this: an individual being under prosecution for a libel on a
naval officer, censuring his conduct on the West India
station, when a French squadron was in those seas, pretended
that it would aid his defence to show that the French ships
were at that time in an unserviceable condition, and that
Buonaparte would be able to prove the fact. He accordingly
obtained a subpoena for him to attend as a witness on the
trial in the Court of King's Bench, and endeavoured himself,
and not by a lawyer, as at first supposed, to get on board
the Bellerophon to deliver it.
"This transaction probably gave currency to the rumours of a
Habeas Corpus having been issued, particularly as one
description of that writ is, the proceeding for bringing a
prisoner into Court to give evidence, which having given, he
is remanded to gaol.
"Had the individual in question succeeded in his attempt to
get on board the ship, and deliver the subpoena, it would
have been of no assistance either to himself or Buonaparte,
if it was at all intended to benefit the latter, as it would
not have been possible for him to obey it, there not being
any authority for Captain Maitland, who was answerable for
his safety as a prisoner, allowing him to do so. It was,
however, considered the most prudent course, by Lord Keith,
not to permit the delivery of the process, the exact nature
of which was at the moment unknown, lest it might involve
himself or Captain Maitland in any difficulty, by an apparent
disrespect to the Court, and more particularly as it might
create erroneous impressions in Buonaparte's mind, that a
breach of the law was committed in his not being permitted to
comply with the terms of the document, not aware that it
contained no power authorising his release from detention as
a prisoner of war."]
While the ship was working out of the Sound, two well-dressed women in
a boat kept as close to her as the guard-boat would allow, and,
whenever Buonaparte appeared at the stern windows, stood up and waved
their handkerchiefs.
On joining the Prometheus off the Ramehead, where Lord Keith's flag
was then flying, I received the following note from his Lordship.
No date; received August 4th, in the Afternoon.
"I have been chased all day by a lawyer with a Habeas Corpus: he is
landed at Cawsand, and may come off in a sailing-boat during the
night; of course, keep all sorts of boats off, as I will do the like
in whatever ship I may be in.
KEITH."
"Captain Maitland."
Buonaparte wrote another letter this evening to the Prince Regent,
which I carried to Lord Keith, who again told me of his having been
chased all day by a lawyer: who had first started him out of his own
house, then followed him to the Tonnant, where he attempted to get in
at one side, as his Lordship left her on the other; he afterwards
pursued him towards Cawsand, but the Admiral being in a twelve-oared
barge, out-rowed him, and gave him the slip round the Ramehead. It was
on his return from this chase that he attempted to get on board the
Bellerophon.
Buonaparte now confined himself entirely to his cabin, never coming on
deck, or appearing at breakfast or dinner. He was not served from the
table, but what he ate was prepared and carried in to him by Marchand,
his favourite valet de chambre. Messrs Bertrand and Las Cases passed
much time with him; and this evening the protest was prepared, which
will appear in the sequel.
On the morning of the 5th of August, the weather was overcast, with a
strong breeze of wind, and the sea began to rise, much to the
discomposure of my poor French guests. Soon after breakfast, my signal
being made from the Tonnant, where Lord Keith had now hoisted his
flag, I told General Bertrand that I was going to the Admiral, and
would convey anything Buonaparte had to say to him. He requested I
would wait until a letter or paper, then under preparation, was
finished, which was intended for me, but a copy to be presented to
Lord Keith. I waited nearly an hour, when he brought me Buonaparte's
protest. I delivered it to the Admiral, stating at the same time that
I wished to have a copy; and was afterwards furnished with one by his
Lordship's secretary. I insert it here.
_Buonaparte's Protest._
"Je proteste solennellement ici, a la face du Ciel et des hommes,
contre la violence qui m'est faite, contre la violation de mes droits
les plus sacres, en disposant par la force, de ma personne et de ma
liberte.
