The Memoirs of General Baron De Marbot by Baron de Jean-Baptiste-Antoine-Marcelin Marbot
page 41 of 689 (05%)
page 41 of 689 (05%)
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Bonaparte but the nominal head. Events showed how badly he was
mistaken. Imbued with this notion, Sieyès, through the intermission of the Corsican deputy, Salicetti, sent a reliable secret agent to Egypt, to inform General Bonaparte of the troubled state of France, and propose to him that he should come back and place himself at the head of the government. Having no doubt that Bonaparte would accept readily and return promptly to Europe, Sieyès put everything in motion to assure the execution of the coup d'état which he was planning. It was easy for him to convince his fellow director, Roger-Duclos, that their power was slipping away daily, and that the country being on the brink of complete disorganisation, the public welfare, and their personal interests, demanded that they should take part in the establishment of a strong government, in which they would contrive to place themselves in a less precarious and more advantageous position. Roger-Duclos promised his agreement to the proposed changes; but the other three directors, Barras, Gohier and Moulins were unwilling to give up their positions, so Sieyès and the leaders of his party resolved to go over their heads, and to sacrifice them after the event. However, it would be difficult, not to say dangerous, even with the presence of General Bonaparte, to overthrow the Directorate, change the constitution and establish a new government, without the support of the army, and, above all, that of the division which occupied Paris. To be able to rely on this, it was necessary to be |
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