> ^ . , Columbia ^1nit)er^ttp tntljeCttpofilfttigork THE LIBRARIES f *■ •■ i. H A^: :'^ ■t M- ...I "" X.oiiiv"!i An tome Hem-^^ f!e]BoiiT"bo:\i THE REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH: ' EXHIBITING THE MOST DISTINGUISHED CHARACTERS, LITERARY, MILITARY, AND POLITICAL, In the Recent Annals of the FRENCH REPUBLIC. THE GREATER PART FROTI THE ORIGINAL INFORMATION ' OF J. GENTLEMAN RESIDENT AT PARIS. FOURTH EDITION. IN THREE VOLUMES. VOL. III. LONDON: Printed for JOHN MURRAY, FLEET-STREET, JOHN HARDING, ST. JAMES'S-STREET. A>'D SOLD BY ALL ^OQK^ELIXKB. •lS06s, -'^ «i •» ' 0-LEXi ^t A TABLE OF CONTENTS. VOL. In. Louis Antcjine Henry Bourbox, Duke of ExGHiEN (xcith a Portrait J .-,.- 1 Louis XVIIL King of France and Navarre 67 The Royalist General George Cadoual (commonlij called Georges) 86 The Vendean and Chouan War : a Sketch 94 General Alex. Bertuierj Buonaparte's Mi- nister of War - 121 General Abdallah Menou, Buonaparte's Go- vernor-General in Piedmont 140 General Murat, Brother-in-law of Buona- parte *.... 178 General RociiAMBEAu ^.. 210 General Boyer 216 Admiral Linois ., 224 T. T. Cambaceres, the Second Consul of the French Republic, and Arch-Chancellor of the Empire of the French, &c. &c. .. 244 The Grand Judge Regnier, Grand Officer of Buonaparte's Legion of Honour 253 Jaques Alexis Tkuriot, Judge of the Cri- minal and Special Tribunal af the Depart- ment of the Seine, before whom Moreau, Pichegru, Georges, &c. were privately examined .»..,.»,,»,,,.,-,..-.,.- 297 ,bGlo8^ '"" ' ' '^ 600^^^' U Contents*' P. F. Real, the Director of Buonaparte's Police, and his Counsellor of state 30 1 Mehee de la Touciie, the French Spy (with a Fac Simile of a curious Memorial) 329 Garat, Buonaparte's favourite Senator 375 Fontanes, Buonaparte's first-chosen Presi- dent over the Legislative body 390 Marie Joseph CiiENiERS, the French Re- publican Poet Laureat, the Author of " Goddam !" 3f)5 General Fuere 403 RuTGER John Schimmelpennixck, First- Pensionary or Chief Magistrate of the Batavian Republic 411 Index.. - 42.^ THE REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. LOUIS ANTOINE HENRY BOURBON, DUKE OF ENGHIEN. ** Long has the tyrant wav'd his iron rod, Long on the bending neck of Europe trod, Insulting Nature, and blaspheming God ; But ne'er have yet his rank offences given More w-anton innjury to earth and heaven, Tlian when he stretch'd his ruffian arm to tear From «^«/ra/ Baden Condc's princely heir; Proud to insult a state his sword oppress'd. And fix another wound on Bourbons breast." 1 V( OLTAIRE justly remarks, that no family either of sovereigns or subjects, have been more exposed to the vicissitudes of fortune, and to that misery which attends human life in ^U con- ditions, than the Royal Family of the house of Stuart; of whom, during twelve generations, three only died natural deaths : all the others were killed either in the field, during civil or fo- reign wars ; in prisons, by poison administered by TOL. in, B trenche- 2 REVOLUTlOxNARY PLUTARCH. treacherous foes, or on the scaffolds erected by rivals, rebels, or regicides. Had this French au- thor lived to see our wretched days, and witness- ed the shocking consequences of a political, mo- ral and religious revolution, to which his writings in some degree contributed, he would Iiave been forced to acknowledge, that another Royal Fa- mily, consideiing the long period of its prospe- rity, and the accumulated sufferings of some few years, might claim a melancholy priority. For fijurtccn centuries, the Bourbons have^ almost vithout interruption, possessed the sovereignty of France. Factions and revolts^ invasions and insurrections, have sometimes disturbed their reipns : but m.ost of them died in their beds, and all in ruling on their hereditary throne, which, when occupied by the most patriotic monarch of the whole race, was overturned ; a revolutionary tyranny was created on its ruins, and during eleven, years, five Bourbons have perished by violent deaths, victims to the barbarity of French republicans. Neither the virtiies of the good Louis XVL ; nor the elegance, the beauty., the sex, tlie heroic constancy in misfortunes, of Ma- ria Antoinette ; neither the pure, the immaculate life of the religiously tender Princess Elizabeth ; the innocence oikI youth of Louis XYH. nor the . • ; valour. DUKE OF ENGHIEX 3 valour, honour, and loyalty of the Duke of Enghlen, were sufficient protections (though de- fended besides by the laws of all civilized nations) to prevent crimes, at the bare mention of which ail Europe would have shuddered twenty years ago. The Conde branch of the Bourbon family de- scends from Louis, brother to Antoine, king of Navarre, and father to Henry IV. the great king of France and Navarre. During^ two cen- turies every Conde has been illustrious as war- riors, eminent as statesmen, and conspicuous as patriots. If ever such noble qualities were here- ditary, it was in this family. Before loyalty was proscribed in France, the name of a Conde was there always regarded as synonymous with that of an hero, who combated with equal valour, zeal, and generosity, the external enemies of his country, and the internal despotisms of the mi- nisters of his royal relatives ; for, into the coun- cils of several Bourbons, despotical ministers had insinuated themselves ; but no Bourbon was ever a tyrant. If, therefore, the princes of the house of Conde were not always favourites at court, they were at all times adored by the people, and esteemed by their sovereigns ; being too liberal^ and too just, not to regard as the first duty in those, who from their birth had the privilege o M 2 frequtti'A d 4 ^ HEVOLUTIONARY PLUTAIICH. frequent approaches to the throne, to remon- strate against acts, supposed unconstitutional, or complained of as oppressive. Among the many generals who distinguished themselves during the reign of Louis XIV. the Grand Conde, whose victories extended the nor- |:hcrn and western frontiers of France, by con^ quering part of Flanders, the whole of Alsace, axid Tranche Comte, stands the foremost. Tu- renne, Luxembourg, Vendome, Vauban, Cati- nat, and other great commanders of the seven- teenth century, were all his pupils, instructed, in combating by his side, how to defeat opposing armies, yet be sparing of the lives of their own soldiers ; how to be terrible in battle, and gene- rous to the vanquished; how always to blend hu- manity with valour. It is not necessary to re*, mark, ^ that the French republican generals are not of the school of the Grand Conde, or of that of his progeny. The Duke of Enghien was the only son of iuouis Henry Joseph, Duke of Bourbon, and grandson of Louis Joseph de Bourbon, the pre- sent Prince of Conde. His mother was the Prin- cess Louisa Maria Theresa Matilda, sister of the late Duke of Orleans; and he was bom at Chan- tilly, on the 2d of August, 1772, Destined one dav DUKE OF ENGHIEN. & cfay to bear the name of Conde, his education was such as to make hiai worthy of that honour. His governor, the Commodore of Malta, de Vi- ^iix, and his instruclor, Abbe I'Abdan, were two gentlemen, who, to the polished manners of courtiers, united the rare merit^^f erudmon and probitv, of virtue and knowledge of the world, of religion and philosophy. To unfold the naturally noble faculties of his genius and of his heart, they made him study only the history of his ancestors, and the examples given him by his father and by his grandfather, under whose cy€S, at Chantilly, he passed almost without in- terruption the first fifteen years of his life. The character of the man may often be pre- dicted from the sallies of the youth. In the sum- mer of 1751, when, one day, the Abbe I'Abdaa read with him that part of the history of France, mentioning the particulars of the battle of Jarnac, where a Prince de Conde commanded the protes- tants ; but, after being defeated by superior forces, was made a prisoner ; and after having surrendered himself, was cowardly murdered by Montousquieux, a fanatic of the Catholic army ; the young Duke suddenly started from his seat, and interrupted his instructor, saying: ^'Ahhcy if any one of the Montoitsqulenx he yet alive, glveme D 3 hh 6 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. hisaddr&ss, and I will immediatly send him a chal- lenge to fight 7?2e." The Abbe rather reproved kim for giving way to revenge, one of the most ignoble of all passions ; but added : *^ Suppose the Montousquieux yet remaining were the father of a nimerous and young family, tormented by poverty, and deserted bv friends ; would your . Hij^hnegs fierce his heart for the crimes of his forefathers two centuries ago ?" — '^ Kot I, indeed^" answered the Duke 5 ^^I should tell him, however, that I did not like his Jiame ; lut 1 should ask my gravdjather to make him rich, and to provide for his children.'* Virtuous and noble youth 1 little did he expect to fall himself a victim to a more wanton and dastardly barbarous assassin, than even he who killed his ancestor. In the autumn of 1788, the Prince de Conde commanded 30,000 men, assembled for manoeu- vres in a pleasure camp near St. Omer. Here the Duke of Enghien commenced his military career, and evinced those early talents, which afterwards made him so much admired, not only by the arch- duke Charles, by the Prince deCobourg, by Gene- rals Wurmser, Clairfiyt, and Kray, but by the republican GeneralsKellermann, Pichegru, Hoche rnd Moreau. He here acquitted himself of his duty in a manner that surpassed the most san- guine DUKE OF ENGHIEN. 7 cuine wishes and expectations of his fatlier and grandfather, who, after their return to Ver- sailles, were both complimented by Louis XVr. on the brilliant qualities of the I)uke, attained by their lessons, or from their superintendancy, as the monarch said, alike honourable to them and to their pupil. Hitherto, the Duke had felt litde else of life but its comforts. Hitherto happy himself, he had only known how to make others happy. Hitherto he had seen nothing of his countrymen but what was dutiful ; but, in 1789, he beheld the stand- ard of revolt erected, and saw the destruction of Monarchy threatened. He therefore left France with his loyal parent and relatives. A country where a King was insulted and imprisoned, and where everv person who did not act as a rebel was proscribed or butchered as a traitor, w^as unworthy to number amone its inhabitants, aConde and his descendants. The Prince de Condi, the Dukes of Bourbon and of EnG^hien, emiQ;rated on the l6th of July, two days after ignorance or cowar- dice had given up the Bastile. As their Serene Highnesses were among the first French emigrants who quitted their degraded country, it may not be improper here to remind some Continental Princes of their conduct towards B 4 them ; » REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. them ; to reprobate those who indiscreetly or wickedly have persecuted them, and to do justice to Great Britain, as the only cRTpire where hos- pitality has not been refused thern ; where their loyalty has been rewarded, and their distresses re- lieved ; where age has been supported ; the female sex protected, and the youth instructed ', and where delicacy and generosity have gone hand in hand ; where the industrious has been encouraged ; where the brave has been employed, and the infirm ha been succoured. Most emigrants were noblemen or gentlemen y all were men of property, and proscribed. The object of the Prince de Conde^ in emigrating, was, to assemble round him such of his country- men as w^ere faithful to their God and to their Kino", and with their assistance to preserve both the altar and the throne. His Highness's popu- larity in France, and the respectable opinion de- servedly entertained of his character abroad, would have made this plan successful, had Sov«- reicrns known their danger, and subjects their duty. Millions of Frenchmen would in 1789 and 1790, have joined his Highness, had not the German Princes, misled by their philosophical or illuminati ministers, recompensed the fidelity of the emigrants by insult, chicanery, vexation, and DUKE OF ENGHIEN. g and contempt; tliough, by doing so^ they in- directly assisted tlie FrencK rebels, approved of the French rebellion, and prevented others from shaiing the dangers of their friend and par- tisans. No one, who has not travelled in Ger-* many and Ttaly^ can form an idea of the .cruel and impolitic manner iu which the emigrants have been treated; with what patience they have en^ dured poverty, with what courage they .have foLicrht, and with what resifrnation thev have, en- countered imprisonment and death. , Evert latiJy, Hereditary. Princes, in obedience to. the decree >o£ an infamous usurper, or from an. ungenerous idea that the unfortunate is alwaysrjn the w^rong, have, by their decre,es,banished aU ^migrants from their states, after cruelly and cowardly delivering aver others to the Corsican executionei:. What horrid anti-social deeils have these persecute the Rus- sian Emperor having taken the army of Conde, then greatly dimini-^^ed, into his service, it was ordered to march towards Poland. This army was now formed into four regiments, one of * La Champagne del' Armeede Conde, 1796. Bask, 1797, page 24 and 25; which DUKE OF ENGHIEN. 37 which was given to the Duke of Enghien. But, before he left Germany, his Highness made a romantic tour on foot into Switzerland, visited all its mountains, and scaled precipices where even his guides dared not attempt to follow him. His agility was as great as his intrepidity ; and though incognito, the Swiss, as well as his countrymen and the Germans, hailed in him a hero. In October of the same year, he was charged to con- duct the remnant of his grandfather's army into Russian Poland; which, through a long journey and difficult roads, he did so much to the satis- faction of the Emperor Paul, that this Sovereign, in a letter written with his own hand, thanked him for his performance, and presented him with a regiment of dragoons. When the war was renewed in 1790, the army of Conde was ordered to the frontiers of Switzerland. England had hitherto been almost the only Power that interested itself for this body of brave and loyal men, whom she now took into her pay. After the loss of the battle near Zu- rich, in September, this arniy was shut up in Constance ;' and it was only by prodigies of va- lour, and after fighting for a whole day in the streets of that town, that it escaped. Both the Prince de Conde and the Duke ot Enghien nar- rowly 88 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. rowly avoided death on this occasoin. The re- >publicans occupied the bridge over the Rhine, which when the Princes attempted to force, a volley of shot vi^as fired at them ; and a grena- dier, with his bayonet against the breast of the Duke, said, " Surrender yourself. Prince*, T know you : but he had scarcely time to utter the last word before his Highness cut him down. This act astonished the republicans, and opened the passage for himself and his friends. Had he hesitated, valour had been no longer useful, be- cause in a minute several thousand enemies rushed upon the bridge. The singular campaign in 1800, during which France obtained more success by her negotiations than by her arms, confirmed the reputation that he had gained in 179G. The repubhcans who fought against him did not conceal the esteem they had for his capacity, and the knowledge they had of his generosity. Many of them had experienced his clemency when the chance of war had made them his prisoners. Among other traits, the follow- ing deser\^es to be recorded : after a severe action in Bavaria, on the 1st of December 1800, re- turning to his apartment in the town of Rosen* heim, he found there a wounded French prisoner, whom he ordered his own surgeon to take care ofj t)UKE OF ENGHIEN. 3^ of; and after his wounds were dressed, gave him up his only bed to rest on. This man, moved by gratitude, desired one favour more, that of seeing the Duke of Enghien, of whom he had heard so many noble traits. His surprize was, therefore, not great when he found in this Prince his be- nefactor. Another day the Duke \isited the hospital at Uhii, which contained several hundred wounded French prisoners whom the Austrians, rather from want themselves, than from inclination, had nefflectcd. His Highness had but a small sum of money at his disposal ; but a ring, with which the Russian Emperor had presented him, was not a sacrifice for him, when he could relieve even the wretchedness of foes. He sold it, therefore, to a Jew, much under its real value, but for what was sufficient to give each wounded republican a crown. They were ignorant to whom they owed their succour ; but some months afterward the Archduke Charles was informed of it ; and the last time he saw his Highness, he jocosely said : ** Prince ! the French republicans have charged me to pay their debt : keep this ring in remembrance of your generosity, and of your friend.'* This ring was the very same sold al Ulm 3 40 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. Ulm j but set round with six new and large diamonds in the form of a C. The preliminaries of peace signed on the 25th of December 1800, finished the shorty but glo- rious military career of the Duke of Enghien, whom Nature had made a hero before ao-e had made him a man. After the degrading peace of Luneville, in February 1801, the army of Conde was disbanded. Though at different periods, during a ten years cruel war, it had been more or less numerous, its origin was always the same, and it consisted of the following corps : Infantry Nolle, 2000 men ; Cavalry Nok'e, 600 men ; besides the Legion of Mirabeau, the Chasseurs of Noinville and D'Astorg ; the regiment oi Dauphin Cavalry, the regiment of Hoheiilohe infantry, and the two regiments of Hussars, of Bachy and Damas. At ihe time this army was disbanded, four regiments of infantry of the line were attached to it ^ re- cruited mostly from young conscripts or other deserters, who refused to combat under the co- lours of rebellion. Every private in the Cavalry and Infantry Noble, was noble by birth, and few of them had been less than captains in the service of their King before the Revolution. In their ranks were counted several former generals and colonels. DUKE OF ENGHIEN. 41 colonels, who did the duty, and receWed the pay of common soldiers, as their only means of subsistence. If this do not prove loyalty and dis- interestedness, it is difficult to say what can de- serve those appellations. The Duke of Enohien was the- idol of this army 3 and in return, its honour and the comfort of its members were his daily occupation. When these brave men, who had so generously sacrificed their rank, riches, and country for the cause of kings, though it was neglected, if not deserted, by kings themselves, were (many in an advanced period of life) turned adrift upon a selfish world, where prosperity is regarded as the only pledge of merit, his liberal and humane heart had more painful combats to sustain than those which he had just finished with so much glory. Imitating the examples of his august grandfather, and of the other Princes, he hastened to satisfy their present wants ; and not one individual who had been under his Highness's command left him with less than fifty crowns in his pocket. This bene- volence exhausted the trifling resources of the Duke, and w-as one of the causes of his residence in Germany 3 where, by laudable economy, he intended to repair his finances, that they might for the future enable him to continue many small pensions 45 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. f)ensions which he allowed from his own purse, ■to those of his countrymen whom wounds had maimed, age made infirm, or whose children were numerous; to widows whose husbands had died in fighting for their King, or to orphans whose parents had been butchered by the repub- licans. Thus has the cruel usurper, by the wan- ton murder of this good Prince, taken away con- solation and support from miseiy of every age, and of either sex.' The balls that pierced the vir- tuous breast of a Duke of Enghien, must there»- forc break the hearts of thousands, whose suf- fcrmgs and destruction will be added to those of millions of others whom Napoleon Buonaparte's tyranny has made wretched, who have already either been forced to swallow his poisonous draughts, or whom his bayonets have stabbed, or his cannons annihilated. At Ettenheim, where his Highness had resided for,some time, few persons constituted his society; but they were all selected, of well-informed mind^, and irreproachable conduct, religious and loyal. Among them may be counted, fore- most, his amiable and elegant relative, the young Princess Clementina, of Rohan, whose innocent sallies often diverted him in his solitude, and whose courageous friendship accompanied him even DUKE OF ENGHIEN. 43 even to Strasbii-rgh^ where she demanded in vain to share his dungeon or his scaffold. Study^ the culture of a small oarden, and huntinor were his principal occupations in this retreat ; when^ on the 1 5th of March 1804^ the armed banditti of the Corsican violated the independence of the German empire^ to enable the foreign tyrant to assassinate a French Prince in France. He ar- rived the same day at Strasburgh, where he re- mained shut up in the citadel until the 17th; when orders were received by the telegraph from Paris- that he should be immediately carried to that city, a distance of near 400 miles. He tra- velled day and night, and was escorted from re- lay to relay, by the gens d'armes, a corps of French thief- takers, spies, and informers. He was chained hand and foot the whole way. At six o'clock in the morning of the 20th he ar- rived at Paris, where he was first carried to the Temple, as if it were only to shew him a prison in which so many of his royal relatives had suf- fered, and which they had left only to perish ; and afterwards to the castle of Vincennes, where, by the orders of Buonaparte, a mock tribunal, under the appellation of a Special Military Com- mission, had been convened. At nine o'clock in the forenoon, though almost fainting, from want of 44 REVOLUTIONARY PLQLARCH. of nourishment^ and almost asleep from want of rest, he was carrieci before the assassins, members of this military commission, who, at eleven o'clock, barbarously passed the following sen- tence : SPECIAL MILITARY COMMISSION, Formed in the First Militanj Division ly virtue of a Decree of Government dated the 1 QthMarchp l^thyear of the Republic ^ one and indiuisiile^ JUDGMENT. In the name of the French People -^This day, 20th March, 12th vear of the Republic : The special Military Commission, formed in the first military division, by virtue of a decree of Government of the date of the 19th March, 12th year, composed according to the law of the 5th September, year 5, of seven members, that is to say : Citizens Hulin, General of Brigade, Com- mander of the fort grenadier guards. President ; Guiton, Colonel, Commander of the 1st regiment of Cuirassiers; Bazancourt, Colonel, Commander of the 4th regiment of light infantry. Ravier, Colonel, Commander of the ISth re- giment of the infantry of the line. Barrois, DUKt: OF ENGHIEN. 45 Barrels, Colonel, Commander of the 96th regiment of ditto. Rabbe, Colonel, Commander of the 2d regi- ment of the municipal guard of Paris. D'Autencourt, Captain Major of the gens-d'ar- merie d'elite, performing the functions of Cap- tain Reporter. Molin, Captain in the 18th regiment of infan- try of the line, Register ; all appointed by the General in Chief, Murat, Governor of Paris, and commanding the first military division: which president, members, reporter, and register, are neither related nor allied to each other, or the accused, within the degree prohibited by the law. The Commission convened by order of the Ge- neral in Chief, Governor of Paris, met in the castle of Vincennes, in the apartment of the Com- mander of the place, for the purpose of trying Louis Antoine Henri de Bourbon, Duke D*En- ghien, born at Chantilly upon the 2d of August, J 772, about live feet six inches high, fair hair and eye-brows, oval face, long, well made, grey eyes inclining to brown, small mouth, aquiline nose, the chin a little pointed, and well turned. Accused, Ist, of having carried arms against the French Republic ; 2d, of having offered his services to the English Government^ the enemy of 4a REVOLin^lONAUY PLUTARCH. of the French people ; 3d, of having received and accredited agents of the said Government — of having procured for them the means of maintain- ing an understanding in France, and iiaving con-» spired with them against the internal and external safety of the State ; 4th, of having placed himself at the head of an assemblage of French emigrants, and others in the pay of England, formed in the countries of Fribourg and Baden ; 5th of having maintained a correspondence in the town of Stras- burgh, tending to stir up the neighbouring de- partments, for the purpose of effecting there a diversion in favour of England ; 6th, of being one of the favourers and accomplices of the con- spiracy planned by the English against the life of the First Consul, and intending, in case of the success of that conspiracy, to enter France. The Sitting having been opened, the President ordered the Reporter to read all the documents ; as well those in the charge as those in the de- fence. The papers having been read, the President ordered the guard to bring in the accused, who was introduced free, and without irons, before the Commission. Being interrogated as to his christian and sur- names, age, place of birth, and residence ; H DUKE OF ENGHIEN. 4T He answered^ Louis Antoinc Henri de Bour- bon, Duke of Enghien, aged 32 years, born at Chantilly, near Paris, having quitted France on tl^ 16th July, 1789. After having interrogated the accused through the medium of the President, with respect to every part of the contents of the charge against him : having heard the Reporter in his report and in his conclusions, and the Accused in his means of de- fence ; after the latter had declared that he had nothing to add in his justification, the President demanded of the members, whether they had any observations to make. Upon their answer in the negative, and before he put it to the vote, he ordered the accused to withdraw. The accused was then conducted back to prison by his es^ cort ; and the Reporter, the Register, as also the citizens wrho attended as auditors, retired at th« desire of the President. The Commission having deliberated in pri- vate, the President put the following questioas : Louis Antoine Henri de Bourbon, Duke of Enghien, accused, 1st, Of having carried arms against the French Republic — Is he guilty ? 2d, Of having oflered his services- to the Eng- lish \ 48 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. lish Government, the enemy of the French People — Is he guilty ; 3d, Of having received and accredited about him agents of the said English Government 5 of haying procured for them the means of keeping up an understanding in France ; of having con- spired with them against the internal and exter- nal safety of the State — Is he guilty ? 4th, Of having put himself at the head of a body of French emigrants and others, in the pay of England, formed upon the frontiers of France in the countries of Fribourg and Baden — Is he guilty ? 5th, Of having kept up a correspondence in Strasburgh, tending to produce a rising of the neighbouring departments, to effect there a di- version favourable to England — Is he guilty ? 6th, Of having been one of the favourers and accomplices of the conspiracy framed by the English against the life of the First Consul; and intendina:, in case of the success of that conspiracy, to enter France — Is he guilty ? The voices being received separately upon each of the above questions, beginning with the junior in rank, the President giving his opi- nion the last 5 The DUKE OF ENGHIEN. . 49 The Commission declares Louis Antoine Henri de Bourbon, Duke of Enghien — 1st, Unanimously, guilty of having carried arms against the French Republic. 2dly, Unanimously, guilty of having offered his services to the English Government, the ene- my of the French People. 3dly, Unanimously, guilty of having received and accredited about him agents of the said English Government, of having procured theni the means of keeping up an understanding in France, and of having conspired with them against the external and internal safety of the State. 4thly, Unanimously, gi^ilty of putting himself at the head of a body of French emicrrants and others, in the pay of England, formed upon the frontiers of France, in the countries of Fribourg and of Baden, 5thly, Unanimously, guilty of having kept up a correspondence in Strasburgh, tending to stir up the neighbouring departments, to etTecl there a diversion favourable to England. 6thlv, Unanimously, guiltv of being one of the favourers and accom}:)iice5 of the conspiracy planned by the English against the life of tl-e VOL. III. D Fir^^ 50 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. First Consul ; and intending, in case of the suc- cess of that conspiracy, to enter France. Upon this the President put the question rela- tive to the apphcation of the punishment. The voices were received again in the form above mentioned. The Special Military Commission condemns, imanimously, to the pain of death, Louis An- toine Henri de Bourbon, Duke of Enghien, in satisfaction of the crimes of being a Spy, of car- ryino" on a correspondence with the enemies of the Republic, and of an attempt against the in- ternal and external safety of the State. The said sentence is pronounced in confor- mitv with article ii. title iv. of the military code of crirnes and punishments of the 12th Novem- ])er, year 5 ; 1 st and 2d section of the first title of the ordinary penal code of the 6th of Octo- ber 1791, thus expressed, viz. 2. Of the 12th November, year 5, ^^ Every person, whatever may be his slate, quality, or profession, convicted of being a spy for the enc- niy, shall be punished with death.'" Art. 1. Every conspiracy and attempt against the Republic shall bcp-imished with death* 2, (Of the sixth of October 1791), Every con- spiracy DUKE OF ENGHIEN. 5i splracy and plot temling to disturb the State by a civil war, by arming the citizens against each other, or against the exercise of the lawful au- thority, shall be punished with death. Orders the Captain Reporter to read the sen- tence, in presence of the guard assembled under arms, to the condemned. Orders that there shall be sent within the time prescribed by the law, due diligence being used by the President and the Reporter, a copy to the Minister at War and the Grand Judge, the Minister ofjustiee, and the General in Chief,^ Governor of Paris. Done, concluded, and judged, without sepa- rating, the said month, day, and year, in public sitting; and the members of the Special Military Commission have signed, with the Reporter and Register, the minute of the judgment. Signed — Guiton, Bazancourt, Ra- NIER, BaRROPS, RABBE, d'Au- TENXOURT, Captain Reporter, Mo LIN, Captain Register, and HuLiN, President. In this mock trial, accusations as ridiculous as groundless are presented, but no evidence is pro- duced ; which proves the truth of the Duke's assertion, when before the tribunal of his mur- D 2 dererSj .52 REVOLL'TIONARV PLUTARCIT. derers, thai his sentence iias pronounced before he had left Sircishurgh', that he was only the inno- cent victim if the ferocious Buonaparte's rage afrainst the Bourbons, Should other Sovereisris not avenae this atrocious crime, thev or their children must sooner or later share the fate of the Duke of Enghien; because, whatever rank Buonaparte assumes, he is unable to change his birth ; and guilty as he is, he will consider every good prince, as much a censuring enemy as a proud superior, with whom neither an Imperial crown, hov.ever brilliant, nor enterprizes, how- ever successful, can make him even an equal. He knows that he is despised and detested by all hereditary Sovereigns ; and his dark^ bar- barous, and revengeful soul will never cease to plan -subversions, or to commit or command murders, until the grave of the last lawful prince is inundated with the blood of the last loyal subject. The Duke of Enghien shewed himself a wor- thy descendant of the Condes, even in the den ^vhere he was surrounded bv the hired assas- sins of the usurper of his family's throne. His firmness v. as as cfreat durincr his trial, as his re- sificnation after bein(^ condemned, and would have moved even revolutionary brigands, had not \ DUKE OF ENGHIP:N. 53 not Buonaparte^ from all his raffian accomplices, procured the most wicked to dispatch a Bourbon. His Hishness's calmness and cou'-aiie on this trying occasion were the most surprizing, as during the five preceding days and nights, every indignity had been ofi'ered him that could ir- ritate his mind, and he had endured every suf- fering that could enervate his body. From the time of his arrest, bread and water had beui his only nourishment — he had never been once permitted to lie down on a bed, to undress, to shave, or to chan^xe his linen. From the weight of his fetters, and from the fatigue of a long journey, his feet and legs were so swollen that he could hardly stand. For the fourteen hours that he lived after condemnation, he v/as shut up w^ith four gens-d'armes d'elite, or chcscm spies, in the dungeon at Vincennes, without a bed, and even without a chair. In a c irner only was some rotten straw, on which he sat down ; but he was prevented from a moment's rest by the noise, questions, and cannibal songs, of these satellites, who had orders to prevent even his slumbers. A clergyman was with him for an hour, but was not permitted to speak with him, unless he spoke so loud as to bo heard by the n-uards. D 3 Before .54 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. Before day-light in the morning of the 21st, General Murat, under an escort of Mamelukes, arrived at Vincemies ; he was accompanied by four aids-de-camp, and Generals Edward Mor- ticr, Duroc, Hulin, and Louis Buonaparte, who had come on purpose from the coast. Each Ma- meluke held a flambeau j and Italian troops and gens d'armes surrounding the castle, prevented the approach of every one, and guarded all the avenues to that part of the wood of Vincennes appointed as the place of execution. The Duke, being told that his sentence was to be executed, said calmly, ^' I am ready and resigned ! Ce nnalheurt'uxhero3, sans aimes, sans defense, Voyant qu'il faut perer, et perir sans vengeance, Voulut mourir, du moins, comme ii avait vccu, A-vrc tciiite sagloirect toute sa i-eitu . VOLTAIRE, When his Highness heard, upon inquiry, that the 2.Tenaaiers commanded to shoot him were Italians of Buonaparte's guard, he said, '' Thank God ! they arc not Frenchmen — I am condemned by a foreigner, and God be praised that my exe- cutioners are also foreigners — it will be a stain 'less upon my countrymen ! At the place of execution he lifted his hands towards heaven, exclaiming, " Maij God preserve my King, and deliver mij couniryfrom the yoke oj the foreigner !* i WO DUKE OF ENGHIEN. ^ 55 Two gens-d^armes then proposed to tie an hand- kerchief over his eyes ; but he said^ ^* A loyal soldier, who has so often been exposed to fire and swordj can see the approaoh of death with naked eyes and without fear. He then looked at tlie grenadiers, who had already pointed their fusils at him, saying, '^ Grenadiers ! lower your arms, otherwise vou will miss me, or onlv wound me V Of the nine grenadiers who fired at him, seven hit him : two bullets had pierced his head, and five his body. Immediately after his murder General Murat sent his aid -de-camp to Buona- parte at Malmaison. A small coffin, filled with lime, was ready to receivehis corpse, and a grave had been dug in the garden of the castle, where he was buried. Such was the end of the Duke of Enghien, inhumanly butchered in the 3 2d year of his age, by the barbarous foreign usurper of the throne of his family: a prince, who would have illus- trated obscurity by his talents, but who often forgot his rank, when the misery of others made it necessary to descend to that of an individual ; whose humanity preserved the lives of thousands of republicans vanquished by his valour, and whose generositv relieved those o^ them in an enemy's country, who were destitute, D 4 iji 56 REVOLUTIONARY PLL'TARCH. in prisons, or suffering on a sick bed;— they all found in him a second Providence. In Les NGUvelles d la Main, Fructidor 20th, year 12, or September 3th, 1804, pages 9 and 10, is related, as a known fact at Paris, " that Madame Buonaparte implored her ferocious hus- band, upon her knees, ^ to spare the life of the Duke of Enghien, to whose father and grand- father herself and her family owed the greatest obligations, for their protection and generosity during monarchy.' Napoleon let her repeat her request several times, while he was marching, much agitated, backwards and forwards in the small saloon at Malmaison, without paying atten- tion- to v.'hat she said. At last, her patience be- ing tired, she threw herself at his feet, cry- ing ^ Pardon 1 Pardon 1' He then regarded her with the most terrible look, which terrified 'her so much, that she fainted away, and was car- ried senseless out of the room. In this state of insensibility she remained near three hours, and at her recovery, Madame Remusat, her ladv in waiting, presented her a letter from her husband, full of reproaches for her iiiipoU tic and unseason- cZf/e interference, when it was a question about un grand coup d'etat y which surpassed her compre- hension. He declared, at the same time, that both DUKt OF ENGHIEN. 57 both his and her life and rank depended upon the removal of the Duke of Enghien, more than even upon that of the Duke of Angouleme, Ze- cause the former had many friends in the French armi/, where the latter was hardlv known. ' That we, besides,' added Buonaparte, * have more to apprehend from his enterprizing character than from that of any other Bourbon, the following letter may convince you :' TO HIS MOST CHRISTIAN MAJESTY LOUIS XVIII. KING OF FRANCE AND NAVARRE. *^ SIRE, ^' The letter of the 2d March, Vv'ith which your Majesty has vouchsafed to honour me, reached me in due time. Your Majesty, is too well ac-' quainted with the blood which flows in mv veins, to have entertained a moment's doubt respecting the tenor and spirit of the answer which your Majesty calls for. I am a Frenchman, Sire, and a ^xti\e Consular emissary at Vienna, has reported faithfully what he has heard and seen in that capital^ the usurper is informed, that England, Russia, and Poland, are not the only countries where loyalty mourns, and where vir- tue abhors, Buonaparte's atrocities. To the ho- nour of the British nation, the feelings were the same, and unanimous among all classes of peo- ple ; and the wanton murder of the Duke of Enghien has made Buonaparte execrated even by those who hitherto had doubted, palliated, or disbelieved, his former enormous crimes. Two solemn services have been celebrated in the Roman Catholic chapels in London, at the command and expence of the French Princes and emigrants, in honour of the memory, and for the repose of the soul, of the late Duke of Enghien. The chapels, though one of them can contain ISOO persons, were not large enough for ad- mitting half the number of those who presented themselves. More of -the English nobility and gentry, than of the French, were present in these devout and pious assemblies, so gene- ral was the interest which the unfortunate des- tiny of the butchered hero inspired, and the horror 3 €2 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. horror and detestation of the monster who was his assassin*. In * The following are the correct particulars of the funeral services celebrated for the Duke of Enghien. On the iSth of April a solema service, in honour of the late Duke of Enghien, was celebrated at the desire of His Royal Highness Monsieur, brother to the King of France and Navarre, in the Roman Catholic Chapel, King-street, Portman- square. The Bishop of Montpellier officiated pontlfically. The Abbe de la Tille, Chaplain to His Royal Highness Monsieur, pm- nounced a brief but beautiful sermon from the 2Cth and 21st verses of the 9th chapter of the First book of the Maccabees : Etjievtnint eutn omr.h poftulis Jsfaely planetu magno^ et luge- bant dies multos. El dixerunt : quo modo cecidit fotensy qui sal- vum faciebat populum Israel . The eloquent Preacher, without entering into the particulars of the short but brilliant career of this amiable and much-la- mented Prince, drew tears from every eye, by the unaffected piety of his sentiments, and iiis pathetic expression He con- lined himself tc a vie-v of this young hero, as a model of fidelity and devotion ic his King, at a time when fidelity was so rare in most contiueiitai countries among subjects, and loyalty among princes. He recommended resignation in sufferings to the will of God, and confidence in the Divine Justice, which never fails to avenge tlie innocenr, and punish the guilty. The preacher frequently ourst into tears, wnich interrupted his speech. It ii irfiposs.ble to describe the sensation produced by the folloKving passage towards ;he close of the seimcn: *' Speaking a, I am, to Christian * fi?xes, and to Chevaliers always taitht^ul :u he religion of their ancestors, as well as to the laws ox hon'"'iir, I wiil oiJy cM. to your remembrance the last words of ilie hero wh.'»se untimely end we iicre deplore ! ! ! — Ob fyy God^ pitse> ve nty Ki>'^ and deliver my Cout:try from ibt yokt ff tbe foreigner !" He then added, ♦' Let us all repeat this prayci DUKE OF ENGHIEN. 63 In their lamentable condition^ it must bea con- solation (if consolation be possible) for their Se- rene prayer to the Gcd of Goodness ! May tke Almighty save aur vir. iuous Kingy and treserve His Majesty from those dangers ivhich iurround blm ! ! ! ' At these words the audience were deeply aitected, and overwhelmed with grief. In this pious and devout circle, we observed His Ro3'al Highness Monsieur, the Duke of Berry, Duke of Orleans, Dukeof Montpensier, DukeotBeau- jcloii, all the French Bishops, and French Nobility, with a great number of the English Nobility of both sexes. The chapei could rot contain one half of the company who presented themselves. The Prince of Conde and the Duke of Bourbon were not pre- sent. They were indisposed at Wanstead- house ; to which place, we understand, Her Majesty and the Royal Dukes fre- quently sent to inquire after their health. On tiie 2;th of April, at the chapel of St. Patrick, in Soho- square, a solemn service was performed for the repose of the soul of the late Duke of Enghien, at the request and expence of the French emigrant nobility and gentry. Notwithstanding most of them have scarcely the means of subsistence, there was an honourable emulation to contribute to this funeral cere- mony, not commanded by an usurper, but offered voluntarily as a feebk but sincere proof of their attachment to the family of tiieir King, and of their high consideration for their Serene Highnesses che Prince de Cox.de and the Duke of Bourbon. The expence of the decorations amounted to 600I. The Bisiiop of Montpellier oliiv-iated pontifically, and the Abbe de Bouvens, Vicar- General 10 the Bishop of Arras, pro- nounced the funeral scrmo:i. The chapel was hung with black, all round, from the top to the bottom. In the front, and at the sides, were placed 72 girandoles, ornameated with many wax candles, and 144 escutcheons of the arm:, of Conde. Near the ahar was elevated a catafalque, or sarcophagus, sur- mounted 64 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. rene Highnesses the Prince de Conds and Duke of Bourbon to be convmced, that bv all good and loyal JT.ounted with a canopy supported by four columns, and orna- mented with a number of white feathers. Round it were se- veral was candles intermixed with the escutcheons of the arms^ of Conde. Four mutes were placed at the four corners. A row of y^." 66 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. and that in the present, as well as in future ages, every tender parent, either residing humbly in a ' cottage, or gloriously occupying a throne, will hold out this Prince as a model for their children, that they may learn how to live like heroes, and how to die like Christians ! Disce, puer, virtu- tern ah illo* ! ! 1" He taught us how to live ; and oh ! too high The price of knowledge, taught us how to die ! ' It is impossible to do justice in an extract, to a sermon, of which no just idea can be formsd, without reading or hearing the whole, as it did not contain a phrase that was not re- markable for its justness, its beauty, and its propriety. Their Serene Highnesses the Prince de Ccndeand the Duke of Bourbon were not present. They continued ill at Wan- stead-house. * The Author has been favoured with most of the particu- lars of this sketch by noblemen \vho have fought by the side of the Duke of Enghien j to whom, besides, he had the honour of being presented as long ago as 1788. Other authentic sources have been used, but which the Author is not permitted to mention The very interesting L'Ambigu of the loyal M. Pel- tier has been consulted in some parts of the campaigns. The original is well worth reading LOUI: <6r ) LOUIS XVIII. KING OF FRANCE' AND NAVARRE. LOUIS Stanislaus Xavier, Count de Pro- vence (since the accession to the throne of France of his elder brother, the good and unfor- tunate Louis XVI. commonly known by the name of Monsieur), was the protector of sciences and men of letters from his youth, and a pa- triot before he was a man. In the vicious court of his grandfather, Louis XV. no malice dared to suspect his morals, and no scandal could publish his vices. Like his elder brother, he loved vir- tue, adored religion, and respected the laws of his country, and the liberties and ridits of his countrymen ; strict and severe with himself, he was indulgent to others; but barefaced wicked - ness never escaped his contempt, censure, or re- probation. That old corrupt courtier, the Duke of Richelieu, and others of his description, ho- noured, therefore, the Count de Provence with the mock appellation of ^^ the young Cato at an old Court." When, 68 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. When, in 1787, want of order, or profusion, forced M. de Calonne to convoke the Notables, the Count de Provence, then Monsieur, opposed all infraction of the privileges of the nobility and clergy, and all new burthens proposed to be laid upon the people, because, said he, " I am con- vinced that some few years of economy and regu- larity will more than supply the deficiency of the revenue.'^ His answer to M. de Calonne, who told him it was the King's desire that the plan of finance laid before the Notables should be accepted, is well known, and has long been ad- mired; <« My heart," said this Prince, ^^ is ahke my brother's and the people's; my understanding is my own; and my head is the King's." Had his advice been followed by M. de Calonne's suc- cessors, the ambitious intriguers de Brienne and Necker, what a series of wretchedness would both France and Europe have avoided ! 1 At the breaking out of the French rebellion in 1789, instead of emigrating, as most of the other Princes of the blood royal did. Monsieur conti- nued in his former modest residence, and boldly defended the prerogatives of his Sovereign, as well as the claims or demands of the subjects, when the latter did not encroach upon the former. . After the Parisian mob and murderers had, on the Gth LOUIS XVIII. Gg ' 6th of October, amid the heads of his butchered guard-de- corps upon pikes, forced Louis XVL from V^ersaillcs, and escorted him and his royal family to Paris, Monsieur took up his settled abode in the Luxemburgh, in the very apartments since occupied by the regicide Barras, and at present by the regicide Abbe and Senator Sieves. He was now the only and necessary consoler and friend to the dearest of brothers and best of Kings, whom ingratitude, desertion, and rebellion, had isolated, and made destitute and miserable, though the hereditary chief over a civilized, populous, and rich people. To deprive him even of this last consolation, and at the same time. Monsieur of his popularity, every calumny that treachery could uivent, and disaffection propagate, was spread about by the then licentious presses of France. In January 1791, the chief rebel La Fayette, and his accomplices, in hopes to humiliate the brother of their King with the King himself, and to un- dermine hereditary monarchy, implicated Mon- sieur in a pretended conspiracy of the Marquis de Favras ! and persuaded him under a promise and hope of saving innocence from the then fa- shionable lamp- post of the sovereign people, to descend and exculpate himself before a vile and seditious municipality. His condescension arid humanity 70 REVOLUTrONARY PLUTARCH* humanity had, however, not the desired effect; La Fayette and Mirabeau, without faith and ho- nour, as well as without loyalty, wanted to in- spire terror by the execution of Favras, who was the first faithful and innocent subject to perish, in consequence of a mock trial, and a mock sen- tence of a mock tribunal of rebels. From that period Monsieur was exposed to public insult j and with Louis XVL continually threatened with destruction. Under the windows of his apartments, he heard the act of accusation against himself, and all the other Bourbons, cried about, as preparatory to their condemnation, distributed from the presses of the notorious jaco- bin Prudhomme. At lenfrth his patience was exhausted ; and his personal safety, and the wel- fare of France demanded that he should try to break the bondage under which he had for two years groaned. More fortunate, or rather less unfortunate, than Louis XVL by the courageous assistance of a loyal Swede, Count de Fersen, he escaped, in June 1791^ by way of Valen- ciennes, into Brabant; while the ill-placed, though praise- worthy, humanity of Louis XVL caused himself to be arrested at Varennes. He now joined his brother, Count d'Artois, and the other Princes of his house, at Coblenlz, and be- gan LOUIS XVIII. 71 gan to organize an army of emigrants, according to the plan of the Emperor Leopold and the Kings of Prussia and Sweden; who, with their joint forces, had promised to re-estabhsh order in France, and to revenge insuhed royalty. When tlie Constituent Assembly, with the execration of all good men, resigned its usurpa- tion to the Legislative Assembly, composed of even more atrocious characters than its atrocious predecessor, one of the first decrees was, ^^ to declare Monsieur to have forfeited his eventual right to the regency^ if he did not return to France within the space of two months.'^ With- out considering what right rebels had to nictate laws to the brother of their KIop;, the cruel fate of Louis XVI. and his Queen, of- Madame Elizabeth, and of Louis XVII. shews what Louis XVIII. might have expected, had he trusted to their decree, and surrendered himself to their ferocltv. After this assembly had declared war against Austria and Germany, the armed loyal emi- grants, collected near Coblentz, were ordered to act under the command of Monsieur, who, in his turn, depended upon the orders of the Kino- of Prussia and the Duke of Brunswick. Be- fore the emigrants, called the royal army, ap- proached 72 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. proached the French frontiers, a manifesto was pubhshed, and signed by Monsieur and the other French Princes. In this it was truly ob- served, ^^ that the Revokition had converted a mild people, attached to their King, into hordes of robbers, cannibals, and regicides: every idea of revenge was disclaimed by the Princes, who wished only to become the deli- verers of their country, and the restorers of good order, of laws, and of humanity.*' Toward the conclusion, their Highnesses gave " the most pressing invitation to the French troops to re- turn to their ancient fidelity, to their lawful So- vereign, and to join those forces which they commanded for him/' Unfortunately this li- beral invitation was not listened to, be njj made ineffectual by the duplicity and jealousy of Prussia; and 22,000 French noblemen and gen- tlemen, armed in the cause of monarchy and religion, were, by the ungenerous conduct of the Prussian Monarch, obliged to disperse and become miserable wanderers, without a friend, without a home, and without resources; and to exhibit their wretchedness in most parts of Eu- rope and America, after being plundered, be- trayed, and proscribed in their own country. Poison^ in 1 793, made the throne of France again LOUIS XVIII. ~ 73 again vacant by the death of Louis XVII. the ill-fated son of the ill-fated Louis XVI. who, before he had reached his second lustre, had seen his father, mother, and aunt, murdered, and his sister with himself treated with brutality and cruelty, and suffering from want in tlie same prison which his parents and relatives had lefi only to ascend the scaffold. Monsieur now suc- ceeded his nephew, and assumed the name of Louis XVIII. with the title of King of France and Navarre, and was proclaimed and acknow- ledged as such, both in the army of Conde, and by the royalists in La V^endee. Louis XVIII. had since 1702 resided in dif- ferent parts of Germanv; at Turin with his father-in-law, the King of Sardinia; and at lasj- at Verona, under the name of Count de Lille. In the spring of 1796, the Republic of Venice. to please Buonaparte, added insult to the mis- fortunes of the King of France, by ordering him to qwit Verona and the Venetian territory. With a spirit and dignity that never forsook this Prince, he demanded the Li ire D*Or, containing all the names of the Venetian Nobles, and erased from it that of the Bourbons, inscribed by his gi-eat grandfather's grandfather Henry IV'. PvC- volutionary France always degraded those go- VOL, III. E vernments '1k 74 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. vemments which it intended to destroy. The rebel Buonaparte, whom Venice had basely flat- tered, revenged the wrongs done to Louis XVIII. his King; for, in the spring of 1 797, by the orders of Buonaparte, Venice was declared no longer an independent state. In the summer of this year, having left Ve- nice for Germany, a foreign assassin, or French regicide, waited for him there. Standing in the •window of an obscure inn of a small village, a shot was fired at this Prince, which wounded him slightly in the head. The perpetrator of the deed has never been discovered; because Louis XVIII. forbade all search to be made; saying ** It must either be a mistake or a jjrcmeditated crime — in the former case, it would be cruel to pursue ; and in the latter, as I have done no human being amj harm, the person ivho would murder mcy has punishment enough in bis own bosom, and ivants my forgiveness more than I do his death ! /" In 1798, Louis XVIII. was acknowledged by the Emperor of Russia, Paul the First, as King of France and Navarre; and was invited by him to reside in the ducal castle at Mittau, until he could restore him to the throne of his ancestors. Louis XVIII. left therefore the army of Conde, with whom he had for near two years shared all privations. LOUIS X\ail. 75 privations, penury, wants, and dangers. At Mittau the King of France was at first treated with all the honours due to a Sovereign, which another more fortunate, HbcraUminded Sovereign " could bestow. He had a guard of honour of 200 Russians in his castle, besides a body-guard of French noblemen, created for him, and paid by the Emperor. The Russian Commander at Mit- tau was entirely under his orders, and his levees ' were crowded by the nobility of Courland, Li- vonia, and Russia. As the pecuniary bounties of Pi*ul were more than sufficient for a prince, eco- nomical from principle and custom, as well as from delicacy, a number of ruined emigrants flocked to Russia to share them. The duration of this prosperous adversity, however, was not long. The generous but weak Emperor, seduced by republican intriguers, suddenly changed hk conduct, and, adopting the ignoble sentiments of his new ignoble friend Buonaparte, sent the King, whom he had acknowledged and invited to his dominions, orders to leave the Russian territority within a week. Three months previous to this order, the pay- ment of the usual pension had been withheld; Louis XVm. and all the Frenchmen at Mittau were^ therefore, reduced to the greatest distress, E5 because 76 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. because they had all been ordered to depart with their Kino;. The Duchess of Angouleme, the virtuous daughter of Louis XVL had never ceased to , reside with her uncle, since she had recovered her liberty, and married her first cousin. Louis XVIIL always the same, told her his determi- nation *^ to quit, within 24 hours, a coun- try where insult and humiliation had taken the place of hospitality ; and that, as he had not the means to travel as he had formerly done, and the little that he possessed was necessary for the sup- port of those of his subjects who had accompanied him, lie would, the next day, on foot, leave Mit- tau, and shevv' the unfortunate French emigrants an example how to support misfortunes." At her marriage, the Duchess of Angouleme had receiv- ed from her first cousins, the Emperor and Em • press of Germany, an ecr'm, or jewel-box : with- ont informing any bodv of her intention, she sent for sonje Jews, and obtained upon these jewels a sum of money, sufficient, not onhifor her uncle's travelling expences, but to provide for the present wants of her countrymen at Mit- tau : and when her uncle the next mernine: found out this a'enerous act, the tears of all relieved Frenchmen told their Prince, that by pressing his niece LOUIS XVIII. 77 niece to his bosom, he should reward, instead of resenting, the first act of her Yiic which she ever . concealed from him. This young Princess had, in the dungeons of the Temple, early learned to know the little value of either jewels, rank, or life, as well as the real dutv of humanity, and the worth of undeserved wretchedness ! After some wandering in the wilds of inhos- pitable Prussia, the policy of Buonaparte to keep Louis XVIIL at a distance from his kingdom, left him at last permission to inhabit the casdc of the dethroned King of Poland at Warsaw, where, in more fortunate times, one of his own ancestors, Henry IIL had ruled as a King — where his maternal grandfather, Stanislaus, had been elected King by a Polish diet, and proscribed as an usurper by a Polish faction. What painful remembrances, what sad reflections, for the welU informed and active mind of Louis XVTIL ! The tranquillity of this retreat was disturbed last February, by another humiliation from an- other Monarch. The Prussian President, Meyer, had the audacity to ask Louis XVIIL to renounce what he had no right to renounce, the Throne of France, in favour of a murderer and poisoner. Whom crime and success, not merit or choice, had seated upon it. The well-known noble and E 3 dianilied k 78 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH, dignified answer of this Prince must convinct Mr. Meyer, and all Europe, that though fortune may desert virtue, and render it distressed or mi- serable, she is unable to degrade or dishonour it. The present magnanimous Russian Emperor provides, with Imperial liberality, for the ne-- cessities of Louis XVIII, and his few followers, in the former capital of Poland, where religion consoles and study improves the knowledge of one of the most human© and best-informed among -modern Sovereigns — whose constancy and cou- rage, during a long and unexampled adversity, have only been surpassed by his modesty and moderation, when surrounded by every thing that made rank illustrious, ambition tempting, 4ind life desirable. This portrait of an unfortunate King is histo- rical and not flattering; it contains historical facts, not imaginary fictions. A christian submits; but a heathen would have exclaimed, '' that the decrees of Providence are incomprehensible, if not unjust, when Buonaparte prospers while Louis XVUI. suffers 5 when Buonaparte reigns in France, while Louis XVIII, is an exile in Poland* III" One » A pamphlet printed at Hamburgh, 1802, called ♦* Mes Souvenirs en Russie," contains many of the anecdotes related in this :kt:tch. LOUIS XVIIL 79 One could hardly suppose, but that the Corsi- can usurper, Napoleoae Buonaparte^ after seizvug the throne, and enjoving the authority of his legitimate Sovereign,, would have been satisfied with keeping his most Christian Majesty in exile; but while this work was in the press, another plot* of the darkest hue was at- tempted * On the 22d of July, the Baron deMilleville,Equerry to the Queen of France, disclosed to ihe Due de Pienne, the plot, as it had been denounced to him by a person of the name of Couloa, a Frenchman, a native of Lyons, \vh», after having been in the service of the said Baron de Millcville had married a Polish wo- man, and settled at Warsaw, v/here he kept a billiard-table. This man stated, that on the preceding Friday, the 20th, two persons came to his billiard- room, and made many inquiries of him, relative to the King, and his own situation ; that the foU lowing day they returned, and made fresh inquiries respectiag Louis XVI 1 1. They wished, tliey said, to know whether his Ma- jesty went out often-— by what number of men he was usually accompanied— and whether his attendants were armed or not ?— They then asked Coulon., whether he himself was in debt, and whether he would not be glad to find an opportunity to obtain immediately a considerable sum of money for a particular ser« vice ?— Being answered in the affirmative, they observed to hint that as he was known to the persons belonging to the household of the King, he might easily obtain admission into the kitchen ; and if he consented to throw, unperceived, into the boiler ( la marmi/e), a little parcel v/hich would be given to him, his for- tune would be made : 400 Louis d'ors would be given to him in the first instance, and iGO more for every individual of the Royal Family who might die in the course of a twelvemonth. 