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J' \.." - -"!.j -=-, \'" "" ( - \: li' .",( \..ài , , .. = 1 cifp..J; \: " ,.-!J \. i i' . "" ( i A J \.d$ ,. . .i , oX. ,r i-'!j i' ;. ,\ \. J: \:. " li ' -ë' I \ " \ \. :'l .J: \:. ";I i' I., ' ... "',.-'!i =, J. . \.. J !{ f; t " !I = 1 ..... \ , '(, \.."""" J ; \. ".J. '\: " } ., M \.. !)::J-...., \: \. I.'J . f' '-. J \:. " &\ \' '\. J '-= - .:.1 , " \. J \:i( .i I \.\.' = . ( :. ..=" \.\.' j .' . , ,,*. ,.J J , J ,':.1 t I ;t\ \. ,'4 ., /;t þ \. I, ' "!.I - ... . ,i , \. J: \: li \. f \.: ;;fS 1' \. J i þ' \.'>'4.J: , '!.f =1' ., ( ,àfc. \..... *' \.. '. .' = ,.... \ \. ".J: . I ',. t \,, ..J; \:. .. &, '-' -- t=\ _\ , \.. I , , ... . . .. I , I ,l COLLEGE OF . THE PACIFIC GIFT OF J. W. Mailliard, Jr. . "-. - * * Napoléon, raconfé par I'lmage, d'après les SculpLeurs, les ( raveurs et les PeillLres (ouvrage couronné par I'Acadé- mie française). Nouvelle édition 'j'emaniée. I - Un volume gr'and in-8 0 , illustré de gra- vures. Broch{>, 15 fr.; relié, 20 fl'. La très l'and succès ramporté il y a quelques années, lOt'S de l'incroyahia renaissance de la légendt-' napoléonienna, par l\ livro Ri ori inal de M. AI'lllaIH1 Dayot sur Napoléún 1'acollté pm" l'lllwge, a enf'ollragé fautenr à donner une nouvelle édition de cet ouvrage. Iunombl'ables sont les portraits, statues, bronzes. mé- dailles, tableaux. gl'a vures, armes, objt-.ts usuels, jalou- sement conserves dam: les mnsèes ou collections privées, qui, depnis Brienne jusqu'à Sainte-Hélène et jusqn'à l'apothéose de 1840, racontent, vivantes annales, l'histoira anecdotiqne 011 héroïqne du grand Empereur. Parmi cette quantité pl'odigieuse de documents, :\1. Dayot a fait un choix judiciaux at il nous offre, pn un nonveall rt>cupil reHlanié, plein d'excellentes repro- rlnctions accompagnées d'un commentaire dont l'agré- ment n'axclut pas la précision, Ie tableau Ie plus rurieux et Ie pIns achevé da la période nal'oIéonienne : et Ie plus propra aussi à nous Caire comprendre, so us I ses multiples aspects, l'origine, l'apogée at la déca- I dcnca da cetta formidable épopée. * 0,\- WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA .... '" WITH NAPOLEON .. AT ST. HELENA: BEING THE MEMOIRS OF DR. JOHN STOKOE, NAVAL SUR- GEON. TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH OF PAUL FRÉ- .1. MEA UX BY EDITH S. STOKOE "J'auraÏJr/écujluqu'á quatre-vingtJ ans, s'ilJ ne m' avaient pas amené dans cette île maudite I " NAPOLEON TO DR. JOHN STOKOE JOHN LANE THE BODLEY HEAD LONDON AND NEW YORK MDCCCCII '\ J U N 3 0 '58 j)c \ , \- C:, Printed b3' BALLANTYNE, HANSON Cð. London & Edinburgh CONTENTS INTRODUCTION Pp. 1-8 CHAP. I. AT THE OUTSET OF THE CAPTIVITY- Stokoe appointed surgeon of the Conqueror, Admiral Plampin's flag-ship - He starts for St. Helena on March 15, 18 17- The general ignorance in Europe of what was happening on the" island of exile"- State of affairs when Stokoe arrived (June 29, 18 17) Pp.9-39 II. INCREASED RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED UPON THE EMPEROR- Admiral Plampin's mistress-Stokoe's interview with Napoleon-O'Meara, the Emperor's first doctor, sent back to England by the Governor, Sir Hudson Lowe -Stokoe's name mixed up in some clandestine corre- spondence; he is regarded with suspicion Pp. 4 0 -79 v CONTENTS CHAP. III. ILLNESS OF THE EMPEROR- Napoleon seriously ill, and demands Stokoe's help (January 1819)-The doctor's five days at Long- wood-Manæuvres on the part of Sir Hudson Lowe and Admiral Plampin to compromise him and cause his visits to cease-He asks for leave and returns to England . . Pp. Ho- 123 IV. THE COURT-MARTIAL- Stokoe, who had just landed, ordered to return to St. Helena-His indictment-Irregular court-martial -Iniquitous condemnation Pp. 124--160 V. THE END OF THE ÐRAMA- Napoleon's Death (May 5, 1821 )-Sir Hudson Lowe's downfaII-A detail showing Admiral Plam- pin's character-Conclusion of Stokoe's biography Pp. 161- 1 99 COPIES AND FACSIMILES OF LETTERS REFERRED TO IN THE TEXT . 201 . VI ILLUSTRA TIONS AND FACSIMILES OF LETTERS PAGIi': Portrait of Dr. Stokoe . . Frontispiece Record of Medical Service of Dr. Stokoe 2 15 An Order sent to Captain Stanfill by the Admiral. 2 19 Autograph Letter þ"om fl<..ueen Julie 231 A utograplz Letter from Joseph l1011aparte . 237 INTRODUCTION THE oft-repeated story of Napoleon's captivity was first told by four eye-witnesses. They were Dr. O'Meara, who wrote in 18 19'* and 182 I,t Count Las Cases, in 1822 and 1823,+ Dr. An- tommarchi, in 1825, and Montholon, who wrote in 1847.11 They told how the Emperor, who was banished to a pestilential island, was there deprived of the respect due alike to his position and to his misfortunes, and persecuted by a narrow-minded and brutal governor; how he was lodged in discomfort, and even pre- vented from corresponding with his wife and son. >I "Story of Events at St. Helena after Hudson Lowe's appointment." t "Napoleon in Exile." t "Mémorial de Sainte-Hélène." "Mémoires du docteur F. Antommarchi, ou les derniers moments de Napoléon." II "Récits de la Captivité de l'Empereur Napoléon à Sainte-Hélène." I A INTRODUCTION The recital of such accounts made it appear that England's behaviour to her great prisoner was shamefuJ, and unworthy of her. Taking into consideration the origin and agreement of the narratives which called forth this verdict, it seemed to be fully justified. However a London lawyer, named William Forsyth, tried in 1853 to have it repealed, by making use of some of Sir Hudson Lowe's posthumous papers. The first object of his book, which is really extremely clever, was to discredit the authors who had anticipated him. "Las Cases," he remarks, "did not hesitate to avow that the Emperor was the god of his idolatry, and at that shrine he thought it little to sacrifice the reputation of the officer to whose keeping his master was committed. . .." As to Antom- marchi, "his amour propre had been offended by his being subjected to the same regulations as the French residents at Longwood, and also by the earnestness with which Sir Hudson Lowe pressed upon the attendants of Napoleon the necessity of having recourse to additional medical advice when his illness became serious." Montholon's assertions carried no more weight. Did he not say to an English officer, as soon as 2 INTRODUCTION he was safel y back in France: "M Y good fellow, an angel from heaven would not have satisfied us as governor of St. Helena." The arguments against 0' Meara's evidence are more substantial. His private correspond- ence can be con trasted with his published writings, and his comments are not always the same. For this reason Forsyth sets him down as still less worthy of credence than Las Cases, Antommarchi and Montholon. Having thus made a clean sweep of all evidence not in accordance with his theory, he based his "History of Napoleon's Captivity" largely upon memoranda left by Sir Hudson Lowe, without, apparently, considering that one who was speaking in his own favour, was at least as much open to the suspicion of partiality as the devoted attendants of the Emperor, who were pleading the cause of" their idol," if not even more so. However that may be, the work found favour; public opinion on the subject was completely reversed.. The idea gained ground that England, · Even in France, where, to give only one example, Forsyth's conclusions are adopted by a well-known encyclopedia, the Dictionnaire Laroztsse. 3 INTRODUCTION far from persecuting her prisoner, had lavished upon him every possible care and attention. N or was this all; Napoleon was said to have rendered his \varder's task most difficult by his exactions and his continual complaints. The unfortunate jailer was pitied. Strange paradox! It was Sir Hudson Lowe who was the victim at St. Helena! I t seems, however, that we must revert to the former opinion on this matter. Since Forsyth's day reports have been published which were issued by the Marquis of Montchenu, Count Balmain and Baron Stürmer, the three com- missioners charged respectively by the King of France, the Czar, and the Emperor of Austria with the surveillance of "General Bonaparte's exile." One might expect that these writers, representatives of sovereigns who were friendly to George III. and hostile to Napoleon, would have a favourable account to give of the conduct of the English. By no means. Their criticisms are the same as those of Las Cases, O'Meara, Antommarchi and Montholon. Their charges against Sir Hudson Lowe are also the same. In the present volume we have the testimony, scathing enough, of one of the last eye-witnesses 4 INTRODUCTION of the capti vi ty. His name will not be unknown to those who have read the works of O'Meara, Montholon's account, or Balmain's letters. He is also mentioned by Forsyth, who misconstrues his story, for reasons which will appear later. I found Dr. John Stokoe's memoirs in the possession of one of his great-grand-nieces, Miss Edith Stokoe, of London. Only one of the five MSS. books to which I had access treats of St. Helena. The other four, which are outside the scope of this work, record his long naval career. He was born in 1775 at Ferryhill in Durham. At the age of twenty, in 1794, he entered the British Navy as Surgeon's Mate. In this capacity he was destined to participate in the interminable struggle between the fleets of his own country and those of the French Consulate and Empire. He \vas first attached to a sloop-of-war, and was present at the bombardment of Copenhagen. Thence he was transferred to the Monarch, a ship of the line, to a frigate, the Acosta, and spent two years cruising in the Channel and the North Sea. At Trafalgar he ,vas on the '1hunderer. FroIn September 1805 to November 1808, he saw on 5 INTRODUCTION the same vessel the terrible siege of Gaeta, took part in the audacious expedition which forced the passage of the Dardanelles, and visited Sicily and Egypt. The chances of war took him next to the blockade of the lIe de France. On his return he was appointed doctor to a prison-ship anchored in the Medway. After the fall of Napoleon in I 8 14 the Admiralty chose him to accompany from Cherbourg to Cronstadt a Russian battalion, which was being sent back to its own country by sea. In 18 I 5 and 1816, Dr. Stokoe did not leave Great Britain. He was stationed at Sheerness and Leith. At the commencement of 18 17 he started for St. Helena. His narrative of the events in which he was concerned during his stay in the island abounds in fresh details. I should have liked to publish it in full, neither adding nor suppressing any- thing. But this proved impracticable. I had to deal with too unskilful a narrator. At one moment he is diffuse, launches into long di- gressions, and repeats himself unnecessarily. At another moment, and this is a more serious error J 6 INTRODUCTION he dismisses with a word facts which would only be comprehensible by the help of previous de- velopment and preliminary explanations. In some places the doctor would not be intelligible at all but for his own correspondence, and for an ex- tremely interesting document, the account of the court-martial which condemned him at St. Helena for expressing his fears for the Emperor's health, and predicting a speedy end to his life as a result of the inhuman treatment he received. A simple recital would not be possible without notes which, being almost as voluminous as the text, would soon exhaust the reader's patience and make him throw the book on one side. I have therefore adopted a different plan, and have told the story in my own words, eXplaining it as it proceeds, in order to complete it within my pages and not at the foot or on the margin of them. I shall thus avoid continual references, which would prove tedious, while yet letting the author of the memoirs be, as often as possible, the speaker. This method will have another ad vantage. Napoleon's captivity lasted from October 18 IS to May 182 I. Stokoe was only at St. Helena from June 18 17 to September 18 I 9. Naturally 7 INTRODUCTION he only relates the events which happened under his own eyes during this time. But the pro- position is so simple as hardly to need statement: the intermediate acts in a drama lose greatly in meaning and interest when separated from the prologue and dénouement. Therefore this volume contains, in addition to the unpublished papers, the history, though condensed, of those sad years at St. Helena, the whole of which the English surgeon did not see, yet of which he could say, since he lost thereby his position, his record for a quarter of a century, and even, in the eyes of the malevolent and iJI-informed, his honour, quorum pars magna fui. P. F. 8 CHAPTER I AT THE OUTSET OF THE CAP"fIVITY Stokoe appointed surgeon of the Conqueror, Admiral Plampin\ flag-ship-He starts for St. Helena on March 15, 18 I 7- The general ignorance in Europe of what was happening on the" island of exile"- State of affairs when Stokoe arrived (June 29, I 8 I 7). I N Decem ber I 8 I 6 a ship of the line \vas being fitted out at Portsmouth. This was the Conqueror, on which Sir Robert Plampin had just hoisted his flag. Dr. John Stokoe \vas offered the post of surgeon on this vessel, which was to start for St. Helena in the spring, and not to return until 1820. It \vas no very tempting prospect, to remain so long upon a desolate island, a mere speck, 6000 miles from Europe, in the great expanse of sea lying between Africa and Anlerica! Stokoe had completed twenty-one years of service; he would soon be entitled to his retiring pension. 9 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA He might have finished his time in his own country, in a naval hospital in some quiet road- stead in Great Britain. His seniority gave him the right to a stationary appointment. If he still wished to wander, the English could easily give him a pleasanter station than St. Helena; in the Mediterranean, in India, or at the Antilles. He had only to make his choice and to ask for a post, which he was bound to receive. Yet he preferred St. Helena. This barren rock, a short time before almost unknown, had suddenly become famous. England had chosen it for Napoleon's last pedestal. " I thought," said Stokoe, "that I should see the great man and probably have the honour of conversing with him-little did I think at that time that the honour would be so dearly pur- chased ! " The Emperor had then been for fourteen months in the solitude of the Southern Atlantic. Nothing was now known of him whose fame had caused his slightest gesture to be noted. No news came from the land of exile. George III . 's Ministers had isolated it from the rest of the world: they alJowed no indiscreet corre- spondence to issue from it, even forbidding the 10 OUTSET OF THE CAPTIVITY soldiers and sailors of the garrison to speak about Napoleon in their letters or to mention his name. The police and secret bureaus of Europe used every effort and gave every help that this silence might be maintained, and Louis XVIII. had agents in the principal ports, who watched the arrivals from St. Helena, dogged the footsteps of suspected travellers, and stole their papers. For information about the island which the Conqueror with its 74 guns was to guard, Stokoe consulted the papers, but in vain-the press was under orders of silence. Some pamphlets had appeared, professing to satisfy the universal curiosity. He obtained and read them. The information gained from these sources seemed very vague. Some of it, in its improbability, verged on the ridiculous. A personage named Tyder, for example, boasted of having been able to "interview, " as we should say nowadays, "the Imperial con- vict." Napoleon had confided to him that it would not be very difficult to escap from St. Helena. He might be inclined to make the attempt. In an "air-balloon gondola It he would cross the I 200 miles which separated II WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA the island from the coast of Africa. He would civilise the negroes of this continent, and once more fornl a vast empire, sumnloning to him his partisans and brothers, his wife and son. In the nleantime he anlused himself with one of Madame de Montholon's nlaids, took snuff in huge quantities, and played at war in the following manner. "He had brought fronl France five or six cases containing 20,000 to 30,000 wooden men, two inches high, and of all colours, generals, officers, artillerynlen, knights, and foot soldiers. With the help of his conlpanions he placed them in battle array on a mahogany table, and an these battalions, broken up at will, set forth the movements of two hostile arnlies, one commanded by Ber- trand, the other by -Napoleon, whose army was always the victor." More bona fide were the" Letters written on board the Northumberland and at St. Helena,"* · "Letters written on board His Majesty's ship the Northumber/and and at St. Helena, in which the conduct and conversations of Napoleon Buonaparte and his suite, during the five months of his residence in this island, are faithfully described and related by William Warden, surgeon on board the NOr/humber/and." London, I 8 I 6. 12 OUTSET OF THE CAP1"IVITY by Dr. 'Varden. Unfortunately they consisted mainly of details as to the Emperor's cam- paigns, politics and past life, in the form of conversations between the author and Napoleon, or the members of his suite. His present position, far more interesting to Stokoe, was dealt with very briefly. It was, however, depicted by Santini, in his "Appeal to the English Nation." This servant of Napoleon, whom Sir Hudson Lowe had banished from St. Helena, practically described the Em- peror as dying of hunger on damp stra\v in a dungeon, with no food but "unsound meat" and " rotten bread, full of worms." But \vho could believe assertions so palpably exaggerated? Might one rely upon such information? Stokoe read one more pamphlet, the sensa- tional title of which seemed to promise much. Again a disappointment! The" Manuscrit venu de Sainte-Hélène d'une n1anière inconnue " only contained thoughts and maxims of govern- ment attributed to Napoleon by an imaginative \vriter. The mystery surrounding the Emperor ex- tended even to the geography of the island. Nothing definite was kno\vn of St. Helena. Its 13 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA shape and climate, its fauna and flora, its geology, population and fortifications were described in the most contradictory terms. Ernest Hoffman, a contemporary journalist, discussed the subject as follows: "In an account just published in Paris, the anonymous writer declares that the island of St. Helena is circular in form : the map in Mr. Cohen's book represents it a a square: some travellers say that it is as much as fifteen miles in diameter; others that its circumference scarcely measures twenty-one miles. "Either through a printer's error, or inten- tional exaggeration, the population has been stated to be 24,000, whereas it amounts at the most to 3 500, including the garrison. "All travellers who have called there praise the mildness of the climate, the eternal spring and the evergreen freshness of favoured St. Helena. Lord Macartney asserts that the higher altitudes of this island are very cold, and that fruit hardly ripens there. "Classic writers picture the Happy Isles in no more glowing colours than modern ones have used in regard to St. Helena. They speak enthusiastically of its charming valleys 14 OUTSET OF THE CAPTIVITY and picturesque hillsides. It is another Otahei te, a miniature paradise. Yet, hear M. Bory Saint Vincent: The island is covered with ashes and volcanic scoriæ, and vegetation languishes. Naturalists regard St. Helena as the product of an eruption which suddenly raised it above the level of the sea. Lord Macartney declares that no part of it is of volcanic origin. " According to some, rats are so numerous in this island that they prevent every kind of agri- culture; according to others, these animals only damage cereals. Some affirm that an insect of a peculiar shape destroys all the pear and other European trees; others speak of the beauty of the trees, peach, apple and otherwise, which grow luxuriously in this fertile soil. Lord Valentia in particular saw peach-trees of every size, and flowers and fruits from the four quarters of the globe. " To take the verdict of this nobleman, St. Helena is badly defended ; the island could not resist a serious attack. The guns are mounted far too high above the level of the sea; they could do but little harm to vessels approaching the coast. The only fort containing properly mounted guns is situated in a spot devoid of 15 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA water. I t would be an incalculable misfortune to allow this island to fall into the hands of the enemy; therefore, he declares that it must be fortified afresh. But to turn to other accounts: St. Helena is a second Gibraltar; no vessel can approach it without the risk of being blown to pieces; nature has raised around the island an impregnable rampart; the only three openings in a coast-line, 1200 feet high, are defended by numerous batteries; a tiny creek, through which a solitary gunboat could hardly creep is as well fortified as if it could give access to a fleet. " Subjects about which a misunderstanding is hardly conceivable are described in as many diverse ways. Mr. Brooke, the author of the account translated by Mr. Cohen, declares that oak-trees naturalised at St. Helena grew with amazing rapidity and, contrary to the experience of botanists in every other country, acquired a density greater than that of any oak-trees in Europe. Lord Valentia said that the trees of St. Helena had soft spongy wood. Which of the two are we to believe? Mr. Brooke lived on the island as Government Secretary, and must have been well acquainted with it. Lord 16 OUTSET OF THE CAPTIVITY Valentia, on the other hand, owing to his rank and position, was in close communication with the Governor, and gathered from him all the details which he gives, besides which he crossed the island in every direction and remained there for thirty-five days, more than long enough to notice such a trifling matter. We must, there- fore, remain in doubt on this point as on many h " ot ers. Such was the uncertainty on the subject ot St. Helena when the Conqueror set sail for that island, March 15, 1817. The vessel arrived on June 29, a few \veeks before the termina- tion of Napoleon's second year of captivity. It would be difficult to understand the events in \vhich Stokoe took part \vithout a brief réSUlné of the history of this period. St. Helena deserved neither all the good nor all the bad said about it. It is not a terrestrial paradise, nor is it a barren wilderness. It has dreary prospects and smiling plains, barren hills and fertile valleys, desolate lava and verdant meadows. In the same way its clin1ate is pleasant or the opposite, healthy or unhealthy, according to the spot in question. 