History of Joseph Bonaparte, king of Naples and of Italy

Front matter

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Preface

The writer trusts that be ma}^ be pardoned for relating tbe following cbaracteristic anecdote of President Lincoln, as it so fully illustrates tbe object in view in writing tbese bistories. In a conversation wbicb tbe writer bad witb tbe President just before bis deatb, Mr. Lincoln said:

" I want to tbank 3^ou and your brotber for Abbotts' series of Histories. I bave not education enougb to appreciate tbe profound works of voluminous bistorians, and if I bad, I bave no time to read tbem. But your series of Histories gives me, in brief compass, just tbat knowledge of past men and events wbicb I need. I bave read tbem witb tbe greatest interest. To tbem T am indebted for about all tbe bistorical knowledsje I bave."

It is for just tbis purpose tbat tbese Histories are written. Busy men, in tbis busy life, bave now no time to wade tbrougb ponderous folios. And yet evcr}^ one wisbcs to know tbe

VI PREFACE.

general character and achievements of the illustrious personages of past ages.

A few years ago there was published in Paris a life of King Joseph, in ten royal octavo volumes of nearly five hundred pages each. It was entitled " Memoir es et Correspondance^ Politique et Militaire^ du Boi Joseph^ Piiblies^ Annotes et Mis en Ordre par A. du Gasse^ Aide-de-camp de jS. a. I. Le Prince Jerome NapoleonP These volumes contained nearly all the correspondence which passed between Joseph and his brother ISTapoleon from their childhood until after the battle of Waterloo. Every historicah statement is substantiated by unequivocal documentary evidence.

From this voluminous work, aided by other historical accounts of particular events, the author of this sketch has gathered all that would be of particular interest to the general reader at the present time. As all the facts contained' in this narrative are substantiated by ample documentary proof, the writer can not doubt that this volume presents an accurate account of the momentous scenes which it describes, and that it gives the reader a correct idea of the social and political relations existing between those extraordinary men, Joseph and Napoleon Bonaparte. It is not necessary that

PREFACE. Vll the historian should pronounce judgment upon every transaction. But he is bound to state every'event exactly as it occurred.

No one can read this account of the struggle in Europe in favor of 2:)opidar rights against the old dynasties o^ feudal oj^pression^ without more highly appreciating the admirable institutions of our own glorious Hepublic. Neither can an}^ intelligent and candid man carefully peruse this narrative^ and not admit that Joseph Bonaparte was earnestly seeking the welfare of the^;eo/>?e; that, surrounded b}^ dynasties strong in standing armies, in pride of nobility, and which were venerable through a life of centuries, he was endeavoring to promote, under monarchical forms, whicli the posture of affairs seemed to render necessary, the abolition o^ aristocratic usurpation^ and the establishment oi equal ^ rights for cdl men. Believing this, the writer sympathizes with him in all his struggles, and reveres his memory. The universal brotherhood of man, the fundamental principles of Christianity, should also be the fundamental principles in the State. Having spared no pains to be accurate, the writer will be grateful to any critic who will point out any incorrectness of statement or false coloring of fiicts, that he may make the correction in subsequent editions.

Vlll PREFACE,

This volume will soon be followed by another, " The History of Queen Hortense," the daughter of Josephine, the wife of King*Louis, the mother of Napoleon III.

John S. C. Abbott.

Contents

Chapter Page

I. SCENES rX EAULY LIFE liJ

II. DIPLOMATIC LABORS 'iC

CHAPTER I. Scenes in Early Life

Corsica. • Parentage.

THE island of Corsica, in the Mediterranean Sea, sixty miles from the coast of Tuscany, is about half as large as the State of Massachusetts. In the year 1767 this island was one of the provinces of Italy. There was then residing, in the small town of Corte, in Corsica, a young lawyer nineteen years of age. He was the descendant of an illustrious race, which could be traced back, through a succession of distinguished men, far into the dark ages. Charles Bonaparte, the young man of whom we speak, was tall, handsome, and possessed strong native powers of mind, which he had highly cultivated. In the same place there was a young lady, Letitia Raniolini, remarkable for her beauty and her accomplishments. She also was of an ancient faniily. When but sixteen years of age

Birth of Joseph Bonaparte Journey to France.

Letitia was married to Charles Bonaparte, then but nineteen years old.

