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NARRATIVE
SURRENDER OF BUONAPARTE
AND OF HIS
RESIDENCE ON BOARD H.M.S. BELLEROPHON;
WITH A DETAIL OF
THE PRINCIPAL EVENTS THAT OCCURRED
IN THAT SHIP,
BETWEEN THE 84th OP MAY AND THE 8th OF AUGUST, 1815.
BY
CAPTAIN F. L. MAITLAND, C. B.
LONDON:
PUBLISHED BY HENRY COLBURN,
NEW BURLINGTON STREET.
1826.
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PEIKTSS BY 8. AND E. BBNTLET, DOESBT STEEBT.
-. ^-: , .- •. DigitizedtyVcjGOQL?
PREFACE.
Some explanation seems called for, when,
after a lapse of eleven years, I present to
the Public my Narrative of the reception
and residence of Napoleon Buonaparte
on board H. M. S. Bellerophon; as it will
naturally be asked, why it has been so
many years in seeing the light, and from
what cause it makes its appearance at this
particular period.
• Digitized by VjOOQIC
IV PREFACE.
Immediately after the extraordinary and
interesting events took place which are
here recorded, I was, by the earnest so-
licitations of my friends, induced to throw
together the notes and memoranda in my
possession, of the proceedings in which
I bore so prominent a part. I was fur-
ther led to undertake this task, so foreign
to my usual occupations, in consequence
of the many misrepresentations that ap-
peared at that time, respecting the con-
duct of Buonaparte while on board the
ship I commanded, as well as my treat-
ment of him.
The following Narrative was then writ-
ten solely for the private perusal of my
friends, and not with a view to publi-
cation many reasons combining, at that
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PtlEFACE. V
time» in my opinion, to render such a
measure inexpedient.
I made it my study to state events ex-
actly as they occurred, and, in doing so,^
to avoid, as much as possible, all preju-
dice, either against or in favour of the
extraordinary' man whom it was my for-
tune to secure and bring to this country.
It may appear surprising, that a possi-
bility could exist of a British officer, be-
ing prejudiced in favour of one who had
caused so many . calamities to his coun-
try ; but to such an extent did he pos-
sess the power of pleasing, that there are
few people who could have sat at the
same table with him for nearly a month,
as I did, without feeling a sensation of
pity, allied perhaps to regret, that a man
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VI PREFACE.
possessed of so many fascioatiug quali-
ties, and who had held so high a station
in life, should be reduced to the situation
-in which I saw him.
Although many of the causes for with-
holding my Narrative from the public eye,
have long been removed, I had no inten*
tion of bringing it forward, until by acci-
dent it fell into the hands of a most cele-
brated literary character. He did me the
honour, on returning it, to express an opinion
which I was not at all prepared to expect,
and so strongly to recommend its being pub-
lished, that however averse to appearing
as an author, I have been induced under
the sanction of such high authority, to pre-
sent it to the public.
The habits of my life, since I entered
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PREFACE. Vll
my profession at a very early age, have
been very different from those of a literary
man ; and therefore the following Narrative
has no pretensions to any other merit, than
what arises from the interest of the subject,
and is nearly verbatim as originally written
in the Autumn of 1B15.
FRED\ L. MAITLAND.
Lindores, 1826.
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CONTENTS.
PAGS.
Captain Maitland sets sail in the Bellerophoo, with
sealed Instructions . . .1
He arrives off I'lsle Dieu. Proceeds off Rochefort . ft
Reconnoitres the French Ships of war under I'lsle
d'Aix . . . .3
Is joined by the Cephalus . . . 4
Captain Maitland hears of the Victory of Waterloo.
On June 30^ receives a communication, sent from
Bourdeaux within a quill, respecting the probable
Flight of Buonaparte by Sea . . 5
Blockades Rochefort, Bourdeaux, and la Teste d'Ar-
casson . . . .8
Destroys his Prizes . .9
A Man and Boy in a flat Punt saved . .10
Captain Maitland watches the Frigates at Tlsle d'Aix
closely • . . . . . Ift
Receives Sir Henry Hotham's Instructions 13, 15, l6
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X CONTENTS.
PAOX.
The Mouche Schooner^ with Savary and Las Cases
with a Flag of Truce, approaches the Bellerophon 22
Secret Orders from Sir Henry Hotham . 22^ 25
Letter of Count Bertrand, announcing Napoleon's In-
tention of sailing to North America . .27
The Captain's Answer to Bertrand . 30
Conversation with Savary and Las Cases . S2
Receives private Information by a Row-boat 36
Captain Maitland guards the Mamusson Passage . 37
The White Flag is hoisted at Rochelle . 38^ 39
The Bellerophon fires a Royal Salute 38
The French Frigates appear ready to put to Sea . 39
English Guard-boa is continue to row near the Frigates 40
British Flag of Truce, its colour . ib.
The Mouche Schooner, with Las Cases and General
Lallemand, I'eturns to the Bellerophon .41
Communication delivered from Napoleon . 43
Captain Maitland's Reply . 43^ 44
Buoi^aparte stilted to be at Rochefort, but is at Tlsle
d'Aix .45,46
Design for effecting the Escape of Buonaparte in a
Cask on board of a Danish Vessel 47
Las Cases^ with General Gourgaud returns to the Bel-
lerophon . . .48
They bring an important Letter from Bertrand 49
List of Napoleon's Suite . . .52
The Emperor's Letter to H. R. H. the Prince Regent 56
Captain Maitland promises to receive Buonaparte . 57
Captain Sartorius is despatched to England^ with a
Letter from Captain Maitland, and with General
Gourgaud . . . • 59, 60
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CONTENTS. XI
PAOB.
Advice of Buonaparte's wish to escape repeatedly
given . . ,66
July 15, Napoleon reaches the Bellerophon, in the
Barge of that Ship. He comes on board« His uni-
form described .... 69, 70
Napoleon cheered by the Crew of TEpervier . 71
His Address to Captain Maitland . . ik
The Ship's Officers are introduced to him .. 7 ft
His small knowledge of English -73
He examines the Bellerophon -74
Conversations between Napoleon and Captain Mait-
land .74, 76, 77, 92, 96, 9^ 108
Buonaparte's Naval Opinions . . 75, 76, 79
Breakfast on board the Bellerophon . . . SO
Kear-Admiral Sir Henry Hotham arrives off Roche-
fort ; his Conference with Captain Maitland . .81
Jhe Admiral comes on board the Bellerophon . 83
Conversation at Dinner . . . .84
Buonaparte's Portable Library and Camp-Bed . 83, 86
He breakfasts on board the Admiral's Ship . 87, 91
Attachment for him evinced by the Officers of his
Suite , . . . .93,231
The Bellerophon sets sail for Torbay . 95, 97
^Buonaparte speaks of Sir Sidney Smith . . 9&
The Passtfge to England described .99,109
Card Parties ..... lOa
The Captain's Despatch to Lord Keith . .102^
His Conversation with Countess Bertrand relative to
a Portrait of Napoleon . , . . IQS-
l^peaks with the Swiftsure, Captain Webley . IO61
Count Las Cases . . . . 10&
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XU CONTENTS.
PAGE.
English Coast in sight . . . .109
The Belle rophon anchors in Torbay . .110
Buonaparte's Exclamation on viewing the Shore . ib.
Admiral Lord Keith's Orders . . . ib.
English Newspapers read by Napoleon . .114
Observations of Madame Bertrand . . 115,116
Persons refused Admission on board the Bellerophon .117
Lord Keith's Approval of Captain Maitland's Line of
Conduct .^ . . .118,119
Concourse of Spectators in Boats . . . 117, 120
Remarks of Buonaparte respecting the Fishermen . 120
The Ships sail for Plymouth . . 121, 123
Observations on the Break- water . . .123
Communications of Civility interchanged between
Buonaparte and Lord Keith . . 119^ 124
Lord Keith's Precautions . . 125, 127
Buonaparte complains of the Guard-ships . . 129
The Lords of the Admiralty approve of Captain
Maitland's Proceedings . . .130
Napoleon's Letter to the Regent is forwarded . 131
He is considered as a General Officer . .132
Orders received from the Admiralty . .133
Napoleon's Compliment on seeing Mrs, Maitland . 134
Sir Richard and Lady Strachan come along-side the
Ship . * . . • . ib.
Admiral Lord Keith is introduced to Napoleon . 136
Repugnance of the Prisoners to their Banbhment to
St. Helena. . . 131, 137
Crowd of Boats round the Ship . .138
Buonaparte's Habits on board Ship . .139
. y^ -^J. — '.. — . 1 Wa. -J- •• V T— t^ ■ ^ " ..- . - - - ^^-■.. «^»^- - J
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CONTENTS. xiii
PAGE.
Bertrand, Savary, and Lallemand, fear Proscrip*
tion . . . 140, 143^ 145
Buonaparte informed that be was to be sent to St.
Helena . . . .142
Sir Henry Bunbury visits him . . ib.
He complains bitterly • . 143,144
He writes again to the Regent . .145
Captain Maitlaud's Letter favourable to Savary and
Lallemand , • • 148, 155
Buonaparte shows hin^self on deck . .150
Countess Bertrand much agitated at the thoughts of
her Husband going to St. Helena . .152
Lallemand is reproved by Captain Maitland . 153
Buonaparte's Assertion that ** he would not go to St.
Helena" . . 151,154,157,167
Extravagant Conversation of the attendant Generals
154, 155
Mr. O'Meara . . . 156
Countess Bertrand attempts to cast herself into the
Sea . . ' . . 157
Her impatience ; she writes to Lord Keith .158
Her retrospect of Buonaparte's conduct 158, 159
She is overheard by the Generals . .160
Buonaparte's Inquiries as to St. Helena . . l6l
Report of an Attempt to escape . . .163
Rumour of an Intention of serving a Habeas Corpus to
bring Buonaparte ashore . . .165
Ship prepared for Sea . - . . . • ib.
The Northumberland ordered to convey Buonaparte . ib.
The Bellerophon weighs Anchor . . .167
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XIV CONTENTS.
Service of a Subpoena on Buonaparte frustrated, by
keeping the Lawyer at bay • . .167
Kote respecting Writs of Habeas Corpus and Subpoe-
nas .... . 168, 170
Buonaparte again writes to the Regent . •171
He keeps entirely to the Cabin ; prepares a Protest . 172
Buonaparte's Protest . . . . • 1 73
He declares himself to be the Guest of England, and
no Prisoner . . . . .174
Captain Maitland's Observations thereon 177» 17^
Conversation on this Subject with Count Las Cases • I79
Buonaparte speaks of the Army of the Loire, and of
his Party . . . 181
Mr. O'Meara requested by Buonaparte to become his
Surgeon ..... 182
The Northumberland in sight . . 183
Arms required to be delivered up . .185
Lists of Articles essential for the French officers and
Ladies forwarded to Plymouth . * . . ib^
Sir George Cockburn is introduced to Buonaparte • 186
Buonaparte permitted to wear his Sword . . ib.
He requests an Interview with Captain Maitland . ib.
He expresses his wish of living on a small Estate in
England . . . . .188
He speaks in favour of Savary and Lallemand . ib.
Captain Maitland's Letter to Count Bertrand . 189
Lord Keith's Order to the Captain to deliver up Gene-
ral Buonaparte and others . . • 1.90
General Gourgaud . . .193^
CountesJB Bertrand's Remonstrances . 1 94, 1 95
A Misunderstanding and Reconciliation . . 1 96
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GONTENT&. XV
PAGE.
Napoleon returns Thanks to Oaptidn Maitland . 197
He s^eekB mth regard of Count Bertraiid ' . 198
Search of ^e Baggage .... 199
The Box of Money temporarily taken charge of . 200
Parting of Buonaparte with the Captain . . MS
Buonaparte, accompanying Admiral Lord Keith, quits
the Bellerophon . . 203, 204
Count Montholon's polite Intimation to Captain
Maitland .204
The Captain declines the Present of a Portrait \ 205
Savary and Lallemand; their affecting parting with
Napoleon in the presence of Captain Maitland . 207
The Northumberland sails for St. Helena . ib.
Description of Napoleon Buonaparte . 208
His Manners and Conversation . .210
Anecdotes 211,214,219,220
He speaks of his Wife and his Son .215
Their Pictures 215,216
Conversation respecting Kleberand Dessaix . 217
Napoleon's Resources in Money . ib.
The Midshipmen act Plays . 220
Buonaparte's Observations on the British Cavalry, and
relative to the Duke of Wellington . 221, 222
Character of Count Bertrand . .225
Countess Bertrand, a daughter of Gen. Dillon • 226
Savary, Duke of Rovigo described . . 227
Savary, Lallemand, and Planat, are sent to Malta, and
allowed to go to Smyrna . . , 228
Character of Lallemand .... 228
Count and Countess Montholon . . . 229-
Count Las Cases and his Son . . . 230
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VI CONTENTS.
PAGE.
ilPPSlTDIX.
On what Terms Captain Maitlaod raeeivad
parte on board his Ship ; and Documents relating
thereto
233 to 248
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NARRATIVE,
On Wednesday the 24th of May, 1815, I
sailed from Cawsand Bay, in command of
His Majesty's ship Bellerophon, and under
the orders of Rear Admiral Sir Henry Ho-
tham, whose flag was hoisted in the Superb.
I received sealed instructions, part of which
were to be opened on getting to sea, and
part only to be examined in the event of my
being separated from the Admiral. Those
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2 NARRATIVE OF
which I opened contained directions to de-
tain, and send into port, all armed vessels
belonging to the Government of France.
On Sunday the 28th of May, we joined
His Majesty's ship Astrea and Telegraph,
stationed off Isle Dieu, on a secret service;
and the following day, three transports, under
charge of the Helicon, arrived from England,
having on board arms and ammunition, to
supply the Royalists in La Vendue, for whose
support and assistance, I now found the
squadron, of which the Bellerophon formed
one, was destined.
On Tuesday the 30th of May, I received
orders from Sir Henry Hotham, to take the
Eridanus under my command, and proceed
off Rochefort, for the purpose of preventing
a corvette from putting to sea, which, ac-
cording to information received by the Bri-
tish Government, was to carry proposals
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CAPTAIN MAITLANDv 3
from Buonaparte to the West India Colo«^
nies^ to declare in his favour. I had like-
wise orders to reconnoitre the Roadstead of
Rochefort, and report to the Admiral the
number and state of the ships of war lying
there. Accordingly, on the 31st of May, I
ran into Basque Roads, and found at anchor,
under Isle d'Aix, two large frigates, a ship
corvette, and a large brig, all ready for sea,
which I afterwards ascertained to be the
M^duse, Saale, Balladi^re, and Epervier.
Nothing occurred worth mentioning until
the 9th of June, when the V&uve French
corvette came in from the northward, and
got into Rochefort, notwithstanding every
effort to prevent her ; the ships under my
orders having been driven to the southward,
during the night, by a strong northerly
wind, accompanied by a southerly current.
She was from Guadaloupe, and immediately
on passing the Chasseron light-house, hoist*
ed the tricoloured flag.
fi2
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4 NARRATIVE OF
Oh the 18th of June, I detained and sent
to Sir Henry Hotham, the iEneas French
store-ship, commanded by a lieutenant of the
navy, with a crew of fifty men, loaded with
ship-timber for the arsenal of Rochefort ; but
he, being of opinion that she did not come
within the intention t)f the order, liberated
her.
On the 21st of June, I detained and sent to
the Admiral, under charge of the Eridanus,'
the Marianne French transport, from Marti-
nique, having on board 220 of the 9th regi-
ment of light infantry, coming to France to
join the army under Buonaparte. The Eri-
danus was sent to England with her, and did
not Veturn to me, being employed on other
service.
On the 27th of June, the Cephalus joined
us, bringing with her the declaration of war
against France; after which we were em-
,. rir
CAPTAIN MAITLAND. O
■♦
ployed several days, taking and destroying
chasse*mar6es, and other small coasting ves-
sels.
On the 28th of June, I received intelli^
gence, from one of the vessels captured, of
Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo ; and on th^
30th, a boat came off from Bourdeaux, bring-
ing the following letter, without date or siib*
scrip tion, written on very thin paper in Eng*
lish, and concealed within a quilL I give
the contents verbatim.
Copy of a letter received by Captain Maitland^ of H. M. S.
Bellerophon^ off Rochefort^ on the SOtli of June^ 1815^
without date or subscription.
'* With great degree of certainty, being
informed that Buonaparte might have come
last night through this city from Paris,
with the new Mayor of Bourdeaux, with a
view to flight, by the mouth of this river, or
Digitized by G oogle
6 NARRATIVE OF
La Teste, the author of the last note sent by
Mr. hastily drops these few lines,
to give the British Admiral advice of such
intention, that he may instantly tak6 the ne-
ceMary steps, in order to seize the man. His
ideas will certainly have brought him to
think it natural, that the British stations
will be less upon their guard in this quarter
than any where else. The writer benefits by
this opportunity to inform the Admiral that,
since the last note, some alteration has ta-
ken place with regard to the troops spread
in these two Divisions ; in lieu of 800 to
1000 in this city, there are now 6000, which
is supposed owing to the intention of com«
pressing the minds of this populace in this
decisive instant.
'^It is supposed the British Admiral is
already informed of the Grand Army being
totally defeated and destroyed, the abdica-
tion of Buonaparte, &c. and the arrival of
the allies near the Capital.
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CAPTAIN MAITLANU. 7
^'An attempt should be made on this
Coast, with no less than 8000 men altogether*
Immediate steps are wanted to put a stop to
the supposed flight.
/'Should the attempt be made on the
Coast from La Teste to Bourdeaux, an im-
mediate diversion should be made on thisj
side ; the success is beyond any doubt.
" A sharp eye must be kept on all Ame-
rican vessels, and particularly on the Sus-
quehannah, of Philadelphia, Captain Caleb
Cushing; General Bertrand and another
goes with him. The two entrances of Bour-
deaux and La Teste must be kept close ; a
line or two is expected, on the return of the
bearer from the Admiral, or Chief Officer on
the Station* As this is writing, the news
is spread generally, that the Due de Berri
and Lord Wellington are in Paris."
The note alluded to had been received.
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8 NARRATIVE OF
and forwarded unopened, to the Admiral in
Quiberon Bay. -
Though my attention was called so strongly
to Bourdeaux, or la Teste d'Arcasson, as the
parts of the coast ftom whence Buonaparte
would probably attempt to escape, it was
my decided opinion that Rochefort was
much more likely to be the port where the
trial would be made. I therefore sent the
Myrmidon oflF Bourdeaux, the Cephalus to
Arcasson, and remained with only the Bel-
lerophon, oflF Rochefort. From this period,
until my return to England, tbe ship was
never, by diay or night, more than three miles
from the land. Considering it -of much im-
portance to comttltinica;tfe *b6 intelligence
contain^^d in the letter from Bourdeaux, to
my commanding officer, with as liVtle delay
as possible ; as I had Ho ve^sd Mt Mdth me,
after detaching the two ships under my
orders, I sent the Bellerophon's barge, under
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CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 9
the charge of a lieutenant, with directions
to endeavour to join some one of the crui-
sers stationed off Isle Dieu. I gave him an
order^ addressed to the Captain of any of
His Majesty^ ships he might fall in with,
to proceed without loss of time» to join the
Admiral in Quiberon Bay, with the despatch
accompanying it. This boat was fortunate
Plough to fall in with His Majesty's ship
Cyrus, Captain Carrol ; who, in consequence^
after hoisting in the barge, proceeded to
Quiberon Bay.
As the coasting-vei^sels were not worth
sending into port for condemnation, and,
considering the circumstances under which
the ship I commanded was placed, I should
not have felt justified in weakening her com-
plement, erea for a prize of value. I was in
the habit of using such captures, as marks
for the men to practice firing at. The Ce-
phalus had a chasse-mar6e in tow for that
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10 NARRATIVE OF
purpose, when the letter, inserted above, was
received; and I detached her so shortly
afterwards, that Captain Fumeaux had no
opportunity of destroying her, but was ob-
liged to cast her off. After he had left me
some time, I observed the vessel drifting to
sea, and determined to run down and sink
her. While approaching her in this view,
I was sweeping the horizon with my glass,
when I discovered, at a considerable dis-
tance, a small white speck on the water,
which had the appearance of a child's boat
with paper sails; but I could plainly per-
ceive something that had motion in it ; and,
after firing on and destroying the chasse-
mar6e, I stood towards the object which had
engaged my attention, and found it to be a
small punt, about eight feet long, flat-bottom-
ed, and shaped more like a butcher's tray than
a boat. In it were a young man about eighteen
years of age, and a boy about twelve, who
had got into the punt to amuse themselves^
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CAPTAIN MAITIiAND. II
and, happening to lose one of their oars, were
drifted to sea. They had been thirty-six
hours without refreshment of any kind, and
with only one oar and a bit df board, which
they had formed into something like another;
they were quite exhausted with fatigue, and
their hands very much blistered. When we
picked them up, there was ^ strong breeze
blowing off the land, so that there cannot be
a doubt, had not Providence sent us to their
assistance, they must have perished. I kept
the boys on board two or three days, for
the purpose of recruiting their strength, and
then landed them with the punt, close to
their village, to the great joy and wonder of
their parents and countrymen.
On the first of July, we spoke a ship from
Rochefort, the master of which gave infor-
mation, that the firigaies, in Aix-roads, had
taken in their powder, and were in all re-
spects ready to put to sea ; also, that several
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12 NARRATIVE OF
gentlemen in plain clothes^ and some ladies,
supposed to form part of Buonaparte's suite,
had arrived at Isle d'Aix. In short, upon
the whole, that there was little doubt of its
being his intention to efiect his escape, if
possible, from that place, in the frigates. On
receiving thid information, I anchored the
Bellerophon as close to the French squadron
as the batteries would permit, kept guard-
boats rowing all night, and prepared my
ship's company for "the description of action,
in which I thought it was probable they
would be engaged. « J trained one hundred
of the stoutest men, selecting them from the
different stations in the ship ; it being my
intention, after firing into and silencing pne
frigate, to run the Bellerophon alongside of
her ; throw that party in, and then, leaving
her in charge of the first lieutenant, to have
proceeded in chase of the other.
His Majesty's ship Phc^he joined us this
....rir
CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 13
evening, and brought with her the Bellero-
phon's barge. Captain Hiliyar having orders
to take a station off Bourdeaux, I recalled
the Myrmidon from that service.
On the 7th of July, I received a letter
from Sir Henry Hotham, together with fresh
orders, from which the following are ex-
tracts : —
Extract of a letter from Rear- Admiral Sir Henry Hotham^
K. C. B. addressed to Captain Maitland of H. M. S.
Bellerophon^ dated Quiberon Bay^ July 6^ 1815.
'* It is impossible to tell which informa*
tion respecting Buonaparte's flight may be
correct ; but, in the uncertainty, it is right to
attach a certain degree of credit to all : that
which I now act on, is received this morning,
from the chief of the Royalists, between the
Loire and the Vilaine.
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14 NARRATIVE OF
*' Although the force of the Bellerophon
would be siifEicient for the ships at Isle
d'Aix, if they were to give you an opportunity
of bringing them to action together, you can-
not stop them both, if the frigates separate ;
I am, therefore, now anxious you should have
a frigate with you : therefore if any of them
should be with you, keep her for the time I
have specified ; but if you have no frigate,
and this should be brought to you by a
twenty-gun ship, keep her with you for the
same time; she will do to keep sight of a
French frigate, although she could not stop
her.
" If this is delivered to you by Lord John
Hay of the Opossum, do not detain him, as
her force would be of no use to you, and I
want him particularly^ to examine vessels
which sail from the Loire.''
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Mta
CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 16
Extract of an Order from Rear-Admiral Sir Henry Ho-
tham, K. C. B. ; addressed to Captain Maitland of
H. M. S. Bellerophon^ dated Superb^ Quiberon Bay^
6th July, 1815.
" Having this morning received informa-
tion that it is believed Napoleon Buonaparte
has taken his road from Paris for Rochefort,
to embark from thence for the United States
of America, I have to direct you will use
your best endeavours to prevent him from
making his escape in either of the frigates at
Isle d*Aix ; for which purpose you are, not-
withstanding former orders, to keep any fri-
gate which may be with you, at the time you
receive this letter, in company with the ship
you command, for the space of ten days, to
enable you to intercept them in case they
should put to sea together: but if you
should have no frigate with you at the above
time, you will keep the ship delivering this,
(which will probably be the Slaney or Cy-
rus,) in company with the Bellerophon, tea
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16 NARRATIVE OF
days, and then allow her to proceed in exe-
cution of the orders her Captain has receiv-
ed from me."
The Slaney brought the letter and order,
parts of which are extracted aboye, and hav-
ing no frigate in company, I detained her as
part of the force under my command, though
she was, on the 8th, sent down to the Mamus-
son passage, with orders for Captain Green
of the Daphne, and did not return until the
evening of the 1 1th.
On the 8th of July, I was joined by a
chasse-mar6e bringing a letter from Sir
Henry Hotham, part of which is as follows: —
Extract of a letter from Rear-Admiral Sir Henry Ho-
tham, K. C. B. addressed to Captain Maitland, of
H. M. S. Bellerophon, dated Superb, Quiberon Bay,
July 7, 1815.
** Having sent every ship and vessel out
from this bay, to endeavour to intercept
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CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 17
Buonaparte, I am obliged to send the chasse
mar^e, which has been employed in my
communications with the Royalists, with
this letter, to acquaint you that the Ferret
brought me information last evening, after
the Opossum had left me, from Lord Keith,
that Government received, on the night of
the 30th, an application from the rulers of
France, for a passport and sa:fe conduct for
Buonaparte to America, which had been
answered in the negative, and, therefore,
directing an increase of vigilance to inter-
cept him : but it remains quite uncertain
where he will embark; and, although it
would appear by the measures adopted at
home, that it is expected he will sail from
one of the northern ports, I am of opinion
he will go from one of the southern places,
and I think the information I sent you yes-
terday by the Opossum is very likely to be
correct ; namely, that he had taken the road
to Rochefort; and that he will probably
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18 NARRATIVE OF
embark in the frigates at Isle d'Aix; for
which reason I am very anxious you should
have force enough to stop them both, as the
Bellerophon could only take one, if they
separated, and that might not be the one he
would be on board of. I have no frigate to
send you; if one should join me in time, I
will send her to you, and I hope you will
have two twenty-gun ships with you. I ima-
gine, from what you said in your letter by
your barge, that you would not have kept
the Endymion with you, especially as the
Myrmidon would have rejoined you, by the
arrangements I sent down by the Phoebe for
Sir John Sinclair to take her place off the
Mamusson ; therefore, I trust that my last
order to Captain Hope will not have de-
prived you of his assistance, but hope it
may have put him in a better situation than
before. The Liffey is seventy or eighty
miles west from Bourdeaux, and the Pacto-
lus, after landing some person in the Gironde,
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CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 19
goes off Cape Finisterre, where the Swiftsure
is also gone; and many ships are looking
out in the Channel and about the latitude of
Ushant.
'' Buonaparte is certainly not yet gone ; I
presume he would naturally await the an-
swer from our Government, which only left
London on the 1st ; my own opinion is, that
he will either go with a force that will afford
him some kind of security, or in a merchant
vessel to avoid suspicion.
'* The orders from the Admiralty, received
last evening, are, that the ships which are
looking out for him, should remain on that
service till further orders, or till they know he
is taken, and not regard the time of ten days
or a fortnight, which they first named : there-
fore you will govern yourself by that, and
keep any ship you have with you till one
of those events occurs, without attending,
c2
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20 NARRATIVE OF
to the ten days I specified in my letter to
you by the Opossum yesterday, and make-
the same known to any ship you may com-
municate with. The information you sent
me, which had been transmitted to you
from Bourdeaux, is now proved to have been
erroneous, by our knowing that Buonaparte
was at Paris as late as the 30th of June, and
that paper must have been written on the
29th, as you received it on the 30th. The
Eridanus will not rejoin you; she has been
stationed, by Lord Keith, off Brest."
