  who  remained  in  their  dwellings.  This 
handful  of  invaders  surrendered,  however,  to  .Liordv 
ipawdor,  at  the  head  of  about  660  men^  consisting  of  vo« 
innteers,  *  fencibles,  and  yeomen  cavalry,  rcmforced  by  a 
*      VOL    u — NO*  16.  8  c 

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378      HISTORY   OF   NAPOLEON    BfMrJtPARTE, 


Graod  Na^al  Adimi  otf  Cape  St.  Vidctet. 

Multitude  of  colliers,  who  augmented  bis  numbers^  with* 
out  iucreasing  his  strength. 

When  the  frigates  had  completed  the  debarkation,  they 
sailed  for  the  coast  of  France,  but.  were  captured  on  the 
9th  of  the  ensuing  month  by  the  St.  FIbrenzo  and  Nymphe 
bigates.  They  proved  to  be  la  Resistance,  of  48  guns, 
and  la  Constance,  of  24.  The  men  landed  were  thought 
by  some  to  be  insurgents  from  La  Vendee,  whose  princi* 
pies  made  it  dangerous  to  place  confidence  in  them. 
Others  supposed  them  to  be  gally-slaves,  and  criminab 
collected  from  the  prisons  of  Brest,  and  landed  by  way  of 
insult,  as  if  the  French  ^goverment  meant  to  billet  them 
en  the  enemy.  This  last  received  countenance  from  tha 
'debates  in  the  French  councils,  who  censured  the  minis- 
ter of  maritie,  and  charged  him  with  planning  this  mea* 
sure ;  yet  it  is  not  entitled  to  believe,  when  we  listen  to 
the  officer  commanding  the  expedition,  who  declared  he 
bad  with  him  600  of  the  best  troops  in  France,  veteraa 
and  experienced  soldiers. 

On  the  14th  of  February  a  memorable  action  took 
place  off  Cape  St.  Vincent,  between  a  squadron  of 
British  sliips  of  Var,  under  the  command  of  Admiral 
Sir  John  Jervis,  and  a  Spanish  fleet,  commanded  by 
Don  Joseph  de  Cordova.  The  difference  between  tht 
fleets  was  very  great,  the  British  being  no  more  than  fif- 
teen  sail  of  the  line,  four  frigates,  a  sloop  of  war,,  and  a 
cutter  ;  whilst  the  Spanish  fleet  consisted  of  twenty-sevea 
aail  of  the  hne,  and  twelve  frigates,  the  enemy's  forc^ 
being  more  than  twice  the  metal  of  the  British  Adoursl. 
The  Spanish  fleet  Was  perceived  by  the  Minerva  frigater 
on  the  night  of  the  11th,  carrying  tiie  pendant  of  Com- 
Niodora  N^on,  on  his  Way  to  join  A4miral  Jfarvit,  and 


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AKD  WARS  OF  &USOFC,  379 


Defeat  oethe  Spaniih  Fleet  by  Sir  John  Jervlt. 


OD  the  18th  they  were  bo  near  the  British  fleet  that  their 
«giial  gauB  were  diitiactlj  beard. 

The  fleet  nnder  Sir  John  Jenrii  recdred  sisals  to  be 
ready  for  battle,  and  next  moniing  they  were  in  perfect 
order.  A  liUJe  past  six  the  CaUoden  gave  notice  of  five 
aaU  of  the  eneniy  lying  to  the  sonHi-wesI ;  the  fleet  waa 
therefore  directed  to  form  in  close  order,  and  soon  after 
M  signal  was  made  to  prepans  for  an  ragagement.  The 
British  Admiral  made  a  signal  to  break  the  enemy's  Iine» 
and  sncceeded  in  passing  through  it  Commodore  Nel- 
son, in  the  Captain,  of  74  engaged  the  Santissima  Trim- 
^bda,  supposed  to  be  the  largest  j^np  in  the  wtrld,  though 
he  was  at  the  same  time  attacked  by  two  other  three- 
fleckers;  he  was,  however,  soon  assisted.  The  Spanish 
41eet  retreated  in  mndi  confiision  ;  foar  ^  thieir  vessels 
were  taken,  the  Sidvador  del  Mundo  and  San  JTosef,  of 
112  guns  each,  the  San  Nicholas,  of  84,  and  San  hiiro, 
of  74.  The  British  loss  is  Mated  at  800  men  killed  and 
wounded;  while  llie  four  captured  ships  lost  683. 

Sir  John^Jervis  displayed  great  skill  and  iovincibla 
courage  during  tins  action,  for  he  had  to  engage  a  fleet 
neariy  twice  as  numerous  as  his  own,  and  with  more  than 
twice  his  metaL  The  enemy  discovered  no  wish  to  renew 
the  contest,  but  went  into  port,  and  were  blocked  up  by 
their  gallant  conqneror.  The  British  ministry  had  not 
the  news  of  ^tUs  victory  long  heibre  Sir  John  jTervis 
was  created  a  British  peer,  under  the  title  of  Eari  St. 
Vincent 

lliis  victory  enconraged  the  British  Admhral  to  fit  out 

an  expedition  agamst  TeneriSe,  to  be  commanded  by  the 

intrepia  Nelson,  now  a  rear-adnural.     The   squadron 

easily  got  possession  of  Sabta  Cms,  bnt  the  Spaniards 

8  c  2 


I 


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880       HlSTbRV  OP   NAPOLEON  BONAPARTE, 

Failure  of  the  British  at  Tenerifie^Trinidad  taken  by  tbe  Bridih. 

came  down  in  such  numbers,  that  the  British  were  oblige 
ed  to  betake  to  their  ships  in  the  best  manner  tiiey  could. 
Admiral  Nelson  lost  his  right  arm  by  a  cannon  hall,  and 
Captain  Bowen,  with  his  first  lieutenant,  and  the  whole 
of  the  boat's  crew,  went  to  tbe  bottom,  a  shell  felling 
into  the  boat  while  they  were  rowing  to  the  shore.  The 
loss  of  the  British  amounted  to  near  900  killed  and  wound- 
ed, a  carnage  little  inferior  to  tbe  memorable  14th  of 
February. 

Sir  J.  B.  Warren  discovered  a  French  frigate  in  Ho- 
dierne  Bay,  with  fourteen  transports,  laden  with  stores 
for  the  na^y  of  France.  The  British  Commodore  cap- 
tured eight,  destroyed  two,  and  drove  on  shore  the  con- 
voy frigate,  called  the  Calliope.  A  corvette  was  driven 
on  shore  on  the  11th,  and  a  gun^boat  was  sunk  at  the  en- 
trance into  the  bay  of  Sables  d'Olonne,  by  tbe  same  nar 
valoffioer;  and  on  the  27th  he  took  five  more  prizes, 
near  the  mouth  of  the  Garonne,  richly  laden  with  mili- 
tary and  naval  stores  for  the  ships  of  war  and  privateers 
in  the  neighbouring  harbours. 

This  year  was  memorable   for  the  reduction  of  Trini- 
dad, taken   by  the  British  troops  under  that  lamented 
olBcer  Sir  Ralph  Abercrombie,  who  went  out  with  a 
squadron  commanded  by  Rear-Admiral   Harvey.    The 
forces  for  this  expedition  were  embarked  at  Fort  Kojal, 
Martinique.     Four  days  after  the  British  came  in  sight 
of  Trinidad,'  standing  towards  the  Oulph  of  Paria.    The 
Spanish  squadron  was  seen  at  anchor  in  Shagramus  Bay, 
c<H)sisting  of  four  sail  of  the  line  and  one  frigate.    Next 
anorning  the  squadron  of  the  enemy  was  disco  ^red  on 
fire,  and  aU  of  them  except  one  were  consumed  t»  ashea. 
•This  fortunate  change  enabled  the  General  to  torn  hk 
Vrhole  attention  to  the  attack  of  the  town,   which  he  be- 


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AND  WARS  OF  EUROPC.  381 


Attack  OD  Porto  Rico^Matiny  io  theNsry. 

"      '  -  ■■■■'■      J 

came  master  of  with  little  or  no  opposition.    A  oapitula- 

iion  was  next  entered  on  by  the  Governor,  and  the  wholo 

island  surrendered  to  the  King  of  Great  Britam. 

An  attempt  made  npon  Porto-Bico,  was  not  accom- 
panied with  eqnal  success.  Admiral  Harvey's  fleet 
reached  Porto- Bico,  and  anchored  at  Oongrejos  Point. 
Tie  troops  under  the  command  of  Sir  Balph  Abercrombie 
were  landed  next  morning,  and  met  with  little  opposition 
from  about  100  men  ;  but  the  town  was  strongly  fortified, 
and  the  reduction  of  it  appeared  hopeless.  After  it  was 
bombarded  ibr  some  days  without  success,  the  General 
embarked  his  troops,  having  lost  about  200  men.  On 
arriving  at  Barbadoes,  General  Abercrombie  told  the 
Council,  he  was  desired  to  raise  some  regiments  of  ne- 
groes, to  be  purchased  from  the  different  islands  belong- 
ing to  Great  Britain.  This  was  warmly  opposed,  from 
the  idea  that  it  was  dangerous  to  arm  the  negroes. 

When  the  British  navy  was  thus  gloriously  defendmg 
the  empire,  the  sailors  made  a  hostile  demand  upon  their 
own  Government,  for  enough  of  comfort  and  pay  to  en- 
able them  to  perform  their  duties.  Earl  Howe  received 
letters  in  the  month  of  February,  from  the  crews  of  di& 
ferent  ships,  praying  his  Lordship  to  use  his  influenoa 
with  Goveroment  to  grant  them  redress:  but  he  con- 
sidered complaints  coming  from  such  persons  wholly  be« 
neath  his  notice.  This  was  not  forgotten  by  the  sailors, 
on  their  return  to  port  on  the  31st  of  March,  when  their 
correspondence  was  diffused  through  the  fleet,  and  a  re- 
solution adopted,  that  they  would  never  put  to  sea  till 
they  had  accomplished  their  object.  Matters  continued 
thus  till  the  14th  of  April,  when  Lord  Bridport  was 
ordered  to  sail  with  the  Channel  fleet 

On  Lord  Bridport  making  the  signal  to  put  to  scia«  ha 


1 


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'U 


r 


S8£      HISTORY  OF  NAPOJiSlON  BONAPARTE, 

AlafHiiBir  Aspeot  of  Ifae  MwtiDj  at  PorUaoatlig— 

ftfHid  M«  ttuthority  despiiaedlf  ttod  the  diipt  imwrning  tbeir 
]rcr4«  Md  gtving  iond  ^heers^  left  Uai  »•  hmmi  to  doubt 
—the  best  ordor  iroi  mmltiied,  and  diey  diew  up  pe* 
titfM»  nvibtck  they  presented  im  the  Adnink  present 
stotinif  the  exXenft  of  their  demands  as  )o  wfiges  and  pro* 
^isMW— -and  they  trusted  their  fequest  would  be  taken 
into  coBsideratiiHi  befiire  they  were  efdered  to  seaagyib^ 
iniless tfNS  eiietny  were  haown  to  boot  sea* 

li«rd  Spencer  anived  at  PortsMoolh  in  order  to  break 
fteir  eonbinatkni — ^tho  delegates  fitHn  the  ships  net  on 
board  Ihe  Queen  Charlotte,  and  after  some  prelimimMry 
natters  liord  Bridpoit  ioU  them  be  hod  procured  a  fiiU 
pardon  for  ail  inplioated,  and  they  aU  retanod  to  their 
ihity— 4mt  Mr.  Pitt,  when  iie  aoLOvod  an  increase  of  paj^ 
ondtting  to  spectfy  in  Parlianiait  his  reason  for  such  an 
application,  this  was  considered  by  the  seamen  as  a  proof 
he  did  not  mean  to  comply,  and  wh«B  the  signal  was  made 
io  put  to  sea  Ac  whole  fleet  evinced  their  former  dis- 
obedience* 

Admiral  Colpoys  resolved  to  hinder  the  delegates  from 
coming  on  board  the  London,  .and  ordered  the  marines  to 
fire  ;  bnt  tiie  crew  of  that  ship  pointed  their  guns  aft  od 
<be  officers,  and  they  were  obliged  reluctantly  to  sor- 
render* 

The  mutiny,  still  confined  to  Portsmouth,  assumed  a 
BMst  alanomg  aspect ;  and  Lord  Howe  came  with  iiill 
powers  to  settle  the  disputes  between  Government  and 
Ike  sailors*  He  had  with  him  an  act  of  parliament,  passed 
on  Ike  0th,  granting  an  additional  idlowance,  and  the 
prdoo  of  his  Majesty  to  all  sudi  as  should  immediately 
fetnm  to  Aeir  duty  and  allegiance*  The  hi^pieet  efieets 
were  evident ;  the  delegates  wenttotheGovemor^shoiiiO 
at  Pcrtsmonth,  and  afterwards  in  processiim  to  the  fleets 


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AND   WAFS   OV   EUROPE.  383 


and  at  (be  Nore— Parker  executed. 


aocompaincd  by  Lord  Howe  and  his  Lady,  and  a  Dumbet 
of  pe]iA>ii8  of  distitootioB.  Hie  matinous  flag  was  strack^ 
and  the  fleet  made  ready  for  patting  to  sea« 

No  sooner  had  the  spirit  of  mutiny  ceased  at  Parts^ 
mouth,  than  the  pleasure  was  turned  into  consteniafiap 
by  a  firesh  mutiny  in  another  quarter.  The  fleet  in  tlio 
North  Sea  and  the  ships  at  the  Nore,  insisted  on  the  re** 
dress  of  other  grievances.  They  appointed  i  BicharA 
Parker  thek  president,  and  eonflned  cr  sent  ashore  their 
principal  officers.  Many  of  their  demands  were  looked 
on  as  totally  inadmissible,  and  Government  insisted  on 
submission.  A  deputation  from  the  Lords  of  the  Admi- 
ralty went  to  Sh^^mess,  and  demanded  unqualified  sub- 
mission ;  this  was  answered  by  insolence  and  rebellion. 
Desertion  to  the  enemy  was  proposed,  which  was  strongly 
rejected  by  Parker  and  others.  The  greatest  loyalty  waa 
shewn  on  the  4th  of  Jane  in  oelelnfaling  his  MajestyV 
birth-day.  Some  of  the  ships  under  the  command  of  Ad- 
miral Duncan  joined  the  mutineers  at  the  Nore  ;  they 
then  amounted  to  twenty^four  sail ;  the  officers  in  many 
eases  were  allowed  to  mix  with  the  men,  and  at  last  pre- 
iFailed  on  the  greater  body  of  them  to  desert  tlieir  dele- 
gatas.  Piroclamation  was  issued  in  the  King's  name, 
Unreatening  those  who  continued  m  the  mutiny  with  ven- 
geance ;  and  they  withdrew  by  degrees,  till  at  last  Parker 
was  seised,  delivered  up,  and  sent  to  Maidstone  to  take 
Bis  trial.  He  was  condemned  to  die,  and  executed  on 
board  the  Sandwich  ;  he  bore  his  fate  with  great  magna- 
niaiiity. 

:.  Hm  Dutch  patriots  had  paid  the  French a'laige  sum  ta 
assist  fliem  in  driving  the  Prince  of  Omnge  out,  and  now 
^y  oflSnred  double  that  sum  if  they  would  tak«  the&H 
a4lre0  MTI    Bat  Hennrar  was  too  weU  lodged  to  dumgo 


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384      HISTORY   OF   NAPOLEON   BONAPARTE, 

Bonaparte  eomplains  of  VeDioe. 

Us  quarters;  yet  he  had  no  objection  to  the  civilities 
tendered  to  him^  to  aflTord  the  Batavian  chiefs  an  oppor- 
tunity of  shewing  their  good-nature.  Bodies  of  troops 
*were  marched  into  Holland,  half  starved  and  half  naked, 
and  when  they  were  fed  and  olothed,  were  sent  off,  to 
make  way  for  a  fresh  devouring  race.  The  balance  of 
accounts  was  every  where  struck  between  the  old  govern- 
ment and  the  new  ;  and  •very  person  found,  in  a  com- 
parison of  comforts  and  advantages,  that  he  had  lost  fiftT 
'^l^r.cent  by  the  change. 


CHAPTER  XLYlIf. 


Bonaparte  kept  the  revolutionary  spirit  alive  in  Urn 
south,  but  his  were  revolutions  of  power,  not  of  principles. 
He  had  complained  of  the  Venetian  government  favoo^ 
ing  the  Austrians,  and  acting  treacherously  towards  his 
troops ;  which  a  few  may  allow  to  be  true,  but  otbei^  . 
may  indulge  some  doubts,  when  they  see  the  General 
take  upon  himself  at  once  the  character  le  Jugeet  U 
Bapifreau.  "  Whatf  said  the  General,  in  a  letter  to 
the  Doge, ''  did  you  think  I  would  tamely  suffer  the  inafr* 
saores  excited  by  the  Venetian  Government?  The  blood 
of  our  brethren  in  arms,"  Continued,  he  ''  shall  be  avei^** 
od.;  and  there  is  not  a  French  batt^dion,  charged^  widl: 
Aii  vuiaion^  which  does  not  feel  three  times  the  couisgt* 

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AND   WARS  OP   EUROPE*  385 

Maoifesto  published  ai^ainst  Venice. 

and  strength  necessary  to  punish  you< — the  Republic  of 
Venice  has  returned  the  blackest  perfidy  for  the  generous 
treatment  she  has  received  from  France."  He  informed, 
his  Serenity,  that  if  he  did  not  instantly  adopt  measures 

Jto  arrest  and  deliver  up,  within  twenty-four  hours,  the 
persons  who,  it  was  said,  had  assassinated  some  French 
soldiers^  war  was  declared. 

The  Senate  published  a  groclamation  relative  to  thest . 
complaints ;  their  conduct,  they  said,  had  always  been, 
and  still  was,  so  perfectly  friendly  towards  the  bellige- 
rent powers,  and  they  did  not  think  it  necessary  to  pay 
any  attention  to  the  evil- disposed  persons,  who  question- 
ed their  sincerity :  but  as  these  enemies  of  tlie  repubUc 
had  spread  the  vilest  slanders  agains^t  the  sincerity  of  the 
Venetian  Government,  the  Senate  declared  that  their 
friendship  witli  France  was  not  in  the  least  altered ;  the 
Senate,  therefore,  had  no  doubt  but  the  French  nation 
would  repose  that  confidence  in  the  republic  of  Venice 
which  it  had  merited  by  its  irreproachable  conduct. 

On  the  3d  of  May  the  General  issued  a  manifesto, 
stating,  that  while  the  French  were  far  advanced  from 
Italy,  and  the  prmcipal  estabUshments  of  the  aimy,  the 
Venetian  Government  had  armed  40,000  peasants,  who, 
with  ten  regiments  of  Sclavonians,  were  organized  into 
battalions,  and  sent  to  intercept,  all  communication  be- 
tween tlie  army  and  Lombardv.  MiUtary  stores  were  sent 
from  Venice  to  complete  the  organization  of  these  corps  : 
his  couDlrymen  were  grossly  insulted  and  driven  from 
that  city,  and  offices  given  to  those  who  had  presided  at 

^  the  massacre  of  Frenchmen.  The  people  of  Padua,  Vi- 
cenza,  and  Verona,  were  ordered  to  take  up  arms«  to 
•econd  the  regular  troops,  omd  at  last  to  commence  the 
new  Sicilian  vespers ;  while  the  Venetian  officers  asserted 

TOt,   I.— NO,  17.  8  t 

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386      HISTORY    OF   NAPOLEON   BONAPARTE, 

Venice  sobmitt  to  France. 


that  it  belongW  to  the  Lion  of  St  Hark  to  verify  the  Pro- 
verb, that  "  Italy  is  the  grare  of  the  French."  The 
priests  preached  a  cmsade ;  and  the  priests  in  the  state 
of  Venice  utter  only  the  will  of  government  The  6e'> 
neral  then  gives  a  detail  of  the  assassinations  committed 
in  die  towns  and  in  the  coontry.  In  this  moomfiil  list 
is  the  massacre  of  the  sick  in  the  hospitals  at  Verona, 
where  400  Frenchmen,  he  said,  were  thrown  into  the 
Ad^e.  He  required  the  French  minister  to  leave  Venice, 
and  directed  the  generals  of  division  to  treat  as  enemies 
the  troops  of  the  Venetian  Government,  and  trample  in 
tiie  dost  the  Lion  of  St  Marie. 

The  battalions,  to  inflict  a  signal  vengeance  on  Venice, 
began  tboir  march,,  and  in  a  few  days  the  whole  Terra 
Fiiraa  lay  at  the  feet  of  the  conqueror.  Hie  Veronese 
were  punished  with  the  greatest  severity ;  several  thoa-- 
sands  of  armed  peasantry,  who  contested  the  progress  of 
the  French  divisions,  were  cut.  in  pieces,  or  dispersed. 
A  body  of  Sclavonians,  who  had  joined  them,  retired  to 
a  largo  building  or  fort,,  where  was  deposited,  all  their 
powder  waggons  and  ammunition.  This  was  soon  blown 
into  the  air,  and  500  Sclavopians  literally  annihilated ! 
The  French  detachment  reached  Verona,  which  imme- 
diately surrendered. 

The  Venetian  Government  was  now  humble  and  ab- 
ject :  it  was  resolved  that  the  government  should  suspend 
all  its  fonctions,  and  that  the  republic  should  accept  a 
provisional  government  from  France.  It  was  also  decreed, 
that  the  magistrates  of  whom  the  French  complained 
should  be  delivered  up  to  be  punished.  A  body  of 
French  troops  took  possession  of  the  city,  when  a  muni* 
cipality  was  modelled,  and  every  thing  formed  on  the  de- 
mocratic regime.    The  liberty  of  the  press  (i.  e.)  a  right 


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AND  WARS   OF  BUItOPE.  3S7 

Gen6a  formed  into  the  Lignrian  Republic 

to  praise  Bonaparte  and  this  government)  was  established, 
the  Catholic  religion  was  unaltered,  and  persons  and  pro- 
perty unmolested  ;  but  the  ships  of  war,  and  the  stores 
in  the  arsenal,  were  taken  possession  of  in  the  name  of 
tlie  French  Republic. 

Genoa  was  attacked  upon  much  the  same  grounds : 
that  country,  considering  its  vicinity  to  France,  and  the 
presence  of  the  Republican  army,  could  not  escape  that 
epirit  of  innovation  which  had  electrified  the  rest  of  Eu- 
rope.' The  French  government  pretended  that  it  did  not 
•punish  the  Genoese  nobility  for  the  aid  they  afforded  the 
Imperial  army  when  in  their  neighbourhood,  and  tlieir 
attention  to  the  partisans  of  Austria.  The  people  of 
Genoa  bad  imbibed  the  prinoiples  of  democratical  liberty, 
and  tumults  had  arisen  between  them  and  the  adherents 
of  the  old  government.  This  silly  government  unable 
to  stem  the  torrent,  sent  beputiea  to  Bonaparte  at  Mon- 
tebello,  where  a  convention  was  concluded  on  the  6th  of 
June. 

The  government  of  the  Genoese  Bepnblio  acknowledg- 
ed the  sovereignty  to  reside  in  the  body  of  the  citizens 
of  its  territory.  The  legislative  power  was  entrusted  to 
two  representative  councils,  md  ^e  executive  delegated 
to  a  senate  often  members,  to  be  nominated  by  the  coun- 
cils. Municipalities  were  established  in  the  communes 
and  districts,  on  the  model  of  France,  and  a  committee 
was  charged  with  framing  a  constitution,  and  all  the  laws 
of  the  republic,  with  the  reserve  of  doing  nothing  con- 
trary to  the  Catholic  religion.  The  provisional  govern- 
ment was  to  extinguish  faction,  grant  general  amnesty, 
and  unite  the  people  in  rallying  round  the  publio  liberty. 
France  agreed  to  give  her  protection,  and  even  the  assis- 
tance  of  its  armies,  to  the  Genoese  republic,  to  facilitate, 

3  D  2 

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388       HISTORY   OP  NAPOLEON   BONAPARTE, 

liord  Malmesburj  arrives  at  Lisle. 

if  necessary,  the  execution  of  these  articles,  and  main* 
tain  the  integrity  of  the  territory  of  the  repablic.  This 
new  modeUed  aflfair  was  baptised  **  Ligurian  Republic.'* 

The  negociations  did  not  proceed  with  the  activity 
chfu-acterising  Bonaparte's  measures  ;  but  lie  was  busily 
employed  in  consolidating  the  new  republics  which  his 
victories  had  founded  in  Italy.  The  Bolognese»  Ferra- 
rese,  Modenese,  tind  Romagna,  were  incorporated  with 
Lombardy,  and  the  Cisalpine  and  Ligurian  Republics 
completely  organized. 

Peace  now  seemed  necessary,  and  fresh  overtures  were 
made  to  the  French  Government. 

Lord  Malmesbury  was  again  appointed  plenipotentiai^ 
for  Great  Britain,  and  arrived  at  Lisle  in  the  beginning 
of  July.     He  exchanged  his  powers,  and  had   his  first 
conference   on  the  8th  of  that  month,  when  he  delivered 
in  what  bis  court  conceived  to  be  the  basis  of  negociation 
— tlie  leading  points  of  which  were,  that  the  state  of  the 
two  countries  before  the  war  should  be  adopted  as  a  pror 
per  basis,  every  conquest  to  be   restored  not  excepted  by 
the  present  treaty  ;  and  every  conquest  made  by   the 
British  given  up,  except  the  islands  of  Trinidad,  Ceylon, 
and  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope.     It  was  expected  that  the 
eSects  of  the   Stadtholder  should  be  restored,  or  some- 
thing given  as  a  compensation  for  the  loss  of  his  heredii* 
tary  dignities.     No  objection  could  be  made  to  the  pro- 
ject of  the  English  Government ;  it  was  perfectly  liberal, 
and  bore  every  mark  of  moderation  and  frankness  ;  but 
the  majority  of  the  French  *  Directory  were  little-minded 
men,  who  were  used  to  such  a  habit  of  quibbling,  that 
they  could  not  discern  the  point  where  their  true  inter 
rests  lay. 

Tfhe  title  of  King  of  France,  which  the  Kings  of  £ng^ 


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AND  WARS   OF   EUROPE.  389 

II  m 

Discastions  of  the  Pleoipoteotiaries. 

land  had  borne  ever  since  Henry  the  Vlth  was  crowned 
^t  Rheims,  they  strongly  objected  to,  and  declared  that 
the  English  could  never  be  looked  on  as  acknowledging 
tbe  Republic  till  it  was  abolished.    Tliey  required  com- 
pensation for  the  ships  taken  or  destroyed  in  the  port  of 
Toulon,  which  was  founded  on  a  pretence,  that  they  could 
only  be  kept  by  Britain  as  a  deposit  till  the  Republic  was 
acknowledged  ;  and  this  being  done,  they  were  to  restore 
them,  or  grant  an  indemnification.     It  was   required  of 
the  British  Ambassador  to  declare,  whether  his  Oovern- 
ment  had  any  mortgage  upon  the  Low  Countries,  for  the 
monies  advanced  to  the  Emperor,  as  the  French  Goveiii- 
ment  would  fulfil  no  such  condition.     Lord  Malmesbury 
replied,  **  That  he  was  sure  peace  on  such  terms  would 
not  be  accomplished."     He  used  every  argument  to  con- 
vince them  of  the  error  of  introducing  such  topics  so  pre- 
maturely ;  for,  as  the  Directory  had  given  no  opinion  of 
the  leading  principles  of  his  object,  it  would  be  wrong 
to  throw  obstacles   in  the   way  of  the  negociation,  ]^by 
such  trifling    diflRculties.     As  individuals,  the  ministers 
might  feel  his  Lordship's  reasoning,   but  their  instruc* 
tions  were  so  positive   and  precise,  that  they  were  forced 
to  insist  upon  those  points  ;  they,  therefore  sent  for  fur- 
ther instructions,  which  occasioned  a  great  delay.     Lord 
Malmesbury,   on  the  I2th  of  August,  was  informed   by- 
one  of  the  Republican  envoys,  that  the  delay  arose  from 
the  necessity  of  consulting  with  the  Allies  of  tbe  Republic, 
and  that  they  would  receive  their  final  instructions  in  the 
course  of  a  few  days.    On  the  28th  his  Lordship  was  in^- 
formed,  that  the  answer  returned  by  Holland  was  so  un- 
satisfactory, that  it'  was  sent  to  the  Dutch  Ministers  at 
Paris,  who  could  not  alter  it  to  the  wishes  of  the  Direc* 


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SOO       HISTORY  OF  NAPOLEON  BONAPARTE^ 

Imponance  of  the  NegochUton. 


tory  without  applying  to  their  own  government  for  fredi 
instructions. 

Important  as  the  negociation  would  have  been  at  any 
other  time,  the  attention  of  all  classes  of  people  was  so 
entirely  engrossed  in  the  contemplation  of  a  violent  con- 
flict that  was  evidently  about  to  take  place  between  the 
If'gislative  and  executive  bodies  at  Paris,  that  scarcely 
any  interest  was  taken  in  its  progress,  and  few  persons 
expected  any  advantages  from  its  conclusion.  The  con- 
cussion now  rapidly  about  to  take  place  could  not  Ml  to 
paralyze  the  resolutions  of  the  Directory ;  and  the  possi- 
bility of  their  overthrow  left  them  undecided  as  to  the 
ground  upon  which  they  should  treat;  nor  could  tha 
British  Cabinet  be  more  desirous  of  hastening  the  conclu- 
sion of  a  treaty,  which  might  be  disavowed  by  a  new  go* 
vernment  in  the  course  of  a  week* 

The  public  attention  was  now  directed  to  Paris  more 
snxiously  than  ever,  and  particularly  so,  as  the  world  in 
general  was  wholly  ignorant  of  the  matters  in  dispute  be- 
tween tbe  different  branches  of  the  Government  What- 
ever were  the  real  and  absolute  designs  of  the  contending 
parties,  it  is  possible  that  they  lie  buried  in  the  breasts  of 
siNne  few  persons,  who  have  not  yet  disclosed  them  to  the 
public ;  but  as  far  as  a  close  attention  to  passing  eventSi 
and  an  impartial  observation  of  the  conduct  and  jnannen 
of  the  different  persons  concerned,  will  lead  to  a  just  de- 
ciMD»  they  were  only  such  as  a  moderate  share  of  pra- 
dmoe  and  good  humour  would  have  rendered  subsern* 
Mftto  thi$  cause  of  hberty. 

The  spirit  of  moderation  enabled  a  number  of  moderati 
aseu  to  obtain  seats  in  the  councils  :  those  were  anxioni 
to  repair  the  evils  which  the  violence  of  tiie  revolutioB 


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AND   WARS    OF    EUROPE.  391 

Several  Membert  •rrested  and  sent  to  Cayeone. 

had  occasioned*  The  re-estabiisbment  of  the  Catholic 
religion,  and  the  recal  of  the  Emigrants,  were  objects 
they  were  resolved  to  effect,  but  the  Directory  looked  oa 
those  measures  as  incompatible  with  the  duration  of  the 
Republic,  and  the  existence  of  their  own  power.  It  was 
reported  that  a  conspiracy  was  formed  to  establish  roycdtyg 
and  each  of  the  parties  made  the  same  charge  on  its  an- 
tagonist. The  legtslatprs  avowed,  that  if  the  wish  of 
tlie  people  was  to  have  royalty  estabUshed,  it  ought  to  be 
restored  ;  and  the  Directory  maintained  that  an  attempt 
to  take  the  public  opinion  upon  such  a  question  deserved 
the  punishment  doe  to  treason*  The  representatives  of 
the  people  maintahM^,  that  if  they  oonldnot  discuss  every 
subject  with  equal  freedom,  the  name  of  liberty  was  « 
mere  mocLeiy  ;  and  that  a  govemm^ent  which  suppressed 
firee  discussion,  whether  they  called  themselves  Republic 
cans  or  Royalists,  were  in  fact  tyrants  !  The  repres^ita- 
lives  charged  the  Directory  with  wishing  to  establish  the 
sovereign  power  in  their  own  hands,  and  the  Directory 
charged  the  representatives  with  a  design  to  betray  their 
constituents,by  restoring  Louis  the  XVIilth  to  the  throne. 
The  executive  pow^  showed  a  determination  to  overawe 
the  -councils  by  an  armed  force,  and  the  legislators  re- 
solved Uiat  their  dehberations  should  de  free  and  unmo- 
lested, llie  principles  of  the  representatives  were  justi- 
fied both  by  reason  and  the  laws ;  but  the  Directory  cui«^ 
tected  a  large  armed  force  round  Paris,  contrary  to  the 
jprohibition  of  the  constitution,  and  sonrounded  the  Le- 
gislative body,  and  picked  out  every  representative  who 
differed  from  them  in  opinion.  General  Augereau,  who 
was  to  execute  this  despotic  measure,  conducted  Pich^ 
gnk,  the  president  of  the  Council  of  Five  Hundred,  and 
all  the  cthei*  obnoxious. representatives,  to  the Teaiple, 


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892      HISTORY   OF   NAPOLEON    BONAPARTE, 


Lord  M.^fmesbory  ordered  to  leiTe  Lisle. 


from  whence  Ihey  were  -  transported,  without  even  th« 
form  of  any  process  in  the  shape  of  a  public  accasatico* 
Amongst  those  ordered  for  transportation  were  two  of  the 
Five  Directors*  Carnot  made  his  escape,  but  the  other 
Director  (Barthelemy)  with  Pichegru,  Willot,  and  sixty 
others,  were  sent  off  as  exiles  to  Cayenne. 

The  temper  of  the  Directory  with  regard  to  tlie  neg<K 
ciation,  was  nt>t  long  concealed  after  their  triumph  ;  their 
ambassadors,  wh6  had  acceded  to  the  principle  of  tlra^ 
treaty  as  laid  down  by  the  British  Government,  were  re- 
called from  Lisle,  and  two  others  substituted  in  tbeff 
place.  These  new  ambassadors  informed  Lord  Malmes- 
bury,  that  their  powers  were  very  eitensive,  and  hopc<I 
the  business  would  be  terminated  in  a  short  time,  if  his 
powers  were  as  ample.  On  the  15th  he  was  asked  whethef 
he  was  possessed  of  powers  which  might  enable  him  iff 
agree  on  the  restitution  of  every  possession  taken  from 
France  or  her  Allies,  and  on  being  answered  in  the  nega- 
tive, the  French  minister  read  a  decree  of  the  Directorj, 
by  which  he  was  ordered  to  depart  in  twenty<>four  hoars, 
and  fetch  tlie  necessary  qualifications.  Thus  was  the  dsh 
tion  a  second  time  insaited  in  the  person  of  its  aAibassa- 
dor,  by  a  government,  whose  captured  possessions  the 
English  Government  could  have  sold  for  a  sum  equal  to 
its  own  national  debt. 

As  the  Irish  were  making  great  efforts  to  procure  aox* 
^liaries  from  France,  and  the  Batavian  Republic  had  bees 
making  preparations  for  some  naval  expedition,  the  fleet 
under  Admiral  Duncan  had  blockaded  the  Texel  tbo 
greater  part  of  the  summer.  The  English  Admiral  bal- 
ing left  his  station  and  proceeded  to  Yarmouth  Boaih* 
Admiral  de  Winter,  with  the  Dutch  fleet,  put  losefc 
Captain  TroUope,  in  the  Russel,  of  74  guns^  with  a  ta/ai 


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AKD   WARS   Of   EUROPE*  303 


Ses  Fifht  off  the  Cooit  of  Holland. 


squadron,  was  left  to  watch  the  enemy ;  and  on  the  9th  of 
October,  a  signal  was  made  to  Admiral  Duncan  off  Yar- 
mouth Roads,  that  the  enern/s  fleet  was  at  sea.  The 
British  fleet  got  under  sail  with  astonishing  rapidity. 
Captain  Trollope's  small  squadron  was  perceived  on  the 
morning  of  the  Utb  with  signals  flying,  to  intimate  that 
an  enemy's  fleet  was  to  leeward.  The  fleet  under  the 
command  of  Admural  de  Winter,  consisted  of  four  ships 
of  74  guns,  five  of  68,  two  of  64,  four  of  56,  and  two  of 
44  guns.  Admural  Duncan  gave  the  signal  for  engaging, 
and  was  obeyed  with  the  atmost  alacrity,  Vice- Admiral 
Onslow,  in  the  Monarch,  bearing  down  upon  the  rear  of 
the  enemy.  Before  one  o'clock  the  battle  commenced, 
when  the  British  fleet  broke  the  line  of  the  enemy,  and 
made  it  impracticable  for  them  to  reach  the  Texel,  the 
land  being  about  seven  miles  distant.  Although  all  the 
masts  of  De  Winter's  ships  went  by  the  board,  he  only" 
struck' his  coloiuaC^Fhen  overpowered  by  numbers  :  it  is 
aaid  that  not  an  officer  was  left  upon  the  quarter-deck  of 
the  Dutch  flagnship,  but  the  Admiral  himself,  the  whole 
of  them  being  either  killed  or  wounded.  The  Vice- Ad- 
miral's ship  lost  all  her  masts  about  tlie  same  time,  and 
accordingly  struck  to  Admiral  Onslow's  division.  Before 
three  o'olodL  more  of  the  enemy's  fleet  surrendered ;  but 
Itt  Admiral  Duncan  found  himself  no  more  than  five 
jailes  off  the  land,  he  was  wholly  employed  in  getting  the 
disabled  ships  off  the  shore,  and  oould  not  ascertain  the 
Aumberof  prizes;  and,  as  the  wind  blew  strong  on  the 
land,  tiie  fleet  was  scattered,  and  some  of  the  Dutch  ships 
that  had  struck  were  enabled  to  effect  their  escape.  The 
prises  were  eight  ilups  of  the  line,  two  of  56  guns,  and 
MO  of  44 ;  the  Delft  of  56  guns  foundered  in  ftight  of  the 
BritiA  eoasC  Mil  a  frigato  f^  Iras  kit    A  more  san? 

▼oju  I. — NO.  17*  8  «  A        1  - 

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394      HISTORY    OF    NAHOLEON    BONAPARTE, 

■  I  I  ■    I  .  I     I       II.  I  I.   I,    -    I  I  '  ail 

Arfmiral  Diincau  defeats  the  Datch  Fleet. 

guinary  battle  was  never  fought ;  for  in  nine  skips  of 
Admiral  Duncan's  fleet,  the  killed  and  wounded  exceed- 
ed 700,  and  the  loss  of  the  cold,  but  intrepid  Dutch, 
must  have  been  very  severe.  ITie  flag  ships  of  the  ene- 
my lost  not  less  than  350  men  each ;  and  not  a  single  ship 
among  the  prizes  lost  less  than  100  men.  The  battle  was 
fought  so  near  the  shore  that  thousands  of  spectators  be- 
held the  whole  of  it,  without  haviug  it  in  their  power  to 
give  the  smallest  relief. 

The  gallantry  of  Admiral  Duncan  is  justly  entitled  td 
applause ;  but  no  part  of  his  conduct  is  more  deserving 
of  commendation  than  his  getting  between  the  enemy  and 
the  land.  This  wa»  a  nfianoeuvre  which  none  who  wert 
before  him  had  ever  attempted,  in  circumstances  so  evi- 
dently criticaL  When  he  returned  home  he  was  created 
Baron  Duncan,  of  Lundie,  in  the  country  of  Perth,  and 
Viscount  Dtmcan,  of  Camperdown/  from  the  place  on 
the  coast  of  Holland,  off  which  his  lordship  gained  the 
memorable  victory.  This  glorious  victory  made  every 
^^  heart  rejoice  ;  when  the  news  arrived  a  general  illumina- 

tion took  place  throughout  tlie  kingdom,  and  the  king 
went  in  state  to  St.  Paul's  cathedral ;  the  procession  was 
attended  by  three  waggons  bearing  flags,  that  had  been 
taken  from  the  French,  Spaniards,  and  Dutch,  during 
the  war,  and*  these  were  severally  borne  to  tlie  altar  by 
a  flag-ofiiccr,  who  had  been  present  when  they  were  takeUw 
A  number  of  officers  and  seamen  attended,  and  all  ranks 
felt  the  obligation  tliey  were  under  to  the  defenders  of 
'  their  country. 

The  Directory  could  not  help  venting  their  anger  in  » 
sort  of  bulletin  war,  to  produce  that  artificial  miscbief 
which  arises  out  of  a  state  of  constant  alarm.'  It  would  bt 
•ndlessto  recite  all  their  declarationa  of  wsath  and  t<9^ 


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AND  WARS   OF   EUROPE.  .^95 

Prodaowtlon  of  tbe  Directorj, 

geaBce  against  this  country ;  one  specimen  will  be  suf- 
ficient to  characterize  the  -whole.  On  the  26th  of  Octo^ 
ber  1797,  the  Executive  Drrectory  decreed,  that  there- 
should  be  assembled,  without  delay,  an  army,  to  be  called 
idle  Army  of  England,  and  to  foe  under  the  command  of 
Citizen  General  Bonaparte.  On  the  same  day  tbe  Di« 
rectory  issued  a  proclamation  to  the  French  people,  which 
contains  the  following  passages  : — 

**  It  is  at .  London  that  the  calamities  of  Europe  are 
fabricated ;  it  is  there  that  we  must  put  an  end  to  them. 
Crown  at  length  your  exploits  by  an  invasion  ot  the  island, 
whither  your  ancestors  carried  slavery,  under  William  the 
Conqueror,  and  bring  back  thither  the  genius  of  liberty, 
which  must  land  there  at  the  same  moment  with  the  French. 
— A  lawless  enemy  has  repelled,  in  fact,  all  the  overtures 
which  could  only  tend  to  pacification.  You  know  this 
enemy;  your  indignation  fixes  on  and  points  him 
out  by  name— it  is  the  cabinet  of  St.  James's —it  is 
the  most  corrupting  and  the  most  corrupted  of  tbe 
governments    of    Europe — it    is  the    English    govera* 

ment, ^The  Great  Nation  will  avenge  the  universe  ; 

and  for  that  purpose.  Frenchmen  !  more  means  than  one 
present  themselves  to  you  ;  the  most  worthy,  and  tl^ 
quickest,  is  a  descent  upon  England. — ^Thus  let  the  Arffy 
of  England  go  and  dictate  terms  of  peace  in  London !  Go, 
gallant  Republicans !  second  the  unsmimous  wish  of  the 
nation ;  go,  and  restore  the  liberty  of  the  seas.— And  since 
the  British  Grovcmment  looks  at  this  present  moment  with 
a  ferocious  smile  on  the  calamities  which  have  befallen 
the  continent,  and  glories  in  its  wealth,  force  it  to  pay 
its  quota  towards  the  expenses  of  the  war.— Wliat  a  re- 
splendent glory  is  held  forth  to  the  Army  of  England;  it 
is  sufficient  to  point  it  out" 

3  ]?  2 

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396       HISTORY   OP   NAPOLEOX  BONAPARTE, 


Their  Address  ta  BoMiiittrte. 


The  President  of  the  Directory,  in  an  addren  to  Gene* 
ral  Bonaparte,  avowed  senlimeiits  which  deserre  particn* 
lar  notice. 

**  Peace,"  said  he,  **  restores  order ;  but,  aboye  aD, 
it  will  procure  us  the  inexpressible  advantage  of  being 
able  to  consolidate  the  Republican  Government,  and  to 
enable  you  to  give  a  blow  to  the  insolence  of  England,  to 
the  conquest  of  which  you  are  called* — Qo  then,  Citizen 
General !  crown  so  glorious  a  life  by  a  conquest  whioh  the 
Great  Nation  owes  to  its  insulted  dignity,^— -^Let  the  con 
querors  of  the  Rhine,  the  Po,  and  the  Tiber,  follow  your 
steps — the  ocean  will  be  proud  of  conveying  theuL  He 
is  an  untamed  slave  who  blushes  at  his  chains-»-he  invokes 
by  his  roarings  the  vengeance  of  the  earth  on  the  tyrant 
that  oppresses  his  waves. — He  will  combat  on  your  side— 
the  elements  themselves  submit  to  the  man  who  is  free. 
Pompey  did  not  disd&in  to  crush  the  pirates  ;  go  ye, 
greater  than  that  Roman  I  and  chai«  up  that  gigantie 
buccaneer,  who  tyrannizes  over  the  sea  ;  go,  and  punisb 
in  London  outrages  which  have  been  too  long  qD" 
punished.'' 

In  order  to  give  effect  to  this  farce,  a  deputation  of  the 
merchants  of  Paris  addressed  the  Directory  in  a  style  of 
gasconade  quite  in  unison  with  (he  tinsel  professions  of 
that  government  The  deputation  was  introduced  by  the 
Minister  of  Finance,  who  in  his  speech  told  the  Direc- 
tory, that  '*  the  traders  pf  Paris  came  tp  request  the  le-* 
gislative  body  to  open  a  loan,  of  which  the  pr^nium 
should  be  bypotheticated  upon  our  victorio6,-— rXhe  loaa 
mfLV  be  called  an  English  loan/' 


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AND  WARS  OP  EUROPB.  3fl7 


Peace  of  Campo-Formio. 


The  qpokesmaa  of  the  deputation  then  delivered  hi« 
address  to  the  Directoiy^  which  thus  concluded  :«^ 

"  Citizen  Directors !  the  Merchants  of  Paris,  of  whom 
we  believe  ourselves  <o  be  the  organ,  are  anxious  that 
yon  should  transmit  to  the  Executive  Body  a  message,  to 
invite  them  to  open  a  loan,  which  will  afford  a  sure  and 
ready  means  to  effectuate  a  descent  upon  England.  This 
Joan  may  be  mortgaged  upon  an  indirect  imposition.**  ' 

The  President,  Barraa,  in  a  message,  communicatiDg 
tills  offer  to  the  Council  of  Five  Hundred,  observed,  that 
the  fund  of  40,000,000,  to  be  raised  in  this  manner,  would 
be  ''  secured  on  the  success  of  the  grand  operation  which 
the  Directory  is  now  preparing."  And,  in  the  ConncS, 
Jean  de  Brie  observed,  that  the  standard  of  victory  would 
soon  **  proceed  to  punish  Albion  for  its  long  catalogue 
of  crimes  against  humanity.'* 

If  any  Briton  does  not  feel  his  blood  boil  on  the  peru- 
sal of  insults  like  these,  he  is  a  disgrace  to  the  memory  of 
those  gallant  heroes  who  conquered  in  the  fields  of  Cressy, 
Agincourt,  and  Poictiers :  but  such  insolent  menaces  can- 
not  fail  to  excite  emotions  of  resentment  in  the  breast  of 
every  Briton,  and  to  inspire  them  with  a  consciousness, 
that  they  are  as  aUe  and  as  willing  as  ever  to  avenge  the 
threats,  and  to  puniali  the  temerity  of  their  audacious  in* 
vaders. 

From  preliminaries,  signed  at  Leoben,  a  definitive 
treaty  was  ratified  between  the  Emperor  and  the  French 
Republic,  on  the  I7th  of  October,  at  Caropo  Fonnio ; 
the  Emperor  gave  np  all  claim  to  the  Low  Countries, 
which  were  to  become  a  part  of  France,  and  to  its  pos- 
sessions in  Italy,  which  were  to  form  the  Cisalpine  Re  • 
pui)|ic.    In  return  Bonaparte  gave  to  the' Emperor  the 


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398      HISTORY  OF  NAPOLEON   BONAPARTE, 
Bonaparte  retum  to  Paris. 


states  lately  the  Republic  of  Venice,  and  wliich  he  had 
seized  for  the  purpose  of  bartering  away. 

The  power  of  France  was  clearly  and  firmly  established, 
and  nothing  could  possibly  deprive  her  of  the  Herculean 
staff  which  she  now  held  in  her  grasp.  Many  differences 
yet  remained  to  be  adjusted  between  France  and  the  Ger- 
man Princes  and  states;  and  to  settle  these  points  the 
treaty  of  Gampo  Formio  provided,  tliat  a  congress  should 
be  held  at  Rastadt,  consisting  of  plenipotentiaries  from 
the  different  powers.  Upon  this  congress  much  of  the 
welfare  of  Europe  depended,  and  moderate  men  looked 
up  to  it  with  much  anxiety. 


CHAPTER  XLIX. 


When  Bonaparte  had  thus  ciowned  his  struggles  by  as 
advantageous  peace,  he  returned  to  Paris.  On  his  arrival 
lliere  he  was  greeted  "by  every  d68cri|>tion  of  persons,  is 
a  way  the  most  flattering ;  all  exercised  their  ingenui^ 
to  display  some  excellent  feature,  either  of  the  person  or 
the  mind  of  this  extraordinary  hero,  and  among  the  va- 
rious conceits  that  his  admirers  hit  upon,  some  laid  claim 
to  the  quality  of  oracular  prophesies.  The  General  was 
in  fashion,  and  who  would  tell  the  beau  monde  that  it  was 
mistaken!  Bonaparte  had  done  much  for  the  country; 
and  whoever  might  have  gfoonds  of  complaint  agaiast 
him,  he  hadm  strong  claim  to  the  gratitude  of  the  Frenetu 


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AND   WARS   OF    EUROPE,  399 

Stricturei  od  his  Talents. 

'J'lie  manners  of  the  General  were  calculated  to  gain 
faim  the  most  aseful  sort  of  popularity.  Courted  by  all 
parties,  he^  could  easily  select  the  most  suitable  confi* 
dents ;  these  he  chose  for  their  prudence  and  policy,  ra- 
ther than  their  sentiments.  It  is  not  true  that  he  was  a 
Jacobin,  or  shewed  any  attachment  to  persons  of  that  sect. 
Whether  his  name  was  ever  enrolled  in  that  club  is  very 
doubtful,  and  if  it  was,  it  was  only  in  tiiat  careless  way^ 
by  which  some  persons  in  this  country  became  Free  Ma* 
sons  or  Odd  Fellows,  without  taking  any  interest  in  sucli 
societies^  The  nearest  character  to  that  taken  by  Bona- 
parte at  his  arrival  in  Paris  in  1797,  is  tliat  of  the  Gen- 
tlemen Democrats  in  England,  who,  carrying  their  views 
no  further  than  the  overthrow  of  the  existing  govern- 
ment, do  not  condescend  to  mix  with  their  inferior 
brethren,  any  more  than  is  necessary  to  preserve  them  as 
tools,  to  be  used  as  circumstances  may  require  their  ser- 
vices. 

This  temporizing  policy  of  Bonaparte  was  advantage* 
ous  to  France  ;  for  while  he  avoided  any  measures  oflen- 
sive  to  die  factions,  they  were  quiet  from  a  fear  of  mak- 
ing him  an  enemy  to  any  premature  effort.  He  would 
have  gained  little  influence  over  the  public  mind,  if  his 
character  had  been  like  what  it  has  been  depicted  in  va- 
rious fabrications  published  in  this  country.  The  respect 
be  acquired,  arose  from  the  punctuality  with  which  he 
attended  to  his  private  and  public  duties,  and  which  mac]« 
a  reproof  from  him  of  so  much  weight,  that  every  person 
was  desirous  of  avoiding  it. 

Bonaparte,  like  his  family  in  general,  has  more  good 
qualities  than  bad  ones,  and  their  bad  ones  are  much  less 
vicioos  than  Uiose  of  some  families  full  as  conspicuous, 
firom  whom  bttter  might  have  been  expected ;  the  con- 

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400      HISTORY   OF    NAPOLEON    BONAI*ARTE, 


France  at  Peace  wiili  ibe  CoDttBent. 


dact  of  the  General  had  little  of  that  ceremonious  pc 
liteuess  id  it  vhich  is  so  prized  by  the  admirers  of  the 
old  courts,  and  his  maimers  ofteo  led  him  to  censure  per- 
sons less  attentiTe  to  their  duties  than  he  was  to  his  own, 
iv'liich  many  construed  into  rudeness.  No  persons  were 
niore  sincere  to  the  General  than  men  of  science  and 
literature  ;  his  victories  had  enriched  the  Museum  of 
Paris  with  the  principal  curiosities  of  the  world,  and  that  ' 
capital  was  now  the  emporium  of  whatever  was  rare  and 
valuable  in  the  world  of  taste  and  science.  | 

Soon  after  his  arrival,  the  General  was  presented  with 
a  Us.t  of  the  Ghefs'd'oeuvreft,  and  celebrated  curiosities, 
which  the  victories  of  the  Republican  armies  have  pro- 
cured to  France. 

