would prevent Buonaparte from proceeding in a neutral vessel, provided
I could not permit the frigates to pass with him on board. Having
received, in my orders, the strictest injunctions to secrecy, and
feeling that the force on the coast, at my disposal, was insufficient
to guard the different ports and passages from which an escape might
be effected, particularly should the plan be adopted of putting to sea
in a small vessel; I wrote the following reply to the above
communication; hoping, by that means, to induce Napoleon to remain for
the Admiral's answer, which would give time for the arrival of
reinforcements.
"H.M.S. Bellerophon,
off Rochefort, July 10th, 1815.
"SIR,
"I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of yesterday's date,
addressed to the Admiral commanding the English cruisers before
Rochefort, acquainting me that the Emperor, having abdicated the
throne of France, and chosen the United States of America as an
asylum, is now embarked on board the frigates, to proceed for that
destination, and awaits a passport from the English Government; and
requesting to know if I have any knowledge of such passport; or if I
think it is the intention of the English Government to prevent the
Emperor's voyage.
"In reply, I have to acquaint you, that I cannot say what the
intentions of my Government may be; but, the two countries being at
present in a state of war, it is impossible for me to permit any ship
of war to put to sea from the port of Rochefort.
"As to the proposal made by the Duc de Rovigo and Count Las Cases, of
allowing the Emperor to proceed in a merchant vessel; it is out of my
power,--without the sanction of my commanding officer, Sir Henry
Hotham, who is at present in Quiberon Bay, and to whom I have
forwarded your despatch,--to allow any vessel, under whatever flag
she may be, to pass with a personage of such consequence.
"I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your very humble servant,
FRED. L. MAITLAND,
Captain of H.M.S. Bellerophon."
"Le Grand Marechal Comte Bertrand."
The Duke of Rovigo and Count Las Cases remained on board between two
and three hours, during which time I had a great deal of conversation
with them, on the state of affairs in France; in which they did all
they could to impress me with the idea that Buonaparte was not reduced
to the necessity of quitting Europe; but that, in doing so, he was
actuated solely by motives of humanity; being unwilling, they said,
that any further effusion of blood should take place on his account.
They declared also, that his party was still very formidable in the
centre and south of France, and that, if he choose to protract the
war, he might still give a great deal of trouble; and that, although
his ultimate success might not be probable, there was still a
possibility of fortune turning in his favour, and therefore they
argued it was the interest of England to allow him to proceed to
America. To all this I could give little or no reply, being quite
ignorant of what had occurred in France, further than the decisive
victory obtained by the Duke of Wellington at Waterloo. During the
time the Frenchmen were with me, I received some French newspapers
from Sir Henry Hotham; but my time was so fully occupied in writing to
him, and in discussions with my visitors, that it was not in my power
to read them: I therefore drew them back to the subject that had
occasioned their visit, and said, "Supposing the British Government
should be induced to grant a passport for Buonaparte's going to
America, what pledge could he give that he would not return, and put
England, as well as all Europe, to the same expense of blood and
treasure that has just been incurred?"
General Savary made the following reply: "When the Emperor first
abdicated the throne of France, his removal was brought about by a
faction, at the head of which was Talleyrand, and the sense of the
nation was not consulted: but in the present instance he has
voluntarily resigned the power. The influence he once had over the
French people is past; a very considerable change has taken place in
their sentiments towards him, since he went to Elba; and he could
never regain the power he had over their minds: therefore he would
prefer retiring into obscurity, where he might end his days in peace
and tranquillity; and were he solicited to ascend the throne again, he
would decline it."
"If that is the case," I said, "why not ask an asylum in England?" He
answered, "There are many reasons for his not wishing to reside in
England: the climate is too damp and cold; it is too near France; he
would be, as it were, in the centre of every change and revolution
that might take place there, and would be subject to suspicion; he has
been accustomed to consider the English as his most inveterate
enemies, and they have been induced to look upon him as a monster,
without one of the virtues of a human being."
This conversation took place while I was writing my despatches to Sir
Henry Hotham; and the Frenchmen were walking in the cabin, frequently
interrupting me, to enforce their statement of Buonaparte's situation
being by no means so desperate as might be supposed; from which I took
the liberty of drawing a conclusion directly opposite to the one they
were desirous of impressing on my mind.
