Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-11-03

,rev;oYs extracts and throws light on them IN
its turn.
In ayaiiing myself Of public documents, plac-
ed =; my disposal b. those who had right to
do so. ! hold myself fully responsible for the
6deii,y and accuracy the notes and transcript,
which can be easily verified by collating them
with the originals. Verbal errors there may
he. bu, not word is added or suppressed,
which could alter the sense OF the passages re
ferred to- / have shown what my authorities
are. aid where the originals exist. trust thai,
upon reference 10 the Life Of Napoleon, shall
have been found 10 have used the information
these documents afforded with becoming re-
specr to private feelings, and al the same time,
with the courage and candor due 10 The truth OIL
history. r. were capable of failing in either re-
spect, should despise myself as much, II pos
sihle, as 90 The resentment OF General 1o"f-
gsud ri
The historians task of cxculpation is, OF
course. ended when be has published authori-
ties Of apparent authenticity If Gen. Gour-
gaud shall undertake to prove that the SUB
Joined documents are false and forged, IN
whole or part, the bur,hen of proof VIII lie
with himself; and something better than the
ASSERTION of the party interested VIII be neces
sary 10 overcome the testimony OF Mr.. GouO-
burn and the other evidence.
There is, indeed another course. General
Gourgaud may represent the whole OF his
communications as trick played OIL upon the
English Ministers, in order 10 induce them to
grant his D. rsonal Esafas But ] cannot inli>
tate The Generals disregard of common civil.
ty so far rs to suppose him capable OF total
departure from scracity, when giving evil
dence upon his word OF honor. In represent
ing the ex -Emperor's health as good, his II
nances as ample, his means OF escape as easy
and frequent, while; he knew his condition to
| be the reverse in every particular, Gen. Gour>
! craud must have been sensible that the deep
! tive views thus impre IS. on the British MIN
! listers must have had the natural effect OF ad-
ding to the rieour Of his patrons confinement.
/ Nanocon, it must be rcCollccted, would re-
! cciye the visits of no English physician in
whom Sir Hudaon Lowe seemed o reposc con-
! 6dsnce and he Stunned as much as possible
all Intercourse with the British. Whom
/ therefore. were Sir Hudson Lowe and the Il l.
fish Ministers to believe, concerning the real
state OF his health and circums' ances, it they
were to refuse credit to his Aid de-Camp, an
officer of distincuon whom no one would sup
pose guilty OF slandering his master Tor the
purpose Of obtaining straight passage TO
/ ENGLAND for himself. instead of being subjected
to the inconv, nience Of going round by the
! Cane of Good Hope? And, again, when Cen
Gourgaud, having arri' ed at London, and the
purpose Of his supposed dec ptlon being July
alta ned, continued TO represent Napoleon as
Gripnipp poverty whilst in affluence, affecting
illness willis, in health, and possessing ready
means of escape while lie was complaining OF
unnes ssarv restraint. what effect could such
statements produce on Lord Bathurst and The
other mem 5crs Of the British Ministry, except
a disregard to Napoleon's remons RANGES, and
rigourous increase Of every pre- aution necessa-
nv 10 prevent MS escape? II hey had the evl-
dence Of one of his most intimate personal at
PENDANTS to Justify them for acting thus, and
their own responsibility to Bri DIN and 10 t.u>
ROB. for the safe custody Of Napoleon, would
have rendered them inexcusable had :hey act
ed otherwise.
1t is no concern Of mine, however, how the
actual truth of The fact stands. II IS sufficient
10 me 10 have shown that ha, e not ald token
Gourgaud's charge, a singh expression Tor
whic i had not The Most induhiah" au'hGritya
II | nave been guilty, in attaching more weight
TO Gen. Gourgaud's evidence than il deserves,
am we'll laugh: not 10 repeat the error; and
the world too, NAV prof, by the lesson.
! am, Sir, your humble s"r,an!,
WALTER SCOTT.
Abbo,sford, Sept. IA, 1927,
No L. Notes relative 10 General Gourgaud's
commune arions with Sir Hudson Lowe, and
with the commissioners for the Allied Pow
ers residing al st. Helena
Gourgaud, an officer Of high military attain
merts, having been made aid de.camp TO the
Duke Of d. ri, was nevertheless one "i the first
to leave him on the Hundred Days. He accom-
panied Buonaparte 10 ST. Helena, beng in
immediate attendance upon him at the time of
his fall, Took less part in the quarrel with
the Governor than Bertrand or Monlholon, and
! made himself no party to their debates with
each other Received several affecting letters
| from his mother and sisters, 10 whom he
much attached His conduct appeared TO Sir
! Hudson Lowe to be that of brave officer who
follows his chief in diversity, Sir Hudson
! Lowe, therefore transmits him direct TO En-.
gland.
Gourgaud, in taking leave Of Sir Hudson
| Lowe gave bis word Of honor, thai he had ne
yer en,ered into any political intrigue; said he
would accuse no one, but that he ow his
whole distress and moriihc alton to his having
| rsf.s aI, INFO had bepp