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The execution of this order was delayed by General Becker for a few hours
in order to allow Napoleon sufficient time to escape。 At daybreak； he
quitted the 'Epervier'； and was enthusiastically cheered by the ship's
company so long as the boat was within hearing。 Soon after six he was
received on board the 'Bellerophon' with respectful silence； but without
those honours generally paid to persons of high rank。 Bonaparte was
dressed in the uniform of the 'chasseurs a cheval' of the Imperial Guard；
and wore the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour。
On entering the vessel he took off his hat； and addressing Captain
Maitland； said； 〃I am come to throw myself on the protection of the laws
of England。〃 Napoleon's manner was well calculated to make a favourable
impression on those with whom he conversed。 He requested to be
introduced to the officers of the ship； and put various questions to
each。 He then went round the ship； although he was informed that the men
were cleaning and scouring； and remarked upon anything which struck him
as differing from what he had seen on French vessels。 The clean
appearance of the men surprised him。 〃He then observed；〃 says Captain
Maitland； to whose interesting narrative we refer； 〃'I can see no
sufficient reason why your ships should beat the French ones with so much
ease。 The finest men…of…war in your service are French； a French ship is
heavier in every respect than one of yours； she carries more guns； and
those guns are of a larger calibre； and she has a great many more men。'〃
His inquiries； which were minute； proved that he had directed much
attention to the French navy。
On the first morning Napoleon took breakfast in the English fashion； but
observing that his distinguished prisoner did not eat much； Captain
Maitland gave direction that for the future a hot breakfast should be
served up after the French manner。 'The Superb'； the Admiral's ship；
which had been seen in the morning； was now approaching。 Immediately on
her anchoring Captain Maitland went on board to give an account of all
that had happened； and received the Admiral's approbation of what he had
done。 In the afternoon Admiral Sir Henry Hotham was introduced to
Napoleon； and invited by him to dinner。 This was arranged； in order to
make it more agreeable to him； by Bonaparte's maitre d'hotel。 On dinner
being announced Napoleon led the way； and seated himself in the centre at
one side of the table； desiring Sir Henry Hotham to take the seat on his
right； and Madame Bertrand that on his left hand。 On this day Captain
Maitland took his seat at the end of the table； but on the following day；
by Napoleon's request； he placed himself on his right hand； whilst
General Bertrand took the top。 Two of the ship's officers dined with the
Emperor daily； by express invitation。 The conversation of Napoleon was
animated。 He made many inquiries as to the family and connections of
Captain Maitland； and in alluding to Lord Lauderdale； who was sent as
ambassador to Paris during the administration of Mr。 Fox； paid that
nobleman some compliments and said of the then Premier； 〃Had Mr。 Fox
lived it never would have come to this； but his death put an end to all
hopes of peace。〃
On one occasion he ordered his camp…bed to be displayed for the
inspection of the English officers。 In two small leather packages were
comprised the couch of the once mighty ruler of the Continent。 The steel
bedstead which； when folded up； was only two feet long； and eighteen
inches wide； occupied one case； while the otter contained the mattress
and curtains。 The whole was so contrived as to be ready for use in three
minutes。
Napoleon spoke in terms of high praise of the marines on duty in the
Bellerophon； and on going through their ranks exclaimed to Bertrand；
〃How much might be done with a hundred thousand such soldiers as these！〃
In putting them through their exercise he drew a contrast between the
charge of the bayonet as made by the English and the French； and observed
that the English method of fixing the bayonet was faulty； as it might
easily be twisted off when in close action。 In visiting Admiral Hotham's
flag…ship； the 'Superb'； he manifested the same active curiosity as in
former instances； and made the same minute inquiries into everything by
which he was surrounded。 During breakfast one of Napoleon's suite；
Colonel Planat； was much affected； and even wept； on witnessing the
humiliation of his Master。
On the return of Bonaparte from the Superb to the 'Bellerophon' the
latter ship was got under weigh and made sail for England。 When passing
within a cable's length of the 'Superb' Napoleon inquired of Captain
Maitland if he thought that distance was sufficient for action。 The
reply of the English officer was characteristic； he told the Emperor that
half the distance； or even less； would suit much better。 Speaking of Sir
Sidney Smith； Bonaparte repeated the anecdote connected with his quarrel
at St。 Jean d'Acre with that officer； which has already been related in
one of the notes earlier in these volumes。 Patting Captain Maitland on
the shoulder； he observed； that had it not been for the English navy he
would have been Emperor of the East； but that wherever he went he was
sure to find English ships in the way。
The 'Bellerophon'； with Bonaparte on board； sighted the coast of England
on Sunday； the 23d of July 1815； and at daybreak on the 24th the vessel
approached Dartmouth。 No sooner had the ship anchored than an order from
Loral Keith was delivered to Captain Maitland； from which the following
is an extract：
Extract of an Order from Admiral Viscount Keith； G。 C。 B。； addressed
to Captain Maitland； of H。 M。 S。 〃Bellerophon；〃 dated Ville de
Paris； Hamoaze； 23d July 1815。
Captain Sartorius； of His Majesty's ship 'Slaney'； delivered to me
last night； at eleven o'clock； your despatch of the 14th instant；
acquainting me that Bonaparte had proposed to embark on board the
ship you command； and that you had acceded thereto； with the
intention of proceeding to Torbay； there to wait for further orders。
I lost no time in forwarding your letter by Captain Sartorius to the
Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty； in order that their Lordships
might； through him； be acquainted with every circumstance that had
occurred on an occasion of so much importance； and you may expect
orders from their Lordships for your further guidance。 You are to
remain in Torbay until you receive such orders； and in the meantime；
in addition to the directions already in your possession； you are
most positively ordered to prevent every person whatever from coming
on board the ship you command； except the officers and men who
compose her crew； nor is any person whatever； whether in His
Majesty's service or not； who does not belong； to the ship； to be
suffered to come on board； either for the purpose of visiting the
officers； or on any pretence whatever； without express permission
either from the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty or from me。 As
I understand from Cap