** Let me know by the return of the
chasse-maree, particularly, what ships you
have with you, and where the other ships
are, as far as you know, and what position
you keep in. If you had ships enough to
guard Basque roads, and the Channel be-
tween Isle d'Oleron and the long sand
(where a frigate may pass), you would be
sure of keeping them in, by anchoring ; but
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CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 21
that would afford you little chance of taking
Buonaparte^ which is the thing to be de^
sired ; therefore I think you would be better
off the light-house, where I dare say you keep
yourself; and on that particular subject I
do not think it necessary to give you any
instructions, as I depend on your using the
best means that can be adopted to intercept
the fugitive ; on whose captivity the repose
of Europe appears to depend. If he should
be taken, he is to be brought to me in this
bay, as I have orders for his disposal ; he is
to be removed from the ship in which he may
be found, to one of his Majesty's ships.**
Nothing of consequence occurred on the
9th; but on the 10th of July, at day-light, the
officer of the watch informed me that a small
schooner was standing out from the French
squadron towards the ship : upon which I
ordered every thing to be ready for making
sail in chace, supposing she might be sent
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22 NARRATIVE OF
for the purpose of reconnoitring. On ap-
proaching, she hoisted a flag of truce, and
joined us at seven A. M. She proved to be
the Mouche, tender to the ships of war at
Isle d'Aix, and had on board. General Savary
Due de Rovigo, and Count Las Cases, cham-
berlain to Buonaparte, charged with a letter
from Count Bertrand (Grand Marechal de
Palais) addressed to the Admiral command-
ing the British Cruisers before the port of
Rochefort.
Soon after the Mouche arrived, I was join-
ed by the Falmouth, bringing me a letter and
secret orders from Sir Henry Hotham, some
extracts from which I shall insert for the bet-
ter understanding what follows, previous to
entering into what passed with Buonaparte's
attendants,
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CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 23
Extract of a letter from Rear Admiral Sir Henry Hotham^
K. C. B. addressed to Captain Maitland, of H. M. S.
Bellerophon ; not dated^ but must have been written on
the 8th of July, 1815.
" I sent a chasse mar^e to you yesterday
with a letter, and you will now receive by
the Falmouth, officially, the orders which I
therein made you acquainted with.
** I send you four late and very interest-
ing French papers, by which you will see
all that has been done and said on the subject
of providing for Buonaparte's escape from
France: you will see that the Minister of
the Marine had been directed to prepare
ships of war for that purpose; that they were
placed at Buonaparte's disposal; and that
two frigates in particular had been provided
for him : also that it was announced to the
two Chambers, that he left Paris at four
o'clock on the 29th; likewise that it was
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24 NARRATIVE OF
believed in Paris, he had taken the road by
Orleans to Rochefort ; and I have no doubt
that the two frigates at Isle d'Aix are in-
tended for him, and I hope you will think so
too, and I am sure you will use your utmost
endeavours to intercept him. I am sorry 1
have not a frigate to send you ; I have lite-
rally none but the Endymion under my or*
ders. Captain Paterson is off Brest, by Lord
Keith's order; and the Phoebe is also or-
dered to that station, when the Hebrus ar-
rives off the Gironde.
'* The attention at home appears to be
paid chiefly to the ports in the Channel, but
I have received no additional means what-
ever to guard those of the Bay, I have
long been expecting a frigate from the Irish
station, but none has yet appeared ; and I
have written to Lord Keith for two frigates ;
but they cannot join me in time, I fear/'
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CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 25
Extract of an order from Rear«- Admiral Sir Henry Ho-
tham, K. C. B. addressed to Captain Maitland, of
H. M. S. Bellerophon, dated H, M. S. Superb, Qui-
beron Bay, Stb July, 1815«
" The Lords Commissioners of the Admi*
ralty having every reason to believe that
Napoleon Buonaparte meditates his escape,
with his family, from France to America,
you are hereby required and directed, in
pursuance of orders from their Lordships,
signified to me by Admiral the Right Ho-
norable Viscount Keith, to keep the most
vigilant look-out for the purpose of intercept-
ing him ; and to make the strictest search of
any vessel you may fall in with ; and if you
should be so fortunate as to intercept him,
you are to transfer him and his family to the
ship you command, and there keeping him
in careful custody, return to the nearest
port in England (going into Torbay in pre-
ference to Plymouth) with all possible ex-
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26 NAKRATIVE OF
pedition ; and on your arrival you are not to
permit any communication whatever with
the shore, except as herein after directed;
and you will be held responsible for keep-
ing the whole transaction a profound secret,
until you receive their Lordships' further
orders.
" In case you should arrive at a port
where there is a flag-officer, you are to send
to acquaint him with the circumstances,
strictly charging the officer sent on ^hore
with your letter, not to divulge its contents :
and if there should be no flag-officer at the
port where you arrive, you are to send one
letter express to the Secretary of the Ad-
miralty, and another to Admiral Lord Keith,
with strict injunctions of secrecy to each
officer who may be the bearer of them."
Messrs. Savary and Las Cases, who came
on board, from the Schooner above mention-
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CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 27
ed, at seven o'clock on the 10th of July,
presented the following letter to me : —
^'Le9 JuiUet, 1815.
" Monsieur TAmiral,
'' UEmpereur Napoleon ayant abdiqu6 le
pouvoir, et choisi les fetats Unis d'Am6-
rique pour s'yrefugier, s*est embarqu6 sur les
deux frigates qui sont dans cette rade, pour
se rendre k sa destination. II attend le sauf
conduit du Gouvernement Anglais, qu'on lui
a annonc^, et qui me porte k exp6dier le pre-
sent parlementaire, pour vous demander,
Mons. TAmiral, si vous avez connpissance du
dit sauf conduit; ou si vous peasez qu'il soit
dans 1' intention du Gouvernement Anglais de
se mettre de Tempfechement k notre voyage
aux i:tats Unis. Je vous serai extr^mement
oblig6 de me donner la-dessus les renseigne-
mens que vous pouvez avoir.
" Je charge les porteurs de la pr6sente
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28 NARRATIVE OF
lettre de vous faire agreer mes remercimens
et mes excuses, pour la peine qu'elle a pu
vous donner,'*
" J*ai rhonneur d'etre.
Monsieur TAmiral,
de Votre Excellence, &c. &c.
Le Grand Mar6chal CK Bertrand."
** K Monsieur TAiniral commandant
les Croisieres avant Rochefort."
TRANSLATION.
" Sir,
** The Emperor Napoleon having abdicated
the throne of France, and chosen the United
States of America as a retreat, is, with his
suite, at present embarked on board the
two frigates which are in this port, for the
purpose of proceeding to his destination.
He expects a passport from the British Go-
vernment, which has been promised to him,
and which induces me to send the present
flag of truce, to demand of you. Sir, if you
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CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 29
have any knowledge of the above-mentioned
passport^ or if you think it is the intention
of the British Government to throw any im-
pediment in the wdy of our voyage to the
United States. I shall feel much obliged by
your giving me any information you may
possess on the subject.
" I have directed the bearers of this letter
to present to you my thanks, and to apolo-
gize for the trouble it may cause.
" I have the honour to be.
Your Excellency's most obedient, &c. &c.
Grand Marshal Count Bertband."
** To the Admiral commanding the
Squadron bofore Rochefort."
The bearers of the letter had instructions
to demand of me, whether I would prevent
Buonaparte from proceeding in a neutral ves-
sel, provided I could not permit the frigates
to pass with him on board. Having received.
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30 NARRATIVE OF
in my orders, the strictest injunctions to se-
crecy, and feeling that the force on the coast,
at my disposal, was insufficient to guard the
different ports and passages. from which an
escape might be effected, particularly should
the plan be adopted of putting to sea in a
small vessel ; I wrote the following reply to
the above communication ; hoping, by that
means, to induce Napoleon to remain for the
Admiral's answer, which would give time for
the arrival of reinforcements.
" H. M. S. Bellerophon,
off Rochefort, July lOtb, 1815.
*' I have to acknowledge the receipt of your
letter of yesterday's date, addressed to the
Admiral commanding the English cruisers
before Rochefort, acquainting me that the
Emperor, having abdicated the throne of
France, and chosen the United States of
America as an asylum, is now embarked on
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^^
CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 31
board the frigates, to proceed for that desti-
nation, and awaits a passport from the Eng-
lish Government; and requesting to know
if I have any knowledge of such passport ;
or if I think it is the intention of the Eng-
lish Government to prevent the Emperor*s
voyage.
"In reply, I have to acquaint you, that 1
cannot say what the intentions of my Govern-
ment may be; but, the two countries being
at present in a state of war, it is impossible
for me to permit any ship of war to put to
sea from the port of Rochefort.
*' As to the proposal made by the Due de
Rovigo and Count Las Cases, of allowing the
Emperor to proceed in a merchant vessel; it
is out of my power, — without the sanction of
my commanding officer, Sir Henry Hotham,
who is at present in Quiberon Bay, and to
whom I have forwarded your despatch, — to
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32 NARRATIVE OF
allow any vessel, under whatever flag she
njay be, to pass with a personage of such
consequence.
**! have the honour to be.
Sir,
Your very humble servant,
Fred, L. Maitland,
Captain of H. M. S. Bellerophon."
* " he Grand Marechal
Gomte Bertrand."
The Duke of Rovigo and Count Las Cases
remained on board between two and three
hours, during which time I had a great deal
of conversation with them, on the state of
affairs in France ; in which they did all they
could to impress me with the idea that Buo-
naparte was not reduced to the necessity of
quitting Europe ; but that, in doing so, he
was actuated solely by motives of humanity;
being unwilling, they said, that any further
effusion of blood should take place on his
account. They declared also, that his party
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CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 33
was still very formidable in the centre and
south of France, and that, if he chose to pro-
tract the war, he might still give a great
deal of trouble ; and that, although his ulti-
mate success might not be probable, there
was still a possibility of fortune turning in
his favour, and therefore they argued it was
the interest of England to allow him to pro-
ceed to America. To all this I could give
little or no reply, being quite ignorant of
what had occurred in France, further than
the decisive victory obtained by the Duke
of Wellington at Waterloo, During the time
the Frenchmen were with me, I received
some French newspapers from Sir Henry
Hotham ; but my time was so fully occupied
in writing to him, aiid in discussions with
my visitors, that it was not in my power to
read them : I therefore drew them back to
the subject that had occasioned their visit,
and said, " Supposing the British Govern-
D
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34 NARRATIVE OF
ment should be induced to gra^t 3. pqisspprjt
for Buonaparte's going to America/ what
pledge could he give that he would not
return, and put England, as well as all Eu-
rope, to the same expense of blood and
treasure that has just been incurred ?"
General Savary made the following reply :
" When the Emperor first abdicated the
throne of France, his removal was brought
about by a faction, at the head of which
was Talleyrand, and the sense of the ni|,tion
was not consulted : but ia the present in-
stance he has voluntarily resigned the pow-
er. The influence he once h?id over tlifj
French people is past ; a very considerable
change has taken place in their sentiments,
towards him, since he went to Elba; and
he could never regain the power l^e ha,4,
over their minds : therefore he would prefer,
retiring into obscurity, where he might end
his days in peace and tranquillity ; and were
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CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 35
he solicited to ascend the throne again, he
would decline it."
" If that is the case," I said, '* why not
ask an asylum in England V* He answered,
** There are many reasons for his not wish-
ing to reside in England : the climate is too
damp and cold ; it is too near France ; he
would be, as it were, in the centre of every
change and revolution that niight take place
there, and would be subject to suspicion;
he has been accustomed to consider the
English as his most inveterate enemies, and
they have been induced to look upon him as
a monster, without one of the virtues of a
hiinran being/'
This conversation took place while I was
writing my despatches to Sit Henry Ho-
tiiam ; and the Frenchmen were walking in
the cabin, frequently interrupting me, to en«
force their statement of Buonaparte's situ-
d2
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36 NARRATIVE OF
ation being by no means so desperate as
might be supposed ; from which I took the
liberty of drawing a conclusion directly op-
posite to the one they were desirous of im-
pressing on my mind.
Captain Knight, of the Falmouth, who
carried my despatches to the Admiral, was
present during the whole of this conversa-
tion, but did not join in it. This was the
first certain information I had received of
Buonaparte's position since the battle of
Waterloo.
Tuesday, the 11th. — About noon, a small
boat came off from the Island of Oleron, to
where the ship was at anchor in Basque
Roads, rowed by four men, in which sat
two respectable-looking countrymen, who
asked for the Captain ; and upon my being
pointed out to them, requested to speak with
me in private. When shown into the cabin.
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CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 37
where I went accompanied by Captain
Gambier, of the Myrmidon, they acquainted
me, that a message had been sent from Isle
d'Aix, early that morning, for a man who
was considered the best pilot on the island
for the Mamusson passage, being the only
person that had ever taken a frigate through ;
. that a large sum of money had been offered
to him to pilot a vessel to sea from that
passage, and that it certainly was Buona-
parte's intention to escape from thence;
either in the corvette, which had moved
down some days before, or in a Danish brig,
which was then lying at anchor near the
entrance.
On receiving this information, I imme-
diately got under weigh, and though the
flood-tide had just made in, beat the ships
out of the Pertuis d'Antioche before it was
dark, when I sent the Myrmidon off the
Mamusson, with orders to anchor close in
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38 NARRATIVE OF
with the entrance, when the weather would
admit of it ; while I remained with the Bel-
lerophon and Slaney, which rejoined me that
evening, under weigh between the light-
houses.
On the 12th of July, the Cyrus being seen
in. the offing, I ordered her by telegraph tp
take a position close in with the Baleine
light-house, and to examine strictly every
vessel that might attempt to put to sea from
the Pertuis de Breton, as Buonaparte was
on the spot, endeavouring to escape to
America.
The same evening, the white flag made its
appearance for the first time on the tow:ers
of Rochelle ; on seeing whiqh, I felt it my
duty to run into Basque Roads, accompanied
by the Slaney; and having anchored, I
hoisted the Bourbon colours at the main-top-
gallant mast-head, and fired a royal salute.
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CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 3jj
Durihgfthe whole of this afternoon^ however,
two tri-coloured flags were kept flying in
Rochelle ; and before sun-set all the white
flags were struck, and every where replaced
by those of Buonaparte.
On the 13th of July, nothing of importance
occurred, except the white flag beiqg once
more hoisted all over Rochelle, as well as on
the Isle of Oleron, to the entire exclusion of
the tri-coloured ensign. We could plainly
perceive, that the frigates, from whom we
were distant about three miles, were per-
fectly ready to put to sea, should an oppor-
tunity offer; having their sterns covered
with vegetables, their top-gallant yards
across, studding sail gear rove, and numerous
boats passing between them and the island
the whole day : — all indications, well known '
to professional men, of preparing for sea.
The ships undeir my command were ac-
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40. NARRATIVE OF
cordingly kept with slip buoys on their
cables^ and^ as soon as it was dark, the top-
sail and top-gallant yards were swayed to
the. mast-heads^ the sails stopt with rope
yarns, and every thing kept ready to make
sail at a moment's warning. Guard-boats
were also kept rowing all night, as near
the frigates as they could venture, having
signals established to show in the event of
the enemy getting under sail.
.On the 14th of July, at day-break, the
officer of the watch informed me, that the
Mouche was standing out from Isle d'Aix,
bearing a flag of truce, which I ordered,
to be accepted. Here it is necessary to
mention, that the British flag of truce, being
a white flag at the foretop-gallant mast-
head, which was also hoisted as a matter
of course when Buonaparte was received
on board^ has by some persons been con-
strued into the Bourbon flag, and thence
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CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 41
into an intentional insult to him. It never
was my intention, nor do I believe it could
have been that of any British officer, to
treat with insiilt any fallen enemy, much
less one who had shown such confidence
as to throw himself on the protection of
his former foe.
When the schooner, the Mouche, reached
the ship. Count Las Gases came on board,
attended by General Count Lallemand.
This meeting was highly interesting to me,
as Lallemand had been a prisoner for three
weeks in the Camelion under my com-
mand in Egypt, with Junot, whose Aid-de-
Camp he then was ; and General Savary,
who accompanied Count Las Cases in his
first visit to the Bellerophon, had lived
nearly as Ipng at Sir Sydney Smith's table
with me, at the Turkish camp at El Arish,
when the convention, which takes its name
from that place, was under discussion, being
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42 NAIIRATIVE OF
Aid-de-Camp to Gfeneral Dessaix, who ne-
gotiated on the part of the French.
On their coming on boards I made the
signal for the Captain of the Slaney, being
desirous of having a witness to any con-
versation that might pass, as our cominu-^
nications were chiefly verbal: he arrived
while we were at breakfast.
When Count Uas Cases came on the
quarter-deck, he informed me that he was
sent off to learn whether I bad receive
an answer from the Admiral to the letter
he had brought off on the lOtfa instant; I
told him that I had .not, but, in^ consequence*
of the despatch which I had forwarded to
him, I had not a doubt he would imm0->
diately repair here in person, and I was
hourly in expectation of seeing him, addibg,
** If that was the only reason you had for
sending off a flag of truce, it was quite
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CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 43
uimeqessary, as I informed you, when last
here, that the Admiral's answer, when it
arrived, sjiould be forwarded to the frigates
byjone of the Bellerophon's boats; and I do
iiot approve of frequent commimicatiojos
with an enemy by means of flags of truce/'
I tl^en ^ent into the cabin and ordered
breakfast, to prevent further discussion until
the arrival of Captain Sartorius.
Mfh^n breakfast was over,^we. retired to
the after-cabin^ Count Las Cases then said,
'' The Emperor is so anxious to spare the fur-
tljeir effi^ion of human blood, that he wiU
proceed to America in any way the British
Government chooses to sanction, either in a
French ship of war, a vessel armed en flutt^
a.pierchant vessel, or even in a British ship
of war." To this I answered, ** I have no
authority to agree to any arrangement of
that sort, nor do I believe my Government
would consent to it ; but I think I may ven-
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44 NARRATIVE OF
ture to receive him into this ship, and cort-
vey him to England : if, however," I added,
*' he adopts that plan, I cannot enter into any
promise, as to the reception he may nleet
with, as, even in the case I have mentioned,
I shall be acting on my own responsibility,
and cannot be sure that it would meet with
the approbation of the British Government."
There was a great deal of conversation on
this subject, in the couirse of which Lucien
Buonaparte's name was mentioned, and the
manner in which he had lived in England
alluded to; but I invariably assured Las
Cases most explicitly, that I had no autho-
rity to make conditions of any sort, as to
Napoleon's reception in England. In fact,
I could not have done otherwise, since, with
the exception of the order inserted at page
26, I had no instructions for my guidance,
and was, of course, in total ignorance of the
intention of His Majesty's ministers as to
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 45
his future disposal. One of the last obser-
vations Las Cases made before quitting the
ship was, ** Under all circumstances, I have
little doubt that you will see the Emperor
9n board the Bellerophon;*' and, in fact,
Buonaparte must have determined on that
step before Las Cases came on board, as his
letter to his Royal Highness the Prince
Regent is dated the 13th of July, the day
before this conversation.
During the above-mentioned conversation,
I asked Las Cases where Buonaparte then
was ? he replied, '*At Rochefort ; I left him
there yesterday evening." General Lalle-
mand then said, *' The Emperor lives at the
Hotel in the Grand Place, and is now so
popular there, that the inhabitants assemble
every evening in front of the house, for the
purpose of seeing him, and crying, *Vive
I'Empereur !' "
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46 NARRATIVE OF
I then asked how long it Would take to go
there : Las Cases answered,. " As the tide
will be against us, it will require five or six
hours/' Why these false statements were
made, I cannot pretend to say; but it is
very certain that Buonaparte never quitted
the frigates or Isle d'Ai^, after his arrival
there on th6 3d of July,
General Lallemand took occasion to ask
me if I thought there would be any risk of
the people, who might accompany Buona-
parte, being given up to the Government of
France : I replied, " Certainly not ; the Bri-
tish Government never could think of doing
so, under the circumstances contemplated
in the present arrangement/'
They lefk me about half-past nine A. M.
In the course of the day, I was joined by
the Myrmidon, Captain Gambier, who had
been sent to me by Captain Green, of the
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CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 47
Daphne^ with a letter he had received from
Captain Aylmer, of the Pactolus^ in the Gi-
ronde, bringing information that it was the
intention of Buonaparte to escape from
Rocbefort in a Daiiish sloop^ concealed in a
cask stowed in the ballast, with tubes so
constructed as to convey air for his breath-
ing. I afterwards inquired of General Sa-
vary, if there had been any foundation for
such a report ; when he informed me that
the plan had been thought of, and the vessel
in some measure prepared ; but it was con^
sidered too hazardous ; for had we detained
the vessel for a day or two, he would have
been obliged to make his situation known,
and thereby forfeited all claims to the good
treatment he hoped to ensure by a voluntary
surrender.
The two Captains dined with me, and
afterwards went cm boardithe Myjrmidon, to
take up a position to the north-east of the
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48 NARRATIVE OF
BellerophoD, to prevent vessels from passing
close in shore, and thus to render the block-
ade of the port more complete.
Soon after they left me, a barge was per-
ceived rowing off from the frigates towards
the Bellerophon with a flag-of-truce up ; on
which I recalled Captains Sartorius and Gam*
bier, by signal, that they might be present at
any communication that was to be made.
The boat got along-side about seven P. M.
and brought Count Las Cases, accompa-
nied by General Baron Gourgaud, one of
Buonaparte's Aid-de-Camps. On their com-
ing on deck, I immediately addressed Las
Cases, saying, "It is impossible you could
have been at Rochefort, and returned, since
you left me this morning." He replied, ** No ;
it was not necessary ; I found the Emperor
at Isle d'Aix, on my arrival there." He then
told me, he was charged with a letter from
Greneral Bertrand. We walked into the cabin,
when he delivered it to me ; it was as follows.
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CAPTAIN MAITLAND, 49
"Lel4Juillet, 1815.
" Monsieur le Commandant,
*' Monsieur le Comte de Las Gases a rendu
compte k VEmpereur de la conversation qu'il
k eue ce matin k votre bord. S. M« se rendra
k la mar^e de demain, vers quatre ou cinq
heures du matin> i bord de votre vaisseau.
Je vous envoye Monsieur le Comte de Las
Cases, Conseiller d'Etat, faisant fonction de
Mar6clial de Logis, avec la liste des personnes
composant la suite de S. M. Si I'Amiral, en
consequence de la demande que vous lui
avez adress6e, vous envoye le sauf conduit
demand^ pour les Etits Unis, S. M. s*y
rendra avec plaisir ; mais au d6faut du sauf
conduit, il se rendra volontiers en Anglet^rre,
comme simple particulier, poury jouir de la
protection des loix de votre pays.
" S. M. a expi6di6 Monsieur le Mar6chal
de Camp Baron Gourgaud auprfes du
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60 NARRATIVE OF
Prince R6gent, avec une lettre, dont j'ai
I'honneur de vous envoyer copie, vous priant
de la faire passer au Ministre auquel vous
croyez n^cessaire d'envoyer cet ofiicier g6n6-
ral, afin qu'il ait Thonneur de remettre au
Prince Regent la lettre dont il est charg6.
'* J'ai rhonneur d'etre,
Monsieur le Coijuaandant,
Votre tris humble et trfes ob6issant Serviteur,
Le Grand Mar6chaU
COMTE BeJITRAND/*
''A Monsieur le Coxmnandant
des Croisikes devant Rocbefort/'
TRANSLATION.
"Sir,
"Count Las Cases has reported to the
Emperor the conversation which he had
with you this morning. His Majesty will
proceed on board your ship with the ebb
tide to-morrow morning, between four and
five o'clock.
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CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 61
" I send the Count Las Cases, Counsellor
of State, doing the duty of Marcchal de
Logis, with the list of persons composing
His Majesty's suite.
*' If the Admiral, in consequence of the
despatch you forwarded to him, should send
the passport for the United States therein
demanded^ His Majesty will be happy to
repair to America ; but should the passport
be withheld, he will willingly proceed to
England, as a private individual, there to
enjoy the protection of the laws of your
country.
*^ His Majesty has despatched Major Ge-
neral Baron Gourgaud to the Prince Regent
with a letter, a copy of which I have the
honour to enclose, requesting that you will
forward it to such one of the ministers as
you may think it necessary to send that
general officer, that he may have the honour
E 2
Digitized by LjOOQ IC -
52 NARRATIVE OF
of delivering the letter with which he is
charged to the Prince Regent.
" I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your very humble servant,
Count Bertrand."
** To the Officer commanding the
Cruizers off Rochefort."
List of persons composing the suite of Napoleon Buona-
parte, enclosed in the above Letter, and the manner in
which they were distributed during the passage to Eng"
land.
Bellerophon.
G^n6raux,
Le Lieutenant Oen^ral Comte Bertrand^ G'. Mar^chal.
Le Lieutenant 6^n6ral Due de Rovigo.
Le Lieutenant General Baron Lallemand Aide de Camp
de »S. M-
Le Marechal de Camp Comte de Montholon Aide de Camp
de S. M.
Le Comte de Las Cases Conseiller d'Etat.
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CAPTAIN MAITLAND.
Dames,
Madame la Comtesse Bertrand.
Madame la Comtesse de Montholon.
Enfans.
$ Enfans de Madame la Comtesse Bertrand.
1 Enfant de Madame la Comtesse de Montholon.
Officiers,
M. de Planat, Lieutenant-Colonel.
M. Maingaut^ Chirurgien de S. M.
M. Las Cases^ Page*
53
Service de la Chambre.
M. M. Marchand
GiUi
St. Dennis
Novarra
Denis
1 Valet de Chambre.
Valet de Chambre.
Valet de Chambre.
Idem.
Garcon de Garderobe.
Archambaud
Gaudron
Gentilini
Livree,
1 Valet de pied.
Valet de pied.
Id.
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54 NARRATIVE OF
Service de la Bouche.
M.M. Pontam - - 1 Maitre d'HoteL
Pieron . - - - Chefd'Office.
La Fosse - - - Cuisinier.
Le Page - - - Idem.
2 Femmes de Chambre de Madame la Comtesse Bertrand.
1 Femme de Chambre de Madame la Comtesse de Mon-
tholon.
Suite des personnes qui accompagnent S. M.
1 Valet de Chambre - da Due de Rovigo.
1 do: - - - - du Comte Bertrand.
1 do du Coint^ de Montholon.
1 Valet de pied - - du Comte Bertrand.
Total ?•
Recapitulation.
Generaux - ^ - _ 5
Dames - - 2
Enfans - - - 4
Officiers - - - 3
Service de la Chambre de S. M. - 5
LivreedeSJM. - . 3
Service de la Bouche - - 4
Suite des personnes qui accompagnent S. M. 7
Total - 33
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CAPTAIN MAITLAND.
55
La Corv£TT£.
Qficiers.
Le Lieutenant Colonel
Besigni.
Le Lieutenant Colonel
Schnltz.
Le Capitaine
-
Autrie.
Le Capitaine
-
Mesener.
Le Capitaine
ai ^
Prontdowski.
Le Lieutenant
-
Bivi^.
Le Sous Lieutenant
8^ Catherine.
SuUedeS.M.
Capriani
-
MaStre d'HSteL
Santini
-
Hnissier.
Chaurin
■i m
Id.
Rousseau
-
Lampiste.
Archambaud
- ■
Valet de pied.
Joseph
-
Id.
Le CHanon
-
Id.
■■ M
Garde d'Office.
Ortini
■■ •■ W
Valet de pied.
Pumeau ^
Recapkulaium,
Idem.
Officiers
-
'7
Suite
•
10
Total
17
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66 NARIIATJVE OF
Enclosed was likewise a copy of the well-
known letter addressed by Buonaparte to His
Royal Highness the Prince Regent.