The  year  1798,  found  France  at  peace  with  all  the 
powers  on  the  continent,  and  her  hostile  attempts  di« 
rected  alone  to  Great  Britain,  except  in  the  instance  of 
Ehrenbreitstein,  a  German  fortress,  which  was  kept  in  a 
state  of  blockade  till  its  fate  should  be  decided  by  the  ne- 
gociation  at  Bastadt» 

Seldom  was  rancour  more  malevolent  than  that  which 
kept  up  the  hatred  of  the  French  and  English  govern- 
ments towards  each  other,  and  it  was  more  mischievous 
in  its  effects  than  furnishing  mere  newspaper  and  procla- 
mation gasconade.  An  English  captain.  Sir  W.  Sidney 
Smith,  was  taken  prisoner  on  the  coast  of  France,  at*  I 
tempting  to  cut  out  a  French  ship.  This  officer  the  Bri*  { 
tish  Government  wished  to  exchange,  but  the  French 
Government  took  this  to  be  a  faur  opportunity  of  vexing 
their  antagonists  ;  and  they  set  up  a  pretence  that  Sii 
Sidney  could  not  be  considered  as  an  ordinary  prisoner d 
war,  and  should  not  be  admitted  into  the  ordiDsary  ex* 
changes.    No  doubt  remained  with  the  Directoiy  bit 


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AJ^D    WARS   Of   £U]tO^£«  401 


Frencb  prisoners  in  Eii|:laoil. 


tiiat  this  was  an  act  of  ipjustice^  and  therefore  directly 
apprehended,  that  the  English  Oovemment  would  take 
revenge,  l>y  iU-treating  the  French  prisoners  here*    The 
anxions  eye  of  the  Directory  was  constantly  upon  the 
motions  of  the  English  administration ;  their  Agent  was 
ordered  to  look  out,  and»  failing  to  complain^  caused  him 
to  be  suspected  of  neglect  of  duty.  M.  Chareti6  was  jiot|t 
Jiad  man,  and  by  no  means  habitually  quendous ;  he  ha^ 
constant  access  to  his  unf<Htunato  countrymeui  and  rei> 
ceived  ev«ry  information  as  often  as  he  wished ;  he  was 
in  general,  aatiafile^  and  no  ground  of  complaint  arose 
that  the  Goyensmeni  did  not  correct  to  Jus  satis&ction. 
It  was,  however  discovered,  ihttt^  at  Fahnouth,  the  Coa« 
liaeCor  had  supplied  the  prisoners  wiih  boeod  inferior  to 
-(he  price  Government  paid,  a  ciroumsiance  that  buoyed 
<«p  the  Deputation  of  11.  Chaceti6,  by  giving  him  a  itale 
to  sMd  over  to  his  'Govemmenl^  of  winch  the  Directory 
made  the  most  ungenerous  use.    When  the  cociduct  of 
the  Contractor  was  represented,  he  was  punished,  and 
means  taken  to  prevent  a  repetition  of  the  sane  fraud; 
yet  die  Directory  trumpeted  the  story  forth  in  their  ga* 
oettes  and  placards,  to  justify  the  wretched  manner  in 
which  4hey  had  treated  tlie  English  prisoners,  even  be- 
fore they  iiad  any  such  excuse  to  make*    A  Frendiman, 
on  arriving  at  Nantes,  irom  an  English  prison,  saw  it 
etruck  against  the  walls^  that  the  French  prisoners  were 
fed  upon  dead  dogs  and  cats,  and  were  sometimes  brought 
oiit,  in  great  cuumbers^  and  shot  to  amuse  the  people ;  he 
declared  that  it  was  false,  and  that  he  was  treated  with 
extreme  kindness ;  but  he  was  told  to  bo  silent^  and  not 
dare  to  contradict  the  Goveniment    As  the  French  sent 
an  agent  to  look  over  their  prisoners  in  England,  so  th^ 
British  Government  appointed  Mn  Swinburne,  agent  to 
▼oil*  i« — NO*  17,  8  f 


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402       HISTORY   OF    NAPOLEON    BONAPARTR, 

Eoji^lish  priionert  in  France. 

attend  to  their  prisoners  in  France ;  but  Mn  Swinbnmn 
was  not  allowed  access  to  the  prisons^  nor  to  receive  any 
information  concerning  them  directly,  but  sack  as  the 
French  Commissaries  themselves  chose  to  gtve« 

At  a  Committee  appointed  by  the  English  Govemmenl, 
several  persons  were  examined  as  to  their  treatment  while 
prisoners  in  France^  It  appears  that  little  attention  was 
paid  to  Ike  comfort  of  those  unfortunate  people  held  in 
Fhmccy  that  their  places  of  confinement  were  small, 
orowdedy  and  filthy,  and  their  allowances  poor  «id  scanty, 
while  every  article  was  cheap  and  plentiful  near  where 
ihey  were  confined.  On  their  marches  Grom  where  they 
were  taken  to^  the  places  appointed  for  their  residence 
while  they  were  detained,  they  were  obliged  to  support 
the  soldiers  who  conducted  them  out  of  their  scanty  pit- 
tance, and  at  night  were  lodged  in  a  church  on  wet  stzaw, 
and  when  their  release  was  ordered,  they  were  marched 
back,  paying  their  own  expenses.  When  this  was  report- 
ed to  the  Marine  Minister  at  Brest  by  some  English  ofli> 
cers,  he  said,  he  believed  all  they  told  him,  but  that  it  was 
not  in  his  power  to  remedy  it  or  he  would ;  and  he  desir- 
ed them  to  apply  to  the  French  Commissary  in  London, 
for  the  difference  of  the  deficiency  in  what  they  ought  U 
have  reeeived;  not  only  were  the  provisions  curtailed  for 
those  who  were  ill,  but  even  for  those  who  were  lame. 

The  French  Commissary  for  prisoners  Dfras  examined 
before  a  committee  held  in  London,  as  to  the  state  ia 
which  he  saw  the  different  prisons  in  England,  and  he 
gives  the  highest  credit  to  the  Government  for  the  allow- 
ances they  made  to  support  the  prisoners,  and  said  that 
whatever  faults  there  were,  doubtless  arose  with  the  Con^ 
tractors  ;  at  some  places  he  did  see  articles  supplied  not 
by  any  means  equal  to  the  price  that  Govemmtnt  paid 


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AND  WASS  OF  EUROPE.  403 

The  French  refuie  an  exchange. 

for  them,  but  that  on  stating  this  to  the  Transport  Board, 
under  whose  care  the  prisoners  were,  every  attention  was 
paid  to  his  remonstrances.  It,  however,  appears  from 
the  -aiinntes  of  the  committee,  that  Mbnneur  Chiureti6 
had  [written  to  the  Directory  that  the  prison  at  Norman 
Cross  was  crowded  to  excess,  and  many  irregularities  oc- 
curred. This,  however,  he  denied  to  the  Committee,  and 
it  appeared  from  the  evidence  of  the  Medical  Officers 
who  attended,  and  two  French  Medical  men  who  also  as- 
sisted, that  this  was  not  the  case.  A  great  deal  of  cruelty 
and  jealously  existed  relative  to  the  prisoners  of  war  in 
Fcance  ;  and  was  the  occasion  of  many  unpleasant  cir- 
cumstances between  the  two  nations,  but  the  Co^mnitte.e 
resolved  there  was  no  fault  to  he  found  with  those  jn 
England. 

Those  who  have  any  doubt  upon  this  suLgect  should 
consult  the  Report  at  large,  which  enters  into  a  general 
detail ;  but  we  may  observe  in  this  place,  that  the  Direc- 
tory knew,  when  it  pressed  for  a  general  exchange  of 
prisoners,  that  it  threw  an  obstacle  in  the  way,  which 
freed  the  English  Government  from  all  blame,  on  accouot 
of  the  cartel  being  delayed  ;  it  was  insisted  upon  that 
the  British  should  give  up  all  claim  to  the  number  of  pri- 
soners that  they  had  a  right  to  demand  in  exchange  for 
Frenchmen  Uberated  on  parole^  amounting  to  7019,  and 
also  give  up  4000  more,  above  what  they  expected  to  re- 
ceive any  exchange  for,  before  they  could  change  Sir 
Sydney  Smith  for  an  officer  of  equal  ranlsu 

This  was  what  the  Directory  called  .diplomatic  skill, 
and  it  may  be  some  time  before  the  world  will  be 
guide4  by  that  pure  virtue,  which  will  be  sufficient  to 
despise  the  advantages  gained  by  such  successful  cun- 
Jiing;  it  will  cejttainly  please  Aany  readers  to  tell  them 

8  r2 

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404      HISTORY  OF   NAPOLEON   fiONAPAHT£, 
IiMorKcHooiB  the  Payt-de-V«ad. 

that  it  was  ttntsQccessfal  ii|  this  case  ;  for  soflbe  Ettglisb 
rendents  ki  Holland  contrived  to  find  out  tko  price  of  a 
person  near  to  Sir  Sydney,  and,  by  means  of  a  svppl^  of 
money,  enabled  both  Sir  Sydney  and  his  guard  lo  escape 
from  the  danger  of  his  pursuers. 


********  »l*«»^^^S#^^ 


CHAPTER  L. 

Wh  iLsr  this  vexatious  contest  with  the  EngHsh  Govem- 
ment  went  on,  one,  equally  unjust,  took  place  on  the  con- 
tinent The  interftring  hi  the  fiffhird  of  other  g^ovem- 
ments  had  been  evinced  by  the  Directory,  as  stfongly  as 
by  Bonaparte  in  the  case  of  St.  Marino  ;  bilt  Swifzerland 
)iad  rejected  any  assistance,  and  resolved  to  remain  inde^ 
pendent  both  of  friends  and  foes.  The  subjugation  of 
that  country  had  been  long  considered  by  the  Executive 
Phrectory,  and  its  Accomplishment  was  only  delayed  by 
the  influence  of  Camot  and  Barthelemy  ;  a  principal  rea- 
son why  they  were  marlced  out  for  banishment  An  in- 
surrection' in  the  Pays-de-Vaud  was  raised,  by  Pfench 
principles  and  French  bribery,  to  justify  entcfi^iug  the 
country  with  an  armed  force,  to  aid  the  people  to  obtain 
their  freedom,  and  purify  theif  govemftient  General 
Schanenburg,  with  15,000  men.  Was  ordered  to  rtiafch  to- 
wards that  country,  to  support  the  claittis  of  the  peti- 
tioners in  fhe  Pays-de-Vaud  with  the  bayonet  A  pro- 
clamation was  issued  by  the  Supreme  Coutacil  of  ti^rtie, 
requesting  the  people  of  the  Pays-de-Taud  to  Assemble 
in  arms,  to  repeat  thehr  oath  of  allegiance,  and  not  only 
to  epntend  for  their  ancient  rights,  but  labour  for  their 


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AMD  WARS   OF  KUROPE.  405 

The  GovemaieBt  «r  Bertte  raiw*  tm  Armj. 

re-^establiabmeiit  to  the  atmost  of  tliefr  power*  As  ibm 
elttiDB  of  the  iBsargeDts.  is^ere  not  dhecUy  attended  to, 
an  iDBorrection  was  the  conseqnence.  The  iwurgenU 
took  the  fort  of  ChiHoB»  and  distarbaoces  appeited  in  the 
southern  districts  ;  the  government  of  Berne  inieant  to 
bring  the  insnrgents  to  a  sense  of  their  doty  by  force  of 
arms,  and  General  Weiss  was  sent  against  thea  with 
20,000  men.  Whether  the  tardy  morenenls  of  this^ 
general  originated  from  design  or  not,  we  cannot  deter* 
mine,  yet  they  senred  to  confirm  the  disaffected  in  their 
perseverance  ;  and  the  arrival  of  the  French  general  de- 
cided the  fate  of  the  country.  The  French  general  no 
sooner  passed  the  boondaries  than  he  sent  an  offieer  to 
the  Swiss  commanders,  with  two  hussars/to  Yverdnn/ 
bnt  on  his  return  one  of  the  hussars  was  killed  at  Hiiriens, 
Sobanenburg  considered  this  as  tantamount  to  a  deelsira- 
lion  of  war,  and  his  troops  immedktely  marched  forward^ 
Hrlile  those  of  General  Weiss  commenced  a  retreat,  which 
placed  the  Whole  Payfr-de-Vand  in  the  hands  of  the  French 
daring  the  month  of  February.  Still  the  Government  of 
Berne  had  some  hopes  of  averting  the  hnpending  destruc- 
tion; and  to  accomplish  this  object,  they  delivered  up' 
the  oentinek  by  whom  the  hussars  had  been  killed,  and 
ontered  into  fresh  negociations.  But  it  now  seemed  im- 
poflsibk)  to  prevent  a  war  with  France,  although  the  Go- 
vennfteat  used  every  means  to  ronse  tthe  people  to  con- 
tribute to  dieir  assistance  i  it  was  decreed  that  fifty-two 
deputiea  should  be  added  to  the  council,  selected  fron^ 
the  ehief  towns  and  commnnes,  who  proposed  a  radical 
nfotin  of  abuses  in  the  existing  government ;  which 
laudable  example  was  imitated  by  Pribourg,  Laicerae, 
Solenre,  Zuricb,  and  Sohauffbausen.  In  this  state  of  af- 
^ra  they  nvgocialed  with  the  Executive  Directory  of 

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40ft       HISTORY  OP   NAPOLEON   BONAPARTE, 

The  Amy  of  Switzertand  retreats. 

France,  but  *  continued  a  force  of  20,000  men,  under 
General  d'Erlach,  the  rest  of  the  cantons  of  Switzerhnd 
imishing  about  5500  men.  An  armistice  was  concliided 
with  Schauenberg  in  the  Pays-de-Vaad,  when  General 
Bnme  advanced  to  his  assistance,  and  fresh  troops  front 
France  entered  Switzerland.  Hie  truc^  was  to  have  ex- 
j^red  OQ  the  1st  of  March,  but  General  d'Erlach  de- 
manded his  troops  to  be  put  in  motion  on  the  26tfa  of 
February,  being  apprehensive  that  their  ardour  would 
codi*  This  order  was  complied  with,  and  the  different 
posts  were  informed  that  hostiUties  would  commence  oa 
the  1st  of  March. 

General  Bnme  agreed  to  protract  the  armistice  or 
Iruce,  for  tfie  space  of  thirty  hours;  and  on  the  2d 
#f  March,  the  castle  of  Domach,  situated  on  the  nbrthem 
extremity  of  the  Canton  of  Soleure,  four  miles  and  a  half 
•Ml th  of  Basle,  was  attacked  and  canried  by  the  Republi- 
cans, when  13,000  mcR  proceeded  to  the  walls  of  thai 
town,  which  surrendered  to  General  Schauenberg.  The 
bte  of  Fribourg  soon  followed,  subnittiBg  to  General 
Brune,  when  the  army  of  Switaserlaad  was  under  the  ne- 
cessity of  retreating^  The  advances  of  the  iVench  amy 
were  seccmded  by  a  spirit  of  disaffection,  too  apparent  ia 
the  army  of  General  d'Erlach,  and  a  proclamation  was 
made  by  the  Council  of  Berne,  that  the  levy  of  the 
Landsthurm  (rising  in  a  mass)  was  ready  for  aetioD ; 
but  it  was  a  measure  productive  of  pernicious  ef* 
fects.  When  possessed  of  anas  the  people  soon  dis« 
solved  their  own  government,  established  a  pro  tenh 
pore  regency,  stated  their  proceedings  to  Genial 
Bnme,  and  ordered  the  army  to  be  dismissed,  on  con- 
dition that  the  French  troops  did  not  advance  beyond 
Ibeir    present  positions*    These  concessions,   however. 


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AND  WARS  OP   EtJROfE.  407 

Mutiny  in  tbc  Army  ofBwirterlaod. 

■  ^      .  ■■■■      ■  ■■  ■  .       .<^iipi     1     ..  -   ■  _  ,.i   j_ 

met  not  the  views  of  the  Republican  commander ;  for  he 
demanded  that  the  town  should  be  garrisoned  by  the 
aoldiers  of  France.  Mutiny  brook  out  in  the  army  of 
Switzerland^  which  put  to  death  a  nomber  of  their  offi- 
cers, who  were  unfriendly  ta  their  views  ;  it  appean 
that  no  fewer  than  11,600  men  had  abandoned  this  army. 
About  8000  of  the  regular  troops  were  stationed  at  New- 
eneg,  while  6400  maintained  their  station  at  FraaenbroN, 
to  carry  which  General  Schauenberg  marched  from  So« 
leure  with  18,000  men.  Both  places  were  attacked  bj 
&e  French  on  the  ith  of  March,  when  the  glorious  resis- 
tance of  the  Swiss  troops,  stationed  at  Neweneg,  seemed 
to  portend  a  future  victory ;  but  those  at  Frauenbron 
were  under  the  necessity  of  retreating.  Greneral  d'Eriach 
lallyed  bis  troops  at  Uleren,  four  miles  and  a  half  south 
of  Frauenbron,  when  another  action  took  place,  which 
also  terminated  in  &vour  of  the  Republicans.  The 
Swiss  again  &ced  the  enemy  at  Grauboltz,  about  five 
miles  north-east  of  Berne,  but  were  driven  to  the  very 
gates  of  the  metropolis,  ai)d  totally  defeated.  In  this  en- 
gagement the  Swiss  are  computed  to  have  lost  2000  men 
killed  and  wounded,  and  the  French  not  less  than  1800. 

The  city  of  Berne  capitulated,  and  was  entered  in  tri- 
umph on  the  evening  of  the  5di.  The  Swiss  troops  at 
Neweneg  and  Guminen,  were  forced  to  retreat ;  the  sol- 
diers lit  the  latter  place  put  their  officers  to  death  in  a  fit 
of  despau*,  and  the  unfortunate  General  d'Eriach,  was 
murdered  by  his  own  men,  in  escaping  from  the  field  of 
battle.  The  conquest  of  Berne  led  to  the  surrender  of  al- 
most all  Switzerland,  thou^  many  parts  of  that  fre^ 
country  seemed  determined  to  resist  to  the  last  extremity ; 
they  defeated  General  Schauenburg,  with  the  prodigious 
li^ss  of  3000  men,  after  h*  Imd  assented  to  a  treaty,  obligr 


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408     talSTORY  OF  MAPOLEON   BONAPARTE, 

■  Ml  ■     »  ■      I  I  ■■111  I  I— ^.-^^^.-.^^-i^     ,  ■     ■        ■    in    — 1^^ 

Bonaparte  retttnii  from  ParU  to  Rattadt. 

ing  liiiDAeJf  not  to  take  poftsession  of  the  smaller  cantons* 
It  could  not  be  supposed  tbat  the  spirit  of  a  few  towns 
could  resist  the  power  of  lai^e  victorious  armies.  Hie 
French  Generals  prodaimed  a  new  form  of  government ; 
and  bj  laying  heavy  contributions,  and  quartering  troops 
upon  the  inhabitants,  goaded  them  into  submission  to 
the  new  system,  which  was  styled ^'Hie  Helvetic  Be- 
pubUc*" 

The  French  Govenunent  with  a  prodigious  army,  «K 
perfect  leisure^  found  Utile  difficulty  in  giving  a  strong 
appearance  of  sincerity  to  its  threats  of  invading  the 
British  dominions.  Bonaparte,  who  commimded  that 
immense  body  of  forces,  called  "  The  Army  of  England/ 
was  sent  to  Radstadt,  as  the  French  Plenipotentiary  to 
the  Congress,  which  seemed  to  place  the  object  of  the 
.expedition  at  a  great  distance  of  time  :  the  English  Go- 
vernment, however,  thought  it  made  a  very  shrewd  dif- 
covery,  when  it  traced  its  destination  to  Irelimd;  and 
circumstances  occurred  to  strengthen  the  opinion.  Bo* 
naparte  continued  at  Radstadt  just  long  enough  to  6dA 
fault  with  some  of  the  members,  when  he  returned  te 
Paris  ;  this  proved  that  he  was  ready  to  go  to  Ireland, 
especially  as  at  that  time  several  persons,  conneeted  with 
the  United  Irishmen,  were  detected  in  a  cart,  upon  the 
coast  of  Kenty  with  a  design  to  engage  the  first  host 
they  could  hire  to  take  them  over  to  France^  to  present 
a  Paper  to  the  Directory,  inviting  it  to  send  an  army 
over  to  help  a  club  of  spouters  in  London  to  overturn  the 
Government ! 

The  ^United  Irish  were  so  impatient^  to  put  their  plans 
in  execution,  that  some  of  their  leaders  recommended  an 
instant  rismg.  The  situation  of  the  Irish  Government 
was  every  day  more  critical^  as  they  ooidd  not  be  certain 


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AND   WARS  OF   EUROPE.  409 


Psrliament  dnws  op  a  Report  on  tbe  Rebelhtnl 


where  the  blow  was  to  be  aimed,  nor  what  means  should 
be  made  ose  of  to  render  if  teeffectaal :  but  the  lAysterious 
designs  of  their  leaders  were  graduaOy  unfolded  by  secret 
information,  and  defensive  measures  were  adopted.    At 
Belfast,  in  the  house  of  one  Alexander,  Col6nel  Barb 
found  two  different  Committees   actually   sitting.    The 
minutes   and    papers   were  seized,  among  which  were 
the  printed  Declaration  and  Constitution  of  the  United 
Irishmen,  and  others  of  a  similar  tendency,  which  gave 
the  fullest  information   respectmg   their  designs.    The 
magistrates  discovered  mote  papers,  of  equal  importance, 
which  explained  their  intentions,  and  corroborated  every 
preTiotts  discovery.    The  papers  thus  found  i^ere  sub- 
mitted to  the  Secret  Committees  of  both  houses  of  Par- 
liament, and  each  house  drew  up  a  report,  in  eonformity 
to  the  evidence  they  contained.    The  military  force  was 
augmented,  the  ^insurrection  act  was  enforced  ;  some  di- 
visions of  the  country  were  declared  out  of  the  King's 
peace,  and  vast  quantities  of  concealed  arms  were  seized 
on. 

It  has  been  stated  that  some  persons  were  arrested  on 
the  coast  of  Kent,  going,  or  desirous  of  going,  to  France. 
Of  these  five  persons,  tbe  greatest  number  were  the  mpst 
vain  and  giddy-minded  that  could  have  been  chosen  \6 
transact  any  human  concern.  Vanity  alone  led  them  to 
choose  Whitstaple  as  the  best  road  of  going  to  France, 
for  they  might  have  got  room  in  any  of  the  vessels  that 
take  passengers  to  the  continent  under  neutral  colours, 
only  they  fancied  themselves  such  great  m^n,  that  they 
could  not  follow  the  usual  track  without  being  watched. 
One  of  them,  O'Coigly,  assumed  the  aur  of  a  man  of  busi« 
ness  ;  he  affected  to  have  forgotten  to  put  some  tetters 
of  the  very  first  importance  into  the  post,  and  sent  off  t^ 

VOL.  I.— NO,  18,  3  o 

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410      HISTORY  OF   NAPOLEON   BONAPARTE, 


Some  People  io  Mancbeiter  arretted. 


the  next  post  two  letters,  one  directed  to  Manchester  and 
Dne  to  Amsterdam.  This  circumstance,  which  oar  wise^ 
acres  intended  to  shew  the  people  that  they  had  some- 
thing to  do,  put  them  upon  inquiriug  what  that  some- 
thing could  be  ;  and  the  very  sound  of  Amsterdam  (not 
because  it  was  an  enemy's  country,  but  because  it  was  a 
gin  country)  made  the  Comptroller  of  the  Customs  think 
that  there  was  something  in  this  that  led  to  the  improve- 
ment of  his  fortune,  and  he  transmitted  the  letters  to  the 
Secretary  of  State,  who  escorted  our  travellers  to  London 
instead  of  to  Paris. 

The  letter  to  Manchester  was  addressed  to  a  manufac- 
turer there,  who  had  shewn  some  kindnesses  to  O'Coigly, 
from  a  letter  of  recommendation  which  he  had  presented 
on  his  arrival  from  Dundalk,  where  he  was  an  ofikiatiag 
priest  i  and  it  was  resolved  to  set  a  watch  upon  the 
manufacturer  and  his  friends,,  to  try  if  some  circumstances 
could  not  be  discovered  that  would  afford  a  pretext  for 
arresting  them  as  traitors.  One  of  the  Manchester  ma- 
gistrates selected  a  man  to  act  as  a  spy  upou  the  occasion, 
for  i^ich  he  Vas  qualified,  by  having  acted  as  a  sort  of 
vaiet-du-place  to  O'Coigly  at  Manchester^  This  man 
collected  some  few  persons  in  the  town,  chiefly  Irish,  and 
persuaded  them  to  get  the  oath  printed,  which  the  United 
Men  in  Ireland  used  to  administer  to  each  other.  The 
manufacturer  above  alluded  to,  a  tailor,  aod  a  printer, 
who  had  printed  the  Irish  oath,  were  all  arrested.  To 
give  aclat  to  this  proceeding,  these  persons  were  put  in 
irons,  and  paraded  to  London,  amidst  the  convoys -of 
loyal  volunteers,  who  were  called  out  at  every  stage  be- 
tween Manchester  and  Lmdon,  to  take  their  share  in  the 

Mcort. 
About  this  period  the  English  ministers  and  the  Engiish 


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AND  WARS  OP  EUROPE.  411 


SospensioD  of  the  Habeas  Corpus  Act. 


newspapers  began  to  make  Bonaparte  of  consequence,  by 
pefsonal  abuse ;  and  it  may  be  recollected,  that  the  same 
press  which  opened  its  abuse  against  Napoleon,  inserted 
calumnies  enough  to  justify  the  arrest  of  forty  or  fifty  in* 
habitants  of  London,  under  a  pretence  that  they  met  se* 
cretly  to  learn  the  use  of  arms,  and  were  in  possession  of 
dangerous  weapons,  to  aid  the  enemy  in  case  he  should 
invade  the  kingdoni.  'Upon  this  charge  the  British  Le- 
gislature suspended  the  Habeas  Corpus  Act,  and  many 
were  consequently  consigned  to  prison. 

Of  those  thus  arrested  some  were  known  to  be  decid- 
edly ayerse  to  the  French  Government  and  the  whole  of 
its-  measures  ;  and  many  were  charged  with  no  offence, 
but  having  attempted  to  Tisit  their  friends,  thus  suspected 
of  being  traitors. 


r#^#^^#^»»#<»##^^##»<i»^^#»»^^^^#^^^^«#^»^^^^ 


CHAPTER  LI. 

Before  we  enter  upon  the  rebellion  which  the  spirit  of 
the  two  countries  produced  in  Ireland,  we  must  observe 
that  a  system  of  co-operation  had  been  adopted  among 
the  disaffected  by  means  of  descending  committees,  which 
enabled  the  supreme  council  rapidly  to  communicate  its 
mstructioiis  to  the  whole  associated  body.  The  execu- 
tive power  communicated  with  the  representatives  of 
provinpes,  which  were  four  in  number :  Leinster,  Mun- 
«ter,  Connangfat,  and  Ulstor;  these  again  communicated 
with  the  representatives  of  baronies,  who  also  communi- 

3  o  3 

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412      HISTORY  Oip  NAPOLEON  BONAPART]E, 


Thd  Members  of  tbe  Iriib  Directory. 


cated  with  the  representatives  of  every  hundred  men  asso- 
ciated in  his  barony ;  and  the  representatives  of  handreds 
communicated  with  the  representatives  of  tens ;  which  last 
held  the  oflSce  of  corporal  in  the  malcontent  army.  Thus  an 
immense  population  could  be  called  into  action  by  an  in- 
visible  agency ;  and  the  attempts  of  government  to  sup- 
press this  insurrection  could  not  be  very  successful,  un^ 
less  it  could  secure  the  directing  power.  To  thi^  tlie  eye 
of  government  was  directed^  and  information  was  obtained 
where  a  meeting  of  Provincial  Delegates  would  assemble* 
The  police  were  thus  enabled  to  seize  in  Dublin,  four- 
teen of  the  principal  representatives,  with  all  their  papers, 
plans,  lists  of  names,  &c. 

In  forming  the  new  government  the  Irish  leaders  had 
shewn  themselvies  the  imitators  of  the  Frencji.  The  su- 
preme power  was  lodged  in  a  Directory,  consisting  of 
five  men ;  and  they  considered  all  persons  attached  to  the 
established  government  as  rebels,  whose  estates  should  be 
confiscated  for  the  good  of  their  new  republic!  Tlie 
Five  Directors  were,  Lord  Edward  Fitzgerald,  brother 
to  the  Duke  of  Leinster ;  Mr.  Arthur  O'Connor,  a  de- 
scendant from  Roderic  O'Connor,  king  of  Connaught; 
Mr.  Oliver  Bond ;  Counsellor  Emmet;  and  Dr.  M'Nevin. 
Of  these  the  three  latter  wert;  arrested  ;  and  Mr.  O'Con- 
nor was  -among  the  persons  taken  with  O'Coigly  on  the 
coast  of  Kent.  But  th^  principal  power  remained  ;  for 
Lord  Edward  Fitzgerald  possessed  great  military  talents, 
and  was  adored  by  the  Irish.  The  vacancies  in  the  Direc- 
tory were  filled  up  ;  yet,  as  it  was  unknown  how  Govern- 
ment obtained  its  information,  they  could  not  prevent  it^ 
getting  intelligence  of  all  the  movements  that  were  adopt- 
ed ;  the  new  Directory  were  arrested ;  and  Lord  Edward 
f>nly  escaped  by  the  peculiar  disguise  he  assumed*  and 


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AND  WARS  OF  BUKOPE.  413 


Lord  Edward  Fitsgerald  betrayed. 


the  care  he  took  to  avoid  attending  any  of  the  meetings 
in  person.    ': 

Frequent  intern^ptions  retarded  the  general  rising  ;  it 
was  the  nuddle  of  May  before  they  could  make  even  a 
partial  'fittempt  Both  parties  laid  the  highest  importance 
on  the  services  of  Lord  Edward,  and  were  equally  of 
opinion,  that  the  success  or  miscarriage  of  the  rebellion 
might  depend  upon  his  being  able  to  place  himself  at  the 
head  of  the  United  Irishmen.  The  moment  at  last  ar- 
rived ;  and  notiiing  remained  but  to  give  the  final  instruc* 
tions  to  those  who  were  to  lead  the  different  bands  against 
the  King*s  forces.  liord  Edward  went  to  meet  them  at  a 
cabaret  in  the-  neighbouriiood  of  Dublin,  where  vanity 
led  to  the  discovery  of  his  lordship,  and  the  derani^^e"' 
ment  of  all  the  plans  of  the  insurgents. 

It  is  worthy  of  remark,  that  in  Ireland,  as  well  as  ii| 
England  and  France,  during  the  whole  revolutionary 
struggle,  those  who  declaimed  agwnst  rank  and  titles  be- 
came reconciled  to  them  when  they  were  associated  in 
any  manner  with  themselves :  it  was  no  uncommon  thing  . 
to  hear  an  apostle  of  equality  claim  the  honour  of  hav- 
ing been  within  the  sight  or  the  heanng  of  some  lord^ 
when  he  would  have  been  covered  with  disgrace  to  have 
been  surprised  in  conversation  with  an  honest  coblerv 
This  was  the  case  at  the  meeting  of  the  Irish  Chiefs  ;  the 
party  had  the  air  of  a  convivial  company,  and  care  was 
taken  to  disguise  the  person,  and  conceal  the  character  of 
the  Generalissimo  ;  but  one  of  them,  who  perhaps  never 
addressed  a  nobleman  before,  in  the  intoxication  of  his 
soul,  directed  some  observation  to  his  leader,  whom  he 
accosted  by  his  title  of ''  Lord  Edward."  This  was  over- 
Jieard  by  a  servant  girl,  and  notice  was  given  to  the  po* 
{ice,  in  consequence  of  which  Govenuaeat  traoed  out  his 


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414       HISTORY  OF  NAPOLEOK  BONAPARTE, 
Lord  Rdward  Fitxgerald  arreited— His  desperate  Resiftaooe. 

residence,  and  arrested  tfie  principal  persons  who  were 
to  act  under  him. 

'  Having  made  sixch  nse  of  their  information  as  was 
tbonght  necessary  previous  to  securing  Lord  Edward 
Fitzgerald,  Government  ordered  him  to  be  taken  inta 
custody  on  the  21st  of  May.  An  idea  may  he  formed  of 
what  he  would  have  done  at  the  head  of  an  army,  front 
his  having  resisted  three  ofBcers  who  attempted  to  take 
him,  one  of  whom  he  wounded,  after  having  killed 
another,  and  defended  himself  against  the  third,  till  he 
received  two  wounds,  of  which  he  died  in  a  few  days. 
'  The  23d  of  May  was  fixed  upon  for  the  general  attack, 
and  Lord  Edward  continued  in  Dublin,  to  head  those 
corps  which  were  to  seize  the  castle,  and  alarm  die  whole 
country,  in  getting  possession  of  the  metropolis  by  a 
coup  de  main.  Not  a  leader  of  consequence  now  re- 
mained with  the  insurgents,  and  their  own  zeal  alone 
guided  them  in  the  interprise  into  which  they  were  about 
to  plunge.  Unorganized  as  they  were,  it  was  resolved 
to  attack  the  King's  forces  in  their  camp  a  few  miles  firom 
Dublin,  and  seize  upon  the  cannon  in  that  neighbour- 
hood. The  town  of  Naaa  was  entered  in  defiance  of 
the  military,  and  several  on  both  sides  were  kiDed  and 
wounded. 

Hie  rebellion  was  general  in  the  province  of  Leinster, 
and  the  counties  of  Kildare,  Wexford,  and  Wicklow 
were  chiefiy  occupied  by  the  insurgents,  by  whom  eveiy 
thmg  was  done  to  get  possession  of  Dublin,  that  could  be 
expected  from  a  rabble,  headed  by  bigoted  priests. 
Hough  greatly  superior  in  numbers,  the  insurgents 
were  kept  at  bay  by  the  King's  forces,  and  vigorous 
measures  were  adopted  by  the  Government  The  nor- 
thern countries  did  not  rise  to  second  those  of  the  wmA^ 


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AND  WARS   OF  EUROPE.  415 

Mnriibf ,  m  Priest  heads  tfie  Intargenti . 

SO  that  the  royal  armies  concentrated  ^  tbemselves  in  de- 
fence of  the  chief  pdinta  of  attack* 

Father  John  Murphy,  a  priest,  pat  himself  at  the  head 
of  the  principal  force,  and  with  a  large  body  of  follow- 
ers formed  a  tolerably  well  fortified  camp  at  Vinegar 
Hill  I  from  whence  numerous  parties  issued  in  irregular 
order,  and  committed  the  most  wanton  cruelties  upon 
the  persons  a|id  estates  of  those  diiferiBg  from  them  in 
opinion*  In  iheir  predatory  excursions  they  took  many 
prisoners,  chiefly  protestants ;  these  were  shut  up  within 
the  camp,  and  were  often  brought  out  and  cruelly  butch- 
ered by  pikes  or  bayonets,  under  pretence  of  their  being 
about  to  escape !  Nothing  could  exceed  the  eathusiasm 
of  this  furious  rabble ;  and  were  it  possible  that  numbers 
were  c^>able  of  subduing  regular  troops,  (as  has  been 
said  with  regard  to  the  French)  the  United  Irish  must 
have  triumphed  over  the  King's  forces ;  but  the  rery  first 
serious  onset  gave  confidence  to  the  Government  and  its 
friends,  and  destroyed  the  hopes  of  the  rebels;  multi- 
tudes of  the  insurgents  Tell  at  the  first  charge,  whilst  the 
soldiers  killed  were  comparatively  trifling ;  and  the  un- 
ruly assailants,  once  thrown  into  confusion,  every  effort 
to  rally  them  was  inefiectual ;  they  conld  only  save  them- 
selves by  flight. 

Though  those  who  now  managed  the  insurrection  knew 
little  of  the  correspondence  that  existed  between  their 
late  Directory  and  that  of  France,  there  was  an  idea 
among  them  that  a  French  armament  was  to  co-operate 
in  their  enterprise.  Great  exertions  were  in  consequence 
made  to  take  the  town  and  port  of  Wexford ;  and  this 
wa»  done,  owing  to  the  impossibility  of  sending  reinf<rrce- 
meuts  in  sufiicient  time  firom  Dublin« 


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416      HISTORY  OF  NAPOLEON   BONAPARTE, 


Tiie  Rebels  defeated  at  MewRoM. 


It  was  a  &oIt  bath  of  the  Oovernment  and  the  people » 
t]]at  the  smallest  credit  was  given  to  the  French ;  for,  though 
there  were  near  150,000  men  in  that  army,  artfully  styled 
f*  The  Army  ot  England,"  not  a  single  regiment  made  its 
appearance  on  the  Irish  coast  While  they  kept  Wex- ' 
ford  the  insurgents  gained  some  advantages,  which  in- 
creased their  uambers  and  inflamed  their  hopes.  They 
determined  on  the  capture  of  Ross,  which  was  defended 
by  1400  eflPective  men,  besides  artillery.  The  iitry  of 
this  contest  resembled  one  of  those  savage  straggles  that 
occur  among  the  barbarous  hordes  of  Africa,  rather  than 
a  battle  between  the  armies  of  a  civilised  people.  The 
assailants  were  30,000  strong,  and  advanced  upon  the 
town,  with  horrid  yells  and  the  clattering  of  pikes,  about 
five  o'clock  in  the  morning,  equally  inspired  with  re- 
ligion and  whiskey  !  ,They  actually  got  possession  of  the 
town,  an  advantage  they  might  have  secured,  was  it  not 
for  the  anarchy  that  prevaUed  over  the  general  body. 
They  were  soon  entirely  subdued  by  the  potent  draughts 
of  strong  drink  in  which  they  indulged ;  and  General 
Johnson  retook  the  town  with  very  little  difficulty. 

Prance  could  supply  her  arsenals  and  flotillas  by  the  m- 
ternal  navigation  of  Holland  and  the  Low  Countries ;  and 
it  was  considered  necessary  to  destroy  some  of  the  works, 
that  should  interrupt  that  communication,  lliose  of 
Bruges  were  ordered  for  destruction,  and  an  expedition 
under  Sir  Home  Popham  and  General  Coote,  landed  at 
Ostend,  from  whence  they  marched  to  Bruges,  where 
they  did  much  mischief  to  the  works :  but  before  the 
English  troops  could  return  to  their  transports  the  French 
took  ^  them  prisoners.  Tlie  French  had  settled  to  con- 
demn them  to  repair  the  mischief  they  had  done,  but. 


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AifD  If  Alts  OP  fiunoYfi.  417 

•  A  Frtoeh  DWUion  lamled  at  Kitlala. 

Upon  it  Burf  ey,  it  Was  foiaid  that  ail  the  injury  the  basod 
liad  reeeited  coaM  b«  obviltted  at  a  ntdi  expense^  with* 
in  a  short  tinre«  v 

The  traeitics  made  use  or  by  tbe  oathotics  tonrards  the 
prtftestanta  in  Irelmd^  made  the  rebellion  appear  more 
fike  a  snperstttioiis  criisade  than  a  straggle  for  liberty, 
and  many  of  the  Uoited  Men  eagerly  withdrew  iVom  a 
todtesty  in  which  success  would  only  prepare  the  gibbet 
for  themselves  and  faadlies. 

The  King's  troops  retook  Wexlbrd^  and  the  insurgents 
after  one  month  Were  obliged  to  take  shelter  [among  tho 
hills  and  fastnesses.  Whence  they  could  gain  very  little  by 
any  kind  ot  auxiliary  force/  even  if  their  treacheroua 
allies  should  send  one, 

Wexford  was  stilf  in  the  iurnds  of  the  insurgents,  when 
news  was  brought  that  Bonaparte  had  put  to  sea  with  his 
armyi  convoyed  by  the  flower  of  the  French  navy.  Time 
passed  away  but  no  tidings  were  heard  of  the  'General ; 
the  alarm  increase,  and  it  was  but  just  known  that  Bona- 
parte had  been  at  Malta»  without  declaring  Usfotmre 
dcstinatton,  when  accounts  stated  that  a  French  army  bait 
landed  on  the  western  coast  of  Ireland* 

The  French  Oenerai,  Humbert,  landed  at  Killala  on 
Ac  23d  of  Augusti  which  created  such  consternation  that 
the  Lord  Lieutenant  took  Ac  field  in  persoui  with  a  nu- 
merous force.  It  was  a  great  disappointment  to  General 
Humbert  on  his  landing,  to  find  that  few  of  the  inhabi*^ 
fants  were  iAcBued  to  join  him;  since  their  late  numerous 
defeats  made  them  consider  their  cause  as  hopeless. 

General  Humbert  shewed  a  display  of,  great  military 
AID,  and  evittced  himself  worthy  to  command  on  a  ha^ 
iardMs  expeditien.  Although  the  forces  destined  to  stop 
lis  progress  were  much  more  nmneron»  Ami  his  own  yet 

vou  i«— NO.  18«  8  H 

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418      HISTORY   OF   NAPOLEON  BONAPARTE, 
The  French  nirrender  to  Geneial  Lake. 


he  jadged  that  slow  movements  would  be  against  his  iii-' 
tore  success,  and  he  marched  quickly  towards  Castlebar, 
Inhere  General  Lake  was  collecting  bis  forces.  On  the 
27th  he  engaged  the  British  General,  and  compelled  him 
to  retreat  with  the  loss  of  six  pieces  of  cannon,  and  a  few 
men.  The  troops  under  General  Lake  hav^  been  stated 
at  6000  men,  while  those  of  the  French  commander  were 
under  900»  Humbert  next  marched  towards  Tuam ;  bat 
it  was  impossible  with  such  a  force  he  could  be  victorious 
without  the  co-operation  of  the  people  at  large.  On  th« 
7th  of  September  the  Lord  Lieutenant  overtook  the  ene- 
my near  Castlebar,  and  compelled  them  .to  retrograde* 
General  Huntfbert  took  a  circuitous  march,  and  thus  fie 
voured  the  retreat  of  the  rebels. 

The  French  rear-guard  waa  overtaken  at  Ballinnamack 
and  summoned  to  lay  down  their  arms.  They  shewed  no 
signs  of  compliance,  and  the  British  troops  attacked  them, 
when  about  200  of  them  threw  down  their  arms,  hoping 
that  their  example  would  be  followed  by  the  rest  of  tbeir 
countrymen,  but  as  General  Craddock  advanced,  thej 
poured  upon  him  a  heavy  fire,  by  which  he  was  wounded. 
'.  Fresh  reinforcements  were  ordered  by  General  Lake,  and 
an  attack  conmienced  against  them  in  every  directioQi 
when  in  about  half  an  hour  the  whole  of  them  surren* 
dered.  About  ninety-three  of  the  unfortunate  insurgents 
were  taken  prisoners,  and  three  of  tbeir  Generals,  vis* 
Blake,  lloach  and  Tceling.  Four  of  the  rebels,  wbo 
had  joined  the  invaders,  were  hanged  at  Castlebar  by 
order  of  General  Humbert,  for  plunder  and  rapine. 

It  is  manifest  something  was  looked  for  from  this  eipe- 
dition,  since  a  brig  was  seen  off  the  island  of  Raghlin  on 
the  16th  of  September,  and  the  crew  landed,  uoong 
mfiom  ,wa»  General  B<ey  and  Napper  Tandy,  a  general  •' 


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AND   WARS   OP   EUROPE.  419 

Lord  Corowallis  prevails  on  the  People  to  return  to  their  Doty. 

brigade  in  the  service  of  France.  After  inquiring  con- 
cerning the  troops  which  landed  at  Killala,  they  were 
mach  dejected  when  informed  of  their  defeat ;  they 
sounded  the  inhabitants  by  manifestoes,  bat  found  tbat 
the  sentiments  of  Irishmen  were  changed  ;  they  had  suf- 
fered from  the  British  military  and  the  tardiness  of  their 
Gallic  friends.  Finding  matters  in  such  a  situation,  they 
embarked  and  put  to  sea. 

Soon  after  the  French  Republic  made  another  attempt 
to  subjugate  Ireland,  but  it  was  ultimately  fruitless  ;  it 
was  not  made  till  the  Irish  coast  was  protected.  A  squa- 
dron of  one  sail  of  the  line  and  eight  frigates  sailed  from 
Brest,  and  by  the  11th  of  the  ensuing  month  was  dis* 
covered  by  Sir  J.  B.  Warren*  The  battle  commenced  on 
the  morning  of  the  I2tb  of  October,  and  the  Hoche,  the 
enemy's  line  of  battle  ship,  did  not  strike  to  the  British 
flag  till  about  eleven  o'clock,  after  a  resistance  which  did 
honour  to  her  commander.  The  frigates  crowded  all  the 
sail  fhey  could  carry,  to  effect  their  escape,  and  were 
chased  by  the  British  admiral ;  three  of  them  were  capi> 
tured  during  that  day,  and  a  like  number  soon  after. 
The  whole  squadron,  with  the  exception  of  two  frigates, 
were  thus  totally  defeated. 

When  the  insurgents  had  been  subdued  and  many  exam* 
pies  made  ef  the  prisoners,  it  was  thought  advisable  to  take 
measures  to  weaken  the  ranks,  by  the  disaffection  of  those 
who  might  not  be  very  zealous  in  the  insurrection.  With 
this  view  bills  of  attainder  were  passed  by  the  Irish  Par- 
liament  against  the  leaders,  and  a  bill  of  amnesty  for 
those  who  would  accept  it  within  a  certain  time.  Lord 
Coimwallis  was  appointed  Lord  Lieutenant,  and  by  his 
mild  and  benevolent  manners  prevailed  on  the  people  to 
return    to    their    usual   occupations,   and    induced  th% 

3  H  2 

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420     HISTORY  OF   KAPOLBON   BONAI^ARTfi^ 
'  France  M«kt  an  AUiaaoe  wich  Uydcr  Ally. 


leaders,  wbo  were  still  under  arrest,  to  purchase  their 
lives  by  a  displosQre  pf  the  ciroiuiwtaiices  that  led  to  the 
rebeliioQ. 

The  strqggle  now  only  existed  with  a  few  fool-hardy 
marauders,  headed  by  Holt,  an  obscure  individoal  of 
great  talent,  whose  well-contrived  stratagems  eladed  the 
vigilance  of  bis  pnrsuers,  ontil  they  granted  him  his  hk, 
upon  condition  of  his  quitting  the  coontry. 


^^^*^^^^^^SS  9^^^^*^^^9'^*^*'0^^0^*S0^^*'*^^^'^^ 


CHAPTER  Lir* 


France  had  long  envied  the  territorial  and  conmiercial 
greatness  of  Britain  in  the  JEast  Indies,  and  evei?  thing 
had  been  made  qse  of  to  entangle  that  country  in  constant 
hostilitie?  with  the  native  governments.  In  these  views 
Hyder  Ally,  who  had  usurped  the  throne  and  teffitqiy 
of  Mysore,  entertained  a  similar  hatred  to  the  Sc^Ulb, 
from  obstacles  which  their  power  opposed  to  his  ^ter^ 
prising  schemes.  An  nlliance  between  France  and  Hyder 
obliged  the  English  to  be  constantly  on  the  alert  in  the 
East  Indies ;  and  though  the  British  arms  were  triumphant 
in  every  contest,  the  danger  increased  with  the  progreap 
of  time,  inasmuch  as  the  French  officers  sod  engineers 
instructed  their  allies  in  all  the  mysteries  of  Enropeaii 
tactics. 

Tippoo  Saib,  son  and  successor  to  Hyder,  evinced  the 


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AND  WARS  OF  EUROPE.  421 

■■'■I'"    ■■  "         ■  ■    '       ..      ■  ■     ■       ..■      ' — ^' ..■___: — -—jr 

ExjfMtUfn  to  £f  jpt  pl«iined  by  the  French. 

aame  diiUt^e  and  attacbpient*  md  h^mg  severely  beatea 
by  tb^  En^Iigh  just  before  tbe  war  which  took  place  with 
the  Repvblio  tboogbt  that  likely  to  afford  bim  m  oppor* 
Pmtj  of  gratifying  bia  reaentipeiit ;  mutual  oouvenieuco 
drew  tbe  two  powers  together,  and  tbe  anny  of  tbe  SuK 
tan  was  officered  by  ]?Venphmen.  The  designs  of  Tippoo 
were  not  donbted^  but  occupied  as  France  was  with  the 
combined  powers  of  flurope,  sho  eonld  spare  no  force  to 
co-operate  with  hifp,  Whep  tbe  continental  war  finished, 
this  difficulty  was  reinoTed  ;  but  there  was  another,  and 
that  was  the  superiority  of  tbe  British  na¥y,  npw  triuni* 
phant  in  e?ery  sea. 

France  had  reaolved  to  attack  the  British  pQsses9ions  ia 
India,  an4  the  enterprisiug  spirit  of  Bonaparte  was  suite4 
to  the  baaard  of  tbe  undertaking.  It  w»i  resolved  to 
seiae  upon  the  territory  of  Egypt,  that  by  moving  th^ 
conunerce  of  the  East  through  the  Red  Sea»  the  new 
French  colony  should  become  the  gnmd  }Mlt^  where  all 
{lurope  might  be  supplied  with  Indiau  articles,  cheaper 
than  they  could  ^e  bad  firofu  the  ^g^sb ;  vbilei  as  a 
military  post  it  could  at  all  tim(Ml  transport  auxiliaries  to 
the  coast  of  Coromandel*  This  plan  was  imparted  to 
Tippoo,  and  the  govemmeut  in  India  knew  it  nearly  as 
aoon  as  it  was  known  in  London* 

It  was  the  expedition  to  Egypt  tbat  the  QirecbNy  and 
the  General  were  preparing,  whilst  th^y  marked  their  de« 
signs  under  the  appearance  of  orga^udng  an  army  of 
:^gland,  to  co-operate  with  the  United  Irishmen,  allbough 
the  object  waa  concealed  with  so  much  address,  tl|at  it 
was  doubtful,  after  it  was  know  tbat  Malta  bad  been 
captured,  whether  the  General  might  not,  even  from 
thence,  b^nd  his  course  for  Ireland. 

When  the  British  Government  bad  most  to  fear  from 


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422      HISTORY  OF   NAPOLEON    BONAPARTE, 


Booaparte  nilt  with  a  gnmd  Amumeiit. 

the  Irish  mHurrection/  and  -when  it  was  obliged  to  guard 
erery  French  port  on.the  western  ocean,  Aat  part  of  the 
Army  of  England  cantoned  in  the  southencports,  pat  to 
sea,  under  the  command  of  Bonaparte.  .On  theSOtb  of 
May,  1798,  the  General  pnt  <o  sea  from  Toulon  on 
board  the  FOrient,  of  120  gons,  bearing  the  flag  of  Ad- 
miral Bmyes,  to  take  the  command  of  a  fleet  then  as- 
sembling from  the  •different  ports  of 'France,  which  was 
to  consist  of  thirteen  sail  of  the  line,  besides  foar  frigates, 
and  near  four  hundred  transports.  On  board  the  fleet  was 
an  army  of  40,000  men,  and  a  vast  number  of  adventurers, 
who  associated  their  fate  with  this  expedition,  without 
knowing  more  of  it  than  that  Bonaparte  was  at  its  head ; 
there  were  a  great  number  of  men  of  science  and  others, 
all  of  them  capable  of  contributing  to  the  prosperity  of  a 
new  colony ;  and  the  whole  of  this,  including  the  sailors, 
made  the  number  engaged  in  the  expedition  amount  to 
near  70,000  souls.  * 

The  frigates  led  the  van ;  the  Admiral  followed,  and 
the  sUps  of  the  line  formed  the  rear ;  the  transports  kept 
in  shore,  between  the  Hieres  and  the  Lievant. 

Malta  was  seen  on  the  26th  of  June,  and  two  crazy 
barks  came  off  to  sell  tobacco.  Bonaparte  ask^d  permis- 
sion to  water  his  fleet,  but  the  Grand  Master  refused  to 
grant  his  request;  this  gave  Bonaparte  an  excuse  for 
commencing  hostilities. 

At  day-break  on  the  11th  a  lainguid  fire  was  maintain- 
ed ;  a  bark  came  out  of  the  port,  and  was  conducted  to 
the  rOrient ;  at  eleven,  a  second,  under  a  flag  of  truce, 
brought  tho^e  Knights  who  chose  to  abandon  Malta.  It 
appeared  that  the  garrison  was  ahnost  totally  unprovided, 
and  at  four  P.  M.  there  were  fewer  men  than  guns  on  the 
walls  of  the  fort.    It  was  plain  that  the  citizens    aad 


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AND   WARS   OF   EUROPE.  423 

He  takei  the  Island  of  Malta. 

Knights  had  diBagreed,  the  gates  of  the  forts  being  shut, 
and  all  intercourse  between  them  and  the  city  at  an  end. 
The  General  sent  his  aid-de-camp,  Junot,  with  his  ulti- 
matum ;  soon  after  twelve  Maltese  commissioners  cam# 
on  board  the  TOrient,  and  on  the  I2thy  at  half  past 
eleven,  Malta  was  in  the  power  of  the  French.  Under  a 
salute  of  500  guns  from  the  fleet,  the  French  troops  took 
.possession  of  the  forts,  thus  completing  the  conquest  of 
the  strongest  post  in  the  Mediterranean. 

In  the  orders  issued  by  Bonaparte  at  Malta,  there  is  one 
more  barbarous  than  was  the  Greek  in  which  it  was 
written  ;  when  it  is  considered,  that  he  had  only  the  same 
right  to  dictate  laws  at  Malta  that  the  robber  has  when  he 
has  broken  into  the  house  of  a  peaceable  man,  and  stolen 
his  property. 
^    This  order  began  in  the  usual  way. 

Liberty!  Equality! 

^  It  first  relates  to  the  mode  of  worship  in  the  island,  and 
that  protection  should  be  given  to  the  Jews  who  might 
wish  to  establish  themselves  there.  That  all  the  Greeks 
who  should  keep  any  connection  with  Russia,  should  be 
put  to  death ;  and  all  vessels  ni^der  Russian  colours  be 
sent  to  the  bottom.  He  then  writes  a  letter  to  the  Bishop 
of  Malta,  thanking  him  for  his  reception  of  the  French 
troops,  telling  him  the  high  opinion  he  entertains  of  the 
cliaracter  of  a  good  priest,  and  begging  him  to  repair  to 
tlie  town  of  Malta,  and  by  his  influence  to  preserve  har- 
mony among  the  people.  That  he  wishes  to  be  intro- 
duced  to  the  different  chiefs,  and  begs  the  Bishop  to  be 
convinced  of  his  esteem  and  consideration. 

Witliin  eight  days  Bonaparte  took  the  island  of  Malta, 
organized  a  provisional  government,  victualled  the  fleet^ 
t«iok  in  water,  and  arranged  all  the    dispositions.     He 


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424      HISTORY   or   NAPOLfeON   BONAPARTE, 

Seiidi  a  Ff  ij^ate  to  Alexandria  for  Intelligence. 

quitted  it  Od  the  19th  of  June,  tearing^  the  command  to 
General  Vanbois,  and  appointed  Citizen  Menard  Com* 
mlssary  of  Marine. 

