I saw in the papers, that some American vessels had arrived in the ports of the Channel, and I determined to make use of my passport for America, in the hope that it would be possible to touch at an English port.  At all events I required some days to prepare for this voyage, and I was obliged to address myself to the minister of police to ask for that indulgence.  It has been already seen that the custom of the French government is to order women, as well as soldiers, to depart within twenty-four hours.  Here follows the minister’s reply:  it is curious to observe his style*.

* (Note of the Editor.) This is the same letter which was printed in the Preface to Germany,

“General police. 
Minister’s cabinet. 
Paris, 3d October, 1810.

“I have received the letter, madam, which you did me the honor to write to me.  Your son will have informed you that I saw no impropriety in your delaying your departure for seven or eight days:  I hope they will be sufficient for the arrangements which you have yet to make, as I cannot grant you any more.

“You must not seek for the cause of the order which I have signified to you, in the silence which you have observed with regard to the emperor in your last work; that would be a great mistake; he could find no place there which was worthy of him; but your exile is a natural consequence of the line of conduct you have constantly pursued for several years past.  It has appeared to me that the air of this country did not at all agree with you, and we are not yet reduced to seek for models in the nations whom you admire.

“Your last work is not at all French; it is by my orders that the impression has been seized.  I regret the loss which it will occasion to the bookseller; but it is not possible for me to allow it to appear.

“You know, madam, that you would not have been permitted to quit Coppet but for the desire you had expressed to go to America.  If my predecessor allowed you to reside in the department of Loir and Cher, you had no reason to look upon this license as any revocation of the arrangements which had been fixed with regard to you.  At present you compel me to make them be strictly executed; for this you have no one to blame but yourself.

“I have signified to M. Corbigny* to look to the punctual execution of the order I have given him, as soon as the term I grant you is expired.

* Prefect of Loir and Cher.

“I regret extremely, madam, that you have forced me to begin my correspondence with you by an act of severity; it would have been much more agreeable to me to have only had to offer you the assurance of the high consideration with which I have the honor to be, madam,

“Your most humble, and most obedient servant, Signed the duke of ROVIGO.

“P.  S, I have reasons, madam, for mentioning to you that the ports of Lorient, La Rochelle, Bourdeaux, and Rochefort, are the only ones in which you can embark.  I request you to let me know which of them you select*.”