" Altesse Royal,
*' En butte aux factions qui divisent mon pays
et k rinimiti^ des plus grandes puissances de
TEurope, J'ai termini ma carri^re politique,
et je viens comme Th^mistocle m'asseoir sur
le foyer du peuple Britannique. Je me mets
sous la protection de ses loix^, que je re-
clame de votre Altesse Royal, comme au
plus puissant, an plus constant, et au plus
g^n^reux de mes Ennemis."
'' Rochefort, 13 Juillet, 1815,
" Sign4 Napoleon."
TRANSLATION.
"Rochefort, July 13th/ 1815.
** Your Royal Highness,
** A victim to the factions which distract
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CAPTAIN. MAITLAND. 57
my country, and to the enmity of the great*
est powers of Europe, I have terminated my
political career, and I come, like Themis-
toeles, to throw myself upon the hospitality
of the British people. I put myself under
the protection of their laws ; which I claim
from your Royal Highness, as the most
powerful, the most constant, and the most
generous of my enemies.
'* Napoleon."
On reading the above, I told Monsieur
Las Cases that I would receive Buonaparte
on board, and immediately forward General
Gourgaud to England by the Slaney, along
with my despatches to the Admiralty ; but
that he would not be allowed to land until
permission was received from London, or
the sanction of the Admiral at the port he
might arrive at obtained. I assured him,
however, that the copy of the letter with
which he was charged would be forwarded
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58 NARRATIVE OF
without loss :0f. time, and presented by the
ministers to his Royal Highness. Count
Las Cases then asked for paper, that he
might comn)unicate by letter to Bertrand
my acquiescence in the proposal he had
brought, for my receiving, and conveying to
England, Buonaparte and his suite.
When General Gourgaud was about to
write the letter, to prevent any future mis-
understanding, I said, '' Monsieur Las Cases,
you will recollect that I am not authorized
to stipulate as to the reception of Buonaparte
in England, but that he must consider him-
self entirely at the disposal of his Royal
Highness the Prince Regent." He answered^
'' I am perfectly aware of that, and. have
already acquainted the Emperor with what
you said on the subject."
It might, perhaps, have been better if this
declaration had been given in an official
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CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 69
written form ; and could I have foreseen the
discussions which afterwards took place,
and which will appear in the sequel, I un-
doubtedly should have done so; but as I
repeatedly made it in the presence of wit-
nesses, it did not occur to me as being
necessary ; and how could a stronger proof
be adduced, that no stipulations were agreed
to respecting the reception of Buonaparte in
England, than the fact of their not being
reduced to writing ? which certainly would
have been the case had any favourable terms
been demanded on the part of Monsieur Las
Cases, and agreed to by me.
The French boat was soon after despatched
with the letter to Bertrand, in charge of a
French naval officer, who had attended Las
Cases on board ; and as soon as I had finish-
ed the following despatch to the Secretary
of the Admiralty, I sent Captain Sartorius,
of the Slaney, to England, accompanied by
General Gourgaud.
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60 NARRATIVE OF
£xtract of a Letter from Captain Maitland^ of His Ma-
jesty's ship Bellerophon^ addressed to the Secretary of
theAdmiralty> dated in Basque Roads> 14thJuly> 1815.
*' For the information of the Lords Com-
missioners of the Admiralty, I have to ac-
quaint you that the Count Las Cases and
General Lallemand this day came on board
His Majesty's ship under my command,
with a proposal from, Count Bertrand for me
to receive on board Napoleon Buonaparte,
for the purpose of throwing himself on the
generosity of the Prince Regent Conceiv-
ing myself authorized by their Lordships'
secret order, I have acceded to the proposal,
and he is to embark on board this ship to-
morrow morning. That no misunderstanding
might arise, I have explicitly and clearly
explained to Count Las Cases, that I have
no authority whatever for granting terms of
any sort, but that all I can do is to carry
him and his suite to England, to be received
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CAPTAIN MAITLAND, ' 61
in such manner as his Royal Highness may
deem expedient.
" At Napoleon Buonaparte's request, and
that their Lordships may be in possession of
the transaction at as early a period as pos-
sible, I despatch the Slaney (with General
Gourgaud, his Aid de Camp), directing
Captain Sartorius to put into the nearest
port, and forward this letter by his first
Lieutenant, and shall in compliance with
their Lordships' orders proceed to Tbrbay,
to await such directions as the Admiralty
may think proper to give.
'* Enclosed, I transmit a copy of the letter
with which General Gourgaud is charged, to
his Royal Highness the Prince Regent, and
request that you will acquaint their Lord-
ships, that the General informs me, he is
entrusted with further particulars, which
he is anxious to communicate to his Royal
Highness."
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62 NARRATIVE OF
When these gentlemen had left the ship,
as well as the Saale's barge, I said to Mon-
sieur Las Cases, I propose dividing the after-
cabin in two, that the ladies may have the
use of one part of it. *' If you allow me to
give an opinion," said he, ^^ the Emperor will
be better pleased to have the whole of the
after-cabin to himself, as he is fond of walk-
ing about, and will by that means be able
to take more exercise/' I answered, ** As it
is my wish to treat him with every possible
ccmsideration while he is on board the ship
I command, I shall make any arrangement
you think will be most agreeable to him."
This is the only conversation that ever
passed on the subject of the cabin ; and I
am the more particular in stating it, as Buo-
naparte has been described, in some of the
public Journals, as having taken possession
of it in a most brutal way, saying, " Tout
on rien pour moi :" — all or nothing for me.
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CAPTAIN MAITLAND, 63
I here theifefore, once for all, beg to state
most distinctly, that, from the time of his
coming on board my ship, to the period of
his quitting her, his conduct was invariably
that of a gentleman ; and in no one instance
do I recollect him to have made use of a
rude expression, or to have been guilty of
any kind of ill-breeding.
As the ship had for some time bden kept
clear for action, with all the bulkheads
down, it became necessary to prepare for
the reception of so many guests, by putting
the cabins up again: in consequence of
making the requisite arrangements, it was
past one o'clock in the morning before I
could get to bed. About ten at night, the
officer of the watch informed me that a boat
from the shore had asked permission to come
alongside. A man being allowed to come* on
board from her ; " I am sent off from Ro*
chelle," said he, '* to inform you that Buo-
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^me^
64 NARRATIVE OF
naparte this .morning passed that town in
a chasse mar^e, with another in company,
for the purpose of escaping to sea by the
Pertuis Breton : he is now in that passage,
and means to set sail this night." I told
him, '* that I doubted his information, hav-
ing at that moment one of his attendants on
board, who had come with a proposal for
me to receive him into the ship. I then
asked him how he came by his intelligence ?
He answered, " The vessels passed close to
a boat that I was in ; and I saw a man wrapt
up in a sailor* s great coat, whom one of the
people with me asserted to be him i for ray
part, I am not acquainted with his appear-
ance, never having seen him ; but when the
owner of the vessels attempted to go op
board of them, he was kept off, and told
that they were required for two or three
days, when they would be restored with
ample payment." He told his story so cirr
cumstantially, and with such confidence, that
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CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 65
I feared there must be grounds for what he
stated ; and the anxiety of my situation
may be easily conceived, when it is recol-
lected that I had sent off a ship to England
with despatches, announcing^ the intention
of Buonaparte to embark the following
morning in the Bellerophon. After a little
consideration, I determined to inform Las
Cases abruptly of the intelligence I had
received, and endeavour to judge by the
effect it had on his countenance, whether
there was any truth in the report or not.
I accordingly went into the cabin and did
so ; he seemed perfectly calm and collected,
saying, ** Pray at what hour does your in-
formant state the Emperor to have passed
Rochelle ?" •* At ten A. M." *' Then I can
safely assert, on my honour, that he was not
in either of those vessels. I left him at half
past five this evening, when it was his full
intention to come on board this ship to«
morrow morning ; what he may have done
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66 NARRATIVE OF
since that hour, I cannot be responsible for/*
I answered* " As you give your word of
honour that Buonaparte bad not left Isle
d'Aix when you quitted it, I shall trust to
what you say, and take no steps in conse-
quence of the information that has been
brought to me, but conclude it has origi-
nated in some mistake."
About three in the morning, the officer of
the watch awoke me, and said that another
boat wished to come alongside. I rose and
went upon deck immediately, and found
that she brought the same intelligence from
another quarter; and they both eventually
proved correct, to a certain extent : for two
chasse-mar6es, as I was afterwards inform*
ed, had been prepared, manned, and officered
from the tfrigates, to be used as a last re-
source to attempt an escape in, in the eyexd
of Las Gases' mission to the Belleropbon
not being successful ; and they had actu^ily
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CAPTAIN kAltLAND. 67
passed Rdchelle, in their ^ay to Pbihteaii
d'Aguillon, at the hour specified, and Were
there to await bis joining them should if
prove necessary *
After I had determined to abide by Las
Oases* assurance, that Buonaparte had hot
quitted Isle d*Aix, I enquired of the person
who brought off the information in the eve-
ning, " What was the state of Rochelle, and
whether I might with safety send a boat
* Chasse-Marees are small decked vessels^ rigged as
luggers; tliey are generally from t\tenty to thirty-five tons
burthen, and are Ufied ahnbst exdtisirdy fot the coasting
trade of France. Though there is no doubt that> during
the summer months^ a vessel of this description might
succeed in making the voyage to America; yet if ^^e take
into eoaaideration the indolent habits thai Budnapaorte had
of late years given way to; the very small space for the
accommodation of himself and suite, and for the stowage of
provisions, water, and other h^ces^&ries; that tJierewas no
MendLy port he could h&ve touched si, to gain supplies; —
the utter impracticability of his reaching his destination in
a vessel of that description, even if he had eluded the vigi-
lance of our cruiser^, will at oUade be evident t6 evfery dhe.
F 2
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m^mmcsm
68 NARRATIVE OF
there to purchase refreshments?" as the
white flag was then hoisted all over the
town ; he said, " he would not recommend
it, as, though the towns-people were well
inclined towards the Bourbon family, the
garrison, consisting of four thousand men,
were all attached to Buonaparte ; but if he
were once on bpard the ship, there would
be no risk in doing so, as their fear of his
meeting with bad treatment would keep
the soldiers in awe."
At break of day, on the 16th of July, 1815,
I'Epervier French brig of war was discovered
under sail, standing out towards the ship,
with a flag of truce up ; and at the same time
the Superb, bearing Sir Henry Hotham's flag,
was seen in the offing. By half-past five
the ebb-tide failed, the wind was blowing
right in, and the brig, which was within a
mile of us, made no further progress ; while
the Superb was advancing with the wind and
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CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 69
tide in her favour. Thus situated, and being
most anxious to terminate the affair I had
brought so near a conclusion, previous to the
Admirals arrival, I sent off* Mr. Mott, the
First Lieutenant, in the barge, vtrho returned
soon after six o'clock, bringing Napoleon
• with him.
On coming on board the Bellerophon, he
was received without any of the honours
generally paid to persons of high rank ; the
guard was drawn out on the break of the
poop, but did not present arms. His Ma-
jesty's Government had merely given direc-
tions, in the event of his being captured, for
his being removed into any one of his Ma-
jesty's ships that might fall in with him; but
no instructions had been given as to the light
in which he was to be viewed. As it is not cus-
tomary, however, on board a British ship of
war, to pay any such honours before the co-
lours are hoisted at eight o'clock in the
'Digitized by LjOOQ IC
70 NAKRATIV£ OF
morning, o^ after sunset, I m^tde the early
kour an excuse for withholding them upon
tbip gcc^sion.
BuQi^ap^rte's dr^P^ y^a^ an olive-coloure4
gre^t posit ovflT ^ g?een unifQrip, with scqirlet
cape and cuffs, green lapels turned l^fbcl^
and edged with scarlet, skirts hooked back
with hugle horns eTOl>rpiderei4 in gol4 ; plfin
sugar-loaf buttons and gold epai:tlet;t|e.Si; beipg
t)f A uniform of the Chasiseur ^ C^iiev^l of the
Iraperial Gufp:4. Be wojce the star, pr grand
C^qss df the J-egion pf tlouQ^r, ^ifid tl^p sm^Jl
cro^s pf tl^at. prder ; the }roxk Q^qyvn ; %nd th^
UflioB, app^pd^ t[Q the huttp^i-hole of hi?
leftls^pel. I^e h94 ^^ sinttU cpck^^ )^^t#
vith a t;ri-9«loured pocl^adiei plaiii gpl4-
l^ilted P:WQr4, Qiilitary bpots.^ ?i.n4 wfcite
w^istcQfit ^n4 breeches, T^ fQllo^i^ng day
he appear^fd in sihoc^^ with gold buc^kle^ii and
siik stockings — ^t^^ dr^3s he always wore
afterwar4s, while with me.
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CAPTAIN MAITLANP. 71
On leaving the Epervier, he was cheered
by her ship's company as long as the boat
was within hearing ; and Mr. Mott informed
me that most of the officers and men had
tears in their eyes.
General Bertrand came first up the ship's
side, and said to me, ** The Emperor is in
the boat." He then ascended, and, when he
came on the quarter-deck, pulled o£P his hat,
and, addressing me in a firm tone of voice,
said, ** I am come to throw myself on the
protection of your Prince and laws." When
I showed him into the cabin, he looked
round and said, " Une belle chambre,'' *' This
is a handsome cabin." I answered, ** Such
as it is. Sir, it is at your service while you
remain on board the ship I command." He
then looked at a portrait that was hanging
up, and said, ** Qui est cette jeune personne?'*
'* Who is that young lady ?" '* My wife," I
replied. " Ah ! elle est trfes jeune et trfes
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72 NARRATIVE OF
jolie," "Ah! she is both young and pretty ."*
He then asked what countrywoman she was»
begged to know if I had any children, and
put a number of questions ^respecting my
country, and the service I had seen. He
next requested I would send for the officers,,
and introduce them to him : which was done
according to th6ir rank. He asked several
questions of each, as to the place of his birth,
the situation he held in the ship, the length
of time he had served, and the actions he
had been in. He then expressed a desire to
go round the ship ; but, as the men had not
done cleaning, I told him it was customary
to clean the lower decks immediately after
* I have been induced to insert Buonaparte's observa-
tion on Mrs. M.'s portrait^ as well as one he made on
seeing her alongside of the Bellerophon in Plymouth
Sounds as they show, in a strong point of view, a peculiar
trait in his character; that of making a favourable impres-
sion on those with whom he conversed, by seizing every
opportunity of saying what he considered would be pleas-
ing and flattering to their feelings.
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CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 73
their breakfast, that they were then so em-
ployed, and, if he would defer visiting the
ship until they had finished, he would see
her to more advantage.
. At this time I proposed to him to allow
me to address him in English, as I had heard
he understood that language, and I had con-
siderable difficulty in expressing myself in
French. He replied in French, " The thing is
impossible ; I hardly understand a word of
your language :" and from the observations I
had an oppprtunity of making afterwards,
I am satisfied he made a correct statement,
as, on looking into books or newspapers, he
fi*equently asked the meaning of the most
common word. He spoke his own language
with a rapidity that at first made it difficult
to follow him ; and it was several days before
I got so far accustomed to his manner of
speaking, as to comprehend his meaning im-
mediately.
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74 NARRATIVE OF
In about a quarter of an hour, he again
intimated a desire to go round the ship ; and
although I told him he would find the men
rubbing and scouring, he persisted in his
wish of seeing her in the state she then was.
He accordingly went over all her decks,
asking m,e many questions; more particu-
larly about any thing that appeared to him
different from what he had been accustomed
to se^ in French ships of war. He seemed
most struck with the eleanliness and neatness
of the men, saying *' that our aean^en were
surely a difierent class of people from the
French ; and that he thought it was owing to
them we were always victorious at sea.*'
I answered, " I must beg leave to differ with
you : I do not wish to take from the merit
of our men; but my own opinion is, that
perhaps we owe our advantage to the
superior experience of the officers; and I
believe the French seamen, if taken as much
pains with, would look as well as ours. As
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CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 75
British ships of war are constantly at sea,
the officers have nothing to diveirt their
attention froii^ them and their men ; and in
Qpnsequence, not only is their appearan<:Q
mpre attended to, but they are much better
traiped to the service they have to perform."
^* I believe you are right," said he- He
thep went on to talk of several naval actions ;
a^d^iug, ** yourla-MTs are either more severe,
or better administered, than ours ; there are
many instances of French officers having
qoAdueted themselves ill in battle, without
luy being a^ile to punish tbein as they de-.
served:" among others, be mentioned the
pame? of two ^ayal oncers \ and speaking of
Que of them, sai4, " He ought to have
suffeired deaths and I did all I could to bring
it about, but he was tried by a French n»yal
QOin'trm?irtial, which only dismi^sied: biiA the:
service/' J observed, '' The laws appear
sQmetime^ to be administered with mere
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76 NARRATIVE OK
than sufficient severity. I Commanded a
frigate in the affair of Basque Roads ; and in
my opinion, the sentence of death on the
Captain of the Calcutta was unjust : he could
do no more to save his ship, and she was
defended better and longer than any one
there."* He answered, " You are not aware
of the circumstances that occasioned his
condemnation ; he was the first man to quit
his ship, which was fought some time by her
officers and crew after he had left her."
He next said, ** I can see no sufficient
reason why your ships should beat the
French with so much ease. The finest men
of war m your service are French ; a French
ship is heavier in every respect than one of
yours, she carries more guns, those guns of
'a larger calibre, and has a great many more
men.'' I replied, " I have already accounted
for it to you, in the superior experience of
our men and officers." " I understand," said
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CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 77
he, **from some Frenchmen who were on
bom'd your ship for several days,* that you
take great pains in exercising your guns,
and training your men to fire at a mark/'
I answei:eJ, '' I did so^ because I considered
it of the greatest importance ;" and | added,
'' that if the frigates had attempted to put to
sea, he would probably have had an oppor-
tunity of seeing the effect of it," He asked
me " if I thought two frigates, with four-
and-twenty pounders on their main decks,t
were a match for a seventy-four gun ship ;
and whether it was my opinion, if he had
attempted to force a passage in the ships at
Isle d'Aix, it would have been attended with
* They were part of the officers and crew of the iBneas
store-ship, mentioned as having been detained on the 18th
of June, who were on board the Bellerophon about a week,
and were landed at Isle d'Aix, in a chasse maree, a few
days before Buonaparte's arrival there.
t I was afterwards tol4; that one of the frigates, at Isle
d'Aix, had' changed her eighteen pounders for twenty-
fours.
Digitfeed by LjOOQ IC
78 NARRATIVE OF
success." I replied, " that the fire of a two-
deck ship was so much more compact, and
oarried such an immense weight of iron, iii
proportion to that of a frigate^ and there
was so much difficulty in bringing two or
three ships to act with effect at the same
time upon one, that I scarcely considered
three frigates a match for one line-of-battle
ship ; — that, with respect to forcing a passage
past the Bellerophon, it must have depended
greatly on accident, but* the chances Were
much against it; as the frigates would have
had to beat, out against the wind for thre^ or
four leagues, though a narrow passage, ex-
posed to the fire of a seventy-four gun ship^
which, from being to windward, would have
had the power of taking th6 position most
advantageous for herself* He then said,
reverting to what bad passed before about
firing at marks, " You have a great advi&in-
tage over France in your finances: I have
long wished to introduce the use of powder
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CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 79
and shot in exercise ; but the expense was
too great for the country to bear." He ex-
amined the sights on the guns, and approved
of them highly; asked the weight of metal
on the different decks, disapproving of the
mixture of different calibres on the quarter^
deck and forecastle. I told him the long
nines were placed in the way of the rigging,
that they might carry the fire from the
explosion clear of it, which a carronade
would not do : he answered, " That may be
necessary, but it must be attended with in-
convenience.'* His enquiries were generally
much to the purpose, and showed that he
had given naval matters a good deal of con-
sideration.
On seeing the additional supply of wads
for each deck made up along with the shot-
boxes, in the form of sophas, with neat
canvass covers, he observed, " The French
ships of war have all the preparations for
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80 NARRATIVE OF
action that you have, but they have not
the way of combining appearance with
utility."
We had breakfast about nine o'clock, in
the English style, consisting of tea, coffee,
cold meat,&c. He did not eat much, or seem
to relish it ; and when, on enquiry, I found
he was accustomed to have a hot meal in
the morning, I immediately ordeoed my
steward to allow his Maltre d'Hotel to give
directions, that he might invariably be
served in the manner he had been used to ;
and after that we always lived in the French
fashion, as far as I could effect that object.
During breakfast he asked many ques-
tions about English customs, saying, '' £
must now learn to conform myself to them,
as I shall probably pass the remainder of
my life in England/'
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CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 81
The Superb, fits I before observed, had
been seen in the offing early in the morning,
and was now approaching with a light breeze :
he asked two or three times how soon she
would anchor/ seemed very anxious to know
whether the Admiral would approve of my
having received him ; and when I went to
wait on Sir Henry Hotham, requested I
would say he was desirous of seeing him.
The Superb anchored about half past ten,
and I immediately went on board, and gave
the Admiral an account of all that had
occurred, adding, " I trust I have done
right, and that the Government will approve
of my conduct, as I considered it of much
importance to prevent Buonaparte's escape
to America, and to get possession of his per-
son.** Sir Henry Hotham said, ** Getting hold
of him on any terms would have been of the
greatest consequence ; but as you have en-
tered into no conditions whatever, there can-
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82 NARRATIVE OF
not be a doubt that you will obtain the ap-
probation of his Majesty's Government."
He then said, " How do you feel as to
keeping him ? would you like to part with
him ?" " Certainly not," was my answer :
" as I have had all the anxiety and respon-
sibility of conducting this matter to an
issue, I am of course desirous of taking him
to England ; but, as I do not wish to keep
him, or any man, in my ship against his
will, if he desires to remove into another,
I shall certainly not object."
I then delivered Buonaparte's message,
that he was desirous of receiving a visit
from the Admiral, who said he would wait
upon him with much pleasure.
I soon after returned to the Bellerophon,
and told Buonaparte that the Admiral meant
to wait on him; upon which he desired Count
Bertrand to go and pay his respects to Sir
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CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 88
Henry. I accompanied him, and while thi^
Admiral was preparing for his visit, Captaia
Senhouse attended General Bertrand through
the ship.
In the afternoon, Sir Henry Hotham;
accompanied by Captain Senhouse, and
Mr- Irving, his secretary, came on board
the Bellerophon. They were introduced to
Buonaparte by General Bertrand, in the
after-cabin, where he had a good deal of
conversation with them : be sho,wed his por-
table library, which was laid out in small
travelling cases round the cabin ; asked
various questions, principally relative to the
discipline and regulation of our d^iips of
war, and finally invited them all to remain
to dinner.
Dinner was served about five o' clock upon
Buonaparte's plate. This was arranged by
his M altre d'Hotel, whom I had told to re-
g2
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84 NARRATIVE OF
gulate every thing in the manner most likely
to be agreeable to his master.
When dinner was announced, Buonaparte,
viewing himself as a Royal personage, which
he continued to do while on board the Bel-
lerophon, and which, under the circumstan-
ces, I considered it would have been both
ungracious and uncalled for in me to have
disputed, led the way into the dining-room.
He seated himself in the centre at one. side
of the table, requesting Sir Henry Hotham
to sit at his right hand, and Madame Ber*
trand on his left. For that day I sat as usual
at the head of the table, but on the following
day, and every other, whilst Buonaparte re-
mained on board, I sat by his request at his
right hand, and General Bertrand. took the
top. Two of the ward-room officers dined
daily at the table, by invitation from Buona-
parte, conveyed through Count Bertrand.
He conversed a great deal, and showed lio
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CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 85
depression of spirits : among other things, he
asked me where I was born. I told him in
Scotland. *' Have you any property there ?"
said he. '* No, I am a younger brother, and
they do not bestow much on people of that
description in Scotland." Is your elder bro-
ther a Lord?" ''No, Lord Lauderdale is
the head of our family." ** Ah! you are a
relation of Lord Lauderdale's! he is an ac-
quaintance of mine, he was sent Ambassador
from your King to me, when Mr. Fox was
Prime Minister : had Mr. Fox lived, it never
would have come to this,' but his death put
an end to all hopes of peace. Milord Lau-
derdale est un bon garjon," adding, " I think
you resemble him a little, though he is dark
and you are fair."
When dinner was over, a cup of strong
' coffee was handed round ; he then rose and
went into the after-cabin, asking the Admi-
ral and all the party to accompany him, the
ladies among the rest. This was the only
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86 NARRATIVE OF
time I ever saw thetn in the apartment in
which he slept.
After some conversation, he said, in ^
cheerful and playful way, that he would show
us his camp bed; and sent for Marchand,
his premier valet de chambre, who received
his order, and soon returned with two small
packages in leather cases ; one of which con-
tained the bedstead, which was composed
of steel, and, when packed up,- was not above
two feet long, and eighteen inches in circum-
ference; the other contained the mattress
and curtains, the latter of green silk. In three
minutes the whole was put together, and
formed a very elegant small bed, about thirty
inches wide.
He then went out, and walked the quarter-
deck for some time, and retired to his cabin
about half-past seven o'clock. Soon after,
when the Admiral was going to return to his
ship, he proposed to Bertrand to take leave
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CAPTAIN MAIXLAND. 87
of him. He went into the cabin, but returned
immediately with an apology, saying he was
undressed, and going to bed.
In the course of the afternoon, the Admiral
invited Buonaparte, with the ladies and all
his principal officers, to breakfast, the follow*
ing day : which invitation was accepted,
apparently, with much satisfaction.
When I went on deck, early the next
morning, (the 16th of July) I observed that
the Superb had the tompions out of her guns,
and the man ropes on her yards, as if for the
purpose of saluting and manning ships ; and
as I had received^ Buonaparte without even
the guard presenting arms, I felt that he
might conceive I had intentionally treated
him with disrespect. I therefore sent the
officer of the watch with my compliments to
Sir Henry Hotham, and begged to know if
it was his intention to salute Buonaparte on
his going on board, and to receive him with
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8lj NARRATIVK OF
manned yards ; and, if so, whether I was to
do the same, on his quitting the BellerophoB.
He sent for answer, that it was not his in-
tention to salute, but he meant to man ship ;
that I was not to do so on his quitting the
Bellerophon, but was at liberty to man yards
on his return. I likewise received directions
from the Admiral to hoist a signal, when the
boat with his visitors was ready to leave the
ship, that he might have time to make the
necessary preparations.
About ten A. M. the barge was manned^
and a captain's guard turned out. When
Buonaparte came on deck, he looked at the
marines, who were generally fine-looking
young men, with much satisfaction; went
through their ranks, inspected their arms,
and admired their appearance, saying to
Bertrand, " How much might be done with
a hundred thousand such soldiers as these.*'
He asked which had been longest in the
corps; went up and spoke to him. His
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
CAPTAIN WAITLAND. 89
t
questions were put in French, which I inter-
preted, as well as the man's answers. He
enquired how many years he had served ; on
being' told upwards of ten, he turned to me
and said, " Is it not customary in your ser-
vice, to give a man who has been in it so long
some mark of distinction ?" He was inform-
ed that the person in question had been a
sergeant, but was reduced to the ranks for
some misconduct. He then put the guard
through part of their exercise, whilst I
interpreted to the Captain of Marines, who
did not understand French, the manoeuvres
-he wished to have performed. He made
some remarks upon the difference of the
charge with the bayonet between our troops
and the French; and found fault with our
method of fixing the bayonet to the mus-
quet, as being more easy to twist off, if
seized by an enemy when in the act of
charging.
On getting into the boat, he looked at the
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90 NARRATIVE OF
barge's crew, and said, ** What a very fine
set of men you have got!" He then turned
to Las Cases, who had come on board the
ship in plain clothes, but now appeared in a
naval uniform, and said jocularly, ** Com-
ment, Las Cases, vous fetes militaire?" ** What,
Las Cases, are you a military man ? I have
never till now seen you in uniform." He
answered, '* Please your Majesty, before
the revolution I was a lieutenant in the
navy ; and as I think an uniform carries more
consideration with it in a foreign country, I
have adopted it."
