  "Battles then lasted a few hours, campaigns a few days." —Bignon, On Friedland (vol. vi. 292). SERIES G(For subjoined Notes to this Series see pages 243-264.)
LETTERS OF THE EMPEROR NAPOLEON TO THE EMPRESS JOSEPHINE DURING THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST PRUSSIA AND RUSSIA, 1806-7.1806. January 1st.—The Elector of Bavaria and the Duke of Wurtemberg created Kings by France. January 23rd.—Death of William Pitt, aged 47. February 15th.—Joseph Bonaparte enters Naples, and on March 10th is declared King of the Two Sicilies. April 1st.—Prussia seizes Hanover. June 5th.—Louis Bonaparte made King of Holland. July 6th.—Battle of Maida (Calabria. English defeat General Reynier. French loss 4000; English 500). July 12th.—Napoleon forms Confederation of the Rhine, with himself as Chief and Protector. July 18th.—Gaeta surrenders to Massena. August 6th.—Francis II., Emperor of Germany, becomes Emperor of Austria as Francis I. August 15th.—Russia refuses to ratify peace preliminaries signed by her ambassador at Paris on July 25th. September 13th.—Death of Charles James Fox, aged 57. No. 1. October 5th.—Proclamation by the Prince of the Peace against France (germ of Spanish War). To the Empress, at Mayence. October 5, 1806. It will be quite in order for the Princess of Baden to come to Mayence. I cannot think why you weep; you do wrong to Adieu, dear. The Grand Duke has spoken to me about you; he saw you at Florence at the time of the retreat. Napoleon. No. 2. To the Empress, at Mayence. Bamberg, October 7, 1806. I start this evening, my dear, for Cronach. The whole of my army is advancing. All goes well. My health is perfect. I have only received as yet one letter from you. I have some from EugÈne and from Hortense. Stephanie should now be with you. Her husband wishes to make the campaign; he is with me. Adieu. A thousand kisses and the best of health. Napoleon. October 8th.—Prussia, assisted by Saxony, Russia, and England, declares war against France. October 9th.—Campaign opens. Prussians defeated at Schleitz. October 10th.—Lannes defeats them at Saalfeld. Prince Louis of Prussia killed; 1000 men and 30 guns taken. October 11th.—French peace negotiations with England broken off. No. 3. To the Empress, at Mayence. Gera, October 13, 1806, 2 A.M. My Dear,—I am at Gera to-day. My affairs go excellently well, and everything as I could wish. With the aid of God, they will, I believe, in a few days have taken a terrible course for the poor King of Prussia, whom I am sorry for personally, because he Napoleon. October 14th.—Battles of Jena and Auerstadt. No. 4. October 15th.—Napoleon at Weimar, He releases 6000 Saxon prisoners, which soon causes peace with Saxony. To the Empress, at Mayence. Jena, October 15, 1806, 3 A.M. My Dear,—I have made excellent manoeuvres against the Prussians. Yesterday I won a great victory. They had 150,000 men. I have made 20,000 prisoners, taken 100 pieces of cannon, and flags. I was in presence of the King of Prussia, and near to him; I nearly captured him and the Queen. For the past two days I have bivouacked. I am in excellent health. Adieu, dear. Keep well, and love me. If Hortense is at Mayence, give her a kiss; also to Napoleon and to the little one. Napoleon. No. 5. October 16th.—Soult routs Kalkreuth at Greussen; Erfurt and 16,000 men capitulate to Murat. To the Empress, at Mayence. Weimar, October 16, 1806, 5 P.M. M. Talleyrand will have shown you the bulletin, my dear; you will see my successes therein. All has happened as I calculated, Adieu, dear. Kindest regards to Hortense and to the great M. Napoleon.—Yours ever, Napoleon. October 17th.—Bernadotte defeats Prussian reserve at Halle. October 18th.—Davoust takes Leipsic, and an enormous stock of English merchandise. October 19th.—Napoleon at Halle. October 20th.—Lannes takes Dessau, and Davoust Wittenberg. October 21st.—Napoleon at Dessau. No. 6. October 23rd.—Napoleon makes Wittenberg central depÔt for his army. To the Empress, at Mayence. Wittenberg, October 23, 1806, Noon. I have received several of your letters. I write you only a line. My affairs prosper. To-morrow I shall be at Potsdam, and at Berlin on the 25th. I am wonderfully well, and thrive on hard work. I am very glad to hear you are with Hortense and Stephanie, en grande compagnie. So far, the weather has been fine. Kind regards to Stephanie, and to everybody, not forgetting M. Napoleon. Adieu, dear.—Yours ever, Napoleon. No. 7. October 24th.—Lannes occupies Potsdam. To the Empress, at Mayence. Potsdam, October 24, 1806. My Dear,—I have been at Potsdam since yesterday, and shall remain there to-day. I continue satisfied with my undertakings. Adieu, dear. Best wishes to Hortense and to M. Napoleon. Napoleon. October 25th.—Marshal Davoust enters Berlin; Bernadotte occupies Brandenburg. October 28th.—Prince Hohenlohe surrenders at Prenzlau to Murat with 16,000 men, including the Prussian Guard. October 30th.—Stettin surrenders with 5000 men and 150 cannon. No. 8. November 1st.—Anklam surrenders, with 4000 men, to General Becker. To the Empress, at Mayence. November 1, 1806, 2 A.M. Talleyrand has just arrived and tells me, my dear, that you do nothing but cry. What on earth do you want? You have your daughter, your grandchildren, and good news; surely these are sufficient reasons for being happy and contented. The weather here is superb; there has not yet fallen during the whole campaign a single drop of water. I am very well, and all goes excellently. Adieu, dear; I have received a letter from M. Napoleon; I do not believe it is from him, but from Hortense. Kindest regards to everybody. Napoleon. November 2nd.—Kustrin surrenders, with 4000 men and 90 guns, to Davoust. No. 9. To the Empress, at Mayence. Berlin, November 2, 1806. Your letter of October 26th to hand. We have splendid weather here. You will see by the bulletin that we have taken Kindest regards to Hortense, Stephanie, and to the little Napoleon. Adieu, dear.