May 24th.—Dantzic surrenders to Lefebvre after two months' siege, with 800 guns and immense stores.
May 24th.—Dantzic surrenders to Lefebvre after two months' siege, with 800 guns and immense stores.
To the Empress, at Lacken.
Finckenstein, May 24, 1807.
Your letter from Lacken just received. I am sorry to see your grief undiminished, and that Hortense has not yet come; she is unreasonable, and does not deserve our love, since she only loves her children.
Try to calm her, and do not make me wretched. For every ill without a remedy consolations must be found.
Adieu, dear.—Yours ever,
Napoleon.
No. 73.
To the Empress, at Lacken.
Finckenstein, May 26, 1807.
I have just received your letter of the 16th. I have seen with pleasure that Hortense has arrived at Lacken. I am annoyed at what you tell me of the state of stupor in which she still is. She must have more courage, and force herself to have it.I cannot imagine why they want her to go to take the waters; she will forget her trouble much better at Paris, and find more sources of consolation.
Show force of character, be cheerful, and keep well. My health is excellent.
Adieu, dear. I suffer much from all your griefs; it is a great trouble to me not to be by your side.
Napoleon.
May 28th.—Lefebvre made Duke of Dantzic by Napoleon.May 29th.—Selim III. deposed in Turkey by Mustapha IV., his nephew.June 1st.—22,000 Spanish troops, sent by Charles IV., join the French army in Germany.
May 28th.—Lefebvre made Duke of Dantzic by Napoleon.
May 29th.—Selim III. deposed in Turkey by Mustapha IV., his nephew.
June 1st.—22,000 Spanish troops, sent by Charles IV., join the French army in Germany.
No. 74.
To the Empress, at Malmaison.
Dantzig, June 2, 1807.
My Dear,—I note your arrival at Malmaison. I have no letters from you; I am vexed with Hortense, she has never written me a line. All that you tell me about her grieves me. Why have you not found her some distractions? Weeping won't do it! I trust you will take care of yourself in order that I may not find you utterly woebegone.
I have been the two past days at Dantzic; the weather is very fine, my health excellent. I think more of you than you are thinking of a husband far away.
Adieu, dear; very kindest regards. Pass on this letter to Hortense.
Napoleon.
No. 75.
To the Empress, at St. Cloud.
Marienburg, June 3, 1807.
This morning I slept at Marienburg. Yesterday I left Dantzic; my health is very good. Every letter that comes fromSt. Cloud tells me you are always weeping. That is not well; it is necessary for you to keep well and be cheerful.
Hortense is still unwell; what you tell me of her makes me very sorry for her.
Adieu, dear; think of all the affection I bear for you.
Napoleon.
June 5th.—Russians defeated at Spanden; Bernadotte wounded.
June 5th.—Russians defeated at Spanden; Bernadotte wounded.
No. 76.
June 6th.—Russians defeated at Deppen by Soult.
June 6th.—Russians defeated at Deppen by Soult.
To the Empress, at St. Cloud.
Finckenstein, June 6, 1807.
My Dear,—I am in flourishing health. Your yesterday's letter pained me; it seems to me that you are always grieving, and that you are not reasonable. The weather is very fine.
Adieu, dear; I love you and wish to see you cheerful and contented.
Napoleon.
June 9th.—Russians defeated at Guttstadt by Napoleon, andJune 10th.—At Heilsberg.June 14th.—Battle of Friedland, completing the "Campaign of Ten Days."
June 9th.—Russians defeated at Guttstadt by Napoleon, and
June 10th.—At Heilsberg.
June 14th.—Battle of Friedland, completing the "Campaign of Ten Days."
No. 77.
To the Empress, at St. Cloud.
Friedland, June 15, 1807.
My Dear,—I write you only a line, for I am very tired, by reason of several days' bivouacking. My children have worthily celebrated the anniversary of the battle of Marengo.
The battle of Friedland will be as celebrated for my people, and equally glorious. The entire Russian army routed, 80 pieces of cannon captured, 30,000 men taken or slain, 25 Russian generals killed, wounded, or taken, the Russian Guard wiped out.The battle is worthy of her sisters—Marengo, Austerlitz, Jena. The bulletin will tell you the rest. My loss is not considerable. I out-manœuvred the enemy successfully.
Be content and without uneasiness.
