Array Louis Antoine Fauvelet de Bourrienne - The Collected Works of Napoleon Bonaparte

Events of 1803.

February 19th. —New constitution imposed by France on Switzerland.

April 14th.—Bank of France reorganised by Bonaparte; it alone allowed to issue notes.

April 27th. —Death of Toussaint-Louverture at Besançon.

April 30th. —France sells Louisiana to U.S. for £4,000,000 (15 million dollars).

May 22nd.—France declares war against England, chiefly respecting Malta. England having seized all French ships in British harbours previous to war being declared, Napoleon seizes all British tourists in France.

May 31st.—His soldiers occupy Electorate of Hanover.

June 14th.—He visits North of France and Belgium, accompanied by Josephine, and returns to Paris August 12th.

September 27th. —Press censorship established in France.

November 30th. —French evacuate St. Domingo.

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1804

"Everywhere the king of the earth found once more, to put a bridle on his pride,

the inevitable lords of the sea."—Bignon, v. 130.

Events of 1804.

February 15th. —The conspiracy of Pichegru. Moreau arrested, Pichegru ( February 28th ), and Georges Cadoudal ( March 9th ).

March 21st. —Duc D'Enghien shot at Vincennes.

April 6th. —Suicide of Pichegru.

April 30th.—Proposal to make Bonaparte Emperor.

May 4th.—Tribune adopts the proposal.

May 18th.—The First Consul becomes the Emperor Napoleon.

May 19th.—Napoleon confers the dignity of Marshal of the Empire on Berthier, Murat, Moncey, Jourdan, Massena, Augereau, Bernadotte, Soult, Brune, Lannes, Mortier, Ney, Davoust, Bessières, Kellermann, Lefebvre, Perignon, Serrurier.

July 14th. —Inauguration of the Legion of Honour.

No. 1.

To the Empress Josephine.

Pont-de-Bricques, July 21, 1804.

Madame and dear Wife ,—During the four days that I have been away from you I have always been either on horseback or in a conveyance, without any ill effect on my health.

M. Maret tells me that you intend starting on Monday; travelling by easy stages, you can take your time and reach the Spa without tiring yourself.

The wind having considerably freshened last night, one of our gunboats, which was in the harbour, broke loose and ran on the rocks about a league from Boulogne. I believed all lost—men and merchandise; but we managed to save both. The spectacle was grand: the shore sheeted in fire from the alarm guns, the sea raging and bellowing, the whole night spent in anxiety to save these unfortunates or to see them perish! My soul hovered between eternity, the ocean, and the night. At 5 A.M. all was calm, everything saved; and I went to bed with the feeling of having had a romantic and epic dream—a circumstance which might have reminded me that I was all alone, had weariness and soaked garments left me any other need but that of sleep.

Napoleon.

[ Correspondence of Napoleon I., No. 7861, communicated by M. Chambry. ]

No. 2.

To the Empress, at Aix-la-Chapelle.

Boulogne, August 3, 1804.

My Dear ,—I trust soon to learn that the waters have done you much good. I am sorry to hear of all the vexations you have undergone. Please write me often. My health is very good, although I am rather tired. I shall be at Dunkirk in a very few days, and shall write you from there.

Eugène has started for Blois.

Je te couvre de baisers.

Napoleon.

No. 3.

To the Empress, at Aix-la-Chapelle.

Calais, August 6, 1804.

My Dear ,—I arrived at Calais at midnight; I expect to start to-night for Dunkirk. I am in very fair health, and satisfied with what I see. I trust that the waters are doing you as much good as exercise, camp, and seascape are doing me.

Eugène has set off for Blois. Hortense is well. Louis is at Plombières.

I am longing to see you. You are always necessary to my happiness. My very best love.

Napoleon.

No. 4.

To the Empress, at Aix-la-Chapelle.

Ostend, August 14, 1804.

My Dear ,—I have had no letter from you for several days; yet I should be more comfortable if I knew that the waters were efficacious, and how you spend your time. During the past week I have been at Ostend. The day after to-morrow I shall be at Boulogne for a somewhat special fête. Advise me by the courier what you intend to do, and how soon you expect to end your baths.

I am very well satisfied with the army and the flotillas. Eugène is still at Blois. I hear no more of Hortense than if she were on the Congo. I am writing to scold her.

My best love to all.

Napoleon.

No. 5.

To the Empress, at Aix-la-Chapelle.

Arras, Wednesday, August 29, 1804.

Madame and dear Wife ,—I have just reached Arras. I shall stay there to-morrow. I shall be at Mons on Friday, and on Sunday at Aix-la-Chapelle. I am as well satisfied with my journey as with the army. I think I shall pass through Brussels without stopping there; thence I shall go to Maestricht. I am rather impatient to see you. I am glad to hear you have tried the waters; they cannot fail to do you good. My health is excellent. Eugène is well, and is with me.

Very kindest regards to every one.

Bonaparte.

[ Translated from a Letter in the Collection of Baron Heath, Philobiblon Society, vol. xiv. ]

October 2nd. —Sir Sydney Smith attacks flotilla at Boulogne unsuccessfully.

No. 6.

To Josephine, at St. Cloud.

Trèves, October 6, 1804.

My Dear, —I arrive at Trèves the same moment that you arrive at St. Cloud. I am in good health. Do not grant an audience to T——, and refuse to see him. Receive B—— only in general company, and do not give him a private interview. Make promises to sign marriage contracts only after I have signed them.—Yours ever,

Napoleon.

December 1st.—Plebiscite confirms election of Napoleon as Emperor, by 3,500,000 votes to 2000.

December 2nd.—Napoleon crowns himself Emperor, and Josephine Empress, in the presence and with the benediction of the Pope.

General Events.— October 8th. —The negro Dessalines crowned Emperor of St. Domingo, under title of James I.

December 12th. —Spain declares war against England.

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CAMPAIGN OF AUSTERLITZ, 1805.

"To convey an idea of the brilliant campaign of 1805 ... I should, like the almanack-makers, be obliged to note down a victory for every day."—Bourrienne, vol. ii. 323.

"Si jamais correspondence de mari à femme a été intime et fréquente, si jamais continuité et permanence de tendresse a été marquée, c'est bien dans ces lettres écrites, chaque jour presque, par Napoléon à sa femme durant la campagne de l'an XIV."—F. Masson, Joséphine, Impératrice et Reine , 1899, p. 427.

Events of 1805.

March 13th.—Napoleon proclaimed King of Italy.

May 26th.—Crowned at Milan.

June 8th.—Prince Eugène named Viceroy of Italy.

June 23rd.—Lucca made a principality, and given to Elisa Bonaparte.

July 22nd. —Naval battle between Villeneuve and Sir Robert Calder, which saves England from invasion.

August 16th.—Napoleon breaks up camp of Boulogne.