Memoirs of Napoleon, vol 4 | Page 4

Royal Artillery
1891

CONTENTS:
Chapter XXVII.
to
Chapter XXXV.

CHAPTER XXVII.
1799-1800.
Difficulties of a new Government--State of Europe--Bonaparte's wish
for peace--M. de Talleyrand Minister for Foreign Affairs-- Negotiations
with England and Austria--Their failure--Bonaparte's views on the
East--His sacrifices to policy--General Bonaparte denounced to the
First Consul--Kleber's letter to the Directory-- Accounts of the
Egyptian expedition published in the Moniteur-- Proclamation to the
army of the East--Favour and disgrace of certain individuals accounted
for.
When a new Government rises on the ruins of one that has been
overthrown, its best chance of conciliating the favour of the nation, if
that nation be at war, is to hold out the prospect of peace; for peace is
always dear to a people. Bonaparte was well aware of this; and if in his
heart he wished otherwise, he knew how important it was to seem to
desire peace. Accordingly, immediately after his installation at the
Luxembourg he notified to all the foreign powers his accession to the
Consulate, and, for the same purpose, addressed letters to all the
diplomatic agents of the French Government abroad.
The day after he got rid of his first two colleagues, Sieyes and Roger
Ducos, he prepared to open negotiations with the Cabinet of London.
At that time we were at war with almost the whole of Europe. We had
also lost Italy. The Emperor of Germany was ruled by his Ministers,
who in their turn were governed by England. It was no easy matter to
manage equally the organization of the Consular Government and the
no less important affairs abroad; and it was very important to the
interests of the First Consul to intimate to foreign powers, while at the
same time he assured himself against the return of the Bourbons, that

the system which he proposed to adopt was a system of order and
regeneration, unlike either the demagogic violence of the Convention
or the imbecile artifice of the Directory. In fulfilment of this object
Bonaparte directed M. de Talleyrand, the new Minister for Foreign
Affairs, to make the first friendly overtures to the English Cabinet: A
correspondence ensued, which was published at the time, and which
showed at once the conciliatory policy of Bonaparte and the arrogant
policy of England.
The exchange of notes which took place was attended by no immediate
result. However, the First Consul had partly attained his object: if the
British Government would not enter into negotiations for peace, there
was at least reason to presume that subsequent overtures of the
Consular Government might be listened to. The correspondence had at
all events afforded Bonaparte the opportunity of declaring his
principles, and above all, it had enabled him to ascertain that the return
of the Bourbons to France (mentioned in the official reply of Lord
Grenville) would not be a sine qua non condition for the restoration of
peace between the two powers.
Since M. de Talleyrand had been Minister for Foreign Affairs the
business of that department had proceeded with great activity. It was an
important advantage to Bonaparte to find a nobleman of the old regime
among the republicans. The choice of M. de Talleyrand was in some
sort an act of courtesy to the foreign Courts. It was a delicate attention
to the diplomacy of Europe to introduce to its members, for the purpose
of treating with them, a man whose rank was at least equal to their own,
and who was universally distinguished for a polished elegance of
manner combined with solid good qualities and real talents.
It was not only with England that Bonaparte and his Minister
endeavoured to open negotiations; the Consular Cabinet also offered
peace to the House of Austria; but not at the same time. The object of
this offer was to sow discord between the two powers. Speaking to me
one day of his earnest wish to obtain peace Bonaparte said, "You see,
Bourrienne, I have two great enemies to cope with. I will conclude
peace with the one I find most easy to deal with. That will enable me

immediately to assail the other. I frankly confess that I should like best
to be at peace with England. Nothing would then be more easy than to
crush Austria. She has no money except what she gets through
England."
For a long time all negotiations proved abortive. None of the European
powers would acknowledge the new Government, of which Bonaparte
was the head; and the battle of Marengo was required before the peace
of Amiens could be obtained.
Though the affairs of the new Government afforded abundant
occupation to Bonaparte, he yet found leisure to direct attention to the
East--to that land of despotism whence, judging from his subsequent
conduct, it might be presumed he derived his first principles of
government. On becoming the