The native American. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1840, 1839-04-13

was saved, and the Folders cleared. As soon a:
Napoleon received the news of this English inva
sion, he ordered General d'Hastrel, brother-in
law of the Duke de Felre, Baron Conroux de
Pepinville, and three others-myself included
TO depart from Schonbrun, near Vienna, and &c
proceed to Antwerp. The Emperor observed te
me very kindly: :" name you, as being well ac
quainted with these northern languages; hope
YOU will render US good service" etc. In few
minutes afterwards we all took our leave.
Rernadolte was secretly displeased when Gen
d'Hastrel showed him his (d'Hastrers) nomina
ton to succeed Gen. Rostolan as his chief of the
staff. The latter was removed and named gov
ernor of Brussels; he being well-known friend
of Gen. Moreau. and appointed by Bernadotte
who was secretly opposed to Buonaparte. The
policy of the latter required their separation; and
in orderto mitigate this harsh measure, Napoleon
wrote to his dear and beloved cousin, the Prince
of Ponte Corvo, hattering letter of thanks for
his services, his ardent zeal, etc. But few
| hours afterwards Bernadotte heard with no small
surprise and vexation Of his own removal-Napo-
leon having named Marshal Bessieres to the COM
mand of the army du Nord, which the former
had organized at the expense of great exertlon,
and restless nights in which he was greatly assist
ed by General Rosolan.
/ BY these Machiavelic maneuvres, Napoleon
lost two excellent chiefs. full of talents, zeal and
probity-and thus it happened, that Bernadottc,
highly dispeased, did not hesitate to act secretly
against all the measures of the vile military po-
lice, the following fact may prove:
had served in quality of Governor-general of
Bcrnadotte's headquarters, during the campaign
of 1906 and 1907, against Prussia and Russia,
and had gained his friendship. He received me,
IL, k,t,
daily, and charged me with the organization of
about twelve thousand militia men. | remained
but few hours at Antwerp, being obliged to ira
vel, with the necessary officers and a strong es
cort Of cavalry, through the country, to collect
and arm the men. name the officers, etc. When
in the fine Island of Bommel, one day, much en-
gagged with General Duroure and his chief Of the
staff, Colonel v, received an express
from Marshal Bernadotte, and short note, sta
ting briefly that he had received a peremptory
order from the Minister Of War; in the emperor's
name. requesting him to arrest Colonel ",
of the gendarmere, to Paris In consequence of
keep watchful eve upon his chief of the staff,
until Captain Blachere of the gendarmerie could
arrive from Antwerp, and arrest him and his pa
pers.
As the Adiutant-C ommandant v, was my
friend. and an excellent young man, l felt greatly
grieved TO see him the unhappy victim of some
base spy. Bernadotte esteemed him much, and
said in his note, ''that might perhaps find some
secret means of saving him." accordingly took
General Duroure aside, showed him the note
had received, and asked him if he would assist
me to save v? Duroure was an honest man
"a long time thrust aside by Buonaparte as one
not biindly attached to him, and decided enemy
of his infamous police system-so degrading to
every man Of feeling and honor. He assured me
that lie would do all in his power for so brave an
officer. | now took Colonel v aside, impart-
ed to him the fate which awaited him-adding:
"If you feel guilty, avoid disgrace bv a speedy
flight If not, remain and brave the Storm
v changed color. and confessed that he
had spoken, when in Madrid, year before, in
very strong terms against the hypocrtical entry
of Prince Murat into Spain, and the crooked po-
hey Of Napoleon in regard to that unhappy coun-
try. At this time much depended upon connex-
ions, projections, and above all how Buonaparte
might be disposed towards the prisoner. there
fore asked v. if he had served with Napole-
on in Italy or in Egypt, and if he had any power
full friends at court! Hereplied, that he had serv
led with Dumouriez,, Pichegru, and Moreau; and
that he had always despised the idea of becoming
a courtier. Pleased with his answer, told him to
lose not a moment-but to fly, and that Duroure
and myself would readily assist him. And SO we
did He soon reached the English fleet in fish
er's boat, and was saved.
The brave Captain Blachere arrived some hours
afterwards from Antwerp. When he learned that
the bird had flown, he turned towards me, and
whispered, with smile: " So much the better.
can dispense with the disagreeable task (dc ma
corUee) Of conveying him to Paris"
With the return of Oudinot to Antwerp, came
10y, frankness and activity; and the miserable
spies dared not show their faces. This brave and
bold grenadier said, two days after his arrival at
one of his large dinner parties: "Gentlemen, do
your duty strictly-amuse yourseves-talk free
y and openly, as true Frenchmen and brave and
honest soldiers are used to speak, and fear no.
thing. Should there be among you some faur
frerc, let him look to his neck!" The spies
were thus senced, and during our stay there was
not a single secret denunciaton; and VS. es-
cape soon forgotten in the rapidity of our
march towards Amsterdam. ...
| should state, as fact honorable to the French
army, that very few officers so far forgot them
selves to accept the vile office of a spy; and
whenever any individual was suspected, he was
4