Hijs attention was now drawn to the men
on the Superb's yards, as well as to the ap-
pearance of the ship, about which he made
some observations, and asked several ques-
tions ; among others, whether she was French
or English ; what her age was ; the number
of guns she carried, and the weight of metal
on each deck.
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CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 91
On going along-side, General Bertrand
went up and announced to the Admiral, that
the Emperor, for they always gave him that
title, was in the boat. He then went up, and
was received by Sir Henry Hotham on the
quarter-deck, where a captain's guard was
turned out to him. He was immediately
shown into the cabin, and, after looking
round him, requested to have the officers
presented, which was done ; when he asked
nearly the same questions of each, that he
had put to those of the Bellerophon the day
before. He then expressed a wish to go
through the ship ; and did so, accompanied
by several of his own suite, the Admiral,
Captain Senhouse, and myself. The men
were drawn up at divisions, and every thing
was in the nicest order. He appeared mu6h
pleased with all he saw, and drew many
comparisons between French and English
ships of war. On going through the wings
and store-roomis, he said to General Savary,
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\)2 NARRATIVE OF
** Our ships have nothing of this sort:" who
answered, ** All the new ones, built at
Antwerp, were constructed on this plan/'
When he returned to the quarter-deck, he
questioned the Admiral and myself very
minutely, about the clothing and victualling
of the seamen. It was then, on being told
that all that department was under the
charge of the purser, he said in a facetious
way, " Je crois que c*est quelquefois chez
vbus, comme chez nous, le commissaire est
un peu coquin." '* I believe it happens
sometimes with you, as it docs with us, that
the purser is a little of a rogue." This was
addressed to the Admiral and me, with
whom he was conversing, and not to the
people, as has been represented; nor was
there a man that could have understood it,
as it was spoken in French, and not within
their hearing. He asked to see the Chaplain,
put a few questions to him as to the number
of Catholics and foreigners in the ship, ai^d
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
CAPTAIX MAITLAND, 93
whether any of them spoke the* French lan-
guage. A Guernsey man was pointed out
to him, but he had no conversation with
him.
He was then shown into the cabin, where
breakfast was prepared : during which meal
he talked a good deal, but ate little, the
breakfast being served in the English man-
ner. I observed, during the whole time
of breakfast, that Colonel Planat, who was
much attached to him, and of whom Buo-
naparte always expressed himself in terms
of affection; had tears running down his
cheeks, and seemed greatly distressed at
the situation of his master. And, from the
opportunities I afterwards had of observing
this young man's character, I feel convinced
he had a strong personal attachment to
Buonaparte ; — and this, indeed, as far as I
could judge, was the case also with all his
other attendants, without exception.
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(^Qr^n]c>
94 NARRATIVE OF
On rising from the breakfiaist-table, the
whole party went into the after-cabin,
where a discussion took place about Buo-
naparte's horses and carriages, which had
been left at Rochefort, and which he was
desirous of having forwarded to England.
1 had formerly agreed, in the event of their
arriving, to receive two carriages, and five
or six horses, as many as the ship could
conveniently stow; but as they had not
come, the Admiral now consented to give
a passport for a vessel to transport the
whole of them, consisting of six carriages
and forty-five horses : which was accord^
ingly made out, and forwarded to Monsieur
Philibert, the senior naval officer at Isle
d'Aix, but I believe it was never acted upon.
We all returned to the Bellerophon about
noon, when the ships present manned their
yards, the boat .was immediately hoisted*
in, and the ship got under weigh, in pur-*
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 9d
Sfuance of orders from the Admiral, of which
the following is an extract.
Extract of an Ordeir from Rear Admiral Sir Henry Ho-
tJiam, K. G. B.^ addressed to Captain Maitland of
fl. M. S. Bellerophon^ dated Superb> in Basque Roads^
July 15th, 1815.
'* You are hereby required and directed
to take the Myrmidon under your orders,
and, putting on board her such persons com-
posing a part of the suite of Napoleon Buo-
naparte as cannot be conveyed in the Bel-
lerophon, you are to put to sea in H. M. S.
under your command, in company with
the Myrmidon, and make the best of your
way with Napolton Buonaparte and his
suite to Torbay, and there landing the
officer of the ship bearing my flag, whom
I have chained with a despatch address-
ed to the Secretary of the Admiralty, as
well as an officer of the ship you com-
mand, for the purpose of proceeding express
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96 . NARRATIVE OF
to Plymouth with the despatch you will
herewith receive, addressed to Admiral Lord
Keith, and a copy of these instructions
(which you will transmit to his Lordship,)
await orders from the Lords Commissioners
of the Admiralty, or his Lordship, for your
further proceedings."
During the time we were heaving the an-
chor up, and setting the sails, Buonaparte
remained on the break of the poop ; and was
very inquisitive about what was going on.
He observed, *' Your method of performing
this manceuvre is quite different from the
French ;" and added, " What I admire most
in your ship, is the extreme silence and
orderly conduct of your men : — on board a
French ship, every one calls and gives or-
ders, and they gabble like so many %e&At^'
Previous to his quitting the Bellerophon he
made the same remark, saying, " There has
been less noise in this ship, where there
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
CAPTAIN MAITLAMD. 97
are six hundred men, during the whole of the
time I have been in her, than there was on
board the Epervier, with only one hundred,
in the passage from Isle d'Aix to Basque
Roads.*
Soon after the ship was under weigh, the
Mouche joined, with three or four sheep, a
quantity of vegetables, and other refresh-
ments, — a present from the French Commo-
dore to Buonaparte. After receiving them on
board, we made sail, accompanied by the
Myrmidon, for England.
In working out» we passed within about a
cable's length of the Superb. He asked me
if I considered that was near enough for a
naval engagement : I answered, that half the
distance, or even less, would suit much
better ; as it was a maxim in our navy not
to be further from our enemy than to give
H
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98 NARRATIVE OV
room for workiag the yards, and manoBU*
vring the ship.
He remained upon deck all the time the
ship was beating out of the Pertuis d'An-
tioche. Having cleared the Chasseron shoal
about six P. M., dinner was served. He
conversed a great deal at table, and seemed
in very good spirits ; told several anecdotes
of himself; among others, one relating to Sir
Sydney Smith. Knowing that I had served
under that officer on the coast of Syria, he
turned to me and said, ^'Did Sir Sydney
Smith ever tell you the cause of his quarrel
with me ?'• I answered he had not. ** Then,*'
said he, ** I will. — ^When the French army
was befove St. Jean d'Acre, he had a paper
privately dtetributed among tiiie Qileers and
soldiers, tending to induce them to reirolt
and quit me ; on which I issued a proclaQMr
tioA, denouncing the English commanding-
officer as a madmc^n, and prohibiting all in-
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 39
tercourse with him. This nettled Sir Syd-
ney so much, that he sent me a challenge to
meet him in single combat on the beach at
Cai^. My reply was, that when Marlbo-
rough appeared for that purpose, I should
be at his service; but I had other duties to
(iilfil besides fighting a duel with an English
commodore/' He pursued the subject of
Syria, and said, patting me (who was sitting
next him) on the head ; ^' If it had not been
for you English, I should have been Emperor
of the East ; but wherever there is water to
float a ship, we are sure to find you in our
way.''
During the 1 7th and 18th of July, the
weather was very fine, and nothing of note
occurred. Several strange vessels were seen,
about whil^h Buonaparte and his attendants
were very inquisitive, in order, I presume,
that they niight judge whether they would
probably haire escaped or not, had they put
H 2
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
100 NAKRATIVE OF
to sea. The only ship of war fallen in with
on those days was the Bacchus sloop, which
I pointed out ; and at the same time informed
him, that we had several frigates cruising
in this position, for the purpose of intercept-
ing him, had he got past the ships stationed
close in with the land. This, as it afterwards
appeared, was not the case : the Endymion
haying gone into the Gironde, the LifFey
having sprung her bowsprit and returned to
England, and the others, from various causes,
having quitted the station ; so that, had he
passed the squadron off Rochefort, there can
be little doubt he would have made his
voyage in safety to America.
About this time, Buonaparte amused him-
self by playing at cards after breakfast : the
game was vingt-un, in which all the party
joined, except myself. He proposed that I
should play with them, but I told him I had
no money, making it a rule to leave it all
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 101
with my wife before I went to sea : on which
he laughed, and good-humouredly offered to
lend me some, and trust me until we arrived
in England : I, however, declined his offer,
having the numerous duties of the ship to
attend to.
As my despatch of the 14th instant to the
Secretary of the Admiralty had been very
short, and written in great haste, — being de-
sirous that his Majesty's Ministers should
be made acquainted with the important
arrangements agreed upon, as early as pos-
sible, — I considered it right to make a more
detailed report to the Commander in Chief;
and therefore wrote a despatch to Lord
Keith, of which the following are extracts,
intending to send it by the officer who should
announce to him the Bellerophon's arrival
in Torbay.
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102 NAREATIVE OF
Extract of a Letter from Captain Maitland^ addressed to
Admiral Viscoont Keiths Q^C. B. dated on board H. M.
Ship Bellerophon^ atsea^ July 18tli^ 1815^
" Havmg received directions from Sir
Henry Hotham to forward the accompany-
ing despatch to your Lordship by an officer,
I avail myself of the opportunity to explain
the circumstances under which I wa9 placed
when induced to receive Napoleon Buona**
parte into the ship I command.
'' After the first oommunication was made
to me by Count Bertrand (a copy of which,
with my answer, has been forwarded to
yow Lordship by Sir Henry Hotham) that
Buonaparte was at Isle d'Aix, and actually
embarked on board the frigates for the pur-r
pose of proceeding to the United States
of America, my duty became peculiarly
harassing and anxious, owing to the nu*
merous reports, that were daily brought from
all quarters, of his intention to escape in
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CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 103
vessels of various descriptions, and from
different situations on the coast, of which
the limited means I possessed, together
with the length. of time requisite to com-
municate with Sir Henry Hotham at Qui*"
beron Bay, rendered the success at least
possible, and even probable. Thus situated,
the enemy having two frigates and a brig,
while the force under my command con-*
sisted of the Bellerophon and Slaney, (hav-^
ing detached the Myrmidon to reinforce
the Daphne off the Mamusson paMsagc^^
where the forc6 was considerably superior
to her, and whence one of the reports
stated Buonaparte meant to sail,) another
flag of truce was sent out, for the ostensible
reason of enquiring whether I had received
an answei* to the fdrmer, but I sooii as^
certained the real one to be a proposal
from Buonaparte to embark for England in
this ship.
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104 NARRATIVE OF
'* Taking into consideration all the circum-
stances of the probability of the escape being
effected, if the trial was made either in the
frigates, or clandestinely in a small vessel^
as, had this ship been disabled in action, there
was no other with me that could produce any
effect on a frigate, and from the experience I
have had in blockading the ports of the bay,
knowing the impossibility of preventing small
vessels from getting to sea, and looking upon
it as of the greatest importance to get pos*
session of the person of Buonaparte ; I wa$
induced, without hesitation, to accede to the
proposal, as far as taking him on board, and
proceeding with him to England : but, at the
same time, stating in the most clear and posi-
tive terms, that I had no authority to make
any sort of stipulation as to the reception he
\ms to meet with.
'' I am hajppy to say, that the measures I
have adopted have met with the approbation
r
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CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 105
of Sir Henry Hotham, and will, I trust and
hope, receive that of your Lordship, as well
as of his Majesty's Government."
On the 29th, a conversation took place be«
tween Madame Bertrand and myself, about
BuonapJarte's voyage to Elba. She asked me
if I was acquainted with Captain Usher. On
my answering in the negative, she said, ''The
Emperor is very fond of him : he gave him his
portrait set with diamonds, and has another
which he intends for you." I replied, •* I
hope not, as I cannqt accept of it. Captain
Usher's situation aiMl^jnine were very diffe-
rent, and what might be proper in him would
not be so in me." She rejoined, ** If you do
not accept of it, you will offend him very
much."^ '* If that is the case," I said, " I shall
be obliged to you to take steps to prevent its
being offered, as I wish to save him the mor-
tification, and myself the pain, of a refusal ;
and I feel it absolutely impossible, situated
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106 NAftRATlV£ OF
as I am, to take a present from him. In re«
ceiying him on board, I had no direct autho^
rity from my Government, and I have yet to
learn whether my conduct will be approved
of. Besides, were I to receive a present of
such value, it might possibly be said, that I
was actuated by selfish motives ; whereas all
the measures I have taken were dictated
solely by the desire of serving my country
to the best of my judgment : if, therefore, I
am to receive any reward, it must come from
that quarter/'
On the 20th of July, early in the morning,
we spoke the Swiftsure, cm her way from
England to reinforce me in the blockade of
Rochefort. The astonishment of Captain
Wehley can scarcely be conceived, when, on
his entering the ship^ I said, '' WeU, I have
got hinu" '' Got him I got whom ?'' " Why,
Buonaparte ; the man that has been keeping
all Europe in a ferment these last twenty
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CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 107
years/' " Is it possible ?" said he ; ** well,
you are a lucky fellow/' We had some fur-
ther conversation ; but Captain Webley was
not introduced to Buonaparte, who had not
then left his cabin ; and as the Swiftsure was
going to the southward, and I was desirous
of getting to England as quickly as possible,
we soon parted company.
During the 21st and 22d of July, we ex-
chaiiged signals with two or three others of
our ships, which I took care to explain were
on the look-out for my. guest ; and he seemed
by this time pretty well convinced that an at*
tempt to elude our cruisers would have been
fruitless. On the latter day, the Prometheu9
showed her number, while we were at din-
ner : wh^n Buonaparte expressed a wish to
know whether the ships at Brest had hoisted
the white flag or not. I sent for the officer of
the watch^ and desired him to ask the question
by telegraph. In a few minutes he returned,
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108 NAKRATIVE OF
jvith an.answer in the affirmative. Buona-
parte made no remark, upon this information;
but asked, with apparent indifference, how
the question and answer had been conveyed;
and when I explained it to him, he approved
highly of the usefulness of the invention.
During meals^ he always entered very
freely and familiarly into conversation with
those about him, addressing himself fre-
quently to Las Cases and me ; asking many
questions about the manners, custpms, and
laws of the English ; often repeating the ob-
servation he had made on first coming on
board, that he must gain all the information
possible on those subjects, and conform him-
self to them, as he should probably end his
life, among that people. Monsieur Las
Gases, it appears, had emigrated from France
early in the revolution, and remained in
England until the peace of Amiens, when he
was allowed to return to his own country.
_.,. rir
CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 109
Sunday/ the 23rd of July, we passed very
near to Ushant : the day was fine, and
Buonaparte remained upon deck great part
of the morning. He cast many a melancholy
look at the coast of France, but made few ob-
servations on it. He asked several questions
about the coast of England ; whether it was
safe to approach; its distance, and the part
we were likely to make. About eight in the
evening, the high land of Dartmoor was disr
covered, when I went into the cabin and
told him of it: I found him in a flannel
dressing-gown, nearly undressed, and pre-
paring to go to bed. He put on his great-
coat, came out upon deck, iand remained
some time looking at the land ; asking its dis-
tance from Torbay, and the probable time of
our arrival there.
At day-break of the 24th of July, we were
close off Dartmouth. Count Bertrand went
into the cabin, and informed Buonaparte of
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112 NARRATIVE OF
vice or not, who does not belong to the ship,
to be suffered to come on board, either for
the purpose of visiting the officers, or on any
pretence whatever, without express per-
mission either from the Lords Commission-
ers of the Admiralty, or from me* As I un-^
derstand from Captain Sartorius, that Ge-
neral Gourgaud refused to deliver the letter
with which he was charged for the Prince
Regent, to any person except his Royal
Highness, you are to take him out of the
Slaney, into the ship you command, until
you receive directions from the Admiralty on
the subject, and order that ship back to
Plymouth Sound, when Captain Sartorius
returns from London."
Along with the above order, I received a
letter from Lord Keith, of which I give some
extracts.
** You will perceive by the newspapers.
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CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 113
that the intelligence had reached London
before Captain Sartorius, owing to his long
passage. I have a letter from Lord Mel-
ville to-day, enforcing in the strongest man-
ner the former orders, — even that no person,
myself or Sir John Duckworth excepted,
shall be suffered to come on board the ship,
till orders are sent from Government ; which
you will be so good as strictly to comply
with. Let him and his want for nothing ;
and send to me for any thing Brixham can-
not furnish ; I will send it to you by a small
vessel. You may say to Napoleon, that I
am under the greatest personal obligations
to him for his attention to my nephew, who
was taken and brought before him at Belle
Alliance, and who must have died, if he had
not ordered a surgeon to dress him immedi-
ately, and sent him to a hut. I am glad it
fell into your hands at this time, because a
Frenchman had been sent from Paris on the
mission, a Monsieur Drigni."
I
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114 NAKllATIVE OF
Buonaparte recollected the circumstance
alluded to, and seemed much gratified with
Lord Keith's acknowledgments.
Napoleon and all his attendants were
very anxious to see as many newspapers
as possible, but particularly the Courier,
which they considered the Ministerial paper,
and most likely to contain the intentions
of Government respecting them. They re-
ceived little encouragement from any of
them, but least of all from those which are
supposed to take the Ministerial side in
politics, ais they not only contained a great
deal that was personally offensive, but
stated, in very plain terms, that ^none of
the party would be allowed to land in Eng-
land, and that St. Helena was the probable
place of their ultimate destination. Buona-
parte himself always affected to consider
this as a mere newspaper report, though
I believe it gave him a good deal of un-
easiness. His followers received it with
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CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 116
much irritation and impatience^ frequeutly
endeavouring to convince me that our Go-
vernment could have no right to dispo9e
of thbm in that way, and talking to me^
as if I had been one of bis Majesty's Mi-
nisters, and had influence in determining
on their future destination. All I could
say on the subject did not prevent them
from frequently recurring to it, and appeal*"
ing against the injustice of such a measure.
This morning General Gourgaud returned
from the Slaney, which we found lying here,
not having been permitted to land, and
having refused to deliver the letter he had
been charged with for the Prince Regent
to any persdn except his Royal Highness
himself. .
When I was conversing with Madame
Bertrand, she said, '' Had the Emperor
gained the battle of Waterloo, he would
I 2
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1J6^ NARKATIVE OF
have been firmly seated on the throne of
France." I ♦ answered, " It certainly might
have protracted his downfall, but, in all
probability, he would have been overthrown
at last, as the Russians were fast advancing,
and he never could have resisted the com-
bined forces of the Allies.'' To which she
replied, '* If your army had been defeated,
the Russians never would have acted against
him." '' That I cannot believe," I said, " as
they were using every effort to join and
support the Allies; and the assertion is ri-
diculous." '*Ah," said she, *' you may
laugh at it, and so may other people, nor
will it, perhaps, now be discovered ; but re-
member what I say, and be assured that
at some future period it will be proved,
that it never was Alexander's intention to
cross the frontiers of France, in opposition
to him."
In the course of the day I received many
Digitized by
CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 'H?
*
applications for admittance into the ship:
among others tt note from a lady residing in
the neighbourhood, accompanied by a basket
of fruit, requesting a boat might be sent for
her next morning. 1 returned a civil answer,
informing her that my instructions would
not admit of her request being complied
with : no more fruit was sent from that quar-
ter. Lord Gwydir and Lord Charles Ben-
tinck also japplied for admittance, but with
no better success.
No sooner was Buonaparte's arrival known
in the neighbourhood, than the ship was sur-
rounded by a crowd of boats, people being
drawn from all quarters to see this extraor-
dinary man. He came often upon deck, and
showed himself at the gangways and stern
windows, apparently for the purpose of gra-
tifying their curiosity, of which, as he ob-
served to me, the English appeared to have
a very large portion.
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118 NAllllATIVE OF
In the evening, the officer who had been
sent to Plymouth, on the ship's arrival, with
despatches for Lord Keith, returned, bring-
ing letters, from which I give the following
extracts : —
Extract of a Letter from Admiral Visoount Keiths G. C. B.
addressed to* Captain Maitland of H. M. S. Bellero-
phon^ dated Ville de Paris^ Hamoaze^ July 24^ 1815.
" The officer of the ship you command
has just delivered to me your letter of this
date, reporting your arrival in Torbay, with
the Bellerophon and Myrmidon, having on
board Napoleon Buonaparte and his suite.
I have also received your other letter, ex-
plaining the circumstances under which you
wefe placed, when you were induced to
receive Napoleon on board ; and I shall
transmit the same to the Lords Comttiis'-
sidnefs of the Admiralty, in canlklent ex-
pectation, that his Majesty's Oovernment
will fully approve of your conduct/*
. Digitized by
G oogle
CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 119
Extract of a letter from Admiral Viscount Keiths G. C B.
addressed to Captain Maitland^ of H. M. S. Bellero-
phon, dated 24th July, 1815.
*' I take the opportunity of your officer's
return, to congratulate you and the nation,
and to than]^ you for the perfect manner in
which you entered into my views on the sub*
ject, and for the management of the blockade,
about which I was most anxious. It will not
be long ere you are instructed by the Go-
vernment : the first express would arrive
about four o'clock this morning, and I at*
tempt a telegraph message, but it is cloudy.
I beg you will send for any thing you may
want^ to me, and it shall be sent instantly ;
and I beg to present my respects to Napo-
leon, and if I can render him any civility, I
will consider it my duty^ as well as in grati*
tude for Captain Elpbin^tone's report of the
attention he received from him on the field
of battle.^
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120 NARRATIVE OF
During the 25th of July, the concourse of
people round the ship was greater than the
day before, and the anxiety of the Frenchmen
was considerably augmented by the confi-
dence with which the newspapers spoke of
the intention to remove Buonaparte to St.
Helena. In the afternoon, he walked above
an hour on deck, frequently stood at the
gangway, or opposite to the quarter-deck
ports, for the purpose of giving the people
an opportunity of seeing him, and, whenever
he observed any well-dressed women, pulled
his hat ofi*, and bowed to them.
At dinner he conversed as usual, was in-
quisitive about the kinds of fish produced on
the coast of England, and ate part of a turbot
that was at table with much relish. He then
spoke of the character of the fishermen and
boatmen on our coast, saying, " They are ge-
nerally smugglers as well as fishermen ; at one
time a great many of them were in my pay>
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CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 121
for the purpose of obtaining intelligence,
bringing money over to France, and assist-
ing prisoners of war to escape. They even
offered, for a large sum of money, to seize
the person of Louis, and deliver him into my
hands ; but as they could not guarantee the
preservation of his life, I would not give my
consent to the measure/*
At three in the morning of the 26th of
July, Captain Sartorius returned from Lon-
don; having carried my despatch announ-
cing Buonaparte's intention to embark in the
Bellerophon, and brought with him orders
for me to proceed to Plymouth Sound. We
immediately got under weigh, accompanied
by the Myrmidon and Slaney. While heav-
ing the anchor up. Las Cases came upon
deck, when I told him the ship was ordered
to Plymouth, supposing, if he thought it re-
quisite, he would acquaint his master. Soon
after the ship was at sea, Madame Bertrand
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122 NARRATIVE OF
made her appearance, when she attacked
me with some warmth for having neglected
to acquaint Buonaparte with the orders I
had received, and told me he was exces-
sively offended. As she had once or twice
before, when every thing did not go exactly
as she wished, held the same language, I dC'-
termined to ascertain whether Buonaparte
had expressed any dissatisfaction, and, if so,
to come to an explanation with him, as,
though I was inclined to treat him with
every proper consideration, it never was my
intention to be looked upon as responsible
to him for my movements ; I therefore told
Las Cases what she had said, and requested
he would ascertain whether Napoleon really
had felt displeased. He immediately went
ijnto the cabin, and on his return assured me
(hat there must have been some mifltiake, as
nothing of the kind ha4 taken pil^pe.
The ship's removal to the wjestward wa*
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CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 12?
by no means an agreeable event to the suite
of my guest : they naturally reasoned, thgtt,
had it been the intention of the British
Oovemment to allow him to land in England^
he would not have been removed further
from the Metropolis. He» however, made no
observations on the subject himself; still
affecting to consider the reports in the news-
papers as the surmises of the editors.
We had, during the forenoon of the 26th of
July, to beat up from the Start to Plymouth
Sound, against a strong northerly wind.
Buonaparte remained upon deck the greater
part of the day. When going into the Sound,
I pointed out the Breakwater to him, and /
described the manner in which they were
forming it. He said, it was a great national
u&dertaking, and highly honourable to the
country; enquired the estimated expense^
and seemed surprised, when I told him it
was expected to be finished for something ^
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124 NARRATIVE OF
less than a million sterling. He added, '' I
have expended a large sum of money on the
port of Cherbourg, and in forming the
Boyart Fort, to protect the anchorage at
Isle d'Aix ; but I fear now, those and many
other of my improvements will be neglected,
and allowed to go to ruin."
When the ship had anchored, I informed
him I was going to wait on the Commander-
in-chief, and requested to know if I could
convey any message from him. He desired
roe to return his thanks to Lord Keith, for
the kind intentions he had expressed towards
him in his letters to me, and to say he was
extremely anxious to see his Lordship, if it
could be done with propriety. On delivering ^
his message to Lord Keith, he answered^
" I would wait upon him with much plea- .
sure, but, to tell you the truth, I have as yet ,
received no instructions as to the manner in
which he is to be treated ; and until I do
-ized by Google
CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 126
receive these, I cannot well visit him." He
then gave me some precautionary orders
to prevent his escape, or any attempt to
effect it. From which I give the extracts
below.
Extract of an Order from Admiral Viscount Keith, G. C. B.
to Captain Maitland, of H. M. S. Bellerophon, dated
Hamoaze, July 26, 1815.
" In addition to the orders already received,
you are to pay the strictest regard and atten-
tion to the directions contained in the en-
closed extract of a letter from the Secretary
of the Admiralty. If General Gourgaud has
not already been taken out of the Slaney,
you are to cause him to be removed imme-
diately into the ship you command. I en-
close, for your information, a copy of a general
order that I have issued, forbidding commu-
nication with the ship you command ; and
it is my intention to order the Liffey and
Eurotas to anchor near you, and to row
guard.*'
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126 NARRATIVE OF
Extract of a Letter from the Secretary of the Admiralty
to Admiral Viscount Keith, G. C B. ; dated 24th July'
1815 ; enclosed in the foregoing.
" Referring your Lordship to Mr. Croker's
letter of the Ist instant, respecting Buona-
parte, I am to signify their Lordships' direc-
tions to you, to give the most positive orders
to Captain Maidand to prevent all commu-
nication whatever with the shore but through
him, and by him through your Lordship ; and
oa no account to permit any person whatso-
ever to go on board the ship, without your
Lordship's permission given in writing for that
purpose ; which permission, for obvious rea-
sons, will only be granted in such cases as the
public service may require : and proper mea-
sures are to be taken to prevent boats and small
craft from crowding near the Bellerophon.
" Your Lordship will restrict the captains
and commanders of your squadron from
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CAPTAIN MAITLAND. i27
coramunicating, until further orders, with
the Bellerophon."
There was also enclosed the following copy of a Memo*
randum^ addressed to the respective Captains of H. M >
Ships Liffey and Eurotas.
Ville de Paris^ in Hamoaze^ 26th July^ 1815.
" Memo:
" The Liffey and Eurotas are to take up
an anchorage on each side of the Bellero-
phon^ at a convenient di^tance^ and observe
the following directions, as well for the
purpose of preventing the escape of Buo-
naparte, or any of his suite, from that ship,
as for restraining shore-boats and others
from approaching too close to her, either
from curiosity or any other motive.
*' A constant watch of an officer, a quarter-
watch, and double sentinels, are to be kept
by day, as well as a boat manned and
armed alongside, in constant readiness, as
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128 NARRATIVE OF
a guard-boat : the same precaution is to be
observed all night, with the exception, that
one of the boats, in charge of a lieutenant,
is to row guard, and to be relieved every
hour.
