away without knowing his opinion I had done nothing; addressing him, therefore, by his surname, “Caulaincourt;” said I, “you have frequently assured me that you would never forget the services I rendered to you and your family at a time when I possessed some influence.  I know you, and therefore speak to you without disguise.  I do not now address myself to the Emperor’s Minister, but to Caulaincourt.  You are a man of honour, and I can open my heart to you frankly.  Consider the embarrassing situation of France, which you know better than I do.  I do not ask you for your secrets, but I myself know enough.  I will tell you candidly that I am convinced the enemy will pass the Rhine in a few days.  The Emperor has been deceived:  I should not have time to reach my destination, and I should be laughed at.  My correspondents in Germany have made me acquainted with every particular.  Now, Caulaincourt, tell me honestly, if you were in my place, and I in yours, and I should make this proposition to you, what determination would you adopt?”

I observed from the expression of Caulaincourt’s countenance that my question had made an impression on him, and affectionately pressing my hand he said, “I would do as you do:  Enough.  I will arrange the business with the Emperor.”  This reply seemed to remove a weight from my mind, and I left Caulaincourt with feelings of gratitude.  I felt fully assured that he would settle the business satisfactorily, and in this conjecture I was not deceived, for I heard no more of the matter.

I must here go forward a year to relate another occurrence in which the Due de Vicence and I were concerned.  When, in March 1815, the King appointed me Prefect of Police, M. de Caulaincourt sent to me a confidential person to inquire whether he ran any risk in remaining in Paris, or whether he had better remove.  He had been told that his name was inscribed in a list of individuals whom I had received orders to arrest.  Delighted at this proof of confidence, I returned the following answer by the Due de Vicence’s messenger:  “Tell M. de Caulaincourt that I do not know where he lives.  He need be under no apprehension:  I will answer for him.”

During the campaign of 1813 the Allies, after driving the French out of Saxony and obliging them to retreat towards the Rhine, besieged Hamburg, where Davoust was shut up with a garrison of 30,000 men, resolutely determined to make it a second Saragossa.  From the month of September every day augmented the number of the Allied troops, who were already making rapid progress on the left bank of the Elbe.  Davoust endeavoured to fortify Hamburg an so extended a scale that, in the opinion of the most experienced military men, it would have required a garrison of 60,000 men to defend it in a regular and protracted siege.  At the commencement of the siege Davoust lost Vandamme, who was killed in a sortie at the head of a numerous corps which was inconsiderately sacrificed.