"Je suis venu librement a bord du Bellerophon; je ne suis point
prisonnier; je suis l'hote de l'Angleterre. J'y suis venu a
l'instigation meme du Capitaine qui a dit avoir des ordres du
Gouvernement de me recevoir, et de me conduire en Angleterre avec ma
suite, si cela m'etoit agreable. Je me suis presente de bonne foi pour
venir me mettre sous la protection des loix d'Angleterre. Aussitot
assis a bord du Bellerophon, je fus sur le foyer du peuple
Britannique. Si le Gouvernement, en donnant des ordres au Capitaine du
Bellerophon, de me recevoir ainsi que ma suite, n'a voulu que tendre
une embuche, il a forfait a l'honneur et fletri son pavillon. Si cet
acte se consommoit, ce seroit en vain que les Anglais voudroient
parler a l'Europe de leur loyaute, de leur loix, et de leur liberte.
La foi Britannique _s'y trouvera perdue dans l'hospitalite du
Bellerophon_. J'en appelle a l'histoire; elle dira qu'un ennemi qui
fit vingt ans la guerre aux peuples Anglois, vint librement, dans son
infortune, chercher un asile sous ses loix. Quelle plus eclatante
preuve pouvait-il lui donner de son estime et de sa confiance? Mais
comment repondit-on en Angleterre a une telle magnanimite?--On feignit
de tendre une main hospitaliere a cet ennemi, et quand il se fut livre
de bonne foi, on l'immola.
"Signe, NAPOLEON."
A bord du Bellerophon,
4 Aout, 1815.
TRANSLATION.
_Buonaparte's Protest._
"I hereby solemnly protest, in the face of Heaven and of men, against
the violence done me, and against the violation of my most sacred
rights, in forcibly disposing of my person and my liberty. I came
voluntarily on board of the Bellerophon; I am not a prisoner, I am
the guest of England. I came on board even at the instigation of the
Captain, who told me he had orders from the Government to receive me
and my suite, and conduct me to England, if agreeable to me. I
presented myself with good faith to put myself under the protection of
the English laws. As soon as I was on board the Bellerophon, I was
under shelter of the British people.
"If the Government, in giving orders to the Captain of the Bellerophon
to receive me as well as my suite, only intended to lay a snare for
me, it has forfeited its honour and disgraced its flag.
"If this act be consummated, the English will in vain boast to Europe
of their integrity, their laws, and their liberty. British good faith
will be lost in the hospitality of the Bellerophon.
"I appeal to History; it will say that an enemy, who for twenty years
waged war against the English people, came voluntarily, in his
misfortunes, to seek an asylum under their laws. What more brilliant
proof could he give of his esteem and his confidence? But what return
did England make for so much magnanimity? They feigned to stretch
forth a friendly hand to that enemy; and when he delivered himself up
in good faith, they sacrificed him.
"Signed, NAPOLEON."
"On board the Bellerophon,
4th August 1815."
On the above I shall only observe, that no snare had been laid, either
on the part of His Majesty's Government or mine. I was placed before
Rochefort for the open purpose of preventing Buonaparte from making
his escape from that port; and the exertions of myself and those under
my command had been so completely successful, that the intention of
forcing past the ships under my orders, as well as every other plan
proposed, of which there appear to have been several, were abandoned
as utterly hopeless. And so far was I from seeking communication with
Napoleon, that all the flags of truce proceeding from him, were
strongly reprobated by me, as improper, except in extraordinary cases,
and were only resorted to when, as appears from Lord Keith's letter of
the 23rd of July, orders had been sent from Paris for his arrest, and
when (as has since been proved) one or more intimations had been given
by the officer commanding in Isle d'Aix, that, if he did not depart,
he would be under the necessity of detaining him. Besides, it is now
perfectly ascertained, that the determination of repairing to England
was adopted at a consultation held by Buonaparte on the night of the
13th of July, when his letter to the Prince Regent was written; and
Messrs Las Cases and Lallemand were sent on the morning of the 14th
to discover if I would receive him on board the Bellerophon, and
convey him to that country.
