What I have stated is an indispensable introduction to the knowledge of plots of more importance which preceded the great event that marked the close of the Consulship:  I allude to the conspiracy of Georges, Cadoudal, Moreau, and Pichegru, and that indelible stain on the character of Napoleon,—­the death of the Duc d’Enghien.  Different opinions have been expressed concerning Georges’ conspiracy.  I shall not contradict any of them.  I will relate what I learned and what I saw, in order to throw some light on that horrible affair.  I am far from believing what I have read in many works, that it was planned by the police in order to pave the First Consul’s way to the throne.  I think that it was contrived by those who were really interested in it, and encouraged by Fouche in order to prepare his return to office.

To corroborate my opinion respecting Fouche’s conduct and his manoeuvres I must remind the reader that about the close of 1803 some persons conceived the project of reconciling Moreau and Pichegru.  Fouche, who was then out of the Ministry, caused Moreau to be visited by men of his own party, and who were induced, perhaps unconsciously, by Fouche’s art, to influence and irritate the general’s mind.  It was at first intended that the Abbe David, the mutual friend of Moreau and Pichegru, should undertake to effect their reconciliation; but he, being arrested and confined in the Temple, was succeeded by a man named Lajolais, whom every circumstance proves to have been employed by Fouche.  He proceeded to London, and, having prevailed on Pichegru and his friends to return to France, he set off to announce their arrival and arrange everything for their reception and destruction.  Moreau’s discontent was the sole foundation of this intrigue.  I remember that one day, about the end of January 1804, I called on Fouche, who informed me that he had been at St. Cloud, where he had had a long conversation with the First Consul on the situation of affairs.  Bonaparte told him that he was satisfied with the existing police, and hinted that it was only to make himself of consequence that he had given a false colouring to the picture.  Fouche asked him what he would say if he told him that Georges and Pichegru had been for some time in Paris carrying on the conspiracy of which he had received information.  The First Consul, apparently delighted at what he conceived to be Fouche’s mistake, said, with an air of contempt, “You are well informed, truly!  Regnier has just received a letter from London stating that Pichegru dined three days ago at Kingston with one of the King of England’s ministers.”