Napoleon Series Archive 2014

Re: Proof advanced by Roberts *LINK*

I am inclined to understand this letter as an assassination plot.

However, I remember that there was a plot to gather a few dozens horsemen and capture the First Consul during a travel to Malmaison :

Enlèvement plutôt qu'assassinat

C'est dans ce but que Georges, échappant à la surveillance de la police, a quitté Paris et réussi à gagner Londres au mois d'avril 1800. Sa force de conviction est telle qu'il obtient tout : l'appui logistique des Anglais en vue du déclenchement de la quatrième chouannerie, la promesse du comte d'Artois de venir le rejoindre. Aucun de ces engagements ne sera suivi d'effet. La victoire de Marengo, le 14 juin, amène le gouvernement britannique à reconsidérer sa position vis-à-vis de la France consulaire, et à prier M. Cadoudal d'attendre un moment plus opportun.

Empêché de se battre, Georges a songé à d'autres solutions. Avec Bonaparte, la Révolution s'est incarnée. Que l'homme fort du régime disparaisse, le désordre et la corruption qui avaient rendu le Directoire insupportable à tous les Français recommenceraient. Une restauration monarchique aurait des chances d'aboutir. Ce n'est pas à assassiner le chef de l'État que songe Cadoudal. Cela, il en a eu par deux fois l'occasion au mois de mars, et l'a refusé avec indignation lorsque La Haye-Saint-Hilaire l'a suggéré. L'idée de Cadoudal est d'enlever Bonaparte lorsqu'il rentre le soir à la Malmaison. Il suffirait ensuite de gagner la côte boulonnaise et de livrer le colis aux Anglais. Le plan est-il réalisable ? Pour le savoir et tâter le terrain, en novembre 1800, Georges a expédié à Paris un groupe de ses officiers, sous le commandement d'un de ses aides de camp, le chevalier de Saint-Régeant. Malheureusement, ces messieurs ont trouvé que leur chef se compliquait la vie. Adeptes de méthodes plus expéditives, ils ont, sans lui en référer, organisé un attentat à la voiture piégée. L'explosion du véhicule sur le passage du cortège officiel, rue Saint-Nicaise, le 24 décembre 1800, a raté Bonaparte, et fait une dizaine de victimes parmi les badauds. Elle a aussi provoqué un désaveu unanime, tant de la part du clergé indigné que de Louis XVIII exilé, permettant de surcroît l'exploitation du drame par la propagande du régime, enchanté de pouvoir présenter les chouans comme un sinistre ramassis de terroristes.

(from "Cadoudal", Bernet)

So perhaps kidnapping was also contemplated - but the purpose would be unclear : how usefull would have been the First Consul once deprived of his power ?

Kind regards,

Jean

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