On  the  26th  the  Captain  of  the  Jnno  received  orders  to 
make  ail  sail  for  Alexandria,  now  sixty  leagues  distant, 
ftnd  there  to  learn  from  the  French  Consul,  whether  tho 
expedition  had  been  heard  of,  and  the  disposition  of  the 
inhabitants  with  regard  to  the  enterprise,  litis  was  td 
be  the  first  vessel  to  anchor  on  the  African  shore,  and 
was  to  collect  the  Frenchmen  ia  Alexandria,  and  shelter 
thetn  from  the  tumalts  the  arrival  of  the  fleet  might  ex- 
cite. Thi^  done,  the  Juno  was  to  return  to  the  rendes* 
vous  of  the  fleet,  six  leagues  off  Cape  Brui6.  By  noon, 
on  the  27tb,  the  welcome  cry  of  "  Land  P*  was  heard, 
and  at  six  o'clock  it  was  visible  from  the  deck,  extending 
like  a  white  stripe  along  /the  dark  edge  of  the  sea,  while 
nothuig  interrupted  the  monotony  of  the  scene.  The 
Juno  weathered  Cape  Durazo ;  and  a  Lieu  tenant  was  sent 
on  shore,  who  returned  at  midnight  with  the  French 
Consul  and  Dragoman  on  board,  and  the  frigate  sailed  tO' 
join  the  fleet. 

The  fleet  having  shortened  sail  to  wait  for  intelligence, 
the  General  distribated  his  general  orders  among  the 
forces  :  he  had  addressed  a  Proclamation  to  the  army  inn 
'Mediately  on  his  arrival  at  Toulon,  the  tendency  and  de* 
sign  of  which  was  to  preserve  the  idea  of  the  expedition 
being  about  to  invade  the  British  dominions. 

If  the  army  liad  any  conception  of  the  voyage,  or  of 
the  kind  of  warfare  they  were  about  to  engage  in,  before 
they  quitted  France,  probably  they  would  have  matinied 
sooner  than  have  engaged  in  the  expedition ;  but  as  tbey 
were  promised  by  the  General  six  acres  of  land  for  each 
vutti  as  the  price  of  the  first  victoiy,  and  Ibey  imagined 


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AND  WARS    OF   EUROPE  425 

^        ■ '  —  — ^ 

Bonaparte's  ProclamatioD  to  bis  Army. 

that  they  were  steering  for  Englaod^  they  embarked  on 
the  voyage  as  on  a  party  of  pleasure.  It  vas,  however, 
necessary  to  set  England  before  them,  as  the  goal  to 
which  they  were  hasteningi  and  Egypt  as  no  more  than 
an  oat-post. 

He  addresses  them  ip  a  proclamation,  statiiig  that  though 
they  had  done  much,  yet  much  more  remained  for  them  to 
do ;  that  the  eyes  of  Europe  were  fixed  on  them ;  they  mast 
be  united,  and  recollect  that  in  time  of  battle  they  stood 
in  need  of  each  other;  and  tells  the  marines  that,  though 
formerly  neglected,  they  will  be  worthy  of.  the  army  of 
which  they  form  a  part.  In  another  proclamation  he  tells 
them  they  {pre  going  to  undertake  a  valuable  conquest, 
and  give  the  English  a  most  sensible  blow ;  that  they  shall 
have  much  to  do,  and  fight  several  battles ;  but  that  they 
shall  succeed  in  every  thing.  He  then  rails  against  the 
Mamelukes,  who,  he  says,  tyrannize  over  the  inhabitants 
of  the  banks  of  the  Nile;  but  that  they  shall  cease  to 
exist ;  that  they  are  going  to  live  amongst  mahoineiants, 
and  advises  them  not  to  dispute  their  faith  ;  he  desires 
them  to  treat  their  Muftis  with  respect ;  he  cautionni 
them  against  pillage,  that  it  dishonoiirs  them  and  de- 
stroys their  resources.  He  then  says,  the  first  city 
they  shall  arrive  at  was  built  by  Alexander,  and  that 
they  will  meet  at  every  step  with  objects  to  excite  emu- 
lation. 

He  then  issues  General  Orders  from  on  board  tlie 
rOrient.  He  commences  by  ordering  the  Generals  who 
shall  command  detached  divisions,  to  seal  up  the  regis^ 
ters  of  the  revenue  ;  that  all  the  Mamelukes  shall  b&  ar« 
rested  and  taken  tu  head  quarters.  He  then  makes  a  dis« 
position  of  all  horses  and  camels  for  the  use  of  the  ai\-nv; 

VOL.  I,— *N0.  19.  81 


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426      HISTORY  OF   NAPOLEON    BONAPARTE, 
Bonaparte*!  Letter  to  the  Commaiider-iii-Cliief  at  Alexandrra. 


and  states  the  sum  to  be  paid  for  each  by  the  Quarter* 
Master  General ;  and  concludes  by  stating,  that  aH  sol* 
diers  stealing  horses  or  camels  shall  be  punishsd. 

In  a  subsequent  order  he  fixes  the  superintendance  of 
the  coast,  and  appoints  the  officers  to  dieir  situations  ; 
and  adds  a  clause,  that  all  saibrsvomder  thuty  shall  be 
put  in  requisition. 

The  Consul  arrived  on  board  the  Admiral's  ship ;  ho 
stated,  that  the  appearance  of  the  French  frigate  caused 
the  immediate  adoption  of  mea«ores  against  the  christian 
inhabitants  of  the  city,  and  that  he  found  great  difficulty 
in  coming  away;  he  added,  that  fourteen  Engli^  Tossels 
appeared  on  the  28th  of  June,  within  half  a  league  of 
Alexandria,  and  that  Admiral  Nelson  had  directed  his 
course  towards  the  north-east;  and  informed  the  Genwal, 
that  it  was  determined  to  defend  the  city  and  forts  of 
Alexandria,  against  any  troops  tiiat  should  attempt  to 
land. 

Whereupon  the  General  wrote  the  following  letter : 

Bonaparte,  Member  of  the  National  Institute,  Comman- 
der-in-Chief, to  the  Commander  of  the  Caraval,  at 
Alexandria, 

Head  Quarters,  on  board  the  rOiient,  July  1. 

**  The  Be\  s  have  loaded  our  merchants  with  exactfons, 
and  I  am  couic  to  demand  reparation. 

''  I  shall  be  at  Alexandria  to-morrow;  but  this  ought 
not  to  alarm  you. «  You  are  a  subject  of  our  great  friend 
the  Sultan;  conduct  yourself  accordingly;  but  if  you 
commit  the  slightest  act  of  hostility  against  the  French 
army,  I  shall  treat  you  as  an  enemy,  and  yon  will  ha?e 


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ANl>  WABS  O^  fiUltOPE.  427 

French  An&jr  land  in  £j^t* 

w  "  ■ 

no  one  to  blame  for  it  but  yourself ;  for  such  a  thing  is 
fitf  from  my  intention^  and  from  my  heart 

*'Your^s, 

**  Bonaparte." 

The  General  in  Chief,  the  same  evening,  made  ar- 
rangements for  landing,  and  fixed  oA  the  Poittt  at  Mara- 
bou as  the  spot ;  he  ordered  the  fle<$t  te  dnchof  as  near 
the  Point  as  possible  ;  but  two  ships  of  Wai^  in  preparing 
to  execute  this,  ran  fouT  of  ihA  Adiiiind'd  ithip,  irhich' 
caused  the  order  to  be  connteniiaiided,  and  the  alma* 
ment  remained  at  its  then  situatidti.  Ifh^  irere  at  a  dis- 
tance of  about  three  leagues  froM  thd  shore,  the  wiiid 
was  northerly,  and  blew  with  violence,  afid  the  debarka* 
tion  was  equally  perilous  and  difflcidt ;  but  nodiing  eouM 
retard  the  brave  men,  who  wefd  €^€t  to  anticipate  tiitf 
hostile  dispositions  of  the  inhabitants 

The  sea  was  covered  with  boats,  irtiich  tMnmei  the 
impetuosity  of  the  wav^s.  The  gidley  ^with  *Botiapar1tf 
approached  the  nearest  breakers',  Whetide  the  entrance 
to  the  creek  of  Marabou  was  discovered  i  he  waited  for 
those  boats  that  were  to  join  him,  bnt  (hey  arrived  not 
till  after  sun-set,  and  could  no^  during  the  night,  pene- 
trate the  ledge  of  breakers.  Eaily  id  (he  morning  the 
General  in  Chief  landed,  at  the  h<Bad  of  the  fbtemost 
troops,  who  formed  in  the  [desert,  i&bout  three  leagues 
from  Alexandria/ 


3  I  2 

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428      HISTORY  OP   NAPOLEON   BONAPARTE, 


Letter  of  the  King  of  Hollaod  to  hii  Brother  Joseph. 


CHAPTER  LIll. 

The  account  of  the  first  proceediogSy  as  given  by  Louis 
Bonaparte,  lately  King  of  Holland,  in  a  letter  to  his 
brother  Joseph,  dated  Alexandria,  July  6,  plainly  proves 
the  defenceless  state  of  the  pe<^le,  while  it  is  less  bom- 
bastic than  other  French  accounts. 

**  At  break  of  day  on  the  2d  we  invested  Alexandria, 
after  driving  into  the  [town  several  small  detachments  of 
cavalry.  The  enemy  defended  themselves  like  men*; 
the  artillery  which  they  planted  on  the  walls  was  wretch* 
ediy  served,  but  their  musketry  was  excellent.  These 
people  have  no  idea  of  children's  play  ;  they  either  kill 
or  ape  killed.  The  first  inclosure,  however,  that  is  to 
say,  that  of  the  city  of  the  Arabs,  was  carried  ;  and  soon 
after  the  second,  in  spite  of  the  fire  from  the  houses. 
The  forts  which  are  on  the  coast,  on  the  other  side  of 
the  city,  were  then  invested,  and  in  the  evening  capitu- 
lated. 

**  Since  the  2d  of  July  we  have  been  engaged  in  dis- 
embarking  the  troops,  the  artillery,  and  the  .baggage. 
General  Deaaix  is  at  Demanhur,  on  the  Nile  ;  the  rest  of 
the  army  is  to  follow  him. 

*  Yet  those  tender-hearted  Frenchmen,  who  came  to  visit 
them  in  pure  friendship,  to  introduce  liberty  and  happiness 
amongst  them,  couM  not  be  restrained  from  pillaging  the  city, 
and  massacreing  its  inhabitants,  during  the  space  of  four 
hours,  until,  in  the  polite  and  inoffensive  languajfe  of  Bertfaieri 
^ '  a  great  slaughter  took  place^^ 


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AND   WARS   OV   EUROPE.  429 


H'tfl  DeacriptioD  of  the  Bedouins. 


"  Tbe   place  where    we    disembarked  is  about  two  . 
leagues  from  hence,  at  the  tower  of  Marabou,  or  Ae  > 
Isles  des  Arabes.    The  two  first  days  we  had  a  number  of 
stragglers  out  off  by  the  Arab  and  Mameluke  cavalry.    I ' 
imagine  that  we  have  lost  about  100  killed,  and  as  many 
wounded.    The  Generab  Kleber,  Menou,  and  Lascalle, 
are  wounded, 

*'  I  send  ybu  the  proclamation  to  the  inhabitants  of  the. 
€ounU'y»  which  has  produced  an  effect  altogether  astonish^ 
ing.  The  Bedouins,  enemies  of  the  Mamelukes,  and  who, 
properly  speaking,  are  neither  more  nor  less  .than  in- 
trepid robbers,  sent  us  back,  as  soon  as  they  had  read  it, 
thirty  of  our  people  whom  they  had  made  prisoners,  with 
an  offer  of  their  services  against  the  Mamehikes.  We 
have  treated  them  kindly.  They  are  an  invincible  people 
inhabiting  a  burning  desart,  mounted  on  the  fleetest 
horses  in  the  world,  and  full  of  courage  :  they  live  with 
their  wives  and  children  in  flying  camps,  which  are  never 
pitched  two  nights  together  in  tbe  same  place.  They  are 
horrible  savages,  and  yet  they  have  some  notion  of  gold 
and  silver  ;  a  small  quantity  of  it  serves  to  excite  tbeir 
admiration.  Yes,  my  dear,  brodier,  they  love  gold; 
they  pass  their  lives  in  extorting  it  from  such  Buropeans 
as  fall  into  their  hands  ;  and  for  what  purpose  ?-^for  con- 
tinuing the  course  of  life  which  I  have  described,  and  for 
teaching  it  to  their  children.  O  Jean  Jacques!  why 
was  it  not  thy  fate  to  see  those  men,  whom  thou  caUest 
<  the  men  of  nature?'  Thou  wouldest  sink  with  shame, 
thou  wouldest  startle  with  horror  at  the  thought  of  hav- 
kig  once  admired  them ! 

**  Adieu,  my  dear  brother,  let  me  hear  from  you  soon* 
J  suffered  a  great  deal  on  our  passage ;  this  climate  kiHs 


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430       HISTORY  OP   NAPOIiEON   BONAPARTE, 
BoBaparte't  Prodaoiatioa  at  AlexMMlvia. 

■»  ;  ¥n»  shall  b«  so  altered  i^thal  you  will  diseover  tiie 
chtfige  at  •  lei^e's  distance* 

^  The  remarkable  etsects  here  we,  Pompey's  eoIaam» 
the  obelisks  of  Cleopatra,  the  spdt  where  her  balhs  owe 
stood,  a  fiomber  of  ^miiis,  a  snbtenrdneotts  tempte,  some 
eataooBibs,  mosqoes,  and  a  ft  w  ehaiehes.  But  what  is 
still  more  remarkable,  is  the  character  and. manners  of 
Urn  inhabitants ;  they  are  of  [4  tmg-fraid  absolutely 
astonisiliag ;  nothing  agitates  Ihem  ;  and  deatik  itself  is  to 
Ibem  what  a  voyage  to  Amerioa  is  to  the  £aglisb« 
•  ^  Heir  enterior  is  inpositig  ;  Ae  most  iiarked  phyai- 
o^omies  amongst  ns  are  mere  efaiUren's  eonnteaanecs 
compared  to  theinu  %  The  women  wrap  themselves  up  in 
if  piece  of  cloth  which  passes  over  their  heads,  and  de- 
scends in  front  to  the  eyebrows..  The  poorer  sort  cover 
the  whole  of  thdr  face  with  linen,  leaving  only  iw<^  smsll 
sfMrinras  for  the  eyes  ;  so  that,  if  this  strange  veil  bap- 
petm  to  be  a  little  shriviolled,  6r  staincid,  they  lock  like  so 
iMAyhobgobhos. 

**  Their  forts  and  their  arttlleiy  are  the  most  fidicdloos 
things  in  natare*  They  have  not  ev^b  a  loek,  nut  ft 
window  to  their  hoases ;  in  a  word,  they  are  stiU  iavolf «A 
in  all  the  blindness  of  the  earliest  ages. 

**  Oh !  how  many  misanthi^pes  would  be  oonf  erted, 
tf  chance  shoold  conduct  them  into  the  midst  of  the  de- 
sorts  of  Arabia  r 

\  Bonaparte,  on  establishing  his  head^inarters  at  Alex* 
andria,  issued  a  proclamation,  wherein  he  states*  tta^ 
the  Beys  from  Georgia  have  desolated  the  cottotry*  and 
oppressed  the  French  merchants  in  various  injs  ;  tbatbs 
is  arrived,  and  the  fate  of  the  Beys  is  sealed.  H^  ^^ 
the  inhabitants  that  the  French  are  come  to  rescue  fteia 


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AND  tTARS   OP  EUROPE.  431 

The  Inliabitaiits  ordered  to  tarreiMier  their  Armi. 

from  the  bands  of'  their  tyrants  ;  that  they  adore  God^ 
and  bonaor  the  propbei  and  Ihe  Koran ;  that  their  fhend^ 
ship  shall  be  extended  to  aU  ^ilio  shall  join  them,  ormain- 
tain  a  stritt  neutrality^but  for  ihe  Beys  there  shall  be  oq 
deliverance  ;  that  all  the  villages  shall  send  to  the  Freach 
General,  stating  their  submission,  and  will  hoist  thf 
French  flag— every  village  opposing  the  French  to  bf 
Jbnrned  ^  that  the  Cheiks  and  other  pablic  oificers  do  con* 
tinuo  to  execute  their  respective  functions,  and  all  thf 
people  of  Egypt  offer  up  their  prayers  for  the  destruction 
i^f  the  Beys. 

The  Bedouins  alluded  to  by  Louis  received  some  pre- 
sents from  this  General  at  their  departure  ;  and  the  Che- 
riff  Coraim,  when  he  saw  he  was  surrounded  by  thirty 
thousand  Frenchmen  and  a  formidahle  train  of  artillery, 
seemed  disinclined  to  make  resistance  ;  yet»  when  tho 
Bedouins  got  away,  they  robbed  every  Frenchman  they 
met  with  ;  and,  after  the  Cheriff  hsd  been  honoured, 
by  Bonaparte  with  a  tri-coloured  scarf,  he  kept  up  a 
correspondence  with  some  of  his  old  friends^  the  Hame* 
lukes,  in  the  country,  because  they  were  the  companions 
of  his  childhood,  smd  he  had  no  quarrel  with  them. 

Bonaparte  established  himself  at  Alexandria,  as  he  had 
done  before  at  Malta  ;  and  it  will  appear  by  the  orders  <tf 
the  day,  that  his  justice  was  precbely  that  of  an  arrogant 
tyrant 

In  those  orders,  dated  at  Alexandria,  he  orders  every 
person,  except  the  Muftis,  Imans,  and  Cheikii,  to  de- 
posit their  arms  in  a  given  place  within  twenty-four  hours 
after  ;  that  all  the  inhabitants  shall  wear  the  tri-coloured 
«ockade,  reserving  to  himself  the  right  of  distributing 
a  tri'Coloured  shawl  to  the  Cheiks  who  may  dbtingoiah 
tkaoAMWes  ;  that  the  troops  are  tp  pay  military  honours 

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432      HISTORY  OP   NAPOLEON   BONAPARTE, 


The  Arabt  hatafi  the  Freoch  DivbkNif. 


to  whoever  wears  a  shawl,  and  that  they  shall  be  treated 
with  all  due  respect  Foreign  agents  not  to  display 
their  colours,  and  the  Cmisni  only  have  his  name  over  hb 
door. 

Cherishing  the  idea  of  the  people  being  only  barba* 
rians,  Bonaparte  treated  them  as  too  ignorant  to  exercise 
any  of  the  reasoning  &calties  ;  the  next  proclamation 
calls  upon  them  for  reliance  on  his  hononr  and  friend- 
thip/in  the  very  paper  which  acknowledges  him  the  ally 
of  the  Grand  Seignior,  whose  territories  he  had  thai 
wrested  from  him ! 

He  states  that  the  Beys  who  govern  Egypt  have  long 

insulted  the  French  nation,  but  that  their  hour  is  come ; 

I  that  they  have  long  tyranised  over  the  fiorest  part  ot  the 

r  world,  but  that  God  has  decreed  their  doom  ;  that  he 

comes  to  restore  the  rights  of  the  Egyptians,  and  punish 

usurpers,  and  that  he  reverences  God,  Mahomet,  and  the 

Koran  ;  he  continues  to  rail  against  the  Beys,  who  he 

says  have  destroyed  all  the  good  that  was  in  Egypt,  and 

concluded  by  denouncing  destruction  on  all  who  take  up 

arms  in  favour  of  the  Mamelukes ;  that  they  shall  all 

\  perish. 

I  It  was  necessary  to  march    immediately  against  (be 

/,  Mamelukes,  before  they  could  arrange  a  system  of  attack 

[  yr  defence ;  the  General  ordered  Desaix  to  take  two  field 

I       »  pieces,  and  proceed  without  delay  on  the  rout  to  Cairo ; 

i  that  General,  accordingly,  on  the  6th  arrived  at  Demen- 

;  bur,  after  being  harassed  by  the  Arabs.    No  one  could 

9tir  from  their  columns ;  Desaix  was  nearly  taken  prisoner 

npt  more  than  fifty  paces  in  the  rear  ;  and  Le  Meriar  fell 

a  sacrifice  within  one  hundred  paces  of  tlie  advanced 

guard.    Within  a  few  yards  of  the  troops,  Delanaa,  aa 

adjutant,  was  made  prisoner  ;nnd  the  Arabs  settled* 

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AND  WARS  OF   EUROPE.  433 

General  lUeber  appointed  to  command  at  Alexandria. 

qoarrel  amongst  themselves  about  sharing  the  ransom,, 
by  blowing  out  his  brains !  The  Mamelukes  presented 
themselves  in  front  of  die  army  ;  these  horsemen  retired, 
and,  certain  of  victory,  ceased  to  harass  a  march,  which, 
nnd^  a  burning  sun,  gave  nothing  but  hunger  and  thirst ; 
the  soldiers  cried  for  breads  while  the  dazzling  sunbeams, 
playing  on  a  sandy  soil,  displayed  such  a  resemblance 
to  water,  as  to  deceive,  not  only  the  stranger,  but  those 
who  had  before  witnessed  it. 


^***^*  0  0 0>0^0  ^^«^#^^^^#^^>#^ 


CHAPTER  LIT. 


Bonaparte  having  appointed  General  Kleber  Com* 
mandant  at  Alexandria,  ordered  the  transport  vessels  to 
come  into  the  port  of  tfiat  city,  and  land  the  horses,  pro- 
visions, and  other  things  for  the  use  of  the  expeditiofii 
The  utmost  diligence  was  used  as  well  by  night  as  by 
day  ;  the  ships  of  war  remained  at  anchor  at  some  dts^ 
iance,  which  made  the  landing  of  the  battermg  cannon  a 
•work  of  great  difficulty. 

Bonaparte  agreed  with  Admiral  Brueys,  that  the  fleet 
should  anchor  at  Aboukir,  whence  a  communication 
should  be  kept  up  with  Rosetta  and  Alexandria  ;  he 
ordered  the  Admiral  to  cause  the  channel  of  the  old  port 
of  Alexandria  to  be  carefully  sounded  and  examined, 
wishing  that  the  squadron  should^  if  possible,  enter  it ; 
or,  if  it  was  impracticable,  tibat  the  floet  should  proceed 
to  Corfu.    Every  thing  required  the  debarkation  to  be 

VOL.  I. — NO.  19.  8  X 

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434      HISTORY   OF   NAPOLEON   BONAPARTE 

„    .  ,11  ■  I     .  .     .  ea 

The  French  Armv  leaves  Alexandria. 


as  speedily  completed  as  possible  ;  Iha-  Bngiish  miglit 
shev  themselves,  the  squadroD  therefore  must  be  freed 
from  the  iooumbrance  of  the  expedition.  It  was  neces- 
sary to  march  against  Cairo,  to  hinder  the  Mamelukes 
destroying  or  removing  the  magazines,  and  it  was  neces- 
.  sary  to  land  the  troops  for  this  operation.  Btmaparte  in- 
spected the  town  and  fortifications  ;  'he  ordered  new 
works,  and  took  every  step  to  ensure  the  tranquillity  and 
defence  of  the  city  ;  and  so  arranged  every  thing  that 
the  troops  intended  for  the  purpose  were  soon  enabled 
to  march. 

Bonaparte  had  a  small  flotilla  prepared  to  proceed  up 
the  Nile.  This  flotilla  consisted  of  seven  smaU  sloops* 
three  gun-boats,  and  a  xebeck,  and  would  have  been  a^ 
great  assistance  to  the  army,  had  the  route  of  Rosetta 
been  taken,  in  carrying  the  baggage  and  provisions  of 
the  troops,  but  the  French  had  not  yet  taken  Rosetta,  and 
by  that  route  Bonaparte  would  have  retarded  the  progress 
to  Cairo  at  I^ast  eight  or  ten  days  ;  he  therefore  det^- 
minded  to  advance  though  the  Desart  by  Damaabonr»  and 
by  this  way  General  Desaix  wtks  ordered  to  proceed. 

General  Dugua  had  orders  to  proceed  with  the  dis- 
mounted cavalry  to  the  mouth  of  the  Nile,  to  cover  the  en- 
trance of  the  French  flotilla  into  that  river;  he  was  ako  in- 
structed to  take  possession  of  Rosetta,  to  establish  a  Divan, 
erect  a  battery  at  Lisbe,  and  embark  a  quantity  of  rice  in 
the  flotilla ;  after  which  he  was  to  proceed  towards  Cairo, 
on  the  left  bank  of  the  Nile,  to  join  the  army  near  Rah- 
manieh,  and  the  flotilla  was  to  proceed  up  the  river. 

The  main  army  left  Alexandria  early  in  July.  The 
Arabs  filled  up  all  the  wells  at  Beba  and  Birkit ;  so  that 
the  soldiers,  scorched  by  the  heat  of  tlie  sun,  felt  a  parch* 
ing   thirst,  which   they  could  not  assuage.    The  wells 


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AND   WARS    OF    EUROPE.  435 


The  Mameluke  Army  advances  a^inut  them. 


were  explored,  but  a  little  muddy  water  could  only  be 
obtained.  Many  skirmishes  took  place,  in  one  of 'wliieh 
general  de  brigade  Mireur  was  mortally  wounded. 

When  the  army  was  on  its  march  for  Ramanieh,  the 
paucity  of  the  wells  obliged  some  of  the  divisions  to  halt. 
The  soldiers  soon  discovered  the  Nile  :  tliey  plunged  in, 
and  drank  plentifally  of  a  water  comparatively  delici« 
ous.  But,  speedily  the  drums  recalled  them  to  their 
colours  ;  a  corps  of  about  eight  hundred  Mamelukeg 
were  seen  approaching  in  order  of  battle ;  the  soldiers  ran 
to  their  arms  ;  the  enemy  retired,  and  went  towards  Da* 
manhour,  where  they  met  the  division  of  General  Desaix: 
the  discharge  of  cannon  announced  an  action.  Bona- 
parte  marched  against  the  Mamelukes,  but  the  artillery 
of  General  Desaix,  had  made  them  retreat,  leaving  forty 
men  killed  or  wounded  ;  ten  of  the  infantry  were  slightly 
w«unded.  The  troops  being  exhausted  were  greatly  in 
want  of  repose  ;  and  the  horses,  harassed  by  the  voyage, 
required  it  still  more.  This  induced  Bonaparte  to  halt  at 
Ramanieh  the  11th  and  13th,  when  he  expected  the  flo« 
tilla,  and  the  divi^on  under  General  Dugua, 
)  This  General  took  Rosetta  without  any  obstacle,  and 
joined  the  army  at  the  expected  period.  As  to  the  flo- 
tilla, he  announced  th'at  it  ascended  the  river  with  great 
difficulty,  from  the  shallowness  of  the  water  ;  however,  it 
arrived  on  the  24th,  and  daring  that  night  the  army  set  out 
for  Miniet-el-Sayd,  where  it  rested,  and  proceeded  again 
on  its  march. 

The  Mamelukes,  about  4000,  were  discovered  at  the 
dbtance  of  a  league,  their  right  covered  by  the  village  of 
Cbebreisse,  where  they  placed  some  |>ieces  of  cannon, 
and  also  by  the  Nile,  on  which  wa»  a  flotilla  of  gttn4)datB 
And  anned  dgenns.  Bonaparte  ordered  the  Fr^oh  flo- 
3  K  2 

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436     JIISTORY   OP   NAPOLEON    BONAPARTE, 

Tbe  Blaoielaket  aliack  the  French, 

tilla  to  dispose  itself  so  as  to  act  with  tbe  left  of  the  armv^ 
and  to  engage  the  enemy's  vessels,  wbon  die  fonner 
should  attack  tbe  Mamelokes  and  the  village  of  Chebreisse. 
Toe  violence  of  the  wind  deranged  this  plan  ;  the  flotilla 
was  driven  nearly  a  league  higher  up»  where  it  engaged 
at  a  great  disadvantage,  as  it  had»  at  the  same  time,  to 
sustain  the  fire  of  the  Mamelukes,  the  peasants,  aad 
the  Arabs,  and  to  defend  itself  against  the  enemy's 
flotilla. 

Some  of  the  peasants,  led  on  by  a  party  of  Mamelukes, 
possessed  themselves  of  one  galley  and  a  gun-boat  The 
commander,  Perree,  made  a  successful  attack  in  his  tuni, 
and  retook  the  galley  and  the  gun-boat  Uis  xebec, 
which  dealt  fire  and  death,  destroyed  several  of  the  ene- 
my's gun-boats  ;  ho  was  powerfully  supported  ia  this 
unequal  contest  by  the  coolness  of  General  Andrcoss;, 
and  Bouriennoi  secretary  to  Bonaparte,  who  were  on  board 
the  xebec. 

The  noisp  of  the  artillery  told  Bonaparte  that  the  flo- 
tilla was  engaged ;  be  marched  the  army  au  pas  de  cluurge, 
and,  approaching  Chebreisse,  he  perceived  tiie  Maine* 
lukes  raaged  in  front  of  t&e  viHage*  He  reconnoitred 
tlie  position,  and  formed  the  army  ;  it  consisted  of  five 
divisions,  each,  division  formed  a  squfu-e  ;  the  artilkry 
was  at  the  angles,  and  in  the  centre  the  cm^Sry  and  bag- 
gage. The  grenadiers  of  each  square  formed  platoesi 
which  flanked  the  divisions,  and  were  to  reinforce  the 
points  of  attack.  The  miners  posted  themselves  in  two 
villages  in  the  rear^  to  secure  places  .of  retreat  Th« 
Mamelukes  suddenly  advanced  in  crowds^  and  wheeled 
Itbout  on  the  flanks  and  on  the  rear ;  others  fell  on  tbe  nghi 
and  front  of  the  army.  They  were  allowed  to  ^proacli* 
when  the  artillery  opened,  and  they  were  &oon  put  to 


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AND  WAB8  01?  EUROPE.  437 

The  Mamelnket  defeated  with  Loti . 

flight.  Some  of  the  hravest  nished  upon  the  platoons 
on  the  flanks ;  these  were  received  with  firmness,  and 
nearly  the  whole  were  killed  by  the  fire  of  the  small  arms^ 
or  by  the  bayonet 

Hie  army  advanced  against  the  village  of  Cbebreisse, 
wfaicli  the  right  wing  was  to  attack.  It  was  carried  after 
a  slight  resistance ;  the  defeat  of  the  Mamelakes  was  com- 
plete, they  fled  in  disorder  towards  Cairo ;  their  flotilla 
got  np  the  Nile  with  all^  possible  expedition.  The  loss  of 
the  Mamelukes  was  more  than  600  men,  more  killed  than 
wounded  ;  that  of  the  French  was  about  70^  besides  the 
loss  on  board  the  flotilla. 

The  commandant,  Perree,  in  his  account  of  the  affidr, 
says,  **  I  cannot  describe  to  you  what  we  suffered  in  this 
expedition  ;  we  were  reduced  for  several  days  to  subsist 
entirely  on  water-melons,  during  which  we  were  con* 
stantly  exposed  to  the  fire 'of  the  Arabs,  alAough,  with 
the  exception  of  a  few  killed  and  wounded,  we  always 
came  off  victorious.  The  Nile  is  very  far  from  answering 
the  description  I  had  received  of  it:  it  winds  incessantly, 
and  is  withal  very  shalfow." 

.  One  circumstance  that  attended  this  skirmish  hone  of 
the  French  writers  mention,  namely,  that  the  Mamelukes 
accomplished  their  end  by  a  temporary  possession  of  the 
flotilla  ;  for,  when  the  Republicans  recovered  their  squa- 
dron, they  found  that  they  had  nothiiq^  left  but  what  was 
on  their  backs! 

Bonaparte  ordered  the  general  of  brigade  Zayoneheck 
to  proceed  with  about  SOO  dismounted  cavalry  akmg  the 
right  bfmk  of  the  Nile,  in  a  line  parallel  to  the  march  of 
the  army,  which  advanced  on  the  left  bank.  The  army 
was  incessantly  harassed  on  the  march  by  the  Arabs ;  it 
jcoald  not  advance  farther  than   a  cannon  shot  without 


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i 


438      HISTORY  OF   NAPOLEON   BONAPARTE, 

The  Mamelukes  afrain  attack  the  iFreiich. 


falling  into  an  ambuscade.  All  commanication  be^ood 
900  toises  kam  the  near  of  the  araiy  was  cut  off,  aod  do 
inteliigeDce  could  be  forwarded  to  or  received  froBi 
Alexandria. 

h  Neither  men  nor  cattle  were  to  be  seen ;  the  soldiers  iaj 
upon  heaps  of  corn^  and  subsisted  only  upon  some  len^is, 
and  a  kind  of  thin  cakes,  which  they  made  themselves  by 
bmising  the  com.  The  army  continued  its  murch  to- 
wards Cairo,  and  on  the  19th  of  July  General  Zayoncbeck 
nnitfed  with  the  main  army,  where  the  Nile  divides  itself 
into  two  branches,  those  of  Rosetta  and  Damietta. 

On  the  I9th  Murad  Bey,  at  the  head  of  6000  Mame- 
lukes and  a  host  of  Arabs  and  peasants,  was  entrenched 
at  Embaba,  waiting  for  the  French  ;  and  on  the  22d 
Desaix,  with  the  advanced  guard,  ai'rived  within  two 
miles  of  the  spot.  The  heat  was  intense,  and  the  sol- 
diers excessively  fatigued,  which  induced  Bonaparte  to 
halt  But  the  Mamelukes  no  sooner  saw  the  army  than 
they  formed  upon  the  plain  ;  an  appearance  so  impoaiog 
never  yet  presented  itself  to  the  French  ;  the  cavalry  of 
the  Mamelukes  were  covered  with  resplendent  armour. 
Beyond  their  left  were  the  celebrated  Pyramids,  whicb 
have  survived  so  many  empires,  and  braved  for  more 
than  thirty  centuries  the  outrages  of  time  !  Behind  their 
right  was  the  Nile,  the  city  of  Cairo,  the  hills  of  Mokat^ 
tarn,  and  the  fields  of  the  ancient  Memphis. 

The  army  was  soon  ranged  in  order  of  battle;  BoDSr 
parte  ordered  the  line  to  advance,  but  die  Mamelukes 
prevented  this  movement;  they  made  a  feint  against  lli^ 
centK,  but  rushed  on  the  divisions  of  Desaix  and  B^goi^^ 
which  formed  4e  right :  they  charged  their  ooluwo^f 
which  reserved  their  fire  until  the  enemy  advanced  with- 
in half  musket  shot ;  the  Mamelukes  in  vain  strove  to 


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AND   WARS   OF   EUROPE,  439 


They  arc  defeated  with  ^reat  Loss. 


lireak  tbrougii  those  walls  of  fire ;  their  ranks  were  thin- 
ned, a  number  of  killed  and  wounded  remained  on  the 
field,  and  they  retired  without  venturing  to  return  to  tho 
charge.  .   , 

The  divisions  of  Bon  and  Menou,  supported  by  tiiat  of 
Kleber,  then  under  the  command  of  General  Dugua»  ad« 
vanced  against  the  entrenched  village  of  Embab^i.  Two 
battations  were  detached  to  turn  the  village,  and  to  take 
advantage  of  a  deep  ditch  that  was  in  the  way,  to  de- 
fend themselves  from  the  enem/s  cavalry,  and  conceal 
their  movements  towards  the  Nile.  The  divisions  rapidly 
advanced.  The  Mamelukes  attacked  the  platoons  ;  they 
unmasked  forty  pieces  of  bad  artillery  ;  but  the  divisions 
rushed  forward,  so  that  the  Mamelukes  could  not  re-load 
tbeir  guns.  The  camp  and  the  village  of  Embaba,  were 
soon  in  the  possession  of  the  French.  Fifteen  hundred 
Mameluke  cavalry,  and  as  many  pe&sants,  whose  retreat 
was  cut  off,  occupied  a  position  behind  a  ditch  that 
communicated  with  the  Nile,  and  performed  prodigies 
of  valour  in  their  defence  ;  they  would  not  surrender, 
and  they  were  all  either  put  to  the  sword  or  drowned  in 
the  Nile.  Forty  pieces  of  cannon,  400  camels,  the  bag- 
gage, and  the  stores,  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  victors. 

Murad  Bey  attended  only  to  his  retreat :  the  divisions 
of  Generals  Desaix  and  Regnier  had  already  forced 
his  cavalry  to  fall  back :  the  army  pursued  the  Mame- 
lukes ;  and  the  French,  after  marching  and  fighting  nine- 
teen hours,  occupied  a  position  at  Gaza.  Never  was  the 
superiority  of  disciplined  courage  over  ill-directed  valour 
more  sensibly  felt  than  on  that  day.  The  Mamelukes 
were  mounted  on  superb  Arabian  horses,  richly  capari- 
soned, their  armour  was  magnificent,  and  their  purses 
well  stocked  with  gold.  *  These  spoils   compensated  th» 


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1 

J 


440   HISTORY  OP  NAPOLEON  BONAPARTE 

'  Bonaparte  Axes  hit  Head-Quarters  at  Cairo. 


d 


soldiers  for  the  excessive  fatigues  they  bad  suffered. 
Daring  fifteen  days  their  nonrishinent  W9is  a  few  vege^ 
tables  without  bread ;  the  provisions  found  in  the  cainp, 
therefore,  afforded  them  a  delicious  repast. 

The  following  morning  the  principal  inhabitants  of 
Cairo  offered  to  deliver  up  the  city  to  the  French  ;  they 
were  accompanied  by  the  Ki^ja  of  the  Pacha,  Ibrahim 
Bey,  who  had  left  Cairo  during  the  night,  havings  carried 
off  the  Pacha  with  him.  Bonaparte  received  them  at 
Graza ;  they'  asked  protection  for  the  city^  and  engaged 
for  its  submission ;  he  answered,  that  the  French  wished 
to  remain  in  friendship  with  the  Egyptian  people  and  the 
Ottoman  Porte,  and  assured  them  that  the  customs  and 
religion  of  the  country  should  be  scrupulously  respected. 
They  returned  to  Cairo  with  a  detachment  under  the 
command  of  a  French  officer.  The  populace  cooomitted 
some  excesses  ;  the  mansion  of  Murad  Bey  was  pillaged 
and  burned ;  but  order  was  restored  from  the  prodama^ 
tions  that  were  issued,  and  the  appearance  of  an  anned 
force. 

Bonaparte  removed  his  head-quarters  to  Cairo  ;  the 
divisions  of  Generals  Regnier  and  Menou  were  stationed 
at  Old  Cairo,  those  of  Bon  and  Kleber  at  Boulac^  acorps 
of  observation  was  placed  on  the  route  of  Syria,  and  tbo 
division  of  Desaix  occupied  an  entrenched  positioa 
about  three  leagues  in  firont  of  Embaba^  on  the  route  te 
Upper  Egypt 


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And  wars  op  Europe.  441 

Bonaparte  tends  the  Raritieii  to  Paris. 


CHAPTER  IT. 


Ik  quiet  posaessioD  ofCairOyBenaparte  sent  hU  digpatches 
to  Alexandna  and  to  Paris.  It  was  an  object  witb  bim  to 
transport  the  rarities  of  Egypt  to  iSie  M oseum  at  Paris, 
and  be  ordered  the  Wamelnkes,  whom  he  had  taken  pri* 
soners,  to  be  transported  inr  his  first  collection  of  natiirai 
oariosities  to  France. 

A  letter  was  written  to  Admfral  Bnieys,  accompanied  by 
twelve  Mainelafces^  aaased^  whom  he  wishes  to  be  sent  to 
France  by  the  'first  opportonity.  He  tells  the  Admiral^ 
that  after  afanost  incredible  biurdahips  he  is  at  length  qaiet 
in  Cairo  ;  deshres  liim  not  to  be  uneasy  abont  the  sabsis- 
tence  of  his  men^  as  the  country  is  rich  in  provisions  si^ 
most  beyond  imagination  ;  be  urges  him  to  despatch  the 
courier  ho  sends  in  a  frigate,  to  land  Wherever  b^  thinKs 
best ;  and  says^  that  he  has  de^Mitcbed  by  the  Nile  a  pro- 
digious quantity  of  provisioDS^r  to  pay  for  the  fireigfat  of 
the  transports. 

He  also  writes  to  General  Kleber,  teUs  bun  there  is  a 
very  excellent  mint  at  Cairo,  and  desires  him  to  get  back 
aM  the  ingots  he  had  given  to  die  merchants,  in  Ken  of 
whidi  he  wBl  give  them  wheal  and  rice,  of  which  he  has 
immense  qnanlities ;  he  detaib  part  of  ,tfaeir  manoeavrea 
tiU  they  took  possession  of  Cauro»  where  they  are  refiresh« 
ing  themselves  after  the  hardsUpa  Aey  hao  suffered  ;  Im 
says  the  asmy  is  in  the  {;reatest  want  of  its 'baggage,  and 

'     VOL.   I. — NO.  19.  3  L 

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442      HISTORY   OF   NAPOLEON    BONAPARTE, 


Booaptfrte  liBae*  Otdere  Rla(i?e  to  Ef^ypt. 


that  he  sends  an  officer  who  is  to  bring  it  ap.  He  writei 
for  the  French  and  Arabic  printing  presses,  and  many 
articles  besides,  to  be  sent  by  sea  to  Rosetta^  from  whence 
there  will  be  no  difficulty  in  their  passing  np  to  Cairo.  He 
disires  General  Kleber  to,  name  a  Divan  and  an  Ags; 
and  to  cupse  an  inventory  (o  be  iaken  of  every  thing 
which  belonged  to  the  Mamelukes  ;  and  concludes  by 
ordering  a  general  levy  of  horses  to  remount  the  cavabj. 
He  ften  writes  the  orders  he  had  issued  relative  to  the 
organization  of  Egypt;  that  in  each  province  of  Egypt 
there  shall  be  a  Divan  of  seven  persons,  who  shall  watek 
over  the  interests  of  the  place  under  their  jurisdicti^nr  and 
call  in  the  French  commander  to  assist  them  when  neoefl- 
sary  ;  that  there  shall  be  in  each  province  an  Agaof  the 
Janissaries,  with  a  company  of  arm^d  natiyes  to  keep  good 
order,  and  l&ewise  an  intendani,  charged  with  the  collec- 
tion of  all  the  revenues  which  belonged  to  the  Mamelukes, 
now  to  the  lU^piiblic ;  and  that  a  French  agent  shall  alwiyv 
be  whh  the  intendant  to  correspond,  and  learn  the  system 
of  administration. 

:  The  ingots  alluded  to  were  plunder  taken  atMdtir 
which  had  been  left  with  General  Kleber  at  Aiexaodria, 
to  pay  the  transports  to  serve  in  the  expeditioD4  1h^ 
plunder  now  found  was  6f  less  value  to  the  Grenersl,  asd 
he  chose  to  pay  for  those  services  in  kind  instead  of  in 
money.  If  there  is  any  credit  in  the  aaikertion  in  the  letter 
to  General  Kieberi  that  Cairo  had  a  good  mint,  bat  little 
mottey,  it  is  utterly  incompatible  irith  his  des|>atcbe8 1» 
the  Directory^  in  which  he  says, ''  that  the  Mamdoles 
shewed  great  bravery  ;  they  defended  fheir  fortimes,  bf 
there  was  not  one  of  them  on  whom  our  soldiers  did  not 
Udd  three^  four^  or  five  hundred  Louis  T 
The .  manner  in  which  the  General  writes  for  a  inpplf 


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AND  WARS   OP   EUROPfi*  443 

liCtter  of  Captain  Gay  to  hli  ParcDU. 

vof  necessary  articles  is  a  strong  proof  that  the  baggage 
was  taken  by  the  Mamelukes  from  on  boar^  the  flotilla^; 
but.  if  there  is  any  doubt  upon  that  sut>j.ect,  }t,i^xfk  hard- 
ly sundae  the  complaints  contained  in  the  lejtters  whic|i 
•were  taken.  \':^,, 

Among  the  intercepted  letters  was  one  from  a  CaptaiQ 
Gay  to  his  parents,  complaining  of  the  hardships  the 
Moy  aoflTered  since  tlyeir  arriyal  in  Egypt ;  be  states  that 
he  was  anable  to  write  sinoe  his  embarkation,  from  the 
difficulty  attending  Ae  conriers ;  tl^at  their  oaonpaigii 
opened  with  the  taking  of  Malta,  whence  they  puiBued 
Iheir  route  to  Egypt.  They  disembarked  at  Alexandria, 
where  they  lost  a  number  of  brave  men ;  that  the  anwf 
marched  to  Cairo,  where  they  larrived  after  suffering 
every  thing  possible  to  suffer  ;  that  they  were  seventeen 
days  without  bread,  wine,,  or  brandy,  and  five  without 
water,  and  the  enemy  close  at  their  heels,  who  used  the 
utmost  cruelty  ou  all  who  fell  into  their  hands.  For 
«)Tenteen  days,  he  says,  they  had  no  subsistence  but 
water-melons,  ^and  many  died  of  thirst  and  hungier ;  that 
discontent  prevailed  throughout ;  many  flung  them«ely<vi 
into  the  Nile,  and  several  blew  out  their  brains.  All 
this  time  they  were  obliged  to  march  in  close  order,  the 
enemy's  cavalry  taking  advantage  of  every  concision  to 
jail  on  them  with  much  effect ;  and  in  nil  tMa  confusion 
they  had  many  bA&ttles  tp  fight 

Arrived  near  Cairo^  they  found  the  Mamelukes  wait- 
ing them  in  an  entrenohed  iBamp ;  they  were  defeatei)* 
and  three  thousaad  peridi^d  either  by  the  fire  of  the 
French,  or  in  the  jAypr  i  for  they  made  pot «  single  prf- 
^per.  He  regrets  his  bei^g  miable  to  retire  from  a  shib- 
wipe  )R^rein  he  has  constantly  suffered,  and  is  ever  riik- 
3  L  2 


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444       HISTORY  OF  NAPOLEON   BONAPARTE, 

The  Chcriff  ComimMBt  Priweer  on  boafd  tlie  rOrient 

tog  his  life  ;  and  wishes  to  pass  the  reauiiiider  ef  his 
life  in  peace. 

1  To  this  proof  of  the  bad  state  of  the  aimy  others  Daek 
stronger  might  be  found  in  the  totercepted  correqioi- 
dence,  but  in  this  are  the  sentiments  of  an  4>flB€er,  who 
liad  long  served  in  the  French  army,  and  never  shrank 
from  bis  duties* 

>  General  Kleb^r  was  oocnpied  in  proeorii^  suppliM, 
and  providing  for  the  siok  ;  both  duties  were  attended 
with  much  dtCculty,  as  water  was  obliged  to  be  tap 
piled  fro^^  B4isetta.  The  commissaiy  of  the  marine,  and 
those  employed  in  the  victualling  service,  comphin  of 
the  pains  and  trouble  it  cost  to  do  the  most  trifling  tUDgt 
Kleber  laid  these  obstacles  to  the  hostility  of  the  new  Di- 
van ;  and,  in  a  fit  of  ill*hnmour,  be  caused  the  old  Cbe^ 
riff,  Ooraim,  to  be  sent  a  prisoner  on  board  the  TOrieDt ; 
but  the  Commissaaryy  in  a  letter  to  Admiral  Braeys,  de- 
olareS)  that  it  was .  owing  to  not  finding  scherms  (lighten) 
enough  at  Bosetta  to  eonvey  water  and  provisions  i» 
supply  the  fleet ;  until  the  29th  of  July  only  five  of  those 
vessels  could  be  had,  and  the  demand  of  the  fleet  ooaid 
net  be  supplied  until  more  could  be  prpcured  ^^ 
Damietta. 

Without  water  the  Aduural  conid  do  litde  ehie  thss  Is^ 
hour  to  procure  it ;  yet  he  did  not  neglect  the  best  means 
for  providing  for  the  security  of  his  fleet 

In  a  letter  to  Bruix,  the  Minister  of  the  Mikrine,  l» 
aajs,  he  disembarked  nii  the  troops  and  baggage^  ^ 
that  being  satisfied  the  ships  ef  war  couM  not  get  iato  the 
port,  he  had  anchored  his  flefet  in  a  line  Of  battle  in  the 
bay  of  Baquiers  ;  that  the  troops  entered  Rosetta,  efl' 
the  anny  was  marching  rapidly  to  the  conquest  of  £^^> 


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AND  VAR8  OF  EUROPB.  446 

Adftilnl  NelMNi  joiflMlir  Ckplain  Trovbridfe. 

ke  ragfeti  maoli  that  Im  oannot  get  the  ships  mto  the 
harbour  of  Alexandria;  that  he  has  offered  It^OOO  livres 
t^  aay  pilot  w1m»  irill  take  the  squadrdn  in,  bat  they  all 
deoUned  it ;  he  has  engaged  two  intelligent  oflScers  to 
eonnd  the  entraniBe,  and  see  if  by  any  means  they  naj 
anceeed  in  getting'  in;  he  adds^  tkey  kavo-heard  nothing 
of  the  English  fleet,  hot  he  thinks  they  have  not  so  nmny 
as  fourteen  sail  of  the  line,  and  that  lliev  do  not  there- 
lore  wish  to  try  strength  with  them;  he  loaks  with  gresit 
anxiety  to  the  time  when  the  con<piest  of  Egypt  shaH  ftip- 
nish  them  with  provisions,  as  they  are  ohUgsd  to  aappty 
the  ticopa ;  that  he  hasoaly  fifteen  days  bisouit  on  bilard, 
and  eonsnming  every  thing,  and  raplacing  nothing ;  that 
the  crews  are  weak,  the  rig^;lng  ont  oi  repair,  and  the 
fleet  in  want  of  many  thnigs* 

Npthing  GOoM  be  mpre  erroneons  than  the  idea  suf- 
gested  by  the  French  Adnnral,  relatiff  e  to  the  ifisposition 
of  the  English.  Unit  he  had  reached  tiha  phce  of  id^ 
destinatim,  landed  an  amy  on  a  distant  shore,  and  rode 
thirty  long  day/i  in  an  open'  bpqr*  was  owing  to  no-fisr: 
bearance  of  the  Batish  navy,  nor  atfy  ^inclination  tp 
bsaard  a  renconntre ;  bat  to  a  want  of  intelligence, 
which  left  the  English  Adqricil  to  hnnt  after  his  enemy 
before  he  coald  find  hiss. 

BeaiwAdmiral  Nekea  was  in  fhe-  Mediterranean,  comr 
manding  a  flying  squadron,  with  his  flag  on  boar4  tiie 
Vangaard,  bathe  i^as  kynb  aNins  equal  to  a  contest 
with  thepewefful  armanmnt  under  Admiral  Broeys;  be 
was  reinforced,  however,  by  Captain  Trowbridge,  with 
ten  sail  of  ihe  Une,  direclly  Aat  the  Rfaioh  expedititti 
was  knqwn  not  to  havd  gohe  for  Ireland,  fiirfioimtfo  Ifel- 
aon  ptecieded,  thttefore^  in  searob  of  tiie  enemy,  with 


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44A     BISTORT  OF  KAPOLEON  BOKAPARTC, 

Admiral  Nelioo  disooven  the  FkmIi  Fltet  at  Abmikif. 

tbirtocn  seveaty-foiur  line  of .  battle  ships^  and  (Mk»  fiSf 
g<m  ship*. 

Ifiiiriiig'  goBB  towards  NiploB  for  iiiliBiiiiatkm»  hedfc* 
ivcted  hii  ooiane  towanb  Sicily ;  lie- heard  of  the  sairea* 
4er  of  MaltB,  and  inunediately  took  on  board  expert 
|iiotB»  and  waa  the  fint  commander  who  over  paieed  tiii 
JBtaiti  of  Mesaina  with  a  fleet  of  men  of  war. 

He  leaned,  that  after  storing  only  a  week,  the  Frencb 
lad  left  Maka;  he  ateeved  for  C;fandia,  and  being  aesnid 
Ihat  4hey  wens  destined  for  Egypt,  be  sailed  ,thith(»»  aii4 
arrifed  at  the  mootb  of  tbe  Nile  three  days  before  Bosar 
parte.  He  supposed  his  infermation  to  be  fidse,  be  ler 
paired  to  Bbodes,  and  actoally  passed  Bonaparte's  fleet 
mthe  fog,  as  they  were  lying  to;  for  tbe  oonvoy.  He 
letamed  to  Sicily,  and  in  the  bay  of  Syracuse  procorei 
supplies,  of  whiehbis  sqnadson  stood  in  need. 
t  The  Englisb  Admiral  again  went  in  search  of  thr 
nrewob  ezpeditkNi,  and  being  informed  that  it  had  arrivedi 
in  Egypt  some  time  before,  he'again  steered  for  Akxsn- 
dria^  and,  as  he  approached  the  coasts  s^w  tbe  ebject  of 
bis  desire.  He  diaooirered  thirteen  line  of  battle  sbipi 
lining  at  anchor,  witb  one  48  gnn,  one  44  gnn,  and  twe 
96  gnn  frigates.  One  sUp,  FOrient,  with  the  flsg  of 
Admiral  Bmeys,  carried  120  gnns,  three  others  csme' 
80  gans  each,  and  each  of  the  remaining  nine  shqMcar- 
ffied  74  guns. 

The  position  occupied  by  ^  Fkrench  was  in  the  veiy 
place  wbere  tbe  famous  ooBBbat  between  Augustas  Comt 
and  Marc  Anthony,  nineteen  hundred  years  since,  itaM 
the  empire  4^  the  woiid.  History  will  again  record  a  euttar 
almost  as  important-^  naTul  battle  between  the  fleets^ 
two  of  t^  most  powerful  states  of  the  civiliaed  woiMt  <* 


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AND  WARS   OF  EUROPE.  44f 

Heattncks  and  defeati  them. 

which  depended  their  maritime  superiority,  the  renewdl 
of  a  bloody  war  oh  the  .Eoropcan  Continent,  and  thd 
CTentual  conqaest  of  Egypt  by  the  forces  of  the  power 
by  tirhom  it  was  inraded. 

