“Employ two secretaries; one of them can make a mistake.” Then turning to Lucien, he said: “Write this.”
And walking up and down, he dictated without hesitating, like a man who has long thought over and carefully prepared what he dictates; stopping occasionally beside Bourrienne to see if the secretary’s pen were following his every word:
CITIZENS—The Council of the Ancients, the trustee of the nation’s
wisdom, has issued the subjoined decree: it is authorized by
articles 102 and 103 of the Constitution.
This decree enjoins me to take measures for the safety of the
National Legislature, and its necessary and momentary removal.
Bourrienne looked at Bonaparte; instantaneous was the word the latter had intended to use, but as the general did not correct himself, Bourrienne left momentary.
Bonaparte continued to dictate:
The Legislature will find means to avoid the imminent danger into
which the disorganization of all parts of the administration has
brought us.
But it needs, at this crisis, the united support and confidence of
patriots. Rally around it; it offers the only means of establishing
the Republic on the bases of civil liberty, internal prosperity,
victory and peace.
Bonaparte perused this proclamation, and nodded his head in sign of approval. Then he looked at his watch.
“Eleven o’clock,” he said; “there is still time.”
Then, seating himself in Bourrienne’s chair, he wrote a few words in the form of a note, sealed it, and wrote the address: “To the Citizen Barras.”
“Roland,” said he, when he had finished, “take a horse out of the stable, or a carriage in the street, and go to Barras’ house. I have asked him for an interview tomorrow at midnight. I want an answer.”