1800.

RAPP'S ALSACIAN FRANKNESS.

399

admission to the honour. I can probably tell the reason why one of the two aides de camp has risen higher than the other. Rapp had an Alsacian frankness which always injured him.1

1 Several instances of this will be found in Rapp's Memoirs, which may indeed partly explain why he was only count when Savary was a duke. A Corsican connection being introduced into Napoleon's room, Rapp, as in the case of Georges Cadoudal (see ante), would not at first withdraw, and when ordered out left the door ajar, telling Napoleon afterwards, "I do not like your Corsicans." On another occasion, "Rapp," said Napoleon, having a quantity of French gold before him, "do not the Germans like these little napoleons?"—"Yes, Sire, much more than they do the great one."-" See," answered Napoleon, "what may be called German frankness" (Rapp, p. 25).

CHAPTER XXXVII.

1800.

Suspension of hostilities-Letter to the Consuls-Second occupation of Milan— Bonaparte and Masséna-Public acclamations and the voice of JosephineStray recollections-Organisation of Piedmont-Sabres of honour-Rewards to the army of the Rhine-Pretended army of reserve-General ZachAnniversary of the 14th of July-Monument to Desaix-Desaix and Foy -Bonaparte's speech in the Temple of Mars-Arrival of the Consular Guard -The bones of Marshal Turenne-Lucien's successful speech-Letter from Lucien to Joseph Bonaparte-The First Consul's return to Paris-Accidents on the road-Difficulty of gaining lasting fame-Assassination of Kléber -Situation of the terrace on which Kleber was stabbed-Odious rumours -Arrival of a courier-A night scene-Bonaparte's distress on perusing the despatches from Egypt.

WHAT little time, and how few events sometimes suffice to change the destiny of nations! We left Milan on the 13th of June, Marengo on the 14th, and on the 15th Italy was ours! A suspension of hostilities between the French and Austrian armies was the immediate result of a single battle; and by virtue of a convention, concluded between Berthier and Melas, we resumed possession of all the fortified places of any importance, with the exception of Mantua. As soon as this convention was signed Bonaparte dictated to me at Torre di Galifolo the following letter to his colleagues :—

The day after the battle of Marengo, CITIZENS CONSULS, General Melas transmitted a message to our advance posts requesting permission to send General Skal to me. During the day the convention, of which I send you a copy, was drawn up, and at night it was signed by Generals Berthier and Melas. I hope the French people will be satisfied with the conduct of their army.1 (Signed) BONAPARTE.

1 The nephew of Cambacérès points out that Bourrienne has omitted the heading of this letter, "To the Consuls of the Republic," and also its ending, "I shall be at Milan this evening," "I salute you affectionately." This last formula, he says, Napoleon seems to have attached some importance to, as in other original letters, where Bourrienne in his haste had omitted it, Napoleon had added it with his own hands (Erreurs, tome ii. p. 185).

1800.

THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE.

401

The only thing worthy of remark in this letter would be the concluding sentence, in which the First Consul still affected to acknowledge the sovereignty of the people, were it not that the words "Citizens Consuls" were evidently foisted in with a particular design. The battle was gained; and even in a trifling matter like this it was necessary that the two other Consuls should feel that they were not so much the colleagues as the subordinates of the First Consul.

We returned to Milan, and our second occupation of that city was marked by continued acclamations wherever the First Consul showed himself. At Milan the First Consul now saw Masséna for the first time since our departure for Egypt. Bonaparte lavished upon him the highest praises, but not higher than he deserved, for his admirable defence of Genoa. He named him his successor in the command of the army of Italy. Moreau was on the Rhine, and therefore none but the conqueror of Zurich could properly have succeeded the First Consul in that command. The great blow was struck; but there might still occur an emergency requiring the presence of a skilful experienced general, well acquainted with the country. And besides, we could not be perfectly at ease, until it was ascertained what conditions would be adhered to by the Cabinet of Vienna, which was then entirely under the influence of the Cabinet of London.

After our return from the battle the popular joy was general and heartfelt, not only among the higher and middle ranks of society, but in all classes; and the affection evinced from all quarters to the First Consul was unfeigned. In what a tone of sincerity did he say to me one day, when returning from the parade, "Bourrienne, do you hear the acclamations still resounding? That noise is as sweet to me as the sound of Josephine's voice. How happy and proud I am to be loved by such a people!"