Captain Knight, of the Falmouth, who carried my despatches to the
Admiral, was present during the whole of this conversation, but did
not join in it. This was the first certain information I had received
of Buonaparte's position since the battle of Waterloo.
Tuesday, the 11th.--About noon, a small boat came off from the Island
of Oleron, to where the ship was at anchor in Basque Roads, rowed by
four men, in which sat two respectable-looking countrymen, who asked
for the Captain; and upon my being pointed out to them, requested to
speak with me in private. When shown into the cabin, where I went
accompanied by Captain Gambier, of the Myrmidon, they acquainted me,
that a message had been sent from Isle d'Aix, early that morning, for
a man who was considered the best pilot on the island for the Mamusson
passage, being the only person that had ever taken a frigate through;
that a large sum of money had been offered to him to pilot a vessel to
sea from that passage, and that it certainly was Buonaparte's
intention to escape from thence; either in the corvette, which had
moved down some days before, or in a Danish brig, which was then lying
at anchor near the entrance.
On receiving this information, I immediately got under weigh, and
though the flood-tide had just made in, beat the ships out of the
Pertuis d'Antioche before it was dark, when I sent the Myrmidon off
the Mamusson, with orders to anchor close in with the entrance, when
the weather would admit of it; while I remained with the Bellerophon
and Slaney, which rejoined me that evening, under weigh between the
light-houses.
On the 12th of July, the Cyrus being seen in the offing, I ordered her
by telegraph to take a position close in with the Baleine
light-house, and to examine strictly every vessel that might attempt
to put to sea from the Pertuis de Breton, as Buonaparte was on the
spot, endeavouring to escape to America.
The same evening, the white flag made its appearance for the first
time on the towers of Rochelle; on seeing which, I felt it my duty to
run into Basque Roads, accompanied by the Slaney; and having anchored,
I hoisted the Bourbon colours at the main-top-gallant mast-head, and
fired a royal salute. During the whole of this afternoon, however, two
tri-coloured flags were kept flying in Rochelle; and before sunset all
the white flags were struck, and every where replaced by those of
Buonaparte.
On the 13th of July, nothing of importance occurred, except the white
flag being once more hoisted all over Rochelle, as well as on the
Isle of Oleron, to the entire exclusion of the tri-coloured ensign. We
could plainly perceive, that the frigates, from whom we were distant
about three miles, were perfectly ready to put to sea, should an
opportunity offer; having their sterns covered with vegetables, their
top-gallant yards across, studding sail gear rove, and numerous boats
passing between them and the island the whole day:--all indications,
well known to professional men, of preparing for sea.
The ships under my command were accordingly kept with slip buoys on
their cables, and, as soon as it was dark, the top-sail and
top-gallant yards were swayed to the mast-heads, the sails stopt with
rope yarns, and every thing kept ready to make sail at a moment's
warning. Guard-boats were also kept rowing all night, as near the
frigates as they could venture, having signals established to show in
the event of the enemy getting under sail.
On the 14th of July, at daybreak, the officer of the watch informed
me, that the Mouche was standing out from Isle d'Aix, bearing a flag
of truce, which I ordered to be accepted. Here it is necessary to
mention, that the British flag of truce, being a white flag at the
fore-top-gallant mast-head, which was also hoisted as a matter of
course when Buonaparte was received on board, has by some persons been
construed into the Bourbon flag, and thence into an intentional insult
to him. It never was my intention, nor do I believe it could have been
that of any British officer, to treat with insult any fallen enemy,
much less one who had shown such confidence as to throw himself on the
protection of his former foe.
When the schooner, the Mouche, reached the ship, Count Las Cases came
on board, attended by General Count Lallemand. This meeting was highly
interesting to me, as Lallemand had been a prisoner for three weeks in
the Camelion under my command in Egypt, with Junot, whose Aid-de-Camp
he then was; and General Savary, who accompanied Count Las Cases in
his first visit to the Bellerophon, had lived nearly as long at Sir
Sydney Smith's table with me, at the Turkish camp at El Arish, when
the convention, which takes its name from that place, was under
discussion, being Aid-de-Camp to General Dessaix, who negotiated on
the part of the French.
On their coming on board, I made the signal for the Captain of the
Slaney, being desirous of having a witness to any conversation that
might pass, as our communications were chiefly verbal: he arrived
while we were at breakfast.