Adieu, dear; my horse is waiting.
Napoleon.
You may give this news as official, if it arrives before the bulletin. They may also fire salvoes. Cambacères will make the proclamation.
No. 78.
June 16th.—Königsberg captured by Soult—"what was left to the King of Prussia is conquered."
June 16th.—Königsberg captured by Soult—"what was left to the King of Prussia is conquered."
To the Empress, at St. Cloud.
Friedland,June 16, 1807, 4P.M.
My Dear,—Yesterday I despatched Moustache with the news of the battle of Friedland. Since then I have continued to pursue the enemy. Königsberg, which is a town of 80,000 souls, is in my power. I have found there many cannon, large stores, and, lastly, more than 160,000 muskets, which have come from England.
Adieu, dear. My health is perfect, although I have a slight catarrh caused by bivouacking in the rain and cold. Be happy and cheerful.—Yours ever,
Napoleon.
June 17th.—Neisse, in Silesia, with 6000 men, surrenders to the French; alsoJune 18th—Glatz.
June 17th.—Neisse, in Silesia, with 6000 men, surrenders to the French; also
June 18th—Glatz.
No. 79.
To the Empress, at St. Cloud.
Tilsit, June 19, 1807.
This morning I despatched Tascher to you, to calm all your fears. Here all goes splendidly. The battle of Friedland hasdecided everything. The enemy is confounded, overwhelmed, and greatly weakened.
My health is good, and my army is superb.
Adieu, dear. Be cheerful and contented.
Napoleon.
June 21st.—Armistice concluded at Tilsit.
June 21st.—Armistice concluded at Tilsit.
No. 80.
To the Empress, at St. Cloud.
Tilsit, June 22, 1807.
My Dear,—I have your letter of June 10th. I am sorry to see you are so depressed. You will see by the bulletin that I have concluded a suspension of arms, and that we are negotiating peace. Be contented and cheerful.
I despatched Borghèse to you, and, twelve hours later, Moustache; therefore you should have received in good time my letters and the news of the grand battle of Friedland.
I am wonderfully well, and wish to hear that you are happy.—Yours ever,
Napoleon.
No. 81.
To the Empress, at St. Cloud.
Tilsit, June 25, 1807.
My Dear,—I have just seen the Emperor Alexander. I was much pleased with him. He is a very handsome, young, and kind-hearted Emperor; he has more intelligence than people usually give him credit for. To-morrow he will lodge in the town of Tilsit.
Adieu, dear. I am very anxious to hear that you are well and happy. My health is very good.
Napoleon.
No. 82.
To the Empress, at St. Cloud.
Tilsit, July 3, 1807.
My Dear,—M. de Turenne will give you full details of all that has occurred here. Everything goes excellently. I think I told you that the Emperor of Russia drinks your health with much cordiality. He, as well as the King of Prussia, dines with me every day. I sincerely trust that you are happy. Adieu, dear. A thousand loving remembrances.
Napoleon.
No. 83.
To the Empress, at St. Cloud.
Tilsit, July 6, 1807.
I have your letter of June 25th. I was grieved to see that you were selfish, and that the success of my arms should have no charm for you.
The beautiful Queen of Prussia is to come to-morrow to dine with me.
I am well, and am longing to see you again, when destiny shall so order it. Still, it may be sooner than we expect.
Adieu, dear; a thousand loving remembrances.
Napoleon.
No. 84.
July 7th.—Peace signed between France and Russia.
To the Empress, at St. Cloud.
Tilsit, July 7, 1807.
My Dear,—Yesterday the Queen of Prussia dined with me. I had to be on the defence against some further concessions shewished me to make to her husband; but I was very polite, and yet held firmly to my policy. She is very charming. I shall soon give you the details, which I could not possibly give you now unless at great length. When you read this letter, peace with Prussia and Russia will be concluded, and Jerome acknowledged King of Westphalia, with a population of three millions. This news is for yourself alone.
Adieu, dear; I love you, and wish to know that you are cheerful and contented.
Napoleon.
No. 85.
To the Empress, at St. Cloud.
Tilsit, July 8,[26]1807.
The Queen of Prussia is really charming; she is full ofcoquetteriefor me; but don't be jealous; I am an oil-cloth over which all that can only glide. It would cost me too much to play the lover.
Napoleon.
No. 12,875 of theCorrespondence(taken from Las Cases).
July 9th.—Peace signed between France and Prussia, the latter resigning all its possessions between the Rhine and the Elbe.
July 9th.—Peace signed between France and Prussia, the latter resigning all its possessions between the Rhine and the Elbe.
No. 86.
To the Empress, at St. Cloud.
Dresden, July 18, 1807, Noon.
My Dear,—Yesterday I arrived at Dresden at 5P.M., in excellent health, although I remained a hundred hours in the carriage without getting out. I am staying here with the King of Saxony, with whom I am highly pleased. I have now therefore traversed more than half the distance that separates us.
It is very likely that one of these fine nights I may descend upon St. Cloud like a jealous husband, so beware.
Adieu, dear; I shall have great pleasure in seeing you.—Yours ever,
Napoleon.
July 25th.—Plot of Prince Ferdinand of Asturias against his parents, the King and Queen of Spain.July 27th.—Napoleon arrives at St. Cloud,5A.M.August 19th.—Napoleon suppresses the French Tribunate.August 20th.—Marshal Brune captures Stralsund from the Swedes.September 1st.—The Ionian Isles become part of the French Empire.September 5th to 7th.—Bombardment of Copenhagen by the English.September 7th.—Occupation of Rugen by Marshal Brune.October 6th.—War between Russia and Sweden.October 16th.—Treaty of alliance between France and Denmark.October 17th.—Junot with 27,000 men starts for Portugal, with whom France has been nominally at war since 1801.October 27th.—Treaty of Fontainebleau signed between France and Spain. (Plot of Prince Ferdinand against his father discovered at Madrid the same day.)November 8th.—Russia declares war against England.November 15th.—Napoleon constitutes the kingdom of Westphalia, with his brother Jerome as king.November 26th.—Junot enters Abrantès, and onNovember 30th, enters Lisbon.December 9th.—Trade suspended between England and the United States (rerights of neutrals).December 23rd.—France levies a contribution of 100 million francs on Portugal.
July 25th.—Plot of Prince Ferdinand of Asturias against his parents, the King and Queen of Spain.
July 27th.—Napoleon arrives at St. Cloud,5A.M.
August 19th.—Napoleon suppresses the French Tribunate.
August 20th.—Marshal Brune captures Stralsund from the Swedes.
September 1st.—The Ionian Isles become part of the French Empire.
September 5th to 7th.—Bombardment of Copenhagen by the English.
September 7th.—Occupation of Rugen by Marshal Brune.
October 6th.—War between Russia and Sweden.
October 16th.—Treaty of alliance between France and Denmark.
October 17th.—Junot with 27,000 men starts for Portugal, with whom France has been nominally at war since 1801.
October 27th.—Treaty of Fontainebleau signed between France and Spain. (Plot of Prince Ferdinand against his father discovered at Madrid the same day.)
November 8th.—Russia declares war against England.
November 15th.—Napoleon constitutes the kingdom of Westphalia, with his brother Jerome as king.
November 26th.—Junot enters Abrantès, and on
November 30th, enters Lisbon.
December 9th.—Trade suspended between England and the United States (rerights of neutrals).
December 23rd.—France levies a contribution of 100 million francs on Portugal.
"Napoleon was received with unbounded adulation by all the towns of Italy.... He was the Redeemer of France, but the Creator of Italy."—Alison,Hist. of Europe(vol. xi. 280).
(For subjoined Notes to this Series see pages264-267.)
Eugène de Beauharnais
November 16th.—Napoleon leaves Fontainebleau.November 22nd-25th.—At Milan.
November 16th.—Napoleon leaves Fontainebleau.
November 22nd-25th.—At Milan.
No. 1.
To the Empress, at Paris.
Milan, November 25, 1807.
My Dear,—I have been here two days. I am very glad that I did not bring you here; you would have suffered dreadfully in crossing Mont Cenis, where a storm detained me twenty-four hours.
I found Eugène in good health; I am very pleased with him. The Princess is ill; I went to see her at Monza. She has had a miscarriage; she is getting better.
Adieu, dear.
Napoleon.
November 29th to December 7th.—At Venice (writes Talleyrand, "This land is a phenomenon of the power of commerce").
November 29th to December 7th.—At Venice (writes Talleyrand, "This land is a phenomenon of the power of commerce").
