napoleon bonaparte, v11-第14章
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supported it with his usual persuasive eloquence； recalling the victories
of France and the glory of the Emperor； but the ballot elected as members
of the commission five deputies who had the reputation of being more
devoted to the principles of liberty than to the Emperor。 These were M。
Raynouard； Laine； Gallois； Flaugergues； and Maine de Biran。 The Emperor
from the first moment appeared much dissatisfied with this selection； not
imagining； however； that this commission would soon show itself so
entirely hostile。 I remember well that I heard his Majesty say in my
presence to the Prince of Neuchatel； with some exasperation though
without anger； 〃They have appointed five lawyers。〃
Nevertheless； the Emperor did not allow the least symptoms of his
dissatisfaction to be seen； and as soon as he had officially received the
list of commissioners； addressed to the President of the Corps Legislatif
the following letter bearing the date of the 23d of December：
〃MONSIEUR； Duke of Massa； President of the Legislative Corps：
We address you the inclosed letter to make known to you our
intention that you report to…morrow； the 24th instant； at the
residence of our cousin the prince archchancellor of the Empire； in
company with the commission appointed yesterday by the Legislative
Corps in compliance with our decree of the 20th instant； and which
is composed of the following gentlemen： Raynouard； Lain； Galiois；
Flaugergues； and Maine de Biran； for the purpose of considering the
articles relative to the negotiations； and also the declaration of
the confederated powers； which will be communicated by Count
Regnault minister of state； and Count d'Hauterive councilor of state
attached to the department of foreign relations； who will be the
bearer of the aforesaid articles and declaration。
Our intention also is that our cousin aforesaid should preside over
this commission。 With this 〃 etc。
The members of the senate appointed on this commission were M。 de
Fontanel； M。 the Prince of Benevent； M。 de Saint Marsan； M。 de Barbe…
Marbois； and M； de Beurnonville。
With the exception of one of these gentlemen； whose disgrace and
consequent opposition were publicly known； the others were thought to be
sincerely attached to the Emperor； and whatever may have been their
opinions and their subsequent conduct they had done nothing then to
deserve the same distrust from the Emperor as the members of the
committee from the Corps Legislatif。 No active opposition； no signs of
discontent； had been shown by the conservative senate。
At this time the Duke of Rovigo came frequently； or I might rather say
every day； to the Emperor。 His Majesty was much attached to him； and
that alone suffices to prove that he was not afraid to hear the truth；
for since he had been minister； the Duke of Rovigo had never concealed
it； which fact I can affirm； having been frequently an eyewitness。 In
Paris there was nevertheless only unanimous opposition to this minister。
I can； however； cite one anecdote that the Duke of Rovigo has not
included in his Memoirs； and of which I guarantee the authenticity； and
it will be seen from this incident whether or not the minister of police
sought to increase the number of persons who compromised themselves each
day by their gratings against the Emperor。
Among the employees of the treasury was a former receiver of the finances
who led a retired and contented life in this modest employment。 He was a
very enthusiastic man of much intelligence。 His devotion to the Emperor
amounted to a passion； and he never mentioned him without a sort of
idolatry。 This employee was accustomed to pass his evenings with a
circle of friends who met in the Rue de Vivienne。 The regular attendants
of this place； whom the police very naturally had their eyes upon； did
not all hold the same opinion as the person of whom I have just spoken；
and began openly to condemn the acts of government； the opposing party
allowing their discontent to be plainly manifest； and the faithful adorer
of his Majesty became proportionately more lavish of his expressions of
admiration； as his antagonists showed themselves ready with reproaches。
The Duke of Rovigo was informed of these discussions； which each day
became more eager and animated； and one fine day our honest employee
found on returning to his home a letter bearing the seal of the general
of police。 He could not believe his eyes。 He； a good； simple； modest
man living his retired life； what could the minister of general police
desire of him？ He opens the letter； and finds that the minister orders
him to appear before him the next morning。 He reports there as may be
imagined with the utmost punctuality； and then a dialogue something like
this ensued between these gentlemen。 〃It appears； Monsieur；〃 said the
Duke of Rovigo； 〃that you are very devoted to the Emperor。〃〃Yes； I love
him； I would give him my blood； my life。〃〃You admire him greatly？〃
〃Yes； I admire him！ The Emperor has never been so great； his glory has
never〃〃That is all very well； Monsieur； your sentiments do you honor；
and I share those sentiments with you； but I urge on you to reserve the
expression of them for yourself； for； though I should regret it very
much； you may drive me to the necessity of having you arrested。〃〃I； my
Lord； have me arrested？ Ah！ but doubtlesswhy？〃〃Do you not see that
you cause the expression of opinions that might remain concealed were it
not for your enthusiasm； and finally； you will force； many good men to
compromise themselves to a certain extent； who will return to us when
things are in better condition。 Go； Monsieur； let us continue to love；
serve； and admire the Emperor； but at such a time as this let us not
proclaim our fine sentiments so loudly； for fear of rendering many guilty
who are only a little misguided。〃 The employee of the treasury then left
the minister； after thanking him for his advice and promising to follow
it。 I would not dare to assert that he kept his word scrupulously； but I
can affirm that all I have just said is the exact truth； and I am sure
that if this passage in my Memoirs falls under the eyes of the Duke of
Rovigo it will remind him of an occurrence which he may perhaps have
forgotten； but which he will readily recall。
Meanwhile the commission； composed as I have said of five senators and
five members of the Corps Legislatif； devoted itself assiduously to the
duty with which it was charged。 Each of these two grand bodies of the
state presented to his Majesty a separate address。 The senate had
received the report made by M。 de Fontanes； and their address contained
nothing which could displease the Emperor； but was on the contrary
expressed in most proper terms。 In it a peace was indeed demanded； but a
peace which his Majesty could obtain by an effort worthy of him and of
the French people。 〃Let that hand so many times victorious；〃 they said；
〃lay down its arms after having assured the repose of the world。〃 The
following passage was also noteworthy： 〃No； the enemy shall not destroy
this beautiful and noble France； which for fourteen hundred years has
borne itself gloriously through such diverse fortunes； and which for the
interest of the neighboring nations themselves should always bear
considerable weight in the balance of power in Europe。 We have as
pledges of this your heroic constancy and the national honor。〃 Then
again； 〃Fortune does not long fail nations which do not fail in their
duty to themselves。〃
This language； worthy of true Frenchmen； and which the circumstances at
least required； was well pleasing to the Emperor； as is evident from the
answer he made on the 29th of December to the deputation from the senate
with the prince archchancellor at its head：
〃Senators；〃 said his Majesty； 〃I am deeply sensible of the sentiments you
express。 You have seen by the articles which I have communicated to you
what I am doing towards a peace。 The sacrifices required by the
preliminary basis which the enemy had proposed to me I have accepted； and
I shall make them without regret； since my life has o