17 B WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA In shape it is neither round nor square; if one is particularly anxious to describe it in geo- metrical terms it might be styled an irregular trapezium containing about thirty-eight square miles.* An island lying near us, Jersey, has almost the same area; Paris is a third smaller, but London could absorb three St. Helenas. The coast-line of St. Helena consists of a steep cliff, the peaks of which sometimes rise to upwards of 300 feet above the level of the sea. This rampart, broken by natural battle- ments, gives the island from "the sea the ap- pearance of an enormous tower rising out of the ocean,"t to which three or four openings give access. At the first glance the interior seems to be a confused chaos of hill-tops and rocks, but a huge mass of volcanic appearance dominates the whole. Diana's Peak, 3000 feet in height, with groups of trees at its base, gigantic heaths and tree ferns, like poplars, up its sides, com- mands the whole panoranla of St. Helena. It is ,.. Robert Brown, in " Countries of the World," gives its area as forty-seven square miles. [E. S. S.] t Emmanuel Las Cases, "Journal écrit à bord de la frégate la Belle Boule." Paris, 184-1. 18 OUTSET OF THE CAPTIVITY the mountain centre, the disproportionate St. Gothard of this tiny land. Its ramifications spread through the island in every direction, dividing it into a score of minute valleys. Most of the rivers issue from its basaltic sides, mere streams, the longest not having a course: of five miles. At the time of its discovery in the sixteenth century, St. Helena was entirely covered with trees. Colonisation has disafforested it. Its dense indigenous flora, with sombre ebony trees and immense greyish shrubs, has given place to an exotic one, n10re varied, but drawn from all sources. We find there now oaks, pines, and cypress, apples, peaches, pears and grapes from Europe; bananas and coffee shrubs from Asia; gum and guava trees from America; \vith African palms and the Australian eucalyptus. The primitive savage fauna has likewise dis- appeared to give place to domestic animals introduced by Europeans. Some importations have been anything but advantageous. The goat, for example, by feeding on the young, tender shoots, has contributed to the nakedness of the island. The sparrow, brought for a freak, has prospered too well for the interests of the 19 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA harvests, as has the rat, which came of its own accord. On the other hand-and a poet might deem this symbolical-the bee, which scattered gold on the Imperial mantle, has never thriven at St. Helena. On Napoleon's arrival the narrow spot which was to be his last home contained hardly 2000 people. Nine-tenths of them were to be found in the three streets of seventy houses which formed Jamestown, the capital. This city lies between two mountains which nearly meet, and at the mouth of a gorge, opening out into a bay on the north-eastern coast, to leeward. The town "could not have been built anywhere else, for it is nearly always impossible to land on the other side of the coast, where the waves, driven by the trade-winds, break in foaming fury." * In addition to its natural defences, St. Helena was fortified artificially. Even at the points con- sidered inaccessible, batteries crowned the cliffs, forts bristled at the breech. Thus guarded, the cyclopean surroundings of the island became still more formidable. In particular, "the valley of Jamestown," said Count Montholon, "re- · Elisée Reclus, "Géographie universelle: L' Afrique méridionale. " 20 OUTSET OF THE CAPTIVITY sembled an entrance to the infernal regions: no matter in what direction one looked, nothing was to be seen but rows of guns, and black walls, built as if by a demon's hand to bind together the rocky peaks." * Except the port, a queer medley of houses, there \vere not above fifty cottages, farms and villas scattered over the interior of the island- and Plantation House. This latter was far above comparison with other buildings by reason of its relative splendour, its fine situation, shady surroundings and fresh water. All agree in describing the Governor's residence as "an extremely elegant mansion with extensive gardens. lit "Rare plants grew there, brought from the most remote parts of the world and from climates the most opposite, yet all thriving in great luxuriance-all flourishing alike." + "The castle and its outbuildings suggest the country homes of our families with incomes of 2 5 ,000 to 30,000 francs. 'Vithin the enclosures · cc Récits de la captivité de l'Empereur Napoléon à Sainte-Hélène." Paris, 18+7. t Montholon," Récits de la captivité de l'Empereur." t O'Meara, "Napoleon in Exile, or a Voice from St. Helena." London, 182.2.. 21 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA of Plantation House one might imagine one's self in Europe." * All distinguished travellers passing through St. Helena were entertained there. It was the only dwelling in the island worthy of sheltering Napoleon; yet he was not even a guest there for the first night. He landed on October 15, 18 19, and awaited his final installation at Longwood, delayed until December 10, in the house of a private gentle- man named Balcombe. It was merely a summer residence, of one storey and a garret, called The Briars, situated a mile and a quarter from J ames- town. This presages no generosity in England's treatmen t of her prisoner. A group of incongruous buildings constructed for farming purposes out of the most diverse materials, "Longwood was uninhabitable when it was chosen as the residence of the Emperor and of the numerous suite whom it was essential to place near him as attendants and guards. " An old cow-house, built of stone and turned into five rooms, a barn transformed into kitchen, ,.. Las Cases, "Mémorial de Sainte-Hélène, ou journal où se trouve consigné, jour par jour, tout ce qu'a dit et fait Napoléon durant dix-huit mois." Bruxelles, I8zz- 18Z3. 22 OUTSET OF THE CAPTIVITY wash-house and poultry-house for a small family, and a wretched stable, hardly large enough for three or four horses, composed the whole establishment." * A few hasty repairs were done, the dung was swept up. "With a few pieces of furniture, which the inhabitants were doubtless glad to dispose of at a price which allo\ved of their being advantageously renewed," t the place was considered fit for the reception of Napoleon. Hardly was he installed there when his bedroom floor sank in ; the wood was rotten, " foul \vater gushed out.":I: The foundations were "of soft lava, dressed like rough stone, which rendered the dampness unbearable in the rainy season." The eilings were, as a rule, so low that a man standing upright nearly touched them. "The roof in some parts \vas nothing but brown paper, smeared · Montholon, "Récits de la captivité de l'Empereur Napoléon à Sainte-Hélène." Paris, 1847. t Las Cases, "rvlémorial de Sainte-Hélène, ou journal où se trouve consigné, jour par jour, tout ce qu'a dit et fait Napoléon durant dix-huit mois." Bruxel1es, 182.2.-182.;. t Montholon, "Récits de la captivité de l'Empereur Napoléon à Sainte-Hélène." Paris, 1847. , [hid. 23 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA over with a composition of pitch and tar melted." * This economical covering cracked in the sun, making chinks through which the rain dropped. In short, under such a roof one was either broiled or soaked. The lack of space compelled Napoleon to take his baths in a passage. Las Cases' son slept in a barn, reached through a trap-door by means of a ship's ladder. Count Bertrand, with his wife and children, lived beyond the walls in a kind of cottage, " at Hut's Gate," and General Gourgaud in a tent. Later on there were some improvements and additions, but need one say that Longwood, made up of odds and ends, was never com- fortable ? Besides, its faults of construction and lack of accommodation were not its greatest drawbacks. The worst point of all was its situa- ti 0 n. Longwood is situated upon the east coast of St. Helena, "on which the waves, driven by the trade-winds, break in foaming fury." These winds which so rouse the Southern Atlantic do · O'Meara, "An Exposition of some of the Transactions that have taken place at St. Helena since the appointment of Sir Hudson Lowe." London, 1819. 24 OUTSET OF THE CAPTIVITY not, as London official reports would wish one to believe, become" refreshing zephyrs" as soon as they touch the coast. Their violence penetrates inland. Wherever no obstacle meets them they la y waste the trees, blast the ground, and bring misery alike to man and beast; for they blow almost invariably throughout the year, with the enervating and relentless persistence which some- times characterises the mistral of Provence. Nothing is, however, easier than to escape them, thanks to the irregular surface of St. Helena. They do not reach the valleys lying to the north or \vest, and those to the east and south are not without protecting slopes. Houses then can be, and as a matter of fact are, sheltered from the trade-winds. Jamestown took care to crouch down in a deep gorge, entered from the still) \vestern side, and high peaks protect Planta- tion House, where the vegetation is magnificent, the climate delightful. Longwood alone, on a plateau I 800 feet above the sea, bears the full brunt of the south-easterly gales. For five years and a half Napoleon lived in a perpetual \vhirhvind. The persistency of the trade-winds is not their only drawback. They carry \vith them vapour '25 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA which passes continually over Longwood in the form of clouds, and either falls as tropical showers, or condenses at evening into thick fogs which rest on the ground. The annual rainfall, says Reclus, "for 140 days is 26'968045 inches* at Jamestown) where the air is comparatively dry. But at Longwood among the mountains the average is more than forty inches per annum. A damp fog almost always lies on the grass, and drops fall from the leaves. n t The list of the discomforts of Longwood would not be complete without mention of the fact that drinking water was scarce, muddy and unwholesome; that the weather was not often fine and bright, but when such was the case the sole protection against the tropical heat of a <<< A. H. Keane, in "Africa," gives the rainfall at James- town as being twenty-eight to thirty inches per annum; at Longwood the average is as high as fifty inches. [E. S. S.] t Compare on this point, "St. Helena; a physical, historical, and topographical description of the island," by John Ch. Mellis. London, 1875. "St. Helena," by E. Masselin, capitaine du génie. Paris, 1852. The Govern- ment of the Second Empire having bought Longwood from the English in 1858, Captain Masselin was ordered to restore the rooms inhabited by Napoleon to their former condition. He spent three years on the island. 26 OUTSET OF THE CAPTIVITY vertical sun consisted in one solitary kind of tree, the gum-wood tree, "the ugly little pale leaves of which are clustered together at the ends of the branches." * The gum-wood tree" affords food for millions of large blue flies, that are very fond of a saccharine juice which at certain seasons of the year exudes from the tree." t These insects were most irksome to the dwellers at Longwood, but their visit was less feared than that of the rats, which were so numerous that regular hunting-parties were instituted against them, and so bold that "it is a fact that one of these noxious animals sprung out of his (Napoleon's] hat when he ,vas going to put it on one day after dinner." :t: Such was Longwood, an unhealthy site and dismal landscape, deluged by rain, scourged by storms, where ghost-like trees, at the mercy of the trade-\vinds, were bent as if perpetually on the verge of flight. Why was the Emperor relegated to such a · Montholon, "Récits de la captivité de l'Empcreur Napoléon à Saintc-Hélène." Paris, 18+ï. t O'Meara," An Exposition of some of the Transactions which have taken place at St. Helena since the appointment of Sir Hudson Lowe." London, 1819. t Ibid. 27 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA place ? Primarily for reasons of safety. The peculiarity of the plateau is that it forms what one might call a terrestrial islet within the marine island of which it is a part. Its shape is oblong. On one side, to the east, it faces the sea and overhangs from a great height an inaccessible strand. On two other sides, north and south, it extends further out, and is bounded by precipices with marshy bottoms where Napoleon one day nearly fell into a quick- sand. A narrow isthmus, crossed by the road leading to Jamestown, is the bridge connecting the plateau on the fourth side with the rest of St. Helena. This outlet was guarded by a large body of soldiers and three and a half miles of circumference enclosed by a wall. It was thought that by placing Napoleon in the midst of all these obstacles all chance of escape was obviated. An opinion open to question -a superfluous precaution. Prisoners have escaped from quarters better fortified than this, and without having at their disposal either the means or the devoted servants which the Emperor could command. To leave the plateau secretly would have been easy. The difficult, almost impossible, feat would have been to leave 28 OUTSET OF THE CAPTIVITY St. Helena and to escape the cruisers patrolling the ocean. But the safety of Napoleon's person was not the sole reason for the choice of Longwood. The most natural thing would have been to give the Emperor Plantation House, the best resi- dence on the island. Actuated by petty spite, the authorities decided to lodge hinl less comfortably than the Governor, that he might feel his dependence the more keenly, and in order to emphasise the fact that he was considered below this functionary in rank. The former master of Europe was refused the title of sovereign. On this point it will be edifying to read the jesting indulged in by Sir George Cockburn, the admiral charged \vith the care of Napoleon's person until Sir Hudson Lo\ve's arrival. "I have the honour," he wrote to Count Bertrand, " to acknowledge the receipt of your letter and note of yesterday's date, by which you oblige nle offici all y to explain to you that I have no cognisance of any Emperor being actually upon this island, or of any person possessing such dignity having (as stated by you) come hither with me in the Norlhu111berland." Another time: "As I have already had the 29 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA honour to remark to you in my letter of November 6 last, I have no knowledge of the person designated by you' the Emperor,' there being no person on this island entitled to such dignity, Kings being actually at the head of our respective countries, and there being more than one nation in Europe, and elsewhere, ruled by acknowledged Emperors." And to the Minister, Lord Bathurst, to whom all written communica- tions concerning Napoleon were to be addressed and whose heart was rejoiced by this quizzing: " I beg leave to remark to your lordship upon this curious note, that, although the tenor of it prevents me entering at all into the merits of M. de Bertrand's statement, yet General Bonaparte (if by the term' Emperor' he meant to designate that person) . . ." * On other occasions the witty admiral's lack ot good feeling developed into absolute rudeness. He often, in speaking to N apoleûn, affected most unbecoming familiarity, and pointedly resumed his hat while in his presence. Or, he would address him as "General, " putting a strong ironical intonation on the title. Yet .. For all this correspondence see Forsyth's" History of the Captivity of Napoleon at St. Helena." London, 1853. 3 0 OUTSET OF THE CAPTIVITY Sir George Cockburn was better than one might suppose; he \vas one of those people whose pride it is to appear rough and uncultured. His actions partially redeemed his behaviour. He never condescended to the worrying and petty restrictions so much practised by his successor. He was always anxious to supply the needs and sometin1es even to n1eet the fancies of his illustrious prisoner. At The Briars, for example, he removed the sentinels, whose close proximity annoyed the Emperor. Anxious that he should have a properly supplied table, he ordered that U the best of everything should be procured for the French people regardless of cost." * For th se reasons Napoleon said of the admiral: "We shall perhaps miss our bully." And indeed there was every reason to regret his departure as soon as Sir Hudson Lo\ve appeared upon the scene. The man definitely appointed by England to be the custodian of the Emperor arrived at St. Helena on April 14, 1816. His appearance · O'Meara," An Exposition of some of the Transactions that have taken place at St. I-Ie1ena since the appointment of Sir II udson Lowe." London, 1819. 3 1 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA was not prepossessing. He was extraordinarily thin, with a stiff carriage; he had a long bony tace blotched with red, and scanty hair, of a dirty yellow colour. His hollow eyes gleamed under thick reddish eyebrows, but were furtive and . restless, never looking straight at anyone save by stealth. "That is a bad man," declared Napoleon, when he had seen him. "His eye, as he examined me, was like a hyena's caught in a trap. "* He really resembled this horrid, sly animal in its walk, as well as in hair and eyes. " He never sat down when he was talking, but swung about hesitatingly and with abrupt jerks." t His first act was a sort of challenge to the French to desert their Emperor. He had hardly taken up his residence at Plantation House when he informed them that they were all free to leave St. Helena at once, and those among them who desired to do so should have every facility for their return to Europe. This kind offer had not the desired effect. The Governor changed his tactics, and a few days later, under the pretext of reducing the expenses at Longwood, he shipped off Captain 01: Montholon, "Récits de la captivité." t Ibid. 3 2 OUTSET OF THE CAPTIVITY Piontkowski and three of the Emperor's servants, Santini, Rousseau and Archambaud. " The loss of thrt::t:: of those people," Forsyth owns, "was not unproductive of inconvenience to him, as Santini was his tailor and hair-cutter and gamekeeper, Rousseau a most ingenious artificer, andArchambaud one of his postillions."* Simultaneously with these useful servants the Emperor lost part of the liberty which he had hitherto enjoyed. He was allowed to traverse the island under the escort of an English officer. But, as he refused to submit to humiliating sur- veillance, he never left the circuit of a dozen or so miles where he could walk \vithout a guard. This space was considerably diminished, and he was requested "no longer to enter into con- versation with the persons he met with in the course of his walks." Other restrictions imposed by Sir Hudson Lowe made him detested by those under his sway. "You are a Lieutenant-General," said Napoleon to him, "and you should not perform your duty as if you were a sentinel." t In a position needing penetration, tact, and · Forsyth, "History of the Captivity of Napoleon at St. Helena." London, 1853. t I bid. 33 c WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA consideration, he showed, indeed, nothing but devotion to routine, narrow-mindedness, and severity. Nature intended him for a gendarme or an inspector of police. This was evidenced at every turn. One day at Longwood he arrested with his own hands a servant whom Count Montholon had engaged without his leave. In November 18 16, Las Cases tried to send a letter to Europe surreptitiously; he went, at the head of his staff, to take him into custody in the Emperor's presence. He overwhelmed with questions and put through the most absurd examinations persons who accidentally or continually were unfortunate enough to have intercourse with Napoleon. He drew up reports of the most trifling incidents, and was for ever employed in making interminable records about nothing at all. Forsyth, his biographer, found chests full, enough for thirty folios. But, in spite of in- dulging in ridiculous extremes of vigilance, he lived in perpetual terror lest his prisoner should escape. It was not so very long since he had been unable with 1500 men to hold Capri, justly considered as impregnable, against General 34 OUTSET OF THE CAPTIVITY Lamarq ue, with his force of 3000. This re- membrance haunted him. He was always afraid that an expedition would be organised in America to deliver Napoleon, that some troop of bold adventurers would one day attack St. Helena. "I should not be surprised/' says the Mar- quis de Montchenu in his report, U to hear some day that his little head had given way under the enormous responsibility of guarding an inac- cessible rock defended both on land and on sea by an army. . . . " The garrison of St. Helena consists of the 53rd Regiment, comprising 600 men, of the 66th with 700, the island regiment with 600, and four companies of the Royal Artillery, each numbering 60 men. No one can walk on the left side of the island without express personal permission from the Governor, not even those \vho reside there. No one can go to and fro in the island after gunfire without the password, which is not easily to be obtained; sentinels are posted everywhere. There is also a staff large enough for an army of 30,000 men. . . . "There are twenty-three mouths where the 35 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HEI___ENA rivers flow into the sea, but not four of these are large enough to allow of landing a few men in a gunboat, and even that could hardly ever be done, the breakers are too strong. Nevertheless, these points are defended by batteries. . . . "The harbour is guarded by the Newcastle, a frigate is stationed at the other extremity of the island. Two brigs cross one another and pass continually to and fro in the sight of the harbour, without entering it. At sunset all the gunboats nlust be beached, they are called over, and nothing is allowed to go out after five 0' clock or before sunrise." * In spite of so many precautions, Sir Hudson Lowe was devoured by fear. " He is a narrow- minded man," writes Count Balmain, "a man who is overwhelmed and shaken by the responsi- bility resting upon him, who is frightened at the slightest thing, racks his brains over nothing at all, and hardly achieves with a great deal of trouble what anyone else would do almost without moving. As soon as he is questioned ,. Georges - Firmin - Didot, "La Captivité de Sainte- Hélène, d'après les rapports inédits du marquis de Mont- chenu." Paris, 1894-. 