About a year after their marriage, on the 7th of January, 1768, they welcomed- their first-born child, Joseph Napoleon Bonaparte. In nineteen months after the birth of Joseph, his world-renowned brother Napoleon was born. But in the mean time the island had been transferred to France. Thus while Joseph was by birth an Italian, his brother Napoleoil was a Frenchman.

Charles Bonaparte occupied high positions of trust aiid honor in the government of Corsica, and his family took rank with the most distinguished families in Italy and in France. Joseph passed the first twelve years of his life upon his native island. He was ever a boy of studious habits, and of singular amiability of character. When he was twelve years of age his father took him, with Napoleon and their elder sister Eliza, to France for their education. Leopold, the grand duke of Tuscany, gave Charles Bonaparte letters of introduction to Maria Antoinette, his sister, who was. then the beautiful and admired Queen of France.

Leaving Joseph at the college of Autun, in Burgundy, the father continued his journey to

Fraternal Attachment. Character of Joseph.

Paris, with Napoleon and Eliza. Eliza was placed in the celebrated boarding-school of St. Cjr, in the metropolis, and Napoleon was taken to the military school at Brienne, a few miles out from the city. The father was received as a guest in the gorgeous palace of Versailles. Joseph and Napoleon were very strongly attached to each other, and this attachment continued unabated through life. When the two lads parted at Autun both were much affected. Joseph, subsequently speaking of it, says :

" I shall never forget the moment of our separation. My eyes were flooded with tears. Napoleon shed but one tear, which he in vain endeavored to conceal. The abbe Simon, who witnessed our adieus, said to me, after Napoleon's departure, 'He shed only one tear; but that one testified to as deep grief in parting from you as all of yours.' "

The two brothers kept up a very constant correspondence, informing each other minutely of their studies, and of the books in which they were interested. Joseph became one of the most distinguished scholars in the college of Autun, excelling in all the branches of polite literature. He was a very handsome young man, of polished manners, and of unblemished

Priuce of Conde. Anecdote.

purity of life. His natural kindness of heart, combined with these attractions, rendered him a universal favorite.

Autun was in the province of Burgundy, of which the Prince of Conde, grandfather of the celebrated Duke d'Enghien, was governor. The prince attended an exhibition at the college, to assist in the distribution of the prizes. Joseph acquitted himself with so much honor as to attract the attention of the prince, and he inquired of him what profession he intended to pursue.

Joseph, in the following words, describes this eventful incident:

" The solemn day arrived. I performed my part to admiration, and when we afterward went to receive the crown, which the prince himself placed on our heads, I was the one whom he seemed most to have noticed. The Bishop of Autun's friendship for our family, and no doubt also the curiosity which a little barbarian, recently introduced into the centre of civilization inspired, contributed to attract the prince's attention. He caressed me, complimented me on my progress, and made particular inquiries as to the intentions of my family with respect to me. The Bishop of Autun said that I was destined for the Church, and that he had a liv-

.Vuecdote. Letter to Naj)ol(on.

ing in reserve, which he would bestow upon mc as soon as the time came.

" ' And you, my lad,' said the prince, ' have 3'ou your own projects, and have you made up your mind as to what you wish ?'

" ' I wish,' said I, ' to serve the king.' Then seeing him disposed to listen favorably to me, I took courage to tell him that it was not at all my wish, though it was that of my family, that I should enter the Church, but that my dearest wish was to enter the army.

" The Bishop of Autun would have objected to my project, but the prince, wlio was colonelgeneral of the French infantry, saw with pleasure these warlike dispositions on my part, and encouraged me to ask for what I wanted. I then declared my desire to enter the artillery, and it was determined that I should. Imamne my joy. I was proud of the prince's caresses, and rejoiced more in his encouragement than I have since in the two crowns which I have worn.

"I immediately wrote a long letter to my brother Napoleon, imparting my happiness to him, and relating in detail all that had passed ; concluding by begging him, out of friendship for me, to give up the navy and devote himself

Return to Corsica. Death of his Fatheiv

to the artillery, that we might be in the same regiment, and pursue our career side by side. Napoleon immediately acceded to my proposal, abandoned from that moment all his naval projects, and replied that his mind was made up to dedicate himself, with me, to the artillery — with what success the world has since learned. Thus it was to this visit of the Prince of Conde that Napoleon owed his resolution of entering on a career which paved the way to all his honors."