—Yours ever, Napoleon. No. 9a. From the Memoirs of Mademoiselle d'Avrillon (vol. i. 128). To the Empress, at Mayence. Berlin, Monday, Noon. My Dear,—I have received your letter. I am glad to know that you are in a place which pleases me, and especially to know that you are very well there. Who should be happier than you? You should live without a worry, and pass your time as pleasantly as possible; that, indeed, is my intention. I forbid you to see Madame Tallien, under any pretext whatever. I will admit of no excuse. If you desire a continuance of my esteem, if you wish to please me, never transgress the present order. She may possibly come to your apartments, to enter them by night; forbid your porter to admit her. I shall soon be at Malmaison. I warn you to have no lovers there that night; I should be sorry to disturb them. Adieu, dear; I long to see you and assure you of my love and affection. Napoleon. No. 10. To the Empress, at Mayence. November 6, 1806, 9 P.M. Yours to hand, in which you seem annoyed at the bad things I say about women; it is true that I hate intriguing women Adieu, dear; my health is good. Napoleon. November 6th and 7th.—Blucher and his army (17,000 men) surrender at Lubeck to Soult, Murat, and Bernadotte. November 8th.—Magdeburg surrenders to Ney, with 20,000 men, immense stores, and nearly 800 cannon. No. 11. November 9th.—Napoleon levies a contribution of 150 million francs on Prussia and her allies. To the Empress, at Mayence. Berlin, November 9, 1806. My Dear,—I am sending good news. Magdeburg has capitulated, and on November 7th I took 20,000 men at Lubeck who escaped me last week. The whole Prussian army, therefore, is captured; even beyond the Vistula there does not remain to Adieu, dear; heartiest good wishes to Hortense, Stephanie, and the two little Napoleons.—Yours ever, Napoleon. November 10th.—Davoust occupies Posen. Hanover occupied by Marshal Mortier. No. 12. To the Empress, at Mayence. Berlin, November 16, 1806. I received your letter of November 11th. I note with satisfaction that my convictions give you pleasure. You are wrong to think flattery was intended; I was telling you of yourself as I see you. I am grieved to think that you are tired of Mayence. Were the journey less long, you might come here, for there is no longer an enemy, or, if there is, he is beyond the Vistula; that is to say, more than three hundred miles away. I will wait to hear what you think about it. I should also be delighted to see M. Napoleon. Adieu, my dear.—Yours ever, Napoleon. I have still too much business here for me to return to Paris. November 17th.—Suspension of arms signed at Charlottenburg. November 19th.—French occupy Hamburg. November 20th.—French occupy Hameln. November 21st.—French occupy Bremen. Berlin decree. Napoleon interdicts trade with England. No. 13. To the Empress, at Mayence. November 22, 1806, 10 P.M. Your letter received. I am sorry to find you in the dumps; yet you have every reason to be cheerful. You are wrong to Adieu, dear; you can go at once, if you like, to Darmstadt, or to Frankfort; that will make you forget your troubles. Kindest regards to Hortense. Napoleon. November 25th.—Napoleon leaves Berlin. No. 14. To the Empress, at Mayence. Kustrin, November 26, 1806. I am at Kustrin, making a tour and spying out the land a little; I shall see in a day or two whether you should come. You can keep ready. I shall be very pleased if the Queen of Holland be of the party. The Grand Duchess of Baden must write to her husband about it. It is 2 A.M. I am just getting up; it is the usage of war. Kindest regards to you and to every one. Napoleon. No. 15. November 27th.—Napoleon arrives at Posen. To the Empress, at Mayence. Meseritz, November 27, 1806, 2 A.M. I am about to make a tour in Poland. This is the first town there. To-night I shall be at Posen, after which I shall send for you to come to Berlin, so that you can arrive there the same day Adieu, dear; kindest regards to Hortense, Stephanie, and the little Napoleons. Napoleon. November 28th.—Murat enters Warsaw. French occupy Duchies of Mecklenburg. No. 16. To the Empress, at Mayence. Posen, November 29, 1806, Noon. I am at Posen, capital of Great Poland. The cold weather has set in; I am in good health. I am about to take a circuit round Poland. My troops are at the gates of Warsaw. Adieu, dear; very kindest regards, and a hearty embrace. No. 17. December 2nd.—Glogau surrenders to Vandamme. To the Empress, at Mayence. Posen, December 2, 1806. To-day is the anniversary of Austerlitz. I have been to a city ball. It is raining; I am in good health. I love you and long for you. My troops are at Warsaw. So far the cold has not been severe. All these fair Poles are Frenchwomen at heart; but there is only one woman for me. Would you know her? I could draw her portrait very well; but I should have to flatter it too much for you to recognise yourself;—yet, to tell the truth, my heart would only have nice things to say to you. These nights are long, all alone.—Yours ever, Napoleon. No. 18. To the Empress, at Mayence. December 3, 1806, Noon. Yours of November 26th received. I notice two things in it. You say I do not read your letters: it is an unkind thought. I take your bad opinion anything but kindly. You tell me that perhaps it is a mere phantasy of the night, and you add that you are not jealous. I found out long ago that angry persons always assert that they are not angry; that those who are afraid keep on repeating that they have no fear; you therefore are convinced of jealousy. I am delighted to hear it! Nevertheless, you are wrong; I think of nothing less, and in the desert plains of Poland one thinks little about beauties.... I had yesterday a ball of the provincial nobility—the women good-looking enough, rich enough, dowdy enough, although in Paris fashions. Adieu, dear; I am in good health.—Yours ever, Napoleon. No. 19. To the Empress, at Mayence. Posen, December 3, 1806, 6 p.m. Yours of November 27th received, from which I see that your little head is quite turned. I am reminded of the verse— "DÉsir de femme est un feu qui dÉvore." Still you must calm yourself. I wrote you that I was in Poland; that, when we were established in winter quarters, you could come; you will have to wait a few days. The greater one becomes, the less one can consult one's wishes—being dependent on events and circumstances. You can come to Adieu, dear; keep well. The person that I wished to speak to you about is Madame L——, of whom every one is speaking ill; they assure me that she is more Prussian than French woman. I don't believe it, but I think her an idiot who talks nothing but trash. Napoleon. December 6th.