Paris, 2d April 1800.

Citizen-general,—­The military talents of which you have given so many proofs, and the confidence of the Government, call you to the command of an army.  During the winter you have reorganised the War Department, and you have provided, as far as circumstances would permit, for the wants of our armies.  During the spring and summer it must be your task to lead our troops to victory, which is the effectual means of obtaining peace and consolidating the Republic.

Bonaparte laughed heartily while he dictated this epistle, especially when he uttered the word which I have marked in italics [caps].  Berthier set out for Dijon, where he commenced the formation of the army of reserve.

The Consular Constitution did not empower the First Consul to command an army out of the territory of France.  Bonaparte therefore wished to keep secret his long-projected plan of placing himself at the head of the army of Italy, which, he then for the first time called the grand army.  I observed that by his choice of Berthier nobody could be deceived, because it must be evident that he would have made another selection had he not intended to command in person.  He laughed at my observation.

Our departure from Paris was fixed for the 6th of May, or, according to the republican calendar, the 16th Floreal Bonaparte had made all his arrangements and issued all his orders; but still he did not wish it to be known that he was going to take the command of the army.  On the eve of our departure, being in conference with the two other Consuls and the Ministers, he said to Lucien, “Prepare, to-morrow morning, a circular to the prefects, and you, Fouche, will publish it in the journals.  Say I am gone to Dijon to inspect the army of reserve.  You may add that I shall perhaps go as far as Geneva; but you must affirm positively that I shall not be absent longer than a fortnight:  You, Cambaceres, will preside to-morrow at the Council of State.  In my absence you are the Head of the Government.  State that my absence will be but of short duration, but specify nothing.  Express my approbation of the Council of State; it has already rendered great services, and I shall be happy to see it continue in the course it has hitherto pursued.  Oh!  I had nearly forgotten—­you will at the same time announce that I have appointed Joseph a Councillor of State.  Should anything happen I shall be back again like a thunderbolt.  I recommend to you all the great interests of France, and I trust that I shall shortly be talked of in Vienna and in London.”

We set out at two in the morning, taking the Burgundy road, which we had already so often travelled under very different circumstances.