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Page 14
On the 11th of October he arrived in Hamburg, where he stayed only three
days. He passed nearly the whole of that time with me, and he
communicated to me many curious facts connected with the secret history
of the times, and among other things some particulars respecting the
battle of Wagram. I was the first to mention to the new Prince Royal of
Sweden the reports of the doubtful manner in which the troops under his
command behaved. I reminded him of Bonaparte's dissatisfaction at these
troops; for there was no doubt of the Emperor being the author of the
complaints contained in the bulletins, especially as he had withdrawn the
troops from Bernadotte's command. Bernadotte assured me that Napoleon's
censure was unjust; during the battle he had complained of the little
spirit manifested by the soldiers. "He refused to see me," added
Bernadotte, "and I was told, as a reason for his refusal, that he was
astonished and displeased to find that, notwithstanding his complaints,
of which I must have heard, I had boasted of having gained the battle,
and had publicly complimented the Saxons whom I commanded."
Bernadotte then showed me the bulletin he drew up after the battle of
Wagram. I remarked that I had never heard of a bulletin being made by
any other than the General who was Commander-in-Chief during a battle,
and asked how the affair ended. He then handed to me a copy of the Order
of the day, which Napoleon said he had sent only to the Marshals
commanding the different corps.
Bernadotte's bulletin was printed along with Bonaparte's Order of the
Day, a thing quite unparalleled.
Though I was much interested in this account of Bonaparte's conduct after
the battle of Wagram; yet I was more curious to hear the particulars of
Bernadotte's last communication with the Emperor. The Prince informed me
that on his return from Plombieres he attended the levee, when the
Emperor asked him, before every one present, whether he had received any
recent news from Sweden.
He replied in the affirmative. "What is it?" inquired Napoleon. "Sire,
I am informed that your Majesty's charge d'afaires at Stockholm opposes
my election. It is also reported to those who choose to believe it that
your Majesty gives the preference to the King of Denmark."--"At these
words," continued Bernadotte, "the Emperor affected surprise, which you
know he can do very artfully. He assured me it was impossible, and then
turned the conversation to another subject.
"I know not what to think of his conduct in this affair. I am aware he
does not like me;--but the interests of his policy may render him
favourable to Sweden. Considering the present greatness and power of
France, I conceived it to be my duty to make every personal sacrifice.
But I swear to Heaven that I will never commit the honour of Sweden. He,
however, expressed himself in the best possible terms in speaking of
Charles XIII. and me. He at first started no obstacle to my acceptance
of the succession to the throne of Sweden, and he ordered the official
announcement of my election to be immediately inserted in the Moniteur'.
Ten days elapsed without the Emperor's saying a word to me about my
departure. As I was anxious to be off, and all my preparations were
made, I determined to go and ask him for the letters patent to relieve me
from my oath of fidelity, which I had certainly kept faithfully in spite
of all his ill-treatment of me. He at first appeared somewhat surprised
at my request, and, after a little hesitation, he said, 'There is a
preliminary condition to be fulfilled; a question has been raised by one
of the members of the Privy Council.'--'What condition, Sire?'--'You must
pledge yourself not to bear arms against me.'--'Does your Majesty suppose
that I can bind myself by such an engagement? My election by the Diet of
Sweden, which has met with your Majesty's assent, has made me a Swedish
subject, and that character is incompatible with the pledge proposed by a
member of the Council. I am sure it could never have emanated from your
Majesty, and must proceed from the Arch-Chancellor or the Grand Judge,
who certainly could not have been aware of the height to which the
proposition would raise me.'--'What do you mean?'--'If, Sire, you prevent
me accepting a crown unless I pledge myself not to bear arms against you,
do you not really place me on a level with you as a General?'
"When I declared positively that my election must make me consider myself
a Swedish subject he frowned, and seemed embarrassed. When I had done
speaking he said, in a low and faltering voice, 'Well, go. Our destinies
will soon be accomplished!' These words were uttered so indistinctly
that I was obliged to beg pardon for not having heard what. he said, and
he repented, 'Go! our destinies will soon be accomplished!' In the
subsequent conversations which I had with the Emperor I tried all
possible means to remove the unfavourable sentiments he cherished towards
me. I revived my recollections of history. I spoke to him of the great
men who had excited the admiration of the world, of the difficulties and
obstacles which they had to surmount; and, above all, I dwelt upon that
solid glory which is founded on the establishment and maintenance of
public tranquillity and happiness. The Emperor listened to me
attentively, and frequently concurred in my opinion as to the principles
of the prosperity and stability of States. One day he took my hand and
pressed it affectionately, as if to assure me of his friendship and
protection. Though I knew him to be an adept in the art of
dissimulation, yet his affected kindness appeared so natural that I
thought all his unfavourable feeling towards me was at an end. I spoke
to persons by whom our two families were allied, requesting that they
would assure the Emperor of the reciprocity of my sentiments, and tell
him that I was ready to assist his great plans in any way not hostile to
the interests of Sweden.
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