Facsimile of part of Sir Walter Scott's Notes on the "Narrative"
APPENDIX.
So many erroneous statements have gone abroad, as to the terms of Buonaparte's reception on board the Bellerophon, that I conceive it right to give the following correspondence, although at the expense of some repetition; in order to its being distinctly seen, that the good faith of the British nation was not compromised on that occasion, but that His Majesty's Government were at perfect liberty, as far as those terms were concerned, to act as they thought best.
"Tonnant, at anchor under Berryhead,
7th August, 1815.
"Sir,
"Count Las Cases having this morning stated to me that he understood from you, when he was on board the Bellerophon in Basque Roads, on a mission from General Buonaparte, that you were authorized to receive the General and his suite on board the ship you command, for conveyance to England; and that you assured him, at the same time, that both the General and his suite would be well received there; you are to report for my information, such observations as you may consider it necessary to make upon these assertions.
"I am, Sir,
Your most obedient,
humble servant,
Keith, Admiral."
"Captain Maitland,
Bellerophon."
"H.M.S. Bellerophon,
Plymouth Sound, 8th August, 1815.