** No shore-boats, or others, are to be
suffered, either by night or by day, to ap-
proach nearer the Bellerophon than one
cable's length ; and no boats are to be per-
mitted to loiter about the ship, even at
that distance, either from curiosity or any
other motive : neither the captains of the
Liffey or JBu rotas, nor any other officer
belonging to those or any other ships, are
to go on board the Bellerophon, either to
visit, or on any pretence whatever, without
permission from me in writing."
Signed, Keith, Admiral.
A Copy.
Keith, Admiral.
To the respective Captains of the
Liffey and Eurotas.
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CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 129
When I returned on board, I found the
frigates had taken their positions as directed
in the last order, and their boats were en-
deavouring as much as possible to keep the
shore-boats at the specified distance from
the ship. I stated to Buonaparte what Lord
Keith had said ; to which he answered, ** 1
am extremely anxious to see the Admiral,
and therefore beg he will not stand upon ce-
remony : I shall be satisfied to be treated as a
private person, until the British Government
has determined in what light I am to be
considered." He then complained of the
two frigates being placed as guard-ships
over himf " as if," said he, '* I were not per-
fectly secure on board a British line-of-battle
ship;" and added, ** The guard-ships' boats
have been firing musquetry all the evening,
to keep the shore-boats at a distance: it dis-
turbs and distresses me, and I shall be obliged
to you to prevent it, if it lies in your power."
K
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130 NARRATIVE OF
I immediately sent to the Captains of the
frigates, to put a stop to the firing.
On the 27th of July, I received a letter
from the Secretary of the Admiralty, of
which I give an extract : —
Extract of a Letter from the Secretary of the Admiralty,
addressed to Captain Maitland of H. M. S. Bellero-
phon, dated 25th July, 1815.
•* I have received and laid before my
Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, your
letter of yesterday's date, reporting your
arrival in the Bellerophon in Torbay, accom-
panied by the Myrmidon, having on board
Napoleon Buonaparte and suite, and trans-
mitting a copy of a letter you had addressed
to Admiral Lord Keith, reporting your pro-
ceedings, under the various circumstances
which occurred prior to his embarkation, of
which their Lordships have been pleased to
direct me to signify their approval."
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CAPTAIN MAITLAND. I3l
I waited on Lord Keith in the morning,
and carried with me Buonaparte's original
letter to the Prince Regent, which Generial
Gourgaud had refused to deliver to Captain
Sartorius: finding that one of his own officers
would not be allowed to proceed with it,
he now consented to its being forwarded
through the Admiral. I reported to his
Lordship all the occurrences of the previous
day ; and that, in' consequence of the fre-
quent repetition in the newspapers of its
being the intention of his Majesty's Govern-
ment to send Buonaparte to St. Helena, he,
as well as the officers of his suite, had ex-
pressed much uneasiness. I also carried a
message from him, stating his desire to see
his Lordship, and that he would willingly
wave all ceremony, and be considered as a
private person. To which Lord Keith an-
swered, '< I shall now have no difficulty
whatever, having received full instructions
as to the manner in which he is to be treated :
K 2
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132 NARRATIVE OF
he is to be considered as a General Officer,
and have the respect due to that rank paid
him, and no more : you may therefore say I
shall wait on him to-morrow forenoon." He
then put into my hands the following addi-
tional orders.
Extract of a Letter from Admiral Viscount Keith^
6. C. B. addressed to Captain Maitland^ of H. M. S.
Belleropbon^ dated Ville de Paris^ Hamoaze^ 27ih Julj,
1816.
" I herewith transmit an extract of an
order, containing certain directions relative
to Buonaparte and his suite, and you are
forthwith to carry the same into execution ;
sending on board the Liffey or Myrmidon,
with directions similar to those that have
been addre&sed to yourself, such of his suite
as are to be withdrawn from the ship you
command."
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CAPTAIN MAITXiAND. 133
Extract of an Order from the Lords Commissioners of the
. Admiralty^ to Admiral Viscount Keiths 6. C. B. dated
July 25th, 1815.
" That he should give immediate orders,
that, upon the arrival of the Bellerophon,
Napoleon Buonaparte should remain, until
the Prince Regent's further pleasure shall be
signified^ on board of that, or such other ship
of war as we shall appoint, and shall not be
permitted on any account to come on shore ;
or to hold communication with the shore, or
with other vessels, either personally, or by
writing. Not more than four or five persons
of his suite (exclusive of menial servants) are
to remain on board the same ship with him-
self: the remainder of his suite are to be
kept under similar restraint, on board of
other vessels of war. Napoleon Buonaparte
is to be considered and addressed as a Ge-
neral Officer."
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134 NARRATIVE OF
In consequence of thoee orders, Several of
the officers of inferior rank, and some of the
servants, were sent to the frigates appointed
to guard us.
In the afternoon Sir Richard and Lady
Strachan, accompanied by Mrs. Maitland,
came alongside thjs ship. Buonaparte was
walking the deck, and, when I told him my
wife was in the boat, he went to the gang-
way, pulled off his hat, and asked her if she
would not come up and visit him. She shook
her head ; and I informed him, that my orders
were so positive, I could not even allow her
to come on board. He answered, ** C'est
dur, 9a." " That is very hard.'' And ad-
dressing himself to her, " Milord Keith est
un peu trop severe ; n'est-ce pas, Madame ?"
*' Lord Keith is a little too severe; is he not.
Madam ?" He then said to me, " Ma foi,
son portrait ne la flatte pas ; elle est encore
plus jolie que lui." '* I assure you her
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CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 136
portrait is not flattering ; she is handsomer
than it is." I told him Sir Richard Strachan
was in the boat with her, and that he was
second in command of the Channel fleet : he
bowed to him, and said, *^ He appears a very
young man to hold so high a rank."
There were this day a great many boats
round the ship, full of people, among which
were a number of well-dressed females. He
expressed himself in strong terms of admi-
ration of the beauty of the English women,
and*was desirous of knowing which were
the ladies, — '* les dames comme il faut," as
he termed it ; as they were all so well dress-
ed that he could not distinguish them.
in the evening a letter was sent to me by
Lord Keith, of which I subjoin an extract: —
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136 NARRATIVE OF
Extract of a Letter from Admiral Visoount Keith, 6. C. B.
addressed to Captain Maitland of H. M. S. Bellero-
phon, dated Ville de Paris, Hamoaae, 27th July, 1815.
" From the representation you have made
to me of the dissatisfaction expressed by
Buonaparte, on observing by the newspapers
that he was to be sent to St. Helena ; it will
be necessary that you redouble your vigi*
lance to prevent his escape; and you are
therefore to station double sentinels, and
resort to every other means that may be
necessary for frustrating any such inten-
tion/'
On the 28th of July, Lord Keith came on
board, between eleven and twelve o'clock,
and was shown by me into the cabin, where
Count Bertrand introduced him to Buona-
parte. I immediately withdrew, and cannot
therefore state what passed between them ;
but Lord Keith afterwards informed me.
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CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 137
tbat Buonaparte had been very anxious to
know whether the Government had come
to any determination with regard to his dis-
posal ; of which his Lordship professed total
ignorance.
After Lord Keith came out of the cabin,
he remained some time with Buonaparte's
suite, wBiO were collected in the stateroom.
Madame Bertrand drew him aside, and en-
tered into conversation with him, saying
what she had repeated to me a hundred
times, that it would be the height of injus-
tice to send them to St. Helena, and en-
deavouring to persuade him to interfere in
preventing her husband at least from going,
should Napoleon be sent there.
During the whole of the 29th of July
it rained incessantly, and nothing worth
relating took place : the Frenchmen were
deprived of their usual amusement of ad-
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138 NARRATIVE Of
miring the ladies, and being admired in
return, not a boat having made its appear*
ance. They often remarked, with the cha-
racteristic vivacity of their nation, that ibey
were placed in the situaticm of Tantalus,
— so many beauties in view, without the
possibility of approaching them.
On Sunday, the 30th of July, t^e crowd
of boats was greater than I ever remember
to have seen at one time. I am certain I
speak within bounds when I state, that
upwards of a thousand were collected round
the ship, in each of which, on an average,
there were not fewer than eigh). people.
The crush was so great, as to render it quite
impossible for the guard-boats to keep them
off; though a boat belonging to one of the
frigates made use of very violent means
to effect it, frequently running against small
boats, containing women, with such force
as nearly to upset them, and alarming the
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CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 139
ladies extremely. The French officers were
very indignant at such rude proceedings,
saying, '* Is this your English liberty? Were
such a thing to happen in France, the men
would rise with one accord and throw that
officer and his crew overboard .*•
After the ship's arrival in England, Buo-
naparte seldom left the cabin earlier than
five o'clock in the afternoon; passing his
time in walking up and down the after-
cabin, reading a great deal,* and often falling
asleep on the sopha, having within these
two or three years become very lethargic.
V
9
I this day informed him, that Lord Keith
had received an intimation, that Sir Henry
Bunbury, one of the Under Secretaries of
State, was to arrive in the course of the
* The books that seemed to occupy his attention, when
I had an opportunity of observing him, were, a Life of
Washington, and a translation of Ossian's Poems.
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140 NARRATIVE OF
day with the decision of the British Go-
vernment as to his future disposal. He
asked me many questions^ but, although
Lord Keith had acquainted me that Buo>-
naparte was to go to St. Helena, he had at
the same time desired me not to commu-
nicate this information, and I was therefore
obliged to evade his interrogatories as I best
could.
In the newspapers of this day there
appeared the lii^ts of persons proscribed
by the Government of France. Among the
first class were the names of Bertrand, Sa-
vary, and Lallemand : the first treated it
with derision, the two others appeared much
alarmed, and often asked me if I thought
it possible the British Government would
deliver them up to Louis. I said, *' Deci-
dedly not ; you have been received on board
an English man of war, and it never can
be the intention of the Ministers to deliver
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CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 141
you over to punishment." They were not,
however, satisfied by any means; and a
French frigate, bearing the white flag, which
lay in Hamoaze, was an object of much
jealousy to them.
When I waited on Lord Keith, the morn-
ing of the 31st of July, he acquainted me
that Sir Henry Bunbury had arrived, and
was to accompany him on board at ten
o*clock. He also showed me a notification
of the decision of Government respecting
Buonaparte, in which he was styled Geueral
throughout. It stated, that he was to be sent
to St. Helena, and to be permitted to take
with him three of the higher class of those
that had accompanied him from France, and
twelve domestics, who were to be selected
by himself, with the exception of Savary and
Lallemand, who were not on any account to
be- permitted to go with him. I imme-
diately returned on board, to be in readiness
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142 NARRATIVE OF
to receive Lord Keith and Sir Henry Bun-
bury ; and informed Buonaparte, that he
might expect them. He asked me if I knew
what they were to communicate ; and hav-
ing then received his Lordship's sanction for
doing so, I told him, I understood it was
determined he was to be sent to St. Helena.
His mind had, by this time, been so much
prepared by tlie newspapers for that event,
that he did not show any very strong emotion
at receiving the intimation ; though he com-
plained, in strong terms, of the injustice of
such a measure. As, however, the Admiral's
barge was seen approaching, and I was ob-
liged to go upon deck to receive him, I had
very little conversation with him at that
time.
Lord Keith and Sir Henry Bunbury ar-
rived about half-past ten in the forenoon,
when I showed them into the cabin, where
Buonaparte was attended by Count Bertrand.
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CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 143
I then withdrew, leaving them shut up with
him for about half-an-hour, when Lord Keith
called me into the fore-cabin, where all the
suite were assembled, and I presented each
of them to the Admiral and Sir Henry. They
all appeared very much distressed, but par-
ticularly Savary and Lallemand ; who were
extremely urgent to know how they were to
be disposed of ; protesting, most vehemently,
against their being given up to France, as a
breach of all faith and honour. Madame
Bertrand again tried to induce Lord Keith to
use his influence with our Government, to
prevent Bertrand from accompanying Buona-
parte to St. Helena.
As soon as the Admiral had left the ship,
Buonaparte sent for me, and showed me the
same paper Lord Keith had communicated to
me in the morning. When I had read it, he
complained vehemently of his treatment in
being sent to St. Helena, saying, '^ The idea
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144 NARRATIVE OF
of it is perfect horror to me. To be placed
for life on an island within the Tropics, at
an immense distance from any land, cut off
from all communication with the world, and
every thing that I hold dear in it! — ^c'est
pis que la cage de fer de Tamerlan. • (It
is worse than Tamerlane's iron cage.) I
would prefer being delivered up to the Bour-
bons. Among other insults/* said he, — ** but
that is a mere bagatelle, a very secondary
consideration, — they style me General ! they
can have no right to call me General ; they
may as well call me Archbishop, for I was
head of the church, as well as the army. If
they do not acknowledge me as Emperor,
they ought as First Consul ; they have sent
Ambassadors to me as such ; and your King,
in his letters, styled me brother. Had they
confined me in the Tower of London, or one
of the fortresses in England, (though not what
I had hoped from the generosity of the Eng-
lish people,) I should not have so much cause
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CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 146
of complaint ; but to banish me to an island
within the Tropics ! They might as well have
signed my death-warrant at once, as it is
impossible a man of my habit of body can
live long in such a climate."
He then expressed a desire to write another
letter to the Prince Regent ; and I carried it
the same afternoon to Lord Keith, by whom
it was immediately forwarded to London^
Generals Savary and Lallemand this day
made many appeals to me on the injustice
oT our Government delivering them up to
France ; saying they had not a doubt it was
intended, else why except them from ac-
companying the Emperor, as they were both
married men, and Savary the father of a
large family : — it was not the wish of either
to have gone to St. Helena ; but their being
expressly excepted j and their names appear-
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146 NARKATIVE OF
ing Id the list of proscribed, was but too
sure a proof of their intended fate. Savary
added, *' Were I to be allowed a fair and im-
partial trial, I should have nothing to fear,
never having accepted a situation under
Louis ; but at present, when faction runs so
high, I should inevitably be sacrificed to the
fury of party. Lallemand's case is quite
different : he held a command under the
King, and, on Napoleon's return from Elba,
joined him with his troops ; therefore, his si-
tuation would at any time be a dangerous
one : — but I lived in the country all the time
Louis was in France, and did not come for-
ward until Buonaparte's arrival in Paris,
when he directed me to take the command
of the Gendarmerie."
Lallemand said, " My reason for coming
on board the Bellerophon with Las Cases
on the morning of the 14th, was to as-
certain whether there would be a risk of
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CAPTAI}>f MAITLAND. 147
any of the Emperor s followers being de-
livered up to the French Government, in the
event of their accompanying him to Eng-
land ; when you assured me there could be
BO danger of it/* I replied, " My answer to
you ivas, that I was of opinion there could
be no risk of the British Government taking
such a step ; and I see no reason now to alter
that opinion. As I have received you on board
the Bellerophon, I consider you under the
protection of the British flag, and myself, in
a great measure, responsible for your perso-
nal safety ; and under that impression I will
write on the subject to Lord Melville, as the
Minister under whose immediate control I
act,^ that your minds may be set at rest,
though, I repeat, you run no hazard of being
sent to France/* The same evening, before
I went to bed, I wrote the letter which fol-
lows : —
L 2
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148 NARRATIVE OF
*'H. M. S. Bellerophon,
Plymouth Sound, 31st July, 1815.
*' My Lord,
*' I am induced to address your Lordship
in consequence of having observed, in the
intimation delivered to Napoleon Buonaparte
of the number of persons allowed to accom-
pany him to the Island of St. Helena, that the
names of Savary and Lallemand are ex-
pressly excepted, which, together with their
being proscribed in the French newspapers,
has created in them a belief that it is the
intention of His Majesty's Government to
deliver them up to the King of France.
Far be it from me to assume such an idea ;
but I hope your Lordship will make allow-
ance for the feelings of an officer who has
nothing so dear to him as his honour, and
who could not bear that a stain should be
affixed to a name he has ever endeavoured
to bear unblemished. These two men,
Savary and Lallemand (what their charac-
ters or conduct in their own country may be
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CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 149
I know not), threw themselves under the
protection of the British flag ; that protec-
tion was granted them with the sanction of
my name. It is true, no conditions were
stipulated; but for I acted in the full con-
fidence that their lives would be held sa-
cred, or they should never have put foot
in the ship I command, without being made
acquainted that it was for the purpose of
delivering them over to the laws of their
country.
" I again beg leave to repeat to your Lord-
ship, that I am far from^ supposing it to be
the intention of His Majesty's Government
to deliver these men over to the laws of
their country ; but, as they are strongly im-
pressed with that belief, and I look upon
myself as the cause of their being in their
present situation, I most earnestly beg your
Lordship's influence may be exerted that
two men may not be brought to the scaffold
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160 NAIIUATIVE OF
who claimed and obtained at my hands the
protection of the British flag*
** I have the honour to be,
&c. &c. &c.
**Fred. L. Maitland."
*' The Viscount Melville,
&c. &c. &c.''
I felt convinced* that Buonaparte, after
the notification he had received, would be
too much depressed in spirits to make his
appearance on deck this day ; and sent a boat
to some of my friends, who were waiting
in hopes of seeing him, to say there was tiq
chance of his coming out> as he was much
distressed at the communication which had
been made to him. I was, therefore, a good
deal surprised, on turning round, to find him
standing at my elbow; and I can only ac-
count for his showing himself as usual, by
supposing either that he was not in fact so
inucfa annoyed as I had believed him to be.
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CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 161
or that he was actuated by a desire of
creating a feeling of commiseration among
the English people in his behalf.
At dinner he conversed as usual; and,
indeed, it was quite astonishing with what
elasticity his spirits regained their usual
cheerfulness, after such trials and disap-
pointments. He never, in my hearing,
threatened to commit suicide ; nor do I be-
lieve he did on any occasion : the only ex-
pression I ever heard him make use of, that
could in any way be construed into such a
threat, was, that he would not go to St.
Helena, — '* Je n'irai pas k St. H616ne."
As Buonaparte always retired early to
bed, it was the custom for the French ladies
and officers to assemble every evening in the
ward-room, and partake of wine and water,
punch, or bishop — a mixture consisting of
Port, Madeira, nutmeg, and other ingre-
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152 NARKATIVE OF
dieDts, well-known to sailors, and much
relished by our foreign guests.
I was sitting this evening next Montholon,
when Madame Bertrand entered ; I said to
her, *' Will you not sit down and take
something?" She gave an answer which I
took for No ; and passed rapidly into the first
lieutenant's cabin, which she had occupied
since she came on board. Montholon, who
had observed her with more attention than
I had done, immediately rose and followed
her. There was instantly a shriek from the
cabin, and a great uproar; and some one
called out * The Countess is overboard.' I ran
upon deck, that, in the event of its being so,
a boat might be lowered down, or the guard-
boats called to her assistance. On looking
over the quarter, and seeing no splash in the
water, I felt satisfied it was a false alarm,
and returned to the ward-room. Madame
Bertrand had by this time been placed on
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CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 153
her bed, where she was lying in strong
hysterics, at intervals abusing the English
nation and its Government, in the most
vehement and unmeasured terms ; sometimes
in French and sometimes in English. . Lalle-
mand was walking up and down the ward-
room much agitated, joining in the abuse ;
saying, among other things, '' that it was
horrible to bring a set of people on board the
ship for the purpose of butchering them."
I turned to him, and said, " Monsieur Lalle-
mand, what a woman says in the state of
violent irritation that Madame Bertrand at
present is, I consider of little consequence,
and am willing to make every allowance for
the situation you are placed in ; but I cannot
stand by and hear such terms used of the
Government of my country ; and if you do
not desist, or make use of more respectful
language, I shall be under the necessity of
taking measures that will be very unpleasant
both to you and myself."
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164 NARRATIVE OF
This had the effect of silencing him. When
the bustle had subsided, I retired to my ca-
bin, and was employed in writing the fore-
going letter to Lord Melville, in behalf of
Messrs. Savary and Lallemand; when the
latter, attended by Generals Montholon and
Gourgaud, came in. They immediately en-
tered into conversation with me about the
cruelty of their situation : among many other
things, they said, " You may depend upon it,
the Emperor never will go to St. Helena ; he
will sooner put himself to death ; he is a man
of determined character, and what he says
he will do." "Has he ever said he will
put himself to death?" I asked. They an-
swered, ** No ; but he has said he will not go,
which amounts to the same thing ; and were
he to consent himself, here are three of us
wjio are determined to prevent him." I told
them they had better consider the conse-
quences well, before th«y ventured on a mea-
sure of that kind.
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CAPTAIN MAITLAND 155
The next day, August 1st, 1815, I waited
OD Lord Keith, and reported all that bad
oQcurred during the preceding day. I also
showed him the letter I had written and
meant to send to Lord Melville, respecting
Generals Savary and Lallemand; he read it,
and said, '' that though he did riot agree with
me in opinion as to my honour or character
being implicated, yet that he saw no harm in
the letter." He then said, *' You may tell
those gentlemen who have threatened to be
Buonaparte's executioners, that the law of
England awards death to murderers, and
that the certain consequence of such an act
will be finishing their career on a gallows."
After quitting his Lordship, I had an inter-
view with Sir Henry Bunbury, previous to
his setting out for London, and stated to him
my feelings respecting the cruelty of deliver-
ing up to the French Government, men who
had been received under the protection of the
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156 NAllRATIVE OF
British flag. I said that I had no belief my-
self that any such intention existed ; but that
they were so strongly impressed with the
conviction of it, that I had been induced to
write to Lord Melville, and now begged to
state to him, that I should consider myself
dishonoured for ever, if they suffered death
through my means. He listened, but did not
speak till I had finished ; when he told me
he would repeat what I had said to his Ma-
jesty's Ministers.
Madame Bertrand kept her bed the whole
of this day, and did not appear at dinner.
When Buonaparte came upon deck, he asked
Mr. O'Meara, the surgeon, after her health ;
and then said, with an incredulous smile, '^ Do
you really think, Doctor, she meant to drown
herself ?" I put the same question to Mont-
holon ; who said he had not a doubt of it,
for, when he followed her into the cabin, she
was in the act of throwing herself out of the
Digitized by LjOOQ iC
CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 157
gallery window ; that he rushed forward and
caught hold of her, and that she continued
suspended by the bar that goes across the
window, with the greater part of her body
hanging out, until he received assistance to
drag her in. The bar above-mentioned had
been placed there for the purpose of prevent-
ing people from falling overboard when the
window was open and the ship had much
motion at sea.
On returning on board after being with
Lord Keith, I went into Madame Bertrand's
cabin to see how she was, and found her in
bed. I asked her, how she could be so in-
discreet as to attempt to destroy herself?
** Oh ! I am driven to desperation," she said;
" I do not know what I do ; I cannot per-
suade my husband to remain behind, he be-
ing determined to accompany the Emperor
to St. Helena." She then ran into a great
deal of abuse of Napoleon, saying, '' If his
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158 NARRATIVE OF
eods are served, he does not care what be-r
comes of other people. Tis true he has always
given Bertrand lucrative and honourable si-
tuations, but the expense attending them is
such, that it was impossible to save money ;
and he has never given him a grant of land,
or any thing that permanently bettered our
fortune.** On another occasion, she came
into the cabin which I occupied, when I was
writing, and, after exacting a promise of
secrecy towards the remainder of the suite,
9he entreated I would take measures to pre-
vent her husband from accompanying Buo-
naparte, and begged ma to write a letter in
her name to Lord Keith, to induce him to in-
terfere. I told her it would appear extremely
officious in me to write on such a subject,
but that any thing she chose to put on paper
I would deliver to his Lordship. She did
write, and I carried the letter ; but his Lord-
ship declined interfering, desiring me to
say, he considered it the duty of every good
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 159
wife to follow the fortunes of her husband »
In the course of the conversation above*
mentioned, she became extremely warm ia
speaking of Napoleon, saying/' He deserves
nothing at our hands ; and, indeed, there i9
not one of his people who would not most
gladly quit him/' Whenever she became ani^
mated, she could not pour out her feelings
in the English language fast enough, ^though
she spoke it remarkably well, having receiv-
ed her education partly in England,) when
she had always recourse to French; and
though I frequently reminded her that there
was nothing but a piece of canvass between
tts and the ward-room, where there were
generally some of the French officers, I could
by no means keep her within bounds. The
consequence of which was, that all she said
was heard and understood by one of them.
When Madame Bertrand had left me. Count
Montholon requested to speak with me in
private. He carried me up to his cabin on
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160 NARRATIVE OF
the quarter-deck, where I found Generals
Gourgaud and Lallemand, who told me they
had been informed of what Madame Ber-
trand had said to me ; and they had requested
to see me, for the purpose of contradicting
her assertion, that they were desirous of
quitting Buonaparte : that, so far from that
being the case, there was not one of them
that would not follow him with pleasure
wherever he might be sent, or that would
not lay down his life to serve him : they also
requited secrecy towards the Countess. I
answered, '* Why really, gentlemen, this is
very extraordinary ; you pretend to know all
that passed in a private conversation I have
had with Madame Bertrand, and then to
bind me to secrecy : you may depend upon
it, I will enter into no such engagement, un-
til I know by what means you obtained your
information." They then told me that one of
them had been in the quarter-gallery, and
overheard all she said.
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CAPTAIN MAITLAND. I6r
* Nothing of importance occurred during
the 2d of August. Buonaparte did not ap-
pear upon deck ; nor would he consent to
nominate the people who were to accom-
pany him to St. Helena ; he still seemed to
indulge a hope, that the Government might
be induced to reconsider the decision. I
had half an hour's conversation with him ia
the cabin : it consisted, on his part, of com*
plaints of the cruelty of sending him to St.'
Helena. He likewise asked me many ques-
tions about that island, as to its extent, cli-^
mate, and productions, whether it would be
possible to take exercise on horseback, if
there was game of any kind upon it, &c. :
to all of which I could only answer from
report, never having visited the island my-
self. He conversed very little at dinner, and
appeared unwell. In the evening. General
Bertrand informed me that the sentinel's
calling out '' All's well I" during the night
disturbed him, and prevented his sleeping ;
M
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
168 NARRATIVE OF
upon which I gave directioos th^y shoald
not do so while he remained on board.
. During the 3d of August Buonaparte kept
his cabin. When I went to the Admiral, I
met him escorting some ladies, in company
with Sir William Lemon, to the Ville de
Paris's barge. On being introduced to Sir
William, he told me that a report was in
circulation that a boat was to have beeo
under the BellerophonB . stern the night
before, at ten o'clock, for the purpose of ef-
fecting Buonaparte's escape. Although I
gave no credit to the report, I immediately
returned on board, and asked the first lieu-
tenant if Buonaparte had been seen that
morning; he informed me that he had not
attended breakfast, and that no person had
seen him but his own people. I then sent
to the Eurotas, which lay astern of the ship,
to enquire if he had. appeared at the stern
windows ; but was answered in the negative :
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CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 168
ujpori which I desired one of the young gen-
tlemen to go out on the spanker-boom and
look into the cabin windows, to ascertain if
he was sitting on the sofa ; but he could not
discover him in any part of the cabin. I
thea became extremely uneasy, and sent my
servant in to bring some paper out, who
on. entering found the object of my anxiety
stretched out on his bed with his clothes on,
and the curtains drawn close round him,
with every appearance of being unwell. I
had before asked Count Bertrand about him,
who said he had passed a bad night, and was
too ill to leave his apartment
Instead of retiring to his bed this eve-
ning between eight and nine o'clock, as was
his usual custom, I heard him and another
person (I believe General Bertrand) pacing
up and down the cabin until past eleven;
4nd in consequence gave directions to the
officer of the watch and the sentries to be
M 2
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164 NARRATIVE OF
particularly vigilant; and ordered one of the
guard-boats to remain under the ship's stem
all night. He had still declined all this day
giving a list of those that he wished to at-
tend him to St. Helena.
At three in the morning of the 4tb.of
August, the ofiGicer of the watch brought me
a letter from Lord Keith, informing me that
a courier had just arrived from London, and
that it was probable the ship would be re-*
quired to put to sea at a moment's notice,.
