Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-05-13


Very respectfully, yours,
NAPOLEON'S CAMPAIGN IN RUSSIA.
History the Erpedtfion Russia tedertaken blythe En-
per0r .Ndpoicoa il. nc year 1919. By General Couai
Philip de SesUr.
Segur, continuing to speak of the Russian invasion,
informs that-"Among the ministers of the Emperor,
several dsapproved IT. the greater number
lence one alone was accused Of iattery aud that with
out any ground 1t Is true, he was heard TO repeat,
That the Emperor not sufficiently great that it
necessary for him to become greater STILL in order to
be able to stop But this minister was, reality, what
many courters wished to appear; he had real aud
absolute faith III the genius and fortune of his sovereign
sin other respects, it is wrong impute his coun
sells large portion of our msortuues. Napoleon was
not man to be influenced. AS as his object
marked out, and lac had made adv towards its
QUESTION, he admitted OF contradiction. He then
appeared if he would bear nothing but what attered
his determinations lac repealed with i'll huIuor and even
with apparent Incredibly, all dsagreeab Intelligence
if he feared TO be shaken by This mode of act
ing changed its according to his fortune; when
fortunate was called force of character when unfor
tunate, it was designated as nlatuation.
'The knowledge of such disposition induced some
subaterns to make false reports him. Even a minis
ter thought himself compelled maintain dangerous
silence. The former inflated his hopes ofsucccss in or
der To initiate the naughty confidence of their chief and
in order, by their counenance to stamp upon his mind
the impression of happy omen the second sometimes
declined communicating bad news in ORDER as he said
TO avoid the harsh rcbus which he had then cncoun-
ter.
''But this fear, which did not restrain Caulincourt
and several others, had no influence upon Dnroc Daru,
Lobau, Rapp Lauriston anC! sometimes ISerticr.
These ministers and generals, each in his sphere did
not spare the Emperor when the trI,h be told.
1t So happened that he enragcd bv ii, Duruc with
out yielding assumed air of Indifference: Lobau re-
sisted with roughness Berther sighed and withdrew
with tears in his eyes; Cauaincourt and Dar the
turning pale the other reddenng with anger, repealed
INC vehement contradictions of the Emperor; the first
met with rnpeuous obstinacy, and the second with
short and dry determination. They often seen
10 end these alterations by abruptly retiring and shut
tlng the door after them with violence.
sit should, however, be added here, that these warm
discussions productive of bad consequences
good temper restored Immediately after, without
leaving any other impression than redoublcd esteem on
the part of Napoleon, for the noble frankness which
they had displayed.
II have entered into these details, because they are
either not known imperfccy KNOWN because Napo-
leon, IN his closet quite different the enipe-
or III publIc aud because this portion of the palace has
hitherto remained For, that new and seri-
Gus court, little sail; all vigorously classed
so that one saloon knew not what passed in another.
FINALLY because It Is difficult to comprehend the great
events OF history without perfect knowledge of the
Character and manners of the principal personagcs.
1.-The time for delberatian had passed and that for
action had arrived. On the 9TH of May 1919, Napole-
on hitherto always triumphant, quilted his palace
witch he was destined never to enter victorious.
~ run Paris 10 Dresen his march was a continued
triumph. The east OF France was fst raversed that
part of the empire devoted his services very diff
ereGt from the west and south she only acquainted
with nlin by means OF benefits and victories. Nume
and brilliant armies attracted by the fertility of
Germany and which imagined themselves marching to
prompt and certain glory, proudly travcrsed those
countries, scattering their money among them, aud
snming their productions. War, i'll that quarter, al
ways bore the semhlance of Justice"
What al enormous influence Napoleon possessed in
Europe may be collected from The following citations
Il. Ia a wis nat The nf =
ir@ several kings and crowd oi princes, should meet
im ~ Dresden, his way; his desire was fulied all
tnFongat 10 meet him. some induced by hope, others
prompted oy fear: for himself, his motives feel
his power, to exhibit it, and enJJy it.
I'm hls approximation with tie ancient house of Aus
trIa, lac ambitious to exhibit to Germany family
meeting lie imagined that brilliant assenbagc
OF sovereigns would advanagcously with the
isolated state of the Russian monarch and that he would
probably he alarmed nv general desertOn In fact
this assembIage of coalesced monarcs seemed 10 an
Dounce that this war against Russia European.
ole was then Ill the centre of Germany, exhibiting
10 his spouse, the daughter of emperor sitting by
his side. Whole nations had quilted their homes 10
throng his patL rich and poor, mobiles aud plebians
friends and enemies, all hurried the scene Their
curious and anxious groups collecting in the
streets the roads, aud the public places; they passed
whole DAYS and nights with their eyes fixed the doors
and windows oi his palace. 1t not his crown, his
rank, the luxury ofhis court but hm-hmself ON whom
they desired to feast their ewes; nemento Of bis fea-
lures which they were anxious TO obtain they wished
lO Oe 10 lIltf less and
Posterity. that they had seen Napoleon.
On the stage poets 80 far degrade themselves to
make him divinity 1t was in this manner, that whole
nations became his fatterers
'There was in fact, little difference between kings
and people IN the homage OF their admiration; one
thought of initiating; the agreement ananimous.--
Nevertheless, the inward sentiments very differ
cnt.
'At this important interview, were attentive in
observing the different degrees Of zeal which these prin
ces exhibited, and the various shades of chietains
pride We had hoped that bis prudence, or the deaIen
ed feelings of display rug power would prevent him
rom abusing IT. but to be expected that he who
while yet inferior spoke his SUI perors but in
the language OF command, and who was now the con-
querOr and the master of them all, could submit to tedious
and minute details OF ceremony lie. however, dis
played moderation, and tried to make himself
agreeable; but il obviously effort aud not with
out allowing the he experienced to be perceived
Among these princes he had rather the air oreceivno
them, than fbeng by them received.
sou their side, ii might be thought that knowing his
pride and hopeless Of subdung him except by means
OF himself these monarc and their people only humi-
ated thein,cvc, before him in order to aggravate the