On the morning of the 6th of August, when walking the deck with
Monsieur Las Cases, he for the first time mentioned, that he
understood me to have assured him that the Emperor would be well
received in England, and allowed to reside there. I replied, "I cannot
conceive how you could so far misunderstand me, as I constantly, in my
communications with you, stated that I could make no promises
whatever: that I thought my orders would bear me out in receiving him
on board, and conveying him to England; but even in doing that, I
acted very much upon my own responsibility. You questioned me
frequently, as to my private opinion; and as I was quite ignorant upon
the subject, I could only say I had no reason to believe he would be
ill received." It did not, however, require my assistance to raise
the hopes of those about Buonaparte, respecting the manner in which he
was to be received in England; as one of his followers, on the passage
home, asked me if I thought the Prince Regent would confer the order
of the Garter upon him. If there was any misunderstanding, (which I
cannot allow to have been the case,) Monsieur Las Cases has himself to
blame. When he came on board of the Bellerophon for the purpose of
treating, he concealed his knowledge of the English language; which,
as I had considerable difficulty in expressing myself in French, could
only be intended for the purpose of throwing me off my guard, that he
might take advantage of any expressions that fell from me, or the
officers I had always present at our meetings. Even after he was on
board with Buonaparte, though he acknowledged he could read English,
and always translated the newspapers for his master, he affected not
to be able to speak it. What his actual knowledge of the language
was, the following extract of a letter, from a friend of mine on board
the Northumberland, dated at sea, August the 22nd, 1815, will show:
"I do not know, whether Las Cases ever let you know he could speak
English; but this I can assure you, that he speaks it very near as
well as Madame Bertrand, and can hold a conversation, or maintain an
argument in it, with as much fluency as she can."
This forenoon, I had a long conversation with Buonaparte. He
complained bitterly of the conduct of the British Government; and
entered, at considerable length, into the state of his affairs when he
determined upon the measure of repairing on board the Bellerophon.
"There still," said he, "was a large party in the South, that wished
me to put myself at its head; the army behind the Loire was also
desirous of my return. At ten o'clock of the night before I embarked,
a deputation from the garrison of Rochelle waited upon me, with an
offer to conduct me to the army; in addition to which, the troops that
were in Rochefort, Bourdeaux, and Isle d'Aix, amounting to twelve
thousand men, were at my disposal. But I saw there was no prospect of
ultimate success, though I might have occasioned a great deal of
trouble and bloodshed, which I did not choose should take place on my
account individually;--while the Empire was at stake, it was another
matter."
In the afternoon, Mr O'Meara, the surgeon, informed me that General
Savary had made a proposal to him to accompany Buonaparte to St Helena
as his medical attendant; Monsieur Maingaut, his surgeon, being a
young man with whom he was little acquainted, having suffered so much
from seasickness in the passage from Rochefort, that he felt averse to
undertaking another sea voyage. He consulted me as to the propriety
of accepting the offer. I told him it must depend very much upon his
own feelings; but if he had no dislike to it, he had better accept the
proposal, on condition that our Government consented, and agreed to
pay his salary; but, in that case, an official communication must
pass, through me, to the Admiral on the subject. This was the first
intimation I received of Buonaparte having made any arrangement
towards complying with the notification he had received from our
Government.
About nine A.M. a large ship was seen to leeward, which, on closing,
proved to be the Northumberland. The whole squadron then stood in, and
anchored to the westward of Berryhead. I went on board the Tonnant,
and reported to Lord Keith that Buonaparte had at last made up his
mind to move from the Bellerophon without force being used; and that
Count Bertrand was desirous of seeing his Lordship, that he might make
the necessary arrangements about the people who were to accompany
him. By the Admiral's directions, I returned to my ship and brought
Monsieur Bertrand to him. Soon after Sir George Cockburn arrived, and
they were shut up together for nearly two hours.
When I first went on board the Tonnant, I received a memorandum from
Lord Keith, from which I give an extract; and at the same time a
verbal intimation, that I should receive an order in writing the next
day, to, remove Buonaparte, and such part of his suite as he might
select, to the Northumberland.
Extract of a Memorandum from Admiral Viscount Keith, G.C.B., addressed
to Captain Maitland, of H.M.S. Bellerophon, dated Tonnant, off the
Start, 6th August, 1815.
"All arms of every description are to be taken from the Frenchmen of
all ranks on board the ship you command; and they are to be carefully
packed up and kept in your charge, while they remain on board the
Bellerophon; and afterwards in that of the captain of the ship to
which they may be removed."
While we were at dinner, Generals Bertrand and Montholon were employed
making out lists of what would be required by the French officers and
the ladies, to render them comfortable during their voyage to St
Helena, which were despatched to Plymouth by Sir George Cockburn's
secretary.
