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〃Leave me alone； you are a fool。〃 At an insult so atrocious I confess
that the anger which had already mastered the First Consul suddenly
seized on me。 I thrust the door forward with as much impetuosity as he
had used in throwing it back； and； scarcely knowing what I said；
exclaimed； 〃You are a hundredfold a greater fool than I am！〃 I then
banged the door and went upstairs to my apartment； which was situated
over the cabinet。
I was as far from expecting as from wishing such an occasion of
separating from the First Consul。 But what was done could not be undone；
and therefore； without taking time for reflection； and still under the
influence of the anger that had got the better of me； I penned the
following positive resignation：
GENERALThe state of my health no longer permits me to continue in your
service。 I therefore beg you to accept my resignation。
BOURRIENNE。
Some moments after this note was written I saw Bonaparte's saddle…horses
brought up to the entrance of the Palace。 It was Sunday morning； and；
contrary to his usual custom on that day； he was going to ride out。
Duroc accompanied him。 He was no sooner done than I； went down into his
cabinet； and placed my letter on his table。 On returning at four o'clock
with Duroc Bonaparte read my letter。 〃Ah！ ah！〃 said he； before opening
it； 〃a letter from Bourrienne。〃 And he almost immediately added； for the
note was speedily perused； 〃He is in the sulks。Accepted。〃 I had left
the Tuileries at the moment he returned； but Duroc sent to me where I was
dining the following billet：
The First Consul desires me； my dear Bourrienne； to inform you that he
accepts your resignation； and to request that you will give me the
necessary information respecting your papers。Yours；
DUROC。
P。S。：I will call on you presently。
Duroc came to me at eight o'clock the same evening。 The First Consul was
in his cabinet when we entered it。 I immediately commenced giving my
intended successor the necessary explanations to enable him to enter upon
his new duties。 Piqued at finding that I did not speak to him； and at
the coolness with which I instructed Duroc； Bonaparte said to me in a
harsh tone； 〃Come； I have had enough of this！ Leave me。〃 I stepped down
from the ladder on which I had mounted for the purpose of pointing out to
Duroc the places in which the various papers were deposited and hastily
withdrew。 I too had quite enough of it！
I remained two more days at the Tuileries until I had suited myself with
lodgings。 On Monday I went down into the cabinet of the First Consul to
take my leave of him。 We conversed together for a long time； and very
amicably。 He told me he was very sorry I was going to leave him； and
that he would do all he could for me。 I pointed out several places to
him； at last I mentioned the Tribunate。 〃That will not do for you；〃 he
said； the members are a set of babblers and phrasemongers； whom I mean to
get rid of。 All the troubles of States proceed from such debatings。 I
am tired of them。〃 He continued to talk in a strain which left me in no
doubt as to his uneasiness about the Tribunate； which； in fact； reckoned
among its members many men of great talent and excellent character。
＇In 1802 the First Consul made a reduction of fifty members of the
Tribunate； and subsequently the whole body was suppressed。
Bourrienne。＇
The following day； Tuesday； the First Consul asked me to breakfast with
him。 After breakfast； while he was conversing with some other person；
Madame Bonaparte and Hortense pressed me to make advances towards
obtaining a re…instalment in my office； appealing to me on the score of
the friendship and kindness they had always shown me。 They told me that
I had been in the wrong； and that I had forgotten myself。 I answered
that I considered the evil beyond remedy； and that； besides； I had really
need of repose。 The First Consul then called me to him； and conversed a
considerable time with me； renewing his protestations of goodwill towards
me。
At five o'clock I was going downstairs to quit the Tuileries for good
when I was met by the office messenger； who told me that the First Consul
wished to see me。 Duroc； who was in the room leading to the cabinet；
stopped me as I passed； and said； 〃He wishes you to remain。 I beg of you
not to refuse； do me this favour。 I have assured him that I am incapable
of filling your office。 It does not suit my habits； and besides； to tell
you the truth； the business is too irksome for me。〃 I proceeded to the
cabinet without replying to Duroc。 The First Consul came up to me
smiling； and pulling me by the ear； as he did when he was in the best of
humours； said to me； 〃Are you still in the sulks？〃 and leading me to my
usual seat he added； 〃Come； sit down。〃
Only those who knew Bonaparte can judge of my situation at that moment。
He had at times； and when he chose； a charm in his manners which it was
quite impossible to resist。 I could offer no opposition； and I resumed
my usual office and my accustomed labours。 Five minutes afterwards it
was announced that dinner was on table。 〃You will dine with me？〃 he
said。 〃I cannot； I am expected at the place where I was going when Duroc
called me back。 It is an engagement that I cannot break。〃〃Well； I have
nothing to say； then。 But give me your word that you will be here at
eight o'clock。〃〃I promise you。〃 Thus I became again the private
secretary of the First Consul； and I believed in the sincerity of our
reconciliation。
CHAPTER XIII。
1802…1803。
The Concordat and the Legion of HonourThe Council of State and the
TribunateDiscussion on the word 'subjects'ChenierChabot de
l'Allier's proposition to the TribunateThe marked proof of
national gratitudeBonaparte's duplicity and self…commandReply to
the 'Senatus…consulte'The people consultedConsular decree
The most； or the leastM。 de Vanblanc's speechBonaparte's reply
The address of the TribunateHopes and predictions thwarted。
It may truly be said that history affords no example of an empire founded
like that of France； created in all its parts under the cloak of a
republic。 Without any shock； and in the short space of four years； there
arose above the ruins of the short…lived Republic a Government more
absolute than ever was Louis XIV。's。 This extraordinary change is to be
assigned to many causes； and I had the opportunity of observing the
influence which the determined will of one man exercised over his fellow…
men。
The great object which Bonaparte had at heart was to legitimate his
usurpations by institutions。 The Concordat had reconciled him with the
Court of Rome； the numerous erasures from the emigrant list gathered
round him a large body of the old nobility； and the Legion of Honour；
though at first but badly received； soon became a general object of
ambition。 Peace； too； had lent her aid in consolidating the First
Consul's power by affording him leisure to engage in measures of internal
prosperity。
The Council of State； of which Bonaparte had made me a member； but which
my other occupations did not allow me to attend； was the soul of the
Consular Government。 Bonaparte felt much interest in the discussions of
that body； because it was composed of the most eminent men in the
different branches of administration； and though the majority evinced a
ready compliance with his wishes； yet that disposition was often far from
being unanimous。 In the Council of State the projects of the Government
were discussed from the first with freedom and sincerity； and when once
adopted they were transmitted to the Tribunate； and to the Legislative
Body。 This latter body might be considered as a supreme Legislative
Tribunal； before which the Tribunes pleaded as the advocates of the
people； and the Councillors of State； whose business it was to support
the law projects； as the advocates of the Government。 This will at once
explain the cause of the First Consul's animosity towards the Tribunate；
and will show to what the Constitution was r