Encore une fois, Hortense est assurée que ses fils sont en bonne santé, juste avant que l'un d'eux soit «mort de causes naturelles».
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This is part of a series about why Napoleon’s stepdaughter Hortense, broke the law. When we last left off, M. Stoelting, who has been sent to try and get Hortense’s son out of revolutionary activities - found that they were trying to help maintain order and that they were bringing humane concerns to the attention of the Pope - who was the ruler of part of Italy - backed by the Austrian military forces.
Hortense writes:
[M. Stoelting conveyed this document expressing grievances] for which my son was so reproached, but that the feeling which had dictated it had to be judged less harshly on account of the circumstances.
However, the combined efforts of so many people forced my children to give in. I received the news of this from General Armandi.
Monsanvito, March 3, 1831.
MADAME,
The young princes are here and very healthy. They have made a painful sacrifice, which requires a great deal of reason and feeling: they are not even able to try and help openly the interests of this unhappy Italy. They cannot do it without afflicting or compromising what they hold dearest in the world.
I can imagine, Madame, what must have been endured in your heart during these last days.
It was the first idea that struck me too, and I had the honor to express this to you in my letter of May 28th.
Be even more proud than you were, Madame, of having such children; all their conduct in this circumstance is a succession of noble feelings, generous, worthy of their name, and history will not forget it.
Someday, virtue will have to finally be called what it is, virtue, and all the diplomacy in the world will not change what is actually right.
They are leaving for Bologna today. I'm taking the same route tomorrow. They plan to stay there for some time; and if this still gives them cover, they will retire to Ravenna, to their cousin's.
It is in Bologna that I await the orders of Your Highness, at M. Le Bon's.
I have a presentiment, Madame, to see you there too; besides, everything is still in the air. I long to be in Bologna, and I leave Ancona with regret, because it was my post to which I had been elected.
Please, Madame, always count me as your faithful servant,”
General ARMANDI.
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Cela fait partie d'une série pour laquelle la belle-fille de Napoléon, Hortense, a enfreint la loi. Lorsque nous nous sommes arrêtés pour la dernière fois, M. Stoelting, qui a été envoyé pour essayer de faire sortir le fils d'Hortense des activités révolutionnaires - a constaté qu'ils essayaient d'aider à maintenir l'ordre et qu'ils portaient des préoccupations humaines à l'attention du Pape - qui était le souverain d'une partie de l'Italie - soutenu par les forces militaires autrichiennes.
Hortense écrit:
