ties. Austrian troops had disregarded her neutrality
and trespassed on her territory; the land was full of French
deserters, and England, recalling her successes in the same line
during the American Revolution, had established a press in the city
for printing counterfeit French money, which was sent by secret
mercantile communications to Marseilles, and there was put into
circulation. It was consequently soon determined to amplify greatly
the plan of campaign, and likewise to send a mission to Genoa.
Buonaparte was himself appointed the envoy, and thus became the pivot
of both movements--that against Piedmont and that against Genoa.

CHAPTER XIX.

Vicissitudes in War and Diplomacy.

Signs of Maturity -- The Mission to Genoa -- Course of the
French Republic -- The "Terror" -- Thermidor -- Buonaparte a
Scapegoat -- His Prescience -- Adventures of His Brothers --
Napoleon's Defense of His French Patriotism -- Bloodshedding
for Amusement -- New Expedition Against Corsica --
Buonaparte's Advice for Its Conduct.

[Sidenote: 1794.]

Buonaparte's plan for combining operations against both Genoa and
Sardinia was at first hazy. In his earliest efforts to expand and
clarify it, he wrote a rambling document, still in existence, which
draws a contrast between the opposite policies to be adopted with
reference to Italy and Spain. In it he also calls attention to the
scarcity of officers suitable for concerted action in a great
enterprise, and a remark concerning the course to be pursued in this
particular case contains the germ of his whole military system.
"Combine your forces in a war, as in a siege, on one point. The breach
once made, equilibrium is destroyed, everything else is useless, and
the place is taken. Do not conceal, but concentrate, your attack." In
the matter of politics he sees Germany as the main prop of opposition
to democracy; Spain is to be dealt with on the defensive, Italy on the
offensive. But, contrary to what he actually did in the following
year, he advises against proceeding too far into Piedmont, lest the
adversary should gain the advantage of position. This paper
Robespierre the younger had in his pocket when he left for Paris,
summoned to aid his brother in difficulties which were now pressing
fast upon him.

Ricord was left behind to direct, at least nominally, the movements
both of the armies and of the embassy to Genoa. Buonaparte continued
to be the real