the ladies and all his principal officers, to breakfast, the following
day: which invitation was accepted, apparently, with much
satisfaction.
When I went on deck, early the next morning, (the 16th of July) I
observed that the Superb had the tompions out of her guns, and the man
ropes on her yards, as if for the purpose of saluting and manning
ships; and as I had received Buonaparte without even the guard
presenting arms, I felt that he might conceive I had intentionally
treated him with disrespect. I therefore sent the officer of the watch
with my compliments to Sir Henry Hotham, and begged to know if it was
his intention to salute Buonaparte on his going on board, and to
receive him with manned yards; and, if so, whether I was to do the
same, on his quitting the Bellerophon. He sent for answer, that it was
not his intention to salute, but he meant to man ship; that I was not
to do so on his quitting the Bellerophon, but was at liberty to man
yards on his return. I likewise received directions from the Admiral
to hoist a signal, when the boat with his visitors was ready to leave
the ship, that he might have time to make the necessary preparations.
About ten A.M. the barge was manned, and a captain's guard turned out.
When Buonaparte came on deck, he looked at the marines, who were
generally fine-looking young men, with much satisfaction; went through
their ranks, inspected their arms, and admired their appearance,
saying to Bertrand, "How much might be done with a hundred thousand
such soldiers as these." He asked which had been longest in the corps;
went up and spoke to him. His questions were put in French, which I
interpreted, as well as the man's answers. He enquired how many years
he had served; on being told upwards of ten, he turned to me and said,
"Is it not customary in your service, to give a man who has been in
it so long some mark of distinction?" He was informed that the person
in question had been a sergeant, but was reduced to the ranks for some
misconduct. He then put the guard through part of their exercise,
whilst I interpreted to the Captain of Marines, who did not understand
French, the manoeuvres he wished to have performed. He made some
remarks upon the difference of the charge with the bayonet between our
troops and the French; and found fault with our method of fixing the
bayonet to the musquet, as being more easy to twist off, if seized by
an enemy when in the act of charging.
On getting into the boat, he looked at the barge's crew, and said,
"What a very fine set of men you have got!" He then turned to Las
Cases, who had come on board the ship in plain clothes, but now
appeared in a naval uniform, and said jocularly, "Comment, Las Cases,
vous etes militaire?" "What, Las Cases, are you a military man? I
have never till now seen you in uniform." He answered, "Please your
Majesty, before the revolution I was a lieutenant in the navy; and as
I think an uniform carries more consideration with it in a foreign
country, I have adopted it."
His attention was now drawn to the men on the Superb's yards, as well
as to the appearance of the ship, about which he made some
observations, and asked several questions; among others, whether she
was French or English; what her age was; the number of guns she
carried, and the weight of metal on each deck.
On going alongside, General Bertrand went up and announced to the
Admiral, that the Emperor, for they always gave him that title, was in
the boat. He then went up, and was received by Sir Henry Hotham on the
quarter-deck, where a captain's guard was turned out to him. He was
immediately shown into the cabin, and, after looking round him,
requested to have the officers presented, which was done; when he
asked nearly the same questions of each, that he had put to those of
the Bellerophon the day before. He then expressed a wish to go through
the ship; and did so, accompanied by several of his own suite, the
Admiral, Captain Senhouse, and myself. The men were drawn up at
divisions, and every thing was in the nicest order. He appeared much
pleased with all he saw, and drew many comparisons between French and
English ships of war. On going through the wings and storerooms, he
said to General Savary, "Our ships have nothing of this sort:" who
answered, "All the new ones, built at Antwerp, were constructed on
this plan." When he returned to the quarter-deck, he questioned the
Admiral and myself very minutely, about the clothing and victualling
of the seamen. It was then, on being told that all that department
was under the charge of the purser, he said in a facetious way, "Je
crois que c'est quelquefois chez vous, comme chez nous, le commissaire
est un peu coquin." "I believe it happens sometimes with you, as it
does with us, that the purser is a little of a rogue." This was
addressed to the Admiral and me, with whom he was conversing, and not
to the people, as has been represented; nor was there a man that could
have understood it, as it was spoken in French, and not within their
hearing. He asked to see the Chaplain, put a few questions to him as
to the number of Catholics and foreigners in the ship, and whether any
of them spoke the French language. A Guernsey man was pointed out to
him, but he had no conversation with him.
