This is a series where we translate letters by the suspicious Montholons; The couple who followed Napoleon to St. Helena for no clear reason. Since Albine was able to return to France unlike the other people loyal to Napoleon, she also no longer complains of money problems, though her financial solution in unclear. Charles de Montholon’s stepfather was M. de Sémonville, a secret society enthusiast, viewed as associated with the man who later became Charles X of France. We’re going through original source material to see if this pattern of behavior led to the murder of Napoleon.
In a previous letter, Charles reminded Albine that Napoleon would want to read her letters. These letters are also being read by the agents of the British Empire. As in her previous letter, Albine keeps discrediting Napoleon’s mother and sister, Pauline Borghese. This would’ve hurt Napoleon and it would’ve created doubts about their love - which - was never really in question. Both were very devoted to Napoleon.
Marquis Charles de Sémonville.
XXIX. - FROM THE COUNT TO THE COUNTESS OF MONTHOLON
August 13, 1820.
Reading yesterday the Venetians by Arnault, the conversation fell on him, and we gave ourselves up to the hope that perhaps you could come to decide to return and take my place.
XXX. - FROM THE COUNTESS TO THE COUNT OF MONTHOLON
Paris, August 15, 1820.
Today is August 15, and my mind is fixed on the customary meeting (3). I see you all at the pool table. The children are well dressed. I see the pretty Hortense [Bertrand] with her beautiful curly black hair, Madame Bertrand in her attire, and you, my poor Charles, you look even sadder when you think of those who are absent. I'm celebrating with my Lili, but sadly I assure you.
I will have dinner with my children, I will talk to them about you.
Tristan will cry at the memory of this day, once so beautiful for him, now so dull! You think your daughter has forgotten you: you are wrong.
I told you and I repeat it to you: you are present in her memory as if she had never left you. I cannot
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1. Writer associated with Napoleon from the time of the Egyptian campaign, adviser to the University under the Empire.
2. Extract from the Souvenirs of the Countess de Montholon.
3. For the birthday of Napoleon.
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even mention the distance you are from us without her heart swelling. She mixes you in with all her games, she writes to you, and always wishes that you come back.
She has a perfect heart. She couldn't be nicer, more caressing, more sensitive, more grateful, more kind to everyone: it is a marvel, finally.
I also had my turn to be sick. I have just had a very strong cold, without fever however; but I'm changed. I still have my rheumatism pains.
My chest has become delicate since the swelling of my chest that I had in Saint Helena. I missed the first season of the waters.
I will take the second, which lasts all September. My doctor thinks about my health as Corvisart (who still lives) did and as Barbier thought.
I am surprised that in your letters you never tell me if you have made some determination that puts me in a position to cease the management that you have entrusted to me .... All the delays make me despair; I would give the whole world so that this affair would be finished (2) and you seem to not think of it, I will never go to join you leaving things as they are.
In addition to capital, there are the interests which run, to your great detriment: that makes them snowball .... I took care of the cook (3); I have one and will get him sent out. I missed one that I liked, but he wanted 8,000 francs, and I did not dare to exceed your orders to this extent.
This one has been in his house (4) and has trained a lot since.
He is not in Paris, and I do not
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1. I do not know who this doctor is.
2. Perhaps the case referred to in the letter of June 22, - which Mme. de Montholon could not yet have received.
3. See the letter of April 30, 1820.
4. From the Emperor.
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get the chance to see him as I must leave for the waters; but it doesn't matter.
You can imagine that I have taken all the information, and they answer to me for it. Why not allow me to take care of a replacement for you alone!
By wanting the family to get involved, we paralyzed everything.
If the Bertrands return to Europe, which is quite possible, because of the death of their father, an official request must be made to replace him, and charge him (him or me) with the choice.
I no longer hear of Las Cases. I knew that his trial was over and that he has retrieved his funds. (1)
Farewell, my dear Charles, be the messenger of my wishes to the Emperor. I kiss you very tenderly.
XXXI. - FROM THE COUNTESS TO THE COUNT OF MONTHOLON
Paris, August 16, 1820.
Since my last letter, my dear Charles, I have finally received two from you, from May 25 and June 6, (3). What you tell me about your health gives me great pleasure. I like to believe that you are not fooling me, and that it is not to reduce my worries that you assure me that you have recovered.
You complain of the chimerical fears I have about your condition; you will still receive several letters in which I bear witness to these same fears, based on the illness you experienced after my departure, and which made me commit to coming back.
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1. Are these the 100,000 francs loaned by Las Cases to Napoleon on leaving Saint Helena? It is unlikely, because Las Cases did not sue to get his funds, and Mme. de Montholon had already announced in the letter of October 4, 1819 that he had received his 100,000 francs.