—Thorn (on the Vistula) occupied by Ney. No. 20. To the Empress, at Mayence. Posen, December 9, 1806. Yours of December 1st received. I see with pleasure that you are more cheerful; that the Queen of Holland wishes to come with you. I long to give the order; but you must still wait a few days. My affairs prosper. Adieu, dear; I love you and wish to see you happy. Napoleon. No. 21. To the Empress, at Mayence. Posen, December 10, 1806, 5 P.M. An officer has just brought me a rug, a gift from you; it is somewhat short and narrow, but I thank you for it none the less. I am in fair health. The weather is very changeable. My affairs prosper pretty well. I love you and long for you much. Adieu, dear; I shall write for you to come with at least as much pleasure as you will have in coming.—Yours ever, Napoleon. A kiss to Hortense, Stephanie, and Napoleon. December 11th.—Davoust forces the passage of the Bug. No. 22. December 12th.—Treaty of peace and alliance between France and Saxony signed at Posen. To the Empress, at Mayence. Posen, December 12th, 1806, 7 P.M. My Dear,—I have not received any letters from you, but know, nevertheless, that you are well. My health is good, the weather very mild; the bad season has not begun yet, but the roads are bad in a country where there are no highways. Hortense will come then with Napoleon; I am delighted to hear it. I long to see things shape themselves into a position to enable you to come. I have made peace with Saxony. The Elector is King and one of the confederation. Adieu, my well-beloved Josephine.—Yours ever, Napoleon. A kiss to Hortense, Napoleon, and Stephanie. PÄer, the famous musician, his wife, a virtuoso whom you saw at Milan twelve years ago, and Brizzi are here; they give me a little music every evening. No. 23. To the Empress, at Mayence. December 15, 1806, 3 P.M. My Dear,—I start for Warsaw. In a fortnight I shall be back; I hope then to be able to send for you. But if that seems Adieu, dear. I have made peace with Saxony.—Yours ever, Napoleon. December 17th.—Turkey declares war on Russia. (So Montgaillard; but Napoleon refers to it in the thirty-ninth bulletin, dated December 7th, while Haydn dates it January 7th.) No. 24. To the Empress, at Mayence. Warsaw, December 20, 1806, 3 P.M. I have no news from you, dear. I am very well. The last two days I have been at Warsaw. My affairs prosper. The weather is very mild, and even somewhat humid. It has as yet barely begun to freeze; it is October weather. Adieu, dear; I should much have liked to see you, but trust that in five or six days I shall be able to send for you. Kindest regards to the Queen of Holland and to her little Napoleons.—Yours ever, Napoleon. December 22nd.—Napoleon crosses the Narew, and the next day defeats Russians at Czarnowo; also December 24th.—At Nasielsk. December 26th.—Ney defeats Lestocq at Soldau; Lannes defeats Beningsen at Pultusk; December 28th.—And Augereau defeats Buxhowden at Golymin. No. 25. To the Empress, at Mayence. Golymin, December 29, 1806, 5 A.M. I write you only a line, my dear. I am in a wretched barn. I have beaten the Russians, taken thirty pieces of cannon, their In two days I shall be at Warsaw, whence I shall write you.—Yours ever, Napoleon. No. 26. To the Empress, at Mayence. Pultusk, December 31, 1806. I have had a good laugh over your last letters. You idealise the fair ones of Great Poland in a way they do not deserve. I have had for two or three days the pleasure of hearing PÄer and two lady singers, who have given me some very good music. I received your letter in a wretched barn, having mud, wind, and straw for my only bed. To-morrow I shall be at Warsaw. I think all is over for this year. The army is entering winter quarters. I shrug my shoulders at the stupidity of Madame de L——; still you should show her your displeasure, and counsel her not to be so idiotic. Such things become common property, and make many people indignant. For my part, I scorn ingratitude as the worst fault in a human heart. I know that instead of comforting you, these people have given you pain. Adieu, dear; I am in good health. I do not think you ought to go to Cassel; that place is not suitable. You may go to Darmstadt. Napoleon. No. 27. To the Empress, at Mayence. Warsaw, January 3, 1807. My Dear,—I have received your letter. Your grief pains me; but one must bow to events. There is too much country to travel between Mayence and Warsaw; you must, therefore, My health is good; the weather bad. I love you from my heart. Napoleon. January 5th.—Capture of Breslau, with 7000 men, by Vandamme and HÉdouville. No. 28. January 7th.—English Orders in Council against Berlin Decree. To the Empress, at Mayence. Warsaw, January 7, 1807. My Dear,—I am pained by all that you tell me; but the season being cold, the roads very bad and not at all safe, I cannot consent to expose you to so many fatigues and dangers. Return to Paris in order to spend the winter there. Go to the Tuileries; receive, and lead the same life as you are accustomed to do when I am there; that is my wish. Perhaps I shall not be long in rejoining you there; but it is absolutely necessary for you to give up the idea of making a journey of 750 miles at this time of the year, through the enemy's country, and in the rear of the army. Believe that it costs me more than you to put off for some weeks the pleasure of seeing you, but so events and the success of my enterprise order it. Adieu, my dear; be cheerful, and show character. Napoleon. No. 29. To the Empress, at Mayence. Warsaw, January 8, 1807. My Dear,—I received your letter of the 27th with those of M. Napoleon and Hortense, which were enclosed with it. I had begged you to return to Paris. The season is too inclement, the roads unsafe and detestable; the distances too great for me to permit you to come hither, where my affairs detain me. It would take you at least a month to come. You would arrive ill; by that time it might perhaps be necessary to start back again; it would therefore be folly. Your residence at Mayence is too dull; Paris reclaims you; go there, it is my wish. I am more vexed about it than you. I should have liked to spend the long nights of this season with you, but we must obey circumstances. Adieu, dear.