In 1784, Joseph, then sixteen years of age, returned to Corsica. During his absence he had entirely forgotten the Italian, his native language, and could neither speak it nor understand it. After a few months at home, during which time he very diligently prosecuted his studies, his father, whose health was declining, found it necessary to visit Paris to seek medical advice. He took his son Joseph with him. Arriving at Montpellier,* after a tempestuous voyage, he became so ill as to be unable to proceed any farther. After a painful sickness of three months, he died of a cancer in the stomach, on the 24th of February, 1785. The dying father, who had perceived indications of the exalted powers and the lofty character of his son

1785.] ScENP]s IN Early Life. 19

l.ctitia. 1 lor Character.

ISTapolcon, in the delirium of bis last hours repeatedly cried out,

'' ISTapoleon ! Napoleon ! come and rescue me from this dragon of death by whom I am devoured."

Upon his dying bed the father felt great solicitude for his wife, who was to be left, at the early age of thirty-five, a widow with eight children, six of whom were under thirteen years of age. Joseph willingly yielded to his father's earnest entreaties to relinquish the profession of arms and return to Corsica, that he might solace his bereaved mother and aid her in her arduous cares. Napoleon says of this noble mother :

"She had the head of a man on the shoulders of a woman. Left without a guide or protector, she was obliged to assume the management of affairs, but the burden did not overcome her. She administered every thing with a degree of sagacity not to be expected from her age or sex. Her tenderness was joined with severity. She punished, rewarded all alike. The good, the bad, nothing escaped her. Ah,, what a woman ! where shall we look for her equal ? She watched over us with a solicitude unexampled. Every low sentiment, every un-

Madame Peimon. Lucien.

generous affection was discouraged and discarded. She suffered nothing but that which was grand and elevated to take root in our youthful understandings. She abhorred falsehood, and would not tolerate the slightest act of disobedience. None of our faults were overlooked. Losses, privations, fatigue had no effect upon her. She endured all, braved all. She had the energy of a man combined with the gentleness and delicacy of a woman."

Madame Permon, mother of the Duchess of Abrantes, a Corsican lady ol fortune who resided at Montpellier, immediately after the death of Charles Bonaparte, took Joseph, the orphan bo}^, into her house. Madame Permon and Letitia Raniolini had been companions and intimate friends in their youthful days. " She was to me," says Joseph, " an angel of consolation ; and she lavished upon me all the attentions I could have received from the most tender and affectionate of.mothers."

Joseph soon returned to Corsica. Napoleon had just before been promoted to the military school in Paris, in which city Eliza still continued at school. Lucien, the next younger brother, had also now been taken to the Continent, where he was pursuing his educa-

1786.J Scenes in Early Life. 21

ll^bitti of Napoleon. "^Z Studies of the Bl^othcr^ ■.

tion. The four remaining children were very

young.

" My mother," says Joseph, " moderated the expression of her grief that she might not excite mine. Heroic and admirable woman ! the model of mothers ; how much thy children arc indebted to thee for the example which thou hast given them !"

Joseph remained at home about a year, devoting himself to the care of the family, when Napoleon obtained leave of absence, and, to the great joy of his mother, returned to Corsica. he brought with him two trunks, a small one containing his clothing, and a large one filled with his books. Seven years had now passed since the two affectiortate brothers had met. Napoleon had entirely forgotten the Italian language ; but, much chagrined by the loss, he immediately devoted himself with great energy to its recovery. " Ilis habits," says Joseph, " were those of a young man retiring and studious." For nearly a year the two brothers prosecuted their studies vigorously together, while consoling, with their filial love, their revered mother. After some months Napoleon left home again, to rejoin his regiment at Valence. During this brief residence on his na-

Mirabeau. Joseph studies Law.

tive island, with his accustomed habits of industry, he employed the hours of vacation in writing a history of the revolutions in Corsica. At Marseilles he showed the manuscript to the abbe Eaynal. The abbe was so much pleased with it that he sent it to Mirabeau. This distinguished man remarked that the essay indicated a genius of the first order.