3 6 OUTSET OF THE CAPTIVITY about Bonaparte, or any of his suite, he frowns; he believes that a trap is laid for him, and he onl y gives half a reply. He tells one fact and conceals another, explains everything back ward, quibbles with his ,vords, and thoroughly con- fuses you. Then he has a way of flying so easily into a rage. To meet \vith the slightest opposition throws him into a fury, he does not know what he is saying or where he is, and loses his head utterly, so that it is impossible to bring him to his senses. To have to do with him and to be on good terms are two im possi- bili ties." * The same Criticisms appear In Baron Stürmer's letters. "I do not know," re- marks the Austrian Commissioner, "how it is that Sir Hudson Lowe always ends by getting on bad terms with everybody. Overwhelmed by the weight of responsibility resting on him, he fusses and worries himself continually, and is impelled to worry others. " I t is difficult to understand how the English Ministry could be infatuated with such a man. ., "Le prisonnier de Ste.-Hélène, d'après lcs rapports du commissairc russe." Publié par la Revue bleue. Paris, mai-juin, 1897. 37 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA If they only needed an ordinary gaoler, nothing was easier than to find one. But if the British nation attaches any importance to the judgment of posteri ty they could not have made a worse h . ,,* c Olce. An excellent selection was made in placing next to Sir Hudson Lowe, at the head of the squadron stationed at St. Helena, an officer who, in personal appearance, character, and behaviour, was a striking contrast to the Governor. A handsome old man with a frank and nlartial air, Adnliral Malcolm, with his exquisite nlanners, his kindliness and uprightness, was a perfect specinlen of a true gentleman. Though pas- sionately devoted to his duty, he did not con- sider it incompatible with the generosity due to a fallen enemy, or to respect for a great man struck by ill fortune. He paid Napoleon fre- quent visits, sent him newspapers, lavished upon him all kinds of little attentions, and protected him from needless annoyance and restrictions. But this considerateness brought hinl into daily conflict with Sir Hudson Lowe, and his inter- 'If: "Die Berichte des Kais. Kön. Commissärs Barthalamäus, Freiherrn van Stürmer, aus St. Helena." Herausgegeben van Dr. Hans Schlitter. Vienna, 1886. 3 8 OUTSET OF THE CAPTIVITY course with Plantation House had become very strained \vhen, about the middle of the year 18 17, the Conqueror arri ved in Jamestown harbour. Sir Robert Plampin, whose flag this vessel bore, had come to take the place of Sir Pulteney Malcolm. As Forsyth delights to inform us, the new Admiral would be on the best of terms with the Governor. Stokoe is about to explain the reason for the good understanding between them. It redounds to the honour neither of Sir Robert Plampin nor Sir Hudson Lo\ve. 39 CHAPTER II INCREASED RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED UPON THE EMPEROR Admiral Plampin's mistress-Stokoe's interview with Napoleon-O'Meara, the Emperor's first doctor, sent back to England by the Governor, Sir Hudson Lowe-Stokoe's name mixed up in some clandestine correspondence; he is regarded with suspicion. "THE day of our departure fron1 England," writes Stokoe, "gave us a very unexpected passenger. Early in the morning a boat had been on shore to the Isle of Wight, and while we were getting under weigh returned with a lady who, to the surprise of many, proved to be Mrs. Plampin. Her coming on board at that time, and not from Portsmouth, excited suspicions unfavourable to the lady, for none of us supposed that the Admiralty would have denied a passage to the wife of the Admiral. "Our suspicions gained strength as we pro- 4 0 RESTRICTIONS ON THE EMPEROR ceeded and were confirmed on our arrival at St. Helenï." There being great lack of fenlinine society at St. Helena, any ne\v arrival aroused intense interest. No sooner ,vere the officers of the Conqueror seen on the quay at Jamestown than they \vere plied with questions, one of the first being, " Is Admiral Pla.mpin a married man?" u Has he brought his wife out with him?" Laughing in their sleeves, the officers answered in the affirmative. Ho\vever, the Admiral landed alone. He proceeded alone to Plantation House to call upon the Governor. Next day he repeated his visit, in order to make his bow to Lady Lowe, and spent more than an hour in her society, but neither to her nor to Sir Hudson did he mention the pseudo Lady Plampin. So the storm burst forth. "Its fury was most severe at Plantation House. The ladies who formed the court of the queen of the island were unanimous in the opinion that the Admiral's conduct was the grossest insult that could possibly be offered them, considering that he was the second in rank in the island. They regarded it as the 4 1 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA Governor's duty to punish him severely. The report soon spread from Plantation House that the lady would be immediately sent off the island that the Admiral would be reported, and in all probability recalled. These rurnours, no doubt, reached his ears, together with the curious fact that he had been preached at from the pulpit." Sir Robert Plampin, in the greatest conster- nation, had recourse to Sir Hudson Lowe. Any one wining to play into the Governor's hands might make what tern1S he liked with him. The Admiral promised to be more accom- modating than his predecessor, Sir Pulteney Malcolm, had been. The Commander-in-Chief of a naval station had every right to indepen- dence of action. He renounced all such preroga- ti ve, and promised unreserved co-operation in any harsh measures against Napoleon. In return he only wanted one favour shown him-that he might live as he liked. The Governor agreed to these terms, so the clergy had to cease their denunciations and Lady Lowe's court their gossip. Sir Robert brought his mistress on shore and installed her at The Briars, the very place which had been the 4 2 RESTRICTIONS ON THE EMPEROR Emperor's abode for seven weeks. This was a wild solitary spot, at an q ual distance from Jamestown, Plantation House and Longwood, the three centres of the social life of the island ; it was thus an ideal place for such a "nénage. A price would have to be paid for this agr e- ment, entered into by the Admiral and the Governor, and it was the officers of the squadron and the Emperor, but more especially the latter, who would have to pay it. Dr. Stokoe has omitted all personal description of this lady, th subject of so much gossip and excitement, whose arrival caused a momentary revolution in St. Helena. H tells us nothing as to her appearance or her age, but she must surely have been young, or her lover \vould hardly have set at naught all convention and brought her so far. The very law of contrasts would induce one to ascribe to her both beauty and youth, for Admiral Plampin was nearly sixty, and of far from preposs ssing appearance. "He reminds me, It said Napoleon, " of one of those drunken little Dutch schippers that I have seen in Holland, sitting at a table with a pipe in his mouth, a cheese and a bottle of geneva before him. U * · "Napoleon in Exile." 43 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA The dwellers at Longwood were cognisant of the scandal provoked by the conduct of the subject of Napoleon's amusing little word-sketch. "Napoleon," says O'Meara, "blamed Mr. Boys for having in a sermon referred to the Admiral's conduct." A footnote amplifies this brief remark. " Mr. Boys had thought it a duty to mention something from the pulpit, in censure of an official person, for having set an example of immorality to a small colony, by publicly living with a woman not his wife." * Both O'Meara and Stokoe had the best of reason for hating the Admiral. Did the story of the gallant commander's amours rest solely upon the testimony of the two surgeons, they might be suspected of having invented it for motives of revenge. However, General Gourgaud, in his " Journal de Ste. Hélène," writing on June 19, 18 17, of the approaching arrival of the Conqueror, which had been signalled fron1 the Cape, says that "the new Admiral is said to be accompanied by a woman," and asks in jest, " Will Lady Lowe receive her ? " t · "Napoleon in E:Úle." t "Journa] inédit de Sainte Hélène," publié par MM. de Grouchy et Guillois, à Paris, chez Flammarion, J 899. 44 RESTRICTIONS ON THE EMPERO}{ Three weeks later Count Balmain wrote to his Government: "Admiral Plampin is a timid man, whose one wish is to live in peace and to meddle \vith nothing. He has seen Bonaparte once, and made no impression upon him, but he is quite unconcerned. To the scandal of the whole rock he has brought a lady \vith him, to whom he has given his name; but she is only his mistress. E very one has a fling at him for this." Feeling that he held in his hand this commander, who must needs spend his whole time on the island in quarantine, Sir Hudson Lowe wrote as follows to Lord Bathurst: "Admiral Plampin seems to have decided to attempt no interference whatever. If he took any steps, it would be in order to assist me." No doubt it would! This story of Plampin's mistress, touched upon by O'Meara, Gourgaud and Balmain, is not mentioned at all by other writers on the subject of the captivity, yet they could not be ignorant of it. Montholon, Baron Stürmer, the gossiping Marquis de Montchenu, must at have been acquainted with it. Elizabeth Bal- combe, the author of the" Recollections of the Emperor Napoleon," might have given us much 45 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA interesting information about this person, a dweller under her own roof. There is nothing wonderful in the fact that panegyrists such as Forsyth did not care to draw attention to such a dangerous subject. What is remarkable, however, is that the writers on the other side are equally re- served. Doubtless they would have considered it bad taste to draw a woman into questions with which they considered her to have no concern. No one seems to have suspected the enormous, though involuntary, influence which her presence would exercise on events within the island from J ul y I 8 I 7. Yet, owing to her presence, the Emperor's position was to become even more unpleasant than before, the harshness of his captivity was to be increased. According to Sir Hudson Lowe, the narrow confines of St. Helena formed a territory too vast for one who, but the other day, was master of half a continent. The English Ministry had severed the island from the rest of the civilised world-he would sever Longwood from the remainder of the island. He had long b en evolving a plan which was to completely isolate the French on their dreary plateau, depriving them of all society, and to take from Napoleon, 4 6 RESTRICTIONS ON THE EMPEROR whose health was already beginning to be under- mined, his favourite physician, O'Meara. Sir l)ulteney Malcolm had been recalled. The Admiral sent to replace him, himself in a false position, had surrendered all authority, and would not dare to interfere. The Governor felt perfectly safe to indulge in any abuse of his power-he did not fail to take full advantage of his freedom. In truth Sir Robert Plampin, an almost un- educated sailor with little inteIligence and less heart, was powerless to understand a great misfortune, and incapable of showing the fallen monarch the delicate attentions which his pre- decessor had freely lavished upon him. Still, but for the "cannon baIl" \vhich his mis- conduct had fastened to his foot, he would not in all probability have become Sir Hudson Lowe's devoted adherent, and the eager accomplice in his malicious acts. O'Meara, when worsted in his struggle with the Governor and banished from St. Helena, \vill appeal in vain to Sir Robert Plampin, his real superior and natural protector, for redress after the plundering of his baggage and the robbery of his money and jewellery. A little later we 47 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA shall see that when Stokoe in his turn falls a victim to Sir Hudson Lowe's enmity, the servile Admiral will become the violent accuser of his own surgeon, a man whom he ought to have used all means in his power to defend. The effects of this treaty between Admiral and Governor soon began to be felt. First came the publication of the following order, issued by the former: "All officers of H.M. Navy, whatever their rank, are strictly for- bidden to visit Longwood and its depen- dencies, or to communicate in any way, by writing or otherwise, under any pretext, with the foreigners detained in the island, without having first presented an explicit and detailed request to the Commander-in-Chie and ob- tained his permission." This order caused Stokoe and his comrades the keenest disappointment. F or months their one dream had been that they would see Napoleon. The suggestion that they could ask the Admiral's permission appeared to them to have but little value; they divined that he was hand in glove with the Governor, and hoped little from his good offices. Yet one hope remained. Hitherto, on the 4 8 RESTRICTIONS ON THE EMPEROR arrival of a military or naval force, its commander had taken his officers to Longwood in a body I to present them to Napoleon. Sir Pulteney Malcolm did not fail to observe this custom; would Sir Robert Plarnpin conform to it? For several ,veeks the matter remained doubtful. At last, "our impatient inquiries of the Admiral's secretary extorted the confession that we were not to be introduced at aU, as it \vas not the wish of Sir Hudson Lowe." The decision fell the n10re hardly upon those concerned that, through a coincidence, they could not but feel then1selves singled out for exceptionally severe treatment. At that very time a battalion of infantry was on the point of leaving St. Helena. Before embarking, the whole staff: with General Sir George Bingham at its head, went to take leave of Napoleon. rhis gentlen1an, of course, was not in Sir Robert Plampin's delicate position; he, too, had brought a lady to the island, but the lady was his lawful wife. There was therefore no reason why he should not, as indeed he did, return t\VO days later to Longwood, with the officers of the relieving battalion. But these were the last courtesies sho\vn to Napoleon. The 49 D WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA Governor's tacit disapprobation had long been known; in the end he confirmed it by a formal prohibition. Since to see the great captive was out of the question, all on board the squadron eagerly sought for information as to his words and actions. For this purpose O'Meara's acquaintance was cultivated; as Napoleon's doctor he was overwhelmed with questions. He dined severa] times on board the Conqueror and invited his hosts in return to visit him at Longwood, in the dwelling which he occupied near the Emperor. These invitations were a good excuse for seeking the Admiral's permission to enter the prohibited precincts, a permission sometimes granted, "and from that time," as Stokoe quaintly puts it, " we could ahyays entertain the hope of getting a peep at the Lion looking from his door or windows, for he had now shut himself up in his apartments, and refused all exercise in the open air, in consequence of the additional restrictions imposed by the Governor." Chance gave Stokoe far better fortune than he had dared to hope for. On his second visit to Longwood, October 10, 18 17, he not only saw the Emperor but spoke to him. 50 RESTRICTIONS ON THE EMPEROR " O'Meara and I had been walking for some time about the grounds at a considerable distance from the house, when we saw Napoleon come out of the billiard-room, accompanied by Count and Madame de Montholon. After taking a few turns before the house, he seated himself on the steps, with Madame de Montholon beside him, and with his back towards us. We ap- proached to the distance of fifty yards and stopped for a minute or two, then turned to walk away. The Count came to O'Meara and asked who I was; he returned to Napoleon, and came back immediately, saying the Emperor would be glad to see me. "I was delighted, and yet I felt a dread in approaching the man whose fame as a warrior had reached the remotest corners of the earth. " I followed the Count who, on coming near, took off his hat, and presented me. I did the same and made my best bo\v, remaining, as the Count did, with my hat off, when Napoleon, after slightly touching his, addressed me in the following words: 'Surgeon Conqueror, man-of- war. Fine ship.' Upon this O'Meara informed him I spoke Italian. U On looking behind me I saw that O'Meara 51 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA had his hat on, and I supposed that I should have followed his example, but it was then too late. I could not have put it on without being guilty of rudeness, therefore I remained un- covered to the end of the interview. " The first question asked in Italian was what part of Italy I had been in. I answered that Gaeta was the only place on the Continent that I had landed at, but that I had been about three years in the Mediterranean, and the greater part of that time in Sicily. " , Ah! a beautiful island, a little better than this one! Are you senior to O'Meara? ' " , Yes, sir, by ten years.' " 'Then you can command him? What service have you seen? ' " 'I was surgeon of a 74 in the battle of Trafalgar, and in the passage of the Darda. nelles. ' " , What countryman are you ? ' " , From the north of England.' " , That is a mountainous country, is it not? ' " , I tis. ' " , Are you married?' "To this question I stupidly replied 'non ancora,' when I observed a smile on Madame 52 RESTRICTIONS O THE EMI>EROR de Montholon's face, and I thought there was a faint reflection of it on Napoleon's countenance, \vhich I \vas puzzled to account for. O'Meara eXplained it afterwards by telling me that Ionly confirn1ed the con1mon report on the island that I \vas paying my addresses to the eldest Miss Balcombe. * l"his report arose from my having attended the young lady soon after our arrival during a serious illness. On her recovery we were often seen together on the public walk. The people of St. Helena, ac- customed to see marriages take place after a very short courtship, soon made up their minds that we were to make a match of it. As it did not take place so soon as they expected they chose to account for its failure in their o\vn way; i.e., by saying that I could not obtain the consent of the father by reason of my age. t '[his story may have reached Longwood shortly before my interview and will account for the effect of n1Y foolish reply, which, however, pro- · Jane Balcombe. Elizabeth Balcombe, author of the "Recollections of the Emperor Napoleon," was the younger. t Dr. Stokoe was then forty-two. Jane Balcombe, seventeen or eighteen. 53 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA cured for me a very high and unexpected com- pliment, nothing less than Napoleon's voluntary attempt to assist me in getting a wife. "The father of this lady was purveyor at Longwood, and in the habit of going there daily. A few days after my interview he met Napoleon, who immediately said to him: 'Why have you refused your daughter to the surgeon of the flag-ship? C'est un brave homme.' " 'But I have not refused,' replied Balcombe; 'the doctor has never asked me for my d ht ' " a ug er. Stokoe proceeds to record the impression made upon him by the Emperor. The thousand and one libels upon Napoleon which had been published in England repre- sented him physically and morally as a monster. In addition to every vice, he was said to be afflicted with all possible bodily deformities, to have a repulsive countenance, and to be formid- able to approach, while his manners were coarse and brutal. Mrs. Abell * describes the effect or these persistent calumnies upon her own mind and that of her compatriots. "The earliest idea I had of Napoleon was '" Elizabeth Balcombe. 54 RESTRICTIONS ON THE EMPEROR that of a huge ogre or giant, with one large flaming red eye in the middle of his forehead, and long teeth protruding from his mouth, with which he tore to picces and devoured naughty little girls, especially those \vho did not know their lessons. I had rather grown out of this first opinion of Napoleon, but if less childish, my terror of him was still hardly diminished. The name of Bonaparte was still associated in my mind \vith everything that was bad and horri ble. I had heard the most atrocious crimes imputed to him, and if I had learnt to consider him as a human being, I still believed him to be the worst that ever existed. Nor was I singular in these feelings; they were par- ticipated [in] by many and much older and wiser than myself. I might say, perhaps, by a majority of the English nation."* Stokoe would not have been among the number. He was too sensible and straight- forward himself to be imposed upon by the lying, malicious calumnies of the newsmongers. How- · "Recollections of the Emperor Napoleon during the first three years of his Captivity on the island of St. Helena. JJ By Mrs. Abell, late 1\liss Elizabeth Balcombe. London, 1844-. 55 '\TITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA ever, without being aware of it, such stories had had some effect upon him. But the kind expression upon the Emperor's pale, handsome face, and his polite manners and warm reception surprised, while they charn1ed, the surgeon of the Conqueror. He says: "During the short time I was in the presence of Napoleon, my opinion of his character underwent a complete change. I had formed in my own imagination the man I expected to see, but I found him so totaH y the reverse that I had not been two minutes in conversation with him before I felt n1yself as much at my ease as if talking to an equal. I am not ashamed to confess that this sudden change was accompanied with such a friendly feeling towards him, that I could have been at that moment his ambassador to Sir Hudson, to plead for a rescinding of those orders that caused him to convert his miserable retreat into a voluntary prison." After the audience the doctor indulged in some peculiarly judicious remarks on a point much disputed then and still under discussion to-day. When the Emperor, vanquished at Waterloo, threw himself upon British hospi- tality, had England no other course open than 56 RESTRICTIONS ON THE EMPEROR to allow hin1 to set foot upon the Belleyophon, and then to treat him as a prisoner? Stokoe seems to have 1rrived at a right conclusion in the following: " \\Tith nlY t11ind fully occupied in reflections that this interview gave rise to, I retired with O'Meara to his apartn1ent, deeply lamenting that fatal appeal to our gencrosi ty and its unfortunate result, when he vol untaril y em- barked on board an English man-of-\var at H.oche- fort, to demand an asylum with his ' greatest and most generous enemy,' as he expressed himself in his memorable note to the l}rincc H.egent. I trust there are few Englishnlen who look back to that part of our history \vho do not now regret the ignoble cond uct of the Prince. He had here a glorious opportunity of responding to his great and fallen enern y as a British l)rince ought to have done, and sho\ving him that the confidence which had brought him to England was not misplaced, though it failed in obtaining the desired asylum. "He might have replied that his engage- nlents with foreign po\vers preven ted the granting his request, but that he would not take ad vantage of the confidence placed in 57 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA him ; that he was at liberty to return to the armies faithful to him, and make the best terms for himself. If he had attempted to cross the Atlantic, and any English cruiser had intercepted him, he might then have considered that he had the right to treat him as a prisoner of war, which was not the case under the present circumstances. "There seems to have been a fatality attend- ing Napoleon and England upon this occasion. Had he only delayed his embarkation on board the Belleropholl for two hours he never would ha ve gone to St. Helena. Mr. Lee, the American Consul at Bordeaux, was then on his way to Rochefort, for the purpose of seeing Napoleon, and telling him that he had one of those fast sailing Baltimore schooners at Bayonne at his service to take him to any part of the world; he arrived at Rochefort two hours after the embarkation. "Had he arrived there in time to see Napoleon, had the latter consented to return with him, their departure and intentions might have been concealed from our blockading squadron, and the chances would have been ten to one in favour of his safe arrival in America. England 58 RESTRICTIONS ON THE EMPEROR would then have escaped the odiu111 that is now attached to her name in the history of St. Helena, as \vell as the immense expense of maintaining hin1 there (at least a nlillion pounds ) " per annum . Stokoe, considering that he was bound to give an account of his interview, called at The Briars next morning, with an easy mind. He had had a permit for his visit to O'Meara. While walking with him Napoleon saw him, summoned him to his presence, and chatted with him. It was an accident impossible to foresee or to a void, and he was by no means to blame. Sir Robert Plampin was of a different opinIon. " You could have quite easily," said he to the doctor, "refused to speak to Bona- parte, and you ought to have done so. It is not at all necessary to be polite to the General. There are orders issued and they must be obeyed. You have acted very i111properly, as this is a subject on which I and the Governor are now quarrelling. As you have seen him in this way I shall give an order that whenever any officer of the squadron is invited to dine with Mr. O'Meara or the officer on duty at Longwood, they are to hold no communication 59 \VI fII NAPOLEON AT ST. HEIJENA with General Bonaparte, even if he should ask for it, without my previous sanction." The Admiral's lady was present during this conversation. She asked Stokoe what he thought of Napoleon. With his usual frankness the Doctor replied that his opinion had completely changed since his interview with him. She observed that he must be an extraordinary Inan, for almost every stranger that approached him came away with the same favourable impression. This was certainly very true, and nothing can prove it more strongly than the anecdote related of Lord Keith, when he met Napoleon at Ply- mouth, where he and two Commissioners from London were employed in the arrangements for his departure to St. Helena. Napoleon then demanded an interview with the Prince Regent, anå the two Commissioners were disposed to allow it. His Lordship, however, replied in his blunt sailor language, "No, indeed, we must not allow them to come in con tact; in ten min utes they would be as thick as inkle " weavers. Immediately after reprimanding Stokoe, Sir Robert Plampin wrote to the captain of the Conqueror as follows: "I have the honour to 60 REs rRIC1'IONS ON fHE EMPl ROR inform you that, in spite of well-kno\vn pro- hibition, the surgeon of the flagship has been presented to General Bonaparte without my permission. You will therefore have the good- ness to remi nd all officers under your command that, ,vhen I grant them permission to visit Mr. O'Meara or any other n1ember of General Bonaparte's suite, I do not grant them per- mission to be presented to the said General. A special warrant is required for that purpose." Anywhere but at St. Helena the matter would have ended with this letter. But the régime in vogue on the island did not admit of so simple a solution of the affair. By means of his spies everything reached the ears of Sir Hudson Lowe, and the most trifling incident was always magni- fied in his eyes into an important circumstance, needing his personal intervention. He had made a rule that the slightest word or action on the part of Napoleon was to be reported to him. As Stokoe had not gone of his own accord to Plantation House, he summoned him thither. "He expressed surprise at not having seen n1e before. I replied that on returning fron1 Long\vood I had waited upon the Admiral, and 61 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA given him the information of my introduction to General Bonaparte, with a detail of everything that had passed between us. This I felt to be my duty, and, having done that, I expected that nothing further would be required of me. If, however, he thought it of importance to have the details of the conversation he was very welcome, as I had no reason for concealing any part of it. " 'In what language was the conversation held ? ' " 'In Italian,' was my answer. The imme- diate change which took place in his countenance gave me the idea that he had been seized with some painful complaint, until the frown directed to myself showed that my knowledge of Italian was the cause of his suffering. This must have been increased before I got to the end of my recital, as I stated to Napoleon that I had served for a great portion of three years in Sicily,. which would suggest to him the fact that it was at the time he commanded at Capri, and that consequently I must be acquainted with the character he had established for himself in that quarter by his dastardly surrender of that im- pregnable island to a force inferior in number -to the garrison he commanded. 62 RESTH.ICTIONS ON THE EMPEROR "This interview fully confirmed in my mind the justice of the opinion entertained of him at Palermo, and I quitted him with mingled feelings of contempt and disgust, as well as sorrow that such a man had been chosen for so important a command. Every transaction con- nected with his illustrious charge would be judged by the conduct of one man, and he unworthy the name of an Englishman." It was a serious matter to draw upon one's self the notice of Sir Hudson Lowe. This was what had just happened to Stokoe, and he felt that he would have great cause to regret it if, by an y piece of im prudence, he ever gave the Governor a hold over him. He made up his mind not to do so, and thenceforward was on his guard. No incident which could prove hazardous occurred until July 18 17. At this time Napoleon's health caused a certain amount of uneasiness. Doubtless the Emperor was experiencing the first symptoms of the malady which \vas destined three years later to end his life. He had a pain in his side. He suffered from inflammation of the bronchial tubes and fever, while his legs, lips and gums began to swell. O'Meara 63 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA uncertain as to his diagnosis, determined to take council with a brother physician. Sir Hudson Lowe ordered him to call in Dr. Baxter, the hospital inspector. But Napoleon absolutely refused to have anything to do with a medical man recommended by the Governor, and refused to see him. On the other hand, he was quite disposed to receive Stokoe, of whom he had formed a good opinion on his presentation to him. Inforll1ed of this by a note from O'Meara, forwarded to him by the Admiral, the surgeon of the Conqueror begged Sir Robert Plall1pin to allow him to refuse. "He replied that I was at liberty to act as I thought proper, that he had not authority to command my compliance with Mr. O'Meara's request, but that I ll1ust recollect that my services had been demanded, and, if any blame was attached to my refusal, the responsibility would be on my own shoulders. He had done his duty in prepar ng my passport. "I then said, , I will ll1ake use of your pass- port to explain to Mr. O'Meara my reasons for declining to see General Bonaparte. "On my arrival I told the doctor that I had 64 RESTRICTIONS ON THE EMPEROR come there in obedience to his note, but not ,vith the intention of seeing Napoleon. I told him that he must be well aware of the delicate position in which his reg uest had placed n1e. I was known to be his friend. His quarrel with the Governor and the latter's disbelief in his report of his patient's declining health, were also known . . . this state of things prevented me from visiting the General with him alone, for, if I did so, and coincided in his opinion, the Governor would immediately say: 'Oh, Mr. Stokoe is a friend of O'Meara's, and is biased by his opinion. ' To avoid such an inference I had decided not to accede to his request. "O'Meara, finding that he could not shake my determination, went in to Napoleon and ac- quainted him with it. Bertrand then came to me evidently in anger, for, when I attempted to explain, he interrupted me by saying: ' No, no, sir, it is only an additional proof of the tyranny to which we are exposed.' However, he ended by seeming to acq uiesce in the propriety of my refusal. " About a week later Stokoe was requested to present himself in the office of Sir Thomas Reade, the Deputy Adjutant-General. 65 E WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA " Sir Hudson Lowe came in immediately from the next room, and taking some papers from his pocket he said, ' Mr. Stokoe, I cannot convince these people at Longwood that I did not influence you in your refusal to see General Bonaparte the other day, and I wish you to state to me particularl y your reasons for having done so.' " This was no easy thing to do, for I could not repeat to him all I had stated to O'Meara, but I replied with truth that I was very unwilling to go to Longwood, but if compelled to do so and to visit General Bonaparte, I should naturally, in a case of such importance, wish to have the opinion of more medical men. " , Well then, I wish you would write a letter to the Adn1iral, stating these facts. Let me see it before you send it.' "I immediately went over to the Admiral's office, wrote the short letter and took it to Sir Hudson, whom I found alone. He read it, but did not seem to approve of it, for he took the pen and began to write himself, saying that he had seen Mr. Stokoe, surgeon to the flag- ship, and questioned him on his motive for refusing to see General Bonaparte. That he had stated that he had great objections to go to 66 RESTI ICTIONS ON THE EMPEJ OR Longwood, but, if obliged to do so, he would \vish to visit the General with other medical men, excluding his private attendant. u I was looking over his shoulder as he wrote, and as soon as I saw him write the last line I suspected a sinister motive. 1 therefore im- mediatel y observed that I must object to that part of his statement, as it would convey the idea that I was unwilling to consult with Mr. O'Meara, which was not the fact. He drew his pen through the \vards, and added 'in addition to his private attendant,' but he did not finish his letter. I had disappointed him. He had only written a word or two more when he rose from his chair, and pushing the sheet of paper with both hands across the table and throwing the pen down violently he left the room in a towering rage, exclaiming, ' You can send your 1 . ", etter, Sir. At this time Sir Hudson Lowe \vas plotting to obtain O'Meara's recall. "Had I allowed him to finish his paper my signature would have been demanded, and he would have considered this document a valuable one, as it would have enabled him to write to Lord Bathurst, 'Here is the best proof that 67 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA O'Meara is the character I have represented him to be, for the surgeon of the flagship refuses to consult with him.' " My foresight, however, made it a proof for myself what Sir Hudson's character really was! " Stokoe's courageous act was of no service to O'Meara. About two months later Napoleon's physician was removed from St. Helena) a victim to tyrannical hatred, the cause of which is easily traced. It must be attributed to the folly of the Governor, who forced O'Meara to repeat to him the epithets showered upon him in his exasperation by the Emperor. He called him in turn Sicilian gaoler, imbecile, honorary scribbler to the staff, or his head tormenter. The Governor pretended to laugh at these terms as he daily inquired what was the latest novelty, but the utterer of them was too highly placed for them to fail to inflict severe, if secret, wounds. The natural result followed. He soon detested the surgeon whom he forced to be tale-bearer almost as much as the man who used the opprobrious words. While Sir Pulteney Malcolm was stationed at St. Helena the Governor concealed his annoyance. O'Meara was a naval surgeon, he depended 68 RESTRICTIONS ON THE EMPEROR upon the commandant of the squadron and could clain1 his protection. Unless absolutely sure of the Admiral's concurrence, Sir Hudson Lowe dared not attack a man who would probably have influential friends at home, even in the Cabinet itself. A clerk in the Admiralty, named Finlaison, did indeed carryon a private corre- sponåence with O'Meara, which was scrutinised by the English Ministers, and by means of which they could judge of the accuracy of the official reports emanating from Plantation House. This fact became known to the Governor, whom it humiliated, while it gave him a second ground for his grudge against O'Meara. But he had a third reason. StOrmer, the Austrian Commissioner, mentions it in one of his letters: "The Governor has a spite against O'Meara for filling up a post which he tried to give to Dr. Baxter, a man who is under his thumb." Nothing shows the depths to which Sir Robert Plampin descended in order to ensure freedom for his senile amours in a Puritan circle n10re than the date chosen by Sir Hudson Lowe for the commencement of his campaign against O'Meara. The Conqueror cast anchor in James- 69 \VITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA town harbour on June 29, 1817. Three weeks had hardly elapsed when hostilities began. On the 18th of July he picked a quarrel with O'Meara. He questioned him as to his last conversation with the Emperor, flew into a great rage with him for what was said at Long- wood, and accused him violently of having espoused the cause of the French. On the 21st there was again a scene of unexampled violence. O'Meara could not but feel that a change had come over the aspect of affairs at St. Helena; he wrote in his notebook: " Finding that Sir Hudson Lowe made me in a manner responsible for all Napoleon's actions and expressions, and took every opportunity of venting upon me the ill-humour he could not personally discharge upon his prisoner, and per- ceiving that all hopes of accommodation between the parties had vanished when Admiral Malcolm departed, and that all my efforts to ameliorate the situation of my captive were fruitless, I determined to confine myself as much as possible to my medical duties, and to avoid all unnecessary communication with a man who could avail him- self of his irresponsible situation to insult an inferior officer." 7 0 l ESTRICTIONS ON THE EMPEI OR In a letter of somewhat later date \ve find Sir Hudson Lo\ve saying, with evident intent to decei ve : "He conducted himself for a long time in such a manner as though not to excite confidence, to steer clear of any particular remark or censure; his errors, however, became more prominent a short time before the departure of the late Admiral, who, by employing him in carrying newspapers to Napoleon Bonaparte, gave me the first direct cause of dissatisfaction with him, as he knew my objection to anything being delivered unknown to me; from that moment his conduct underwent a change."* Was it really O'Meara who was behaving in a different way? Was it not rather the Governor, who, held in check by Sir Pulteney Malcolm, felt, since the arrival of the new naval com- mander, that he could carry out his plans \vith- out let or hindrance? After a third scene, O'Meara, driven beyond bounds, refused to repeat any further conversations he might have with the Emperor. Sir Hudson Lo\ve made this a reason for demanding his re- · Letter of Sir Hudson Lowe to Lord Bathurst, November 18, 1817. Forsyth," History of the Captivity." 7 1 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA call. He was in too great haste; Lord Bathurst sent him word: "That the reason was not suffi- ciently serious to justify in the eyes of the public the recall of the only doctor whose visits were tolerated by Napoleon." This reply reached St. Helena towards the end of April 18 I 8. The Governor had hoped to receive one more favourable to his wishes. On the loth he had subjected O'Meara to the rules imposed upon the members of Napoleon's suite, forbidding him to leave Longwood under any pretext without first obtaining his permission. The surgeon tried to carry his protest to Sir Robert Plampin, but the Admiral refused to see him. However, the order was of necessity with- drawn: it was too audacious an attack upon the rights and dignity of an English officer, thus to put him on a level with the prisoners. O'Meara's persecutions continued, yet Sir Hudson Lowe would hardly have succeeded in his aim but for help from an unexpected quarter. , General Gourgaud just then returned to Europe. He left the island on pretty bad terms with his companions in exile, and found plenty to relate about them in London, especially about Na- poleon himself, whom he depicted as enjoying 7 2 RESTRICTIONS ON THE EMPEROR robust health, saying that his doctor in repre- senting him as an invalid" was influenced, not to say deceived, by him." Emboldened by this evidence, which he could quote if need be, Lord Bathurst hesitated no longer. On July 25, 18I8,Sir Hudson Lowe's heart was rejoiced by an order to send O'Meara home. The doctor was immediately arrested. In the hope of finding him in possession of papers which would compromise him, the Governor had his desk forced and his trunks searched. During this survey, which had not the anticipated result, money and jewels dis- appeared, besides art treasures of considerable value, presents from the Emperor. O'Mt;ara's protest to the Admiral only pro- duced a mock investigation. The plaintiff was not allowed to see a copy of the official report, and the stolen property was not traced. O'Meara has given an account in his "Exposition" of this robbery and miscarriage of justice. The amazing story is evidently perfectly true. Forsyth, so diligent in refuting all charges against Sir Hudson Lowe, has not a word to say in this matter. "Many officers," says Stokoe, "felt more 73 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA than was prudent for them to express on the occasion, for the system of espionage that Sir Hudson had established was so complete that it invaded even our sacred wooden walls. * "One day I had expressed myself in rather strong terms at the mess-table on his shameful persecution of my brother officer for refusing to do the degrading duty of a spy. At my next visit to the Admira] he repeated my very words. "Suspicion fell upon two individuals dependent upon the Admiral for promotion, but the diffi- culty of bringing their guilt home to them saved them from the severe punishment that awaits characters of that stamp on board ship, viz., being sent to Coventry. " The terror which this system produced may be judged by the following fact. The manner in which O'Meara was hurried off the island obliged him to request a comrade to dispose of his property and to settle with his creditors. =1#: Some time before his departure, Sir Pulteney Malcolm discovered that there was in the island a perfect system of espionage. The smallest details were reported to the Governor. "A Diary of St. Helena (18 I 6- 18 17), the Journal of Lady Malcolm," edited by Sir Arthur Wilson. London, 1899. 