Ferdinand, with his usual duplicity, wrote to Berthémy from Valençay, where he was practically a prisoner. In this letter he pleaded in a cringing way for the protection of Napoleon, who had robbed him of his crown.
“My greatest desire,” he writes, “is to be the adopted son of His Majesty the Emperor, our Sovereign. I believe I am worthy of this adoption, which would make the happiness of my life, by reason of my love and affection to the sacred person of His Majesty, and by my submission and entire obedience to his intentions and desires.
“Moreover, I am anxious to leave Valençay, for this place is in every way disagreeable to us and in no way suits us.
“I am glad to trust in the magnanimity of conduct and the generous beneficence which always distinguish Your Imperial Majesty, and to hope that my ardent desire will be soon fulfilled.
“Receive, etc.,
“Ferdinand.”
When Napoleon decided to publish this correspondence with Ferdinand, he wrote and asked him to send a letter to show that he had his authorization for doing so.
So, before the appearance of the letters in Le Moniteur, Ferdinand, in obedience to the imperial request, wrote to Napoleon:
“Valençay,
“May 3, 1810.