In consequence of this order, we unmoored
at day-light, bent the top-gallant sails, and
made other preparations for getting under
weigh. The Frenchmen were very watch-
ful of all our motions, appeared much alarmed
and annoyed, and questioned me frequently as
to the cause. I told them, what was literally
the fact, that I had received directions to
be ready to put to sea, but had no orders to
carry it into effect ; and that was all I knew.
Digitized by V3OOQ IC
CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 165
Between «even and eight o'clock, I waited
on Lord Keith, who said he had received
information that a habeas corpus had been
taken out for the purpose of bringing Buo-
naparte on shore, and that a lawyer was on
his way down to serve it; desiring me,
therefore, to be ready to put to sea when*
ever the signal might be made.
On returning on board, I had an interview
with Buonaparte, who was very urgent to
know why the ship was preparing for sea,
I told him, by Lord Keith's directions, that
it was the intention of our Government, his
removal should take place at sea ; and that
we were going out t6 meet the Northum-
berland, the ship which was to convey him
to St. Helena*
He begged I would write to Lord Keith,
and say he wished very much to see him;
and Count Bertrand told me he was also de-
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
166 NARRATIVE OF ,
sirous of having the newspapers. I accord-
ingly wrote to his Lordship, who was then
on board the Tonnant : who, however, de-
clined visiting him, but sent me a note, of
which the following is an extract.
Extract of a Note from Admiral Viscount Keith, addressed
to Captain Maitland, of H. M. S. Belleroplion ; dated
Tonnant, 4tli August.
*' I send you the paper, and shall be glad
to hear the determination of the General,
whom you may inform that the answer is ar-
rived from London, and that I have nq autho-
rity to alter, in any degree, any part of the
former communication ; which induces me to
wish the selection of the persons he is in-
clined should attend him."
I communicated the contents to General
Bertrand, who made his report to Buona-
parte. On his coming out of the cabin, I
pressed him on the subject of nominating
Digitized by CjOOQ IC
CAPTAIN MAITLAND.
167
those that were to go with him to St. He^
4ena ; but the only answer he returned was,
*'L'Empereur n'ira pas:^ St. H61ene;" — the
Emperor will not go to St. Helena.
Soon after nine o'clock, the Bellerophon^s
signal was made to prepare to weigh, and at
half-past nine to weigh : we immediately
started. As the light air of wind that blew
was right into the Sound, and the flood-tide
against us, the guard-boats were sent a*head
to tow ; but, soon oJ)serving a suspicious-
looking person in a boat approaching the
ship, I ordered one of them to cast off, keep
under the ship's stern, and not allow any
shore boat, under any pretext, to come near
us. The person alluded to proved after-
wards to have been the lawyer mentioned
by Lord Keith ; not with a Habeas Corpus,
but a subpoena for Buonaparte to attend a
trial at the Court of King's Bench as a wit-
ness. He was, however, foiled : as Lord
Digitized by
C2.rM^n]
m
168 NARRATIVE OF
Keith avoided him, and got on board the
Prometheus, off the Ramehead, where he
remained until joined by the Tonnant; while
the guard-boat prevented him from approach-
ing near enough to the Bellerophon, to serve
his writ on me.*
* To prevent erroneous impressions from going abroad^
and to put this curious circumstance in its true light, I
have prevailed on a friend, who was ^ucated for the Eng-
lish bar, to favour me with the following account of the
writs of the Habeas Corpus and subpoena ; by which it
will appear that no such process, or any other, as far as I
can understand, could have had the effect of removing
Buonaparte from one of His Majesty's ships, and causing
him to be landed in England in opposition to the commands
of the Government of the country.
" It is a common mistake to suppose that the celebrated
Habeas Corpus Act made it a matter of right, for every
person, under any restraint whatever to obtain this writ.
That statute related to persons committed by legal pro-
cess for criminal offences, and the object of it was to pre*
vent them being detained an unnecessary or unreasonable
length of time, without being brought to trial. Other
cases of alleged illegal detention were left as at common
law : in these the granting or refusal of the writ is dis-
cretionary in the Court, or Judge applied to, and it will
Digitized by VjOOQlC
CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 169
While the ship was working out of the
Sound, two well-dressed women in a boat
only be issued on a proper case being laid before them.
No such writ, it is believed, was ever applied for in Buo-
naparte's case; nor, if applied for, would it have been ob-
tained. Where a foreigner, in private life, is brought to
England, and detained against his will, the Court will
grant the writ ; but any application of Buonaparte, or on
his behalf, must have shown him to have surrendered, and
to have been then detained as a prisoner of war. Under that
character, he was not entitled to the benefit of this writ ;
the Courts having refused it on the application o£ indivi-
duals brought to England as prisoners of war, even when
applied for by the subject of sl neutral power, who swore
to his having been compelled by force to serve the enemy,
and to have been captured in the course of that compul-
sory service.
" The real transaction alluded to, is understood to have
been this : an individual being under prosecution for a li-
bel on a naval officer, censuring his conduct on the West
India station, when a French squadron was in those seas,
pretended that it would aid his^defence to show that the
French ships were at that time in an unserviceable con-
dition, and that Buonaparte would be able to prove the
fact. He accordingly obtained a subpoena for him to at-
tend as a witness on the trial in the Court of King's Bench,
and endeavoured himself, and not by a lawyer, as at first
supposed, to get, on board the Bellerophon to deliver it.
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
170 NARRATIVE OF
kept as close to her as the guard-boat
would allow, and, whenever Buonaparte ap-
peared at the stem windows, stood up and
waved their handkerchiefs.
" This transaction probably gave currency to the ru-
mours of a Habeas Corpus having been issued, particularly
as one description of that writ is, the proceeding for bring-
ing a prisoner into Court to give evidence, which having
given, he is remanded to gaol..
" Had the individual in question succeeded in his at-
tempt to get on board the ship, and deliver the subpoena,
it would have been of no assistance either to himself or
Buonaparte, if it was at all intended to benefit the latter,
as it would not have been possible for him to obey it, there
not being any authority for Captain Maitland, who was
answerable for his safety as a prisoner, allowing him to do
so. It was, however, considered the roost prudent course,
by Lord Keith, not to permit the delivery of the process,
the exact nature of which was at the moment unknown,
lest it might involve himself or Captain Maitland in any
difficulty, by an apparent disrespect to the Court, and
more particularly as it might create erroneous impressions
in Buonaparte's mind, that a breach of the law was com-
mitted in his not being permitted to comply with the terms
of the document, not aware that it contained no power au«
thorizing his release from detention as a prisoner of war."
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CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 171
On joining the Prometheus off the Rame-
head, where Lord Keith's flag was then
flying, I received the following note from his
Lordship.
No date ; received August 4th, iu the Afternoon.
" I have been chased all day by a lawyer
with a Habeas Corpus : he is landed at
Cawsand, and may come off^ in a sailing-boat
during the night ; of course, keep all sorts
of boats off*, as I will do the like in whatever
ship I may be in. ** Keith."
" Captain Maitland."
Buonaparte wrote another letter this even-
ing to the Prince Regent, which I carried to
Lord Keith, who again told me of his having
been chased all day by a lawyer : who had
first started him out of his own house, then
followed Jiim to the f onnant, where he at-
tempted to get in at one side, as his Lord-
Digitized by ^^'^^^^^'^
172 NARRATIVE OF
8bip left her on the other; he afterwards
pursued him towards Cawsand, but the
Admiral being in a twelve-oared barge,
outrowed him, and gave him the slip round
the Ramehead. It was on his return from
this chase that he attempted to get on board
the Bellerophon.
Buonaparte now confined himself entirely
to his cabin, never coming on deck, or ap-
pearing at breakfast or dinner. He was not
served from the table, but what he ate was
prepared and carried in to him by Marchand,
his favourite valet de chambre. Messrs.
Bertrand and Las Cases passed much time
with him ; and this evening the protest was
prepared, which will appear in the sequel.
On the morning of the 6th of August, the
weather was overcast, with a strong breeze
of wind, and the sea began to rise, much to
the discomposure of my poor French guests.
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 1 73
Stfon after breakfast, my signal beiog made
from the Tonnant, where Lord Keith had
now hoisted his flag, I told General Bertrand
that I was going to the Admiral, and would
convey any thing Buonaparte bad to say to
him. He requested I Would wait until a
letter or paper, then Under preparation, was
finished, which was intended for me, but a
copy to be presented to Lord Keith. I wait-
ed nearly an hour, when he brought me
Buonaparte's protest. I delivered it to the
Admiral, stating at the same time that I
wished to have a copy; and was afterwards
furnished with one by bis Lordship's secre-
tary. I insert it here.
Buonapartes Protest,
'* Je proteste solennellement i9i, k la face
du Giel et des hommes, centre la violence
qui m'est faite, centre la violation de mes.
droits les plus sacr^, en disposant par la
force, de ma personne et de ma liberty.
Digitized by
CZf\f\cs\^
l74 NARRATIVE OK
** Je suis venu librement k bord du Belle-
rophon ; je ne suis point prisonnier ; je suis
rhdte de TAngleterre. J'y suis venu k Tinsti-
gatiou m&me du Capitaine qui a dit avoir des
ordres du Gouvernement de me recevoir,et de
me conduire en Angleterre avec ma suite^ si
cela m'6toit agr^able. Je me suis pr6sent6 de
bonne foi pour venir me mettre sous la pro-
tection des loix d' Angleterre. Aussitdt assis
^bord du Bellerophon, je fus surle foyer du
peuple Britannique. Si le Gouvernement. en
donnant des ordres au Capitaine du Bellero-
phon, de me recevoir ainsi que ma suite, n'a
voulu que tendre une embiiehe, il a forfait k
rhonneur et fl6tri son pavilion. Si cet acte
se consommoit, ce seroit en vain que les
Anglais voudroient parler k I'Europe de leur
loyaut^, de leur loix, et de leur liberty. La
foi Britannique sy trouvera perdue dans tkos-^
pitaliU du BeUerophon. J 'en appelle k I'his-
toire ; elle dira qu'un ennemi qui fit vingt ans
la guerre aux peuples Anglois, vint librement.
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CAPTAIN waitland: 175
dans son infortune^ chercher un asile sous ses
«
loix. Quelle plus 6clatante preuve pouvait-il
lui donner de son estime et de sa confiance ?
Mais comment r^pondit-on en Angleterre k
une telle magnanimity? — On feignit de tendre
une main hospitali^re k cet ennemi^ et quand
il se fut livr6 de bonne foi, on I'immola.
** Sign6, NAPOLfeoN.''
A^ bord du Bellerophon^
4Aout, 1815.
TRANSLATION.
Buonaparte's Protest.
** I hereby solemnly protest, in the face of
Heaven and of men, against the violence
done me, and against the violation of my
most sacred rights, in forcibly disposing of
my person and my liberty. I came volun-
tarily on board of the Bellerophon ; I am
not a prisoner, I am the guest of England.
I came on board even at the instigation of the
Captain, who told me he had orders from
Digitized by VjOOQ ^
176 NAtlHATIVE OF
the Government to receive me and my suite,
and conduct me to England, if agreeable
to me. I presented myself with good faith
to put myself under the protection of the
English laws. As soon as I was on board
the Bellerophon, I was under shelter of the
British people.
" If the Government, in giving orders to
the Captain of the Bellerophon to receive
me as well as my suite, only intended to lay
a snare for me, it has forfeited its honour and
disgraced its flag.
'' If this act be consummated, the English
will in vain boast to Europe of their inte-
grity, their laws, and their liberty. British
good faith will be lost in the hospitality of
the Bellerophon.
•' I appeal to History ; it will say that an
enemy, who for twenty years waged war
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 177
against the English people, came voluntar
rily, in his misfortunes, to seek an asylum
under their laws. What more brilliant proof
could he give of his esteem and his con-
fidence ? But what return did England
make for so much magnanimity? They
feigned to stretch forth a friendly hand to
that enemy ; and when he delivered himself
up in good faith, they sacrificed him.
Signed, Napoleon.''
'' On board the Bellerophon,
4th August, 1816."
On the above I shall only observe, that
no snare had been laid, either on the part of
His Majesty *s Government or mine. I was
placed before Rochefort for the open pur-
pose of preventing Buonaparte from making
his escape from that port ; and the exertions
of myself and those under my command had
been so completely successful, that the in-
tention of forcing past the ships under my
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178 NARRATIVE OF
orders, as well as every other plan pro-
posed, of which there appear to have been
several, were abandoned as utterly hopeless.
And so far was I from seeking communica-
tion with Napoleon, that all the flags of
truce proceeding from him, were strongly
reprobated by me, as improper, except in
extraordinary cases, and were only resorted
to when, as appears from Lord Keith's letter
of the 23d of July, orders had been sent from
Paris for his arrest, and when (as has since
been proved) one or more intimations had
been given by the officer commanding in Isle
d'Aix, that, if he did not depart, he would
be under the necessity of detaining him. Be^
sides, it is now perfectly ascertained, that
the determination of repairing to England
was adopted at a consultation held by Buona*
parte on the night of the 13th of July, when
his letter to the Prince Regent was written ;
and Messrs. Las Cases and Lallemand were
sept on the morning of the 14th to discover
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 179
if I would receive him on board the Bel-
lerophon, and convey him to that country.
On the morning of the 6th of August,
when walking the deck with Monsieur
Las Cases, he for the first time mention-
ed, that he understood me to have as-
sured him that the Emperor would be
well received in England, and allowed to
reside there. I replied, " I cannot conceive
how you could so far misunderstand me, as
I constantly, in my communications with
you, stated that I could make no promises
whatever : that I thought my orders would
bear me out in receiving him on board, and
conveying him to England ; but even in
doing that, I acted very much upon my own
responsibility. You questioned me fre-
quently, as to my private opinion ; and as I
was quite ignorant upon the subject, I could
only say I had no reason to believe he
would be ill received/' It did not, however,
N 2
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
180 NARRATIVE OF
require my assistance to raise the hopes of
those about Buonaparte, respecting the man-
ner in which he was to be received in
England; as one of his followers, on the
passage home, asked me if I thought the
Prince Regent would confer the order of the
Garter upon him. If there was any misun-
derstanding, (which I cannot allow to have
been the case,) Monsieur Las Cases has him-
self to blame. When he came on board of
the Bellerophon for the purpose of treating,
he concealed his knowledge of the English
language ; which, as I had considerable diffi-
culty in expressing myself in French, could
only be intended for the purpose of throwing
me off my guard, that he might take ad-
vantage of any expressions that fell from me,
or the officers I had always present at our
meetings! Even after he was on board with
Buonaparte, though he acknowledged he
could read English, and always translated
the newspapers for his master, he affected
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 181
not to be able to speak it. What his actual
knowledge of the language was, the following
extract of a letter, from a friend of mine on
board the Northumberland, dated at sea,
August the 22d, 1815, will show :
** I do not know, whether Las Cases ever
let you know he could speak English ; but
this I can assure you, that he speaks it very
near as well as Madame Bertrand, and can
hold a conversation, or maintain an argu-
ment in it, with as much fluency as she can.'*
This forenoon, I had a long conversation
with Buonaparte. He complained bitterly of
the conduct of the British Government ; and
entered, at considerable length, into the state
of his affairs when he determined upon the
measure of repairing on board the Belle-
rophon. " There still," said he, " was a
large party in the South, that wished me to
put myself at its head ; the army behind the
Digitized by
Go9g[ 9
182 NAIIHATIVE O^
Loire was also desirous of my return. At
ten o'clock of the night before I embarked,
a deputation from the garrison of Rochelle
waited upon me, with an offer to conduct
me to the army ; in addition to which, the
troops that were in Rochefort, Bourdeaux,
and Isle d'Aix, Amounting to twelve thousand
men, were at my disposal. But I saw there
was no prospect of ultimate success, though
I might have occasioned a great deal of
trouble and bloodshed, which I did not
choose should take place on my account in-
dividually ; — while the empire was at stake,
it was another matter."
In the afternoon, Mr. O'Meara, the^sur-
Ifeon, informed me that General Savary had
made a proposal to him to accompany
Buonaparte to St. Helena as his medical
Attendant ; Monsieur Maingaut, his surgeon,
being a young man with whom he was little
acquainted, and had suffered so much from
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 183
sea-sickness in the passage from Rochefort,
that he felt averse to undertaking another
sea voyage. He consulted me as to the
propriety of accepting the offer. I told him
it must depend very much upon his own
feelings ; but if he had no dislike to it, he
had better accept the proposal, on condition
that our Government consented, and agreed
to pay his salary ; but, in that case, an official
communication must pass, through me, to the
Admiral on the subject. This was the first
intimation I received of Buonaparte having
made any arrangement towards complying
with the notification he had received from
our Government.
About nine A. M. a large ship was seen to
leeward, which, on closing, proved to be
the Northumberland. The whole squadron
then stood in, and anchored to the westward
of Berryhead. I went on board the Ton-
nant, and reported to Lord Keith that Buo-
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184 NARRATIVE OF
naparte had at last made up his mind to
move from the Bellerophon without force
being used; and that Count Bertrand was
desirous of seeing his Lordship, that he
might make the necessary arrangements
about the people who were to accompany
him. By the Admiral's directions, I returned
to my ship and brought Monsieur Bertrand
to him. Soon after Sir George Cockburn ar-
rived, and they were shut up together for
nearly two hours.
When I first went on board the Tonnant,
I received a memorandum from Lord Keith,
from which I give an extract; and at the
same time a verbal intimatic^n, that I should
receive an order in writing the next day, to
remove Buonaparte, and such part of his
suite as he might select, to the Northumber-
land.
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 185
£xtract of a Memorandum from Admiral Viscount Keith^
6. C. R addressed to Captain Maitland^ of H. M*S.
Bellerophon, dated Tonnant, off the Starts 6th August,
1815.
" All arms of every description are to be
taken from the Frenchmen of all ranks on
board the ship you command ; and they are
to be carefully packed up and kept in your
charge, while they remain on board the
Bellerophon ; and afterwards in that of the
captain of the ship to which they may be
removed/'
While we were at dinner, Generals Ber-
trand and Montholon were employed ma-
king out lists of what would be required by
the French officers and the ladies, to render
them comfortable during their voyage to St,
Helena, which were despatched to Plymouth
by Sir George Cockburn's secretary.
In the course of the evening Lord Keith
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
186 NARKATIVE OF
and Sir George Cockburn came on board
the Bellerophon; when the latter was intro-
duced to Buonaparte.
As soon as General Bertrand was at leisure,
I told him I had orders to remove Napoleon
to the Northumberland the following day,
and also to take away the arms from him and
his attendants, giving him to understand that
they would be returned on their arrival at
their destination. He seemed much hurt at
being deprived of his arms, but said he
would give directions for their being deli-
vered; and I received them the next morning,
with the exception of Buonaparte's sword,
which, by an order I subsequently received
from Lord Keith, he was permitted to wear,
when quitting the ship.
About half-past nine in the evening, Mons.
Bertrand told me that Buonaparte was de-
sirous, of seeing me. On going into his cabin.
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 187
he said, ** Bertrand informs me you have
received orders to remove me to the Nor-
thumberland ; is it so ?" I answered in the
affirmative. '* Have you any objection," he
said, " to writing a letter to Bertrand, ac-
quainting him of it; that I may have a
document to prove that I was forced to quit
the ship, and that my inclinations were not
consulted." I replied, *' I can have no objec-
tion to write such a letter, and shall do it
this evening," I was then going to retire,
when he requested me to remain, having
more to say. "Your Government," he con-
tinued," has treated me with much severity,
and in a very different i way from what I
had hoped and expected, from the opinion I
had formed of the character of your country-
men. It is true I have always been the ene-
my of England, but it has ever been an open
and declared one ; and I paid it the highest
compliment it was possible for man to do
in throwing myself on the generosity of
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
188 NARRATIVE OF
your Prince : I have not now to learn, how-
ever, that it is not fair to judge of the cha-
racter of a people by the conduct of their
Government." He then went on, (alluding to
the Government,) "They say I made no
conditions. Certainly I made no conditions ;
how could an individual enter into terms
with a nation ? I wanted nothing of them
but hospitality, or, as the ancients would
express it, * air and water.' My only wish
was to purchase a small property in England,
and end my life there in peace and tran-
quillity. As for you, Capitaine," (the name by
which he always addressed me) '' I have no
cause of complaint ; your conduct to me has
been that of a man of honour ; but I cannot
help feeling the severity of my fate, in having
the prospect of passing the remainder of my
life on a desert island. But,'' added he with a
strong emphasis, *'if your Government give up
Savary and Lallemand to the King of France,
they will inflict a stain upon the British name
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
CAPTAIN MAITLAND- 169
that no time can efface." I told him, in that
respect, they were under an erroneous im-
pression ; that I was convinced it was not
the intention of his Majesty's Ministers to
deliver them up. " Je Tespfere," *' I hope so ;"
was his only reply. — I then took my leave of
him for the night.
That I may not break in upon the occur-
rences of the 7th, I shall here insert the let-
ter I wrote at Buonaparte's request, and a
copy of the orders under which I acted in
removing him from the Bellerophon to the
Northumberland.
" H. M. S. BeUerophon, Start Bay,
'* 7tli August, 1815.
" Sir,
'* I beg to acquaint you that I have this
day received orders from Lord Keith, Com-
mander in Chief of the Channel Fleet, to
remove General Buonaparte from the ship I
Digitized by
Gooc
190 NARHATIVE OF
command, to his Majesty's ship Northum-
berland ; and I have to request you will in-
timate the above to the Greneral, that he may
prepare for the removal.
** I likewise enclose a copy of an order
respecting the arms of General Buonaparte
and the whole of his attendants, and request
you will give directions for their being de-
livered to me, that they may be disposed of
as the order directs.
" I have the honour to be,
&c. &c. &c.
Fred. L. Maitland.
" Lieut. General Count Bertrand."
Copy of the order alluded to.
(' By the Right Hon. Viscount Keith, G. C. B.
&c. &c. &c.
"You are hereby required and directed
to deliver the persons, named below, into the
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
CAPTAIN MAITLAND. I9l
charge of Rear Admiral Sir George Cock-
burn.
" Given on board the Tonnant,
At anchor under Berryhead,
7th August, 1815,
Keith, Admiral.
y By command of the Admiral,
"James Meek, Secretary."
•^ToF.L.Maitland, Esq.
Captain of H. M. S. Bellerophon.^'
General Buonapartet
Count Bertrand, his Wife, three children, one fe-
male servant, and her child.
General Montholon, liis Wife, one child, and one fe-
male servant.
General Gourgaud.
Le Comte de Las Cases, and his son.
Marchand Prenier, Valet de Chambre.
St. Denis, ditto.
Novarra, ditto.
Pieron, Chef d'Office.
Le Page Cuisinier.
Axchambaud, Premier Valet de Pied.
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
192 NARRATIVE OF
Oentilini, Valet de Pied.
Bernards domestiqae da Comte Bertrand.
The four domestics underneath, who had
come to England in the Myrmidon, also ac-
companied him : —
Cipriani^ Maitre d'HoteL
Santini^ Huissier*
Roaseau, Lampiste.
Archambaud, Valet de Pied*
Extract of a Letter from Admiral Visoount Keith,
O. G. B., addressed to Captain Maitland, of H. M. S.
Belierophon^ dated Tonnant^ off Berry-head, 7th
August, 1815.
" When the General quits the ship, it is
not intended to take his sword from him,
but to let him wear it, but not the others.
Pistols, guns, &c« must, as in all instances, be
removed for the safety of the ship, but the
arms are carefully to be kept, and restored
at a proper occasion."
On the morning of the 7th of August, 1816,
Count Las Cases made an application to me
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 198
for permission tawait on Lord Keith, hav-
ing 9 communication to make to him. I, in
consequence, went to his Lordship, and ob-
tained leave to send him. When the Admiral
came on board the Bellerophon, in the fore-
noon, to attend Buonaparte in his retnoval to
the Northumberland, he informed me that
Monsieur Las Gases had represented to him,
that I had promised Buonaparte should be
well received in England, and allowed to
remain there ; and the same day he wrote a
letter to me containing the above statement,
and directing me to report upon it, which L
afterwards did, as will hereafter appear.
Count Bertrand was employed, during the
morning, making out a list of those that
were to proceed to St. Helena with Buona-
parte, in which General Gourgaud's name
was omitted, and Colonel Planat was nomi-
nated his Secretary. This offended Monsieur
Gourgaud so much, that he made use of some
o
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194 NARRATIVE OF
very strong language to General Bertrand ;
and after a good deal of altercation, it was
arranged, I believe by Buonaparte himself,
that Gourgaud should take Planat's place.
There was also another cause of disagreement*
The number of domestics allowed to go to St.
Helena being only twelve, did not admit of
all the officers taking their personal attend-
ants; General MonAholon was obliged to
leave a servant who had been with him many
years, and Count Bertrand's was the only
exception.
General Bertrand had been so much em-
ployed all the morning making preparations
for their removal, that he did not come to
breakfast until every one had finished ; his
wife remained at the table, as I did also, as a
mark of attention to him. She soon com-
menced an attack on her husband, to induce
him to quit Buonaparte and remain in Eng-
land. He seemed much distressed, but re-
mained silent. At last, she turned to me, and
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 195
begged I would give an opinion, and use
my influence in favour of her proposal. I
said, " Madame Berlrand, I have from the
beginning endeavoured to avoid meddling in
the very unpleasant discussions that have
been going on for some days ; but, as you
demand my opinion, and force me to give it,
I must acquaint you that I think, if your
husband quits his master at such a time as
the present, he Will forfeit the very high
character he now bears in this country." I
then rose from the table and went upon deck.
A short time after> Madame Bertrand came
on deck^ and> addressing me with much in-
dignation in her countenance, said, ** So,
Captain Maitland, I hear the Emperor is not
to have the whole of the after-cabin on board
the Northumberland." I told her, I under-
stood that Sir George Cockburn had re-
ceived ordet's to that effect. "They ha^
bett^ ti^eat him like a dog at cmee," said
o 2
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
196. NARRATIVE OF
she, '* and put him down in the hold." I
had for several days been kept in a state
of irritation that cannot be described, and
such as few people have had an opportunity
of experiencing. Madame Bertrand had,
it will be readily understood, some share in
causing this; and on her making the above
remark, I am sorry to say, the little self-pos-
session that still remained gave way, and I
answered in these words, '* Madam, you talk
like a very foolish woman ; and if you cannot
speak more to the purpose, or with more
respect of the Government I have the honour
to serve, I request you will not address
yourself to me." Just before she went out of
the ship, however, she came up to me in a
conciliatory and friendly manner, that did
her the highest honour, and said, '' Captain
Maitland, you called, me a very foolish
woman this morning, but I should be sorry
to part with you on bad terms ; have you any
objection to shake hands with me ? as God
knows if we shall ever meet again." " Very
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 197
fer from it," I answered ; *' I should be ex-
tremely sorry you left the ship without
receiving my good wishes for your happi-
ness and prosperity; and if, in the warmth
of my temper, and under the harassing cir-
cumstances of my situation, I have said any
thing unpleasant, I most sincerely beg your
pardon, and hope you will forgive and for-
get it."
Soon after breakfast, Marchand came and
said the Emperor wished to see me : I went
into the cabin. *' I have requested to see
you. Captain," said he, *' to return you my
thanks for vour kindness and attention to me
whilst 1 have been on board the Bellerophpn,
and likewise to beg you will convey them to
the officers and ship's company you com-
mand. My reception in England has been
very different from what I expected ; but it
gives me much satisfaction to assure you,
that I feel your conduct to me throughout
has been that of a gentleman and a man of
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193 NAHRATIV£ 0¥
honour. He then said, be was desirous of
having Mr. 0!Meara, the surgeon of tb^ Bel-
lerophon, to accompany him ; and asked my
opinion of him in his medical capacity, aa
well as of his principles. I replied, that I
had the highest opinion of him, both for his
skill and attention ; that he had given me so
much satisfaction while under my command,
that I had procured his removal from two
different ships in which he had served with
me previous to my appointment to the Bel-
lerophon, that he might accompany me ; and
that I was convinced he was a man of princi-
ple and integrity. After conversing some
time longer with him, during which he spoke
in the warmest terms of affection of General
Bertrand, and the obligations he felt to him
for his remaining with him during bis $idver-
sity, when he knew strong efforts had been
used to induce him to abandon him, I took
my leave ; and this was the last time I was
ever alone with him.