1 hey added that he was not to trouble himself about his wife, for,,they would take her safely to France ; and wlicn they were £ 4 about so REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. tempted by this audacious rebel, against the un- fortunate Louis XVIIL He has not sent a band about to part, lie heard them say in Italian, ** We have no time to lose ; the day is come when we ought to strike," On the following day (Tuesday the a2d), after many visits from them, another ruifian, whom Coulon had not before seen, called on him in the evening, and requested him to take a walk with him, in order that they might speak more freely on a sub- ject of great concern, which had been mentioned to him the preceding day. In the course of their walk, they were met by one of the two who had first opened the project to Coulon. Considering him a man discontented with his lot, and ready to catch at any chance that promised better, they unfolded to him the secret which was to make his fortune :— •' You are well acquainted," said they, *' with thecookof Louis the XVIIIth. Upon your next visit to him, about the hour when he is pre- paring dinner, throw two carrots which we will give you into the kettle in which the soup is boiled for the Pretender's table. If he shall die in a given time after, you shall receive 400 Louis d'ors ; but should hiswife, with the Duke and Duchess of An- gouleme, share his fate, 1200 Louis d'ors shall be paid to you by Monsieur Boyer, Commercial Commissary to the Emperor of ahe French in this city. Do not apprehend any punishment from the success of the attempt. You reside in a country, the Sove- jeign of which is the steady and sincere friend of Napoleon the First, and whose Ministers are as much attached to France as to their own country. As to remorse of conscience, the fortune that has seated Buonaparte upon the throne of France will sup- port him there, and shew that he deserves it ; and providence and fortune are the same. The Bourbon race are proscribed by destiny, and therefore, in dispatching them, you serve the Divi- nitv. You might, perhaps, apprehend the vengeance of other Bcurbohs, who reside in England; but you ought to know, that their destroyers follow' them as their shades; and, although they are still among the living, the grave is dug ready to swallow its victim, LOUIS xviir. S4 band oF assassins to Warsaw, as to Ettcnheim, to carrv off the Kins: of France, and murder him like victim, and they shall only live to see the day of Buonaparte's coronation. This is the lime appointed by the Eternal for an' UiNIV£RSAL, CHANCE OF DYNASTIES OVER THE WORLD ; and, before ten years, not a Prince will reign who was not, ten years before* an unnoticed subject. The Emperor of the French can never rule with sa'ety, until fortune and merit have taken the place of birth-right and prerogatives, un'il all present Sovereigns shall have been dethroned or annihilated, and individuals like himself placed upon their thrones. " Do not think," said they, *' that "what we promise are the sudden and insignificant sentiments of men imposed upon, or impostors themselves. We are mem- bers of Buonaparte's secret police, whose influence extends to all countries, to all riinks, who distribute indemnities among the Germans, who prepared the death of the Duke of Enghicn, the disgrace of Drake, and the elevation of a Parmasan Prince to the throne of Etruria." In the course of an entertainment, which lasted from three o'clock until nine, these and other such sentiments were infused into his muid ; and with a view to complete by terror what temptation might leave unfinished, thty produced pistols, daggers, and poison, intimating at the same time, that not only the suspected traitor, but the man who proved lukewarm in the cause of the Emperor of the French, should certainly perish. Their unfortunate guest assented to every thing they said, as well from policy as from necessity, Coulon insisted on receiving some money, on aecount of the 400 Louis which had been promised him ; upon which one of the ruffians, who was in liquor, said : ** I don't know whether Borer (the name of the commercial agent at Warsaw) would consent to give so large a sum." His companion, condemning this indiscretion, replied : " Why do you mention Boyer : he is not in town ; he wilt not return these two days. ' ' .At last they gave him a ducat to get some wine to drink with the cook, and made an appointment for the following night, when they were £ , to 82 REVOLUTIONARY PL QL ARCH. like Ae Duke of Enghien, in a ditch, in tlic Mvood of Vincennes 5 but, pursuing a system mora congenial to give him the parcel, which was to be thrown into the boiler. They parted at one o'clock in the morning. The same day fSundayjCou Ion disclosed the plot to the Baron tie Milleville, and the Duke de Pienne, by whom it was com- municated, to Compte D'Avaray, Captain of the Guards to Louis XVIII. who hastened to inform M. de Hoym, president of the chamber, and governor of the town, of the circumstance, and who had orders from his Prussian Majesty for superintend- ing all the concerns and safety of the French Royal Family. At first, the president Hoym received the information v/ith the most feeling emotion, and promised to mount his horse, and repair personally, either to the place of rendezvous fixed by the ruffians, to give the poison to Coulon, or to the spot appointed for paying him the money, and setting off for France. He also promised to send persons to secure the whole gang, and Coulon himself, in ca.se he should have forged the story in order to ob- tain a reward. The sensibility of the president Hoym was high- ly increased by the alarming rep .rts which were spread every day, of plots to take away the life of the King at the eve of his departure for Russia. The asd of July, Coulon, being ordered by the P.aron de Milleville, went to the appointed spot, at a place called the New Village, situated in the middle of ti^e lines which sur- round Warsaw; tiiere he wa& joined by one of the merT, and soon after by anotlier, who was concealed in a corn field, and who actually delivered him the parcel, and a bottle of liquor for his own use. They agreed upon a signal, by which they were to know when the deed had been eflected. They told him that when it -vyas executed, he might repair to a place called Les Cif"] Fotenceiy where he would be joined by his employers, andtakea to France vvkh his wife ; and in Zase the.y could not meet there, he was to go to Stockayer, where he would find them at the J*ost.master's house, and that he shculd there receive the 40Q Louis* LOUIS XVIII. 63 congenial to his barbarous and cowardly heart and Italian vicesj this poisoner of Jaffa has re- verted Louis. Upon his asking for some money, they gave him only six crowns, alledging that they had been already cheated more than once. The President Hoym, liowever, afraid of committing his master with the French Emperor, declined cither to go or scud to the appointed spot, c<»ntrary to his promise. Coulon deli- vered the parcel and the bottle to M. de Milleviile, on the 24th, in the morning. The Comte D'Avaray went at ten o'clijck to M. de Hoym's, and presented him the parcel, v/hich contained three carrots charged with arsenic. M. de Hoym, from excess of fear, refused to interfere any further in the business, saying, it ahould be referred to the police office ; and even refused to affix his seal to the parcel, which Avas seal- ed by the Archbishop of Rlieims and the Comre D'Avaray. On that day Louis the XVII Ith was informed of the plot. His Majesty expressed the greatest and the most tender solici- tude for his faitlit'ul servants, but displayed an unalterable tran- quillity of mind with re^pect to his own personal safety. He w.ote to the President, Hoym, who did not v.-ait on his Ma- jesty till the following day, and then confined/himself to vague assurances that the business should be followed up with ac- tivity by the polite officers. A formal demand was made by the King, that a report should be made by an assembly of professional men, respect- ing the contents of the parcel, which demand being answered in an evasive manner, the King ordered that the parcel should be opened and examined before his own physician, M. Le Fa- ire, aided by M. Gagatkiewiih, the most eminent and respec- table physician of Warsaw, Dr. Bergenzoni, and Dr. Guteil, an apothecary. One of the carrots being opened, was found per- fecily sound, the upper part beit>g covered with a kind of mas- tich or paste, of a colour siirsllar to that of ihe root : the mid- dle part was found to contain a powder, which, after acliymi- £ 6 cal 84 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. verted to his old trade, and purchased execu- tioners to dispatch Louis XVIIL by his former practice cal operation, was discovered to be a mixture of three different sorts of arsenic, one wiiite, another yellow, and another red. ''H'hefircces verbal was signed by all present, and the parcel sealed again, and sent to tlie police office wirhali the necessary docu» iiients. Upon application being made by the King to M. de Tilly, Ciiief Magistrate, for a prosecution to be instituted, that olficer, actuated by the same' fears as M. de Hoym, declined tointerfcre, or even to order the suspected persons to be ap- prehended, observing that it did concern the Tribunal of Cri- minal Justice, and that die law of the country did not permit him to arrest any person who had not actually been convicted of a crime ! - His most Christian Majesty intended to have left Warsaw or» the 25th ult. but this scandalous affair and some otJier circum- stances preveiUcd it. Having informed the Prussian Command- er of the day of the departure, his Majesty was told, ** that it would be more agreeable to his master, if the Count de Lille (Louis XVill.) would wait some days until faither instructii ons could be obtained from Berlin." The King of France then asked, if he had orders to prevent his departure, and demanded TO see them, adding, thtt if none were produced, his Majesty was determined to quit that city immediately, and nothing but open force should prevent him from doing so. A bow was the <-)nly answer of the Prussian Commander, and Louis XVIII. left Warsaw on the 30th of last month, at seven o'clock in the morning, on iiii wny to Grodno with the Due D'Angoulcme. M. de Hoym granted his Majesty an escort of Hussars, who had strict orders not to quit his royal person until they had committed hiin to the care of a similar escort of Russians, who iwaited his arrival on tlie frontiers. The Queen and the Duch- ess D'Aiigculeme only remain at Warsaw until they receive jnstrucrluns from his Majesty to join him, or until that Provi- ticAce, v»-h:ch ^ive him a thrcne, but refuses him a horne, puts a stop r LOUIS XVIII. 85 practice of secret poison and clandestine assassina- tion, A long proces verlal of the whole plot is in the hands of the Bourbon Princes in this country, from which the particulars in the note are an abridgement. It is signed by the Archbishop of Rhcims, the Duke dc Pienne, the Duke d' Havre de Croy, the Marquis de Bonnay, the Comte de la Chapelle^ the Comte de Damas Crux, the Comte Etienne de Damas, and the Abbe Edge j worth de Fermont. a stop to his wanderings, by touching the hearts of other legi- timate Sovereigns, his equals, to allow him a place to reside in with safety. It is said, that his most Christian Majesty has recently been offered an asylum at Calmar, in Sweden. It is worthy the virtuous and spirited Gustavus Adolphus IV. to set other princes an example of honour and hospitality, and to defy the threats and despise the hatred of the infamous Corsi- can Adventurer, who has usurped the throne of the Bourbons ; the sworn enemy of all hereditary rank, the blasphemer of all true religion, and the perverter and destroyer of all moral- ity. Tki '^- «6 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. THE ROYALIST GENERAL, GEORGE CADOUDAL, HONOURED BY BUONAPARTE WITH THE TITLE- OF CHIEF OF BRIGANDS. fn a Revolution where so many noblemen have debased their rank, and so many clergymen dishonoured their order — where a Duke de la Rochefoucanit^. and a Marquis dc la Fayette, have been the treacherous tools or accomplices of a rebellious mob — and a Cardinal de Brienne, and a Bishop Talleyrand de Pcrigord, avowed them- selves apostates to their God, and traitors to their King — it is some consolation to suffering loyalty, to find, in a class that had neither privileges to defend nor places to regret, men voluntarily come forward, to combat for a throne when fallen, which they had never approached when firm — and for altars in ruins, of which they might have- shared the spoils, Cadoudal's father was a wealthy miller in Mor- bihan, where George was born upon the 18th of May, 1770. Intended by his parents for the- church^ he received a better education than most young CADOUDAL. 87 young men of his rank. He had scarcely left the college, before the revolution broke out. At his entrance into the world from his studious retreat, he saw nothing but crimes, and heard nothing inculcated but principles as abominable as contra- ry to those in which he had been brought up.— His virtuous mind did not know whom most to despise, those who undermined monarchy, or those who calumniated religion — the rebels or the atheists. He had not long to meditate upon this painful subject, before the demolition of that temple in which his infant prayers had been ad- dressed to the Almighty, and the sale of that college wherein his youth had been instructed, determined him never to associate with men as vile as wicked, as selfish as sacrilegious, who, under the name of patriots, libelled patriotism, and, as pretended friends to liberty, organized the worst of tyraimy, the tyranny of the rab- ble. The year 1/93 added to the wounded feelings of the loyal and religious subject, those of the outrageously injured individual. The murder of his parents, of his brother, and two sisters, fol- lowed within six months the murder of his Kinff. o Hitherto he had hesitated between emioration and misery that awaited him abroad, and the dan- gers B8 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCIT. gers or death that threatened him if he remained at home. But the blood that flowed in his veins, - the scaffold had mincrled with that ofhisSove- reism, and both called loudlv for revensje. His countnmen of La Vendee and Morbihan were in arms, and he would have been a despicable coward had he not joined them. He now not only hated the sanguinar\' republicans as regi- cides, but abhorred and determined to annihilate them as patricides, parricides, and fratricides. He was besides proscribed by them as a fanatic ; that 15, as a christian faithful to the religion of bis -forefathers, the sole and same crimes for which his parents and relations had perished. After the battle before Thours, on the 2jth of September, 1793, v>here 5000 loyalists under Lescure defeated 20,000 republicans, George was made an officer. In civil wars, talents soon make their way, obtain rapid advancement, and at length silence even envv. While his valour and activity made him esteemed by his superiors, his intelligence and popular manners gatned him the confidence and friendship of his inferiors. Havinof distin^iished himself on all occasions during 1794 and 1793, he was, in 1796^ with general approbation, promoted to the command of the division of Royalist-Chouans in Morbihan: But CADOUDAL. »g But after treason had delivered Cbarelte and Stofflet over to the republican executioners, George was obliged to disband his weakened army, and to wait for another opportunity to avenge his country', his king, and his family. This opportunity^' presented itself in 1799^ whea he assembled a greater number of troops than any other chief, and had almost daily engage- ments with the republicans, whom he often routed, and from whom he never experienced any loss that could be called a defeat. In December 1799 he commanded the expedition on the borders of the river Vilaine, where a con- siderable quantity of arms and ammunition had been debarked from England, which he carried away, though surrounded every where bv ene- mies three times more numerous than his o\^ti men. Before the usurpation of Buonaparte, George was on the eve of being proclaimed a generalissimo, a place vacant since the death of Charette. According to the advice of the guilty intriguers Talleyrand and Fouche, the First Con- sul adopted with the rovalists, a conduct dif- ferent from that of the Directory Bv hvpocri* tical promises and liberal bribes, he divided and saluced men whom his revolutionary' predeces- sors had been unable to conquer. He promi- sed 9d REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. sed royalty to some, places to others, and rrioney to them all. Every royalist chief who -signed a peace obtained 300,000 livfes, or 12,500l. sterling. When, therefore, George^' on the 25th and 26rh of January, 1800, glo- riously fought the republicans at Grandchamp and Delven, all other royalist chiefs, with tha single exception of Frotte, had disbanded their troops and delivered up their arms. But ob- serving the intrigues of the republican emis- saries among his men, who^ by their desertion^ proved that they were not so incorrsptible as their commanders, he deferred his vengeance without changing his loyalty. Having heard that General Brune intended, on the 9th or February, to reconnoitre the country, he ad- vanced to the village of Theix, attended only by three royalists, one of whom he sent to announce to the General that he desired to speak with him. After a conference of^^n hour,, in the open air, at the corner of a hedge, every thing was terminated. George agreed to dismiss his troops, and General Brune pledged himself, in the name of the Republican Government, '^ that they should not be punished for having been in arms; that they and their countrymen should be exempted from military conscriptions for ten years* CADOUDAL. §1 years, and indemnified for the losses which they had suffered from the devastation of their country by the republicans during the civil troubles/* Neither of these conditions has been kept 3 all have been disregarded or violated. George be- came, therefore, the irreconcileable foe, not of Buonaparte, but of an usurper, who, by his ty- rannical breach of faith, had caused his own to be suspected by his adherents, now suffering vic- tims from the perfidy of the Consular Goverii- inent. After the pacification George went to Paris, and was presented to Buonaparte, who offered him a commission as a General of Division in the army of reserve then collecting near Dijon. He declined, however, this republican rank, as he formerly had refused republican money. As, with the First Consul, every man w^ho refused to be his slave is regarded as a traitor, orders were issued for arresting George 3 who escaped death only by flight, and was convinced that his life would never be safe in his country as long as a foreigner was its tyrant. He determined, there- fore, to dethrone a monster who employed the laws themselves to murder innocence ; who had no claim to kingly supremacy in France, where nature had, by his birth-right, made George a 1 citizen^ 92 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. citizen ; and who had done nothing to forfeit this right 5 whilst, in more moral times, the whole universe would, for liis enormous crimes, have proscribed Buonaparte as an infamous out- law, the opprobrium of humankind. Buonaparte accuses George with an intent to assassinate him; but as long as no other evi- dence than the dictum of the First Consul is produced, justice and generosity demand of us not to condemn as an assassin, a man who was never suspected of any crime, upon the mere as* sertion of another man, w^hose atrocious guilt is known and proverbial in Europe and America, as well as in Asia and Africa, who has been unde- niably a murderer and drowner in France and in Italy, and a convicted poisoner and murderer ia iSyria and in Egypt. When the incalculable difficulties are consider- ed that a royalist commander in France has to encounter, from want of miion, of patriot- ism, of discipline, of arms, of clothing, of money, Sec. and the dangers to which he is ex- posed, more from the treachery of weak or faithless friends, than from the bavonets of powerful enemies in possession of an autho- rity, governing, or rather oppressing, fifteen- sixteenths of the inhabitants 3 every candid mind must CADOUDAL. gs must acknowledge that to dare to oppose such means requires not only firmness of character, courage, capacity, and vigilance, but the noble sacrifice of one's self, which makes the country and the cause the first, and existence only a se- condary object. For his humanity and generosity, added to his abilities, George was become the most popu- lar royalist chief in France; and how much he was dreaded by Buonaparte, the correspondence with the British Government, through Lord Whitworth, Otto, and Andreossey, will evince. This feeble sketch is intended to make a Bri- tish Public better acquainted with a man, so basely calumniated abroad, and so imperfectly known in Ena;land ; whose sufTerinss from the Revolution are only surpassed by his constancy in supporting them, and by that magnanimity, with which, to serve his King, he resigned quiet and ease in this country, to face proscription and to meet death in France.^ Had George existed in the aaes of the crusades, he would have been revered * The reward which every loyal man has to expect in these scaiidalous times of selfishness and baseness, CIcorge has ob- tained. He has bled on the same scaffcld, an^.ong the same depraved people, in the same degraded city, wliere the Royal Martyr Louis XVI, eleven years b-fore exchanged his tempo- ral 94 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. revered as a saint; and had he been born in those of chivalry^ crowned as a hero*! ! ! * Le Dictionnaire Biographique, art. George, et la Cham- pagne des Chouans, en 1799 ^^ 1800, par un Chouan, page j6 et 37. THE VENDEAN AND CHOUAN WAR : A SKETCH. The Vendean war has been traced to a varie- ty of causes; but loyalty and religion may justly be considered as the chief. Distant from Paris, the focus of corruption, insurrection, and athe- ism, ral for an eternal crown. As the last moments of a good, loyal, and religious man, are not only consoling to the virtuous, but nay be edifying even to the wicked; and while encouragii?|; persons labouring under unmerited misfortunes to support tl"jeir miser}', may inspire even fortunate criminals with repent- ance of their guilt ; the following particulars of the conclusion of George's short but honourable career, cannot be mispiacei jn a work, having equally for its object, to publish tlie noble actions of dutiful subjects and faithful Christians, and to hold t)Ut to detestation the infamy of rebels, the atrocities of regi- cides, and the blasphemy of infidels. What the Author relates, he has from loyal friends, eye-witnesses ©f what tliey have reported. *♦ Both in the prison nfBicetre (which George has ennobled), and in the €6»clfrgeiief Buonaparte offered this royalist general his pardon ; but upon such terms, that neither his loyalty, liis honour, nor his religion, could permit him to accept. The Corsican usurper not only wanted to make him a slave, but aa informer. The only answer that he gave to the police director, the infamous Real, in consequence of these insulting offers, was, •• France has been enough inundated with the blood of inno- =eence ; were I fond of a life, almost unsupportable when Buo- Ra parte VENDEAN AND CeOUAN WAR. gi isiti, among the first classes of the inhabitants in La Vendee was found morality ; and among the lower riaparte prospers and Louis XVI II. suffers, I would not pro- long it, by mentioning the name of a single individual of my former loyal companions in arms ; even were he from treache- ry or weakness become my denouncer, or from rivalry or envy my foe." George's death- warrant was, therefore, signed, and ordered to be executed on the Z5th of June 1B04. On his way to the place of execution, in passing the Chateler, some per- sons exclaimed, *^ Fivt George !" and others applauded him ; but Buonaparte's police agents arrested them immediately, George bowed respectfully to several ladies on the (luay, who, from the windows of different houses, saluted him with their haivlkerchiefs, and with tears in their eyes, shewed that they felt for his destiny, and admired his loyalty and constancy. Upon the scaffold^ he desired to address the people, (but like the unfortunate Louis XVI,) he was not permitted. Gen. Murat," the governor of Paris, who was present, demanded what he had to say ? His answer was — '* t/jat ht de-sir cd it to be knoivn to hii countrymen cofttt.rtperarics, and tf poiSeritj>y that he died as he had lived, faithful to his God and to his King ; and, as a true Christian, forgave even his murderer, Buonaparte, whose repentance and conversion he sincerely prayed for, and that he might, in his last moments, meet death with' equal tranquillity, consolation, and liope." Buonaparte had ordered thsft George should be executed the List ; but a rumour had reached his fellow-sufierers, that he would be pardoned on the scaffold. To set them an example how loyal men should die, he requested of Murat, as a favour, to be beheaded first. This was consented to. Before the ex- ecutioner tied his hands, he euibraced his confessor, and look- ing at his fellow-sufferers, v/ith a countenance expressive of satisfaction, he said, '* Courage, Comrades ! What is the earth- ly throne of the usurjier, to the heavenly blessings awaiting us ! ! !" Before laying down his head under the fatal axe, he liftCAl $6 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. lower orders, a sincere belief in the faith of their forefathers. The Revolution insulted the sen- timents of the former; and the coastitutional de- cree of the National assembly, concerning the in- novations in the statutes of the Roman Catho- lic Church, disturbed the timorous consciences of the latter, all the materials for an insurrec- tion, therefore, were collected from the ver)^ be- ginning of the French rebellion ; it was not, however, until the enacting of the impolitic and scandalous laws relative to the Clergy, and the arrest, imprisonment, trial, and murder of the King, that they burst into a flame. The first chief of the Vendeans was a priest of the name of Catineau ; who, having put himself at the head of the malcontents of Lower Poitou, seized upon Beaupreau on the 10th of May, 1793, and immediately displayed the standard ot royaitv from the steeple of that edifice, in which he had so lately officiated as a clergyman. Bi\t lifted up his eyes towards heaven, and exclaimed loudly, ** Vive le Roil vi'vant Its Bourbons!!!" The scatfold had been placed nearly opposite the grocer's house, in Pl^icede Grtz^e, which became dreadfully notorious on the 14th of July, 1789, from, the lamp-post at its corner, where the rebels of that period, under the command of the then king of faction. La Fayette, murdered so many dutiful and good sub- jects. Eleven other royalists perished with George, and met death with equal firmness, resignation, and devotion. Their la^it words were—" ^/Vf /« Rci\ Louis XVUI.!!!'* 3 the VENDEAN AND CHOUAN WAR. ^f the fortune of the war was not to be entrusted to hands consecrated to the chalice : he was, therefore^ placed under the superintendance of Diihoun, d'Hauterivc, and d'Elbee, who labour- ed to give a systematic direction to the efforts of an undisciplined multitude; and no sooner had the army of the royalists been organised, than- Catineau voluntarily resigned the command to the Marquis de Beauchamp, a young nobleman of- Angers, who had been an officer in the regiment' of Aquitaine. Armed only with pitch-forks, staves, and im- plements of husbandry, their success was at first astonishing. The ablest republican generals were routed, and the most numerous republican armies dispersed. In four months time, therefore, the royalists had 50,000 men armed with republi- can fusils and bayonets, and a complete park of artillery, composed of captured republicait cannons. No longer content with petty expe-^ ditions, or predatory excursions during the night, the Catholic and Roval army, as it was now called, prepared for greater achievements; and after a signal victory on the 29th of May, actu- ally took possession of Fontenay Le Peiiple, the chief town in the department. The National Convention, deceived by false' VOL. nii F reports. 98 RE\^OLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. reports, treated them at first as a handful of brigands ; but repeated intelhgence of their pro- gress soon akered that rash opinion. From the taking of Fontenay, the Vendean war began toexhibit a degree of consistency highly inau- spicious to the stabihty of the Republic. A so- vereign council, consisting of generals, priests, and civilians, assembled at Chatillon, and not only directed the operations of the army, but concentrated all authority within itself, Ber- nard de Marigny, nephew to the admiral of the same name, presided at this board; and Lescure, Stofflet, d'Elbee, Fleuriot, Beauchamp, and others, assisted witli their presence, influ- ence, and advice. By these, the ancient laws were substituted in the place of the new code ; all acts of authority were proclaimed in the name of Louis XVIL, and an assignat was i>pt permitted to have currency, unless sanc- tioned by their signature. ^ Enthusiastic defenders of the altar and the throne, the royal soldiers encountered toils, difficulties, and death, with an heroic constancy. As disinterested and brave as they were piou& and loyal, they were never anxious about mo- ney, but satisfied with the rations of provisions distributed among them. The exclusive es- tablishment VENDEAN AND CHOUAN WAR. 09 tablishment of the Christian religion, and the plenary restoration of Royalty, were thQ avowed objects sought by them all. Unfortunately, however, the leaders differed about the means; and some of them, actuated by personal ambition, aspired to supreme command, to the entire exclusion of their colleagues. Talmont and d'Autichamp imagined that their birth entitled them to superiority^ Charette piqued himself upon his military talents, and the number of his followers; but d'Elbee, who united the lustre of birth with acknowledged abilities, was elected generalissimo. In consequence of this difference among the chiefs, two distinct bodies of troops were now formed : the Catholic and Royal Army of Anjou and Upper Poitou, led by d'Elbee; and the Army of the Throne, and the Altar, bv some called the Armv of .Tesus, in Lower Poitou, under the direction of Charette, A consummate general, the former of these al- ways fought in a manner conformable to the nature of the country and the genius of the people : the latter was brave, entcrprisincr, ac- tive, and full of stratagems, but more ambi- tious, and less informed than his rival, . The first defeat which the royalists met with,, ivas in their attack on Nantes, on the 29th of F 2 June. ]00 KEVOLUTIONAIIY PLUTARCH. June. The cause of this miscarriage originated partly in disputes among the leaders, and partly in the folly of permitting the peasantry to re- main in great towns. The royalist peasants m Saumer found a Capua, but thev soon took their revenge. The republican general, Biron, had been called from the army of Italv, to head the war acrainst the insufoents of La Vendee. Seek- ihg to signalize himself by rapid conquests, he surprized the chateau de Lescure, one of the royalist captains, at Parthenay ; he then cap- tured the town of Amaillon, which he permitted his troops to plunder, and reduced that and the chateau de Lescure to ashes. Westerman, the second in command under Biron, made similar ravages at Brcssuire, and burnt the chateau of La Roche Jaquclin, another chief of the insur- gents ; promising to capture the towns of Cha- t-illon and ChoUet, and finally to exterminate the royalists. He succeeded indeed in takino- J o Chatillon, but was surrounded by the royalists, his infantry cut to pieces, his artillery taken, and liimsclf escaped with great difficulty, at- tended by his cavalry. The republican com- manders now meditated a general attack on the. royalists, entered La Vendee by the bridge of Ge, and encamped at Martigni Briand. Here ihev VENDEAN ANDClTOUx^NWAR. loi they were attacked by 40^000 men, whom they ■at first repulsed, but who afterwards forced them to beo^in a retreat towards Montaieu. Jn ihis retreat they were constantly harassed by large parties ; and, "when fatigued with three da^ys marches, on the 18th of July, attacked by 30,000 royalists, who routed and drove them in dis- order across the country in every direction. So •great was the panic, that even arms, knapsacks, and accoutrements, were thrown away, as impedi- ments to speed. Some fled into almost all the neighbouring towns, and some even to Paris. Such had been the slaughter, or such was yet the terror, that when, three days after the cnfracre- ment, the republican generals at Chinon at- tempted to make a muster, they could only find 4000 mcn,lhe wretched remnants of 6-2,000. The affairs of the royalists were now in thei highest state of prosperity : their chiefs issued a wise and moderate proclamation, in the name of Louis XVI r.: manv emioTants quitted the frontiers of Ilolland and Germany to join the defenders of the altar and the throne ; and many more were wailing'to join them at Jersey and Guernsey. Their partisans orew daily more luunerous, and encouraged the most sajiguine hopes of ultimate success. Thus, the insurrec- F 3 tica I02 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. tion in La Vendee bescan in its first vear to as- »ume the shape and consistency of a formida- ble rebolHon. From Mav to Ano^ust ten rrene- rai acti ms, and more than sixty skirmishes^ the i.k-ath of 100,000 royalists, and even the plun- der, burning, and devastation of the country, did not enable the regicide Convention to quell a sedition originating in the lovalty of the inha- bitant?, by whose hands upwards of 200,000 re- - publicans had perished. Unfortunately, the royalist chiefs, who, if at this glorious period united, might perhaps have decided the fate of France, were once more di- rided by their personal jealousies, and contended for superiority with a pertinacity little to be ex- pected from ncblcmen, the thread of whose lives was in hourly danger of being cut, either by the sabre or the guillotine j and who after every unsuccessful battle, were hunted down like so many wild beasts. The Prince de Talmont, who possessed larire estates on the riirht bank of re '-' the Loire, and hud achieved some brilHant ex- ploits, after crossing that river, still aspired to the supreme command, although d'Llbee had released him from a duno'eon in Ano-ers. Le- scurc, vvlio was rescued by Stofflet from a similar confm anient in the prison of Brcssuire, and had lately . VENDEAN AND CHOUAN WAR. 103 lately displayed equal bravery and conduct on the 25th of September in the action beforc Thouars (where he had routed an army of vete- rans four times superior), was also a candidate for the same dangerous pre-eminence. Another ap- peared in Chevalier d'Autichamp, who from the beainnin-:!- of the contest had urc^ed the necessity DC ^ of crossincr the Loire, and either marchini»; straight to Paris, or securing a sea-port, in order to keep up a communication with foreign powers. The fourth was Charette, originally a lieutenant of the King's navy, and famous in consequence of his successes against the republican general Beysser, as well as by the desperate valour, ra- ther than the professional knowledge, displayed by him upon all occasions. At this period the King of Prussia, having laid siege to Mentz, forced the Garrison to surrender ; but by an impolitic capitulation, permitted the French troops to serve against the royalists iu La Vendee: and it is to these very troops that the republicans are indebted for their principal advantages in that country. They turned the fortune of the day in the famous battle of the 16th of October. The republican general, Le- chelle, originally a fencing-master at Saintes, and, but little acquainted with the military art, F 4 dibp )sed 104 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. disposed his troops in an injudicious position Vinder the walls of Chollet^ when d'Elbee, Beauchamp, Lescure, Stofflet^ and several other royalist chiefs, at the head of 50,000 men, made a dreadful onset, and for two hours appeared to have gained the victory. The republicans, how- ever, after mortally wounding d'Elbee, Beau- champ and Lescure, and routing their adversaries, remained masters of the field of battle. To the disappearance of these royalist chiefs, the defeat is in some measure to be, attributed ; but more to the steady valour of the troops from Meiitz. At this epoch, atrocious measures of barbarous severity, and such as neither justice nor policy can sanction, were recurred to by the regicide National Convention. Fire as well as the sword was now to be carried into the recesses of La Vendee. The royalists, honoured by the rcgi- cides'with the appellation of banditti, were to be pursued to their most secret retreats. The vil- lages, which afforded them occasional shelter, were doomed to be destroyed, the granaries to be burnt, the windmills and ovens to be thrown down, the cattle and crops to be seized : all suspected persons, men, uc/rne??, or children, to be shot or guillotined, and the peaceable part of the inhabitants to be removed. That neither the \ VENDEAN AND CHOUAN WAR. lOo the principles nor tenderness of the representa- tives of the people, nor of the republican genc- rals, prevented them from carrving into execu- tion these execrable decrees of the Convention, the followincr mav evince. General Turreau, on commencmg an expedition against the Ven- deanSj addressed his soldiers as followi? : "..We are about to enter the country of the insuro-ents : you are to hum every things and to layonet all tJhe inhabit ants, llierc may be, Indeed, some few patriots among them ; but, notwithstanding that, the whole must he sacrificed," The representative Francastle assisted the representative Carrier, in the massacre of priests and of Vendean women and children at Nantes. On one day he issued an order to bind 6l of the clergy of Nievre to- gether 3 and on another, 1500 Vendean women and ISOO Vendean children, and saw them drowned in his presence, by means of vessels sunk for that purpose ; and when the victims forced their hands through the rotten planks of these vessels and prayed for mercv, he ordered his assistants, the French republican officers and soldiers, to cut off their hands, and he was obeyed. In his directions to General Grionon, he says : " You must make the robbers tremble, and give them no quarter. Our prisons are F 3 crowded 106 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. crowded — What! prisoners in La Vendee! — It is necessary to burn all the lone houses^ the mills^ aiid above all, the castles; in short, to transform the whole country into a desert — neither mildness nor clemency — such are the intentions of the Convention/' — He forbade the revolu- tionary committees to take down the names of the victims that he sent to perish ; they were particularly to leave out those of women and •children, that their husbands or parents might in vain look for them for years, and add th^ torments of incertitude to their other sufferings. In the valley of St. Game, he ordered to be shot a corps o^ 1200Vendeans who had capitulated to General Moulins on the condition of having their lives saved. The representative of the peo- ple. Carrier, if possible, surpassed in cruelty all his accomplices. He called the guillotine " un jeti mcsquin,'' where 25,000 heads were to be cut off onli/. He therefore invented-, with another representative, Fouche*, what he called the re- puhlican marriages \ that is to say, men and iuo~ men hij hundreds were tied naked together, and thrown into the river Zjoire and drowned. *^ He amused himself for hours, in disposing of the proscribed * This is the «ame regicide whose lif?, as Minister of Police, - ■?s given in the jfirst volume. He is a Grand olficer of Buo- naparte's Legion ef KoROur. VENDEAN AND CHOUAN WAR. 107 proscribed Vendeans,*' a§ he wrote^ ^^ in a mayi- ner the most laughahle., Boys of twelve were tied with women of seventy, and girls of eleven with old men of eighty, &cc." At the jacobin so- ciety at Nantes he said, '^ People, take your clubs, and crush the rich 1 take your swords, and exterminate the merchants ! you are in rags ; and affluence is by your side, and by the side of the river 1 But if the people want ener- gy, I swear that heads shall never cease to tum- ble on the national scaftbld ! were I even to make of all France a church -yard, I must regenerate hex in my own manner.'^ Prudhomme, in his history of Crimes, Vial, in his history of La Vendee, and many other French republican authors, have mentioned these and other abominations. Bres- suire, Floutiere, La Chatelgueraye, Pouzanges, Bon-Pere, Meilleray, and one hundred other communes, were burnt to ashes, and the inha- bitants of both sexes and of every age cut to pieces. In a work* printed in London, and written by a general who commanded the repub- ' lican troops in La Vendee, is the following re- mark : " In October 1793, after the .decrees of the National Convention, the whole of La Ven- dee was burnt; even the patriotic communes F 6 were * See Les Brigands Demasques, par Danican, a well- writ- ten and loyal work, page 2i and 8z, Jioie, 108 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. were not spared. Each republican column car- ried before it fire and svvord^ with which were destroyed all, without distinction of age or sex. An immense population, that fled before the republicans to escape the flames, joined the Catholic army in the passage of the Loire at St, Florent, and was surrounded. Imagine you ! people of feelings ! upwards of 100,000 French- men, women, old men and children, seeing burn- ing sixty miles round, their cottages and their houses, and having only some few moments to escape a certain death 1 Well, what our generals and our august representatives never have the honesty to acknowledge, is a fact, that the Ven- deans, about to leave their devastated country for ever, gave liberty and life to 5 or 6000 repub- lican soldiers, prisoners during four months in the Abbey St. Florent. It was to the humanity of the royalist general Beauchamp, who died the next day of his wounds, and to the solicitations of his wife, that the republicans are indebted. for their preservation. What is singular, every body with me knows this as well as myself; but no- body has the courage to publish this trait of humanity, which ^s sublime. '* '' If," continues the same author, ^^ the Ca- tholic Army had any design to make reprisals, it VENDEAN AND CHOUAN WAR. 109 it might have set fire to the country from Va- rades to Granville. It might have burnt Laval, where it remained eleven days^ undisturbed by the republicans.^^ Who dares be impudent enough to deny these facts ? — This frank avowal of a republican general evinces, that courage, generosity, humanity, and loyalty, were united in the royalists* councils as well as in their camps; while temerity, ferocity, and wicked- ness^ dictated the decrees of the republican rulers, and the transactions of the republican armies. These horrors commanded by the National Convention, instead of terminating the insur- rection of La Vendee, extended it to the neieh- bouring provinces. After the army under Prince Talmont and d'Autichamp passed the Loire, loyal men every where flocked to the standard of royalty,- and increased their number to 80,000 men ; but they were in want of arms, ammu- nition, and provisions. That they might ob- tain succours from England, Prince Talmont pushed forwards to gain a position on the coast | in prosecution of which plan he captured May- ence, and afterwards Dol, with an intention to proceed to St. Malo. While waiting the ex- pected supplies, the royalists made an unsuccess- ful attack on Granville; but being threatened on all no REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH, all sicles^ by the republicans, and in danger of being surrounded, while thev obtained no intel- ligence of the expected aids, they again de- camped for the interior, hoping to find relief, and a rallying point, from which they might issue under more favourable auspices. Their disappointment was not occasioned by any ne- glect of the British Ministry; on the contrary, every exertion was made to afford them suc- cour ; and the valiant Earl of Moira, amply pro- vided to supply their wants, arrived on the coast eight days after their departure. He repeated his signals, and renewed all efforts in vain, and was, after near a month's expectation of their join- incr him, obli governed by his mistress, Madame Lautiere ; who gives to lovers, or sells to intriguers, rank, pro- motions, and appointments due to merit and service; the author, infers, therefore, that not Berthier, but Madame Lautiere, is the war mi- nister of the French Republic. From what has been shewn of Berthier's character, it cannot be called a hazardous, but an impartial conclusion, to say, that had he served under a Henry IV. he would have been loyal; under a Gustavus Adolphus, religious ; un- der * Les Nouvelles a laMain> Fructidoran xi. No. vii. page 9. BERTHIER. 139 der a Conde, generous -, under a Turenne, hu' mane-, under a Charles XII., temerarious ; under a Marlborough, avaricious ; under a Eugene^ vindictive; under a Frederick the Great, an atlieist; under a Mareschal de Saxe, a libertine; under Dumourler, an intriguer ; under Pichegru, modest; under Moreau, ambitious, but amiable and insinuating- He would have butchered un- der Marius ; proscribed under Sylla 5 ^et? under Pompey^ and pardoned under Caesar*. GENERAL * In writing this sketch the Author has consulted Les Actes des Apotres of 1790 et 1791 ; L'Ami du Roi of 1790, 179 1» et 1792 ; Le Dictionnaire Biographique, art. Berthier. Vial's History of La Vendee } Duppa's Brief Account of the Subver- sion of the Papal Government ; History of the Campaign in 1796. Histoire du Directoire Executif, and Berthier's Rela- tion des Campagnes du General Buonaparte en Egypte et ha Syrie. 140 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. GENERAL ABD ALLAH MENOU, BUONAPARTS'S GOVERNOR-GENERAL IN FIIDMONT. Eternal smiles his emptiness betray. As shallow streams run dimpling all the way. By the manner m which the Freemasons' lodges have been conducted in France and Ger- many, they have produced many recruits to the French Revolution, and many admirers of itf anti-social and destructive principles. Of the French lodges, the late Duke of Orleans was a Grand Master, and Abdallah Menou, ci-devant Jacques Bon. Baron de Menou, one of their most fanatic members. In them were laid those plots for subversion and anarchy, which brought Louis X\'^I. to the scaffold, changed free subjects into republican slaves, and seated a tyrannical First Consul upon the throne of the most patriotic of Kings. In them Mirabeau, Sieyes, Menou, and ethers, laid the foundation for that Orleans fac- tion which paved the w^ay for succeeding fac- tions, 8 MENOU. 141 tions, the Consular, as well as all others, and murdered its chief, after having dishonoured, plundered, and deserted him. By the money and intrigues of the emissaries of the Duke of Orleans, Menou was, in 1780, chosen a member to the States General, for the nobility of the bailiwick of Toiirabie ; and he rushed into the Revolution with an ardour which would have been taken for patriotism, had he concealed his hatred to the court, and his con- nexion with its enemies. He was one of the first members of the nobility who betrayed the trust of his electors, by sacrificing their privileges, and joining the Commons, or Tiers Etat. After the appellation of States General was laid aside for that of a National Assembly, and the club of the Bretons was incorporated with that of the Ja- cobins, Menou figured in their different commit- tees, principally in the Jacobin Committee of Correspondence and of Propaganda, where he used a seal with this motto : Ennemi des Cultes et des Rois^'f or enemy of the worship and of Kings. Though neither by nature nor by education destined for an orator, he often ascended the tri- bune of the Assembly. On the 12th of Novem- ber, 1789^ he there violently attacked the. Parlia- ment * See Dictionnaire Biographique, page 7, torn, iii. 142 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH, ment of Rouen; and on the 19th of the same month pronounced a speech on the organization of a national army ; and^ to form citizen soldiers and soldier citizens^ he proposed ^^ to settle a mili' tarij eciiscriptioji, in which the names of all male children should be registered, and they them- selves obliged to serve their country as soldiers, for a certain number of years." By adopting and improving this idea, the National Conven- tion, the Directory, and the Consular Govern-, ment, have been enabled to bring into the field those numerous armies which, while tyrannizing France, oppress and enslave most other continen- tal states. In January 1790, he was a member of the Committee of Pensions, and assisted in the publication of the Livre Rouge^ containing some truths and many falsehoods ; but which had the desired effect, that of making the court odious. Elected in March president of the Na- tional Assembly, he proved himself one of the tmgenerous persecutors and calumniators of the clergy, and was therefore nominated one of the commissaries directing the disposal or sale of the property df that order. In April he de- claimed, with great indecency, against a deputa- tion of the Parliament of Bourdeaux ; and on the 25th of June made a motion, to suppress all MENOU. 143 all orders of knighthood, and to create, in their place, one single national order. In August he became a member ot the Diplomatic Committee, which, notwithstanding his incapacity, embold- ened him to pretend to the place of an am- bassador. But when Count de Montmorin, the King's Minister for the Foreign Department, refused him the appointment, he, in a speech of two hours, attacked this minister, whom he ac- cused' of ignorance and aristocracy^ and insisted upon his dismission. This sortie, however, had not the desired effect, because the orator, whose ^isintei'estedness and impartiality were known, was often interrupted by the hisses of one part of the National Assembly, and by the laughter of the other part. When in 179I, the King's aunts went to Italy, provided with regular passes, they were stopped on the frontiers, and not permitted to continue their journey, until the determination of the National Assembly was known. Menou, on this occasion, in a speech of considerable length, used such vulgar, blunt, and coarse lan- guage, that he was called to order, even by the democraticai and republican members. He spoke for the last lime in this assembly, when the dis- cussion took place concerning the incorporation with France of the Comtat Fenalssiny a province belonging 144 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. belonging to the Popes for centuries^ but dis- turbed and invaded by the revolutionary banditti of the Jacobin Propaganda at Paris. This act of injustice was eloquently opposed by the famous Abbe Maury, and defended by Menou, who was then used so rouglily, and so turned into ridicule by his adversary, that for mcmths a'fterwards V caricatures, lallads, epigrams, and vaudevilles, ex- posed his presumption as well as his folly, his " want of candour as well as of information. It was so much the more easy for the Abbe to show the hypocrisy and inconsistency of the other members who desired this incorporation, as one of their first and most solemn decrees, as repre- sentatives of the people^ had been to renounce in the name of the French nation, all conquests : un- fortunately for the peace of the world, and for the happiness of mankind, though the first, this was not the last time that the transactions of French revolutionary rulers and legislators have been the very reverse of their determinations and professions*. The first llessing which the unfortunate inha- bitants of the Comtat Fenaissin experienced in consequence of 'their union with France, was : the * See Les Moniteurs, 1750 and 1791, Le Raveil d' Anecdotct^ page 565. MENOU. 145 the massacre en masse of detained and suspected persons in the Glaciere, or ice-house^ at Avig- non, the 19th of October, 1791. Jourdan, called the cut- throat, who headed the assassins, when afterwards arrested, declared publicly, that the leading members of the National Assembly had advised him to act as he did, to strike the people luith terror, and by it to procure addresses for a re-union. To convince his judges of the truth of this assertion, he laid before them se- veral letters from Mcnou, Mirabeau, Talley- rand, and Sieves. In that of INIenou it was said, ^' It is better to strike vigorously than just- ly. By dispatching some hundred aristocrats or fanatics, you \^ill convert thousands of luke- warm or hesitating patriots ; and the blood of some few Papal slaves at Avignon will tvhite- wash the mass of the people in this Papal pro- vince, by giving them energy to be French free- men*.'* After the King had accepted the constitulnon decreed by the first National Assembly, a great military promotion took place, and Menou, be- fore a Colonel, was promoted to the rank of a Marcschal-de-camp ; he w^as, besides, the second in command over the troops of the line quar- VOL. uu H tcrcd * Sec Les Annales du Terronsme, pr.ge 635. \4Q REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. tered in or near Paris on the 10th of August, 17&2. His equivocal conduct on that day having made him suspected of royahv, he went to the bar of the Legislative i^ssembly and took the oath of ecjiial'ity i not only to justify himself, but in the hope of being promoted to the ministry of the war department. Under the latter suppo* sition he addressed a letter to the President, in which he asked him to remember his former services. — ^^ I was," said he, " a patriot long before the year 1789? and at all times have held the Court in abhorrence. I have always de- fended the dogma of insurrection, and have dis- tinouished myself in the Constituent Assembly/* His incapacity, however, was so well known, that his ambition was again disappointed*. In the spring of 1797, he was sent as lieu- tenant-general to the republican army in La \%-idee, and on the Sth of June nominated by the Committee of Public Safety commander- in-chief. But though he possessed such cou- raf^e as will make a subaltern noticed, he had none of those talents necessary to make a c^ief victorious. The rovali^ts therefore easily de- feated him, took the town of Saumur in the sight * See t'le last mentioned wok, page 639, and Dictiannaire Bicgraphi«|ue. MENOU. 147 sight of his army, and by it opened a passage over the river Loire, and extended the civil war on both its borders, bv Pont au Ce ViJtkrs, On the 17th and lyth of July, though the royalists had no other arms than pikes or bludgeons, he was so completely routed, that he lost all his ar- tillery, his ammunition, and field equipage ; and the royalist commander, the young Larocbe Jac- quelui, pursued him for two leagues so near, th-at he was shot throuoh the body bv a pistol. The representatives of the people with the rcpub- .lican armies then cashiered him, and he was or- dered to Paris, where he would undoubtedly have been guillotined; but his wound, which he bribed a surgeon to declare dangerous, procured him permission to reside at Tours until he waF cured ; and he prudently remained in that town during the reign of Robespierre. In May 1795, he commanded under Pichegru, at Paris, a division of the troops who defended the National Convention, and dei%ated the Jaco- bins, who had attacked this Assembly. When Picheo;ru returned to the army of t'p.e Rhine, Menou was made commander-in-chief of tl^e army near Paris. 'In the struggle between the Sections of that city and the National Ccjuvcii- tion, concerning the just dtmand of the former ii 2 t4» 148 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. to chuse their representatives with freedom, Menou acted with great duplicity, caressing and deceiving both parties. He promised the Committee of General Safety that he would never desert the conventional standard ; and de- clared at the same time to the Sections, that he would not command a conventional army against them ; by which they could not but understand that he spoke in the name of the troops under his command, and that they were gained over by him. Unfortunately for the just and loyal party, they were soon convinced of his treachery ; be- cause, though he refused to lead his army ao^-ainst them, it obeyed the orders of Barras and Buona- parte, who, on the 6th of October, in a few hours, dispersed the deluded and disarmed Pari- sians, after killing 8000 men, women, and chil- dren, in the streets of Paris. The victorious Convention, after upbraiding Menou with deser- tion from the duties of a rcpuhllcan in a time of the most pressing danger, and accusing him of having received bribes from the Sections, de-- creed his asrest ; and a mock trial by a military commission took place, more to prevent him from experiencing the vengeance of the Pari- sians; than with a view to his condemnation and punishment MENOU. 149 punishment for disobedience. He was therefore acquitted ; and soon afterwards, the important post oi' Inspector of the- Cavalry in the Interior was conferred on liini bv the Director iJarras. Menou was an old acquaintance of Madame de BeauhariTjois, wliom Barras, in the winter of ITQoj had made Aladame Napoleon Buona- parte. When, therefore, in 1796, this general's successes gained him the favour of the French Government and the caresses of the French Ja- cobins, Menou was assiduous in his attention to Madame Buonaparte, who, in return, procured him in 1798 permission to accompany her hus- band to Egypt. x\t the unnecessary and barba- rous storming of the city of Alexandria, he was wounded in two places, and received a contusion at the battle of the Pyramids. Buonaparte was, however, so convinced of his want of military talents, that in August 1799^ when the army of Egypt was cowardly deserted by its chief, he ap- pointed Kleber his successor, thougli Menou was the senior of the generals of division. Destitute and dispirited as Kleber found these troops, he wa^ ordered not only to command them against foreign foes, but to preserve them from the dangerous effects of disunion among them- selves. He soon, however, by economy and regu- H 3 larity. 150 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. larity, satisfied their most pressing wants; and by his negociations as well as by his battles, proved both to his officers and men, that in a distant country, where the enemies were as numerous as the inhabitants, harmony was absolutely neces- sary, if they would avoid subscribing a disho- nourable capitulation, or perishing by disgraceful defeats. After the assassination of this General, Menou, from seniority, assumed the command over the French in .this part of Africa, where hitherto he had neither filled any important de- partment, nor performed a single exploit worthy of record. On the contrary, his apostacy in em- bracing the Mussulman faith — his marriage with a Turkish woman, and his disputes with KJeber, a commander at once adored by the soldiery and worthy of their esteem, had long since rendered him contemptible and unpopular with the mass of the army. Accustomed to be conducted by gal- lant and fortunate chiefs, the troops placed but little confidence in a leader, whom they consi- dered as an intriguer rather than as a general. Klebcr left him, however, the situation of his countrymen considerably meliorated, in conse- quence of the victory of Heliopolis ; and by the total defeat of the Grand Vizier, the natives of Egypt, true to the tenets of fatalitv inculcated by MENOU, 151 by the reigning superstition, were siriiek wuh dread, and remained (juiet, imagining that tiiey were predestinated to submit to a nation whicli they had seen uniformly triumphant. The con- tributions levied on the people at Caiio, as a pu- nishment for their late insurrection, enabled the French Generals to quiet the clamours of their men for pay, and Kleber had formed plans fur replenishing his ranks by recruiting among the natives : 500 Copts, 3G0 Franks and 1500 Greeks were already in the army, and the placid temper and accommodating disposition of this General had insured an uninterrupted unanimity. No murmur, no cry of cabal vvasr heard, except from the man who was destined to be his succes- sor. Such was the situation of the French at this moment. Their empire appeared to be firmly es- tablished in that quarter of the globe j and it re- quired no small display of cool valour, superior tactics, and scientific combination in the English- troops, to restore a favourite province to the Ot- toman throne, and exchange the tri- coloured flag, now flaunting along the frontiers of the Desert and the borders of the Nile, for the Turkish Crescent. But under the haughty and insolent Menou, a new order of things seemed to have arisen^. He affected rather the profound po- H 4 litician .152 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. litlcian than the active general — issued pompous and declamatory general orders — paid some at- tention to details, yet left the most important re- gulations in a state of neglect — counteracted the prudent measures of his predecessor — altered the mode of collectino; taxes, and laid the founda- lion of religious feuds, by shewing an unusual preference to that mode of worship to which he had become a reneo^ade convert. Even these malversations were of small moment, compared with his cowardly efforts to tarnish the fame of Kleber ; to maintain a distance between himself and the subordinate Generals, by spreading re- ports injurious to their character; and to intro- duce into the army the factious distinguishing terms o^ colonists or anti-colonists. Such a sys- tem revived peculations, oppressions, and inju- ries, calculated to renew the hostility of the na- tives whenever opportunity should present a prospect of success, exhausted the slender re- sources of the array, prevented the accumula- tion of supplies in case of an attack, diminished the spirit of the troops, and produced at length vioorous and even ani2;ry remonstrances from the field-officers*. But * See the State of Egypt after the battle of Heliopolis, by General Regnier. MENOU. 153 But notwithstanding the impolitic and imbe- cile transactions of Menou, the position of the French was very formidable in Egypt, when an expedition directed and animated by the loyal generosity of Great Britain was sent to act ao-ainst them. The British force which had been employed in the Mediterranean, aided by the discomfited bands of the Grand Vizier, and a body of sepoys and English troops from India, were selected to achieve the expulsion of the re- publicans from their ill- acquired territory. The troops under Sir Ralph Abercromby, were un- usually weakened by a long continuance at sea during the most tempestuous season ever remem- bered. By their failure in several attempts, par- ticularly that against Ferroi, and by the uncer- tainty in what direction their active services would be employed, they were very much dispi- rited. Yet, when the order arrived, announc- ing their next destination, joy and alacrity gene- rally prevailed ; health was restored by a short residence on shore ; and regiments, that were not obliged to extend their services so far, offered themselves as volunteers. The bay of Marmo- rice was fixed for the general rendezvous; but during the stay there of the British fleet, the French succeeded in throwing into Egypt im- u S portant 154 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. portant succours of men and ammunitioii, dis- patched in the frigates L'Egyptienne, La Justice, La Re^renere, and the cutter Lodi. At length the English squadron, consisting of near two hundred sail, with an army on board of 15,330 men, left the Coast of Asia Minor, for the purpose of subjugating a great province occupied by an enemy vastly superior; while on the other hand, the British commanders had not a single officer acquainted with the interior of the coun- try, or even a map which could be depended Tipon. Even this small army included 999 sick, .500 Maltese, and various other descriptions of persons attached to it ; so that the effective force could not be computed at more than 12,000, while the French under Menou, on a moderate calculation, amounted to 21,000 able men, and had the additional advantage of possessing the ground wLich was to be the scene of conten- tion, with strong forts, good cavalry, an ample and weli-supphed artillery, and a ))erfect knowledge of the place ; in all of which the English were lamentably defective. They had not sufficient artillery, and the Turks had supplied them with the very v^orst of horses to remount their ca- valry." Of the coast they knew little or no- thing j and to complete this state of ignorance, ^Lajor MENOU. 