74 RESTRICTIONS ON THE EMPEROR There being a deficiency of between [,3 0 and L+o, his friends proposed to draw upon him for the amount. The nlerchant, however, refused to take the bill, remarking: '1 n any country but this I should be most happy to cash a bill on Mr. O'Meara, but, if the news of my having done so reaches the Governor's ears, he would certainl y send me off the island.' " This he repeated to me the following day, when I requested him to advance the money on my account. " It was this persevering friendship for a man in disgrace with the Governor which made me so obnoxious to him and his satellites, and will account for my endeavour to shun all contact with them." The excitement aroused by this great event had hardly subsided when, in September I 8 I 8, "a store-ship arrived from England, bringing a box addressed to a Mr. Forbes. There being no person of that name on the island, the Governor ordered it to be opened. "It was found to contain books and pamphlets, French and English, and a letter which ,vas also opened. It began, 'My dear O'Meara,' so it was evident that this plan ,vas his arrangement, 75 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA and that he would have claimed the box if he had remained on the island. Sir Hudson now thought to make further discoveries by watching the doctor's friends. As I was at the head of that list, he ordered my letters to be sent to the Admiral, and I was summoned to attend him. " On my arrival at The Briars, he said: 'Mr. Stokoe, I must tell you that a traitorous cor- respondence has been discovered between Mr. O'Meara and the people at Longwood, in which, I am sorry to say, you are implicated. The Governor has therefore ordered your letters to be sent to me and opened and read in my presence.' I immediately said: 'Sir, if there is any suspicion attached to me, I beg that you will open my letters yourself, and read them.' This he did, but, as they were from private friends and had no connection with O'Meara or Long- wood, I heard no more of the matter. * " In consequence of this affair I ordered the postmaster to send to the Admiral all letters .. In going over the final proofs with my father, he reminded me of Dr. Stokoe's refusal to sit at table with the Admiral's mistress, during the voyage to St. Helena. This appears to account for much that follows. 7 6 RESTRICTIONS ON THE EMPEROR and parcels addressed to me, whether from England or the Cape of Good Hope. "Very soon another parcel of books and pamphlets arrived, addressed to me and from the S'lme sender as the box, Mr. O'Meara's agent, a gentleman to whom I was a total stranger. "Puzzled to account for this unwarrantable proceeding, I followed the box to the Admiral's house. When it was opened two letters fell out addressed to me, one from Mr. Holmes, the agent, containing a note for Count Bertrand, which he begged I would deliver to him, as, though it contained nothing of importance, he did not wish the Governor to see it. "In this note the Emperor was entreated to take exercise, in order to preserve his health, and not to give up hope that affairs would take a favourable turn for him. It also spoke of the interest which his purveyor, Mr. Balcombe, who had recently returned to England, took in his case, besides touching on money matters, books, and on visits which Holmes intended to pay in Paris to Las Cases and Laffitte, the banker. " When the Admiral opened the second letter he found that it also contained an enclosure; holding it up he exclaimed: 'For Napoleon 77 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA Bonaparte,' regarding me at the same time with a significant side-glance. Disappointed, perhaps, in his experiment, he corrected himself with: 'Oh, no, for Barry O'Meara, Esq.' " Mr. Balcombe was the writer. His style was laconic and expressive. Here is a specimen : , Dear Stokoe,-Be so good as to hand the en- closed to our friend O'Meara. I find that he has man y partisans here, and I hope the B-g-rs will soon be turned out.' " The enclosure was on the same lines. The first words made the Admiral exclaim in a rage: 'Why the - does the fellow make such a mystery about nothing? I hope he does not mean me!' he continued, but was undeceived -the letter did mean him." In a report to Lord Bathurst, Sir Hudson Lowe remarks that Sir Robert Plampin did not think proper to show him this letter, and that his reason was doubtless consideration for Mr. Balcombe, whose house he was occupying. The reason was a less laudable one. The landlord ot The Briars expressed opinions far from flattering about his tenant and his mistress. The Admiral preferred to keep such remarks to himself. By a piece of ill luck Stokoe was entangled in 7 8 RESTRICTIOKS ON 'fHE EMPEROR the meshes of this affair. Holmes, the agent, was complaining one day in London that nothing he sent to O'Meara was sure to reach him, not even books and pamphlets; everything was seized at Plantation House. Balcombe, who heard the complaint, mentioned the surgeon of the Conqueror, saying that he was on very friendly terms with Napoleon's attendant. Acting upon the hint, without authority or previous intima- tion, Holmes at once decided to address his parcels in future to Dr. Stokoe. He had carried out his intention, when he found that O'Meara was already back in England. Conscious of having acted unadvisedly, and foreseeing the con- seq uences, he hastened to write to Lord Bathurst and Sir Robert Plampin. eXplaining that he had made use of the name of an officer who was absolutely unknown to him. No doubt it was a source of regret to Sir Hudson Lowe that Stokoe could no longer be under suspicion of being an accomplice in the matter. Yet, in spite of all evidence to the contrary, we shall find him, in the course of the court-martial, accused of having participated in the clandestine correspondence. * · Compare letter from Holmes to Goulburn, at end of vol ume. 79 CHAPTER III ILLNESS OF THE EMPEROR Napoleon seriously ill, and demands Stokoe's help (J an uary 18 19)- The doctor's five days at Longwood -Manæuvres on the part of Sir Hudson Lowe and Admiral Plampin to compromise him and cause his visits to cease-He asks for leave and returns to England. By the end of 18 I 8 Sir Hudson Lowe had carried out the programme which he drew up as soon as Sir Pulteney Malcolm gave place to an Admiral, hampered by the presence of his mistress. The audacious beings guilty of sympathis- ing with Napoleon (such as Balcombe) were punished by banishment. He demanded and obtained the recall of Baron Stürmer, the foreign commissioner most ready to criticise his doings. At the same time he robbed the Emperor of O'Meara and put a stop to a certain amount of 80 ILLNESS OF THE EMPEROR social intercourse kept up between the exiles and the inhabitants of St. Helena. By dint of severe orders the French at Longwood were kept entirely aloof from the officers of th garrison, and neither the permanent residents nor visitors to th island were allowed to see them. Every one avoided people whose simplest greeting might involve them in trouble. Even the English employed about Napoleon were in daily fear of being com promised. The Governor having issued a menacing order, they \vere so much disturbed by it that it was found necessary to dismiss them. Sir Hudson Lowe's deJight at the success of his plans for isolating the Emperor was of but short duration. Napoleon persisted in his intention of secluding himself, and hardly ever left his rooms. The moment permission to visit him was refused, it became impossible to kno\v at Plantation House what he ,vas doing-no one could tell what was happening to him. So much so, that the anxious Governor was moved sometimes to wonder whether his in- visible prisoner was really there at all. \Vith naïve impudence he actually con1plained to Count Montholon of a state of affairs created 81 F WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA by himself. "Whilst O'Meara \vas at Long- wood there was always an opportunity of ascertaining Napoleon's presence there through him, and for a long time also through the persons who visited him. Besides, until a short time ago, there were my servants in the house and people employed in the garden; but since he had dismissed the servants, and the workmen had been removed because he complained of their intrusiveness, there were no means left for ascertaining that he was actually at Longwood."* For these reasons, and in order that he might once more be kept fully informed of everything, Sir Hudson Lowe wished to put Dr. V erling, one of his own puppets, into the place. He estab- lished him in O'Meara's rooms as soon as they were vacant. With honeyed words he exhausted the vocabulary in praising the talents of this doctor, "who would be most useful to the Emperor." Finding that he gained no ground, he changed his tactics, grew furiousl y angry, and spoke of forcing Napoleon to show himself morning and night to Captain Nicholls, the orderly stationed at Longwood. During the discussions called forth by this ".. Forsyth, "History of the Captivity." 82 tLl NESS OF TI-IE EM PEROR threat, the Emperor suddenly fell ill. As may be inferred, he \vould have nothing to do ,vith Dr. Verling. It wa for Stokoe that he called. The authorities dared not prevent the surgeon of the Conqueror from answering this appeal. He was even ordered to do so. But his position became at once so difficult, he was exposed to so much annoyance, and had to combat such deter- mined hostility, that hardly a week had elapsed when he was compelled to discontinue his attendance upon Napoleon. It will be seen how his superiors, by putting crafty and false inter- pretations upon all his actions, piled up a charge of treason against him, and made him liable to a court-martial. The doctor's memoirs give a very indistinct and imperfect account of the plots to which he was a victim, but the record of his condemnation tells the story, so to speak, by giving in full all the documents produced at his trial. This paper, signed by John Barrow, secretary to the Admiralty, is above suspicion. It will be necessary to refer to it at almost every step in this chapter and the one \vhich follows, for, before an impartial jury, nothing can speak more forcibly to justify Stokoe's conduct than 83 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA the very evidence which was used at St. Helena to secure his condemnation. At daybreak on Sunday,* January 17, 1819, this urgent note from Count Bertrand was placed in the doctor's hands : "LONGWOOD, I A.M. " SIR , " The Emperor has just had a sudden and violent attack. You are the only medical man at present in this country in whom he has shown any confidence. I beg you not to lose a moment in hastening to Longwood. On your arrival ask for DIe. I hope that you will arrive in the course of the night. I am much troubled." Enclosed was a note from the admiral's secre- tary to the captain of the Conqueror to this effect: " The Admiral has desired me to say that you are to order Mr. Stokoe (Surgeon of the Con- queror) to go directly to Longwood and call on Dr. Verling, as Buonaparte t is very ill." Since O'Meara's departure Stokoe had been "" For greater clearness in the following account, the days on which Stokoe visited Longwood are printed in italics. t All through the Minutes of the court-martial Bona- parte is spelt thus. [E. S. S.] 84 ILLNESS OF TIlE EMPEROR in constant dread of the event which had now taken place. Feeling that the Governor's at- tention had been drawn to him in a hostile manner, and that he was on the alert to do him an injury, he felt hovering over him a sure if as yet undefined danger-the probability of being called upon to attend Napoleon. A short time before, news had reached St. Helena which had tended to calm his fears: it was announced to the Emperor that Dr. Antommarchi, a French physician, was about to be sent him by his uncle, Cardinal :Fesch. Stokoe was beginning to feel at ease when Count Bertrand's request reached him. "I had now," he remarks, " no alternative. No discretionary power was allo\ved me as on the former occasion, therefore I obeyed the order with all possible speed, but in the greatest distress f . d " o min . The Emperor was seized with the attack which had so alarmed his suite towards mid- I night. ,He first felt a sharp pain in the groin and sho lders, accompanied by violent fever, and folIo\ved by oppression and giddiness. For sonle fe\v minutes he was unconscious. It \vas then that Count Bertrand wrote his letter, but notwithstanding the urgency of the case it \vas 8S WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA made subject to all the red tapeism practised at St. Helena. Captain Nicholls took charge of it and despatched it by a dragoon to Plantation House, where the Governor was aroused. Thence it was carried to The Briars, where the Admiral, in the arms of his mistress, was sleeping the sleep of the just. The courier continued his nocturnal peregri- nation to Jamestown, through the tortuous roads of the island. At break of day he reached the officer on duty in the harbour, who, in his turn, took a boat, crossed the roadstead, and scaled the sides of the Conqueror. Stokoe for his part had to dress and mount the five miles of winding road l ading from the town to Long- wood. All this took time. Seven o'clock was striking when the doctor reached Count Bertrand's apart- ments, and the immediate danger had passed. Relieved by a hot bath, Napoleon was sleeping, and Stokoe was requested to wait until he could see him. "I breakfasted with the Bertrands, and after breakfast Count Montholon caIne to me and pro- posed that I should replace O'Meara, and become the Emperor's surgeon. 1"'his I declined. He 86 ILLNESS OF THE EMPEROR then asked my reasons. I replied that it was an appointment I might have been ambitious to obtain had I not witnessed the persecution of O'Meara, which, according to him, was in con- sequence of his refusing to do the degrading duty of a spy. The Count left me, and no doubt went to Napoleon and reported the con- versation, for he came back in about an hour with a paper, containing eight articles, dictated, I presume, by Napoleon, and presented them to c " me lor my acceptance. ARTICLES To replace Mr. O'Meara and git'e Mr. Stokoe the character of surgeon to the Emperor. lolapoleon It contained the fol1owing proposals: (I) Mr. Stokoe is considered as surgeon to Napoleon, and as filling the place of the French surgeon mentioned in the decree of the British Government, dated the 15th of August, 18 15. (2) He is not to be taken away without the consent of Napoleon, at least by a simple order * Notwithstanding the refusal of the British Government to allow the use of the title of Emperor in connection with their captive, the obnoxious word appears in the certified translation of the" Articles" supplied by the Admiralty to Dr. Stokoe. [E. S. S.] 87 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA of the Governor, and especially as long as the disease continues. (3) During the time that he fulfils the functions of Physician to Napoleon, he is not to be sub- jected to any military discipline or duty, but to be considered as an Englishman holding a civil employment. ( 4) He is not to be obliged to render an account to any person of Napoleon's health. He will write every day, or oftener if necessary, a bulletin of Napoleon's health, of which he is to make two copies, one to be given to one of the officers at Longwood, and the other to the Governor whenever he desires it. (5) No person whatever is to intermeddle in his medical functions, and no restrictions upon his communications with Napoleon and the French, either by writing or verbally, by day or by night, are to be imposed upon him. ( 6) He is not to be obliged to render an account of what he sees or hears at Longwood, unless anything which in his judgment might compromise his oath of allegiance to his country and his sovereign. (7) Doctor Stokoe engages to serve Napoleon in his profession, independent of all prejudice, 88 ILLNESS OF TIlE EMPEROR or party spirit, and as if he were his own countryman, and not to make any bulletin or report of his complaints without giving him the original. (8) In accepting these conditions, Mr. Stokoe is to preserve the integrity of all his rights as an English citizen and officer. He demands to receive from the Admiralty the same pay as his predecessor, and not to be assimilated in any- thing with the French prisoners. The whole of the above to be done with the permission of his chief, Rear-Admiral Plampin. * Nothing surely could be more straightforward or more reasonable than the demands contained in the draft of this agreement. The Emperor ,vould not have Dr. Verling thrust upon him; he intended to choose his own physician. Lord Bathurst had recognised his right to do so. In a letter to Sir Hudson Lowet the Minister gave orders that O'Meara should be replaced by an y surgeon on the island · These articles, and the bulletins which follow, do not appear in print for the first time. They were communicated to O'Meara by Stokoe, and published by the former in his " Exposition." t May 16, 1818. See Forsyth's "History of the Captivi ty." 89 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA approved of by Napoleon. The Emperor singled out Dr. Stokoe. He quite naturally wished to have his con- stant and exclusive attention, without fear of sudd n recall at the caprice of the Governor. It was fitting that no espionage should be exacted from a medical man in his daily inter- course with the Emperor. Stokoe knew his duty. He was well qualified to decide what should be reported to his superiors and what withheld. A man hitherto in good odour, and certainly incapable of treachery to his country, no reason existed for throwing sus- picion on him, or subjecting him to the same surveillance as the prisoners. For one clause in particular there was abun- dant ground. The Emperor complained of the climate of St. Helena, and there was a lurking dread at Plantation House that the deterioration of his health might eventually justify these complaints in the eyes of the public. Thus, at one time, Napoleon being unwell, Sir Hudson Lowe first distorted O'Meara's medical reports, and later fabricated false ones. For a month, by this means, he succeeded in concealing the Emperor's real condition from the foreign com- 9 0 ILLNESS OF THE EMPEH.OR missioners and their respective Governments. It was as a safeguard against a repetition of such fraud that Napoleon d n1andt;d in future a dupli- cate of all hulletins issued relative to himself: U As I saw nothing," says Stokoe, U in the articles incompatible \vith the honour of a British officer and a gentleman, I then stated to Count Montholon that, if the Admiral and Governor consented to these conditions, I would accept the appointment." The doctor was then taken into the Emperor's room. Napoleon lay on a sofa; his skin was sallow and his features drawn. The pain in his side had not abated, and the slightest pressure on that spot made him cry out. After careful exami- nation Stokoe found, as he believed, most of the symptoms denoting chronic affection of the liver. U How long might a man live with such a complaint?" asked the Emperor, at the same time requesting the doctor to answer him without evaSIon. U There are instances of men living to an advanced period." " Yes, but is one as likely to live to that period in a tropical climate ? " U N " o. 9 1 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA " What is the danger to be apprehended ?" " Inflammation, and possibly suppuration." "What would be the consequence of that?" "If matter formed, and it broke into the intestines, he might be saved; if it pointed externally, he might be saved by an operation; but if it burst into the cavity of the abdomen, death must ensue." The Emperor clenched his hand, and exclaimed, "I should have lived to the age of eighty if they had not brought me to this vile place." Stokoe retired after this burst of passion, touched by all the words implied of disappointed vitality and energy, of power stifled in its prime. On leaving the Emperor he expressed the result of his visit and his diagnosis in the following bulletin: "I found the patient in a very weak state, complaining of considerable pain in the right side, in the region of the liver, and with shooting pain in the right shoulder. About midnight he had been suddenly seized with violent pains in the head, succeeded by vertigo and syncope, which continued nearly a quarter of an hour. After recovering from this state, he had recourse to a warm bath, which 9 2 ILLNESS OF THE EMPEROR produced violent perspiration and relieved him immediately. u From the evident tendency of a determina- tion of blood to the head, it will be highly necessary that a medical man should be near his person, in order that immediate assistance may be afforded in case of a recurrence of the above alarming symptoms, as well as for the daily treatment of chronic hepatitis, which the above symptoms indicate."* Stokoe quitted Longwood at two o'clock. Before proceeding to Jamestown he called on Sir Robert Plampin at The Briars, and submitted to him the document containing the terms to which he had agreed subject to his sanction and that of the Governor. The Admiral saw nothing to object to in the" Articles." He deferred his decision, however, until he had taken counsel with Sir Hudson Lowe. At the same time he appeared to approve of the arrangement. A letter from Plantation House soon changed his attitude to a hostile one. Count Bertrand had handed a copy of the Articles to Captain Nicholls to forward to the Governor, saying that "Napoleon Buonaparte was ,vilIing to take · Bulletin produced at the court-martial. 93 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA Dr. Stokoe as his physician, on the terms pre- scri bed in the paper herewith forwarded, and that Dr. Stokoe had consented to attend on 2 Napoleon Buonaparte provided that the Gover- . nor and Admiral acceded to the proposition."* Sir Hudson Lowe at once wrote to Admiral Plampin : "SIR , "I do myself the honour to enclose to your Excellency a letter and a paper I have this moment received from the orderly officer at Longwood. "In transmitting them for your Excellency's consideration, I think it right at the same time to mention I have as yet no information whether Mr. Stokoe has seen General Buonaparte,?what may have been the nature and extent of his com- munications with Count Bertrand, or what may have been the arguments used by either to pre- vail on Mr. Stokoe to give his assent to proposals of such a nature as those enclosed, which were in no wise to be anticipated from the suddenness and occasion of his call to attend on General * Documents produced at the court-martial. Letter from Captain Nicholls to Major Gorrequcr. 