No. 2.
To the Empress, at Paris.
Venice, November 30, 1807.
I have your letter of November 22nd. The last two days I have been at Venice. The weather is very bad, which has notprevented me from sailing over the lagoons in order to see the different forts.
I am glad to see you are enjoying yourself at Paris.
The King of Bavaria, with his family, as well as the Princess Eliza, are here.
I am spending December 2nd[27]here, and that past I shall be on my way home, and very glad to see you.
Adieu, dear.
Napoleon.
No. 3.
To the Empress, at Paris.
Udine, December 11, 1807.
My Dear,—I have your letter of December 3rd, from which I note that you were much pleased with the Jardin des Plantes. Here I am at the extreme limit of my journey; it is possible I may soon be in Paris, where I shall be very glad to see you again. The weather has not as yet been cold here, but very rainy. I have profited by this good season up to the last moment, for I suppose that at Christmas the winter will at length make itself felt.
Adieu, dear.—Yours ever,
Napoleon.
December 12th.—At Udine.December 14th.—At Mantua.December 16th.—At Milan (till December 26th).December 17th.—His Milan decree against English commerce.December 27th-28th.—At Turin.1808.January 1st.—At Paris.
December 12th.—At Udine.
December 14th.—At Mantua.
December 16th.—At Milan (till December 26th).
December 17th.—His Milan decree against English commerce.
December 27th-28th.—At Turin.
1808.
January 1st.—At Paris.
"The imbecility of Charles IV., the vileness of Ferdinand, and the corruption of Godoy were undoubtedly the proximate causes of the calamities which overwhelmed Spain."—Napier'sPeninsular War(vol. i. preface).
(For subjoined Notes to this Series see pages267-269.)
"This year offers a strange picture. The Emperor Napoleon was at Venice in the month of January, surrounded by the homage of all the courts and princes of Italy; in the month of April he was at Bayonne, surrounded by that of Spain, and the great personages of that country; and, finally, in the month of October he is at Erfurth, with hisparterreof kings."—Mémoires du Duc de Rovigo.
"This year offers a strange picture. The Emperor Napoleon was at Venice in the month of January, surrounded by the homage of all the courts and princes of Italy; in the month of April he was at Bayonne, surrounded by that of Spain, and the great personages of that country; and, finally, in the month of October he is at Erfurth, with hisparterreof kings."—Mémoires du Duc de Rovigo.
January 27th.—Queen and Prince Regent of Portugal reach Rio de Janeiro.February 2nd.—French troops enter Rome.February 17th.—French occupy Pampeluna, andFebruary 29th.—Barcelona.March 19th.—Charles IV. abdicates, and his son proclaimed Ferdinand VII.March 20th.—Godoy imprisoned by Ferdinand.March 23rd.—Murat enters Madrid.March 27th.—Napoleon excommunicated.April 15th.—Napoleon arrives at Bayonne.
January 27th.—Queen and Prince Regent of Portugal reach Rio de Janeiro.
February 2nd.—French troops enter Rome.
February 17th.—French occupy Pampeluna, and
February 29th.—Barcelona.
March 19th.—Charles IV. abdicates, and his son proclaimed Ferdinand VII.
March 20th.—Godoy imprisoned by Ferdinand.
March 23rd.—Murat enters Madrid.
March 27th.—Napoleon excommunicated.
April 15th.—Napoleon arrives at Bayonne.
No. 1.
To the Empress, at Bordeaux.
Bayonne, April 16, 1808.
I have arrived here in good health, rather tired by a dull journey and a very bad road.
I am very glad you stayed behind, for the houses here are wretched and very small.
I go to-day into a small house in the country, about a mile from the town.
Adieu, dear. Take care of yourself.
No. 2.
To the Empress, at Bordeaux.
Bayonne, April 17, 1808.
I have just received yours of April 15th. What you tell me of the owner of the country-house pleases me. Go and spend the day there sometimes.
I am sending an order for you to have 20,000 francs per month additional while I am away, counting from the 1st of April.
I am lodged atrociously. I am leaving this place in an hour, to occupy a country-house (bastide) about a mile away. The Infant Don Carlos and five or six Spanish grandees are here, the Prince of the Asturias fifty miles away. King Charles and the Queen are due. I know not how I shall lodge all these people. Everything here is still most primitive (à l'auberge). The health of my troops in Spain is good.