Joseph decided, being the eldest brother, to remain at home with his mother, to study law, and commence its practice in Ajaccio, where his mother then resided. He accordingly went to Pisa to attend lectures in the law school connected with the celebrated university in that place. His rank and character secured for him a distinguished reception, and 'he was presented by the French minister to the grand duke. Here Joseph became deeply interested in the lectures of Lampredi, who boldly advocated the doctrine, then rarely heard in Europe, of the sovereignty of the people. There were many illustrious patriots at Pisa, and many ardent young men, whose minds were imbued with new ideas of political liberty. Freely and earnestly they discussed the themes o± aristocratic usurpation, and of the equal rights of all men. Joseph, with enthusiasm, embraced the

17SS.] Scenes in Eakly Life. 23

OomnJfences Practice. Treatise of Napolcou.

cause of popular freedom, and became the unrelenting foe of that feudal despotism which then domineered over all Europe. His associates were the most illustiious and cultivated men of the liberal party. At that early period Joseph published a pamphlet advocating the rights of the people.

Having finished his studies and taken his degree, Joseph returned to Corsica. He was admitted to the bar in 1788, being then twenty years of age, and commenced the practice of law in Ajaccio. Upon this his return to Corsica he met his brother Napoleon again, who, a few days before, had landed upon the island. ISTapoleon was then intensely occupied in writing a treatise upon the question, " What arc the opinions and the feelings with which it is necessary to inspire men for the promotion of their happiness ?"

" This was the subject of our conversations," says Joseph, "in our daily walks, which were prolonged upon the banks of the sea; in sauntering along the shores of a gulf which was as beautiful as that of Naples, in a country fragrant with the exhalations of myrtles and orang^es. We sometimes did not return home until night had closed over us. There will be

Testimony of Joseph. Ambition of Napoleon.

found, in what remains of this essay, the opinions and the characteristic traits of Napoleon, who united in his character qualities which seemed to be contradictory — the calm of reason, illumined with the flashes of an Oriental imagination ; kindliness of soul, exquisite sensibility ; precious qualities which he subsequently deemed it his duty to conceal, under an artificial character which he studied to assume when he attained power, saying that men must be governed by one who is fair and just as law, and not by a jDrince whose amiability might be regarded as weakness, when that amiability is not controlled by the most inflexible justice.

"He had continually in view," continues Joseph, "the judgment of posterity. His heart throbbed at the idea of a grand and noble action which posterity could appreciate.

" ' I would wish to be myself my posterity,' he said to me one da}^, ' that I may myself enjoy the sentiments which a great poet, like Corneille, would represent me as feeling and uttering. The sentiment of duty, the esteem of a small number of friends, who know us as we know ourselves, are not sufficient to inspire noble and conscientious actions. With

1789.] Scenes in Eakly Life. 25

Forcsiglit of Napoleon. Coustitueiit A.-'-seinbly.

such motives one can make sages, but not heroes. If the movement now commenced continue in France, she will draw upon herself the entire of Europe. She can. only be defended by men passionate for glory, who will be willing to die to-day, that they may live eternally. It is for an end remote, indeterminate, of which no definite account is taken, that the inspired minority triumphs over the inert masses. Those are the motives w.hicli have guided the legislators, who have influenced the destinies of the world.' "

It is remarkable that at so early a period Kapoleon so clearly foresaw that the opinions of political equality, then struggling for existence in Paris, and of which he subsequently became so illustrious an advocate, would, if successful, combine all the despots of Europe in a warfiire against regenerated France. eJoseph and Napoleon both warmly espoused the cause of popular liberty, which was even then upheaving the throne of the Bourbons.

At this time, June, 178U, the Constituent Assembly commenced its world-renowned session in Paris. As soon as the liberal constitution, which it adopted, was issued, Joseph, who was then president of the district in Ajaccio,

Gratitude of Napoleon. Anecdote.

published an elementary treatise upon tlie constitution both in French and Italian, for the benefit of the inhabitants of his native island. This work conferred upon him much honor, and greatly increased his influence.