Admiral  Neltion,  on  viewing^  the  position  of  the  Frendv 
4fecided  on  an  evolntion  neyer  before  hazarded  by  any 
commander,  and  «which  was  only,  perhapn,  justified  b^ 
bis  certainty  of  the  coobiess  mf  the  veteran  officers  of  bii 
fleet,  and  of  the  undatmted  courage  of  his  sailors,  ba^ 
bitaated  to  victory;  Tlie  French  fleet  was  drawn  up  oA 
the  margin  of  deep  Water  in  the  Bay  of  Aboukir,  and 
moored  as  close  as*  possible  to  the  shoals  ;  he  supposed 
that  a  channel  was  left  between  the  ships  and  the  shore ; 
and  that  Wherever  the  French  could  swing  the  BngUsh 
could  floati 

The  sun  was  decKnihg^  and  as  darkness  would  prevetil 
the  possibility  of  carrying  the  experiment  into  eflbct,  h6 
determined  on  an  instantaneous  attack,  by'  plercitfg  th6 
line,  and  to  capture  or  destroy  the  whole  squadron. 
<  His  account  of  tbis  victory  is  remarkable  for  its  eatt* 
ciseness  and  modesty  ;  but  as  this  threatened  to  be  by 
far  the  most  adverse  event  that  had  occurred  in  the  life 
of  our  hero,  we  shall  give  the  particulars  of  it  as  they  are 
stated  by  his  intimate  firiend.  Admiral  Ganteaume. 

He  writes  to  the  Minister,  that  it  is  with  the  most  heart- 
felt sorrow  he  is  ohliged  to  give  him  an  account  of  the 
most  fatal  of  disasters-*>that  eleven  sail  of  the  line,  taken, 
burnt,  and  lost,  and  the  coast  laid  open  ^to  the  enemy 
are  the  dreadtfnl '  results  of  the  engagement.  He  says, 
that  notwithstanding  the  hasty  assembling  of  their  crews, 
they  arrived  safe  and  well  at  Epypt — that  on  the  31st  of 
July  the  whole  of  the  British  fleet  hove  in  sight,  and 
bore  down  with  intent  to  attack  them*    He  then  states 


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448      HISTORY  OF   NAPOLEON  60NAPARTC|    * 

Admiral  Gaoteaume*!  Oespatcli  coDcenilaf  Uie  Battle  of  Abookir. 


the  accidents  which  occurred  to  the  French  fleet*  voi 
that  the  destruction  was  coniplete-*4liat  he  hvfuHt 
escaped  from  the  I'Orient,  which  was  on  flre»  by  getlof 
into  a  boat,  which  was  under  her  counter.  He  tbi 
stales  the  ships  taken,  those  set  on  fire,  and  thoM  de* 
stroyed  by  getting  aground— one  of  them,  the  TnoleoSi 
by  her  own  Captain,  to  save  her  firom  the  British— Aal 
the  sole  remains  of  this  great  ^rmament  are  the  few  tcs* 
sels  that  remain  at  Alexandria,  and  a  divbion  withOeae- 
ral  Villeneuve,  who  escaped,  of  two  ships  of  the  Gae  and 
two  frigates.  He  then  gives  the  names  of  some  of  tb 
officers  killed ;  but  cannot  give  an  exaot  list  of  the  totil 
loss  for  want  of  returns  fi'om  the  officers  ;  nor  that  of  the 
English,  which  he  says  was  great,  from  the  oare  irith 
which  they  conceal  it.  He  feelingly  regrets  the  misfor' 
tune  they  have  experienced,  and  thinks  that  after  so 
dreadful  a  disaster,  nothing  but  a  peaoe  can  settle  Af 
lestablishmenl  of  their  new  colony. 


CHAPTER  LTI. 


Admiral  Ganteaume's  despntcbcoDcemflii;  the  bslde  sf 
Aboakir,  pokrts  the  foeling  of  the  officers  of  theFfenflb 
fleet  upon  the  event;  and  althooj^  he  regrets  the  Froack 
Admiral's  having  chosen  the  position  wherein  he  awaM 
the  English  fleet,  yet  it  was  probably  the  best  sitosliflA' 

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AND    ^ARS   OV  EUROPE.  449 

Abstract  of  the  Battle  of  Aboukir. 
'  ■  -       • 

for  the  ftecaiity  oi  iiis  owo.  Ndthiog  could  have  deterred 
the  English  co&imander  from  engaging  the  enemy.  Nel- 
son considered  it  his  doty  to  find  out  the  French  fleet 
and  to  beat  it ;  it  was  not  a  probability  of  succe38  that  he 
calculated  upon  ;  he  had  promised  himself  a  ^victory, 
and  did  not  reckon  on  the  chance  of  a  defeat.  Like 
Bonaparte,  when  he  determined,  he  employed  every 
means  to  efiect  it ;  like  Bonaparte,  his  means  were  ar*- 
ranged  with  precision,  and  directed  by  his  own  energy 
and  intrepidity.  What  in  others  would  have  been  rasfar 
aess  to  attempt,  he  achieved  ;  and  thus  secured  a  most 
inportant  victory  for  his  country,'  and  enrolled  his  own 
fame  on  the  records  of  immortality. 

The  abstract  of  the  battle  forms  another  important 
document  iof  this  memorable  naval  victory. 
•  This  abstract  details  the  particulars  from  die  first  ap- 
pearance of  the  Eng^h  fieet.  Signals  were  thrown  out 
to  recal  all  the  me&  on  shore,  and  making  ready  for  ac^ 
tion  ;  and  the  frigates  and  smaller  vessels  were  ordered 
to  send  as  many  men  as  possible  on  board  the  ships  of  the 
line.  He  states,  that  at  near  six  o'clock  the  British  vessek 
bad  turned  the  head  of  their  line,  and  anchored  between 
them  and  the  land,  some  moored  within  pistol  shot,  so 
that  most  of  our  ships  were  between  two  fires.  The  at^ 
tack  and  defence  were,  he  says,  desperate  ;  diat  the 
whole  of  their  van  was  often  raked,  and  the  smoke  so 
fliifik  that  with  difficulty  they  could  distinguish  the  dif* 
ferent  movements — ^that  in  about  an  hour  after  the  action 
had.  dommenced,  the  Admiral  was.  wonnded  twice,  and 
soon  after  killed  on  the  quarter  deck-r-tbat  while  they 
were  briskly  firing  firom  the  lower  deck  guns,  ihey  found 
the  quarter  deck  on  fire,  wUoh  spread  so  rapidly,  that 
aU  was  soon  in  flames — ^their  pumps  and  buckets  were 

VOL.  1. — NO.  19.  8  M 

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450      HISTORY  OP  NAPOLEON   BONAPARTE, 


Talliea  writet  to  the  Directory. 


destroyed — that  the  flames  increased,  and  made  an  ahm- 
ing  progress ;  that  they  had  lost  iheir  main  and  misea 
masts,  and'  the  fire  rapidly  spread  ;  both  Captains  wen 
wotmded,  bat  the  scuttles  were  ordered  to  be  opened, 
and  every  one  to  quit  the  ^hip.  At  half  past  ten  the  ship 
blew  up.  At  day  break  several  ships  were  discovered  in 
possession  of  the  enemy-— two  whi6h  ran  aground  were 
attacked  and  obliged  to  strike  ;  four  set  their  sails  and 
atood  out  to  sea  ;  the  Timoleonran  ashore  and  was  set  fire 
to  by  her  crew,  to  prevent  her  falling  into  the  eniem/s 
bands— he  details  the  accounts,  he  says,  from  memotyi  not 
being  able  to  preserve  a  memorandum  of  any  desoriptioD. 
\  During  this  time  Tallien,  of  whom  we  have  formerly 
written,  was  at  Bosetta,  and  in  a  letter  to  Barraa  the  Di- 
rector, he  says,  '*  Consternation  has  overwhehned  us  alL 
I  set  out  to-morrow  for  Cairo,  to  carry  th^  news  to  Bona* 
parte.  It  will  shock  him  the  more,  as  be  had  no  idea  of  its 
bappaaiiig«  He  will  find  resources  in  himself  to  prevent 
'  the  disaster  being  fatal  to  die  army  which  he  oortunands." 

<  The'  effects  of  this  disaster  were  soothed  by  die  quid 
Mocess^  thiit  attended  the  forties  under  the  comnnBd 
^  Bonaqparte.  When  the  Preach  entered  C«in>  the 
Jdamdukes  Mrere  divided  into  two  armies,  one  commanded 
by  Mtirad  Bey,  which  took  the  route  of  Upper  J^^ ; 
4he  otber,  under  Ibrahim  Bey,  proceeded  towards  Syos. 
.Tbe.power  of  the  Bgyptian  govetnment  had  b^en  dinid 
between  these  Beys ;  Mumd  Bay  was  at  the  bead  tf  UiennE- 
^ly  department,  while  Ibrafann  presided  in  civil  atflidn. 

/  Desaix  formed  an  entrenched  ^ilip  Veyond  Oiaa,  on 
tiie  left  bacnk'of  the  Nile  ;  Us  advanced  points  sttd  those 
•fkf  Muraiil  Bey  were  very  near  eadh  other.  IbraUnn  Be; 
Tetired  to  BaJbeis,  sbd  waiteS  for  die  carimm  fitim 
Itfecca,  to  be  reinforced  by  die  corpk  of  Mtimelukes  tM 


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AVD  WAKi  Of   EUROPE.  451 

Genaral  lisClefG  acfeati  •  Body  of  M amelakes* 

«M>ojrted  ity  to  execute  a  pl^n  of  iioBtile  opei^tioiis  ia 
conjunction  with  Mufsd  Bey  and  the  Arabs.  From  this 
jBww^gemesit^  whatever  credit  may  be  dae  to  the  charges 
bmoglit  by  tlie  French  against  the  Beys  for  mis-rule,  they 
did  Boft  want  taienjUi.  Ibrahim  used  every  exertios  to  in^ 
ihice  the  Feilalis  of  the  Deka,  to  take  arms,  and  to  indte 
the  iohabitants  of  Cairo,  ito  revolt ;  Bonaparte  therefore 
lelt  it  iiecessary  to  organise  a  provbional  govemmeBt 
IMid  regulate  every  branch  of  the  public  service  ;  he  also 
^fiabfid,  by  putting  his  forces  in  entrendied  positions,  to 
f^ure  the  French  from  any  soiprise,  either  of  the  Mam^ 
Ittkes  or  the  inhabitants. 

As  the  neighbourhood  of  Ibrahim  Bey  was  very  daor 
gerous.  General  (le  Clerc  was  despatched  from  Cairo  on 
the  8d  of  Aug^t;  with  900  cavair}',  three  companies  of 
grefiadiers,  and  a  battaloin,  with  two  pieces  of  light  artil^ 
ery,  to  take  a  position  at  Elhanka,  and  observe  his  motions. 
Tlie  General  was  attacked  by  a  body  of  4000  Mamelukes 
The  General  was  attacked  by  a  body  of  4000  Mamelukes 
and  Arabs,  which  a  few  discharges  of  artilli^ry  soon  forced 
to  retire.  Bonaparte  considered  Ibrahim  of  so  much  conse- 
qnence  that  he  marched  against  him  in  person,  but  could 
not  overtake  him  tiH  he  was  joined  by  the  caravan,  and  in- 
cjceased  his  army  from  the  Mamelukes,  its  escort  The 
Fxenph  came  up  with  the  army  of  the  Bey,  but  could  not 
prevent  him  reaching  the  Desart  with  all  his  baggage  and 
forces.  Bonaparte  now  took  measures  to  fortify  Salehieh 
and  fislbcM.  General  Dugua  was  ordered  to  Damietta, 
and  to  subdue  the  Delta.  General  Regnier's  division 
was  posted  at  Salehieh,  to  secure  the  submission  of  the 
piovioce  of  C%erkie,  and  Bonaparte  took  the  rest  of  the 
troops  to  Cairo.  On  his  return  from  this  expedition  h^ 
received  intelligence  of  the  naval  action  of  Aboukir.  He 
managed  very  adroitly  to  collect  the  scattered  hopes  of  hia 

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462      HISTORY  OP  NAFOLfiON  BONAPARtS, 

BoDaparte'i  Deflpatch  to  the  DiKctory. 

foUewerSy  by  the  turn  he  gave  to  it  in  public,  and  wUck 
his  despatch  to  the  Directory  wUlelacidate. 
f  He  states  that  he  wrote  to  the  Admiral  to  enter  the  poit 
of  Alexandria^  and  if  not  praetieable,  to  land  the  arti^ 
lery  and  stores  and  return  to  Corfu,  and  that  he  left 
Alexandria  satisfied  that  one  step  or  the  otherwould  havs 
been  taken — ^tbat  for  a  long  time  he  had  no  inteUigenoa 
from  that  quarter,  a  multitude  of  Arabs  being  conslaatly 
close  to  his  canip->«tbat  at  lenght  the  comnnmication  was 
opened,  and  he  heard  firom  the  Admiral  with  astowsh- 
ment  that  he  was  still  at  Aboukir  ;  this  alarmed  him,  bat 
on  the  29th  he  wrote  that  he  had  heard  of  the  victoiy  of 
the  Pyramids  and  the  taking  of  Cairo,  and  that  he  bad 
found  a  passage  to  enter  the  port  of  Alexandria— thail  ha 
wrote  that  letter  on  the  1st  of  August,  the  day  die  Eeglisb 
fleet  attacked  him — that  when  he  perceived  them  he  seat 
an  ofTicer  to  acquaint  Bonaparte  with  his  plans,  but  that 
officer  perished  on  the  road. 

The  destinies,  hb  soys,  wished  to  prove  on  this  as  oa 
many  other  occasions,  that  if  they  gave  the  ascendance 
on  land  to  the  French,  they  gave  the  empire  of  the  seas 
to  the  English  ;  but  that  fortune  had  not  forsaken  them— 
'  that  he  landed  at  Aleccandria  and  attacked  it  with  SOW 
barrassed  men  without  cannon,  and  in  five  days  was  ests- 
blisfaed  in  Egypt— and  he  concludes  by  observing,  diit 
when  fortune  saw  her  favours  were  no  longer  usefiil  sb« 
abandoned  the  fleet  to  its  fate. 

The  illiberality  of  blaming  the  gallant  Bruays  after  his 
death,  is  aa  unjust  as  it  was  ungenerous,  if  the  statemeat 
of  the  Admiral  be  true,  that  he  detained  the  fleet  to 
^ratiiy  the  wishes  of  the  Commander  in  Chief.  It  wsf 
perhaps  to  atone  for  this  that  Boniqparte  wrote  a  letter  ef 
kiadneas  aqd  condolenco  to  Madam  Bruyes. 


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ANI>  WAHS  OF  tVKOPJi.  4Sd 

■r   -  -  ■  ■  — 

The  Meetioir  at  ibe  Pjrraoiids. 

Whatever  was  the  design  of  the  general  in  going  t^ 
Egypti  iU  real  tendency  was  to  lead  to  a  new  opinion  of 
bis  own  character:  he  had  as  yet  been  looked  on  as  an 
able  warrior,  and  the  vices  of  the  conqaeror  were  ob- 
scared  by  the  valour  of  the  soldier;  but  he  now  got  him- 
self in  a  snare,  whence  he  could  only  escape  by  the  arts 
of  a  cunning  knave.  The  reflections  cast  upon  Brueys 
placed  him  thus  to  the  people  of  Europe,  and  his  con* 
duct  in  Egypt  made  much  the  same  impression  upon  bis 
army  there. 

Attended  by  his  staff,  and  the  Members  of  the  Na- 
tional Institute,  with  a  powerful  guard,  and  conducted 
by  several  Muftis  and  Imans,  the  General  proceeded  to 
the  pyramids,  where,  after  hastily  surveying  the  five  in- 
ferior ones,  his  attention  was  directed  to  that  called 
••  Cheops." 

After  examining  the  different  apartments,  be  seated 
himself  in  a  flattened  vault*  on  a  chest  of  granite,  eight 
feet  long  and  four  feet  deep,  amongst  his  attendants,  and 
invited  the  Muftis,  Imans,  &c.  to  be  also  seated,  when  ho 
commenced  a  conversation  with  Sulaman,  Ibrahim,  and 
Muliamed,  the  chief  Muftis. 

In  this  interview  he  endeavours  to  impress  the  Muftis 
with  an  idea  of  the  faith  he  places  in  Mahpmet,  and  his 
veneration  for  the  Koran,  and  that  he  hopes  to  honour 
the 'prophet's  tomb  in  his  holy  city;  but  that  he  mast 
first  exterminate  the  Mamelukes,  that  God  has  ordained 
tiieir  destruction,  and  that  the  angels  of  death  hava 
breathed  upon  them.  After  much  conversation  with  the 
Muftis,  in  which  he  seems  to  yield  to  their  religion,  he 
tells  them  to  instruct  the  people  of  Egypt,  to  destroy  the 
Beys  and  Mamelukes,  and  favour  the  conunerce  of  the 
Francs  in  their  country,  to  let  them  have  footing;  but  H 


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4S4      HISTORV  OF   NAPOLEON    BONAPARTE, 
Head  Qoarten  at  Cairo. 


drive  iar  away  the  islanders  of  Albion,  accarsed  anong 
the  cUMreB  of  Issa  (Qirist)  tiiat  the  friendship  and  tres- 
aores  of  the  Franes  shsdl  be  theirs,  till  they  ascend  to  tiw 
seventh  heaven,  and  are  seated  by  the  black-eyed  houisr 
endowed  witfa  perpetaal  youth  and  virginity* 

In  this  conversatioB  it  is  difficult  to  discover  any  tbiiy 
more  than  a  contest  between  cunning  and  craft  \  his  in- 
tention was  to  outwit  the  priests,  but  in  this  attempt  b« 
Med. 


CHAPTER  LTII. 

BoNAPAitTE  having  fixed  his  head  quarters  at  Cairo^ 
Desaix  was  ordered  to  complete  the  conquest  of  Upper 
Egypt,  where  Murad  bad  taken  refuge  after  the  battle  of 
the  Pyramids.  He  struck  his  camp  before  Cairo,  and  set 
out,  togeth^  with  a  flotilla,  which  was  to  convoy  bi» 
march. 

Learning  that  some  bai'ks,  with  articles  for  the  Mame- 
Mlcs,  were  atReshuasch,  Desaix  marched  to  surpns^ 
them ;  and,  after  crossing  eight  canals,  and  the  lake  Ba- 
ten,  with  the  water  up  to  their  annpits,  came  up  with 
flie  convoy  at  Benaseh,  and  made  it  a  prias.  Desatxre^ 
joined  his  division  at  Abu-jaiijeh,  marched  to  Tsnitei- 
shereef,  where  he  took  his  position  at  the  Capai  ^^  '^ 
seph,  to  ensure  a  communication  with  Cairo.  Arrived 
at  Siut,  he  endeavoured  to  overtake  the  Mamebkes  st 
Beneady,  whither  they  had  retired,  with  their  w«i»* 
jand  baggage:   but,  they  having  joined  Murad  fiejf '^ 


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AND  WARS  OP  VVftOPX.  45^ 

M  and  Bey  haraMM  flie  Freneli* 


FaiwaOf  Desaix  retarned  to  Sint,  to  redeaoend  to  Tarat* 
el-shereef^  where  he  embarked  his  troops  on  the  Canal  of 
Joseph.  Arrived  off  Mansara,  he  met  Morad  Bey,  who 
kept  up  sach  a  well-directed  iBre  upon  the  French  on 
tiieir  landing,  that  Desaix  ordered  them  to  retom  on 
board,  intending  to  fall  down  to  Minkia.  The  Ifame* 
lakes,  having  harrassed  die  barks,  some  companies  of  gre» 
nadiers  dispersed  them  :  the  debarkation  being  efieetod 
the  troops  resumed  the  road  to  the  *I>esart,  aecompaaied 
by  the  barks  as  far  as  Manora ;  Mnrad  Bey  was  at  fonr 
miles  distance  ;  while  his  reargnard  harrassed  the  Frencll 
he  gained  the  heights,  and  they  saw  his  araqr  open  with 
all  the  magnificence  of  the  east  They  disoovefed  Ins 
person,  snrroundred  by  all  the  Beys  and  Kiasohefs  onder 
his  command.  The  French  marched  forward  ;  and  the 
cavalry  they  had  to  oppose  tamed  and  fled  to  Elalamon* 
In  following  the  French  left  their  barks ;  they  were 
obliged  to  retnm  for  biscoit :  Morad  thought  they  had 
fled ;  he  attacked  them,  and  actually  carried  away  two 
prisoners  from  the  pointi  of  the  bayonets,  and  n^fat  de^ 
yvered  the  French  from  their  valoor.  On  regaining  the 
baiks  the  French  loaded  with  biscuit,  and,  after  taking 
rome  repose,  recomsiieiiced  fiieir  anuroh. 

Muhul  Bey  had  got  a  stranger  to  arrive  in  his  anny^ 
with  newl  that  the  English  had  destreyed  the  Fitenoh  at 
Alexandria ;  that  the  ^people  ef  Caito  had  naasaanfl 
those  who  were  fai  that  city  ;  and  dnit  there  remained  in 
Egypt  only  flie  few  soldiers  whom  tiiey  had  pnt  to  flight 
ibe.  evening  before,  and  when  thwy  ehonld  pnsseittljr  de^ 
•troy  ;  a  festival  was  given,  and  a  sUmbaMfa^  where  Iba 
Frendi  were  represeoted  by  Arabs,  who  were  ordored  l» 
snlfcr  themselves  to  be  beaten.    The  Ibaat  fiowluded 


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4S6       HISTORY  or  NAPOLEOK   BONAPARTE, 


ActioD  between  the  Mameiukes  tod  French. 


with  the  murder  of  the  two  prisoners  who  had  beeo  taket 
two  days  before. 

Desaix  resolved  to  attack  when  he  had  left  the  openind 
cultivated  country.  Hie  night  the  Mamelakes  passed  in 
caronsali.  At  day-break  they  formed  a  hoUow  sqiiaif» 
flaaked  by  two  leaser  bodies  :  soon  after,  the  French  sav 
Marad  with  his  Mamelukes,  and  eight  or  ten  thoasad 
ArsAs.  A  valley  was  between  the  two  armies,  wbicli 
must  be  passed  before  the  French  could  attack.  Ns 
sooner  did  Marad  see  them  in  the  disadvantageoos  posir 
tion  befdre  he  surrounded  them,  charging  them  withs 
degree  of  fury.  The  closeness  of  the  French  rendered 
bis  numbers  of  no  advantage  to  him  ;  their  musketry  ttr 
puked  him  for  the  time.  Hie  Mamelukes  stopped, 
wheeled^  as  if  to  fly,  and  suddenly  fell  one  of  thes^sar 
drons,  which  they  levelled  ;  all  who  were  not  killed  fell 
down  :  this  uncovered  the  Mamelukes  to  the  c^ter  of 
the  French,  who  instantly  gave  a  heavy  fire  :  Hand 
tfti^ped  and  wheeled  once  more  ;  those  of  tbe  squadroa 
mot  killed  came  into  the  ranks.  The  French  were  agaii 
attacked  with  the  cries  of  rage  ;  much  vidour  was  sbeva 
fw  both  sides  ;  the  barrels  of  the  French  muskets  weft 
hacked  by  the  sabres  of  the  Mamelukes  :  their  horses  feB 
back  at  the  sigU;  of  the  bayonets ;  their  riders  taroed 
them,  hoping  to  force  their  rai^ks  by  their  kicks :  the 
F^neh  pressed  together  wi&ont  disorder,  carnage  w0 
•very  where,  but  there  was  no  battle :  the  Mamehile^ 
were  wild  with  fiiry ;  they  threw  their  arms  at  As 
French ;  and  the  troops  were  assaikd  with  fireloeks,  t» 
4ols,  battle-axes,  and  showers  of  sabres.  Those  who  wen 
dismounted  crept  under  the  bayonets,  endeavoomg  ^ 
xat  the  ioldiei^s  legs  ;  the  dying  collected  their  stmgtii 


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AND   WARS   OV   EUROPE.  457 


The  French  Anny  tiiflfera  from  Ophthalmia. 

and  »til(  struggled  with  the  dying*  aad  their  blood*  which 
mingled  while  it  drank  the  dost,  did  not  appease  their 
animosity. 

Murad  bad  cotamitfed  great  daughter  among  the  French ; 
in  fUling  back  he  did  not  fly^  and  th*  sitoation  of  the 
Fi^ench  was  not  improved :  scarcely  had  be  retreated 
when  he  opened  a  battery  hilfaerto  concealed*  whioh 
at  each  discharge  carried  off  six  dr  eiglit  soldiers.  The 
French  witre  lost  in  consternation ;  th6  ntoiber  of  the 
wounded  increased  cTery  iistantf:  to  march  was  to 
abandon  the  wounded*  and  t6  abandon  them  was  to  giro 
them  np  to  celtain  death.  Desaix  remained  motionless 
a  moment :  at  length*  says  a  Fr^nbhr  pbilosoplier*  ^'  the 
voice  of  necessity  drowned  that  of  the  unimrtiiaate 
wounded*  and  the  army  began  its  march/'  Murad  threat^ 
ened  his  retreat :  his  only  choice  was  now  between  vic- 
tory and  absotute  destrnction  :  die  army*  as  one  indin* 
dual*  determined  to  force  the  battery  :  the  Hght  artillery 
did  prodigies ;  and  while  they  dismounted  some  of  tiie 
guns  of  the  Mamelukes*  the  grenadiers  came  np;  the  bat- 
tery was  abandoned*  the  cavaby*  panic*stmck*  wheeled/ 
fled*  ajikd  left  the  French  no  enemy  to  oppose. 

Never  was  a  battle  more  terrible*  or  a  victory  morci 
brilliant.  The  advantage  gained  by  the  baftle  of  Sedi* 
man  was  detaching  the  Arabs  from  the  Mamehikes.  Mu- 
rad Bey*  no  longer  hoping  ta  resist  tfm  French  army*  re- 
duced them  to  follow  a  Hghf  and  rapid  enemy*  who  left 
it  neither  repose  nor  security. 

The  army  was  now  afflicted  with  opUmhnia*  arising 
from  long  marches  and  great  fatigues*  in  a  climate  wbere 
the  humidity  of  th«  ahr  repels  perspirationr  so  as  to  pioi 
dace  a  fttix*  that  attacka  eUher  the  eyes  or  Ibe  bawels. 

Desaix  tbougbt  himself  able  to  dispute  wftb  Murad 

VOL.  I.— NO.  20.  a  N 

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458      HISTORY   OF   NAPOLEON  BONAPARTE, 


FertUiCy  of  Upper  En^ypt. 


Bey  the  territorial  tax,  of  the  rich  province  of  Bene- 
•uef,  when  he  returned  to  Cairo,  to  provide  himself  with 
tlie  means  of  again  taking  the  field. 

When  the  French  entered  Upper  Egypt  the  villages 
were  so  numeronSf  that  M.  De  Non  counted  tweDty-foor 
by  which  he  waa  encompassed  ;  so  planted  with  spread- 
ing trees  that  they  seemed  like  pictures  which  travdlen 
have  given  of  the  habitations  in  the  islands  of  the  Pacific 
Sea  ;  abundance  and  riches  were  every  where  to  be  seen. 

At  Djioieh,  the  capital,  the  French  found  provisions  at 
very  low  prices  ;  bread  one  sous  the  pound,  twelve  eggs 
for  two  sous,  two  pigeons  three  sous,  a  goose  of  ive 
pounds  weight  twelve  sous  :  and  this  the  result  of  great 
abundance  ;  for,  after  a  stay  of  three  weeks,  when  fiTt 
thousand  persons  had  increased  the  consumption  and  the 
money  in  circHlation^  the  price  of  every  article  renained 
the  same^  These  were  the  people  called  upon  by  Bona- 
parte to  believe  that  he  had  hazarded  every  tliiog  purelj 
to  increase  their  happiness,  and  deliver  them  from  op- 
pressors !  and  posterity  will  not  wonder  tliat  these  Egsf- 
tians  could  not  understand  the  advantages  they  were  to 
.  gain  by  paying  the  Biiri  to  the  bayonet  instead  ef  tbt 
sabre. 

Ibrahim  Bey  had  retired,  with  about  t006  Mameluiei 
and  his  treasures  to  Gaza,  where,  from  Bgezzar,  Pacha 
of  Acre^  he  had  the  most  favourable  reception  ;  tbe  Pa- 
cha B04  only  protected  the  Mamelukes,  but  also  threat- 
ened the  frontiers  of  Egypt ;  Bonaparte  despatched  t 
letter,  to  Dgezzar,  assuring  him  that  tbe  French  wiskd 
to  preserve  the  firiembhip  of  the  Grand  Seignior,  and 
live  in  peace  with  him ;  but  insisted  that  Dgezzar,  shooki 
rrniOYo  Ibrahim  Bey  and  his  Mamelukes,  and  affofd  H^ 
no  support.    The  Pacha  made  no  answer,  bat,  io  p^ 


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AND   WARS   OF   EUROPE.  459 


The  French  establish  'different  Worlcs  at  Cairo. 


aiiger«  coDimanded  the  officer  to  return,  and  ordered  ail 
l3ie  French  at  Acre  to  be  put  in  irons. 

No  intelKgence  arrived  from  Europe  since  the  action 
jil  Aboukir,  as  the  ports  of  Egypt  were  closely  blocked 
ftp  by  the^  English.  Bonaparte  had  no  official  account 
of  the  issue  of  the  negociation  which  the  Directory 
neant  to  open  with  the  Ottoman  Porte,  relative  to  the 
expedition  to  Egypt ;  but  all  the  accounts  received  over- 
land announced  that  the  English  had  formed  an  alliance 
between  England,  Russia,  and  the  Porte,  against  the  Re- 
public. Bonaparte,  judging  that  operations  would  take 
place  against  Egypt  on  the  side  of  Syria,  and  by  sea,  he 
immediately  resolved  to  march  into  Syria,  and  return  to 
Egypt  time  enough  to  oppose  the  expected  invasion  by 
sea,  which  was  not  likely  to  take  place  till  about  the  end 
ef  the  (bllowing  June.  Such  was  the  plan  which  Bona- 
parte resolved  upon,  and  which  he  proceeded  to  execute, 
after  arranging  a  novel  system  of  government  for  Egypt, 
imd  establishing  new  imposts  more  productive  to  the 
French  treasury.  At  Cairo  he  settled  a  conmiercial  coin- 
pany,  to  facilitate  the  exchange  and  chrculation  of  all  kinds 
ot  commodities.  An  institute  was  founded,  to  which  a 
Sbrary  ^as  attached,  and  a  chemical  laboratory 'con- 
strueted.  A  workshop  was  opened  for  all  the  mechluiic 
arts  ;  the  making  of  bread,  and  of  various  fermented  li- 
quors was  brought  to  a  degree  of  perfection ;  sirftpetre 
was  refined,  and  several  hydraulic  machines  constructed  ; 
whilst  scientific  and  literary  men  proceeded  into  the  in- 
terior of  Egypt,  where  they  made  many,  interesting  ob- 
servations and  important  discoveries,  with  reference  to 
geography,  history,  md  natural  philosophy. 
*  General  Andreossy  was  to  reduce  the  country  sur- 
rounding the  Lake  Menzale,  the  Pelnsian  Mouths,  and 

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400      HISTORY  OF  NAPOLISON  BONAPARTE, 

r,       ■  '         r         '  ■ 

The  litenry  Menbasily  employed. 


to  tak^e  a  au^i^y  of  all  these  points^  ai  well  "both  in  a  ici- 
entific  and  a  military  point  of  Yiew«  The  General  soandr 
ed  the  roads  of  DainieUat  ff(  Boogasie.  and  of  those  imr 
Bouj(cai  and  the  mouth  pf  th^  Nile,  to  determine  tlw 
passes  o<  tii^  ^ogbas,  and  the  form  of  the  bar* 

General  j9indreosay  afterwards  surveyed  the  lakes  of 
Natron,  in  a  vaUey  inwards  of  two  leagues  broad ;  these 
hikes  extend  about  six  leagues.  The  GeneraJ  went  into 
a  large  valley,  ci^ed  the  rivpr  San*seaa  (without  waitr) ; 
encumbered  with  sand,  its  surface  about  three  kagues  in 
diameter;  he  found  numbers  of  large  trees  entirely  pe* 
trified ;  in  the  valley  of  the  lakes  were  found  seversl 
springs  of  very  good  water.  T|ic  Natron  isofaveiy 
good  quality*  apd  wojiild  form  a.valuabl^  branch  of  con? 
Ifiierce* 

)  AU  the  men  of  science  who  accompanied  Bonaparte 
were  now  .employed  in  different  pursuits  which  tallied 
with  their  knowledge ;  the  latitudes  pf  the  priDC^el 
places  were  asfpertaineji  ;  plans  taken,  and  surveys  exe- 
cuted ;  naituralista  examined  the  animahi  and  fiah  of  tlie 
country  ;  plants  and  minerals  were  attf^nded  to,  and  mo- 
liuments  of  anlix)uity  sought  aftpf  and  inquired  mto.  A 
coUectioi;^  of  insects  of  Syria  and  the  Depart  was  msdei 
and  W]n4nulk  and  pnachines,  till  then  unknowii  uk  Eg7P^ 
were  constructed.  An  abnanack  and  a  newspaper  ware 
printed,  and  every  person  everted  .himself  in  forpiiV 
establi^ments,  or  making  new  diseovpries. 

While  the  preparations  were  ipaking  f(^  the  expedn 
tii99  to  S^fia,  ]Bom;part9  assisted  the  ^(tvans  in  their  occa* 
pations,  9nd  regularly  attended  the  Insti^te.  whers  esck 
member  stated  hjs  proceedings..  He  had  settled  to  viat 
the  isthmni^  of  Sues  in  person,  and  to  satisfy  &U  iP^^ 
pclativo  to  the  canal,  which  be  looked  op  as  one  of  <k^ 


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AMD  Wins  OV  BVROPB.  461 

iBtametloB  of  Om  lahiAitMito  of  Cairo. 


OKiftt  importaat  problems  in  hiBtory ;  he  had  prepared 'for 
this  journey  when  a  cabunitous  event  made  him  pest« 
pone  it 

Tranquillity  had  hitherto  reipied  in  the  city  of  Oairo ; 
delegates  irom  the  proTinoes  deliberated  with  cafamess 
OB  the  propositions  made  by  the  French  commissioners^ 
respeotipg  the'  oipmization  of  the  Divans,  die  civil  and 
eriminiii  code,  the  establishment  and  distribation  of  im^ 
posts^  and  qia  the  v^ous  olgects  of  administrations  and 
general  police^  Suddenly  the  French  thou^t  they  saw 
symptoms  of  an  ^Bsurrection  :  on  the  21st  of  October,  at 
day-breaky  the  inhabitants  were  assembling  in  diSerent 
parts,  but  particularly  near  the  great  mosque ;  bnt  lor 
irhal  cause  the  jealousy  of  the  conquerors  would  not  sufi 
fer  them  to  inquire.  General  Depoid,  the  commandanl^ 
advanoed,  with  a  sn^U  force,  to  disperse  them,  but  ha 
was  resisted,  and,  with  several  oflScers  and  some  dra- 
yoop»»  killed,  hy  a  party  of  the  people,  The  iasarreo* 
tion  immediately  became  real ;  all  the  French  who  feU  iq 
with  the  insurgents  were  massacred,  pnd  a  number  of 
Aiabfi  appeared  in  force  at  tiie  gates  of  the  city.  The 
gtmrok  was  beat,  the  French  flew  to  f^pns,  and  marched^ 
having  pieces  t^  artillery  with  them,  against  the  insur^;. 
gento ;  the  latter  repaired  to  the  differtnlt  mosques,  from 
wheufce  they  direct^  agnlling  fiw  against  the  soldiers: 
the  mosques  were  forced,  and  a  terrible  combat  ensnedp 
m  which  the  French  appeared  t6  be  actuated  by  feelings  of 
desperation  and  revenge*  Cannon,  plaeed  on  eminences, 
and  those  of  the  citadbl,  were  fiied  on  the  town,  and  the 
great  mosque^  and  other  slalioas  ef  the  insurgents,  were 
set  on  fire.  The  animpflity  of  Ihd  French  was  levelled 
a^iiMt  the  hoary-headed  Goraim;  formerly  sent  on  board 
the  LJOrient.    Aidmiral  Brueys  had  pot  hmi  on  shoiw 


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462      HISTORY  OP  NAPOLEON  BONAPARTE, 

The  Cberiff  Gonini  torn  to  pieo^. 

before  the  battle.  The  old  xtma  vas  found  at  Rosetta, 
and  Menou  ordered  him  to  be  sent  to  Bonaparte  at  Cairii> 
where  he  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  heroes  of  the  Po  and 
the  Pyramids,  who  tore  him  to  pieces,  and  paraded  bis 
bead  abont  the  sfreets  upon  a  pole,  a  la  mode-a'Parisl 
After  hundreds  of  innocent  people  had  been  massacred, 
Bonaparte  issued  a  general  pardon,  and  on  the  23rd  of 
October,  order  was  entirely  restored ;  but  measures  wen 
taken  that  impressed  the  country  with  die  terror  of  iw 
arms. 

Having  despatched  General  Bon  with  two  pieces  ef 
cannon  to  attack  Suez,  Bonaparte,  with  some  of  his  etat- 
mojor,  some  members  of  the  Institute,  and  escorted  bj« 
corps  of  cavalry,  on  the  26th  of  December  arrived  tt 
that  poet,   General  Bon  having  got  possession  withoat 
diiBeulty.    The  next  day  was  spent  in  viewing  Ihe  town 
and  coasts  and  ordering  such  works  as  Bonaparte  deemed 
necessary.    On  the  28th  of  December  he  passed  the  Red 
Sea  at  a  (brd  near  Sues,  and  returned  tbo  same  tnmi 
to  Suez,  but  it  being  high  water  be  was  obliged  to  asces' 
to  Uie  extremity  of  the  Red  Sea  ;  this  route  was  rendered 
Ifie  more  tedious  in  consequenee  of  the  guide  baviog  M 
his  way  in  the  marshes,  from  which  they  extricatefi  theOB* 
selves  with  difiieulty,  being  at 'one  time  up  to  the  middb 
in  water.    The  magazines  at  Suez  clearly  shewed  ititf' 
once  been  the  enirepAi'ofi^  considerable  commerce ;  M 
at  present  only  v<$s8el8  of  small  draught  can  enter  it« 
port ;  at  the  end  of  a  sandbank,  whkh  runs  a  league  io^ 
tlie  sea,  fiigates  may  anchor :  this  bank  is  dry  at  low  w>' 
fer,  and  would  admit  of  the  erection  of  a  battery,  to  pro- 
tect the  anchorage  and  defend  the  road. 

Bonaparte  encouraged  commerce,  and  superseded  V» 
old  rates  and  duties  by  others  less  severe  ;  he  took  »«»■ 


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AND  WARS  OF  EUROPE.  463 

Bonaparte  traces  the  Canal  of  Suez. 

•ares  for  the  safe  carriage  of  goods  fron  Suez  to  Cairo 
and  Belbeis^  and  made  such  dispositions  'as  were  likely 
to  restore  Suez  to  its  ancient  splendour.  During  his  stay 
four  ships  arrived  there  from  Jedda,  and  the  Arabs  of 
^or  came  to  solicit  the  friendship  of  the  French.  Bona- 
parte quitted  Suez  on  the  30th  December,  and  went  in  a 
northerly  direction.  About  two  leagues  and  a  half  he 
fi>und  some  vestiges  of  the  entrance  of  the  Canal  of  Suez, 
which  he  followed  nearly  four  leagues  ;  the  same  night 
he  rested  at  the  fort  of  Adgeroud  ;  on  the  Istof  January* 
17^,  he  arrived  at  Belbeis  ;  and  on  the  3d  advanced. to 
Mount  Horeb,  wliere  he  thought  he  discovered  soma 
more  remains  of  the  Canal  of  Suez  ;  this  was  near  its  en- 
trance into  the  fruitful  lands  of  Egypt.  He  traced  iti 
course  for  several  leagues,  and  persuaded,  by  this  second 
discovery,  he  ordered  an  engineer  to  repair  to  Suez,  and,  , 
with  a  sufficient  escort,  to  take  a  geometrical  level  of  th« 
course  of  the  canal,  tliis  would  finally  resolve  the  pro- 
blem of  its  existence. 

.  Bonaparte  learned  that  Dgezzar  had  taken  the  fort  of 
EI  Arish,  which  defended  the  frontiers  of  Egypt ;  this  for- 
tress was  occupied  by  the  advanced  guard  of  the  Pacha/ 
Confident  of  being  attacked,  no  alternative  remained  to 
Bonaparte  than  an  anticipation  of  hostilities.  He  quitted 
Suez  immediately,  but  before  his  coming  to  Cairo,  he 
proceeded  to  Salehieh,  where  were  cantoned  the  troops 
to  form  tb0  advanced  guard  of  the  expedition  to  Syria  ; 
these  he  ordered  to  march  without  delay  ;  he  then  went 
to  Cairo  ;  where  he  exerted  the  greatest  celerity  in  tlie 
preparations,  and  in  collecting  the  main  body  of  the 
urmy,  for  the  expedition  to  Syria, 


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464      BISTORT  OP  MAFCMUMV  BOHAPAmn, 


Stale  of  AiUn  te  Barope. ; 


CBAPTBR  LTIII. 


Having  exiled  liiiiiself  firom  the  theatre  of  his  glorj,  ve 
mofit  retain  to  Europe,  and  see  iriiat  eflfect  was  prodooed 
hy  the  absence  of  that  Hero,  to  whose  talents  alone  boft 
his  friends  and  enemies  seemed  to  ascribe  all  the  soeoeatf 
•f  the  French  arms. 

It  will  be  remembered,  that  hamg  made  peace  viA 
the  Emperor  of  Germany,  Bonq>arte  had  left  France  iie- 
gociatiog  a  treaty  with  the  Princes  of  the  Empire  at  Bii- 
tadt ;  and  when  the  congress  opened,  the  power  of  tk 
Republic  appeared  so  consolidated,  that  no  donbt  cosU 
be  entertained  but  that  the  empire  would  accept  of  peact 
upon  almost  any  terms ;  but*  the  departue  of  Booaparf* 
with  his  army  inspirited  the  allied  courts,  and  the  delik- 
i-ations  were  delayed  to  take  advantage  of  erents.  IV 
hungry  policy  of  the  Directory  gave  the  eneotes  •f 
France  a.pretence  for  g^ing  all  the  time  they  desired. 
It  has  been  settled  the  fortresses  of  Kehl  and  CsMel 
should  be  given  to  the  Imperial  troops,  and  Ehreabivit' 
stein  handed  over  to  a  Rnench  garrison* 

Not  the  smallest  succour  was  conveyed  into  Ehre&bltr^ 
stein,  but  the  French  refused  to  allow  the  Austrisns  I* 
take  possession  of  ^  other  fortresses*  The  membeiv  ^ 
the  *  congress  were  encouraged  to  hope  that  Eogfaoid  wofltl 
find  resources  fbr  a  new  confederacy  if  the  negodiis* 
should  fail,  and  the  supplying  Ehrenbreitstein  was  made  Ik 
only  point  of  discussion.    Matters  stood  thus,  whea  o^ 


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JLBTO  \rAaS  OF   EUROPE.  466 

^  Tradbles  in  St.  Domingo. 

^-^'^^  '  ■'  ■  ■  ■  "■■.,'■  — 

armed  Ihttt  the  Freaeh  fleet  Jiad  been  de^trpjed  ky  Ad- 

mbnl  NelaoE,  and  ike  hopes  of  marohing  to  i^aris  revived 
in  the  bosamii'eCaU  ibe  eonqaered  iK>verQJifns.  IntellH 
genee.of  that  .evtal  leaehed  St  Peterabargby  over  lan4 
abatistaa  soon  as  it  readied  Londoa ;  and  the  Empfror 
fiaal  ^shewed  a  diqhDffltHiil  ta  act  against  the  Republic 
Biora  -thattrtbcFBBipjress  Catharine^  wbqm  he  had  lately 
Stfeeee4e4«-  RumouniiWjBfe.oin^iIated  that  Great  Britain 
i^as!  tO;i^iihaidise  Raaata,  aod  that  Fr^oe  ^»oald  be  at- 
tached, bf  the  barbarpUt  tribes  of  the  North;  bqt  tboagh 
tbeiF#eaeb  Qoverbmenjt  t^taiaed  its  pride  and'viol^ce,  it 
had  lost  all  its  energy.  The  Directory  .saw  Ac  storm 
gatfaeting^  bat  the  cupidiitf  ef  Msioeaibers  b^  so  fHs- 
galted  the  ^otatry  ^iHlh  theif  governmeiit  that  th^y 
deeadM  to  4ic(|iiaiirt  the  pieople  with  their  4^ger; 

The  DKvai  triamphe  of  the  English  had  annihilated  the 
eoHBierpe  of  Frtoee  ^  and  the  merchants  sapv  with  cha- 
grin the-prodaetiona  of  their  own  country  depreciated  for 
want  ol  buyers^  whilst  those  of  their  rivals  inereased  so 
muob  in  yahie  tfaat  the  English  merchants  grew  rich  as 
rapid^  a^  ^y  went  to  ruia.  These  grievances  were  in- 
ereased by  4e  r^paeity  of  the  ministers  and  officers  of  tde 
Direetpvy^  wboi  ancertjKin  as  to  the  duration  of  their 
poaFor,  seemed  detcraioed  to  make  the  most  of  their 
plac^  while  they  heid  them.  , 

8t  DomiogOii  the  prmcipat  scene  of  the  .sanguinary  ^  } 

eonttot  that  took  place  from  the  dissolution  of  slavery^  I 

had  been  taken  possessiw  of  by  the  British  at  a  waste  of  : 

mooeyadd  lives;  and. the^ inhabitants  were  not  inclined 
4o  .i^lura  under  the  French  :gevornnient ;  but  it  appeared  : 

tha^  th^*  restoration  of  the  jsland  was  insisted  on  by  ! 

France,  andi  no  resistance  on  the  part  of  the  British 
0UJVfslry|.whic)i  shewed  an  intention  of  retaiaiog  it  atEi  a 

VOL.    1. no*  ttd.  9   iJi  \ 

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46^       HISTORY  OF  NAPOLBON*  MII4PARTB/ 


Keutrals  tAtt  GM^  Af  BnMiy*!  Tenelt. 


part  of  ibt  JMtMi  ettpi^o )  Ud  tii«  ^tfodistt  ill**M  iM 
to  preserve  ik^  loytiUy  llir  a  fwohnki^M  iktiy  li  tetn 
fhem  awaj^  lb  VkbAt  WiM  HmM  t^iiiih  «Im»  ki  pnj^ 
lion  to  thd  ItoAgOi  bf  liAie  tlie^  estMiMi  H^  The  fWfdl 
of  Cfibar  ^i  NegVoMi  lirere  jokitd  hy  lb«  fteMb  Biy 
a1idU»  fttid  harasised  iht'  Ifitkdi  Ibiwl  wider  fleind 
ttaitlahd  so  miich,  tlM  AH  trits  i»MiB«dtolu^t«peiid» 
defetish^  and  at  hat  to  <Mtor  illtd  ft  IfMCy  fof  (k  ift* 
cuatioti  tf  tte  plact^  ^pHA  Tdttsrfttt  LouVenw*»  a  blldi 
4r  extrablr^in^^  td^nts^  Wktt  h«l'ttrrif«d  at  Ulb  ittk  «f 
genera!  and  coinhiaitder  ia  (6kUf,  kk  a  ptee  iriMttkaM 
fbrtnerfy  been  lilllAYe!  >     * 

The  conce^kmt  «f  Ike  BftlUiniiiiiftry  tipl^mtedBMt 
)b  tkvdur  of'nrenell  eMitt^f^e  aM  FVeiMdi  int^rtsU,  te 
any  effinl  bf  fliat  eounlr^  to\M  htt^  Imm.  Ike  NAtaeri* 
bans  and  ofliei^  rtentml  ftati4^»  opMitdtttNutoforfibt 
paperss^so  tliat  iiiey  t\m\%  to  DbVer  all  PreiHsli  pnpr^ 
as  their  o\ni,  tod  thn^  \i\i\x^  Ihe  trade  betwaan  ftiit^ 
and  her  colonies,  \A  defiaircO  df  *i^  expenaff«  Mvy*  ^Mii- 
iained  by  tfib  Brittslk  people/ ftnd  pfsMulMl' lb  lie tqrt 
up  to  wciaken  their  eft^tnyhy  ^eafreyiif  Ms  c«iifllM^» 

ilttn  in  th^  neutral  etelfs,  >  kfteim  by  tliib  Bt^ 
^TvS^t^  to  be  Wo^b  stearee  mtf  ttAAg^  MHentf  Imm^ 
possesi^d  tf  Vth  of  twtlre  HbtfM  ttid  ceifoet«>ffMNto 
sailing  from  the  enemy's  por(i»,  as  Ibeit  ^Im  pilHM0^ 
WheVi  theHe  ubipl  t^efi»  taken,  tf  Iftrea^b  eaMtsslie*  A« 
sham  o^Mti  bad  Mt  preebrbd  the  Alae  papeta  lieWlflif) 
Id  blind  an  Mf;\ak  Jadfe,  Ibey  wei«  c<flMMMd  t  M 
tUv^h  out  of  twelve  ol  tbeili  Hrete  HMtei^  tattitil^ftvi^ 
dnienl  ^wnetft^  aMlen^  deteetleb  in  #bd  siftgle  tott^ 
ptottd  teat  h«  TituI'  a  hilled  ]^iii%r  il  tbe  «ei^d0  ofst^ 
Remits. 

8u€h  b«p¥  %to  bow  beM  by  telnistiM  «f  f  riakif  ** 


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AND  WA«6  OV  BVROPB.  46^ 


Ocwral  Beraadolte'a  Condnsl  at  Vienuu 


etjeets  by  m  new  war  upon  the  Contiiieiit^  that  tbey  di«* 
v««to4  4heir  means  from  their  owa  element,  «nd  directed 
HMm  sfreeii  to  a  mffitmry  craeade.  A«  event  iiappened  at 
Vteima  mUch  ttarealjened  to  add  its  ehave  towards  enii- 
brolfing  Anstria  and  BJranee  anew.  General  Qeinadottj(s, 
the  French  ambassador  at  Vienna,  on  taking  ap  Us  msi» 
denoe  there,  hang  an  immetase'  flag  from  tlie  window  of 
his '  hotel,  whieh  exeited  the  notiee  of  the  passengers, 
hnd  a  croud  eoHected  befcnne  his  door.  This  ksnit 
the  Ambassador  could  not  submit  to.  .The  crowd 
Wondered  what  the  flag  meant,  and  continued  to  stare; 
the  French  servants  came  to  Arive  them  away ;  they  re* 
sisted  ;  the  General  charged  the  court  of  Vienna  widi  a 
conspiracy  to  insult  htm,  demanded  his  passports,  and 
returned  home,  to  perauade  his  countiymen  that  the? 
must  revenge  tiie  iqynry  by  a  declaration  of  war.  Tha 
Direetory  opened  a  negoeiation  with  Austria,  which  was 
not  Kkely  to  arrive  at  any  conclasien.  This,  like  Iho 
one  at  Rastadt,  was  interrupted  by  the  certahity  that  an 
mnaj  of  Russians  was  on  its  mttrch,  and  winiM  ailfeempi 
to  veaoh  the  French  frontier  through  the  Auatrimi  staler. 
The  Austrians  took  possesrion  of  the  Orisons  without  any 
advice  to  Switzeriand  of  its  intention ;  and  the  iOng  of 
Kapies  advanced  towards  the  noith,  with  an  mvy  pro* 
vided  widi  every  requisile  lor  the  fickl  ft  waa  hnpps* 
siUe  for  the  Directory  to  retain  its  apathy  any  longer, 
and  every  branch  of  the  wlir  deparlnmiit  wop  pat  into  At 
greatest  aotivityr  «• 

'Re  'Neapolitan  troops  assembled  ondia  fifontien^tiio 
Rommi  state,  which  the  Directory  had  deohmd  a  repnh^ 
Kc;  Ana  circumstance  was  turned  into  an  attack  on  «n 
dly  of  France,  and  the  oflfence  of  Naples  was  aggravated 
by  the  feet  under  AdrntraT  Neipon  havhig  oet  with 

8  o  2 

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,f  • 

468     HISTORY  OF  NAPOLEON  BONAPARTE, 

a  ■,  I.,  :hi'I'ii      i^a 

Gtnenl  Mack  deiaandi  the  KvaottCioD  of  the  Roniui  Statei. 


finendly  tieatment,  whilst  Mangoavit,  the  Sacfeteiy  gf  tte 
French  Legation^  had  been  refused*  and  the  ambaandor» 
JLacomb  St  Micbei»  treated  with  cwtenyt  Genenl 
Mack  stated  that  Borne  was  to  .be  protected  by  his  arnqr* 
by  the  express  commaQd  of  the  govemmeiit  of  Napleii 
and  Qrdere4  General  Championnet  to  evacogte  the  teiri- 
tory,  which  Championnet  declared  to  be  a  TiolationoT 
the  rights  of  nations ;  and  assured  him  that  he  slio'ukl  be 
responsible  for  evenita  which  would  be  injurious  to  the 
eause  of  humanity. 

