The Marshal listened in silence, and when at length Napoleon became somewhat calm he observed, “Sire, it appears, then, that you are not aware of what has taken place in Paris—­of the establishment of a Provisional Government, and—­“—­“I know it all:  and what then?”—­“Sire,” added the Marshal, presenting a paper to Napoleon, “here is something which will tell you more than I can.”  Macdonald then presented to him a letter from General Beurnonville, announcing the forfeiture of the Emperor pronounced by the Senate, and the determination of the Allied powers not to treat with Napoleon, or any member of his family.  “Marshal,” said the Emperor, before he opened the letter, “may this be read aloud?”—­“Certainly, Sire.”  The letter was then handed to Barre, who read it.  An individual who was present on the occasion described to me the impression which the reading of the letter produced on Napoleon.  His countenance exhibited that violent contraction of the features which I have often remarked when his mind was disturbed.  However, he did not lose his self-command, which indeed never forsook him when policy or vanity required that he should retain it; and when the reading of Beurnonville’s letter was ended he affected to persist in his intention of marching on Paris.  “Sire,” exclaimed Macdonald, “that plan must be renounced.  Not a sword would be unsheathed to second you in such an enterprise.”  After this conversation between the Emperor and Macdonald the question of the abdication began to be seriously thought of.  Caulaincourt had already hinted to Napoleon that in case of his abdicating personally there was a possibility of inducing the Allies to agree to a Council of Regency.  Napoleon then determined to sign the act of abdication, which he himself drew up in the following terms:—­

   The Allied powers having declared that the Emperor Napoleon is the
   only obstacle to the re-establishment of peace in Europe, the
   Emperor Napoleon, faithful to his oath, declares that he is ready to
   descend from the throne, to leave France, and even to lay down his
   life for the welfare of the country, which is inseparable from the
   rights of his son, those of the Regency of the Empress, and the
   maintenance of the laws of the Empire.  Given at our Palace of
   Fontainebleau, 2d April 1814. 
                    (Signed) Napoleon.

After having written this act the Emperor presented it to the Marshals, saying, “Here, gentlemen! are you satisfied?”

This abdication of Napoleon was certainly very useless, but in case of anything occurring to render it a matter of importance the act might have proved entirely illusory.  Its meaning might appear unequivocal to the generality of people, but not to me, who was so well initiated in the cunning to which Napoleon could resort when it suited his purpose.  It is necessary to observe that Napoleon does not say that “he descends from the throne,” but that “he is ready to descend from the throne.”  This was a subterfuge, by the aid of which he intended to open new negotiations respecting the form and conditions of the Regency of his son, in case of the Allied sovereigns acceding to that proposition.  This would have afforded the means of gaining time.