2. Extract from the Souvenirs of the Countess de Montholon.
3. The letter of June 6th is given above; we see that his journey had lasted two months and ten days.
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You tell me that you will never come back unless you are replaced. I approve of you, my friend, and owe you an explanation for this. I never had any opinion other than that which you express; but the day you wrote to me in a state that proved to me that, either by sorrow or by the influence of the climate, you were really in danger.
I would’ve had to tell you: health above all, come back; and I would tell you this again in the same case.
I had even, to weaken the bonds based on the duties which hold you back, to weigh on other equally sacred duties and to exaggerate to you the need that I had for your presence and your care (2).
Without a doubt, even being replaced, it would be detrimental to yourself, if you abandoned the decision you made; it is this conviction which made me offer to go and join you, if my health does not prevent it.
I know, or rather I feel that we cannot live forever like this. In terms of affection and daily happiness, I need you more than you can imagine.
Nothing can compensate me for the deprivation of your care and my family life. It is a sacrifice perhaps beyond my capacity to endure it; but I did it and I don't regret it, since I had to.
I still do not have an answer from Princess Borghese about the step I asked her to take for your replacement. By wanting his family to get involved, we paralyzed everything. No one has shown up yet. It is a weird thing, that apprehension that everyone has to go on your rock.
Don't think I waited for what you told me to charge Mariette's (3) husband to take care of it. You think I see them: you're wrong.
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1. For example in the letter of October 31, 1819.
2. This seems to allude to the previous letter.
3. I don't know who this character is.
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The husband made me say he wasn’t coming, because he feared it would jeopardize him. Fear is the fashionable virtue, and fear of what? It's too stupid! You have many illusions about old friendships and recognition!
If Count Bertrand returned following the death of his father, he would have to make an official request for his replacement at the same time, who would go all by himself, and ask that the choice be submitted to him; or, if you want it to be for the family, write an ad hoc letter to Madame, which leaves no pretext for refusals and roguery.
Besides, if I found a suitable individual, I would ask for the favor of sending him to you, and I hope that I would obtain this justice.
I only have been fortunate concerning the luck I’ve had in receiving your letters, and I would very much like it to be the same for you.
My children are doing well and they are good children. I don't like life in Paris at all. If you come, I will ask you to take me on a trip. I will only leave in a fortnight for Plombières.
I assure you, my friend, that I say as well as you do: "Vanity of vanities! All is vanity!” I want you to feel it as you say it; we will not quarrel over it. (1)
If Longwood were not influenced by the climate, the life we led there would be much more in line with my tastes than that of the world.
You alone are the judge, my friend, of what suits your happiness. As for me, I think I know your heart, and I am sure that you will not have
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1. The sentence is obscure, probably alluding to a lost passage from Montholon's letters. Montholon doubtless concluded with this exclamation a remark of this kind: "After all, one is not happier in Paris than in Longwood. We then understand Mme. de Montholon's answer: "I want you to feel it as you say it."
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to say goodbye to the dark mountains of the sad stay that you might one day miss. So let me ask you a question? If it were not for my health and yours, would you prefer to live there a few more years with me rather there than here? Goodbye, my friend, forgive me my reveries and see in me only one desire, that of being reunited with you.
You must have received a quantity of books by now; I have always taken care of your instructions in this regard.
Have you read that of M. de Montoison (2) on England, and what do you think?
I did not have the courage to read it. I am reading at this moment the works of Lord Byron. He does not spare the Emperor. Other than that, I like the genre a lot. It's three o'clock.
Farewell! Never judge me except with your heart. I kiss you a thousand times.
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Il s'agit d'une série où nous traduisons des lettres des Montholons suspects; Le couple qui a suivi Napoléon à Sainte-Hélène sans raison claire. Depuis qu'Albine a pu rentrer en France contrairement aux autres fidèles à Napoléon, elle ne se plaint plus non plus de problèmes d'argent, même si sa solution financière n'est pas claire. Le beau-père de Charles de Montholon était M. de Sémonville, un passionné de la société secrète, considéré comme associé à l'homme qui deviendra plus tard Charles X de France. Nous examinons les sources originales pour voir si ce modèle de comportement a conduit au meurtre de Napoléon.
Dans une lettre précédente, Charles a rappelé à Albine que Napoléon voudrait lire ses lettres. Ces lettres sont également lues par les agents de l'Empire britannique. Comme dans sa lettre précédente, Albine continue de discréditer la mère et la sœur de Napoléon, Pauline Borghese. Cela aurait blessé Napoléon et cela aurait créé des doutes quant à leur amour - ce qui - n'a jamais vraiment été remis en question. Tous deux étaient très dévoués à Napoléon.