—Yours ever, Napoleon. No. 30. To the Empress, at Mayence. Warsaw, January 11, 1807. Your letter of the 27th received, from which I note that you are somewhat uneasy about military events. Everything is settled, as I have told you, to my satisfaction; my affairs prosper. The distance is too great for me to allow you to come so far at this time of year. I am in splendid health, sometimes rather wearied by the length of the nights. Up to the present I have seen few people here. Adieu, dear. I wish you to be cheerful, and to give a little life to the capital. I would much like to be there.—Yours ever, Napoleon. I hope that the Queen has gone to the Hague with M. Napoleon. No. 31. January 16th.—Capture of Brieg by the French. To the Empress, at Mayence. January 16, 1807. My Dear,—I have received your letter of the 5th of January; all that you tell me of your unhappiness pains me. Why these tears, these repinings? Have you then no longer any fortitude? I shall see you soon. Never doubt my feelings; and if you wish to be still dearer to me, show character and strength of mind. I am humiliated to think that my wife can distrust my destinies. Adieu, dear. I love you, I long to see you, and wish to learn that you are content and happy. Napoleon. No. 32. To the Empress, at Mayence. Warsaw, January 18, 1807. I fear that you are greatly grieved at our separation and at your return to Paris, which must last for some weeks longer. I insist on your having more fortitude. I hear you are always weeping. Fie! how unbecoming it is! Your letter of January 7th makes me unhappy. Be worthy of me; assume more character. Cut a suitable figure at Paris; and, above all, be contented. I am very well, and I love you much; but, if you are always crying, I shall think you without courage and without character. I do not love cowards. An empress ought to have fortitude. Napoleon. No. 33. To the Empress, at Mayence. Warsaw, January 19, 1807. My Dear,—Your letter to hand. I have laughed at your fear of fire. I am in despair at the tone of your letters and at what I hear. I forbid you to weep, to be petulant and uneasy; I want you to be cheerful, lovable, and happy. Napoleon. No. 34. To the Empress, at Mayence. Warsaw, January 23, 1807. Your letter of January 15th to hand. It is impossible to allow women to make such a journey as this—bad roads, miry and unsafe. Return to Paris; be cheerful and content there. Perhaps even I shall soon be there. I have laughed at what you say about your having taken a husband to be with him. I thought, in my ignorance, that the wife was made for the husband, the husband for his country, his family, and glory. Pardon my ignorance; one is always learning from our fair ladies. Adieu, my dear. Think how much it costs me not to send for you. Say to yourself, "It is a proof how precious I am to him." Napoleon. No. 35. January 25th.—Russians defeated at Mohrungen by Bernadotte. To the Empress, at Mayence. January 25, 1807. I am very unhappy to see you are in pain. I hope that you are at Paris; you will get better there. I share your griefs, and do not groan. For I could not risk losing you by exposing you to fatigues and dangers which befit neither your rank nor your sex. I wish you never to receive T—— at Paris; he is a black sheep. You would grieve me by doing otherwise. Adieu, my dear. Love me, and be courageous. Napoleon. No. 36. To the Empress, at Paris. Warsaw, January 26, 1807, Noon. My Dear,—I have received your letter. It pains me to see how you are fretting yourself. The bridge of Mayence neither increases nor decreases the distance which separates us. Remain, therefore, at Paris. I should be vexed and uneasy to know that you were so miserable and so isolated at Mayence. You must know that I ought, that I can, consider only the success of my enterprise. If I could consult my heart I should be with you, or you with me; for you would be most unjust if you doubted my love and entire affection. Napoleon. No. 37. To the Empress, at Paris. Willemberg, February 1, 1807, Noon. Your letter of the 11th, from Mayence, has made me laugh. To-day, I am a hundred miles from Warsaw; the weather is cold, but fine. Adieu, dear; be happy, show character. Napoleon. No. 38. To the Empress, at Paris. My Dear,—Your letter of January 20th has given me pain; it is too sad. That's the fault of not being a little more devout! That's sufficient quarrelling. I want you to be cheerful, happy in your lot, and that you should obey, not with grumbling and tears, but with gaiety of heart and a little more good temper. Adieu, dear; I start to-night to examine my outposts. Napoleon. February 5th.—Combats of Bergfriede, Waltersdorf, and Deppen; Russians forced back. February 6th.—Combat of Hof. Murat victorious. February 8th.—Battle of Eylau; retreat of Russians. No. 39. To the Empress, at Paris. Eylau, February 9, 1807, 3 A.M. My Dear,—Yesterday there was a great battle; the victory has remained with me, but I have lost many men. The loss of the enemy, which is still more considerable, does not console me. To conclude, I write you these two lines myself, although I am very tired, to tell you that I am well and that I love you.—Yours ever, Napoleon. No. 40. To the Empress, at Paris. Eylau, February 9, 1807, 6 P.M. My Dear,—I write you a line in order that you may not be uneasy. The enemy has lost the battle, 40 pieces of cannon, Your cousin Tascher conducts himself well; I have summoned him near me with the title of orderly officer. Corbineau has been killed by a shell; I was singularly attached to that officer, who had much merit; I am very unhappy about him. My mounted guard has covered itself with glory. Dahlman is dangerously wounded. Adieu, dear.