English gold. His heart hardened towards the most resolute and ruthless enemy of the revolution.That the English government had resorted to such underhand terrorist methods was a clear sign to Napoleon of the lengths they were prepared to go to defeat France.
There was little time to nurse his grievance, however. Once again the Austrians were using delaying tactics at the Luneville negotiations and, when the peace preliminaries had still not been signed by the end of January, Napoleon sent a curt warning that unless they were signed at once the French armies would resume their march on Vienna. The Austrians hurriedly recanted, agreed to French terms and signed the Treaty of Luneville early in February. A month later a treaty was signed with the King of Naples which closed the ports of his kingdom to English ships. William Pitt’s coalition had failed and in March he was forced from office. England had at last run out of allies. Napoleon drew cold comfort from the fall of his adversary. France dominated Europe and could afford to wait until the English were humbled enough to beg for peace. Meanwhile, he continued to work every hour that he could to change France for ever, so that there could never be a return to the gross inequalities of the years before the revolution.
Corruption by government officials was exposed and punished. Ministers were constantly called to account for their failures and set new tasks. A system of grain silos was established to safeguard the people against failed harvests, and the newly established Bank of France became the sole source of paper currency, replacing the hated and almost worthless assignats. Mindful of the need to appeal to the patriotic spirit of the people Napoleon made plans for laying down new streets and avenues in the capital - to be named after the recent victories of the army, and the victories yet to come. At the same time, the plans had the additional benefit of creating thoroughfares wide enough to be easily commanded by a handful of cannon in the event of any uprising.
The constant stream of new initiatives that poured from the office of the First Consul steadily eclipsed the role of the other branches of the legislature set up by the new constitution, and while the senate broadly approved of Napoleon’s actions the assembly of tribunes resented his abrogation of power. Napoleon knew that the time would soon come when he would be forced to remould the constitution in his favour. Before then he would need to do everything in his power to win the support of the people. The thing they desired above all was peace, and with that achieved on the continent at least, France began to enjoy the benefits of order and prosperity as spring blossomed across the land.
It was then that the situation began to change.
‘The Tsar assassinated?’ Napoleon rose from his chair. ‘When?’
‘Three weeks ago, at the end of March,’ Talleyrand replied. ‘Tsar Paul was killed by a group of his generals and senior members of his own household. Including his son, Alexander, who is now the new ruler.’
Napoleon gave a wry chuckle. ‘I doubt there has ever been a more dangerous family to be born into.’ His expression became more serious. ‘What do we know of this Alexander? What are his intentions towards us?’
‘Our ambassador says that Alexander is keen to mend relations with England. It’s bad timing. Just when I thought we might make an alliance with Russia.’
Napoleon was silent for a moment as he walked over to his window and stared down into the gardens of the palace. ‘Damn those Russians. They will ruin everything for us one day.’
The news added greatly to his concerns over the report that an English army had landed in Egypt. The last hope of any French intervention in India had been crushed by the Governor General and his brother, a more than capable soldier who had done much to turn the military situation to England’s advantage. Then there was the matter of an uprising in the colony of San Domingo, and Spain was unwilling to return Louisiana to France. As long as the enemy controlled the seas, France would be denied ready access to her colonies.The time had come to cut cards with the devil, Napoleon concluded reluctantly. He turned towards his foreign minister.
‘We must have peace with England, as soon as possible. We need time to settle our overseas affairs. Time to build our navy up to strength.’
‘To what purpose?’ Talleyrand asked quietly.
‘So that when the conflict begins again - which it will - we can clear the Channel of enemy warships and land an army in England.’
‘I see.’Talleyrand shrugged.‘So it is not a lasting peace we shall be seeking, then?’
‘There can be no lasting peace with England. Either France prevails or England does. The world is too small for us to share.’
‘What are your instructions, First Consul?’
‘Send an envoy to Prime Minister Addington.Tell him France wants peace. I imagine that the English will be in no mood to turn down such an offer. They have been at war as long as we have.’
Napoleon had gauged the English mind well. The new Prime Minister agreed to begin talks, and as summer wore on the tentative negotiations gradually resolved into the drafting of a preliminary agreement. Napoleon was eager to sign the document, but the English managed to find one excuse after another to delay. By the end of the summer Napoleon had had enough. Just as he had done with Austria, he issued an ultimatum. The agreement was to be signed by October, or France would break off negotiations and renew the war. The English gave in. The document was signed and hostilities ended. In the weeks that followed, the representatives of France and England met at Amiens to settle the final details of the peace treaty.
Finally, at the end of March 1802, when the First Consul and his wife had retired to the chateau at St-Cloud for a brief rest from his duties, Talleyrand arrived one evening. He was shown into the orangery where Napoleon and Josephine were having tea and cakes beside a small stove.Talleyrand bowed graciously to Josephine before he gave his news to Napoleon.
‘The treaty has been signed.’ He smiled warmly. ‘The English put their seal on it a few days ago.’
‘No last-minute alterations to the terms?’ Napoleon asked in an equally good humour.
‘We have what we asked for. England is to return the colonies they seized from us, as well as those taken from Spain and Holland. The only territories they get to keep will be Trinidad and Ceylon. They’ve also agreed to hand Malta back to the Knights of St John, and Egypt is to be returned to Turkey. In return we are to pull our troops out of Naples and the papal territories.’
Napoleon clapped his hands together and rubbed them happily.‘Wonderful! If only I could see Mr Pitt’s expression now! It could not have been better.’
‘No, the timing is perfect. Next month we’ll have the Concordat with Rome in our hands.There will not be a man in France who won’t be rejoicing.’
‘I can imagine there will be one or two who might not. But this news will bury any arguments about the legitimacy of the new constitution. I have provided order, economic revival and international respect. Who dares to question me now?’
For a moment the foreign minister’s expression registered surprise, then the mask slipped smoothly back into place.‘You are right, of course, Citizen Consul. The nation owes you far more than it can ever repay. But, surely, for the sake of appearances, it is best that the success be seen to be due to the efforts of the consuls, senators, tribunes and deputies collectively?’
‘Why?’ Napoleon responded bluntly. ‘Only a fool would not be able to detect my guiding hand behind all of this. The improvements to France’s fortunes are largely due to my efforts, Talleyrand. I see no harm in letting the people know it.’
‘The harm is that some people - disposed to jealousy and mendacity as they are - will start rumours that it is a sign of your dictatorial ambitions.’
‘Then let them.’ Napoleon dismissed the idea with a curt wave of his hand. ‘The people know that I am no dictator. I do not seek power for myself. I seek only to express the general will of the French people. They understand that.’
Talleyrand’s eyelids flickered. ‘Let us hope so, Citizen Consul. Now, if you will forgive me, I must return to my ministry to ensure that news of the treaty is dispatched to our embassies. I came here because I just wanted to tell you the news in person. Madame Bonaparte.’ He bowed to Josephine again.
Napoleon nodded. ‘My thanks, Talleyrand. For all that you have done.’
‘As you say, citizen, it is we who must thank you, for all that you have achieved.’
He bowed his head, turned, and left the orangery, closing the door gently behind him before he crunched away along the gravel path to the stables.