94 ILLNESS OF THE EMPEROR Buonaparte at so very earl y an hour this morn- ing, \vithout, it appears, any previous reference to, or consultation with, either your Excellency " or me. The meaning of this rigmarole appears to be that Sir Hudson Lowe pretended a belief in some mysterious plot, hatched at Longwood. He blames Stokoe for not calling upon him after his visit to Longwood, and for having acceded with suspicious haste to the terms dictated by the Emperor. For the first point: the doctor, as we have seen, reported himself to Sir Robert Plampin, his rightful superior. \Ve shall shortly find the Governor asserting that the naval officers were only amenable to the Admiral. As to the second point: we know the reservations made by Stokoe. Captain Nicholls communicated them to Sir Hudson Lowe, but it suited the plans of the latter to consider a conditional agreement as a fixed and settled affair. During the evening the Emperor's state kept his suite in continual anxiety. They felt the urgent necessity of taking such steps as \vould assure their having definitely the help which had become indispensable. Count Montholon, there- 95 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA fore, proceeded with Captain Nicholls to Planta- tion House. Rain was falling in torrents, and the darkness so intense that they were obliged to be escorted by two men carrying lanterns. The interview which took place is described by Major Gorrequer, Sir Hudson Lowe's secretary, in the following words : "At about ten o'clock at night Count Mon- tholon waited on the Governor, in company with Captain Nicholls, the orderly officer at Longwood. The Governor having gone into the library to receive them, soon afterwards called me in) and said that the Count had come to know his decision on the subj ect of the pro- posals sent that morning through the orderly officer, respecting Mr. Stokoe. " Count Montholon then repeated before me that his mission to the Governor was to request his decision on the above-mentioned subject, or until that was the case, that Mr. Stokoe should in the meantime be allowed to afford his medical services at Longwood. The Count added that he had foreseen the Governor's not coming immediately to a resolution, but earnestly entreated him to cause Mr. Stokoe to give his attendance until his determination was made. 9 6 ILI NESS OF THE :MPI ROR U lIe declared in a very serious Jlanner that he expected the Emperor would have a return of the a tack th,lt night which he had ex )erienceJ the previous one, and that he dreadeJ 101 coup d'apoplexie, that the blood rushed up into his head COlnme d' un coup de piston, and it \vas necessary to have some one at hand to bleed him, should a recurrence of this last take place. As Mr. Stokoe was the only medical man in whom the Emperor had ever manifested any confiance, he (Count Montholon) trusted that the Governor \vould make no objection to his remaining at Long\vood \vhile the question of his permanent establishment there was under consideration. "1 he Governor expressed himself not averse to Mr. Stokoe giving his medical aid until his decision on the proposals transmitted to him regarding that person should be communicated. He explained at the same time to Count Montholon that Mr. Stokoe was under the Admiral's authority, and that he could not dispose of his services. "Count Montholon said that the Governor represented the I}rince Regent there, and would gi ve his orders to all those under him. 97 G WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA "The Governor replied that Count Montholon was under an error in this point, that the naval Commander-in-Chief, the head of another service, was entirely independent of him, and he could give no orders whatever to persons under his authority. He would, however, con- fer with the Admiral on the matter, C mais qu'il était décidé à ne pas se laisser pousser à donner réponse,' until he had consulted with him, which he, however, would do as soon as he could. He added that Mr. Stokoe would be there next morning, or else his decision would be known by that time. The Governor then told Count Montholon that Mr. Stokoe had not even called upon him since his visit to Longwood, to give him an y information respecting General Buonaparte's health, notwithstanding his having been several hours with him and Count Bertrand. The Count stated that Mr. Stokoe had only been from eleven to twelve in the forenoon until two in the afternoon with the 'Emperor.'" The interview had no result. Napoleon was left without the certainty of medical attend- ance. Some words, evidently bearing an ironical meaning, and which have probably struck the 9 8 ILLNESS OF THE EMPEROR reader, are underlined in Major Gorrequer's minute. U He declared in a ver)' earnest t}Janner that he expected . . . a return of the attack that night." J)lantation House absolutely re- fused to believe in the Emperor's illness, and repeated examples of this blind or affected incredulity \vill be met with. Indeed, it will be found to end only as Napoleon's death-rattle sounds. Comedy treads close on the heels of tragedy-i.e., in Sir Hudson Lowe's declaration that Admiral Plampin, whose amours and position he holds in his hands, who trembled before him and dared have no will but his, was "entirely independent of him." 1 he Emperor being again seized \vith violent pain before M. de Montholon's return, Count Bertrand felt obliged to send an urgent message to the Governor, den1anding Stokoe's presence. But Sir Hudson Lowe had already made up his mind to take no further notice of the appeals of "those people at Longwood." Although in possession at midnight of a letter intended for the surgeon of the Conqueror, he kept it for twelve hours, and only forwarded it on Monday at midday. By then it was useless. The doctor had not put off till so late his visit to his 99 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA illustrious patient-he had been with him since six o'clock. The Emperor's state appeared to confirm his diagnosis of the day before, and he expressed it in a second bulletin: "It appears from the symptoms of chronic hepatitis (the first appearance of which he ex- perienced sixteen months ago) that this is the principal cause of the present derangement in his health, and although they are described as having increased considerably of late, yet, judging from present appearances, I do not apprehend any immediate danger, although it must be presumed that in a climate where the above disease is so prevalent it will eventually shorten his life. "The more alarming symptom is that which was experienced on the night of the I 6th, a recurrence of which may soon prove fatal, particularly if medical assistance is not at h d "* an . Stokoe signed his own warrant by such decided assertions. He was already, in Sir Hudson Lowe's eyes, guilty of having been preferred to Dr. Verling, · Bulletin of January 18, produced at the court-martial. 100 ILLNESS OF THE EMPEROl{ and had now committed the still more un- pardonable crime of believing that Napoleon's illness was serious. He \vas bold enough to declare, in spite of all that the Governor and the English Ministry could say, that St. Ilelena was an unhealthy resort for the En1peror, and that his residence there \vould shorten his life Such clumsy frankness \vas unbearable: means must be found to close the mouth of a doctor possessing so little tact. As on the previous occasion, Stokoe called orA the Admiral on returning from his visit to Longwood. He found a change in his manner. "On being shown into the office where the Admiral was seated at his desk, I observed the secretary sitting in the middle of the room totall y unemployed; the novelty of his presence at this tin1e and under these circun1stances struck me forcibly, and I realised that he \vas there as a \vitness. It ,vas natural that I should feel hurt at this treatment from an officer \vhom I had hitherto looked up to as nIY patron and friend. " rheAdmiral then con1mcnced a strict inquiry into all the circumstances that took place during my visit to Longwood and the conversations 101 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA held with the inmates. He next inquired about Napoleon's health and took his pen to make a note of my report, which I gave as nearly as I could recollect in the words of the document left at Longwood." At the close of the interview Stokoe was re- quested not to go again to Longwood without" a pass." This formality was equivalent to casting suspicion upon him. It was, in fact, treating him as if he had begged for permission to attend the Emperor and obtained the privilege as a signal favour. On the contrary, the doctor was under orders. He was placed, and, as the following lines show, kept, at the disposal of the suffering prisoner. During the evening of this very Monday Major Gorrequer wrote to Captain Nicholls: "I am desired by the Governor to acq uain t you that, having conferred with Rear-Admiral Plampin in respect to the continuance of Mr. Stokoe's medical attendance at Longwood, the Admiral has acquainted him that he cannot dispense with Mr. Stokoe's services in the sq uadron so far as to admit of his being entirely removed from it. . . . . " The Governor himself will have no objection 102 ILLNESS OF THE EMI)EROH. to Mr. Stokoe affording his medical assistance to Napoleon Buonaparte, whenever so required, but he is desirous in each case that Mr. Stokoe's professional visits should be made in conjunction with the physician who is at present in attend- ance at Longwood." * Sir Hudson Lowe would not forbid Stokoe to continue his attendance ! Far from it. He preferred to force the doctor to cease his visits of his own accord, by rendering his position untenable. To effect this object \ve shall see him having recourse to his usual weapons, his crooked \vays and underhand tricks. Summoned by Count Bertrand for the third time during the afternoon of Tuesday, Stokoe called upon Sir Robert Plampin for the pre- scribed passport. The Admiral had just returned fron1 an interview with the Governor, and was primed with fresh instructions. He resumed his catechism of the day before, but in a stricter and more searching fashion. "'''hen you signified your acquiescence to the proposals you gave me a copy of, did Count Bertrand or Genera] Buonaparte dem1.ud any pledge from you that you \vould not repeat Letter produced at the court-martial. 10 3 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA anything that passed in conversation, and did you give any such pledge?" "I was not asked to pledge myself to anything of the kind." " Were you required to write out a bulletin?" " Yes, by Count Bertrand, which I did, and the one you have is a copy of it." " Was the latter part of the bulletin put down at the suggestion of either General Buonaparte or Count Bertrand?" This question referred to Stokoe's remark, after his visit on Sunday, as to the necessity of there being a physician constantly in attendance on Napoleon in order that immediate assistance might be afforded in the event of a second attack, as well as for the daily treatment of "chronic hepatitis. " The doctor indignantly replied, "No, it was an idea of my own." " Without questioning whether General Buonaparte has or has not chronic hepatitis, on what ground do you state that he has had it for sixteen months past? " " From General Buonaparte's own account." " Did you yourself observe any symptoms of chronic hepatitis, or otherwise? " 10 4 ILLNESS OF THE EMPEROR "From his tongue and appearance I should think it likely he has chronic hepatitis, but I cannot positively say he has." " Was there any swelling complained of on the right side? " u N " o. " Did you ask to examine it ? " " Yes, but it was not swelled. I put nlY hand and pressed the side, when he said, 'That . , " pains me. "What was your opinion of his side; \vas there any evident enlargement of the liver? " 'c I did not observe there were any syn1ptoms of a swelling of the liv r, or of his ankl s and feet, which I felt." c, On what authority do you kno\v that General Buonaparte was seized on the night of the 16th with vertigo and syncope? vVas it Buonaparte himself or Count Bertrand? " "It was from what General Buonaparte and those about him told me, a servant, Count Bertrand, and Count Montholon. The servant called the two latter when he was seized." " \\' as the determination of blood to the head evid nt from any symptom you observed?" 10 5 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA "There were no symptoms of it when I saw h . " 1m. " If the latter part of the two bulletins was not suggested, why did you insert it, knowing as you did a physician resided at Longwood to give assistance? " "Because I knew General Buonaparte would not see Dr. Verling." " Was the name of the patient omitted in the bulletin you left at Longwood at the suggestion of Count Bertrand, or your own act alone, and why did you omit the name of General Buona- parte? " " I asked Count Bertrand what I should say with respect to the name, when he answered, , Napoleon' or (the patient,' which was the reason of my not putting down' General Buonaparte.' I understood this was the proper way of beginning a bulletin." " I should have called him General Buonaparte and not the patient. Earl Bathurst to Sir Hudson Lowe calls him General Buonaparte. Lord Melville * to me always calls him General Buonaparte, therefore on all occasions I call him so, and I think the surgeon of the *- Minister of the Navy. 106 ILLNESS OF THE EMPEROR Conqueror in making a report to his Commander- in-Chief ought so to have styled him." · Other questions followed, equally ridiculous and equally malicious. The reader will not fail to notice the confident manner in which Sir Robert Plampin, certainly no physician, dis- puted the fact of the Emperor's illness: it comes out clearly in the form and persistence of his questions, and contrasts badly with the doctor's modest reservations. Where he expresses himself as doubtful, he would have been justified in speaking positively. His very frankness served to arm his enemies. Having obtained his pass, Stokoe started for Longwood, which he reached about six o'clock in the evening. The Admiral, in a strange fit of forgetfulness, had omitted to mention the Governor's letter, ordering the visits to be made in the presence of Dr. Verling. Captain Nicholls produced it, and Stokoe at once requested this officer to accompany him to Count Bertrand, · Documents produced at the court-martial: Minute of a conversation at The Briars on Tuesday, January 19, 181 9, from 4- to 5 o'clock P.M., in the presence of Mr. John Elliott, secretary, between Rear-Admiral Plampin and Mr. John Stokoe, Surgeon of II.r\tS. Conquer,,.. 10 7 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA entreating the latter to do his utmost to persuade Napoleon to accede to Sir Hudson Lowe's request. The Count declared it useless even to broach the subject-the Emperor would not listen to it. Rather than receive this surgeon he would dispense with medical attendance alto- gether. Yet his condition was most serious, he was too weak to stand, and had not left his bed for twenty-four hours. Captain Nicholls retired and Stokoe was greatly disposed to follow his example. He had no illusions as to his chiefs' hostile intentions, and the aim they had in view. Both Sir Hudson Lowe and Sir Robert Plampin were only await- ing some ostensible fault, some pretext, in order to punish him for contravening their unexpressed wishes. However, not only did his professional conscience refuse to allow him to neglect his patient at such a critical moment-he also knew that there was equal danger in seeing as in refusing to see Napoleon. Should fatal complications arise soon after his departure from Longwood,theGov- ernor would hold him responsible: "I only ex- pressed a wish that Dr. Verling should accompany you," he would say. " A wish is no command. You should have paid your visit all the same." 108 ILLNESS OF THE EMPEROR 'rhe doctor, therefore, proceeded to Napoleon's room and found that Bertrand's account was by no means exaggerated. The Emperor was much worse. His pulse marked an extraordinarily rapid increase of fever. The character of the hepatitis appeared to be changing, probably from a chronic to an acute form. Fearing, from the violent tendency of blood to the head, a return of Sunday's attack, Stokoe decided to spend the night at Plantation House, and acquainted Captain Nicholls with this fact. To stave off the impending crisis he begged Napoleon to suffer himself to be bled, but the Emperor was a bad patient. Stokoe repre- sented to him in vain that apoplexy menaced him and might seize him at any moment. The careless gesture of a fatalist was his only reply. At last-towards five in the morning-the head- ache having become unbearable, he yielded, and the lancet relieved him slightly. The doctor, \vho was only half satisfied, \vould gladly have spent the \vhole of IVednesday at Longwood, but towards midday he received a summons to Jamestown. which he at once obeyed. Calling at The Briars he handed to 10 9 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA the Admiral a report of which the following were the concluding words: "I took this opportunity of more particularly examining the liver, and am fully persuaded of the diseased state of that viscus, having distinctly felt a degree of hardness. .. I therefore advised the immediate adoption of a course of mercury, with other medicines in such form as best suited the constitution of the patient." The Admiral made no remark on the absence of Dr. Verling. Doubtless he left that to the Governor. But he asked: "Did you tell Count Bertrand that I said Lord Bathurst and Lord Melville called Buona- parte General Buonaparte, and that I took them for my model, and I should have thought that quite sufficient guide for the surgeon of the Conqueror? " " I daresay I did. It's most likely that I did." Upon which the Admiral said: " You are a very dangerous character, if everything that is said by your Commander-in-Chief is to be carried to them at Longwood." * · Documents produced at the court-martial: A conver- sation which took place at the Admiral's house in Jamestown on January 20, 1819 (from 1 to 2 o'clock P.M.), in the 110 ILLNESS OF THE EMPEROR This unexpected rebuke sho\ved the lack of straightfor\vardness peculiar to these officials at St. Helena. \Vhen confronting their great prisoner they never had the courage either of their acts or of their words. In order to deprive Napoleon of the attendance of his favourite doctor, Sir Hudson Lowe entrenched himself behind Sir Robert Plampin, who would doubtless have been better pleased had he not bt:en put so prominently for\vard. In any case he objected to letting any of his discourteous speeches find their way to Longwood; the Emperor was still capable of inspiring a certain amount of fear. Stokoe, ,yeary of the bad treatment he received at The Briars, \vrote the following lines to the Admiral on regaining his ship: " The experience of to-day points to the neces- sity of my declining all further communication \vith Longwood. "I therefore humbly beg leave that, in case my services are again demanded in aid of General Buonaparte, you \vill be pleased to cause Count presence of Mr. John Elliott, secretary, between Rear- Admiral Plampin and Mr. John Stokoe, Surgeon of the C onqu,,.or. I I I WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA Bc;rtrand to be acquainted with n1Y wishes on this head." Hardly were these words written when Napoleon again demanded the surgeon of the Conqueror. Stokoe went himself to the Admiral with his letter, which he had not had time to send. The latter was at dinner and refused to read or hear anything. In a tone which brooked no reply he commanded the doctor to obey the summons and to spend the night at Longwood, but to return the next day without fail, and by half- past ten at the latest. As no duty on board demanded Stokoe's presence on the crhursday, the very preciseness of these instructions pointed to a secret desire that he might be, by some chance, detained; also to the Admiral's preconceived intention to consider any such involuntary delay as an act of disobedience. The desired result was obtained. First a consultation, extended at the Emperor's wish, anà then a fall from his horse on the uaeven road leading to The Briars, rendered it im possi ble for the doctor to report himself to Si r Robert Plampin at the prescribed hour. At midday he handed him the following report: " I saw General Buonaparte yesterday, and his 112 ILLNESS OF THE EMPEROR fever was slight, but he complained more of pain in the side. This morning the pain in the side continued nearly the same. " I recommended a warm bath, which he took immediately, and in which he remained at my departure. (C I urged the necessi ty of his immediately commencing a course of medicines, saying that I had already prepared some, and would send others from town, with instructions, as I could not continue my visits to Longwood under the unpleasant circumstances I was exposed to, and that I had already requested you to make known my wishes on that head to Count Bertrand. He replied that he would take no medicine that he did not receive from the hands of his own surgeon. "I beg that you will take into consideration that in this business, my reputation and honour being equally in1plicated, I cannot take upon myself the charge of a patient of such conse- quence and so seriously ill, in the disagreeable situation in which I am placed, not at liberty to give my assistance at every moment. Hereafter, in the event of any sudden catastrophe \vhich may occur, I beg that my nan1e may not be 113 H WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA mentioned unless I am placed in the situation of Mr. O'Meara, in accordance with the Articles offered for your consideration the other day. If not, I desire to remain as surgeon of the Conqueror, and to be relieved from that respon- sibility which now weighs upon my name, and of which I foresee the alarming consequences." * Stokoe expressed in distinct terms his resolve to bring to a close an undefined position-to cease to play an ambiguous part. Did they wish him to continue as the En1peror's medical attendant, or did they not? In lieu of a reply, Sir Robert Plan1pin once more flew into a passion. "What kept you so long after the hour I ordered you to call here ? " "General Buonaparte desired me to stay." " So you disobeyed my order because General Buonaparte desired you to remain at Long- wood! " "He desired me to stay to see the effect of the warm bath." " Was General Buonaparte so ill that you found your presence absolutely necessary? " " No, I can not say that he was so ill, but he desired me to stay." 'if: Report produced at the court-martial. 114 IIJLNESS OF THE EMPEROR u Then because General Buonaparte desired you to stay there, you disobey my order. I ordered you to be here at half-past ten this morning: you appear to consider General Buona- parte's desire paramount to any order of mine." " Would you have had me leave him?" "Certainly, as you do not think that your presence was absolutely necessary. You ought to have obeyed n1Y order; neither necessity nor hun1anity required your staying."