MEMOIRS

201
20115

André França

OF

COUNT MIOT DE MELITO,

MINISTER, AMBASSADOR, COUNCILLOR OF STATE, AND MEMBER OF THE INSTITUTE OF FRANCE, BETWEEN THE YEARS 1788 AND 1815.

EDITED BY

GENERAL FLEISCHMANN.

Universi
MICHIGAN

From the French by

MRS. CASHEL HOEY AND MR. JOHN LILLIE.

IN TWO VOLUMES.

VOL. II.

LONDON:

SAMPSON LOW, MARSTON, SEARLE, & RIVINGTON,

CROWN BUILDINGS, 188 FLEET STREET.

1881.

LONDON:

PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LIMITED,

STAMFORD STREET AND CHARING CROSS.

CONTENTS OF VOL. II.

CHAPTER I.

The First Consul is obliged to accept the principle of

heredity in the succession to the supreme magistracy—

Address from the Senate, asking for that guarantee of

stability-Public opinion is in favour of heredity-

Preliminary debate on the date of the adoption of that

principle, and on the title to be assumed by the Chief of

the State-Bonaparte makes it a point that hereditary

power should be offered to him by the Revolutionary

Party-Restrictions placed by him on the hereditary

system-The question is discussed by the Council of

State-The First Consul reverts to the idea of adopting

the son of Louis Bonaparte as his successor-He makes

an overture to Louis with that view-Indignation of the

latter and of Joseph Bonaparte-The First Consul is

reconciled with his brothers, and resolves to include.

them in the succession-Louis is appointed General of

Division, and Joseph accepts command of a regiment of

the line--A Privy Council summoned at St. Cloud adopts

heredity, and decrees that Bonaparte shall assume the

title of Emperor, and shall be consecrated and crowned

as such-The First Consul sends a message to the Senate

to elicit a clearer statement on the new institutions that

are to be established-The Senate appoints a Committee

for that purpose-At the Tribunate, a motion, offering

the Crown to Bonaparte, is made by Curée, and seconded

by Simeon-The Senatus-Consultum adopting the pro-

PAGE

position of the Tribunate is submitted to the Council of

State, and is definitively adopted by that body-The

Senate conveys to the First Consul at St. Cloud the law

proclaiming Napoleon Bonaparte Emperor of the French 1-2

CHAPTER II.

Creation of the great Dignitaries of the Empire-The

denomination of Citizen is abolished and the title of

Monsieur restored-Failure of a tragedy by Carrion-Nisas

at the Théâtre Français-New oath taken by members

of the great authorities of the State-New seal of State

-Trial of Georges Cadoudal, Pichegru, and their accom-

plices-Suicide of Pichegru-Verdict-Moreau is con-

demned to two years' imprisonment-Clemency of the

Emperor-Eagerness of the numerous place-hunters, and

seekers after favour at the Imperial Court-Negotiations

in Rome to induce the Pope to come to Paris and con-

secrate the Emperor-Dissensions in the Council of

State respecting the date and ceremonies of the corona-

tion-Debate on the framing of the Criminal Code-

Attempt of the Government to abolish trial by jury-

The author visits Prince Joseph at Boulogne-Sim-

plicity of the habits of the latter; his affected disdain

of the high rank to which he is raised by the elevation of

his brother Napoleon-The army at Boulogne-Prepara-

tions for the descent on England-The Author, sum-

moned to St. Cloud, is appointed by the Emperor to

undertake the High Police of the Northern Departments

of France-His conversation with Napoleon on the

subject of Prince Joseph ..

CHAPTER III.

The ceremonial of the distribution of the crosses of the

Legion of Honour in Paris-The Emperor proceeds to

Boulogne and performs the same ceremony at the camp

43

CONTENTS.

-His return to Paris is followed by that of Prince

Joseph-Russia and England-The Emperor's satisfac-

tion at the prospect of a Continental war- -He discloses

gigantic projects to his generals in order to stimulate

their ambition-He detaches himself from the Re-

publican party, and inclines to the old nobility-The

ambassador of Austria is furnished with new letters of

credit to the Emperor of the French-The Pope consents

to come to Paris for the Coronation-That solemnity is

definitely fixed for the beginning of December—The

formation of the Emperor's household and of those of

his brothers-Curious omission in the wording of the

National Vote on the Imperial succession-Discussion

on the ceremonial of the coronation+Violent altercation

between Napoleon and Joseph-An explanation takes

place between the Emperor and Prince Joseph at

Fontainebleau, in consequence of which the latter con-

forms to the views of his brother-The result of the

votes of the people on the Imperial system is taken in

State to the Tuileries by the Senate-Coronation and

consecration of the Emperor and Empress, followed

by numerous fêtes-Solemn opening of the Legislative

session-Addresses from the Legislative Body and

the Tribunate an incident relating to the terms used

in those addresses

PAGE

73

CHAPTER IV.

The Emperor again offers the crown of Lombardy to

Prince Joseph, who refuses it-He wishes to bestow it

on the son of Prince Louis, but the latter also declines

Napoleon's proposal-In consequence of this refusal, the

Emperor destines Eugene Beauharnais to the throne of

Italy, and raises him, as well as General Murat, to

princely rank-Hostile attitude of the Northern Powers

-The Emperor explains at the Council of State the