This reply was delivered with considerable dignity and energy.  I showed the Prince out, and he said to me, “These conditions are very hard, especially that of giving up Genoa, which surrendered to us only a fortnight ago, after so long a siege.”  It is a curious fact that the Emperor of Austria received intelligence of the capitulation and restitution of Genoa at the same time.

When the First Consul returned to Milan he made Savary and Rapp his aides de camp.  They had previously served in the same rank under Desaix.  The First Consul was at first not much disposed to take them, alleging that he had aides de camp enough.  But his respect for the choice of Desaix, added to a little solicitation on my part, soon removed every obstacle.  These two officers served him to the last hour of his political career with unfailing zeal and fidelity.

I have seen nothing in the Memoirs of the Due de Rovigo (Savary) about my having had anything to do with his admission to the honour.  I can probably tell the reason why one of the two aides de camp has risen higher than the other.  Rapp had an Alsatian frankness which always injured him.

CHAPTER II.

1800.

Suspension of hostilities—­Letter to the Consuls—­Second Occupation of Milan—­Bonaparte and Massena—­Public acclamations and the voice of Josephine—­Stray recollections—­Organization of Piedmont—­Sabres of honour—­Rewards to the army of the Rhine—­Pretended army of reserve—­General Zach—­Anniversary of the 14th of July—­Monument to Desaix—­Desaix and Foy—­Bonaparte’s speech in the Temple of Mars—­ Arrival of the Consular Guard—­The bones of marshal Turenne—­ Lucien’s successful speech—­Letter from Lucien to Joseph Bonaparte—­ The First Consul’s return to Paris—­Accidents on the road—­ Difficulty of gaining lasting fame—­Assassination of Kleber—­ Situation of the terrace on which Kleber was stabbed—­Odious rumours —­Arrival of a courier—­A night scene—­Bonaparte’s distress on perusing the despatches from Egypt.

What little time, and how few events sometimes suffice to change the destiny of nations!  We left Milan on the 13th of June, Marengo on the 14th, and on the 15th Italy was ours!  A suspension of hostilities between the French and Austrian armies was the immediate result of a single battle; and by virtue of a convention, concluded between Berthier and Melas, we resumed possession of all the fortified places of any importance, with the exception of Mantua.  As soon as this convention was signed Bonaparte dictated to me at Torre di Galifolo the following letter to his colleagues: 

The day after the battle of Marengo, citizens consuls, General Melas
transmitted a message to our advance posts requesting permission to
send General Skal to me.  During the day the convention, of which I
send you a copy, was drawn up, and at night it was signed by
Generals Berthier and Melas.  I hope the French people will be
satisfied with the conduct, of their army. 

                                        (Signed) Bonaparte