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I landed at Cannes I can conceive possible； to abandon me now is what I
do not understand。 It is not when the enemy is at twenty…five leagues'
distance that any Government can be overturned with impunity。 Does any
one imagine that the Foreign Powers will be won over by fine words？ If
they had dethroned me fifteen days ago there would have been some spirit
in it； but as it is； I make part of what strangers attack； I make part；
then； of what France is bound to defend。 In giving me up she gives up
herself； she avows her weakness； she acknowledges herself conquered； she
courts the insolence of the conqueror。 It is not the love of liberty
which deposes me； but Waterloo； it is fear； and a fear of which your
enemies will take advantage。 And then what title has the Chamber to
demand my abdication？ It goes out of its lawful sphere in doing so； it
has no authority。 It is my right； it is my duty to dissolve it。〃
〃He then hastily ran over the possible consequences of such a step。
Separated from the Chambers； he could only be considered as a military
chief： but the army would be for him； that would always join him who can
lead it against foreign banners； and to this might be added all that part
of the population which is equally powerful and easily； led in such a
state of things。 As if chance intended to strengthen Napoleon in this
train of thought； while he was speaking the avenue of Marigny resounded
with the cries of 'Vive l'Empereur！' A crowd of men； chiefly of the poor
and labouring class； pressed forward into the avenue； full of wild
enthusiasm； and trying to scale the walls to make an offer to Napoleon to
rally round and defend him。 Bonaparte for some time looked attentively
at this group。 'You see it is so；' said he； 〃those are not the men whom
I have loaded with honours and riches。 What do these people owe me？ I
found themI left thempoor。 The instinct of necessity enlightens
them； the voice of the country speaks by their months； and if I choose；
if I permit it； in an hour the refractory Chambers will have ceased to
exist。 But the life of a man is not worth purchasing at such a price： I
did not return from the Isle of Elba that Paris should be inundated with
blood： He did not like the idea of flight。 'Why should I not stay
here？' he repeated。 'What do you suppose they would do to a man disarmed
like me？ I will go to Malmaison： I can live there in retirement with
some friends； who most certainly will come to see me only for my own
sake。'
〃He then described with complacency and even with a sort of gaiety this
new kind of life。 Afterwards； discarding an idea which sounded like mere
irony； he went on。 'If they do not like me to remain in France； where am
I to go？ To England？ My abode there would be ridiculous or disquieting。
I should be tranquil； no one would believe it。 Every fog would be
suspected of concealing my landing on the coast。 At the first sign of a
green coat getting out of a boat one party would fly from France； the
other would put France out of the pale of the law。 I should compromise
everybody； and by dint of the repeated 〃Behold he comes！〃 I should feel
the temptation to set out。 America would be more suitable； I could live
there with dignity。 But once more； what is there to fear？ What
sovereign can； without injuring himself； persecute me？ To one I have
restored half his dominions； how often has the other pressed my hand；
calling me a great man！ And as to the third； can he find pleasure or
honour in humiliation of his son…in…law？ Would they wish to proclaim in
the face of the world that all they did was through fear？ As to the
rest； I shall see： I do not wish to employ open force。 I came in the
hope of combining our last resources： they abandoned me； they do so with
the same facility with which they received me back。 Well； then； let them
efface； if possible； this double stain of weakness and levity！ Let them
cover it over with some sacrifice； with some glory！ Let them do for the
country what they will not do for me。 I doubt it。 To…day； those who
deliver up Bonaparte say that it is to save France： to…morrow； by
delivering up France； they will prove that it was to save their own
heads。'〃
The humiliating scenes which rapidly succeeded one another； and which
ended in Napoleon's unconditional surrender； may be briefly told。 As
soon as possible after his arrival at Paris he assembled his counsellors；
when he declared himself in favour of still resisting。 The question；
however； was； whether the Chambers would support him； and Lafayette being
treacherously informed； it is said by Fouche； that it was intended to
dissolve the Chambers； used his influence to get the chambers to adopt
the propositions he laid before them。 By these the independence of the
nation was asserted to be in danger； the sittings of the Chamber were
declared permanent； and all attempts to dissolve it were pronounced
treasonable。 The propositions were adopted； and being communicated to
the Chamber of Peers； that body also declared itself permanent。 Whatever
might have been the intentions of Bonaparte； it was now manifest that
there were no longer any hopes of his being able to make his will the law
of the nation； after some vacillation； therefore； on 22d June he
published the following declaration：
TO THE FRENCH PEOPLE
FRENCHMEN！In commencing war for maintaining the national
independence； I relied on the union of all efforts； of all wills；
and the concurrence of all the national authorities。 I had reason
to hope for success； and I braved all the declarations of the powers
against me。 Circumstances appear to me changed。 I offer myself a
sacrifice to the hatred of the enemies of France。 May they prove
sincere in their declarations； and really have directed them only
against my power。 My political life is terminated； and I proclaim
my son under the title of：
NAPOLEON II。；
EMPEROR OF THE FRENCH。
The present Ministers will provisionally form the Council of the
Government。 The interest which I take in my son induces me to
invite the Chambers to form without delay the Regency by a law。
Unite all for the public safety； that you may continue an
independent nation。
（Signed） NAPOLEON。
This declaration was conveyed to both the Chambers； which voted
deputations to the late Emperor； accepting this abdication； but in their
debates the nomination of his son to the succession was artfully eluded。
The Chamber of Representatives voted the nomination of a Commission of
five persons； three to be chosen from that Chamber； and two from the
Chamber of Peers； for the purpose of provisionally exercising the
functions of Government； and also that the Ministers should continue
their respective functions under the authority of this Commission。 The
persons chosen by the Chamber of Representatives were Carnot； Fouche； and
Grenier； those nominated by the Peers were the Duke of Vicenza
（Caulaincourt） and Baron Quinette。 The Commissio