按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
he made no secret of his sentiments； for he said before his courtiers；
〃That he would like to send Bernadotte to Vincennes to finish his study
of the Swedish language。〃 Bernadotte was informed of this； but he could
not believe that the Emperor had ever entertained such a design。
However； a conspiracy was formed in Sweden against Bernadotte； whom a
party of foreign brigands were hired to kidnap in the neighbourhood of
Raga； but the plot was discovered； and the conspirators were compelled to
embark without their prey。 The Emperor having at the same time seized
upon Swedish Pomerania； the Prince Royal wrote him a second letter in
these terms：
From the papers which have just arrived I learn that a division of
the army； under the command of the Prince of Eckmuhl； invaded
Swedish Pomerania on the night of the 26th of January； that the
division continued to advance； entered the capital of the Duchy； and
took possession of the island of Rugen。 The King expects that your
Majesty will explain the reasons which have induced you to act in a
manner so contrary to the faith of existing treaties。 My old
connection with your Majesty warrants me in requesting you to
declare your motives without delay； in order that I may give my
advice to the King as to the conduct which Sweden ought hereafter to
adopt。 This gratuitous outrage against Sweden is felt deeply by the
nation； and still more； Sire； by me； to whom is entrusted the honour
of defending it。 Though I have contributed to the triumphs of
France； though I have always desired to see her respected and happy；
yet I can never think of sacrificing the interests； honour； and
independence of the country which has adopted me。 Your Majesty； who
has so ready a perception of what is just； must admit the propriety
of my resolution。 Though I am not jealous of the glory and power
which surrounds you； I cannot submit to the dishonour of being
regarded as a vassal。 Your Majesty governs the greatest part of
Europe； but your dominion does not extend to the nation which I have
been called to govern； my ambition is limited to the defence of
Sweden。 The effect produced upon the people by the invasion of
which I complain may lead to consequences which it is impossible to
foresee； and although I am not a Coriolanus； and do not command the
Volsci； I have a sufficiently good opinion of the Swedes to assure
you that they dare undertake anything to avenge insults which they
have not provoked； and to preserve rights to which they are as much
attached as to their lives。
I was in Paris when the Emperor received Bernadotte's letter on the
occupation of Swedish Pomerania。 When Bonaparte read it I was informed
that he flew into a violent rage； and even exclaimed； 〃You shall submit
to your degradation； or die sword in hand！〃 But his rage was impotent。
The unexpected occupation of Swedish Pomerania obliged the King of Sweden
to come to a decided rupture with France； and to seek other allies； for
Sweden was not strong enough in herself to maintain neutrality in the
midst of the general conflagration of Europe after the disastrous
campaign of Moscow。 The Prince Royal； therefore； declared to Russia and
England that in consequence of the unjust invasion of Pomerania Sweden
was at war with France； and he despatched Comte de Lowenhjelm； the King's
aide de camp； with a letter explanatory of his views。 Napoleon sent many
notes to Stockholm； where M。 Alquier； his Ambassador； according to his
instructions； had maintained a haughty and even insulting tone towards
Sweden。 Napoleon's overtures； after the manifestations of his anger； and
after the attempt to carry off the Prince Royal； which could be
attributed only to him； were considered by the Prince Royal merely as a
snare。 But in the hope of reconciling the duties he owed to both his old
and his new country he addressed to the Emperor a moderate letter：
This letter throws great light on the conduct of the Emperor with respect
to Bernadotte； for Napoleon was not the man whom any one whatever would
have ventured to remind of facts； the accuracy of which was in the least
degree questionable。 Such then were the relations between Napoleon and
the Prince Royal of Sweden。 When I shall bring to light some curious
secrets； which have hitherto been veiled beneath the mysteries of the
Restoration； it will be seen by what means Napoleon； before his fall；
again sought to wreak his vengeance upon Bernadotte。
Oh the 4th of December I had the honour to see the Princess Royal of
Sweden； ＇Madame Bernadotte； afterwards Queen of Sweden； was a
Mademoiselle Clary； and younger sister to the wife of Joseph Bonaparte＇
who arrived that day at Hamburg。 She merely passed through the city on
her way to Stockholm to join her husband； but she remained but a short
time in Sweden；two months； I believe； at most； not being able to
reconcile herself to the ancient Scandinavia。 As to the Prince Royal； he
soon became inured to the climate； having been for many years employed in
the north。
After this my stay at Hamburg was not of long duration。 Bonaparte's
passion for territorial aggrandisement knew no bounds； and the turn of
the Hanse Towns now arrived。 By taking possession of these towns and
territories he merely accomplished a design formed long previously。
I； however； was recalled with many compliments； and under the specious
pretext that the Emperor wished to hear my opinions respecting the
country in which。 I had been residing。 At the beginning of December I
received a letter from M。 de Champagny stating that the Emperor wished to
see me in order to consult with me upon different things relating to
Hamburg。 In this note I was told 〃that the information I had obtained
respecting Hamburg and the north of Germany might be useful to the public
interest； which must be the most gratifying reward of my labours。〃 The
reception which awaited me will presently be seen。 The conclusion of the
letter spoke in very flattering terms of the manner in which I had
discharged my duties。 I received it on the 8th of December； and next day
I set out for Paris。 When I arrived at Mayence I was enabled to form a
correct idea of the fine compliments which had been paid me； and of the
Emperor's anxiety to have my opinion respecting the Hanse Towns。 In
Mayence I met the courier who was proceeding to announce the union of the
Hanse Towns with the French Empire。 I confess that； notwithstanding the
experience I had acquired of Bonaparte's duplicity； or rather； of the
infinite multiplicity of his artifices； he completely took me by surprise
on that occasion。
On my arrival in Paris I did not see the Emperor； but the first
'Moniteur' I read contained the formula of a 'Senatus…consulte；' which
united the Hanse Towns； Lauenburg； etc。； to the French Empire by the
right of the strongest。 This new and important augmentation of territory
could not fail to give uneasiness to Russia。 Alexander manifested his
dissatisfaction by prohibiting the importation of our agricultural