The Tragedy of St. Helena | Page 4

taken into
consideration the request made by the French Government for an
authorisation to remove the remains of the Emperor Napoleon from St.
Helena to France, you are instructed to inform M. Thiers that Her
Majesty's Government will with pleasure accede to the request. Her
Majesty's Government entertains hopes that its readiness to comply
with the wish expressed will be regarded in France as a proof of Her
Majesty's desire to efface every trace of those national animosities

which, during the life of the Emperor, engaged the two nations in war.
Her Majesty's Government feels pleasure in believing that such
sentiments, if they still exist, will be buried for ever in the tomb
destined to receive the mortal remains of Napoleon. Her Majesty's
Government, in concert with that of France, will arrange the measures
necessary for effecting the removal.
--(Signed) PALMERSTON."
One of the chief features of this State document is its veiled condition
that in consideration of H.B.M. Government giving up the remains of
Napoleon, it is to be understood that every trace of national animosity
is to be effaced. Another is, now that his mortal remains are in question,
he is styled "the Emperor Napoleon." Twenty-five years before, when
the atrocious crime of captivity was planned, Lord Keith, in the name
of the British Government, addressed a communication to "General
Bonaparte." The title of Emperor which his countrymen had given to
him was, until his death, officially ignored, and he was only allowed to
be styled "General" Bonaparte--the rank which the British Government
in that hour of his misfortune thought best suited to their illustrious
captive. He was, in fact, so far as rank was concerned, to be put on a
level with some and beneath others who followed him into captivity.
Well might he "protest in the face of Heaven and mankind against the
violence that was being enacted" towards him. Well might he appeal to
history to avenge him. There is nothing in history to equal the
malignancy of the conquerors' treatment of their fallen foe. We shall
see now and hereafter prejudices making way, reluctantly it may be, but
surely, for the justice that should be done him.
Three days after the gracious reply of the British Government, May 20,
1840, the French King signified his desire to carry out the wishes of the
Chambers by putting the following document before them:--
"GENTLEMEN,--The King has commanded Prince Joinville [his son]
to repair with his frigate to the island of St. Helena, there to receive the
mortal remains of the Emperor Napoleon. The frigate containing the
remains of Napoleon will present itself, on its return, at the mouth of
the Seine; another vessel will convey them to Paris; they will be

deposited in the Hospital of the Invalides. Solemn ceremonies, both
religious and military, will inaugurate the tomb which is to retain them
for ever. It is of importance, gentlemen, that this august sepulture
should not be exposed on a public place, amidst a noisy and unheeding
crowd. The remains must be placed in a silent and sacred spot, where
all those who respect glory and genius, greatness and misfortune, may
visit them in reverential tranquillity.
"He was an Emperor and a King, he was the legitimate sovereign of our
country, and, under this title, might be interred at St. Denis; but the
ordinary sepulture of kings must not be accorded to Napoleon; he must
still reign and command on the spot where the soldiers of France find a
resting-place, and where those who are called upon to defend her will
always seek for inspiration. His sword will be deposited in his tomb.
"Beneath the dome of the temple consecrated by religion to the God of
Armies, a tomb worthy, _if possible_, of the name destined to be
graven on it will be erected. The study of the artist should be to give to
this monument a simple beauty, a noble form, and that aspect of
solidity which shall appear to brave all the efforts of time. Napoleon
must have a monument durable as his memory. The grant for which we
have applied to the Chambers is to be employed in the removal of the
remains to the Invalides, the funeral obsequies, and the construction of
the tomb. We doubt not, gentlemen, that the Chamber will concur with
patriotic emotion in the royal project which we have laid before them.
Henceforth, France, and France alone, will possess all that remains of
Napoleon; his tomb, like his fame, will belong solely to his country.
"The monarchy of 1830 is in fact the sole and legitimate heir of all the
recollections in which France prides itself. It has remained for this
monarchy, which was the first to rally all the strength and conciliate all
the wishes of the French Revolution,