It took me some time to understand your little jokes; I have laughed at your recollections. O you women, what memories you have!
My health is fairly good, and I love you most affectionately. I wish you to give my kind regards to everybody at Bordeaux; I have been too busy to send them to anybody.
Napoleon.
April 20th.—Ferdinand arrives at Bayonne.
April 20th.—Ferdinand arrives at Bayonne.
No. 3.
To the Empress, at Bordeaux.
April 21, 1808.
I have just received your letter of April 19th. Yesterday I had the Prince of the Asturias and his suite to dinner, which occasioned me considerable embarrassment. I am waiting for Charles IV. and the Queen.
My health is good. I am now sufficiently recovered for the campaign.
Adieu, dear. Your letters always give me much pleasure.
Napoleon.
No. 4.
To the Empress, at Bordeaux.
Bayonne, April 23, 1808.
My Dear,—A son has been born to Hortense;[28]I am highly delighted. I am not surprised that you tell me nothing of it, since your letter is dated the 21st, and the child was only born on the 20th,[29]during the night.
You can start on the 26th, sleep at Mont de Marsan, and arrive here on the 27th. Have your best dinner-service sent on here on the 25th, in the evening. I have made arrangements for you to have a little house in the country, next to the one I have. My health is good.
I am waiting for Charles IV. and his wife.
Adieu, dear.
Napoleon.
April 30th.—Charles IV. and the Queen arrive at Bayonne.May 1st.—Ferdinand gives back the crown to his father.May 2nd.—Murat subdues insurrection at Madrid.May 5th.—Treaty of Bayonne; Charles IV. and Ferdinand (May 6) surrender to Napoleon their rights to the Spanish crown.May 13th.—Spanish Junta ask for Joseph Bonaparte to be their king.June 6th.—King Joseph proclaimed King of Spain and the Indies by Napoleon, in an imperial decree, dated Bayonne.June 7th.—French, under Dupont, sacked Cordova.June 9th.—Emperor of Austria calls out his militia.June 15th.—French fleet at Cadiz surrender to the Spanish.July 4th.—English cease hostilities with Spain, and recognise Ferdinand VII.July 7th.—Spanish new constitution sworn to by Joseph and by the Junta.July 9th.—Commences the siege of Saragossa.July 14th.—Bessières defeats 40,000 Spaniards at Medina de Rio Seco.July 15th.—Murat declared King of Naples.July 20th.—Joseph enters Madrid.Mahmoud deposed by his younger brother at Constantinople.July 22nd.—Dupont capitulates at Baylen—"the only stain on French arms for twenty years (1792-1812)."—Montgaillard.July 30th.—French protest against Austrian armaments.August 1st.—Wellington landed in Portugal.August 21st.—Battle of Vimiera, creditable to Junot.August 25th.—Spanish troops reoccupy Madrid.August 30th.—Convention of Cintra. French only hold Barcelona, Biscay, Navarre, and Alava, in the whole of Spain.September 8th.—Convention of Paris (Prussia and France); Prussian army not to exceed 40,000 men.
April 30th.—Charles IV. and the Queen arrive at Bayonne.
May 1st.—Ferdinand gives back the crown to his father.
May 2nd.—Murat subdues insurrection at Madrid.
May 5th.—Treaty of Bayonne; Charles IV. and Ferdinand (May 6) surrender to Napoleon their rights to the Spanish crown.
May 13th.—Spanish Junta ask for Joseph Bonaparte to be their king.
June 6th.—King Joseph proclaimed King of Spain and the Indies by Napoleon, in an imperial decree, dated Bayonne.
June 7th.—French, under Dupont, sacked Cordova.
June 9th.—Emperor of Austria calls out his militia.
June 15th.—French fleet at Cadiz surrender to the Spanish.
July 4th.—English cease hostilities with Spain, and recognise Ferdinand VII.
July 7th.—Spanish new constitution sworn to by Joseph and by the Junta.
July 9th.—Commences the siege of Saragossa.
July 14th.—Bessières defeats 40,000 Spaniards at Medina de Rio Seco.
July 15th.—Murat declared King of Naples.
July 20th.—Joseph enters Madrid.Mahmoud deposed by his younger brother at Constantinople.
