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agents。 I also said a few words about Bonaparte's regret at not having
children。 My object was to learn Fouche's opinion on this subject； and
it was not without a feeling of indignation that I heard him say； 〃It is
to be hoped the Empress will soon die。 Her death will remove many
difficulties。 Sooner or later he must take a wife who will bear him a
child； for as long as he has no direct heir there is every chance that
his death will be the signal for a Revolution。 His brothers are
perfectly incapable of filling his place； and a new party would rise up
in favour of the Bourbons； which must be prevented above all things。 At
present they are not dangerous； though they still have active and devoted
agents。 Altona is full of them； and you will be surrounded by them。
I beg of you to keep a watchful eye upon them； and render me a strict
account of all their movements； and even of their most trivial actions。
As they have recourse to all sorts of disguises； you cannot be too
vigilant； therefore it will be advisable； in the first place； to
establish a good system of espionage； but have a care of the spies who
serve both sides； for they swarm in Germany。〃
This is all I recollect of my； conversations with Fouche at Pont…Carre。
I returned to Paris to make preparations for my journey to Hamburg。
CHAPTER XXXII。
1805。
Capitulation of SublingenPreparations for warUtility of
commercial informationMy instructionsInspection of the emigrants
and the journalsA pamphlet by KotzebueOffers from the Emperor of
Russia to MoreauPortrait of Gustavus Adolphus by one of his
ministersFouche's denunciationsDuels at HamburgM。 de Gimel
The Hamburg CorrespondentLetter from Bernadotte。
I left Paris on the 20th of May 1805。 On the 5th of June following I
delivered my credentials to the Senate of Hamburg； which was represented
by the Syndic Doormann and the Senator Schutte。 M。 Reinhart； my
predecessor； left Hamburg on the 12th of June。
The reigning Dukes of Mecklenburg…Schwerin and Brunswick； to whom I had
announced my arrival as accredited Minister to them； wrote me letters
recognising me in that character。 General Walmoden had just signed the
capitulation of Sublingen with Marshal Mortier； who had the command in
Hanover。 The English Government refused to ratify this； because it
stipulated that the troops should be prisoners of war。 Bonaparte had two
motives for relaxing this hard condition。 He wished to keep Hanover as a
compensation for Malta； and to assure the means of embarrassing and
attacking Prussia； which he now began to distrust。 By advancing upon
Prussia he would secure his left； so that when convenient he might march
northward。 Mortier； therefore； received orders to reduce the conditions
of the capitulation to the surrender of the arms； baggage； artillery； and
horses。 England； which was making great efforts to resist the invasion
with which she thought herself threatened； expended considerable sums for
the transport of the troops from Hanover to England。 Her precipitation
was indescribable； and she paid the most exorbitant charges for the hire
of ships。 Several houses in Hamburg made fortunes on this occasion。
Experience has long since proved that it is not at their source that
secret transactions are most readily known。 The intelligence of an event
frequently resounds at a distance； while the event itself is almost
entirely unknown in the place of its occurrence。 The direct influence of
political events on commercial speculations renders merchants exceedingly
attentive to what is going on。 All who are engaged in commercial
pursuits form a corporation united by the strongest of all bonds； common
interest； and commercial correspondence frequently presents a fertile
field for observation； and affords much valuable information； which often
escapes the inquiries of Government agents。
I resolved to form a connection with some of the mercantile houses which
maintained extensive and frequent communications with the Northern
States。 I knew that by obtaining their confidence I might gain a
knowledge of all that was going on in Russia； Sweden； England； and
Austria。 Among the subjects upon which it was desirable to obtain
information I included negotations； treaties； military measuressuch as
recruiting troops beyond the amount settled for the peace establishment；
movements of troops； the formation of camps and magazines； financial
operations； the fitting…out of ships； and many other things； which；
though not important in themselves； frequently lead to the knowledge of
what is important。
I was not inclined to place reliance on all public reports and gossiping
stories circulated on the Exchange without close investigation； for I
wished to avoid transmitting home as truths what might frequently be mere
stock…jobbing inventions。 I was instructed to keep watch on the
emigrants； who were exceedingly numerous in Hamburg and its
neighbourhood； Mecklenburg； Hanover； Brunswick； and Holstein； but I must
observe that my inspection was to extend only to those who were known to
be actually engaged in intrigues and plots。
I was also to keep watch on the state of the public mind； and on the
journals which frequently give it a wrong direction； and to point out
those articles in the journals which I thought censurable。 At first I
merely made verbal representations and complaints； but I could not always
confine myself to this course。 I received such distinct and positive
orders that； in spite of myself； inspection was speedily converted into
oppression。 Complaints against the journals filled one…fourth of my
despatches。
As the Emperor wished to be made acquainted with all that was printed
against him； I sent to Paris； in May 1805； and consequently a very few
days after my arrival in Hamburg； a pamphlet by the celebrated Kotzebue；
entitled 'Recollections of my Journey to Naples and Rome'。 This
publication； which was printed at Berlin； was full of indecorous attacks
and odious allusions on the Emperor。
I was informed at that time； through a certain channel； that the Emperor
Alexander had solicited General Moreau to enter his service； and take the
command of the Russian infantry。 He offered him 12；000 roubles to defray
his travelling expenses。 At a subsequent period Moreau unfortunately
accepted these offers； and died in the enemy's ranks。
On the 27th of June M。 Bouligny arrived at Hamburg。 He was appointed to
supersede M。 d'Ocariz at Stockholm。 The latter minister had left Hamburg
on the 11th of June for Constantinople； where he did not expect to stay
three months。 I had several long conversations with him before his
departure； and he did not appear to be satisfied with his destination。
We frequently spoke of the King of Sweden； whose conduct M。 d'Ocariz
blamed。 He was； he said； a young madman； who； without reflecting on the
change of time and circumstances； wished to play the part of Gustavus
Adolphus； to whom he bore no resemblence but in name。 M。 d'Ocariz spoke
of the King of Sweden's camp in a tone of derision。 That Prince had
returned to the King of Prussia the cordon of the Black Eagl