The Surrender of Napoleon / Being the narrative of the surrender of Buonaparte, and of his residence on board H.M.S. Bellerophon, with a detail of the principal events that occurred in that ship between the 24th of May and the 8th of August 1815

by Sir Frederick Lewis Maitland

The picture of the Bellerophon at Plymouth at page 132 is reproduced, by permission of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, from the original by J. J. Chalon, R.A., now in the Painted Hall at Greenwich.

As is mentioned at page 202 of the Narrative, Napoleon desired to present Captain Maitland with a box containing his portrait set in diamonds. On Maitland's declining, in the circumstances, to accept any present of value, the Emperor begged him to keep as a souvenir a tumbler from his travelling case, bearing the crown and cipher of the Empress Josephine. This relic is still preserved at Lindores. A photograph of it is given at page 202.

W. K. D.

CONTENTS.

• Page
• MEMOIR OF SIR FREDERICK MAITLAND [xxv]

NARRATIVE.

[The summary of the contents of the Narrative given here is that prefixed to the original edition. Sir Walter Scott's notes are printed at pp. [70], [84], [155], [165], [208], [223], [225], and [229].]

• Captain Maitland sets sail in the Bellerophon, with sealed instructions [1]
• He arrives off l'Isle Dieu. Proceeds off Rochefort [2]
• Reconnoitres the French ships of war under l'Isle d'Aix [3]
• Is joined by the Cephalus [4]
• Captain Maitland hears of the victory of Waterloo. On June 30 receives a communication, sent from Bourdeaux within a quill, respecting the probable flight of Buonaparte by sea [4], [5]
• Blockades Rochefort, Bourdeaux, and la Teste d'Arcasson [8]
• Destroys his prizes [9]
• A man and boy in a flat punt saved [10]
• Captain Maitland watches the frigates at l'Isle d'Aix closely [11]
• Receives Sir Henry Hotham's instructions [12], [13], [14], [16]
• The Mouche schooner, with Savary and Las Cases with a flag of truce, approaches the Bellerophon [21]
• Secret orders from Sir Henry Hotham [21], [22], [24]
• Letter of Count Bertrand, announcing Napoleon's intention of sailing to North America [26]
• The captain's answer to Bertrand [29]
• Conversation with Savary and Las Cases [31]
• Receives private information by a row-boat [35]
• Captain Maitland guards the Mamusson passage [36]
• The white flag is hoisted at Rochelle [37], [38]
• The Bellerophon fires a royal salute [37]
• The French frigates appear ready to put to sea [38]
• English guard-boats continue to row near the frigates [38]
• British flag of truce, its colour [39]
• The Mouche schooner, with Las Cases and General Lallemand, returns to the Bellerophon [39], [40]
• Communication delivered from Napoleon [42]
• Captain Maitland's reply [42]
• Buonaparte stated to be at Rochefort, but is at l'Isle d'Aix [44]
• Design for effecting the escape of Buonaparte in a cask on board of a Danish vessel [45]
• Las Cases, with General Gourgaud, returns to the Bellerophon [46]
• They bring an important letter from Bertrand [47]
• List of Napoleon's suite [51]
• The Emperor's letter to H.R.H. the Prince Regent [54]
• Captain Maitland promises to receive Buonaparte [56]
• Captain Sartorius is despatched to England, with a letter from Captain Maitland, and with General Gourgaud [58]
• Advice of Buonaparte's wish to escape repeatedly given [62]
• July 15, Napoleon reaches the Bellerophon, in the barge of that ship. He comes on board. His uniform described [67], [68]
• Napoleon cheered by the crew of l'Épervier [69]
• His address to Captain Maitland [69]
• The ship's officers are introduced to him [71]
• His small knowledge of English [72]
• He examines the Bellerophon [72]
• Conversations between Napoleon and Captain Maitland [73], [74], [75], [76], [90], [95], [106]
• Buonaparte's naval opinions [73], [74], [77]
• Breakfast on board the Bellerophon [78]
• Rear-Admiral Sir Henry Hotham arrives off Rochefort. His conference with Captain Maitland [79], [80]
• The Admiral comes on board the Bellerophon [81]
• Conversation at dinner [83]
• Buonaparte's portable library and camp bed [82], [84]
• He breakfasts on board the Admiral's ship [85], [91]
• Attachment for him evinced by the officers of his suite [92], [228]
• The Bellerophon sets sail for Torbay [93], [96]
• Buonaparte speaks of Sir Sydney Smith [96]
• The passage to England described [98], [105], [107]
• Card-parties [99]
• The captain's despatch to Lord Keith [100]
• His conversation with Countess Bertrand relative to a portrait of Napoleon [103]
• Speaks with the Swiftsure, Captain Webley [104]
• Count Las Cases [107]
• English coast in sight [107]
• The Bellerophon anchors in Torbay [108]
• Buonaparte's exclamation on viewing the shore [108]
• Admiral Lord Keith's orders [109]
• English newspapers read by Napoleon [112]
• Observations of Madame Bertrand [114], [120]
