Part 6
I love you as I did the first hour, because you are kind and sweet beyond compare.
Hortense told me that she was often writing you.
Best wishes, and a love-kiss.--Yours ever,
BONAPARTE.
No. 3.
TO JOSEPHINE, AT PLOMBIERES.
_Malmaison, June 23, 1802._
_My Good Little Josephine_,--Your letter has come. I am sorry to see you have been poorly on the journey, but a few days' rest will put you right. I am very fairly well. Yesterday I was at the Marly hunt, and one of my fingers was very slightly injured whilst shooting a boar.
Hortense is usually in good health. Your fat son has been rather unwell, but is getting better. I think the ladies are playing "The Barber of Seville" to-night. The weather is perfect.
Rest assured that my truest wishes are ever for my little Josephine.--Yours ever,
BONAPARTE.
No. 4.
TO JOSEPHINE, AT PLOMBIERES.
_Malmaison, June 27, 1802._
Your letter, dear little wife, has apprised me that you are out of sorts. Corvisart tells me that it is a good sign that the baths are having the desired effect, and that your health will soon be re-established. But I am most truly grieved to know that you are in pain.
Yesterday I went to see the Sevres manufactory at St. Cloud.
Best wishes to all.--Yours for life,
BONAPARTE.
* * * * *
_June 29th.--Pope withdraws excommunication from Talleyrand._
No. 5.
TO JOSEPHINE, AT PLOMBIERES.
_Malmaison, July 1, 1802._
Your letter of June 29th has arrived. You say nothing of your health nor of the effect of the baths. I see that you expect to be home in a week; that is good news for your lover, who is tired of being alone!
You ought to have seen General Ney, who started for Plombieres; he will be married on his return.
Yesterday Hortense played Rosina in "The Barber of Seville" with her usual skill.
Rest assured of my love, and that I await your return impatiently. Without you everything here is dreary.
BONAPARTE.
* * * * *
_August 2nd.--Napoleon Bonaparte made First Consul for life._ "_The conduct and the language of Bonaparte represents at once Augustus, Mahomet, Louis XI., Masaniello_" (Montgaillard, _an avowed enemy_).
_September 22nd._--Opening of the Ourcq Waterworks for the supply of Paris.
_September 25th.--Mass celebrated at St. Cloud for the first time. In this month Napoleon annexes Piedmont, and the next sends Ney to occupy Switzerland._
_October 11th.--Birth of Napoleon Charles, son of Louis Bonaparte and Hortense._
_October 29th.--Napoleon and Josephine visit Normandy, and, contrary to expectation, receive ovations everywhere. They return to Paris, November 14th._
EVENTS OF 1803.
_February 19th._--New constitution imposed by France on Switzerland.
_April 14th.--Bank of France reorganised by Bonaparte; it alone allowed to issue notes._
_April 27th._--Death of Toussaint-Louverture at Besancon.
_April 30th._--France sells Louisiana to U.S. for L4,000,000 (15 million dollars).
_May 22nd.--France declares war against England, chiefly respecting Malta. England having seized all French ships in British harbours previous to war being declared, Napoleon seizes all British tourists in France._
_May 31st.--His soldiers occupy Electorate of Hanover._
_June 14th.--He visits North of France and Belgium, accompanied by Josephine, and returns to Paris August 12th._
_September 27th._--Press censorship established in France.
_November 30th._--French evacuate St. Domingo.
SERIES E
1804
"Everywhere the king of the earth found once more, to put a bridle on his pride, the inevitable lords of the sea."--BIGNON, v. 130.
SERIES E
(For subjoined Notes to this Series see pages 232-237.)
LETTER PAGE
No. 1. _Madame_ 232 _Pont de Bricques_ 232 _The wind having considerably freshened_ 232
No. 2. _The waters_ 233 _All the vexations_ 233 _Eugene has started for Blois_ 234
No. 3. _Aix-la-Chapelle_ 234
No. 4. _During the past week_ 235 _The day after to-morrow_ 235 _Hortense_ 235 _I am very well satisfied_ 235
No. 5. Its authenticity 236 _Arras, August 29th_ 236 _I am rather impatient to see you_ 236
No. 6. _T._ 237 _B._ 237
LETTERS OF THE EMPEROR NAPOLEON TO THE EMPRESS JOSEPHINE DURING HIS JOURNEY ALONG THE COAST, 1804.