He was then shown into the cabin, where breakfast was prepared: during
which meal he talked a good deal, but ate little, the breakfast being
served in the English manner. I observed, during the whole time of
breakfast, that Colonel Planat, who was much attached to him, and of
whom Buonaparte always expressed himself in terms of affection, had
tears running down his cheeks, and seemed greatly distressed at the
situation of his master. And, from the opportunities I afterwards had
of observing this young man's character, I feel convinced he had a
strong personal attachment to Buonaparte;--and this, indeed, as far as
I could judge, was the case also with all his other attendants,
without exception.
On rising from the breakfast-table, the whole party went into the
after-cabin, where a discussion took place about Buonaparte's horses
and carriages, which had been left at Rochefort, and which he was
desirous of having forwarded to England. I had formerly agreed, in the
event of their arriving, to receive two carriages, and five or six
horses, as many as the ship could conveniently stow; but as they had
not come, the Admiral now consented to give a passport for a vessel to
transport the whole of them, consisting of six carriages and
forty-five horses: which was accordingly made out, and forwarded to
Monsieur Philibert, the senior naval officer at Isle d'Aix, but I
believe it was never acted upon.
We all returned to the Bellerophon about noon, when the ships present
manned their yards, the boat was immediately hoisted in, and the ship
got under weigh, in pursuance of orders from the Admiral, of which the
following is an extract.
Extract of an Order from Rear Admiral Sir Henry Hotham, K.C.B.,
addressed to Captain Maitland of H.M.S. Bellerophon, dated Superb, in
Basque Roads, July 15th, 1815.
"You are hereby required and directed to take the Myrmidon under your
orders, and, putting on board her such persons composing a part of
the suite of Napoleon Buonaparte as cannot be conveyed in the
Bellerophon, you are to put to sea in H.M.S. under your command, in
company with the Myrmidon, and make the best of your way with Napoleon
Buonaparte and his suite to Torbay, and there landing the officer of
the ship bearing my flag, whom I have charged with a despatch
addressed to the Secretary of the Admiralty, as well as an officer of
the ship you command, for the purpose of proceeding express to
Plymouth with the despatch you will herewith receive, addressed to
Admiral Lord Keith, and a copy of these instructions (which you will
transmit to his Lordship,) await orders from the Lords Commissioners
of the Admiralty, or his Lordship, for your further proceedings."
During the time we were heaving the anchor up, and setting the sails,
Buonaparte remained on the break of the poop; and was very
inquisitive about what was going on. He observed, "Your method of
performing this manoeuvre is quite different from the French;" and
added, "What I admire most in your ship, is the extreme silence and
orderly conduct of your men:--on board a French ship, every one calls
and gives orders, and they gabble like so many geese." Previous to his
quitting the Bellerophon he made the same remark, saying, "There has
been less noise in this ship, where there are six hundred men, during
the whole of the time I have been in her, than there was on board the
Epervier, with only one hundred, in the passage from Isle d'Aix to
Basque Roads."
Soon after the ship was under weigh, the Mouche joined, with three or
four sheep, a quantity of vegetables, and other refreshments,--a
present from the French Commodore to Buonaparte. After receiving them
on board, we made sail, accompanied by the Myrmidon, for England.
In working out, we passed within about a cable's length of the Superb.
He asked me if I considered that was near enough for a naval
engagement: I answered, that half the distance, or even less, would
suit much better; as it was a maxim in our navy, not to be further
from our enemy than to give room for working the yards, and
manoeuvring the ship.
