The collected works of William Hazlitt, Vol. 03 (of 12)Hazlitt, William
General
The collected works of William Hazlitt, Vol. 03 (of 12)
Hazlitt, William
English essays -- 19th century
‘On my arrival at the British advanced posts, which, owing to the
obstructions I met with from the French, I was not able to effect till
early in the morning of the 3d July, I was informed that the most
positive orders had been given by the duke, not to allow any messenger
to pass from Paris without his special permission. I was therefore
detained at the English advanced post of guards, commanded by Lord
Saltown. I dined with the officers of the advanced piquet, among whom I
well remember Captain Fairfield, of the foot guards. These gentlemen
informed me that the Duke of Wellington was at Gonnesse, with Sir C.
Stuart, Pozzo di Borgo, and Talleyrand. I wrote a letter to the duke,
which was forwarded by Lord Saltown. In my letter, I entered into a
detail of the line of conduct recommended by Fouché, and contained in
the foregoing memorandum. On the receipt of my dispatch, the duke
immediately proceeded to St. Cloud, General Blucher’s head-quarters;
there the capitulation of Paris was signed. The duke returned to
Gonnesse and dispatched Lord March to bring me to him: I arrived very
early on the morning of the 4th, and found Sir C. Stuart, Talleyrand,
and Pozzo di Borgo; they assembled in council, and my presence was
required by the duke. Talleyrand observed to me, that _this was already
settled_, and, turning to the Duke of Wellington, requested him to read
to me _the capitulation that they had just concluded_. On my urging the
adoption of the line of conduct which Fouché recommended towards the
Chambers, the Duke of Wellington proceeded to give me his sentiments in
writing, which were as follow:—
‘“_Je pense, que les Allies ayant déclaré le Gouvernment de Napoleon une
Usurpation et nonlégitime, toute autorité qui émane de lui, doit être
regardée comme nulle et d’aucun pouvoir.[34] Ainsi, ce qui reste à faire
aux Chambres et à la commission, est, de donner de suite leur démission
et de déclarer qu’ils n’ont pris sur eux les responsibilités de
gouvernement, que pour assurer la tranquilité publique, et l’intégrité
du royaume de S. M. Louis XVIII._”
‘Talleyrand, Sir Charles Stuart, and Pozzo di Borgo, each took a copy of
this document, and each, by way of memorandum, put their names and mine
to the paper, by way of recording, as I suppose, the parties present at
the discussion.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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