When Count Las Cases came on the quarter-deck, he informed me that he
was sent off to learn whether I had received an answer from the
Admiral to the letter he had brought off on the 10th instant. I told
him that I had not, but, in consequence of the despatch which I had
forwarded to him, I had not a doubt he would immediately repair here
in person, and I was hourly in expectation of seeing him, adding, "If
that was the only reason you had for sending off a flag of truce, it
was quite unnecessary, as I informed you, when last here, that the
Admiral's answer, when it arrived, should be forwarded to the frigates
by one of the Bellerophon's boats; and I do not approve of frequent
communications with an enemy by means of flags of truce." I then went
into the cabin and ordered breakfast, to prevent further discussion
until the arrival of Captain Sartorius.
When breakfast was over, we retired to the after-cabin. Count Las
Cases then said, "The Emperor is so anxious to spare the further
effusion of human blood, that he will proceed to America in any way
the British Government chooses to sanction, either in a French ship of
war, a vessel armed _en flute_, a merchant vessel, or even in a
British ship of war." To this I answered, "I have no authority to
agree to any arrangement of that sort, nor do I believe my Government
would consent to it; but I think I may venture to receive him into
this ship, and convey him to England: if, however," I added, "he
adopts that plan, I cannot enter into any promise, as to the reception
he may meet with, as, even in the case I have mentioned, I shall be
acting on my own responsibility, and cannot be sure that it would meet
with the approbation of the British Government."
There was a great deal of conversation on this subject, in the course
of which Lucien Buonaparte's name was mentioned, and the manner in
which he had lived in England alluded to; but I invariably assured Las
Cases most explicitly, that I had no authority to make conditions of
any sort, as to Napoleon's reception in England. In fact, I could not
have done otherwise, since, with the exception of the order inserted
at page 24, I had no instructions for my guidance, and was, of course,
in total ignorance of the intention of His Majesty's ministers as to
his future disposal. One of the last observations Las Cases made
before quitting the ship was, "Under all circumstances, I have little
doubt that you will see the Emperor on board the Bellerophon;" and, in
fact, Buonaparte must have determined on that step before Las Cases
came on board, as his letter to his Royal Highness the Prince Regent
is dated the 13th of July, the day before this conversation.
During the above-mentioned conversation, I asked Las Cases where
Buonaparte then was? He replied, "At Rochefort; I left him there
yesterday evening." General Lallemand then said, "The Emperor lives at
the Hotel in the Grand Place, and is now so popular there, that the
inhabitants assemble every evening in front of the house, for the
purpose of seeing him, and crying, 'Vive l'Empereur!'"
I then asked how long it would take to go there: Las Cases answered,
"As the tide will be against us, it will require five or six hours."
Why these false statements were made, I cannot pretend to say; but it
is very certain that Buonaparte never quitted the frigates or Isle
d'Aix, after his arrival there on the 3rd of July.
General Lallemand took occasion to ask me if I thought there would be
any risk of the people, who might accompany Buonaparte, being given
up to the Government of France: I replied, "Certainly not; the British
Government never could think of doing so, under the circumstances
contemplated in the present arrangement."
They left me about half-past nine A.M. In the course of the day, I was
joined by the Myrmidon, Captain Gambier, who had been sent to me by
Captain Green, of the Daphne, with a letter he had received from
Captain Aylmer, of the Pactolus, in the Gironde, bringing information
that it was the intention of Buonaparte to escape from Rochefort in a
Danish sloop, concealed in a cask stowed in the ballast, with tubes so
constructed as to convey air for his breathing. I afterwards inquired
of General Savary, if there had been any foundation for such a report;
when he informed me that the plan had been thought of, and the vessel
in some measure prepared; but it was considered too hazardous; for had
we detained the vessel for a day or two, he would have been obliged
to make his situation known, and thereby forfeited all claims to the
good treatment he hoped to ensure by a voluntary surrender.
The two Captains dined with me, and afterwards went on board the
Myrmidon, to take up a position to the north-east of the Bellerophon,
to prevent vessels from passing close in shore, and thus to render the
blockade of the port more complete.