He remained upon deck all the time the ship was beating out of the
Pertuis d'Antioche. Having cleared the Chasseron shoal about six P.M.,
dinner was served. He conversed a great deal at table, and seemed in
very good spirits; told several anecdotes of himself; among others,
one relating to Sir Sydney Smith. Knowing that I had served under that
officer on the coast of Syria, he turned to me and said, "Did Sir
Sydney Smith ever tell you the cause of his quarrel with me?" I
answered he had not. "Then," said he, "I will.--When the French army
was before St Jean d'Acre, he had a paper privately distributed among
the officers and soldiers, tending to induce them to revolt and quit
me; on which I issued a proclamation, denouncing the English
commanding-officer as a madman, and prohibiting all intercourse with
him. This nettled Sir Sydney so much, that he sent me a challenge to
meet him in single combat on the beach at Caiffa. My reply was, that
when Marlborough appeared for that purpose, I should be at his
service; but I had other duties to fulfil besides fighting a duel with
an English commodore." He pursued the subject of Syria, and said,
patting me (who was sitting next him) on the head; "If it had not been
for you English, I should have been Emperor of the East; but wherever
there is water to float a ship, we are sure to find you in our way."
During the 17th and 18th of July, the weather was very fine, and
nothing of note occurred. Several strange vessels were seen, about
which Buonaparte and his attendants were very inquisitive, in order, I
presume, that they might judge whether they would probably have
escaped or not, had they put to sea. The only ship of war fallen in
with on those days was the Bacchus sloop, which I pointed out; and at
the same time informed him, that we had several frigates cruising in
this position, for the purpose of intercepting him, had he got past
the ships stationed close in with the land. This, as it afterward
appeared, was not the case: the Endymion having gone into the Gironde,
the Liffey having sprung her bowsprit and returned to England, and the
others, from various causes, having quitted the station; so that, had
he passed the squadron off Rochefort, there can be little doubt he
would have made his voyage in safety to America.
About this time, Buonaparte amused himself by playing at cards after
breakfast: the game was _vingt-un_, in which all the party joined,
except myself. He proposed that I should play with them, but I told
him I had no money, making it a rule to leave it all with my wife
before I went to sea: on which he laughed, and good-humouredly offered
to lend me some, and trust me until we arrived in England: I, however,
declined his offer, having the numerous duties of the ship to attend
to.
As my despatch of the 14th instant to the Secretary of the Admiralty
had been very short, and written in great haste,--being desirous that
his Majesty's Ministers should be made acquainted with the important
arrangements agreed upon, as early as possible,--I considered it
right to make a more detailed report to the Commander in Chief; and
therefore wrote a despatch to Lord Keith, of which the following are
extracts, intending to send it by the officer who should announce to
him the Bellerophon's arrival in Torbay.
Extract of a Letter From Captain Maitland, Addressed To Admiral
Viscount Keith, G.C.B., Dated on Board H.M. Ship Bellerophon, at Sea,
July 18th, 1815.
"Having received directions from Sir Henry Hotham to forward the
accompanying despatch to your Lordship by an officer, I avail myself
of the opportunity to explain the circumstances under which I was
placed when induced to receive Napoleon Buonaparte into the ship I
command.
"After the first communication was made to me by Count Bertrand (a
copy of which, with my answer, has been forwarded to your Lordship by
Sir Henry Hotham) that Buonaparte was at Isle d'Aix, and actually
embarked on board the frigates for the purpose of proceeding to the
United States of America, my duty became peculiarly harassing and
anxious, owing to the numerous reports, that were daily brought from
all quarters, of his intention to escape in vessels of various
descriptions, and from different situations on the coast, of which the
limited means I possessed, together with the length of time requisite
to communicate with Sir Henry Hotham at Quiberon Bay, rendered the
success at least possible, and even probable. Thus situated, the enemy
having two frigates and a brig, while the force under my command
consisted of the Bellerophon and Slaney (having detached the Myrmidon
to reinforce the Daphne off the Mamusson passage, where the force was
considerably superior to her, and whence one of the reports stated
Buonaparte meant to sail,) another flag of truce was sent out, for the
ostensible reason of enquiring whether I had received an answer to
the former, but I soon ascertained the real one to be a proposal from
Buonaparte to embark for England in this ship.
