The odious manner in which I was then harassed, I know not why, on the part of the Government respecting my certificate of residence, rendered my stay in France not very agreeable.  I was even threatened with being put on my trial for having produced a certificate of residence which was alleged to be signed by nine false witnesses.  This time, therefore, I resolved without hesitation to set out for the army.  General Bonaparte’s order, which I registered at the municipality of Sens, answered for a passport, which otherwise would probably have been refused me.  I have always felt a strong sense of gratitude for his conduct towards me on this occasion.

Notwithstanding the haste I made to leave Sens, the necessary formalities and precautions detained me some days, and at the moment I was about to depart I received the following letter: 

                                   Headquarters, JUDENBOURG,
                         19th Germinal, Year V. (8th April 1797).

The General-in-Chief again orders me, my dear Bourrienne, to urge you to come to him quickly.  We are in the midst of success and triumphs.  The German campaign begins even more brilliantly than did the Italian.  You may judge, therefore, what a promise it holds out to us.  Come, my dear Bourrienne, immediately—­yield to our solicitations—­share our pains and pleasures, and you will add to our enjoyments.

     I have directed the courier to pass through Sens, that he may
     deliver this letter to you, and bring me back your answer. 
                                   (Signed) Marmont.

To the above letter this order was subjoined: 

     The citizen Fauvelet de Bourrienne is ordered to leave Sens, and
     repair immediately by post to the headquarters of the army of Italy. 
                                   (Signed) Bonaparte.

I arrived at the Venetian territory at the moment when the insurrection against the French was on the point of breaking out.  Thousands of peasants were instigated to rise under the pretext of appeasing the troubles of Bergamo and Brescia.  I passed through Verona on the 16th of April, the eve of the signature of the preliminaries of Leoben and of the revolt of Verona.  Easter Sunday was the day which the ministers of Jesus Christ selected for preaching “that it was lawful, and even meritorious, to kill Jacobins.”  Death to Frenchmen!—­Death to Jacobins! as they called all the French, were their rallying cries.  At the time I had not the slightest idea of this state of things, for I had left Sens only on the 11th of April.