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 199
^ Soon after. Sir Greorge Cockburn came oa^
board, attended by Mr. Byng as his secre*>
tary, for the purpose of examining Buona*-^
parte's baggage : he had directions to apply
to some person of his suite to attend at the
search. The proposal was made to Count
Bertrand; but he was so indignant at the
measure, that he positively refused either
to be present himself or to direct any other
person to superintend. General Savary,
however, consented, and was present, as
well as M archand. The covers of the trunks
Were merely opened, and Mr. Byng passed
his hand down the side, but the things were
not unpacked. Once or twice, when the
door of the after-cabin was opened, Buona-
parte expressed his obligation to Mr. Byng
for the delicate manner in which he con-
ducted the search, by bowing to him. When
they came to the boxes containing the mo-
ney, of which there were two, Marchand
was permitted to take out such sum. as was
considered necessary for paying the wages
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
200 NARRATIVE OF
of the servants that were to be left behind,
and for other contingent expenses. One box,
containing four thousand gold Napoleons,
was retained and put under my charge,
where it remained until my arrival in Lon-
don, when I delivered it to Sir Hudson
Lowe to be restored to its owner, as will be
seen by the following order, receipts, &c.
'* By the Right Hon. Viscount Keith, 6. C. B.
&c. &c. &c.
" You are hereby required and directed
to receive into your custody such a. sum of
money belonging to General Buonaparte, as
will be delivered into your charge by Rear-
Admiral Sir George Cockburn, granting
proper receipts for the same.
" Given on board the Tonnant,
At anchor under Berryhead,
7th August, 1816,
*' Keith, Admiral.'*
. '* To F. L. Maitland, Esq.
' Captain of H. M. 8. Bellerophon.*'
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
CAPTAIN HAITLAND. 201
" J'ai laisse le sept d'aout, k bord du Belle-
rophon, k Monsieur le Capitaine Maitland,
une somme de quatre vingt mille francs, en
quatre mille Napoleons d'or.
" Marchand,
Premier Valet de Chambre/'
On the 7th of August, I have left on board
the Bellerophon, in charge of Captain Mait-
land, the sum of eighty thousand francs, in
four thousand gold Napoleons.
Makchand,
1st Valet de Chambre.
** I acknowledge to have received a box
with four paper packages, said to contain
four thousand gold Napoleons, the property
of Napoleon Buonaparte.
" August 7th, 1816,
*' Fred, L. Maitland/'
** Approved, George Cockbum."
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202 NARRATIVE OF
As I shall not have to revert to the subject
c^ the money, I shall Ijiere subjoin the receipt
I obtained on delivering it at the Admiralty
Office, though it is of a date some time
posterior,
'* Admiralty, September 14, 1815.
'' Received from Captain Maitland a box,
containing four packages, marked each
20,000 francs, and said to contain four thou-
sand Napoleons d'or."
" H, Lowe, Major General
About eleven. A, M,, Lord Keith came on
board in the Tonnant's barge, to accompany
Buonaparte from the Bellerophon to the
Northumberland. Count Bertrand imme-
diately went into the cabin to inform him of
his Lordship's arrival : it was, however, full
two hours before it was reported that he was
ready to attend him. About one o'clock, the
barge of the Admiral was prepared ; d: Cap-
Digitized by LjOOQIC'
CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 203
tain's guard turned out, and by Lord Keith's
direction^ as Napoleon crossed the quarter-
deck to leave the ship, the guard presented
arms, and three ruffles of the drum were
beat, being the salute given to a General
Officer.
He walked out of the cabin with a steady,
firm step, came up to me, and, taking off his
hat, said, '' Captain Maitland, I take this last
opportunity of once more returning* you my
thanks for the manner in which you have
treated me while on board the Bellerophon,
and also to request you will convey them to
the officers and ship's company you com-
mand :" then turning to the Officers, who
were standing by me, he added, " Gentle-
men, I have requested your Captain to ex-
press my gratitude to you for your attention
to me, and to those who have followed my
fortunes." He then went forward to the
gangway; and before he went down the
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
204 NARRATIVE OF
ship's side, bowed two or three times to the
ship's company, who were collected in the
waist and on the forecastle ; he was followed
by the ladies and the French Officers, and
lastly by Lord Keith. After the boat had
shoved off, and got the distance of about
thirty yards from the ship, he stood up, pull-
ed his hat off, and bowed first to the Offi-
cers, and then to the men ; and immediately
sat down, and entered into conversation with
Lord Keith, with as much apparent compo-
sure as if he had been only going from one
ship to the other to pay a visit.
About a quarter of an hour before Buona-
parte quitted the Bellerophon, Mohtholon
came to me on the quarter-deck, and said,
** I am directed by the Emperor to return
you his thanks for the manner in which
you have conducted yourself throughout the
whole of this affair ; and he desires me to say,
that the greatest cause of disappointment he
Digitized by LjOOQ IC^
CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 206
feels in not being admitted to an interview
wfth the Prince Regent is, that he had in-
tended to ask as a favour from his Royal
Highness, that you should be promoted to
the rank of Rear Admiral." I answered,
" that although the request could not have
been complied with under any circumstances,
as it was contrary to the regulations of our
naval service, yet I do not the less feel the
kindness of the intention." " He meant also,"
he said, *' to have presented you with a box
containing his portrait, but he understands
you are determined not to accept it." I re-
plied, '' In the situation I am placed, it is
quite impossible I can receive any present
from' him." ** He is perfectly aware,'* said
he, *' of the delicacy of your situation, and
approves of your conduct." I then said,
" I feel much hurt that Count Las Cases
should have stated to Lord Keith, that I had
promised Buonaparte should be well received
in England, or indeed made promises of any
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
206 NARRATIVE OF
sort. I have endeavoured to conduct myself
with integrity and honour throughout the
whole of this transaction, and therefore can*
not allow such an assertion to go uncontra-
dicted/' " Oh !" said he, " Las Cases negd-
tiated this business ; it has turned out very
differently from what he and all of us ex-
pected. He attributes the Emperor's situatipn
to himself, and is therefore desirous of giv«
itig it the best countenance he can ; but I
assure you, the Emperor is convinced your
conduct has been most honourable:" then
taking my hand, he pressed it, and added^
'' and that is my opinion also."
In the course of the afternoon, I attended
General Savary and Lallemand on board the
Northumberland, where they went for the
purpose of taking a last farewell of their
master. I had very little conversation with
him myself, but they remained with him a
considerable time. When I was about to re-
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 207
turn to my ship, I went into the cabin to tell
them they must accompany me. They ap*
proached him in the after-cabin, where he
was standing, when he embraced each of
them most affectionately, after the French
manner, putting his arms round them, and
touching their cheeks with his. He was firm
and collected ; but, in turning from him, the
tears were streaming from their eyes. On
getting on board, all the squadron got under
weigh, the Tonnant and Bellerophon to re-
tutn to Plymouth, the Northumberland, with
two troop ships in company, to proceed to
St. Helena. The following day she was joined
by a frigate and several sloops of war from
Plymouth, when she made sail to the west-
ward.
Having now brought my narrative down
to the period of Buonaparte's quitting the
ship, it only remains for me to give some ac-
count of his petsoii and character, a^ far as it
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
208 NARRATIVE OF
fell under my view. In doing so, I shall en-
deavour, as far as possible, in the same spirit
with which the foregoing narrative is writ-
ten, to avoid being biassed, either by favour-
able or unfavourable feelings towards him.
What he may have been when at the head of
the French Empire, with the destiny of the
greater part of Europe under his control, I
have no peculiar means of knowing ; all I can
pretend to do is, to describe him as he was
on board the Bellerophon; adding a few
anecdotes, which have been omitted in the
course of the narrative, as serving to throw
some further light upon his character.
Napoleon Buonaparte, when he came on
board the Bellerophon, on the 15th of July,
1815, wanted exactly one month of com-
pleting his forty-sixth year, being born the
15 th of August, 1769. He was then a remark-
ably strong, well-built man, about five feet
seven inches high, his limbs particularly
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
n
CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 209
well-formed, with a fine ancle and very
small foot, of which he seemed rather vain,
as he always wore, while on board the ship,
silk stockings and shoes. His hands were
'^ also very small, and had the plumpness of a
j n woman's rather than the robustness of a
« man's. His eyes light grey, teeth good ; and
n > when he smiled, the expression of his coun*
Q tenance was highly pleasing; when under
the influence of disappointment, however,
it assumed a dark gloomy cast. His hair was
of a very dark brown, nearly approaching to
black, and, though a little thin on the top and
front, had not a grey hair amongst it. His
complexion was a very uncommon one, being
of a light sallow colour, differing from almost
any other I ever met with. From his having
become corpulent, he had lost much of his
personal activity, and, if we are to give
credit to those who attended him, a very
. considerable portion of his mental energy
was also gone. It is certain his habits were
p
Digitized by
Google
210 NAkllATIV£ OF
very lethargic while he was ou board the
Bellerophon ; for though he went to bed be-
tween eight and nine o'clock in the evening,
and did not rise till about the same hour in
the morning, he frequently fell asleep on the
sofa in the cabin in the course of the day.
His general appearance was that of a mau
rather older than he then was. His manners
were extremely pleasing and affable : he join*
ed in every conversation, related nuoo^rous
anecdotes, and endeavoured, in every way,
to promote good humour : he even admitted
his attendants to great familiarity; and I saw
one or two instances of their contradicting
him in the most direct terms, though they
generally treated him with much respect.
H& possessed, to a wonderful degree, a fa-
cility in ntaking a favourable impression
Bpon those with whotn he entered into* con*-
ipersatioQ : this appeared to me to be accom-
plished by turning the subjject to matters he
supposed the person he was addressing was
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
CAPTAIN IfAITLAND. 211
welt acquslinted with, and oa which he could
show himself to advantage. This had the
effect of putting him in good humour with
himself; aftev which it was^ not a very difficult
matter to transfer a part of that feeling to the
person who had occasioned it. Lord Keitft'
appears' to have formeJ a very high opinioik
of the £stscination of his conversation, and
expressed it very emphatically to loe, aftei*
he had seen him : speaking of his wish
for an interview with the Prince Regent,
<• D n the fellow," he said, " if he had db-
tained an interview with his Royal High-
ness, m half an hour they would have beeo
the best friends in England." Heappestred
to have great comatand of tempeer ; for, though
U0 man could have had greater trials thaan
fell to his lot during the time be remained
on board the Bellerophon, he never, in my
presence, or as far as I know, allowed a
ft etftjl or captious expression to escfape him :
€rv«ft the day he received the notification
p 2
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
212 NARUATIVE OF
from Sir Henry Bunbury, that it was deter-
mined to send him to St. Helena, he chatted
and conversed with the same cheerfulness as
usual. It has been asserted that he was
acting a part all the time he was on board
the ship ; but still, even allowing that to be
the case, nothing but great command of
temper could have enabled him to have sus-
tained such a part for so many days, in his
situation.
I shall here relate a circumstance that
occurred during the passage to England,
which will show in a strong point of view
the freedom that subsisted between^him and
those of his attendants in whom he had
confidence. A conversation took place re-
specting the relative state of cultivation
in France and in England. My opinion,
being asked, I said, that though the cli-
mate of France was much superior to that
of England, I believed that agriculture had
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 213
arrived at a greater state of perfection with
us than in France. Most of the Frenchmen
treated the idea with ridicule ; upon which I
said, let us refer to Monsieur Las Cases, who
has lived several years in England. " You
are right," said he ; " there can be no doubt,
that agriculture has arrived to much greater
perfection in England than in France ; but
what I admire most in England, are the
country-seats of your noblemen and gentle-
men; there you surpass France very much."
General Bertrand then took up the conver-
sation, and said, that he was assured, that
thirty thousand pounds sterling was annually
expended on the park and grounds of Blen-
heim. Buonaparte immediately reduced that
sum into livres ; and observed, •* The thing
is impossible: the English people are not
fools ; they know the value of money, and no
individual either could or would expend
such a sum for such a purpose." He then
spoke of the expense of keeping up Mal-
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
314 ^AHRATlVjC ov
maison, one of the country palaces in
France; stating the sum it cost annually,
which did not exceed five thousand pounds.
Bertrand still persisted in his statemeot, and
made a reference to me, I, however, could
give no information further than saying, that
from what I had heard of the Dukie cf Marl-
bprough's finance9» he could not possibly lay
out any such sum on Blenheim* Monsieur
Bertrapd would not give up the point, but
repeated his ait^ertion. On which Buona-
parte said, with quickness, ** Bah I c est im-
po3sible." " Oh !" said Bertrand, much
offended, ** if you are to reply in that man-
ner, there is an end of all argument ;" and
for 9ome time would not converse with him.
Buouaparte, so &r from taking umbrage,
did all he could to soothe him and restore
him tQ gopd-'humour^ which was not very
difficult to effect.
One morniug be began to talk of his wife
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 215
and child, aad desired Marchand to bring
two or three miniature pictures to show me :
he spoke of them with much feeling and
affection. ** I feel," said he, ** the conduct
of the allied sovereigns to be more ci^uel and
unjustifiable towards me in that respect than
in any other. Why should they deprive me
of the comforts of domestic society, and take
from me what must be the dearest objects of
affection to every man — my child, and the
mother of that child ?" On his expressing
himself as above, I looked him steadily in
the face, to observe whether he showed any
emotion: the tears were standing in his
eyes, and the whole of his countenance ap-
peared evidently under the influence of a
strong feeling of grief.
There were two pictures of young Napo-
leon : one in the dress of a Polish lancer, and
the other with long curly flowing ringlets:
tliey both represented a fair, strong, chubby
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
216 NARRATIVE OF
boy, with features very much resembling
those of his father. That of his mother, a
very fair woman, with good features, but by
no means handsome.
From the observations I was enabled to
make, I very much doubt Monsieur Savary's
statement, that the passion of ambition was
so completely overcome in his bosom, '' that
had it been proposed to him again to ascend
the throne of France, he would have de-
clined it ; and I do think, that if he had suc-
ceeded in eluding the British cruisers and
arrived in America, he would always have
looked forward to returning to France. In
all his conversations, he spoke of ambition
as a quality absolutely necessary to form the
character of a soldier. On one occasion,
Savary spoke of Kleber, (who was left by
Napoleon in command of the army when he
quitted Egypt,) in terms of high encomium ,-
this brought on a discussion upon the re-
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 217
spective merits of that oflScer and Dessaix,
whose aid-de-camp Savary had been during
the negotiation of the convention of El Arish.
Buonaparte, speaking of Kleber, bestowed
upon him great praise as an officc^r ; but he
added, '' He was deficient in one of the most
necessary qualifications of a soldier, — am-
bition. He was indolent, and required con-
stant spurring. Dessaix, on the contrary,
had all his abilities, which were kept in
constant activity by a mind whose ambition
there was no satisfying ; and, had they both
lived to the present period, he would have
been much the greater man of the two."
It does not appear from the statement of
Buonaparte's attendants, that he had made
any very considerable provision for the fu-
ture, in the event of a reverse of fortune.
They often regretted his poverty; and Ma-
dame Bertrand assured me that he was not
possessed of more than a million of franps —
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
218 NARItATiVi!: OF
forty-two thousand pounds of our money ;*
which, if correct, is certainly not a very large
sum for a man who had had so many mil lions
at his disposal. *' The Emperor has always
declared," she said, '' that he would rise or
ftUl with the country, and never would enrich
himself out of the public property/' He also
upon one occasion, when there was some in-
tention of leaving Madame Bertrand with
her children in England, after stating Ber-
trand's poverty as an objection to that ar-
rangement, said to me, *' My finances are not
such as to enable me to give him much
assistance/'
* Since this narrative was written in the year 1815,
it has been proved by Buonaparte's will, that either his
attendants were misinformed, or that they, as well as him-
self, misrepresented the state of his fiatneeB, as he left
in the hands of Lafitte, the banker, in Paris, a sum of
money amounting to nearly four hundred thousand pounds
sterling, besides a very considerable sum, said to be vested
in the American funds^
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 219
Buonaparte's carriage, which was taken at
the battle of Waterloo by the Prussian ca-
valry, contained many articles of great value.
In it was a necessaire, in which all the in-
struments, bason, &c. were composed of
gold ; a sword set with diamonds, and a dia^
mond necklace, estimated at a very large sum
of money, which one of his sisters (I think,
the Princess of Borghese) put round his neck
the night he took leave of her at Paris, on his
setting out to join the army previous to the
battle of Waterloo, and which he had taken
off aad deposited in a secret place in the car-
riage; Marchand, his Valet de Ghambre,
being so nearly taken by the Prussian hus-
sars, that he quitted the carriage without
having time to secure it. But I have since
learned from Las Cases's Memoirs, that the
necklace alluded to was saved, and that Las
Cases had it concealed about his person all
the time he was on board the Bellerophon.
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
220 NARRATIVE OF
It has been stated in many of the public
prints, that bad not the Marquis of Anglesea
received a wound when he was leading on a
charge, Buonaparte must have fallen into
his hands. In consequence of observing
this assertion, I asked Generals Bertrand
and Gourgaud whether they knew if any
such occurrence had taken place: both of
whom replied, ** Certainly not ; the Emperor
was frequently in the midst of the British
troops (p£le*m61e avec les troupes Angloises);
but at no time during the battle was he in
danger of being captured by a charge of
cavalry."
The midshipmen of the Bellerophon were
in the habit of occasionally performing plays,
to amuse themselves and the officers during
the tedious operations of a blockade. Buo-
naparte being told of it by Savary, requested
that they would oblige him by acting one
for his amusement. During the performance^
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 221
Madame Bertrand sat next to him, and in-
terpreted. He appeared much amused, and
laughed very heartily at our ladies, who
were personated by great strapping fellows
dressed in women's clothes, and not in
the most tidy fashion. He had the patience
to remain to the end of the third act, though,
when attending the Opera at Paris, he had
always retired at the end of the first.
I heard several of the French officers dis-
cussing the merits of the British troops. One
of them said, ** The cavalry is superb." I
observed, " In England we have a higher
opinion of our infantry." ** Yon are right,"
said he ; '^ there is none such in the world :
there is no making an impression on them :
you may as well attempt to charge through
a wall : and their fire is tremendous." Ano-
ther of them observed : "A great fault in
your cavalry is their not having their horses
sufficiently under command : there must be
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222 NARRATIVE OF
something wrong in the bit, as on one or
two occasions in a charge, they could not
stop their horses : our troops opened to the
right and left, let them pass through/ and
then closed their ranks again, when they
were either killed or taken prisoners/'
I never heard Buooaparte speak of the
battle of Waterloo, or give an opinion of the
Duke of Wellington ; but I asked General
Bertrand what Napoleon thought of him.
"Why," replied he, "I will give you hia
opinion nearly in the words he delivered it
to me- * The Duke of Wellington, in the
management of an army, is fully equal to
myself, with the advantage of possessing
more prudence/ "
During the time that Buonaparte was on
board the Bellerophon, we always Hved ex-
pressly for his accommodation — entirely io
the French manner; that is to say, a hot
meal was served at ten o'clock in the morn-
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 223
iog, and another at six in the evenmg; and
so nearly did they resemble each other in all
respects, that a stranger might have found
difficalty, in coming into the cabin, to dis-
tinguish breakfast from dinner. His^ mattre
d'hidtel took the joints off the table, ent them
up in portions, and then handed them roiii'i^.
Biiifonaparte ate a great deal, and generally of
strong solid food : in drinking he was* ex-
tremely abstemious, confinin:g himself almost
eatirely to claret, and seldom taking more
than half-a-pint at a meal. Immediately
after dinner, strong coffee was handed round,
aad then som« cordial ; after which he rose
ftom table, the whole meal seldom laisting
more than twenty or twenty-five minutes :
and 1 was told, that during the time he was
at the head of the French Government, be
never allowed more than fifteen minutes for
that purpose.
After he had quitted the ship, being de-
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
224 NARRATIVE OF
sirous to know the feeling of the ship's com-
pany towards him^ I asked my servant what
the people said of him. " Why, Sir," he an-
swered, •' I heard several of them conversing
together about him this morning ; when one of
them observed, * Well, they may abuse that
man as much as they please ; but if the people
of England knew him as well as we do, they
would not hurt a hair of his head ;' in which
the others agreed/' This was the more ex-
traordinary, as he never went through the
ship's company but once, immediately after
his coming on board, when I attended him,
and he did not speak to any of the men ;
merely returning their salute by pulling off
his hat ; and in consequence of his presence,
they suffered many privations, such as not
being allowed to see their wives and friends,
or to go on shore, having to keep watch in
port, &c. ; and when he left the ship, the only
money he distributed was twenty Napoleons
to my steward, fifteen to one of the under-
servants, and ten to the cook.
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
CAPTAIN MAITLAND, 225
It may, perhaps, be interesting to give a
slight sketch of the principal persons who
accompanied Buonaparte to the Bellerophon;
premising, that I do not pretend to be mi-
nutely correct in the view I took of them :
the trying circumstances in which these un-
fortunate men were placed, being such as re-
quired more than common temper ; and I
think it very doubtful, whether, in the same
situation. Englishmen would have maintain-
ed equal forbearance.
Count Bertrand was a man of about forty-
four years of age, five feet ten inches in height,
of a slight make and prepossessing appear-
ance : his manners extremely placid and
gentle, though evidently of a warm temper ;
and showed himself rather hasty in his con-
duct to Sir George Cockburn, about search-
ing the baggage ; as Sir George was not act-
ing upon his own authority, but by the di-
rections of his superiors, and was inclined to
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
226 KABRATIVS OF
conduct himself with as much qon^icl^ration
as bis orders would s^dmit He was an affec-
tionate atteotive husband* and much attach*
ed to bis children <
The Coui^tess Bertrand wha th#ji gf a tall,
slight figure. Her maiden name was Dillpn ;
her father was an Irishman in the Frenqhser-
vice^ who Ipst hts life during the reyolution*
and was related to Lord Dillon. Though,
perhaps, a little warm, abe has mdonbtedty
many excellent qualities : she showed herself
to be a kind mother and affectioiiate wife ;
and if she easily took offence^ sb^ as easily
forgot it; and any little dispute that occurred
between her and me, was amply atoned for by
the frank and affectionate manner in which she
took leave when we were about to part, per*
haps for ever. They had, a,t the time I speak
of, three fine ehildren, -^ two boys and a
gill ; the eldest boy about five years of age,
who seemed to have a natural turn for the
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
CAPTAIN MAITJLAND. 227
profession of his father : his constant amuse-
menti in which the young lady and little
Montholon joined, was forming lines and
squares, and other military evolutions, on the
quarter deck.
General Savary, Due deRovigo, was a tall
handsome man, then about forty-six years of
age, of a cheerful disposition ; and notwith-
standing the alarm he was in lest he should
be given up to the French Government,
he never forgot himself so far as to make
use of a rude expression in my presence. He
was Minister of Police after Fouch^. As a
great deal had been said about Captain
Wright's deaUi, I spoke to bim^x>ne day
upon the subject, and told him it was gene-*
rally believed in England that he had been
murdered : he said, ** I took mudh pains in
investigating that matter, and in ascertaining
the cause of his death ; and I have not a
doubt that he cut bis own throat in a fit of
q2
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
228 NARRATIVE OF
delirium.*' Neither Savary nor Lallemand
were allowed to accompany Buonaparte to
St. Helena ; but on the Bellerophon's return
to Plymouth, after transferring Napoleon
to the Northumberland, both of them, to-
gether with Planat and the other officers
with the exception of three, were, by an
order from the Admiralty, sent on board the
Eurotas frigate, which conveyed them to
Malta, from whence, after remaining some
time as prisoners in Fort St. Angelo, they
were allowed to proceed to Smyrna.
General Lallemand was about forty-two
years of age, of a thick strong make ; his
manners not pleasing, and his appearance by
no means prepossessing. During the whole
time he was in the Bellerophon, he was
morose and abstracted, and seemed much
alarmed lest he should be given up to the
French Government; and there can be little
doubt, had he fallen into its power, he would
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 229
have shared the fate of Ney, as he had, with
the troops under his command, joined Na-
poleon on his return from Elba. He had for-
merly been, for several years, one of Buona-
parte's aide-de-camps, and during the time
he was in the Bellerophon always did that
duty in rotation with Montholon and Gour-
gaud; one of them sleeping in his clothes on
a mattress every night outside of the door
of the cabin he slept in. The other two aide-
de-camps. Generals Montholon and Gour-
gaud, were young men about thirty-two
years of age, the former an officer in the
cavalry, and the other in the artillery : they
were both of good families ; but their attach-
ment to Buonaparte induced them to give
up their country and property to follow him.
Madame Montholon was a quiet unassum-
ing woman, gave no trouble, and seemed
perfectly satisfied, provided she were allow-
ed to accompany her husband. She had
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
280 NARRATIVE OF
with her one fine little boy, about four years
old» and I believe left another child at nurse
in France.
Count Las Cases, though he bore. the title
of Counsellor of State, held no official situ-
ation with Buonaparte ; nor did I perfectly
understand how he came to accompany him
on his departure from France, as he was not
with him in Elba : but the intimacy appear-
ed to have been formed since his return from
that island. Napoleon was fond of his con«-
versation. He was of small stature, being
little more than five feet high, and slightly
made. He always spoke of his master in
terms of enthusiasm, and resisted every ap*^
plication from his wife and family to remain
behind, being determined to follow where-
ever Buonaparte might be sent. He took
with him his eldest son, a quick intelligent
boy of thirteen.
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
. CAPTAIN MAITLAND. 231
Monsieur Mamgaat, the sutgeon, with afl
the domestics beyond the twelve who went
to Stt Helena, were conveyed in the Belle-
rophon to Portsmouth, and from thence sent
to Cherbourg, and landed there. Monsieur
Saint Catharine, a lad about sixteen, nephew
to the Empress Josephine, and a native of
Martinique, was provided with a passage to
that island in one of our sloops of war.
Captain Prontowski, a Pole, was allowed
to proceed to St. Helena, some time after
the Northumberland sailed. Why this in-
dulgence was granted to him, I never clearly
understood ; but it was said to be in conse-
quence of the representations he made to
the British Government, of the very strong
attachment he entertained to his fallen mas-
ter, — a feeling, as far as I could judge, which
prevailed with equal force in the breasts of
all those who accompanied him from France,
without excepting Madame Bertrand, who.
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
S32 SAJiRATvm, Bcc.
when not influenced by the horror she en-
tertained of being banished to St. Helena,
isdways spoke of him not only with affection,
but in the language of respect and enthu-
siasm.
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
APPENDIX.
So many erroneous statements have gone
abroad, as to the terms of Buonaparte's
reception on board the Bellerophon, that I
conceive it right to give the following cor-
respondence» although at the expense of
some repetition ; in order to its being dis-
tinctly seen, that the good faith of the Bri-
tish nation was not compromised on that
occasion, but that His Majesty's Government
were at perfect liberty, as far as those terms
were concerned, to act as they thought
best.
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
234 APPENOUC.
** Tonnant^ at anchor under Berry -head^
7th August, 1815.
" Sir,
'' Count Las Cases having this morning
stated to me that he understood from you,
when he was on board the Bellerophon in
Basque Roads, on a mission from General
Buonaparte, that you were authorized to re-
ceive the General and his suite on board the
iship you command, for conveyance to Eng*
land ; and that you assured him, at the same
time, that both the General and his auite
would be well received there ; you are to
report for my information, such observations
as you may consider it necessary to tuake
upon these assertions.