General  Slack,  answered,  that  the  Neapolitan  troopi 
had  passed  the  frontier  the  day  before,  with  the  kiog  at 
their  head,  to  take  possession  of  the  Roman  territor;, 
which  had  been  revolutionized  f^d  usurped  since  the 
treaty  of  Campo  Formic,  and  not  acknowledged  by  hii 
Sicilian  Majesty,  or  his  all/  the  Emperor  of  Germanj* 
He  coneluded  with  a  demand  to  evacuate  the  Ronuui 
Republio;  without  violatiog  Tuscany,  and  that  a  refusal 
would  be  considered  as  a  declaration  of  war,  his  Siciliaa 
Miyesty  being  able  tp  eofprce  the  demanda  addressed  to 
him  in  his  naoM^.  So  great  w^s  the  negligence  of  the  ^^ 
Ttoiorf,  that  the  French  army  did  npt  exceed  10,000  m^' 
when  not  less  than  76,000  troops  entered  the  frontiera! 
The  magazines  were  empty;  thare  were  np  anns»  artu* 
lery,  or  place  of  provisions  ;  and  at  Givita  Vecohia,  itfi 
said,  there  waa  not  suflkient  powder,  tp  fire  at  a  AirbaiJ 
aorsair,  which  menaced  the  port  1  > 

When  France  received  intelligence  of  the  entfy  of  tb( 
Neapolitan  troops,  it  declared  war  against  the  ki^ga  ^ 
the  twp  Sicilies  and  Sardinia;  the  King  of  Sardinia  wtf 
soon  dispossessed  of  his  continental  dominions,  aa  ia^ 
French  had  the  citadel  of  Turin  for  a  considerable  time. 
The  ki9g  deliv^r^d  up  Fieclmont  imp  t^^  hfiodf(  of  titf 


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AND  'WARS   OF  fiVROPE.  409 


EbmbRifit0ia  Mrraidert  to  the  French. 

'    '       ■!    I '   i     I    "       .r  .  g  -^ 


RepublicanSy  by  an  act. which  he  sigoeii  iu  December^ 
The  king  declared  himself  to  have  given  up  all  authority, 
and  , commanded  his  subjects  to  pbejr  'the  government 
irUch  the  French  were  about  to  establish.  The  Piedr 
iDoiitese  army  was  to  consider  itself  as  a  part  of  the 
French  army  of  Itaiy»  and  obey  the  Bepublieaa  goneraL  .. 

Neapolitan  troops  .entered  Rome  pa  the,29th  of  No- 
Tember,  and  the  fleets  of  Great  Britain  and  Nicies  too): 
the  harbonr  of  Leghorn ;  the  French  retreated,  leaving 
a  garrison  in  the  castle  of  St  Angelo.  The  cominander 
«was'  summoned  to  surrender,  and  Oeneral  Mack  declared, 
that  if  the.  Neapolitan  troops  were  fired  at^  he  would  put 
to  death  the  siok  in  the  hospitals ;  this  flourish  did  not  last 
long,  foe  the  Republicans  engaged  the  army  of  Na|ries, 
and  captured  12,000  prisoners,  with- 100  pieces  of  cannon, 
and  20  pair  of  colours/  Rome  was  instantly  abandoned 
by  the  king,  and  .the  notorious  troops.of  the  Bepubtio 
9tgmn  took  possession  of  it :  they  pioceeded  towards  Na- 
ples, and  an  mrmislke  on  any  tenns  waa  inqplored  by  6e* 
serai  Mack.  He  ursed  the  inclemency  of  the  weather 
and  the  dreadM  state  of  the  roads  as  motives  for  his  4e- 
nand  ;  but  Genend  Championnet  informed  him,  thfsy 
would  not  halt  till  they  had  entered  Naples  in  triumph. 

yhe  French  forces,  which  had  left  the  right  side  of  the 
Rhine,  took  a  position  on*  the  side  of  Germany,  in  oppo- 
eition  to  Count  Mettemich,  who  presented  fresh  memo-" 
rials  respecting  the  siege  of  Ehrenbreitstein;  but  as  it  was 
likely  that  the  deliberations  at  Rastadt  would  not  be  Ipng, 
the  Republic  thought  itself  warranted  in  preparing  fpr 
<he  worst  The  forces  on  the  left  bank  of  the  Biune, 
luuted  with  the  besiegera  of  Ehrenbreitstein  on  the 
right  bank  of  the  river.  After  a  resistance  of  eighteen 
norths,  it .  was  At  len^h  forced  to    surrender  thro«|*l| 


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430     HISTOR10[>F  MAPWEim  BOHAKARTE, 


Amifttoe  iNlvtoi  thft  FiMdii 


tmime.    The  itomi  fouiid   Ihm  by  the  .BcpoUkm 


were] 

The  FVeDoh  ooHMUider  m  ehief  wae  igMnntof  Ai 
■tate  of  the  eeirtre  asd  left  miag  of  hie  omj  »'« 
Geiiend  Dnheme,  who  wee  eqodUy  so  wkh  the  d«it 
tiny  of  the  right  wing!  be  had  foreed  hie  mwf  Amgl 
a  countiy  ialereected  by  riven,  and  deCmded  Vj 
die  troope  of  the  enemy.  With  all  its  suoeei^  (bt 
French  aimy  was  attacked  by  aa  armed  peasaotiy  mA 
|ie<^le»  and  was  in  great  dbtress,  when  a  depatatioQ  ^f 
Neapolitaii  officers,  aathprised  by  the  Vieerey.  wsM 
«poa  Oenenil  Champioaaet,  proppriag  to  deliver  ap 
Capua  ea  being  granted  an  anairtiee  as  the  basitofi 
permanent  treaty. 

An  armislice  was  eonchided  betneea  the  fiepaUiW 
Aeneval  and  the  Prince  of  MiUiano,  by  which  Capos  mi 
i^  be  delivvred  to  the  French,  wilb  aH  ita  arfiUeiy  m^ 
ttores.  The  anny  of  Championnet  was  ta  imire  the  cma* 
iry  (rom  Acenra  befcee  Naples ;  Benetanta,  and  sbBf 
Ae  Adriatio,  was  to  form  n  line  of  drmariuitioB ;  tke 
porta  of  Naplles  were  to  ho  eyaeuated  by  ^  ^  ^ 
longing  to  those  at  war  wiA  (he  Repnbiip  ;  aadtheN^^ 
poKtaas  were  to  pay  to  Fmoee  lOfiMfitO  of  IhrM 
Hostilities  were  not  to  oomfnence-tfll  three  dejrsa^^ 
shoald  be  given  by  eitber  of  fhe  parties.  The  Kiag''^ 
lied  to  Palermo,  learinf  the  management  of  afiao  ^ 
M.  Pignatelli,  |is  vioeroy,  and  went  en  b«nid  lbs  ^^ 
ships,  with  In^  oowt,  atieaded  by  the  RnaaiaD,  Aoi<n^ 
and  British  sninialers. 

The  RepubUean  Gknoral«  in  a  secret  note  ti»  die  V* 
rectory,  wUeh  went  wiA  the  capitntetton  of  Ospa«»^ 
clared  that  be  was  aorrovnded  en  affl  sides,  diati«^^ 
provi^ons^  aimnuniiiQn,  and  articiesof-overyUB'^"'^ 


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AND  WARS  OV  EUROPE.  4^1 

Genenil  Mack  Itftvet  hU  Tni«|M. 


tlw.  1<»M  of  A  kaltle  woaU  have  mined  hki  wbele  army» 
and  1^  -victory  eveo^  before  Cm)Qa»  Woald  fcave  evaJlei 
Um  MtUagi  He  looked  .<»  tke  poieeeakNi  of  this  pfaui4[ 
aft  of  the  iilveit  importanee,  since  tfaot^  ^aB  in  it  a  Mqp^ 
pigr  ftr  the  armj  ^  all  ita  iraatt»  and  greatly  ha«te&ed 
the  eeikK|ii^dl  of  Naples;  An  ariniatioe  granted  to  a  p6e^ 
pie  so  rail  of  perfidy  y^m  no  more  tl^an  a  fttrate^em  of 
war,  and  Ike  one  teW  enoetttded  eonld  be  broken  by  the 
Neapolitens  wbenerer  they  thought  pi^pcr ;  ttDd  that  he 
bad  no  doubt  of  the  con^ueatof  Nqplea  about  the  ttni<» 
when  the  news'of  the  surrender  of  Gppna  eo«ld  reach  Hh 
lUraetory/aa  be  corresponded  irith  tfie^Heaftetod  pArtyi 
whifA  was  very  numenHts.  mh»  King  vaa  so  dissatisfted 
'tint  be  refused  to  con^ue  the  armistice^  and  toM  Vie 
Vieeroy*  that  be  must  have  forgotten  be  hud  aiMd^ter 
when  be  signed  enchn  treaty,  for  the  slike  of  preservhig 
the  capital.  The  Directory  passed  the  e^^est  eensnres 
en  General  Chaaiptoanet  for  agreeiog  to  any  armibtioe  till 
be  had  subdued  the  whole  kingdom. 

The  royalists  looked  on  General  Mack  lis  a  traitor,  wfad« 
deserted  by  his  soUiera,  found  no  time  to  diMyerate,  and 
sent  an  oflker  before  bin  to  crave  preteotion  from  Gene« 
ral  Championnet.  So  closely  was  be  pursued  that  be 
leacbed  the  French  camp  dlmost  as  soon  as  the  offi(ber« 
and  was  received  with  kindness  and  affsibiKty.  He  g^t  a 
^idsport>  and  was  escectod  to  Mihn*  ■  Tbb  enmged'tiie 
I^MBzareni,  they  collected  their  forces  in  a  body,  and 
fMUred  Ihehr  vengeance  on  the  Republioans,  at  Fonts 
|Utlo»  defiNited  the  advanced  guard,  wH  pushed  forward 
to  the  line  of  the  Frsnch  army,  "where  moltttades  were 
pat  ito  death,  and  tlii^seat  took  mAige  in  Sigbt. ' 

llie  PrinOB  of  Meflftemo  iud  the  addn^s  to  be  chosen 
tinit  Ganeval^  but  when  they  leambd  tM  ie  wisbed%r 


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472      HISTORY   0¥   NAPOLEON  BONAPARTE, 


Attack  wi  the  City  of  Naples. 


negociato  with  the  >French  they  deserted  his  standari 
The  Duke  Delia  Torre  and  bis  brother  Gieprent  FiloMr 
liuo  were  first  mordered,  and  then  bdmt  to  ashes,  al- 
iboiigh  iniimcd  to  monarchy*  As  the  liaszareni  ioA  it* 
lacked  the  ran  guard  of  the  Republican  army,  ChanpioB- 
net  looked  upon  it  as  a  signal  for  die  attack  of  Naples. 

General  Chompionnet  evinced  his  humanity  by  a  pro- 
damation,  and  sent  it  by  th^  chief' of  a  squadron  ;  M 
the  messenger  was  received  by  a  voHey-  of  musketry  ;  anl 
after  attempting  to  explain,  h#  was  forced  to  reton. 
J^  Crenend  Cybampionnet  hoped  that  the  appeafuce 
ei  his  army  would  reduce  the  LasBaroni  to  sobmii' 
sion,  he  deferred  the  asstflilt  till  the  foHoning  ixft 
but  the  fire  they  kept  up  coDvinced*  him  that  they  wcnU 
be  subdued  only  by  force.  Those  at  St.  Elmo  acquaintei 
the  General  in  the  nighty  that  the y  only  waited  his  codh 
mands  to  open  a  dreadful  fire  upon  the  city.  Tbe  tm 
battalions,  on  Capo  di  Monte^  had  orders  to  narck  at 
night,  and  form  a  junction,  with  the  garrison  of  St  IStao^ 
and  discharge  upon  the  city  .the  whole  of  their  artilleiT- 
This  was  the  signal  for  General  Ehle  to -commence  inof 
upon'  ity  and  the  whdle  army  were  to  rush  impetuoodf 
forward,  and  bear  down  all  before  ft. 
,•  Victory  was  long  uncertain.  Although  night  overtook 
them,  the  firing  cootiuued,  when  tbe  Republicans  fons^ 
into  two  divisions,  and,  exbaosted  with  fatigue,  one  ^ 
them  charged  on  tbe  gallant  enemy,  .  while  the  other 
sought  some,  repose  amidst  a  dismal  heap  of  carnage  ^ 
ruins.  ^  At  the  daien  of  day  the  battle  vsigtd  with  fo^» 
and  it  was  doubtfol  who  would  be  the  conquerors.  T^ 
end  the  conflict -General- Ghanpaonnet  gave*  orders  ii^ 
force  the  passages  to  the  Casteilo  Novo  and  the  Fort<l^' 
Canine,  at  the  point  of  the  bayon<it. .  A  diriBkuairtf^ 


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AKD  WAKS  OF  EUROPE.  475 

The  French  get  PotBettion  of  Naples. 

on  the  pabce»  and  anotfaer  to  form  a  janctioki  with 
the  garrifon  of  .St*  ElmOy  already  in  possesBioa  of  part  ol 
Aa  tity* 

Wiiife  ai}  was  yet  horror  and  tfneertsinty.  the  French 
Qeaeral  thoa^  that,  ha  migbt  attack  the  saperstitioua 
ideas  of  those  sayage  people,  aad  he  pabBshad  anaoeouat 
of  his  regard  for  their  great  St  Janaarius !  This  had  the 
desired  eflfeet ;  liis  conversion  flew  tike  lightning  through 
the  eitj,  and  did  more  in  his  fiiTonr  than  his  artillery. 
One  of  their  efaiefs '  deliTered  an  oration  to  his  soldiers, 
ordered  them  to  stop  their  firing,  and  to  lay  down  their 
arms.  He  was  listened  to  with  rererence  and  obeyed 
with  alacrity.  This .  brought  a  termination  of  hostilities^ 
and  the  horrors  of  war  were  followed  by  acclamations  of 
joy. 

The  Laz2[aroni  became  the  advocates  of  liberty  and 
f(|ualLty<  They  pkiiidered  the  royal  palace,  which  bat 
a  short  time  befiNfe  they  would  have  defended  to  the  hist^ 
aad  it  required  Oeiierai  CThampionnet  to  hinder  them 
firom  coomitttng  the  most  extravi^ant  ex^cesses^  He 
left  the  conmnmd  of  the  place  to  General  Dufresae,  and 
eacampedhis  army  on  the  heights  around  the  city  of 
Naples.  He  disarmed  the  fickle  and  forioas  inhabitants, 
whidi  prevented  the  public  peace  from  deing  distarbed^ 
The  army^  which  had  done  so  much  under  its  able  com- 
u^ndert  was  denoniinated  ''  The  army  of  Naples.'^  The 
Qeaeral  in  peraoa  proclaimed  it  to  his  troops,  accom^ 
panied  by  the  shouts  of  the  multitude  and  the  tremendous 
(bonder  of  cannon. 

The  clergy  and  many  of  (he  nobles  celebrated  the 
entry  of  tho  French.  Te  Deom  was  sung  ;  the  abolition 
of  immireby'  was  deefeed,  and  the  state  declared  a  ror 
pobiic. 

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474       HISTORY   OF   NAPOLEON    BONAPARTE, 

*  The  Ifllaod  of  Minorca  taken  by  (be  British. 

General  GhampionQet,  and  a(l  bis  principal  offioeis, 
were  cashiered  by  ibe  Directory,  as  traitors  ;  and  Gene- 
ral  Serrurier,  worthy  of  such  employers,  by  having  seiaed 
the  little  i^pubBcr  of  Lucoa,  overturned  its  government, 
and  laid  it  under' a  contribution  for3,Q0O,00Oof  Uvrss, 
received  the  command  of  the  Amy  of  Naples. 


«^«^  »*^^»»»»»»^^»^»#»#»»***  # 


CHAPTER  UX. 


Whilst  the  French  were  securing  1  he  conquest  of  Italy, 
a  ray  of  wisdom  found  its  way  into  the  cabinet  of  St 
James's  ;  and  tlie  people  began  to  see  the  importance  of 
obtaining  a  rendezvous  for  the  British  navy  in  the  Medi- 
terranean.    An  expedition  was  fitted  out  to  take  Mmorca, 
an  island  belonging  to  Spain,  but  of  infinite  valae  i0 
England,  both  to  watch  the  port  of  Toulon,  and  to  pro- 
vide a  coiamercial    depot,  whence  a  contraband  trade 
might  be  carried  on  with  the  southern  French  and  Spaaisk 
coasts  to  a  vast  amount.    The  British  landed  without  op- 
positioti,  and  after  a  few  shot  the  place  capitulated  wifk* 
out  resistance.   ' 

:>  The  SpanisU  government  were  not-more  fortunate  is 
an  attack  on  the  Bay  of  Hondupa*s,  conducted  by  fte 
Governor  of  Yucatan,  for  he  was  totally  defeated  by  Ike 
British.  The  English  arms  achieved  another  vktorjr  io 
ihe  capture  of  Goza,  which  was  followed  by  the  bbck" 

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i 


AND  WARS   OP   EUROPE.  475 


The  Aicfadako  CbMlet  paatei  the  Lech. 

■   f'  ^  .  -  , 

ade  of  Malta,  so  lately  wreathed  among  the  jaarek  of  our 
«Deiny* 

The  winters  of  1796^,  were  so  severe  that  the  Eossians 
and  Aiistrians  coald  not  join  till  early  in  the  spring.  The 
plenipotentiaries  at  Rastadt  issued  a  proclamation  on-  the 
state  of  affairs>  where  it  was  stated  that  the  govemoient 
wished  for  peace,  and  would  .order  their  armies  (o  fall 
back,  if  his  Imperial  Majesty  would  cause  the  Russian 
troops  to  evacuate  his  donunions. »  This  was  followed  by 
an  address  from  General  Jourdan,  in  wliich  he  breathed 
the  same  sentiments  ;  and  the  ambassadors,  wished  the 
Emperor  io  be  assured,  that  the  movements  of  the  French 
armies  were  not  forerunners  of  hostilities,  but  occasioned 
by  the  march  of  the  Russians.  War  was  decided  on  by. 
both  parties,  and  the  possession  of  Switzeriand  by  the 
French  made  the  government  determine  to  act  on  the  of- 
fensive. 

The  French  profited  by  their  positions  in  Switzerland 
to  reach  the  mountjuns  of  the  Black  Forest,  .and  gain  the 
.heights  about  the  Lake  of  Constance,  to  give  strength  to 
their  attacks.  The  Archduke  passed  the  River  Ijech  on 
the  5th  of  March,  on  the  right  side  of  which  were  the 
greater  part  of  his  forces.  His  first  care  was  Ulm,  which 
he  garrisoned  and  stored,  as  he  meant  it  should  flank  the 
right  of  his  army,  and  having  marched  his  troops  by  'the 
way  of  Donawerth,  he  fixed  his  head-quarters  at  Mem- 
mingen.  General  Stsarray  on  the  left  of  the  DannbCf 
kept  a  watchful  eye  on  Bemadotte,  and  Nauendorf  iraH 
chief  of  the  vanguard  of  the  main  army.  The  Republic 
can  forces  in  Swabia  and  Switserlaod  amounted  to  80,000 
men,  and  those  of  Austria  were  110,000.  The  French 
and  Austrian  forces  on  the  Rhine  were  nearly  equal, 
about  25,000  each. 

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470     HISTORY  OP  NAPOkBOM   BONAPARTE, 
HMtilitiBi|Ml«eeB  AaiCria  «iii  Fnofle. 

As  the  Imperial  anny  was  inoluied  ti>  kt^tf  a  Im  W 
tween  the  Lake  of  Coustance  and  tiie  Daiinbe,  instead  «f 
marching  towards  that  river,  the  RepabBeaii  Genecal  seised 
ou  such  positioBS  as  would  secore  hiacDmniiuiMttioD  wilh 
the  army  of  Switaerlasil.  The  araaea  of  the  boslik 
powers  oeoupied  the  country  from  .the  banks  erf*  the 
Danube  to  the  Adriatio  Gulph.  Tfa^  irst  hostilitiis 
took  place  on  the  right  of  the  two  Freaeh  armies^  wbkh 
were  opposed  to  the  main  body  of  the  Anatrians  and  tht 
chvisions  sent  to  the  left  under  tke  Arobduke^s  ooflunaal 
General  Massena  was  established  at  Aktattan^  in  Um 
Bheinthal,  with  an  army  of  45,000  men*  threatenioftbs 
entrance  intD  the  country  of  the  Grisons.  While  Joiir^ 
dau  drew  towards  the  L<ake  of  Constance^  General  Mss* 
scan  went  to  Sargans^  and  sammoned  AnSenbevg  to  en« 
cnate  the  Giisons  ;  the  Imperial  General  refased  to  coai- 
ply,  and  Massena  gave  orders  to  make  a  vigoroost  bat 
feigned,  attack  on  Feldkirch,  to  cMceal  his  operatioof 
and  prevent  Hotae  from  granting  aid  to  General  Aafiei^ 
berg,  atC<»rc. 

He  also  sent  a  division  to  turn  Coire  by.  the  heiglitH 
aiid  assault  the  bridges  on  tbe  fofhs  of  the  Bliiae,  fin 
miles  farther  up  the*  river  than  Coive*  Hie  centre  of  lii» 
army  'crossed  the  iww,  got  possession  of  BaltaarSj  snd 
cut  off  the  eonmuttieation  between  Feldlurch  and  the 
Gl*isoBs.  The  posU  of  Meyenfeld  and  Zollbrack  wen 
forced  ;  tbe  fort  of  Luciensteg  was  carried  by  i^flaslty 
find  the  French  having  got  posaessicm  of  tbe  eastis  ^ 
HoUenstein,  General  Auffenberg  being  m  a  sitai^ 
wbkii  preohided  any  assistance^  surrendered  Coire,  sod 
bis  whole  division  becwne  prisoners,  to  the  amouol  ^ 
7,000  men. 

The  French  attacked  Feldkirch  on  the  12lh  of  Ifsrok 


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▲NO  WARS  OP  EUROPE.  477 

The  Imperialitls  fetreat. 

but  were  driven  back  wiUi  great  loss.  On  the  14tb  thej 
nmule  a  simHar  attempt,  but  with  no  better  success  ;  this 
made  the  Archdoke  place  the  utmost  eoofidence  in  his 
defensive  line  of  18,000  men,  which  covered  his  left 
wiagt  and  he  pushed  on  his  van-guard  towards  Stockach. 
Joardan  vanted  reinforcements ;  but  as  he  had  little  doubt 
of  tlie  success  of  General  Massena  against  Feldkircb,  he 
united  his  whole  force,  and  seemed  to  wait  the  attack  of 
the  AutsriaB  armj.  It  was  at  last  impossible  to  avoid  a 
general  engagemenlv  as  the  armies  were  so  near  it  was 
wHh  difficulty  their  advanced  guards  could  perform  their 
respective  manoeuvres. 

The  Arehduke  had  his  vanguard  on  Ihe  heights  of  Sul- 
gau  and  Alhausen,  and  his  head-quarters  at  SchaundorC 
General  Jonrdan  sent  an  officer  to  the  camp  of  the 
Austrian  van  guard,  to  inquire  whether  the  despatches 
expected  by  the  French  Directory  from  the  court  of  Vi- 
emia  had  arrived  ;  and  on  being  told  that  they  had  not» 
he  deelared'the  armistice  at  m  end*  This  intimation  was 
followed  by  a  severe  attack,  and  the  van  guard  of  the 
ImperiaUsts  was  forced  to  retreat  beyond  Klosterbeuren, 
where  it  got  reinforcements  from  the  main  body  of  the 
army. 

As  Massena  had  bat  one  opportunity  before  the  return 
of  General  Hotse,  he  attacked  Fddkirch  in  different 
poittts>  with  a  body  of  grenadiers,  forming  a  junction 
with  the  troops  of  Ondioot.  This  was  conducted  by 
Massena  in  person,  who  was  driven  back  with  great  loss 
and  that  of  the  enemy  was  not  inferior*  General  Oudl- 
not. crossed  the  Rhine,  occupying  Rheineck,  at  the  con- 
fluence of  ^t  river  into  the  Lake  of  Constance,  which 
made  Hotze  resume  his  position  at  Feldkirch.  Flushed 
^itb   lis  suc<5esses,   the    Arohduke  pursued  Jourdan'^ 

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473       HISTORY  OF  NAPOLEON  BONAPARTE, 

DiflScttlt  March  of  the  French  Troopi. 

army,  which  had  fallen  back  beyond  Stockach  ;  and  as  ke 
was  sure  that  be  could  secure  his  retreat  by  Shaffirascn, 
be  determined  to  attempt  to  draw  the  Archduke  from  tltt 
Lake  of  Constance. 

He  received  orders  from  the  Directory  to  cross  tiia 
Rhine,  and  furce  his  way  into  Germany,  to  wfaidi  he 
replied,  that  his  army  did  not  exceed  66,000  mra,  is* 
eluding  those  in  Switzerland  and  on  the  Danube,  whik 
be  had  to  contend  with  not  less  than  150,000,  in  wludi 
case  he  declared  to  the  Directory,  ^t  a  ccMitest  migiit 
make  bim  iaH  wftfa  glory,  but  he  could  not  expect  to 
reap  any  laurels. 

In  their  march  to  Munster  the  Republicans  defied  diffi* 
cullies  which  would  have  stopped  those  who  guide  strao* 
gef 9  over  the  Glaciers  ;  they  cKmed  the  Wormser,  reck- 
oned one  of  the  highest  mountains  of  the  Julian  Alps,  di- 
viding the  sources  of  the  Adda  and  the  Adige,  in  spite  oi 
the  snows  and  ice  with  which  it  was  covered.  From  tkis 
mountain  they  might  be  said  to  roll  into  the  valley,  wbick 
they  reached  in  safety,  and  all  the  Austrian  troops,  bag- 
gage, and  c2knnon,  fell  into  the  bands  of  the  French. 

Laudohn,  with  a  small  number  of  infantry,  forced 
through  the  Republicans  above  Glurentz,  and.fonned  a 
junction  with  General  Bellegarde ;  but  could  not  resist 
the  impetuosity  of  the  French,  and  retreated  to  the  prs* 
tection  of  Bolzen,  where  they  made  a  demand  for  lb 
Tyrolean  militia. 

All  Italy,  from  the  Alps  to  the  mountains  of  ly^L 
and  from  Venice  to  Sicily,  was  in  the  bands  of  tke 
French  :  but  before  the  campaign  was  opened  there,  tkit 
of  the  Danube  was  terminated  by  the  retreat  of  Joo^ 
dan. 

He  was  obliged  to  abandon  all  offensive  opcratiDB>» 

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Am>   WARS  OP   EUROPE.  479 

Rttisiao  Troop*  appear  Id  Italy. 


and*  onitiag  with  the  anny  of  Massona,  look  the  left 
bank  of  the-Rhme,  front  the  GrMons  to^ardB  the  Frenob 
fenritory.  General  Jourdan  va$  recalled,,  and  Mds$eii» 
was  appointed  Commander  in  Chief. 

As  the  French  abandoned  the  idea  of  a  onioa  of  the 
amies  of  Italy  andnSwitaierlancI  in. the  Grisons^  itbe^ 
came  an  object  wilh .  tfie  Austrivis  to  get  into  the  vaUejft 
orifae  OgUo,  so  that  they  would  be  able  to  flank  the; 
French  army,  and  make!  it  adopt  defensive  measares  tor 
pfeat^ot  ihe  Mitatiese :  bat  this  was  unavaibng  while: 
Creoeral  Scherer.  could. act  on  the  Adige  in. an  oiTeiisitre 
mannek'.  The  Freoob  posts,  from  Bormio,  in  the  Gri« 
sons,  to  the  Lakes  of  Idrp  and  Garda,  were  attacked  and 
compelled  to  retreat  to  Brescia. 

Tlus  was  the  position  of  the  French  and  Austriaa  armies 
in  thiw  north  of  Italy,  when  the  Russian  Cniops  made  their 
appearance  ;  and  Count  Metternich,  the- Anstriaii  Pk£ni*4 
potentiary,  gave  notice  that  the  war  had  broken  oui- 
again,  and  that  the  Minister  of  the  Empire  was  recalledi 
The  French  Ministers  protested  they  would  repair  to  Stras-^ 
bnrg,  and  there  receive  whatever  overtures  of  peace  might 
be  presented  to  them.  The  Grand  Chancellor  wrote  to 
Colonel  Barbacsy,  ordering  a  safe  escort  to  the  French 
Plenipotentiaries  ;  at  a  late  hour  he  wrote  the  Ambassa- 
dors  that  they  must  quit  the  territory  in  twenty-four 
hours.  Before  the  French  Ministers  quitted  Rastadt  400  ' 
^ssars  entered  the  town,  and  allowed  no  ^person  to  go 
•utoroomein.  ^ 

-  The  French  Ambassadors  took  their  carriages  abodt 
iig^t  o'clock  in  the  evening,  but  did  not  depart  till  they 
sent  a  requisition  to  the  Commandant  of  the  place,  wha 
dweU:  at  the  extremity  of  the  town.  Tbey  succeeded  id 
f  ettiiHg  pemiission«  and  were  escorted  by  two  huss^rs^ 

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tSO      HISTORY  OF  NAPOLCOM  BONAPARTE, 

FreDcb  AmbMifedon  muncnd  at  Rastadt. 


who  aftenmAis  left  ibem^  and  retimed: to  town.  Befoit 
Aejr  were  dOO  paee8  from  the  Iowa  a  troop  of  hasm 
Mdlied  Qpoo  then,  flbd  began  to  execute  the  hcmi 
orders  of  their  Buperiors. '  The  Plenipotentiarf,  Jen 
Debry,  was  furwt,  with  fab  wife  |ind  chiMren,  and  hefeU 
mtt  his  passport  to  the  Rnssiaaa  who'surrounded  bis  cl^ 
liage.  This  waa  not  their  object :  he  was  dragged  eit 
and  fell  covered  with  gashes  from  sabres  on  diflhreat 
parts  of  his  body.  Thmking  him  dead,  they  begas  la 
plunder  the  oarriage,  while  ,he  cirawled,  unperceivi^ 
into  a  ditch.  The  secretary  and  valel-de-chambre  ircr» 
in  the  second. carriage,  and  received  only  a  few  blows, 
on  saying  that  they  were  servants :  their  carriage  wtv 
also  plundered.  The  Ambassador  Bonnier  rode  by  Iubh 
self«  and  gave  an  a£5rmative  answer  when  asked  if  k 
was  such  a  miniater.  He  was  dragged  out  and  mnideit^ 
in  the  most  inhuman  manner,  his  head,  legs,  and  ami 
hemg  cut  off.  The  secretary  Rosensteil,  seeing  tke 
tn^cal  scenes  actbg  before  him,  leaped  oat  of  4^ 
6ha^iot  and  escaped.  In  his  carriage  they  found  a  poit- 
manteau  full  of  papers,  which  they  scattered  abant,  M 
quickly  collected  again  with  the  greatest  care.  The  Ab* 
bassador  Robeijot  was  in  the  fifth  carriage,  with  Us  wifti' 
Aey  found  it  difficult  lo  drag  hhn  out,  as  Ae  ckipi' 
him  in  her  arms :  but  at  last  they  cut  his  head  is  tea 
with  a  sabre. 

The  carriages,  ladies,  and  servants  returned  to  BsilA 
and  the  secretary,  Hosensteit,  reached  the  town  alMftt 
eleven  o'clock  at  aight^  by  a  number  ot  by-wajv*  ^ 
Ambassador,  Jean  Debry,  had  got  iate  a  wood,  ii' 
hound  up  his  wounds,  the  coldness  df  die  tif^t  ssa^ 
to  congeal  his  blood  ;  be  ventured  ottt  at  dqf  l%fatl^ 
fot,  unperceived  ibto  the  town.    There  is  Uttle  dMM 


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Jiim  WARf  erf  «U«€fPC.  481 

Sfletef  elteted  teto  AM  DiKetoit. 

r'i'»wr^     '       jeaaaee— pggaaeeaaggggBaaggae 

bm  tikat  tte  {^efp^tratdirs  of  this  MetvaA  trftinactSoii  Werr^ 
oiRfdf  tfs  th^y  onered-to  tMoOc^  to  tsNjr  oot'lli^  AMtMi^ 
iTTOdH.  xn^neAfih  Diffctotjr  i^bttfgt^'it  ift.  the  ^Mnet 
of  l^lMtta;  bttt  flt^  Atiteift  effafg^ed  it  ctti  the  Dire6t6rt; 
who;  it  i^  tM,  tr^M  afraeid  th^  AiDbassaddrs  AaM  ft* 
ttttu  tO'  xnElMy  Alfu  eXpdfiB  tiM'  iiltfi^fil  t^-  wlilA  Vit 
^leeotHe  {hhrtt  bad  prtfftetiNl  fbe  j^^ice  froitti  Belii^ 
«0iicIaded. 


CHAPTER  LX« 


Nft V£it  iraft  a  flme  ivh<»i  1^  hottaa  feteail  bMiso  id  ex- 
peetatikm  itf jfi^tiat  e^etkUtt^tti€  prtMM.  F^aioe  sair ber- 
self  falling  as  tiaifliy  «b  sbelttd  risetf,  Mfd  Aiwfria  waM  t^ 
i^driiig  ber  fSMie.  The  iaIeAtf  of  fiodapdrte  seeint^d 
tbif  iMfBtt^ngfk  6t  1b&  ft^iMAticy  aad  &«  idea  de- 
yriHised  Am  Vretth  as  itfttclr  as  it  eaeottraged  ffaeir  eoe- 
diies.  Tttt  hntttd  agallist  Ae  Dire^foiy  watf  greatly  di- 
miftished  1^  the  efecfi<M  of  tBe  Abbe  St^es  info  tbcft 
body  in  the  rboni  of  tbtiAff^,  and  ihe  eonteiMbig'  ai^ies 
tfAUtti  ufNta  Oe  eitMeit  ttpott  more  oqftfai  terM^f  than 
tSoy  laid  tiftft  doire  fi^ftfet^* 

Th«  ArtAdoke  fltarevt^iMd  the  left  of  Ma^i^mV  armr^ 
ittkder  dertMIl  iSfttOtt^nbo  oeonpied  Ae  deities  of  Kintzig, 
ivhich  caosed  General  Massena  to  retreat  by  Kehl,  and 
/    YOL.  1. — NO.  81.  3  Q  r^  1 

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482      HISTORY  ;aF.  N'APOLBON  .BONAPARTE, 

Moreaii  conmaBdt  the  Fr^opU  army. 


fix  hU  bedcl*qmii;tera  at  JB^sil.  ..  j({e  .vas  master  of.  the 
Bbeinthal  audi  Rl^eok^  at  tfac^  Mpper  epd  of  the  Likt 
or  CposUiaGf^ ;  an^  .kqpjt  poas^ioii  of  iS/^hafflmusea  ti 
Uie. posts fun  t^^f^  lfft:^ide.sixf)^lid<he  fortiQed*  Bf^^*^ 
stroBgly  garrii^if^.  . ,  I|^  is  i^ot « V^^  what  ia&neiiced  tk 
Ajchduke,  yet  b'«,p)ade;  oply  ajpw  movemeiite  near  tht 
la^e  of  Coii^^ai^e^.  lUll  j>e.,iiVM^ted  Schaflfhansy  oa  the 
l3th  of  AprU.  General  Nauendorf  entered  the. place 
sword  in  hand ;  the  Republicans  burnt  the  bridge  as  tiiff 
3eft  the  Iowa. 

The  French  were  unable  to  keep  their  position  oesr 
Mantua,  tliey  continued  to  retreat,  and  crossed  the  Choist 
at  Asola.  TLe  Austnans  blockadedt  this  place  ;  and  Be- 
nau  became  master  of  the  posts  which  supplied  the  gv- 
lison,  cutliug  off  the  communication  between  it  and  Fe^ 
rara.  Thirty-two  boats,  with  200  pieces  of  artiUeiy^ 
and  an  equipage  of 'p(Aitoons;  feitinto  the  hands  of  Ge- 
neral Klenam  at  Lagooscuro.  The  right  wing  of  the  Aui- 
trian  army  ptnetrated  beyond  the  Lake  of  Garda ;  the 
fleet  of  boat$  belonging  to  the  French  were  fi»rced  under 
the  oaanon  pf.  fesobi^f^  by.  th^.armeil  boats  of  4he  ene 
my  from  Riya/..  and  I^espjifera  was>esiege4«  ^  . 

.  On  the.  17th  of.  April,  the^^eaitiquartexs  of  i)ie  Bepsh- 
iicans  were  at  Lodi,  faaaous  jby.  the.xictory  oi  Bonaparti 
in  a  former  canpaigu..,  General  .Soberer,  kMided  ^ 
disgrace,  aba^idoi^ed  a,  statipii  tp  which  ^e  shooid  net 
baye  beea  raided;  and  .wassuf^epded  by  GcDsriti  Ho^ 
reau,  when  the  ^any  was  re^ilopod  <tte  half,  . . 

Moreau's  only,  hope  of  safety  depyendedonhis  flifht 
The  Russians  and  Austrians  had  joined,,  an^.eyarypb^ 
ou  the  frontiers  of  the  Cisalpine  Repablic  was  kft  to  it) 
own  resourcts^  and  a  wish  to  capitulatf  ^w^  daoi^  ^ 


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ANB  WASa  .OP  SVROFE«        .     «.     483 

MMfCM  detett  tiie  SwiM. 


FefcUenu  vA  4Kdl|y.fiion.M«ntu8»  had  been  irigoro«ply 
l«pids«dt*tlMCttille  •f  F^nara  persevered  jn  its  resistance 
«Nl.|h6.ghn|iB0xi«CBre«fiMi  9i«rreii4eved.  .{-^.^  .  ; 

JifoiekaiMjnatiBg.teWf^rd»  tbe  llijIai^iErs^*.  Gepe^  Mac^ 
domU,.  i^  Naples^ikeouo^  w  a  critical.  sitnatiQB  ^  for 
the  coMDnuBcatttVi  .witb  Genoa  vaaiotercepted^  the  pofsts 
oftdie  Foy.  ej^erdteeitcd  or  captured  by  the  eiie|ay,  and 
the  Boaik  «f  :  PanAa  and  Tnsf^any,  whicb  bad  b^en.  seiz- 
ed, by  the  Fj^enob,  were  extremely  hasardouiw  The  Re- 
publkmn  ^^m)  .waa  gveatiy  rediM^d  by  the  bloody  ^  bi^a. 
OB  the  Adige,  and  diminished  by  throwing  ganri^ns  into, 
sngll  ..poets,  not  one  of  which  coald  impede  the  march  of 
the  laqierial  armies  for  a  single  day. 

lUssena  allaoked  the  Swiss  of  the  small  cantons  on  the 
Lake  at  Sobwita,  and  Ibjrced  theni  to  lay  down  their  arms; 
and  at  Altorf  4000  men  were  either  dispersed  or  cot  to 
pieces.  General  Sonlt  fbUowcd  tkbr  patriotic  army  to  the 
iralley  of  Ui^ren,  to  prevent  their  gaining  the  pass  of 
St  Gothard.  As  the  Valteline  was  left  exposed,  more 
was  necessary  to  defend  the  left  wing  of  the  French  army 
in  Switzerland,  than  ths  re->establishment  of  its  interior 
Gommunications.  General  L'Orison  made  good  his  re* 
treat  into  the  Grisons,  being  forced  to  abandon  part  of 
liis  artillery,  and  Liccourbe  crossed  from  the  Lower  JEnga* 
din  to  Beilinzone,  to  protect  the  pass  of  St.  Gothard,  by 
destroying  the  commonication  between  tlie  small  cantons 
and  the  Swiss  Italian  baillages.  Lecourbe  took  a  position 
at  Bellinaone,  while  the  head  quarters  of  General  Mas- 
sena  were  at  Znrich,  performing  ^  variety  of  manoeuvres 
with  bis  left  wing  to  delude  the  Archduke  ;  but  that  Ge- 
neral adhered  to  his  original  intention  of  gaining  the  Gri? 
sons  before  att<;mpting  any  t^ng  oq  tlie  Rhine, 
3  l^  2 


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4M     WSTORY  M  NAPOtEM   BOHAMRTE, 


A  large  Rmsf aa  fovtt  joloi  the  Aaitriani. 


Bent  im  tikis  plan,  he  sent  geutfaseeii— tn  to 
A  new  attadL  was  plaaaed  between  H«te  ead  BiJtngM<ii 
who  had  reached  Len«8»  in  piuwitw  Ibe  BapdriMWi 
their  retreat  fi^  the  VpP^  Enj^dM^  whena  the  4aiWm 
comvanderv  were  J4Nned  ky  nomhew  «f  the  Grimoi  » 
arms.  The  Swiss  troops  wave  eager  la  fasnilha.TWi 
gaard  oT  the  column  to  act  against  Lmenalaifi  9aW  adU 
remarkably  strong  by  the  French.  This  'brt^mus  sHosIt 
ed  in  a  narrow  defile,  formed  by  airftal  i;ooh%  wbaae  sa0» 
Bttts  to  the  Eastward  embrace^  the  steep  liaights  iaeioai 
ing  the  ▼riiey,  half  a  league  in  length.  ' 

The  Archduke,  on  the  Mi  of  Hay,  mm  hilbviaed  M 
the  arrival  at  GalUcia  of  a  large  Bosriaa  fcroe,  4ftt^6Mi 
for  the  Bhine.  General  Tolstoy  went  to  the  Arahddus'i 
head  quarters  at  Stoekaoh,  for  instr  wtions  nhmA  the  im» 
tinatfon  of  his  troops,  which  were  a  part  of  40,000  MS 
subsidised  by  Great  Aritain,  and  independent  of  the  anqr 
ti  Italy.  T]he  Bossians  were  ostmated  at  70  000  bms, 
who  had  arrived,  or  were  on  theiir  way. 

General  Hotae  sneeeeded  in  beooming  master  of  At 
liey  of  the  Orisons,  wluch  occasioned  an  taunense  wasH 
of  blood  and  treasure.  TIm)  first  of  his  foar  ciolawet 
was  to  make  a  feigned  ajktapk  at  the  upper  end  of  the  ds» 
file  ;  the  second  to  secure  the  mountains  above  Majsi- 
leld,  and  tp  render  easy  the  attack  on  the  iron^  bj  s 
descent  pn  the  rear,  as  the  sigmd  fbr  a  serious  attack. 
The  third  column  ynm  to  free  the  Seeviser  Alps  on  tht 
North  and  North-east ;  and  the  last,  with  tha«itillefysBd 
.cavalry,  was  to  storm  the  passage  on  the  East,  hj  ^ 
SlapineivJoch.  The  flrent  column  was  heailed  by  Hots* 
in  person,  and  t^e  other  three  by  General  Jeiiacbisk  { 
and  not  ti)l  after  twelve  h^rs  march  with  excessive  ftr 


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AKD  WARS  €»  fitTKOPE.  48^ 

SovaiMv  iihHtf  fovr  EjcpedUioM. 


tigw,  dH  Am  AMtnuDt  ttrme  at  tke  jrew  of  Umi  RoH>^ 
ttofen  MtffMclMMnli^  tho  ooly  |»lto^  whm)  ttiejr  cimU 
Ibm  «  jMoticMi.  Botm  iomtd  tiM  imi»»  ini4  Mviitf 
MowB  Of  the  gale  In  dtflifnce  of  tfie  Rqinblioati  fire»  W 
took  Ibo  fort  coHnandoi  bj  Oenanl  Hwb^r:  tU 
Freach  4tli  demi-brigade  were  taimi  piiMker^  lUaaoiitr 
in;  to  8/100  fliem' 

Tke  aaoeoef  of  4k  combinod  amy  m  Ilalj  ba9toiie4 
tho  progreN  of  the  AnMdto '  (Aarles.  The  fbroe9  of 
fla«mmw  woio  10  fitf  aa|iflrior  to  those  he  bad  to  coateod 
wMi,  AAthe  eoald  oady  detadi  dilliMnt  corps  from  U» 
amqr  to  tofco  poeteeeum  of  tb^  vaHiei  ia  saooessioo^  imd 
ohoek  die  itepabliea«s  in  Ihe  panes  of  Smtaerbmd,  whidi 
wore  to  be  WcdMd  on  aa  hM  by  the  Fre'neh  onder  a  pro* 
eavioaa  t^nwe  tkom  the  spirit  of  dbafieeUon  which  tiw 
people  discovenid :  ttis  jqpiiit  had  been  in  some  dsgroe 
diayed  by  QeaemI  Sonit,  who  had  reached  SL  GotJiard 
to  eo-operote  with  Leconrtye  ;  bot«  althovgh  crushed^  tt 
%raa  (ar  fron  extmguished* 

As  Sttwarrow  had  veadied  Lonbardy  in  a  shorter  tinio 
than  he  oxpeotod»  after  crossing  the  Adda  and  making 
himself  master  of  Mihw/  he  sent  a  vaat  nnnd>er  of  his 
troopa  on  fotir  diflbrent  oxpoditions*  Be  determined**- 
First,  To  prosecute  his  operations  against  Moveani  that 
be  might  obMge  the  French  ooaimaDdor  to  hasten  his  re- 
treat, and  evaeoato  Piedmont  and  Oeaoa  hefese  ho  ooaM 
procure  reinfereements.-«-Secondly,  To  penetrate  above 
the  lakes,  whidi  wonld  eaaUe  liie  Atfchdnke  moee  easily 
to  pass  with  Ms  lett  wlag*  beyond  Sfct  Golhatd.-^Thwdly, 
beliind  him  on  the.  South-east,  Oaneral  Koay  hid  siege  to 
Maataa  wfth90,0M  men,  while  Fenraraand  Bohigaa  were 
1))ockaded  by  Kleoao  \  the  defence  of  teao  pkioes  waif 


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49^     HISTORY.  OF  NAPOLEON  BOHAFARTC, 


Moreao  tetrcau  in  three 


feim^rable  to  tbe  retreat  of  thctroopftiMmiiMUul<sd  by  Qtr 
iieitri  M9odoiiaid.-i-Foorthhf,  He  seirt  6M«nil  Ott  to 
tBaki  Klenaa  t»: check  Geaiatni  MbcdiMuddlogwAe 
f«nM»  of  the  J^ppetaodson  Upper  Hmnmy,  mi  cit  off 
•B  interoMBse  with  thhtv  coanirj  md.  tbe  ligurtaB  Be- 
pubtm  OD  iU  Norlli-weilw    . 

If  Genoa  had  fallen  into  the  hands  of  the  AUies  Uu- 
iamM  woald  ha* e  been  col  off^  and  the  JEngUsh  and  Nca- 
pelitan  forces  might,.tfa^msahres,  have  de4toyed.his  arm;. 
Generid  Hortau^  therefore,  refBeatsd-  in  .three  cuIiUBBi 
after  he  crossed' the  Adda  and  .evacikated  Mila^;^* 
right  took  tta  way  towards  Plaoentia ;  the  centre  nsrck- 
ed  towards  Genoa^  and  the  iefthj  Vigevano  and  Notshk; 
whib  tbe  main  be<fy  nf  the  annjr.  contiMied  its  retreilt 
npon  the  Ligiirian  Republk ;  General  Mortam  proeeedM 
to  TnriD^  where  he  prepared  to  evacuate  it*  UnaUe  to 
defend  the  plains  of  Piedmont  with  aaarmy  redaced  to 
25,000  men,  and  to  vetain  the  ooiintry  of  Crenoa  totb 
Southward,  Moreau  left  Turin  on  the  7tb  of  May,  avd 
changed  his  head-quarters  to  AleJUUidiSft :  he  kq)t  Sa- 
warrow  on  the  Uft  side  of  the  Po  to  fuToiur  tbe  retrestrf 
General  Maedonald,.  br  which  he  took  his  station  uvdtf 
Tortoha,  and  Ink  advanoed  posts  extended  toward  tb« 
Appettines. 

Snwarrow  sent  a  vangaard  to  reduce  Novarrn  and  suci 
places  as  the  Bepoblifcans  had  abandoned,  and  to  naick 
ttp  the  Po  as  far.  as  Turin,  and  thus  call  tho  attentioo«f 
Genersi  Jforean  to  his*  lear^  by  fiankif^  his  kftviV* 
General  HohensEoIlem  proceeded  towards  Placeotia,  vi^ 
a  part  of  the  combined  army,  and  drove  back  the  tUf^ 
lican  vanguard  beyond  Vogbera.  .To  gain  tbe  paii^ 
Into  Genoa  by  way  of  Hie  AppenineSf^Suwarrcw  took 


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AND  "WARS  'OP   EUROPE.  487 


The  RuMifBii  ilefiested  wtth  tess. 


a  sti^n  at  B^bbio,  on    the  road  irom  PlapeiiCia  to 
'Cepoab  h 

W^eit  Kray  wm  ■eatbk'  ^r  Beteii&ai»,.  ke  went  oa  to 
Bergofbrte,  and  assembled  the  wkale  of  bis  4roop8  aroaul 
Maatiia,  the  garHso&'of  wbch  ttiade  fi^quent  fforties. 
JLatUtrnmB  opened^  siege  ef  MiKui  on-tbe -^h  of  May* 
4he  trendies  ibefbro'Pizzhigitone  fitving^boeH  opened  Ihb 
sane  dhy  by  Gemeirhl  Kai&i,  irUch;  after  fonr. days,*  ma 
forced  to  smtehfler.  Tbh  uras  atlttbated^tb  'the  bkrvin^ 
op  of  a  powder  magazine,  whidt  oafr8ii^d'4l»e>  capitulatioa 
«f  the  garrison^ -amounting  to  606  men.  Tbeitnonstroils 
army  of  Sawanow  was  thus  mncVdhdinishedv'yet^  if  he 
Irnd  equalled  Moreah  id^  mHitaiy  tactic8;-*he  might  iiave 
atfceeeded  m  ddstroying' all  l!ie  Kepttblidan^  m*  Italy,  and 
penetrated  into  t)ie  Soatbern  fponfeters  pf !  Frandev  and, 
pei^Kips,  have  restorcsd  that  country  to  its'  aa^nt  mtefb'; 
butithe  abiiities'or.Moreatt  reiidered  both-trnpossibie. . 
:  The  ^Russian  gbnend  dtroT)e'tO':  (Ksbdge  the-'Pfetich 
cota^ander  from  his  <;amp  befiind  tho'Pevlicitween  Vaien*- 
za  and  Alexandria;  General  GhastfrrxfitBeked  Itertonav 
and  blew  'op  tM  gates  in  apite  of  the  fire  from  the  castie, 
latb  wfaklr  the 'Preach  had  i^tne&ted;i  *f''-^  ■:  •  .  ^ 
V  If  Mofeau  had  lost  a  battle  he  could  ni(  efl'ect  a  r^ti^at 
on  either  i$Sle  of  the'  Apponines.  The  .sfttack*  of  Sn war- 
raw  oa  the  left  wing  of  litsartnyt^aas^t^in. execution  on 
the'^llth,  by  the  Austri^ui  troops,  inbo  .experienced  a. 
warm  reception  on  crossing  the  Po  aboW*  Valenza ;  but 
•on'the-aett  day  hostUities.  were 'more  aerioBS,  whan  7000 
BiMsitos,  ilknder  General  Sehabarf,  Crossed  the  river  near 
the  place  where*  the  Po  and  Tanaro  nhke  tbeiir  streams, 
!irith  a  mw  to  fienetrate  the[  lijie  ^of  Moreaus  anay, 
Creaerbl'Qrenieir-s  divisioij  bore  tlie  fimi  shock  of  the  Ralr 


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488   BISTORT  or  KAPOLBOK  BONAPARTE, 


Ml Wftlw  pMutedi  to  jnlTMl* 


ma  troopi,  wheo  Moiwn  stlaok«d  tbetti  in  fkxk,  and  tk 
eoDqaest  wv»  decisive ;  numbers  of  the  Rassiaan  wm 
atber  elaio  or  pcnthed  In  llie  Pi»,«mBf  tima  tbrir  (som- 
«mider»  General  flchiibarf. 

.  Sawarrow  resoked  to  proceod  to  Turin  ^ith  mtet  of 
Iu»  anBy»  fo  eompel  Merea^to-abaBAoii  hb  oanp,  aad  n- 
tttat  to  tbe  JJgtxristk  RepabKc  or  faH  back  on  the  freotiot 
of  France  :  VakassOTi^b,  on  the  Hth  atta^iked  Casdr 
Vernia  and-  Ponfl^  Stnra^  and  Genend  Mefaa  got  vrim 
to  take  his  route  towards  CandnL  It  i»  doiibtM  whetkr 
Jlorean  bad  'intelligence  of  these  manoeiiTres^  or  mv 
novedients  in  the  Bnsriaan  cainp  at  Torre  Oarafofo,  iadi- 
cative  oi  aofltething  against  whtbh  ito  was  determined  to 
gnard ;  but  doring-'  the  night  he  threw  a.  bridge  across  fk 
.Bonnida^  and  paased  it  next  mommg  With  7,900  men, 
coninwndittg^  the  cavaby  in  person :  ho  broke  tbe  dwo 
of  posts  of  tbe  cossacs  ait  Marengo,  pursoin]g  Aeni  to 
Santo  Jttliano^  and  sent  a  detachment  to  march  agaisst 
General  Losignan^  whom  he  forced  to  abandon  1m  poai- 
|}on»  and  kept  hha  sepoffate  from  a  body  of  aeren  Bmm 
battalions ;  the  French  general  was  al  last  obliged  to  nr 
pass  the  Bormio  liter  to  Alexandria.  Thai  was  the  list 
eibrt  made  by  Moreau  to  retain  his  position*  Snwarrav  | 
determined  to  lose  no  time  in  attacking-  the  RepoUitsD* 
on  the  left  side  of  tbe  Po  aboiFe  Vtflenza.  His  lasrchs  J 
against  Titrin^  were  hindered  for  some  days  by  bes*5 
rains ;  and,  on  the  26lh»  Melas  effected  the  passage  of  tiie 
Sesia»  continuqp  his  ronte  to  the  Store*  The troopf  ob' 
der  Karacsay  posted  themsetres  hi  front  of  the  GhsrtiS' 
use.  Vukassovich  went  along  the  right  side  of  tbe  V^ 
takmg  a  stalton  on  the  heig^bt^  of  the  GapMhiniy  ^  i 
thn  city-of  Torin  v^assni»nionedtotf(irir<mder;  tteSrcaik    * 

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AND  VAB9  OF  BVRlWB.  .  48* 

s '      ■       I  I  II    I  ■      I    I     r 

Geflerai  Maedooslfl  evionalet  Naplei.  "^ 

coBiiBander  replied  with  ft  brisk  oaosioiiade*  and  thebMH 
btrdneat  conBneD<^d  on  the  S7tb«  . 

