The Portland gazette., 1822-09-24
A VOICE FROM ST. HELENA.
by b. f. O'Meara, late Surgeon to the Emperor
Napoleon.


INVASION OF ENGLAND.
! asked Nepoleon II he really intended
to invade England--and if so, what were his
plans 2-He replied, s would have headed
II myself | bad given orders for two fleets
TO proceed 10 the West Indies Instead Of
remaining there, they were merely to shew
themselves amongst the Islands, and 'sturn
directly TO Europe, raise the blockade OF Fer
rol, take the ships out, proceed to Brest, where
there were about forty sail of the line, unite,
and sail TO the Chsnne', where they would
not have met with any thing strong enough to
engage them, clear il OF al English men and Of
war. by false intelligence, adroltIy managed
calculated that you would have sent squad
rOns 10 the East aud West Indies, aud Medl-
erTanean, in search Of my fleets. Before
they could return, would have had the con-
mand Of the Channel tor two months. as |
should have had about 10 sail of the line,
besides tIigates. | would have fastened over
my holilla with tao hundred hsisdnd men.
landed as near Chatham as possible, and pro-
ceeded direct to London, where calculated
10 arrive IN about tour days from tie time Of
my ianding-l would have proclaimed Re-
public, was FIRST Consul them the abolition
q dte Nobility and House Of Peers, Ae distrt-
button ~ he property OF such Of the latter as
opposed me, amongst my pariisans; hberfg,
equality, aud the Sovereignty q the people,
would have allowed the House OF Commons
TO remain, but would have introduced great
reform. would have publi.hed proclama-
Iion, declaring that we came as frieads to The
English. and 10 free The nation nom cor,uDt
and thgItons dristocracy, and restore popu-
lar form OF government, democracy, which
would have been confirmed by the conduct of
my army, as | would not have allowed the
sl'ghies, outrage 10 be committed by my
troops. Maraudlng or III treating the inhab-
ianls, or the most uifling infringement OF my
orders, would have punished with instant
death. " think, continued he, Z" that wIh
my promises, together with what | would ac-
tualiy have effected, should have had The
support OF great many. In large city
like London, where there ATE SO many ca
ndilte, and so many dasgDected, should have
been joined by formidable body. would
at the same time have excited an ,asurrection
IN Ireland" | observed that bis army would
have been destroyed by piecemeaI that be
would have had million of men in arms a.
sansl HIM IN a short time; and moreover, that
The English would have burnt London, ra tber
ihan have suffered II to fall into his hands.
i No. no, said NapoleaD, :" do not believe
1t. You are too rich, anu too fond ol money.
A nation will not 50 readily burn its Capital.
How often have the ParislaDs sworn to bury
iIipTYls al - ,l
rather than suffer j.: 10 laii INTO the hands OF
the enemies Of Erance-yet twice it has Jeen
taken. There Is 10 knowledge what would
have happened, Mr. Doctor. Neither Pitt,
nor you, nor |, could have loIelold what
would have been the result. The hope Of
change for the better, and dtUisi0, o/ prop
erty, would have operated wonderfully a.
monsst The CanaiIie, particularly ii1l OF Lon
don. HE candaie Of all rich nations are
alike would have made such promises as
would have had great effe CT. What res.-
tance could an unji iplined army make
against mine, IN a county like England, a.
bouncing 10 plans | considerer all you
have said ; t'uI calculated On the effect tAa,
would be produced by the possession of
great aDd IIch capital, Me Bank, AND ali youi
riches, the ships 10 the rrer, and at Chatham
expected lhatl should have bad Tue com
nahd OF the Channel for two months. by
which tiue | should have had supplies u
li' ops I; aud when your feet came back, they
would have found lhelr capital IN lhe hands oI
an enemy, and their country oyerwb beIm-d
with my sruies. would have abolished
hrggmg, and promised your 5, amen ever,
hing, "hiob would have made srus impres-
SION upon their minds. 1be Proclamation
saiiug that We came only as friends, 10 re-