1 5 Major Mackcrras, one of the engineers sent to reconnoitre the coast, was killed, and another. Major Fletcher, wounded. After a boisterous passage of six days, the Arabs' Tower was descried 3 and in the course of the next morning, the convoy arrived in Abou- kir Bay, a scene €ndeared to all true Britons by the glorious battle of the Nile, and now bursting afresh upon their recol lection, in consequence of having anchored in the very spot where that memorable action had been fought. After waiting several days for favourable weather, on the 7th of March, when the wind had abated, General Abercromby proceeded in a boat to examine the shore. Sir Sidney Smith, with his usual activity, also seized this opportunity of reconnoitering the neighbouring lake ; and being actuated with that laudable, though hazardous zeal of serving his country, and to obtain some information, he boldly went on shore, and returned soon after with a French republican colonel, an ass, auid an Arab fellah its driver, to the no small amusement of the sailors and soldiers of the fleet, who consi- dered these captives as the first fruits of victory. On the next day a landing was attempted. The first division of the army, consisting of 5500 men, under Major-general Coote, assembled in the H 6 boats 136 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCEL boats at two o'clock in the morning, an additional number being placed in ships close to the shore to afford support after the first embarkation was effected. From the extent of their anchorage at the place of rendezvous, the assembling and arrangement of the boats could not take place till nine o'clock; and the French, thus fully prepared, had posted 2500 men, under General Friant, on the top of the sand-hills, forming the concave arch of a circle, on the front of about a mile, in the centre of which rose an height almost perpen- dicular, and apparently inaccessible. The boats, protected by cutters, bomb and gun-vessels, rowed rapidly towards the shore ; while the republicans, from their well-chosen station, where they had planted twelve pieces of artillery, and from the eastle of Aboukir, poured a discharge of shot and shells, and a shower of grape and musketry which seemed to plough the surface of the water, and render destruction inevitable. The troops^ placed fifty m each boat, were pent up close, and unable to move, exposed to this dreadful fire without returning a shot. Still the boats pressed, boldly forward, and the reserve, consisting of the £3d regiment of foot, and the four flank compa- nies of the 40th, under General Moore, leaped en shore, forming as they advanced. — The French I MENOU 15? French met and opposed them, even at the wa- ter's ^dge; but they nobly advanced, shouting as if victory was actually within their grasp. Without firtnga shot, they rushed up the heights, charged with the bayonet two battalions, carried two mole-hills in the rear, which commanded the plain to the left, and took three pieces of cannon. The remaining troops effected a landing with equal courage and success ; and after a struggle of twenty minutes duration, the repub- licans gave way in every direction ; and a body of seamen, under Sir Sidney Smith, secured pos- session of the hills by dragging up several field- pieces. Sir Ralph Abercromby himself went on shore in the evening, and expressed the gratitude and admiration due to his troops for so gallant an exploit; which, from a consideration of the strength of their opponents, and the nature of the position, military men must have pronounced almost impossible. The possession of the ground just occupied by the enemy, the capture of seven pieces of cannon and a howitzer, together with the discomfiture of a large body of men protected by a fortress, strong batteries, and a nearly in- accessible eminence, were the brilliant achieve- ments of the British heroes on that day. But the result is not to be measured by any common rulcj 158 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. rule, or estimated by arithmetical calculation : for the French now perceived that they had no longer Turks or even Mamelukes to contend with ; they felt that the soldiers of one of the bravest European nations had landed in Egypt, and from this moment the ultimate possession of that country became problematical. After this victory, several days were passed in improving the situation of the troops, landing ammunition and stores, and digging for water, which was found in sufficient quantities to pre- vent fear of want. The lake of Aboukir or Maadie, which Menou had neglected to order his troops to secure, was a most important re- source, facilitating the transport of necessaries, and enabling the British forces to procure those supplies, which their total want of beasts of bur- then would otherwise have prevented them from obtaining. On the 12th, when their preparations were completed, the English army moved to- wards Alexandria, opposed by the French, but not with 30 much vigour as to make the loss of the assailants bear any proportion to the advan- tages they gained. They had two men killed, a lieutenant and four privates wounded. The enemy was encamped on an advantageous ridge of sand-hills, with their right towards the canal of 3 MENOU 15^ of Alexandria^ and their left to the sea. Next morning orders were given to attack the French, with an intention to turn their right flank. To prevent the success of this evolution^ the enemy descended from the heights, and charged the leading brigades of the two advancing lines, commanded by the Major- Grenerals Craddock • and the Earl of Cavan. The French had up- wards of six hundred horse well trained and mounted ; while the English had only two hun- dred and fifty, and those in so wretched a condi- tion, that they were hardly able to act. The republicans had brought into the field forty pieces of cannon, most of them curricle guns; w'hile the British had only a few pieces of artil- lery, slowly and laboriously drawn through the sand by men. Notwithstanding these great dis- advantao^es, the rec^iments which fomied their respective advanced guards received the assailants firmly, and after having changed their position with equal quickness and precision, obliged them to retire under the protection of the fortified heights that constituted one part of the defence of the city of Alexandria. It was intended to have carried them also ; and the reserve, under General Moore, which had remained in column during the whole day, was brought forward for that 160 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. that purpose, while the second Hne, under'Gene- ral Hutchinson, advanced to the left, across part of the lake of Mareotis, with a view to assail both flanks. It became apparent, however, that from the state of the forts on the hills, and the unex- pected strength of the position, further progresi? • would be attended with great difficulty and de- struction ; the troops were therefore ordered to withdraw, and encamp with their right to the sea^ and their left to the canal of Alexandria, and to be content with the advantages they had acquired. The soldiers were halted, while Sir Ralph Abercrombv deliberated on the propriety of ad- vancing ; and, during this period, the fire of the French was tremendous. Aim was unnecessary; they had only to load and fire; their bullets plunged into the lines, and swept away great numbers: but although this dreadful scene con- tinued several hours, the brave soldiery never murmured, nor expressed any impatience, ex- cept what arose from an ardent wish to be led to the attack. The loss on this day was 1300 men killed and wounded ; and four pieces of cannon, * a howitzer, with a large quantity of ammunition, were captured. The firmness of the British troops is highly and deservedly extolled. Their niovements were executed with the same steadi- ness MENOU. ir>i ness and accuracv, as if at a review on their native plains. The English now began to fortify their new position, by means of heavy cannon brought on shore for that purpose ; and, as a defensive war- fare on the part of an invading army always assumes an un prosperous aspect, the late retreat appeared in every point of view to be eminently tlisastrous. What rendered the situation of the - British troops still more critical, was the arrival of Menou from Cairo with a large reinforcement of troops) baton the other hand, the castle of Aboukir, which had sustained a siege of eight days while in possession of the Turks, now sur-' rendered to the British at the end of five. Menou*s approach to Alexandria was an- nounced by the failure of the market f«-om which the English were supplied, owing to the strict- ness with which his cruel orders were executed for • killing the Arabs engaged in that traffic. All this severity, however, could not prevent one of these people from disclosing to the British Commander the absurd and improbable intention of Menou to surprize the camp, or to give battle to the English. Although Sir Sidney Smith vouched for the truth of this intelligence, and the iidelity of the reporter^, it was so obviously repugn naiit J62 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. nant to the interest of the republicans to mak^ the attempt, that the assertion obtained no credit. It could, in fact, hardly be believed, that the igno- rance of the French Commander was equal to hio presumption -, and that he, instead of hemming in the invaders, cutting off their supplies, intercept- ing their convoys, and meditating a tedious and destructive war against troops unaccustomed to the country, had resolved to decide the fate of Egypt in a single combat. The discipline esta- blished by Sir Ralph Abercromby was, however, no less effectual in this crisis, than any prepara- tion which he could have made in consequence of the information that he had disregarded. The troops were, as usual, under arms half an hour before day-break on the ever-memorable 21st of March. With a body of 12,000 men, Menou began his attack at half past three o'clock in the morning. In the general orders issued on the preceding evening, describing the order of battle, he had impudently, in a bombastic style, announced, ^^ that his design was to drive the English army into the sea, or the lake Maadie:" so certain was he of the issue. The left wing of the French army, consisting of four demi-brigades of light infantry, was commanded by General Lanusse, assisted MENOU. 163 assisted by General Roize with a body of cavalry ; tile Generals Friant and Rampon were stationed in the centre with five dcmi-brigades ; General Regnier was posted on the right with two demi- brigades, and two regiments of cavalry ; while General d'Estaing commanded the advanced guard, consisting of one demi-brigade, some light troops, and a detachment of artillery. The action commenced by a false attack on the left wing of the British by the dromedary corps j but the real contest was reserved fo the right 5 against which the French infantry, sustained by a strong body of cavalry, advanced and charged in column, while the brigade under General Silly marched straight against the grand redoubt : they at the same time tried to penetrate the centre, while the left was kept in check by a body of light troops. The first onset, as is usual on the part of the French, was impetuous, and was by their proud chief expected to have been irresistible j but the cool and steady valour of the EngHsh checked their ardour, and they were repulsed in two suc- cessive charges, during which the British infan- try, although broken, and contending hand to hand with a well-appointed cavalry, succeeded in remaining masters. But, notwithstanding the whole 164 EEVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. Avhole line had been partially engaged, the hot- test part of the action occurred on the right } for the chief effort of the twelve French demi-bri- gades, and all the cavalry in their camp, one re- giment only excepted, was evidently directed afiainst this flank ; as it was intended, after turn- ing it, to envelope the reserve,- and thus ensure a complete victory. A body of chosen troops, con- sisting of about 900, which, in consequence of a series of brilliant achievements in Italy, had ac- quired the appellation of " The InvincibleSy' actu- ally succeeded in a certain degree, by piercing between the walls of an ancient ruin and a mo- dern battery, which they attempted to storm three different times : but repeated vollies of grape and ball, together with a chai'ge of bayonets, nearly annihilated the whole of these celebrated soldiers, who perished on the ground they occu- pied without flinching; while the officer who bore the famous standard embroidered with their exploits, surrendered this trophy at the same moment with his life. The ammunition of both parties w'as exhausted ; and so great was their ' inveteracy, that they maintained a conflict by throwing large stones, with one of which an English Serjeant was killed. Menou, at length, finding that he was completely foiled^ ordered a retreat MENOU. 163 retreat at ten o'clock in the morning, after a fight of near seven hours duration^ The triumph of the British was damped when it was known that their vaHant and beloved Leader had received a wound, \\ hich afterwards proved mortal. On the first alarm of the irruption on the right, Sir Ralph Abercromby, proceeding to the spot, dispatched his aids-de-camp in different directions. While he was left alone, some French cavalry reached the place, and he was thrown from his horse : one of the party rode at him, endeavouring to cut him dcnvn ; but the brave veteran, seizing the uplifted sword, wrested it from his hand, at the very moment when a sol- dier of the 42d came up and put an end to the assailant with his bayonet. The General was wounded in the thigh, and by a contusion on his breast, but nobly refused to remove from the field till the end of the conflict. His memory will be . recorded in the annals of his coun- try, will be sacred to every British soldier, and embalmed in the recollection of a grateful pos- terity. The loss of the French Is calculated at 4000 killed, wounded, and prisoners; and this num- ber would have been greatly augmented, but for want of ammunition^ or rather of cattle to con- vey 166 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. v^v it from the mao:a2ines, which hindered th« English from annoying them to the utmost m their retreat. The British army had to lament the loss of C officers and 223 men killed, Oo offi- cers and 1 100 men wounded, and 3 officers and 29 men missing. The French Generals La- nusse, Roize, and Beaudot were slain ; Generals d'Estaing, Silly, Eppler, and several other officers of distinction wounded. Tn the English army, besides the brave Abercromby, the no less valiant Generals Moore, Hope, Oakes, and Lawson, with the undaunted hero Sir Sidney Smith, were wounded. The day was, on the whole, one of the most glorious that ever occurred to reflect honour on the British arms. And though a vast- ly superior army was vet to be overcome, lines nearly impregnable to be stormed, and four forti- fied towns to be taken, this action, fought on the barrcn isthmus of Aboukir, by its moral and political, as well as military' eflfects, eventually decided the sovereignty of the whole of this por- tion of Africa. .Nor was even the scene of this important and memorable contest devoid of in- terest ov unworthy of record. The field of bat- tle exhibited the ruins of a Roman colony. At a little distance was a citv famous in the annals of mankind^ and calculated at once to remind the MENOU. 107 the beholder of the genius of Alexander, and the exploits of the first Caesar. These monumenta of ancient grandeur, now designated by the names of the Pillar of Pompcy, and the Needle of Cleopatra, were finely contrasted with the Pharillon, Cafferelli, and Cretin, all fortified according to the modern rules of war, as well as with the armies of two northern nations contending; for a remote and unhealthy corner of the East ; while the adjacent sea presented an object eminently interesting, as connected with the signal defeat of Anthony in one age, and of De Bruyes in another. A terrific grandeur was at the same time impressed by the sight of so many bodies of men and horses minirled pro- miscuously together; while scores of cannon darting forth scorching flames, and metals winged with death, at once enlivened the gloom, and added to the multitude of victims, To crown the whole, an heroic cliief, pierced with a mortal wound, and yet consoled even in the embrace of death by the achievements of his soldiers, was borne reluctantly from that field which still re- sounded with his victory. Two days after the battle of Aboukir, Sir Sidney Smith, bv the authority of the naval and military commanders-in-chief, repaired to the enemy's 165 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. enemy's lines, for the purpose of making an offer of renewing the Convention of EI Arish. But to this offer Menou ordered General Friant to send a reply couched in his usual lofty language, ex- pressing surprize that an offer so disrespectful to the Army of the East and io himself) should be made, and with assurances that circumstances by no means warranted the proposal, but the Army would defend Egypt to the last. To throw upon others the odium that he had incurred bv the absurd rashness of his attack on this day, and to silence tlie clamour excited in the armv by his disgraceful defeat, Menou accused, arrested, embarked, and sent to Europe, Reg- nicr, and all other generals who had talents to discover, and courage to expose, his numerous blunders and dangerous incapacity. The events, however, which succeeded their departure, clear- ly proved, that Menou was as unfit to command armies as unable to head civil departments ; as irresolute and imprudent in directing military operations, as impolitic, and ridiculous in pro- viding for the security and prosperity of a co- lony. On the 25th of March the British Comman- der-in-chief vvas gratified by the arrival of the Captain Pacha, with a reinforcement of 6000 men, • MLNOU. ^ 165 men, in consequence of which a small portion of the British force and 4000 Turks, under the command of Colonel Spencer, were detatched against Rosetta, which commands the navigation of the Nile. After a painful march through the Desert, the united troops, slightly opposed by the French, took the place, blockaded the fort St. Julien, and advanced with the main body to El Hamed. A communication was now opened with the Delta, so as to obtain fresh provisions for the army. Sir Sidney Smith, with an armed flotilla, soon after this navigated the river as high as El Aft ', Vv'hile General Hutchinson, the wor- thy successor of Sir Ralph Abercromby, apprised of the fears of the French by a letter from Mc- nou found in the pocket of General Roize, or- dered the canal of Alexandria to be cut, so as to let the waters of the sea into the lake Mareoti?, and thus strengthen the position of the Eu^flish camp, as well as cut off all direct communication between the garrison of Alexandria and the inte- rior of Egypt. In consequence of this inundation, and the easy conquest of Rosetta and St. Julien inspiring sanguine hopes. General Hutchinson repaired to the main body of troops at El Hamed, leav- ing General Coote and Admiral Bickerton to VOL. III. I blockade 170 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. blockade Alexandria. Rhamanich was captured on the 10th of May, and the British Commander continued to advance into the heart of the coun- try. In the course of his march he intercepted a convoy of 300 camels, with an escort of 600 men destined for Menou at Alexandria. On the l6th of May, the Turks under the Grand Vizier de- feated the French detachment from Cairo, and forced it to retreat to El Hanka, seven miles from the scene of action. This victory was not, in a military point of view, of great moment, as ihc French retreated in good order, though they left 300 killed and wounded on the field. But it repressed their sanguine hopes of seeing another Heliopolis, and gave the Turks confidence, by proving that their adversaries, though generally successful, were not invincible. In the mean time the English army, now strengthened by the arrival of 1500 Mamelukes, under the command of Osman Bey, the successor of Mourad, had advanced without interruption to Giza, opposite Cairo, garrisoned by about 4000 Frenchmen j while the Turks, flushed with success equally novel and unexpected, prepared to form a junction, and besiege that city in con- cert. Accordingly, after a variety of delays, part- ly arising from the low state of the river, and 8 partly MENOU. 171 partly from the bar at Rosetta,, the heavy cannon were brought up and batteries erected j the Bri- ' tish troops, aided by the Captain Pacha, having invested Giza, while the Grand Vizier, as- sisted by Colonel Halloway and other British Officers, assumed a position just out of the range of the guns of the capital. This city was ca- pable of a good defence, but no reasonable hope could be entertained of ultimate triumph j and therefore, after a siege of twenty days, distin- guished by no military operation worth recount- ing, a convention was concluded, and Cairo sur- rendered on the 27th of June. It was provided by a specific article, that the terms, which were nearly the same as those allowed by the treaty of El Arish, should be communicated to General Menou, who was at liberty to accede to them, provided his acceptance should be no- tified at the head-quarters of the English troop© before Alexandria, within the space often days. The intelligence of the surrender of Cairo oc- casioned great regret and surprize at Alexandria; and General Menou was now as much incensed against General Belliard as he had some few months before been against General Regnier. By new proclamations he tried to keep up the spirit of his soldiers, and by new abuse and ca- I ? lumnies 172 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. lumnies he hoped to make their hatred against the British nation as violent and ungenerous as his own. But they soon found that his accu- sations were as contemptible, as his professions were false and despicable. On the 3d of August General Hutchinson with the British troops from Cairo arrived before Alexandria, and serious operations were commenced. An attempt was, however, yet made to send in M. Esteve, the French paymaster-general from Cairo, as a flag of truce ; but to such an excess were the vile sus- picions of Menou carried, that he was not al- lowed to enter. The siege was fonned by General Coote on the western side, who, taking the command of a large body of troops, embarked them on the inundation ; and having eifected a landing near the desired spot, took his position along a ridge of steep quarries, his right to the inundation, and his left to a sandy plain which extended to the sea. General Hutchinson, to make a diver- sion in his favour, commenced a general attack to the eastward, which produced the desired ef- fect. After great preparatory labours General Cootc opened a battery against fort MaraLon, destroyed the signal tower, and obliged the garrison, con- sisting MENOU. 173 sisting of 195 men^ to surrender prisoners of war. Animated by this success, and seven sloops of war havinsT entered the western harbour, Ge- neral Coote took a position close under the works of the town. Two days after this, bat- teries were opened against the redoubt de Bain, and in the course of the following night, Lieu- tenant Colonel Smith succeeded in an attempt to surprize the advanced guard. In this extre- mity General Menou, being closely pressed by the Commander-in-chief on the east, and Ge- neral Coote on the west side, (instead of bu- rying himself in the rubbish of Alexandria, as he so repeatedly promised to do) deemed it pru- dent to capitulate. Accordingly, a negociation for that purpose being entered into, the same terms were granted as to the garrison of Cairo; after which the English took possession of the entrenched camp, the heights above Pompey*s pillar, and fort Triangular. Thus, by British valour, Egypt was liberated from the dominion of the French republican tyrants, after they had overcome, plundered, and butchered the Arabs, the Mamelukes, and the Turks; obtained pos- session of all the cities, seized on the Said, made eruptions into Syria, and threatened the I S remotest i74 RtVOLUriONARY PLUTARCH. remotest shores of Asia with subjugation and fclavery ! After A'lenou's return to Europe he was in a temporary disgrace with the First Consul, and forced to remain at Marseilles until his justifi- cation, backed bv the influence and intrifjues of his old constitutional friends, Madame Buona- parte and Talleyrand, procured him, in March, 1802, permission to arrive in the capital of the French Republic. But here General Reg- nier waited for him, challenged him, and, af- ter killing his friend General d'Estaing one day, appointed a meeting with him for the jiext. Buonaparte, however, interfered, and Regnier was obliged to reside forty leagues from Paris. This, perhaps, saved Menou's life, but, according to the opinion of the French military characters, stained his honour and re- putation. No officer would afterwards serve under him ; and when his oppojients, Gene- rals Regnier and Belliard, obtained military commands, the one at Toulon, and the other in Belgium, after being long unemployed, he received at last the civil appointment of Lieu- tenant-Governor in Piedmont, where he has not only himself become a christian again, but MENOU. 175 but converted his Mahometan wife to Chris- tianity *. 1 4 The ' * By an English gentleman who, during the last summer (1804), visited Piedmont, the following particulars have been inserted in the public prints, concerning xMenou's conduct, as a revolutionary governor of that unfortunate country, where the discontent of the people from the tyranny of this, Buonaparte's satrap, has made it iiecessary to suspend the Constitution, and the Consiitutional Tribunals, and to erect in their place, Spe- cial Military Commissions, under the sp^ciai command and dis- position of Menou. ^ *' Turin, the capital of Piedmont, formerly the residence of his Sardinian Majesty, the seat of refinement, luxury, and po- liteness, is now as tame, dull, and insipid, as any provincial town of Italy or France. Abdallah Menou, who commands there, rules with the most despotic sway, and is execrated by all the inhabitants. His extravagance, in keeping up a kind of eastern magnificence, has led him into enormous expences. e is said to be in debt to the mercers, jewellers, and other trades people, to the amount of six millions of livres, for no bill of his has been paid since his appointment to the chief command at Turin. The following anecdote may give some idea of the mildness of the administration of government in the conquer- ed provinces, as well as of the scrupulous regard to justice in the Imperial Cabinet. Menou's poulterer, to whom he owed above 40,000 livres, after many fruitless attempts to procure payment of even part of his debt, contrived, by uncommon per- severance, last spring, to obtain a personal interview of the General. He found Menou, on being ordered into the dining saloon, with his etat-major, in one of his daily revels, immer- sed in mebriety, and reclining on a Turkish sofa ! He made a very affecting appeal to the feelings of the general, concerning the ruin which would inevitably fall on him, if not paid some of his money. A drunken laugh succeeded his representation^ when Menou coolly replied, Mon am.', ne vo: General Murat car- ried away from Leghorn 500,000 sequins, or 950,000l. ; a sum of money that he no doubt more than shared with his Commander, who, by this robbery, from which British subjects were the chief sufferers, had an opportunity to gratify two of his noble passions : his spiteful malice against this country, and his unbounded cupidity every where ; in Italy as in Germany, in Europe as in Africa. On the 1 8th of the same month, General Mu- rat commanded the attack to the left, on the in- trenched camp of the Austrians near Mantua, and succeeded in carrying it. For several weeksjie gained almost daily advantages over the Imperial General VVurmser, who commanded an harassed, defeated, dispirited and inferior army. In the re- treat which this General was forced to make on the MURAT. 193 the 9th of September, Marat pursued him at the head of a corps of chasseurs, and on the 11th tried to cut off his retreat towards Ceva. But af- ter having routed several divisions of the enemy, he was repulsed in his turn, though superior ia number. Rallving, however, and continuing the attack, he was wounded in an enQ-atrement on the 15 th, where the courageous Austrian ve- teran charged at the head of the light troops of his army. This wound forced him to demand leave of absence, and he resided at Milan until December, when he re-assumcd his former sta- tion in the blockading corps round Mantua. During the campaign of 1797 he displayed the same activity. On the 14th of January, at the head of a demi-brigade of light infantry, he advanced by Monte-Baldo, forced the Austrians, who occupied La Corona, routed them after a very obstinate resistance, and obliged their ca- valry to cross the Adige by swimming ; and he contributed not a little by his indefatigable vigi- lance to the surrender of Mantua. Notwith- standing the astonishing courage and frequent sorties of General Wurmser, this city was forced by famine and disease to open its o-ates to the French Republicans, by a capitulation signed on the 2d of February the same year. The defence VOL. III. K of IQI KEVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. of this place, which excited the admiration of the enemy, and the praise of Buanaparte himself, cost the Austrians 2=f,000 men ; and {22,000 French- men perished in the different engagements dur- ing the siege and the blockades, of whom 9OOO are calculated by the author of the Campaigns in Italy of 1796 and 1797, to have been killed in fitjfhtmq; under Murat. After the reduction of Mantua, Buonaparte ordered some divisions of his armv to invade the defenceless Papal territory; but upon the unex- pected approach of the Archduke Charles to- wards Italv, with a small, but v>'ell-affected and well-disciplined body of troops, the French Com- mander Dostponed his intention of dethroninjic the Sovereign ]\)ntiff, whom he obliged, how^- ever, to sign a numiliatuig and rumous peace. On the 24th of Febniarv, Murat was ordered to attack the enemy, strono-]y fortilied near Fov ; where, after being repulsed twice, and having two horses killed under him, he finally succeed- ed ; though l^e on this occasion had more men killed, than the number of Austrians whom he combated and vanc^rjished ; but he, like most other republican generals, has justly been repro- bated for the profusion with which they squan- dered away, often unnecessarily, the lives of their 3 MURAT. UJT^ their soldier^. Had he, after being repulsed once, waited half an hour onlv before he renewed the assault, according to the last quoted author, ' seven hundred Frenchmen less had perished on that day: as the Anslrians were preparing ta evacuate their entrenchments when they were at- tacked a second and third time. Upon the determijiation of Buonaparte to pe* netrate into Carinthia, many petty skirmishes took place between the advanced posts of the Imperialists and the French mider the Generals Murat, Belliard, and Kellermann. The Arch* duke, already under the necessity of actins; on the defensive, in continuing;, however, to retreat, avoiding as much as possible any serious engage* ments ; and therefore in crossing the Taglianicnto cut'down the bridges behind him, and threw up entrenchments, which extended from the passes of the mountains to the neiirhbourhood of Belorado. In this position the young prince halted for some days, determined to dispute the passage of that river, which, though naturally impetuous and rapid, might then be forded, the stream being greatly diminished, in consequence of the seve- rity of the frost in the mountainous regions. Taking; advantage of this fortunate circumstance, Buonaparte, on the ](3th of March, ordered Murat K 2 at !96 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. at the head of one division^ and Duphot head- ing another, to cross the ford, so as to advance against the right of the enemy's entrenchments, while the troops under General Guieux executed the same operation in a different quarter. Murat and Duphot precipitated themselves nearly at the same time into the water, and gained the opposite bank, where the French infantry was repeatedly, but incucctually, charged by the Austrian horse, whom they received, without flinching, on the points of their bayonets; but it was principally to the murderous fire of their artillerv, that the republicans were indebted for this day's victory, as the cannon were stationed so as to shower down such terrible and incessant dischariies of grape-shot on the foe, that all opposition soon became ineffectual. The Austrians, however, still presented an undaunted front, fearless of dauQ-er and of death. But Murat and Guieux having penetrated to the village of Cainin, where the Archduke had established his head-quarters, they fell in"to some disorder, and retreated to- wards the mountains. On the 19th, in pursuit of the vanquished enemy, Murat distinguished himself agam at the passage of Lizonzo, where he had a horse killed under him, and his clothes pierced with bullets. After MURAT. 197 After the preliminaries of Leoben had been sifi-ned, Buonaparte, with his usual treacherous policy, overturned the Republic of Venice; and while the definitive treaty was negociating at Campo Formio. he first intrigued to change this form of government, and afterwards openly attacked the inde^)endent and neutral republic of the Grisons and of the Valteline. Murat was ordered by him in September, 1797? to march with a column towards the frontiers of the Valteline, and to settle the differences be- tween these two States. After some pre- vious plunder and requisitions, Murat pub- lished a declaration, '* That considering the many wrongs of the Grisons towards their ally, and the tmanimous desire of the citizens of the Valteline, this latter country was incorpo- rated with the Cisalpine Republic.** Such, hou^ever, was the unanimity, that the very da\ > September 26th, when this impertinent and false declaration appeared, this republican Gene- ral ordered twenty-two of the most respectable citizens, who formerly had occupied places as magistrates, to be tried as conspirators, by a military commission, for protestinp; ao;ainst tliis union with the Cisalpine Republic, and they K. 3 were iOS REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH, were all shot, the next clay ^. Such has been, and will always be, the conduct of revolutionary Frenchmen wherever they penetrate. Of the timid and cowardly they make slaves — of the traitors, friends — the patriots they butcher — the rich they pillage : plots generally precede them — tyranny enters with them — ruin and wretched- nesjs^rema'u behind them; and the curses or de- testation of the good and the virtuous, of the religious and of the moralists, accompany them both under their triumphal arches and to their graves. In November, when Buonaparte left Italy, and according to the treaty of Campo Formio, a con- gress for the pacification, or rather partition, of the German Empire, was assembled at Rastadt, he went by way of Switzerland, where he senti Murat to prepare for his reception, and to gain information of the public spirit, previous to exe- cuting the plans of destruction which the Cor- sican had formed against this once prosperous Re- public. This mission was delicate and difficulty because Buonaparte was disliked and suspected by the Sv/iss democrats, and despised, if not ab- horred by the Swiss aristocrats. Murat, however, by * Les Crimes des RepublJcains en Italie, page 362, MURAT. 199 bv intimidatlrig some by threats, deceiving others by specious promises, and buying over others with a small part of the plunder of Italy^ procured his Chief to be received with the same honours as arc paid to Sovereigns. Deputations flattered, guns were fired, and cities illuminated ; and the deluded Helvetians entertained, treated, feasted, complimenied, and extolled a petty vil- lain, to whom, from the scenes of horror tliat he had just left, their innocence, quiet, and happiness, were not only reproaches, but. in- citements so much the sooner to bury their in- dependence and riches in the tubbish of Italy and Germany. Murat was now so greatly advanced in the good graces of his commander, that when the latter chose his companions for the invasion of Egypt, the province of another friendly and neu- tral slate, the former was the fourth upon the list of Generals which he presented, not to the. approbation, but for the information of the Di- rectory. In Egypt he always attended Buona- parte, and generally dined with him every day. He was of the expedition into Syria in the spring of 1799, and commanded one division, consist- ing of the cavalry, during the memorable siege K 4 of C'OO REVOLUTIO^sURY PLUTARCH. of St. Jean d'Acre, whilst the other four divi- sions of the French army were headed by Gene- rals Kleber, Rcgnier, Lannes, and Bon. At the battle of Mount Tabor, on the l6th of April that year, while Buonaparte was burning the Naplonsian village, and killing such of the inha- bitants as he suspected of having appeared in arms against him, Murat chased the Turks from Jacob's Bridge, and surprized the son of the Go- vernor of Damascus. At the battle of Aboukir, on the 2'5th of July following, the right wing, consisting of 4000 cavalry, and nine battalions ot Infantry, with some artillery, was commanded by Murat, who, after their defeat, cut off the retreat of the Turks, who, according to Gene- ral Berthier's report, struck with a sudden terror at being surrounded on every side luith death, precL pitated themselves into the sea, where no less than TE^i THOUSAND perished by musquetry, grape-shot, and the ivaves, h\ the next month, when Buonaparte unex- pectedly and basely deserted the French army in Egypt, Murat Vv'as one of the four Gene- rals whom he selected to accompany him in his flight. On this disgraceful subject General Dngua^ at present a Consular Prefect, writes the followinsr o MURAT. 201 following remarks^ copied from his letter to the Director Barras* : — ^^ I shall say but little to you on the departure of the General ; it was only communicated to those who were to accompany him : it was precipitate. The army was thirteen dai/s ivithout a Commander-in-chief, There was not a sous in any of the military chests ; no part of the service arranged; the enemy, scarcely retired from Aboukir, was still before Damietta. I confess to you. Citizen Director, I could never have believed that General Buonaparte would have abandoned zis in the condition in which we were; withmt money ^ ivithout powder, ivithout ball, and many of the soldiers without arms. Debts to an enormous amount; more them a third of the army destroyed by the plague, by the dysentery, by ophthalmia, and by the warj that which re- mains almost naked, and the enemy but eight days march from us. Whatever may be told you at Paris, this description is but too true." Such are some of the particulars of the last infamous actions of Buonaparte, as a General-in- chief of the army in Egypt, and of which Murat shared the infamy. When the annihilation of that constitution was determmed upon, which Buonaparte had so K 5 often * Intercepted Correspondence, part iii. page 158. 902 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. often sworn to defend and obey, Murat, in the contidcnce of his friend, received, first, the com- mand over the posts near the Council of Five Hundred; and, when the Revolution was ef- fected which seated the usurper upon the throne of the Bourbons, the command over the Con- sular Guard. To bind more firmly those bands wluch united these two u'orthies, Buonaparte gave him in marriage his sister Caroline Buona- parte, who, in 1797, had been betrothed to General Daphot, murdered in an insurrectioir provoked by Joseph Buonaparte at Rome, on the srth of December that year. What had become of Murat's former sans-cidotte wife is not known for a certainty. Tn a pamphlet called ^' La Sahite Famille/' it is said, that he had been divorced in 1795; and in another pamphlet, *' Lettre d'lin gentilhomme Francois a i'usurpa- teiir Corse,'' it is reported that she had died of hard drinking. In the spring of 1 800 an army of reserve was collecting near Dijon, under the command of General Berthier, and Murat was appointed one of his Lieutenant-generals. After the negli- gence of General Melas had permitted this army to cross the Alps and to enter Italy, the Aus- irians were defeated at Monttbello on the 10th of MURAT. 2Q3 of June, and the next day General M.urat, who commanded the advanced guard, succeeded iti- driving them across tlie Bormida. At the bat- tle of Marengo on the 14th, he led on the ca- valry, and, though at the onset completely routed, rallied again ; and when the valorous^ General Desalx took advantage of the imbecility of the Imperial General, he, uith Generals Mar- mont and Bessieres, pierced the third and last line of the Austrian infantry; in consequence of which a defeat ensued,^ and the horse,, infantry, and artillery, fled promiscuously towards one of the bridaes laid across the Bormida.. But such- was the undaunted courage of the Tmperialists,- deservino" to be htaded by a more able chief, that the rear-guard presented a regular front, thouo-h Murat cut manv of them to pieces in protecting valorously the retreat of the main. body.. On his return to Paris in August, he found the scandalous boasting of his brother-in-law Lucien, Goncernins" an incestuous intrisfue carried on with O' o Madame Murat, the common to])ic of conver- sation. Three duels during two montns were the consequence; and had not the First Consul interfered, and for this and Jo/; some other offences y removed Lucien from the Ministry of the Interior, K: Q and eo4 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. and sent him in disgrace as ambassador to Spain, Murat would either have been divorced from his wife, perished himself, or killed his brother-in-law. Twelve months absence of Lu- cien, and even an: apology on his arrival from Madrid, in I SOI, did not produce a recon- ciliation with Murat, who challenged, fought, and wounded him again. To put an end to these family quarrels, Napoleon Buonaparte promoted ' Murat to the command in chief over the French army in Italy, or, which is the same, made him Viceroy over the Italian and Ligurian Republics, and over the revolutionary kingdom of Etruria, His wife accompanied him} and when he was last December recalled to Paris, Lucien was first sent off to plot at Naples, and afterwards or- dered to visit his senatories on the Rhine, and to travel in Germany: so discordant is yet the fraternity between these two brother Sep tern- . brizers, of whom may be truly said : II faut rendere justice a I'un et I'autre membre, lis ont ete parfaits les deux et trois Septembre. During Murat's reign in Italy, his manner of living was more expensive and mwe sumptuous his retinue more brilliant, his staff more showjv his palaces more magnificent, and his guards more numerous, than those of any lawful Europeaa- Sovereign, MURAT. 205 Sovereign^ and hardiy surpassed by the Cor- sican usurper at Paris. He introduced at Milan nearly the same etiquette that prevailed at the Thuilleries and St. Cloud. Madame Murat had her maids of honour, her routs, her assem- blies_, her petit and grand entree, her petit ssouperSy sj\d her gruTid circles; as her husband had his pages, his prefects of palace, his aids- de- camp, his military reviews, his diplomatic audiences, his presentations, his official dinners, his sallies of humour against foreign Ministers, and his smiles of complaisance to his minions; with all the other farrago of the pedantic, insolent, affected, but revolutionary haut ton, introduced by the upstart and foreign tyrant of the French Re- public*. After Buonaparte's second visit to the army on the Coast, where his Admirals as well as his Generals tried to convince him of the danger, if not the absurdity, of attempting an invasion with his flotilla, which two or three of our smalj craft kept blocked up| ; to occupy the public attention and to divert the discontent which delay or disappointment must excite among his soldiers, * See Les Nouvelles a la Main, Brumaire, an xii. No. xi, page 6 and 7 . t See Les Nouvelles a la Main, Ventose, an xii. No. xi. 206 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. soldiers, who had already been ten months de- vouring the riches of Great Britain, and regard- ing her conquest as easy and certain, a plot was necessary to be invented. The treachery of the spy Mehee^ and the impudence and indiscretion of others, unfortunately procured him documents enough to cause his French slaves to think it not only probable but certain. If all occurrences during last winter are remembered, and if the changes and promotions, and every thing else which has been known of his internal as well as- external policy, be considered, little doubt re- mains but that the arrest and disgrace of Moreau, the death of the Duke of Enghien, and the pub- lication of the pretended conspiracy in February 1804, had been determined upon in December 1603. In that month JMoreau's base enemy, Jourdan, was nominated Commander-in-chief in Italy, and his impertinent and cowardly calum- niator, Junot, Commander-in-chief over the corps d' Elite of the Army of England ; Louis Buona- parte received a command in the camp on the Coast ; Joseph Buonaparte was sent to Brabant,, and Murat re- called from Italy to be the Go- vernor of Paris, and Commander of the Army ©f the Interior. ^ In this post Murat continues the same pa- geantry^ MURAT. 207 geautry, ostentation^ profusion, and pomp, as in that he had resigned in Italy; which evinces that he is certain of no resistance in the execution of the revengeful, political, or ambitious schemes of his brother-in-law the First Consul; but that Frenchmen will see with the same indifference, or silent indignation, the condemnation of Mo- reau, as they did the barbarous murder of the Duke of Enghien 3 that the French re/jullica}i» will as much applatid the coronation of Buona- parte as Emperor of the Gauls, "as the foreign diplomatic corps in France has admired the forr gery which a French spy has made of the name of a British Minister. Murat has 150,000 livres (6000I.) in the month for appointments, as the Governor of Paris, besides hotels furnished at the expence of the Republic for himself, his wife, and hh aids-de-camp. 30,000 livres (1 230l.) are allowec} him for the open table that he keeps for officers on business, or on leave of absence in the capital; and according to a French publication^ when Buonaparte assumes the Imperial diadem^ he is to be declared a Marshal of France, or rather of the Empire of the Gauls, a place for- merly occupied by Princes of the House of Bour- bon . SOS REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. bon. In landed property in France and Italy he has laid out seven millions of livres, and his wife's diamonds are valued at four millions*. The painful and disgusting task which the Author's loyalty has imposed upon him in deli- neating this man's life, as well as those of many of his accomplices, is mixed with the satisfaction, that future aojes will not be ignorant of the infa- mous means to which they owe their notoriety, their rank, and riches; and this may probably prevent other ambitious individuals, if they ar^ not entirely deprived of all honourable or moral principles, from attempting to gain advancement and obtain affluence in following their foot- steps, by remembering that neither an Imperial sceptre, nor the Staff of Constable, have been able to silence the virtuous indignation of Con- temporary writers, from whose evidence they must expect to be judged by an impartial posterity. There is something romantic in most of these revolutionary lives : had Murat been a good actor, he probably would have figured no where . but upon tlie stage. The hisses which his inca- pacity as a comedian provoked, changed the scene; and he is become not an indifferent tragedian * See the same publication, Germinal, an xii. No. iii. page 9. MURAT. 209 tragedian upon the great political and military theatre of modern Europe*. GENERAL * What the Author has related in this life without quoting his authorities, is taken from Recueil d' Anecdotes, horn "Died, tntiaire B'lographiiue, Dl(tlo?inaire de% 'Jacobins, Les Crimes da Re^ ^lihlicains at Italis, and froHJ Les AfifiaUs du Tenoriane, 210 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. GENERAL ROCHAMBEAU. A KIND of reputation acquired by the old Field-marshal Count de Rochambeau^ during the seven years war in Germany, and during his campaigns in America^ as an ally of the revolted subjects of the King of Great Britain, procured from the bounty of Louis XVI. an early ad- vancement for his son, the late Commander at St. Domingo, who, at the age of twenty-five, was promoted to the rank of a Colonel of the regi- ment called Royal D'Auvergnc. Like all other French officers who had imbibed the rebellious and democratical principles of the Americans, Rochambeau joined, in 1789> the standard of revolt erected in his own country* and became a fashiomiUe patriot, because he was tormented by an unprincipled ambition to gain notoriety; but possessed neither capacity nor loyalty enough to distinguish himself in quiet times, or as a dutiful subject of the best of Sovereigns. In 1791, the constitutional faction, then ty- rannizing over their King and his councils, pro- cured ROCHAMBEAU. 211 eared Rochambeau the rank of a Marshal-de- camp, and he served as such during ihe cam- paign of 179'2, under General Duke de Biron, and was repulsed with him before Mons, on the £9th x^pril. He was spoken well of in the dispatches of his commander, for the intelligence with which he performed the retreat on that day ; but, during the remainder of the year no other notice was taken of him, except that, af- ter the desertion of his friend La Fayette, he was rather suspected by the jacobins, until hia oath of equality, in breaking his former oaths of allegiance, made him worthy to regain their con- fidence, and fortunately for him, to be appointed Governor of Martinique. Had he remained in France during the reign of Robespierre, there is little doubt but that he would have shared the fate of his accomplices, Biron, de Beauharnois, Custine, and others, and his revolutionary, achievements must have terminated in the begin- ning of their career. As Governor of Martinique, Rochambeau conducted himself in such a manner, that when theEnghsh, on the 14th of March, 1794, cap-' tured its principal town, St. Pierre, they were received by the inhabitants as deliverers, rather than as enemies. But on all occasions, while the 212 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. the attacks on the different forts continued, Ro- chambeau exhibited oftener the httle mind of a vain man in a private station, than the neces- sary talents for a commander, or the liberal sen- timents of a true patriot. Sir Charles Grey, on the 7th of March, by a well conducted attack, during a sortie by the mulatto General Bel- legarde, seized on the heights of Sourrierre, a post under the command of the latter; who, perceiving his camp in possession of the English, endeavoured to enter Fort Bourbon, with a view of contributing to its defence ; luf notwithstanding the small number of the garrisony he was repulsed by General Rochambeau, ivho luas at enmity ivith him\ a7id obliged to throw himself into the hands of the English, by whom he and his companions were immediately sent to Ame- rica. To this impolitic, if not cruel transaction, many ascribe the necesstiy under which., Ro- chambeau felt himself in a fortnighit afterwards* to capitulate and surrender the whole island to the enemy. This General was so well aware of what awaited him in- France, that whilst all his countrymen were made prisoners of w^ar, he stipulated for himself, by a secret article, per- mission to go to America, where he resided with Talleyrand, and other intriguers of the constitu- tional ROCHAMBEAU. 213 tional party, until the guillotine was no longer the order of the day in the French Republic. In January 1796, he was, by the Directory, nominated Governor- General of St. Domingo, where he arrived on the 11th of May. He had under his command Generals Laveaux, Toussaint Louverture, and Rigaud. He was, besides, ac- companied by the four National Commissaries, Santhonax, Le Blanc, Giraud, and Raimond, and a number of officers and gunners, destined to in- struct and form regiments of mulattoes and ne- groes, to combat the English occupying the dif-' ferent points of that island. But, instead of act- ing against the common enemy, Rochambeau dis- agreed and quarrelled, not only with all the other Generals, but even with the civil commissaries, who deprived him of his command, and sent him home as a prisoner to France; where, soon after his. arrival, he was, by order of the Directory, put under arrest, and shut up among some ter- rorists in the castle of Ham. In a short time, however, he recovered his liberty, with orders to justify himself at Paris, which he did in a manner rather to obtain forgiveness than to de- serve future employment. For the remaining part of the Directorial usurpation, he was con- demned tl4 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. demned to obscurity : a severe punishment for an ambitious, revolutionary intriguer. When Buonaparte, under the name of a First Consul, had proclaimed himself the king of a ^ faction in France, and determined to employ and cajole every man of family or ability who had figured in the bloody annals of the French Revo- lution, Rochambeau was called forv/ard, and, with General Suchet sent to defend, with 20,000 men, the principalities of Oneilla, St. Remo, and the comiiy of Nice ; but these Generals, at the ap- proach of the Austrians, instead of resisting, af- ter placing garrisons in the forts, retreated be- yond the Var, and employed themselves in pre- venting the enemy from entering Provence; which, not their vigorous measures, but the un- expected and undeserved victory at Marengo, alone effected. After the preliminaries with England, when Buonaparte, to gain a commercial as w'ell as a military renown, sent out his brother-in-law, the terrorist Le Clerc, as Captain- General of St. Domingo, Rochambeau, from his know'- Jedge of the country, was chosen his second; and the son of a nobleman, who, in 1759, was a Colonel, accepted the command under 3 the ROCHAMBEALT. 21S the son of a miller, who, in 17^9, was a com- mon soldier. The campaign of St. Domingo will probably increase the revolutionary laurels of Citizen Ro- * chambeau, who now carries with him the same curses from that island, as in 1794 from Mar- tinique ; and therefore, if the policy of Buona- parte demands no victims to pacify the manes of his butchered white and Hack slaves, he undoubt- edly merits as distinguished a place in the Le- gion of Honour, as either Augereau or Fouche, Santerre or Sieyes. This justice must, however, be done to Gene- ral Rochambcau, that he has been alike constant and faithful to all former republican factions, when popular and powerful, as to the present Consular one, which he certainly will not desert so long as it disposes of places and pensions. But should Buonaparte once share the destiny of his predecessors the former kings of factions, La Fayette, Brissot, Marat, Robespierre, Rewbel, and Barras, Rochambcau 's revolutionary con- science will certainly not be an impediment to joining his successors 3 he will, doubtless, fight their battles, crinsxe in their anti-chambers, bow at their levees, and execute their orders, were they even to command him to transport the whole 'Buonaparte family to Cayenne. GENERAL 216 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. GENERAL BOYER. At Civrac and St. Christoly, In the depart- ment of Gironde, still exists a noble family of the name of Boyer, one of whom was guillotined in December 1793. Another person, from the same department, of the name of Boyer-Fon- frede, figured in the French Revolution during 1791 and 1792, as a patriotic Jacobin; and, as such voted in the National Convention for the death of Louis XVL, but was sent in his turn to the scaffold by the jacobins of 1793. To neither of these is General Boyer related. He was born at Paris in 1771; w'here his father, a citizen in easy circumstances, was enabled to give him a good and careful education. Young Boyer joined with enthusiasm. In 1789> the subverters of Government, and served early a Revolution which promised advancement to the ambitious, employment to the active, plun- der to the rapacious, and rank to all unprincipled intricruers. At the for mine; of the National Guard BOYER. Sir Guard at Paris, he was chosen one of its offi- cers. Employing with assiduity and genius all his time to sain militarv knowledo;e, .he soon dis- tinguished himself by his capacity^ in 1793 he was made a Colonel, and in 179^ an Adjutant- General in the armv of the Sambre and Meuse, commanded by General Jourdan. He fought bravely at the famous battle of Fleurus, and caused himself afterwards to be particularly re- marked in the engagements which took place in the month of July, at Hui and St. Tron. Dur- ing the remainder of this { for the misfortune of loyalty ) brilliant campaign for rebellion_, he was always foremost in dana;ers, and obtained the esteem of his superiors and equals, as well as of his Inferiors. Even General Clairfayt spoke well of his manoeuvres, and of his conduct to- ward those Austrians whom the fortune of war made his prisoners; and as the praise of an enemy cannot be suspicious, it would be un- generous, when he is in the same situation, to conceal this trait of his character, though per- haps hardened since by the examples of the fe- rocious Buonaparte, and by the rivers of blood which he himself afterwards waded through in Italy, Egypt, and St. Domingo. In 1795, when France determined to ?ct upon yoL, HI, u the 218 REVOLUTIONARY PLUl^ARCH. the offensive on the other side of the Alps, Citi- zen Beyer was sent to serve in the army of Italy, where Buonaparte often mentions him in the re- ports to the Directory, for his talents and bra- very; and where he, on the 14th of April, 1796>. contributed greatly to the victory at Dego. He was, in the autumn of the same year, attached to the division commanded by General Kilmain; which, bv its vigilance, courage, and perseverance, effected principally the fall of Mantua in February 1797; and a friendship was then formed between him and this General, which continued to the death of the latter. When, after the peace of Campo Formio, Buonaparte received from the Directory a carte llanche to elect all the ofScers and troops that he desired should accompany him to Egypt, in his attack and pillage of provinces belonging to a friendly Power, protected by treaties of two centuries standing; Adjutant- General Boyer was one of the first officers of that rank, whom he ordered to join the expedition then preparing at Toulon. After the landing in Egypt, General Boyer was amona: those who stormed the defenceless city of Alexandria. Of the letters intercepted by our cruizcrs, two are from this General, dated BOYER. 219 dated Cairo, July 28, 1798 : the one addressed to General Kilmain, and the other lo his pa- rents. In these are reported some of the atro- cities of Buonaparte, and of his armed banditti *' We began," says Boyer, ** by making an as- sault upon a place luithout any defence, and gar- risoned by about 500 Janissaries, of whom scarce «. man knew how to level a musket, I allude to Alexandria, a huge and wretched skeleton of a place, open on ev:ry side, and most certainly very unable to resist the efforts of 25,000 men, wha attacked it at the same instant. We lost, notwith- standing, 130 men, ivhom luemight have preserved ly only summoning the town ; hit it ivas thought necessary to begin by striking terror into the enemy. '^ And again ^^ Repulsed," continues he, '^ on every side, the Turks betake themselves to God and their prophet, and fill their mosques — men, women, old, young children at tlie breast, all are massacred. At tlie end of four hours, the fnry of our troops ceases, tranquillity revives in the city, several forts capitulate. I myself reduced one, into which 700 Turks had fled : cojifideme springs up, and by the next day all is quiet." In the march from Alexandria to Cairo, Buo- naparte ordered Boyer with three armed sloops to pick up some intelligence. Of this expedition L 2 the 220 REVOLUTIONAKY PLUTARCH. the latter gives the following account, in his letter to his parents : '' With .this little flotilla I ad- vanced about three leagues in front of the army. 1 landed at every viliage on both sides of the Nile, to gain what information I could respecting ihe Mamelukes. In some I was fired at, iii others received with kindness, and offered provi- sions. I took advantage of the goodness of these good people, collected all the information I could, and, continuing my route up the Nile, came to anchor for the night opposite a village called Chebriki, where the Mamelukes w^re collected in force, and where the first action took place. I sent ofl'my dispatches that night. As soon as the day broke, 1 clambered up the mast of my vessel, and discovered six Turkish shallops bear- ing down upon me; at the same time I was re- inforced by a demi-gallcy. 