New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1857-08-27
NIurmont and Napoleon,

In the Memoirs of the Duke Of Ragusa better
known as Marshal Marmont-written by himself-is
recited the following interesting anecdote. 1t oc-
CURED in 1898, and illustrates Marmonts rmness and
sefrespect. An invasion of England was meditated.
Bonaparte, who had then his first Italian aurels,
was named Commander-in-Chief of the Army of
England Marmont was attached to him as Ade.de-
Camp. Bonaparte wishing to have accurate informa-
ton concerning the defensive preparations of the
English, was turning over in his mind the means Of
procuring it. Marmont says:
A. h. Galois a man of rhspectability and distinc-
tion had mission to England for the purpose of
changing prisoners. Before setting off he with
M. Talleyrand to Gen. Napoleon's house, Rue de la
Vctoire Suddenly the door of the cabinet opened
the General called me, and no sooner did find my
self the fourth in this cabinet than he said to me-
Marmont, nj. Gallos is about to go to England with
commission to treat for the exchange of prisoners
you will accompany him you will leave behind your
uniform You will pass his Secretary, and you will
procure information of such and such character,
you will make such and such observations, ETC. And
he detailed to me my instructions. listened to him
without inteTruptng him but when he had finished,
Unanswered, General, / refuse to CO." GLOW you
refuse to go? Eyes, General continued "you
give me the commission of a spy, and it neither be-
longs to my duties nor accords with my tastes NJ.
Gailols fills commission which is openly recognized
mine would lie beyond the sphere of honorable re.
to all Paris, and it would be known in England that
his pretended Secretary is of the principal off
GERS of your statf-your confidential Aidede- Camp.
Unprotected by the law Of nations, should be ar
rested, and either hanged sent back with infamy
My life as soldier belongs to you but it is only as
a soldier that am bound to loose it. Send me with
twenty-five hussars to attack fortress, would go
without murmuring though certain of falling be-
cause that is my profession The present case is diff
ferent" He was COMPOUNDED by my answer and dis
missed me, saying: 81 shall find other officers more
jealous and more docile.n
. This bold contest with a man so powerful-this
decided answer in opposition to his Wishes made
great impression on NJ Talleyrand who was not ac
quainted with then, and who has often spoken to
me of it since. When MN. Talleyrand and Gaois
| were gone, the General called me and said What
were you thinking of to answer mdSin that way be-
fore strangersN General answered, am aware
of the pain my answer must have caused YOU and of
its apparent improperly but permit me to tell you,
you had rendered it necessary you had not hesated
to make offensive proposition to in their pres
ence and could only wipe out the stain by also
repelling it in their presence with Indignation. If
you had spoken to me of it en- tete-atete, should
have discussed it with you in a manner accordant
with the respects bear you and the sentiments |
owe you He understood me- but for IA long time
afterwards treated me with great GOODNESS. Duroc
to whom had narrated this scene said, Il am thank
full that it didn't happen to me, for should never
have dared to refuse him. Sulkowsky, who wit.
messed the explanation, dreading lest the mission
should devolve on him. FASTENED to prevent it by
saying General, not one OF would have accepted
IT. Nothing more was heard on the subject, and
every one was saved from the oboquy."
/