no other account would I in Capt. M.'s place consent to alter a
word of a narrative written down at the time; and this you may
depend upon, that the more minute the narrative is the more it
will be interesting to the public. Minuteness is in itself the
voucher for authenticity. I presume to press this general remark.

The whole narrative is as fine, manly, and explicit an account as
ever was given of so interesting a transaction. It is one in
which Captain Maitland not only vindicates his own character, but
guarantees that of the British nation. I really, since an
opportunity is given me by Capt. Maitland's confidence, protest
against its being snipped and clipped like the feet of the
ladies who wished to qualify themselves for the glass slipper.

The corrections in point of mere style are generally for the
better, and, I think, ought to be adopted. But let an idea get
abroad that your narrative has been altered and modified to suit
existing times, and the public suspicion will greatly outrun the
fact and suppose that material cancels or alterations have been
made.]

APPENDIX.

So many erroneous statements have gone abroad, as to the terms of
Buonaparte's reception on board the Bellerophon, that I conceive it
right to give the following correspondence, although at the expense of
some repetition; in order to its being distinctly seen, that the good
faith of the British nation was not compromised on that occasion, but
that His Majesty's Government were at perfect liberty, as far as those
terms were concerned, to act as they thought best.

"Tonnant, at anchor under Berryhead,
7th August, 1815.

"SIR,

"Count Las Cases having this morning stated to me that he understood
from you, when he was on board the Bellerophon in Basque Roads, on a
mission from General Buonaparte, that you were authorized to receive
the General and his suite on board the ship you command, for
conveyance to England; and that you assured him, at the same time,
that both the General and his suite would be well received there; you
are to report for my information, such observations as you may
consider it necessary to make upon these assertions.

"I am, Sir,
Your most obedient,
humble servant,