1 drew out my little fleet to meet them, and at half af:er four a can- nonade bcsian between us, wdiich lasted five hours : in spite of the enemy's superiority, I made head against, them ; they continued never- theless to advance upon me, and I lost for a mo- ment the demi-galley, and one of the gun-boats. Yielding, however, was out of the question -, it was absolutely necessary lo conquer; in this dreadful moment our army came up ; arid I was disengao;ed. BOVER. ^21 diseno-ao-ed. One of the cnemv's^A'essels blew up. Such was the termination of our naval combat." Of these two letters, that to General Kilmain is from a master-hand, confident of knowledge, and deciding on fact, without periphrasis or af- fectation. It is from an experienced officer, giv- mg an account to his superior, whom he neither- dared, nor, perhaps, wished to deceive, of such operations as fell under his immediate inspection. The other, to his parents, is also well written, and with a sufficient knowledge of the transactions k records ; and, except some few geographical and historical blunders, docs honour to his abilities, though it is defective in simplicity and manly- decision, .and deals out his little modicums of information in a style of gravity and self-import- ance, as if destined to be published in some Parisian Gazette, to proclaim him to the cock- neys or gossips of France as a man of conse- quence. During the remainder of the occupation of Egypt by his countrymen, Boyer was employed in the division under General Desaix in Upper Egypt; and, on his return to France, was made a General of Brigade, and, as such, sent with the iirmy under Le Clerc to St. Domingo. l3 Ott 252 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. On his return from this colony last summer^ he was captured by our cruizcrs, and is said to have lost on this occasion, several thousand dol- larSj which he claimed as his private property. This, no doubt, made him forget himself, and to 5peak and act in a manner, which did not pro- cure him either the compassion or the esteem of those who heard him during the first months of his captivity in this country. Knowing that his insulting boasts and threats deserved at least to be reprimanded, Buonaparte, judging the pro- icedings of our Government after his own vile and revengeful character, with his usual pre- cipitancy believed the rumour of General Boyer'S miprisonment. and in consequence shut up in thti casiie of Lourdcs, Lord Ekin. a t ravel Icr, arrested contrary to the law of nations, as repri- ?aj for a General enjoying a large share of Evi- tish generosity and hospitality, though a prisoner, both according to the laws of war and of na- tions*. Of * Of this business, General Boyer sent the following expla- r at ion : LETTER FROM GENERAL BOYER TO LORD EARDLEY. ** MY LORD, *• I received the letter you did me the honour to write me, and I lose not a moment in answering it, in order to bear tes- timony to truth. '** The orvkrs given by the French Government to use repri- BOYER. 223- Of General Bover's achievements in St. Do- minot), little is mentioned in the official reports. But in some jDublications in an evening paper, concernino- the cruelties of Buonaparte's ivhlte slaves at St. Domingo, is mentioned one General Boyer, who, /or some pilfering, ordered his cook to be devoured by blood-hounds. It is to be supposed that this is not that General Boyer now prisoner in England, but some other repub- lican General of the same name. L 4 ADMIRAL sals against the English prisoners ofdistinction in France, could only have been occasioned by my departure from Tiverton, and the order oft lie English Government which confined me to Cas- tleton, in the mountains of Derbyshiie. That order, liowcvor, terficld, it is witl; pleasure liut I take this oujioitunir;. iu do the most merited justice to the inhabitants of that town, ail of whom feel towards the French prisoners of war the sentiments due to misfortune, •' As soon as I was removed from Castleton, I immediately wrote to France ; and I have no doubt that the French Govern- ment is, by this time, apprised that, far from being treated with rigour, I experience from the magistrates and inhabitants, the protection of the laws, and the feelings which distinguish gene- rous minds. *' Accept, my Lord, the sentiments of high consideratidli with which I have the honour to be, '* My Lord, ♦♦ Your Lordship's most humble, and most obedient Servant, (Signed) *' Tiie French General^ Boy e k..'^ «' Chesterfield, Jan. 7, 1804. " The Right Hon. Lord E.^rdley.'* JtM REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. ADMIRAL LINOIS. He who fights and runs away, May live to fight another day« The impolitic and selfish conduct of most of the Continental Princes, has done as much to advance the power of revolutionary France, as "the victories of its soldiers, and the intrigues of its negotiators. Instead of receivins; with kind- ness, and rewarding wUh generosity, those loyal emigrants who, faithful to their God and to their King, and for the common cause of all lawful Sovereigns, renouncing rank, riches, and a home, became voluntary exiles, and distressed wan- derers; the several governmenls in Germany, Jtaly, and Spain,- treated them not only with contempt, but with injustice and cruelty. An asylum was refused them in most countries, and bread in all. Insulted by their equals in rank, but not in honour or loyalty, ministers gave them up as criminals; the half-learned sophist exposed their poverty upon the stage to common, ridicule, the jacobin lawyers and merchants hated LTNOIS. 225 hated them, and the common people hunted them as wild beasts. Neither age, sex, rank, ta- lents, nor a noble firmness and resignation under misfortunes, procured them the esteem of the first classes of society, nor the compassion of the inferior orders. Several of the French officers who had emigrated, or intended to emigrate, returned therefore to their country, or changed their minds. Berthier, Andreossy, Truguet, Macdoiiald, Maringuy, and other men of capa- city, were among the latter; and Linois, Lauris^ ton, and Desaix, among the former. Linois was made a Lieutenant in the royal navy during the American war, and, in 17S9^ emigrated with several of his comrades to Italy ; which, the next year, he left for Spain. Ob- serving, however, the incomprehensible beha- viour and prejudice of foreign governments against all emisrants, he returned to France in 1791, after the unfortunate Louis XV^L had accepted the constitution forced upon him by the rebels of the Constitutent Assembly. In the fol- lowing year he was promoted to the rank of captain of a frigate, and during the action of the 1st of June, he commanded one of the 7i-guu ships which with difficulty escaped into Brest, after Lord Howe had obtained suA a glorious L 5 victory. 226 REVOLUTIOKARV PLUTARCH. victory. The national deputy, Jean Bon St. Andre, enraged at the defeat, which courage had caused, and not treachery sold, to revenge his disgrace, and, perhaps, to extenuate his own ignorance and cowardice at the Committee of Public Safety^ ordered several officers to be arrested, accusing them of not having done their duty. Linois was one of the number; and he remained in confinement until the death of Ro- bespierre opened the doors of the republican pri^ 50ns for 200,000 suspected persons. Under the Directory, he was employed first- at Brest, and afterwards at Toulon; but it was Buonaparte who advanced him to the rank of an Admiral, in 1800. When, in the following spring, it v/as determined to send succours ta General Menou, in Egypt> Linois v/as offered the command of the squadron intended for this expedition; but he declined it, and Gantheaume was appointed . It was only want of naval offi- cers that prevented Linois' disgrace on this oc- casion, as v.'ith the Corsican tyrant, only to he- sitate to execute even the most absurd or im-- practicable schemes, is regarded as rebellion, and often punished as such. About June, 1801, Sir James Saumarez, with seven ships of the line, a frigate, and two armed vessels^ LINOIS. 227 vessels, rode in the bay of Cadiz, and inter- cepted not only the trade with Spain, but be- tween the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. Buo- naparte knew that six sail of large ships were at Cadiz, ready for sea, and seven more in a state of preparation ; and therefore ordered Linois to join, with three men of war and a frigate, this Spanish armament. He sailed accordingly but could proceed no farther than off Algesiras, where he cast anchor. No sooner was the Bri- tish Admiral informed of this event, than he proceeded towards the entrance of the Straits, to attack the enemy. Having made a signal to prepare for an engagement, and also for a gene- ral chace, he resolved to reconnoitre Linois' po- sition, and the order of battle was prepared. The squadron led by Captain Hood, of the Ve- liierable, and reinforced by the Calpe, two gun- vessels, and several boats from the neighbouring garrison, on opening Cabareta Point, beheld Linois' squadron, consisting of two ships of 84 guns, and one of 74, with a large frigate, lying at some distance from the very strong Spanish batteries ; and when, in addition to this circum- stance, the advantage of a leading w-ind was taken into consideration, an attempt to obtain possession of them not only seemed feasible, but L 6 afforded 228 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. afforded well grounded hopes of success. The signal was accordingly given for the ships to take their stations^ and engage as close as pos- $ible. However, the failure of the breeze, at a critical moment^ enabled Linois to w^arp nearer the land, and exposed our armament to the rtiost imminent danger ; for the Venerable, in- stead of weathering the enemy, was under the necessity of dropping her anchor. The Pompee, Captain Stirling, taking advantage of a light and partial air, assumed a position opposite to the inner vessel, which proved to be the Formidable, bearing the flag of Linois, and commenced the action in a spirited and gallant manner, until disabled. Some of the other ships were pre- ' vented, for some time, by a failure of wind, from coming up ; but at length, the Hannibal, receiving the beneilt of the breeze, was endea- vouring, by a bold and decisive manoeuvre, to get between the French Admiral and the batte - ries, when she struck on a shoal, immediately under the enemy's guns, and became unmanage- able. In this situation, she was reduced to the painful necessity of striking her flag. In the mean time, the English Admiral, finding that- the enemy, by drawing closer to the land, had increased their distance, took advantage of an occasional LINOIS. 229 occasional breeze to approach nearer; it soon after fell calm ; they drifted along with the cur- rent close to the Island battery, on which they opened a heavy fire. On receiving the benefit of a gentle gale, they instantly prepared to re- sume their former stations, when the wind once more died away, and rendered all their efforts useless. At length, after an action of nearly five hours continuance, the British squadron re- tired to Rosa Bay, leavinsc the Hannibal a-ground, and in possession of the enemy, while two French sail of the line appeared at the same time on sliore, and the whole detachment was supposed to be rendered nearly unserviceable. This action took place on the 6th of July. Seven days afterwards, or on the 13th, by the in- defati^j-able exertions of British officers and sea- men, who received every assistance from the garrison of Gibraltar, the whole squadron, one ship only excepted, was nearly refitted and ready for sea, when a new and more propitious oppor- tunity occurred of distinguishing their valour. Linois' three sail of line of battle, disabled in the action, had been reinforced by five more, under tl^ command of Don Juan Joaquin de Moreno, as well as by a French seventy-four carrying a broad pendant. These^ together with the Han- nibal^ ^30 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. nibal, which was with some difficuhy warped into deep water, and a number of Spanish fri- gates and gun-boats, got under weigh, with an intention of returning to Cadiz ; safe, in conse- quence of their numbers, and assured, as they imagined, of an easy victory, in case of a contest with a detachment so vastly inferior, and which had been so recently foiled. Notwithstanding Sir James Saumarez had no more than five dis- abled ships of less rate and metal, to oppose more than double that number command e5tli it cane? toan anchorat Batavia. Vice- Admiral Hartsinck, commanding two men of war and a frigate, re- cently arrived from Europe, was likewise at an- chor in the road. The limited instructions of *^hat officer would not permit him to undertake any '*''OL. III. M expedition 2 12 BEVOLUTIOi\ARY PLUTARCH. expedition against the enemy, by combining his forces with those of the Admiral. '^ In five days the squadron had taken in water and six months provisions; it had hkewise taken on board refreshments for the sick, the number of whom on board the Marengo alone amounted to 70. '' The Admiral wishing to accelerate the sale •of the prizes, the Admiral Rainier and the Hen- rietta, after consulting the captains of the squa- dron, accepted the proposal made him by the Shabcndar, to purchase the two prizes and their cargo for the sum of 133,000 piastres, exempt from all deductions. The Council of the Govern- ment, out of respect to vits allies, permitted the monev to be exported by the squadron. " On the 4th of March the squadron weighed ■from Batavia, and found that of Admiral Hart- sinck at anchor under North Island : it had set :Oif tour days before. In standing into the Strait of Sunda the French squadron was be- calmed; and being carried away by -the exces- sive violence of the currents, it was for some time in considerable danger. A small anchor belonging to the Belle Poule, was fortunately the only loss that it sustained. On the 6th, having cleared the Strait of Sunda, the Admiral . dispatched LINOIS. 245 dispatched the frigates Belle Poule aiid Ataknte on a cruize, and, keeping with him the Semil- lante and Le Berceau, steered for the Isle of France, where he arrived on the 1st of April." Linois is between forty and fifty years of age, a gentleman by birth, and from his youth edu- cated for the navy. M 2 C^MBACERES> ^244 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. J.hR. CAMBACERES, •THE SECOND COKSUL OF THE FRENCH REPUBLIC, AND ARCH-CHANCELLOR OF THE EMPIRE OF THE FRENCH, &C. 8cc. Ce renegat, a barbe grise, De Robespierre ancien patron, Porte empreinte la paillardise Sur sa figure de Guenon. AUGUSTE DANICAN'. Before the Revolution, while he was a Coun- sellor of the Parliament of Toulouse, Camba- ceres caused himself to be remarked for his extra- vagant political principles, for his dangerous athe- istical notions, and for his unnatural debauchery*. In * The unnatural propensities of Cambaceres are in France as proverbial as those of Barras. In a work called Les Bn'ganJs Demasques, by Danican, page 138, are these verses concerning lliis Arch-chancellor: Si vous avez peau douce et fine Et chute de reins d'Apollon, Vite il vous suit a la sourdine II vous attrapeet sans facon, Du plftt U'une maine pateline, II vous caresse le menton; La luxure adoucit son ton De petits noms doux il vous nomme, ; ft meme en plein jour il est homnit, A Viletiser son garjon. CAMBACERES. 245^ In 1789, during the elections of Deputies? for the States General, he intrigued in vain to be no- minated. He was not more successful in 1791> in his attempt to be elected into the Legislative Assembly; but in 179'2, after the overthrow of the throne and the imprisonment of Louis XVL when brigands governed, plundered, and mur- dered with impunity — when every loyal man liad emigrated, was imprisoned, or concealed, Cam- baceres was without opposition, chosen a re- presentative in the National Convention for the department of Herault. From his earliest youth destined for the bar, and having for years, as a Counsellor of Parliament, been accustomed to legal transactions, he was chiefly occupied by this Assembly in such of its committees as were busy in revising or proposing the civil and criminal laws. On the 12th of December, 1/92, he was appointed by the National Convention, one of its Commissaries to be sent to the Temple, to demand of their unfortunate King the names of those per- sons whom his Majesty desired should defend and plead for bim, during a trial where an assembly of rebels and regicides had the sacrileo^ious audacity to arraio-n ihcir lawful Sovercigfn, and to con- demn and murder him as a criminal. On the -day when the mock sentence ao-ainst this virtuous •I *»• M 3 Prince 246 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. Prince was pronounced, Cambaceres voted his provisional detention ; and death, in case the French territory was invaded by the leagued crowned tyraiits. During the reign of Robespierre he courted the protection of that republican Anthropophage, either by attending with assiduity to his duty in the committees, or by a silent vote in favour of all the atrocious laws and measures proposed by the Committee of Public Safety. He, by these means, escaped proscription. It was, however, observed, even by the vile and vicious members of the rcoicide Convention, that on all occasions he took an opportunity to produce motions or persuade determinations in favour of libertinism, immorality and licentiousness. On the 30th of October, 1793, he caused a decree to be sane-, tioned, by which all iiiegitimate children ob- tained the same rights to succeed to the estates, property, and names of their parents and rela- tives, as those born in lawful wedlock : on an- other day, a plan of his for licensing divorces on account of ike incompatibiiity of tempers, was converted into a law. The consequence of the first decree was, that within six months every family in France possessing property, was at- tacked by same pretended bastard or other, who desired CAMBACERES. 247 flesired to share it: and according to Prudhomme, ^* The admission of divorces for inconipatibihty of temper, has alotie made two millions of or- phans, and caused a total dissolution in the mo- rals of the people, extending to all classes, more difficult to correct than the anti-social effects of the writings of Vohaire, lielvetius, and other athe- istical writers or metaphysical dreamers*." On the 21st of August, 1793, he was elected a member of the commission which was charged bv the National Convention to compile a new code of laws. With his usual prudence, he made tliis employment an excuse for not taking any active part in the divisions which at that period distracted this Assembly, and was therefore not implicated in any of those bloody scenes pro- voked or committed by different faction^. Af- ter the death of Robespierre he first shewed a desire to be remarked, and an ambition to obtain places, if not popularity. In discussing, on the nth of August, 1794, the question relative to the organization of the committees, he insisted upon the necessity of not granting any of them the right to dispose of the liberty of the repre- sentatives of the people. On the 10th of No- vember foilowiniij when the seventy-three M 4 Conventional * SeeHistoiredes CriiTies, par Prudhomme, torn. v. page 96, 248 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. Conventional Deputies, arrested by the orders of Robespierre and the Committee of Public Safety,. recoTcrcd their liberty, he demanded an amnesty for all n-'tmes not mentioned in tJte criminal code* Being afterwards appointed a member of the Commission of Twelve for framing the plan of the new constitution, he was, with Boissy d'An- glas, Lanjuinais, and Sieves', regarded as one of the authors of the very directorial constitution ofl793_, which he assisted Buonaparte to over- turn in 1799. It is true, he had been disap- pointed in his ambition of being one of the Directors, and by a discovery that be had duped the Royalists as well as the Jacobins, in flattering them by turns, he had become the detestation of them both; and therefore, from necessity as yvell as from vengeance, he joined a man, the chief of a new, or the Consular and revolutionary- aristocratical faction, which he foresaw would sooner or later crush or swallow up all the former ones. With Buonaparte he has long shared the curses of the Parisians, because, if the former butchered SOOO of them in the streets of Paris on the 6th of October, 1793, the advice of the latter, in the united committees of the expiring Convention^ made such an act and a civil war . almost CAMBACERES. 24^ almost unavoidable. In the night preceding that day, the majority of the members in these com-^ mittees intended to revoke the decrees of the 5th and 13th Fructidor, which in a tyrannical manner deprived the French citizens of their right to chuse their representatives, and which had forced the Parisians to ami in defence of their violated privileges, while Gambaceres alona opposed such an intention with a threatening obstinacy. *^ We are lost,'* said he, " if we return on our steps 5 whether the decrees are, or 2iXt, not, just, and according to laivf id principles, it is not that which we have now to consider about or to examine. I say again, a retrograde step destroys us all.'' The terror of his own guilty conscience was soon extended and communicated to those of his accomplices ; the butchery on the next day was the consequence, and SOOO inno- cent men, women, and children perished, be- cause 500 rebels and regicides were trembling at the apprehension of those gibbets which they knew thev so well merited*. When the Council of Five Hundred had suc- ceeded the National Convention, Cambaceres was made its first secretary, a temporary place, M 5 but * See Le Recueild' Anecdotes, page 466 j :»nd Les Brigands Demasques, page 138, and 139. 1 250 REVOLtrtldNARY PLtJf AftCM. but little calculated to gratify the ambition of a man who pretended to be not only one of the sa- Vereigns over this Council, but over all France^ as a Director. From that time, he gave out with Sieyes, that the Directorial Constitution was not perfect enough for the honour, liberty^ and happiness of Frenchmen, and for the tran- quillity of the French commonwealth * and, as the guillotine was no longer the order of the day, he more openly joined the discontented and the factious, though at the same time paying an assiduous court to the Directory, by attending the levees of Barras, Carnot, Rewbel, and La Re- telllere. In October 1796, he was in conse- quence elected a member of the Diplomatic Committee, charged to exaniine the treaty which Buonaparte had but lately, in the name of the Directory, concluded with the King of Naples j and in November he became a member of the National Institute. The reflections that he deli- vered in his speech, at the first sitting of that society of revolutionary savafis, with respect to the classification of the several branches of sci- ence, and the order of the correspondence, were replete with good sense, and adopted according- ly ; and many began to think him possessed of a mind equally capable of embracing literary as CAMBACERES. , 251 as political transactions. It was soon discovered, however, that this speech had been composed by La Harpe, as a grateful return to Cambaceres for having reversed the outlawry against him of 1795, when he was inculpated in the opposition, of the armed Parisian sections*. In 1797 he vacated his seat in the Council of Five Hundred;, and intrigued to succeed Merlin ofDouai, in the place of a minister of justice, when the latter, after the revolution of the 4th of September in favour of the jacobins, had suc- ceeded Barthelemy as a Director: but Rewbel, who at all times had declared himself his perso- nal enemy, excluded him ; and it was not till July J79Dj when Rewbel was no longer a Direc- tor, that he obtained this ministry, in which he continued until Buonaparte, in the December following, advanced him to be Second Consul |. Cambaceres was born at Montpelier, in 1750, where his father was a Counsellor in the Cours des Aides, and his uncle, the famous Abbe Cam- baceres, afterwards Chaplain to the King, a Canon and Archdeacon. He is of middle size, and a thin, pale, or rather sallow complexion; and his constitution is worn out by his debau- M 6 cheries. * Le Recueil d' Anecdotes, page 467, + Histoire Secrete clu Dircctoire Geneve, 1800, page 24, 252 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH, cheries. At a dinner with the banker Recamler, in the spring of 1802^ where Generals Moreau and Macdonald^ with several other repubhcan civil and military characters, were present, the author heard it declared, as the imcontradicted opinion in France, that of all the citizens who ._Jiad figured in the regicide National Convention, Cambaceres was the purest and most respectable ' THF ( *53 ) THE GRAND JUDGE REGNIER,, GRAND OFFICER OF BUONAPARTE'S LEGION OF HONOUR. Wa fois ! Juge et plaideurs, il faudrolt tout lier. 3tACIN'£. ', It is difficult to say which is the most clis» gusting in the revolutionftry annals of France, the barefaced unfeeling injustice and cruelty with ^ which French republican judges have condemned innocence, or the shocking indifference with which the French nation has seen dragged to the scaffold, virtue of all ranks, of all classes ; the monarch from his throne ; the nobles from their palaces ; the priests from their altars ; the merchants from their warehouses 5 and the pea- sants from their cottages. Persons of both sexes, of all ages, have been judicially mur- dered : on the borders of eternity at fourscore, or in the spring of Jife, before ybuth had counted three lustres : the most pure, the most irre- proachable life availed nothing : eighty years of honour and of probity did not preserve any one 254 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. one from perishing like a criminal ; boys and girls under twelve years of age have been un- mercifully butchered, when they could hardly distmguish between right and wrong; what in civilized nations is punishable as guilt, or even among barbarians, is respected and protected as innocence. These horrid deeds have intro- duced into France a confusion of ideas advan- tageous to real malefactors, because the public opinion and the public compassion are yet al- ways uncertain, whether the condenmed be cul- pable or innocent; a victim of the violated laws of his country, or of the caprice, cruelty, or ven- geance of outrageous factions in power. Reo"nier is the son of a waggoner near Nancy, in the former duchy of Lorraine. Educated by the Jesuits from charity, and by a subscription of some noble families at Nancy aftenvards enabled to pursue the study of the law, the -French Revolution found him an humble ad- vocate of little practice and less talent. By his political and religious hypocrisy, he had per- suaded both the nobility and the clergy that he was not only a loyal subject, but a sincere chris- tian; and the united interest of these, the two first orders of the State, procured him in 1789> his election as a Deputy of the Tiers Etat to the States REGNIER. 255 States General, soon after called, and better known by the appellation of the Constitutent Assembly. This Assembly contained a most heterogene- ous composition of men of talents and of ideots ; of princes of the bloody and of persons from the very dregs of the people ; of the wealthiest pro- prietors in the kingdom, and of individuals not possessing an acre of land, or a revenue, in mo- ney, of ihe value of a guinea. The majority were, unfortunately for France and Europe, of the latter description. Ambitious, unprinci- pled, and half" learned, they were all greedy for power, passionate for riches, eager to usurp places, desirous to humiliate rank, and voraci- ous to plunder wealth. Their pretensions were as absurd as their conduct was criminal. To be enabled to rule, or rather to tyrannize, they assailed all governments with sophistical decla- mations in favour of liberty ; and to remove the only barrier to human passions, they published writings, or pronounced speeches, in which re- ligion was made not onlv ridiculous, but odious : well knowing, that as long as the mass of the nation revered the faith of their ancestors, and respected the altars of Christ, individuals of fac- tions might secretly undermine^ but could not expect 8 256 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. expect anv support in an open attack on the throne of their Kinir. Pretended philosophers^ they were political and revolutionary fanatics, the most intolerant, despotical and ferocious oi men ; and while pro- claiming principles of universal philanthropy, they endeavoured to plunge a dagger into the bosom of every person who was not an accom- plice, who disapproved of their doctrine, or who detested their enormities. Amoncr these men, Regnier conducted himself with a duplicity which he called prudence ; because he deceived all parties, while he was cajoled and paid by them all. He was, liowever, both from birth and inclination attached to those innovators who, like himself, had no property to preserve, and no morality to prevent them from regarding all the riches of France as their patrimony. In October 1789, therefore, he was chosen by the National Assembly a member of the Financial Committee; and in May 1799, of that of Le- gislation. But he never declared himself in any decided manner, either in defending the pre- rogatives of his King, the rights of his bene- factors of the privileged classes, or the anarchical and destructive opinions of conspirators, rebels, and KEGNIER. 257 and atheists. On the 22cl of June, 1791^ he was sent as a representative of the people to the departments of the Rhine and of Vosges, to keep up the public spirit in favour of the Revolution, and to prevent an insurrection, which the Na- tional Assembly apprehended would be the con- sequence of the unfortunate departure from Paris of the betrayed Louis XVI. and his fa- mily at that period. Except some few arbitrary imprisonments and requisitions, he acted dur- ing this mission with moderation; being yet^ from the sentiments that he heard expressed every where by the majority of the inhabitants, imcertain whether loyalty would not finally crush rebellion,, At his return to Paris, La Fayette, the two brothers Lameth, Talleyrand, Barnave, Sieyes, and the other leading members of the Assembly, had been bought over by the Court ; and to wear his crown of thorns some few months longer, the good, but ill-advised Louis XVL had enriched instead of punishing those traitors, to whom alone he owed all his sufferings, and his fubjeots all their misery. Of these spoils of roy- alty, Regnier, no doubt, had his share 3 because, after the King, in September of the same year, hud been forced to accept that code of royal democracy 2.^8 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. democracv decreed by the Constituent Assem- bly, he went back to his province, and sudden- ly exhibited an affluence which was an humi. liatingr and dishonourable contrast to the dis- tressed situation of those plundered, beggared, or proscribed noblemen and gentlemen, to whom he was indebted for every thing, except his ill- gotten riches. Want of gratitude has been complained of at all times and in all countries ; but at no period have been related, and no where have been wit- nessed, so many examples of ingratitude as since the Revolution in France, where the benefactor ■ has not only been neglected and insulted, but often murdered; and that for no other reason than the remembrance of past generosity, and the , claim that it carries with it, and to which it is en- tided. With the purse-proud national robbers, egotism is prevalent even in regard to their secret, private, or internal feelings ; and death ig their sentence on those who have known them beg, gars, relieved their necessities, encouraged their talents, or rewarded their industry. Not only all benevolent men, but all persons in power in France, from the King to Barras, have expe- rienced during these last fifteen years the truth of this remark. Robespierre, as w'ell as Fouchc, Talleyrand REGNIER. 2.59 Talleyrand as well as Tallien, have directly or in- directly sent to perish, those who protected or in- structed their youth — who paid for their education, or who procured their advancement. And if Buonaparte has not, like the regicide assassins of Louis XVI. murdered his benefactor Barras, the life of this guilty man is connected with circum-. stances which make it politic for tl%e usurper to spare him, and lobe satisfied with having disgraced and exiled him, after quietly occupying his revo- lutionary throne. Hitherto Regnier had been looked upon as a man of moderate rather than of violent notions 5 as more avaricious than sanguinary ; as an intri- guer, but not as an assassin. But meeting wittt a well-deserved contempt, when with the insolent airs of an upstart, he pretended to an impertinent familiarity with his former patrons, and expected an equality which fortune every where has the audacity to require from suffering, though me- ritorious rank and eminence, he entirely threw off the mask, became a terrorist — a President of the Revolutionary Committee at Nancy, and, as he signed himself, ojie of' the purveyors for the re- puhlican' guillotine of the department of La JMeur^ the; and among those whom he thus provided for, and recommended to inevitable destruction, were 260 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. were two nobkmen who generously articled him as clerk to an attorney, who had elevated h'nn, and paid for his board and lodging during eight years; and three old Jesuits of that college where he charitably^ though with so little profit, had been tausrht the duties of a christian and of a o citizen*. In " Les Annales du Terroris7ne,'* page 93, is a letter from Regnier to the republican hero, Maxi- milian Robespierre, dated Nancy, April ^, 1794, in which he says : — '* I too worship Marat, and kneel before the goddess of reason. I too adore the sublime principles of the Mountain-. X too have dispatched 62 noble aristocrats, and 86 aristocratical priests, for the scaffold. 1 too have arrested 496 suspected persons, and de- manded the heads of 942 lukewarm patriots or federalists, who have refused from my hands th^ diadem of republican patriotism— the red cap ! I too have ordered all our sittings to begin with Sa?icte Marat ! ora pro nobis ; and to finish with «^ The Mountainfor ever I" &c. &c. In " Reaieil d' yhiecdotes,*' \)age 33, he is proved '^ to have murdered two hundred persons, amongst others, an old blind many a ^ed eighty -four ; and a young lady^ Mademoiselle ♦ See Didionnaire des Jacobins, torn. xi. page i6d, and \t Rapf ort du Courtoii, page 29. REGNIER. 261 Mademoiselle de Fresnoy, aged thirteen^ ivhom he violated before he ordered her to le gtdllotined; and to have appropriated upwards of two millions of livres worth of national property? in his seques- trations of the estates and effects of emigrants/^ This is an authentic, though only a slight sketch of the patriotic transactions of the Consular Grand Judge during the reign of terror. But his revo- lutionary consistency was no greater than his revolutionarv humanity. Prudhomme in his General History mentions, " That no sooner was Robespierre dead, and the Jacobins and Sans- culottes out of fashion, than Regnier exchanged the dress of a Septcmbrizer for that of a Muscadiriy and of the prayers to Marat were made hymns to royalty: from August 179^? to February 1795, he, never went out of his house but with a white cockade in his pocket, while he wore a tri-colour- "ed one in his hat/^ In 1795 he was nominated by the department of Meurthe a member for the Council of An- cients, where he appeared very often in the tri- bune, and always opposed moderate, liberal, or just measures. In November of the same year, he was chosen Secretary, and in February 1796 President of the Council. Observing, however, that after the Revolution in favour of the Jaco- bins 263 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. bins In 1797, the Terrorists again wished to revive the reign of Robespierre, to denounce, to impri- son, and to butcher en masse ; he re-assumed his former prudence, and silently followed the violent current of contending factions, which then carried every thing before it. But in attending the levees of Rewbel and Barras he took care to flatter Buo- naparte, to bow to Talleyrand, to praise Jourdan^ and" to compliment Moreau. At the new .Jacobin Club of 1 799, a member proposed a decree, oZ'/i^mo- all emiched patriots, under pain of death , to render an account of their fortunes. This created a general alarm among the thousands of rapacious u})starts who had built palaces of the rubbish of 4he throne, of churches, and of castles; and who weltered in a scandalous affluence in the midst of the great distress of their country, and the universal poverty of all good men, their fellow-citizens; and this made many jacobins, with Regnier, favourable to the Revolution which seated the jacobin Buonaparte upon the republican throne, at the expence of the rights of ail other jacobins. He .was, therefore, among the conspirators of the Councils of Ancient?, who, in a committee, pre- pared the overthrow of the Directory and of the constitution of the year 3, both which they had REGNIER. 263 so often sworn to respect and to defend ; and ia return, he was ap;')ointed by the Consular Go- vernment, first, a Counsellor of State in 1799, and afterwards, in 1805, when Buonaparte was declared Consul for life, a Grand Judge, and Minister of the General Police of the French Re- public. He is, besides, a Senator, and a Grand Officer of the infamous Legion of Honour*, and * The following particulars of Buonaparte's Legion of Ho- nour are taken from a French publication : *' The number of members of Buonaparte's Legion of Honour is unlimited, and, once chosen by him, they continus for life, if they continue to possess his covfiJetice. They are a kind of revolution- ary nobility, because, though their children do not inherit their rank and privileges, they have a right to demand, in preference^ places at the Prytanees, or republican free-schools, admittances into the public offices, and promotions in the army. On all oc- casions, with equal merit, they precede other competitors ; and at public feasts or processions they occupy from father to son the places of honour; and a fourth of the national pensions of the fathers descends to the oldest son. The daughters receive their portions from the treasury of the Legion of Honour, if their fa- thers die poor, and their husbands share their rights of preceden- cy. They are distinguished by some external marks, and all sentries whom they pass are to present arms. All classes of citizens are admitted when approved of by the First Consul; and the cobler who shews any extraordinary merit in mending shoes, or the architect in building palaces; the soldier who with dtxterity dispatches an individual enemy, or the general who de- feats a whole hostile army J a pettyfogging attorney notcrionf for chicanery, or a grand judge /«ma«j for capacity and integri- ty ; ihe pariotic mayor of a village, or the patriotic prefect of a department ; the ai/e drummer in the camp, or th.e no less a6Ig fiddler ^64 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. and unites in his person more power and salaries than five of the King's former Ministers enjoyed ■ together. Such fiddler at the opera ; the ingenious dauber of sign- posts, or tho no less i»ge/i!ous fainter of the museums; inventors of every kind, colour, and description; the inventor of the guillotine, as well as the inventor of the telegraph ; the improver of wooden shoes, as Avell as tlie improver of telefcopes ^ the tailor who new-fashions the sleeve of a coat, or the metaphysician who new- models an empire; the industrious of all classes; the remU pickpocket in the street, or the banker pilfering f« m^isjc in his hotel ; the village curate, as well as the cardinal archbishop of the capital : — in short, citizens of great merit and great ta- lents, ever so low or ever so high, ever so humble or ever s» exalted, have all the sjme claims to be incorporated am ong the revolutionary nobility of the French republic, o^te and /W/- According to the official matriculation book {matricule), 965 ' citizens were elected by the First Consul Members of the Le- gion of Honour up to the first Nivose f December 22 j. A revo- lutionary ^w^r^ar, envious, no doubt, at not being one among them, has published insidiously the revolutionary merits oi all the honourable members of the honourable Legion of Hononr ; ^d pretends that this legion consists of 82 regicides, 218 ter- rorists, 306 moderate jacobins, 74 notorious murderers, 20 con- demned thieves before the Revolution, 62 notorious and con- victed "phmdercrs since the Revolution, 16 Septeuibrizers, ^^ thieves and forgers burnt on their shoulders upon the pillory, 36 released galley-slaves, 44 drowners en masse, 66 shooters en masse, and 27 incendiaries. — In the whole, 969 rebels. We apprehend that this account is rather exaggerated j but we know for certain, that no foreign citizen is yet a member of the Legion of Honour ; and that the report of the King of P— — , of the Elector of B , and of the Ministers Haugwitz, Luc chesini, Montgelas, and Cetto, having accepted places in this corps, is hitherto without foundation.— —L« Nouveliei k h Main^ Nivose No. ii. page 12. REGNIER. 265 Such is the imperfectly drawn portrait of a titled rebel, the public functionary of the vilest and most ferocious of usurpers, who has lately excited the public attention by his impudence in placing the Duke of Enghien, and the Generals Pichegru, Moreau, and Georges, upon one (by him called) List of Brigands and Conspirators ; and for his audacity in daring to calumniate the British Government and Nation. Such is the moral character of a Grand Judge, the protector of the laws, and the guardian of the lives, liberty, and property, of thirty millions of Frenchmen, Such is the public, political, and revolutionary life of a man, who, in a high official capacity, denounces, in the following Reports to Buona- parte, the pretended immorality, and, as he mo- destly says — the despicahle characters of the En- glish Ministry, composed of noblemen and gentle- men whose unblemiished virtues as statesmen, even their opposers acknowledge to be equal to their private worth as individuals. THE GRAND JUDGE* S REROKT TO THE JFIRST CONSUL. CITIZEN TIRST CONSUL, I think it my duty to separate from the in- formation respecting the vile conspiracy which VDh, UU N public 266 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. public justice will shortly bring to public view, and punish, those pieces of additional correspon- dence, which, in this great affair, and, as far as concerns the police, is but trifling; but, in its po- litical point of view, seems to me of a nature that cannot fail to open the eyes of Europe to the despicable character of the English Ministry, the meanness of its agents, and the miserable expe- dients it has recourse to, for accomplishing its views. An English Minister is accredited at a Court borderino- on France ; the manners of the people attach distinctions and privileges to this place, and not without rea?on. The residence of a Foreign Minister is everv where desioned for the ascertaining; and maintainins; of those bonds of friendship, confiience, and honour, which unite States, and whose preservation constitutes the glory of a government, and the happiness of the people. But these are not the views of the diplomatic ao-ents'of the British Government. I shall lay. before you, Citizen Consul, the direct corres- pondence which Mr. Drake, the English Am- bassador to the Elector of Bavaria, has held for these four months w^ith agents sent, paid, and employed, by him in the heart of the Republic This REGNIER. 26r This correspondence consists of ten original letters, written in his own hand. I shall also lay before you the instructions which th^t gendeman is charged to distribute ta his agents j and an authentic account of the sums already paid, and of those premised, as an en- couragement and reward of crimes, which the mildest laws every where punish with death. (See the instructions, Nos. 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9, of the correspondence). It was not as the representative of his Sove- reign that Mr. Drake came to Munich, with the title of Plenipotentiary. This is merely his ostensible character, a pretence for sending him : the genuine object of his mission is, to recruit for agents of intrigue, revolt, and assassination, to stir up a war of plunder and murder against the French Government, and to wound the neu- trality and dignity of the Govermiient where he resides. It is premised, though Mr. Drake appears ostensibly as a public character, that he is in reality (as his private instructions prove) the se- cret director of English machinations on the Continent; the sinews of which are gold, cor- ruption, and the foolish hopes of those eon- N 2 cerncd 268 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. cerned in the plot, and of all the ambitious peo- pie in Europe. His aim is plainly pointed out in the eighteen articles of his instructions with which Mr. Drake furnishes his agents, and which form the fiiot of the pieces added to this Report. Nos. 2, 7, 8, 9, and 13, of these instructions, are sufficiently remarkable. Art. 2. The principal point in view being the overthrow of the present Government, one of the principal means of accomplishing this is, the obtaining a knowledge of the plans of the ene- my; for this purpose it is of , the utmost import- ance to begin by establishing a correspondence in the different bureaus, for obtaining particular information of all the plans, both as to the ex- terior and the interior. The knowledge of these plans suggests the best mode of rendering them .abortive ; and the want of success is the most effectual means of discrediting the Government, the first and most important step toward the end proposed. 7. To gain over those employed in the pow- der-mills, so as to be able to blow them up, as occasion may require. 8. It is indispensably necessary to gain over a certain REGNIER. 269 certain number of printers and engravers- who niayberelltcl on, to print and execute every thing that the confederacy niav stand in need of. 9. It is very much to be wished, that a per- fect knowledoe may be crained of the situation of the different parties in France, and particularly in Paris. 13. It is well understood, that every means must be tried to disorganize the armies, both in and out of the Republic. Thus you see that the real objects of Mr. Drake's mission are, to bring fire and flames into the Republic, to blow up the powder-mills, to procure trusty printers, and engravers for the purposes of forgery, to penetrate into the heart of every assembly, to arm one party against the other, and, in fine^ to disorganize the armies. But, happily, this evil genius is not so power- ful in its means, as it is fertile in illusions and sinister projects; were it otherwise, there would be an end of society. Hatred, craft, gold, and a total indifference as to the means employed, are neither wanting to Mr. Drake nor the im- moral policy of the Government whose acrent he is. But they do not possess power enouo-h to shake the organization of France, which is N3 of 870 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. ©f the strongest nature^ having its foundation in the affections of thirty millions of citizens, cemented together by their joint strength and interest, and animated by the wisdom and genius of the Government. Those whose only abilities consist in low in- trigue, and who consider nothing of any value besides, are not able to conceive the strength and power of a combination of circumstances, there- suit often years of sufferings, and ten years of vic- tories, of a concurrence of events, and of the estab- lishment of a noble nation, founded on the dangers and efforts of a glorious war, and a terrible revolution. In the midst of these means, Mr. Drake sees nothing but opportunities for intrigue, and the efforts of spies. '^ During my stay in Italy,*' he says to one of his correspondents (Munich Jan. 27, No. 7)j ** I had connections with the interior of France: — I should continue to have them, as I am at this mouTent, of all the English Minis- ters, the nearest to the frontiers." This is his pretence for exercising his utmost endeavours for the overthrow of France. But his means are no better than his right. He has atrents in whom he dares not con- ^de. His doubtful correspondents write to him viz REGNIER. £71 via Switzerland, Strasburgh, Kehl, OfFenburg, and Munich. He has subalterns in these cities, to take especial care of his correspondence. He makes use of forged passports (No. 835), of ficti- tious names, of sympathetic ink. (No, 1.) These are the modes of communi- cation through which he transmits his ideas, projects, and rewards ; and by these means, he is informed of the schenuis planned by his or- ders for raising insurrection, in the first place, in four departments ; (No. 7), for raising an army, increasing the number of the disaffected, and over- throwing the Consular Government. These efforts and promises are too mad, and the vile miserable methods employed are too dis- proportioned to the difHciiUies of the enterprise, to give us any uneasiness as to their success. But it is not with regard to what may occssion fear, nor with a view of punishing, that the opera- tions of that interior arrangement, called the police, SLcts ; its principal object is, not alone to prevent crimes, as that of the exterior is to con- fine ambition, but to remove even the very occa- sion of vice and weakness. In those countries that are the best governed, there are always to be found certain persons w^ho suffer themselves to be led astray by a sort of N 4 innate £72 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. innate inconstancy. In the be&t regulated com- monwealths there are to be found perverse and weak men. It has always been considered by my predecessors as a duty, to Avatch over such persons, not in the vain hope of rendering them good, but to stop the developement of their vices; and as, on this head, all civilized nations have the same interest to watch over^ and the same duty to fulfil, it has always been a received maxim, that no Government gbould suffer a standard to be erected, around which hirelings of every country or profession might gather, for the purpose of planning a general disorganization, and much less should they permit an infamous school of bribery, and recruiting, to the prejudice at once of the fidelity, constancy, aftections, and conscience of the citizens. Mr. Drake had an agency at Paris ; but other ministers, the instruments of discord and ex- citers of mischief, like him, may also have agen- cies. — Mr. Drake, in his correspondence, un- masks all those that exist in France, by the very measures he takes to deny that he knows any thing of them. " / repeat;' (says he, Nos. 4, 5, 6, 8 and 9), ^* that I have no knowledge of the existence of any other society besides yours. But I repeat to you; ' (he observes in several places), " thai REGNIER. 273 ^^ that if there doeSy I do not dmd't hit that you and your friends ivill take the necessanj measures, not only not to embarrass one another, hut to hevnitually serviceable to each other." In fine, he adds (Mu- nich, December 9, 1S03), with a brutal fury, and worthy of the part he plays — '^ // is of very little consequence ly ivhom the Least is brought to the ground: it is sufficient that you are all ready to join in the chace,'' Pursuant to this system, on the first breakina- out of the conspiracy that now employs the hand of justice, he writes : ** if you see any meam of extricating anyofGeojges' associates f donotfailto make use of them" (No. 9); and as his evil genius is never discouraged, even in his dis- grace, Mr. Drake will not have tiis friends qivq themselves up for loss in this unexpected reverse of fortune, ^* I earnestly request you " he writes (Munich, 25th February, 1804, No. 9), ^* to print and dis- tribute a short address to the army immediately." (both to the officers and soldiers). *^ The main point is to gain partizans in the ai-my \ for I am thoroughly persuaded that it is through the armu alone that one can reasonably hope to (rain the change so much desired." How vain these hopes werc^ is SHfficientlv cha- N 5 racterized 274 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. racterized by the striking unanimity that pre- vails every where, now that the danger is dis- covered with which France was menaced. But the attempt to commit a crime, the bare idea of which is an outrage to humanity, and the execution of which would not only have been a national calamity, but, I may add, a calamity for all Europe, demands not only a reparation for the past, but a guarantee for the future. A solitary, scattered banditti, a prey to want, Avithout harmony, and without support, is always weaker than the laws which are to punish it, or the police which ought to intimidate it. But if they have the power of uniting, if they could correspond with each other and the brigands of other countries, if in a profession the most ho- nourable of all, in as much as the tranquillity of empires, and the honour of sovereigns depend thereon, there should be found men authorized to make use of all the power their situation affords, to practise vice, corruption, infamy, and villany, and to raise from out of the refuse of human nature, an army of assassins, rebels, and forgers, under the command of the most immoral and . most ambitious of all Governments, there would be no security in Europe for the exist- ence of any state for public morality, nor even for REGNIER. 276 for the continuance of the principles of civiUza- tion. It is not my duty to discttss the means you may possess to secure Europe, by guranteeing her against such dangers. I content myself with informing and proving to you, that there exists at Munich an Englishman, called Drake, invested with a diplomatic character, who, profiting of this guise, and of the vicinity of that place, directs dark and criminal efforts to the heart of the Republic; who recruits for agents of cor- ruption and rebelhon ; who resides beyond the environs of the town, that his agents may have access to him without shame, and depart without being exposed ; and who directs and pays men in France, charged by him with paving the way to an overthrow of the Government. This new species of crime exceeding, from its nature, the ordinary means of suppression which the laws put in my pov.er, I must confine myself to the unmasking it to you, and pointing out to vou at the same time the sources, circumstances, and consequences. Health and respect, Paris, March 23, 1804. Kegnier. CITIZEN FIRST CONSUL, My conjectures are verified. Mr* Drake is N 6 not 276 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. not tiie only agent of England whose political mission is merely the plausible mark of a hidden ministry of seduction and insurrection. I have the honour to place before your eyes papers* which prove that Mr. Spencer Smith, diplomatic agent of England in the states of Wirtemburg, after the example of Mr. Drake, has occupied himself, since his arrival at his place of residence, only in prostituting his public character, his in- fluence, and the gold of his Government, to that infamous ministry. Mr. Spencer Smith has suffered a discovery of the secret part which formed the real object of his diplomatic mission. I present to the First Consul an enigmatical letter, which this Minister has written to M. Lelievre de Saint Remi, one of bis agents in Holland ; this agent, spy, and emi- grant, who has received his pardon, was already known to the Police; but before I had any one of the parts of his correspondence with Mr. Spencer Smith, T knew by other reports, that when he was about to obtain his amnesty, which he procured in Pluviose, year 1 1, he quitted Seez, his place of birth, in Nwose, the same year, in order to go to Cambray ; and that, on the 2d of last Frimaire^ he had gone to Holland, there to serve under the name of Pruneau, and to follow there REGNIER. 277 there the double direction of a Frenchman and a spy, named Le Clerc, whom the British Ministry supported at Abbeville, and that of an accredited spy, named Spencer Smith, whom for the pur- pose of covering his designs, that same Ministry had invested with a diplomatic character (See the pieces 8, 9, , Sec.) I further know, by papers equally numerous, and not less instructive, seized on the spy at Abbeville, that Mr. Spencer Smith, before he quitted London, had entered into such intimate connexions with a general Com- mittee of Espionage established by the above ad- ministration, and the direction of which was en- trusted to the Abbe Ratel, that he had demanded and obtained of that Committee a confidential secretary, named Pericaud, who was to follow the secret correspondence, and to receive and com- municate all the necessary documents to the agents in Holland, the spies on the coast, and the con- spirators in Paris. The letters to Lelievre, the credit for 2000 Louis d'ors given on the house of Osy, at Rotterdam, the cypher, the enigmatical letter. No. 7, are of the hand writing of this Peri- caud ; and thus it will be seen, that Mr. Spencer Smith is gone to his residence with all the exteri- or of a diplomatic Minister from England ; that is to say, with sympathetic inks, watch-words to communicate 278 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. communicate with all the spies, bills of exchange to reward their services, and a confidential inter- mediate agent, to follow up their proceedings and to direct them, without conmiitting him- self. It is necessury to recur once more to Mr. Drake. The two reports which I lay before you. Citizen First Consul, will give you an ac- count of a mission to that Minister, by Citizen Rosey, Captain and Adjutant-Major of the Qth regiment of the line in garrison at Strasburgh, whom Mr. Drake was very willing to employ as an agent of a pretended General, who was to stir up four departments, to draw round him the French army, to overthrow your Govern- ment, to instal in its stead a democratic Di- rectory, and finally, to put this phantom of pow- er, and all France, at the discretion of the English Government. I should hesitate to present to you these mon- strous absurdities, if I had not to lay before you an original letter from Mr. Drake, backed by consi- derable sums of gold, counted by Mr. Drake, and deposited at my office by Citizen Rosey. This letter serves as a proof of the accuracy of the re- ports of the French agent, and ought to be pub- lished, because the odious particulars which it contains. REGNIER. 279 contains, giv^e additional colouring to the picture of infamy which Mr. Drake has himself delinea- ted of his incendiary diplomacy, in the first part of his correspondence. Mr. Drake replied to the pretended General, He acknowledges the receipt of his Envoy with his credentials. He congratulates himself on the harmony subsisting between him and the Com- mittee of Disorganization, over which the Gene- neral presides, * Your views/ says he, compla- cently, ^ are quite conformable to mine, and I need not enlarge further on this point.' But he requires (and here follows the first vagaries of his predecessor Wickham) that pro- visionally they should secure two strong places 3 Huninguen by all means, and Strasburgh if pos- sible. — By this means only could they depend upon a sure communication. Then would Mr, Drake take his residence near the Rhine ; and it will suffice to inform him immediately of the moment fixed for commencing the operations, and of the precise periods when farther assist- ance will be necessary, as well as of the amount of the succours required, that he may have time to take measures to provide for the same, and that the operations may not fail for want of sup- port, (See No. 6,) How- 280 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. However, the most important point is not the taking of places, and securing stages for the safe arrival of subsidies. First of all, we must disor- ganize the army. [The Report goes on repeating against Mr. Drake all the calumnies contained in the first Report.] Concerning Mr. Spencer Smith, I have strong reasons to think that the operations entrusted to him are not confined to these plots ; that he directs the events which are taking place in the Canton of Zurich ; and that the disturbances by which that miserable district is again agitated, are owing to his gold and his intrigues. Citizen First Consul, perhaps I transgres* the bounds of my function; but I must tell you, with that truth which you love to hear, France cannot suffer a hostile power to establish, on neutral territory, accredited agents, whose prin- cipal mission is to carry discord to the bosom of the Republic. You are at the head of a na- tion, great enough, strong enough, and brave enough, to obtain, as your right, an absolute neutrality. You have constantly commanded me iKit to suffer that conspiracies be framed in any part of our immense territory, against any existing government 3 and already, during the short REGNIER. 281 short space of time elapsed since 1 have been en- trusted with- the administration of the police, have I repeatedly annulled machinations which threatened the King of Naples, and the Holy See ; I have pursued as far as Strasburgh the forgers of Vienna bank-notes. All these facts have proved how sincere your wish is to secure established governments against every kind of propagandas and plots. Why should you not have a right to demand an entire reciprocity from the States of the Germanic Empire ? — Why should Munich, Stutgard, Ettenheim, and Friburgh, have the right of remaining the centre of the conspiracies which England never ceases to form against France and Helvetia ? These objects deserve your utmost solicitude. Citizen First Consul ; and I dare to tell you so, because this privilege belongs to the Chief of Justice^ and the most serious attention in this respect forms part of your first duties. It may be objected, I know, that England, as a friendly power, has a right to send Minis- ters to the Electors of Bavaria, Baden, and Wir- temburg. But English diplomacy is composed of two sorts of agents, whom all the Continent well knows how to distinguish. Such Ministers as Cornwallis and Warren, are never accredited but 2B2 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. but for honourable missions, to maintain a good understanding between nations, and to regulate the grand interests of policy or of commerce; whilst the Wickhams, the Drakes, and the Spencer Smiths, are known throughout Europe as the artificers of crime, whose cowardice is protected by a sacred character. I will say more : the presence of these contemptible agents is very mortifying to the Princes in friendship with France ; and the Courts of Munich and Stutgard cannot support, without disgust, Drake and Spencer Smith, whom numberless reasons render suspected of a very different mission from that which is announced by their official title. In consequence of the demand that you have m&de of them, the Electors of Bavaria and Wir- temburg have driven from their states the im- pure remains of the French who are enemies to their country, and whose hatred has survi- ' ved the calamities of civil war, and the par- don which you have granted them. Let them likewise drive away these artificers of conspi- racy, whose mission has no other object but to re-animate the intestine dissensions of France, and to sow fresh discord on the Continent. Ought not our neighbours to suffer an equal alarm with ourselves at the return of political troubles REGNIER. _ ' 2S3 troubles, and of all those horrors of war, which can be profitable only to that nation which is the enemy of every other? — 1 demand^ in the most earnest manner, and every duty I owe you, Citizen First Consul, impels me to make the re- quest, that the Cabinet may take such effectual measures, that the Wickhams, the Drakes, and the Spencer Smiths, may not be received by any power in friendship with France, whatever may be their title or character ; men who preach up assassination, and foment domestic troubles ; the agents of corruption, the missionaries of revolt against all established governments, and the ene- mies of all states, and of all governments. The law of nations does not apply to them. I have fulfilled my duty. Citizen First Consul, in ex- posing to your view the facts which prove that Drake and Spencer Smith exercise upon the Continent the same mission with which Wick- ham was charged during the last war. Your su- preme wisdom will do the rest. Rkgnier. Dated Paris, 28th Germinal, in the year 12, April 18, 1804. Those Continental Governments which have been intimidated or seduced to sign indiscreetly, by their representatives at Paris, a belief in this stupid 284 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. tupid farrago of absurdity, falsehood, and for- gery, the produciion of minds tormented by remorse for past crimes, dreading future chas- tisements, and furious at their impotency to otherwise injure a great and free nation, as much above the repubHcan tyrants and their slaves for her loyalty, as for her spirit and patriotism; — let them compare the public and private characters of an Addington, of a Hawkes- bury, and a St. Vincent, with those of a Buona- parte, of a Regnier, and of a Talleyrand 5 and then they will, no doubt, disavow such degrad- ing and impolitic transactions of their Ministers, and be ashamed of having diplomatic agents in France, so ignorant, so weak, or so wicked, as to stoop to be the panegyrists of infamy, the promoters of the plans of the guilty, and the indirect accomplices in the plots of rebels and re- gicides. As to Regnier*s accusation and charge against the unfortunate and so barbarously murdered Duke of Enghlen and General Pichegru, against Moreau, Georges, and others, they are to be received with caution and viewed with suspicion; because Buonaparte's ambition, and even safety, required at this moment a great plot. He wanted it, to take away the public attention from REGNIER. 