"Taking into consideration all the circumstances of the probability of
the escape being effected, if the trial was made either in the
frigates, or clandestinely in a small vessel, as, had this ship been
disabled in action, there was no other with me that could produce any
effect on a frigate, and, from the experience I have had in blockading
the ports of the bay, knowing the impossibility of preventing small
vessels from getting to sea, and looking upon it as of the greatest
importance to get possession of the person of Buonaparte; I was
induced, without hesitation, to accede to the proposal, as far as
taking him on board, and proceeding with him to England: but, at the
same time, stating in the most clear and positive terms, that I had no
authority to make any sort of stipulation as to the reception he was
to meet with.
"I am happy to say, that the measures I have adopted have met with the
approbation of Sir Henry Hotham, and will, I trust and hope, receive
that of your Lordship, as well as of his Majesty's Government."
On the 29th, a conversation took place between Madame Bertrand and
myself, about Buonaparte's voyage to Elba. She asked me if I was
acquainted with Captain Usher. On my answering in the negative, she
said, "The Emperor is very fond of him: he gave him his portrait set
with diamonds, and has another which he intends for you." I replied,
"I hope not, as I cannot accept of it. Captain Usher's situation and
mine were very different, and what might be proper in him would not be
so in me." She rejoined, "If you do not accept of it, you will offend
him very much." "If that is the case," I said, "I shall be obliged to
you to take steps to prevent its being offered, as I wish to save him
the mortification, and myself the pain, of a refusal; and I feel it
absolutely impossible, situated as I am, to take a present from him.
In receiving him on board, I had no direct authority from my
Government, and I have yet to learn whether my conduct will be
approved of. Besides, were I to receive a present of such value, it
might possibly be said, that I was actuated by selfish motives;
whereas all the measures I have taken were dictated solely by the
desire of serving my country to the best of my judgment: if,
therefore, I am to receive any reward, it must come from that
quarter."
On the 20th of July, early in the morning, we spoke the Swiftsure, on
her way from England to reinforce me in the blockade of Rochefort.
The astonishment of Captain Webley can scarcely be conceived, when, on
his entering the ship, I said, "Well, I have got him." "Got him! got
whom?" "Why, Buonaparte; the man that has been keeping all Europe in a
ferment these last twenty years." "Is it possible?" said he; "well,
you are a lucky fellow." We had some further conversation; but Captain
Webley was not introduced to Buonaparte, who had not then left his
cabin; and as the Swiftsure was going to the southward, and I was
desirous of getting to England as quickly as possible, we soon parted
company.
During the 21st and 22nd of July, we exchanged signals with two or
three others of our ships, which I took care to explain were on the
look-out for my guest; and he seemed by this time pretty well
convinced that an attempt to elude our cruisers would have been
fruitless. On the latter day, the Prometheus showed her number, while
we were at dinner: when Buonaparte expressed a wish to know whether
the ships at Brest had hoisted the white flag or not. I sent for the
officer of the watch, and desired him to ask the question by
telegraph. In a few minutes he returned, with an answer in the
affirmative. Buonaparte made no remark upon this information; but
asked, with apparent indifference, how the question and answer had
been conveyed; and when I explained it to him, he approved highly of
the usefulness of the invention.
During meals, he always entered very freely and familiarly into
conversation with those about him, addressing himself frequently to
Las Cases and me; asking many questions about the manners, customs,
and laws of the English; often repeating the observation he had made
on first coming on board, that he must gain all the information
possible on those subjects, and conform himself to them, as he should
probably end his life among that people. Monsieur Las Cases, it
appears, had emigrated from France early in the revolution, and
remained in England until the peace of Amiens, when he was allowed to
return to his own country.