—Yours ever, Napoleon. No. 41. To the Empress, at Paris. Eylau, February 11, 1807, 3 A.M. My Dear,—I write you a line; you must have been very anxious. I have beaten the enemy in a fight to be remembered, but it has cost many brave lives. The bad weather that has set in forces me to take cantonments. Do not afflict yourself, please; all this will soon be over, and the happiness of seeing you will make me promptly forget my fatigues. Besides, I have never been in better health. Young Tascher, of the 4th Regiment, has behaved well; he has had a rough time of it. I have summoned him near me; I have made him an orderly officer—there's an end to his troubles. This young man interests me. Adieu, dear; a thousand kisses. Napoleon. No. 42. To the Empress, at Paris. Preussich-Eylau, February 12, 1807. I send you a letter from General Darmagnac. He is a very good soldier, who commanded the 32nd. He is much attached Napoleon. No. 43. To the Empress, at Paris. Eylau, February 14, 1807. My Dear,—I am still at Eylau. This country is covered with dead and wounded. It is not the bright side of warfare; one suffers, and the mind is oppressed at the sight of so many victims. My health is good. I have done as I wished, and driven back the enemy, while making his projects fail. You are sure to be uneasy, and that thought troubles me. Nevertheless, calm yourself, my dear, and be cheerful.—Yours ever, Napoleon. Tell Caroline and Pauline that the Grand Duke and the Prince[22] are in excellent health. February 16th.—Savary defeats Russians at Ostrolenka. No. 44. To the Empress, at Paris. Eylau, February 17, 1807, 3 A.M. Your letter to hand, informing me of your arrival at Paris. I am very glad to know you are there. My health is good. The battle of Eylau was very sanguinary, and very hardly contested. Corbineau was slain. He was a very brave man. I had grown very fond of him. Adieu, dear; it is as warm here as in the month of April; everything is thawing. My health is good. Napoleon. No. 45. To the Empress, at Paris. Landsberg, February 18, 1807, 3 A.M. I write you two lines. My health is good. I am moving to set my army in winter quarters. It rains and thaws as in the month of April. We have not yet had one cold day. Adieu, dear.—Yours ever, Napoleon. No. 46. To the Empress, at Paris. Liebstadt, February 20, 1807, 2 A.M. I write you two lines, dear, in order that you may not be uneasy. My health is very good, and my affairs prosper. I have again put my army into cantonments. The weather is extraordinary; it freezes and thaws; it is wet and unsettled. Adieu, dear.—Yours ever, Napoleon. No. 47. To the Empress, at Paris. Liebstadt, February 21, 1807, 2 A.M. Your letter of the 4th February to hand; I see with pleasure that your health is good. Paris will thoroughly re-establish it by giving you cheerfulness and rest, and a return to your accustomed habits. I am wonderfully well. The weather and the country are vile. My affairs are fairly satisfactory. It thaws and freezes within twenty-four hours; there can never have been known such an extraordinary winter. Adieu, dear; I love you, I think of you, and wish to know that you are contented, cheerful, and happy.—Yours ever, Napoleon. No. 48. To the Empress, at Paris. Liebstadt, February 21, 1807, Noon. My Dear,—Your letter of the 8th received; I see with pleasure that you have been to the opera, and that you propose holding receptions weekly. Go occasionally to the theatre, and always into the Royal box. I notice also with pleasure the banquets you are giving. I am very well. The weather is still unsettled; it freezes and thaws. I have once more put my army into cantonments in order to rest them. Never be doleful, love me, and believe in my entire affection. Napoleon. No. 49. To the Empress, at Paris. Osterode, February 23, 1807, 2 P.M. My Dear,—Your letter of the 10th received. I am sorry to see you are a little out of sorts. I have been in the country for the past month, experiencing frightful weather, because it has been unsettled, and varying from cold to warm within a week. Still, I am very well. Try and pass your time pleasantly; have no anxieties, and never doubt the love I bear you. Napoleon. February 26th.—Dupont defeats Russians at Braunsberg. No. 50. To the Empress, at Paris. Osterode, March 2, 1807. My Dear,—It is two or three days since I wrote to you; I reproach myself for it; I know your uneasiness. I am very well; my affairs prosper. I am in a wretched village, where I shall pass a considerable time; it is not as good as the great city! I again assure you, I was never in such good health; you will find me very much stouter. It is spring weather here; the snow has gone, the streams are thawing—which is what I want. I have ordered what you wish for Malmaison; be cheerful and happy; it is my will. Adieu, dear; I embrace you heartily.—Yours ever, Napoleon. March 9th.—The Grand Sanhedrim, which assembled at Paris on February 9, terminates its sittings. No. 51. To the Empress, at Paris. Osterode, March 10, 1807, 4 P.M. My Dear,—I have received your letter of the 25th. I see with pleasure that you are well, and that you sometimes make a pilgrimage to Malmaison. My health is good, and my affairs prosper. The weather has become rather cold again. I see that the winter has been very variable everywhere. Adieu, dear; keep well, be cheerful, and never doubt my affection,—Yours ever, Napoleon. No. 52. To the Empress, at Paris. Osterode, March 11, 1807. My Dear,—I received your letter of the 27th. I am sorry to see from it that you are ill; take courage. My health is good; my affairs prosper. I am waiting for fine weather, which should soon be here. I love you and want to know that you are content and cheerful. A great deal of nonsense will be talked of the battle of Eylau; the bulletin tells everything; our losses are rather exaggerated in it than minimised.