Rupture of the Peace of Amiens.--Conspiracy to assassinate Napoleon. --Arrest of the Duke d'Enghien.--Joseph's Interview with Napoleon. --Conflicting Views.--Madame de Stael.--Execution of the Duke d'Enghien.--Statement of Joseph Bonaparte.--Statement of Count Real. --Expulsion of the English.--Conquest of Naples.--Debasement of the Neapolitans under the Old Regime.--Debasement of Naples.--Administration of King Joseph.--Embarrassments.--Philanthropic Labors.--The Lazzaroni.--Vigorous Measures.--Letters from Napoleon and others.--The British Fleet.--Brigandage.--Success of the new Measures.--Ancient Corruptions.--Prison Reform.--Financial Reform.--Encouragement to Education.--Opposition to Reform.--The Fine Arts.--Monasteries.--Debate in the Council.--Reform of Monastic Institutions.--Ecclesiastical Reforms.--New Public Works.--Report of Joseph to the Emperor.--Letter from Napoleon.--Letter from Meneval.--Letter from Joseph to his Wife. The peace of Amiens was of short duration. In May, 1803--but fourteen months after the signing of the treaty--England again renewed hostilities without even a declaration of war. This was the signal for new scenes of blood and woe. Napoleon now resolved to assail his implacable foe by carrying his armies into the heart of England. Enormous preparations were made upon the French coast to transport a resistless force across the Channel. Joseph Bonaparte was placed in command of a regiment of the line, which had recently returned, with great renown, from the fields of Italy. In the midst of these preparations, which excited fearful apprehensions in England, the British Government succeeded in organizing another coalition with Austria and Russia, to fall upon France in the rear. The armies of these gigantic Northern powers commenced their march toward the Rhine. Napoleon broke up the camp of Boulogne and advanced to meet them. The immortal campaigns of Ulm and Austerlitz were the result. Incredible as it may seem, England represented this as an unprovoked invasion of Germany by Napoleon. This incessant assault of the Allies upon France was a great grief to the Emperor. In the midst of all the distractions which preceded this triumphant march, he wrote to his Minister of Finance: "I am distressed beyond measure at the necessities of my situation, which, by compelling me to live in camps, and engage in distant expeditions, withdraw my attention from what would otherwise be the chief object of my anxiety, and the first wish of my heart--a good and solid organization of all which concerns the interests of banks, manufactures, and commerce." While Napoleon was absent upon this campaign, Joseph was left in Paris, to attend to the administration of home affairs. This he did, much to the satisfaction of Napoleon, and with great honor to himself. Napoleon was now Emperor of France, and the Senate and the people had declared Joseph and his children heirs of the throne, on failure of Napoleon's issue.