The mayor of the city, Jean Jerome Levie, was a very noble man, and a particular friend of the Bonapartes. Yery liberally he contributed of his large fortune to aid the poor. " Napoleon," says Joseph, " honored him at Saint Helena in his last hour, and left him a hundred thousand francs. This proves the truth of what I have often said of the kindness and tenderness of Napoleon's heart. It was this which led him in his last moments to remember the abbe Recco, Professor of the Royal College of Ajaccio, who in our early childhood, before our departure for the Continent, kindly admitted us to his class, and devoted' to us his attention. I recall the incident when the pupils were arranged facing each other upon the opposite sides of the hall under an immense banner, one portion pf which represented the flag of Rome, and the other that of Carthage. As the elder of* the two children, the professor placed me by his side under the Roman flag.

" NapoleoD, annoyed at finding himself be-

JOSEPH AjND ImaPOLEuin — TOUR IN COKSICA.

Tour in (Joraica. CharactcristicF.

neatli the flag of Carthage, which was not the conquering banner, could have no rest until he obtained a change of place with me, which I readily granted, and for which he was very grateful. And still, in his triumph, he was disquieted with the idea of having been unjust to his brother, and it required all the authority of our mother to tranquilize him. This abbe Rccco was also remembered in his will."

On one occasion Napoleon accompanied Joseph on horseback to a remote part of the islarid, to attend a Convention, where Joseph was to address the assembly.

" Napoleon was continually occupied," says Joseph, " in collecting heroic incidents of the ancient warriors of the country. I read to him my speech, to which he added several names of the ancient patriots. During the journey, which we made quite slowly, without a change of horses, his mind was incessantly employed in studying the positions which the troops of different nations had occupied, during the many years in which they had combattcd against the inhabitants of the island. "My thoughts ran in another direction. The singular beauty of the scenery interested me much more."

Louis Napoleon, in an article which he wrote

Testimony of Louis Napoleon. Death of Mirabeaii.

■while a prisoner at Ham, upon his uncle, King Joseph, just after his death, says :

"Joseph was born to embellish the arts of peace, while the spirit of his brother found itself at ease only amid events which war introduces. From their earliest years this difference of capacity and of inclination was clearly manifested. Associated in the college at Autun with his brother, Joseph aided Napoleon in his Latin and Greek compositions, while Napole> on aided Joseph in all the problems of physics and mathematics. The one made verses, while the other studied Alexander and Caesar."^

During the meeting of the Convention at Bastia, above alluded to, the tidings came of the death of Mirabeau. By the request of the President, Joseph Bonaparte announced the event to the Convention in an appropriate eulogy. The two brothers had but just returned to Ajaccio when the grand-uncle of the Bonaparte children died. He had been a firm friend of the family, and was greatly revered by them all. A few moments before his death he assembled them around his dying bed, and took an affectionate leave of each one. Joseph was

* Qnelques Mot snr Joseph Napoleon Bonaparte ; Oeuvres de Napoleon III., tome ii. p. 452.

1792.] Scp:nes in Early Life. 31

French Revolution. Anecilute.

now a member of the Directory of the department. We have the testimony of Joseph that the dying uncle said to his sobbing niece,

" Letitia, do not weep. I am willing to die since I see you suiTOunded by your children. My life is no longer necessary to protect the family of Charles. Joseph is at the head of the administration of the country ; he can therefore take care of the interests of the family. You, Napoleon, you will be a great man."

The French Revolution was now in full career. Napoleon returned to Paris, and witnessed the awful scenes of the 10th of August, 1792, when the palace of the Tuileries was stormed, the royal family outraged, and the guard massacred. He wrote to Joseph,

'' If the king had shown himself on horseback at the head of his troops, he would have gained the victory ; at least so it appeared to me, from the spirit which that morning seemed to animate the groups of the people.

" After the victory of the Marseillaise, I saw one of them upon the point of killing one of the body-guard ; ' Man of the South,' said I, ' let us save the poor fellow.' ' Arc you from the South ?' said he. ' Yes,' I replied. 'Very well,' he rejoined, * let him be saved then.' "

Tlie Emigrants. The Repnblicaus.

