You must have long since been convinced, General, that you possess my esteem.  If you doubt my gratitude, fix your reward and mark out the fortune of your friends.  As to my principles, I am a Frenchman, merciful by character, and also by the dictates of reason.

   No, the victor of Lodi, Castiglione, and Arcola, the conqueror of
   Italy and Egypt, cannot prefer vain celebrity to real glory.  But
   you are losing precious time.  We may ensure the glory of France.

   I say we, because I require the aid of Bonaparte, and he can do
   nothing without me.

   General, Europe observes you.  Glory awaits you, and I am impatient
   to restore peace to my people. 
                    (Signed) louis.

This dignified letter the First Consul suffered to remain unanswered for several weeks; at length he proposed to dictate an answer to me.  I observed, that as the King’s letters were autographs, it would be more proper that he should write himself.  He then wrote with his own hand the following: 

   Sir—­I have received your letter, and I thank you for the
   compliments you address to me.

   You must not seek to return to France.  To do so you must trample
   over a hundred thousand dead bodies.

   Sacrifice your interest to the repose and happiness of France, and
   history will render you justice.

   I am not insensible to the misfortunes of your family.  I shall
   learn with pleasure, and shall willingly contribute to ensure, the
   tranquillity of your retirement. 
                    (Signed) Bonaparte.

He showed me this letter, saying, “What do you think of it? is it not good?” He was never offended when I pointed out to him an error of grammar or style, and I therefore replied, “As to the substance, if such be your resolution, I have nothing to say against it; but,” added I, “I must make one observation on the style.  You cannot say that you shall learn with pleasure to ensure, etc.”  On reading the passage over again he thought he had pledged himself too far in saying that he would willingly contribute, etc.  He therefore scored out the last sentence, and interlined, “I shall contribute with pleasure to the happiness and tranquillity of your retirement.”

The answer thus scored and interlined could not be sent off, and it lay on the table with Bonaparte’s signature affixed to it.

Some time after he wrote another answer, the three first paragraphs of which were exactly alike that first quoted; but far the last paragraph he substituted the following: 

   “I am not insensible to the misfortunes of your family; and I shall
   learn with pleasure that you are surrounded with all that can
   contribute to the tranquillity of your retirement.”