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of the deputation； the 'Senatus…consulte' determining the prorogation；
he said in reply that he could not be certain of the confidence of the
people unless his continuance in the Consulship were sanctioned by their
suffrages。 〃The interests of my glory and happiness；〃 added he； 〃would
seem to have marked the close of my public life at the moment when the
peace of the world is proclaimed。 But the glory and the happiness of the
citizen must yield to the interests of the State and wishes of the
public。 You； Senators； conceive that I owe to the people another
sacrifice。 I will make it if the voice of the people commands what your
suffrage authorises。〃
The true meaning of these words was not understood by everybody； and was
only manifest to those who were initiated in the secret of Bonaparte's
designs。 He did not accept the offer of the Senate； because he wished
for something more。 The question was to be renewed and to be decided by
the people only； and since the people had the right to refuse what the
Senate offered； they possessed； for the same reason； the right to give
what the Senate did not offer。
The moment now arrived for consulting the Council of State as to the mode
to be adopted for invoking and collecting the suffrages of the people。
For this purpose au extraordinary meeting of the Council of State was
summoned on the 10th of May。 Bonaparte wished to keep himself aloof from
all ostensible influence； but his two colleagues laboured for him more
zealously than he could have worked for himself； and they were warmly
supported by several members of the Council。 A strong majority were of
opinion that Bonaparte should not only be invested with the Consulship
for life； but that he should be empowered to nominate his successor。 But
he； still faithful to his plan； affected to venerate the sovereignty of
the people； which he held in horror； and he promulgated the following
decree； which was the first explanation of his reply to the Senate
The Consuls of the Republic； considering that the resolution of the
First Consul is an homage rendered to the sovereignty of the People；
and that the People； when consulted on their dearest interests； will
not go beyond the limits of those interests； decree as follows：…
First； that the French people shall be consulted on the question
whether Napoleon Bonaparte is to be made Consul for life； etc。
The other articles merely regulated the mode of collecting the votes。
This decree shows the policy of the First Consul in a new point of view；
and displays his art in its fullest extent。 He had just refused the less
for the sake of getting the greater； and now he had contrived to get the
offer of the greater to show off his moderation by accepting only the
less。 The Council of State sanctioned the proposition for conferring on
the First Consul the right of nominating his successor； and； of his own
accord； the First Consul declined this。 Accordingly the Second Consul；
when he； the next day； presented the decree to the Council of State； did
not fail to eulogise this extreme moderation； which banished even the
shadow of suspicion of any ambitious after…thought。 Thus the Senate
found itself out…manoeuvred； and the decree of the Consuls was
transmitted at once to the Legislative Body and to the Tribunate。
In the Legislative Body； M。 de Vaublanc was distinguished among all the
deputies who applauded the conduct of the Government； and it was he who
delivered the apologetic harangue of the deputation of the Legislative
Body to the First Consul。 After having addressed the Government
collectively he ended by addressing the First Consul individuallya sort
of compliment which had not hitherto been put in practice； and which was
far from displeasing him who was its object。 As M。 de Vaublanc's speech
had been communicated beforehand to the First Consul； the latter prepared
a reply to it which sufficiently showed how much it had gratified him。
Besides the flattering distinction which separated him from the
Government； the plenitude of praise was not tempered by anything like
advice or comment。 It was not so with the address of the Tribunate。
After the compliments which the occasion demanded； a series of hopes were
expressed for the future； which formed a curious contrast with the events
which actually ensued。 The Tribunate； said the address； required no
guarantee； because Bonaparte's elevated and generous sentiments would
never permit him to depart from those principles which brought about the
Revolution and founded the Republic； he loved real glory too well ever
to stain that which he had acquired by the abuse of power；the nation
which he was called to govern was free and generous he would respect and
consolidate her liberty； he would distinguish his real friends； who spoke
truth to him； from flatterers who might seek to deceive him。 In short；
Bonaparte would surround himself with the men who； having made the
Revolution； were interested in supporting it。
To these and many other fine things the Consul replied； 〃This testimony
of the affection of the Tribunate is gratifying to the Government。 The
union of all bodies of the State is a guarantee of the stability and
happiness of the nation。 The efforts of the Government will be
constantly directed to the interests of the people； from whom all power
is derived； and whose welfare all good men have at heart。〃
So much for the artifice of governments and the credulity of subjects！
It is certain that； from the moment Bonaparte gained his point in
submitting the question of the Consulate for life to the decision of the
people； there was no longer a doubt of the result being in his favour。
This was evident； not only on account of the influential means which a
government always has at its command； and of which its agents extend the
ramifications from the centre to the extremities； but because the
proposition was in accordance with the wishes of the majority。 The
Republicans were rather shy in avowing principles with which people were
now disenchanted；the partisans of a monarchy without distinction of
family saw their hopes almost realised in the Consulate for life； the
recollection of the Bourbons still lived in some hearts faithful to
misfortune but the great mass were for the First Consul； and his external
acts in the new step he had taken towards the throne had been so
cautiously disguised as to induce a belief in his sincerity。 If I and a
few others were witness to his accomplished artifice and secret ambition；
France beheld only his glory； and gratefully enjoyed the blessings of
peace which he had obtained for her。 The suffrages of the people
speedily realised the hopes of the First Consul； and thus was founded the
CONSULATE FOR LIFE。
CHAPTER XIV
1802…1803。
Departure for MalmaisonUnexpected question relative to the
BourbonsDistinction between two opposition partiesNew intrigues
of LucienCamille Jordan's pamphlet seizedVituperation against
the liberty of the pressRevisal of the ConstitutionNew 'Senatus…
consulteDeputation from the SenateAudience of the Diplomatic
BodyJosephine's melancholyThe discontentedSecret meetings
Fouche and the police agentsThe Code NapoleonBonaparte's regular
attendance at the Council of StateHis knowledge of mankind； and
the science of governmentNapoleon's first sovereign actHis visit
to the SenateThe Consular processionPolite etiquetteThe Senate
and the Council of StateComplaints against LucienThe deaf and
dumb assemblyCreation of senatorships。
When nothing was wanting to secure the Consulate for life but the votes
of the people； which there was no doubt of obtaining； the First Consul
set off to spend a few days at Malmaison。
On the day of our arrival； as soon as dinner was ended； Bonaparte said to
me； 〃Bourrienne； let us go and take a walk。〃 It was the middle of May；
so that the evenings were long。 We went into the park： he was very
grave； and we walked for several minutes without his uttering a syllable。
Wishing to break silence in a way that would be agreeable to him； I
alluded to the facility w