In the course of the evening Lord Keith and Sir George Cockburn came
on board the Bellerophon; when the latter was introduced to
Buonaparte.
As soon as General Bertrand was at leisure, I told him I had orders to
remove Napoleon to the Northumberland the following day, and also to
take away the arms from him and his attendants, giving him to
understand that they would be returned on their arrival at their
destination. He seemed much hurt at being deprived of his arms, but
said he would give directions for their being delivered; and I
received them the next morning, with the exception of Buonaparte's
sword, which, by an order I subsequently received from Lord Keith, he
was permitted to wear, when quitting the ship.
About half-past nine in the evening, Mons. Bertrand told me that
Buonaparte was desirous of seeing me. On going into his cabin, he
said, "Bertrand informs me you have received orders to remove me to
the Northumberland; is it so?" I answered in the affirmative. "Have
you any objection," he said, "to writing a letter to Bertrand,
acquainting him of it; that I may have a document to prove that I was
forced to quit the ship, and that my inclinations were not
consulted." I replied, "I can have no objection to write such a
letter, and shall do it this evening." I was then going to retire,
when he requested me to remain, having more to say. "Your Government,"
he continued, "has treated me with much severity, and in a very
different way from what I had hoped and expected, from the opinion I
had formed of the character of your countrymen. It is true I have
always been the enemy of England, but it has ever been an open and
declared one; and I paid it the highest compliment it was possible for
man to do in throwing myself on the generosity of your Prince: I have
not now to learn, however, that it is not fair to judge of the
character of a people by the conduct of their Government." He then
went on, (alluding to the Government,) "They say I made no conditions.
Certainly I made no conditions; how could an individual enter into
terms with a nation? I wanted nothing of them but hospitality, or, as
the ancients would express it, 'air and water.' My only wish was to
purchase a small property in England, and end my life there in peace
and tranquillity. As for you, Capitaine," (the name by which he always
addressed me) "I have no cause of complaint; your conduct to me has
been that of a man of honour; but I cannot help feeling the severity
of my fate, in having the prospect of passing the remainder of my life
on a desert island. But," added he with a strong emphasis, "if your
Government give up Savary and Lallemand to the King of France, they
will inflict a stain upon the British name that no time can efface." I
told him, in that respect, they were under an erroneous impression;
that I was convinced it was not the intention of his Majesty's
Ministers to deliver them up. "Je l'espere," "I hope so;" was his only
reply.--I then took my leave of him for the night.
That I may not break in upon the occurrences of the 7th, I shall here
insert the letter I wrote at Buonaparte's request, and a copy of the
orders under which I acted in removing him from the Bellerophon to the
Northumberland.
"H.M.S. Bellerophon, Start Bay,
7th August, 1815.
"SIR,
"I beg to acquaint you that I have this day received orders from Lord
Keith, Commander in Chief of the Channel Fleet, to remove General
Buonaparte from the ship I command, to his Majesty's ship
Northumberland; and I have to request you will intimate the above to
the General, that he may prepare for the removal.
"I likewise enclose a copy of an order respecting the arms of General
Buonaparte and the whole of his attendants, and request you will give
directions for their being delivered to me, that they may be disposed
of as the order directs.
"I have the honour to be,
&c. &c. &c.
FRED. L. MAITLAND."
"Lieut. General Count Bertrand."
Copy of the order alluded to.
"By the Right Hon. Viscount Keith, G.C.B.,
&c. &c. &c.
"You are hereby required and directed to deliver the persons, named
below, into the charge of Rear Admiral Sir George Cockburn.
"Given on board the Tonnant,
At anchor under Berryhead,
7th August, 1815.
KEITH, Admiral.
"By command of the Admiral,
"JAMES MEEK, Secretary."
"To F. L. Maitland, Esq.
Captain of H.M.S. Bellerophon."
General Buonaparte.
Count Bertrand, his Wife, three children, one female servant, and
her child.
General Montholon, his Wife, one child, and one female servant.
General Gourgaud.
Le Comte de Las Cases, and his son.
Marchand, Premier Valet de Chambre.
St Denis, ditto.
Novarra, ditto.
