On the 11th of October he arrived in Hamburg, where he stayed only three days.  He passed nearly the whole of that time with me, and he communicated to me many curious facts connected with the secret history of the times, and among other things some particulars respecting the battle of Wagram.  I was the first to mention to the new Prince Royal of Sweden the reports of the doubtful manner in which the troops under his command behaved.  I reminded him of Bonaparte’s dissatisfaction at these troops; for there was no doubt of the Emperor being the author of the complaints contained in the bulletins, especially as he had withdrawn the troops from Bernadotte’s command.  Bernadotte assured me that Napoleon’s censure was unjust; during the battle he had complained of the little spirit manifested by the soldiers.  “He refused to see me,” added Bernadotte, “and I was told, as a reason for his refusal, that he was astonished and displeased to find that, notwithstanding his complaints, of which I must have heard, I had boasted of having gained the battle, and had publicly complimented the Saxons whom I commanded.”

Bernadotte then showed me the bulletin he drew up after the battle of Wagram.  I remarked that I had never heard of a bulletin being made by any other than the General who was Commander-in-Chief during a battle, and asked how the affair ended.  He then handed to me a copy of the Order of the day, which Napoleon said he had sent only to the Marshals commanding the different corps.

Bernadotte’s bulletin was printed along with Bonaparte’s Order of the Day, a thing quite unparalleled.

Though I was much interested in this account of Bonaparte’s conduct after the battle of Wagram; yet I was more curious to hear the particulars of Bernadotte’s last communication with the Emperor.  The Prince informed me that on his return from Plombieres he attended the levee, when the Emperor asked him, before every one present, whether he had received any recent news from Sweden.

He replied in the affirmative.  “What is it?” inquired Napoleon.  “Sire, I am informed that your Majesty’s charge d’afaires at Stockholm opposes my election.  It is also reported to those who choose to believe it that your Majesty gives the preference to the King of Denmark.”—­“At these words,” continued Bernadotte, “the Emperor affected surprise, which you know he can do very artfully.  He assured me it was impossible, and then turned the conversation to another subject.

“I know not what to think of his conduct in this affair.  I am aware he does not like me;—­but the interests of his policy may render him favourable to Sweden.  Considering the present greatness and power of France, I conceived it to be my duty to make every personal sacrifice.  But I swear to Heaven that I will never commit the honour of Sweden.  He, however, expressed himself in the best possible terms in speaking of Charles XIII. and me.  He at first started no obstacle to my acceptance of the