The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1886-12-15

view, he waved last farewell.
On Wednesday the I'd of August, the
Bellerophon and Tonnant sailed for
Plymouth, where it had been intended
that the transfer to the Northumberland
should be carried out. But in conse-
quence of the loss of life which occurred
from the vast concourse of boats in the
Sound, as we'll as to avoida writ of habeas
corpus, under which it was desired to
obtain the evidence of Napoleon in
case at the time pending in the Queens
Bench, it was deemed advisable to return
to Tor bay, where on Sunday the 9th of
August, the three vessels (the Northum-
berland having meantime come round
from Portsmouth cast anchor. No
sooner were the ships brought up. than
Sir Henry Bunbury. accompanied by
Mr.. Bathurst, proceeded on board the
Bellerophon, and announced to the ex-
Emperor the resolution of the Cabinet,
that he should be transported to St.
Helena, accompanied by four of his
friends and twelve servants. The infor-
nation was received without surprise;
but in q speech of three-quarters of an
hours duration, delivered in a manner
the most impressive, Napoleon protest
ed against the determination which had
been arrived at.
The same afternoon, Lord Keith and
Sir George Cockburn proceeded in the
Admiral's yacht to the Bellerophon.
Napoleon was on deck to receive them.
After the usual salutations. Lord Keith
addressed himself to Bonaparte, and ac-
quainted him with his intended transfer
to the Northumberland for passage to
st. Helena. After much expostulation,
Napoleon finally refused to go; but up
on Lord Keith expressing the hope that
no coercion would be necessary to carry
out the orders of Government, he re-
piled: go, no. no! you command, |
must obey! Only, recollect, do not 60
OF my own free will" He then formally
handed to Lord Keith written protest
against his transported on to ST. Helena,
in which it was contended that, having
come voluntarily on board the Bellero-
phon, he was the guest and not the pris-
oner of England. 81 appeal he con-
cluded, "to history; whether an enemy
who comes deliberately in his m!sfor-
tunes to seek an asylum under the pro-
lection of English law, can give more
convincing proof of his esteem and con-
fidence. But how have the English an
swered such confidence and magnanim-
ity? They pretended to extend friend
ly hand to this enemy; and when he re-
lied on their good faith, they sacrificed
him.
1t was afterward arranged that the
transfer should take place the following
morning {Monday) about eleven
o'clock. Early next day, Sir George
Cockburn superintendent the inspection
of the baggage, consisting of services
and toilet sets of plate, several articles
in gold, books, beds, etc., which were
sent on board the Northumberland, four
thousand gold napoleons being sealed
up and detained. The baggage having
been removed, the parting scene COM
menced, Napoleon handing to several
of his officers certificate of fidelity and
good service. About eleven o clock the
barge of the Tonnant proceeded to the
BelIerophon to receive the fallen En-
peror and those who were to be the par
takers of his exile: General and Madame
Bertrand with their children, Count
and Countess Montholon and child,
Count Las Cases, General Gourgaud,
nine men and three women servants.
At the last moment Napoleon's surgeon
refused to accompany him, whereupon
the surgeon of the Bellerophon, Mr..
OMeara, consented to supply his place.
Shortly afterward OMeara was offered
a salary of five hundred pounds per an
mum, but this he rejected, with the re-
mark that the pay of his King was sui
ficient to satisfy him.
Before entering the barge which was
to convey him to the Northumberland,
Bonaparte addressed himself to Captain
Maitland and the officers OF the Bellero-
phon, not forgetting to take off his hat
to them again after descending the lad
der into the barge. 1t was about noon
on the 18th of August when the barge OF
the Tonnant approached the starboard
side of the N Northumberland. Bertrand
was the fir st to 60 over the side, and
standing with his hat off, upright as a
sentinel, announced his master. Napo-
leon instantly followed, and taking off
his hat remarked to Sir George Cock
burn, who received him: Monsieur,
lie suis a vos ordres. At once moving
forward on the quarterback, he desired
to be introduced to Captain Ross, COM
mander of the ship, ceremony that was
Immediately performed, the guard of
marines, drawn up on the port SIDE, re-
ceiving the ex-Emperor with the COM
pliment due to his rank as a general Of
ficer. TO Lord Lowther and Mr.. Lyt-
tIeton, who stood near the Admiral,
Napoleon bowed and spoke afew words,
remarking also to an artillery officer
who was BY, that he himself had orig
inally served in that arm. The intro
duction to the eight Lieutenants of the
ship. not one of whom could
speak single word of
French, was sufficiently ridiculous; they
we're drawn up in line on one side Of
the cabin; and after gazing and smiling
for a moment on Napoleon, who, in his
turn, gazed and smiled at them, they
SIN led and defiled before him out of the
cabin door. The after-cabin on board
the Northumberland was not, as on the
Bellerophon, the private room wherein
Napoleon was not to be intruded upon
by any unbidden guest, but was shared