Soon  after  thai  firing  begaiii  4  hDwe  was  set  oa  fire  by 
«  bomb^  the  disorder  it  occasioned  waa  need  to  theadfan* 
iag9  of  tbe  aUies  by  tiie  anted  iahabitaDts,  who  directly 
opened  the  gate*    llie  garrison  ikd  nto  the  eitadel#  the 
division  of.Kaim  tooh  the  town.  Prince  Bagartion  the 
eabitfbs^  and  FroUeh  and  2!oph  filmed  a  camp  of  obser- 
hatiQii  on  tbe  soutfa«west  elid»  leading  to  Pignerol^    From 
the. time  of  hostilities  oH  the  Adige  tiU  Sawarrow  eane 
la  the  fi*9ntiers  of  France,  only  ten  weeks  had  elapsed  i 
This  would  bare  covered  him  with,  gharf,  if  thentisnm^ 
MgemenH  of  the  Freilcli  government  did  not  aat  as  n 
4f awbaek  opc«  ibe  wisdom  of  its  enemies.    Morean  had 
•iad#  anothsr  itesterljf  retreat  with  ja  handful  of  iheft; 
but  Sowartow  had  a  large  ariqr  ift  bis  rear,  which  ho 
limod  it  neeessaqr  to  tratck    When  General  Macdonald 
Jheaid  that  the  French  troopi  had  retreated  from  befero 
Jfantoa*.  he  evacuated  the  kingdom  of  Naples^  and  erealed 
a  mHaeroQS  aatioaal  gaard  of  the  Kei^olitaosy  who  ap« 
p^arpd.  willing  to  defend  themselves  against    the  eom* 
biaed  pDwet* )  he  provisioned  Fort  St  Ehnoir  Capua^and 
Gaeta«    Ht}  proceeded  to  Florence,  by  the  way  of  Rome  ; 
the  first  division  ibnnd  the  inimbitauls.  m  a  atate  of  rebel- 
lion .wbUe  it  crossed  St  6enna«>  and  Isola:  t#o  villages 
]Rrere  carfied  by  assaoit,  and  ail  their  inhabitants  perished  i 
the  Xei^Utans  who  were  demooiatio  cpuM  not  see  the 
retreat  of  the  French  without  dismay  ;  and  tbe  same  waff 
expressed  by  tbe  Romans,  for  whose  defence  Maedoaafd 
left  a  garrison,  with  orders  to  relreat  into  4he  ibrt  of  St 
Aagel^y  ifatta^sked  by  saperior  numbers* 
,   Oenfi^  Suwaffow:  pttsbed  on.  his  ^eges/  whieli  pXB* 
vented  bnp  trom  hctfag  in  .the  field  widi  the  jdiief  of  Iwl 
«    VOL.  i.«i*No^  SL  3  1^ 


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490      HISTORY  OF   NAPOLEON    BON  A?  ARTE, 
Italian  fortrrMe*  torrcfider  to  tbe  Allies. 

army.  He  sent  a  remforcement  to  the  siege  of  Milan ; 
but  decisive  operations  were  prevented,  Bs  he  was  obliged 
to  assist  the  Prince  of  Rohan,  who  was  to  act  against  su- 
perior forces,  at  the  entrance  into  the  Itafian  bailiwicks, 
where  Lecourbe  was  more  than  a  match  for  him,  although 
he  was  joined  b;  the  inhabitants  who  discovered  a  sprit 
of  insurrection.  Tbe  Republicans  retreated  from  La* 
gano  to  Beilinssone  by  Mount  Cenere,  and  atteofipted  is 
gain  Switzerland  ;  the  imperial  forces  were  recalled,  asd 
<he  trenches  opened,  on  the  23d  of  May,  agmst  Miha, 
tbe  commander  of  which  signed  a  capitulation,  and  pro* 
cured  for  his  troops,  amounting  to  2,200  men,  a  Srte  pas- 
sive and  the  honours  of  war,  but  that  they  afaooM  not 
bear  arms  against  the  Allie!!  Poweis  for  one  year.  The 
citadel  of  Ferrara  was  forced  to  capitulate,  and  1,SM 
men,  of  which  it  consisted,  had  terms  from  General  Kk- 
nau  similar  to  those  granted  to  Milan.  Ravenna  sur- 
rendered soon  after  ;  and  Anoona  capitulated  to  the  com- 
bined fleets  of  Turkey  and  Russia.  General  Kray  con- 
tinued the  siege  of  Mantua,  who  received  orders  to  with 
draw  bis  troops,  leaving  behind  him  only  sueh  »kc 
might  think  sufficient  to  carry  on  the  siege.  His  first 
object  was  to  force  the  French  to  abandon  Bologna^ 
whicL  was  defended  witli  bravery,  the  Bolognese  sap- 
porting  the  French  :  to  the  Republicans  that  was .  of  the 
greatest  importance,  as  it  obstructed  the  road  towards 
Tuscany,  and  protected  the  retreat  of  the  army  6fN» 
ploi' 

When  General  Naucndorf  passed  the  Rhine  at  Schaff- 
hauften,  dn  the  22d,  with  the  main  body  of  the  Archduke's 
army,  Hotze  alsa  effected  the  passage  of  that  river.  The 
Rheintfaal  was  naw  evacuated  by  tbe  Republicaus  under 
General  da  Lorge.  and  after  Hotze  had  gniaad  the  post  of 


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AxVD  WARS  OF   EUROPE.  4QL 

The  French  rcpvlted  at  AndMngtn. 

Werdemberg,  forded  his  way  into  Uie  T>ogg«pb«4rg^  by 
tbe  rn^r'iive^r.  •  Wbtle  the  troops  which  had  orosscd  at 
Rheineck  were  maroliaig  toSt«GaU,  the,:€olai^ii|^hicb 
keprt  th6  x^onrse  of  the  Thqr  aitempded-to.  raiicb  Ti^rgo* 
via  by  i^'fot-ced  AUpxfa;  Hotae  wished  'ttf  joib  tli^e[  vi»^ 
guard  of  OeMral  Naw«»derf^  at  Aldfjafifigeq^  tp  ,ei^ 
Mish  the  veaftaiiiiiig  fiait  of  the  aimy ;  as  tb^  ^elidi^^ 
wisbetl  i&  collect  all  Us  forces  baSof^  he..'Te9^urfd.a  gcr 
neral  engagemeiU,  :  /   t  . 

General  Masseoa  liiarolied  igaiiMt  Ae  Ta«goaf])i  of  Ge- 
neral Namndoirfi  t^  prevent  a  ^jonctioii;  and  fcastiate  a 
msditated  attadc^on  his  fines;  job  the  Liamit  nven  6e* 
neral  NmiendorTs't^n^giiRrd  washeyond  the Jeji  .side  ef 
the  Thnir;  and  he  detemtted  to^posiB  ibe^iraiigpuird  of 
General  Hotxe,  snrprising  it*whSe*prQAecuting  its  reyte. 

Tliese  plans  led  to  a  veif  gangimary  afftuia  when  the 
Bepublioans  defeated  the  hussars  that  defended  the  posts 
ef  Naoendorf,  and  saecteded  in  taking  ?the  bridge-  of 
Andeifingen  over  the  nmr,  bat  werci  at  laat«  ^liged-  tp 
abandon  it.  As  the  Avstrians  were  much  fiitign^d^  hav- 
ing inarched  the  whole  of -the  preceding  dny^  their  loas 
was  considerable. 

The  battle  lasted  from  nine  in  the  morning  till  fiveii^i 
the  evening,  and  the  Aastrians  snfferediseverely ;  but  they 
were  finally  Yictorio|»,  and. the  French  were  r^pilked. 
In  spite  of  this  opposition  the  Afchdnke  accomplished 
what  he  hacf  in  view,  changing  his  head  quarters  to  Pa- 
rodies, and  next  day  retook  all  ho  had  lost  ou  the  left  side 
of  the  Thur.  He  proceeded  to  Winterthun  md  Hotve 
having  forced  the  Republicans  back  to  the  mountain  on 
the  road  to  Zurich^  adYUuced  to  attack  them  in  front 

Moreau  was  too  feeble  to  keep  up  a  defrusive  line  he^ 
tween  St,  Gothard  and  the  sea,  and  he  was  obliged  to 
3»  8 


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49i       QlSTCRir  or  VAPOLEON  BmiikPARTE» 


GcBtnl  Uotwn  falU  taoft; 


abuMOft  tfrii  mippoft  U^  ids  ieft  wing,  w  w^U^tl^  U*  ^^* 
muttkatidA  WM  M«Meim :  alter  getting'  frofi  9«rtwriaa4 
iraeh  reiribreeitfeiiU  as  h«  oouid  expect  fro«i|  MapnttN  ^0 
feB  back  la  oaVerlka  ligurian  itfoUic*  1^ to Aimsll 
Macd^M  vith  the  nwaat  of  retrariiigf  OaofFd  S«t 
WArrotr  taliag  Cha  fatenral  a4neli  l[(«eaft  C^Uiiqiiidie^ 
fcepit  up  a  war  of  posto  in  the  paafs^  «{  Swite^Hwd,  mA 
reaolvel  <ib  thtf  oaploHB  -af  Taijn.  Jlb«r6ai>>  wii^ 
were  gratified,  which  the  Russian  genect)  4M  iM»t  cpnyrof 
hend.  'Sowavrow  fcand  it  "imprmAkiMp  fithfc  to  sar- 
roand  Mareaa,  ta  make  him  abwidaa  t)i9  Afff^V^^f  ^ 
collect  ftyr^en  Mpabb'  of  actiBg  on  thaafieNm^e  in  Upper 
Tuscany,  as  the  French,  were  getting  cavtimri  reiafom^ 
mentsftom  the  Vaagmrd  afMaedpiialflf 

The eaap 'of  Mofeaa  atCaai  wat  ne§tp  fifty \99pt$ 
from  the  advanced  paats  of  Haodanaid  /an  the  firontifis  of 
Tuscany,  while  he  withdiaw  la  the  fiiQ^eni  of  FrsitQfi 
to  wait  the  trUfaig  reinfardeneala  ha  axpeetfd  by  tk 
eol*de-Tenda«  He  sent  a  dinsioo  ^  eaabU  M^wfii 
to  use  ofifeasiv^  measuffes,  aii4  asipb  Itigipria  tiy  opeojig 
fhe  passes*  The  Itepahli^aas  retook  HoMf vi,  fpdi  Uock* 
aded  Cevi^ ;  hat  General  Vokassovich  rfPOnad  thefe  t^ 
places,  behig  at  that  tiaM  ndpstsr  Of  Carmgiuda  M  At 
|>a,  as  also  of  Chanuco*  Moaaatf  diTerto^  the  attcntias 
of  the  aWed  ai^y  aa  nmcb  as  ponihk*  mi  4raw  off  tk 
most  part  of  Ha  fereas.  / 

Sttwtfrow  mamhed  tq  atftaak  Gaofrnl  l^b^rean.  ^M 
(caving  a  strong  gMnbeii  atCantt  fc^«»ted  to  Cdrd^ 
Tendc,  on  the  fth  of  Jona.  IImi  bloctodes  f^f  Tprtoot^ 
Alexandria,  and  the  eitaM  of  T^^a  ^^^  pm^  ^ 
wiA  the  gnsateft  vigaiir  and  Jfttf^^eim^f 

The  Archduke  ^ivi»g  got  pwiessiop  «{  St.  GoiMi 
^d  fearing  no  dsb|ar  t|»  hia  jta^  mPBk  HMt  ^^^m^  ^ 


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AMP  WAVf  OF  wiLopz:  493 


AleJumAer  fiii4  Turia  blockaded. 


tegard^  to  reiufqr^o  tb^  itrmy  pf  Italy ;  tlie  remaipder, 
iWi4rr  GeMnd  H«d4kkr  wwsh^tiop^d  rt  Domo  i'Os- 
tpla,  oi^r  ta  march  into  SfitaierlaQd.  or  fissUt  Uie  army 
of  lUdy,  Mcurqiinstaiices  ipi^t  require.  Bele^arde,  with 
^  «trQlg  fant»  HWfi^fli^d:  throi]||r|i  l^ilm.  The  forces  of 
General  MwdowUmf^^  he  40.000  Dieo,  including  tbc^' 
Tfainhvocn^uU  und^r  Gfvieral  Yictor ;  it  could  not  ex* 
ceed  this  namber,  when  we  ropoUect  thft  he  led  garri- 
spaa  at  Fort  St.  ^^%  CfpWt,  Q^U^  llomei,  Civita^Vcci' 
cbia,  AncHMUia  and  athfiV  {>|«C^Sr  to  cover  bis  retreat. 
,  When  Macdaoald  afrived^inTuscaoj,  he  first  rid  all 
the  pasaes  of  thp  AppeaiuaQ?^  Ifontremoli  was  in  Uie 
hands  of  Oiaeral  Olt«  which  Js  on  the  frontier  of  Tusr 
cany  with  the  UcmianxcptthhOf 

Gencrd  MapdonaU  atreoglheoed  his  ri^l^t  winj;  under 
Moatricb^d,  who  engaged  and  repulsed  Ktenau.  and 
raised  the  ai^a  of  Fart  Vrbino,  The  legion  of  Poleod 
was  despatched  agahistPontreiiioIi«  and  ordered  to  recap* 
liil«  this  pla<^  fronn  the  ImperiaUstf  at  any  price.  Itfac^ 
dopald  fixed  his  he%A.  <inarters  at  Lucca,  and  found  it 
aa»}  to  awwun^cate.  ^th  Genoa,  become  acquainted 
with  the  poaitiowi  and  atreagth  of  the  ellied  armies,  and 
concert  subsequent  operations  with  General  Moreau :  he 
was  in  a  better  position  than  bis  hopes  piesaged,  and 
hoped  to  open  such  a  scene  of  operations  as  would  at 
once  be  new  and  unexpected. 

Macdonald  made  a  very  sanguinary  attack  in  which 
ca^abry  and  infantry  equally  sufTered  ;  and  the  Austriaos 
gave  up  Modena,  which  was  plundered.  His  advanced 
guard  obliged  General  Ott  to  retreat  with  8000  men. 
General  Snwarrow,  who  was  besieging  the  citadel  of  Tu- 
rin, marched  to  meet  him  with  all  possible  despatch.  An 
engagement  took  place,  and  the  rtpublicana  were  de- 


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494      HISTORY  or  NAPOLEON   BONAPXRTE, 


Great  tlaoi^hter  io  Italy. 


feated  with  much  bloodshed  on  both  sides.  JAacdooaU 
again  attacked  them,  and  the  carnage  was  borrftle.  Ti» 
conntry  for  twelve  miles  was  covered  wkb  the  dead,  isA 
the  Trebia  cboaked  np  -^witb  carcases*  The .  Polish  Re- 
gion was  nearly  cat  to  pieces.  Macdonald  retreated  6ob 
Placentia,  being  obtigcd  to  leave  3,000  wounded  to  the 
mercy  of  the  Aastrians,  among  them  Were  four  generak ; 
he  was  himself  also  woanded*' 

General  Moreaa  left  Genoa  with  25^000  men,  and  tbe 
Austrians  were  forced  to  abandon  tiieir  positions,  and  re- 
treat across  the  Bormida  kt  great  precipitation  :  by  tiiis 
be  raised  the  siege  of  Tortonav  Sawarrow  parsoed  Mac* 
donald  beyond  Placentia,  but  unable  to  overtake  him,  he 
proceeded  to  meet  Moreau.  Turin  surrendered^  which  was 
of  advantage  io  the  allies,  as  it  released  General  Kaime's 
forces,  who  marched  to  join  the  grand  army.  The  whole 
of  Italy  might  be  said  io  be  in  the  hands  of  the  combisei 
powers ;  and  a  suspension  of  hostilities  took  place,  » 
both  powers  waited  for  reinforcements.  It  is  calculated 
that  more  men  perished  in  four' months  than  ever  was 
known  in  modern  warfare  ;  and  out  of  970,000  which 
the  warlike  powers  broagfat  into  the  field,  lull  one  half 
were  lost  within  that  time. 


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ANU   WARS  OF.  EUROPE.  495 


Boii»|)art«  mavctie^  to  Upper  Kfjrpt. 


CHAPTER  LXf. 

:  Those  who  have  admired  die  eiiltcrpmiog  spirit  of  Alexr 
ander,  the  retreat  of  the  ten  thousand  under  Xenopbon^ 
and  the  fortitude  of  Charles  the  Xwe)fUiy  will  not  regard 
the.Talorous  struggles  of  the  republican  generals  whoUy 
unworthy  of  praise.  Bonaparte  was  placed  in  situation^ 
where  the  slightest  ommission  jwouldhare  led  to  the  ineTi- 
table  destruction  of  his  army  :  we  left  hiip  preparing  &r 
the  expedition  to  Syria,  and  he  was  ignorimt  of  the  s^nle 
of  affairs  in  Europe^,  awing  to  the  English  blockading  the 
mouths  of  the  Nilci  and  presenting  any  intelligence  pasa- 
ing  either  in  or  out  of  Egypt.  Bonaparte  ordered  Gene- 
ral Desaix,  who*  had  proceeded  into  Upper  Egypt  to 
drive  the  Mamelukes  beyond  the  cataracts  of  the  Nile, 
aad  then  ordered  the  departure  of  his  own  army.  This 
force  comprehended  the  divisions  of  General  iCleber, 
who  bad  under  him  Generals  Veydier  and  Junot,  of  the 
-division  of  General  Regnier,  who  had  under  Idm  Gene- 
ral Legrange  ;  of  the  division  of  General  Lasne,  who  bad 
under  him.Generals  Vaux,  Robin,  and  Rambeau  ;  of  the 
division  of  General  Murat,  with  900  cavalry,  accompa- 
nied by  four  light  4-pouuders.  The  artillery  was  com- 
manded by  General  SauuuirUn,  and  the  engineers  by 
General  CafTarelli ;  the  park  of  artillery  was  four  twelve 
pounders,  three  8-pounders,  five  howits&ers,  and  three 
jS-inch  mortars  ;  to  each  division  were  two  S-pounders, 
two  6-inch  howitzers,  and  two  three  pounders.  To  tl^e 
gniit  parlies^  cavaliy  and  ii^antry^  were  altftted'/onr 


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49G     HISTORV  or  KAMLCOH  feONAPARTE, 


Hit  rarioos  <Ht|NifltltfM  M  Ei;y|»u 


8-poaDder8  and  two    6-iiich    howitzers.    The  differefll 
corps  constituted  an  army  oC  about  10,000  men. 

Bodies  of  troops  were  stationed  at  Alexandril^  Ds- 
inietta»  and  Ciuro,  as  gancbons^  or  formed  into  morcabk 
columns,  to  keep  the  provinces  of  Lower  Egypt  in  obefi- 
ence,  and  to  protect  them  against  the  Arabs.  Citiseo 
Pouissiefgue,  chief  fiftancfclt  adtninistfator,  remaiiieJ  at 
Cafa^  ;  the  pajmaster-generfiit  of  the  'army  aceompttM 
tte  expedition^  Alexandria  irmr  ^T  very  great  hopoit- 
'  anee,  it  could  h«H  be  giwn '  but  to^  an  officer^  wbt»,  kdev 
Engineering  and  miUtary  seience  in  geneval ;  that  flv- 
tfess,  frony  tb^  distimce  of  Bonaparte,  was  ahnosf  io^ 
pendent  df  faim ';  ad<^d  to  these,  (be  Engfish  were  ia  fke 
neigbbottthood,  and  symptoms  of  the  plague  were  be 
gihidng  Co  appear :  the  geneial  tff  brigade,  Mamoot, « 
>fonng  officer  of  family  and  fortune,  leceked  that  impart 
tant  command* 

llonaparfe  ordered  ^e  officer  to  whom  Daadetla  wn 
entrusted,  to  fortify  that  place,  and  tranipwi  the  stsre* 
and  provisions  across  Lake  Heazale  to  the  pott  of  TV 
iietfa,  whence  they  irere  to  be  soit  to  Gathieb«  a  muA  af 
about  five  hours.  Some  bettering  cannoii  waa  neeeani; 
to  reduce  Acre,  in  ease  of  resiatanee't  to  bffaig  thea  ^ 
the'Desart  was  hnprocticftble ;  diey  wertB  ordmd  ot 
board  h  squadron  of  four  frigaltes,  which  lay  in  the  rof< 
of  Alexandria,  and  conveyed  by  sea,  ift  deflaaeo  of  tka 
English  cruisers. 

<  The  admird  was  to  cruise'  off  ^affii^  and  ktdf  up  a 
commtfnication  with  the  «tny  :  every  •  diligence  was  aaci 
at  Cairo  in  g^ttirtg  the  camels  and  mules  to  oollvey  Ai 
Held  aitiUeryi  the  stof ei,  aimnunftion^  kc^  for  the  pnsaif 
#f  an  anai^  tlurougft^  ilM  Desarl» 
;    Qimtni  Ktebef  wa»to  embark  a(  1l»Rniietta^(h0npe«Bk 


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AND  WARS   OP   EUROPE.  497 

y  I  P  I  I  I  . —  11    .1  •     ,r- 

(■ebenit  Reimier  Mockadet  Kl-Arish. 

r.:j'i:  ■  ■.  ii   ■        ,      i  .,         .     .  —  ,.<■...■      .■■■■.,,,        .       ;,  .      ^ 

being  masters  of  Lake  Menzale,  and  proceed  to  Tiueth 
from  thence  to  march  to  Catfaieh,  where  he  was  e^tpeoted 
to  arrive  on  the  4lh  of  February;  General  Begnier  ar- 
rived at  Catbieh  on  the  4th  of  February;  and  joined  his 
advanced  giiard ;  tiieSth  he  marched  for  ENArish*  which^ 
with  tiie  fort,  was  occupied  by  about  2^000  troops  of  the 
Pacha  of  Acfe.  On  the  8th  of  February  he  saw  a  party 
of*MaineIttke^>  but  thes^  were  soon  dispersed^  Next  day 
he  advanced,  and  took  possession  of  some  sand  hills, 
^hich  command  EIo-Arish.  where  he  took  a  position  and 
planted  his  artillery.  General  Begnier  ordered  Iho 
charge  to  be  beaf,  and  the  advanced  gnard  rushed*  ra* 
pidly  on  the  tight  and  left  of  the  village,  whioh  was  at« 
tacked  by  Begnier  in  front  In  defiance  of  the  advan* 
tageons  position  of  the  etfemy^  in  a  viUage  like  an  an* 
phitheatre  with  a  few  jiouses  built  with  stene,  and  oo* 
vered  by  the  fort ;  notwithstanding  a  galling  fire,  the  vil* 
iage.was  carried  by  the  bayonet,  the  enemy  retired^  and 
barricadoed  the  doors  with'  such  haste,  as  to  exolode 
about  800-  men.  who  were  either  killed  or  taken  pn^ 
soners.  General  Begnier  blockaded  the  fori  ^  El- 
Art&h  ;  a  corps  of  cavalry  and  infantry  were  seen  0D*t)ie 
route  from  Graasa.  escorting  a  convoy  of  provisions  for  Bt« 
Arisb ;  this  reinforcement  increased  tHI  the  18th  of  Pe* 
bruary.  when  the  Mamelukes  advanced,  and  pitched  their 
tents  on  a  plain  covered  by  a  steep  ravine/  where  tbey 
thought  themselves  safe  frotn  attack. 

A  party  of  General  Regnicr's  division  rushed  ifllo  the 
damp,  killed  a  great  many,  took  a  number  of  camels, 
hoi^.  and  prisoners,  with  great  quantities  of  provisions 
and  warlike  stores,  and  the  field  equipages  of  the  Mama* 
lakes.  On  the  second  day  after  this  affair  B^nlipkrto 
if^ared  befort  El-Arish^  «...%., 

VOL.   l^-NO,  21,  Si  ■       n  } 

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498      HISTORY  OF   NAPOLEON  BONAPARTE, 


£kAriili  tumadien  to  the  Freadk, 


'lli«  General  got  an  express  from  Alexandria,  stating 
that  the  English  squadron  bombarded  that  city  and  port; 
he  judged  this  manoeuvre  was  only  meant  to  diyert  him 
from  his  expedition  to  Syria,  which  had  already  alarmed 
the  English  and  the  Pacha  of  Acre«  He  quietly  soffercd 
thorn  to  contime  their  bombardment,  which  produced 
little  effect ;  on  the  17tli  of  February  he  arrived  at  & 
Arish,  ^here  he  was  joined  by  the  divisions  of  Genmb 
]}ou  and  Lasne  and  the  corps  of  artiUeiy. 

General  Begnier  not  being  furnished  with  ammunitioa 
to  batter  in  breach,  aammoned  the  commander  of  the  fort 
and  rendered  the  blockade  closer.  The  army  took  a  po- 
sition before  El-Ariah,  between  the  village  and  the  sea : 
Bonaparte  ordered  one  ef  the  towers  to  be  cannonaded, 
and,  when  a  breach  was  effected,  the  place  was  summoned 
to  surrender*  The  garrison  consisted  of  barbarians  with- 
oat  regular  chiefs,  and  ignorant  of  war  as  carried  on  be* 
twecn  civilised  nations*  At  length  the  garrison,  coonst* 
lug  of  1,600  men,  surrendered  on  the  sole  oonditioa  of 
being  allowed  to  retire  to  Bagdad  across  the  .Desart ;  < 
number  of  the  Maograbins  entered  into  the  Frencb  ser- 
vice. In  tlie  fort  were  about  250  horses,  two  dismounted 
pieces  of  artillery,  and  provisions  for  a  few  days.  Bobs* 
parte  w^nt  to  Cairo  the  standards  taken,'  and  the  Msme* 
kike  prjsioners.r 

'  General  Kleber  set  out  towards  Kan-jounoss,  a  fron* 
tier  village  of  Palestine,  ne^r  the 'Desart  The  boad 
quarters  were  reraeved  from  £l*Arish  and  destined  for 
Ixan  jouness  k  the  general  in  chief,  the  staff,  ftc^  arrived 
near  that  phice  without  having  any  intelligence  of  Gene- 
ral Kleber's  division*  Bonaparte  sent  some  of  his  escort 
t9.  the  vitli^e :  no  French  troops  had  arrived  there : 
some  Mamelukes,  who  were  there,  fled  to  the  camp  ^ 


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ANto  WARS  OP  EUROPS.  ^       490 

■I  .  I  . 

The  Mamelttke  cavmlry  od  the  beifrht  of  Gaza. 

Abdaliah  Paoba,  at  the  distance  of  aboat  a  league,  on  the 
route  to  Gasa*  Bonaparte^  oonviiiced  that  KUeber'«  di- 
vision was  misled,  fipU  back  towards  Santon,  three  Ieag«e9 
in  the  Depart.  He  there  found  the  advancfed  guard  of 
the  cavair}  ;  the  guides  had  led  General  Kleb^r  astray  iii 
the  Desart ;  but  he  compelled  some  Arabs  to  point  out  tha 
riglit  road.'  His  dinsion  arrived  after  a  ma^ch  of  forty** 
eight  hours/during  which  he  was  without  water!  The  dir 
visions  of  Generals  Bon  and  Lasne  were  also  led  astray : 
these  three  divisions  thus  arriving  at  Santott  nearly  toge>- 
ther,  the  wells  were  soon  Exhausted  ;  the  soldiers,  toi^ 
mented  by  a  burning  thirst,  sunk  wells,  but  could  only 
obtain  a  very  partial  supply  of  water.  '  General  Regnier 
^as  to  remain  at  EI-Arish,  to  put  the  fort,  which  is  the 
key  of  Egypt  towards  Syria,  into  a  respectable  state  of 
defence,  and  to  wait  until  the  field  artillery  should  ad^ 
vance.  That  division  was  to  form  the  rear  guard  of  thf 
army. 

The  army  marched  frqm  Kan-jouness  towards  Guza  ;  a 
body  of  the  Mameluke's  cavalry  was  perceived  upon  the 
lieigbts.  Bpnap^rte  formed  the  divisions  into  squares, 
General  Kleber  formed  the  left,  and  wa^  to  march  against 
Gaza,  on  the  right  of  the  enemy;  the  division  of  Gene^ 
ral  Bon  occupied  the  centre,  and  advanced  towards  its 
front;  the  right  was  the  division  of  General  X«asne,  which 
turned  the  positions  which  Abdallah  occupied.  General 
Murat,  with  the  cavalry,  and  six  pieces  of  cannon, 
marched  in  front  of  the  infantry,  and  prepared  to  charge 
the  enemy*  The  cavalry  of  Abdallah  made  irregular 
movements^  and  theur  confusion  was  manifest ;  they  sud- 
denly advanced  and  seemed  willing  to  charge ;  fliey  hoW" 
^v.er,  immediately  made  a  retrograde  movement.  Gene- 
ral 3Iurat  pushed  forward,  but  failed  in  bringing  tb^ 
^    3  s  2  r-        T 

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600      HISTORY  OF  NAPOLEON   BONAPARTE, 

Tlw  French  army  mdvances  to  JaSa. 


^uemy  to  action ;  a  party  of  their  riflemen  were  inter- 
cepted  by  General  lUeber's  ^vUpn,  by  whom  21  were 
kitted. 

Tbe  ^rtty  advanced  beyond  Gaisa^  having  established 
baad  quarters  in  the  town.  The  fort  is  of  a  circular 
form,  flanked  with  towers.  It  contained  16,0001bs.  of 
powder,  a  great  qnantity  of  cartridge?,  apd  other  war- 
like 8tpre3,  with  several  pieces  of  cannon.  In  tbe  town 
were  alsp  ibbout  10Q,0Q0  rations  of  biscuits,  some  rice,  a 
.number  of  t^^nts,  and  u  great  quantity  of  barley.  The 
inhabitant^  sepding  deputies  to  meet  the  French,  were 
treated  as  friends.  Tbe  army  remained  the  26th  and 
87th  in  this  quarter.  Bonaparte  was  employed  in  organ- 
ising a  system  of  government  for  the  town  and  district ; 
)ic  formed  a  divan,  consisting  of  tlie  principal  Tttriush 
inlmbilants  of  the  pli^ce,  On  the  28th  the  furmy  advanced 
upwards  Jaffa,  where  the  Mapielukes  and  Turks  were  col« 
lecting  their  forces.  The  escorts  of  provisions  and  am- 
munition from  Catheih,  were  several  days  in  the  rear  of 
the  army  ;  but  the  stores  which  had  been'  abapdoned  at 
Gaza,  enabled  the  army  to  aflvance. 

On  the  1st  of  March  the  army  rested  at  Ezdoud,  sod 
the  2d  at  Ramieh,  a  town  inhabited  by  Christiaiia ;  > 
quantity  of  biscuit  was  found  there,  which  the  enemy 
could  not  remove,  and  as  much  was.  found  at  the  village 
of  Lidda.  The  hordes  of  Arabs  took  flight  on  (he  hf 
I  proach  of  the  French  ^  General  Klebei^s  division  arrived 

iefore  Jaffa :  the  enemy  retired  into  the  body  of  the 
place.  The  other  divisions  and  the  cavalry  arrived  sooa 
after.  General  Kleber's  division  and  the  cavalry  were  te 
occupy  a  position  about  two  leagues  on  the  route  to  Acre, 
for  the  purpose  of  covering  the  siege  of  Jafla.  ^ 
town  was  invested  by  the  divisions  of  Generals  Bon  &»' 
Lasne. ' 

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AMD   WARS  or,  EUROPE.  501 

Jaffa  takeo^the  garrUon  put  to  the  sword. 


Jaffa  is  mfrounded  by  a  wail ;  it  is  flaoked  by  towers^ 
on  which  cannon  were  mounted.  Towards  the  sea  are 
two  forfSt  wbicb  command  the  port  and  road«.  The  point 
of  attack  fixed  on  was  against  the  highest  and;Btrongest 
partofthoworkB.  The  tr^ob^.were  opened,  a  baltery 
*in  breach  waa  coBslructed  against  the  square  tower,  the 
most  ooinniandiBg  part  of  the  whole  front  of  attack. 

On  the  Gtfa,^  at.  four  o'cfock  tho  breach  was  deemed 
practicable.  The  besieged  made  great  efforts ;  but  a 
breach  was  effected,  and  the  division  of  Geoer^  Lasne» 
in  a  shi^rt  tin)e,  gfiined.  ppssession  of  two  forts.  J^e  di-. 
vision  of  General  Bon  now  entered  the  town  near  tha  ^ 
port.  The  garrison  defended  themselves  desperately^ 
and,  refiisiBg  to  lay  down  thehr  arms,  were  put  to  the 
sword ;  it  consisted  of  about  12,000  Turkish  gunnersi 
about  2^fi00  Maugrabins  or  Amauts,  Threo  hundred 
Egyptians,  who  had  sarrendeired,  were  seat  to  E^ypt* 
The  loss  of  the  French  army  was  inconsiderably 

Tlie  command  of  the  place  was  given  to  General  Ror 
bin.  The  inhabitants  were  protected,  tliey  returned  to 
their  habitations,  and  order  was  restored.  In  the  place 
was  found  the  field  train  sent  to  Dgez^ar  Papha,  by  the 
Grand  Seignior,  of  40  pieces  of  artillery,  cannQq,  or  (arge 
howitzers  ;  and  21  guns,  brass  or  iron.  In  the  port  were 
15  small  trading  vessels..  JBonaparte  gave  orders  to  put 
t]|0  town  and  port  in  a  proper  state  of  defence  ;  and-  also 
to  establish  an  hospital  and  magazines.  He  constituted  a 
divan,  of  the  most  distinguished  Tdrks  of  the  uKace  ;  and 
sent  orders  to  the  4-dmiraI,  Perree,  to  sail  from  Alexaiv 
drta,  with  the  three  frigates,  and  repair  to  Jaffa.  Thi(s 
port  wasifieuit  tobe  the  depot  of  every  thing  thai  should 
be  received  from  Alexandria  and  Damietta.  As  it  was 
exposed  to  descents  cmd  incursions,  Bonaparte  gave  tl;e 

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50^      HISTORY  OP  NAPCM-EOR  BONAPARTE, 


The  Fffendi  taloe  CitUEk 


eoBiBuuid  to  Oebend  GreMier  ;  bot  he  80od  dkd  there  of 

Ckneral  Kleber  was  encamped  at  Miakj,  in  fronl  of 
<he  potttkMiv  for  caveriiig  tbe  siege  of  Jslffiu  Tbtt  Hmr 
ttons  of  Oenerab  B<hi  and  Losne  mi  Ihe  h^ad  qaarten 
Jetned  the  ad^aneed  guard  at  Misky  ;  die  army  narchiiig 
to  Zeta,  the  ardTanced  guard  obserred  a  e^rps  ofemvAj, 
Abdattah  Pacha  was  wiOi  2,000  cavaby,  on  the  heights  «f 
KorsQDi,  having  a  body  eT  about  10,000  Turks,  who  oo^ 
copied  a  more  elerated  sitmtioii.  The  Pacha  wished  ts 
check  the  progress  of  the  army*  and  feroc'  it  to  «i  actioa 
among  the  defiles  of  Napldnii  to  retard  its  mareh  t» 
Acie.  The  divisions  of  Oenerab  Ben  and,  Klehcr  wert 
formed  b  squares,  and  advanced  aga4n6t4he  eavaby*  whs 
fled  from  the  contest.  General  Lasne'h  dtvisien,  hmn 
away  by  its  ardour,  purdiled  the  Paoba  bto  the  moas* 
tsdn<  and  attacked  tiie  Naptoosin  fbroe/and  put  iten- 
tirely  to  flight ;  the  fight  inftntry  pursued  ao  far  as  to 
obKge  the  General  to  send  them  orders  to  desist ;  they,  at 
length  obeyed,  and  the  Ni^louzians,  lookmg  on  lUt 
.movement  ses  a  retreat,  pursaed,  in  their  turn,  tte  light 
infantry ;'  being  acquainted  wttii  the  sidvantageoud  »taa- 
tUms  in  tbe  mountains,  they  fired  upon  die  French  vitfc 
great  effbct.  The  division  sought  in  vain  to  draw  the 
Naplou^ans  firom  tfie  mountahis. 

The  ]6th  of  March  General Kleher  advanced  te  Caiffii; 
«bput  20,000  rations  of  biscuit,  and  as  much  nee,  wss 
found  m  the  phice.  CaiSa  is  surrounded  by  wails,  flak- 
ed by  towers,  a  castle  defends  the  road  and  port;  a  tower 
commands  the  town  at  a  small  distance,  but  all  is  aveJ^ 
looked  hy  the  heights  of  Mount  Carmel.  The  Mauls' 
lukes  carried  off  the  artill^y,  and  all  the  mflitaiy  st«re«. 
Tlie, French  garrisooed  the  castle,  and  on  the  17tb-  pr^ 


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ANI>.'WARS  09  BUItOPE.  508 


Sir  Sydney  Smith  iAudb  wHh  the  Porte. 

ceeded  towards  St  Jotm  d'Aore.  The  roads  were  vetj 
bad,  80  that  it  ws^s  iate  whe«  they  arrived  at  the  entranoe 
of  the  rher,  which  roas  throagfa  marshy  groands.  Tk^ 
passage  was  datgcrous  in  the  night,  as  the  qavalry  and 
infiuitry  on  the  opposite  biuik  appeared  in  great  foree* 
General  Andreossy  was  dispatched  to  examine  the  fords  $ 
he  passed  with  a.  battalion,  and  took  possession  at  night 
fall  of  an  eminence  overlookmg  an  entrenohed  camp.  A 
party  of  the  guards,  and  two  pieces  of  artiNcry,  took  a 
position  between  the  works  and  the  river  of  Acre. 

A  bridge  was  ceastrocted,  and  the  army  passed  the 
river  at  day  break  on  the.  8lfa.  Bonaparte  led  the  army 
to  an  eunnence  which  coouBanded  St.  John  d*Acre.  The 
Turks  stiD  kept  their  gionnd  without  the  place,  in  tlie 
gardens  which  sarronnded  it,  bnt  they  soon  retired  withiii 
the  works. 


^*00»mi^»*^**^0^*0^*^*^^»m000^»»w^>0*»»m^s^,j^^^ 


CHAPTER   LXII. 


Sir  W.  Sydney  S5iith,  minister  to  the  Porto,  had  ar- 
rived at  Confitantittople  early  m  January.  The  Syrian 
campaign  was  concerted  between  that  officer  and  the 
Turkish  Government,  and  the  British  forces  were  ready 
to  co-operate  with  the  Pacha  5f  Acre  when  Bonaparte 
readied  that  place.  The  English  force  was  small,  bnt  it 
encouraged-  the  troops  of  the  Pacha ;  and  the  French 
O^eral  experienced  an  opposition  that  his  power  and 
taleuts.eonid  not  surmount    The  Republicans  took  n(< 

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^ 


j504      history  of  NAPOLEOK   BONAPARTE, 


The  French  attack  St.  Jean  d'Acre. 

their  greund  so  near  the  water  side,  that  Sir  Sydnej  n* 
luted  'them  by  a  galiing  fire  from  his  boats,  and  ebUgvd 
tbep  to  retire  widi  precipitation* 

•The  siej^e  commenced  on  the  2^Ii  of  March:  on 
the  28tb  field-pieces  only  were  ^sed  to  batter  the 
tower  iB  the  line  of  attack*  About  three  in  the  evenin; 
a  breach  wa»  made ;  at  tfaa  same  time  a  mine  was  sprung, 
^hich  did  little  execution.  The  breach  was  thought  ad 
practicable  as  that  of  Jafia;  but  the  French  grenadieis 
were  arrested  by  a  fosse»  fifteen  feet  deep,  connected  widi 
a  good  counterscarp.  The  fite  from  the  place  was  teiiible. 
Terror  for  a  moment  affected  some  of  the  Torlts  ;  they 
fled,  but  soon  rallied  and  r^taracd  to  the  breadi,  mhiA 
the  French  in  vain  tried  to  mount,  its  height  being  near 
ten  feet  above  the  rubbish*  This  gave  the  Pacha  time  te 
rally  his  forces  and  ascend  to  the  tower,  whence  they  show- 
ered down  stones,  grenades,  and  combustible  materiab, 
upon  the  assailants.  Some  French  grenadiers  were  unable 
to  advance,  and  forced  to  return  to  the  trenches. 

The  French  array  regarded  the  works  at  Acre  as  of  liltk 
importance.  The  besieged  made  on  the  80th  a  spirited 
sortie,  but  were  forced  to  retire  within  their  walls. 

The  British  ships  were  driven  from  Acre  by,  a  stonn, 
which  caused  the  Turks  to  be  left  for  some  days  alone  in 
the  combat;  fortunately  far  them,  previous-  amugeraepts 
made  Bonaparte  draw  oif  a  great  part  of  his  force  about 
the  same  time. 

Dgezzar  had  sent  among  the  Naplouziansr  and  to  SidoB* 
Damascus,  and  Aleppo,  to  induce  all,  the  Miissaliiiei» 
who  c6uld  beararms^  to  rise  en  «a^*€,  for  the  purpow 
of  combatiBg  the  infidels.  This  produced  a  great.effed« 
large  bodies  of  troops  were  assembling  at  Damascos,  aaJ 
magazines  were  establishing  at  ti^  fort  oC  Tabarif,  vhici 


Digitized 


byGoogk 


AHD  WARS  OV  EUROPE.     ...  fiOS' 


The  Freocb  aCfacied  bjF  the  Rcjrptiam. 


was  oecupicd  by  the  Mangmbiitt.'  Anxioui  for  t|iese 
forees,  Bgeassar  oaused  sorties  to  bo  oiado  dariog  the 
first  days  of  the  siege,  which  tfie  Ffeaclr  Ikoiigbt  itere 
with  a  new  of  assisting  the  entiy  of  ilho$e  forces,  Booa* 
parte  th^efore  was  eager  to  i^iiD^t  a  bfeaoh  before  ^tbeir 
arrival.  He  ordered  a  lodgemeBt  io  the  tower  should  be 
attempted  ;  bat  the  Tarks  fitted  tfaa  breach  so  with  sand 
bags,  timber,  imd  bales  of  cotton,  thut  the  effort  was  ipi-* 
pfactidMe;  and  be  was  unable  to  c<HiUBence  a  nf w  At- 
tack. He  laboured  to  establish  a  mine  to  blow  the  tower 
up.;  this  was  a  matter  of  great  importance;  but  the 
Tofks  hindered  the  opesation.  .  I    . 

•  Bonaparte  now  saw  that  lie  mast  endeayour  tcr  prevent 
^^'reinforcements  reaching^ the  town^  Generid  Vjal^  wai( 
sent  to  Tyre,  where  ?tbc|iahal>itaails  were  in  favour  ^fthf^ 
PacKit.  At  bis  Upptoraph.  the  inhabiianla  took  to  flight } 
he  howevet  prooNsedl  to  protect  Ihem^  and  having  left  a 
gbnrison  of  1109  OMn  to  gnard  Ahei  place^ibe  )E|Mitti|d  1?y.re 
OB  ibefiihot  April. 

r  GeneraUmiot  learned  thatdifc  Mahomedans  werc.a^ 
sembling  in  great  namberB  on  the  heights  of  I^aubi,  ^nd 
that  some  had  advanced  to  Ae-  Tillage  of  .IfOfibU.  fi^ 
marched  with  a  division,  drafted  frorn  dUfer<|iit*  eofps^ 
for  the  purpose  of  feceftnoitesing*  Be  fierce|vMjthe  ent*. 
my  near  Lonbi ;  be  pursaed  his  mareb,  torue^  ^c  moun- 
tab,  and  was  sorrvunded  in  a  plain  byitbout.  S009 
cavalry.  These  rushed  upon  his  force,  and  forced  him 
Io  giv^  examples  of  courage;  td.  his  soldiers,  who  shewed 
themselves  ^ordiy  of  tb^ir  intrbpid  bMer,  aftd  dispersed 
the  assmlaAts;  This  atiaiv  oAst  the  French  sixty,  mfv, 
wfaiek  was  more  to  tbftm  thaa  flm  QOO  I'l^Oed  of  ti^  «a* 
tf  ves  was  to  #ie  Tark^  ,i 

Bonqpfirtto  or^^ved  Oeaeial  Kbber  to .  siar^  Pgm  lk« 
'VOL.  I.— NO.  33.  8  T  Digitized  by  Google 


509   HISTORY  OF  NAPOLEON  BONAPARTE, 

Tbe  Tuiki  barttst  Booaparie. — 


c&inp  before  Acre  with  tbe  remainder  of  the  adyaoced 
giiard;  tx>  j^in  General  Junot  at  Nazareth.  Being  ia- 
formed  tbftt  the  enemy  were  still  near  Loubi,  Iio  deter- 
mmed  to  aflack  tbem  the  next  day^.  He  had  sQarcelj 
reached  the  heights  a  quarter  of  a  league  from  Loubi, 
#}ien  the  enemy  rushed  into  tbe  plain.  General  Kleber 
was  sorroanded  by  near  4000  cavalry,  and  five  or  GOO 
foot,  w1k>  prepared  to  charge  him.  The  General  at- 
tacked the  -cavalry,  and  directed  a  part  of  fais^foroe 
aigainst  tlie  enemy's  camp,' whi<^:he  carried  ;  tbe  enemy 
retreated  in  disorder  towards  the  Jordan,  and  he  could 
not  pursue  them  for  want  of  ammunition.  Ttie  French 
were  not  long  suffered  to  remab  quiet,  as  tbe  Hordes 
htely  defeated  were-  join«l$yy  an  immense  body  of&ah 
mai^rfartsr  or-Naplouzians*  Bonaparte  learned  that  tbe 
country  was  rising  to*  attack!  liis  posts  m  fbe^wildemess, 
and  tesbived  that  uf  battle  shouU  be  fought,  {o-.subdne  s 
multitude'  itho  baJraissed:.him..to  tbe  verge  of  bis  camp* 
He  gave  orders  for  making  the  dispositions  fi»r  the  attack 
a^  a  distance,  and  to  force  them  to  repass  'tbe-  Jordan. 
Ttie  rcnite  irem  Damascas,  in  crossing  tbe  Jordan,  b 
either  x^  t&e  right  of  the  Lakb  ^Tafaarie,  by  tbe  bridgs 
of  Jacob/aftWee  leagues  distance  froin  .whicbis  situated 
Ihe  casUe  ot  Saflbt ;  or  on  the  1^  of  that  .lake  by  tto 
bridge  of  )SI-Meckanie,  a  short  distaupe  fnmk  lite  fort  of 
l^burTe^.  'These  two  fortvessea  are  ta  tli^  rigbt  of  tbe 
Jolrdan.  ^  :  i   i.    • 

f  GeneratMuratiaarebfedffom. before  Acre  with  1000 
infantry  aud  a  iregtaieit  pfi  cavahry.  Ht  was  ordieied  to 
prciceed  to  &€  bridge.  6f  Jacobs  and  take  possessioD,  and 

'U>  joik  m  toon  as  poiitbb  the:  troops  under  jBeneral 
TELieber,  who  was  in  want  of  reiofol'Pii^eplB,.  t]paJk*offie«r 

<Hviiiv:s%aiftcdilis.  intentitea  ^f  tifnajr  tb»  eHemja  po- 

-Digitize'd  by  V:iOO.QIC 


AND  WARS  OF  EUROPE.    -  507 

He  dtlrtB  tbam  owf  the  Jordan. 


sitions,  and  to  endeavour  to  smrprise  tbem  by  nigiit  in 
tbeir  camps. 

'  Bonaparte  set  out  from  the  oamp  with  the  remainder  of 
the  cavalrj*  the  division  of  General  Bon,  jand  eight  field- 
pieceSy  and  took  a  posftion  on  tiie  heights-  of  Safarie^ 
where  the  troops  were  all  night  under  arms.  He  marched 
add  arrived  at  the  heights,  from  whence  le  perceived 
the  division  of  Creneral  Kleber  engaged  with  the  enemy; 
whose  force  seemed  to  be  about  2&/M)0,  aU  cavahry,  and 
surrounding  the  French  treops,  who  did  not  exceed  2000* 
Bonaparte  prepared  for  turning  the  enemy  at  a  aon^ 
siderabie  distance,  cut  off  their  retreat  to  Jenin,  where 
their  magazines  were,  and  drove  them  to  Jordan,  where 
General  Mfiratcovid  successfully  encounter  them. 
'  Gciheral  Kleber  iad  been  retarded  by  the  dilBSculties  of 
the  way/ and  ikt  defiles  he  had  to  pass;  he  could  not 
come  up  with  the  Mamelukes,  until  they  had  time  to 
make  preparations  for  his  reception.  The  cavalry,  to 
the  amount  of  S5,000,  surrounded  the  army  of  Kleber^ '  "  • 
but  without  success.  •  The  French  musketry  and  grape  || 

shot  did  considerable  execution. 

Bonaparte,  on  arriving  ne^  the  scene  of  action,  ordered    ^  ^ 

General  Rampon  to  attack  the  enemy  on  the  flanks'  and  '  / 

in  theVear.  General  Vial  Was  otdered  to  force  the  ene- 
my towards  the  Jordab;  and  the  infantry  guides  were  \ 
to  direct  the  coarse  of  the  remaining  troops  towards 
Jenin,  so  as  to  intercept  their  retieat  to  that  quarter. 
Wh«a  the  eokimn  began  to  advance  an  eight-pounder 
was  &»charged.  General  K}eber  knowing  by  this  signal 
of  the  approach  of  the  General  in  Chief,  no  longer  re- 
mamed  on  the  defensive,  he  advanced  to  the  villag.e  of 
•'  Fouli,  which  he  carried  by  the  baycoet ;  V  then  ad- 
'vanced  towards  the  ca^salry,  putting  all  wh^  resiste4  to 

3t2  r       I  - 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ IC 


.608     HISTORY  OJP  NAPOIEON   BONAPARTK, 


■  "  - 

the  BW4>id,    Disorder  prevailed  \  the  enemy  were  cut  off 

from  their  magazines,  and  surrounded  by  their  adtent- 

ries,  they  determined  to  seek  for  refoge  in  the  rear  of 

Mount  Tabor  ;   this  tiiey  gained,  and  retreated  over 

ibe  bridge  of  EtMebinm ;  aome  were  drowpcd  in  the 

Jordan. 

Oeneiml  Marat  snrpriaed  the  so*  of  the  Governor  of 
Damascus,  kflled  a  great  namber  of  men,  and  pumed  , 
the  enemy  on  tbe  rovte  to  Damascns.  A  colamn  of 
cavalry  surprised  Hie  qan^  of  tkn  Mametokes,  carried  off 
000  camels^  killed  a  number  of  men,  and  made  259 
prisoner*  InleUigeaoe  of  the  sucoessea  were  sent  to  the 
different  corps  ocoupying  Tyre,  Cmmrea,  the  Cataracti 
of  the  Nile^  the  Pelusian  mouths,  Aie|f:^dria»  the  j)osts 
on  the  bordem  of  the  Red  St^  9X  4)e^Ruin|  of  Kiisain, 
and  at  AFsinoC;.    '  \       // 

The  battle  of  Moiuit  Tabor  caused  the  discom6tare  of 
95,000  cavairy,  and  10.000  infantry*  by  4000  French 
iroops ;  lAe  capture  of  all  the  enemy's  magaaines  in  these 
p(irtB,  and  their  flight  to  Damaacus.  Their  loss  exceeded 
,5000  men ;  and  they  conld  not  connive  bow  they  cooU 
have  been  defeated  on  a  line  of  nine  leagues,  so  little  oo- 
tion  bad  they  of  combined  operations^ 

Bonaparte  retumejd  to  Acre,  thinking  ttiat  he  has 
done  great  things ;  bat  be  bad  merely  promoted  the 
yiews  of  tbe  British  andTurkbh  commanderB* 

The  siege  of  Acre  wsas  continued  witb  the  meet  invete- 
rate obstinacy  on  Ike  pari  of  the  Fseadk  «^  ^^ 
defended  by  tko  BritiBb  andTurks ;  4iey  laboured  at  the 
works  witbujut  cessation,  aad  though  t|^e  ¥t%nA  ^^^ 
times  carried  tke  outworksi.  they.,  were  as  oft«n  drivee 
from  them ;  mines  were  endeavoured  to  be  apruogi  hot  • 
as  often  .eowateraetej^.    Bpnapa^  was  extremely  ^^^^ 

d  by  Google 


Digitized  t 


A^U  WAltSOP  BUROPE.  fi09 


A  TttrkM)  Fleet  MTlftt  at  Acre. 


tb  reduce  the  plaoe^  end  9p$ttei*j»  pains  to  that  effect^ 
but  the  peffBeferance  of  the  .g«riison,i]id  his  being  bat 
KcaHtify  supplied  with  heavy  artillery  and  ammnmtion,' 
were  ebstaeleshe  oouM  not  get  over.  Hisaieo  frequently 
made  lodgements  in  tiie  lower  opposite  ta  his  batieries^ 
but  were  constantly  driven  out;  and  when  they  attempted 
to  scale  the  breach  they  had  made,  the  Turks  always 
sent  them  away,  and  poured  hot  liquids, .  and  throw  large, 
stones  down,  which  overthrew  the  foremost,  and  caused 
them  to  drive  down  those'  who  foUowedt 

A  fleet  of  Turkish  ships  from  Rhodes  anived  at  Acie» 
when  the  French  had  been  Upwards  of  a  month  before  the 
place,  laden  with  troops,  stores,  and  provisions  ;  seeing 
this  reinforcement  arrive,  he  made  a  desperate  attack* 
upon  the  town  befdire  they  couM  arrive  to  jls  assbtance ; 
neithey  the  determined  resistance  of  the  Aaglo-Turks» 
nor  the  tremendous  fire  from  the  batteries  were  8a& 
fered  to  retard  their  .progress;  they  spiked  a  num«  *  ^ 
ber  of  cannon,  but  lost  upwards  of  IfiO  officers  and  w 
men  in  this  attack.  The  French  standard  was  seen  at 
day  light  flying  on  the  outer  angle  of  the  tourer,  and  a 
lodgement  was  made  by  them  in  the  tower  to  the  north 
east  The  fresh  troops  just  arrived  under  Hassan  Bey, 
were  but  half  way  to  shorsi  and  the  olaiost  exertions 
were  necessary  to  preserve  the  place  till  they  got  to 
hmd.  Sir  Sydney  Smith  landed  them  at  the  mole  and 
to^  them  to  the  breach  armed  with  pikes.  The  grati- 
tude of  the  Tarks  at  the  sight  of  snob  a  reinforcement 
cannot  be  described ;  many  returned  with  them  to  the 
breach,  still  defended  by  a  few  brave  Turks,  who  poared 
heavy  stones  and  other  missiles  upon  their  assailants. 
Dgezzar  Pacha,  who  commanded  at  Acre,  was  sitting, 
according  to  the  Turkish  custom^  to  reward  those  whv 

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* 


510      HISTORY  OF  NAPOLEON   BONAPARTEt 


Acre  Mg^  aMawlled,  bat  repubed. 


brought  him  tbe^  haad  of  iin  enemy  ;  his  idea  was  not  to 
defoud  the  breach,  bat  aoffer  the  French  to  enter  tbt 
works^  and  then  destroy  them.  They  mounted  nomo- 
lested,  and  got  into  the  Pacha's  garden,  where  soon  tbo 
bravest  and  most  forward  lay  headless  corpses ;  the  sabre, 
with  a  dagger  in  the  other  hand,  proving  more  than  a 
match  for  the  bayonet.  Mach  confusion  prevailed,  the 
newly  arrived  Turks,  not  distinguished  between  one  hat 
and  another,  aimed  many  a  severe  blow  at  th^ir  friends 
the  English ;  their  mistake  was  however  corrected  by  the 
exertions  of  the  Pacha ;  both  sides  foqght  with  the  great- 
est braveiy,  and  Bonaparte  saw  that  his  troops  wera 
likely  to  suffer  so  much,  that  he  ordered  them  to*  re- 
treat. 