Sunday, the 23rd of July, we passed very near to Ushant: the day was
fine, and Buonaparte remained upon deck great part of the morning. He
cast many a melancholy look at the coast of France, but made few
observations on it. He asked several questions about the coast of
England; whether it was safe to approach; its distance, and the part
we were likely to make. About eight in the evening, the high land of
Dartmoor was discovered, when I went into the cabin and told him of
it: I found him in a flannel dressing-gown, nearly undressed, and
preparing to go to bed. He put on his greatcoat, came out upon deck,
and remained some time looking at the land; asking its distance from
Torbay, and the probable time of our arrival there.
At daybreak of the 24th of July, we were close off Dartmouth. Count
Bertrand went into the cabin, and informed Buonaparte of it, who came
upon deck about half-past four, and remained on the poop until the
ship anchored in Torbay. He talked with admiration of the boldness of
the coast; saying, "You have in that respect a great advantage over
France, which is surrounded by rocks and dangers." On opening Torbay,
he was much struck with the beauty of the scenery; and exclaimed,
"What a beautiful country! it very much resembles the bay of Porto
Ferrajo, in Elba."
The ship was scarcely at anchor, when an officer came alongside,
bringing an order from Lord Keith; of which I give an extract.
Extract of an Order from Admiral Viscount Keith, G.C.B., addressed to
Captain Maitland, of H.M.S. Bellerophon, dated Ville de Paris,
Hamoaze, 23rd July, 1815.
"Captain Sartorius, of His Majesty's ship Slaney, delivered to me last
night, at eleven o'clock, your despatch of the 14th instant,
acquainting me that Buonaparte had proposed to embark on board the
ship you command; and that you had acceded thereto, with the intention
of proceeding to Torbay, there to wait for further orders. I lost no
time in forwarding your letter by Captain Sartorius to the Lords
Commissioners of the Admiralty, in order that their Lordships might,
through him, be acquainted with every circumstance that had occurred
on an occasion of so much importance; and you may expect orders from
their Lordships for your further guidance. You are to remain in Torbay
until you receive such orders; and in the mean time, in addition to
the directions already in your possession, you are most positively
ordered to prevent every person whatever from coming on board the ship
you command, except the officers and men who compose her crew; nor is
any person whatever, whether in His Majesty's service or not, who does
not belong to the ship, to be suffered to come on board, either for
the purpose of visiting the officers, or on any pretence whatever,
without express permission either from the Lords Commissioners of the
Admiralty, or from me. As I understand from Captain Sartorius, that
General Gourgaud refused to deliver the letter with which he was
charged for the Prince Regent, to any person except his Royal
Highness, you are to take him out of the Slaney, into the ship you
command, until you receive directions from the Admiralty on the
subject, and order that ship back to Plymouth Sound, when Captain
Sartorius returns from London."
Along with the above order, I received a letter from Lord Keith, of
which I give some extracts.
"You will perceive by the newspapers, that the intelligence had
reached London before Captain Sartorius, owing to his long passage. I
have a letter from Lord Melville to-day, enforcing in the strongest
manner the former orders,--even that no person, myself or Sir John
Duckworth excepted, shall be suffered to come on board the ship, till
orders are sent from Government; which you will be so good as strictly
to comply with. Let him and his want for nothing; and send to me for
any thing Brixham cannot furnish; I will send it to you by a small
vessel. You may say to Napoleon, that I am under the greatest personal
obligations to him for his attention to my nephew, who was taken and
brought before him at Belle Alliance, and who must have died, if he
had not ordered a surgeon to dress him immediately, and sent him to a
hut. I am glad it fell into your hands at this time, because a
Frenchman had been sent from Paris on the mission, a Monsieur Drigni."
Buonaparte recollected the circumstance alluded to, and seemed much
gratified with Lord Keith's acknowledgments.