EVENTS OF 1804.
_February 15th._--The conspiracy of Pichegru. Moreau arrested, Pichegru (_February 28th_), and Georges Cadoudal (_March 9th_).
_March 21st._--Duc D'Enghien shot at Vincennes.
_April 6th._--Suicide of Pichegru.
_April 30th.--Proposal to make Bonaparte Emperor._
_May 4th.--Tribune adopts the proposal._
_May 18th.--The First Consul becomes the Emperor Napoleon._
_May 19th.--Napoleon confers the dignity of Marshal of the Empire on Berthier, Murat, Moncey, Jourdan, Massena, Augereau, Bernadotte, Soult, Brune, Lannes, Mortier, Ney, Davoust, Bessieres, Kellermann, Lefebvre, Perignon, Serrurier._
_July 14th._--Inauguration of the Legion of Honour.
No. 1.
TO THE EMPRESS JOSEPHINE.
_Pont-de-Bricques, July 21, 1804._
_Madame and dear Wife_,--During the four days that I have been away from you I have always been either on horseback or in a conveyance, without any ill effect on my health.
M. Maret tells me that you intend starting on Monday; travelling by easy stages, you can take your time and reach the Spa without tiring yourself.
The wind having considerably freshened last night, one of our gunboats, which was in the harbour, broke loose and ran on the rocks about a league from Boulogne. I believed all lost--men and merchandise; but we managed to save both. The spectacle was grand: the shore sheeted in fire from the alarm guns, the sea raging and bellowing, the whole night spent in anxiety to save these unfortunates or to see them perish! My soul hovered between eternity, the ocean, and the night. At 5 A.M. all was calm, everything saved; and I went to bed with the feeling of having had a romantic and epic dream--a circumstance which might have reminded me that I was all alone, had weariness and soaked garments left me any other need but that of sleep.
NAPOLEON.
[_Correspondence of Napoleon I., No. 7861, communicated by M. Chambry._]
No. 2.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT AIX-LA-CHAPELLE.
_Boulogne, August 3, 1804._
_My Dear_,--I trust soon to learn that the waters have done you much good. I am sorry to hear of all the vexations you have undergone. Please write me often. My health is very good, although I am rather tired. I shall be at Dunkirk in a very few days, and shall write you from there.
Eugene has started for Blois.
_Je te couvre de baisers._
NAPOLEON.
No. 3.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT AIX-LA-CHAPELLE.
_Calais, August 6, 1804._
_My Dear_,--I arrived at Calais at midnight; I expect to start to-night for Dunkirk. I am in very fair health, and satisfied with what I see. I trust that the waters are doing you as much good as exercise, camp, and seascape are doing me.
Eugene has set off for Blois. Hortense is well. Louis is at Plombieres.
I am longing to see you. You are always necessary to my happiness. My very best love.
NAPOLEON.
No. 4.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT AIX-LA-CHAPELLE.
_Ostend, August 14, 1804._
_My Dear_,--I have had no letter from you for several days; yet I should be more comfortable if I knew that the waters were efficacious, and how you spend your time. During the past week I have been at Ostend. The day after to-morrow I shall be at Boulogne for a somewhat special fete. Advise me by the courier what you intend to do, and how soon you expect to end your baths.
I am very well satisfied with the army and the flotillas. Eugene is still at Blois. I hear no more of Hortense than if she were on the Congo. I am writing to scold her.
My best love to all.
NAPOLEON.
No. 5.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT AIX-LA-CHAPELLE.