On  returning  to  the  camp  the  French  learned  that  ^i- 
miral  Perree  had  taken  two  vessels  separated  ftom  the 
Turkish  fleet,  with  field  artillery,  provisions,  monej, 
400  soldiers,  and  the  commissary  of  die  Turkish  fleet 
From  him  it  ^>peared»  that  they  were  part  of  an  anna« 
ment  destined  for  AIe]iandria,  bat  that  their  destinatioo 
was  changed  at  the  pressing  request  of  Sir  Sydney 
Smith. 

.  Bonaparte  gave  orders  for  another  assault ;  a  division 
mounted  the  breach,  surprised  the  outworks,  w(I  pst 
those  they  found  there  to  the  sword^  but  they  were 
obliged  to  retreat  in  cQnAisipn,  Hie  grenadiers  again 
solicited  the  honour  of  the  assault,  which  was  granted 
them  ;  they  marched  forward,  but  were  so  well  reiceived 
by  the  Anglo-Turks  that  they  were  again  ordered  to  re* 
treat  These  three  attacks  cost  them  near  700  men  killed 
and  wounded,  wth  several  officers  of  rank.  The  space 
between  the  two  annies  was  covered  with  dead  bodies 
and  the  stench  was  uitplerable. 


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AND  tTARS  OF  EUROPE.  5ll 


Proolamatioo  addressed  to  the  Freocb  amjr. 


V  CHAPTER  LXIII. 


^  BoNAPARTB  ivrote  to  the  Pac^  for  ^  trace,  to  enable 
botii  sides  to  bury  their  dead,  and  demanded  an  exchaBg;e 
of  prisoners ;  bat,  as  he  did  not  mentipn  the  ]E!u|rli«l| 
commander,  Dgezzar  paid  Sir  Sydney  Smith  the  eem* 
pKment  of  leaving  the  answer  entirelj  to  him.  No  aor 
swer  was  sent  tili  six  days  after  it  bad  been  received ; 
and  the  bearer  of  ike  dispatch  carried  with  him  a  procia* 


This  proclamation  was  addressed  to  the  generak,  offi- 
cers, and  soldiers  of  the  French  army  in  Egypt.  It  stated 
that  the  Directory  had  led  them  into  an  error  by  sending  ,  « 
them  into  Egypt,  and  thus  had  consigned  them  to  de* 
Mniction*  It  tells  them  that  innumerable  armies  are  on 
their  march  to  overwhelm  them,  and  immense  fleets 
covei'  the  coast :  that  those  who  wish  to  withdraw  from 
the  perils  that  await  them  must  signify  their  intentions 
to  the  ctommanders^  of  the  allied  powers,  and  that  they 
shall  be  fBrnished  with  passports  to  protect  them.  It 
urges  them  to  hasten  to  accept  this  favour  of  tlie  Sub- 
lime Porte,  and  extricate  themselves  from  the  abyss  into 
whith  they  have  plunged.  This  was  dated  at  Constanti-^ 
nople,  and  certified  by  Sir  Sydney  Smith,  as  minister  to 
the  king  of  England. 

This  proelamation  gave  great  offence,  as  well  as  an  ex- 
pressLon  in  the  answer  to  the  proposal,  ^^  Does  he  not 
know,  asked  Sir  Sydney,  "  that  is  is  for  me  to  dispose  of 
the  ground  that  lies  under  my  artillery  Y' 

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812       HISTORY  OP  KAMLEOK   BOMAPARTE, 


Bonaparte  aonoinice*  bit  retara  te  £nP^ 
Bonaparte  received  accounts  of  various  insurrectioos 
in  Egypt,  which  seemed  to  be  connected  with  a  geaeni 
system  of  external  attack  meditated  against  the  French  in 
Egypt  At  Caircv  and  otlier  principal  towns,  tranquil- 
lity was  not  disturbed,  but  in  the  provinces  of  Benishef, 
Charkie,  and  Bahere,  it  was  with  difficulty  these  disturb- 
ances were  quelled,  Mtwithsianding  M  the  activity  of 
the  French  troops  and  generals^  7lie  most  aiarnung 
news/ bow^veri  waS|  that  an  EngtisU  frigafte  bad  ap 
|^rofiiche4  Sues,  and  it  was  to  be  feared  Uiat  a  force  bm^U 
he  landed  there,  which  would  plactf  the  army  between 
two  fires  ;  and  it  was  no  longer,  a  matter  of  ohoic*  vbe- 
ther  the  siege  should  be  raised,  and  the  army  tfkt  the 
only  chance  remaining  of  saving  itself.  Two  jwntfa 
bad  nearif  passed,  and  the  affairs  seetned  more  dfficult 
than  ever  ;.  i|ideed,  Bonaparte  only  waited  fill  he  coi)' 
make  an  excuse  to  abandon  his  enterprise  :  be  oBliedin 
his  outposts,  and  sent  forward  his  sick  and  wounded}  at 
Ibngth  he  announced  '  bib  '  determination  to  retom  ^ 
Egypt  in  a  proclamatioo. 

He  tells  them  tliat  they^have  traversed  the  desail  whiflk 
divides  Africa  fi-om  Asia,  with  the  rapidity  of  as  Aiab 
force  ;  the.t'  the.  army  ^hioh  was  on  its  march  to  iovtoa 
%ypt  is  destroyed  ;  they  have  taken  all  tho  i^^^ 
posts  which  secure  the  wejls  of  the  desart,  and  dispersed 
swarms  of  brigands,  colleoted  from  all  ptrt3  of  Asia  ib 
hopes  of  plunder;  that  the  thirty  ships  whiph  diey  saw 
enter  Acre  were  destmed  to  attack  Alexandria,  but  were 
compelled  to  hasten  to  the  rcfief  of  Acre,  and  thai  many 
of  their  standards  will  grace  their  trtuiiipb^l  ^^trf  int« 
Egypt ;  he  telb  them,  that  with  a  handful  of  men  bavisS 
maintaii|ed  the  war  for  threa  monthain  Sjria,  a«d  ^^ 
or  destroyed  several  forlifioitioos,  and  made  njany  thoa- 

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Ai^D  mrAtiS  OP  fitkope.^  513 


The  li^fpe  of  Acre  raited. 


sand  prisoners,  tbey  most  retom  U>  Egyp^  where  the  ap- 
proactiiitg  season  for  landing  callii  for  their  presence  ; 
that  a  few  days  more  might  g^ve  them  bopeff  of  taking  the 
Pacha  in  his  palace,  but  that  the  castle  of  Acre  is^  not 
.  Worth  the  loss  of  that  time,  nor  of  the  men  who  might 
,  fall  in  the  time ;  that  they  have  yet  much  to  perform,  and 
fresh  opportunities  of  acquiring  glory. 

On  the  20th  of  May  jat  nine  in  the  evening/  the  gene-y 
tale  was  beaf^  and  the  siege,  which  Uuted  GO  days,  was 
raised. 

In  a.  letter  td  Lord  Nelson,  ibed  commanding  ht  the 
Mediterranean,  Sir  Sydney  ably  states  the  conclusion  of 
the  struggle,  that  the  siege  was  raised  on  the  90th  of  <- 
May,  Bonaparte  leaving  all  bis  heavy   aftiUeiy  fa^'nd 
him,  either  buried  or  thrown  into  the  sea/  where,  hc^ 
.^ver,  it  could  be  got  at,'  and  weighed  ;  that  his  only  prin-  ^ 
ciple  of  action  seemed  to  be  to  press  forward,  and  that 
lie  stuck  at  nothing  to  obtain  the  oljeet  of  his  ambition. 
-  Sir  Sydney  statei),  that  two  attempts  made  to  assassinate 
him  failed ;  and  that  a  flag  of  truce  was  sent  into  the 
i6wn  by  an  Arab  dervise,  wtdi  a  letter  for  the  Pacha, 
proposing  a  cessattcm  of  arms,  to  bury  the  dead,  the 
stench  from  whi6h  was  dreadful,  and  equally  to  be  feared 
f>y  either  party  ;  this  was  agreed  to  ;  a^d  while  they  re* 
Sed  upon  its  effects,  the  French  threw  in  afir^  of  shot  an4 
shells,  and  stormed  the  town  ;  the  garrison  were,  how* 
6ver,  prepared,  and  the  assailants  incre^s^  the  number, 
of  the  dead  ;  that  nothing  now  remained  for  them  but  a 
retreat,  which  took  place  on  the  nrght  of  the  SQth  ;  the 
Utmost  disorder  wfl[ft  man^sted  in  the  retreat, .  and  the 
whole  way  from  Acre  to  Gaza  was- strewed  with  the  dead 
bodies  of  those  who  sank  under  Aitigue,  or  the  effects  of 
Alight  womods ;  that  the  gtm  boats  annoyed  tfi»  van  of  tho 
VOL,  1.— NO.  22,  3  u 

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AND    WARS  OF  13imOPE. 


516 


BaBaimite  wtt  «>yt  from  Cairo. 


ptHroy9,   and  the    atrocities  exercised  .<^mst  th» 
^,'bf  the  fnkabMantl  ofihese  countries,  n^imdantly 
tSifi  terrible  retaliatiMi,*' 

wotidefniMi#v  it  tnsn  ef  bkmoar  c6ald  dechure, 

bw  i^uto^tfkotti  tttoB,.  tluit  mtaaj  •f  Ibe  EfypUansi 

ued  the  Frencli  IIS  lNrot&ers,.aad  tlatlbo  Ei^joufli 

lipofi  Cairo  as «  second  country!  .  .  •  , 

Anglo-Turkisb  fiNrdes  having  firostfated  Uio  ^iewi 

f6  Gtnbtdi;^\t  was  expected  they  would  follow  -up 

^aceesse^ ;  df  this*  he  laedls  to  hi^tre  been  aware; 

oh  trk  trrdtal  ftt  Cairoi  ha  made  afraBgenieiita  to  en- 

IMf  t<ypro|ecl  'the  s^a^codst  and  the  Syrian  frontier. 

Mameltdt^Bliad  divided  *their  forces ;  a  party  had 

|ite1!6  jom  Ibrahim  B&j,  wba  had  returned  to  Gaza^ 

ile  ffte  Mitt^  whh  Misrad  Bey,  had  defended  to  gain 

likkes  'of  Natron^  to  form  a  jtlneiioa  with  tome  Araba 

seiiftM  Id  that  qaaner.    This  aiareh  of  }if  urad  Bey, 

Uicated  a  design  of  proteclhig  a  deSeeat*.  either  at  Abou* 

\\t,  or  At  the  Tcrwer  of  the  Ajrabs.    To  prev/i;nt  this  was 

t>oiftt  ^th  the  French;  and  ttday  skirmishes  took  place» 

^btch  leittfhkated  io  the  loss  oTa  few  of  the  French,  and 

:  mimber  6f  ^  enemy.    The  tribes  were  scattered!^  the 

French  harassed,  and  h  was  easy  to  see  that  such  a  com* 

test  must  be  fatal  to  an  arvy  that  caidd  i^ot  xecniit  itself 

;^ettapart^  set  out  frodi  Caj^o^  akid  advanced  towards 

the  pyramids  of  Gizah,  whei^  GMEM  |Vqt^  ^as  te^oia 

tH^i    AtoadnraiBced  ffmM  ftnmf4lih»  Arabs  in  the  rear 

•4ir  Unfirf  Bey^  who;  Khat  iiloniltfg,  l^egau  to  ascend  to* 

w«rd^  Faynm ;  a  &wl  wefe  ki|led|;.and  seveial  cameb 

taken.    General  Miii^at  pursued  Murad  Bey  for  the  space 

of  fiye  leagues.    Bonaparte  received  news  from  Alex« 

andria,  that  a  Turkish  fleel»  of  100  sail,  had  ancbored  off 

8  u  2 


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$10      HTSTOKY  OF  NAPOLEON  '  BO VAPARTE, 

The  Torkt  Isnd  b  force  tl  Aboakir. 

Aboakir,  4tfid^iiiaaifeated  hostile  design*  qn  Aleiflndruu 
He  departed  for  6izah»  where  be  «iade  his  disporitioni; 
be  ordered  General  Marat  t6  proceed  to  Rahmanieh.  A 
part  of  the  divbioii  of  General  Laaoes  was  to  cross  tk 
NHe  and  repair  to  Rahmanieh  ;  and  also  ^  (f|tft  of  Genet 
ral  Rampon's  division.  The  artillery  wa^s  also  pot  in  mo- 
tion ;  and,  during  the  night,  all  .orders  and  instroctioBS 
isrere  forwarded  with  the  ntmostliaste.  • 

Bo>naparte  wrote  to'Deaaixfor  a  part  of  his  force,  and 
to  let  General  Friant  fall  into  the  route  of  Murad  Beji 
and  follow  him  with  his  flying  column  whercTfr  he  went; 
to  supply  the  fortress  of  Keneh,  in  Upper  Bgn^t,  and 
that  of  Gosseir,  npon  the  Bed  Sea,  amply  with.ammoni- 
tion  and  provisions ;  to  leave  100  men  in  each  plsee  ,*  to 
observe  Cairo  closely  doring  the  expedition  agaiast  the 
Turks  at  AboUkir.;  and  to  concert  measures  with  Gene- 
ral Dugua,  commandant  at  Cairo,  for  the  aecDrity  of  the 
French  interests  in  that  quarter. 

General  Kleber  was  to  advance  towards  Rosetta ;  leaf* 
ing  a  sufficient  number  of  troops  to  secure  Damietta,  sad 
the  province.  Genemd  Menon  was  .ordered  to  place  200 
Greeks,  wtth  a  piece  of  ctmnon,  in  the  convents,  which  it 
was  dioug^ht  would  make  excellent  places  of  defence ;  lis 
was  then  to  join  at  Rtdimanseh  with  the  rest  of  his  co- 
lumn. Bonaparte  left  Oiaab  tfie  10th  of  Jiriy,  aiid  sr- 
rived  on  the  I9tb  at  Rahmaaiefi, 
-  Bonaparte  heard  Aat  tfc^  IVnrkisb  abipB  htdflaQdedi 
near  the  fort  of  Abonkir  about  8000  men^  wiHi  artiBeTy» 
and  that  the  garrison  sunrendered  the  same  day»  Gene- 
ral Marmont  (who  commanded  at  Alexandria)  acquainted 
the  General,  that  Aboukir  bad  surrendered  on  capitula- 
iion  ;  ihat  t^  Turks  were  landing  their  artillery ;  tbst 


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Am>  VAmS  OF  EUROPI&.  .     JH7. 

Bonapirte  -oMch^  to  attack  them. 


be  fed  destroyed  the  jpoutaioDS  over  the  strait  which  join^ 
the  lake  Madie  with  th^  ipad  of  Abonlnr^  Mid  thi^t  the 
Tariu  were  aboiitl9^900' strong. 

From  this  iufomialiett,  Boai^pidrte  sent  Geneni  ^e^ 
AoQ  to.  Kosetta  widi  a  ranforeemeivt  of  4rQ0|>s,i and  to  de:- 
fend  the  entrance  of*  tbe  Niiei  .•  It  waa  thongHit  that  the 
enemy  wonid  proeeKd  eHbcr  again^  Altsix^ndfia  or-Ro^ 
setta  ;  bnt  the  Gop^tal  ktoied«  thatitbej^P^ere.  ^tiienohf 
iag  themselves  in  the  peninsula  of  Aboukir ;  thskt  thq^ 
were  fenning  magaasineS'biitfaei^rt,  aittlprgaoiaingthe 
Arabs,  and  that.tbey  ^ntsd^for  Blunad  J3i(y  aiid.l^is  Ma- 
melukes before  tb^  Hdfaaoedw.  It  was,  .tberefi^n^»  ipnpor- 
tant  to  take  a  p09i(ion  "wbeaq^lie  might  be  att|U)ked  with 
eqnal  adfantage,  whether  he  pr^ioef^Qd  «|g;ajnst  Aosetta 
or  invested  Alexandria ;  siicb- a  position,  that  if  the 
enemy  remamed  at  Aboakfar^'they  might  be  attacked 
and  compelled  to  surrender* 

Bonaparte  chose  a  positiofi  at  the  village  of  JBirkit,^|M 
one  eombinittg'  tiiose  advantagMi ;  it  is  •  aitpat^  at'  tbe 
point  of  one  of  the  angles  of  the  Xake  Madie,  and  from 
which  he  could  march  with  equal  fiuiility  to  fitko,  Ro* 
aetta,  Aboukir^  or  Alexandria :  from,  which  he  might,  be» 
aides  confine  the  enemy  to  the  paaiasula  of  Aboukir, 
render  his  communication  with.thfl  iaderior  OMire  diffi- 
cult, and  enth-ely  intercept  the  expeded  remforcements 
ftom  the  Arabs  and  the  Mamelukes.  .General  Marat, 
with  the  cavalry^  the  dMmiedaries^  the  grenadiers^  and  a 
batlaKon,  left  Babmaoieh  in  tbe  evening  of  the  20th  of 
Jtily,  to  proceed  to  Bidcit  He  had  orderato  commufii* 
cote  with  Alexandria,  to  reconnoitre  tU^  enemy  at  Abou- 
kir, and  to  advance  his  patroks  as  fai^  as  .Btko.  The 
army  took  ita  position  at  Birkit  on.  the  23d,  and  miners 
were  sent  to  clear  Ae  wells  at  Beda.    The  bead  quarters 


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SiS     HISTORT"  OF  KTAMLMN  30HAPARTC, 


DlspfwitioB  tot  Ite  attack. 


were,  itoiofed  t»  Aiexaadm;  tli9  Omcrai  in  Chief 
pt^seA  th^  «8^  ID  Aanihkig  Ike  /TtfpoTte  of  the  «taar 
tkm  of  the  enemy  ftt  Aboidur  (  U4a9ilftfhed  three  balta* 
Bobs  ^  tke  ^^4irieoD.of  Akataiidfifi,  luider:  General  Bps- 
taiH^.  t«  reeonMilf 0,  take  a.  f^ilMi  t^etween  Aleum- 
dm  «ttd  AboakiTp  and  c\ekr  theB^acea^  wt^k.  Des- 
tak^  reeekeil  mlaUilreiiQe.tlifiit  Qt^B^€^l  .Khlw  wasst 
FMiah,  ftHowiuf  tber^ateof  dit  lafwy  ./v0!u««t  to  his 
drdert*  :     '    •  |   ..-jr  .. 

MuBtapha  FWka;  aomitiaiideK  of  4^ifT{iiiu«ih  vjhj, 
bad  landed  with  abMi  16,000.]nn»  a  4«rge.  tram  of  irtil- 
leiy,  Md  100  honaai  and  bi  maekfKslHit  worib  and  en- 
treackiilf  liia  ferM»  BaAfpart^  reaMi^ed  from  Alexu- 
dm,  witk  (be Iteaid  ^partaas^  toft  poaitioii  aear Genen) 
B^staing^a  station,  and  tba  vaUa  between  Alevaadoaaod 
Abottkir*  Tba  oavafay  ondar  General  Marat,  and  Ivo 
divisions,  were  to  follow  inunadiale^.tortliasaiaeftatios; 
If^y  arrived  m  tba  momiDg  of  theSSth,  with  a  coqp9  of 
400  eavabry,  froai  Upp^  ^1f^  ^  ^  «nny  beg^^  ^ 
me^e ;  the  adtanoad  gaird  waa  otHanuaidad  bj  Gewxal 
Marat,  who  had  400  oavriry^  With  G^t^M  DlestainCrViv' 
-Arae  battaliaHa,  with  fwo  field  piet^sr  The  divisisa  of 
General  Lasaes  fon^sd  t!he.>rigbli  wing,  and  that  of  Ge- 
nmral  Lamase  *a  bft ;  General  Kld^r  was  ta  foin  the 
reserve;  Hie  fawui  of  artillery,  .esoortad  b;  a  sqnadroo 
of  hersc,  MtoWed  the  mnnbo^  of  the^cpij.  Geoeial 
Davoost,  wttk  t^o  aqjaadrona  laf  haitie^  wd  100  dnw- 
daries,  was  to  take  a  posMonbelWcaA  Al^t«ftdria  and  the 
amy^  to  oppose  the  Arabs  and  Munad  Btjr  who  wss 
ht^urlyetpeoted,  and  to  aecnre  the.  toMNtaicatian  witb 
Atexandria*  Orders  were  sent  lo  Gofleial  Meaon  tt 
take  a  position  at  the  entrance  af  Lakt  Madie,  on  tko 
side  of  AboukiTi^  to  olmDonade  any  voMds  of  the  eaeoj 


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AND  WARS  OF   EUROPE.  519 

-      ■      ..  fc.         ..         xji    ■  sea 

The  Frenoh  attsok  tlw  Tarlcs.    ' 


that  iftight  be  on  tke  lake,  and  attempt  to  harass  the  amiy 
•on  that  side. 

Itfasti^a  Pacha  had  his  first  Hae  half  a  leagne  in  front 
of  the  fort  of  Abonkir ;  about  1000  men  occupied  his 
fight,  supported  by  a  viUage,  occupied  by  1200  metu 
with  four  pieces  of  caunon.  The  left  wing,  about  S009 
men,  -  with  six  pieces  of  cannon,'  was  in  front  of  tbe 
first  Kne ;  this  position  was  to  protect  the  wells  wwr 
Aboukir*  Some  guaboats  were  stationed  to.  pvote^  th^ 
space.  betweWn  this  position  and  the  sicooad  line.  The 
Pacha's  second  position  was  in  the  rear  of  the  vilkige^ 
bis  centre  in  and  ahont  the  redoubt,  which  he  took  alfirat 
laadmg;  Eighty  horaemen  were  Uie  soite  of  tho  Pfteba 
who  commanded,  and  the  Turkish  squadron  was  at  ai^ 
chor  in  the  road,  at  a  small  distance. 

The  advanced  guard  came  near  the  enemy,  and  oMi- 
menced  firing.  Bonaparte  made  his  diapoaitiotta  for  tlie 
attack.  Destaing,  vith  his  three  baMaliom,  wai  nrdercd 
to  carry  the  height  on  the  right  of  Ihe  enemy,  whioh  was 
occupied  by  about  lOOOaen;  while  a  piquet  of  oavahry 
were  to  ^at  off  the  retreat  of  tins  body  to  ttie  .lillaga. 
Geaerat  Lasqea  was  to  advance  a^B^ainat  the  bft  of  the 
enemy's  Kne,  where  2000  men  and  six  pieces  of  cannon 
were  stationed  :  two  squadrons  *of  horse  were  to  watoh 
tliis  corps,  and  e^deavonr  to  cut  off  its  retreat.  The  rest 
of  the  oavafay  were  to  advance  against  the  centre,  and 
the  division  of  General  Lannnse  was  to  remain  in  the  se- 
cond line.  , 

Geaeral  Deataing  charged  the  enemy  with  the  bayo- 
net ;  they  retreated  townrdb  itho  vHlage,  but  t^e  gi%ater 
.  part  werd  cut  down  by  the  cavalry.    The  ooi^s  on  the 
left. seeing  that (Mt  the  right givo^  wiy,,;tteiempted  fo  re- 
tire after,  disohar^ng  m  fi^tr  cnnnitn  shot;  but. the.  ca- 

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o20      HISTORY   OF   NAPOLEON   BONAPARTE, 

Tbe  Turks  make  a  ptUn^  resiiUttioe. 

Talry  and  a  platooa  of  gaides  cat  off  iU  retreat»  vA 
either  'killed  or  drove  tlie  whole  into  the  sea.  Geimnl 
Destaing^  then  marched  against  the  village;  this  pdtt*be 
turned  while  it  was  attacked  in:  front  The  Turks  imds 
a  spirited  resistance ;  a  number  were  detached  to  tbe  i^ 
lief  of  the  village;  but  they  wei^  charged  by  thecavslr;! 
Vfao  drove  the  greater  part  of  them  into  the  sea.  The 
Tillage  was  speedily  carried,  and  its  defenders  pamifl 
to  the  redoubt»  in  the  centre  oi  the  second  position.  lUs 
was  a  very  strong  post,  it  was  flanked  by  a  worii  wbick 
covered  the  peninsula  to  the  sea ;  another  woik  extesdeJ 
to  the  left,  the  rest  of  the  space  was  occupied  by  Jln^ts- 
{>ha's  '^troops,  who  were  on  the  sand-hills  and  in  groTci 
of  palm-trees* 

%  Several  pieces  of  artillery  were  planted  at  the  vilb^ 
and  a  fire  was  opened  on  the  enemy's  right -and  on  the 
fedoubt ;  General  Destaing's  battalions  formed  the  ceD- 
tre,  and  fronted  the  redoubt ;  they  were  ordered  to  ad* 
vance.  General  Fugieres  had  orders  to  nurch  along  die 
shore,  and  force,  by  the  hayonet,  the  right  wing  of  the 
Turks*  The  cavalry,  on  the  right  of  the  army,  charged 
the  enemy  several  times  with  great  impetuosity ;  hot 
they  could  not  advance  without  being  placed  to  tbe  fire 
of  the  gunboats  ;  they  were  obliged  to  fall  bach,  while 
the'ranks  of  the  Turks  Were  supplied  by  fresh  troops, 
i  The  Turks  stood  the  French  artillery  with  the  greatest 
courage,  and  their  resistance  only  encooraged  their  op- 
ponents to  new  attacks.  The  French  cavalry  nished  to 
the  very  fosse  of  the  redoubt,  and  though  the  soldiers 
looked  on  this  afiair  as  a  forlorn  hope,  they  aeeaied  de- 
termined to  do  all  the  mbohief  they  could  before  thcf 
died.  Tbe  struggle  was  long  and  dreadful ;  tbe  1^ 
made  a  sortie  from  the  rigbt^  and  fogaged  amn  to  mtfi 

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i 


AN1>>AKS  OF  EtROPC.  521 

Mnttapha  Pach|i  Ukcn  prisoner. 

they  strove  to  grasp  the  bayonets  from  the  French,  flung 
tiieir  own  muskets  behind  thera  and  fongbt  with  sabre  and 
pistol.  The  Frenoh  darted  into  the  entrenchments,  where 
they  soon  snSered  death,  while  Turks  darted  on  them  to 
cut  off  the  heads  of  the  dead  and  wounded,  to  get  the 
silver  aigrette  which  their,  government  gives  to  every 
soldier  who  brings  the  head  of  an  enemy. 

Troops  were  ordered  to  advance  upon  the  enemy's  left. 
The  redoubt  was  forced,  and  during  that  moment  Gene* 
ral  Murat  ordered  the  cavahry  to  charge  and  break  through 
the  positions  of  the  ^^nemy«  This  was  executed  with 
such  vigour,  that  tlie  cavalry  were  ready  to  cot  off  the 
enem/s  retreat  to  the  fort ;  the  route  of  the  Turks  was 
complete  ;  the  infantry  charged  them'  with  the  bayonet, 
and  the  cavahry  cut  them  down  witli  the  sabre  ;  thousands 
committed  themselves  to  the  sea,  and  few  surviyed,  as  the 
ships  were  too  far  distant  for  many  to  reach  tliem.  Mus^ 
tapha  Pacha,  commander-in-chief  of  the  Turkish  army, 
.  was  made  |}risoner  witli  a  number  of  his  troops,  and  up- 
wards of  2000  killed.  The  fort  of  Aboukir  did  not  fii% 
a  shot ;  it  was  proposed  to  tlie  garrison,  1200  men,  to 
surrender  ;  many  refused,  and  the  day  was  spent  in  par- 
leying. Many  French  officers  died  of  their  wounds.  In 
the  night  (he  Turkish  squadron  communicated  witli  the- 
shore  ;  the  garrison  was  re-organized,  and  defended  the 
fort,  and  the  French  erected  batteries  for  its  reduction,    i 

The  fort  was  summoned  to  surrender.  The  son  of  the 
Pacha  and  the  officers  were  willing  to  capitulate,  but  the 
soldiers  refused.  The  bombardment  was  continued ;  se« 
veral  -batteries  were  erected,  some  gun-boats  were  sunk 
and  a  frigate  was  dismasted  and  forced  to  put  to  sea. 
The  besieged,  who  wanted  provisions^  got  into  the  i4I- 
lage,  which  joined  the  works.    General  Lasnes  advainc* 

VOL.'  I.— wo.  22.  8  X  r^^^^T^ 

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522     HISTORY  OF  WAPOLEOK  BONAFARTE, 

Bonaparte  learos  the  t^tt  of  Tippoo  Sultaao.   - 


ed  to  attack  theai»  but  was  severely  wooaded.    Geoenl 
MeaoQ  succeeded  bim  in  the  oonunand  of  the  siege. 

T^e  besieged  were  in  great  want  of  prorisions,  jet 
they  threw  down  their  arms  and  surrendered  at  diseietkn. 
The  son  of  the  Pacba>  the  Kiaya^  and  the  Govenior,  wen 
made  prisoners.  This  victory  had  a  direct  teadencj  to 
establish  the  French  donuninn  in  Egypt,  by  shewing  tk 
dreadfol  consequences  of  x>pposing  them ;  but  they  were 
rapidly  wasting,  and  as  they  had  no  means  of  recroitiB; 
their  strength,  a  victory  which  cost  a  few  hundreds  o( 
men,  was  equal  to  a  ddeaL  The  General  saw  he  ^ 
likely  to  be  attacked  on  every  sid^,  and  that  he  coaU  out 
strengthen  one  frontier  without  weakening  another; 
ftom  the  prisoners  taken  at  Abouktr  he  learned,. the  Eif- 
lish  had  penetrated  his  design  of  co-operating  with  TV 
poo,,  and  had  overthrown  that  monarch,  and  siesed  all  ks 
territories,  by  which  the  power  of  Franoe  in  the  Bail 
Indies  was  perfectly  annihitated.  Egypt  now  lost  tt» 
vatue^  and  the  mind  of  Bonaparte  retired  within  itscK 
He  looked  upon  ^one  as  his  friends  but  those  who  soetk* 
ed  him  with  flattery.  He  saw  but  few  persons ;  BeiAi^ 
and  Menou  seemed  to  have  most  of  his  eonfideaee.  I^ 
was'easy  to  see  thai  he  was  consciotts  of  hating  faiM^ 
but,  though  he  looked  on  the  expedition  as  haviag  viar 
earned,  he  would  not  beUeve  that  any  other  person's  yiev 
met  his  awn. 

The  intercoprse  between  Franca  and  Egypt  was  cot 
affby  the  English  cniizers  ;  and  the  AUtes  kept  the  tfo 
eoantries  ignorant  of  each  otber^s  situation.  It  htca» 
evident  to  the  British  Government  from  these  despatch^ 
and  letters,  thai  Bonaparte  could  not  maiaitaii^  Unsetfi^ 
the  new  settiemenL. 

A  diviaott  of  the  Spamsh  fleet  in  Carthtgeoa  was  jffiB* 

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AKD  WARS  C¥  fiUHOPe.  £38 


Ooasp'raey  a^ini  t  tlie  Extesthrv  Dtfeetor/. 


ed  by  the  Prencii  in  spito  of  the  ooBrt)ibed  iiigilanoe  of 
the  Britbh  admirals ;  they  sailed  thvongb  tbo  Straits  of 
Gibraltar,  'and  anchored  at  Cadiii,  before  the  British  admi^ 
ral  hflid  infonnatioti  df  their  M>veiiieots,  or  tie  janction 
they  effected.  They  made  a  tbtal  of  47  sail  of  the  Kne, 
and  actaally  anchored  ni  Brest  irater.  This  naval  expe«- 
drtion  seeteed  td  threaten  a  desperate*  strolie  against  Bri* 
tsini  though  it  terminated  in  Nothing  but  parade*  The 
people  of  Pranc^  thought  that  sneh  a  fleet  would  convey 
tcinrbrcem^at  td  the  armies/  oa^re  the  Atet  of  Lord  8t» 
Vincent  before  Cadiz,  or  destroy  the  British  And  Kuseian 
ships  before  l^dermb  ;  but  the  Directory  did  not  make 
the  attempt.  » 

The  conducf  6f  <te  Biroefery  had  caused  «iiob  dissatisr 
faction  that  ils^'deslruiiiSon'wds  premeditaled^  and  the  time 
for  accomplisldagif  at  hurt  #rt4Ved. 

The  Wders  6r  th^  coBbphttcy  agaiast  the  Exepati^e 
Power,  We^e  tiUcten  Bonapartei  VliBadeisde  Nantes,  an^ 
Boula^  de  Id  Mettrthe,  ^osevAifii  was  to  throir  oat  three 
of  the  members  as  nnqutdified  t  thes^  men  were  marked 
by  the  DirectoVy  as  objects  of.  vAigeanc^;  Ibis  did  nut 
escape  their  observation,  so  thiit  ftey  tiewed  their  livM 
in  contina^I  danger,  ex6ept  wliw  seated  in  tho  councils, 
sheltered  by  their  invtelabilHJr.  • 

So  great  Was  the  oppositfoii  of  the  Cotinbite  that  they  ^ 
wer6  hourly  obtaming  converts, -and  ther  oesitending'  par- 
ties secured  sucli  meatus  of  defence  as  might  renrier  them 
victorious,  should  the  difference  require  to  be  setlied  by 
force  of  arms.  The  Directory  ftid  a  goaftt  cjT  oJMo, 
and  the  troops  in  and  al>out  Paris  w^re  subject  I0kl!befr 
authority ;  but  the  latter  were  gained  over.  Hfe  offioem 
gained  possession  of  (he  military  school  tIrtthoQt  mnch 
^  8x8 


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524^     HISTORY  OF  KAPOLBON  BONAPARTE, 


,\ 


Clm^  In  the  Bfeiabeii  of  the  Directory. 


oppositiou,  and  became  masten  of  all  the  engines  of 
dtatruction,  which  the  IMreotory  might  have  tniaed 
against  them.  It  wan  demanded^  that  three  of  the  IK- 
rectors,  Merlin,  IVeilhard,  and  Lepeanx,  shonhl  resigii; 
three  days  were  required  bj  the  Disectory  to  retum  tiwir 
answer.  The  Coimcil  had  two  of  the  members  (Barm 
and  Sieyes)  on  their  side,  and  laboored  to  procure  the 
majority  as  the  easiest,  mode  of  seeming  their  object 
^at  the  three  members  of  the  Directory  were  inflexiUd 
considering  that  constitation  as  their  safeguard  wluch 
they  did  not  scrapie  to  violate. 

'    It  was  fonnd  that  Treilhard  had  ceased  to  be  a  legiflla- 
tor  on  the  90th  Floreal,  and  was  elected  a  director  on  the 
S6tb  of  the  same  month  next  year,  wl^ch  made  his  direc- 
torship: unconstitutional ;   this    he  aioknoiirledged,  and 
without   any  straggle,    v^^nptariiy   resigned    his  seat 
His  place  was  fiUedbyoM  Qohier,  minister  of  jostice. 
3Ierim  andLepeaiix  lefttbeliuxembouig  loaded  with  co^ 
ses  and  exeomtifMUiff    Iboger  Dncos  and'HouUns  were 
itheir  successors  ;  the  former  was  a  legislator  with  whoa 
the  pepple  were  little  iigqaaiuted,  and  the  latt^  made  a 
staff-offioel*  diiriag  the  reign  of  terror. 
/  The  Archduke  had  9Qf,000  nien,  beside  the  army  of  ob- 
servation, under  General  Sowarrow,  between  the  Danube 
^nd  the  fhmtjeni  of  the  Tjrrol,  which  was  20,000  strong ; 
the-^nsfiiao^^amouytEd  to  about  45,Q0O,  which,  with  the 
forces  ttnAer  other  Genends,  aiuQunted  to  300,000  me% 
destiaed  ^igainet  t|ie  frontiers  of  France  I    No  efToi  la  were 
u^ed  tQ  cauceal  the  danger  of  the  state  ;  the  BepubKc 
kad  n<^  more  than  195,000  men  to  bring  into  the  field,  ex- 
.iclusive  of  the  troops  of  the  Batavian  Republic,  wbicli 
.^ipppntf^d  t9  al^out  SO^OOO.    It  was  resolved  tp  raise  thp 


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AND  WABS  OP  EUROPE.  525 

Ckrdinl  Riift>  attacks  Naples. 


anny  to  500,000  men,  from  every  da«3  of  the  coaBcrip-r 
tion. 

By  official  calodations  it  was  staled  tbat  no  lesa 
tbaa  •550,000  men  would  be,  ready  for  actioa  in  Uueo 
moatiw.  Ta  n^e  these  forces  effectual,  it  was  pr0pos^ 
ed  to  jbror  the  ttattonal  guard,  of  which  some  were  to  be 
eliBployed  in  the  intarior,  and  toreinf^ce  tb^  V^was  and 
ftirts  upon  the  frontiers  ;«and  a^mall  part  sooa.  reached 
the  amiies  of  H oreau  and  Masaana. 

The  retieat  firom  Naples  was  followed  by  scenes  shock- 
iagto  humaaity*  Cardinal  lUrfEa  having  the  command^ 
was  al  the  gatlssof  the  city ^itiA  a  for^  which. he.  had 
eollccted  in  Calabria,  and  was  j^m^d  by  2P0Q  British  and 
90O  Russiaa  /troops.  The  3t«publicaos  took  jwfoge  ia 
the  torts,  that  Ihaj  might  obtain  .aahonoMcable^  capitula(>> 
tion ;  they  weceiatlncked,  bulthaB^yalistf  wane  repvlsed^ 
Ten  days  afteiward  the  Caadinal  sent  a  flag'  of  taaoe  to 
auch  as  were  in  the  Castallo  Novo,  and  to  those  ^ho  were 
in  Fort  St  Ehno.  This  last  phee  c^itobte4  with  Car* 
dmal  Baffo,  who  assmnfd  the  designation  of.  JTicar  ^iie 
Kimg  ofNepks.  It  was  ai^pccidt  *'  That  the  members  of 
«  the  governiaent  and  die  patriots  in  the  ferfive^ses•  aa 
**  well  as  the  FVeneb  garrison,  and  the  oatioaifl  troops^ 
"  should  march  out  with  the  honours  of  war,  with  arma 
**  and  bq^gage,  and  should  be  conducted  to  Toulon.** 
But  as  no  dependence  was  to  be  placed  on  a  Catholic,  tho 
besieged  were  not  to  evacuate  St  Elmo  till  every  article 
was. performed  by  the  conquerors.  The  Republicana. 
ware  detained  in  the  roads  17  days  from  contrary  winds, 
during  ivkich  time  they  experienced  no  molestation ;  but 
the  BnCrii  fleet  aader  Lord  Nelson  appeared  before 
Naples,  and  blocked  up  tba  j^ps  appointed  to  carry  tho 


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ft26      HISTORY  OF  KAPOLC09I  BONAPARTE, 
Scfierity  of  the  Kii«  •t  Kapler. 


BepubUcaat  to  TouIod  nd  the  Kiskf  anriv^i  aftUnded 
by  two  British  ships  of  the  line.  He  published  a  msni* 
fcsto»  declaring  that  a  aegoeiation  wkh  rebM  was  dsae 
widMut  his  aathorify.  H^  mersed  all  tlMt  "wis  doas  by 
Cardmal  Ilaffo,  and  several  of  the  B^pnblidaa  party  we^«t 
hanged,  and  their  houses  given  np  ib  plunder.' 
;  ThePrinee  ofStighano  and  tbelMte  of  Camorfofe 
were  bebtaded,  a^d  aiiietein  kfies  of  dss1Jnetioti«  sods 
number  of  officers  and  «eclesiattios  were  hanged*  T^ 
coart  was  asfa^medt  but  tht  Uootdy  d^eds  cannot  be  ie* 
nied.  The  cardnial  preiestod  agai^t  ^4lMag  tbetf- 
lieles  of  capHolation^  and  .prod^eed  k  letter  froti  the 
jprfane  miolster,  whioh  goto  hiln  anthbtitf  tto  grant  tte 
eanditioo^  npon  winch  llmr  sarreAd^  tras  ebtsioei 
Iboasaads  were  thrown  faito  prisobr  wA  ^ifce  ttibainl 
execwted  the  royal  nandbte  with  blooi%  paaetaslitf. 
'  Ibe  Ctffdmal  was  d^fed  of  his  effico  oa  Vieeroj  b; 
Ihose  wbo  imagteed  tfiat  Ae  nod  of  the  obveveiga  iras 
snficient  to  8ore«n  the  wwratof  crines, 

'General  Macdonald  detemiSned  to  ovnenato  Toscasf, 
and  retreat  into  the  tilrritory  of  Gen4»a.  •  His  ^irvf  «^ 
nmch  weakened.  Hio  eoaribjuied  j^wei^  ranfofoed  Ta^ 
oany  imnMfliately  after  his  departare.  General  Klesatf 
enteted  Ftosenee  ;  the  people  hdviig  difaced  every  n»* 
of  Ae  IRepubHcan  eonatiliition,  ro-establisbad  their  an* 
eient  govemnient,  a  proof  thaf  the  Freneb  power  ww  set 
so  mild  as  they  represented  it.  (Senefd  MscdssiU 
inished  his  /retreat,  beuig  obUgied  to  leave  or  deitniy  b* 
heavy  arlilleEQF»  cBtnp  eqnipage,  and  tfce  rtaaiab  ef  ^ 
rich  spoils  of  IlalTf  Jna  nnny  being  redneed  ta  RON 
men.  Snwnrrow  directed  Ms  march  agaihst  Genenl  Mo* 
reau^  who  relreated  farther  aito  the  Ligariaia  Repoblio, 


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J 


AKI>  WARS  OF  EUROPE.  527 


Mantua  siureikterfl  to  the  AUie«. 


Alexandria  was  besieged  by  the  combmed  forces^onder 
General  Belfegarde,  as  Suwarrow  oonsideFed  its  redac- 
tion neeesaary  to  bis  ftilnre  operations.    General  Gar- 
danne  was  snmmonod  to  surrender,  but  refused ;  but  at 
tengtb,  after  210  pieces  of  cannon  were  opened  on  it,  be 
found  it  useless  "to  contend  longer,  and  the  garrison,  to 
the  anount  ot  9800  men,  surrendered  prisoners  of  war. 
Suwarrow  Axedbis  head-quarters  at  Alexandria ;  he  the» 
itiYested  Conl,  and  despatched  General  Haddict  with 
12,000  mm  to  reach  the  Vallais.    The  capture  of  Mim- 
tua  was  in  the  estunation  of  Suwarrow  of  the  last  impor- 
taace,  as  ii  would  enable  him  to  send  reinforcements  to 
the  Archduke  in  return  for  those  foiweriy  sent  to  hhn- 
Nothing  was  left  undone  to  reducie  Mantua,  and  600 
piecea^of  cannon  and  mortars  were  to  act  against  it ;  the 
army   was  reinfqroed,  and  the   people   for  forty  miles 
round  were  compelled  to  assist  at  the  works  ;  the  garri- 
son was  10,000  men.^  The  trenches  were  opened,  and 
vhan  it  was  pereeiTod,  the  five  from  the  city  became  ex- 
tremely brisk.    General  Kray  carried  some  of  the  out- 
works, and  s«it  a  capitnlatieD,  which  was  accepted,  and 
the  keys  of  Mantua  were  delivered  to  him.    In  two  days 
the  garrison  nmrched  out,  and  laid  down  their  arms  in  the 
glacis.    This  surrender  was  of  the  greatest  consequence 
to  the  combined  powers. 

Massenhmade  many  attempts  against  the  ArcbdtikeV 
army  in  the  small  cfmtoos,  as  he  was  assured  it  bad  been 
weakened  by  reinforcingHaddick  and  Bellegarde :  a  num* 
ber  of  actions  took  place,  but  no  advantage  was  gained 
by  cither  party.  On  the  14th  of  tvAy  an  attempt  was 
made  by  General  Hotze  on  the  right  of  the  French  army- 
little  was  accomplished  by  these  attacks  more  than 
had  (oimatlv  been  achieved  by  the  French,  only  the  lat- 

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528     HISTORY  OF  NAPOLEON  JBONAPARTE, 


Massena  attacks  the  Archdnke. 


ter  repkoned  among  the  prisoners  the  Imperial  GeneraU 
Count  ile  Bey.  This  was  the  first  operation  of  the  Arch- 
duke which  could  be  called  offensive,  and  had  a  coBneo- 
tion  witli  others  preparing  ip  the  Upper  VaUais,  wliero 
tlie  inhabitants  were  in  amis  to  espouse  the  caose  of  the 
Combined  Powers. 

The  French  Commander  found  it  necessaiy  to  rest  his 
army,  that  it  might  meet  a  fresh  body  of  Bfissi^ns  adnmo- 
ing  towards  Swabia,  under  General  Bimsi  Kprsakow; 
Massena  fortified  his  right  wing,  under  General  Iie<>oiiii>e» 
taking  care  npt  to  weaken  bis  centre  before  Zorich,  nor 
his  left.  On  the  12th  of  August  Massena  attacked  the 
Archduke's  position  with  the  left  wii^  of  has  amy,  near 
Baden.  Next  day,  in  a  fog,  he  sent  a  oolnnm  acroea  tho 
JLinunat,  which  carried  one  of  the  main  guards,  «id  cn-> 
tered  the  camp  of  the  cavalry.  The  republicans  pushed 
forward,  and  penetrated  to  the  rear  of  the  Archduke's 
line. 

The  French  were  taken  in  flank  by  two  batteries,  and 
found  it  necessary  to  act  on  the  defensive.  Hie  Swiss  of 
both  parties  were  engaged,  and  attacked  each  other  with 
the  most  determined  fury.  Massena  withdrew  to  the  left 
side  of  the  Ldmmat,  .and  the  centres  of  the  contending 
armies  resumed  their  former  positions.  The  columns  of 
the  French  right,  amounting  to  about  80,000  men,  di- 
rected their  march  against  the  chief  posts  of  the  Austrians. 

Lecourbe  proceeded  up  the  Lake  of  Lnc«rne,  to  eoa* 
tribute  to  the  attack  upon  Altorf,  which  he  cmnmitted  to 
General  Person.  Some  of  the  troops  for  this  expeditiott 
took  the  route  to  Seedorf,  and  the  remainder  to  Attii^ 
hausen,  where  some  bloody  engagements  were  fought 
and  at  Fluelen,  near  the  chapel  of  William  Tell.  Gene- 
ral Simpscheo  eTae.uated  Altorf  in  the  eveming,  and  re- 

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AK&  WA%%  OW  EUHOPi;*  62m 


Tb«  FMMh  aCtaok  lh»  P«Mt  of  iht  Dfi¥W%  BfiAge. 


treated  idien  he  bad  deatroyed  tha  bridges  od  tbe  Reuss. 
General  Lpieen  reached  Waieo^  aftw  a  dtfflsult  inarch 
aerost  quantities  of  ice  apd  aaAw« 
I  General  Lecourbe  determined  to  ascend  the  Reass,  and 
get  before  General)  I^oiaoa.  He  continued  his  jcoutc,  «nd 
as  hfi  theugit  it  inqpitaotieable  to  turn  the  passage  of  the 
Pierced  Rook,  hei  resalved  tQ  ibroc  the  passage  of  tbe 
])e?fl'ii  Bridge^  across  the  Reass,  twentj  miles  south  of 
Altorf.  He  attacked  the  Auatrians  by  four  in  t)^ 
noon»  vho  fell  hack  ta  their  entreticbptents  at  ^ 
Be«ii's  Bridge,  flasked  by  the  im^t^  0f  the  Keuss  %vA 
inaccessible  mountains,.  The  Frenoh  v#re  at  tha  head  pf 
the  bridge,  aad  pursiied  tht  Austrian^  expecting  i^  pass 
it  along  irith  tbevn,  bat  the.  bridg!»  gikve  ^99,  ^^d  a  fhaso^ 
af  fifty  feet  obliged  them  to  return^  expend  to  a  tre^ 
■lehdotts  fire  from  tbe  <^ppoaile  lade.  The  bridge  Kraa 
repaired  duriag  the  nigbt»  and  on  thf  next  ipoming 
General  Gaudin  appeared  on  the  right  qf  it,  having  de* 
soeaded  by  >fae  talley  of  Urseren.  Tbe  Austrian^  reitisted 
the  Republicans  with  the  most  delennined  bravery. 

Lecourbe  vas  master  of  Si<  Gpth^rd  and  tbe  whole 
coarse  of  tbe  Reuse  in  forty-eight  bo^rs,  when  General 
Tureaa*8  division  drove  the  iiustrians  beyond  the  Sempe* 
leu  with  great  loss.  The  Austrian  army  began  to  rally 
on  tbe  mountains  of  Crispalt,  from  whence  they  could 
easily  descend  ipto  the  valley  of  the  Rhiqe ;  and  tbey 
hhicked  up  tbe  entrance  into  tbe  Grisons  by  the  sources 
of  that  river.  As  General  iiecourbe  thought  that  the 
Austrittis  would  strengthen  themselves  in  this  position^ 
he  omrched  after  their  juneti<tti  towards  the  Lake  oi  Ober 
Alp>  and  carried  the  dffieqlt  defile  on  the  iray  to  Disen'* 
tist  defended  by  three  bfittalioas  of  Kerpen^  Tliis  en- 
gagemsnt  was  very  sangufaiary»   t}ie  hostile   generals 

VOL.  1. — NO.  28.  3  Y  "* 

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530      HISTORY  OF   NAPOLEON  BONAPARTE, 


Suwarrow  pretsct  the  Sie^  of  Toitooa. 


charg;ed  at  the  bead  of  their  respeofiTe  columns ;  tb 
regiment  of  Kerpea  wa3  at  last  eompeUed  to  yield  to  tho 
Republicans,  and  only  a  sisall  part  of  it  made  good  iU 
retreat  to  Disentis. 

.  The  Archduke  prepared  to  streDgtheii  his  left  wing, 
and  brought  up  the  first  RnssiaA  colimiiis  to  be  engaged 
without  being  permitted  to  rest.  To  draw  the  attention 
of  MassenaoD  the  left,  be  began  to  constnicttvo  bridges^ 
but  the  rocky  bottom  of  the  Aar  rendered  this  measore 
impracticable.  The  first  divinon  of  the  Russians,  under 
General  Hotze,  marehed  upon  Regeapurg  oo  the  Itfth 
to  stop  tbe  progress  of  the  French. 

Both  sides  were  now  preparing  to  act  whh  more 
vigour  than  ever.  Suwarrow,  in  Italy,  would  leave  no 
place  behind  him  unoccupied,  and  get  possession  of  the 
flat  country  ;  he  pressed  the  siege  of  Tortona,  blockaded 
Coni,  and  kept  a  watchful  eye  on  the  Republican  posts 
at  the'eutranee  of  the  defiles  of  the  Appcnines.  General 
Klenau  made  himself  master  of  Sarzana,  Fort  Lerici,  and 
all  the  positions  on  tbe  Gulph  of 'Spezzia,  where  tbe  Re- 
publicans were  already  masters  of  Fort  St.  Maria.  All 
parts  of  the  allied  army  began  to  concentrate,  when  the 
arrival  of  the  army  under  General  Kray  was  expected ; 
and  the  capture  of  the  citadel  of  Tortona  was  to  be  the 
signal  of  future  operations. 