—Yours ever, Napoleon. No. 53. To the Empress, at Paris. Osterode, March 13, 1807, 2 P.M. My Dear,—I learn that the vexatious tittle-tattle that occurred in your salon at Mayence has begun again; make people hold their tongues. I shall be seriously annoyed with you if you do not find a remedy. You allow yourself to be worried by the chatter of people who ought to console you. I desire you to have a little character, and to know how to put everybody into his (or her) proper place. I am in excellent health. My affairs here are good. We are resting a little, and organising our food supply. Adieu, dear; keep well. Napoleon. No. 54. To the Empress, at Paris. Osterode, March 15, 1807. I received your letter of the 1st of March, from which I see that you were much upset by the catastrophe of Minerva at the My health is very good. My affairs go excellently. Take no heed of all the unfavourable rumours that may be circulated. Never doubt my affection, and be without the least uneasiness.—Yours ever, Napoleon. No. 55. To the Empress, at Paris. Osterode, March 17, 1807. My Dear,—It is not necessary for you to go to the small plays and into a private box; it ill befits your rank; you should only go to the four great theatres, and always into the Royal box. Live as you would do if I were at Paris. My health is very good. The cold weather has recommenced. The thermometer has been down to 8°.—Yours ever, Napoleon. No. 56. To the Empress, at Paris. Osterode, March 17, 1807, 10 P.M. I have received yours of March 5th, from which I see with pleasure that you are well. My health is perfect. Yet the weather of the past two days has been cold again; the thermometer to-night has been at 10°, but the sun has given us a very fine day. Adieu, dear. Very kindest regards to everybody. Tell me something about the death of that poor Dupuis; have his brother told that I wish to help him. My affairs here go excellently.—Yours ever, Napoleon. No. 57. March 25th.—Abolition of slave trade in Great Britain by Parliament. To the Empress, at Paris. March 25, 1807. I have received your letter of March 13th. If you really wish to please me, you must live exactly as you live when I am at Paris. Then you were not in the habit of visiting the second-rate theatres or other places. You ought always to go into the Royal box. As for your home life: hold receptions there, and have your fixed circles of friends; that, my dear, is the only way to deserve my approbation. Greatness has its inconveniences; an Empress cannot go where a private individual may. Very best love. My health is good. My affairs prosper. Napoleon. No. 58. To the Empress, at Paris. Osterode, March 27, 1807, 7 P.M. My Dear,—Your letter pains me. There is no question of your dying. You are in good health, and you can have no just ground for grief. I think you should go during May to St. Cloud; but you must spend the whole month of April at Paris. My health is good. My affairs prosper. You must not think of travelling this summer; nothing of that sort is feasible. You ought not to frequent inns and camps. I long as much as you for our meeting and for a quiet life. I can do other things besides fight; but duty stands first and foremost. All my life long I have sacrificed everything to my destiny—peace of mind, personal advantage, happiness. Adieu, dear. See as little as possible of that Madame de Napoleon. I have had occasion to find fault with M. de T——. I have sent him to his country house in Burgundy. I wish no longer to hear his name mentioned. No. 59. To the Empress, at Paris. Osterode, April 1, 1807. My Dear,—I have just got your letter of the 20th. I am sorry to see you are ill. I wrote you to stay at Paris the whole month of April, and to go to St. Cloud on May 1st. You may go and spend the Sundays, and a day or two, at Malmaison. At St. Cloud you may have your usual visitors. My health is good. It is still quite cold enough here. All is quiet. I have named the little princess Josephine.[23] EugÈne should be well pleased.—Yours ever, Napoleon. No. 60. To the Empress, at Paris. Finckenstein, April 2, 1807. My Dear,—I write you a line. I have just moved my headquarters into a very fine chÂteau, after the style of BessiÈres', where I have several fireplaces, which is a great comfort to me; getting up often in the night, I like to see the fire. My health is perfect. The weather is fine, but still cold. The thermometer is at four to five degrees. Adieu, dear.—Yours ever, Napoleon. No. 61. To the Empress, at Paris. Finckenstein, April 6, 1807, 3 P.M. My Dear,—I have received your letter, from which I see you have spent Holy Week at Malmaison, and that your health is better. I long to hear that you are thoroughly well. I am in a fine chÂteau, where there are fireplaces, which I find a great comfort. It is still very cold here; everything is frozen. You will have seen that I have good news from Constantinople. My health is good. There is nothing fresh here.—Yours ever, Napoleon. No. 62. To the Empress, at Paris. Finckenstein, April 10, 1807, 6 P.M. My Dear,—My health is excellent. Here spring is beginning; but as yet there is no vegetation. I wish you to be cheerful and contented, and never to doubt my attachment. Here all goes well. Napoleon. No. 63. To the Empress, at Paris. Finckenstein, April 14, 1807, 7 P.M. I have received your letter of April 3rd. I see from it that you are well, and that it has been very cold in Paris. The weather here is very unsettled; still I think the spring has come at length; already the ice has almost gone. I am in splendid health. Adieu, dear. I ordered some time ago for Malmaison all that you ask for,—Yours ever, Napoleon. No. 64. To the Empress, at Paris. Finckenstein, April 18, 1807. I have received your letter of April 5th. I am sorry to see from it that you are grieved at what I have told you. As usual, your little Creole head becomes flurried and excited in a moment. Let us not, therefore, speak of it again. I am very well, but yet the weather is rainy. Savary is very ill of a bilious fever, before Dantzic; I hope it will be nothing serious. Adieu, dear; my very best wishes to you. Napoleon. No. 65. To the Empress, at Paris. Finckenstein, April 24, 1807, 7 P.M. I have received your letter of the 12th. I see from it that your health is good, and that you are very happy at the thought of going to Malmaison. The weather has changed to fine; I hope it may continue so. There is nothing fresh here. I am very well. Adieu, dear.