[588] Chateaubriand's letter of resignation ran as follows:
"Citizen Minister,
"The doctors have just stated that Madame de Chateaubriand's state of health is such as to raise fears for her life. As it is absolutely impossible for me to leave my wife in these circumstances, or to expose her to the danger of a journey, I beg Your Excellency to approve that I return to you the credentials and instructions which you have sent me for the Valais. I also trust to your extreme kindness to persuade the First Consul to accept the painful reasons which prevent me to-day from undertaking the mission with which he was pleased to honour me. As I do not know whether my position requires me to take any other steps, I venture to appeal to your usual indulgence, Citizen Minister, for orders and advice; I shall receive these with the gratitude which I shall not cease to feel for your past kindnesses.
"I have the honour to greet you respectfully,
"Chateaubriand.
"Hôtel de France, Rue de Beaune, Paris.
"1 Germinal Year XII [22 March 1804]."—B.
[589] Moreau had been arrested on the 15th of February; Pichegru on the 28th of February; and Georges Cadoudal on the 9th of March 1804.—B.
[590] Jean Claude Clausel de Coussergues (1759-1846), a distinguished magistrate and orator. Under the Restoration, he became a deputy and a member of the Court of Appeal. He resigned after the Revolution of 1830.—B.
[591] Prov. VI. 17.—T.
[592] John viii. 43.—T.
[593] Talleyrand's letter did not arrive until ten days after the letter of resignation, and was thus worded:
"12 Germinal [2 April 1804].
"Citizen,
"I have brought to the notice of the First Consul the motives which prevent you from accepting the Legation in the Valais, to which you had been appointed.
"The Citizen Consul had been pleased to give you a proof of confidence. The same feelings of good-will have caused him to learn with regret the reasons which do not permit you to fulfill that mission.
"I must also express to you the great interest which I attached to the new relations which I should have had to maintain with you; and to this regret, which is personal to myself, I add that of seeing my department deprived of your talents and services."—B.