_Arras, Wednesday, August 29, 1804._
_Madame and dear Wife_,--I have just reached Arras. I shall stay there to-morrow. I shall be at Mons on Friday, and on Sunday at Aix-la-Chapelle. I am as well satisfied with my journey as with the army. I think I shall pass through Brussels without stopping there; thence I shall go to Maestricht. I am rather impatient to see you. I am glad to hear you have tried the waters; they cannot fail to do you good. My health is excellent. Eugene is well, and is with me.
Very kindest regards to every one.
BONAPARTE.
[_Translated from a Letter in the Collection of Baron Heath, Philobiblon Society, vol. xiv._]
* * * * *
_October 2nd._--Sir Sydney Smith attacks flotilla at Boulogne unsuccessfully.
No. 6.
TO JOSEPHINE, AT ST. CLOUD.
_Treves, October 6, 1804._
_My Dear,_--I arrive at Treves the same moment that you arrive at St. Cloud. I am in good health. Do not grant an audience to T----, and refuse to see him. Receive B---- only in general company, and do not give him a private interview. Make promises to sign marriage contracts only after I have signed them.--Yours ever,
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_December 1st.--Plebiscite confirms election of Napoleon as Emperor, by 3,500,000 votes to 2000._
_December 2nd.--Napoleon crowns himself Emperor, and Josephine Empress, in the presence and with the benediction of the Pope._
GENERAL EVENTS.--_October 8th._--The negro Dessalines crowned Emperor of St. Domingo, under title of James I.
_December 12th._--Spain declares war against England.
SERIES F
CAMPAIGN OF AUSTERLITZ, 1805.
"To convey an idea of the brilliant campaign of 1805 ... I should, like the almanack-makers, be obliged to note down a victory for every day."--BOURRIENNE, vol. ii. 323.
"Si jamais correspondence de mari a femme a ete intime et frequente, si jamais continuite et permanence de tendresse a ete marquee, c'est bien dans ces lettres ecrites, chaque jour presque, par Napoleon a sa femme durant la campagne de l'an XIV."--F. MASSON, _Josephine, Imperatrice et Reine_, 1899, p. 427.
SERIES F
(For subjoined Notes to this Series see pages 237-243.)
LETTER PAGE
No. 1. _To Josephine_ 237 _Strasburg_ 237 _Stuttgard_ 237 _I am well placed_ 237
No. 2. _Louisburg_ 238 _In a few days_ 238 _A new bride_ 238 _Electress_ 238
No. 3. _I have assisted at a marriage_ 238
No. 5. The abbey of Elchingen 238
No. 6. _Spent the whole of to-day indoors_ 238 _Vicenza_ 238
No. 7. _Elchingen_ 239 _Such a catastrophe_ 239
No. 9. _Munich_ 239 _Lemarois_ 239 _I was grieved_ 239 _Amuse yourself_ 239 _Talleyrand has come_ 240
No. 10. _We are always in forests_ 240 _My enemies_ 240
No. 11. Lintz 240
No. 12. Schoenbrunn 241
No. 13. _They owe everything to you_ 241
No. 14. _Austerlitz_ 241 _December 2nd_ 241
No. 17. _A long time since I had news of you_ 241
No. 19. _I await events_ 242 _I, for my part, am sufficiently busy_ 242
LETTERS OF THE EMPEROR NAPOLEON TO THE EMPRESS JOSEPHINE, DURING THE AUSTERLITZ CAMPAIGN, 1805.
EVENTS OF 1805.
_March 13th.--Napoleon proclaimed King of Italy._
_May 26th.--Crowned at Milan._
_June 8th.--Prince Eugene named Viceroy of Italy._
_June 23rd.--Lucca made a principality, and given to Elisa Bonaparte._
_July 22nd._--Naval battle between Villeneuve and Sir Robert Calder, which saves England from invasion.
_August 16th.--Napoleon breaks up camp of Boulogne._
_September 8th._--Third Continental Coalition (Russia, Austria, and England against France). Austrians cross the Inn, and invade Bavaria.
_September 21st._--Treaty of Paris between France and Naples, which engages to take no part in the war.
