napoleon bonaparte, v11-第12章
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other remembrances which have powerfully contributed to prove their
truth。 Every one； I hope； will admit that if the Emperor had really
desired war； it is not before me he would have taken the trouble to
express his desire for the conclusion of peace； as I heard him do several
times； and this by no means falsifies what I have related of a reply
given by his Majesty to the Prince of Neuchatel； since in this reply he
attributes the necessity of war to the bad faith of his enemies。 Neither
the immense renown of the Emperor nor his glory needs any support from
me； and I am not deluding myself on this point； but I ask to be allowed
like any other man to give my mite of the truth。
I have said previously； that when passing through Mayence the Emperor had
convened the Corps Legislatif for the 2d of December； but by a new decree
it was postponed until the 19th of that month； and this annual solemnity
was marked by the introduction of unaccustomed usages。 In the first
place； as I have said； to the Emperor alone was given the right of naming
the president without the presentation of a triple list； as was done in
former times by the senate； moreover； the senate and the council of state
repaired in a body to the hall of the Corps Legislatif to be present at
the opening of the session。 I also remember that this ceremony was
anticipated with more than usual interest； since throughout Paris all
were curious and eager to hear the address of the Emperor； and what he
would say on the situation of France。 Alas； we were far from supposing
that this annual ceremony would be the last。
The senate and the council of state； having taken the places indicated to
them in the hall； the Empress； arrived； and entered the reserved gallery；
surrounded by her ladies and the officers of her household。 At last the
Emperor appeared； a quarter of an hour after the Empress； and was
introduced with the accustomed ceremonials。 When the new president； the
Duke of Massa； had taken the oath at the hands of the Emperor； his
Majesty pronounced the following discourse：
〃Senators； Councilors of State； Deputies from the Departments to the
Corps Legislatif：
Brilliant victories have made the French arms illustrious in this
campaign； but unexampled defections have rendered these victories
useless。 Everything has turned against us。 Even France would be
in danger were it not for the energy and union of the French people。
Under these momentous circumstances my first thought was to summon
you。 My heart felt the need of the presence and affection of my
subjects。
I have never been seduced by prosperity； adversity will find me
above the reach of its attacks。 I have many times given peace to
nations； even when they had lost all。 On a part of my conquests I
have erected thrones for kings who have now abandoned me。
I have conceived and executed great plans for the happiness of the
world。 Both as a monarch and a father I feel that peace adds to the
security of thrones and of families。 Negotiations have been entered
into with the Confederated Powers。 I have adhered to the
fundamental principles which they have presented。 I then hoped
that； before the opening of this session； the Congress of Mannheim
would have assembled； but renewed delays； which cannot be attributed
to France； have deferred this moment； which the whole world so
eagerly desires。
I have ordered that all the original articles contained in the
portfolio of Foreign Affairs should be submitted to you。 You will
be informed of them through a committee。 The spokesmen of my
Council will inform you of my wishes on this subject。
Nothing has been interposed on my part to the re…establishment of
peace； I know and share the sentiments of the French people。 I
repeat； of the French people； since there are none among them who
desire peace at the expense of honor。 It is with regret that I
demand of this generous people new sacrifices； but they are
necessary for their noblest and dearest interests。 I have been
compelled to re…enforce my armies by numerous levies； for nations
treat with security only when they display all their strength。 An
increase of receipts has become indispensable。 The propositions
which my minister of finance will submit to you are in conformity
with the system of finance I have established。 We will meet all
demands without borrowing； which uses up the resources of the
future； and without paper money； which is the greatest enemy of
social order。
I am well satisfied with the sentiments manifested towards me under
these circumstances by my people of Italy。
Denmark； and Naples alone remain faithful to their alliance。 The
Republic of the United States of America successfully continues its
war with England。 I have recognized the neutrality of the nineteen
Swiss cantons。
Senators； Councillors of State； Deputies of the Departments in the
Corps Legislatif：
You are the natural organs of the throne。 It is your province to
display an energy which will hold our country up to the admiration
of all future generations。 Let it not be said of us： 'They
sacrificed the first interests of their country； they submitted to
the control which England has sought in vain for four centuries to
impose on France。'
My people need not fear that the policy of their Emperor will ever
betray the glory of the nation； and on my part I have the conviction
that the French people will ever prove worthy of themselves and of
me。〃
This address was received with unanimous shouts of 〃Vive l'Empereur； 〃
and； when his Majesty returned to the。 Tuileries； he had an air of
intense satisfaction； although he had a slight headache； which
disappeared after half an hour's repose。 In the evening it was entirely
gone； and the Emperor questioned me on what I had heard people say。 I
told； him truthfully that the persons of my acquaintance unanimously
agreed that the desire for peace was universal。 〃Peace； peace！〃 said
the Emperor； 〃who can desire it more than I？ Go； my son； go。〃 I
withdrew； and his Majesty went to the Empress。
It was about this time； I do not remember the exact day； that the Emperor
gave a decision on a matter in which I had interested myself with him；
and I affirm that it will be seen from this decision what a profound
respect his Majesty had for the rights of a legitimate marriage； and his
excessive antipathy to divorced persons。 But； in order to support this
assertion； I will give an anecdote which recurs to my memory at this
moment。
During the Russian campaign General Dupont…Derval was slain on the
battlefield； fighting valiantly。 His widow； after his Majesty's return
to Paris； had often； but always in vain； endeavored to present a petition
to his Majesty describing her unfortunate condition。 At length some one
advised her to secure my services； and； touched by her unhappiness； I
presented her demand to the Emperor。 His Majesty but rarely refused my
solicitations of this kind； as I conducted them with the utmost
discretion； and consequently I was fortunate enough to obtain for Madame
Dupont…Derval a very considerable pension。 I do not remember how the
Emperor discovered that General Dupont…Derval had been divorced； and had
left a daughter by a former marriage； who； as well as her mother； was
still living。 He learned besides that General Dupont…Derval's second
wife was the widow of a general officer by whom she had two daughters。
None of these circumstances； as may be imagined； had been cited in the
petition； but； when they came to the Emperor's knowledge； he did not
withdraw the pension； for which the order had not yet been given； but
simply changed its destination； and gave it to the first wife ofGeneral
Dupont…Derval； making it revertible to her daughter； though she was
sufficiently wealthy not to need it； and the other Madame Dupont…Derval
was in actual need。 Meanwhile； as one is