* 1'he man guilty of this brutal speech wrote to Stokoe the same evening, in reply to a letter which he had declined to peruse the day before. " In answer to the letter you left with me yesterda y evening, I have only to observe that it's of no consequence for me to know what experience you yesterday gained, nor do I con- sider it requisite for you to ask my leave to decline your services in aid of General Buona- parte, which I have never yet commanded. And, never having had any correspondence \vith Count Bertrand, I cannot condescend to com- · Documents produc d at the court-martial: A conv r- sation on January 20, 1819, in the presence of Mr. John Elliott, secretary, bet\'reen Rear-Admiral Plampin and Mr. John Stokoe, surgeon of H.1\1.S. Conqueror. I IS WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA mence one with him for the mere purpose of conveying your wishes on that head.. " Stokoe had then been dreaming! He had received no order from Sir Robert Plampin commanding his presence at Longwood! Con- founded at such duplicity, he appealed to Captain Stanfell, of the Conqueror. " Would you be good enough to grant me a second reading of the order sent to you by the Commander-in-Chief on the morning of the J 7th inst. and delivered to me by you? It would seem, to judge from a letter I have this moment received from the Admiral, that in at- tending General Bonaparte I have misconceived my duty." Captain Stanfell vouchsafed no reply to this, and the doctor did not again visit Longwood. Hudson Lowe had gained his end: Napoleon was deprived of his medical attendant. Thanks to a remnant of vitality the Emperor slowly recovered, and dragged on his existence for another two years. But Stokoe was made to pay dearly and without delay for his scrupulous attention to professional etiquette, and his reluc- tance to fall in with the policy of the Governor. His visits were made January 17 to 2 I inclu- I 16 ILLNESS OF THE EMl}EROR sive. On the 22nd Sir Hudson Lo\ve laid aside his underground tactics, unmasked himself, and formulated in definite terms his accusations against him. Two days before, the French residents had formally protested against the grudging succour afforded to the Emperor. A letter referring to Sunday, January 17, contained these lines: U \Vhen Dr. Stokoe arrived, he went to Count Bertrand's,. who made the proposition to him of taking the situation Mr. O'Meara had held, and presented to him the seven .A.rticles which ha ve been sent to the Governor; he accepted then1, and \vas then introduced to the patient." Taking advantage of the fact that Stokoe's conditional acceptance of the post \vas not abso- lutely mentioned in this sentence, Sir Hudson Lo\\'e \vrote to Adn1iral Plampin: U An unsigned paper under a sealed envelope to my address was yesterday for\varded to nle fron1 Longwood, \vhich I returned forth\vith, 'fhere is here a trifling error in the namc. It is, howcver, unimportant, as Stokoe's own account clearly shows that it was Count Montholon and not Count Bertrand who propo ed to him to fill the position formerly held by O'lVlcara. 117 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA making known, if it were sent back signed, it would be replied to. "I was, however, so forcibly struck with a passage in it, which concerned Mr. Stokoe, that I caused an authenticated copy of the same to be taken before it was returned, sending it for your Excellency's consideration. " It appears by what is therein stated that Mr. Stokoe was not suffered to see General Buonaparte, whose malady had been declared so dangerous as to occasion his being called from on board the flagship in the middle of the night to attend him, until he had signified his accept- ance of seven articles proposed to him by Count Bertrand for his becoming the domestic surgeon of General Buonaparte in succession to Mr. O'Meara. This without reference to your Ex- cellency's authority . . . whilst no reference whatever was made to my consent. " Mr. Stokoe not merely, it appears, signified his acquiescence to these proposals, but further, without any reference to your Excellency's authority or mine, proceeded to act upon them. . .. He then, in conformity to one of its proposed articles, drew up a bulletin of General Buonaparte's health and left it with 118 ILLNESS OF THE EMPEROR Count Bcrtrand without any consultation with, or reference to, Dr. Verling, the physician established at Longwood, \vhom he had heen ordered to call upon. U This precipitancy on the part of Mr. Stokoe, not only to accept, but to act upon, the proposals presented to him (so very remarkable as con- trasted \vith the scruples \vhich actuated his conduct on a former occasion), was without any just pretext. He had been nearly four hours at Longwood before he was admitted to see Gen ral Buonaparte, which afforded ample time for his n1aking an interm diate communication ei ther to your Excellency or myself. . . ." Sir I Iudson Lowe then rcn1Ïnded the Adn1Ïral of a Standing Order issued J ul y I 8 17, forbidding the officers of the squadron "to hold com- munication of any sort, by writing or otherwise, upon any subject \vith any of the foreign personages detained upon the island. n Accord- ing to the Governor, Stokoe had infringed this order; the bul1etins he handed to Count Bertrand being" communications by ".riting." " Viewing the consequences that have already sprung," concludes Sir Hudson Lowe, "from Mr. Stokoe's line of proceedings, reflecting at 119 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA1 the same time that it has been to his address or under cover to him that various letters and papers have arrived on this island destined for persons at Longwood. . . . that those and other letters and papers received prove not only that a clandestine communication has been carrying [sic] on for some tin1e with Europe . . . but show also that, as the expected successor to Mr. O'Meara, it was the design to continue the same through Mr. Stokoe . . . I deem it therefore essential to the due execution of the service with which I am charged on this island, to pray your Excellency's consideration of the conduct of Mr. Stokoe, in order that such steps may be taken in the matter as in your Excellency's judgment may appear expedient.". This letter was in reality a formal accusation, the effects of which were soon felt by the doctor. "A few days after my last report Captain Stanfell came on board and acquainted me that it was the Admiral's intention to try n1e by a court-martial. " I begged to know the charges. " , For contempt and disobedience of orders.' " 'Then I have to thank the Admiral for ,. Letter produced at the court-martial. 120 ILLNESS OF THE EMPEROR whatever n1ay be imputed to me. His positive orders left me no discretionary power. If I had been allowed to act for myself I would have avoided the danger with which I am threatened.' "To this Captain Stanfell rejoined that, in his position in the event of a court-martial, it would be improper for him to enter into any discussion on the subject. I therefore retired, and he in a few minutes returned on shore. " Although conscious of the rectitude of my own intentions, yet I had unavoidably put it in the power of the Admiral to say that I had disobeyed his orders. I felt also from his previous conduct to me that he had participated largely in the \vell-known vindictive feelings of Sir Hudson Lowe towards those who had not blindl y conformed to his Excellency's \vishes with regard to his prisoner. I therefore waited on Captain Stanfell at the Admiral's house in Jamestown and then informed him that, as I was without hope of protection from the man to whom I had looked for support, it was, naturally, my wish to avoid a court-martial, which, under any other circumstances, I should have regarded \vith perfect complacency. I added that my health had suffered considerabl y from the climate, 121 , ITH '\:\POLEOX _\T ST. HELEX_'- ..=1d I not been able to c1ttend to ml dut. -or yera! ,5 owin2' 0 a fall from m, horse. In cO'lclu on I begged he Captain to inform &.e _-\. ::- t _t I should b glad to invâ.Jid and . . q .. __ e ....:--lon. He rom:s j iO do so ..." soon ...5 he had an oppo taciLY, but said :hat :he GO\ ernor and .-\. . mira! were then in consultation below, prepar- . r- ;.. bt r H " . u v c :: ges again me. e .. not ;:\w or _-\. -1 m;;-.J could avo;d t- ;ng me a.-te- ::e 'e::e- e ...j ece:yed f-o he Gave nor. " I... abou" two hours h;s Excellenc) Ie - JIe _-\....:::: ..J w e... C"'p 1n S antell too the oppor- t "':r: (, - _k:r? my wi u.... nown to him. On r' y rnqUl ill=:. w"' e c:" e h j dor e so, he eplie .. a- :"e _-\.4 '11Írcl . ould ::.\ e no ansV)"e r until -d s n e Goye nor. Sir Huèson Low '-e: n ... - er an a nce 0 - about a q -::?" 0 Q r a d reT _ r d with the _-\. --:-.J L-,:i1 - <=-lu'15c... u On my 2.::. ?plyi, LO e C"'pLÄin l-e coul . ::. ve me no in 0 m riO'1, but said :hat as he w _:) .... oir? 0 d:ne at Th Briars that dav he W'Q 1 "" _. o?portunitv of c:. ain mentioning - '-. ;:..... J"" . 12_ ILL '\ESS OF THE EMPEROR " T \It 0 da} 5 later he told me that I had be ter write a letter to him on service, stating m} ill health, and requesting a survey. I rote a lette to this effect and presented it to him about three o'clock. .\t four the First Lieutenant showed me the order for a survey with the signature of the -\dmiral, who was then in th country. IL mus have been previoLsly a nged that the secretary should fill up a bla copy already signed. It was impossible to have communicated with the Admiral in L aL short space of time. "On this circumstance and the evidenL anx:ety to comply with my request I shall make no comrrent. It requires none. "The following da} the survey too pI ceo :\iy assistant was ordered to give me r ceipts for the medicines and 5tores uncle my charge, and next day I was ordered on board H. '\1.S. rri ( , to proceed to England. " I thou::,ht all mv suiTerings at an end." 12 3 CHAPTER IV THE COURT-MARTIAL Stokoe, who had just landed, ordered to return to St. Helena - His indictment - Irregular court- martial-Iniquitous condemnation. SIR HUDSON LOWE and Sir Robert Plampin readily gave up the idea of holding a court- martial upon Stokoe, conscious that they had no tangible accusation against him. Their real object was to deprive Napoleon of his favourite physician, and that object was attained the moment the doctor had left the island, regard- less of the manner of his departure. However, the Admiral, at the Governor's dictation, drew up a long report, addressed to the Admiralty, and forwarded it to England by the vessel on which the surgeon of the Conqueror was sailing. Stokoe landed at Portsmouth on April 14, 18 19. He had to submit to a second medical survey in London, in order that his grant of 12 4 THE COURT-MARTIAL sick leave might be confirmed. He therefore proceeded at once to town with an easy mind : he was known to the principal physician attached to the Admiralty and had received repeated marks of steem and friendship from him. He writes : "Whilst waiting below with a large number of officers to be surveyed, many of whom were above me in rank, we heard the messenger come down several times and inquire whether Dr. Baird had not come in yet. At last they sent for Dr. Weir, the medical member of the Transport Board. "When he arrived and had been about a couple of minutes upstairs, my name was the first called. " I followed the messenger, and was ushered into the presence of Sir George Cockburn, Sir Henry Hotham and Dr. Weir. " I soon found that the doctor had received his instructions, for he made light of every complaint I made and wrote out his report, which he presented to Sir George Cockburn, who said: 'This will do.' Then turning to me: 'Mr. Stokoe, you may retire. I think it likely we shall send you back again.' I2S WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA " My first impulse at this moment was to appeal to private medical opinion against that of Dr. Weir, but on going downstairs I en- countered Sir Pulteney Malcolm. I had met him accidentally at my agent's the day before, and on being introduced to him had made him acquainted with all that had occurred at St. Helena. When we met again on the stairs, and I told him that I suspected I was to be sent back again to St. Helena, he said, , Don't go away, Stokoe; I shall be down again in a few minutes, and I wish to have some conversation with you.' " He rejoined me in a few minutes. On my representing to him how extrenlely unpleasant it would be for me to serve again under Admiral Plampin, he replied: 'Stokoe, you are a surgeon. Y ou are more independent than any of us so long as you do your duty, but I think you ought to view your being sent back again as a proof that your conduct has been approved of.' " Believing hiln to be privy to the sen timen ts of their Lordships, I no longer hesitated. The same day I received the order to proceed forth- with to Portsmouth, to take my passage on 126 THE COURT-MARTIAL board the storeship Abundance, about to reJoIn the Confjueror. "Wanting only a few months to complete a service of twenty years as surgeon, when I could retire on ten shillings a day, I had given up all idea of going to sea again, and had parted with my cot, bedding, and light clothing. I expected to pass these few nlonths in harbour or on shore. The rest of my clothes and instruments were on their way to London. I was therefore under the necessity of writing to Mr. Croker, begging him to move their Lordships for the indulgence of a few days to collect them. " I took the letter myself to the Admiralty, and in half an hour a messenger brought me the following reply: 'The Abundance is quite ready for sea. Her orders will go down to- night. Their Lordships direct you to join her to-morrow.' "Thus was I hurried out of town without any intimation from their Lordships of the premeditated sacrifice, also without my instru- ments. I had no opportunity of taking leave of my friends, or of fitting myself out again for a ,varm climate. "I arrived late on the following tvening at 12 7 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA Portsmouth, and went immediately to the house of the Admiral's secretary. I made no apology for my late intrusion, as I told him that it was important that my arrival there should be announced to the Admiralty in their letter of the following day. "Mr. Glover was an old friend and mess- mate. When I told him the way in which I had been hurried out of town and ordered back to St. Helena, he congratulated me as all my friends had done, under the impression that my conduct had been approved of. But he ohserved that the Abundance was not ready for sea and could not possibly sail for a week. This was the eighth of April. She did not sail until the nineteenth. " After a tedious and disagreeable passage of 124 days, we arrived at St. Helena early on the morning of August 2 I . In a few hours a boat was sent for me from the Conqueror, and on reaching the ship I presented to the commanding officer their Lordships' letter ordering me to rejoin. The same day an order came from the Admiral, directing my name to be re-entered on the ship's books as surgeon, and Mr. Hately (my successor) to be discharged. This was 128 THE COURT-MARTIAL followed by another, forbidding me to land until further orders, and directing Mr. Hately to attend the hospital at Lemon Valley. "The following day, at about one o'clock, the officer of the watch, Lieutenant Lloyd, received a lettcr from Captain Stanfell directing him to put the memorandum No. 22 into my hands on the quarter deck. It contained the first intimation I had of their Lordships' kind intentions towards me in sending me back again to St. Helena (a distance by the Cape of nlore than eight thousand milt:s), for the sole purpose of trying nle by court-martial! " I read the contents of the document in the distressed looks of my esteemed messmate, \vhile he performed his painful duty of telling me to consider myself under arrest. "To describe my feelings at this moment would be impossible. When I looked back at the treacherous silence of the Admiralty I saw at once that my sentence was already passed, and I \vas doomed to be their victim. They had, by this cruel silence, deprived me of the favourable testimony I might have obtained from every officer I had previously sailed under. Yet I felt that the act was more 129 I WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA degrading to themselves than was the punishment to me." The charges against the doctor were: Ist. For having on or about the I7th 1anuary last, when permitted or ordered by Rear-Admiral Plampin, Commander-in-Chiej of His Majesty's Ships and Vessels at the Cape of Good Hope and the seas adjacent, etc., to visit Longwood for the purpose of affirding medical assistance to General Buonaparte, then represented as being dangerously ill, communicated with the said General or his attendants upon subjects not at all connected with medical advice, contrary to standing orders in force for the governance of His Majesty's naval officers at St. Helena. 2nd. For having on or about the same day, on receiving communication both in writing and ver- bally from some of the French prisoners at Long- wood, taken notice of and given an answer to such communications previous to making the same known to the Commander-in-Chiej, contrary to the said standing orders. 3 rd. For having in pursuance of such un- authorised communication signed a paper purporting to be a bulletin of General Buonaparte's health, and 13 0 THE COURT-MARTIAL delz:vering the sa1ne to the said General or his attendants, contrary to the said orders, and to his duty as a British naval officer. 4th. For having in such bulletin stated facts relative to the health of General Buonaparte which did not fall under his, the said Mr. 7011n Stokoe's, own observation, and which as he afterwards con- fessed were dictated or suggested to him by the said General or his attendants, and for having signed the saIne as if he hinlself had witnessed the said facts, which was not the truth and was incon- sistent with his character and duty as a British na'val officer. 5th. For having in the said bulletin inserted the following paragraph: " 17ze rnore alarnling sympto111 is that which was experienced in the night of the I6th instant, a recurrence of which may soon pr01Je fatal, particularly if nzedical attendance is not at hand," intending thereby contrary to the character and duty of a British oiJicer to create a false Í1n- pression or. belief that General Buonaparte was in iml11Ïllent or considerable danger, and that no 111edical assistance was at hand, lIe, tIle said M . John Stokoe, not having witnessed any such S)1npto1n, and knowing that Ille state of the patient was so iiI/Ie urgent that he waS four hours at 13 1 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HEI,ENA Longwood before he was admitted to see him, and further kno.wing that Dr. Verling was at hand, ready to attend if required in any such emergency. 6th. For having, contrary to his duty, com- nlunicated to General B uonaparte or his attendants information relative to certain books, letters and paper s said to have been sent from Europe for the said persons, and which had been intercepted by the Governor of St. Helena, and for having con- veyed to the said General or his attendants some in- formation respecting their money concerns, contrary to his duty, which was to afford medical advice only. 7th. For having, contrary to his duty and to the character of a British naval officer, communicated to the said General Buonaparte or his attendants an infamous and calumnious imputation cast upon Ll:eutenant-General Sir Hudson Lowe, Governor of St. Helena, by :Barry O'Meara, late surgeon in the Royal Navy) implying that Sir Hudson Lowe had practised with the said O'Meara to induce him to put an end to the existence of the said General B uonaparte. 8th. F or having disobeyed the positive command of his superior officer in not returning from Long- wood on or about the 2Ist of 'January aforesal:d at the hour especially prescribed to him by the 13 2 THE COURT-MARTIAL Rear-Admiral, there being no justifiable cause for his disobeying such command. 