—­[Michel Duroc (1773-1813) at first only aide de camp to Napoleon, was several times entrusted with special diplomatic missions (for example, to Berlin, etc.) On the formation of the Empire he became Grand Marechal du Palais, and Duc de Frioul.  He always remained in close connection with Napoleon until he was killed in 1813.  As he is often mentioned in contemporary memoirs under his abbreviated title of ‘Marshal’, he has sometimes been erroneously included in the number of the Marshals of the Empire—­a military rank he never attained to.]—­

The acquaintance was formed at a subsequent period, in Italy.  Duroc’s cold character and unexcursive mind suited Napoleon, whose confidence he enjoyed until his death, and who entrusted him with missions perhaps above his abilities.  At St. Helena Bonaparte often declared that he was much attached to Duroc.  I believe this to be true; but I know that the attachment was not returned.  The ingratitude of princes is proverbial.  May it not happen that courtiers are also sometimes ungrateful?—­[It is only just to Duroc to add that this charge does not seem borne out by the impressions of those more capable than Bourrienne of judging in the matter.]

CHAPTER III.

1794-1795.

Proposal to send Bonaparte to La Vendee—­He is struck off the list of general officers—­Salicetti—­Joseph’s marriage with Mademoiselle Clary—­Bonaparte’s wish to go to Turkey—­Note explaining the plan of his proposed expedition—­Madame Bourrienne’s character of Bonaparte, and account of her husband’s arrest—­Constitution of the year iii—­ The 13th Vendemiaire—­Bonaparte appointed second in command of the army of the interior—­Eulogium of Bonaparte by Barras, and its consequences—­St. Helena manuscript.

General Bonaparte returned to Paris, where I also arrived from Germany shortly after him.  Our intimacy was resumed, and he gave me an account of, all that had passed in the campaign of the south.  He frequently alluded to the persecutions he had suffered, and he delivered to me the packet of papers noticed in the last chapter, desiring me to communicate their contents to my friends.  He was very anxious, he said, to do away with the supposition that he was capable of betraying his country, and, under the pretence of a mission to Genoa, becoming a spy on the interests of France.  He loved to talk over his military achievements at Toulon and in Italy.  He spoke of his first successes with that feeling of pleasure and gratification which they were naturally calculated to excite in him.

The Government wished to send him to La Vendee, with the rank of brigadier-general of infantry.  Bonaparte rejected this proposition on two grounds.  He thought the scene of action unworthy of his talents, and he regarded his projected removal from the artillery to the infantry as a sort of insult.  This last was his most powerful objection, and was the only one he urged officially.  In consequence of his refusal to accept the appointment offered him, the Committee of Public Safety decreed that he should be struck off the list of general officers.