During our stay at Milan Bonaparte had arranged a new government for Piedmont; he had ever since cherished. the wish to unite that rich and fertile country to the French territory because some Piedmontese provinces had been possessed by Louis XIV. That monarch was the only king whom the First Consul really admired. "If," said he one

VOL. I.

26

day, "Louis XIV. had not been born a king, he would have been a great man. But he did not know mankind; he could not know them, for he never knew misfortune." He admired the resolution of the old King, who would rather bury himself under the ruins of the monarchy than submit to degrading conditions, after having commanded the sovereigns of Europe. I recollect that Bonaparte was extremely pleased to see in the reports which he ordered to be made that in Casal, and in the valleys of Pignerol, Latour, and Luzerne, there still existed many traces of the period when those countries belonged to France; and that the French language was yet preserved there. He already began to identify himself with the past; and abusing the old kings of France was not the way to conciliate his favour.

The First Consul appointed for the government of Piedmont a Council which, as may naturally be imagined, he composed of those Piedmontese who were the declared partisans of France. He stated as the grounds of this arrangement that it was to give to Piedmont a new proof of the affection and attachment of the French people. He afterwards appointed General Dupont President of the Council, with the title of Minister-Extraordinary of the French Government. I will here mention a secret step taken by Bonaparte towards the overthrowing of the Republic. In making the first draught of General Dupont's appointment I had mechanically written, “Minister-Extraordinary of the French Republic.' "No! no!" said Bonaparte, "not of the Republic; say of the Government."

On his return to Paris the First Consul gave almost incredible proofs of his activity. The day after his arrival he promulgated a great number of decrees, and afterwards allotted the rewards to his soldiers. He appointed Kellerman a general of division which, on every principle of justice, he ought to have done on the field of battle. He distributed sabres of honour, with the following inscription, highly complimentary to himself:—

"Battle of Maringo, commanded in person by the First Consul. -Given by the Government of the Republic to General Lannes.”

1 Spelt for some time, I do not know why, as Maringo.-Bourrienne.

1800.

REWARDS AND DECORATIONS.

403

Similar sabres were presented to Generals Victor, Watrin, Gardanne, and Murat; and sabres of less value to other officers: and also muskets and drumsticks of honour to the soldiers and drummers who had distinguished themselves at Marengo, or in the army of the Rhine; for Bonaparte took care that the officers and men who had fought under Moreau should be included among those to whom the national rewards were presented. He even had a medal struck to perpetuate the memory of the entry of the French army into Munich. It is worthy of remark that while official fabrications and exaggerated details of facts were published respecting Marengo and the short campaign of Italy, by a feigned modesty the victorious army of Marengo received the unambitious title of Army of Reserve. By this artifice the honour of the Constitution was saved. The First Consul had not violated it. If he had marched to the field, and staked everything on a chance, it was merely accidentally, for he commanded only an "Army of Reserve," which nevertheless he had greeted with the title of Grand Army before he entered upon the campaign. It is scarcely conceivable that Bonaparte, possessing as he did an extraordinary mind, should have descended to such pitiful artifices.1

Even foreigners and prisoners were objects of Bonaparte's designing attentions. I recollect one evening his saying to me, "Bourrienne, write to the Minister of War, and tell him to select a fine brace of pistols, of the Versailles manufacture, and send them, in my name, to General Zach. He dined with me to-day, and highly praised our manufacture of arms. I should like to give him a token of remembrance; besides, -the matter will be talked of at Vienna, and may perhaps do good!"

As soon as the news of the battle of Marengo reached Paris Lucien Bonaparte, Minister of the Interior, ordered preparations for the festival, fixed for the 14th of July, in commemoration of the first Federation. This festival and that of the 1st Vendémiaire were the only ones preserved

1 Thiers (tome vi. p. 70) says the title Grande Armée was first given by Napoleon to the force prepared in 1805 for the campaign against Austria. The Constitution forbad the First Consul to command the armies in person. Hence the title, "Army of Reserve," given to the force which fought Marengo.