Soon after they left me, a barge was perceived rowing off from the
frigates towards the Bellerophon with a flag-of-truce up; on which I
recalled Captains Sartorius and Gambier, by signal, that they might be
present at any communication that was to be made. The boat got
alongside about seven P.M. and brought Count Las Cases, accompanied by
General Baron Gourgaud, one of Buonaparte's Aid-de-Camps. On their
coming on deck, I immediately addressed Las Cases, saying, "It is
impossible you could have been at Rochefort, and returned, since you
left me this morning." He replied, "No; it was not necessary; I found
the Emperor at Isle d'Aix, on my arrival there." He then told me, he
was charged with a letter from General Bertrand. We walked into the
cabin, when he delivered it to me; it was as follows:--
"Le 14 Juillet, 1815.
"Monsieur le Commandant,
"Monsieur le Comte de Las Cases a rendu compte a l'Empereur de la
conversation qu'il a eue ce matin a votre bord. S. M. se rendra a la
maree de demain, vers quatre ou cinq heures du matin, a bord de votre
vaisseau. Je vous envoye Monsieur le Comte de Las Cases, Conseiller
d'Etat, faisant fonction de Marechal de Logis, avec la liste des
personnes composant la suite de S. M. Si l'Amiral, en consequence de
la demande que vous lui avez adressee, vous envoye le sauf conduit
demande pour les Etats Unis, S. M. s'y rendra avec plaisir; mais au
defaut du sauf conduit, il se rendra volontiers en Angleterre, comme
simple particulier, pour y jouir de la protection des loix de votre
pays.
"S. M. a expedie Monsieur le Marechal de Camp Baron Gourgaud aupres du
Prince Regent, avec une lettre, dont j'ai l'honneur de vous envoyer
copie, vous priant de la faire passer au Ministre auquel vous croyez
necessaire d'envoyer cet officier general, afin qu'il ait l'honneur de
remettre au Prince Regent la lettre dont il est charge.
"J'ai l'honneur d'etre,
Monsieur le Commandant,
Votre tres humble et tres obeissant Serviteur,
Le Grand Marechal,
COMTE BERTRAND."
"A Monsieur le Commandant des Croisieres devant Rochefort."
TRANSLATION.
"SIR,
"Count Las Cases has reported to the Emperor the conversation which he
had with you this morning. His Majesty will proceed on board your ship
with the ebb tide to-morrow morning, between four and five o'clock.
"I send the Count Las Cases, Counsellor of State, doing the duty of
Marechal de Logis, with the list of persons composing His Majesty's
suite.
"If the Admiral, in consequence of the despatch you forwarded to him,
should send the passport for the United States therein demanded, His
Majesty will be happy to repair to America; but should the passport be
withheld, he will willingly proceed to England, as a private
individual, there to enjoy the protection of the laws of your
country.
"His Majesty has despatched Major General Baron Gourgaud to the Prince
Regent with a letter, a copy of which I have the honour to enclose,
requesting that you will forward it to such one of the ministers as
you may think it necessary to send that general officer, that he may
have the honour of delivering the letter with which he is charged to
the Prince Regent.
"I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your very humble servant,
COUNT BERTRAND."
"To the Officer commanding the Cruizers off Rochefort."
_List of persons composing the suite of Napoleon Buonaparte, enclosed
in the above Letter, and the manner in which they were distributed
during the passage to England._
BELLEROPHON.
_Generaux._
Le Lieutenant General Comte Bertrand, Gd. Marechal.
Le Lieutenant General Duc de Rovigo.
Le Lieutenant General Baron Lallemand Aide de Camp de S. M.
Le Marechal de Camp Comte de Montholon Aide de Camp de S. M.
Le Comte de Las Cases Conseiller d'Etat.
_Dames._
Madame la Comtesse Bertrand.
Madame la Comtesse de Montholon.
_Enfans._
3 Enfans de Madame la Comtesse Bertrand.
1 Enfant de Madame la Comtesse de Montholon.
_Officiers._
M. de Planat, Lieutenant-Colonel.
M. Maingaut, Chirurgien de S. M.
M. Las Cases, Page.
_Service de la Chambre._
M. M. Marchand 1 Valet de Chambre.
Gilli Valet de Chambre.
St Denis Valet de Chambre.
Novarra Idem.
Denis Garcon de Garderobe.
_Livree._
Archambaud 1 Valet de pied.
Gaudron Valet de pied.
Gentilini Id.
_Service de la Bouche._
M. M. Fontain 1 Maitre d'Hotel.
Pieron Chef d'Office.
La Fosse Cuisinier.
Le Page Idem.