285 from the inefficacy of his means to invade Eng- land, and to divert the murmurs and quiet the impatience of his soldiers : it was necessary, before his debased Senate could invite him to assume an Imperial dignity, to which, ever since the peace of Amiens, he had anxiously looked, and which had been impeded, but not laid aside, by the renewal of the w^ar. It has, besides, been a favourite maxim with all the jevolutionarv rulers in France to invent con- spiracles. Traitors themselves, they saw in every opposer a rebel against their authority, and in very rival a conspirator against their power. When their popularity was decreasing, or when they apprehended the punishment due to their crimes ; when their cruel deeds of inter- nal vengeance became abhorred; when their absurd schemes of external ambition had mis- carried; when defeats had irritated their pride, or when disaffection ras;ed in their armies ; when their soldiers wanted pay, or the people bread, to silence clamour, and to occupy the thoughts of the injured and offended, but giddy French nation; — plots were announced, de- nounced, and punished — prisons crowded — scaf- folds erected — or the wilds of Cayenne peopled with yictiius. Des Od'ouard^ Prudhomme, and other 286 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. other revolutionary writers, have acknowledged, '^ That during ten years, from 1789 to 1799, the different members of different factions in that period, pretended to have discovered no less than 860 conspiracies, of which sixteen only were supposed to he real, though they have cost the lives or liberties of no less than 144,000 persons, of whom 9666 were women.'* The member of the National Convention, and of the Council of Aucients, Faultier, originally a Car- melite friar, whom the Revolution converted suc- cessively into a strolling player, a regicide, a legis- lator, a general, and an author, confessed in his work " Oil Republican Parties," that, '^ Of these 860 pretended conspiracies^ he had, by the desire of Mirabeau, Orleans, Talleyrand, Condorcet, Bris- sot, Danton, Robespierre, La Reveillere, or Barras, invented 721, and published them as real in the daily papers, particularly in that newspaper called UAmi des Lois,'* He ingenuously adds, ^* That France will cease to be a republic if she ceases to le agitated, and, secure from present clangers, gives the people time to recollect their past un- interrupted tranquillity under Monarchy; to see what they are, and remember what they were. From the murder of the innocent Marquis de Favras as a conspirator, by La Fayette, in Feb. 8 REGNfER. 287 Feb. 1790, every year since the people have been more or less alarmed, more or less tormented ; under the appellation of measures of police, or measures of public safety, new measures of ri- gour, of slavery, and of terrorism, have been resorted to. Under pretext of the necessity to save the country, but in fact to ensure the con«- tinuance of their usurpation, Robespierre and his Committee of Public Safety decreed the most oppressive and tyrannical laws against the quiet and liberty of French republicans. These laws the Directory improved, and, after being extended, they are now confirmed, and regarded by Buona- parte's Consulate as the fundamental laws of the Republic; and have obtained a perfection with the assistance of Fouche, Talleyrand, and other liberal-minded counsellors, at which all acts of former republican tyrants could never arrive. No person of either sex in modern France, above fifteen years of age, is exempted from the obli- gation of having a card of citizenship, or a pass, containing a minute description of his or her person, as if in the modern French common- wealth it was suspected that every individual was born to be at one period or other a traitor or a conspirator, a rebel or a felon, whose person it was 2S8 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. was necessary to keep registered in the polic* offices, where volumes are found, with copies of the passes or cards of thirty milUons of degraded originals, or free French republicans. In Italy as in Switzerland, in Holland as in Hanover, and in all countries where a French citizen enters to rule and to plunder, the same oppressive acts are introduced, with domiciliary visits, arbitrary imprisonments, requisitions, extortions, &c. ; liberty disappears with prosperity, and nothing remains but wretched slaves and proud tyrants. If, therefore, a Cochon or a Sottin, a Fouche or a Regnier, occupies the place of a Police Minister in the Erench Republic, if he possesses no honour or feelings, and but common under- standing, he will, by the ignorant, be considered as an able, if not a great man. This explains the success of the admired French police, backed by 132,000 avowed spies at Paris alone (one-sixth of the population*) j and shews the utter impos- sibility that any conspiracy of any considerable extent can exist long without discovery. It proves besides, that when government finds it necessary, it has at its command 132,000 irre- proachahle witnesses ready to discover, or to swear * See Les Nouvelles a la Main, No. iii. Brumaire, an xii. I^LGNIER. 289 swell to any plot that may be thought necessary either to impeach internal rivals, or to calumniate foreign foes. The anarchy and immorality of the French Jlevolution have introduced themselves into all the branches of the administration, the judicial department not excepted. Fiddlers, barbers, strolling-players, and apostate friars, have been seated on the bench of judges, as well as headed battalions. The cruel Dumas, the President of the Revolutionary Tribunal at Paris in 1793 and 1791, had first in 1790 left his convent; Collot D'Herbois and Fernix, who butchered in the same capacity -durir.g the sam.e period at Lyons and at Orange, had both in 1739 been attached to the theatre in the former city,, the one- as an actor and the other as a musician. The Judge at Strasburgh, Schneider, hud been a barber, and the Judge in La Vendee, Heron, was a tailor from Versailles. A hundred others as low, as ignorant, aad as cruel, might he men- tioned. The consequence is, that the honest man has no security that he shiill not be punished as a rogue, or executed as an assassin; whilst the really criminal, by money or friends, is always sure to escape chastisement. Corruption and ignorance walk hand-in-hand; and it is more VOL, in. easy f 00 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. easy for Buonaparte to clear the highways of robbers, than to prevent his tribunals from being dens of thieves, where innocence is condemned for want of means or inclination to bribe, and where guilt is acquitted, by dividing with the judges the spoils of its nefarious deeds; tribunals from which the sole whim of the usurper sends a prisoner to fill a place in his senate, or to be shot in the wood of Vinccnnes. To give an English public some idea of the indecency and want of probity and decorum in the French tribunals, the following is trans- lated verbatim from a Paris paper, Le Journal des Trihuncaux, page 0, of the f d of January, 1804. The trial took place on the 23.d of the preceding December: *• Lately a ^oungman, handsome in bis person, and formed like a Hercules, aroearcd before the Criminal Tribunal at Paris, and caused there such a crowd, and was so much the fashionable hero of the day, that Parisian beaux, belles, cockneys, and gossips, paid as much Tor-places in the galleries of this tribunal as for those in the first boxes at the Opera. *^ The prisoner, Francais Benoit, had^ for the last ten years, once or twice every year, been tried for thieving or robbery, and condemned ; but REGNIER. 291 but had always escaped cither ffom the prisons or from the galleys, and returned again to the heau vioiide at Paris, where his personal agre<^- ableness, insinuating manners and address, soon procured him new acquaintances, new intrigues, new adventures, and new opportunities to pilfer or to steal. He was at last arrested when on the eve of marryins: the sister of General Murat, who, report says, is now dying for love, and has even petitioned the First Consul to allow her to share the fate of her lover; by the publicity of whose imprisonment the police has not aug- mented their interest with the Consular family, because the theft was committed in the Council of State, where Buonaparte had appointed him an Under Secretary; and where this affair has caused great scandal, as the Counsellor of State, Emmery, had accused another Counsellor of State, Francois de Nantes, of being the stealer of a gold snuff-box, which was picked out of his pocket in the council chamber, and which was stopped at a pawnbroker's where Benoit went to pledge it. *' The first question the President asked Be- noit, on the day of his trial, the 1st of Nivose on the 23d of last December, w^as, '' How did you come here; did we not condemn you last year 02 io 5D2 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. to the galleys for life?" To which he made the following answer : " Fellow- things I you no^ only condemned me last year; but every year since 1/98 I have been condemned by fellow- thieves to the galleys for life. As to the his- tory of my escape^ it is siniple ; it is the same now as ten years ago. and has cost me neither more nor less than 100 Louis d'ors. I paid to \'0\x, fellow -thieves, 25 Louis d'ors for condemn- ing me only to the galleys ; I paid to the fellow- thief who commands at Brest, 25 Louis d'ors, to overlook my escape 5 to xhc fallow-thief , the keeper over the galley-slaves, 25 Louis d'ors to let me escape; and 25 other Louis d'ors for travel- ling post from Brest to Paris; where you pro- bably will condemn me to-day, but where you will see me a2:ain within six months.'* ^' After sentence of transportation to Cayenne for life bad been passed, he addressed himself to the Judge, but, bowing, regarded the Ladies in the galleries, saying, *' My fellow- thieves have sent me to Cayenne ; but. Ladies, do not break vour hearts; I shall never leave France, and but for a short time Paris. I am a thief, it is true, but a patriotic thief, having never yet stolen any thino; but from thieves e7i masw. enriched by a revolution v/hich has ruined my family and myself. I am KEGMEK. 203 I am besides an anti-republican, and an anti- rcgiclde, and have revenged in nij/ oini manner thfi murder of an inriocent Kino-, raid the dcstrucvion of Monarchv. Of tlic rcL'icidos v^^ho murdered Louis XVI. 1 hxvc cockled G'2', of the former ^ings of factions, L have cockled all the menibers of Robespierre's Conuniktce of Public Safety; all the members of the late Directory ; the whole Consular family; all the Consular nnnisters and counsellors of state; most of the senators^ legis- lators, tribunes, and many of the other revolu- tionary gentry, now so proud, so great, and so honest. The snulT-box for which I am now pinched, interropled my career to the consulate for life, in the same manner as a gold bracelet squeezed me in 1796, and prevented me from being a Director for five years/* Turning to- wards the public accuser. Merlin of Douai, he said, ** Is it not true, fellow-thief, that I was that year a favourite aide-de-camp to you, both in the directorial hall, and in your good wife's bed-room; ai your table as well as in your bed 5 Kxcuse Ladies! this indiscretion; the sneer of my old friend forces it from me — and remember, Parisian beauties, tliat if you desire to see your constant admirer soon again — d'argenty heaucoup o 3 d' argent f £94 KF:V0LUT[0NARY PLUTARCH. d* argent, can alone break his fetters, in making him your slave." *' When he was carried away, several purses vvith gold were thrown to him from the galleries; and in the passage from the tribunal back to the prison, a servant to the beautiful wife Q>i a rich banker presented him with a rouleau of fifty Lauis d'ors. During his speech, he had often been interrupted by the Judges, who had or- dered the gem d'armcs to carry him away, but they were prevented by the crowd from ap- proaching him or the bar. He often received loud and repeated applauses from the galleries, and from the people in the hall." A gentleman who was present at this trial is now in London, and assures me that he saw Benoit the week before at Madame Buonaparte's ball, where his frequent dances with her not only caused the envy and whispers of all other la- dies present, but even the jealousy of the First Consul, whose frowns forced his dear vioiiie, though unwillingly, to change partners ! ! 1 That the Consular Grand Judge Kegnier of 1604, possesses the same debased mind with the revolutionary Judge Regnier of 179i> an anec- dote well known at Paris, and extracted from REGNIEH. i?[>^ Ijes Nhuutlics a la Main, No. i. \'endcmiaire^ an, xii. evinces: — '* In January, 1S03, xMad':- nioiselle de C , a young lady whose taihci, the Marquis de C , died during his emigrji- lion, was left entitled to a fortune of 400, OUO livres, or l6,000l. per annum. This only child was educated in a Roman Catholic school in this country. Of her family property nearly half remained unsold, and^ according to Buonaparte's amnesty, was to be restored to her. She wiilted therefore on the Grand Judge to prove her claims. Regnier is a ma^i near sixty, with the ferocious looks of an executioner, improved by the vulvar and hruVA nidnnQn o^ i sans-culoiti">. This public functionary offered this beautiful lidy more than she demanded, upon conditiou of accepting his hand, beingy as he said, dvter . mined to obtain a divorce^ should his old wife not die soon* Upon Mademoiselle dc C -'s refusal, and declaration. '^ That she hoped Providence would give her strength to support poverty, rather than do any thing contrary to her princi- ples of virtue ;" the Grand Judge fell uxto a rage, told her to be gone, and never call again; as tkoss who believed, in Providence and in virtue might trust to their assistance j and had nothing to ex^ pectfrom him. In a memorial presented to the o 1 f i-st 21)0 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. First Consul, this laolitical tools, are, with Reo-nier, equally Xiotorious for crimes, and dangerous from their want of all moral and reii2:ious notions*. * The pafticulnfs fof which the authorities are not quoted, are taken from Histoin Gai^rai ^er C-imes^ by Pf ijdhomme ; pufiinf.'aii'e if^s y.fcdins and Lcs AftM^s J-t Tm^fi^met By a iUiima ef the lOth of July li&^t Repitr was tiepjlved ' cf hli place afi a ft\Uii§t€r ©f tlut Palife \ imd his fun^tleni as a Cfan^ Judge, are new of ths same aatu?* |8 xW^^ §f the f«f- . n\er muiUte t^ ojf J u^\ke , ( 297 ) JACQUES ALEXIS THURIOT, JCDGE OF THE Cx'^.IMINAL AND SPECIAL TRIBU^'AL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF THE SEIXE, BE- FORE WHOM MOREAU, PICHEGRU, GEORGES, &C. WERE PRI' VATELY EXAMINED. Most of the men employed by Buonaparte £5 instruments to entrap and condemn the pretended conspirators, whom he regards as per- gonal rivals, or as enemies to his usurpation, are the very same men who plotted the destruction of Monarchy in 1791 ; who murdered the terror- ists in the name of liberty, and who plun- dered, while they extolled equality, during the years 1792, 1793, and 1794, and whose crimeg were so notorious, that, since the death of Ro- bespierre, none of his successors, except Buona - parte, have stooped to associate with characters, corrupted as well as atrocious. The Judge Thu- riot, and the Police Director Real, are both of this description. Both were, in 17S9, advocates of the Parliament j both were disgraced by nefa- rious actions j both were despised by their supe- O 5 tiors 298 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. rlors and shunned by their equals ; both, there- fore, became {idimmg patriots, and as such joined in rebellion, Thuriot was, on the 14th of July, 1789, one of the Electors of Paris 5 and on the 10th of September, 1791^ chosen a deputy to the Legis- lative Body for the department of Marncj in which post he shewed himself one of the most violent and bitter enemies of his King, and of Monarchy. He was, at the same time, one of La Fayette's persecutors, whose imbecile and lukewarm patriotism displeased him. In March, 1792, he provoked measures of rigour towards the emigrants, and threatened, in case of oppo- sition, an insurrection of the people at Paris. On the 23th of May, he declaimed against reli- gion, and against the clergy, *' ivhom he wished, f 01' the welfare of mankind, at the bottom of the sea.*" In July he ascended the tribune every day to calumniate his King and to blaspheme his God. On the 26th he proposed to declare the country in danger, and the permanency of the Parisian Sections. After the 10th of August he became the interpreter of the insur- rection municipality, caused domiciliary visits and a revolutionary tribunal to be decreed^ and defended • Sec Recueil d'Anecdotes, page 452. THURIOT. 299 defended the massacres of prisoners in Septem- ber, because this summary justice of the sovereign people was necessary for the sctfety of the country ^ as the tree of liberty could never flourish ivithout being continually inundated with the blood of aristo- crats^ and other enemies of the Revolution^, Elected a member of the National Convention, he con- tinued faithful to his former ferocious principles j and, during the trial of the virtuous and unfor- tunate Louis XVI. 5 he daily called for the de- struction of that good prince. On the 12th of December he demanded that the tyrant Capet should be tried, and ascend the scaffold iv it hi n three days. On the same day he was appointed one of the Conventional Commissaries, and sent to the Temple to ask Louis XVL the names of the counsellors whom he chose for defenders. On the 18th Thuriot declared in the Jacobin Club, That f the National Convention evinced any signs of clemency, he would go himself to the Temple, end blow out the brains of the King, for whose death he, of course, voted in January 1793t. Al- ways a partisan of violent and oppressive mea- sures, this friend of liberty caused, in March, a o 6 law * Sec Rccuell d' Anecdotes, page 453. •f See the same work and page ; aHci Lc Dictionnaire Biogra- phique, art. Thuriot. mo REVOLUT/ONARY PLUTARCIL law concerning passes to be decreed^ to \vbicl% free Frenchmen are Blill so subject, that they dare not walk in the streets without a pass in their pocket. In May, he denounced all bankers and merchants as incorrigible aristocrats ; and, as a punishment, moved, that they should im- mediately be obliged to pay a forced loan oi one million. In June^ he was made a member of the Committee of Public Safety, '^ where/' (according to R^cue'd d' Anecdotes, page 345), , ^ having appropriated to himself 500^000 livres in assignats, deposited there, and belonging to ar- rested person?, he was tin^ned out by Robes- pierre, and escaped the guillotine only by assist- ing that republican, tyrant in sending his revolu- tionary antagonistg, the Brissotines, to prison Jind to dea:h. During the remaining part of Kobespicrrc's reign, Thuriot was his assiduous •\'ajL't 5 but remained silent in the National Con- vention, from fear of exposing himself to the opposing factions. After Robespierre's execu- tion, he became the official defender of Bar- rere, Collot d'Herbois, and their republican ac- complices, who, daring eighteen months, had i^ondemned n^iOre innocent persons to be guillo- tined^ QhoXp and drowned, than had perished,. daring THURIOT. - SOI duriag the Monarchy, for. the fourteen preceding centuries. ' ' ' In February 1 795, Le Gendre accused him in the National Convej.ition of being chief of the Terrorists 5 after whose defeat by Pichegru, in the insurrection on the fot.fpf the following April^ he was ordered first; :to:, be arrested, aixl afler^ wards to be outlawed, as on that day one of the principal plotters for restoring the reign of terror. He remained concealed until the amnesty of this Assembly in Oct(>ber permitted him again to fraternize with his former associates. The revo- lution effected by Buonaparte in 1799 foimd him without bread as w(?ll as without a conscience,, ready to perpetrate the same enormities in erect- ing a throi>e for an usurper, that he had already committed in annihilating that of his lawful Sovereign. His past crimes and infamy w^re, with the guilty Corsican, pledges for his future obedience and fidelity ; he was therefore promoted to the place that he now occupies. Prudhomme's work* gives him this character : — '^ Before the Revolu- tion, dishonoured and indebted y atheist, to crush the * Prudhoname's Histoiie des Crimes, tcm. iv. psge 644 ; and Recueil d'Anecdytes, page 354. 302 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. the remorse of his conscience ; and factious, to be enabled to silence the reproaches of his ac- quaintances, and the demands of his creditors ; Thuriot saluted cordially in 1789 the overthrow of rank, property, morality, and religion. Fana- ticism operated upon Marat, St. Just, and even sometimes upon Robespierre; but Thuriot was al- ways cool and deliberate, defending with the same sang fro'id the barbarity of others, as he offered^ himself to shoot Louis XVL Besides his thefts en masse in the committees, he dearly sold his pro- tection, and by it, in detail, picked the pockets of his countrymen. In 1?9-^ he was accused in the National Convention by Le Cointre, of hav- ing stabbed his wife ; by Le Gendre of having poisoned his mother; and by Freron of having caused twelve of his creditors to be murdered in the Abbey prison, on the 2d of September, 1 792.'' To these grave accusations, his only answer was — PROVE IT 'y well knowing, that during the reign of terror all witnesses to his guilt had been removed to a place where they can tell no tales, Asa politician, he said in 1791, *^ The Re- volution was designed to raise the lowest ; and will never rest till it has effected that purpose/' As an orator it may be added, that he would li- terally 8 THURIOT. 3 OS ^erally beat both the air and the earth amidst his declamations, that his adversaries might hav^ no rest. Such is the judge who had at his disposal the Vives of Moreau, Georges, and other illustrious and loyal men ! ! ! p. P, REAL, 04 KEVOLUnONARY PLUTARCH. 4 P. F. REAL, JfTR DIRECTOR OF EUOXAPARTE's POLICE, AND IIIS COUNSELLOR OF STATE, Comme ce lourci Re^lecrit ! Cornme il ment sans gout, sans esprit I L'cntendez vous vanter avec emphase Le cl'uistne de ses gredins I Comir.e il jouit ! Comme il est en extaae Devant les chants des assassins ! C'est un quatre vingt-neuf, ami de h patrie, O le charmant jeune homme ! O I'honnete garfon ! Pour certains petils tours, qui ne flairoicnt pas bon, ' S.3. grifl'e fut, dit-on, au palals raccourcie ; Mais j'en jure Fyan Rcsslgno/ et Bubauf^ S"il fut fort en niouterie. En terrorisme ii n'est pas neuf. AVCUSTE DANICAK. The tbcoriesj speculation s^ or reveries of pbysion-nomists, though less dangerous to the happiness of society, are as defective, and as little to be depended upon, as those of modern philo- sophers, metaphysicians, politidtins, or other fashionable innovato'-s. Of the rebelHons mon- sters that have butcb.ered, or caused butcheries, ia revolutionary France^, with the exception of Mirabeau, REAL. 305 Mirabeau, Sieyes, Marat^ and Danton, most of them vvcrc good-looking men, whose faces and features bespoke neither cruelty nor viilany. Such are, or were, those of a La Fayette, Brissot, Robespierre, Carrier, Hebert, Le Bon, Barras^ Fouche, Mehec, and other notorious rebels or regicides. Even from viewing the picture of Napoleon Buonaparte, no man would imagine the original more atrocious than a Nero; a greater hypocrite than a Cromwell; more deliberately wicked than a Sylla; and more coolly barbarous than a Marius. Had a Lavater been asked to delineate the fea- tures of a man morally godd, aiid religiously virtuous, the portrait of Real would, according to the rules kid down by himself, have furnished him with ar complete model. But with a pleasing and open countenance, that shews candour itself; with an a2;rceable and soft voice, and very insi- nuatino; manners: with a lano-uacre that breathes nothing but humanity; having tears at his com- mand on all occasions, and bestowing them libe- rallv either in defendino; crimes or in accusiupj innocence: eil]:ier ou hearino; in society a narra- live of invented distress, or on seeing in the theatre the imaginary misery of a tragedian, Real conceals 3^6 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. conceals witkin a body of perfect shape, the mos hypocritical, ferocious, and base mind. Real is the son of a Clerk in the Police Office at Paris, and was born in 1760: accused of for- gery, and convicted of fraud, he was shortly be* fore the Revolution struck off the list ef advo- cates by the King's Parliament in that city. He therefore, of course, became a.Jashionablc patriot, and early made himself remarked by his exag- gerated opinions at the Jacobin Club, and by bis dangerous and sophistical writings in the peri- odical papers of 1789, 1790, and 1791. He was with Mehee a co-operator in the paper Le Pa- triotCy in 1789, and with Gorsas in the Journal des LXXXIII Departmens, In the confidence of the conspirators who planned and effected the revolution of the 10th of August, 1792, he was by them appointed thejirsf public accuser of the Jirst revolutionary tribunal. In- this terrible situ- ation, he was the ^r>j/ judicial functionary that forced French judges and a French jury to lay aside the laws of their country; to silence the dictates of their own consciences, and to substi- tute in their place the passions and vengeance of factions. He was the Jlrst to destroy the im- mense distance w-hich, in all civilized nations^ separates the punishment for an imprudent word from ^^ REAL. 307 from that of a murderous deed. According to his conclusions, as a public accuser, ** all persons carried before a revolutionary tribunal were guilty, because they luere suspected \ for in revolutionary times, to cause suspicion was always guilt, and all suilt deserved death. And a citizen who mentioned the name of a king, or who talked of a peace with a king, committed high treason toward his na- tion; and was as culpable as the parricide who strangled his father, the matricide who poisoned his mother, or the fatricide who slabbed his brother*,** Among the many other persons whom Real, as a public accuser, sent to the scaffold, was the brave and loyal General Blackman, of the King's Swiss guard. He was condemned for conspiring against the people, by defending, on the 10th of August, the King, his family, and the palace of the Thuilleries against the mob of assassins and plunderers who had attacked them ; and though he proved, that in doing otherwise he would have acted not only contrary to his honour as an officer, but to that duty imposed upon him by his oath of allegiance to Louis XVL, by the French constitution, and by the several military capitulations between France and Switzerland, he * L"c Recueil d' Anecdotes, page 177 , 308 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. he was giullotined on the 3d of September. Tt was to hira that Real addressed those reniaik- able words, which have so often been quoted to inspire horror against their abominable author : *•' / have two consciences 'j the one accjuils ihee^ not only as innocent, hit as just ; bit the other condemn g thee, to save the country^ and to inspire terror to innocence as ivell as to guilt*/' With Danton, Scrgent, Marat, Panis, Mehcc, Santerrc, Taihen, and Jarat, Real organized the massacres of the confined persons in the prisons of Paris and Versailles in September 179- ; and be wrote the official letter which Danton feigned «j MlnUtm' ofJusikv, m which all the dt^parl- ments were invited to imitate the summary justlis of the people at Paris ) to empty all prisons, &nd to dispatch all prisoners as enemies to liberty and equality t. 'J'he consequence of this official letter was, the murder of 22,531 prisoners, con« fined as S2ispected, in difitrent jails all over France t. * In 1793 he was elected deputy Pi-ocureztT of *■ L'e Rctueil 4'Arhecdotes, page 178 ; and Lcs Annales du Terrorisme, pag- 644, , t See Les Annales du Terrorisme, page 406 ; and I.e Recueil d' Anecdotes, page 104, in the note. X See the last-menuoned v/^ork ; and I.e Dictiomiaire des _[a- coblns, art. H«al. "REAL. sot^ . of the Committee at Paris, under the notorious Chaumette, in which situation he was succeeded by 'the no less notorious Hebert; when, after the death of Marat, in pronouncing an apo- theosis of this martyr of French lilerti/, he offended Robespierre, whom he called on this occasion, " not the repuhlican providence, as he has lately done Buonaparte, but only a republican apostle of equality.'' His speech on this occasion is preserved in Les j^nnales du Terrorisme, p. 18S. Real, it is said, ascending the tribune of the jacobins, pale and disfigured, sobbing, sighinar, and crying, addressed himself to Robespierre t *^ Apostle of liberty! thy Christ (Marat) is no more; but his gospel fevangilej, shewing Ma- rat's atrocious journal, called llie Friend of the People, will exist for ever in free France, and instruct Frenchmen in their duty as freemen. I propose, therefore, that busts of Marat shall be placed in all jacobin clubs, in the National Con- vention, in the revolutionary tribunals and com- mittees, and in the halls of the 45,000 munici- palities of the French Republic: and that every day, at the opening of each sitting, the president shall address not a prayer ^republicans never prai/) , but a fraternal salute to the representatives of -St. Marat.'' He was here interrupted by the abundance I 310 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. abundance of tears which flowed down his cheeks ; but turning towards the galleries, he continued, after a pause of five minutes : *' Bro- thers and friends ! my fellow-citizens ! the vir- tuous shade of Marat must suffer in the purga- tory of equality until it is revenged : let us release it by sacrificing all detalned_, suspected, or imprisoned persons :'* (at that period the re- publican prisons contained 250,000 prisoners.) ^' Yes," continued he, '' gratitude and huma- nity demand these numerous sacrifices. We owe it to Marat that we can discuss freely here. And the annihilation of a S77iall portion^ and the unworthy part of the present generation, will preserve future generations from the chains of roval tyrants, and the gibbets of kingly execu- tioners." As Robespierre was not flattered enough in this speech. Real was shortly after arrested, and confined in the Luxemburgh, where he saved his life by becoming, with ano- ther Consular Counsellor of State, Miot, a spy upon his fellow-prisoners, whom he denounced after having treacherously gained their confi- dence ; and the last quoted work mentions, p. 190, as a know Ji fact, " that from the begin- ning of January to the latter part of July, 1794, not a day passed that one or more persons did not REAL. 311 not perish by the guillotine, victims of Real's false denunciations." The revolution of the gth Thermidor, or 27th July ] 794, which made his former accomplice, Tallien, a momentary king of faction, released him from his confinement; and on the 6th of August following, he again ascended the tribune of the jacobins, and gave a shocking picture of the interior of the prisons in the reign of terror, which, after the destruction of the jacobins, he augmented and printed. In tbe next winter he became the defender of the criminal members of the revolutionary committees at Nantes, who had committed so many enormities under Carrier, Francasde and others, in Brittany, particularly in La Vendee. To insinuate* himself into the favour of the Directory, he published in the autumn 1795, a pamphlet called Essay on the \3tkof Vendemiaire.^ in which he attempted to defend, or at least to palliate, the ' crimes of Barras and Buonaparte, who on the 6th of October of that year had butchered 8000 men, women, and children in the streets of Paris, because the citizens had insisted upon choosing iuitkfreedomX\\t\x representatives*. But * See Les Brigands DemajqueSf an excellent work by General Danican, page Z38, 239, and following. 3 1 2 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH, But his duplicity and hypocrisy were so well known, mistrusted, and despised, that during the whole directorial reign he remained without any public employment. Buonaparte, however, was not so nice. After his usurpation, Real was in December 1799 nominated a Counsellor of State in the section of Justice i and in February i 804, a Director of the French police, an office corresponding nearly with that which Fouche resigned in 1802. For this last place he is in- debted to his worthy friend Mehee de la Touche, whose services as a spy in England were regarded so eminenthj by the First Consul, that this title was created purposely for him, as a reward for his recommendation of this infamous man : " Fort bien, Real, ce dernier trait me toucha ; Islais tol, done le front seul signale tes forlults ; Tule sais, la vcrtu se fietritdans tabouch?» • Comme une belle ficur sur un aride sol, En paries tu ?,ton ?ir est si fairx, si farouche;, Que j 'imagine entendre, ou Mandrin ou Gaitouche Prechantleshorreurs du vol." DAriCAN, The following account of the barbarous Police of France shews Real's conduct as a Police Direc- tor. It was related to the Aut/lior by persons of know^n probity, who are still in England, and contains only their own sufferings, or what hap- pened to them when in prison ; Persons REAL. 313 Persons of both sexes, implicated In tlie pre- tended conspiracy of Moreau, Georges, and Pichegru, have escaped to this country, after being shut up in the Temple, in the Conciergerie, and in La Force prisons, for several months, and having endured all the augmentations of the horrors of captivity, that. the dread of tortures and of poison must inspire. It has been observ- ed by several political writers, that httle reli- ance is be placed on the reports of proscribed persons: but when corresponding with rumours which they could not know, being confined when these were disseminated, and co«geniai with the characters of men in power, their persecutors, they deserve, at least, to be narrated ; as they throw gome light onthe infamous transactions of the pre- sent barbarous government of France, which may be exposed to a well-merited detestation, but which it is impossible either to libel or to calum- niate. During last February, March, and April, the number of persons arrested as accomplices ia the alleged conspiracy, amounted, at Paris aloney to eight thousand three hundred, ladies as well as gentlemen ; old people near fourscore, as well as boys and girls under fifteen. The number of prisoners taken up in the provinces is known to the police only; but in the department of VOL. III. p i^^ SI4 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. La Vendecj two third parts of the iahabitants were either actually arrested, or put under the inspection of the military commanders, or of the police agent, as suspected adherents to the Bourbons, At Paris, the following formality was observed with a prisoner : after being taken from his home by the spies of the police, accompanied by the gens d'annes * d* elite, he was carried to the office of ♦ As gens d*artKfs are to often mentioned in this work, the following particulars of this corps may be interesting to Eng- lish readers. Before the Revolution, this corps was called la marchausie and composed of 6000 men. The corps of ger.s d'armes amount at present, to 25,000 men, of whom 20,000 are on horseback, and 5000 on foot. To these have lately been added 3000 cho- sen men, selected from the agents of the secret police, and known by the name oi gens d'armes, d' elite. These have five li- vres each aday (four shillings and two-pence) ; whilst the other, have only half-a-crown, or three livres. T\\tgens d'armti are quartered, and doing duty, all over France, and every two leagues, or six miles, some of them are found. They patrole the high and bye roads nightand day; stop every person travel- ling on foot, to look at his pass, and every one in carriages, post-chaises, or diligences as often as they change horses, and oftener, if they are so inclined, as they have no account to give o,f their conduct, but to their general officer, who depends en- tir-ely upon the Minister of the Police, from whom he receives confid-ential orders or instructions. To him are sent all the descriptions of criminal or suspected persons, and he distributes fhem to every brigade under his command, and they are posted up inside in all the cnrpe% de gardes of the ^f^J d'armrs all over France. On the frontier departments, or in those provin- ces REAL. 315 cJf the Secret Police, which is sitting night and day. If any other prisoner was examined_, or if • It ces where the constitution is suspected, the vigilance and the gens d'aimes are doubled ; but they are exceedingly troublesome to all foreign travellers not accustomed to the organized slavery of modern France, and ignorant of the numerous formalities required to make a pass good in that free country ; from which the gens d'ar met take advantage to extort money, and to detain them until they have purchased their liberty. They escort all prisoners every where in France to the tribunals, to the gallies, or to the scaffold. They guard the prisons and houses oi' de~ tenrion, and assist the police agents in makii.g domiciliary visits, or in arresting guilty or suspected persons. They are ckoseri from the most desperate characters in the army ; must know how to read and write, and cannot be accepted without havir.j made three campaigns, and received wounds. The gen J d' annes d' e'iite belong to the secret, or, a? it is some- times called, /jaut pcdice, and are the confidential servants ©f the Minister, Director, and Members of the Secret Police Of- fice. They are employed on the most trusty, as well as on the most desperate undertakings and expeditions. They escorted the Duke of Enghicn from Strasburgh to Paris, guarded him at Vincennes, and were present at his midnight murder. They are the exclusive guards of the Temple, and other state prisons, the actors in torture, the distributors' of the poisonous draughts, and the secret executioners of those unfortunate indi- viduals or families, whom Buonaparte's, Fouche's, and Real's measures of tufeiy require to remove or to conceal. In what revolutionary tyrants call grand coups d'etat^ as butchering, or poisoning, or drowning en matte, they are exclusively employed. They must have been five years agents, or, which is the same, spies of the secret police, before they can be received amoi.; gens d'armetd elite \ and given proofs not only of dexterity, but of that barbarous mind requisite to commit those eaormous crimes, which the vengeance and safety of revolutionary t^-- f a rauti 316 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. it was intended to inspire terror, the arrested person generally continued shut up, chained there in what is called la Chumlre iVEnJcr, or the Chamber of Hell, for 48, and sometimes §0 hours. This room is a large hall under ground, where no light peneirates, paved with stones, and in the wall are large iron rings, to which the chains af the prisoner, with which his hands and feet are bound, are fastened, and locked with a Dadlock. He cannot move farther from the ring than six feet. This dark hall is large enough to contain 150 prisoners at the same time. The only time lijjht is admitted into this abode of misery, is when the iailers are brinsiiuc: anew victim to be chained, as thev then frenerally carry a lantern in their bands. Nothino; but siohs and lamentations are heard, and no consolation can be given, is ex- pected, or will be received, as^ even her!^, the nearest person rants demand. They are called in France, the mutes of BrONAPARTE. The dresses of all the (^ens J'^tmes is the same ; dark blue coats with red lapels and with white buttons; waistcoats and breeches of yellow cloth. The uniforms of the gc}:i d'armts •d'eiitf, are of finer cloth: but these, except upon guard, are mostly dressed in coloured cloth,to enable them to observe and report more easily what is goijag forward. Many of them are waiters in cotfee- houses, at restaurateurs, and in hotels. They frequent all the theatres, gardens, and other places of resort. In the gambling-houses they do duty night and day, in coloured clothts.—I^ou-vflUs a la Main, 20 Fructidor, year 12 J or 6th September, 1804. REAL. 31 r person to an innocent saftercr may be a innuton, or spy, sent to obtain and betray confidence. Halt- a- pound of bread and two pints of water are allowed each prisoner, for each t24 hours. When carried to his first interrotratorv, he does not Icive the Chamber of Hell by the same way that he en- tered it, but passes through other larire subterra- neous rooms, where the stench strikes one of his senses, and blood-stained rags, instruments of torture, and coffins, another } for these rooms are so well lighted, that he can see spots of blood not only on the wall, but on the floor. Arrived before the Secret Police ^lagistrate, who gene- rally was the barbarous Kcal, or the ferocious Fouche, sometimes both ; \\'t is told that his pretended crimes have long been kiunvn to the government, he being watched fur months by the agents of the Secret Police; of course all' evasion or denial are of no other avail than to expose himself to the rack, and certain death. If he persists in being innocent, he is carried back to the Chamber of Hell by the way that he left it, and the turnkeys shew him, en passanty the in- struments of torture, explain the manner of ap- plying them, the terrible sufferings they produce, and fmidh by intimating that few persons have Strength enough to survive their torments. After p 3 being SiB REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH, being for forty-eight hours more in the Chamber of Ilellj upon bread and water^, he is carried to a second interrogatory, under a supposition^, no doubt, that want of nourishment has enervated the strength of his body, as well as anguish re- duced the vigour o.f his mind. If he is not sus- pected of being a chief, or a principal confidant of the pretended chief conspirators j he is then, after undergoing a second interrogatory, sent to the Temple, or some other prison, after signing made-up interrogatories, which, if he refuses to do, forty- eight hours more in the Chamber of Hell teach him to be less obstinate. If he has been arrested by mistake, or no evidence is iound against him, he continues in prison as long as it pleases the police, which seldom opens the doors of the jails, if friends or relatives do not make pecuniary sacrifices, v»^hich has been the case with those persons who have had the good fortune to escape to England. If the persons!? arrested be related to suspected individuals, or supposed to possess great talents, or known ha- tred against the Corsican family, a dose of poison usually removes them from the prison to the grave. Of the eight thousand three hundred jv^.rsons imprisoned last sprmg, not a fourth part have again made their appearance in society; and though HEAL. 3ig though the police agents say, that they have de- niandcd a voluntary bauislunent to the colon ieS;, the burial places at Paris are known to be inha-' bited by most of them. It is v/ell knovv^n that Georges' servant^ Picot^ before the criminal tri- bunal, in the presence of the public, declared that his confession had been extorted by tor- tures ; and no one at Paris doubts that the vir- tuous Pichegru received the reward of the great services he had done his degraded country, by death upon a rack. A gens d' amies d' elite, of the name of Jean Pierreaux, one of his executioncjs* is now raving mad, and shut up at Charenton, where he never ceases to exclaim — '* I have mur- dered Pichegru, the most honest man in France," Before he was sent to Charenton, he proclaimed this, both on the Pont Neuf and -.in the Palais Pioyal. Roland, the friend of Pichegru, lost the use of his right leg on the rack; but his discre- tion, in not menlionino; it before the tribunal, saved his life, which is said to be the case even with* Major Roussillion. During all -the inter- rogatories of Georges, Pichegru, and Moreau, at the Secret Police Office, Buonaparte was, with Murat, and his favourite aid-de-Camj? Duroc,in an adjoining closet, where he could bear what was going on ; and it was he whu, in a fit - Pi . of ^2a REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. of rage against Pichegru, who denied every thing, and refused even to sign the interroga- torieSj ordered the instantaneous and atrocious murder of this great General, who was more ad- mired in France for his greatness of mind, when iiurrounded by Buonaparte's assassins, than for his illustrious achievements v^'hen leadins; on those victorious armies, to whom France is in- debted, not only for all her conquests, but for escaping, perhaps, subjection to the confederate powers in 1791. Every person who has the good fortune of being set at liberty, is, before he obtains his release, obliged to sign a declaration, praising the le- nity, generosity, and humaniiyy of the present Government, and of the persons emplojed by it ] to which, and not to his innocencey he owes that the doors of the prison have not been shut for ever against him. He is informed that this declaration is, in the hand of the po- lice, a mandatd' arret, which will be made use of the instant his conduct becomes suspected. • The Author has been assured, that the late conduct of Buonaparte has served the cause of the Bourbons more in France, than all the arms of their adherents in La Vendee, and the under- takings and endeavours of their friends at Parig, and REAL. 321 and In the provinces; because, formerly, the French royahsts residing in France were di- vided among themselves : some were for Louis XVIIL others for the Duke of Orleans, and others again for the Prince of Conde ; but they are now united, and regard their legitimate So-, vereign, Louis XVIIL, as the only Prince who can save them from the cruel and tyrannical yoke of the Corsican. Besides, all other French- men, either attached to Pichegru, Moreau, or to z republican form of government, and who have no crimes to reproach themselves with, have joined the staunch royalists, in hope of escaping the vengeance or oppression of Buonaparte, whose cruelty against the Duke of Enghien and Pichegru, and whose envy and ingratitude against Moreau, have made him detested by every man, who does not want this upstart's elevation to collect plunder, or to escape the punishment due to his crimes. BUonaparte is so well convinced of the public hatred, that during his late journey he has declined all guards of honour offered by citizens, and trusts the pro- tection of his person only to Mamelukes, who poisoned or murdered with him in Syria and Egypt, or to those picked men of his guards, orr gens d'armes d' elite J v;ho, during 1793 and 179-5,- p 3 were 322 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCfl. were accomplices in his massacres of the inhabi- tants of Toulon and Paris. In confirmation of the above statement, the ' following letter may be added 5 of its authenticity^ unfortunatelv for humanitv, little doubt can re- main : PRIVATE LETTER FROM NSVV^YORK, DATED SEPT. Q, 1804. *^ The widow of the unfortunate Toussaint has just landed upon our Continent* Her ac- counts of her own and her husband's sufferings, from Buonaparte's tyranny and executioners, would be incredible, were they not already equalled by the Corsican's former atrocities, and those of his accomplices. Her mutilated limbs and numerous wounds are, besides, visible proofs of the racks and other instruments of torture, from which she has suffered in the dungeons of free^ enlirrhieiied, and civilized Frafice, and under which, little doubt remains, that General Toussaint expired. From the moment that Le Clcrc, hy- per f: J y and breach of treaties, got her husband and herself into his possession, they were loaded with chains, and, during their, whole passage to France, they continued in irons, with hardly food enov,gh to support life. At their landing &l BourdeikuX^ they were separated, though shut up REAL. ^ 323 up in the same prison. What happened sinct to her husband she does not know, nor is she vet certain whether he has perished, as the French papers have published, in a dungeon at Besan9on ; or whether, with a mutilated body, he continues to breathe the pestilential air of French gaols, exposed to the cruelties, and en- durincT that refinement in torments, which French ingenuity so ably invents, and of which Corsican barbarity so willingly makes use. Hef first examination was before Lucien Buonaparte's brother-in-law, the police commissary at Bour- deaux, Pierre Pierre, who told her, *' that her grave ivas already dug ; and that her last clay was come, if she did not immediately discover the place where her husband's ^erre^ correspondence with the English was concealed, and where his and her own treasures were buried or depo- sited.*' Having never heard of any secret trans- actions with the English, and being convinced that when Le Clerc so perfidiously surprized her husband_, he got possession, not only of all hie papers, but of all his money, amounting to about 300,000 livres (1 2, 5001.) she declared her* self unable to make any discoveries. She was then carried back to her prison, where Pierre Pierre afrived ia the midst of the night, with p 6 four 324 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. four gens (Tarmes d'elite^ who dragged her to a subterraneous hall. Here the police coniniis- sarv, shewing her the instruments of torture, re- peated his former questions and threats. Her assurances, her prayers, her tears, and her de- claration that she tvas in a state of "pregnancy , availed nothing. On the gens d*armes laying hold of her.^she fainted awav. They carried her, notwithstanding, to the rack, where the most excruciating pain soon deprived her of sense, which she only recovered to feel that the premature delivery of a child, by miscar- riage, w^as at hand. One of the geris cTarmes' wives was then sent for, and she was delivered of a dead child. Her sifuation became at last so desperate, that the surgeon of the prison was ordered ,to visit her, and to prolong a life, still necessary to the policy, avarice, and ferocity of Buonaparte and his ferocious gaolers. After an illness which continued for six months, during which time she had repeated promises of li- berty to see her husband, she gathered strength enough to support a journey ; and one evening, after dark, Pierre Pierre arrived with a joyful countenance, informing her, that Buonaparte had generously permitted her to join her husband at Paris. She was accompanied, during the jour^ REAL. 325 ney, by two police agents, and one of the negro girls who came with her to Europe as an at- tendant. The former forbade her to mention on the road who she was under pain of im- prisonment J and the latter informed her, by her signs only, that she also had felt the ef- fect of Buonaparte's tortures, because they were never left by themselves, nor permitted to speak low, one of the police agents being al- ways with them. She entered Paris at eleven o'clock at night, and was immediately carried to the Prefecture of Police, from which the Po- lice Prefect Dubois, ordered her to the Temple. The next evening she was brought before the Grand Judge Regnier, and the Police Director Real. Their Secretary, Desmarais, read to her the former interrogatories before Pierre Pierre, at Bourdeaux, together with her pretended con- fessions when upon ttje rack ; the proces verbal of which was not only signed by Pierre Pierre, but by the four gens d'armes d'Uite, She was now told to be more explicit, her husband having confessed more than herself, as the only means not only to obtain her liberty, but to avoid new tortures. — Having nothing to discover, she per- sisted in her former denial, and was, therefore, upon a signal from Regnier^ seized by the gens 8 d'armes 326 REVOLUTION ARY PLUTARCH. d*dr7nes in the room, and carried to a dungeon^ to which she descended sixty-six steps. Therd she was stripped naked, and put again on the rack, when Desmarais questioned her about the names of the secret agents from the English Governor at Jamacia, of their transactions, of the houses in England and America to whom money had been remitted ; where, in St. Do- mingo, they had buried treasure, in gold, to the amount of ten millons, Sec. What she had suffered at Bourdeaux was merely a trifle to the terrible pains inflicted on her at Paris, which, in a few minutes, deprived her both of the faculty of thinking and of speaking. What happened to her afterwards in the Temple she does not remember, having been entirely deprived of her reason. When she began to recover it last April, she found herself shut up and chained in the mad- house for women, called La Salpetriere, near the Jardan des Plantes, at Paris. When Allemand, the surgeon general of this hospital, had made his report of her convalescent state, her second son was permitted to see her; and the consola- tion that she received from his visits soon restored her as much as she could expect to be on this side of the grave. This lenity of Buonaparte was caused by the nrotnise and engagement of the REAL. 327 the young man to form a party at St. Domingo against Dessalines; and it was by her agreeing to CO operate with her son, that they both were permitted to embark for the American continent, after previously signing an acknowledgment of the kind treatment she had experienced in France. Both she and her son remained in a house of detention at Paris until an American vessel had been hired to carry them away from Europe. Tn this house they were treated not only with humanity, but with respect : before her de- parture she received from Buonaparte 1000 Louis d'ors, as an indemnity for her detention in France; and Madame Buonaparte sent her a dia- mond ring worth 500 Louis d'ors, with a mes- sage that she felt much for her situation, and de- sired her to forget the past, but remember that she was born a French subject. ^' These particulars of her sufferings, Madame Toussaint has related to the widow of a rich planter of St. Domingo, Madame Bernard, who has sent them in- the above letter, to a relative in this country, with the addition that Tous- saint*s widow has lost, by the torture, the use of her left arm; and has no kss than forty- four wounds on different parts of her body. Pieces of iiesh have been torn from her breast, as 328 REVOLUTIOxNARY PLUTARCH. as with hot irons, together with six nails off her toes ! a living witness of the humatiity and honour of the tender Emperor of the French, \\\^ august Chief of the French Leeion o^ Honour," In the Dictlomiaire des Jacolinsy art. Real, is said : '* Successively the accomplice or defender of all guilty men, it is nothing to Real, that he nourishes himself with the tears of the op- pressed. The assassin on the highway is prefer- able to the hypocrite Real ; you mistrust the former, while the latter, with all the exterior of virtue, causes you to fall into the snare*. • Besides the works quoted, the Author has made use of JL? RteutH a' A-itcdoUSy Difticnfiairt Biographi^ur^ and Lr: Ncuvf/'es iUtMainf Vcntose, an iz. No^ iii. ( 329 ) MEHEE DE LA TOUCHE, , THE FRENCH SPY. Accipe nunc .Danaum insidias, et crimine ah uno Dbceomncs. It was a maxim with Richelieu and Maza- rine, to trust neither pohtical nor religious apos- tates J to employ them if they possessed talents, but never so as to afford them means to regain by treason the favour of that party or sect to which early inclination or education had attached them. The knowledge which these able minis- ters had of mankind,, their long experience, their judgment and talents, prepared the gran- deur of the reign of Louib XVI. and they are still consdered in Europe as the greatest states- men of France, so fertile in political genius, and so proud of her Sully, of her Louvois, of her Choi seul, and of her Talleyrand. In his writ- ings Richeheu says, " that inclination for the cause that he serves, is even necessary in a spy ; as it often has the same effect on his conduct that ho^ nour has on that of an amlassador,*' The justness of 330 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. of this remark cannot be doubted, nor is it un- known to any minister cither in England or Trance. Hov/ artful and insinuating the trea- cherous Mehee is, may easily be conceived, when lie was able to impose upon the republicans in one country and upon the royalists in another ; for little doubt remains but that he betrayed the secrets of Buonaparte before he was able to pene- trate to those of Louis XVIIL, and of those faith- ful subjects who desired to restore him to the throne of his ancestors. The father of Mehee de la Touche was ft surgeon at Meaux, 30 miles from Paris, where his son was born in 1762. He was educated to succeed his father 3 but at th€ age of twelve he left his home, and joined,, according to Les an^ Qiahs du Terrorismcy some pickpockets at Paris ; and after several reprimands from the police, was finally sent to the Bicetre, near Paris, a house of correction for those criminals regarded as most desperate and dangerous. At the coronation of Louis XVL his father petitioned for and ob- tained his release. His conduct, however, in his father's house, only hastened the death of both his parents. They died of broken hearts in 1776, and the next year their son was again shut up iu the Bicetre for new crimes. In 1 779 he was MEHEE. 331 was sent to Brest to serve on board the fleet; but he escaped, and was not heard of until the Revolution made it sate for every French villain, on assuming the name of a patriot, to return to his country, from which his crimes had pre- viously proscribed him. In 1790 he was sent as a spy to St. Petersburgh, by the revolutionary propaganda at Paris. Mirabeau and La Fayette procured him a pass as Chevalier De la Touche ; and a patriotic mercantile house at Marseilles, by the desire of the former, the representative of their province, gave him a credit sufficient to live according to his assumed rank. His ma- noeuvres were, however, soon suspected ; and his actions were watched by the police at St. Peters- burgh, until a letter from the then Russian Ambassador at Paris, Count de Semonville, in- formed his Court of the danger that the pre- sence of such a man created ; in consequence of which two Russian police agents, in March 1791, carried him, by the orders oi Catherine IT, out of her dominions. He then went to Po- land in the same employment, and established si French Journal, which was printed at Warsaw. He began by publishing those principles which caused so much wretchedness in France, till Abbe Piatolis, Secretary to the King of Poland, bought 332 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. bought him over, for 500 ducats, to write for the royalist party. But it being discovered that he betrayed to the jacobins in France the secrets of his Polish Majesty, and thereby served the jacobins in Poland, he was arrested, and acknow- ledocd his treason. The generous lenitv of Stanislaus inflicted no other punishment than an order to depart immediately from his capital, and in. eight days to leave his kingdom. In May 179*j he announced in the paper called yinii Ju Peuple, his arrival at Paris, tojight and to die under the colours of Marat y as he said. Tliis worthy apostle of French liberty introduced him to Danton, and in June he was received in the clubs of the Jacobins and of the Cordeliers. On the 10th of August of that year, he was among the banditti who attacked the castle of the Thuillcries in the morning; and in the evening bis name, as Secretary to the self-appointed commune, appeared in a publication posted up every where at Paris, exciting the people to murder, and calumniating the unfortunate Louis XVL and his family. On the 2d of September and the following days, he directed and paid those who murdered the prisoners at Paris. An English gentleman now in London met him on the 3d, in the street Des St, Peres, Fauxlotivg St. MEHEE. 333' St. Germabiy aecorated with a red jacobin cap, with a bleeding head on the point of a sword, accom- panied by sixteen assassins, marching two and two, each carn/ing a head by the hair in each hand^ and who went with him to the municipality, where they said they expected the salaries due for their patriotic labours. This same gentleman met him again in London last summer (1803) at a coffee-house. Astonished to see, after the declaration of war, such a guilty character in England, he asked him by whose permissron he resided here, and,* after having committed so many atrocities in France^ how he dared to pol- lute a country with his presence where a halter and a gibbet punished many persons much less criminal than himself? — To these questions and reproaches he answered with an hypocritical impudence, that his repentance for his past errors was so sincere, andso well known both to the French royalists and to the English Minis- ters, that he had regained, bij great services^ the confidence of the former and the protection of the latter. He would not, however, have escaped chastisement, had he not 'foiirid an op- portunity to steal away through a back door unperceived, w^hile the gentleman informed the master of the hciiise wha his guest was, and desired 334 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH, desired a constable to be sent for. All the orders for the murder of the prisoners in Sep- tember 1 792, and all the loris for the payment of the murderers, were signed Huguenin, Tallien, and Mehee. On the 17th of the same month, while the Section of the French Pantheon were deliberat- ing what government, either republican or mo- narchical, they should recommend to their mem- bers lately elected for the National Convention, the terrible Mehee, sent them from the com- mune a note, which is here translated verbatim : *^ Citizens! If what is called a King, or any thing resemhling it, dare to present itself in France, and somebody is iv anted to stab it, have the goodness to inscribe me among the number of candltates — my name is Meliee." This note was printed in all the papers of that time, and is found in Les Aniiales dii Terrorisme, and in the Dictionnaire Biographique, He was afterwards Tallien's secre- tary, and composed with him the pamphlet which inspired so much horror, called " The Apotheosis of the Septembrizers,'' and the newspaper called >' Les Patriotes de 1789," in which he preserved the same passion for blood, and recommended the massacre of the terrorists then in disgrace, as he shortly before had done that of the . pretended MEHEE. 