said he, "although he has beaucoup de talent, et d'esprit, is too good a man, and too fond of amusements and literature, to be a king. However, it would be of great advantage to England, as you would have all the commerce of Spanish America. Joseph would not, and indeed could not trade with either France or Spain, for evident reasons; and South America cannot do without importing immense quantities of European goods. By having me in your hands, you could always make advantageous terms with Joseph, who loves me sincerely, and would do any thing for me.'

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31st.-Went to Plantation House, and made known to Sir Hudson Lowe the message I was charged with, in as moderate language as circumstances would admit. His excellency replied, that he did not care what complaints General Bo naparte sent to England, and that he had already forwarded his observations upon the restrictions That he had no objection to receive the admiral upon the business, but he expected that he should come to him first and break the matter. I re marked, that Sir Pulteney Malcolm would cer tainly not undertake the business, unless first spoken to and authorized by him, (Sir Hudson,) and reminded him, that in the first proposition which had been made for the intervention of the admiral, it was expressly mentioned that the latter should be authorized by the governor to undertake

it. Sir Hudson Lowe denied this. I demanded that a reference should be made to my letter on the subject. On its being produced, Sir Hudson Lowe acknowledged with some expression of discontent that I was right. I then reminded him that he had also said, on the proposition's having been made to him, that he would speak to the admiral himself about it, previous to his attempting to undertake it. The governor at first denied this, and after a long discussion, determined upon giving the following reply: "The governor is employed in writing an answer to the observations of Count Bertrand, and to the paper containing the remarks on his answer to the proposition for the intervention of the admiral; and also in arranging how far his instructions will permit him to accede to General Bonaparte's wishes. When these are finished, he will send them to Count Bertrand, and then, if any other arrangement is deemed necessary, the governor will have no objection to authorize the admiral, or any other person General Bonaparte may think proper, to act as an intermediator, although the intermediation of any person will have no influence whatsoever in inducing the governor to grant more or less than he would do of his own free will and judgment. This, with the alterations already made in the restrictions, and the general tenor of the observations and remarks received from Long3 A

VOL. I.

wood, since the governor expressed his readiness to employ an intermediator, and the expectation of an arrival from England, has been the cause of the delay in authorizing the admiral to undertake the office."

Sir Hudson desired me to shew this to Napoleon, and at the same time gave me a copy of his own answer to the original proposition, and one of the remarks that had been made upon it by Napoleon, which, together with the tenor of the observations, he desired me to explain, "were of a nature to induce a belief that a refusal had been intended by General Bonaparte."

I then repeated to Sir Hudson Lowe the observations made by Napoleon, on the illegality of his attempting to subject the persons of his suite to more restrictions than what were imposed upon himself; as well as what he had said about Gen. Gourgaud. Sir Hudson replied, "that as governor he had power to grant a favour, and take it away when he pleased; that if he conceded one to General Bonaparte, it did not follow that he was obliged to grant the same to the rest; that they had liberty to go away whenever they pleased, if they did not like their treatment, &c." He also desired me to repeat, that the prohibition to speak was an act of civility, or a friendly sort of warning. I remarked, that I did not think Napoleon would avail himself of the indulgence, unless the

same were granted to all. His excellency replied, "that he could not think of allowing General Bonaparte's officers to run about the country, telling lies of him (Sir Hudson) as Las Cases and Montholon had done, by having shewn letters to divers persons. That General Bonaparte would be much better, if he had not such liars as Montholon, and such a blubbering, whining son of a b-h as Bertrand about him,"

I said, that Napoleon had also remarked, that it was impossible that all the restrictions could have been imposed in obedience to specific instructions from the ministers, as he had of his own power taken some of them off, which, had they been ordered by ministers, he could not have done without having first obtained their sanction, for which there had not been yet sufficient time. His excellency appeared to be taken unawares, as he immediately replied, "They were not ordered by ministers; there were no minute details given, either to me, or to Sir George Cockburn. In fact, it is left entirely to my judgment, and I may take what measures I think proper, and, indeed, do as I like. I have been ordered to take particular care that he does not escape, and to prevent correspondence of any kind with him, except through me. The rest is left to myself.'

Admiral and Lady Malcolm, with Captain Meynel, had an interview at Longwood.

February 1st.-Informed Napoleon of what I had been directed by Sir Hudson Lowe. Shewed him his excellency's answer to the proposition for intermediation, with his remarks opposite to it. "I maintained, and will maintain," replied the "that his last restrictions are worse emperor, than any in force at Botany Bay, because even there, it is not attempted to prohibit people from speaking. It is useless for him to endeavour to persuade us that we have not been ill-treated by him. We are not simpletons, or ordinary people. There is not a free-born man, whose hair would not stand on end with horror, on reading such an atrocious proceeding as that prohibition against speaking. His assertion, that it was intended as civility, is a mockery, and adds irony and insult to injury. I know well, that if he really intended to grant any thing, it is in his power to do so without a mediator. It was a mark of imbecility in him to have accepted the proposition, but having once accepted it, he ought not to have broken his word. Qualche volta lo credo un boja, ch'è venuto per assassinarmi, ma è piutosto un uomo in capace, e senza cuore, che non capisce il suo impiego."*

A few days ago, Count Bertrand sent a sealed

Sometimes I believe that he is an executioner, who has come to assassinate me; but most probably he is a man of incapacity and without heart, who does not comprehend his office.