2 Femmes de Chambre de Madame la Comtesse Bertrand.
1 Femme de Chambre de Madame la Comtesse de Montholon.
_Suite des personnes qui accompagnent S. M._
1 Valet de Chambre du Duc de Rovigo.
1 do. du Comte Bertrand.
1 do. du Comte de Montholon.
1 Valet de pied du Comte Bertrand.
Total 7.
_Recapitulation._
Generaux 5
Dames 2
Enfans 4
Officiers 3
Service de la Chambre de S. M. 5
Livree de S. M. 3
Service de la Bouche 4
Suite des personnes qui accompagnent S. M. 7
--
Total 33
--
LA CORVETTE.
_Officiers._
Le Lieutenant Colonel Resigni.
Le Lieutenant Colonel Schultz.
Le Capitaine Autrie.
Le Capitaine Mesener.
Le Capitaine Prontowski.
Le Lieutenant Riviere.
Le Sous Lieutenant Ste Catherine.
_Suite de S. M._
Capriani Maitre d'Hotel.
Santini Huissier.
Chauvin Id.
Rousseau Lampiste.
Archambaud Valet de pied.
Joseph Id.
Le Charron Id.
Lisiaux Garde d'Office.
Ortini Valet de pied.
Fumeau Idem.
_Recapitulation._
Officiers 7
Suite 10
--
Total 17
--
Enclosed was likewise a copy of the well-known letter addressed by
Buonaparte to His Royal Highness the Prince Regent.
"Altesse Royale,
"En butte aux factions qui divisent mon pays et a l'inimitie des plus
grandes puissances de l'Europe, j'ai termine ma carriere politique, et
je viens comme Themistocle m'asseoir sur le foyer du peuple
Britannique. Je me mets sous la protection de ses loix, que je reclame
de votre Altesse Royale, comme au plus puissant, au plus constant, et
au plus genereux de mes Ennemis."
"Rochefort, 13 Juillet, 1815,
"Signe, NAPOLEON."
TRANSLATION.
"Rochefort, July 13th, 1815.
"Your Royal Highness,
"A victim to the factions which distract my country, and to the enmity
of the greatest powers of Europe, I have terminated my political
career, and I come, like Themistocles, to throw myself upon the
hospitality of the British people. I put myself under the protection
of their laws; which I claim from your Royal Highness, as the most
powerful, the most constant, and the most generous of my enemies.
NAPOLEON."
On reading the above, I told Monsieur Las Cases that I would receive
Buonaparte on board, and immediately forward General Gourgaud to
England by the Slaney, along with my despatches to the Admiralty; but
that he would not be allowed to land until permission was received
from London, or the sanction of the Admiral at the port he might
arrive at obtained. I assured him, however, that the copy of the
letter with which he was charged would be forwarded without loss of
time, and presented by the Ministers to his Royal Highness. Count Las
Cases then asked for paper, that he might communicate by letter to
Bertrand my acquiescence in the proposal he had brought, for my
receiving, and conveying to England, Buonaparte and his suite.
When General Gourgaud was about to write the letter, to prevent any
future misunderstanding, I said, "Monsieur Las Cases, you will
recollect that I am not authorised to stipulate as to the reception of
Buonaparte in England, but that he must consider himself entirely at
the disposal of his Royal Highness the Prince Regent." He answered, "I
am perfectly aware of that, and have already acquainted the Emperor
with what you said on the subject."
It might, perhaps, have been better if this declaration had been given
in an official written form; and could I have foreseen the discussions
which afterwards took place, and which will appear in the sequel, I
undoubtedly should have done so; but as I repeatedly made it in the
presence of witnesses, it did not occur to me as being necessary; and
how could a stronger proof be adduced, that no stipulations were
agreed to respecting the reception of Buonaparte in England, than the
fact of their not being reduced to writing? which certainly would have
been the case had any favourable terms been demanded on the part of
Monsieur Las Cases, and agreed to by me.
The French boat was soon after despatched with the letter to Bertrand,
in charge of a French naval officer, who had attended Las Cases on
board; and as soon as I had finished the following despatch to the
Secretary of the Admiralty, I sent Captain Sartorius, of the Slaney,
to England, accompanied by General Gourgaud.
Extract of a Letter from Captain Maitland, of His Majesty's ship
Bellerophon, addressed to the Secretary of the Admiralty, dated in
Basque Roads, 14th July, 1815.