To speak like this was to point to General Bonaparte, but at this
moment he was in Egypt, and the need was pressing. Joubert had been
killed in Italy. Messéna, though famous for several victories, was
an excellent general at the head of an army in the field, but in no
way a politician. Bernadotte did not seem to have the capacity or
the wisdom to repair the country's fortunes. The eyes of the
reformers then turned to General Moreau; although the weakness of his
character and his indecisive conduct on the 18th Fructidor raised
some fears about his ability to govern. It is certain, however,
that lacking an alternative, he was asked to head the party which
intended to overthrow the Directory, and was offered the title of
President or Consul. Moreau, a good fighting soldier, lacked
political courage, and perhaps doubted his own ability to cope with
affairs in such a mess as were those of France. Also he was
self-centered and indolent and worried little about the future of the
country, preferring the repose of private life to the agitation of
politics. He refused the offer and retired to his estate of
Grosbois, to devote himself to hunting, of which he was passionately
fond.

Abandoned by the man of their choice, Sieyès and those with him,
who wished to change the form of the government, not feeling
themselves to be sufficiently strong or popular to achieve their aim
without the support of a general whose name would rally the army to
their side, were forced to turn their thoughts to General Bonaparte.
The leader of this enterprise, Sieyès, flattered himself that, having
been placed in power, Bonaparte would busy himself with the
management and re-organising of the army, and leave to him the
conduct of the government, of which he would be the master and