This favour excited a considerable sensation at the Tuileries; but as it was known to be the will and pleasure of the First Consul all expression of opinion on the subject was confined to a few quiet murmurs that Bonaparte had done for the name of Chateaubriand what, in fact, he had done only on account of his talent.  It was during the continuance of this favour that the second edition of the ‘Genie du Christianisme’ was dedicated to the First Consul.

M. de Chateaubriand returned to France previously to entering on the fulfilment of his new mission.  He remained for some months in Paris, and on the day appointed for his departure he went to take leave of the First Consul.  By a singular chance it happened to be the fatal morning of the 21st of March, and consequently only a few hours after the Duc d’Enghien had been shot.  It is unnecessary to observe that M. de Chateaubriand was ignorant of the fatal event.  However, on his return home he said to his friends that he had remarked a singular change in the appearance of the First Consul, and that there was a sort of sinister expression in his countenance.  Bonaparte saw his new minister amidst the crowd who attended the audience, and several times seemed inclined to step forward to speak to him, but as often turned away, and did not approach him the whole morning.  A few hours after, when M. de Chateaubriand mentioned his observations to some of his friends; he was made acquainted with the cause of that agitation which, in spite of all his strength of mind and self-command, Bonaparte could not disguise.

M. de Chateaubriand instantly resigned his appointment of Minister Plenipotentiary to the Valais.  For several days his friends were much alarmed for his safety, and they called every morning early to ascertain whether he had not been carried off during the night.  Their fears were not without foundation.  I must confess that I, who knew Bonaparte well, was somewhat surprised that no serious consequence attended the anger he manifested on receiving the resignation of the man who had dedicated his work to him.  In fact, there was good reason for apprehension, and it was not without considerable difficulty that Elisa succeeded in averting the threatened storm.  From this time began a state of hostility between Bonaparte and Chateaubriand which only terminated at the Restoration.

I am persuaded, from my knowledge of Bonaparte’s character, that though he retained implacable resentment against a returned emigrant who had dared to censure his conduct in so positive a manner, yet, his first burst of anger being soothed, that which was the cause of hatred was at the same time the ground of esteem.  Bonaparte’s animosity was, I confess, very natural, for he could not disguise from himself the real meaning of a resignation made under such circumstances.  It said plainly, “You have committed a crime, and I will not serve your Government, which is stained with the blood of a Bourbon!” I can therefore very well imagine that Bonaparte could never pardon the only man who dared to give him such a lesson in the midst of the plenitude of his power.  But, as I have often had occasion to remark, there was no unison between Bonaparte’s feelings and his judgment.