335 pretended aristocrats and priests, shut up in the dungeons of Paris. By his patron Tallien he was introduced to the members of the Directory, who, on the 25th of November, 17 Qo, appointed him First Secretary to the Minister of the War Department ; and shortly afterwards he obtained the same ph\ce in the Foreign Department under the imbecile La Croix. But his crimes were so notorious, and the public opinion was so much against him, that even the then all-powerful Di- rectory could not protect him, and he was forced to resign in April 17q6, as he pretended, to have time to justify himself. Few, if any, of those guilty men who have figured in the French Revolution and in the French Republic, have satisfied themselves with committing one sort of crime. They have ge- nerally been both assassins and robbers, formers and plunderers. Mehee was hitherto only known as a Septembrizer, whose hands had been stained with the blood of innocent and disarmed prisoners. But he now joined some contractors who defrauded the government of large sums of money, for which fraud he was tried in October 1796; but by the interest of his friend. Merlin of Douai, then Minister of Justice, he escaped, though his accomplices were condemned S36 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. condemned to the gallics, where they still re- main. , About this period the moderate party of the republicans began to court a connexion with that of the constitutional royalists; and their united efforts were visible in the elections of members for the two Councils in the spring of 1/97. Not doubting of that punishment which awaited him as well as all other criminals, should order and a reo^ular orovcrnment be once restored in France, Mehee, to prevent it, made his peace with his old friends the terrorists, and became the Editor of their official gazette, called, Le Journal des Hommes Llircs, in which he affected the lan- guage, policy, and morality of Marat. To make himself distinguished from the other libel- lers, who in this vile and violent paper at- tacked religion and calumniated all lawful So- vereigns, he signed barbarous and regicide arti- cles, " Felhemesi," the anagram of Mehce Jih, So atrocious and dangerous, however, were the consequences of his doctrine, that when the ja- cobin faction of the Directory, by the revolu- tion of the 4th of September, 1797, proscribed all loyal and moderate men, to shew their pre- tended justice in not suffering terrorists more than royalists, Mehee was made an example of, and the MEHKE. 33f the only terrorist and Septembrizer condemned to "be transported to Cayenne, with Pichegru, Wiliot, Barthelemy, and others accused of mo- narchical principles. At 'that time it was not, as it is now under the reign of the ferocious Buonaparte, a capital crime to conceal and pre- serve from destruction individuals of one faction, victims of the vengeance and passions of another faction, Mehec therefore remained for some months bidden by his accomplices, vv-ho presented a petition that he had composed, to the then King of party, Barras; -in which this staunch re- publican basely held the same language to the regicide Director, and praised as much his cle- mency, justice, and generous notions of liberty, as the Consular Senators or Bishops now extol the virtues, humanity, and liberality of Buona-^ parte. This petition had the desired effect. He was pardoned, on condition of defending, in the official directorial paper, La Redacienr, all the crimes, which the . Directors had committed, or intendcd to commit ; and this he continued t($ do until the summer of 1799, vvhcn jacobin clubs were again opened at Paris, and red Caps again were fashionable. Strong by the power of the jacobins, who then constituted the majo- rity in the Council of Five Hundied (including VOL. III. ^ '^-^ th*? 338 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. the jacobin Lucien Buonaparte), he, turned against the Directory, and, in the tribune of the Jacobin Club, '' proclaimed lists of proscriptions, denounced imaginary conspiracies, and demand- ed that the guillotine should once more he the order ofthedaij*:' The revolution effected by Buonaparte on the 9th November of the same year, cooled, however, his revolutionary patriotism) and he petitioned to be the Counsellor of State to an usurper who acknowledges neither a superior nor an equal, after having some few weeks before sincerely and ardently desired a republic oi perfect equality, and the constitution of the year 1 1 +, But the Corsi-* can then declined this fraternity in his Council of State; not but that most of its members were as infamous as Mahee ; but because Tallien, when he- was on the eve of deserting his army in Egypt, had-be^n- veiy severe in reproaching him, in the National Institute at Cairo, with the enormous crimes which he had committed at Jaffa; and that he suspected Mehee of being Tallien's friend; who, in revenge for his disappointment, wrote a libel against the Consular Government, which caused him to be sent to the Temple, the gates of which were ; • See Les Jacobin del' an vii. page iz, printed by Le Nor-; man, an viii. ; Les Septembrizeurs Demasque, chez Dantu, an x. page ^9. MEHEE. 339 were opened to him in 1801 by another liber against the Bourbons. Being without employ- ment, and without bread, alike detested and despised, and having no hope but from terrorists and atheists; he began in 1802 a weekly maga- zine, called UAntidotey where the Christian reli- gion was abused and ridiculed, and, under the appellation of philosophy, the tenets of atheism were preached. As the policy of that apostate to Christ, as to Mahomet, Napoleon Buonaparte had just then concluded a concordat, which in- troduced the same revolution in the church as had before been introduced in the. state, Mehee was again arrested, and transported to the Isle d'Oleron* where, throu&h tlie Interference of his friends at Paris, he gained the favour of the First Consul, by taking upon himself to be his spy in England, to which country he was permit' ted to make his escape in an American ship. Vv'ben Mehee landed in this country, a peace subsisted between Great Britain and France ; and Buonaparte wanted less to stir up rebellion here, than to prevent those royalist emigrants whom his impertinent anmesty could not seduce from their loyalty, and those emigrant Bishops whose faith and allegiance his revolutionary concordat was unable to change or to purchase, from Q 2 creating 340 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. creating disturbances in the French Republic. The principal object of this spy was, therefore, to try, by a pretended repentance of his former crimes, and bv declamations against the Corsicaa usurper, to gain the confidence of the principal emigrants, to inspect their actions, and to report thtfir conduct. He went, therefore, to those French houses frequented ly his countrymen; but for a long time his very name inspired hor- ror. By continuing, however, his assiduity, by enduring insults with patience, and finally, by froing; retrularly to the mass, and to confess, he imposed on some few, ant) familiarized others with the idea that even a Septembrizer may be- come a reformed man. As soon as he remarked (as he thought) that tlie prejudice against his per- son and the abhorrence of his former crimes were lessened, he offered himself, in atonement for his past conduct, as a disinterested viciim to bleed for the cause of his King, in attempting to annihilate the Republic with the usurpation. But neither his Royal Highness Monsieur, the brother of the Kincr of France, nor anv of the other French Princes, would admit him into their presence. After the provocations of Buonaparte had again obliored Enoland to resort to arms in defence of her honour, liberty, and independence, his spy ad- dressed I MEHEE. 34^ tiressed himselt'to some of the principal emigraiits, possessing the confidence of the English Govern- mentj and the esteem of the King of France and of his royal relatives, with a plan for engaging the terrorists to destroy the Corsican, and to restore Monarchy; (^s according to his assertion, ahat had been overturned ly terrorists ccidd only I e re- luilt ly terrorists. He had even tlie audacity lo desire them to present him to the British Miiv.s- ters 3 but one of them, whose talents and judg- ment are as in *■ To prcYS the authenticity of this document, the A,uthoi subjoins the origirial. MONSIEUS., Je vous renvoye votre Dictionnaire soi-disant Historique, et •vous-remercJe de m'avoir bien voulu ccmmuniquer ce qui me regarde dans le recueil, dont les auteurs ont eu i'art de calomiiiei; jusqu'a des gens que 1 on na croyaif pas calomniables. Qaand au conseil que vous me donnes de repondre a ce qui m- concernc-. je vous pric d ' obierver que cc t ou vraf e ne ppr; e ni nom d ' auteur^ ni nom d'imprimeur, ni nom de libraire, et qui! est a peu pres reju, que dcs atrocites que personnc u'ose avouer ne meritSnt que ie niepris des honiietes gens. Lor:ique d- s calomnlarertrs plus hardis m'ont calomnie a Paris eront ose signer cequ'ils avancaient, surle champ jc k-j ai iraduits, devant Ics tribunaux, et j'ai obtcnu justice, lorsque le Moniteu'r il y a deux ans a rcpete par crdre de- k cour, la calcmnic deja jugec, je me suis forr 342 REVOLUTIONARY l^LUTARCH. in which he attempted to excuse, or totally de- nied, these known enormities, which no repent- ance can extenuate, and no evidence diminish ; THE fort peu embarrasie sil'article etait du Premier Consul, et j'ai attaque et traduit devant les juges le Moniteur et ses copistcs. J'ai a la verite cte anete et deporte pour tout jugeuient, mais cet acte la meme est un aveu que le despote craignait que son journal ne fut condamue. Lorsqu'a Londreson me dit que Mr. Richer Serisy repandait contre moi les menies calomnies, commeMr. Richer Serisy, est un homme a qui on peut rcpondre, vous savez si je perdis une minute pour allcr m'expliquer avec lui. Je le trouvai aigri par le malheur et la maladie ; il m'ayoua que me regardant com- me un ennemi des royalistes il s'etait exprime fort durement sur mon compte, et qu'il avait dit avoir lu tout ce que vous venes de me montrer.Je m'appercus que, toutel'hume.urde M. Richer portait sur ce qu'il avait lu et entendu dire. Je lui prouvai que je n'avais jamais occupe les places dans lesquelles jl me supposait. II ne connaissait rien des persecutions que j'ai eprouvees et il arriva avec lui ce qui arrivera toujours avec les gens de bonne foi, qui voudront m'entendre et me juger sur ce que j'ai fait, et non pas sur les orduies que les partis le jettent»au nes dans une Revolution. Viola ce j'ai toujours fait quand quelqu'un s'est presente j et si aujourde'hui vous trouves quelqu'un qui veuille signer ou articuler devant temoins, lesfaits contenus dans le Dictionnaire que je vous renvoye, je vous donne ma parole d'honneur de lui prouver de toutes les manieres possibles qu'il est un fourbe, et un lache calomniateur. Mais lorsqu'un libelle degoutant, raporte des faits deja plusieurs fois juges, et par les tribunaux, et par 1 'opinion des honnetes gens, que voulez vous que je fasse ?— Voulez vous que j'aille me battre seul devant le public, et que je disc: Messieurs, il n'est pas vrai, que je soye un terroriste, un Marati-ste, un assassin .... tout le monde me rirait au nes. * - * . On MEHEE. S4S THE JMJSMORIJL. TO MY LORD, I return you the soi-disant Historial Dictionary, and thank you for the obliging manner in which g4 you On me diralt : pourquoi vous defendes vous de ces horreurs ? C'est que Ot, m'en accuse—quel est ce On qui vous ac- cuse ? — Des gens de lettre de Hatniourg.— Alois alles les trouver — Je ne les connais pas. Addresses vous a I'imprimeur. On ne le connait pas — Au libraire, cela se vend en cachette en ce cas la, meprises les, et laisess nous tranquilles. Voila a coup sur ce que I'on me dirait ; mais j'avoue que cela ne me suffit pas avec vous, et que je dois a la bienveil lance que vous m'aves temoignee, de vous montrer et de vous faire connaitre I'homme que vous aves accueilli. Je vais done jette'r avec vous, et pour vous seul, un coup d'oeil sur I'odieux bouquin dont il est question. II Commence par dire que j'etals comme ci-devant sous le Tiom de Cbevaliii de la Toache — quo! que ceci nesoii pas une in- jure, c'est encore un mensonge et prouve combien il me connait, Vous saves quelle est ma famille, mon grandpere en derogeant, comme il a fait, separe la branche a laquelle j'appartiens, du reste d'une famille fort ancienne. Avant d'etre medecin, mon pere avalt long- terns exerce la chirurgerie. II est fort connu par plusieurs ouvrages sur cet art, et vous saves comment il serait facile en France, de se faire passer ^o\xxCbeva!ier, lorsque I'on a toute sa vie demeure chez son pere chirurgier:^ comms ainsi vos geus de lettre de Hambourg, me declarent comsu par un titre sous lequel je ne me suis jamais connu moi-meme. Eleve dans nos colleges ou nous rccevions une education toute republicaine, puisquc nos livres Grecs et Latins ne nous rcpresentaieiit M4 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCIL yovi have communicated to i>ie whatever con- eerna myself in that collection^ the conductors reprcsentaient que les vcrtus et les beaux traits des anciennes Tcpubliques, vous concevrc'sque ne connaissant lemondeetla politique que par ce beau core, il n'est point surprennant que j» scis arrive a lagede 25 ans (j'avaiba^ ans lorsqiie coi^^imerca la resolution; avecdes idees tres favorabks a vine republiq\ie. II y avait alors cinq ans que je voyageais dans le ncril ou des affaires iie commerce rr^'avait fait envoyer par une compagiiie dc irlarseille. ( Guis et Cousin, et Beaumarchais). j'etaisen Russieen89, 90, et 91, j'avais sous les yeuxlepre* tnier gouvernement surlequel j'aye pu refiechir. Les journaux xne pelgnaient ]a Revolution Francaise sous les couleurs les plus favorabies a la liberie j'etais plein de men Tacite et de men Plutarque, Le P.oi de Francs paraissalt alors, dumoins dan> lesjournaux, approuver cette F.evolution. Je vous demande ^'il n'etait pas asses nature! que je la vissede bon ceil : je vou- lois revenir sur le champ en France pour respirer en fin I'air de Ja iiberte, Letat de mes affaires ne me le permit pas. Enfin rn 91, le Earond'Estat avec lequel j'etais fort lie, revint en France, il avait une grande voiture je lui demandai une place, qu'i. m'aceorda, et je partis. Arrive a Varsovie, nous s'e journames quelques jours, pen- dans Issquelsj'eus occasion de voir 1' Abbe Piaitoii, Secretaire^ du Roi et hcmme de beaucoup demerite, II me dit qu'au mo» jnent de la Revolution qui venait de s'opercr, fc'etait en Mai 91} ie Roi serait bien aise, que Ton fit une Gazette Francaise sur les lieux, afinqueles ttrangerspussentconnaitre les discus- sions de 'a Dictte, autrenient que par les mauvaises tradLiCtions qui en circulaient. Je ne r-'sistai pas au plaisir d'ecrire mes ji e^slong-tems enfermeei dans ma tete, et je commencai la Gazette de Varsovie. Je n'eus pas fait trois numeros, que j'zpprji qU't le Roi trouvait mes pensees trop libres, et que je ne louai pas asses les discours et les mesures du parti royal : on voulait ensuitc que jc me prononcasse contre la Revolution dd Prance qui me pnraissait superbe, et que j'inserasse des mor- ceaux tres vioisns de M, Burke que ie Roi traduisait et m'en- of MEHEE. 345 of wliich have contrived to calumniate even those whose characters they themselves knew to \oyait. Je r^fusai de me souinettre a ce que je regardais com-i Cie ufsc tyrannic, et je ue Hs que douze iuimeios de cette Ga- zette, j'employai le teins que je restai a Varsovie, a receuil- lir des notes sur la niamei-e dont s'etait opcre la Revolution da 3 Mai 91, et vins i Paris, faire imprimer uns histoire de cette Revolution. C'est bieii un des plus mauvais ouvrages qui aieat paru encegeiue, quoiqu'ilaiteu I'honneur de deux editions, et de pluaievii-s traductions. Au reste il avait le merite de ne ren- feimer que do, t'aits vrais; et je crois que c'est ce quia le plus contnbue a Ic f^iire toniber. jen'allai jamais a la societedes jacobins, mals mon mauvais cuvrai^e ayant ete asbcs bien traite par Condttc:^* sous ie raport d^s principes, jefus re^ardedans ma section comme un patriote, et le soirdu 10 Aoust 1792, on m'apprit que j.'avaisee6nomme memb.«e du conseil general d'une nouveiiecommuRe. Je me ren- dis au poste q^u'on mUidiqw^it, et quatre jouis apres, Tallicn, qui ne me connaissait que par mon ouvrage, me proposa pour Secretaire, je lus i.omine le 14 ou le 15 Aoust, Secretaire de la Communje. Les fonttions d'un Secretaire de la Commune de Paris, se re- duisenta assister a la seance, a prendre note de ce quis'y passe, a en rediger un proces verbal, a signer les patentes et les passe- ports : du reste le fcecrciaire n'a ni avis ni ordre a doar.er, tv n'est jamais consulte sur rien. Cependant j'etais loin de trou-' ver aj;rtable ce qui se pastait. Je n'avois vue ni dans Tacire, nidans Plutarque que pour etre republicain, il faliut etre cH- ard, despote, perse(,ut arrcte par lequel il me declare ariitocrate, indlgne d'etie chef des charretiers et me destltue. Si les gens de lettres de Humbourgavaient ete obliges a cette , epoque d"ecrire ma vie, je ne sals pas ou ilsaujaient trouve ce u (3 lishcr's 318 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. isher's name; and that, it is almost universally admitted, aspersions which none dare avow, au'ils en ont dit, car j'efa's bicn ale rs pour tcus les jacobins, sus- pect, et archi-suspect ; j'etaisreligue a20lieues des frontiers, et s 20 lieus de Paris. Hcureuscment je ne fus pas asse$ b4te pour obeVr ; car je savais que c'etait dans ces deux rayons qu'on ar- iStait tous c£ux que Ton voulaitp^rdre. J'allai aMeux, lieu dc ma naissance, cu je restai tranquille jusqu'au 9 Thermidor. L'Ej^ai que j'avais fait d'une republique n'etaitpas fort at- iravant; mais par malheur je nne persuadai, que c'etaient Ics gens persecutes commemoiqui etaient les republicains, et lors- que le regne de Robespierre cessa, je nedoutai pas un ncronnent que les bcaui sieclesd'Athenes ne dussent enfin succedera tant d'horreurs. Cependant Robespierre n'etait pas mort tout entier. Sa queue inenajait encore de la continuer, tout le monde tremblait, et periomie n'osait ecrire un mot contre les jacobins, Je com- merjai lattaque par un pamphlet, que jintituki la Queue dt JLobesfie're ; les jacobins jttterent les hauts cris, le taraeux ' Fouchd qui depuis m'a deporte comme ucobin^ nnontaalors \ la tribune de/tfC-j^/V*, et dcnonja la Queue de Robespierre, Thurioty membre du conaite de salut public, la fit arrSte chez I'imprimeur ; mais il en avait deja paru plus de 60 mille ex- einplaires. Je sentis le danger dene pas I'jmporter dans celte occasion, ct je publiai un second pamphlet intitule Re>:dis moi ma iHneue, ou let t re a Sart'tus Thuriot. Un mandat d' arret fut lance contre moi, par le commite de salut public. J'y rcpondispar vn troisieme pamphlet, intitule, Defens ta Queue, alors ayant cu le bonheur de faire rire de mes perslecuteurs, tout le monde ecfivit contre eux ; et pendant deux mois oji n'entendait parler que de queues dans Paris. C'est alors que commenja, ce que les jacobins appellcrent la re-action, c'est a dire que les royalistes entreprirent de renver- ?er, non pas la rcpubilque, q*ii, suivantmoi, n'a jamais existe, mais la Revolution. Far malheur pour la cause du Roi, les royalistes ont aussi :eursjacobins,qui lui font tout le mal, que Ip autjes o»t fait a la republjjjue. Dcsgens g^ui avaient servis- deservf MEHEE. 34g deserve only the contempt of virtuous men,' When more daring calumniators openly attacked sous toutes les bannieres de la Gironde ct de Robespierre vou- lurent m'enruller souscelles des royaiistes. Je ne les estimais pas asses pour les suivrede contiaiice. Jen'etais pas alors per- suade, que la reput)lique I'ut impossible; jc refusai de me joindre a eux. • Alors, et seulcment alors, furent imaginees les calomnies dont on m'a assailli depuis. Madame Beaubarnois, aujourd'hui femme du Consul, me fit inviter de passer chez eUe, et apre& m'avoir engage inuUlement a me joindre a ceux dont elle fesait alors sa societe ; elle m'annonja qu'on allait piiblier un ecrit ' quej'avais sign^ etant a la commune: on lui en avait laisse une copie qu'elle me montra. Cet ecrit etait un oidre donne par quelques officiers municipaux, de payer trois ouvriers, qui avaicnt travatlle a une prison. J'avais, a ce que Ton prerer^dait, legalise la signature de ces officiers municipaux ; et comme tout cela paraissait fort simple, on pretendait que ces ouvriers etaient des assassins ; eten ciTet ce fur ain^ que Ton fut oblige de traduire ie mot ouvrier, pour trouver quelque chose de re- primandable dans ce billet. J'observai que la commune etait chargee de i'entretien des priions, et que tous les jours on payait les ouvriers ; qu'il erait absurde de pretendre 4 ans apres, que le mot cuvrier signifiuit issassin ; qu'au reste ce n'etalt pas moi, mais trois officiers mu- nicipaux qui avaient donr.e I'ordre, et que pour legaiiscr des signatures, un homme public, n'est dans i'usage de s'occuger du corps de 1 'ecrit, m.ais des seules signatures. Tout cela etait sans replique, mais on ne voulait qu'un pre- texte. Un journaliste inserra un jour, que j'avais signe des bons de payement pour des assassins, J« le traduisis de- Tant les tribunaux et le fis condamner ; mais cela n'a pas em- pSche les gens de lettres qui font des Dictionnaires Biografbiquet dc copier ces calomnies ; ib en sont quittes pour ne point mettre de noms d'auteur ni de libraires. Dans les places que j'ai occupees, soit a la guerre, soit aux relatiori> exterU, •mres, j'ai ton jours ixi persecute par les gouvexnans^ my 330 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. my character at Paris, I Immediately cited them before the proper tribunals, and obtained justice ; qui se sont succedes. II est incroyable qu'un homme aiissi inechant que je suis pcint dans ce Dictionnaire, n'est p« convenir ni a Robespierre^ ni a Batraiy ni a Reivbely ni a Merlin, Xi\ a Buonaparte* Le Dictionnaire Biographique me fait secretaire de Tallien. Cartes je n'aurais pas voulu de Tallien pour mon secretaire, comment I'eussai-je choisi pour mon maitre ? II me fait de- nonce par le meme Tallien. ce qui ne'st pas plus vrai que le reste. II dit que j'ai fait avec Tallien le Journal desPatriotes deSg; sivous voulez lire Particle Real, vous verrez que c'est a Real qu'il attribute ce journal. 11 pretend queje I'ai signe Felhe'mesi. Je n'ai signe ainsi que les trois queues que je vous envoye. Jamais le nom de Felhe'mesi n'a paru dans le journal en question ; les articles que j'y ai mis sont tous signes Mehee. II m'attribue les principes de Marat, lorsqu'il est connu par tou3 ce qui sait lire en France, que je suis abhorre par tous les partisans de c^ fol fjfnatique, pour avoir sans cesse attaque ses principes. EnfiniL^retend que j'ai excite le peuplea se de- faire des terroristes lorsqu'il est notoire queje ne me suis attire lahaineetles persecutions de tous les partis, que pour m'etre en tout terns oppose aux injustices qu'ils voulaient commcttre. 0n royaliste furieux est pour moi un terroriste comme un autre, et je ne crois pas que la cause royale puisse lien gagner a suivre des mesures qui ont perdu pour jamais la cause republicaine. ■ Voila, mon cher Monsieur, cequi m'est arrive dans la Revo- lution ; les crimes des gens qui se sont dit republicains m'au- raient eclaire beaucoup plutot sur I'impossibilite d'unerepub- lique en France, si les injustices de ceux qui se disaient roy- alistes, ne rri'avaieiit fair voir partout le mcme systeme de fu- reurs et de proscriptions. Enfin rexperience et le terns ont produit en moi un effet qu'ils pouvalent seuls produire. J'ai vu que tous ceux qui s'etaient presentes comme les plus fiers champions de la liberte, etaient de vils hypocrites qui n'atten- daient quede I'srgent et du pouvoir pour changer de langage, Je serais eircorc republicain, si j'eusse trouVe beaucoup de Vvhen MEHEK. 351 when the Moniteur^ two years since, offici- ally repeated the same calumnies, I felt myself republicains honnetes et justes. Je ne veux pas mefaire a vos ycux meilleurs que je ne suis : il y a deja long-tems que je suis convert! ; mais c'est a force de voir des lachetes et des trahisons que je me suis persuade qu'une republique etait impossible en France. Mon gout particulier m'eut porte a desirer de vivre sous une republiqu*, et je ne desire aujourd'hui sincere ment le retablissement de la royaute, que parceque je sais fort bien quece n'est pas demon gout qu'il s'agit, et qu'il n y a de tranquillite a esperer en France, que lorsqu'un Roi juste aura iftit oublier par sa sagesse, les malheurs occasionnes par les dis- sentions publiques. Vous voyez asses que je ne me suis pas peint en beau dans cette esquisse que je broche a la hate. Je sais qu'un royaliste aussi prononce que vous, ma pardonnera dirficilement des idees aussi diftcrentes des votres ; muis en me rapprocbant de vous, je ne veux tromper personne, sur ce que j'ai ete. Je ne me detendrai jamas davoir eu des opinions que je ne me suis- pas donnees moi meme, mais lorsqu'il s 'agira de mes actions, je serai toujors pret a paraiire davant tous les tribunaux du monde ; et le plus severe sera celui que je prefererai. Agrees, Monsieur, I'assuraace de la parfaite consideration,, aveciaquelle je suis, Monsieur, - Votres ties humble et obeissant Serviteur, MEHEE DE LA TOUCHE. P. S, Je n'ai pas repondu a 1' article ou Ton me dit c basse de Russie en 92: II y avait 18 mois que j'en etais- parti avec le Baron d'Estat, qui erait lui meme au service de Russie et quia Coup silr, n'eut pas donne diois sa voiture une place a ua hom- mequi aurait eie chassed'un pays, ou il servaitcomme major. Jenereponspas davantageace qui est dit de ma traduction de- vant les tribunaux, comme escroc et chef d'une compagniede fournisseurs, c'est la premiere nouvelle que j'en recois, et les gens de lettres de Hambourg, i\e sent pas a cet egard, daccord avec leurs camarades de Paris. somewhat 352 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. somewhat embarrassed ; for if the article was in- troduced by order or the First Consul, and I had prosecuted either the Editor of the Moniteur, or those who had copied from it the paragraphs in question, it was generally believed that my arrest and transportation would have been the con- sequence, since the despot might have feared that Ills journal would have been condemned. During my stay in London, when I learned that Mr. Richer Serisy propagated similar calum- nies asainst me, as he was a gentleman deserv- ing a reply, you know i lost not a moment in coming to an explanation with him. I found him oppressed by sickness and misfortune; he acknowledged that, regarding me as an enemy to the royalists, he had expressed himself very harshly concerning me, and he did not deny having read every thiijg that you have shewn me, I perceived that the censures of Mr. Richer were altogether directed bv what he had heard o and read. I demonstrated to him that I had nevtf occupied those situations which he sup- posed; and he was, I soon discovered, unac ■quainted with the persecutions that I had expe- rienced. In this case it happened, as will al- ways happen, when people of candour are will- ing to examine and judge a man by his actions, and . MEHEE. 353 And not fiom the abuse that the parlies engaged ina rtvoliUioii throw on their enemies. This has uniformly been ray mode of con- duct; and if, in the present instance, any one will boldly avow the facts contained in the Die tionary, I give you my word of honour to prove, in the clearest possible manner, that he is a knave and a false calumniator. But when a malignant libel relates as facts, circumstances which have already been several times declared to be unfounded, not only by the solemn decisions of the tribunals, but by the opinion of every honest man, what would you have me do? Would you have me appear before the public, and say — It is not true that I am a ter- rorist, a Maratist, an assassin ? — every one would hold me in derision, and say to me, why do you not rid yourself of your fears? — Because I have been accused : — Who has accused you ? — ^The men of letters of Hamburgh: — Go, then, and find them: — But I know them not: — Write to tire Printer : —His name does not appear to the work: — To the Publisher: — It is sold pri- yately: — Despise it, then, and leave us at rest. Such would be the lano;ua2:e held to me bv the world in genera! ; but I acknowledge that I owe something more to you, and that the friendship yaa S54 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. ■you have testified towards -me, requires I should make you acquainted with the man you have <:herished : T shall therefore, proceed to give you % succinct account of the odious business in question. This production sets out by stating, that Iwas formerly known by the title of the Chevalier dela Touche; now, although this is certainly no injury, it is nevertheless a falsehood, and shews how little he knew of my relations. My grandfather, by derogating, as he has done, from his dignity, separated the branch to which I belong from a very ancient family. My father, before becoming ^ physician, had long practised surgery, and is well known by several publications in this branch of science; and you know how easy it was in France, for any one to pass for a Chevalier, who i)ad all his life remained in the houSe of his father, a celebrated surgeon. The literati of Hamburgh declare, that I was known by a title, ^'hich I myself never heard. Brought up in one of our colleges, in which we receive what may •be justly termed a republican education, smce the Greek and Latin authors that we read ex- hibit the most fascinating pictures of the ancient republics; you must he sensible that, knowing the world and republics only through that seducing: MEHEE. 355 seducing medium, it was not surprising that I should, at twenty-five, which was my age at the commencement of the Revolution^ possess ideas very favourable to a republican form of govern- ment. At that period I had been five years in the North of Europe, .whither I had been sent on commercial concerns by a. house at Marseilles (Guis, Cousin, and Beaumarchais). I was in Russia in the years 1789, 1790, and 1791 : I had under my eyes the only government I could practically examine. The journals depicted the French Revolution in colours the most auspicious to liberty. My head teemed with Tacitus and Plutarch. The King of France appeared at that time, if I could credit the representations in the journals, to approve of the Revolution. I ask tf it was not natural that I should regard it favour- ably? I longed to return instantly to France^ that I might breathe the air of liberty ; but my affairs did not permit me to indulge my wishes. Jn 1791, however, theBaronD'Estat, with whom I had intimate connexions, returned to France; and as he travelled in a carriage in which there was spare room, I begged he would allow me to occupy an empty seat, a request which he rea-*. dily granted j and I accordingly departed with him. Having a^6 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. Having arrived at Warsaw, the Baron re- maiiitd some days iil that city> during which I had occasion to visit the Abbe Piattoh, Secretary % to the King, and a man of great merit, who in- formed me, that in the beginning of the Revo- lution which had just happened (May 1/90? ^^^ King was very des rous to see a Gazette published in the French 'language, and on the spot, that foreigners might read the discussions of tl>€ Diet otherwise than in the defective translations which were in circulation. Eagerly seizing on the opportunity of publishing opinions that held an eminent place in my affections, I cenimenced the Warsaw Gazette; but I had only published three numbers, when I was informed that the King thought my opinions too free, and that I did not sufficiently praise the speeches and mea- sures of the royal party. It was afterwards pro- posed to me, that 1 should declare myself against the French Revolution, which I then thought sublime, and that I should insert in my Journal some of the most violent passages from Mr. Burke's work, which the King translated, and sent to me. I refused compliance with a mandate that I thought tyrannical, and I published only twelve numbers of that Gazette. The remainder of the lime I continued at Warsaw was employed MEHEE. ^57 by me in collecting materials for tracing the causes of the Revolution of the 3d of May 1791, and I proceeded to Paris to publish my history of that Revolution. I do not dispute that k may be one of the worst productions of the kind, although it had the honour to go through two editions, and was translated into i?everal languages. It had, however, the merit of containing nothing but facts; and this I be- lieve to be the reason that it has since fallen mto discredit. I never went to the society of jacobins; but my work was well spoken of by Condorcet, on account of the principles displayed in it : I was considered in my section as a patriot; and on the evening of the 10th of August, 1792, was informed that I had been nominated a member of the Council General of a nevv^ commune. I accepted this situation, and four days afterwards Tallien, to whom I was only known by my pub- lications, proposed me as secretary, and on the Hth or 1 5th of August I w-as appointed Secretary of the Commune. The functions of a Secretary of a Commune in Paris is confined to the being present at the sittings, making minutes of what passes, draw- ing up XI report of the proceedings, and signing pa'^sports* 35S REVOLUTIOIs^ARY PLUTARCH. passportsv The Secretary has no authority to issue orders^ and is never consuhed on any kind of business. I was far however, from finding my situation agreeable. I had read neither in Tacitus nor Pkitarch, that in order to be a repubUcan it was necessary to be a furious despot^ a persecutor, or, at least, a denunciator. The disgust that I felt became evident, notwithstanding my efforts to conceal it, and I soon began to be considered as a moderej many of the royalists came trembling to my house, in order to request passports, or to solicit my advice : it having got abroad among these gentlemen that T was not a patriot like the others, and that I might be trusted, I saw many of them with whom I was wholly unacquainted, and to whom I endeavoured to render every ser- vice in my power. M. de Flahautt, whose unfortunate fate is well known, was among the number of those who visited me most frequently. He could not per- suade himself that it was- possible for any one possessed of benevolence and humanity to be a patriot, and I could not convince him of his mistake. He endeavoured to convert me to royalism, but his logic was not sufiicicntly power- ful to produce this effect, as 1 was fully persuaded that MEHEE. 359^ that a majority of the French nation was inclined to support theRevokition. A journal conducted by Etienne, ^vho was a Feuillant, having one day inserted an article signed Mehee, in which it was proposed to kiii the first individual who should aspire to be King, I called on the Editor to know why he had thus made use cf my name ; on which he put into my hand a letter which he had copied into his journal. The signature did not even resemble mine, and I resolved to prosecute the journal f but was prevented by one who informed me that it was a snare spread for me by Chaumette, PrO' cureur to the commune, and that he had used the same artifice with many persons, respecting whose political creed he had any doubts. His ])ractice was, to publish similar letters in their names, and if they disavowed the articles they were lost; for at that period, to deny being a Brutus was certain death. M. de Flahautt was - the first who persuaded me to be silent respect- ino- this affair. He even considered it as a very fortunate circumstance ; since, by means of the republican air it gave me, I could be more useful to the King, whom we were labouring to save. The same motives prevented me from resign- ing my ofli<:e, which, after that afifair, I wished to 7 350 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. to do. But the massacres of September taking place, and the Electoral Assemblies having opened under these frightful auspices, I could no longer restrain my feelirlgs, and I addressed z letter to the forty -eight sections of Paris, de- nouncing Robespierre and his machinations. This letter, posted up in every part of Paris, was burnt in ahnost every section by the tyrant's friends : 7nore than forty prods verlaujc, still ex- istlngy attest the opprobrium that I then endured; and more than forty deputations came to my commune, to demand the dismissal of the aristo- crat who had dared to denounce the virtuous Robespierre. I was then regarded at the com- mune as a disguised royalist, whilst I thought myself the only true republican of the assembly. It was not easy to procure my dismission, as I was suspected by both parties. M. Flahautt had besides made me promise to remain until the trial of the King; and I was myself determined to exert all my influence to prevent a crime ^'hich I was convinced would be as inimical to the true interests of liberty, as it was wicked in itself. , ^ M. de Flahautt repaired to one of our sea- port towns, whence he transmitted me some packets of M. Bertrand's JNIemoirs in favour of the MEHEE. 361 the King, as well as several sums of money, which T remitted according to the directions that hadi been given to me. It was not without considerable danger that I acquitted myself of these commissions; I dreaded being betrayed by the messengers of M. de FIa> hautt, and by the effusions of his zeal for his Prince, which w^ere more ardent than enlight- ened. I myself wrote, and caused to be written, placards, which were printed at the house of Guillot, to whom I transmitted the receipts for M. de Bertrand. All my efforts, however, proved unavailing — the King perished, and M. Flahautt soon experienced the same fate. Appalled by the crimes which surrounded me, and terrified by the dangers that threatened myself, I inti- mated to the Council a desire to join the army, aware that it was the only means to obtain my dismission without exciting suspicions of my civism. The pleasure they felt at being rid of my presence, and having my place at their dis- posal, induced them to accept my resignation without delay. I was appointed Inspector-Ge- neral of the Artillery, in which obscure and tranquil situation I remained until one of the re- presentatives of the people, knowing me, and recollecting the quarrel I had with Robespierre, VOL. Ill » R - published 36'2 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. published au arretc, by which I was declared an aristocrat, tuiworthy of holding any post in the army, and dismissed from it. if the Literati of Hamburo;h had been then obliged to write mv lite, they would have found it difficult to invent what thev have now affirmed, because at that period I was very much suspected bv the jacobins. I w^as ordered to repair to the interior of the country, twenty leagues from l^aris, and twenty from the frontiers. Happily I was not stupid enough to obev this order, as it was principally in these two districts that all those were arrested, whom they had deter- laiined to destroy. I proceeded to Meaux, the place of my birth, 'where I was suftcred to remain in tranquillity until the 9th Thcrmidor. The trial that I had made of a republic was not very attractive, but unhappily 1 persuaded myself that individuals persecuted like me were the onlv true republicans; and when the reign of Robespierre ceased, I hesitated not to believe that the splendid days of Athens would succeed to so many horrors ! The Robespierrian faction was, however, not yet extinct — a remnant of them still threatened to prolong the reign of terror : every one trem- bled, and none dare open their mouths against the MEFIEE. 365 the jacobin?, when I began the attack by a pam- phlet entitled, ''The 7'ail of Robespierre.'* This production was haughtily received by- the jacobins. The notorious Fouche, who afterwards deported me as a jacobin, ascended the tribune of the jaco- bins, and denounced the work in question. Thu- riot, a member of the Committee of Public Safety, seized it in the house of the printer, but there had already appeared of it more than 60,000 copies. Perceiving the danger which threatened me on tms occasion, I published a pamphlet, entitled^ ^* Give me hack my Tail,*' or a Letter to Sartine Thuriot, A warrant of arrest was issued a'i"ainst me by the Committee of Public Safety; to which I replied by a third pamphlet, entitled^ " Defend- thy 7 a?7;" having by this had the good fortune to raise the laugh against my persecutors, every" one began to write ag:ainst them, and duri-iio- two months nothing was spoken of but Tails in Paris. It was then tliat the re-action, as it is termed by the jacobins, commenced; that is to say, that' the royalists entered on the desio-n, not of over- turning the RepuUic, for according to me it* never existed, but the Revolution. Unfortu- nately for the cause of the Kincr» the royalists' R 2 had o 3^4 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. had also their jacobins, who brought on them alt the miseries which the others had produced to the Republic. Those individuals who had served under the banners of the Gironde, and Robes- picrre, inclined to rank me among the royalists; but I had not sufficient confidence in them to imite myself to their party, neither was I yet fully convinced that the establishment of a Republic was impossible. Then, and not till then, were the calumnies conceived which have since assailed me. Ma- dame de Bcauharnois, at present the wife of the First Consul, invited me to an interview at her bouse; and having in vain endeavoured to in- duce me to join those who at that time formed her society, she gave me to understand that they "vj^ould publish an order which I had signed at the commune : a copy had been left with her, which she shewed, it was an order o;iven bv some municipal officers to pay three workmen tvho had heen employed in one. of the prisons. T had, as it was stated^ witnessed the signature of these municipal officers ; and . it was pretended that these workmen were assassins. Thus it was that they found themselves compelled to interpret the word ivorkmeny to find cause of calumny in this transaction, I observeci MEHEE. 365 I obsen^ed that the commune was charged with the care of the prisons, and that the work- men were paid at the end of each day ; that it was therefore absurd to pretend at the termi- nation of four years, that the term ivorkmen signified assasbins: besides, it was well known that three municipal officers always gave the or- ders, and that their signatures were only wit- nessed by a public functionary, as a m^re matter of form, who signed them without perusing the contents. It was impossible to reply to this statement; but they wished for a pretext. It was accordingly asserted by one of their journalists, that I had signed the orders for the payment of the assassins ; and I cited hrm before the proper tri- bunal, where he was condemned ; but even that, it seems, has not been sufficient to det-er the' conductors of Biographical Dictionaries from re- peating the same calumnies. In every situation that I have occupied, I have been always persecuted by the governing party j and it is incredible that a man so unprincipled a5 I am represented to be, should not have suitcd- the purposes either of Robespierre, Barras, Rew- bel. Merlin, or Buonaparte. la the Biocirai)hical Dicfionarjj I am said to al have 3C{5 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCil. have been the secretary of Tall i en ; certrjnly [ would not have wished , Taliien for my secrc- •tary : hov/ then should I ehuse him for a mas- ter ? — It is affirmed iu the san^e work, that. I was denounced by Tallien, which i;3 not more true than the other assertions. It is likewise said, that I conducted, in conjunction with Tal- lien, the Patriotic Journal of 1780. Tf you read the article Real, you v>ill see that it is to him tlfis journal must be attributed. It is pretended that 1 wrote under the si.2;nature of Fclheme^i^ I never employed thio name but in the three .papiphlets already mentioned, which I herewith send vou. Never did the name of Felhemesi appear in the journal in question; the articles that I communicated to it are all signed Mehee. It also attributes to me the principles of i^i^rcr/, although it is well known in France, that I was detested bv the parti?5ans of that foolish fanatic, and that I unceasingly attacked his principles. In short, it is pretended that I excited the peo- ple to become terrorists, when it is notorioms that I incurred the hatred and persecution of all parties, by constantly opposing- the injustice which they were inclined to commit.— A iurious royalist is with me as much a terrorist as any other, and I believe the cause of royalty, xan never MKHEE. 367 never be forwarded by measures which have for ever destroyed the RepLiblio. I have laid before you, mv Lord, what has hap^">ened to me during the Rcvohition. The crimes of persons stihng themselves rcpabhcans would have much sooner convinced me of the impossiblHty of establishing a Republic in France, if the injustice of those who called themselves royalists had not discovered to me, that on each side the same system of oppression and proscrip- tion prevailed. In a word, experience and time have produced in me an effect which they alone could produce. I have seen that those who re- presented themselves as the fiercest champions of Jibertv were vile hypocrites, who waited only for rold or power to change their language. I should still have been a repubhean, had I found many republicans honest and just. I do not wish to represent myself to you better tlian I Feallv am. It is long since I became a convert. But it was from contemplating the crimes and treasons which prevailed, that I became con- vinced that a Republic was impossible in France. My own particular taste led mc to wish to live imder a republican form of government; and I at present sincerely desire the re-establishment of royalty, only because I well know, that the ' R 4 q^uestioii= 368 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. question is not respecting my taste, and that tranc|uillity can never be hoped for in France, till a just and wise king shall, by his wisdom, have caused the evils occasioned by the public difsensions to be forgotten. You will observe, that 1 have not depicted myself better than I am in this hasty sketch. I am aware that a royalist as deter- mined as yourself, will with difficulty pardon sentiments so very different from your owrv; but I shall never have to reproach myself with deceiving any person respecting what I have been: I will never spoligize for maintaining opinions that I did not give to myself, but when my actions are attacked, I am always ready to appear before the tribunal of the pub- lic, and court the most severe investigation into my conduct. n^ Accept, my Lord, the assurances of the high consideration with which I have the honour to be. Your Lordship's very humble, and obedient Servant, Mehee de la Touciie. P. S. I have not answered the article which affirms that I was sent out of Russia in 1792. I departed wiih the Baron D'Estat, who was in the sc'vicc ^ ^ • 5 o ^ ^ ^ ^ r.-^ 5 "^ <^ ^ ^ ^S^ . %J • >^ V ^ O^ v^ <->, X ^ ^ ^ V.rv ^1 f^ \ si v5 - vj i <5^ J ^ ^i:^ c^ -^ r^ ^ ^>^^ MEHEE. 3€'Q gcrvFc^ of Russia, and who certainly woufd not have given a place in his carriage to a man driven from a country in which he served as a Major. Nor do T answer the charge which states that 1 was carried before a tribunal as chief of a horde of knavish contractors. This is the first time I ever heard of the charge ; and in this, the Lite- rary Society of Hamburoh do not accord witli their brethren at Paris. This curious piece, though artfully written-, imposes upon nobody. By its publication, and- the foe simile of Mehee's hand-writing, the Au- thor's object is to prevent other Governments from" being the dupes of the artifice and hypo- crisy of this membe" of Buonaparte's Secret Po- Jice, and to recommend him to due chastisement, should he present himself any where else but in the French Republic; alone worthy to possess such a citizen, even in the Legion of Honour of her QUAILS t Chief. All Governments, particularly those at war,, mutually employ spies, to gain information, And to impede or counteract, by \heir intriguer, the attempts of an enemy. This usaire existed lons^ before society was civilized. The barbr.rians • • R 5 Of 3ro REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARClf. of former ages, as Veil as llie present savages in America; the half- civilized Indians in Asia, as well as the so barbarously civilized French rejxib-. licans in Europe, had, or have yet their spies in other countries. The laws of nations do not permit such practices; but by their silence they indirectly assent to them, at least to a certain point, or so far as they may le useful to force an enemy to he just. The illegal usurpa- tion and the tyranny of Buonaparte's govern- ment make almost every, thing excusable, that might compel this ferocious adventurer to de- scend again to that situation wherein nature by his birth had placed him. And when, as ii now the case, his monstrous ambition and power are the sole causes of the agitated, disturbed, tormented, oppressed, or enslaved state of most European nations; when the quiet and liberty of millions are only prevented by the unlawful au- thority of an obscure individual ; to remove him is not only commanded by necessity, but ne- cessary for self-defence; commendable as a political act, and honourable as a moral trans- action. . That Mehee was a spy first of France, and afterwards of England, is more than probable;, but that his pretended correspondence, with Mr. Drake, MEHEE. ' 371 Drake_, published with so much eclat by Buona- parte^ in his official hbcl the Moniteur^ and afterwards cominunicated with so much ostenta- tion by his official libeller, l^alleyrand, to the foreign diplomatic corps, are mostly forgeries, is evident from their ridiculous, absurd, and puerile contents themselves. It is not to be forgotten, that at every one of the former disastrous periods cf the French Revolution, when any great blow was intended to be struck, or when a great crime was meditated,, discoveries have been made, apropos, of documents undoubtedly forged in the offices of the government, or in the dens of the conspirators ', for the purpose of holdinof out the advantaoe either of chancrino- or en^Juring the repubHcan tyranny ; either to exte- nuate past horrors, or to disguise present abomi- nations. Papers found in an iron chest, in 1792 were produced by the regicides upon the mock trial of Louis XVI. Other papers, found in a portfolio on the ramparts of Lille, were - published in 1794 to. palliate the barbarous de- cree of no quarter to English prisoners ; and a correspondence captured apropos in. an Austrian waggon (fourgon), was printed on the day of the revolution of the 4th of September 1797, as a justification of the liherticlde Directory for hav- ^ ^ ing,, 372 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. ing, without a trial, condemned Pichegru and several hundred other representatives of the people, or citizens, to tiansportation during their lives. On the 24th of March (1804), when these pretended letters and instructions of Mr. Drake- were printed, the indignation of all parties in France was great against the First Consul, for the cruel and unnecessary murder of the Duke T)f Enghien two days before. To divert the public attention from this crime, and to turn the public hatred from him upon England, the re- volutionary assassin became a political forger. Another coup d'etat was besides then preparing. , In four days more, or on the 28th, the slavish French Senate presented, hj oi\!ers, an address iaviting and praying their foreign tyrant, not only to change his rank and dignity, but the dynasty ; to make the Corsican scoundrels, the vile and petty Buonapartes, the hercdiiary sove- Teiiins of a throne, which for fourteen centuries has been the hereditary- property of the French Bourbons. On comparing these epochas, it requires neither information nor genius, but common sense only, to see the internal evidence or the forgery which this publication carries w ith it 3 and those foreign Kiinistcrs MEHEE. 31:3 ministers at Paris who looked upon it in aii^y other hght were either despicable ideots, traitors- bought over by the Corsican's gold^. or cowards trembling at the Corsican's bayonets. From what has happened in France during these last fifteen years^ it would not be sur- prising if Mehee de la Touche, from a known spv, were to be advanced to a place in the repub* lican ministry; and that those foreign agents who now cannot but depise him, even in officii ally acknowledging his veracity, should then be obliorcd to dance attendance in his ante -chamber bow at his levees, and, by his command, sub-- scribe to future forgeries of future spies. With. -4he exception of 50772^ _/eii', all the others deserve: such humiliations ; because it is difficult to say which is the most disgusting to a loyal and vir- tuous mind, the conduct of Buonaparte, of Mehce, or that of some members of the Foreign. Diplomatic Corps at Paris. Mehee de la Toucke is near forty-two years of age, but does not appear to be thirty-six. He is a very handsome man, six feet two inches high,, well-proportioned, has a round face, fair hair, and a smiling prepossessing countenance. Be- sides French, he speaks some Italian, English,. Poliih and German. His intelligence and insi- nuating 374 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. nuating manners, his savolr v'lvre, and his hypo- critical though enthusiastic praise of virtue and liberty, make him, with his other personal quali- ties, to the good and unsuspicious, one of the most dangerous of all the infamous and unprin- cipled men who have wclteral in the mire of the French Revolution*. * Most of the particulars of Mehee's life and conduct are taker! from Les AnnaUs du Terrorlsme ; frorri D'.ctionnaire Bi'^gra- ^bique; from Recucil d' AnecJotes ; and from Hisiolre CeKi>uL by Prudhomme. OARAT^ 275 ) GARAT, Buonaparte's favourite senatciV* Cpmme ce roitelet sans pitie vous assomme Far son bavardage ervidit ! Cest un savant sans concredit ; Mais que lui manque-il en somme ! Rien, excepte d'etre honnete hommc, Et de comprendre ce qu'il dit. A. DA.flCAN, Garat is a Gascon by birth, and his whole Hterary, political, philosophical and revo- lutionary life, has been a despicable, dangerous, and cruel gasconade masquerade. Poor, half- learned, ambitious, and immoral, he, in 17S8, preached in the Journal de Far'iSy of which he Vv'as one of the editors, contempt and proscrip- tion of rank and riches, which he had no pros- pect of ever possessing 5 held out the advantage of an equality, by which he had every thing to gain ; spoke of the comfort of modern philoso- phy, which he knew would bring wretched- ness on millions; and placed a fashionable mo- rality, unloosing all passions, above a religion restraining them all, and without which no hap- piness, no society, uo morality, can exist. In k-. ^^Q REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. In 1786, by the recommendation of the late Duchess of Polignac, he was appointed Profes- sor of History at the Lyceum at Paris ; be had written to her the most servile and humiliating letters, '^ pointing out his own unworthiness, bat great misery ; imploring those succours for the latter, which the former had no right to claim ;- praising the generosity and greatness of soul, which, on all occasions, accompanies the lustre of birth, and eminence of station ; declaring her the idol of the nation, as well as the favourite of the court *,*^ I« 1789, when his sophistical declamations in' the chair as a Professor had procured him the place of a Deputy of the Tiers Eiat for Labour,. at the States General, afterwards called the Na- tional Assembly, and his benefactress became proscribed and an exile, he called her, in the Journal de Paris, '' the most vicious of cour- tiers, the most debauched of courtesans, and the most ungenerous and unfeeling of her sex, whom he recommended to the sovereiirn people of ail countries, as a fit prey for the popular lamp- posts of outraged liberty t." In his speeches, and by his conduct in the National * See Le Recueil d'Anecdotes, page 156, t See the same work., page 157, coi.taining, m the note, an ex- tract from the journal de Parii of the J9th of December, 1789^. GARAT. 377 National Assembly, he proved himself the continual, illiberal, and incensed enemy of tbe Kino- and of Monarchy ; and in his incendiary writings, confounding rebellion with patriotism, envy and licentiousness with liberty, every rebel was his hero ; and every anarchist, plimderer, or murderer, a persecuted patriot. He poisoned the public spirit so much, that he was put upon the same line with those of two other infamously notorious characters; and GarB.t, Carra, and Marat, were sung in common by the revolution- ary poets, howled out by the revolutionary pois- sards, and detested alike by every loyal, humane, and religious person. Being governed by a cowardice equal to his treachery, he seldom ascended the tribune to speak in public ; but by numerous anonymous libels in the diurnal prints of that period, he served disaffection and atheism, without endangering himself either as a deputy or as an individual. He was therefore held in. such contempt, even by the contemptible plura- lity of the first National Assembly, that he never was elected a president, nor even a secretary. After Louis XVI. had been forced, in Sep- tember, 1791, to accept the constitution decreed bv this assembly of traitors and intriguers, Garat, ^s he said himself, ^^ Leing without Jorlujie, and 378 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. oh'ligedto live upon the Uvrld^," accepted a pen- sion from the King's civil list, for compiling, with Hcsderer and Rcgnault, articles for the Journal dc Paris, and other constitutional prints, in de- ■fence of the royal democracy, contained in the lately published constitutional code. Being, of course, in the confidence of the monarchists, he sold their secrets and plans to their avowed ene- mies, the republicans of the Brissot and Girondist faction ; who were betrayed by him, in their turn, 'to the anarchists ofDanton's, Marat's, and Ro- "bespierre's party. By the favour and influence of the Girondists, Ccndorcet, and Rabaud St. Ejtienne, he was, on the gth of October, 1792, appointed a Minister of Justice. In this place, he had besides another title, having according to Prudhomme, been the official apologist for all the crimes committed since the beginning of the Revolution, and par- ticularly for the late enormous massacre on the 10th of August, and on the 2d, 3d, and 4th of September. He at this shocking period pro- claimed the anxiom, that to Paris alone belonged the initiation for insurrection, for energetic ex- ertion to save freedom, and to destroy its enemies en « See Le Recueil d' Anecdotes, page 159, and Hlstoire Ge- neral, par Prudhomme, torn, v, pa^e 93. GARAT. 379 en masse. Soon after this proclamation, the mur- ders of prisoners and suspected persons took place every where in the provinces. During his ministry^ he conducted himself in a manner corresponding with the principles that had procured him this high rank. Charged by the regicides of the National Convention to an- nounce to his King, the unfortunate Louis XVI. the sentence which rewarded his virtues and pa- triotism with the scaffold, Garat behaved with such atrocious insolence, that the members who were present, even the unfeeling and cruel He- bert, was disgusted at it ; and a heart a la Garat has ever since been a saying in France, express- ing the situation of the mind of a deliberate par- ricide, with the same sangfroid ready to stab or poison his father or mother, his only brother, or bis best friend *. On the JSth of March, J 793, he exchanged the Ministry of Justice for that of the Interior, it was then, that devoted, as formerly, to the strongest party, and betraying and deserting the weakest, he planned, in concert with the Cor- deliers and Jacobins, the destruction of his late protectors. " It was not only 'savs Prudhomme) by the usual artifices of a hUnd sulnnission to the will t * Sec Le Recueil d' Anecdotes, page 176. 380 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. tvill of the people, but even by real and useful services, that Garat assisted the conspirators of the 31st of May, 1793.*' Such were the formal expressions of Danton at the Jacobin Club on the l6th of the following July ; and his words and compliments are so much the less to be sus- pected, as he reproached the Minister at the same time, " with not having written enough for a cause (anarchy), for which he otherwise had done so muck.** In this manoeuvre of Garat, who does not write for a cause that he secretly served, the visual duplicity of character is exhibited, which his creatures or accomplices chose to call modesty or reserve*. He was now as active in dragging his benefactors the Girondists to the scaffold, as the year before in proscribing or butchering his protectors of the constitutional party. He now served Danton and Robespierre, who were the rebellious heroes of the day ; as twelve months before he had done the then revolu- tionary divinities, Brissot and Condorcet. Urged by Danton, to cause the constitution of 1793 to ht freely accepted by the people, that chief of faction wrote to him : — " Order plenty of money to be distributed for this operation} do not spare it; * See Hibtoire General Des Crimes, par Prudhomme, toxn. f. paje 466, and Journal des Jacobias, July 17^ i79iv GAR AT. as I it; the Republic always has more than it wants.