The Prince of Ponte-Corvo lightened, as far as possible, the unjust burdens and vexations to which that unfortunate town was subject.  He never refused his assistance to any measures which I adopted to oppose a system of ruin and persecution.  He often protected Hamburg against exorbitant exactions, The Hanse Towns revived a little under his government, which continued longer than that of Mortier, Michaud, and Brune.  The memory of Bernadotte will always be dear to the Hamburgers; and his name will never be pronounced without gratitude.  His attention was especially directed to moderate the rigour of the custom-houses; and perhaps the effect which his conduct produced on public opinion may be considered as having, in some measure, led to the decision which, four years after, made him Hereditary Prince of Sweden.

CHAPTER VII.

1806.

Ukase of the Emperor of Russia—­Duroc’s mission to Weimar—­ Napoleon’s views defeated—­Triumphs of the French armies—­Letters from Murat—­False report respecting Murat—­Resemblance between Moreau and M. Billand—­Generous conduct of Napoleon—­His interview with Madame Hatzfeld at Berlin—­Letter from Bonaparte to Josephine—­ Blucher my prisoner—­His character—­His confidence in the future fate of Germany—­Prince Paul of Wurtemberg taken prisoner—­His wish to enter the French service—­Distinguished emigrants at Altona—­ Deputation of the Senate to the Emperor at Berlin—­The German Princes at Altona—­Fauche-Boiel and the Comte de Gimel.

In September 1806 it became very manifest that, as soon as war should break out between France and Prussia, Russia would not be slow in forming an alliance with the latter power.  Peace had, however, been reestablished between Napoleon and Alexander by virtue of a treaty just signed at Paris.  By that treaty Russia was to evacuate the Bouches du Cattaro,—­[The Bouches do Cattaro, on the eastern coast of the Adriatic, had formed part of the Dalmatian possessions of Venice.]—­a condition with which she was in no hurry to comply.  I received a number of the Court Gazette of St. Petersburg, containing a ukase of the Emperor of Russia, in which Alexander pointed out the danger which again menaced Europe, showed the necessity of adopting precautions for general tranquillity and the security of his own Empire, and declared his determination of not only completing but augmenting his army.  He therefore ordered a levy of four men out of every 500 inhabitants.

Before the commencement of hostilities Duroc was sent to the King of Prussia with the view of discovering whether there was any possibility of renewing negotiations; but affairs were already too much embarrassed.  All Duroc’s endeavours were in vain, and perhaps it was no longer in the power of the King of Prussia to avoid war with France.  Besides, he had just grounds of offence against the Emperor.  Although the latter had given him Hanover in exchange for the two Margravates, he had, nevertheless, offered to England the restoration of that province as one of the terms of the negotiations commenced with Mr. Fox.  This underhand work was not unknown to the Berlin Cabinet, and Napoleon’s duplicity rendered Duroc’s mission useless.  At this time the King of Prussia was at Weimar.