Joubert  was  to  descend  the  Appenines,  to  bring  Savar- 
row  to  engage  him  which  was  to  be  favoured  by  som» 
corps  of  the  army  of  the  Alps,  now  commanded  by  Cham- 
pionnet,  who  haO  bafiled  aH  the  calamnies  of  the  oU 
Directory.  Massena,  in  Switzerland,  was  to  engage  the 
left  wing  of  the  Austrian  army,  and  force  it  to  abandon 
the  small  cantons  and  St.  Gothard,  to  force  the  Arch- 
duke to  come  to  the  aii}  of  General  Stzarray,  or  prevent 


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AN0  WARS  OF  EUROPE.  531 

Cknend  Joobert  nortally  wonoded. 


bim  from  reoeiTu^  reinforcements  by  th^  way  of  Swa>- 
bia*  Tins  formed  th^  plim  jof  attack  from  Schaffhsiusea 
lo  tbe '  MediterraneMi* 

^  The  RepubKcans  oiade  an  attack  on  the  troops  under 
(Seneral  Bellegarde»  -who  were  in  possession  of  Trezzo 
and.Bestanga  before  Aqoi.  General  Jonbert  was  deter- 
mined to  follow  the  course  <)f  Uie  mountains,  jaud  march 
directly  against  Tortona.  This  Suwarrow  could  not  pre- 
vent, unless  he  could  ^drive  the  Republican  army  from 
their  posiGoD,  which  he  resolved  to  attempt  without  loss 
of  timcy  and  commenced  his  attack  on  the  16th  of  August. 
The  right  wing,  under  General  Kray/ began  the  bloody 
action,  who  directed  all  his  force  against  the  lelt  wing  of 
the  French,  where  General.  Joubert  commanded. 

This  gallant  oflScer  was  mortally  wounded,  whife  head*- 
ing  and  animating  the  infantry  by  his  presence,  who 
were  enthusiastically  exclaiming,  **  Forward  !  forvrard  !'* 
and  General  Joubert,  to  whose  military  talents  and  ch%- 
ncter  every  party  in  France  did  justice,  exclaimed  with 
his  expiring  breath,  ''  Forward  !  forward !"  Novi,  nine 
miles  firom  Tortona,  was  attempted  to  be  turned  by 
General  Kray,  and  attficked  in  front  by  the  Russian  com- 
"mander,  Bagration  ;  but  their  united  assaults  were  ine^ 
fectual,  when  Derfelden  and  Melas  were  commanded  to 
attack,  the'pne  by  the  road  of  Novi,  and  the  other  by  the 
left  side  of  the  Scrivia ;  this  proved  abortive,  since  the 
Russian  conunander,  Derfelden,  found  he  could  not 
gain  the  heights  to  the  left  of  Novi. 

All  were  now  dosely  engaged,  and  the  slaughter  was 
prodigious.  General  Kray  was  driven  back  about  three 
in  the  afternoon  with  great  loss ;  this  determined  Suwar^ 
row  to  attack  the  heights  of  Novi  with  the  forces  under 
Derfelden,  Bagration^  and  Milloradewitch  ;  but  such  wjss 
3  If  2 


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532      HISTORY   OP  itkPGL^m   *C«A#ARTE, 


Dreadful  STrti^itiFr'Kt^he  tkttHt^tVt^l 


the  opposition  iX  ike  Bief)«blioaiii»»  thii  tbqr  ^oM  wA 
be  tnaae  to  tibtodoa  ^k  }fioMim.  TheifflitRof  tk 
combined  army  was  nearly  annihilmod  iiy  fc  cbiigtf 
df  thfe  Fr^ttch,  -whidh*^f<M>i)  MfBteiaMl4iyfloiwh>wjritk 
flat  ferodofcn  thi«  of  oooiagt  fbr  ^tOttch  1*  hbs  a^ 
nWk^re  through  lUb.  3f«lrea«1M>k>tto*<ibirf!«««Da' 
^et>  'dib  dettth  ^T  MtAn^t,  lot  (OMiiiyuMMd  IuimV ^9 
Ms  j)^hspDUl  bravcfry. 

Oerteral  Selfls,  with  «ic  teft  Wlhgf,  tciched  Ite  W 
heights  QlfNdw/cin  the  ^e  tf>Bc«CbIa^  ^rithlhb  ^visifli 
tif  IProlicb  h^^  engaj^^S^e  tight  «dtik  «f  tte  F^focb,  "^li^" 
Oeh^era]1Jungnanwas'woim4«d^G^dMMfet]if^  "■ 
t^rinee  df  LkOitcmslein  was  iMNl^M'to  ui».f«s8MS»> 
pr  whaterMr'poinls'beiBigbtdeeei  <)r^a4Mita9e.  fl^li^ 
ittacSwed  the  post  6f  Novi  at  «ve  hi  Yfab  J«?«iiittgr*  f^ 
which  had  paused  the  cfihsi^m  cif    as  taobh  >bl#0dr  ^ 

>  wbrch  M onpau  had  ^eioibkoed  %o  cov^'Ms^MNtft,  fisA 

^  lie  now  «aV  was  inevMbte  ;  but  MrWdh  hto  tijH  wtftswsw- 

•pKsh  •^tiJl  be  "^^as  nesd^ly  surrounded.    The  co»»w"* 

iion  with»6aTi  was  cnt*o^  »by<the  JVioce  of  JU«*W»**' 

^0  that  the -Prc^b^EMBfyoonld  only «i»^tr«iit%y^^d^ 

The  fetifeat  'wwcontfudM  <^«h  •ooWiAH^b''*'* 

!  l)Utthe  tG^^hig%lpefeed  wp  |iy  ^tbe  wrtlltoy ^n V*** 

ihrongfh  l^brano,  fte'rea^•gusltd  was'flMWi  ^^* 
fusion,   and  piiirstned  "by  ^6ene»ai  •KanMAay*    ^^ 

f  pfforts  wer«  mailfe  >tb  ^ly  the  ronrrgf^scrii,  *«t  «fttfcoilt 

efreet,  add  nigUt  ilbhe  4Ablbea  the  lOOifltet 

The  battle  of  Noti  *ft  •2*,«(W -t<<to  ^««i«l  '^P?** 
field,  including  bcWhsides,  ^3  thfe«=rtcttfiy  ^^  ^fj*t 
clsiye'tjll  Mclas  had'ttfriif^d'tlte  right  wing  of^^^ 

I  '^je.^r<jnch  army  was  purso^  by  JOeaeral  Kart^"^' 

who  becRTue  master  pPthe'field 'Htmtfy'Htt^^^^^'^'* 

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AND  WABS  or  BVKOPB.  533 

Tonmm  ■atw4<rt4o  Suvanwv. 

If^roM  took  .pofl9eaiioB  4>f  the  Bed  M^HMtaJD,  to  favonpr 
Iris  retveat;  and  the  AqiiiblioMi' aimy  jraiUM  and  ff»- 
smned  its  Ibnner  poailMiM.  Mweeaii  jrepaked  to  GeBOi^ 
4iid  urged  CbanpiaiMiet  to  take:  upon  kia  .  1|ie  oommand 
<tf  ;tha  array.  The  victory  of  Novi  waa  asovibed  to  Melaa 
kgr  Geoieral  Sumanom^  which  wiHdo  koooar  to  kii 
Mieniory,  as  k  pftavea  ke  knew  kow  to  give  mUilaiy 
«erit  ila  jutft  tribiito  of  qpplaove  ;  yet  tkejNurt  he  took 
in  the  batUo  wattkongkt  ao  iiigkly  konoiirakle,  that  k^ 
Wereig^  oonfcned  ott  kim  4ke  taniaine  llaluky  upM 
the  occaaoa. 

Tlie  citadel  of  Tortona  agreed  to  a  capitalation,  so 
that  the  place  ahooU.not  be  giveo  ^p  for  ten  days  from 
its  surrender,  unless  it  should  be  relieved  during  that 
period.  The  situation  of  Genoa  was  more  alarming  ;  and 
Klenau,  who  was  master  of  Fort  St.  Maria,  and  Sistri-di  - 
livante,  proceeded  on  that  aide,  while  Adnural  N#lson 
blockaded  ike  povt  Afiunine  was . experienced  ky  4ke' 
inhabitants.;  imX  4he  French  did  not  abwdco  «this  .onfbr- 
'tonate  Aity  dnniig  the  waia  in  Italy. 
^t.  The  aflkirs  -of  Smloeriand  made  the  onmander  in 
chief  send  reinfoicemeoto  to  that  quarter.  The  first 
column  of  Sussinmi,  under  Geaerel  fiosenbei^;;  ioA  the 
rottto  by  Norarro,  intending  to  pasft  'St.  Ootbard  by  ike 
w^y  of  BeUinnone.  We  may-si^ose  that  Morean  had 
notice  of  this  movBaient»  for  he  left  his  position  .the  Aext 
day,  at  the  head  o(  35,000  jnen,  divided  mto  three 
columns,  the  first  of  whiok  was  directod  against  Acyui, 
and  the  two  others  against  Ndvi  and  Sermvalla.  Kniy 
•met  ihim  with  his  toft  and  part  of  the  centre  division,  a 
desperate  engagement  took  plaoe,  which  ended  in  the 
def<;at  of  the  Republicans,  and  Moreao  resumed  his  for- 
mer positions.    The  citadel  of  Tortona  surrendered  to 

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534      HISTOHV    UP   KAI»OLEON    BONAPARTE, 


(i«iieral  Moieau  aftpotnl^tf  io  eommam4*tht  Freocb  Army. 


{Sifwarmw  *<Hi  tlie  1  lib  of-  Septemben  who  hating  ek- 
pfessfd  his  grlititnde  t#  the  Atisbrian  geberak*  set  out  for 
'8 trftiif'rfhind  -with  4lie  »R«*iian  rear'^oard. 
•  Siiwft^row-s  army  in  'Italy  did  n^t  e^ccced  90,000^  aW 
tfmuglt  it  bad  a  relivforcetaent  of  about  lO^QOC^  neu  in 
*ll)e  beg^mning  of  SvAy.    The  army    od   its    inarch 
'Joined  by  Su  war  row,  who  made  every  preparation  for  \ 
attack  npoD  St.  Gothard,  and  to  joia  the  Inperial 
maodersy  Auflenberg  aad  JeUachicb,  who  were  roasters  of 
the  frontiers  of  the  Grisons  and  the  small  canloDs,  ^PP^ 
site  to  the  advanced  guards  of  General  Lecoarbe. 

CHAPTER  X>lIT. 

TfiE  troops  to  form  the  army  of  the  Rkiue,  were  to  be 
commanded  by  General  Moreau,  but  were  under  General 
Mnller,  until  he  arrived.  Mailer's  head-qaarters  were 
at  Manhcim  on  the  95(h  of  August,  bisftdvanoed  goard 
moving  to  Ileidetberg  and  Scliew^tzingen.  fie  issued  a 
manifesto  to  the  anny,  ordering  them  \o  regard  property 
.which  had  been  too  often  violated;  and  this  was  followed 
by  one  to  the  inhabitants,  tirgtng  tbem  to  beware  of  tak- 
ing up  arms  against  the  Republicans,  if  they  'wished  to 
'  find  them  friends.  He  then  proceeded  to  Sdiewetaos- 
gen,  and  from  thence  to  Wisloch,  and  forced  the  hussars, 
under  General  Szechler,  to  abandon  Heidelberg,  of  whidi 
he  instantly  took  possession. 

\N'hon  the  Archduke  was  acquainted  with  the  move- 
ments of  the  Republicans  in  Swabia,  be  sent  eight  bat- 
talions of  Austrian  infantry,  part  of  whom  took  the  route 
lo  Villcugpn,  axid  tlie  remainder  by  the  way  of  the  Bris- 


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AHD  WARS   0¥   EUROPE.  535 

Tlie  MilitU  joiB  the  Amtrtan  Array. 


gaw.  Tills  aid  was  the  more  impoyrtant  'by  the  xising  q£ 
the  p^&asaats  and  the  bnd-stami,  to'  which  they  had  becoa 
invked  by  the  Elector  of  Mentz,  who  ui;ged  tbeaa  to  de^ 
fend  their  own  houses  against  the  Qomvion  etiemy.  Tba 
Baron  d'Aibini  was.at  thejhead  of  the  .land-stumi,  and 
the  armed  peasants  uniting  with  the  Austrian  tioops,  de- 
feated the  Rqpubifcans ',  in  the  vicinity  of  Seligenstadt: 
The  Elector  gave  them  the  pay  of  soldiers,  which]  he 
wduld  continue  till  it  was-  prudent  to  disband  them. 

The  Aostffians  thus  received  such  fo/ce  .as  they  had 
before  solicited  ia  vain;  and  tlie  couragye  of  the  country 
people  was.  equal,  to  their  terror  on  a  former  occasion, 
and  produced  about  30,000  men.  This  new-iaised  army 
crossed  the  Maine  at  Frankfort,  and  meuaced  the^^ity  of 
Mentz. 

The  territory  of  the  Landgrave  of  Darmstadt  was  re- 
spected, while  he  was  &khfaI.to  bis  stipulations,  and 
streni^thened  the  garrison  of  Darmstadt  to  preserve  neV 
trality.  Muller  found  he  had  18,000  men,  with  them  he 
invested  Philipsburgh,  and  had  a  bridge  of  boats  from 
Mentz,  to  secure  his  retreat.  On  the  7th  he  bombarded 
Philipsburgh«  which  was  defended  by  tho  Rhingrave  of 
Salm  and  an  Austrian  garrison. 

Prince  Charles  had  his  bead-quarters  at  <Donawscbin* 
gen,  from  whence  General  Stzarray  proceeded  to  the 
relief  of  Philipsburgh.  This  was  meant  to  protect  Swabia, 
and  check  the  progress  of  the  French  on  the  right  of  the 
Rhine  ;  but,  though  the  AlKes  were  successful  during 
the  campaign,  they  couU  not  rise  above  the  narrow 
spirit  that  had  been  fatal  to  them  during  the  whole  war; 
iu  place  of  sending  new  supplies  to  meet  the  French, 
they  strengthened  one  frontier  by  weakening  another. 
General  Kray  received  orders  to  retrograde  with  the 

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^a36     filSTORT  OF  RAVOLCOSr  BOKAPARTE, 


BspeditlM  afiimt  HottMd.^p<ped, 


J  Mier  li»  coMMid  ;  this*  widiihe  Ruaaan  jnni- 

liarie^ki  Swkae*Hid>  tbose  of  tiit  Prince  of  GoftAe,  aad 
Hw  loipcdat  army  anier  the  At ohduk*  ia  &w»hia^  fci»- 
««  a  g«?at  bam«roA  the  RUne;  but  tbe  farcca  of  Md» 
Jwere  waUoto  nnke  a  standi  mach  lesa  to  acl  offcaaiefolf 
Bgainai  tt^  iooreasiag  French  anay» 
:    jkn  espeditkm  wa»  concerted  Jbetwee^ji  England  aad 
fKu96ia,  and  the  oonmiand  giwn  to  Sif  Ralph  Ahercfesa- 
bic.    TwcWe  battaBons  and  »ome  cavahy  weie  collected 
at  Soath^mptoii.    It  was  peihaps  n^asible  to  keep  this 
matter  entirelj  a  eecret ;  but  it  was  well  kaowa  to  the 
French  governmeiit  beSwe    it  was  ripe  for  exeetOkm. 
The  points  of  attack  were  however  concealed  :  varioos 
were  the  places  pointed  out  as  the  objects  of  its  desti- 
oation.      Zealand  seemed    to   be    threatened,    and   tbe 
months  of  the  Mouse  and  Scheldt ;  while  others  tkongfat 
the  Bussiami  would  enter  hj  the  Weser  and  tbe  Eras  inte 
West  Friesland  and  Gronmgen.    This  opinion  wus  con- 
firmed by  forming  magazines  at  Bremen,  and  having  ths 
officers  of  tbe  former  Dutch  government  meet  at  lingen. 
Admiral  Mitchell  sailed  from  the  downs  with  about  130 
transports,  containing  the  first  division  of  the  armv :  the 
second  was  commanded  by  tbe  Duke  of  York,  as  Gene- 
raHssimo;  hnt  to  remain  at  Margate  tiH  news  arrived  of 
the  first  dif  iston  bavmg  landed.    This  army  of  the  Duke 
'   of  York  was  about  45,000  men,  British  and  Russians. 
The  naval  force  of  the  Dutch  at  that  tune  was  nine  ssH 
of  the  line,  under  Admhral  Stoiy,  at  the  Texel.     BroDt 
was    the    commander-in-chief;   and    he    provided    lor 
the  defence  of  Zealand,  where  he  expected  tbe  attack 
would  be  made.    On  the  19th  of  August  the  British 
fleet  appeared  on  the  coast  of  North  Holland.    Ad- 
mirid  Story  was  snaononed  to  svrrender,  and  acfcnov* 

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AK0  wAks  of  £uROPt!.  537 


The  Dutch  fleet  hoftlEf'tlie  Onnge  Flar* 


ledge  the  Prince  of  Orange  as  supreme  of  the  coantry  : 
he  refased  to  comply^  as  did  also  the  officer  in  command 
at  the  Helder^  when  summoned  by  General  Abercrom- 
bic.  Next  morning  the  grenadiers  and  light  inftmtry 
were  landed  ;  Genieral  DaendeVs  came  np  with  and  en- 
gaged them;  The  British  vangaard  was  successfid : 
their  loss,  however,  was  abont  1000  killed  and  wounded.  > 

The  British  fleet  entered  the  Texel^  and  got  possession 
of  the  anchorage,  to  which  Admiral  Story  had  retired. 
Admiral  Mitchell  commanded  him  to  hoist  the  Orange 
flag^  Story  gave  the  signd  to  pitepare  for  action,  when 
the  «crews  threw  the  cartridges  and  balls  into  the  sea* 
Story  declared  himself  and  his  officers  prisoners  of  Irar^ 
after  condemning  his  diflerent  crews,  and  protesting  his 
attachment  to  the  Republic.  The  orange  flag  was 
hoisted  by  the  Dutch  fleet;  several  -vessels,*  besides  those 
under  Story,  were  captured  in  the  TexeL  General  Abeiw 
crombie  asked  for  a  passport  to  send  Geileral  Don  as 
)})enipotentiary  to  the  Hague  ;  but  this  was  refused^  and 
he  was  desired  to  state  his  wishes  in  writing. 

Troops  under  General  Dumoneean  marched  through 
Amsterdam,  while  ethers  filed  ofi^  towards  Alkmaer'  by 
way  of%mont:  all  the  inhabitants  were  in  arms,  imd 
/iie  complement  raised  generally  exceeded  the  requisition 
by  three  or  four  tunes  the  number.  General  Bruno 
pushed  on  the  French  ^d  Batav  Ian  division  as  near  as 
possible  to  the  advanced  guard  of  the  British.  No  sop* 
^  plies  had  arrived  from  England,  except  about  6000  men 
under  General  Don,  The  Russians  had  gone  to  Yar- 
mouth, and  were  detained  by  contrary  winds,  as  also 
were  the  qavahry,  md  the  Duke  of  York  and  General 
Abererombie  had  about  17,000  men,  while  Bruno's  army 

VOL.  I— NO.  23.  3  z 


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53ft      HISTORY  OF  NAFOLBOK  ACmAPARTS, 


The  D«ke  o<  York  9xnwt%  t  tlie  T«nt. 


was  iBcreased  to  35|000»  aad  remftinacMeiits  ivere  m 
their  nuifch  fton  the  Low  Geiiiitries.  « 

Tiie  RepiiblicBUfl  narohedtft  «ttack  the  British:  tbt 
tonlefit  was  furknis  :  the  right  wug  ww  thrown  into  im^ 
order  by  the  OraagistB  wmoog  them  ehoutiiig  oQt,  *'  Swam 
who  can»  we  are  eurroiiDded  !'*  This  induced  A/e  grea^ 
er  pert  of  DaendePs  akvij  to  betake  themselfos  t»  Ai§ht 
They  resumed  their  ferm«r  pofitioB ;  and  GSvncIni 
Brone  ^commanded  ,lhe  authors  of  the  rente  to  be  UM 
by  a  court  aiarliai. 

The  Duke  <^  Yorit  sailed  tnom  Taimonthlhe  day  lb 
lait  mentioned  battle  was  fought.  The  Prmoe  ef  Onmft 
made  a  feigwed  attack  on  two  points  of  Oferysael,  dii* 
taat  from  each  other :  he  sammooed  CSoovordoiiy  waA 
anvched  on  to  Amheim  ;  but  his  endeavoars  irere  inflf^ 
fbotual  and  bis  manifesto  prooured  no  peisoim  ho  joii 
him ;  he  therefore  left  that  aeighboariiood  to  join  the 
army  of  the  Duke  of  York. 

General  Bnme  kept  Oenend  Ahevevombie  oonfined .  is 
his  strong  posi^  :  a^  severe  action  look  place,  when  the 
British  were  obliged  to  abandon  their  lines ;  at  this  mo- 
ment Ote  Duke  of  York  arrived  at  the  TexeU  and  disem- 
bari{:ed  his  troops.  Thirteen  thonssad  Bmisiaiis  arriTed 
in  two  days  afterwards^  who  were  ordered  to  take  post 
an  Ifae  right  of  the  line. 

The  combined  army  amonnted  to  85^000  men.  Hn 
Bioyal  Highness  was  mduced  to  attack  Ae  (Vench  before 
it  received  the  expected  reinforcements  from  the  Low 
Countries  :  the  battle  commenced  on  the  IMl  ^f  Septooh 
ber»  at  dawn  of  day»  along  the  whole  Hoe.  The  Sns- 
sians  forced  Vandamme's  division  to  retreat,  and  ad- 
vanced to  within  half  a  leagae  of  Alfcmaer  ^  bat  baviaf 


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Mf>  WARS  OF  EUROPE.  6S9 

Detpcimle  btCtiM  between  the  French  and  Engliihi 

peahed  tee  far,  ^tj  w^e  suMenly  attaeked  en  betb- 
flanl^.  ▼aadkflMBe  engaged  ihe  Rassiaiis  with  Ae  l^yo- 
mtp  and  retook  the  villi^e  ef  Bergen.  The  Raesiana 
fbogkt  like  men  in  despur:  their  general/ Herman,  was 
made  prisoner ;  and  Cteneral  Essen,  seeoQd  in  command, 
desperately  womided.  C^neral  Daendela  fboght  bo-> 
Borably  most  of  the  day,  till  he  was  obliged  to  abandpn 
lus  position  with  great  loss.  The  combined  army  took 
its  former  position  at  tiie  3yp ;  ^s  enabled  General 
Bmne  to  re^ccnpy  the  posts  he  had  before  the  engage* 
meat 

About  serenty  French  gun4ioats  having  airived  from 
BonkifkL  by  the  eanab,  the  entrance  ilrom  the  Zayder* 
Zee  to  Amstordam  was  to  be  defended.  The  hostile  ar- 
mies were  etery  day  more  formidable,  each  receiving 
reinforoemeBts.  A  rear  gnord  of  Russians  of  more  than 
moo  men  landed,  and  a  French  demi^brigade  marched 
through  Amsterdam  to  Alkmaer. . 

The  Duke  of  Toik  attacked  the  enemy  on  the  Sd  of 
October,  in  which  he  was  snccessfhlf  There  was  much 
hard  ftghting,  and  great  opposition,  but  the  British  were 
ftt  length  Tjctorions.  When  Ihey  had  defeated  the 
IVench  and  Butch,  they  threatened  Amsterdun,  from 
wUch  they  were  at  no  great  distance  with  their  left.;  the 
armies  rested  for  two  days,  but  on  the  third  the  enemy's 
l&ie  was  attacked  by  the  Iktke  of  Tpik.  Some  ad  van-' 
tages  were  gained  in  flie  second  attack  by  the  British  and 
Russians ;  but  fortune  changed,  and  Brune  charged 
them  widi  his  cavahry,  and  broke  their  Hue,  and  drove 
them  back  with  great  loss.  The  battle  raged  till  even* 
ing.  The  Duke  of  York  called  a  council  of  war,  when 
it  was  resolved  to  wait  the  ultimatum  of  his  Britannic 
Majesty.    The  Anglo  Russians  abandoned  several  places 

3  2  2  n        } 

Digitized  ti^  VjOOQIC 


'540     HISTORY  OP  NAPOLEON   BONAPARTE, 

The  British  Army  evacaate  Holland. 

after  destroying  the  dock  yards,  East-India  Compau/f 
ves^Is,  and  qll  public  pri^erty  that  came  in  their  way. 
The  ships  of  war  and  their  crews  were  ^nt  to  England! 
Daendels  closed  uppn  their  rear,  and  opciipied  the  post 
they  were  pblig^d  to  abandon.  Duqponceaa  giMned  poa- 
sessioQ  of  the  Zea-dylLc,  in  whifh  the  British  b^  i|>ad^ 
an  opening  of  19  feet,  a  defpnce^  they  were  forced  to 
make. 

The  Duke  of  York  sent  a  flag  of  trupe  to  General 
Brune*  to  capituUite^  and  Generals  Knox  and  Rostelkn 
were  to  draw  up  the  articles.  His  Royal  Highness  wrote 
that  ho^tilitif^  had  ceased,  and  that  the* combined  troops 
were  tQ  return  to  their  cpuntries  witl^out  niplestati<|B : 
tbb  was  owing  to  (he  Dul^e  of  York  having  kept  p^sea* 
sioD  of  t)ie  dykeSy  so  that  he  pould  have  innndated  tke 
country.  The. loss  of  the  British  and  Russians  was  esti* 
mated  at  15,000  killed  and  wounded.  *         *  , 

To  balance  this*  aSbir»  Surinam,  the  last  of  the  Dutch 
colonies  of  value,  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  English  with- 
out opposition, 

t  MuUer  encaipped  before  3|anheiqi«  on  the  north  ude  ef 
the  Neckar  river,  a^er  h^s  artillery  and  baggage  had 
passed  the  ^ine.  T^  troops  divided  when  th^y  readied 
the  Rhine  ;  6000  men  going  north,  by  tl^e  way  of  Meats, 
Iff  bile  another  divisipn  took  the  route  to  Spi^  and  Ger- 
mesheim,  five  miles  ^m  Philipsburgh.  A  rear  guaid  ^ 
.OOOOmen,  under  GeineralLaroche,  cbntiuued  entrenched 
a^  Manbeim.  The  Arcfad||^b-  cctUe^d  about  25,000 
ipen  vfL  the  plains  of  the  lifeckar,  on  the  l^tl)  of  Septem- 
ber, and  attacked  the  ene«a^  with  the  forces  of  ^tzarry 
and  Kospeth.  These  were  driveii  back  at  first ;  bat  a 
s^ond  assault  decided  the  contest,  aud  a  redoubt  op  the 
right  side  of  the  Neckar  was  carried,  and  all  the  eii- 
trencbments. 


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AND  WimS  OF  EVROPS.  {^41 

ttenenl  Snwanow  enten  Switserliui^ 


Aft  the  artillery  of  the  Aastrians  bad  taktii  positions  f^i 
the  banks  of  tlie  river»  which  commaaded  the  bridge  of 
boats,  the  Republicans  coold  not  make  good  ^eir  [re^ 
treat ;  the  gates  of  Seckenbeim  were  forced  open  and 
more  than  one  half  pf  Laroche's  diviaioa  were  made  pri» 
MHiers,  after  losing  nearly  the  whole  of  Ihe  remainder. 
Succeasfhl  here,  the  Archduke  went  to  Schwetongen^ 
tfailn  which  no  place  was  oftener  taken  and  retaken  during 
the  war.  Both  sides  of  the  Maine  were  in  the  possession 
of  4fae  Archduke.  The  head-quarters  of  the  nuUtiafiurr 
Bished  by  Mentz  was  at  Hochst ;  and  every  exertion  wa« 
employed  to  hasten  the  arrival  of  pontomis,  to  cross  the 
Rhine,  the  Archduke  coUecting  the  Aqatriaa  army  and 
that  of  the  empire*  « 

As  it  seemed  uncertain  where, his  Boyal  Highness 
would  sfttenqpt  the  pasftage  of  the  Bhioe  ;  and  as  Mnller 
could  not  understand  Us  designs,  he  protected  Menta» 
fixed  his  head-quarters  at  Oorkheim,  18  ^nles  fironi 
MentZp  and  declined  all  commnnicfition  with  the  posts  am 
the  right  side  of  the  rirer* 

I  Suwarrowgained  the  post  of  Airolo,  at  the  entrance  of 
St.  €lothard^  on  the  17th  of  September,  and  the  next  dqr 
got  possession  of  the  pass  of  St  Gothard*  Aufifenbeiy  de-  * 
scended  with  the  troops  aader  his  conuaand  into  the  val- 
ley of  the  Beuss,  to  join  SuwvrpW  at  Steig.    Hie  en-> 
«trance.of  this  old  warrior  into  Switaerland  was  admirably 
etecnted,  imd  was  the  more  remarkable,  as  his  officers 
and  men  were  not  mi|ch  uped   to  fight  aii|ong  mounr   * 
tains. 

Hotse  commanded  the  Austrian  troops  in  Switzcr* 
landy  consisting  of  twenty-nine  battaUon^  and  four  regi- 
ments of  cavalry.  Having  been  forced  to  evacuate  Glar 
rts  and  Nesselsy  be  took  an  advantageous  position  behind 
the  Linthy  while  his  left  wing  cpvered  (be  entraace  intu 

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A4i      RISTOR^  Ol^  KAmLMX  BCmAPARTB, 


ntnmgib  or  me  eoanadlag  AnoiM* 


Hie  GriBons.  The  Rnflautts  etteaded  ^long  tho  Uup.af 
2Qriob«  and  the  LiiBnat,  a  ditHmae  of  about  86  wiW^ 
Gdaeral  Tarrean*  wHb  a  p«t  of  Mat— ^aJa  anay,  w«« 
M  tlH»  liglit  of  YaUab;  Laoowbe  im  «l  St  Ootbrnl, 
bvftre  ttearmdoT  SvwaiTOw  9  Baalt  Ma  at  Gbtis.wiU^ 
bia  firbioA ;  GemnA  Martiii'$  dirisioa  fibn  *at  »bc* 
to  DietikOB,  and  ibat  of  GMoral  Ixiffgeafrnin  tbonoa  Ui 
^adeii.  The  repttbUcUB  amy  amaqirtad  tp  MfiOfi  Q^en, 
«aetaiiTeor8O0OiD  the  Vbllais,  aadONOm  Basil  aiitbs 
Vtiakf,  botb  dMant  flkm  tfae-Mene  of  aodas.  Aftar  tl|» 
afrirri  of  Sawarrowtiie^  Gomlfo^d  Anny  aaioaiited  (% 

liocosrbe  |«6ieA  advaiitagaa  ovet  fliaiiietoy^  and  Una* 
^na  pressed  upon  tbeir  left  wing,  that  be.iiiigbtefir^tv* 
dly  ttCtaok  %f^  cefltre.  Lecottpbe  advaovad  fay  tbo  vai- 
Iby  ^  the  GrisoBs  wbieb  defended  tfie  Kae  pf  GtMnd 
Hotae;  The  RepoMicaft  Cfatef  prepared  Eht  a  geaoat 
aMSon ;  abd  the  neiVB  of  Bawarvoiv^  progmss  nwde  bim 
bttstea  bis  plans,  t»  pHft^t  tie  eneily  iirom  aating  Iba 
aame  scenes  on  his  right  wing,  wbiob  be  'waa  neiditatif 
ag«iiM1beleAbrtbe€^BibutedArmy.  The  poailuiaof 
Rotae  was  bigbly  advantageoiia )  and  Mesaaaai  deters 
mined,  if  possibto,  to  make  bhn  dl^andoM  it  at  tba  eoMH 
meimeemeBt  of  Aebftttb,  to  eat  off  bis  oommniiiaatiaa 
with  General  J^llocbieb,  and  preTeat  bis  junetian  widi 
Sawtfiww  by  tbo  eantaas  of  Scbweila  and  OUris.  Foa 
tfaiB  purpose^  Maasena  fe^ned  »  variety  of  maveasante  m 
the  Fricktbid  and  on  tbe  Aar ;  and  when  ha  bad  engaged 
the  attention  of  the  Allies  by  a  false  attack  against  Brook^ 
on  the  Aar,  General  Larges  was-ordeeadto  pass  tbaXim- 
mat  above  Bade^,  and  engage  (faa  Bossianp  o»  tfas  oppo* 
site  bank. 

The  dfvis'ion  of  Mortier,  and  the  reserve^  ander  Klem. 
ttMtrched  on  to  the  heights  of  Rege^rg,.  wp^twaid  of 

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AND   WkKS  01?  KUltOPR.  tiH 


The  Aepablieana  defeat  the  Allies. 


Zarick,  and  made  their  attack  in  f^ont  When  the  ac- 
tion wa$  to  commence,  Soalt  was  to  cross  the  liimniat, 
and  engage  the  advanced  posts  of  the  Imperialists.  Thift 
attack  threw  Hotee  into  Miistemation ;  when  hearing 
that'  the  French  had  passed  the  Limmat,  h^^  with  a  few 
officers  in  his  train,  preeeeded  to  reconnoitre  between 
Scheimis  and  Kaltbnn,  where  his  temerity  was  fatal  ta 
him,  for  his  party  was  surrounded*  amd  he  renained  dead 
on  the  field  of  battle.  This  was  a  great  loss  to  the  Com^ 
biaed  Powers  at  present,  sb  his  skftt  was  e«|«al  to  hia  ooa^ 
rage,  and  his  death  gave  mddi  pain  to  flM  AUies.  Bon 
at  Zurich,  he  was  perfectly  aoqnaiafted  with  tihat  difficult 
country,  and  perished  almost  at  home. 

Th«  Republic  foikiwed  up  tlMe  advanftaged  wMi  their 
usual  perseverance.  They  gained  Ih^  bridge  «f  Ormav, 
at  the  entrance  of  the  linth  hito  tt^  lake  of  Zurichb 
This  was  retaken  by  the  Prince  ^f^Wlifemberg,  bat  he 
could  not  maintain  it  against  the  French,  after  the  loss  of 
General  Hotae.  The  Prince's  division  was  defeated  by 
Soult.  The  left  wing,  under  Petrasoh^  after  the  fidl  of 
Hotze,  was  separated  from  the  centre,  and  the  left  ilai^k 
and  rear  unprotected.  Every  post  was  carried  by  Gene- 
ral Lorges,  the  camp  of  the  Russians  was  forced,  and 
they  driven  back  to  the  walls  of  Zurich.  Mortier  and 
Klein  carried  the  western  heights  widi  unoommon  bra- 
very ;  imd  the  Russians  defended  them  with  such  fury, 
that  the  number  of  slain  was  prodigious.  The  Republi- 
cans were  victorious,  and  gained  the  w4io(e  of  the  enemy's 
baggage  and  artillery.  The  rear  guwd  in  Zurich  refhsed 
to  surrender,  which  place'  was  carried  by  the.  FreoA 
sword  in  band. 

The  Republicans  being  masters  of  Zurich  and  both  rides 
of  the  lakegf  eontiBfued  to  pursue  the  Russians  and  Aus- 


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fi44      HirrORt  of  KAPOLEO]»  BCfKAPARTt! 

The  Alliet  retreat  acrou  the  Moautains. 

triaos  od  the  east  by  Su  GM,  on  the  Doith  by  SchalT- 
haaseii;  nor  could  the  AUe^  raUy^  or  take  any  post- 
lions  on  the  Thar;  bat  crossed  the  RUne,  and  placed  the 
Lake  ef  Constoice  between  them  and  the  Republicans. 
The  French  took  possession  of  Constance  and  Peterban- 
sen.  Suwafrow  forced  back  the  troops  of  Gaudin  as  tut 
as  Altorf/  but  he  iraa stopped  by  lioisdn  andothers,  who 
wtie  detached  for  that  purpose,  by  Lecourbe.  He  meant 
to  penetrate  tbe  right  wing  6f  the  French  anny»  to 
msurck  into  the  eaaton  of  Zimcb,  and  making  the  left 
wfog  of  Massena  iall  basck,  to  coQeet  befiire  him  the 
corps  which  had  been  defeated.^ 

Massena  set  out  to  assist  Lecourbe  with  16,000  men. 
Marshal  Linken  gained  soine  advantages  near  the  lake  of 
Wallelistadty  took  two  Republican  battalions^  and  tried 
to  favour  Suwarrow  by  the  centre  ;  but  not  being  able  to 
carry  on  a  communication  with  bis  right  or  left  wing,  he 
withdrew  into  the  Grisons.  Suwarrow  advanced  no  far- 
ther than  Brunnen,  two'  miles  southwest  of  Schwits,  when 
it  appeared  to  him  that  he  had  ventured  toor  far,  and 
would  not  hazard  a  general  action,^  Had  he  pushed  on 
to  Einsindin,  he  could  not  avoid  the  snare  laid  for  him  by 
Massena,  who  could  have  eut  off  his  retreat  from  tbe 
Orisons/ 

<.  The  Allies  did -not  make  this  retreat  without  great  loss, 
owing  to  the  passes  across  tbe  mountains,  and  the  rapid 
movements  of  thehr  pursuers.  Their  rear-guard  was  al- 
most cut  to  pieces  by  the  troops  of  Massena,  and  their 
wounded,  which  was  immense,  could  not  be  transported. 
Their  artillery  and  baggage  fell  into  the  hands  of  tbe  Re- 
publicans, and  the  Russian  general  had  a  narrow  escape 
of  being  made  prisonen 

Mq^sena  gave  orders  to.SooIt  to  march  agmnst  Rhei- 


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AND  WAEl  OF  tVUiiPE:  5JS 

■ '"''      '■'        I  .     »       ~  — 

The  AKbdoKe  boId«  a  Couodl  of  War. 


neck  at  the  bead  of  the  Lake  of  Constance,  to  secure  bis 
right  flank,  and  stop  the  Aastriani  forces  under  General 
Potrasch,  which  bad  crossed  the  Rheinthal,  and  retreated 
to  Feldkirch  and  Bregehtz.  He  passed  :along  the  army 
headed  in  person  the  divisions  before  Zurich,  and  met  the 
Allies  on  the  7th  of  October,  between  the  Thur  and  tiie 
Rhine,  which  they  were  obliged  to  recrdss;  after  their  ad- 
ranced  posts  were  defeated;  Constance  was  taken  no 
less  than  thre^  timeA  in  one  day,  a&d  at  last  remained 
wth  the  FfeacL  One  Inif  of  Switzerland,  all  the  Eastern 
pail  betweM  ihH  Buss  wd  the  Biune,  foraned  the  great 
theatre  of  aotitfn  ;  in  the' jpaoe  of  ninety  miles  there  was 
tMt  one  pass  that  wat  not  4li^>ated  by  pitehed  battles. 

Tlio  ArcUnke,  on  heading  the  battle  of  Zurich, 
inarched  with  the  greater  part  of  thd  troops,  leaving  a 
<Hifficaent  foYoe  to  coter  Philipsbuiy.  The  Priacevheld  a 
eonncil  of  war  at  Donaueschiiigea  oa  the  4th  of  October, 
and  a  few  days  afterwards  the  forces  of  Austria  entered 
Upper  Swabia  and  the  frontiers  of  Switzerland.  The 
Archduke  ordered  General  Nauendorf  to  take  a  position 
in  Uppef  Swabia^  and  obserre  the  side  of  the  Brisgaw. 
And  Suwanow  took  the  route  down  the  Bheii^thai  to 
FeUkircb,  and  rndt  the  Biissian  generals  at  lindau.  St. 
Oothaid  wiu  retaken  by  the  French,  who  threatened  to 
captniw  the  head-qiiarters  at  Coir«. 


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546       HISTI^RY  OF  Ktf  OLfiON  BOXAPARTE, 


Boospirte  tecretiy  letvot  Egypt 


CHAPTER  LXV. 


Europe  had  betn  spiffing  her  best  blood,  iritiiofit  beiii;^ 
able  to  ascertain  ai^  means  by  which  peace  eonid.be  ob- 
tained* The  AIBes  were  by  no  means  onited,  and  the 
French  were  tra^iqail,  though  far  from  setded.  Peace 
was  desirable  to  all  parties,  but  the  calnnets  seemed 
cursed  by  such  a  spirit  of  bfindness  that  none  could  do* 
cem  its  true  interest  Such  was  the  ease  whibt  Bona' 
parte  was  shut  up  at  Alexandria  ;  and  though  he  conld 
not  foresee  exactly  whether  peace  or  war  would  be  best 
for  his  interests,  it  was  evident  that  neither  his  interesti 
nor  his  views  would  be  promoted  by  a  defeat 

So  well  agreed  were  his  friends  on  this  point,  that  no 
dpubt  was  held  at  Paris,  that  if  he  but  knew  the  tx%t9 
state  of  ifaingSy  he  would  return  to  the  AiaX  of  govern- 
ment, and  recover  the  glory  of  France  and  add  much  to 
his  own.  He  collected  a  few  of  his  most  obsequious  fid- 
lowers,  and  quitted  Egypt  in  th^ir  company,  without  gir- 
ing  any  notice  of  his  design. 

\V}ien  he  had  resolved  to  return  to  France,  Bonaparte 
ordered  Admiral  6anteaura«  to  get  ready  for  sea  the  two 
frigates  that  lay  at  Alexandria ;  General  Henou  knew 
the  .secret  just  time  enough  to  inform  the  persons  who 
were  to  be  of  the  ptfrty  to  be  ready  to  aitmd  the  Gent- 
.ral ;  and,  on  the  S3d  of  Auguf  t,  at  one  o:clock,  says  Denon, 


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AND  WARS  OF  %UROPE.  547 

Hit  addreM  to  General  KMer. 


*''we  were  toM  tliat  Bonqraiie  waited  in  tbe  road  ;  an 
*'  hour  after  we  were  at  sea.'*  At  liis  departure,  the  Ge* 
neral  left  an  address  to  (be  amy. 

In  this,  he  stales,  that  in  coueqaence  of  news  from 
fiorope,  be  had  resohred  te  retoni  to  France ;  that  be 
leaTes  the  command  of  the  army  to  €kn«ral  Kkber ;  that 
it  grieres  him  to  paK  from  those  to  whom  he  is  so  tender- 
ly attached ;  bnt  it  is  only  for  a  short  time,  and  that  tbe 
Oeneral  be  leaves  at  their  head  is  in  iiiH  possession  of 
the  confidence  of  Govenunentand  himself, 
>    This  was  enclosed  in  a  letter  to  Gisneral  Kleber,  an- 
nexed to  which  he  sends  tbe  order  for  him  to  take  the 
eoiBinand ;  he  says,  his  apprehensions  lest  the  English 
fleet  should  again  appear  on  the  coast  makes  him  hasten 
bis  departure.    He  names  the  ofllcers  be  takes  with  him, 
and  says  be  trusts  to  be  in  Europe  before  the  beginning  of 
October.     He  tells  him  that  if  none  of  the  attempts  of 
government  to  reinforce  bim  should  succeed,  he  thinks  be 
nay  be  justified  in  making  a  peace  with  the  Ottoman . 
Porte,  even  though  the  evacuation  of  Egypt  should  be 
the  leading  article  ;  that  this,  however,  would  be  unfor- 
tunate, as  it  would  .certaialy  ere  kong  be  in  the  hands  of 
-some  other  European  powers  ;  be  desires  him  to  ns^  all 
the  authority  with  which  he  was  entrusted,  to  re<)uire  the 
Porte  to  separate  from  the  coalition,  to  grant  the  French 
tbe  commerce  of  the  Black  Sea,  to  free  lA  the  French 
who  are  in  confinement,  and  to  agree  to  a  suspension  of 
hostilities  for  six  months,  to  give  time  for  exchangiDg 
'ratifications  ;  be  names  the  officers  of  departments  who 
will  explain  matters  to  Inm,  and  recommends  Poussielgue 
as  chief  financier,  who  be  has  found  extremely  active.; 
-  he  sa^s  he  meant  to  have  attempted  a  new  system  of  tax-^ 
ation,  but  advises  \Am  to  be  cautious  on  that  head  «  he 

.4  A  2  r-        T  ' 

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548      HISTORY  OF  lrf|PW.B<m   BOKAPARTC, 


-  IMbm^  letier  to  tiic  DiMcCwf . 

says  ^ek  Aipi  of  «ir  inU  nake  tkek  appeaivaoe  that 
"wvktw,  and  bi  npBt  eodeavour  to  g^t  tc^tlMr  five  or 
six  hundred  Mamelake^f  m  as  to  by  htfiils.  on  tlMaii  and 
'  sand  tbeaa  off  ta  Fraaaa*  whara  tfaaj  will  acquire  tlie  munr 
BpfB  and  bng^aga  of  Franae,  and  ittfi^ra  to  Egypt  aa 
many  partisBans ;  ha  stataa  his  gtaat  lagiet  ^  laaving 
tiiMi,  but  thil  axtraonHnary  9^^^  which  hav»  lately 
taken  plaea  laake  him  risk  apitesap  tkrongk  the  one* 
lily's  sqnadrons ;  that  his  wi^has  sbaB  aver  be  witb  then 
and  that  he  wfll  da  whatoTerbe  aaa  (!»r  the  chUdftn  ba 
has  left  behind  kim* 

Gencnrak  IUeb«r  sefona  ta  hsfe  felt  macfa  Mignalio^ 
that  BDnaparta  sbaald  try  to  dope  him  and  the  Franch 
aajkion,  by  aporibing  his  departuro  to  hanonrable  motives, 
Klabar^a  Ittlflr  is  addressed  to  the  Directory,  and  it 
an  iataresliilg  piatore  of  Egyf^t  the  time  oi  the  dcasr* 
tsoii  of  Napolepn. 
I  He  states,  that  Poaapfurte  IfA  that  aonntry  for  Fnmee 

without  telling  any  person  wkatev^r;  that  he  was  to  have 
ittet  bias  at  Rosetta  the  next  day,  bat  fottnd  only  his  dea- 
patches ;  ndt  kaqwing  whether  he  has  \aA  the  good  fortaae 
|o  reach  Tonlatt,  he  sends  a  co^  of  the  iettor,  transfinriBg 
I  to  him  the  oommand  of  the  aimy,  and  oaa  to  the  Grand 

I  yizier  at  Gonstantmople^  thpngb  he  knew  that  officer 

i  >M|aahreadya4.Damascasl 

k  Bb  tells  fhem  that  the  array  ia  reduced  a  &II  |ialf,  and 

W  tfaaik  Uieir  want  of  military  stores  is  no  less  alarininy  than 

*  the  psodtgioiia  diaMnution  lEii  their  numhem,  that  (hdr 

attempt  ta  estoblbb  a  f^nndiy  has  foiled,  and  their  pow- 
der manuftiGtory  keeps  ao  pace  with  their  hopes,  nor 
-probably  ever  wUI ;  that  the  troops  are  naked,  which  is 
CBS  of  the  greatest  causes  of  the  dysentery  and  the  oph- 
thalmia wbicfa  so  constanlJy  prevail ;  and  that  the  medi* 

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AND  WAM  or  EVRWB.  -^  640 

'  KMir^flttlcr  «»  Om  0iff«elo#f« 


eal  meft  rapoK^  tkel  akhough  liie  etmy  b  »»  dittinMia}» 
Aeirsiek  list  w  larger  tfnoi  laat  y«ar;  HwtGmenaBoiMK 
|mrie  liad  givett  otdeni  for  new  «loaAi»g  tbe  army,  btf 
that  Ae  poterty  «€  the  flaAnces  Mused  this  nsefel  de^ 
sign  to  be  postponed.  He  says,  that  a  ftm  aioMhs'aHei^ 
tlmr  arrmK  Bonaparte  levied  as  hea^  a  jnflhary  con- 
Irtbotion  as  tbe  emmtry  eoaM  support,  and  to  do  iMi 
now,  would  oniy  lead  to  an  insurrection ;  y6t  wifli  att  thbi^ 
Bonaparte  left  no  nioney  beUnd  biot,  nor  any  tfahq^  o^hi'- 
Ue  of  being  turned  into  BMney ;  but  that  he  left  a  debt 
of  eleiFen  millions,  four  of  wbidi  is  due  as  pAy  t#  Hm 
army ;  and  that  Ae  Nile  being  very  low,  anny  provinces 
wiB  claim  tbe  exemption,  wlnoh  he  eiaitaet^nyaatiee  ob^ 
jeet  to ;  that  the  Mamelakes  aredisperaed,  not  destroyed ; 
that  IfuradBey  is  m  Upper  Bgypt  with  a  numerous  bodjf 
0f  men ;  and  IteaUm  Bey,at  Oaza,wbere  dsO,  he  says,  bate 
larmed  80,0W  men,  part  of*  Ae  anny  of  DjgeBcakr  Paeha 
and  Ae  Orand  Viaier ;  the  latter  of  whom  is  encamped 
near  Jbcre,  and  the  English  are  masters  of  the  Red  Sea. 
Such  is  Ae  sitaatiott  in  whidi  Bonaparte  has  left  Mm  is 
command  Ae  army.  El-Arisdi  is  a  pakty  fori  in  Ae  de- 
sart,  Ae  difficulty  of  lietualling  which  will  not  alhvwits 
being  garrisoned  by  more  .Ann  SM  men,  fod  thott  in  « 
shoit  time  it  must  surrender  witltoirt  a  rfmt  being  fteded 
it ;  Aat  Ae  Arabs  wbo  adene  can  famish  provimons  in*  As 
desart,  now  keep  away  and  coneeal  themsefres.  Alexan- 
dria, he  says,  is  not  a  fortress,  but  an  entrenched  camp, 
and  that  it  can  make  but  a  feeble  rensCance.  in  this 
state  be  is  ata  loss  what  to  do ;  he  thinka  be  Should  cott* 
tinue  the  negoeiatiotts  begun  by  Bonapaitev  ns  by  Aat 
he  wiB  gain  a  fitde  time  ;  Aat  he  w31  propose  the  resti* 
tution  of  Egypt  to  Ae  Grand  Vizier,  in  the  idea  that  the 
Grand  Signior  sball  appomt  a  Paeha  as  before,  and  Aat 

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659     BISTORT  or  KAPOLEOV   BONAPARTE, 


mebrr't.ktter  W  ttie  Dinwlorju 


Ibc  troopg  shall  reinajii  in  the  coao^,.  Mid  occupy  tb 
f(cifMifiioldf,aiid..0oU«ol  the  dolie^  till  the  French  mab 
ypvoe  with  ;&iglfio4  ;  hfi  ^luree  this.  wjU  Mbe  afteQded 
lo ;  he  it  awiure  qf  tjbp  importance  cif  ISgypt,  bat  tbai 
tt«f  waat  ja.  vmvj:i  wd  peaee  irith  the  Porte  is  tb  op!; 
vigr.of  get!io|^  lid  ^f  an  ^nteipnse^^  ao  looger  capable  of 
fOainiyig  the  ottject  for  whieb  it  was  undertaken ;  that  so 
fnf  frop  home  he  ew  scarcely  thinjc  of  any  thing  but  tbo 
safety  and  honour  of  Ifae  armjr  be.  cenkn^s ;  be  aeodi 
an  estima^  of  what  they  stand  in  need  of,  aad^recapi- 
tdatjfsn  of  the  4ebts  left.nnpaid  by  Sonaparte ; jast 
as  he  is  cloeiffg  hif'despatpbes^  be  sayii^  lie  hasreceivoi 
advice  that  fpwt^en  o|}  fifteiep  Tarkinh  v^aiaM  9*^  ^^^ 
tkiQH  befoire  Oawietta  iviaiting  for  thf»  fleet  pt  the  C^ptuo 
Pacha* iMuiiiff  oii  board  'fiom^  fifteen  to  twepty  ibonmi 
men;  besides  nfhipb^  t|ier/B:  miJSfteepi  tfiqosand  atGaOi 
and  the  jGrrand  ¥1^05  i»;  nn^o^cbiDg  firop  Jl^ig^aaoaa ;  tW 
be  cwmotpossiWy  gfi%  together  more  tbpi  ^5000  mfcs  atib 
to  take  tim  MA  ag^wat  binw  bat  that  kp  ^  trv  his  for: 
feme  if  he  does  not  gain  time  by  negQcifitiQn. 

It  would  be  upajBcessfiMry  to  stata  the  wants  <rf*tbe  si>9 
hef%»  which  Qe|i«fl|l  Kleb^  particularises  in  his  letter  to 
An.  Directory,  but  tha.estipiate  of  debts  owing  by  Bo- 
naparte when  he  fled«  is  important,  as  it  shews  he  kept 
BO  faith  with  tbope.  he. invaded,  or  those  he  led  to  in^ 
them.  The  ampy  .was  in  arrears  upwards  of*  four  oit 
|i(H|s  of  livres,  and  die  toti^l  ^mounted  to  more  thai* 
eleven  milliofis,  Qn  their  first  arrival  requisitions  had 
been  UMtde  in  ail  the  towns  for  the  subsistence  of  the 
troops,  whicKbad  never  been  paid  for ;  and  extraoiw- 
nary  contributions  had  been  levied  upon  the  trademM 
^rchants,  &e. 

^  effects  of  the  Mfunelukes  were  also  sc^  on  theit 

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AND  WARS  OF  EUROPE.  551 

Kleber*s  letter  to  tbe  Dirrctory. 

arrival;  and  their  wives  have  been  made  to  pay  an  extra- 
ordinary imposition. 

The  eleven  millions  did  not  inclade  what  was  dae  to 
the  provinces  for  the  supplies  in  kind,  with  which  the 
troops  were  famished  daring  their  marcL 

He  cenclades  by  observing^  that  as  long  as  the  army 
of  Egypt  is  engaged  in  hostilities,  there  can  be  no  fo- 
reign trade;  nor  can  the  receipts  be.  possibly  made  to 
answer  the  expenses,  and  that  peace  alone  can  pbce  tbrn. 
receipts  on  a  satisfactory  footing. 


END   OP  THE   FIRST   VOLUME. 


J.  M.  Morris  and  Co.  Printers^  Bungay. 

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