_September 23rd._--_Moniteur_ announces invasion of Bavaria by Austria.
_September 24th.--Napoleon leaves Paris._
_September 27th.--Joins at Strasburg his Grand Army(160,000 strong)._
_October 1st.--Arrives at Ettlingen._
_October 2nd.--Arrives at Louisbourg. Hostilities commence._
No. 1.
TO JOSEPHINE, AT STRASBURG.
_Imperial Headquarters, Ettlingen_,
_October 2, 1805_, 10 A.M.
I am well, and still here. I am starting for Stuttgard, where I shall be to-night. Great operations are now in progress. The armies of Wurtemberg and Baden have joined mine. I am well placed for the campaign, and I love you.
NAPOLEON.
No. 2.
TO JOSEPHINE, AT STRASBURG.
_Louisbourg, October 4, 1805, Noon._
I am at Louisbourg. I start to-night. There is as yet nothing new. My whole army is on the march. The weather is splendid. My junction with the Bavarians is effected. I am well. I trust in a few days to have something interesting to communicate.
Keep well, and believe in my entire affection. There is a brilliant Court here, a new bride who is very beautiful, and upon the whole some very pleasant people, even our Electress, who appears extremely kind, although the daughter of the King of England.
NAPOLEON.
No. 3.
TO JOSEPHINE, AT STRASBURG.
_Louisbourg, October 5, 1805._
I continue my march immediately. You will, my dear, be five or six days without hearing from me; don't be uneasy, it is connected with operations now taking place. All goes well, and just as I could wish.
I have assisted at a marriage between the son of the Elector and a niece of the King of Prussia. I wish to give the young princess a wedding present to cost 36,000 to 40,000 francs. Please attend to this, and send it to the bride by one of my chamberlains, when they shall come to rejoin me. This matter must be attended to immediately.
Adieu, dear, I love you and embrace you.
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_October 6th-7th.--French cross the Danube and turn Mack's army._
_October 8th.--Battle of Wertingen. (Murat defeats the Austrians.)_
_October 9th.--Battle of Gunzburg. (Ney defeats Mack.)_
No. 4.
_October 10th.--French enter Augsbourg._
TO JOSEPHINE, AT STRASBURG.
_Augsbourg, Thursday, October 10, 1805_,
11 A.M.
I slept last night[18] with the former Elector of Treves, who is very well lodged. For the past week I have been hurrying forward. The campaign has been successful enough so far. I am very well, although it rains almost every day. Events crowd on us rapidly. I have sent to France 4000 prisoners, 8 flags, and have 14 of the enemy's cannon.
Adieu, dear, I embrace you.
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_October 11th.--Battle of Hasslach. Dupont holds his own against much superior forces._
No. 5.
_October 12th.--French enter Munich._
TO JOSEPHINE, AT STRASBURG.
_October 12, 1805_, 11 P.M.
My army has entered Munich. On one side the enemy is beyond the Inn; I hold the other army, 60,000 strong, blocked on the Iller, between Ulm and Memmingen. The enemy is beaten, has lost its head, and everything points to a most glorious campaign, the shortest and most brilliant which has been made. In an hour I start for Burgau-sur-l'Iller.
I am well, but the weather is frightful. It rains so much that I change my clothes twice a day.
I love and embrace you.
NAPOLEON.
_October 14th.--Capture of Memmingen and 4OOO Austrians by Soult._
_October 15th.--Battle of Elchingen. Ney defeats Laudon._
_October 17th.--Capitulation of Ulm._
No. 6.
_October 19th.--Werneck and 8000 men surrender to Murat._
TO JOSEPHINE, AT STRASBURG.
_Abbaye d'Elchingen, October 19, 1805._
_My dear Josephine_,--I have tired myself more than I ought. Soaked garments and cold feet every day for a week have made me rather ill, but I have spent the whole of to-day indoors, which has rested me.