—Yours ever, Napoleon. No. 66. To the Empress, at Paris. Finckenstein, May 2, 1807, 4 P.M. My Dear,—I have just received your letter of the 23rd; I see with pleasure that you are well, and that you are as fond as ever of Malmaison. I hear the Arch-Chancellor is in love. Is this a joke, or a fact? It has amused me; you might have given me a hint about it! Adieu, dear; very best wishes.—Yours ever, Napoleon. No. 67. To the Empress, at Paris. Finckenstein, May 10, 1807. I have just received your letter. I know not what you tell me about ladies in correspondence with me. I love only my little Josephine, sweet, pouting, and capricious, who can quarrel with grace, as she does everything else, for she is always lovable, except when she is jealous; then she becomes a regular shrew.[24] But let us come back to these ladies. If I had leisure for any among them, I assure you that I should like them to be pretty rosebuds. Are those of whom you speak of this kind? I wish you to have only those persons to dinner who have dined with me; that your list be the same for your assemblies; that you never make intimates at Malmaison of ambassadors and foreigners. If you should do the contrary, you would displease me. Finally, do not allow yourself to be duped too much by persons whom I do not know, and who would not come to the house, if I were there. Adieu, dear.—Yours ever, Napoleon. No. 68. To the Empress, at Paris. Finckenstein, May 12, 1807. I have just received your letter of May 2nd, in which I see that you are getting ready to go to St. Cloud. I was sorry to see the bad conduct of Madame ——. Might you not speak to From what I hear, Napoleon is cured; I can well imagine how unhappy his mother has been; but measles is an ailment to which every one is liable. I hope that he has been vaccinated, and that he will at least be safe from the smallpox. Adieu, dear. The weather is very warm, and vegetation has begun; but it will be some days before there is any grass. Napoleon. No. 69. To the Empress, at St. Cloud. Finckenstein, May 14, 1807. I realise the grief which the death of this poor Napoleon[25] must cause you; you can imagine what I am enduring. I should like to be by your side, in order that your sorrow might be kept within reasonable bounds. You have had the good fortune never to lose children; but it is one of the pains and conditions attached to our miseries here below. I trust I may hear you have been rational in your sorrow, and that your health remains good! Would you willingly augment my grief? Adieu, dear. Napoleon. No. 70. To the Empress, at St. Cloud. Finckenstein, May 16, 1807. I have just received your letter of May 6th. I see from it how ill you are already; and I fear that you are not rational, and that you are making yourself too wretched about the misfortune which has come upon us. Adieu, dear.—Yours ever, Napoleon. No. 71. To the Empress, at Lacken. Finckenstein, May 20, 1807. I have just received your letter of May 10th. I see that you have gone to Lacken. I think you might stay there a fortnight; it would please the Belgians and serve to distract you. I am sorry to see that you have not been rational. Grief has bounds which should not be passed. Take care of yourself for the sake of your friend, and believe in my entire affection. Napoleon. No. 72. May 24th.—Dantzic surrenders to Lefebvre after two months' siege, with 800 guns and immense stores. To the Empress, at Lacken. Finckenstein, May 24, 1807. Your letter from Lacken just received. I am sorry to see your grief undiminished, and that Hortense has not yet come; she is unreasonable, and does not deserve our love, since she only loves her children. Try to calm her, and do not make me wretched. For every ill without a remedy consolations must be found. Adieu, dear.—Yours ever, Napoleon. No. 73. To the Empress, at Lacken. Finckenstein, May 26, 1807. I have just received your letter of the 16th. I have seen with pleasure that Hortense has arrived at Lacken. I am annoyed at what you tell me of the state of stupor in which she still is. She must have more courage, and force herself to have it. Show force of character, be cheerful, and keep well. My health is excellent. Adieu, dear. I suffer much from all your griefs; it is a great trouble to me not to be by your side. Napoleon. May 28th.—Lefebvre made Duke of Dantzic by Napoleon. May 29th.—Selim III. deposed in Turkey by Mustapha IV., his nephew. June 1st.—22,000 Spanish troops, sent by Charles IV., join the French army in Germany. No. 74. To the Empress, at Malmaison. Dantzig, June 2, 1807. My Dear,—I note your arrival at Malmaison. I have no letters from you; I am vexed with Hortense, she has never written me a line. All that you tell me about her grieves me. Why have you not found her some distractions? Weeping won't do it! I trust you will take care of yourself in order that I may not find you utterly woebegone. I have been the two past days at Dantzic; the weather is very fine, my health excellent. I think more of you than you are thinking of a husband far away. Adieu, dear; very kindest regards. Pass on this letter to Hortense. Napoleon. No. 75. To the Empress, at St. Cloud. Marienburg, June 3, 1807. This morning I slept at Marienburg. Yesterday I left Dantzic; my health is very good. Every letter that comes from Hortense is still unwell; what you tell me of her makes me very sorry for her. Adieu, dear; think of all the affection I bear for you. Napoleon. June 5th.—Russians defeated at Spanden; Bernadotte wounded. No. 76. June 6th.—Russians defeated at Deppen by Soult. To the Empress, at St. Cloud. Finckenstein, June 6, 1807. My Dear,—I am in flourishing health. Your yesterday's letter pained me; it seems to me that you are always grieving, and that you are not reasonable. The weather is very fine. Adieu, dear; I love you and wish to see you cheerful and contented. Napoleon. June 9th.—Russians defeated at Guttstadt by Napoleon, and June 10th.—At Heilsberg. June 14th.