" I am. Sir,
Your most obedient.
Humble servant,
Keith, Admiral/'
** Captain Maitland^
Bellerophon."
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
APPENDIX. 235
" H. M* S. Bellerophon,
FtpnaaOk Sound, 8di Angnrt, 181£.
" My Lord,
" I have to acknowledge the receipt of
your Lordship's letter of yesterday's date,
informing me that Count Las Cases had
stated to you, that he had understood from
me when he was on board the Bellerophon
in Basque Roads, on a mission from General
Buonaparte, that I was authorized to receive
the General and his suite on board the ship
I command, for a conveyance to England,
and that I assured him at the same time^
that both the General and his suite would
be well received there ; and directing me to
report for your Lordship's information such
observations as I may consider it necessary
to make upon these assertions. I shall, in
consequence, state, to the best of my recol-
lection, the whole of the transaction that
took place between Count Las Cases and
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
236 APPENDIX.
me, on the 14th of July, respecting the em-
barkation of Napoleon Buonaparte, for the
veracity of which T beg to refer your Lord-
ship to Captain Sartorius as to what was
said in the morning, and to that officer and
Captain Gambier (the Myrmidon having
joined me in the afternoon) as to what pass-
ed in the evening.
'' Your Lordship being informed already of
the flag of truce that came out to me on the
10th of July, as well as of every thing that
occurred on that occasion, I shall confine
myself to the transactions of the 14th of the
same month.
''Early in the morning of that day, the
officer of the watch informed me, a schooner,
bearing a flag of truce, was approaching :
on her joining the ship, about seven A.M. the
Count Las Cases and General Lallemand
came on board, when, on being shown into
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
APPENDIX. 237
the cabin/ Las Cases asked me if any an-
swer had been returned to the letter sent
by me to Sir Henry Hotham respecting Na-
poleon Buonaparte being allowed to pass
for America, either in the frigates or in a
neutral vessel. I informed him no answer
had been returned, though I hourly expect-
ed, in consequence of those despatches. Sir
Henry Hotham would arrive ; and, as I had
told Monsieur Las Cases, when last on board,
that I should send my boat in when the
answer came, it was quite unnecessary to
have sent out a flag of truce on that account :
— there, for the time, the conversation ter-
minated. On their coming on board, I had
made the signal for the Captain of the Sla-
ney, being desirous of having a witness to
all that might pass.
" After break&ist (during which Captain
Sartorius came on board) we retired to the
^fter-cabin, when Monsieur Las Cases began
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
238 APPENDIX.
on the same subject, and said, ' The Em-
peror was so anxious to stop the farther ef-
fusion of blood, that he would go to Ame«
rica in any way the English Government
would sanction, either in a neutral, a xlis^
armed frigate, or an English ship of war.' Tg
which I replied, ' I have no ' authority to
permit any of those measures ; but if he
chooses to come on board the ship I com^-
mand, I think, under the orders I am acting
with, I may venture to receive him and carry
him to England ; but, tf I do soV I can in no
way be answerable for the reception he may
meet with (this I repeated several times) ;
when Las Cases said, ' I have little doubt, m^
der tho% ekcumstances, that you will see the
Emperor on board the Bellerophon/ After
some more general conversation, and tie
above being frequently repeated. Monsieur
Las Cases and General Lallemand took their
leave: and I assure your Lordship that I
never, in any way, entered into conditions
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
APPENDIX. 239
with respect to the reception General Buona-
parte was to meet with ; nor was it, at that
time, finally arranged that he was to come on
board the Belleropbdn. In the course of con-
versatioa. Las Cases asked me whether I
tiiiought Buonaparte would be well received
in England; to which I gave the only answer
I could do in my situation — ' That I did not
at. ail know wh|^t was the intention of the
Britiiab Government ; but I had Ao-ireason ta
suppose he would not be well ireceived/ It is
here worthy of rdmark, that when Las Cases
caoke on board, he assured me that Buona-
parte was then at Rochefort^ and that it would
be necessary lor him to go there to report the
conversation that had passed between us
(this I can pcowe by the testimony of Captain
Sartoriua, and the first Lieutenant of this ship,
to whom. I spoke of it at the time)» which
statement was not fact; Buonaparte never
having quitted. lale d'Aix, or the frigates, .
after the Srd,
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
240 APPENBIX.
'' I was, therefore, much surprised at see-
ing Monsieur Las Cases on board again before
seven o'clock the same evening ; and one of
the first questions I put to him was, whether
he had been at Rochefort. He answered,
that on returning to Isle d'Aix, he found that
Buonaparte had arrived there. -
''Monsieur Las Cases then presented to me
the letter Count Bertrand wrote concerning.
Buonaparte's intention to come on board the
ship (a copy of which has been transmitted
to your Lordship by Sir Henry Hotham);
and it was not till then agreed upon that I
should receive him ; when either Monsieur
Las Cases, or General Gourgaud (I am not
positive which, as I was employed writing
my own despatches,) wrote to Bertrand to
inform him of it. While paper was preparing
to write the letter,- 1 said again to Monsieur
Las Cases, * You will recollect I have no au-
thority for making conditions of any sort/
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
APPENDIX. 241
Nor has Monsieur Las Cases ever started
such an idea till the day before yesterday.
That it was not the feeling of Buonaparte,
or the rest of his people, I will giye strong
proof, drawn from the conversations they
have held with me.
** As I never heard the subject mentioned
till two days ago, I shall not detail every
conversation that has passed, but confine
myself to that period,
** The night that the squadron anchored
at the back of Berry-head, Buonaparte sent
for me about 10 P. M. and said he was in-
formed by Bertrand, that I had received or-
ders to remove him to the Northumberland,
and wished to know if that was the case;
on being told that it was, he requested I
would write a letter to Bertrand, stating!
had such orders, that it might not ap))ear
R
Digitized by
CZnkf\n\^
242 APPENDi:c.
that he went of his own accoiHl, but that
he had been forced to do so. I told him^ I
could have no objection, and wrote a letter
to that effect (a copy of which is here an*
nexed), which your Lordship afterwards sanc-
tioned, and desired me, if he required it, to
give him a copy of the order,
" After having arranged that matter, I was
going to withdraw, when he requested me to
remain, as he had something more to say : he
then began complaining of his treatment in
being forced to go to St. Helena: among other
things, he observed, ' They say I made no
conditions : certainly, I made no conditions :
how could a private man (im particuUer)
make conditions with a nation? I wanted
nothing from them but hospitality, or (as the
ancients would express it) air and water. I
threw myself on the generosity of the Eng-
lish nation ; I claiqied a place sur leursftn^s,
and my only wish was to purchase a small
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
APPENDIX. 243
estate and end my life in tranquillity/ After
more of the same sort of conversation I left
bim for the night.
" Qa the morning he removed from the
Bellerophon to the Northumberland, he sent
for me again, and said, * I have sent for you
to express my gratitude for your conduct to
me, while I have been on board the ship you
command. My reception in England has
i^en very different from what I expected ;
but you throughout have behaved like a man
of honour ; and I request you will accept
my thanks, as well as convey them to the
officers, and ship's cpmpany of the Bellero-
phon.'
. '' Soon afterwards Montholon came to me
from Buonaparte; but, to understand what
passed between him and me, I must revert
to a conversations that I had with Madame
Bertrand on the passage from Rochefort
r2
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
244 , APPENDIX.
'* It is not necessary to state how the con-
versation commenced, as it does not apply
to the present transaction; but she informed
me, that it was Buonaparte's intention to
present me with a box containing his pic-
ture set with diamonds. I answered, ' I
hope not, for I cannot receive it.' ' Then
you will offend him very much,' she said.
' If that is the case,' I replied, ' I request
you will take measures to prevent its being
offered, as it is absolutely impossible I can
accept of it; and I wish to spare him the
mortification, and myself the pain, of a re-
fusal.' There the matter dropt, and I heard
no more of it, till about half an hour before
Buonaparte quitted the Bellerophon, when
Montholon came to me, and said he was
desired by Buonaparte to express the high
sense he entertained of my conduct through-
out the whole of the transaction : that it had
been his intention to present me with a box
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
APPENDIlC 245
containing his portrait, but that he under-
stood I was determined not to accept it. I
said, ' Placed as I was, I felt it impossible
to receive a present from him, though I was
highly flattered at the testimony he had
borne to the uprightness of my conduct
throughout/ Montholon then added, ' One
of the greatest causes of chagrin he feels
in not being admitted to an interview with
the Prince Regent, is, that he had determin-
ed to ask as a favour, your being promoted
to the rank of Rear-Admiral.' To which I
replied, * That would have been quite im-
possible, but I do not the less feel the kind-
ness of the intention.' I then said, * I am
hurt that Las Cases should say I held forth
any assurances as to the reception Buo-
naparte was to meet with in England.'
' Oh r said he, * Las Cases is disappointed
in his expectations; and as he negotiated the
affair, he attributes the Emperor's situation
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
246 APPKNDIX.
to himself : but I can assure you, that he
(Buonaparte) feels convinced you have acted
like a man of honour throughout.'
'* As your Lordship overheard part of a
conversation which took place between Las
Cases and me on the quarter-deck of the
Bellerophon, I shall not detail it; but on
that occasion, I positively denied having
promised any thing as to the reception of
Buonaparte and his suite; and I believe
your Lordship was of opinion, he could not
make out the statement to you.
'* It is extremely unpleasant for me to be
under the necessity of entering into a detail
of this sort ; but the unhandsome representa-
tion Monsieur Las Cases has made to your
Lordship of my conduct, has obliged me to
produce proofs of the light in which the
transaction was viewed by Buonaparte as
well as his attendants.
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
APP£NI)IX. 247
^' I again repeat, that Captains Gambier
and Sartorius can verify the principal part
of what I have stated, as far as concerns
the charge made against me by Count Las
Cases.
^* I have the honour to be.
Your Lordship's
Most obedient humble servant,
FaEDERicK L. Maitland/*
" To the Right Hon.
Viscount Keith, G.C.B.
&c. &c. &c."
" Slaney, in Plymouth Sound,
l$th August, 1815.
** My Lord,
*' I bare read Captain Maitland's letter
to your Lordship, of the 8th instant, con-
taining his observations upon the assertions
made on the preceding day by Count Las
Cases; and I most fully attest the cor-
rectness of the statement he has made, so
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
248 APPENDIX.
far as relates to the conversations that took
place in my presence.
." I have the, honour to be.
Your Lordship's
Most obedient humble servant,
G. R. Sartorius.
Capt. ofH. M. S. Slaney."
«« To.the Right Hon.
VisooQUt Keith, O. C. B.
A letter to th^ same effect as the fore-
going was written to Lord Keith, by Captain
.Gambier, of the Myrmidon, and forwarded
by his Lordship to the Admiralty, with my
report; of which, by some accident, the
Admirals secretary did not furnish me with
a copy.
THE END.
Digitized by'VjOOQlC
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Reigns of Charles II. and James II. and the intiinate Friend of the
celebrated John Evelyn. Edited by RICHARD, LORD BRAY-
BROOKE. In 2 vols, royal 4to. printed uniformly with << Evelyn's
Memoirs," and embellished with Portruts and other Engravings by
the first Artists. Price 6/. 6.s. boards.
16. BURKE'S DICTIONARY of the PEERAGE
and BARONETAGE of the UNITED KINGDOM, for 1826 ; with
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in Appendix^ comprinDgr ^^^ PreliUs, the Surnames of Peers,
Titles by Courtesy of their eldest Sons, Names of Heirs i^re*
sumptiye, Ac. Dedicated to the King. In one handsome volume,
crown 8fo. With Plates of the Arms, beautifully engraved by
Neele, price ISs.
" The vork whkb Mr. Barke has iu^t giveb to the pabltc, is equally well
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any information he may want. Mr. Buike's arrangement is excellently adapted to
thu purpose. Great ability is also shown in th<> condensation of all tine requisite
matter into one thick volume, which, owing to the clear and beautiful mode of print.
ing and engraving, is justly entitled to be called a cheap one, not only in
comparison with the tedious and expensive works on the same subject but iu re-
ference to the quantity of reading it contains, and the superior style of its execu-
tion.** — Examiner.
17. SIR JONAH HARRINGTON'S HISTORIC
ANECDOTES of IRELAND, During his own Time, with Secret
Memoirs of the Union ; illustrated by Delineations of the prin«
cipal Characters connected with those Transactions, curious Letters
and Papers in fac-simile, parts 7 and 8, price lOs. 6d. each.
18. SYLVA; or, a DISCOURSE of FOREST
TREES and the Propagation of Timber; to which is added the
" Terra." By JOHN EVELYN, Esq. A new Edition, with Notes
by the late John Huntbr. F.R.S. &c. in 2 vols. 4to. embellished
with numerous plates, price 42. 10s. in boards.
19. DIARY of an ENNUY^E. Second edition. In
1 vol. post 870. 10s. 6d.
" Now if -my poor little Diary should ever be seen ? I tremble
but to think of it ! — What egotism and vanity — what discontent —
repining— caprice — should I be accused of ? neither, perhaps, have
I always been just to others j quand 911 sent, on reflechit rarement**
21. THE NAVAL SKETCH BOOK ; or. Service
Afloat and Ashore, with Characteristic Reminiscences, Fragments,
and Opinions. By an Officer of Rank. Second Edition, with con-
siderable additions, in 2 vols. 8vo. 18s.
22. NEW ARABIAN NIGHTS' ENTERTAIN-
MENTS. Selected from the original Oriental MS. by Jos. Von
Hammer, and now first translated into English by the REV.
GEORGE LAMB. In 3 vols, small 8vo. ISs.
23. LETTERS FROM THE EAST. Written during
a recent Tour through Turkey, Egypt, Arabia, Palestine, Syria,
and Greece. By JOHN CARNE, Esq., of Queen's College, Cam-
bridge. In 1 large volume, with a coloured plate, 18s. •
24. BRAMBLETYE HOUSE; or. Cavaliers and
Roundheads. A Novel. By one of the Authors of *< llie Re-
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U. Us. 6d.
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vised, in 3 vols, post 8vo. 27s.
25. THE LAST MAN. A Romance. By the
Author of '* Frankenstein," <* Castruccio," &c. 3 vols, post 8vo.
price 278.
26. MEMOIRS of the COUNTESS DE GENLIS,
Vols. VII. and VIII. . Being the conclusion of this interesting Work.
Embellished with a Portrait of the Author in her .younger days,
price 16s. and in French 14s.
27. ADVENTURES of a YOUNG RIFLEMAN, in
the French and English Armies, during the War in Spain and
Portugal, from 1806 to 1816. WRITTEN BY HIMSELF. In
1 vol. post 8vo. price 9s. 6d.
•• riie Advfiituree of a Ynuiig Riftriuan ^orm one of the most enteitiiining
volumes wn have or late, years met with. We ran truly say, thai the Rifleman's
coiifnssious will afford, to evciy ouu that makes the experiment, a delightful
evening, and a harvest of valuable rtcxAXeciio^i.-^Bepreaentative.
28. ODES and ADDRESSES to great people. The
Third Edition revised, price 5s. 6d.
29. SHERIDANIANA: or ANECDOTES of the
LIFE of RICHARD BRINSLEY SHERIDAN, his TABLE TALK,
and BON MOTS. Small 8vo. with portraits, 8s. 6d.
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31. MEMOIRS of a SKRJEANT in the FRENCH
ARMY, WRITTEN BY HIMSELF; comprising bis adventures
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post 8vo.
32. MEMOIRS of WILLIAM HAYLEY, Esq. the
Friend and Biographer of COWPER. WRITTEN BY HIM-
SELF. Containing a variety of Anecdotes of the most eminent
men of his time. Extracts from his private Correspondence and
unpublished Poetry, &c. Handsomely printed in 2 vols. 4to. with
Portraits. Price 4Z. 4s. boards.
9S. THE LIFE and TIMES of SALVATOR ROSA,
with Extracts from his Correspondence. By LADY MOROAN.
2 vols. 8vo. with a fine portrait of Salvator, from the Original
Painting by himself. Price 28s.
34. MEMOIRS of GOETHE the celebrated Author
of "Werter," "Faust," &c. WRITTEN BY HIMSELF.
2 vols. 8vo. Price 24s. with Portrait.
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35. GEORGE the THIRD, his COURT, and FA-
MILY. Third Edidoii, comprising various important Additions,
and embellished with 18 Portraits, including those of the whole
Royal Family of England. 2 vols. 8vo. Price 28s.
This work will bo found to abound iu reUtions of Uiose peculiar iritita of
cliaracter for which His Majesty wassn distiiiguished during his long and evcutful
roign, aod which have rendered his personal history so remarkably attractive.
36. MEMOIRS of the LATE QUEEN CHAR-
LOTTE, from authentic Documents. By JOHN WATKINS,
LL. D. &c. containing numerous Anecdotes illustrative of the Secret
History of the British Court during the last Fifty Years. Tn one
large vol. 8vo. embellished with Portraits and other Plates. Price 15s.
boards. Part II. separately, to complete sets. Price 9s.
37. MEMOIRS of BENVENUTO CELLINI.
WRITTEN BY HIMSELF. Containing an unreserved Account
of his intimacy with Michael Angelo, Titian, and all the great
Italian sculptors and painters of the age; his connexions with
Francis I. of France, the Emperor Charles V., Popes Clement VII.
and Paul III., and many of the princes, statesmen, and ecclesias-
tics, of that important era. Revised from the Italian, with Notes.
By THOMAS ROSCOE, Esq. Third Edition, in 2 vols. 8vo. with
Portrait. Price 24s.
** Cellini was one uf the most exlraonlinaiy men in an extraordinary age: his
Life, written by hiusell, is more amu»iug than any novel i know.' — Horace
Walpole.
.38. MUSICAL BIOGRAPHY; or Memoirs of the
Lives and Writings of the most eminent Musical Composers and
Writers, who have flourished in the different countries of Europe
during the last three centuries, including the Memoirs of many who
are now living, 2 vols. 8vo. Price 24s.
39. MEMOIRS of GRANVILLE SHARP, Esq.
composed from his own Manuscripts, and other authentic Docu-
ments, in the possession of his Family and of the African Institution.
By PRINCE HOARE. With Observations on Mr. Sharp's Bib-
lical Criticisms. By the Right Rev. the LORD BISHOP of
ST. DAVID'S. 4to. with Portraits. Price 2Z. 12s. 6d.
40. MEMOIRS of SIR JOSHUA REYNOLDS,
late President of the RoyaJ Academy. By JAMES NORTHCOTE,
Esq. R. A. Comprising original Anecdotes of Dr. Johnson, Dr.
Goldsmith, Burke, Oarrick, and maay other distinguished characters.
Second Edition, 2 vols. 8vo. with portraits, and other plates.
Price \l Is. boards.
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41. JOURNAL of a RESIDENCE in ASHANTEE.
Bj JOSEPH DUPUIS, Esq. late his Britannic Majesty's Envoy
and Consul for that Kingdom. In 1 vol. 4to. with a map and 16
plates, 2L 128. 6d. boards.
** We recommend this Work m one of the most interestiag that has sppeai«d for
some time: it embraces a valuable account of Western Africa, and a series of Geo
graphical documents of gieat importance, from the Arabic. These papers throw
mncli light on the sabjnct of African discovery, and will be of great use to future
travellers. From the situation Mr.Dupuis h«ld, and the facilities he possessed, he
is enabled to give informiition inaccessible to otiiers ; and the respectability of his
character it a gnsrantee of the truth of his stateinents.The account of his mission
to the King of Ashantee is highly interesting, as is his general description of the
country;* °*~
42. COWPER'S PRIVATE CORRESPON-
DENCE. Second edition, published from the originals in the pos-
session of the Editor ; in 2 vols. 8yo. with Portraits, ll. 8a.
** A delightful Work. Tlie Letters, now for the first time published, ars even
better than those which have so long secured the pablie fVivonr. Their una0ected
pkiasantry, lUmndant variety, and unstudied eloquence, remind us of the best efforts
of Addison and Steele, over which Authors, Cowper had the advantage in a more
generally informed understanding." — Timts.
43. NARRATIVE of a THREE YEARS* CAPTI-
VITY in JAPAN. With Observations on the Country and the
People. By CAPTAIN GOLOWNIN. Second edition, revised,
in 3 vols. 8vo. 31s. 6d.
44. DIARY OF THE MARQUIS DE DANGEAU,
kept during his Residence (above thirty years] at the Court of
France. Now first translated from (he French » with Historical and
Critical Notes. In 2 vols. 8vo. 28s.
A French edition, with the Supplementary Notes. 3 vols. 2^8.
"The Memoirs of the Marquis de Dangeau are curious, and certainly include a
great deal of valuable information. Those who have a taste for this kind of writing,
and some previous knowledge of the personages to whom it rel-Ates, will be pleased
at meeting so many of their old friends, and amused with the transactions, great
and small, which Dangeau records of them ; while those who look still def^ier into
the work will find a great deal of chronological and some historical information,
with many .important views of the manners and morals of the age, of the character
of the Sovereign and his Ministers, and the secret springs and {wirsonal motives of
many cMisiderable events."— QtutrferZy iZrctetc.
45. MEMOIRS and RECOLLECTIONS of COUNT
SEGUR, Ambassador from France to the Courts of Russia and
Prussia. Vol. the 2d. 8vo. 12s.; French lOs. 6d.
The Count de Segur was connected by ties of friendship or consan-
gmmty with all the remarkable personages of the Courts of Louis
XV. and XVI. and was engaged in the intercourse of Affairs and
Society with Catherine II., Frederic the Great, Potemkin, Joseph II..
Gnatavns III., Washington, Kosciusko, La Fayette, Mirabeau, and
Napoleon, as well as with the Chiefs of the Aristocratical and Demo-
cratical Parties, and the most illustrious Writers of the times ; of
whom he records the most interesting particulars.
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46. THE SPIRITS OF THE AGE ; or, Contempo-
rary Portraits.. Hie Second Edition, with Additions. In 1 vol.
fbst 8ro. Price 10s. 6d.
Contents :— Mr, Je&try, Mr. Gifford, Mr. Southey, Sir Walter
Scott, Lord Byron, Mr. Campbell, Mr. Thomas Moore, Mr. Wil-
liam Godwin, Mr. Jeremy Bentham, Mr. Cobbett, Mr. Coleridge,
Mr. Leigh Hunt, Mr. Wordsworth, Sir James Mackintosh, Mr.
Brougham, Sir F. Burdett, Rev. E. Irving, Lord fildon, Mr. Wilber-
force, Mr. Malthus, Mr. Crahbe, the late Mr. Home Tooke, &c.
47. DON ESTEBAN ; or, MEMOIRS of a SPA-
NIARD. Written by Himself. Second Edition. 3 vols, post 8vo.
279.
** In giving a detailed Mstorjr of his life, Don Btteban professes to present a feith*
ful picture <tt the mannera, habits, and castoms of his coantrvmen. ' He takes the
reader into the interior of their private houses; introduces nim to their Tertulias,
Balls, Assemblies, and public places; leads him to the Roverias, Convents. Nun-
neries, and Palaces; and gives him an insight into the national and private charac-
ter of the Spaniards.'-— The Work, besides, contains an account of the state of the
Spanish Court under Ferdinand, which is worthy of Oil Bias, and puts us in mind
of that Novel.**— Gto*e and Traveler,
48. A PICTURE OF GREECE in 1825 : as exhibited
in the PerK>nal Narratives of JAMES EMERSON, Esq., COUNT
PECCHIO, and W. H. HUMPHREYS, Esq. In 2 vols, post 8vo.
with a Portrait of the Greek Admiral MIAULIS. Price ISs.
This work will be found to possess all the interest and excitement
of a romance ; it contains sketches and anecdotes of all the chieftains
of Greece, of the magnificent scenery of the country, and character of
the people ; of the picturesque warfare of the Kleftis and Guerillas
in the wild and craggy island hills ; and of the naval engagements
between the Greeks and their enemies, in some of which Mr. Emer-
son was personally concerned last summer.
49. CONVERSATIONS OF LORD' BYRON, in
which are detailed the principal occurrences xyf his Private Life, his
opinions on Society, Manners, Literature, and Literary Men. Being
the substance of a Journal kept during a Residence with his Lord-
ship at Pisa, in the years 1821 and 1822. By Thomas Meowjn,
Esq. of the 24th Light Dragoons. New editions, uniform with the
Works, in I vol. 8vo. and 2 vols, foolscap, price 14s.
50. FOUR YEARS in FRANCE, or Narrative of an
English Family's Residence there during that period : Preceded
by someaccount of the Conversion of the Author to the Catholic
Paith. Post 8vo. 10s. 6d.
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61. THE MANUSCRIPT of 1814, a History of
Events which led to the Abdication of Napoleon ; written at the -
command of the Emperor. B^ BARON FAIN, Secretary of the
Cabinet, &c 8vo. With Fac-simile of the Abdication, and Map of
the Campaign, 128.
52. THE FOURTH and LAST LIVRAISON of
NAPOLEON'S HISTORICAL MElVfOIRS. Dictated at St. He-
lena, to Counts MoNTHOLON, GouRGAUD, &c. and published from
the original manuscripts, corrected by Himself. 1 vol. 14s. ; in
French 12s.
This important work is now completed in 7 yols. comprising four
of Memoirs, and three of Historical Miscellanies ; and the pub-
lic are advised to complete their sets without delay.
** Tiib work beat s Impressed oa it the stamp of the eigantic mind from which it
emanated. It is wholly Ave from the usual vices of ffench composition; depth,
orictnality» comprehensiveness, and great eaeigy of «Kpressiou, tU-e its prooiinent
char«cterislic!<. A profound and intuitive sagacity, a clear and unerring insight
into human character, mental resources almost preternatural, and an incredible
knowledge of Ibe minutest details of every subject discussed, are exhibited in «1.
most every page : nothing escapes the observation, or transcends the c<»p:<city, of the
Imper'uil Annalist. He combines tlie iudgment and penetration of Tacitus with
the prodigious versatility of Cssar, and the more enlarged views of modern philo-
sopliy and science; policy, relicion, war, civil administration, statisvics, art, evna
litrrdKire,— in short. whHtever he touches on,— seems to unfold its most recondite
principle* to his view, aud to be fully comprehended and appreciated. To the fa.
tore htstorian the value of the * Elistoncal Miscellanies' is iniralculiible : with regain
to lilt* Memoirs U.emselves, no hi&tory can ever supersede Wx^itxC*— Edinburgh Ma-
gazine.
53. COUNT LAS CASES' JOURNAL of the PRI-
VATE LIFE and CONVERSATIONS of the late EMPEROR NA-
POLEON ; a new edition, illustrated with Portraits of Napoleon
and Las Cases ; a View of the House in which Napoleon was born,
at Ajaccio in Corsica ; four coloured Views of St. Helena, taken on
the spot ( besides Maps, Plans, &c. complete in 4 handsome ro-
la met, 8ro. Price 21. 12s. in French or English.
As this work is universally acknowledged to form the most perfect
epitome of the Life, Character, and Opinions o( this extraordinary
man, it is presumed that this new edition, compressed into 4 vols,
and published at a very moderate price, will be extremely acceptable .
to the public, and that there are few who will not be desirous of
possessing it.
54. A SERIES of ILLUSTRATIONS to the JOUR-
NAL of COUNT LAS CASES, comprising a Portrait of Napoleon,
engraved by Cooper -after the original well-known Painting by
David, a Purtrkit of Count Las Cases, and four coloured Views of
St. Helena, from Drawings taken on the spot by eminent Artists,
Svo. price As.
55. THE LAST DAYS of NAPOLEON. By F,
ANTOMMARCHI ; recording his Conversations with the Emperor
on various interesting Subjects, during the last two years of his
Exile ; and forming a Supplement to the Journals of O'Meara and
Las Cases. Editions in French and English, in 2 vols. 8vo. 21s.
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