The French monarchy was destroyed. France, delivered from the despotism of kings, was surrendered to the still greater despotism of irreligion and ignorance. Faction succeeded faction in ephemeral governments, and anarchy and terror rioted throughout the kingdom. Thousands of the nobles fled from France and joined the armies of the surrounding monarchies, which were on the march to replace the Bourbons on the throne. The true patriots of the nation, anxious for the overthrow of the intolerable despotism under which France had so long groaned, were struggling against the coalition of despots from abroad, while at the same time they were perilling their lives in the endeavor to resist the blind madness of the mob at home. With these two foes, equally formidable, pressing them from opposite quarters, they were making gigantic endeavors to establish republican institutions upon the basis of those then in successful operation in the United States. Joseph and his brother Napoleon with all zeal joined the Republican party. The}^ were irreconcilably hostile to despotism on the one hand, and to Jacobinical anarchy upon the other. In devotion to the princiioles of republican liberty, they sacrificed their fortunes, and

Paoli. His Appreciation of Napoleon.

placed their lives in imminent jeopardy. Anxious as they both were to see the bulwarks of the old feudal aristocracy battered down, they were still more hostile to the domination of the mob.

" I frankly declare," said Napoleon, " that if I were compelled to choose between the old monarchy and Jacobin misrule, I should infinitely prefer the former."

General Paoli had been appoined by Louis XVL lieutenant-general of Corsica. This illustrious man, disgusted with the lawless vioolence which was now dominant in Paris, and despairing of any salutary reform from the revolutionary influences which were running riot, through an error in judgment, which he afterward bitterly deplored, joined the coalition of foreign powers who, with fleets and armies, were approaching France to replace, by the bayonet, the rejected Bourbons upon the throne. Both Joseph and Napoleon were exceedingly attached to General Paoli. He was a family friend, and his lofty character had won their reverence. Paoli discerned the dawning greatness of Napoleon even in these early years, and on one occasion said to him,

"O Napoleon! you do not at all resemble 3

Corsican Peasantry. Flight of the Bonapartes.

the moderns. You belong only to the heroes of Plutarch."

Paoli made every effort to induce the young Bonapartes to join his standard; but 'they, believing that popular rights would yet come out triumphant, resolutely refused. The peasantry of Corsica, unenlightened, and confiding in General Paoli, to whom they were enthusiastically attached, eagerly rallied around his banner. England was the soul of the coalition now formed against popular rights in France. Paoli, in loyalty to the Bourbons, and in treason to the French people, surrendered the island of Corsica to the British fleet.

The Bonaparte family, in wealth, rank, and influence, was one of the most prominent upon the island. An exasperated mob surrounded their dwelling, and the family narrowly escaped with their lives. The house and furniture were almost entirely destroyed. At midnight Madame Bonaparte, with Joseph, Napoleon, and all the other children who were then upon the island, secretly entered a boat in a retired cove, and were rowed out to a small vessel which was anchored at a short distance from the shore. The sails were spread, and the exiled family, in friendlessness, poverty, and dejection, were

I

Their Arrival in France.

landed upon the shores of France. Little did they then dream that their renown was soon to fill the world ; and that each one of those children wa^ to rise to grandeur, and experience reverses which will never cease to excite the sympathies of mankind.

The Allies. The National Assembly.

CHAPTER II. Diplomatic Labors

IT was the year 1793. On the 21st of January the unfortunate and guilty Louis XYI. had been led to the guillotine. Th% Royalists had surrendered Toulon to the British fleet. A Republican army was sent to regain the important port. Joseph Bonaparte was commissioned on the staff of the major-general in command, and was slightly wounded in the attack upon Cape Brun. All France was in a state of terrible excitement. Allied Europe was on the march to crush the revolution. The armies of Austria, gathered in Italy, were threatening to cross the Alps. The nobles in France, and all who were in favor of aristocratic domination, were watching for an opportunity to join the Allies, overwhelm the revolutionists, and replace the Bourbon family on the throne.

The National Assembly, which had assumed the supreme command upon the dethronement of the king, was now giving place to another assembly gathered in Paris, called the National

Commission of Napoleon. Marriage of Josepli.

Convention. Napoleon was commissioned to obtain artillery and supplies for the troops composing the Army of Italy, who, few in numbers, quite undisciplined and feeble in the materials of war, were guarding the defiles of the Alps, to protect France from the threatened Austrian invasion in that quarter. He was soon after named general of brigade in the artillery, and was sent to aid the besieging army at Toulon. Madame Bonaparte and the 3^ounger children were at Marseilles, where Joseph and Napoleon, the natural guardians of the family, could more frequently visit them. On the last day of November of this year the British fleet was driven fi'om the harbor of Toulon, and the city recaptured, as was universally admitted, by the genius of Napoleon.