Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1804-09-01
liz IL GENTS sIxcLzJ

was unfavorable to noble actions, and am
| ighominious death becoming the lot Of
whosoeyer excited The jealousy OF that
J monster, condemned true merit TO silence
and retirement. imagined Eonaparte
10 have been among The number, of the
I victims, but the event Of the 18th VenGe-
malre undeceWed me-. Darras, who di-
rected, on that occasion, the measures of
The government against the revolted seSti-
ohs, entrusted 10 him the command Of the
conventional army after the resignation of
general Genti!i, whose deafness was an
obstacle 10 the discharge of the duty OF
ms post. The most complete success Jus.
tined still more the par,iality Of Barrss FOR
the young Bonapartc. Paris, on the point
OF being reduced 10 ashes, saw lis interior
calm restored. The Convention was in-
debted for Its trump 10 ,Bonapar,e; and
France, appeased as much by his f,mness
as by his courage. owed 20 him the preser-
vaton OF number OF rs citizens, whom
scnseless fury had excited 20 destroy each
other.
From that period 10 the moment when
the French government formed the pro-
jet ofcarying the war into Italy, the pub
lie life Of BOnaParte Offers nothing very in-
teresting but the unfavorable auspices
under which he was intrusted with the
conduct OF that dangerous expedition coz
tributed nos little to hsighten his reputa-
ton. he ferocious Robe sphere had sa-
criticed TO his iury the best generals Of
France; Cuisine and Houchaid beth well
known by their great successes, had Pc
rished on scdtiold DumCurIer had be-
trayed his trust, and Pchegru the CON-
queror OF Holland had b. enrecalled; when
Bonaparte, still verysyoong, was chosen To
retrieve so many disasters.
. On the eve of engaging the best troops
and the most experienced genei ais OF tu-
rope, and in country where nature pre-
sents Oh every side, obstacles which Ham
nibal alone had been able 10 overcome, the
French troops could have Little confidence
in the conduct "a general of twenty-six
years Old; unpfOVided as they were Of
magazines, inexperienced I'LL now in the
art OF war, and Ill want Oh c.oIhes, the SOL
olers did not seem encoui aged by the an
iieaTance of their new clief. His exterior
not very prepossescing gave occasion To-
many OF their Jokes. Bonaparte far from
be ng alarmed by these obstacles, did not
seem at all Affected by them. Persuaded
that the attachment of soldiers cannot lie
forced, he sought the only true means Of
rendering himself worthy of their conf
dence' The pressing wants of his troops
Became the first object of his attention:
He employed himself INCREASINGLY 10 sun
ply them, and in li,tle time, his unre-
hitting activity, had provided for every
thing The army in condition TO ae Of
tensiveiy was able very early To estimate
the influence OF his great talents. Hope
elevated every heart, and the campaign
was hardly open when the first essays of
that III organized army were marked by
very important successes.
From this time l cannot follow the he-
70; pen bolder than mine is destined to
record facts, which pOs;erly will hardly
be able 10 credit. | had no other wish,
than TO give you some account Of his early
youth and Of his first conduct, at the be-
g'nning of the Astonishing revolution of
France.--Ass:sted by this slight sketch,
which have traced ior you, you will be a.
BILE 20 discern, however, that f,om infancy,
his character has been consistent.-As in
trepid in The execution Of his projects, as he
Is unalterable ~ principles, from he begin
ming of his military career, Bonaparte has
displayed an ardor which is heightened
by obstacles, rapidity which anticipates
every determination of the enemy. II is
by following his blow, by redoubling his
efforts, that he pours with his troops IKE a
torrent against them. He is al activity,
and every where the same whether YOU
behold him lighting, negotiating, punish
ing, it's always All affair OF moment, of a
word never any hesitation ne cuts the
Gordian knot which he cannot unite.
FOR SAEE,