“As ardent an imagination as that of Beaumarchais,” says Loménie, “could not be expected to remain a stranger to the universal enthusiasm which in 1797 was inspired by the youthful conqueror of Italy.”
Through the intervention of the General Desaix, Beaumarchais who had celebrated in prose and verse the movements of the young conqueror across the Alps, was able to address a letter to him directly, to which he received the following concise reply:
“Paris, the 11 germinal An VI,
March, 1798.
“General Desaix has handed me, citizen, your amiable letter of the 25 ventose. I thank you for it. I shall seize with pleasure, any circumstance which presents itself, to form the acquaintance of the author of La Mère Coupable.
“I salute you,
“Bonaparte.”
“Thus,” says Loménie, “for the General Bonaparte, Beaumarchais is above all else, the author of La Mère Coupable. Can this be an indication of a literary preference for this drama, or a certain political repugnance for the Mariage de Figaro, or simply the result of the fact that La Mère Coupable had recently been placed upon the stage? This is a question that seems difficult to answer.
“I find,” continues Loménie, “among the papers confided to me by the family of Beaumarchais, another letter of Bonaparte, at that time first Consul, addressed to Mme. de Beaumarchais after the death of her husband, which is a reply to a petition. It reads:
“Paris, vendémiaire An IX.