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_August 2nd.--Napoleon Bonaparte made First Consul for life._
"_The conduct and the language of Bonaparte represents at once
Augustus, Mahomet, Louis XI., Masaniello_" (Montgaillard, _an
avowed enemy_).
_September 22nd._--Opening of the Ourcq Waterworks for the supply
of Paris.
_September 25th.--Mass celebrated at St. Cloud for the first time.
In this month Napoleon annexes Piedmont, and the next sends Ney to
occupy Switzerland._
_October 11th.--Birth of Napoleon Charles, son of Louis Bonaparte
and Hortense._
_October 29th.--Napoleon and Josephine visit Normandy, and,
contrary to expectation, receive ovations everywhere. They return
to Paris, November 14th._
EVENTS OF 1803.
_February 19th._--New constitution imposed by France on
Switzerland.
_April 14th.--Bank of France reorganised by Bonaparte; it alone
allowed to issue notes._
_April 27th._--Death of Toussaint-Louverture at Besancon.
_April 30th._--France sells Louisiana to U.S. for L4,000,000 (15
million dollars).
_May 22nd.--France declares war against England, chiefly
respecting Malta. England having seized all French ships in
British harbours previous to war being declared, Napoleon seizes
all British tourists in France._
_May 31st.--His soldiers occupy Electorate of Hanover._
_June 14th.--He visits North of France and Belgium, accompanied by
Josephine, and returns to Paris August 12th._
_September 27th._--Press censorship established in France.
_November 30th._--French evacuate St. Domingo.
SERIES E
1804
"Everywhere the king of the earth found once more, to put a bridle on
his pride, the inevitable lords of the sea."--BIGNON, v. 130.
SERIES E
(For subjoined Notes to this Series see pages 232-237.)
LETTER PAGE
No. 1. _Madame_ 232
_Pont de Bricques_ 232
_The wind having considerably freshened_ 232
No. 2. _The waters_ 233
_All the vexations_ 233
_Eugene has started for Blois_ 234
No. 3. _Aix-la-Chapelle_ 234
No. 4. _During the past week_ 235
_The day after to-morrow_ 235
_Hortense_ 235
_I am very well satisfied_ 235
No. 5. Its authenticity 236
_Arras, August 29th_ 236
_I am rather impatient to see you_ 236
No. 6. _T._ 237
_B._ 237
LETTERS OF THE EMPEROR NAPOLEON TO
THE EMPRESS JOSEPHINE DURING HIS
JOURNEY ALONG THE COAST, 1804.
EVENTS OF 1804.
_February 15th._--The conspiracy of Pichegru. Moreau arrested,
Pichegru (_February 28th_), and Georges Cadoudal (_March 9th_).
_March 21st._--Duc D'Enghien shot at Vincennes.
_April 6th._--Suicide of Pichegru.
_April 30th.--Proposal to make Bonaparte Emperor._
_May 4th.--Tribune adopts the proposal._
_May 18th.--The First Consul becomes the Emperor Napoleon._
_May 19th.--Napoleon confers the dignity of Marshal of the Empire
on Berthier, Murat, Moncey, Jourdan, Massena, Augereau,
Bernadotte, Soult, Brune, Lannes, Mortier, Ney, Davoust,
Bessieres, Kellermann, Lefebvre, Perignon, Serrurier._
_July 14th._--Inauguration of the Legion of Honour.
No. 1.
TO THE EMPRESS JOSEPHINE.
_Pont-de-Bricques, July 21, 1804._
_Madame and dear Wife_,--During the four days that I have been away
from you I have always been either on horseback or in a conveyance,
without any ill effect on my health.
M. Maret tells me that you intend starting on Monday; travelling by
easy stages, you can take your time and reach the Spa without tiring
yourself.
The wind having considerably freshened last night, one of our
gunboats, which was in the harbour, broke loose and ran on the
rocks about a league from Boulogne. I believed all lost--men and
merchandise; but we managed to save both. The spectacle was
grand: the shore sheeted in fire from the alarm guns, the sea
raging and bellowing, the whole night spent in anxiety to save
these unfortunates or to see them perish! My soul hovered between
eternity, the ocean, and the night. At 5 A.M. all was calm,
everything saved; and I went to bed with the feeling of having
had a romantic and epic dream--a circumstance which might have
reminded me that I was all alone, had weariness and soaked garments
left me any other need but that of sleep.
NAPOLEON.
[_Correspondence of Napoleon I., No. 7861,
communicated by M. Chambry._]
No. 2.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT AIX-LA-CHAPELLE.
_Boulogne, August 3, 1804._
_My Dear_,--I trust soon to learn that the waters have done you much
good. I am sorry to hear of all the vexations you have undergone.
Please write me often. My health is very good, although I am rather
tired. I shall be at Dunkirk in a very few days, and shall write you
from there.
Eugene has started for Blois.
_Je te couvre de baisers._
NAPOLEON.
No. 3.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT AIX-LA-CHAPELLE.
_Calais, August 6, 1804._
_My Dear_,--I arrived at Calais at midnight; I expect to start
to-night for Dunkirk. I am in very fair health, and satisfied with
what I see. I trust that the waters are doing you as much good as
exercise, camp, and seascape are doing me.
Eugene has set off for Blois. Hortense is well. Louis is at
Plombieres.
I am longing to see you. You are always necessary to my happiness. My
very best love.
NAPOLEON.
No. 4.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT AIX-LA-CHAPELLE.
_Ostend, August 14, 1804._
_My Dear_,--I have had no letter from you for several days; yet I
should be more comfortable if I knew that the waters were efficacious,
and how you spend your time. During the past week I have been at
Ostend. The day after to-morrow I shall be at Boulogne for a somewhat
special fete. Advise me by the courier what you intend to do, and how
soon you expect to end your baths.
I am very well satisfied with the army and the flotillas. Eugene is
still at Blois. I hear no more of Hortense than if she were on the
Congo. I am writing to scold her.
My best love to all.
NAPOLEON.
No. 5.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT AIX-LA-CHAPELLE.
_Arras, Wednesday, August 29, 1804._
_Madame and dear Wife_,--I have just reached Arras. I shall stay
there to-morrow. I shall be at Mons on Friday, and on Sunday at
Aix-la-Chapelle. I am as well satisfied with my journey as with the
army. I think I shall pass through Brussels without stopping
there; thence I shall go to Maestricht. I am rather impatient to see
you. I am glad to hear you have tried the waters; they cannot fail
to do you good. My health is excellent. Eugene is well, and is with
me.
Very kindest regards to every one.
BONAPARTE.
[_Translated from a Letter in the Collection of Baron Heath,
Philobiblon Society, vol. xiv._]
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_October 2nd._--Sir Sydney Smith attacks flotilla at Boulogne
unsuccessfully.
No. 6.
TO JOSEPHINE, AT ST. CLOUD.
_Treves, October 6, 1804._
_My Dear,_--I arrive at Treves the same moment that you arrive at St.
Cloud. I am in good health. Do not grant an audience to T----, and
refuse to see him. Receive B---- only in general company, and do not
give him a private interview. Make promises to sign marriage contracts
only after I have signed them.--Yours ever,
NAPOLEON.
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