My design has been accomplished; I have destroyed the Austrian army by marches alone; I have made 60,000 prisoners, taken 120 pieces of cannon, more than 90 flags, and more than 30 generals. I am about to fling myself on the Russians; they are lost men. I am satisfied with my army. I have only lost 1500 men, of whom two-thirds are but slightly wounded.
Prince Charles is on his way to cover Vienna. I think Massena should be already at Vicenza.
The moment I can give my thoughts to Italy, I will make Eugene win a battle.
Very best wishes to Hortense.
Adieu, my Josephine; kindest regards to every one.
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_October 20th.--Mack and his army defile before Napoleon._
No. 7.
_October 21st._--Battle of Trafalgar; Franco-Spanish fleet destroyed after a five hours' fight. "The result of the battle of Trafalgar compensates, for England, the results of the operations of Ulm. It has been justly observed that this power alone, of all those who fought France from 1793 to 1812, never experienced a check in her political or military combinations without seeing herself compensated forthwith by a signal success in some other part of the world" (_Montgaillard_).
TO THE EMPRESS, AT STRASBURG.
_Elchingen, October 21, 1805, Noon._
I am fairly well, my dear. I start at once for Augsbourg. I have made 33,000 men lay down their arms, I have from 60,000 to 70,000 prisoners, more than 90 flags, and 200 pieces of cannon. Never has there been such a catastrophe in military annals!
Take care of yourself. I am rather jaded. The weather has been fine for the last three days. The first column of prisoners files off for France to-day. Each column consists of 6000 men.
NAPOLEON.
No. 8.
_October 25th._--The Emperor of Russia and King of Prussia swear, at the tomb of the Great Frederick, to make implacable war on France (Convention signed November 3rd).
TO THE EMPRESS, AT STRASBURG.
_Augsburg, October 25, 1805._
The two past nights have thoroughly rested me, and I am going to start to-morrow for Munich. I am sending word to M. de Talleyrand and M. Maret to be near at hand. I shall see something of them, and I am going to advance upon the Inn in order to attack Austria in the heart of her hereditary states. I should much have liked to see you; but do not reckon upon my sending for you, unless there should be an armistice or winter quarters.
Adieu, dear; a thousand kisses. Give my compliments to the ladies.
NAPOLEON.
No. 9.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT STRASBURG.
_Munich, Sunday, October 27, 1805._
I received your letter per Lemarois. I was grieved to see how needlessly you have made yourself unhappy. I have heard particulars which have proved how much you love me, but you should have more fortitude and confidence. Besides, I had advised you that I should be six days without writing you.
To-morrow I expect the Elector. At noon I start to support my advance on the Inn. My health is fair. You need not think of crossing the Rhine for two or three weeks. You must be cheerful, amuse yourself, and hope that before the end of the month[19] we shall meet.
I am advancing against the Russian army. In a few days I shall have crossed the Inn.
Adieu, my dear; kindest regards to Hortense, Eugene, and the two Napoleons.
Keep back the wedding present a little longer.
Yesterday I gave a concert to the ladies of this court. The precentor is a superior man.
I took part in the Elector's pheasant-shoot; you see by that that I am not so tired. M. de Talleyrand has come.
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_October 28th._--Grand Army cross the Inn. Lannes occupies Braunau.
_October 28th to October 29th-30th.--Battle of Caldiero._--Massena with 55,000 men attacks Archduke Charles entrenched with 70,000; after two days' fight French repulsed at this place, previously disastrous to their arms.
No. 10.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT STRASBURG.
_Haag, November 3, 1805_, 10 P.M.
I am in full march; the weather is very cold, the earth covered with a foot of snow. This is rather trying. Luckily there is no want of wood; here we are always in forests. I am fairly well. My campaign proceeds satisfactorily; my enemies must have more anxieties than I.
I wish to hear from you and to learn that you are not worrying yourself.
Adieu, dear; I am going to lie down.
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_November 4th._--Combat of Amstetten. Lannes and Murat drive back the Russians. Davoust occupies Steyer. Army of Italy takes Vicenza.
No. 11.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT STRASBURG.
