While we were at the Luxembourg Bonaparte despatched Duroc on a special mission to the King of Prussia.  This happened, I think, at the very beginning of the year 1800.  He selected Duroc because he was a man of good education and agreeable manners, and one who could express himself with elegance and reserve, qualities not often met with at that period.  Duroc had been with us in Italy, in Egypt, and on board the ‘Muiron’, and the Consul easily guessed that the King of Prussia would be delighted to hear from an eye-witness the events of Bonaparte’s campaigns, especially the siege of St. Jean d’Acre, and the scenes which took place during the months of March and May at Jaffa.  Besides, the First Consul considered it indispensable that such circumstantial details should be given in a way to leave no doubt of their correctness.  His intentions were fully realised; for Duroc told me, on his return, that nearly the whole of the conversation he had with the King turned upon St. Jean d’Acre and Jaffa.  He stayed nearly two whole hours with his Majesty, who, the day after, gave him an invitation to dinner.  When this intelligence arrived at the Luxembourg I could perceive that the Chief of the Republic was flattered that one of his aides de camp should have sat at table with a King, who some years after was doomed to wait for him in his antechamber at Tilsit.

Duroc never spoke on politics to the King of Prussia, which was very fortunate, for, considering his age and the exclusively military life he had led, he could scarcely have been expected to avoid blunders.  Some time later, after the death of Paul I., he was sent to congratulate Alexander on his accession to the throne.  Bonaparte’s design in thus making choice of Duroc was to introduce to the Courts of Europe, by confidential missions, a young man to whom he was much attached, and also to bring him forward in France.  Duroc went on his third mission to Berlin after the war broke out with Austria.  He often wrote to me, and his letters convinced me how much he had improved himself within a short time.

Another circumstance which happened at the commencement of the Consulate affords an example of Bonaparte’s inflexibility when he had once formed a determination.  In the spring of 1799, when we were in Egypt, the Directory gave to General Latour-Foissac, a highly distinguished officer, the command of Mantua, the taking of which had so powerfully contributed to the glory of the conqueror of Italy.  Shortly after Latour’s appointment to this important post the Austrians besieged Mantua.  It was welt known that the garrison was supplied with provisions and ammunition for a long resistance; yet, in the month of July it surrendered to the Austrians.  The act of capitulation contained a curious article, viz.  “General Latour-Foissac and his staff shall be conducted as prisoners to Austria; the garrison shall be allowed to return to France.”  This distinction between the general and the troops entrusted to his