*' To this letter the fashionable patriot Garat an- swered: '•' If money can do the business, which I do not doubt, rely entirely on me*." After the death of Robespierre, and the de* struction of the mountaineers and terrorists, Ga- rat tried by obscurity to obtain oblivion or for- giveness; and, regarded with a just contempt by the royalists as well as by the republicans, he hoped to be enabkd, undisturbed, to squander, in retirement and obscure debauchery, his ill- gotten treasures. But when, in 1796, the mo- mentary liberty of the press made known the crimes of most men noted in the bloody re- cords of the French Republic, Garat was at- tacked, accused, and held up to universal de- testation, and therefore under the necessity to try* to defend himself, or rather to proclaim himself a villain, in a publication, called by him ^^ An Account of Garat's Conduct durinor the Revolution,'* The regicides, Septembrizers, murderers, and other French patriots of principle, having at that period lost their empire and their credit, Garat, their advocate and accomplice, at- tempted a reconciliation with the public, parti- cularly with the Girondists, who were returning to • See Dictionna'u^ Biograpbique, art. Garat. 38^2 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. to the revolutionary helm. In that pamphlet, containiDg 800 pages, which those who study the Trench Revolution run through^ Garat calls Robespierre a inonsfer, and his eloquence a tiresome and perpetual repetition, an insigni- Jicarit prate, Sec. Unfortunately for this heroic rhetorician^ monuments remain of his admira- tion of the monster Robespierre, at the time when he was shedding; streams of French blood. On the 30th of October, 1793, Garat volun- teered the following letter to him, which was found among Robespierre's papers, copied from the original at the very office of the committee charored with taking; a list of the contents of his port-folio, and printed by order of the National Convention, with Courtois's report. Its autho- rity has never been denied : " TO CITIZEN MAX. ROBESPIERRE. *' Pat is, October '^O^ 1793- *' Citizen Representative! '^ I have read your report upon the foreign powers, and the extracts of your last speeches to the jacobins; and having at this time no means of addressing the public, I must address yourself for a moment, upon the impression they have made upon me. ^^ The report struck me as a grand piece of politics h GARxVT. 38a politics, of repiiUiccmmcn'alityy of style y and of elo- quence: it is by such profound and elevated senti- ments of virtue, and, I will add, by such lan- guage, that a man honours in the eyes of all na- tions, the nation he represents. I think no more of the merit of style, than another would, when that merit is no more than a vain orna- ment of language; but I call style, the art of seizing the objects of one's thought under the most extensive and truest relations; and the art of afterwards giving the relations so seized, the expressions and form^ most striking to every imagination, and the most affecting to every mind. If such be the talent of style, it must be allowed that such a talent is the instrument most necessary in a Revolution, the object of which is to improve the Government by its clearness, and the human race hy the Government, The style of the report upon foreign powers, is every ivhere neat ^ firm, keen, or elegant; and when it rises to the highest pitch of eloquence, it is always hy the grandeur of the sentiments and ideas, '^ Your speech to Louvet, that on the sen- tence of Louis Capet, and this report, are, in my opinion, the finest pieces that have appeared since the Revolution. They will pass in the schools of the Republic as classic models of eloquence^ 3B4 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. eloquence, and in the views of history as the causes that acted most powerfully upon the des- tiny of France. ** Health, admiration and respect ! « Garat*." It is the writer of such a base letter to such an atrocious man, who, in the above-mentioned pamphlet, with a sacrilegious blasphemy, has the impudence to compare himself to Jesus Christ persecuted, and to declare that his fame no longer depended upon men f. M'^hen the revolution of the 4th of Septem- ber, 1797, had placed the jacobins at the head of the government ; and the Directory, to in- sult Monarchs, and to degrade Monarcliv, sent regicides as French ambassadors to different al- lied or neutral Kings; Garat was appointed to the Court of Naples, where, with the inso- lence of an ill-bred upstart, and inthejargbn of a revolutionary pedant, proud of his rank, and unashamed of his crimes, he addressed the King and Queen, plotted with their disaffected subjects, demanded and promised the enlargement of confined traitors and rebels, and publicly de- clared that he was ready to put himself at the head ♦ See Le Rapport de Courtoi---, page 132.' + See an account of Garafs Conduct during the Revolution, page 62. GAKAT. 383 head of that pack, once let loose, to make use of them to effect an insurrection, and to co-ope- rate with the directorial agents then residing at Rome. Not only incensed at, but affronted by, the conduct of this violator of the laws of na- tions, the King of the Two Sicilies insisted upoa his recall ; and the Directory, to avoid giving public satisfaction to his Sicilian Majesty — but at the same time not willing to provoke a Mo- narch by a refusal, whom their policy then re- quired them to cajole, caused Garat, in March 1793, to be elected a member in the Council of Five Hundred, for the Department of Seine and Oise. It was in this manner that this citi- zen, while a diplomatic emissary, worked for a peace, which he soon after, as a legislator, de- clared was his own, and the sincere wish of the Directory, as well as the w^ant of his country, and the desire of his countrymen ^, During his stay in Italy, Garat had witnessed and shared in the pillage and extortion of his fellow-citizens. Now, one may estimate the de- gree of good sense, or good faitfi,'^ which, in the winter of 1798, when the Directory informed VOL. Ill, s the * See Carat's speech in the Council of Five Hundred on thectdof December, 179S, printed in the daily pai)crs culled /imi des Lois, of the 3d of December, 1798, page j. 3S6 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. the two Councils of the successes of the French in the kingdom of Naples, suggested to Garat a buffoonery truly worthy of obsen^ation. He invited the Legislative Body — '^To pray the Government to dispense with the troops levy- ing; contributions on the delivered countries ; so that the blessing oflihertij might be its only ob- ject ! — Garat is not stupid, and had had long re- volutionary experience— he surely knew too well the revolutionary rotation, and its springs, to imagine that a government, like that of Paris, could adopt such generosity, or that he might not as well have proposed to disband their ar- mies J but here are discovered the hypocrisy and intrigue of a revolutionary adept, attempting to exonerate his Republic of the shame of its rob- beries, and of the falsehood of its manifestoes, by feis^ning pity for its victims *. The knowledge of Carat's character made it little doubtful what party he would embrace, when, in November 1799, Buonaparte over- turned his pat.Jnps in the Directory. It there- fore surprized nobody, when, after this event, he pronounced the speech in the Legislathve Committee of the Ancients, which preceded and caused without farther discussion the acceptation of « See Garaf s Speech in the Council qF Five Hundred, p 4. GARAT. 587 of the Consular Constitution. In reward, Buona- parte appointed him a member of his Conserva- tive Senate, where he has continued his tool, and approved of all the different changes and inno- vations, though they have almost entirely anni- hilated the constitution that he had sworn to preserve, and such as it was proclaimed and ac- cepted in 1799. Some of the secret and private opinions of the Senators having been reported to Buonaparte, Garat was suspected by his com- rades, and accused by the Senator Lanjuinais, cf being a spy to the First Consul 3 but in propor- . tion as he has lost the esteem of his fellow-citi- zens, the favour of Buonaparte has increased; and he is now consulted and listened to on all occasions; has his courtiers and panegyrists, be- stows f^ivours, procures advancements, and dis- tributes pensions*. Garat is a member of the National Institute, and has, with seven thousand other metaphy- sical schemers, written a treatise, entitled, '^ The Art of Newly Construci'mg Sociefij, upon the Re- presentative System, as the best form of a Re- publican Government among a great people." But it is impossible to mention, among the nu- merous republican metaphysicians, and revoni- s 2 tionary "^ See L»s Nouvelles a la Main,Messi(3or, au xi. Na. xi. p. i^. 3«^ PxEVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. tionary philosophers, one more emphatic, or more void of sense ; more prodigious in analysis, and more sparing in the results; more sophistical in explanations, or more false in conclusions; or, among the de^nagogues, a man more perfidious, more vile, or more cowardly and ungenerous. The author of a satire published in 1799, draws cor- rectly his portrait, as a man of letters in the three following I in€S ; Toujours vide desens, et toiijours plelnd'emphase, l.e compas a la main niesurant une phrase, Et pour ne rien trouver sans cesse analysant, Garat, &c. As to the morals of this republican reformer : among the papers of Fouquier Thinville, the public accuser under Robespierre, was found and shewn to his judges, a note from Garat, offering his services '' to forge papers, inculpating all detained persons, whenever the public . accuser or the judges were embarrassed how to condemn them." And in the Recueil d' Anecdotes, vol. iii. p. 24, it is mentioned, " That a woman, who had lived with Garat seven years as his mistress, being ill used by him in 1 796, declared, before the then Police Minister, Cochon, that Garat was her own brother; and that, by his orders, she had thrown four of their children into the river Seine the day after their birth.'* Garat GARAT. 3^9 Gurat is above 50 vears of acre, of a vellow complexion, almost worn out by his debaucherici and irregularities. He possesses now^ according to Les Nouvelles a la Main, No. i. Erumaire, an xi. a fortune of two millions of livres, gained by his loyal industry since the Revolution'^. * The authorities for this sketch, not already quoted, are L^ Dktl^nnalre des yacohlns ■ La An-mUi du Terferisve, acd Ir I^ictiofinairt B\f>graf 394 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. France, he said that he wished to shew his grati- tude and attachment to the causa of royalty, by using his influence over Lucien Buonaparte to restore royalty in France. He wrote many let- . ters to his old friends here, assuring them that Lucien was quite a convert to his doctrine, and that he did not despair of bringing over even the First Consul to his way of thinking. Several of the rovahsts in this country were weak enough to believe, him; but it turned out to be a mere scheme between Fontanes and Lucien Buona- parte to swindle Government out of a sum of money. MARIE ( 395 ) MARIE JOSEPH CHENIER, THE FRENCH REPUBLICAN P0ET-LAUR2AT, THE AU-* THOR OF *' GODDAM !" Chenler, ce Muselman, qu'adopta Pallisot Comme i'Abbc Sieve, parle d» tolerance, Etdans son ceil de pore reside la vengsance. Malheur a I'homme franc, qui le declara un sot: Un noir cachot T attend pour prenniere disgrace, Nommezle Ciceron, vousavez voire grace. Toujours guinde, toujours a cheval sur Plicebus, Ce lourd Monsieur Chenier, cet orateur en us, S'exasperant, glapit d une voix. sacrilege, Queiques plat lieux communs, et de plus plat rebus. Ou'il puisa jadis au college. A. da;n'ican. The father of Chenier was appointed by Louis XV. in 17 54, French Consul at Morocco, and in 1760 was transferred to Constantinople in the same capacity. Tn this last city Marie Joseph Chenier was born on the 7th of March, 1762. By the favour and bounty of Louis XVI. young Chenier was educated in France, and, in return, joined in 1789, the rebels against his King and benefactor; wrote the same vear a tracredy, called Charles the Ninth, or a School for Kings, s 6 which 396 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. which was a scandalous libel on monarchy; be- came^ in 1791, a jacobin and calumniator of his Sovereign, and of the Court; and, in 1792, one of the conspirators against the throne; a member of the municipality at Paris that overturned the throne ; a Septembrizer, or murderer of the pri- soners, and a deputy in the National Convention, where, in 1793, he voted for the death of his King, and where his denunciations sent his own brother Andre Chenier, to the scaffold in 179^. Considering the public life of Chenier both in his literary and political career, it has been alike inconsistent, immoral, and atrocious. He dedi- cated his first literary production, the tragedy of Charles the Ninth, to Louis XVL and began his dedication with the following line : " Monarque des Francois, Rci d'lin peuple f \ d e l e ; and within two years afterwards united wirh this faithful people in the murder of their virtuous prince. The ever -regretted Mr. Burke, in 1790, fulminated against this dangerous play his se- vere but just remarks; both on account of the tendency of the whole, and in consequence of its many indecent scenes, especially its introducing upon the stage the Cardinal of Lorrain in his pontifical pobes, to give his blessing to the dag- gers of assassins. * For this, the acute Mr. Burke rightly CRENIER, 397 rightly declared, that «' the author ought to have leen sent to the galUes, and the players to the house of correction,'' All the writings from Chenier's pen are of the same description, with this only difference, that having in France no more kings or brothers to butcher, he insulted and under- mined religion, in hopes, no doubt, to make French citizens as wicked and as wretched as himself; and while he was a trembling coward by the side of Robespierre and other accomplices in the National Convention, impiety, attended with impunity, made him audacious enough sacrilegiously to attack Providence, and to ex- claim with atheistical phrensy : '' Give me the viattcr, and I too will create an 7iniverse,'* His Hf/77m to the Goddess of Reason, his praise of atheism, and his repullican faith, contain such sentiments, that the religious repullican Buona- parte would certainly have rewarded the author with transportation to Cayenne, had they ap- peared during his consular reign*. To fet rid of one who was likely to become more conspicuous in the literary world than him- self, Chenier guillotined his younger brother, Andre, w^hose abilities were as superior as his principles were different, being religious and loyal* * See Rccueil d' Anecdotes, page a6i, 398 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. Joyal, Their literary disputes, which proved sa fatal to Andre, took place in the Spring of 1792, when he, in the Journal de Paris, exposed the in- tentions, and published the crimes, of the jaco- bins, whom his elder brother defended, ^' as the most honest of citizens, as the lest of patriots, as the sincere defenders of the monarchical constitution, and as the saviours of France and its King,'* And this he wrote at the very time when he was plot- ting with those jacobins to destroy both the Mo- narch and the Monarchy. Besides Charles IX, Chenier is the author of several other revolutionary plays, as Henry Fill., Gracchus, Timoleon, Calas, The Visit andines, &c.; and the fertility of his corrupted and vicious ge- nius has shewn itself at all the numerous regicide or atheistical festivities of the French Republic, , either in commemorating the murder of Louis XVL or in transferring the ashes of Marat to the Pantheon ; in celebrating the tender humanity of Robespierre in 1 793, as well as in proclaiming the great virtues of Buonaparte in 1803. So much revolutionaiy merit could not remain long with- out revolutionary honours and recompense. In February 1796, therefore, he was chosen a mem- ber of the National Institute; and on the repub- lican new-year's-day, the 22d of the following September^ CHENIER. 399 September, was declared on the Champ de MarSj by the Directory (of whom not one ever wrote a verse), the first of French poets. The spirit of faction, however, was unable to ensure him a rank which he could not obtain from his writings. His 'patriotic literature became only the more the subject of severe though impartial criticism. The Turk Chenier was proved to be, and styled, Le Cygne de Turquie, or The Turkish Swan ; and Count de RivaroK in speaking of the decay of dramatic poetry in revolutionary France, men- tions it as a place, *• Ou Chenkr foule avix pieds les cendres de Voltaire." In the National Convention, as long as it was dangerous to excite the jealousy of Robespierre, by attempting to be conspicuous, or to rival him in any thing but in crimes, Chenier wrapped himself up in all possible obscurity; seldom ascended the tribune; and never shewed an ambition either to be. a member of the commit- tees, or to obtain any missions as a representa- tive of the people in the departments. After the death of Robespierre, he flattered the regi- cide Septembrizer, Tallien, as he had done Ro- bespierre ; became his revolutionary friend, and acted with him until the Directory came into power, when he deserted Tallien for Rewbel, Barras, 400 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. Barras, and Le Reveillere; these he deserted in their turn for the Corsican Buonaparte. He has, however, been constantly attached to the jacobins and their doctrines, and a firm defender of terrorism and of terrorists. In October 1794, he spoke in favour of that guilty monster, the Painter David, one of the most ferocious of regicides, at present a member of B?ionaparte's Legion of Honour ; and justified all the cruelties committed by him, or by other terrorists, during 1792, 1793, and 179^. On the 21st of December, the same year, in the name of the Committee of Public Instruction, he presented a report to the National Conven- tion, in favour of Decadary Feasts, instead of Sundays, in which he turned into ridicule, and abused, all those religious notions which have civilized Europe, and are still adopted by all civilized nations. In 1796 and 1797, as a mem- ber of the Council of Five Hundred, he con- stantly provoked the most sanguinary measures against priests and emigrants; and opposed the liberty of the press, as totally i?ico7npatitle ivith mil liberty, with the liberty of individuals, and of nations. In 1799, he was made by Buonaparte a member of the Tribunate ; but continuing to attack rehgion, which the Corsican's policy then rec^uired CHENIER. 401 required him to make fashlonahley he was, in 1801, expelled the Tribunate, and remained in a kind of revolutionary disgrace until 1803 ; when the publication of some libels against England brought him again into favour, and procured him a place worth 40^000 livres a year, as the Director over the pullic cuid private Instruc- tioii in the French RepuUic, Yes, Britons should know, that should they be weak enough to send, after a future Peace, their children to be edu- cated in France, this infamously famous charac- ter has power to direct their studies, and inspect their moral improvements, as well as to guide their religious opinions. The protection of Buonaparte cannot, how- ever, prevent Chenier from often hearing, both in public places and in private assemblies, " Cain, restore us thy brother Abel 1 thy brother's blood cries for vengeance!'' and, " Cain what is be- come of thy brother Abel?" Re has received^ besides, hundreds of letters addressed to " Cain Chenier,*' under which appellation he is gene- rally known in France. It is a disgusting fact, undenied by himself, that before his brother had been guillotined, and while he was imprisoned, Chenier often exclaimed in the National Con- vention, ^« My bother is guilty; let him perish i" This 40Q REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. This man is one of the members of Buonaparte's legion of Honour * ! ! ! * The authorities not quoted, are Les Annales du Tcrro- lisme, and L'Histoire des Crimes, par Prudhomme, with Le Didionnaire Biographique, ( 403 ) GENERAL' FRERE. This Revolutionary General was the chief ©f those banditti, who, in such a barbarous manner, violated lately the laws of nations and a neutral territory, and carried away by stealth, and in the darkness of night, a British Diplomatic Agent, Sir George Rumbold, possessing, and protected by, a public character, which former barbarians held sacred^ and even the present sa- vages respect *. * A private letter from Hamburgh contains the following particulars of Frere's revolutionary condu«r Sir Geotge'sivaichj some ptinted English passesy and the seals of his cffice, into his own pocket; for luhat purpose y(,u jnay easily suppose. Four persons of those with Frere spoke good English, and one of them was either a British subject or an American, The servant has been examined both before the Syndic, by the English Consul, and by the Russian Ambas- sador ; and his deposition upon oath has been taken and sent to several Continental Courts, as well as to England, where he will probably arrive as soon as this letter. The Danish Go- vernment has ordered two more regiments to reinforce the troops at Altona ; and the Duke of Brunswicis, as the Duke of Meck- lenburgii before him, has sent his most precious efF«(5ls, money, pictures, arms, &c, to Magdeburgh, in Prussia, as a place of safety. It is said, that the deputation of our Senate, which last Friday set out^for Berlin, was not only charged to complain of the late violation of our territory, but to demand, for t\iture protection, a Prussian garrison as long as the French occupy Hanover. Nothing but terror, dismay, suspicion, and wretch- edness, prevail here, and every where else in that unfortunate £leaorate.'* PRERE. 405 since it has subjected all right to force, and all duty to the obligation of supporting its cause, crimes have followed crimes, and horrid event* have trodden upon each other's heels. Compacts, customs, and public respect, having given place to a new system of general violence ; of which the French Republic have erected itself both legis- lative and executive power, that parricide and regicide community has reduced Europe to the state of nature ; and as long as it exists, nobody has a right to expect QthtvJ2istice, than such as Buonaparte exercised in March 1804, on the w^^^ra/ Electorate of Baden, after crossing^ the Rhine ; or in October following, upon the terri- tory of neutral Hamburgh, after crossing the Eibe; and as the midnight assassination of the Duke of Enghien is only a murder more to the chain of murders which have overflowed the earth with blood from the day when the French set about to regenerate it, the midnight capture of the privileged English Charge d'Af- faires is nothing else but a crime more against the laws of nations and of civilized society. The Continent is treated as it deserves 3 and the imprisonment of Sir George Rumbold is as much an evidence of its degraded and abject state, as of the audacity and insolence of its infa- mous 406 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. mous tyrant Buonaparte, an upstart foreigner in France as v/ell as to all other Continental States. It is enslaved only because it has not spirit or patriotism enough to break its disho- nourable chains, by dethroning an usurper, and pumshing his accomplices. Frere was born in the province of the ci-devant Lorraine, and his father v/as a soldier in the regiment called La Couroiine, where he, at eight years of age, was received as a drummer. Dur- ing the anarchy which followed the Revolution of 1789, he deserted from Lille in Flanders, where this regiment was then quartered, went to Paris, and ^augmented the number of vagabonds, who, about that time, infested the capital, and, under the appellation of patriots, proscribed, plundered, and murdered with impunity all men of religion, rank, and property, as aristocrats. After the 10th of August, 1792, he was made, by the then Commandant at Paris, Santerre, a Lieutenant of the National Guards of the section called Qiiatre Nations, and was so active during the terrible massacres of the ensuing September, that Marat, in a speech at the Ja?cobin Club, printed in the Journal des Jacolins, of the 8th of September, 179 2, did justice to his patriotism, and recommended him to advancement; and General FRERE. 407 General Servan, the Minister of the War De- partmentj immediately sent him a commission as a Captain in the same regiment where he so lately had been a drummer; but this regiment being on the frontiers fighting the Austrians and Prussians, Frere never joined it, preferring the safer and more profitable employment of de- nouncing and pillaging the disarmed Parisians. When, in 1793, Henriot succeeded Santerre in the command at Paris, he obtained from Ro- bespierre, Frere as an aid-de-camp, who was at that time as cringing a courtier to this repub« lican tyrant, as he has since been to his succes- sors, Barras, Merlin, and Buonaparte. After the execution of Robespierre, in 1794, Frere shared the fate of his other sycophants, and was arrested as a terrorist; but escaped death, and re- covered his liberty, by turning evidence, and becoming a denouncer of the public accuser, Fouquier-Tinville, and other accomplices of him- self, and of his former patron, Robespierre. It was after Buonaparte's butchering, in October 1795, of 8000 men, women, and children, in the streets of Paris, that Frere first made his ac- quaintance, and was, by his recommendation, made a Chief of Battalion, in the 77th demi- brigade, one of the corps which served under him / 403 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. lilm ill Italy, during 1796 and 1797; but which did not accompany him to Egypt in 1798. When, in 1799, the jacobins again possessed the pluraUty in the two Councils at Paris, and dictated laws of terror to France, Frere was ap- pointed by the Minister of War, Dubois Creancc, a Chief of Brigade in the guard of the Council of Five Hundred. Having, when Buonaparte effected the Revolution On the 9th of Novembet of that year, deserted over to him with his corps, he was, in return, appointed the Commander of the Consular Guard ; in which capacity he re- mained until the invasion of Hanover was deter- mined upon, when he obtained the rank of a General in the army destined for that expe- . dition. General Mortier, the first Commander-in- chief of Buonaparte's army in Hanover, with all the other Generals under him, were favour- ites of the Usurper, who before had either no opportunity to enrich themselves, or who, like Frere, had, in debauchery and gambling, squandered aw^ay their ill-gotten riche^s. These men w^ere all sent to Hanover, as the i^ari- sians said, to make their fortuves; and this partly explains the ruined state of the Electorate, and the several pecuniary requisitions under which FRERE. 409 which the neutral, free, and Imperial Cities of Hamburgh, Bremen, and Lubeck, have been laid. Frere is a taH good-looking man, about forty years of age, with the education of a drummer, the sentiments of a sa7is-adotte, the principles of a jacobin, the talents of a grenadier, and the pre- tensions of a vain and audacious upstart, whom revolution and crime, but no merit, have pushed forward in the career of rebellion. A slave to Buonaparte, as to Robespierre, he will continue the same to all future revolutionary tyrants, who* pay him, employ him, and permit him to oppress his inferiors, with an insolence, surpassed only by his abjectness to his superiors. According to The Secret History of the Battle of Marengo, p. 45, *' Frere is tjven destitute of that temerity remarkable in many of his fellow-re- bels, who, like himself, having every thing to ex- pect from success, and every thing to apprehend from defeat, fight with a despair, which igno- rance or disaffection has chosen to call courage. On that unfortunately famous day, when the imbecility of a Melas gave up Italy to the trea- chery of Buonaparte, Frere's name was upon ' ' the sick list; and on all the former days, when fortune and number? procured the Corsicau VOL. III. T victories 410 REVOLUTIGNAUY PLUTARCH. victories in Italy, he was either ill in the hospital, or, as a convalescent invalid, guarding the bag- gage/* His first military achievement was, therefore, the h-ave, nolle, and hoiwurahle cap- ture of a disarmed and unguarded Briton, in the , neutral Hamburgh, uith the aid of the bay- onets of 400 2;gZo^/?oz/5 Frenchmen, worthy to be headed by such a valourous Commander, in per- forming such 2i glorious q\\Aq\\* . * Besides the authorities already quoted, see Lei Anrales du Teirorismey page 315, und Les Ci imes dgi Ripublicai/u en Lal'u^ pages 219 and 220. RUTGER ( ^H } RUTGER JOHN SCHIMMELPENNINCK. FIRST PENSIONARY OR CHIEF MAGISTRATE Ot THE BATAVIAN REPUBLIC, Je rcgne surdes licux ravages par mcs intrigues. The French Revolutionary Government, concentrated in proportion as its exterior power extends, attaches upon the Continent both its adversaries, and its instruments to its designs; its adversaries, by the terror and experience of its enormities; its instruments, by the dread of the return of order and of pubHc vengeance. Every crime it causes to be committed ensures it the agents; every revolution it effects secures it the accomplices. Such are its shields against repen- tance and hatred ; such its pledges against the treachery of villains j such the bands with which it binds and unites in its interests these troops of funes plunged in crimes, which they sweep in their train in France, Holland, Switzerland, Italy and Germany. Buonaparte and hii predecessors have reduced T 2 men 412 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH, men to two conditions, the oppressor and the op- pressed. Tu present them the alternative of doing or of suffering evil, is to dictate The choice : secure is the number of recruits whom^ fear, immorality, ambition, and self-interest, will provide. He, who is at first the servant of the Revolution by compulsion, becomes its defender from necessity the first crime he commits in its service. In this manner is composed and supported that guilty association of rebels, traitors, or intriguers, of dif- ferent nations, united by a common responsibility, by an uniform wish for rapid wealth and dominion; ;jnd whose safety being inseparable from that of the French Governn;ent, secures the implicit obe- dience of its members whenever called upon to seize a prey, or ward off a danger. This explains the dishonourable cause of the almost incredible ■ number of political apostates, and degraded and in- cousisent patriots found in all countries where French arms have penetrated ; and that the same men, who plotted and revolted in the name of love of freedom, took, though never free, the oaths of jibertv and equality under the dictate^of a com- mittee of public safety, swore obedience to the sovereign people under the Directory, and now, at the command of a Corsican despot, basely submit to his military rec;ulation, called constitutions, and patiently SCniMMELPENTNlfNCK. 413 patiently endure the most humiliating and oppres- sive of all yokes, that of a barbarous usurpation. Rut2:er J6bn Schimmelnennitvck was known in w 1 Holland as a modern patriot as long ago as 17S7. Descended from rich and respectal^le parents, but Of the Anti-Orange faction, he imbibed with his education principles hostile to the Government of his country under a Stadtholder, and favourable to the views of that party, which, under the influ- ence of the Cabinet of Versailles, meditated the exclusioQ of the Princes of Orancre from the supremacy ia the United Provinces. This party, uhom the Duke of Brunswick vanquished in 1 7S7, the Fronc'i Uev^;luiiou revived inl7^.q, and the victories of Pichegru in 1794 seated in a power, of which the consequences have been so fatal to the liberty and prosperity of wretched Holland. When m 1795 a Batavian National Convention was convoked, Schimmelpenninck was elected as a representative of the people, and became one of its most distinouished members. He often ascended the tribune, and his speeches frequently contained sallies against his defeated opposers; a conduct always ungenerous, because never neces- sary when no attempt is made, or if made possible, to refljain lost authority. Cowards onlv assail deserted princes or disarmed enemies. But his T 3 wiab 4u REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. wish was not only to be remarked as an orator and legislator, he desired even to be remembered as a constitution maker, as a Dutch Solon, whose wis- dom and information were eminent and profound eiwugh to produce a code regenerating a free na- tion, and even perfecting the limited £ovcrei2:ntv of mlers who acknowledge themselves subjects of the sovereign people*. On the SJst of Novem- ber 1 790) he presented to the National Convention, after a speech of six hours, a project for a new constitution, founded upon liberty and equality. Were he now to repeat in the castle of the Thu- illeries some of his expressions and sarcasms against hereditary rank, made use of on that occasion, Buonaparte, instead of suffering him to reign in the palace of the Stadtholder in Holland, would probably send him to labour in the uncul- tivated lands in the wilds of Cayenne. - It was in 1799 that Schimmelpenninck first began his diplomatic career, being then appointed by the Batavian Directory an ambassador to the Corsican First Consul. His constant endeavour in this place was, and has been, to obtain the con- fidence of Talleyrand, well convinced that it would secure the protection of Buonaparte. Bv presents and flattery he has perfectly succeeded, and so great * See Le Voyageur Suisse, Augsbourg 1802, p. 4. SCHIMMELPENNINCK. 415 great and so early a reliance had Talleyrand in his honesty, avarice, meanness, or ambition, that, when in the summer of 1 800, preliminaries of a treaty of peace were swindled at Paris from the Austrian General Count St. Julien, who had no •power to treat, he employed this Batavian ambas- sador, as his private financial agent, to speculate and sell out in the Dutch funds, in consequence of the temporary rise this political intrigue must pro- duce. Schimmclpenninck's zeal v/as, however, greater than his discretion, and was ver\' near proving fatal to himself as well as to his patron. The premature disclosure of this negotiation and its issue, contrary to agreement with Count St, Julien, highly offended the usurper, who severely reprimanded his minister, and publicly threatened the privileged ambassador with a visit to the temple. His official anger was the more violent, as neither he, nor his brothers, had shared in the profits arising from this fraudulent act*. Schimmelpenninck, with the figure and man- ners of a John Bull^ has married a lady beautiful T 4 as • See he Voyageur Suisse, Augsbourg, j5!o2, p. 5. To regain Buonaparte's favour, Schimmelpenninck made a most splendid illumination in honour of the victory of Ma- rengo at his hotel on the banks of the Seine, but instead of the victor's name, the public read La Legation Batave, Fortu- nately for him the Corsican was in good humour, aiid only Jaughed at this Dutch blunder. 416 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. as well as amiable, who counted among hernu- ~ merons admirers at Pari?, both Lucien Bnom^partc and Talievrand. But ncithtr scandal , nor envy, or malice, could find out anv thing to impeach her conduct, which, even French ladies jealous of her preference, were forced to declare irreproachable. They revenged themselves, however, in ascribing her morality and prudence rather to native insen- sibility and Eatavian phlegm, than to their true origin, honourable and virtuous principles. Her husband was moxt fasidonalley and, as the Parisi- ans said, not so diuicult or scrupulous. Besides j?cvcr?.{ French Bilhs whom be visited en pi^ssavt, he kept a Dutch woman, a Madame Lackcn, the young and gallant wife of an old and rich sugar- boiler at Amsterdam, who had exchanged the dull- ness of the Batavian for the pleasures of the French capital, leaving her honest husband, of whose em- braces she was unworthy, to pay her 4iumerous debts as a consolation for her infidelity. But a female who does not respect the sacred ties of matrimony, can be expected to have but litile re- gard to tlicse engagements, which libertinism, corruption, or cupidity have formed. At the expense of her keeper's purse, and, as the scan- dalous chronicle repc rtcd it, even health, Madame Lacken })roved that an adulteress early becomes a prostitute, SCHIMMKLPENNINCK. 417 prostitute, and that a faithless wife can never be- come a faithful mistress *. The negociation pened with Great Britain in 1801, 'VaS :on:iiTLinicateQ :c S-^himmelpenninck by Tallevrana, tnnugh the amoassadoroF another French ai!v, Chevalier D'Azzara, was not let into the secret before the preliminaries were ready to be signed. This partiality of the French minister was not entirely disinterested, being well served by the Dutchman and his commercial friends, in jobbinos and purchases in the English and Ba- tavian funds; whilst the Spaniard, although pos- sessing but little political information, had no knowledge whatever of trade or gambling, nor any connections whose transactions could be made profitable to Buonaparte's premier. The Don was besides too proud to stoop to speculations, which are more congenial with the passions of the uier- chant or broker, than becoming: the character of the nobleman and statesman f. Eut those at the head of the French Revolutionary diplomacy have always blended financial concerns with poli- tical conferences, and in all their acts, determina- tions, and conclusions, money, bnbes, and plunder, have been the most, *if not the only convincing T b arguments • See Let ^owvilhs a la Mj'tn, Brumaire, year ix. No. iii p. S, t Sec Le F.yageur Suitifj page II iiid li. 418 REVOLUTIONARY PLUTARCH. arguments attended to. Pecuniary sacrifices have at all times been necessary with them to enforce even the regulation of their political or rather mi- litary justice. They have never ceased to be as barefaced robbers^as audacious intriguers. Honour, integrity, delicacy_, and conscience, have with them always been out of the question. Their examples and depravity, as might be expected, have not been entirely lost or left without imitation in the cabi- nets of conquered, invaded, or tributary nations. A revolutionary minister calculates more upon the presents he may extort, than upon the salary affix- ed to his situation ', more upon the advantage dert- ved from corruption, than upon the honourable gain, with which loyalty always rewards ele- vated and confidential stations. So certain were Buonaparte and Talleyrand of Schimmelpenninck's submission to their ambi- tious treachery, and interested designs, that, after having signed at Amiens, as a Batavian plenipoten- tiary, the definitive treaty of peace with Great Britain, he was entrusted by them with the con- sequential post of a Batavian Ambassador to the Courtt)fSt. James's, at a time when they meditated to accomplish by surprize, during a delusive peace^ that ruin of the British Empire, which, during a war they had been unable to effect. He conduct- . ed SCHIMMELPENNINCK. 419 ed himself in this country with a moderation and seemino- sincerity, which procured him the esteem of our Government. Since the usurper^s ambition had provoked a rupture ; he, as well as General Andrcossy left England with regret after the Bata- vian Directory had in vain attempted to preserve a neutrality, which their independence, acknow- ledged in the treaties of Luneville and Amiens, promised and insured them to enjoy. Their spirit and patriotism nifide them honoured with the Corsican'shatredj who immediately determined to ' change rulers he could not govern. That two years have since elapsed without any alteration in the Batavian constitution, is only to be ascribed to the difficulty of finding a man or men complaisant and infamous enough to become the cruel in^ struments of a foreign, tyrant, to oppress and impoverish their country. The Dutch had for two centuries prospered in freedom under the same constitution, the choice of their ancestors, when, in 1795, French intrigues, backed by French bayonets, annihilated in some few weeks a code, the glory of Holland; and in^ troduced in its place one of the absurd and dange- rous anarchical constitutions of the Parisian ma- nufactory. This ephemeral work carried with it its own destruction, and has since been succeeded. t6 by 420 REVOLUTtONAKY PL,UTARCH. by several others equally incomplete and Imprac- ticable. In this last constitution,, according to which Schinimelpenninck is proclaimed the first Pensionary, those, nom'ma liber tat is havQ been revi- ved, which, as Tacitus has observed, always make slavery more galling to people who havcexperien- ced the comforts of independence and the blessings of liberty. It is besides the most heterogeneous mixture yet bestowed by Buonaparte on his allies. The executive, judicial, and legislative functions, are all confounded in onemass, consisting of nine- teen members, called their High Mightinesses, - with the First Pensionary at their head, and to whose exclusive disposal the fleets and armies of the Batavian republic are given. He has the chief direction of the national treasury, and the inliiatlve of the laws. The various rights, powers, and privileges, with which their High Mightinesses are decked out, are, of course, all illusory. ITiCy are mere cyphers, while the First Pensionary possesses, absolute power; though In his turn he is a slave under the dictature of Buonaparte. But this precarious code will vanish as speedily as the rotten roots on which it depends, whenever a continental war, or an exterior incident shall happsjn, to coalesce the resentments and wishes of the people. All was not done, when these SCHIMMELPENNINCK. 421 these rough frames, hewn with the revolutionary axe, were set up, without other provision than bayonets to ensure their lasting. If all patriotic and honourable sentiments are not banished from the bosoms of the Batavians, they will resent this last outrage offered to their liberty, property, and national character. They must feel that they are subjected without protection, slaves instead of allies, and ridiculous puppets moved by the whip of a Buonaparte, and according to the whimsies of a Schimmelpenninck. Though ambition and cupidity have caused him to sacr fice the interest, welfare, tranquillity, and independence, of his country to an usurped rank, and to a seized illegal authority 5 though, to his intrigues may, at ka.st in part, justly be ascribed the misery and sufferings of his countrymen ; though he is degraded by avarice, and disgraced by debauchery J Schimmelpenninck is considered in France and in Holland as a good and moral man ! INDEX, INDEX. ABERCROMBY (^iV Ra!j>b)yhh shire In the defeat of C5ene- ral PIchegru near Landrecies, in the campaign of 1794, ii. ao "— in the action of 17th June (same year) in FJanders, ii. •— in an attempt to retake the post of Boxtel, ii. 62. kattle of the 21st or March, j8oi j his death, iii. 162 to 165 Ahoukirj battle of (French and Turks), iii. 200 Acrey narrative of the siege and he- roic deffnce of, in X799, '^ 272 to 286 Akxandr'ia ; sanguinary and perfi- dious assault of this city by Buonaparte, i. 325, ii. 246 to 248, iii. 219 first battle of Alexandria (Eng- lish and French), iii, 352 to 161 jlege a-:d capture of, by the English, iii. 172, 173. character of the inhabirar.ts, by LouiS Buonaparte, ii. 401. AmueraatTiy the tree of liberty planted at, i:. 83 General Pichvgru arrives here, ii. 84 Anagram of '• Felhemesl'*('*Mf hee fils") used as a signature by Mehee de ia Touche, iii, 336, 366 A^•DKEossv, General J memoira *f^ i. J20 (Andreossy, contlnaci.) his noble extraction j and situa- tion before the revolution, i» 320 serves in an inferior station in. the army tiJlthe jear 1796, i. 321 appointed in that year chief of battalion, and afterwards chief of brigade J disdnguishes him- self on several occasions, i» 322 selected by Buonaparte, with peculiar marks of favour, to accompany him to Egvpt, i» 3^4 slighily wounded in the assault of Alexandria, i. 325 promoted general of brigade ; hi» services with the gun-boats and shallops in protecting the march to Cairo, i, 316 elected to the Institute establish- ed by Buonaparte at that city j charge committed to him in this character, i. 327, ii. 255 his services before Jaffa and be- fore Acre, and in covering Buonaparte's retreat from th.s latter place, i. 328 — in quelling the mutinies of the troops, and counteracting the plots of the genenls and officers at Cairo, i» 329 accompanies Buonaparte in hid return to France, i. 330 his va-ious situations aicer the revolution of 9th November I799> i- 330 appointed ambassador to England, i. 3^1 4H INDEX. (^NDRKOSSY, COTtirjued.) his general conduce in ch.3 coun- try, i. 33 3 copy of ^is • ffici4 ins'^ructjons from Talleyraid, i. 13^ his policicsi co'^duc'^ afc r h'n re- turn to Farib ; d.sgravcd on this accoun, bur afrcrwads app'iiiitcd to a d'S:in^uiir.c d situatio-^! in ih^ army against Engla';d, !. 3 3 honou'-able cha acter of his gene- ral c >nduct wi'.h rcsjjtct lo this coun'iy , 1, 354 ^ngouleme^ Ducne'-s of, daughter of Louis XVI ; amiable anecdotf- f n r, ii . 76 ^pztbeom cf Ma> ar, as prQ/iOunced by R-^al, ii'. 309 jirmic, sriength of ihe French in 1794. ii. 16 note princip!" which actuated the French scldiers, as stated by Pxh'gru, ii, 1 61 ^rrnvrices, superior policy of the French f; specting, ii. 102 Army ^^f England, r-,emors of the principal generals in, i. 2.Z3 , xc. Art'iitSi trench, most of the first characteis among thenn hjve disgr.^C' d themsf^^lves by their revoluC bnary conducr, i. 369 speech of Divld on the rrorion of BaiTf re resp cting French 2-t scs, i. 375 jiiumb'y^ C)nst;tue^^, chararacter of, iii. 255, " 56 tfgislative or S;cund^, iii. J4 See also the article C'trrver.tkn AuGEREAUjGeneial, mennoirs of, ass hisbirrhj early appointed a spy ; afterwards en!is:5 in the Le- gion de Corse, i. 253 his success ve desertions, punish- ir.enc, theft, and iiDprison- ment, i. 254 marries ; commits a robbery, aad (AuGX.aEAU, Continued.) abandons his wife • recent scene connected with this last adven;ur,?, i. 255 enlis'-s in the Neapolitan service ; ditchargf-d, and sdtL'S as a fe « naparte), memoirs of, )>• 4'5 Siiken \ contribution hid upan those of Marseilles by a com- • misi^iry of Fouche, to dis- charge which they were al- lowed to raise the price of bread, i. 149 SaRBAs, memoirs of, i. 170 hs birth, fapFi'ly, and entrance into the regular army, i. 171 dismissed with disgrace, and en- ters into an E-'S" Indian regi- ment; shipVifrecked in his voyage ; his caieer till his re- turn to Europe, i. 172 his situation at the commence- ment of the Rtvclui.ior', and early subsequent conduct, i, 173 deserts and betrays the demo- cratical pa'ty, i, 174 again favoured by the Orleans faction, i, 176 elected to tlie National Conven- tionj i. 176 (Barras, continued.) votes for the death of the King, and aSsisrs also in bringing tha Qiioen and Madame Elizabeth to the Ecaftold, i. 177. 173 s.2rves and l»etra)S all the diftVr- ent succesbive revJutionaty factions, i. 178 acquires d sgracefuHy the friend- ship of the younger Robes- picTre, i. 178 sent as deputy to Toulon after the recapture of that city, *i. forms an acquaintance with Buo- naparte there, i. 179 treacherous crurlty towards tn* unfortunate Touion.se, i. 179 note recalled from this mhsion, i. 179 Jains the facti.n against Roiie»» pierre, 1. 179 his b'cv.aiicji i:i fh? C-3r:V«?nt!0n after the fail of that tyiant, it. 180 procures an appointment as go» vernor of the Isle of F:a-ce, but is prevented from sailing to execure it, i. 180 leaves to Buonaparte the com- mand of the Conventional troops against the sections of Pari5, i. 1S2 appoint-d to the first Directory ; his mannrrs in this situafion, and detestable general charac- ter, i. 1S2 events of the 4th of September 1797, i. 1S3, (ii. 117 to 133) his conduct in ihe D rectory to- Wirds the j.icobiiis and the royalists, i. 184 hastens the return of Buonaparte from Egypt, i. 184 his jealousy 01 the succeeding revolution, i. 185 his negociation with Buonaparte after that event> i. 185 his situation sinccj i^iS/" hi« 4'^'S INDEX. ^BaKraSj continued.) his p-isonal appearance, and character, i. laS Causes five of his relations to be shot for remaining at foulon diiiing its occupation by Ihe English, ii. 109 See also ii. 12S note JBarrere] address to the armies pro- posed by him, to accompany the decree Tor refusing quarter to the Eng'ish and Hanove- rians, i. 14 note his pres'int situation, i. 135 Bsaucaiie'y contribution raised by a comn-.issary of Fouche from the merchants visiting the fair at this place, by forcing them to provide themselves with passes, i. 150 Beau'armlty Viscount de, nnarries Mademoiselle la Pagerie (now Madame Napolconc Buona. parte), i-. 351 his conduct in tha States Gene- ral, arrest, and execution, ii* 354 to 357 BkAUHARNOIS, EuGENlTJS DE (son of Madame Napoleone Buo- naparte), memoirs of, ii. 380 sums of money which he has received from the National Treasury, ii. 3^4 JliAUH AR Nois, Fanny DE(daugn* ter of Mddame Napoleone Ruo- napar*^e), memoirs of, ii. 382 her address in getting possessioa of a report of Fouche to the TTrst Consu', i. i6z Bedouin Arabiy character of them by Louis Buonaparte, ii. 400, 4CI « Belgium^ extortions pi the French in this country, ii. 50, 51 and note Benoii, F''ancahi his curious trial before the criminal tribunal at Paris, iii. ^90 to 194. Bi-aTHiER General, memoirs of, iii. 121 one of the first promoters of the Revoiuiion, ia 17S9, iii. 12 I his pievious history; his birth, education, and juvenile years, iii. 122 serves in America with the French army, iii. T22 appointed to a command in tke National Guard at the begin- ning of the Revolution j his conduct in that situation, iii. 123 resigns his commission : agaia enters the service 5 his succes* sive appointments, iii. 124 purposes to join La Fiyetre after that generaPf; desertion, but is prevented, iii. 125 appointed reserve in La Vendee j J)is situation, and conduct, in that service, iii. 135 deprived of his commission, and imprisoned, by the decree pros* cribing all nobles and gentle- men, iii. 126 released j and offered a milit'ary emplojment, which he de- clines, iii. 126 in 1796 accepts the si'uation of Chief of the Staff in the army ofBuonaparte, iii. 127 peculiar weaknesses in his cha- racter, iii. 127 the brilliancy of Buonaparte's first campaign entirely owing to the talents of Berthier ; in- stances of his gallantry at the battles ofLodi and of Rivoli, iii. 129 he is also a partaker in Buona- parte's most detestable enor- mities, iii. 130 appointed to the charge of revo- lutiorizing Rome, iii 130 his duplicity towards the Pope on approaching towards that city, iNDEX. 4-7 (liERTHiER, continued) city, and treachery on anivlng there, iii. 13 1, 131 his triumphal entry into Rome 5 his puerile harangue on plant- ing the tree of liberty, and subvrsion ot tiie papal go- vernai°nt, iii. 132, 133 — behaviour, to the Roman populace at these ceremonies, iii. 133 irib'ulting cruelty practised to- wards the Pope } general and unsparing plunder of the Pope and of the people, iii. 134 pillage of the churches at the funeral of Duphot ; constitu- tion, &c. established by Ber- thier, iii. 135 recalled, to attend Buonaparte to Egypt, iii. 135 enforces and defends Buona- parte's massacres and poison- ings in that country ; his ♦'History of the Campaigns in gereau at this place in J796, i. 259 B'jmmely isle of, taken by the French in the winter of 1794? ii. 79 EoRGHES£, Princess (sister to Fuonaparte), mciiioirs of, ii. her atheistical blasphemy, i:. 425 infamy of her juvei.ile years, ii. 4-6 her fiist marriage, with General Le Clcrc, ii. 427 accompanies her husband to St, Domingo j her conduct there, ii. 427 her second marriage, with Prince Borghese, ii. 42S •^ their behaviour during the nuptial ceremony, ii. 429 presents- &c. which she received from her brother Napolcone at each of her raaniages, ii. 430 Bourbon } character, and fate, of this royal family, iii. S» 3 Egyptand Syria, "iii. 176,137 Bcur\tnxe^\i^z Buonaparte's conft- returns to franc with Buona- parte ; assis's him in the revo- lution of 9th Novemb-r 1799; appointed minister of wjr, iii. 137 appointed commander of the army ofresfrvej battle of Ma- rengo, ii 137, IS^ again minister of war; his offi- cial conduct in this situation, iii. 13S summary of his character, iii. 13S 5/nbas (BUONAPARTX, LuciEN, Con- tinued.) chosen a .member of the National Inititute, ii 3 ,0 appe.rs a,ainat Paris, after Na- poieone's successful campiign, ii. 390 elected t» the Council of Five Hundrrd; his conduct in that assrmojy, ii. 391 pul=>iishf-s an account of his revo« luiionary hfe, ii 391 chosen, president of the Council of Five Hundred ; his conduct in this situation, in the revo- lution of 9th November 179?» ii. 302 appointed minister of the home department ; his infamous pro- fligacy, and incest with his sister, i'. 392, 353 note (4i2, iii. 203) poisons his wife, ii. ■^93 seizes and carries off the wife of a rich banker, ii. 394 disgraced by Napoleone for his indiscretion, and s?nt away on an embassy to Spain, ii. 394> .395 . his creditors ruined, or silenced by being imprisoned or trans- ported, li. 395 his corrupt'on and insolence during his embassy, ii. 395> .396 ^ his stuation after the peace with England, ii. 396 horrid anecdote of his debauchery, ii 397 note estimate of his character, ii. 397 Buonaparte, Napoleone, memuirs ot, ii. 190 parallel between him and Robes- pierre, pursued through the principal circumstances of their revolutionary life, ii. 193 to 199. education of Buonaparte, ii. 200 liis juvenile friendship with Philipeaux • #3® INDEX. ^BUONAPASTE, NaPOLEONE, continued.) Pbllipeaux; difference of t4^eir characters, and of their con- duct respecting the Revolution in its fi St periods, ii. 200 publicly insulred by Philipeaux on this last account j but de, dines shewing an honourable resentment, and is in conie- ^uence excluded from the mess of their regiment, ii. total dissolution of their friend- ship, ii. 203 anecdotes of his horridly barba- rous disposition when a boy,. ii. 103 to 205 his first situations in the army, ii. 206 bis services in the siege of Toulon, where he first forms an acqaaintanee with Ban as ; their treacherous massacre of the inhabi ants after its sur- render, ii. ?o6 t0 2c8,(i. 179) about this rime he assumes the name of Brutus, ii. 308 his subsequent situation, til! employed by Barras in the etrug&.le between the Cnnvcr- tion ard the sections of Paris, ii. 209 •— interesting narrative of this transaction, ii. 209 to 217 pointed to the command of the army of Italy by the influence of Barras, whose mistress he marries, ii. 218 state of the opposing armies in Italy at this time, ii. 218, 239 campaign of 1796, ii. 219 battle of MoBteiezino, ii. 221, 222 «?pture of Mondorvi, ii. 223 armistice with the King of Sardinia, ii. 223 lubsequent rapid successes of Buonaparte, ii. 224 (Buonaparte, MapolsonE) continued.) his general conduct towards the Princes and States of Italyt ii. 225 to 22S letter from a republ'can com» mander,di-c!osing Buonaparte's atrocities in that country ; his impudent and hypocritical af- fectation of humanitv at the ssm.e time, ii. 228,233 his treacherous and cruel pro- ceedings in the subjection of Venice, i. 266 10269 the biiUiancy of his firfit cam- paign enrirely owing to the talents of Berthier, iii. 127, X29 military executions by his orders on whole towns ani their in- habitants during the campaigns of 1796 and 1797, ii. 235 his return to France, and projects against Switzerland, ii. 236 expedition to Egypt, ii. 239 motives both of Buonaparte and of the government in this un- dertaking, ii.240 the fleet jails, , and arrives at Malta; reduction of that island, ii. 242 the troops land near Alexandria, impudent and ridiculous pro- clamation issued by Buona- parte, ii. 244 aasault and capture of Alexandria, massacre of the inhabitants, ii^ 246 detestable and impious proclama- tion issued afterwards by Buo- naparte, ii. 248 subs quent operations in Egypt; military character of the Ma- melukes, ii. 250 to 252 civil and military administration of the French in that country, ii. 252 public scientific and other esta- blishments formed, ii. 253, (i. 327) insurrecti©)! INDEX. «« (BlXONAPARTE, NapoLEONE, continued. ) insurrection at Cairo J and slaugh- ter of the inhabitants, ii. 2^6 Buonaparte prepares to march into Syria J proc'.amjtion issued by him before his departure from Cairo, ii. 258 to 260 capture of El-A ish, and of Gjza, ii. 260, 261 attack and capture of Jaffa, il, 261, 462 ^ narrative of the attoclties of Buonaparte here } — ot' the mas- sacre of the garrison, ii. 263 •— ' of his poisoning his own sick soldiei'S, ii. 266 violence and rapacity of the French troops at this city, ii. 271 Buonaparte proceeds towards Acre'; siege and heroic de- fence of this place, ii. 272 to 286 his d'igraceful retreat, and trt- umpkatit re-entry into Cairo, ii. 287 to 291 his piofane threat if he should ever obtain possession of Jeru- salem, ii. 289 Buonaparte's unpleasant situation in the army after this time ; his return to France, ii. 291 to 294, (i. 329) . — letter of a French general on this subject, iii. 201 «tate in which he found that country, and the government, ii. 294 ru 297 His reception by the people, and the Directory and Coun- cils, ii. 297 revolutk>n of 9th November 1799, "• ^99 — his negotiation with Birras after this transaction, i. 1S5 to 187 policy 6i Ruonaparte in the ad- ministratioa of his usurped jower, distiibuting public of- (BUONAPARTX, NaPOLECNE, continued.) fices among all the different parties, it. 301 he completely ^ujlishes the li- berty of the press, ii. 302 his pacific protessionsj and let- ter to the King of CiTeat Britun, ii. 303 to 306 . answ r of Loid Grenviile to this communication, ii. 306 to 308 treachery of Buonaparte towards Enghnd even at the same moment, ii. 308 his medSjres to (^uell the distur- bances in the western and southern departments, ii. 308, 309. (See also i. 142 to 146) formation of an army of reserve at Dijon j Buonaparte's hypo- critical proclamation on this occasion, ii. 310 march of tliis army into Italy; battle of Marengo, and its important consequences, ii, 312 to 317 8UCCC sses or Moreau in Germany, and treaty of Luneville, ii, atter this period, the inveterate hostility of Buonaparte di- rected peculiarly against Eng- land, ii. 3J9 the infernal machine, and all other plots, falsely attributed by him to the British govern- ment, ii. 320 by his intrigues he accomplishes the formation of the Northern Confederacy, ii. 321 the preliminaries of peace with England not signed till he was acquainted with the actual departure of the French forces fronfi* Egypt, ii. 322 — proofs of th'S fact, ii. 323 his subsequent insolent ana of- fensive conduct b >th before and after the conclusion of the 7 definiuve 43* INDEX. (Buonaparte, Napoleone, continued.) definitive treaty, ii. 324 to 3a6 good tftpcts to England of the ihorc-livtd peace of Amiens, ii. 326 his Treachery and mof'ves in the expedition to St. Domingo, ii. 327 effects of his Concordat with the Poj-e, ii. 328 his ''Stubils: fnent of the Legion of H no'jr, ii. 328 tintiual viol.iiions by Buonaparte of his own conflitutlons, ii. 329 his vulgar and dif^uiling conduct and language in !;is intercourse with foreign .Sovereigns, and in his own court, ii. 330 travelling and flate expences of Buoraparte compared with those ot Louis XVI., ii. 331 pamphlet by Biurrienne (late Buonapjrtf's confidential fe- cretaiy) entitled *' 7'he Livre- rouge of the Conful -r Court i'' extracts fiom this work, re- specting the revolutionary finances, and the pecuniary grants of Huonaparte to his relations and in his f^cret ex- pences, ii. 332 to 344 present domeftic fiiuacion of Frar.ce, i;, 344 calculation of the number of pe fjns who had periflied by the coTmands of Buonaparte before his eflabiiihment on the Confular throne, ii. 346 to 348 funnmary of his character, ii. 348 ludicrous fpecimen of the regular leflbns given him, on hjs aflfumption of the fupreme power, for behaving 1 ke a km?, ii. 369 fpecimens of difgufting and fa- ^buONAPARTE, NaP JLEOKI, cn)tinued.) crilegiojs compliments paid t« him and his v/ite in addreues from hi'> oublic functionaries, _ii. 373. 374 his indigt nee, with his brother Luci n, in the spring of the year 1795, li, 389 Buonaparte contralted with Picbe- gru, ii. )49 to 15a — with Moreau, i. 75 f©77 the generalship of Buonaparte compared with thatof Plchi gru and of Moreau, ii. 106, 107 Buonaparte enabled to command the peace of Leoben by the difinterefted and generous af- fiilance of Moreau, i. 33 his subfequent jealoufy and In- gratitude during Moreau's ftare of retirement in 1798, i. 38 — magnanimous return made by Moreau fof this behaviour, '• 39 enabled to gain the battle of Marengo by the fuccefses of Moreau in Germany, i. 56, .57 . bis reception of Moreau at Paris after that vidlory, i. 60 his interested contrivance to elude the promife given by Moreau to the Empfiror, that Tufcany ihojid remain to the Aiftrian Grand Duke, i. 65 to 70 bis mean conduct in feducing and feparating from Moreau all the officers and foidieri attached to that general 5 Mo- reau's popularity, nolwith- ftjnding, i. 70 to 72 Moreau's difinterefted conduct at the headofthearmy, inj unilh- in'g extortion and plunder, Contrasted with the oppofite courfe of Buonapar.e ; curious anecdote of the latter and Au- gereau, i. 73 to 75, 269, 270 Moreau's INDEX. 431 ^Bcjna?a*tz, Napolione, continued) Moreau's undif^uiled dlfappro- bation of Buonaparte's govern- ment, and answer to an over- ture ma4e personally by him, i. 77 to So Intercepted letter from him in Egypt CO his brother Jof-ph, ii. 1S7 note -— remarks on this letter, ii. 365 better from pope Pius Vi to him in February J797, and his anfwer, ii. 179, iSo note Buonaparte, Madame Napo- leon e, memoirs of, 11-351 her first marriage, and family, Ii. 351 ufual fociety of herfelf and her (Buonaparte, Madame Napo- LEONE, continued.) her enormous profufion and lux- "T* ii- 374- prefents dcfi^ned by her for the Emprefs of Ruflla and the Queen of Prulfia ; dtclincd by the former, ii. 377 her d-fagreements with the indi- viduals of her hufbind's family, ii- 377 , her furviving children, ii. 378 Buonaparte. For the other fe- males of this family, {^e the articles Bacckiochi ; Bor- GHESE; Mukat, Madame; Raniolim} and San- 1 A Cruce. C huiband, revolutionary ar^d Cadoudal, GEoRGt,(otherwife called only Georges,) memoirs of, ii'. 