n,
Savary and Lallemand (what their characters or conduct in their own
country may be I know not), threw themselves under the protection of
the British flag; that protection was granted them with the sanction
of my name. It is true, no conditions were stipulated for; but I acted
in the full confidence that their lives would be held sacred, or they
should never have put foot in the ship I command, without being made
acquainted that it was for the purpose of delivering them over to the
laws of their country.

"I again beg leave to repeat to your Lordship, that I am far from
supposing it to be the intention of His Majesty's Government to
deliver these men over to the laws of their country; but, as they are
strongly impressed with that belief, and I look upon myself as the
cause of their being in their present situation, I most earnestly beg
your Lordship's influence may be exerted that two men may not be
brought to the scaffold who claimed and obtained at my hands the
protection of the British flag.

"I have the honour to be,
&c. &c. &c.
"FRED. L. MAITLAND."

"The Viscount Melville,
&c. &c. &c."

I felt convinced that Buonaparte, after the notification he had
received, would be too much depressed in spirits to make his
appearance on deck this day; and sent a boat to some of my friends,
who were waiting in hopes of seeing him, to say there was no chance of
his coming out, as he was much distressed at the communication which
had been made to him. I was, therefore, a good deal surprised, on
turning round, to find him standing at my elbow; and I can only
account for his showing himself as usual, by supposing either that he
was not in fact so much annoyed as I had believed him to be, or that
he was actuated by a desire of creating a feeling of commiseration
among the English people in his behalf.

At dinner he conversed as usual; and, indeed, it was quite astonishing
with what elasticity his spirits regained their usual cheerfulness,
after such trials and disappointments. He never, in my hearing,
threatened to commit suicide; nor do I believe he did on any occasion:
the only expression I ever heard him make use of, that could in any
way be construed into such a threat, was, that he would not go to St
Helena,--"Je n'irai pas a St Helene."

As Buonaparte always retired early to bed, it was the custom for the
French ladies and officers to a