who was then Minister of War, made a report to the First Consul on this affair, which, but for the firmness of Bernadotte, might have been attended with disagreeable results.  Carnet’s report contained a plain statement of the facts, and of General Bernadotte’s conduct.  Bonaparte was, however, desirous to find in it some pretext for blaming him, and made me write these words on the margin of the report:  “General Bernadotte did not act discreetly in adopting such severe measures against the fifty-second demi-brigade, he not having the means, if he head been unsuccessful, of re-establishing order in a town the garrison of which was not strong enough to subdue the mutineers.”

A few days after, the First Consul having learned that the result of this affair was quite different from that which he affected to dread, and being convinced that by Bernadotte’s firmness alone order had been restored, he found himself in some measure constrained to write to the General, and he dictated the following letter to me: 

Paris, 11th Vendemiaire.  Year XI.

     Citizen-general—­I have read with interest the account of what you
     did to re-establish order in the fifty-second demi-brigade, and
     also the report of General Liebert, dated the 5th Vendemiaire. 
     Tell that officer that the Government is satisfied with his conduct. 
     His promotion from the rank of Colonel to that of General of brigade
     is confirmed.  I wish that brave officer to come to Paris.  He has
     afforded an example of firmness and energy which does honour to a
     soldier. 
                                        (Signed) Bonaparte.

Thus in the same affair Bonaparte, in a few days, from the spontaneous expression of blame dictated by hate, was reduced to the necessity of declaring his approbation, which he did, as may be seen, with studied coldness, and even taking pains to make his praises apply to Colonel Liebert, and not to the general-in-chief.

Time only served to augment Bonaparte’s dislike of Bernadotte.  It might be said that the farther he advanced in his rapid march towards absolute power the more animosity he cherished against the individual who had refused to aid his first steps in his adventurous career.  At the same time the persons about Bonaparte who practised the art of flattering failed not to multiply reports and insinuations against Bernadotte.  I recollect one day, when there was to be a grand public levee, seeing Bonaparte so much out of temper that I asked him the cause of it.  “I can bear it no longer,” he replied impetuously.  “I have resolved to have a scene with Bernadotte to-day.  He will probably be here.  I will open the fire, let what will come of it.  He may do what he pleases.  We shall see!  It is time there should be an end of this.”