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persons concurred in the opinion that the Emperor ought to have passed
the winter of 1812…13 in Poland； and have resumed his vast enterprises in
the spring。 But his natural impatience impelled him forward as it were
unconsciously； and he seemed to be under the influence of an invisible
demon stronger than even his own strong will。 This demon was ambition。
He who knew so well the value of time； never sufficiently understood its
power； and how much is sometimes gained by delay。 Yet Caesar's
Commentaries； which were his favourite study； ought to have shown him
that Caesar did not conquer Gaul in one campaign。 Another illusion by
which Napoleon was misled during the campaign of Moscow； and perhaps past
experience rendered it very excusable； was the belief that the Emperor
Alexander would propose peace when he saw him at the head of his army on
the Russian territory。 The prolonged stay of Bonaparte at Moscow can
indeed be accounted for in no other way than by supposing that he
expected the Russian Cabinet would change its opinion and consent to
treat for peace。 However； whatever might have been the reason； after his
long and useless stay in Moscow Napoleon left that city with the design
of taking up his winter quarters in Poland； but Fate now frowned upon
Napoleon； and in that dreadful retreat the elements seemed leagued with
the Russians to destroy the most formidable army ever commanded by one
chief。 To find a catastrophe in history comparable to that of the
Beresina we must go back to the destruction of the legions of Varus。
Notwithstanding the general dismay which prevailed in Paris that capital
continued tranquil； when by a singular chance； on the very day on which
Napoleon evacuated the burning city of Moscow； Mallet attempted his
extraordinary enterprise。 This General； who had always professed
Republican principles； and was a man of bold decided character； after
having been imprisoned for some time； obtained the permission of
Government to live in Paris in a hospital house situated near the
Barriere de Trove。 Of Mallet's； conspiracy it is not necessary to say
much after the excellent account given of it in the Memoirs of the Due de
Rovigo。 Mallet's plan was to make it be believed that Bonaparte had been
killed at Moscow； and that a new Government was established under the
authority of the Senate。 But what could Mallet do？ Absolutely nothing：
and had his Government continued three days he would have experienced a
more favourable chance than that which he ought reasonably to have
expected than asserted that the Emperor was dead； but an estafette from
Russia would reveal the truth； resuscitate Napoleon； and overwhelm with
confusion Mallet and his proclamation。 His enterprise was that of a
madman。 The French were too weary of troubles to throw themselves into
the arms of； Mallet or his associate Lahorie； who had figured so
disgracefully on the trial of Moreau。； Yet； in spite of the evident
impossibility of success； it must be confessed that considerable
ingenuity and address marked the commencement of the conspiracy。 On the
22d of October Mallet escaped from the hospital house and went to Colonel
Soulier； who commanded the tenth cohort of the National Guard； whose
barracks were situated exactly behind the hospital house。 Mallet was
loaded with a parcel of forged orders which he had himself prepared。 He
introduced himself to Soulier under the name of General La Motte； and
said that he came from General Mallet。
Colonel Soulier on hearing of the Emperor's death was affected to tears。
He immediately ordered the adjutant to assemble the cohort and obey the
orders of General La Motte； to whom he expressed his regret for being
himself too ill to leave his bed。 It was then two o'clock in the
morning； and the forged documents respecting the Emperor's death slid the
new form of Government were read to the troops by lamplight。 Mallet then
hastily set off with 1200 men to La Force； and liberated the Sieurs Gudal
and Laholze； who were confined there。 Mallet informed them of the
Emperor's death and of the change of Government； gave them some orders；
in obedience to which the Minister and Prefect of Police were arrested in
their hotel。
I was then at Courbevoie； and I went to Paris on that very morning to
breakfast； as I frequently did； with the Minister of Police。 My surprise
may be imagined when
＇General Mallet gave out that the Emperor was killed under the
walls of Moscow on the 8th of October； be could not take any other
day without incurring the risk of being contradicted by the arrival
of the regular courier。 The Emperor being dead； he concluded that
the Senate ought to be invested with the supreme authority； and he
therefore resolved to address himself in the name of that body to
the nation and the army。 In a proclamation to the soldiers he
deplored the death of the Emperor； in another； after announcing the
abolition of the Imperial system and the Restoration of the
Republic； he indicated the manner in which the Government was to be
reconstructed； described the branches into which public authority
was to be divided； and named the Directors。 Attached to the
different documents there appeared the signatures of several
Senators whose names he recollected but with whom he had ceased to
have any intercourse for a great number of years。 。 These
signatures were all written by Mallet； and he drew up a decree in
the name of the Senate； and signed by the same Senators； appointing
himself Governor of Paris； and commander of the troops of the first
military division。 He also drew up other decrees in the same form
which purported to promote to higher ranks all the military officers
he intended to make instruments in the execution of his enterprise。
He ordered one regiment to close all the barriers of Paris； and
allow no person to pass through them。 This was done： so that in all
the neighbouring towns from which assistance； in case of need； might
have been obtained； nothing was known of the transactions in Paris。
He sent the other regiments to occupy the Bank； the Treasury； and
different Ministerial offices。 At the Treasury some resistance was
made。 The minister of that Department was on the spot； and he
employed the guard of his household in maintaining his authority。
But in the whole of the two regiments of the Qnard not a single；
objection was started to the execution of Mallet's orders （Memoirs
of the Duc de Rivogo； tome vi。 p。 20。）＇
I learned from the porter that the Due de Rovigo had been arrested and
carried to the prison of La Force。 I went into the house and was
informed； to my great astonishment； that the ephemeral Minister was being
measured for his official suit； an act which so completely denoted the
character of the conspirator that it gave me an insight into the
business。
Mallet repaired to General Hulin； who had the command of Paris。 He
informed him that he had been directed by the Minister of Police to
arrest him and seal his papers。