July 22nd.—Dupont capitulates at Baylen—"the only stain on French arms for twenty years (1792-1812)."—Montgaillard.
July 30th.—French protest against Austrian armaments.
August 1st.—Wellington landed in Portugal.
August 21st.—Battle of Vimiera, creditable to Junot.
August 25th.—Spanish troops reoccupy Madrid.
August 30th.—Convention of Cintra. French only hold Barcelona, Biscay, Navarre, and Alava, in the whole of Spain.
September 8th.—Convention of Paris (Prussia and France); Prussian army not to exceed 40,000 men.
"When he shows as seeking quarter, with paws like hands in prayer,Thatis the time of peril—the time of the truce of the Bear!"
"When he shows as seeking quarter, with paws like hands in prayer,Thatis the time of peril—the time of the truce of the Bear!"
"When he shows as seeking quarter, with paws like hands in prayer,
Thatis the time of peril—the time of the truce of the Bear!"
—Kipling.
(For subjoined Notes to this Series see pages269-273)
No. 1.
To the Empress, at St. Cloud.
Erfurt, September 29, 1808.
I have rather a cold. I have received your letter, dated Malmaison. I am well pleased with the Emperor and every one here.
It is an hour after midnight, and I am tired.
Adieu, dear; take care of yourself.
Napoleon.
No. 2.
To the Empress, at St. Cloud.
October 9, 1808.
My Dear,—I have received your letter. I note with pleasure that you are well. I have just been shooting over the battlefield of Jena. We had breakfast (déjeuné) at the spot where I bivouacked on the night of the battle.
I assisted at the Weimar ball. The Emperor Alexander dances; but not I. Forty years are forty years.
My health is really sound, in spite of a few trifling ailments.
Adieu, dear; I hope to see you soon.—Yours ever,
Napoleon.
No. 3.
To the Empress, at St. Cloud.
My Dear,—I write you seldom; I am very busy. Conversations which last whole days, and which do not improve my cold. Still all goes well. I am pleased with Alexander; he ought to be with me. If he were a woman, I think I should make him my sweetheart.
I shall be back to you shortly; keep well and let me find you plump and rosy.
Adieu, dear.
Napoleon.
"The winter campaign commenced on the 1st of November 1808, and terminated on the 1st of March 1809, to the advantage of the French, who, for that reason, denominate it theImperial Campaign. The Spaniards were long before they could recover from the terror caused by the defeat of their armies, the capture of Madrid, the surrender of Saragossa, and the departure of the English from Corunna."—Sarrazin's History of the War in Spain and Portugal, 1815.
(For subjoined Notes to this Series see pages273-278.)
October 29th.—English enter Spain.October 31st.—Blake defeated by Lefebvre at Tornosa.
October 29th.—English enter Spain.
October 31st.—Blake defeated by Lefebvre at Tornosa.
No. 1.
To the Empress, at Paris.
November 3, 1808.
I arrived to-night[30]with considerable trouble. I had ridden several stages at full speed. Still, I am well.
To-morrow I start for Spain.
My troops are arriving in force.
Adieu, dear.—Yours ever,
Napoleon.
November 4th.—Napoleon enters Spain.
November 4th.—Napoleon enters Spain.
No. 2.
To the Empress, at Paris.
Tolosa, November 5, 1808.
I am at Tolosa. I am starting for Vittoria, where I shall be in a few hours. I am fairly well, and I hope everything will soon be completed.
Napoleon.
No. 3.
To the Empress, at Paris.
Vittoria, November 7.
My Dear,—I have been the last two days at Vittoria. I am in good health. My troops are arriving daily; the Guard arrived to-day.
The King is in very good health. I am very busy.
I know that you are in Paris. Never doubt my affection.
Napoleon.
November 10th.—Battle of Burgos.Soult and Bessières defeat Spaniards, who lose 3000 killed and 3000 prisoners, and 20 cannon.November 12th.—Battle of Espinosa.Marshal Victor defeats La Romana and Blake, who lose 20,000 men and 50 cannon.
November 10th.—Battle of Burgos.Soult and Bessières defeat Spaniards, who lose 3000 killed and 3000 prisoners, and 20 cannon.
November 12th.—Battle of Espinosa.Marshal Victor defeats La Romana and Blake, who lose 20,000 men and 50 cannon.
No. 4.