dy he was
then in. This, however, turned out to be a subpoena for Bonaparte as a
witness at a trial in the Court of King's Bench; and, indeed, a person
attempted to get on board the Bellerophon to serve the document; but he
was foiled in his intention; though, had he succeeded, the subpoena
would, in the situation wherein the ex-Emperor then stood, have been
without avail.
On the 5th Captain Maitland, having been summoned to the flag-ship of
Lord Keith, acquainted General Bertrand that he would convey to the
Admiral anything which Bonaparte (who had expressed an urgent wish to see
his lordship) might desire to say to him. Bertrand requested the captain
to delay his departure until a document, then in preparation, should be
completed: the "PROTEST OF HIS MAJESTY THE LATE EMPEROR OF THE FRENCH,
ETC."
Captain Maitland denied that any snare was laid for Bonaparte, either by
himself or by the English Government, and stated that the precautions for
preventing the escape of Napoleon from Rochefort were so well ordered
that it was impossible to evade them; and that the fugitive was compelled
to surrender himself to the English ship.
On the 7th of August Bonaparte, with the suite he had selected, was
transferred from the 'Bellerophon' to the 'Northumberland'. Lord Keith's
barge was prepared for his conveyance to the latter vessel, and his
lordship was present on the occasion. A captain's guard was turned out,
and as Napoleon left the 'Bellerophon' the marines presented arms, and
the drum was beaten as usual in saluting a general officer. When he
arrived on board the Northumberland the squadron got under weigh, and
Napoleon sailed for the place of his final exile and grave.'
--[For the continuation of Napoleon's voyage see Chapter XIII.]--
CHAPTER XI.
1815.
My departure from Hamburg-The King at St. Denis--Fouche appointed
Minister of the Police--Delay of the King's entrance into Paris--
Effect of that delay--Fouche's nomination due to the Duke of
Wellington--Impossibility of resuming my post--Fouche's language
with respect to the Bourbons--His famous postscript--Character of
Fouche--Discussion respecting the two cockades--Manifestations of
public joy repressed by Fouche--Composition of the new Ministry--
Kind attention of Blucher--The English at St. Cloud--Blucher in
Napoleon's cabinet--My prisoner become my protector--Blucher and the
innkeeper's dog--My daughter's marriage c
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