86 his birth and education, iii. 86 his f)tuation and fentiments at the commencement of the re- volution, ili. 87 joins the Vendean infurgents on the mnrder of his neareft relatioTiS by the republicans in 1793, iii. 87 ^ appointed to a command in the royaiift army ; dlitinKuii)i^5 himfelf on feveral occ^fions in this fuuation, iii 88 bis conduct on the fupprefljon of the royaiift infurrecticn by Buonaparte, Iii. 90 -^- his convention with General Brune, which was treacher- cufly violated by the latter, iii. 90 ' letules a republican commap-i offered him by Buonaparte ; jealoufy of the latter in con- fequence, which determines Georges to be again his enemy, iii. 91 ur.juftly accufsd py Buonaparre , d'fficul.lse infamous characters, ii. 352 instance of her conjugal moraliiy, "• 354, conduct of her hultand (M. de Beauharnolj) in the StUes General ; his arrest, and exe- cution, ii. 354 ber fituuion after his death, with Li'gendre and Barrasj her conduct whi'.e living with the latter ii. 358 ^ introduc.'d by Barras to her pre- fent hufband j effects proiuced by this union, on her charac- ter and iituati m, ii.3601 362 her diftreiTe?, and conjugal bslia- viour, during Buonaparte's ab- fence in Egypt, ii 363 ludicrous fp-cimens of the regu- lar lefions and inftructions given her on the ufurpation of the government by her huf- band, for her behaviour, and the Cilablil'hment of her eti- quette, as ;i ^ueen, ii.363 to 372, difgufting and fulfome compli- ments paid to her in addrcfi'es from the public func'ionariei, ii. 372 to 374 rot. lii. 4S4 INDEX. (Cadouda L, Geokge, cor.iinued. ) of an attempt to afTalTinate him, ill. 92 difficulties under which the roy- alist chiefs laboured, iii. 92 popularity of Georges among the royalifts, iii. 93 "conftancy and magnanimity cf his character, ill. 93 particulars refpecting hisimprl- fonment and his laft moments, iii. 93 note CaSfandy Iflar.d of; bold enterprife of Morcau to gain poffellion cf this ifland, preparatory to f...r,nning the fiege of Sluys, i. 16 Ca'in^ this appellation given to Chenier from his facrificing his brother, iii. 401 Cairo ; infutrectlon at againft the French, and (laughter of the inhabitants, ii. 256, 257 ftege and capture of by the Britiih and Turks, iii. 170 Cambaceres, memoirsof, iii. 244 his fr.uation and character before the Revolution, iii. 244. elected to the National Conven- tion ; his conduct in that uf- fembly, and vote on the fen- tence of the King, iii. 245 procures two remarkable decrees refpecting illegitimate children and divorces j confequences of thefe decrees, iii. 246 (Cambaceres, continued.) Inftitutej his fpeech on thai cccafion, iii. 250 appointed minifter cf juftice, and afterwards SecondConrui,iii.2 5i his extraction, and perfonal ap» pearance, 111.251 Caft:f>aign of iy<)^3ind i795(Piche- ^ru's) in Flanders and Holland, ii. 18 to 87 — new fyftem of tactics intro- duced by Pichegrn in this campaign, ii. 87 to 90 (Pichegru's) of 1795, ii, 98 to ICJ of 179 6(Moreau"'s),l. 20 to 27 : his retreat, 28 to 31 — Buonaparte's, in Italy, 51. 219 to 224 of 1799 in Italy (Moreau's), i. 43 to 52 in bvvitzerland (Maflena's), ii* 299 to 310 of 1800 in GermanyrMoreau's), i. 53 to 59, 61 to 65 — in Italy (Buonaparte's), ii. 312 to 317 of the Eritiili army in Egypt, iii. 15310173 Caricature o( Buonaparte and Sieyes exh'.bited at Paris, i. 102 nota Car/i'j, his pretended excellence as an engineer and a ftatesman juftly eftimated, il. 16, 17 note Carrier y his favage ferocity in La Vendee, ii. 106 to 108 y^i fubfrquent conduft in the Cartes de Surete. See the article Convention, during the time P^Jff^* of Robefpi-rre, ai:d after tijat CaffanOy battle of, i. 44, 45 tyrant's death, ill. 247 Cateauy Pichegru repulfed by the he was tliexaufc of the meafures Auftrians at this place in the which produced the ftruggle campaign of 1794, ii. 18 between the lections of Paris the combined armies reviewed here by the Emperor of Ger- many, ii. 19 and the troops of the Conven- tion, iii. 248 appointed lirll fecretary to the Ca: be art, Lord, distinguishes him- • Council of five Hundred; his telfin an attack on the French intrigues againft the directorial at Gelder MalseJ, ii. 81 •conftitution, iii. 249 aJmittcd iuto the Nition al CatineaUf INDEX. 435 Catincauf a priest, the first chief in the Vendean insurrection, ill. 96 resigns to the Marquis de Beau- champ, iii. 97 Cayenne ; narrative of the deporta- tion of Pichegru and his com- panions to this place, and of their treatment while ■ here, ii. 134 to 143^ CbuViier'. hisjacobinica! proceedings, and magistracy, at Lyons 5 his execution; impious feast cele- brated to his memory, i. 116 to 1 18 Charette, the Vendean chief; his character, exploits, and death, iii. 99, 103, III, 112, 1T5 Charles the Nintbj a tragedy by Chenier; some account of it, •"'i- 39 5> 396 Chekier, Marie Joseph, me- moirs of, iii. 395 his birth, education, and early revolutionary and literary ca- reer, iii. 395, 396 of his tragedy ChENIER, M.ARIT. JoSSPil, - continued; with the murder of his brother, iii. 401 Cbil'ety the Vendean royalists de- . feated under the walls of this place, iii, 104 Chouayiy origin of this name uncer* tain, iii. 116 CnouAN War. See the article Vendean. Clergy (French), dreadful e/rects of the revolutionary measures pursued against them, i, 211, 212 Cologr.ey the Austrians driven across the Rhine at this place by Jourdan in the catnpaign of 1794, ii. 63^ C'Jumn, the constitutional, dug up by the troops and carried be- fore them in their march towards Paris j thus nolpaa- mg'ix, ii. IZ2 note Commercial ipe-.ulatlons, instances of the dangers to which they ars exposed in France, i. 147, 148 some accoun of Charles the Ninth, iii. 396 Complimentary epithets, curious list sends his brothcrtothe scaffold, of many bestowed by Rioufte from envy of his literary on different ministers and mea superiority, iii. 397 in power, i. 365 account of several of his works, specimens of compliments paid ro jji. 398 appointed a member ©f the Na« tional Institute, and declared by the Directory on the Champ de Mjn the first of French posts, iii. 39S, 399 critical attacks on him, notwith- standing, iii. 399 his conduct in the National Convention, and subsequent assemblies j and successively towards all the chiefs of par- ties, iii. 399,400 appointed finally by Buonaparte ~~ director over the public and prirate instruction in France, iii. 401 frei^uently reproached in public Buonaparte and his wile m addrelles from his public, func- tionaries, ii. 373, 374 Czmtat Vcnaissin ; seizure of this province by the French, and aiTalfiriation of the fufpected persons here, i'i. 143 to 145 Concordat y effects of this meafure on the interefts of religion, li, 328 Conde\ peculiar luftre of this branch of the Bourbon fami'v, iii. 3^ 4 three generations of them (the" father, f>n, and grandfather) at once nobly diftinguiih themfelves in an engagement durincthe campaign of 1793, iiit 28 ^ » Condy 430- • index: . C.tiJe, Prince oi\ Ieav5s Franc? at the beginning ol the Revo- lution, and aflembles an aimv ot emigrants, iii. 7, 8 his difficulties, and exertions, in eftectjpig this ; interview r.fthe Emperor and the Kingof Pruf- fii at Pilnitz, aad rcfult of that meerir.g, ii. 10 to 12 the emigrants expelled from Worms by the Elec'.or, iii. 13 • — ag.^in embodied, near Cob- 1-ntz ; cc- operation of the E-nperor ami the King of PrulHa; manifeftoes ili'ued, iii. declaration cf the French Prin- ces, iii. 16 f rengrh of the crr/igrants ir. the coa.binedarmy, iii. 17 their gallantry, and irM'tiry appearance and condition, iii. 18 trpachfry of the K'ng of Prufiia to th?ir caufe, iii. 19 to 22 »— difrrefs to which they were conlequently reduced, iii. 22, 23 frmnefs and generofiry of the French Pr nces in this adver- fi'-y, iii. 26 campaign of I793» ii:. 27 to 32 campaigns of J7c4and I795> ii'. campagn ori796, 111.331036 the army of Conde raken into the fervic' of Ruflia, and marched intoPoland, iii. 36 campaign of 1799 on trie frontiers Of Switzerland, iii. 37 the army of Conde difbanded, on the peace of Lunevi'.ie ; cfta- blifhment and compofition of this army, iii. 40 CcnffiracieSf number of thofe pre- tended to have been difcovrr- ed by the d'fferent factions during the Revolution, iii. a96 Corjr.tucnt j^'Jcnibly, character of, iii. 255 ^2 56 Ccn-veTtriofij N.nionaly interefting narrative of ics firuggle with the fections o{ Paris refoecrin* the re-election of the tw/o- thirds, iL 209 to' 215 generaicharactpr of this afTembly, from a fummary of its adts, ii* 216. 217 dn-vemsj Madame BtJoniararte senior defires to he permitted to found fome, but is refufed by her fon Napoleone, ii, 176 Corjira, fpecubtions of RoulTeau and of Voiney relative to this country, i, ^lJ, 218 Ccitlon^ aft-iir of his nArrarive re- fpedtir.g the lace attempt of Buonaparte for th? murder of Louis XVI II. and his family at \Ar'arfaw by means of poifan, iii. 79 to 85 D Dar'.can, Gener.il, his condut in the ftruggle bc-twcenthe Con- vention and the fections of Paris refpefting the re-elec- tion of the two-thirds, ii. 211 to 215 ITArger.teaUi Genera), his extra- ordinary conduft in the cam- paign of 1796 in Italy, ii. 220 to 222, 224 Dauphin, this name given to Mo- reau by the foldiers and the people, i. 72 note Da VI B, memoirs of, i. 369 fome remarkable pieces painted by him on diti'erent occaGons during the Revolution, i. 369 his fituation before the Revolu- tion, and conduct in the early perijds of it, i. 370 (hocking inftance of his cool re- volutionary barbarity in the pr3(5lice of his art, i. 371 eledled to the Convention ; his fan gui nary INDEX. 43f (Davit, ontinbcd) fanguinary condudt in that affembly, i. 371 another horrid anecdote of his Jacobinical cruelty and infen- fibiliry, i. 372 he haftens the execution of the Queen and of Madame Eli- zabeth ; anecdote of his brutal Viftttothe latter, i. 573 ^ {Directory, coniinued) refpecting this foim of govern- ment, ii. 156, 159 Divorces for inconripatability of tempers allowed by the Con- vention ; confequences of this meafurc, iii. 246 Dogy anecdote of Buonaparte's hor- rid barbarity to one while a boy, ii. 203 his cowardice on the arreft of Domiciliary vif.ts by the police in Robefpierre ; and his {hocliing fcoafts afterwards in prifm, i. 374 releafed ; joins In difterent at- tempts to re-eitablifh jacobin elubs, i. 375 France,!. J47 anecdote of one at midnight, at an inn near Aix, i. 1 52 Dommelf paflage of by Pichegru'j army in the campaign of l794> iio 01, 6z his fpeech on the mot'on of D.yle, General; by an ingenioU;S Barrere refpecting French ar tifts, i 375 his profeffioriil and political cha- radter j and perTon, i. 376, 377 Diet te of the French Convention ordering no quarter to be given to the Britiih or Hanoverian troops, ii. 31 behaviour of di^^ercnt French generals on this occafun; of Pichegm, ii. 32 - — of Van Damme, ii. 33. — -of Moreao, i. 14 of rhe Duke of York. ii. c;4 behaviour of the Duke U'Eng- hien on a fimiiar decree re- fpeding the emigrants, iil, 30 D*Eib/e elefted generaliilimo of the Vendean royalifts, iii. 99 Ds RiotneSy Count Albert, rt figns^ the command of the French fleet in 179c, on the principles of anarchy being fpread among the crews by the emiflarics of the National Aflembly, i. 35^ 'Defrr.arcts, fecretary to Foache ; his charadler, and anecdotes of him, i. 166 directory • Pichegru's fentiments deception prevents the fmail force under Lord Moira from b-ing attacked by the French, during the campaign of'1794, ii. 41 Drakcf Mr. 5 reports of Regnier, as grand-judge, respedling this gentleman, iii. 265, 278 the articles of h"s pretended co'-. rcfpondencp moilly forgerie:., iii. 37^ to 371 Dubois Creance commands th*" rx- ecution of one of his fons a% an emigrant, ii. 109 tett of patriotifm propofed by birrv in the Jacobin Club, ii. 208 note . Dui^ouR, Gerycral, memoirs of, :» 234 his fi tuition, before, and at tha commencement of, the.Kfvo- lution, i. 234 his horrid cruelties at Lyons and rn La Vendee, i 234 his fituation in the years 3795 and 1796, i.235 his ridiculous and difgufting \w- rangue to Mengaud, on the appointment of the latter as dire6toria;l cmilfary in Svvit- serland j, 438 INDEX, (DuFouR, continued) zerland ; and Mengaud's reply, 1.435,236 his profcfTed principles in 1799 coTtrailed with thofc in 1793> i. 237 his manners, and chara^er, 1. 238 Dumas, General, memoirs of, 5. 226 {Egypty continued.) Campaigns in this country, the preliminaries of peace with England not signed by Buona- parte till he was acquainted with the actual departure of the French forces from Egypt, ii. 32i proofs of this h&,u. 323 his condition before, and in the i'.'-virj/?) taken by the French, 11.260 early periods of, the Revolu- Eiixaheth, Princefsj anecdote of the brutal vifit of David to her in prifon, i. 373 Em'grantSt different treatment which they have received from tion, 1. 220 oppofes the jacobins in the Second Aifembly, i. 22S cle£led in 1795 'o the Council of Ancients 5 condemned, wirh Pichegru, on the revolution of the 4th September 1797 ;es. CwJpes into Germany, and there writcaa military journal, i. 230 appointed to the Council of Statt, i. 232 his general charadier, and per- fonal appearance, i. 233 the Sovereigns of Europe, iii. 7 to 9 — heroic anecdote of a nobuS emigrant v^'hen expiringon the field of battle, iii 31 the lift of eniigtants tht true Lt^gion of H'jriour, ii. 150 See atfo the article Condty Vuaueinoy (the d'^puty) crufes his E>:cykpe.ljti^ ^tiin'Xxon of, i. Ifjt father to bs guillotined for claiming him as his fon, ii. joo E Kconomijiii definition of, \. 191 note Education^ hint on the fubjeft of EngHfh parents sendirg thtir children to be educated in France, iii, 401 See alfo the article Scbooh., jEgy^tj treachery of Bui.naparte contrafted \vi:h the conduft of other invaders of this ccun- tiy, i.324 campaign of the Britiih army in Egypt, iii. 15J to_I73 — of the French, in Egypt and Syria. Sec the articles Buo- KATARTK, Napolcone, (!i. a39toa94)} Menou^ and names of places. CePitcal B«rthier's Hiftory of the note E^ CHiEN, Duke of i memoirs of, iii. I peculiar luftre of the Conde fa- mily } his birch, and educa'ioB, iii. 3, 4 admirabk anecdote of his fpiiit in very eariy youth, iii. 5 commencement of his ttiiitary career, iii. 6 cmigratei at the beginning of the Revolution with his fathe* ai;d grandfather, iii. 7 fornriation of the army of Con- de } ftation and condudt of the Duke of Enghien in that corps, Iii. 8 to 20 his irdignant ardour at the treachery of the King of Pruf- fia, iii. 21 di^refs to which he was reduced, with thf other Fiench Prin- ces, by that treachery, Ui. 23 noble INDEX. 4J^ (^KGftiEN, Duke of, continued) noble inftance of his benevolence and delicate generofity, iii. 24 to 26 firmnefs and generofity of the French Princes in adverfity, iii. 26 the Duke of Enghien diftin- guifhes hinnfelf greatly in the campaign of 1793, iii. 27 to — anecdote of his behaviour res- pecting the decree of the Con- vention for giving no quarter to the emigrants, iii. 30 — heroic anecdote of a noble emigrant when expiring on the field of battle, iii. 31 irampalgns of 1794 and 1795, "'• campaign of 1796 ; his extraor- dinary gallantry on many occa- fionSj iii. 34, 35 •— attack and capture of the tete-du-pont near Huninguen ; anecdote, iii. 35, 36 conducts the remnant of -the army of Condc into Rullian Poland, iii. 36, 37 *ampaign of 1799 on the fro n tiers of Switzerland j gallantry •f the Duke ©f Enghien, iii. 37. i::t!on ; his atrccioui infolence on o'- Acialiy aPiHouQcing to the King the fentcnce of death, iii. 379 removed to the ctSce of minifter of the interior J joins the Cor- deliers and J?cobins in pian- ring the deftruction of the Glrondifls ; character giv^n ly Dan'on of his fervices, ii";. .S79. 3^0 hiS firuation after the fall of Robefpierre ; be p jbli/hes an sccount of his own revolution- ary conduct, iii. 321 'CuriottS letter from him to that tyrant during his reign, in praife of his elocusr.ce, iii. biafphemoijfly compares hixf?lt, in the publication }u{l men- ticned, to Jefus Chrift per- fecuted, iii. 384 appointed ambaflador toN3ple$j his infannous conduct th^re: recalled by being elected to the Council of Five Hundred, *•* CI 111. 384 ridicuioufly recomariends to the gorenment to difpenfe v'th the troops' levying contribu» tions on the conquered coun- tries, iii. 385 hi-s fliare in the revolution of 9th November 1799 j ap- •'G/.RAT, co"t*nued.) pointed In confequence to tke Confervacive Senate, •where he is fafpected by his col- leagues of treachery, iii, 3S6, his prefe-nt favour with Buona- parte, iii. 3S7 his general character, iii. 387 Gaza taken by the French, 11. a6o Ctneralitip of Bucn?parte, of Mo- reau, and of Pichegru, indi- vidually compared, ii. 107 CcROUi viclatir-n of its neutrality by Buonaparte in 1796, iii. 190 oblLinate defence of this city by MafTena in 1799, *• 3*' '^ 316 •— drtadful lofs of lives fuftained during the fiege and blockade, i. 316 — extortion of MafTena in th« m/dfl of thefe calamities, i. 317 Gem d'Armeif account of tbis«orps, i. 131 note, iii. 314 note GxoKCES. See the article CADOCrvAI. G'yvernminty Pichegru's fentiments, on the general fubject of, ii. 155 to 160 Grsfe invefttd by the French In tlie canrjpaign of 1794, ii. 69 — furrenders, ii. 79 Guard-byujii at Paris ; their num- ber, and t-roub!efome and op- preHiverc^u ations, greatly in- creaffd by Fouche, i. 340 Gu'idalf General : narrative of bis conduct with refpect to Frotte, the Vendean chief, and its co-^fequences to himfelf, i. 143 to 146 Guli'ktine recommended by Bruix to be fixed permanently on board of every man-of-war, frigate, cutter, naop, and koat, in the navy, i. 360 Ha^ucKaUf INDEX. 443 H Hagiisr.dUi lines of", forced by Ge- neral Pichegrii, ii. 9 Uebert poisons his wife, and fends hii brother to ajirison where he is afterwards murderedj ii. 110 Hcberlindenf 1>attle of, i. 6a, 63 Holland, invafion and conqueft of, by the French under General Pichegru, in the campaign of 1794-5, ii. 55 to 87 See the article Pichegru. character of the recent new con- ilitution, iii 420, 42 I I Infernal Tnacbine, the plot of, falfely attributed by Buonaparte to the Biitifli Government, ii, 320 Jn/}ru^icr.i, official, of GenerarAn- dreofly as ambafl"ador to Eng- land, i. 333^0353 y^ff^i narrative of the atrocities committed by Buonaparte here ; of his mafiacre of the garrilba, ii.263 10266 — of his poifoning his own fick fu*d:ers, ii. 266 to 26S violence and rapacity of the French troops at this city, ii. 271 yeruj'jUrny. Buonaparte's profane threat if be Ciould ever obtain pofieJiion of this plice, ii. 289 Jiuberty General, appointed to the command of the army of Italy by the influence of Sieves, but killed in battle foon after tbis event. I. 50, 51 yourdar.f General, particulars re- fpeCtinghis hiftory, ii. 97, 9S campaign of 1794, ii. 25, 26, 63, 64 K King a-J S^uesny ludicrous fpecimen $ of the regular leffons given to Buonaparte a.'td bis wife^ ea his affumption of the Confalar throne, how ro behave them- felves in thefe chaiafters, ii, 36S to 372 . Kleheft General, befieges andtakei Maeftricht in the campaign of . 1794. ". 73 . . his able and judicious condudl in the command of the French army in Egypt, iii. 149 to 151 Knobdfdcrffy Baron, his reply to rhc requcft of Sieyes for pcrmiflion to be prefented to him, i. 97 L LandrecieSy the French defeated by the combined army near this place in the campaign of 1794, ii. i9to 21 enfuing feige and capture of Landrecies,ii. 21 to 24 La RivtViierey ihort account of, il. 129 note transports five of his relations who were poor and trouble- fome, ii. IC9 Lasnes, General, memoirs of, i, 283 his uiuation before, and condu£l at the commencement of, the Revolution, i. 2S3 appointed an officer in the Na« tional Guard,!. 283 promoted to the rank of Colonel; marries; his infamcus treat- ment of his firft w:fe and her parents, i. 284 his firlt acquainunce with Buo- naparte ; and (hare with bioii in the affair againft the fections of Paris, and in the campaigns of 1796 and 1797 in Italy, i. 285 bis horrid cruelties in quelling the revolts in Lombardy, i. 2S6 accompanies Buonaparte to and from E?ypt j his ihare in the revclutlou *H INDEX, (Lasnes, continued.) revolution of 9th November, 1799, »• .^^7 fent on a miflion to the South of France: appointed to the com« mand of the Confular Guard j his conduct !n this ftation, i. 287 arrelted and difgraced : fent as ambaflador to Portugal ; his conduct in that country, i. a83 his indelicate infult to Count St. Julien after the battle of Ma- rengo, i. 83 note Ltco'mtre Puyra-veaux (a commiflary of Fouche), inltances of his cppreflion and ex'^ortion in the departments, i. 149 to 151 Legkont feized and plundered In 1796 by Buonaparte, iii. 191 Legion of Honour^ account and cha- racter of this inftitution, iii. 163 note, ii. 348 the lift of emigrants the true Legion of Honour, ii. 150 Zeghlative (or Second) AiTembly, its character and compofit'on, Iii. 14 Le Tellierf fervant to the Director Barthelemy; his generous af- fection to his mafter in adver- fity, i. 274 Lftfer from Pope Pius VI, to Buo- naparte in February 1797J ii. 179 note — the anfwer, ii. 180 note ^intercepted) from Buonaparte in Egypt to his brother Jofeph, ii. 287 note •— remarks on this letter, ii. From Buonaparte to the Conven- tional Deputies in 1793» re- fpecting the maflacre of the inhabitants of Toulon after the fiege and furrender ©f tha; place, ii. zej ( Leitery continued.) from a republican general, difcio- fing fome of Buonaparte's atrocities in Italy, ii. 228 to 233 from Buonaparte on ufurping the foverelgnty of France, to the King of Great Britain, ii. 304 note — anfwer of Lord Grenvllle, ii. 306 to 30S from Louis Buonaparte in Egypt to his brother Jofeph, ii. 400 to 40Z from the Duke of Enghien t» Louis XVIII. on the propofal made to his IMajefty by the King of Pruflia to refign his right of foverelgnty to Buo- naparte, iii. 57 (curious) from Murat to the Jacobin Club after the death of Marat, iii. 186 from General Boyer to Lord Eardley, on the falfe rumoufs refpecting his imprlfonment, iii. 222 note from Regnier to Robefpierre, containing a detail of his exer- tions in the caufe of jacobin- ifm, iii. 260 from Garat to Robefpierre, in praife of his eloquence, iji. ■' 382 curious note from Mehee de la Touche to the fection of the Pantheon in September 1792, on their deliberation refpect- ing the future form of govern- ment, iii. 334 Liberty f prefent ftate of in France; and Its prefent contrafted with its former general ftate on the Continent, i. 126 LiNois, Admiral, memoirs of, iii. 224 his (ituation before,'and in the firft periods of, the Revolu- tion; i INDEX. .fr.iMois, continued.) L lion 5 commands a 74-gun fht? in the action of the firil of June 1794, 'ii. 225 advanced to ihe rank of admiral by Buonaparte in i3oo, iii. narrative of the two actions with Sir James Saumarez in July iSoi, iii. 226 — the French Arimiral's exagge- rated account of thefe events, iii. 234 his late rencontre with our China fleet, iii. 233 List of all perfons in Europe known as wri'crs or public fpeakcrs for monarchy or religion, dis- tributed to the commiflaries of police in the frontier towns of France, i. 15^ to 155 l.hjre-rcugeoi the Confular Court, curious extracts from, ii. 33a to 344 L^d'i, gallantryof General Berthier in the battle of, iii. 129 LoisoN, General, memoirs of, i. .241 his iituation before and in the earlieft periods of the Revolu- tion, i. 241 lis conduct on the loth c>f Aug\i(l 1792; promoted to the n-^k of general, i. 242 aiTiits Ba naparte againft the ff-ctions of Paris; lituation to Which he W2S afterwards ap- pointed, i. 243 his fubfequpnt ronnection with Bi-ooapaite ; his extort'oa in Holland ; afTifts Buonaoirte in effecting the revolution of 9th November 1799, '• M4 his fituation fince, i. 245 his p-rfon and character, i. 2^6 LfitlcrieSf perpetual, eftablifhed by Fouchc, 1. 135 to 137 445 ouis XVIII, memoirs of, iii. 67 his excellent character in the court of his grandfather, iii, .67 his conduct in the AfTembly of the Notables in 1787, iii. 6} continues in France during the early periods of the Revolu- tion, iii. 68 ifTipllcated by La Fayette in a pretended con "piracy of the Marquis de Favras ) his con- defcer.fion on this occafion, iii. 69 emigrates, and joins the other French Princes at Coblentz ; decree of the ConfticuCent Af- fembly in confeqaence, iii, 70> 71^ manifeilo of the Frencii Princes; trpachery of the King of PrufTia towards them, iii. yi, 72, (21, 22) death ot the young Louis XVII.; proclamation of L-iuis XVIU. Viy 'he emigrant army and the V>:ndean royalilts, iii, 72, 73 ordered by t'rf Venetian govern, ment to quit its teirit^ry ; hij fpirit"d and dignifi'd conduct on this occafion, iii. 75 atfmpt in 1797 to aliaffinate him, iii. 74 acknowledged rs King by the Fmperor Paul, and fertl'd by, him at Mirrau : foon afrer- wards ordered to leave Ruilia, iii. 74 his noble refignation in his dif- trcfs; amiablp anecdote ot the Duchess of Angouieme, iii, 75. 76 fettles at Warfaw, iii. 77 the renu-^ciatian of the throne of France propofed to him through the PrulTian Prefi- dent Mefyer, iii. 77 fc tS 446 INDEX. (Louis xviii. continued.) his prefent fituation under the Emperor Alexander, iii. 78 late attempt of Buonaparte for the murder of Louis XVIIJ. and his family at Warfavv by means of poifon, iii. 79 to LugOf infamous conduct of Auge- reau at this place in 1796, i. 260, 261 Lycns, bravery of the inhabitants of this city during its fiege by the troops of the Convention, i. 108, 109 horrid cruelties practifed upon the Lyonefe after its furren- der, i. 109 to 114 Jacobinical proceedings and ma- giftracy of Challierj his ex- ecution, and impious feaft celebrated to his memory, i. \i6 to 118 M Maeitr'icht taken by the French in the campaign of 1794. ii. 73 Mameluhsy character of their mili- tary tactics, ii. 250 to 25a Mantua, fiege and gallant defence of, iii. 192 to 194 MarengOy battie of, and its import- ant confecjuences, ii. 3J4 to S3 character of this battle, 1 note Mar'ie Anto'irette, Q,accn of France, her reply on being interrrgated refpecting the plots of the 5ti» and 6th October 1789, i«i75 note Uasskna, General, memoirs of, i. 290 his fituation before and at the commencement of the Revo- lution, i. 290 appointed captain, and afterwards general of brigade j his raili- (Massena, continued.) tary career in the campaigns of I793.J794> 3nd 1795, i. 291 his exploits in the campaign of 1796 in Italy, i. 292 campaign of 1797, i. 294 dispatched by Buonaparte to Vienna, and afterwards to Paris, on miilions relative to peace j his reception in the latter capital, i. 295 on the departure of Buonaparte for Egypt, appointed to the command of the army in the Roman territory, i. 296 his infamous extortions and pil- lage in this (ituation, i. 296 is at length compelled by the dif- contents of the inferior offi- cers to quit his command, i. 298 his brilliant campaign of 1799 in Switzerldndj i. 299 to 3 10 inviced to Paris by Buonaparte aftfr the revolution of 9th November in that year, i. 310 fucceeds Championet in the com- mand of the army near Genoa, . J-3" h"s obftinate defence of'that city, i. 311 dreadful lofs of lives fuftained during the fiege and blockads, i. 316 — his ava-^ice and extortion in the midlt of thefe calamities, . >• 317 . . ^ intrufted tor a fhort time with the command of the army of Italy after the battle of Marengo ; his peculation in this pol^, and ludicrous reply when publicly reprimanded ty Bu naparteoa this account after his recall to Paris, i. 318 bis fubfequent condudl with re- fpe£t to Buonaparte, >• 3 ■ 9 his INDEX. 447 hTs charafter, and perfon, i. 319 Mehee de la Touche, memoir* of, iii. 329 infamy of his juvenile years, iii. •' 330 fent as a revolutionary fpy to Peterfburgh, iii. 331 driven from Ruflia, and efta- bli/hes a French journal at Warfaw, iii. 33 1 arreftedand fent out of Poland on account of treachery, iii. 332 introduced by Danton to the clubs on arriving at Paris J his conduct on the 10th of Auguft 1792, and in the maffacres of September, iii. 331 rccognifed in 1803 at a coffee- houfe in London by a gentle- man, iii. 333 hiJ cur'ous note to the feftion of the Pantheon in September 1792, on their deliberatim refpefting the' future form of government, iii. 334 (Mehex dk la Touche, continued.) fellor of state, without efteiV, iii. 338 his fubfequent imprifonment for a libel againfl: the conftitution; releafe ; tranfportation, and allowed efcape to England as a fpy, iii. 33^,339 his principal objeft, and conduct, in this character, iii. 339, 340 applies even to bs introduced to one of the British minifters : anfwer of his lordfhip to this application ; reply of Mehee^ by a memorial, iii. 341 the articles of his pretended cor- refpondence with Mr. Drake moftly forgeries, iii. 370 to his ruture advancement to a mi» nifterial fituation probable, iii. .373 h's perfona! appearance, and man- ners, iii. 373 kis literary exertions at Paris in Memorial prefented by Talleyrand the caufe of the Revolution, iii. 354 appointed firft-fecretary in lome minifteriai ofhces, but forced torefign, iii. 335 .arrefted and tried for defrauding the Government of large fums of money, but efcapes. 111. ;35 joins the terrorifts againft the growing influence of the mo- derate party in 1797, but con- demned by the Dire£tory to tranfportation with Pichegru, iii. 336 •— contrives, however, to conceal himfelf 5 and lb. afterwards par- doned by Bari^vS, iii. 337 joins the jacobin party againft the Directory in 17^9* iii* 337» 33« jen the revolution in November of that year, petitions Buona- parte to i)e appointed a coun- X 2 to Buonaparte refpe£ling En- gland ; extraft from, i. 385 to 391 by Mehee de la Touche to one of the Britifh Miniftry, 0f» the anfwer of his lordship to the applica jou of Mehee for an iBtroduciion to hilYi, iii 341 note, & 343 Mchgaud : ridiculous and difguftin; - harangue of Dufour to him ort his appointment as directorial enliflary in Switzerland ; and Menrgaud's reply, i. z35,2'{6 Menou, General, memoirs of, ill. 140 before the Rev:x)!utlon, a fanatic freemason, ill. 140 his conduft in the States General and the National Aflemtly, iii, 141 was the author of the plan of a military confcription, iii. 142 his fubftquer.t fituations, and conduit 448 INDEX, (Mf.kcu» cont'niiedl co-duft or: viiicus occafionsj in the AHembly, iii. 144 kistlgatrs Jourdan (he cut-t treat ) to the afTafimation of the Aif- pefted perfons at Avignon, iii. his fituatloi: and conduft on the lOtk of Augult 1792; folicits unfuccf fsfcUy the office of the vsr department, Jii. 146 appointed to ihf chief conr.mard in La Ver.dee; defeated, wcurd- ed, and cafniered, ill. 146 his condu6l in the command of the army near Paris, in the flrug^le b-tvveen the feftions 2nd the Convention ; srieft^d, tried, acquitted, and promoted, iii. 147 - accc^irp.n'es BuonapartetoEgypt, iii. 149 fucceeds to the corrn-and \v. that country on the death of Kle- ber; altcratins produced in the ftate of the arrr.y hy his mean, intrigjing, and incapable Cun- i. j8 forms in 1795 ^ P 3Ti of defence for Holland, which has ever fincebeen followed, i. 19 removed to the comma^id of the army of the Rhine and the Wof'!!'e, on the relignadon of Pichegru, i. 19 progi-pfs (in this fituation) of his firft campaign, i. 20 fo)C33 the camp of General V/uvmlVf; repulf-s him, pa Tcs th." Pvhin°, and takes the fort o: Kehl, 1. 20 repeated engagements with the Archduke Charles and other Auftrian generals, i.21 to 25 grants a treaty of peace-to the Eie£lor Palatine, i. 25 Compelled, by the reverfes of Jouidtn, to commence his celebra-ed retreat, i. 26, 27 progrefs of this Ikilful and me- morable enterprife, i. 28 to V — its vaft importance and advan- tage to France at that time, i, — compared with the retreats of Xc'iophon and of Marlhal BelleiHe.i. 3a gf^n-roifly fpar-'S twenty thou- fand of his be ft troops to re- inforce Buoaaparte, i. 33 agrun 3 4:o INDEX. a^din crolVes the Rhine, and is purfuing" further fuccefles when he receives intelligence of the peace of Leoben, i. 3 3 becomes fufpefted by the jacobin fa£lion in the Direftory, i. r^ hii extraordinary conduft on thr^ triun;ph of that fatStion, and the confequent tall of Piche- ^ru,i,34t0 36 — refult of this conduft to him- felf, i. 36 to 38 hii fubfpquent ftace of retirement and difgrace in lyqS ; jcalcufy and ing!3ti:ude cf Buonaparte tow'ardshim during thisperiod, i. 38 — his magnanimous return for this behiiviour, i. 39 is appointed infpedlor-general to the army of Italy, under Sche- rer, '^' 39 , , , -— his true pitriotifm In fubmit- ingto this ficuation, i. 39, 40 his gallantry and gr>od condu<5l at the first batde of Verona, i. 40 i,i- p;udcnt advice f ;jedled by Scherer, and confcquenccs of this reje iii. 191 his activity before Mantua in the campaigns of 1796 and 1797, iii. I9Z his fuccefs againft the Auftriant near Foy, iii. 194 paflage of the Tagliamento, liL his conduct in effecting the union of the Vakeline with the Cifalpine Republic, iii. 197 fent to prepare the Swifs for the reception of Buonaparte, iii, 198 accompanies Buonaparte toEgyp;. i his fervices in that country, iii. 199 turns to France with Buona- parte, iii. 200 affiits in the revolution of oth November 1799 ; and afr^r- waids marries alifter of Buona- parte, iii, 20* campaign of iScoj battle of Marengo, iii. 203 quarrels and fights with Lucisn Buonaparr?, on the latter boafting of an. inceftuous in- trigue with Maianie Murat, iii 203 appointed to the chief command in Iraly ; his cftintarian in this fituation, iii. s-Od. recalled, and appointed Governor of Paris and commander of the army of the Interior, iii. 20 G x4 45* itJDEX. (MuftAT, continued.) hU prefent li-uaiion, and pofTtf- fions, iii. 207 MvRAT, Madame, (fifter to Buo- naparte,) Hicnici. s of, ij. 410 her fituation in the f arlier periods of the Revoluciop, iii. 410 her marriage in i8co with Ge- seral Murar, iii. 41 1 during Napo'.ecne's abfence in Igypt in 1795, Oie cohabits with, and has a child by, her brother Lucien, iii. 411 her furious afftctation of repub- Hcanifm, iii. 411 her conjugal behaviour, iii. 412 fums which ftie has received from the Public Treaiury, iii. N Nantci, fanguirary proceedings here which acco.iipanied the elec- tion of Fcuche \Q the Conven- tion, i. 107 J^atioTial property not a favourl'e object of puichai'e with the republican genrrils, but fa^ rriffjcnk?/ property only, i. 319 Nimeguen, fiege and capture of by the French in the camp.iign of 1794: gallant defence by the Briiifli } and abfurd charge against them of perfidy, by the republicai s, ii. 73 to 76 Nccika 8oui.d, conduct rf France in the queftion rcfpeccing, in 1790, r. 3 5S Nortbirn Conjidcracy againft Great Britain effected by the endea- vours of Buonaparte, ii. 32.1 P Faiis'i.'^rSt ini^arce of the bafenefs and cowardice of their general character during the Revolu- tion, ii. 133 note Fr-ffes and Canes de juretCy trouble- fome and oppreliive regula. lious rtfpecting them introdu- ced by Fouche, i. J30 to 132^ 367, iii. 2S7 Palr.tiijm (revolutionary), teft of, propofed by Dubois Cieance in the Jacubin Club, ii. 208 .^ote Feaciy preliminaries of with Eng- land not figned by Euonaparte till he was acquainted with the actual departure of the French troops from Egypt, ii, 3^1 — proofs (f this fact, ii. 323 his fubfequeiit infolci.t and of- fenfive conduct both before and after the ccnclufion of the defini ive t eaty, ii.324 to 326 good effects to this country of the ihort-hvcd peace of Amiens, ii. 326 Fiilipeaux, his juvenile, friendship with Buonaparte, ii. 200 difference of their characters, and of their conduct refpecting the Revolution in its hrtl pe- riods, ii. 200j 2c I he publicly infults Buonaparte on this latter account} who d- clincs fnewlng anh^nourab'e refentment, and is in confe- quence expelled from the mefs cf their regiiient, ii. ac2 total dilfolutitn of their irlend- fh'p, ii. 203 in(iancf"S relatfd by him of the hoir'.dly bjvbarous difpofition of Puonaparre while a boy, ii, 203 to 205 his exertions in the heroic de- fence cf Acre againft Buona. p.irte, ii. 275 to 278 PLilipfe, btheads both his parents for g(ing to church, ii. 109 PiCHECRU, General, memoirs of, ii, I his education received at the convent of the Iviinin.s, ii. 3 refufes to enter ii. to their order* INDEX. 453 (PiCHECRU, continued ) order, and embraces a milirary life, ii. 4 his early ficuatlons In the arcny, '•: 4» 5 obtains the rank of aijutant at the commenccmenc of the Revolution; his honoiirable charact'rr at that time in his regiment, ii. 5 — his poiicical fendments then, ii. 5 promoted to higher /ituation? by gradual aJvanc-a only, ii. 6 appointeti conniander of a batta- lion of National Guards 5 his diltingulihcd coadact in that p:3fl, ii, 6 fcrves in 1792 2nd 1793 in^ the A-iffof che jrmy of the Rhine, though previou/ly appointed to the rank of generai of divifion, ii. 7 accepts, from motives of patriot- ifm, the coimand of th-t ariiiy J condition in which he TounJ, and in •vi^.ich he uki- matelv >eft 7,3 obiig"d ro pu: himfeif under the orders of Hoch^-, ii. 9 his gallant conduct in forcing the Ji.ies of Kai^ueoau, and in ob- taining fcveral fubfequeat dif- •inguifh=d fucceJes, .i. 9, 10 important conft'quencesof tnefe -victar'"s, ii. 10 fufptctcd by Kooefpierrc's com- mitree for not being a fuii- ous fan^-culottes j appointed, however, re the command dI the arnyy of the North, ii. his reply to the Cjnvential Com- milfioners on :his event, when a^vifed to beco.-nc a Moun- taineer, ii. II, 12 ridicu'ous and vague Inftvuctions given to him with his new command^ ii, iz (PiCRECEt;, continued.} condition in which he found h's army, ii. 13 political and riiilitary ftats of Traice at that time, ii. 13 t« 17 fubftitut.s, at the rifk of h's lift, a new p'an of ope'-atims for th^ abfurd one with which h^ had hzsn fup^lied by Car- not, ii, 17, 18 campa'gn of ; 794 : he is repui- fed by th- Auftrians a: Catcau, Sec. ii. 18 defeated bv the combined army nea- Landrtcics, ii. 19 toil cnfoing fie^e a-.d capture of that town by che Allies; gallantry and fucCc'T-3, however, of 1 ichegru during that opera- tion, ii, 21 to 14 his lu&fcquent projects, ii. 24 unfucC'Tafu' attack on the Duke of York ; repu'f-' of General Clairfayc, ii. 25 Pich'^gru goes toatiiftin re-orga- nlzing the ar:ny of Jourtian, bat his plans a e fruftrated by the mifcouduct of tne Conven- tional Commiflioners, ii. 25, 26 actions near Hooglede, and at Turcoing, &c. ii. 26 co 29 general alVaulc on the lines tf the Allies; retrsa: of the French, i. 30, 31 decree of the Co iventlon, order- ing no quarter to be given :o the Britiih or HanoiKsian;, ii. 31 - — b^-havlour of Pichpgru on this occalijn ; and its cotife- quence, ii. 32, 33 — 9t the Duke of York, ii. 34 paiTage of the Simbre, and alter- nate facceiTes and defeats, ii. 35» 36 batMe of Fleurus, ii. 3^7 tj 39 ioffes of the French ar.Tiy coring ^5 the 454 INDEX. (PiCHEGRU, continued.) the firft three months of this campajgn, ii. 39, 40 Lord Molra arrives with a rein- forcement, and eft'ects ajunc- tion with the Duke of "Vork ; Pichegru accufes General Van Damme on this occanon, and thus becomes hinr.felf obnoxi- ous to the JacobinSj ii. 40 to 41 the Allies ftill defeated and re- pulfed; the French pofTefs therafelves of Bruffels, ii. 42, 43. iituation of the two armies at this time, ii, 43 Pichegru continually impeded ia his plans and operations by the Committee of Public Safety and their agents, ii, 44 to 46 ituation of France at this period; Conventional Deputies ap- pointed to the different armiesj their general conduct, and particularly ofthofewith the army of Pichegru, ii. 46 to • Pichegru's patriotifm and mode- ration in thefe circumftances, "• 53. S3 continuatio.i of the campaign ; Pichegru prepares to attack Holland, ii. 54 much obftTucted in his operations by the neg'igence of the ad- ir.iniilratOiS of prcvifionE, Sec. alarm occafioned among the Dutch by bis approach, ii. 58 advances to Holland j capture of Sluys, and paiTage of the Domme!, ii. 59 to 62 retreat of ihe British, ii. 62 the Auftrians driven acrofs the Rhin- atCologne, by Jourdan, ii. 63 the progrefs of Pichrgru's army favoured by tie trtachsry and • (PiCHiGRu, continued.) cowardiceef the Dutch, ii. 64. fiege and unexpected funendcr of Bcis-le-duc, ii. 66 further advances of the French, and retreats cf the Briti/h, ii, 69 ficge and capture of Venloo, ii. 71 Pichegru compelled by illnefs to relinquilh the actual conr.mand for a ihort time : operations during his abi'ence ; capture of Maeftricht and Nimeguen, ii. 72 farther retreat cf the BritiHi ; the National Convention de? termine to continue the cam- paign through the whole win- ter, ii. 76 Hnfuccefsful attempt to pafs the Waal, ii. 77 Pichegru rejoins the army, ii* 78 capture of the Ifle of BomnseJ, and Fort St. Andre, and of the town of Grave, ii. 79 the pafT'age of the Waal ef- fected, by means of the froft, ii. 79, 80 ftill further retreat of the Allies, ii. 80 fecond pafTage of the Waal j and repulfes of the Allies, ii. 81, 82 theStadtholder abandonsHolland, ii. 82 a mefi'snger from Pichegru ar- rives at Amfterdam, and the next day the tree of liberty- is plai-ted in that city, ii. 83 the province of Utrecht enters into a feparate capitulation with the French, ii. S4 Pichegru repairs to Amfterdam, ii. 84 further progrtfs in the country} capture of a f,eit in North H»lhnd INDEX. 45S (PicKECitts Continued.) Holland by the light troops, ii. 85 departure of the Britifh forces for England, and terminatioa of the campaign in Holland, ii. 83 new fyftem of tactics introduced by Pichegru in this campaign, ii. 87 •xtortioni practifed upon the Dutch by the Conventional Deputies; oppofition of Piche- gru to thefe dif^raceful mea- fures, ii. 90 he refufes to accept an annuity offered him by the new Dutch governnnent, ii. 92. — his difintereftednefs on this occafion renders him ob- noxious to the Jacobins at Paris, ii. 93 appoi;»ted to the charge of the armies of the Rhine and the Mofelle, ii. 94 "vifits Palis, on an invitation from the Convention, ii. 95 _ — his political conduce in the capital J and return to the army, ii. 95 condition in which he found the army of the Rhine, ii. 97 operations of the two^ armies ; campaign of 1795, ii- 98 armiftice with the Austrians, ii. 102 refigns all his commands in dif- guft, in confequence of ill treatment from the Directory, ii. loz Ktrolpect of his perfonal and- political conduct in his whole comirand, ii. 103 his military fcience contrafted with that of Dumoorier, Jour- dan, and Buonaparte, ii. io6 the peculiar generalship of Buo- naparte, of Moreau, aod of (PiCMESitJ, continued.) Pichegru, individually compa- red, ii. 106 the fyftem of Pichegru adopted by ail the other generals, af- ter the death of Robefpierre, ii. 108 Pichegru returns to his family ro richer than he had left it, ii. 108 his conduct towards his relations both when in and when out of power, ii. 109 his benevolence to the furviving friars of the order of the Mi- nims, his early inftructors, ii« III declines the offer of the embafTy to Sweden ; motives of this re- fufai : compliment paid to him by the Director Le Tourneur on this occafion, ii. iiz elected to the Council of Fiv* Hundred, ii. 114 attempts of the Directory t» diminilh his popularity, ii. 114 appointed Prefident of the Coun- cil, and thus incurs the hatred of the Directory, ii. 116 a ftrong and popular oppofition formed in the Council of Five Hundred, which exposes the corruption and incapacity of the govercment, ii. ii6 to the Directory divided among themfelves; Pichegru's party in the Council alfo not united, nor skilful in their meafurei, ii. 119 invcc'"ive againft the Council publilhed in the direftorial journal, ii. 120 Pichegru makes a report on the necefiity of a re-organizatioa of the National Guard : the Directory prepare to draw un- X 6 conititutlonally 4§^ IND^X. ( Pic HE GRU, continued.) conftitutionally a large military force round Par's} Plche»ru denounces this project in the Council, ii. 120 feeble meafures adopted by that Aflembly) ii. 122 addresses fcnt from the armies, in favour of the Directory, ii. 123 aaeflage from the Executive Go- vernment to the Legiflitive Body, and report thereupon in each Ciuncil, ii. 123 violent and decifive meafures re- folv'-d upon by the three Direc- tors, ii. 124 want of union and energy in the oppofit'ion, ii. 126 fidelity andfirmnefs of Pich^gru, ii, 127 ijrrefolution and timidity of his party at the very crifts of the ftugile, ii 127 detailed naira ive of the proceed- ings in the right cf the 3fi and 4th of September 1797, wlien the final blow was Itruck by the triumvirate of the Direc- tory, ii. 128 = — of the journey and voyage to Cayenne of the parties fonten- ced to deportation, ii. 134 — of their treatm-nt and fuft'er- irgs at that place, ii. 141 Pichegru f-foapes, and finally ar- rives in England, ii. J43 life military and political charac- ter, ii. 145 his perfonal appearance, and nian- ners, 11. '47 Pichrgru compared withMoreau, ii. 148 contiafted with Buonaparte, ii, 149 funr.m^ry of his character, ii. 15a murdered by Buonaparte, ii, 153 note {PiCHEGRC, continued.) curious narrative of the fubftance of fome of his converfations viih Dr. Blane in October 1798, ii. 153 to 164 See alio i. i 3, 34 to 37 Picture painted by David for a revo- lutionary fcftival, re pre fin ting the Almighty with the face of Robefjiierre, i 369 hcr-^'d inllances of his Jacobinical barbarity and infer.fibility in the practice of his art, i. 37 1, PUk'hx, : interview of the Emperor ar.d the King of Pru Ilia at this place; and refult of that meet- ing, iii. 10 to 12 Police of France 1 its former, and p efent, ftate ; and innovations introduced by Fcucl.e, i. 125 to J40, 146 to 160 ~— number oifpies in Paris alone, iVi. 2H8 number of confpiracies pretended to have been dlcovered by the different factions during the Revolution ; riKsfures of po- lice which thefe have fervei as pretexts to el^abliih, iii. 2S6 to 2S8 low ar.d defpicsble characters who have at diffcrei t times httn advanct-d to the bench of juf- tice, iii. 289 curio... s recent trial before the criminal tribunaJ at Paris, iii. Z90 to 294, . account further iiluflrating the prefent ftae of the French po- lice : t.eatm=nt of the perfcns apprehended on charges rela- tive to the allr'ged confpiracy of Mcreau and Pichegru, -iii. — horrid narrative of the fuffer- ings of the v.idowof Toullaint, iii. 322 to 328 Pcligr.acy Duchess of i humiliating fuppiicationj IND-EX. fiipplicationsof Garat in 1786 ( for her favour and pUronage, and his fubsequent ingratitude, iii. 376 Fortugaly conduct of Lafnes as am- baiTddorin this cjuncry, i. 28S to 290 Preds des Evenemem Militairet (Dumas' journal fo called;, i:s chiractpr, 1.131 Frejs, lib-Tty of, completely abo- lished by Buonaparte, ii. 302, 303 Pracnft'ioriy liils of, found among the papers of the •■< pvolutiona.y Tribvmal, ii. 359 note Fi-.Jiituies licenfed by Fouche, \. i37» 13^^ Frujjtay King of, (Frederic- WiL Itam II.,) his inteiview with the Emperor at Pilniti, iii. 10 to iz prepares to co-operate In the invafion of France j manifef- toes, iii. 14 airives at Coblentz, to head bis troops, \\. 16 — ftrength of the combined army, iii. 17 his treachery to the caufe of the Confederacy ; and confecjUeRt ilTue of the campaign, iii, ig to 24 R Rjgt% the privilege of exporting them to England' fold by an agent of Fouche ro a finj^fe mercaniile houf^^ at Ghent, i. 148 Ramelt General, his ftdelity to the Legifla ive Body in their ft.ug- gie with t'le m joricy of the Directory in the night of 3d September 1797* ii. J29, 130 Raniolini, Letitia (mother of the Buonapartes), memoirs of, ii. 169 her early years, and character j 457 Raniolini, Lktitia, con- ti ued.) and connection with M. die Matbceuf, ii. 169, 170 her indigence afcer hia d a:Jj, till the marriage of her fja Napoleone, ii. lyo her fjtuation during Napoleone'3 abfence in Egyp"-, and fi-^ce his ufarpation ; her d-fl ke of, and i'urigvies againft, Ma- dame Napjleone, ii. jyi — her ourward reconcilianon with her daughcer-in-Uvv, ii, 17Z her grofs fuperliirion ;. curi' us relic prefented to her from the Pope, ii. 171 prediction du i'-.g her pr- gnar.cy (of Nap k'ni), by an Alge- line womaii, ii. 173 her apartments crow .led with re- lics, drons,' and powd' rs, of pvotefled fupetnatural efficacy, ii. 174 her periodical WdtchfuJnefs over the victuals prepared for Naj)0» l-eone, ii. 174 her conduct in educating and rearing her children, ii. 175 is admitietl to no honours frcrai the late Emperor- miking, ii. 176 note her political influence not great^ Ii. iiS defircs to be the founder of fonae convents for nuns, but this is re^ufed by Napoleone, ii. ' 176 fums which (lie has received as eftablillxment, prefents, an- nuity, &c. ii. 176 further particulars of hxr perfonal appearance and naannets, ii« 177 Re.\l, memoirs of, Hi. 304 his fingularly prep >(r:' ding ap- porance, iii. 304 his birth j and ficuation and con- duct 8 TSS INDEX. (Real, continued.) duct in the early periods of the Revolution, iii. 306 appointed public accufer to the firft Revolutionary Tribu- nal, iii, 306 •— in that character fends to the fcaffold the Swifs General Eackman; his infamous ad- drefs to the prisoner, iii. 307 his exertions in the mailacres of September, iii. 308 his fpeech i^ pronouncing the apotheofis of Marat, iii. 309 arrefted and imp -^'foned, but faves his life by denouncing his fel- low-p-ifoners, iii. 310 releafed ; his fubfequenc conduct, iii. 311 publiDies an " EfTay on the 13th of Vindemiaire," but fails of obtaining public employment, iii. 3 I • taken into favour and fervice by Buonaparte after the Revolu- tion of 9th November 1799, iii. 3IZ account of the police of France, iliuilrating Real's conduct as its ! irector, iii. 312 — treatment of perfons appre- hended on charges relative to the alleged confpiracy of Moreau and Pichegru, iii. — horrid narrative of the fufFer- irgs of the vs^idow of Toufl'aint, iii, 32a his character, iii. 328 Regkier, memoirs of, iii. 253 -his birth, education, and juve- nile years 5 eleced to the States General, iii. 254 his conduct in that Affembly ; fenton a departmental million, iii. 256 (Recnier, continued ) fends to the guillotine his former patrons, iii. 259 letter from him to Robefpierre, containing the detail of hii own horrid enormities, iii* 260 his revolutionary conduct after tiie death of that tyrant, iii. 261 elected to the Council of An- cients ; h's conduct in that aifsmbly, iii. 261 joins the confpiracy which prepa- red the revolution oi 9th November 1799 > appointed by Buonaparte afterwards to feveral offices, iii. 262 his reports as Grand Judge, rela- tive to Mr. Drake, the BrltliTi Minifter at Munich, iii. 265, 276 real grounds of 'he charges againft: the Duke of Knghicn, Piche- gru, &c. iii 284 pretended confoiracies during the Revolution ; prefent ftate of the police, iii. 286 to 289 low and defplcable characters who have at different times been advanced to the bench of justice, iii. 289 curious recent trial before the Criminal Tribunal at Paris, iii. 290 to 294 deteftable anecdote of Regnier,iii. 295 Seealfo i. 168 Relic prefented to Madame Buona- parte fenior by the Pope, il« 172 Retreat, General Moreau's ce'ebra- ted, of 1798, i. 28 to 31 compared with the retreat of Xenophon, and of Marflial Belleisle, 1. 32 athls-return, bribed by the Court, Revolutions i immeufe facrifices of ;\i a £7 lives incurred by thofe of »u, 257 R«me INDEX. 45J {tie'vdutmi, continuei.) the action at this place, iii. Rome terminating in the fove- 119 reignty of Julius and of Robespierre ; parallel between him Auguilus ; that of England, in the ufurpation of Cromwell j and that of France, cont/ibu- ting only to the eJevation of Buonaparte, i. i, z the progrel's and reiult of revo- lutions conftantly fatal to the plotters and contrivers of them, i- 3 fummary of the character of the French Revolution, ii. i, 7. ' — Pichegru's fentiments in 1798 refpecting, ii. 154 means of the extraordinary in- fluence acquired by the revo- lutionary governors, iii. 4^'> 412 revolution of 4th September 1797 ; detailed narrative df, and of its caufes, ii. 117 to 133 — of gth November I799> ii. 299 JLe-wbely fliort account of; ii. 129 note. See alfo i. 94 RjouFFE, memoirs of, i. 364 his fityation before the Revolu- tion, 1. 365 curious lift of complimentary and Buonaparte, purfued through the principal circum- ftinces of their revolutionary life, ii. 193 to 199 RocHAMBEAu, General, memoirs of, iii> 210 his fituation and conduct at the beginning of the Revolution, iii. 210 ferves under Biron in the cam- paign of 1792; appointed af- terwards Governor of Marti- nique, iii. 210, 211 his conduct in this latter fitua- tion ; his treachery to the mulatto general Eellegarde ; capitulates, and takes refuge in America, iii. 211 returns to France, and is appointed Governor-general of St. Do« mingo; his conduce in this command J arrti'i^d, and fent horn- prifor.erj 111213 employed by Buonaparte in Italy, iii 214 appointed fecond in command in the expedition to St. Doiningo, iii. 214 his character, iii. 215 epithets bellowed by him on Rcederer, memoirs of, i. 191 different minifters and men in power, i. 365 appointed to the Tribunate j openly ridiculed both in that Aflembly and from the prefs, for his f xtravagant and unskil- ful flattery of Buonaparte, i. 366 his literary career, i. 367 his prophane compliment to Buo- naparte, on the return of the latter from his journey to Bra- bant, i. 368 Rl'voliy courage and prefence of mind difpiayed by Berthicr in his fituation at the commence- ment of the Revolution ; is elected to the States General, i. 191 his political conduct in that af- lembly, i. 192 his duplicity, and cowardice, i. 193 writes and fpeaks in favour of the Jews j his motives in this, i. 194 his conduct after the flight of the King, and wich regard to Petion and the Jacobins, i. J54> 195 undeitakes 46o INDEX." (RcF.nERER, continued.) undertdkcs the d'rcction of a newfpapcr, i. 196 his treachery towards Petion on th^ inforrection of zoth June 1792,1. 197 his batenefs relative to th'? affair of the lOth ofAaguft; and its c jnf' quenCcS to Liojfelf, i. 197 his conduct after the death of R b fpi-iie, i. 199 on the eltablilhrn^nt of the Di- rectory, he i'ltr guea in vain for the minirtry of the home department, i. 199 to— confequences of his di^p- polntmentj his treachery to his nephew, i. zco his fubfequent (ituatio:i, till the return of Buona^,arte from Egypt, i. 200, 201 appointed by Baof aparte to the Council of State ; his conduct in that poft, i. 201 agaia iritigues without fuccefs for the mioiftry of the home departinent, i. 202 appointed on a provincial miflion ; his conduct in that fituation, i. 202 his fon receives a public employ- ment, i. 202 intrigues with Fouche againft Talleyra:d: their attempt un- fuccefsful i its confequences, i. 203 ■various inftances of contradiction in diftVrent parts of his politi- cal conduct, i. 203 to 205 fummary of his character, i. 2c6 his riiiiculous attachment to Ma- dame Murat } verfes add.efl'ed by him to her husband, ii. 423, 4H Rime: proceedings of the French in revalutionizing this State ; infamous extoitionB aad pillage (J?i«?, continued.^ pra'-tifcd by their armyjl. 296 to 298, ii. 179 to 184, iii, 131 to 135 RouJJeauy his fpeculat'ons relative to Corfica, i. 27 «' Rinr.s (the)," character of Vol- ney's wrks with this title, i. Rumboid, Sir G^og?; particulars refpecting his late feizute at Himbargh, iii. 403 note S St, Andre, Fort of, taken by the • French in the winter of 1794, ii. 79 St.DomrgOy Buonaparte's treachery, and motives, In his late expe- dition to this Ifland. ii. 327 St. HiLAiRE, General, me- moirs ot, i. 238 his (iLuatioi befors and in the early peritds of the Revolu- tion j his fucceflive promo- tions to the rank ot general of aivilion, 1 238 his conduct in the command at Maifcil}ss,-in 1800, i. 240 hii fmiation fince, i. 240 his pprfon, i. 241 St. LuCf Chevalier dc, heroic anec- dt te of him when expiring on the field -f battle, Iii. 31 Santa (2»vct-, Princefs (filler to Baoaapa tc), memoirs of, ii. 418 Saucepan of Honour decreed by Moreau and his guefts to his cook, i. 78 nore Sauwarex-, Sir James, account of his two gAllant aciio's on the 6th and i3thju!y 1801, iii. 226 to 232 Scberer, General, his conduct in the command of the army of Italy, '. 39 to 42 ScHIMMELPEvM CK, RuTGKR JoHM, memoirs , iii. 4^^ educated la the princlpiei if the An»-Oia'nge INDEX. ( S C H I M M E L P £ K N J N C i: , C O n - tinucJ.) Anti-Ora.ige I'action, iii. 453 elec'ed to ihe Bjtavian National Conventionin 1795; l^i^con- ducc in that allembly, iH. — prefents in 1796 the project of a new conllitution, iii. 414 appointed in 1759 ambaflador from the Bacavian Directory to BuL»nap3rCtr ; obtains the entire contidsnce of Talley- rand, iii. 414, 415, 417 h's marriags j and lubfequent in- trigues arjd debaucheries, iii. 415, 416 fi^r.s the treatyof Amiens on the part of Holland; appointed ambafTador to England; his conduct in this country, iii. 418 appointed Firft Penfionary under the recent new conftitution of Holland, iii. 419 10421 h;S reputed good ptrfonal charac- ter, iii. 421 Scbcch (military), had pol'cy of the old government of France re- fp?ccing, ii. 163 Sections sf Paris 'j interefting nar- ra ive cf the ftruggl;; between th!?m and the CoTv?nt!on re- fpfctingthe re-cleciion of the two-th'rds, aiid of the cor.doct of Baoiioparte in this aff-ir, ii. 2.09 to 215 Sieves, memoirs o*^, i. 84 his ficuaticn before tiie Revolu- tio.-?, i. S4. hJi conduct as tutor to the young Baroa Mantaiorency, i, 84, his writings before ihti Revolu- tion, liirle read"," i. 85 as a memrber of che Tiers -etatf urge* the union of tlie three orders, i. Sj^ 36 4^1 {Si!iY£s, continued], ungratefully calumniates the pa« triotifra of the King, in the Natio.nal ATembly, i. 8-6 earlv joins the Orleans factioHj i/86 oppofes both th"! fupprelTio?! of tithes aid the prerogative of the vetOy i. 87 is deeply impiicaed in the in;fur- rection uf 5'h di.i 6:h Ociober 1789, i.87 his ingratitude on rec-'iving from the King the donation of fome rich abbt:ys, i, 83 during the violence or faction in all the an'imblies, tie has pro- tected himf'if by a myfterioua obfcurity, i, 88, 89 his D°clarjii on of the Rights of Man rejected, but his plan of territorial divifion adopted, i, 89 elected a member of the depart- ment of Paris, anddif^inguifkes himfelfin favour of religious toleration, i. 89 his plan of a co ifttution at this period rejeated, i. 90, 9 1 boughr over by the Court, and pubiiih-s his fentiiiirnts in fa- vour cf MoTa'chy, i. 91 declines the offr of the Arch- bilTioprlc of Pa is, i. ^z continues to receive a penfiin from the K. ng, a^d to con- fpire agairrft the Mona c^y, i. 92 his infa;:i')us and co.viirdly con- duct 33 a membT of the Con- vcnt'or., i. 92, 93 f.nt with Rewbel to negotiate the tJtary with Holland in 1795J i. 54 his pi.^n of m king the Meufe the boandai-y of France, not approved, i 94, 95 on the elfibiifhment of the Di- rcctoriai Conftitu'jon, he de- cline 3, 46s INDEX. (SilTKS, continued.) clincs, through lear, a feat in the Directory,!. 95 his conduct as a member of the Council of five Hundred, i. 95 .... narrowly efcapes aflafli nation, 1. 96 note appointed ambafTador to the King of Fruflia, i. 96 his general reception in that country i anecdote of the Ba- ron Knobelsdoiff, i. 96, 97 fjjls in his intrigues to attach Pruifia to the interefts of France, i. 97 recalled from this embafTy by being elected to the Directory, \. 98 his motives frr now accepting this fituatioo, i. 9S his intrigues in the Directory; his ambition difappointed atcer the revolution t fiVcted bj Buo- nap-irre, i.98, 99, (49) }s rewarded by Buonaparte with the Prefid p.cyot the Senate, and an ellate, i. 99 h)« d-fcontent even under this conftitution, i. lOO his gent-ial political conduct du- ring the Revolution, i. ico his prcfent fi;uation, and charac- ter, i. loi, ici caiicaturc ex hi bleed at Paris, i. loa note (SotJLT, continued.) in the Army of England, i. 225 Spies : the charafter even forced int» public refpe£l and honour by Fouche; immenfe number maintained by him, i< 134> 138, iii. 28S maxims of Richelieu and of JVIazarine concerning fpies,iii. 3-9 the employment of fp;es peculi- arly juft'hable againlt Cuona- parte's government, iii. 369, 370 Studicolder abandons Holland, and talces ftfuge in £ngiarvd, ii. 82, 83 States General^ charafler of this anoir.bly, iii. 255, ■256 Sioffiet^ms Vendean chii-f 5 his ex- ploits, and death, iii. 98, 102, IC4, lllj 112, 114 Stuartj royal family of, a peculiar example r>f the viciiTuudes of fortune, iii. 1 Suhrary, member of the Conven- tion, infamous anecdote re- fpeding, ii. 49 note SutViirrciVy his c^mpa'gn of 1799 in Itjly, i.42 to 5a — in SwiiierUnd, agAind Maf- fciia, 1. 307 to 310 Sioltiterlarfdf cimpaign 0? 1799 '^ this country,!. »99 10 310 T S'uySf ficgc .\nd c.ip^ure of by the q-^ft^es, new fyft^-m of, introduced by General Pithegru in his campaign of 171 A-5> ii ^7 'o French, in i794, '. J6, ii 60 Smith, Sir S'dTcy, narrative cf his heroic d-ffnce of Acre, i'. 273 ^** *S*^ Buonaparte's abfurd calumnies ag;glanfl, 1.53510 353 (TALLiYrAND, fontiHued) mutual intrigues of Talleyrand and Fouche to difpbce each other, after the revolution of 9th November 1799, i. 160 to 164 See alfo i. 67 to70, iii. 4 1 5, 417 Tallieny Madame, rivals Madame Buonaparte in the fafhionable circles at Paris, ii. 361, 366 her fpiritcd reply to a haughty meiTage from the latter on Buonaparte's ufurpation of the Confular throne, ii. 369 note Theatre j 2 certain fum for charitabie ufts paid upon each ticket of adnii/hon in France, but the money (o raifcd difpofed of by the police,!. 151 lnf (73) appointed by Buonaparte Gover- nor of L He, i. 251 his ignorance and grofi vulgarity, ii. zT-j his prcfent rituation, an J m«- nerrSj i. 252 See aii.. i. 73 note, ii. 41 Vekdean AMD Chouan Wa«.j fkecch of, iii. 94 its primary caules, iii. 94 Cauneau, a prieft, th- hrft chief; refjgns to the Mirquis dc Beaucharrp, iii. 06, 97 firft expl'^its, and fit^celles, of the Vendeans ; capture of Fonte- nay, iii 97 their affairs now aflume a greater co fistency; formation of a Sovereign Council, iii. 98 d:f^ rences aniong the leaditrt j tw^> d ftin£t armies farmed, under D'Elbee and Charttte, iii. 99 firft defeat of the royaHiV, in thfii attack on Nantes, iii, 99 fubfcqornt operations of the re- publican generals, iii. JCO fignal defeat oi a great repubJican force, iii, lOI profperous fta e of the affairs 0/ theroyallfls, iii. loi further uiifoitunate differences among their chiefs, iii. 102 the royalift? defeateJ und' r the wa^ls cf Cholict. iii. 103, 104 dtfp'rate and barbaious inealures of the ConvpntJTn, iii. 104 favage and hrnrid ferocity ot the republican general Tur.eau, and the Conventional Depj- ties, iii. 105 to 108, (i. 120, 122 note) plans of the royalift chiefs, ill, IC9 fignal defeat of the republicans at Mons, iii. 1 10 Itateof the royalift army in 1794, iii. Ill opera ions of Charette and of StclBet; defpeiate f.tuafion of the Vendeans, iii. 112, 1 13 treacherous negotiation of the Co-nvention, iii, 113 operations WDEX. 4^5 continued) operations of the r publican ge- neral Hodi ; mu dcT ofCha- lette and ScofHr, lit. 114, renewal of the inltirreflion in 1799, iii. "5 ♦rigin of the name Cbojan ; re- trofpeft of the operations of th- tro .ps f.i c illed, iii. 116 — th-irita: in 1799, iii. ^"7 Buonaparce f.''-.ds fit y choufand frelh tr^cps, under General Brun-,iii. iiS proceedings of Brune and of Buo- naparte J terminarion of this co-.teft, iii. liS, 119, (89, 90) Vinue^ its fubjeciion by Bunra- parte and Augereau in 1797J i. 266 to 269 Vtnloo invefted and taken by the French in the campaign of 1794, il. 71 VirmgndCy Prtfe£l at Lyons, dis- placed and diigraced by Fou- che for fuppreiring tile gara- bling-houfirs in that city, i. Vcror.a^ battles of, i. 40 to 4a VoLNEV, memoirs of, i. 207 ' his fuuat 01 before the Revolu- tion, i 208 character of his writings fiiice, i. 20S, 209 his polirical conduct in the Na- tona! Afi'embiy, i. 209 his violence at tiiat time in fup- p ort of the fovereignty ni che people, and againft the King's authority, i. 2 10 his peculiar warmth and activity againft the clergy ; dreadful eifeccs of the p'inc pies wnicb he recommended, i. 2II his work entitled «' The Ruins," i. 213 (V";lney, cnntinupd) his po'.i'ical theories md attempts after the fligh' and return of the King, i. 214 anecdote of his ridiculous and infuient c M . 3 AUG 27 101}