• Persons refused admission on board the Bellerophon [115]
• Lord Keith's approval of Captain Maitland's line of conduct [116], [117]
• Concourse of spectators in boats [115], [118]
• Remarks of Buonaparte respecting the fishermen [119]
• The ships sail for Plymouth [119]
• Observations on the breakwater [121]
• Communications of civility interchanged between Buonaparte and Lord Keith [117], [122]
• Lord Keith's precautions [123], [125]
• Buonaparte complains of the guard-ships [127]
• The Lords of the Admiralty approve of Captain Maitland's proceedings [128]
• Napoleon's letter to the Regent is forwarded [129]
• He is considered as a general officer [130]
• Orders received from the Admiralty [130]
• Sir Richard and Lady Strachan come alongside the ship [131]
• Napoleon's compliment on seeing Mrs Maitland [132]
• Admiral Lord Keith is introduced to Napoleon [134]
• Repugnance of the prisoners to their banishment to St Helena [129], [134]
• Crowd of boats round the ship [135]
• Buonaparte's habits on board ship [136]
• Bertrand, Savary, and Lallemand fear proscription [137], [140], [142]
• Buonaparte informed that he was to be sent to St Helena [139]
• Sir Henry Bunbury visits him [140]
• He complains bitterly [141]
• He writes again to the Regent [142]
• Captain Maitland's letter favourable to Savary and Lallemand [145], [152]
• Buonaparte shows himself on deck [147]
• Countess Bertrand much agitated at the thoughts of her husband going to St Helena [149]
• Lallemand is reproved by Captain Maitland [150]
• Buonaparte's assertion that "he would not go to St Helena" [148], [151], [164]
• Extravagant conversation of the attendant generals [151]
• Mr O'Meara [153]
• Countess Bertrand attempts to cast herself into the sea [153]
• Her retrospect of Buonaparte's conduct [154], [156]
• Her impatience. She writes to Lord Keith [155]
• She is overheard by the generals [157]
• Buonaparte's inquiries as to St Helena [158]
• Report of an attempt to escape [159]
• Rumour of an intention of serving a Habeas Corpus to bring Buonaparte ashore [162]
• Ship prepared for sea [162]
• The Northumberland ordered to convey Buonaparte [162]
• The Bellerophon weighs anchor [164]
• Service of a subpœna on Buonaparte frustrated by keeping the lawyer at bay [165]
• Note respecting writs of Habeas Corpus and subpœnas [165]
• Buonaparte again writes to the Regent [168]
• He keeps entirely to the cabin; prepares a protest [169]
• Buonaparte's protest [170]
• He declares himself to be the guest of England, and no prisoner [171]
• Captain Maitland's observations thereon [174]
• Conversation on this subject with Count Las Cases [176]
• Buonaparte speaks of the Army of the Loire, and of his party [178]
• Mr O'Meara requested by Buonaparte to become his surgeon [179]
• The Northumberland in sight [180]
• Arms required to be delivered up [181]
• Lists of articles essential for the Trench officers and ladies forwarded to Plymouth [182]
• Sir George Cockburn is introduced to Buonaparte [182]
• Buonaparte permitted to wear his sword [183]
• He requests an interview with Captain Maitland [183]
• He expresses his wish of living on a small estate in England [185]
• He speaks in favour of Savary and Lallemand [185]
• Captain Maitland's letter to Count Bertrand [186]
• Lord Keith's order to the captain to deliver up General Buonaparte and others [187]
• General Gourgaud [190]
• Countess Bertrand's remonstrances [192]
• A misunderstanding and reconciliation [193]
• Napoleon returns thanks to Captain Maitland [194]
• He speaks with regard of Count Bertrand [195]
• Search of the baggage [196]
• The box of money temporarily taken charge of [197]
• Parting of Buonaparte with the captain [200]
• Buonaparte, accompanying Admiral Lord Keith, quits the Bellerophon [200]
• Count Montholon's polite intimation to Captain Maitland [201]
• The captain declines the present of a portrait [202]
• Savary and Lallemand; their affecting parting with Napoleon in the presence of Captain Maitland [203]
• The Northumberland sails for St Helena [204]
• Description of Napoleon Buonaparte [205]
• His manners and conversation [206]
• Anecdotes [207], [210], [215], [216]
• He speaks of his wife and his son [211]
• Their pictures [211], [212]
• Conversation respecting Kleber and Dessaix [213]
• Napoleon's resources in money [214]
• The midshipmen act plays [217]
• Buonaparte's observations on the British cavalry, and relative to the Duke of Wellington [218], [219]
• Character of Count Bertrand [222]
• Countess Bertrand, a daughter of General Dillon [222]
• Savary, Duke of Rovigo, described [224]
• Savary, Lallemand, and Planat are sent to Malta, and allowed to go to Smyrna [225]
• Character of Lallemand [225]
• Count and Countess Montholon [226]
• Count Las Cases and his son [227]

APPENDIX.

• On what terms Captain Maitland received Buonaparte on board his ship; and documents relating thereto [231]