_Tuesday, November 5, 1805._
I am at Lintz. The weather is fine. We are within seventy miles of Vienna. The Russians do not stand; they are in full retreat. The house of Austria is at its wit's end, and in Vienna they are removing all the court belongings. It is probable that something new will occur within five or six days. I much desire to see you again. My health is good.
I embrace you.
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_November 7th._--Ney occupies Innsbruck.
_November 9th._--Davoust defeats Meerfeldt at Marienzell.
_November 10th._--Marmont arrives at Leoben.
_November 11th._---Battle of Diernstein; Mortier overwhelmed by Russians, but saved by Dupont.
_November 13th._--Vienna entered and bridge over the Danube seized. Massena crosses the Tagliamento.
_November 14th._--Ney enters Trent.
No. 12.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT STRASBURG.
_November 15, 1805_, 9 P.M.
I have been at Vienna two days, my dear, rather fagged. I have not yet seen the city by day; I have traversed it by night. To-morrow I receive the notables and public bodies. Nearly all my troops are beyond the Danube, in pursuit of the Russians.
Adieu, Josephine; as soon as it is possible I will send for you. My very best love.
NAPOLEON.
No. 13.
_November 16th._--Jellachich surrenders to Augereau at Feldkirch with 7000 men.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT STRASBURG.
_Vienna, November 16, 1805._
I am writing to M. d'Harville, so that you can set out and make your way to Baden, thence to Stuttgard, and from there to Munich. At Stuttgard you will give the wedding present to the Princess Paul. If it costs fifteen to twenty thousand francs, that will suffice; the rest will do for giving presents at Munich to the daughters of the Electress of Bavaria. All that Madame de Serent[20] has advised you is definitely arranged. Take with you the wherewithal to make presents to the ladies and officers who will wait upon you. Be civil, but receive full homage; they owe everything to you, and you owe nothing save civility. The Electress of Wurtemberg is daughter of the King of England. She is an excellent woman; you should be very kind to her, but yet without affectation.
I shall be very glad to see you, the moment circumstances permit me. I start to join my vanguard. The weather is frightful; it snows heavily. Otherwise my affairs go excellently.
Adieu, my dear.
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_November 19th.--French occupy Brunn, and Napoleon establishes his headquarters at Wischau._
_November 24th._--Massena occupies Trieste.
_November 28th._--Army of Italy joins troops of the Grand Army at Klagenfurt.
_December 2nd._--Battle of the Three Emperors (Austerlitz). French forces 80,000; allies 95,000.
No. 14.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT STRASBURG.
_Austerlitz, December 3, 1805._
I have despatched to you Lebrun from the field of battle. I have beaten the Russian and Austrian army commanded by the two Emperors. I am rather fagged. I have bivouacked eight days in the open air, through nights sufficiently keen. To-night I rest in the chateau of Prince Kaunitz, where I shall sleep for the next two or three hours. The Russian army is not only beaten, but destroyed.
I embrace you.
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_December 4th.--Haugwitz, the Prussian Minister, congratulates Napoleon on his victory. "Voila!" replied the Emperor; "un compliment dont la fortune a change l'addresse."_
No. 15.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MUNICH.
_Austerlitz, December 5, 1805._
I have concluded a truce. The Russians have gone. The battle of Austerlitz is the grandest of all I have fought. Forty-five flags, more than 150 pieces of cannon, the standards of the Russian Guard, 20 generals, 30,000 prisoners, more than 20,000 slain--a horrible sight.
The Emperor Alexander is in despair, and on his way to Russia. Yesterday, at my bivouac, I saw the Emperor of Germany. We conversed for two hours; we have agreed to make peace quickly.
The weather is not now very bad. At last behold peace restored to the Continent; it is to be hoped that it is going to be to the world. The English will not know how to face us.
I look forward with much pleasure to the moment when I can once more be near you. My eyes have been rather bad the last two days; I have never suffered from them before.
Adieu, my dear. I am fairly well, and very anxious to embrace you.
NAPOLEON.
No. 16.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MUNICH.