—Battle of Friedland, completing the "Campaign of Ten Days." No. 77. To the Empress, at St. Cloud. Friedland, June 15, 1807. My Dear,—I write you only a line, for I am very tired, by reason of several days' bivouacking. My children have worthily celebrated the anniversary of the battle of Marengo. The battle of Friedland will be as celebrated for my people, and equally glorious. The entire Russian army routed, 80 pieces of cannon captured, 30,000 men taken or slain, 25 Russian generals killed, wounded, or taken, the Russian Guard wiped out. Be content and without uneasiness. Adieu, dear; my horse is waiting. Napoleon. You may give this news as official, if it arrives before the bulletin. They may also fire salvoes. CambacÈres will make the proclamation. No. 78. June 16th.—KÖnigsberg captured by Soult—"what was left to the King of Prussia is conquered." To the Empress, at St. Cloud. Friedland, June 16, 1807, 4 P.M. My Dear,—Yesterday I despatched Moustache with the news of the battle of Friedland. Since then I have continued to pursue the enemy. KÖnigsberg, which is a town of 80,000 souls, is in my power. I have found there many cannon, large stores, and, lastly, more than 160,000 muskets, which have come from England. Adieu, dear. My health is perfect, although I have a slight catarrh caused by bivouacking in the rain and cold. Be happy and cheerful.—Yours ever, Napoleon. June 17th.—Neisse, in Silesia, with 6000 men, surrenders to the French; also June 18th—Glatz. No. 79. To the Empress, at St. Cloud. Tilsit, June 19, 1807. This morning I despatched Tascher to you, to calm all your fears. Here all goes splendidly. The battle of Friedland has My health is good, and my army is superb. Adieu, dear. Be cheerful and contented. Napoleon. June 21st.—Armistice concluded at Tilsit. No. 80. To the Empress, at St. Cloud. Tilsit, June 22, 1807. My Dear,—I have your letter of June 10th. I am sorry to see you are so depressed. You will see by the bulletin that I have concluded a suspension of arms, and that we are negotiating peace. Be contented and cheerful. I despatched BorghÈse to you, and, twelve hours later, Moustache; therefore you should have received in good time my letters and the news of the grand battle of Friedland. I am wonderfully well, and wish to hear that you are happy.—Yours ever, Napoleon. No. 81. To the Empress, at St. Cloud. Tilsit, June 25, 1807. My Dear,—I have just seen the Emperor Alexander. I was much pleased with him. He is a very handsome, young, and kind-hearted Emperor; he has more intelligence than people usually give him credit for. To-morrow he will lodge in the town of Tilsit. Adieu, dear. I am very anxious to hear that you are well and happy. My health is very good. Napoleon. No. 82. To the Empress, at St. Cloud. Tilsit, July 3, 1807. My Dear,—M. de Turenne will give you full details of all that has occurred here. Everything goes excellently. I think I told you that the Emperor of Russia drinks your health with much cordiality. He, as well as the King of Prussia, dines with me every day. I sincerely trust that you are happy. Adieu, dear. A thousand loving remembrances. Napoleon. No. 83. To the Empress, at St. Cloud. Tilsit, July 6, 1807. I have your letter of June 25th. I was grieved to see that you were selfish, and that the success of my arms should have no charm for you. The beautiful Queen of Prussia is to come to-morrow to dine with me. I am well, and am longing to see you again, when destiny shall so order it. Still, it may be sooner than we expect. Adieu, dear; a thousand loving remembrances. Napoleon. No. 84. July 7th.—Peace signed between France and Russia. To the Empress, at St. Cloud. Tilsit, July 7, 1807. My Dear,—Yesterday the Queen of Prussia dined with me. I had to be on the defence against some further concessions she Adieu, dear; I love you, and wish to know that you are cheerful and contented. Napoleon. No. 85. To the Empress, at St. Cloud. Tilsit, July 8,[26] 1807. The Queen of Prussia is really charming; she is full of coquetterie for me; but don't be jealous; I am an oil-cloth over which all that can only glide. It would cost me too much to play the lover. Napoleon. No. 12,875 of the Correspondence (taken from Las Cases). July 9th.—Peace signed between France and Prussia, the latter resigning all its possessions between the Rhine and the Elbe. No. 86. To the Empress, at St. Cloud. Dresden, July 18, 1807, Noon. My Dear,—Yesterday I arrived at Dresden at 5 P.M., in excellent health, although I remained a hundred hours in the carriage without getting out. I am staying here with the King of Saxony, with whom I am highly pleased. I have now therefore traversed more than half the distance that separates us. It is very likely that one of these fine nights I may descend upon St. Cloud like a jealous husband, so beware. Adieu, dear; I shall have great pleasure in seeing you.—Yours ever, Napoleon. July 25th.—Plot of Prince Ferdinand of Asturias against his parents, the King and Queen of Spain. July 27th.—Napoleon arrives at St. Cloud, 5 A.M. August 19th.—Napoleon suppresses the French Tribunate. August 20th.—Marshal Brune captures Stralsund from the Swedes. September 1st.—The Ionian Isles become part of the French Empire. September 5th to 7th.—Bombardment of Copenhagen by the English. September 7th.—Occupation of Rugen by Marshal Brune. October 6th.—War between Russia and Sweden. October 16th.—Treaty of alliance between France and Denmark. October 17th.—Junot with 27,000 men starts for Portugal, with whom France has been nominally at war since 1801. October 27th.—Treaty of Fontainebleau signed between France and Spain. (Plot of Prince Ferdinand against his father discovered at Madrid the same day.) November 8th.—Russia declares war against England. November 15th.—Napoleon constitutes the kingdom of Westphalia, with his brother Jerome as king. November 26th.—Junot enters AbrantÈs, and on November 30th, enters Lisbon. December 9th.—Trade suspended between England and the United States (re rights of neutrals). December 23rd.—France levies a contribution of 100 million francs on Portugal. |
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