The Manuscript Of 1814. A History Of Events Which Led To The Abdication Of Napoleon by Baron Agathon Jean François Fain

Author:Baron Agathon Jean François Fain
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pickle Partners Publishing
Published: 2016-01-14T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER III. — INFLUENCE OF THE EVENTS OF PARIS AT FONTAINEBLEAU.

Meanwhile the Duke of Vicenza arrived at Fontainebleau; and on the night of the 2nd of April he presented himself to Napoleon.

Though the Allies had declared themselves against the person of Napoleon, yet hope was not entirely lost. The Duke of Vicenza had obtained an interview with the Allied powers; and had succeeded in bringing about a return of feeling favourable to the interests of the King of Rome and the Empress Regent. This course also had its legitimacy, and carried with it great weight of opinion. It now balanced in the minds of the Sovereigns the opposite resolutions that were suggested to them in favour of the Bourbons. But a speedy decision was necessary on the part of Napoleon; and the Duke of Vicenza now came to solicit his abdication. {35}

Napoleon conceived that such a step should not be adopted precipitately, he resisted the solicitations of the Duke of Vicenza, and refused to explain himself. In the morning he mounted his horse to inspect the line of his advanced posts, and the whole of the day (the 3rd) was spent in military operations.

The troops were in good spirits, and received with acclamations of joy the project of delivering the capital from the hands of the enemy. The young generals, inspired with military ardour, were ready to brave new danger and fatigue. But it was not thus with the officers in the more elevated ranks: enough has already been said to show how they were influenced by the events of Paris. They trembled at the thought of the miseries which a single movement might bring upon the wives, children, friends, &c. whom they had left in the capital. They dreaded to lose in what might be called a headlong adventure, the rank and fortune which had been so dearly purchased, and which they had not yet enjoyed in peace; and the eagerness of the troops to make a rush upon the capital, excited the highest degree of alarm.

Probably Napoleon had not kept sufficiently secret the proposal that had been made for his abdication. This delicate question was now publicly canvassed: the subject was whispered in the gallery of the palace, and even on the staircase of the cheval blanc. Unfortunately the abdication was agreeable to the views of a numerous party. It was the least disgraceful mode of getting rid of Napoleon, because they would thus be released from him by his own free will. It was therefore deemed most advise able to bring matters to a conclusion in this way; and in case Napoleon should reject the proposition, some even spoke of breaking the sceptre in his hand.

During this state of things, intelligence arrived that the senate had proclaimed the abdication. Napoleon received the senatus consultum on the night of the 3rd, by an express from the Duke of Ragusa. The news was almost immediately circulated among all the most distinguished individuals in Fontainebleau, and it became the general topic of conversation.

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