Pieron, Chef d'Office.
Le Page, Cuisinier.
Archambaud, Premier Valet de Pied.
Gentilini, Valet de Pied.
Bernard, domestique du Comte Bertrand.
The four domestics underneath, who had come to England in the
Myrmidon, also accompanied him:--
Cipriani, Maitre d'Hotel.
Santini, Huissier.
Rousseau, Lampiste.
Archambaud, Valet de Pied.
Extract of a Letter from Admiral Viscount Keith, G.C.B., addressed to
Captain Maitland, of H.M.S. Bellerophon, dated Tonnant, off Berryhead,
7th August, 1815.
"When the General quits the ship, it is not intended to take his sword
from him, but to let him wear it, but not the others. Pistols, guns,
&c. must, _as in all instances_, be removed for the safety of the
ship, but the arms are carefully to be kept, and restored at a proper
occasion."
On the morning of the 7th of August, 1815, Count Las Cases made an
application to me for permission to wait on Lord Keith, having a
communication to make to him. I, in consequence, went to his Lordship,
and obtained leave to send him. When the Admiral came on board the
Bellerophon, in the forenoon, to attend Buonaparte in his removal to
the Northumberland, he informed me that Monsieur Las Cases had
represented to him, that I had promised Buonaparte should be well
received in England, and allowed to remain there; and the same day he
wrote a letter to me containing the above statement, and directing me
to report upon it, which I afterwards did, as will hereafter appear.
Count Bertrand was employed, during the morning, making out a list of
those that were to proceed to St Helena with Buonaparte, in which
General Gourgaud's name was omitted, and Colonel Planat was nominated
his Secretary. This offended Monsieur Gourgaud so much, that he made
use of some very strong language to General Bertrand; and after a good
deal of altercation, it was arranged, I believe by Buonaparte himself,
that Gourgaud should take Planat's place. There was also another cause
of disagreement. The number of domestics allowed to go to St Helena
being only twelve, did not admit of all the officers taking their
personal attendants; General Montholon was obliged to leave a servant
who had been with him many years, and Count Bertrand's was the only
exception.
General Bertrand had been so much employed all the morning making
preparations for their removal, that he did not come to breakfast
until every one had finished; his wife remained at the table, as I did
also, as a mark of attention to him. She soon commenced an attack on
her husband, to induce him to quit Buonaparte and remain in England.
He seemed much distressed, but remained silent. At last, she turned to
me, and begged I would give an opinion, and use my influence in favour
of her proposal. I said, "Madame Bertrand, I have from the beginning
endeavoured to avoid meddling in the very unpleasant discussions that
have been going on for some days; but, as you demand my opinion, and
force me to give it, I must acquaint you that I think, if your
husband quits his master at such a time as the present, he will
forfeit the very high character he now bears in this country." I then
rose from the table and went upon deck.
A short time after, Madame Bertrand came on deck, and, addressing me
with much indignation in her countenance, said, "So, Captain Maitland,
I hear the Emperor is not to have the whole of the after-cabin on
board the Northumberland." I told her, I understood that Sir George
Cockburn had received orders to that effect. "They had better treat
him like a dog at once," said she, "and put him down in the hold." I
had for several days been kept in a state of irritation that cannot be
described, and such as few people have had an opportunity of
experiencing. Madame Bertrand had, it will be readily understood, some
share in causing this; and on her making the above remark, I am sorry
to say, the little self-possession that still remained gave way, and I
answered in these words, "Madam, you talk like a very foolish woman;
and if you cannot speak more to the purpose, or with more respect of
the Government I have the honour to serve, I request you will not
address yourself to me." Just before she went out of the ship,
however, she came up to me in a conciliatory and friendly manner, that
did her the highest honour, and said, "Captain Maitland, you called me
a very foolish woman this morning, but I should be sorry to part with
you on bad terms; have you any objection to shake hands with me? as
God knows if we shall ever meet again." "Very far from it," I
answered; "I should be extremely sorry you left the ship without
receiving my good wishes for your happiness and prosperity; and if, in
the warmth of my temper, and under the harassing circumstances of my
situation, I have said anything unpleasant, I most sincerely beg your
pardon, and hope you will forgive and forget it."