9th. For having knowingly and willingly desIgnated General Buonaparte in the said bulletin in a manner different from that in which he is designated in the Act of Parliament for the better custody of his person, and contrary to the practice of [lis Majesty's Govern1Jlent, of the Lieutenant- General, Governor of the Island, and of the said Rear-A dJniral, and for having done so at the especial instance and request of the raid General Buonaparte or his attendants, though lIe, Mr. John Stokoe, well knew that the 1Jlode of designation was a point in dispute bet-ween the said General Buonaparte and Lieutenant- General Sir [ludson Lowe and the British Governlnent, and that by acceding to the wish of the said General Buonapar/e he, the said Mr. John Stokoe, was acting in opposition to the wish and practice of his own superior officers, and to the respect which he owed then1, under the general printed instructions. Ioth. For having in the whole of his conduct in the aforesaid transactions evinced a disposition to tlz'wart the intentions ùnd regulations of the said Rear-Admiral, and to further the vie.ws of tht said f'renclz prisoners in furnishing Iheln with false or 133 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA colourable pretences for complaint, contrary to the respect which he owed to his superior officers, and to his own duty as an officer in His MaJoesty's Royal Na.vy. It may possi bl y not be easy to grasp the exact meaning of these accusations or to see how behaviour so straightforward and upright as Stokoe's had been could give rise to them. To elucidate them it will be well to take up each point separately and to put into plain language words which, of set purpose, have been twisted into the most obscure phraseology possible. Stokoe had, "on or about the I 7th January , last, when permitted or ordered by Rear- Admiral Plampin, Commander-in-Chief of His Majesty's Ships and Vessels at the Cape of Good Hope and the seas adjacent, etc., to visit Long- wood for the purpose of affording medical assistance to General Buonaparte, then represented as being dangerously ill, communicated with the said General or his attendants upon subjects not at all connected with medical advice, contrary to standing orders in force for the governance of His Majesty's naval officers at St. Helena." Between Napoleon and the doctor nothing 134 'fHE COURT-MARTIAL but medical affairs had been discussed. With the suite the illness which caused them such gra v anxiety had been the topic of conversation. But conversation always wanders a little, n(1) matter ho\v serious the subject. It must be o\vned that mention was also made of the weather, and the trifling events happening at St. Helena, that regrets at the enforced absence from Europe were uttered, and the compliments and civilities current between casual acquaint- ances (:;xchanged. It was for these trivialities that Stokoe was blan1ed. They were supposed to be "not connected with medical ad vice," and they were styled an offence against the prohibition issued by Admiral Plampin immediately on his arrival on the island, forbidding anyone" to hold com- munication of any sort, by writing or otherwise, upon any subject, with any of the foreign personages detained at Longwood." This order, to make it more imposing, was put into the plural and entitled "Standing Ordt;rs in force at St. Helena, addressed to the respective officers of I lis Majesty's ships and vessels. " Stokoe had "on or about the same day on 135 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA recei ving communication both in writing and verbally from some of the French prisoners at Longwood taken notice of and given an answer to such communications previous to making the same known to the Commander-in-Chief, contrary to the said standing orders." For communications in writing we must understand the" Articles," and the verbal ones were the discussions on the same subject. Stokoe had "signed a paper purporting to be a bulletin of General Bonaparte's health, and delivered the same to the said General or his . attendants, contrary to the said orders, and to his duty as a British naval officer." He is again charged with having "com- munication in writing" with the prisoners at Longwood, this time skilfull y disguised in the form of a medical report! It referred to the bulletin issued Sunday, January 17. Stokoe had "in such bulletin stated facts relative to the health of General Buonaparte which did not fall under his, the said Mr. John Stokoe's, own observation, and which as he afterwards confessed were dictated or suggested to him by the said General or his attendants, and had 13 6 THE COUR r-MARTIAL signed the same as if he himself had witnessed the said facts, \vhich was inconsistent with his character and duty as a British naval officer." There is no trace of any such confession in the cross-examinations to which Dr. Stokoe was suhjected after each visit to Longwood. Of course the doctor obtained his information fronl the French exiles as to the giddiness and syncope which occurred during the night of January 16 and 17. But he replied to Sir l obert }>lampin's insinuations by formally declaring that his bulletin was not dictated or suggested by anyone. Stokoe had "in the said bulletin inserted the following paragraph: 'The more alarming symptom is that which was experienced in the night of the I 6th instant, a recurrence of which may soon prove fatal, particularly if medical attendance is not at hand,' intending thereby, contrary to the character and duty of a British officer, to create a false impression or belief that General Buonapartc \vas in imminent or consider- able danger, and that no medica] assistance was at hand, he, the said Mr. John Stokoe, not having witnessed any such symptom, lnd know- ing that tht= state of the patient was so little 137 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA urgent that he was four hours at Longwood before he was admitted to see him, and further knowing that Dr. Verling was at hand, ready to attend if required in any such emergency." This capital charge is so clear that he who runs may read; yet, while needing no comment, it allows of a remark. Forsyth, enumerating in his book the charges brought against Stokoe, forgets three of them, and this is one of that number. How could Sir Hudson Lowe's special pleader venture to bring it forward? At the time he was writing, i.e., in 1853, the nature of the terrible disease which carried Napoleon off early in 182 I was well known, and the slow progress of the malady was so well known, also, that there was no ground for doubting that, in the year 18 19, the Emperor was seriously ill. Stokoe had, " contrary to his duty, communi- cated to General Buonaparte or his attendants information relative to certain books, letters and papers said to have been sent from Europe for the said persons.. and which had been intercepted by the Governor of St. Helena, and had con- veyed to the said General or his attendants some information respecting their money concerns, 13 8 THE COURT-MARTIAL contrary to his duty, which was to afford medical advice only." This has reference to the Holmes affair. Stokoe had, " contrary to his duty and to the character of a British naval officer, communicated to the said General Buonaparte or his attendants an infamous and calumnious imputation cast upon Lieutenant-General Sir Hudson Lowe, Governor of St. Helena, by Barry O'Meara, late surgeon in the Royal Navy, implying that Sir Hudson Lo\ve had practised with the said O'Meara to induce him to put an end to the existence of the said General Buonaparte." O'Meara \vas reported to have said, \vhen dismissed from St. Helena: u If I had only consulted the Governor's wishes, Napoleon would not be alive to-day." This remark cropped up one day before Stokoe when at Longwood and he was asked for his in terpreta- tion of it. He considered it as a reference to Sir Hudson Lowe's general attitude towards his prisoner, and not, as was the public opinion, as a dcfinite accusation. He had" disobeyed the positive comlnand of his superior officer in not returning from Long- wood on or about the 2 I st of J an uary aforesaid 139 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA at the hour especially prescribed to him by the Rear-Admiral, there being no justifiable cause for his disobeying such command." The reasons for this disobedience have been clearly set forth. Forsyth exhausts himself in the endeavour to show that Hudson Lo\ve was always full of anxiety regarding Napoleon's health, as well as his general well-being. Therefore, naturally, he overlooks this charge. Is not this a proof that everything was dealt out grudgingly to the Emperor, even his doctor's time? Stokoe had "knowingly and wilfully desig- nated General Buonaparte in the said bulletin in a manner different from that in which he is designated in the Act of Parliament for the better custod y of his person, and contrary to the practice of His Majesty's Government, of the Lieutenant-General, Governor of the Island, and of the said Rear-Admiral, and had done so at the especial instance and request of the said General Buonaparte or his attendants, though he, Mr. John Stokoe, well knew that the mode of designation was a point in dispute between the said General Buonaparte and Lieutenant-General Sir Hudson Lowe and the British Government, 14 0 THE COURT-MARTIAL and that by acceding to the wish of the said General Huonaparte, he, the said Mr. John Stokoe, \vas acting in opposition to the wish and practice of his own superior officers, and to the respect which he owed then1, under the general printed instructions." "The patient": this was the terrible term, the use of which by Stokoe was considered such a crime! Forsyth evidently thought the charge too trivial; he passed it by \vithout a \vord. The doctor "in the whole of his conduct in the aforesaid transactions evinced a disposition to thwart the intentions and regulations of the said Governor and the said Rear-Admiral, and to further the views of the said French prisoners in furnishing them with false or colourable pretences for complaint, contrary to the respect which he owed to his superior officers, and to his o\vn duty as an officer in His Majesty's Royal Navy." This last capital charge is merely a réSUlllé of the preceding ones, and appears only to be added by \vay of increasing the number. The trial was fixed for August 26, 18 19, but Stokoe secured a postponement ot several days 14 1 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA by his persistency in demanding the attendance of Count Bertrand and Count Montholon. Sir Hudson Lowe objected to the summoning of these witnesses. However, after long argu- ments as to their unsuitability for a threefold reason, i.e., as being foreigners, prisoners, and attendants on Napoleon, it was suddenly de- cided that they should be called. News had just been received to the effect that Count Bertrand was attacked by dysentery and unable to leave Longwood, and they came to the shrewd conclusion that Montholon, the sole remaining attendant on the invalided Emperor, would also be unable to absent himself. The time struck the Governor as favourable, and the court-martial met on August 30, on board the Conqueror. I ts members were as follows : Captain Francis Stanfell, of H.M.S. Con- queror, and second officer in the command of His Majesty's ships and vessels in St. Helena Roads (President); Captain Wauchope (Eu- rydice); Captain Rennie (crees); Commander Sir William S. Wiseman (Sophie); Comn1ander James Hanway Plumridge (Saþþho); Mr. George Nicholls, Purser of H.M.S. Sophie 14 2 THE COURT-MARTIAL (Officiating Deputy Judge Ad vocate). The Clerk of the C011queror, William Davies, acted as Registrar. Sir Robert l:>lampin \vas the first witness heard. He gave his evidence passionately, as though himself the injured person: he was anxious to please Sir Hudson Lowe, first of all, and he had a private grudge against Stokoe. A man, as Balmain shows us, utterly destitute of moral character, the Admiral desired to avoid notoriety, and preferred to devote himself quietly to his amours, and rise gently in his profession. The doctor had disturbed his beloved peace, and, but for his pliancy, \vould have embroiled him with the Governor. He could not forgive him the stir he had made. * He began by producing the correspondence quoted above, together with the cross-examina- tion and bulletins. He then professed to have given Stokoe no commands on the morning of January 17. It will, however, be remembered that he caused his secretary, \vhile forwarding Count Bertrand's letter demanding help for Napoleon, to write as follows: "The Adn1Ïral has desired me to say that you are to order Mr. · See also page 76. [E. S. S.] 143 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA Stokoe (surgeon of the Conqueror) to go directly to Longwood, and call on Dr. Verling, as Buona- parte is very ill." * In the first upset caused by so serious a piece of news this note remained in Stokoe's hands. Later, the Admiral demanded its return. However, the doctor, his suspicions aroused) had succeeded in keeping it, and had carried it to England with him. Unfortunately, like his other papers, he left it there) and was consequently unable to produce it. Sir Robert Plampin disputed the wording and declared that it was merely a permission. But his expla- nations proved so confused and unsatisfactory that the Court decided to alter the wording of the first charge. Instead of when permitted by the Admiral to go to Longwood, it was agreed to insert in the minutes: permitted or ordered. . . . This version struck Forsyth as peculiar, and likely to cast reflections upon the accuracy of Sir Robert Plampin's memory. This author, in his turn, made another little change; he simply wrote ordered. t Growing more cautious after this infelicitous :I< The facsimile of this letter appears on page 219. t Both words appear in the minutes taken at the time,I1J well I1S in the certified copy supplied later. [E. S. S.] 144 THE COURT-MARTIAL beginning, Sir Robert Plampin owned that Stokoe, immediately upon his return. from Longwood on the 17th, presented to him the ., Articles" dictated by Napoleon, with this remark: "I gave my consent to the proposal, provided that your approbation and that of the Governor could be obtained." But, accordjng to the Admiral, the doctor should have consulted his superiors at the first possible nloment, even upon a purely conditional arrangement, instead of remaining inactive for four hours at the door of a patient who was in no hurry to adn1it him. Sir Robert Plampin then spoke of the Holmes affair. Did not Stokoe's participation in the clandestine correspondence of the year before show a predisposition on his part to become the tool of the prisoners? He proved it as soon as he was summoned to Longwood. Eventually, in his eagerness to prove the guilt of a man who had despised his " friendly advice," the Admiral indulged in such violent language that the Court had a fit of mod sty and suspended the hearing for a tin1e, enjoining him to be more moderat . Sir Robert IJlampin's secretary was next called, and confirmed his depositions. Captain Stanfell declared that the 14S K WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA letter requesting him to send Stokoe to Long- wood did not contain the word order. George Nicholls, the purser, and Dr. Verling, told what they knew of Stokoe's intercourse with the French prisoners. As the witnesses for the prosecution had all been heard, and those for the prisoner could only be called at the end of the trial, Stokoe was allowed to speak in his own defence. He had sought in vain among his comrades for an advocate. No one was willing to take upon himself so dangerous a task, sure to com- promise him with Sir Hudson Lowe and Sir Robert Plampin, who had made themselves the accusers in the trial. The doctor) therefore, pleaded his own cause in the following words: "MR. PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF THIS HONOURABLE COURT, "After a servitude of nearly twenty-five years in the Royal Navy, marked by the appro- bation and good opinion of my superiors, at a period when a few months would entitle me to retirement, after twenty years of that time as surgeon, it must be painful to me to be thus called upon to justify my character, when arraigned by such high authority; but I hope 14 6 THE COURT-MARTIAL that a sense of upright intentions will impart to me that fortitude which ever accompanies . innocence. "Notwithstanding the numerous charges which have been preferred against me, I trust I shall be able fully to vindicate myself to this honourable Court, who would, I am sure, fee] more pleasure in the acquittal rather than in the condemnation of an officer who was placed in so delicate and trying a situation. "Before I take notice of the several charges, I beg that the Court will duly weigh the nature of the evidence which has been brought against me, which has been eight days in preparation, and consists principaIJy of replies to questions put to me by the Admiral after each visit to Longwood. These minutes were taken in the presence of a third person (who, it now seems, was placed there for the purpose of being a witness against me). I therefore hope that the Court ,viII receive \vith caution testimony obtained in a moment of irritated feeling, pro- d uced by this extraordinary mode of proceeding. "The evidence of the persons \vith whom I had communication at Longwood has been d . d " en Ie me. . . . 1+7 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA T he prisoner was here interrupted by the Court, and reminded that the persons to whom he alluded had been duly summoned, but had refused to attend. The prisoner then proceeded: " It is consequently out of my power to refute the several charges which have been brought against me, but I most solemnly affirm that during the whole of my attendance there I was actuated by a desire to fulfil my duty to my superiors, as well as by a determination to render justice to my patient. My reluctance to go there will prove that I had no desire to obtain the appointment, and my wish to be accompanied by Dr. Verling (as has already appeared in evidence before the Court) that I had no intention of furnishing them with false or colourable pretences for complaint. "The Admiral has dwelt much on the irregu- larity of my conduct in the manner in which I presented the 'Articles' for his approval or rejection. "The Court will, I trust, acquit me of any intentional disrespect on that occasion. The paper was presented in the state in which I recei ved it, and, as it related to myself, I did 14 8 fHE COURT-MARTIAI not conceive for a moment that the transaction could bear the construction which has been put upon it. The Admiral has produced severa) It:tters relati ve to the clandestine correspondence reft:rred to in the sixth charge, calculated to in1press the Court with the idt:a that I was the \villing or active agent in such corres- pondence. I trust I shall be able to prove that the Admiral had received information \vhich completely exonerated me from such an imputation. "I will now proceed to reply to the several charges as briefly as possible. " In reviewing the first charge, I appeal to the consideration of the Court how far it was possible to confine my conversation to medical advice in the company of persons \vho had no need of it. "The second charge is grounded on the , Articles' under \vhich I gave my conditional consent to become General Buonaparte's surgeon. They \vere the result of my refusal to do so, and my reasons I \vill now state to the Court. I had heard from his former medical attendant that the cause which led to his dismissal \vas a refusal to report to the Governor his private conversation 149 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA with the French people at Longwood. Con- ceiving that a demand of that nature was incompatible with my character as a pro- fessional man, I deemed it expedient to decline the proposal on that account. "Shortly afterwards Count Montholon re- turned with the paper containing the Articles, produced before the Court. As there appeared to be nothing in them derogatory to my cha- racter as a British officer and a gentleman, I gave my consent to the proposals, provided the approbation of the Governor and Admiral could be obtained. " With regard to the third charge, I did not consider that any law could compel a medical man to deny his patient an opinion of his com- plaint, nor did I conceive that the laws of the island, prohibiting correspondence with the people at Longwood, could properly apply to a medical report. In all medical cases the physician must be guided by the report of his patient or those about his person. The symptoms I described as having taken place about midnight must consequently have been known from the report of the patient or his attendants. I positively deny that they were 15 0 THE COURT-MARTIAL either dictated or suggested. On the contrary, they \vere the result of my own inquiry. "The preceding p lrt of the document, ad vcrted to in the fifth charge') does a ,va y with the intention inlputed to me of creating a false impression or belief that General Buonaparte was in imminent or considerable danger. It was only from a recurrence of the symptoms reported to have taken place on the night of the 16th of January that I apprehended immediate danger. In stating that' unless medical assistance \vas at hand,' I must be understood to have meant such as the patient would receive. It is true that Dr. Verling \vas on the spot, but it is ,veIl known that General Buonaparte refused to see him. " The subject of the sixth charge was at the time the common topic of conversation in the island, my own character had been particularly involved in it, and \vhen in the course of general conversation I was questioned on the subject, I merely stated what I knew of the nlatter. " 'rhe subject of the seventh c/large \vas also the common topic of conversation, and I nla y have repeated it in the way the Admiral has stated in his minutes. 15 1 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA "In adverting to the eighth charge I have much reason to regret the absence of Counts Bertrand and Montholon, as they could prove my extreme anxiety to return to The Briars at the time prescribed by the Admiral. General Buonaparte having expressed a desire to see me before my departure, and expecting momentarily to be summoned to attend him, induced me to prolong my stay far beyond my wishes. My haste to return when released from attendance was further impeded by a fall from my horse. " From a motive of delicacy I was induced to ask Count Bertrand what had been the custom in designating the General in former reports. By my using the professional term of ' Patient' (which is equally applicable to all ranks) I conceived I should avoid giving offence. " Having made these few observations, which it becomes necessary for me to submit to the consideration of the Court, in refutation of a host of charges brought against me, strained and coloured with all the art of legal ingenuity and backed by local power and prej udice, in order to accomplish the object of a prosecution instituted by an overwhelming authority, I beg to solicit a continuance of the indulgence which 15 2 THE COURT-MARTIAL 1 have already received from this honourablc Court. I trust that it \vill view with indulgence any error into which I might have fallen in the discharge (for only a fe\v days) of an en tirel y new line of duty, where, from unforeseen events and not having received the Commander-in- Chiefs assent or refusal of the terms submitted to him, upon which alone I could consent to undertake the office of surgeon to General Buonaparte, I was in great measure left to tht: exercise of my own judgment, under circum- stances of peculiar delicacy and embarrassment. In such a situation how liable is a man, howt:ver zealous and anxious to obey the commands of his superiors, to err! I trust that the motives actuating my conduct will appear free from everything like concealment or intention to do wrong. "There is another and most n1aterial point to \vhich I beg to call the attention of the Court, viz., the very great disadvantage of n1Y being obliged to enter upon my trial without its having the power to enforce the attendance of Counts Bertrand and Montholon, they being the only persons who could give evidence, not alone to remove the suspicions, but to refute the charges 153 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELEN A which branch out of the few visits I made to Longwood. Added to this. I have been hurried out here without the slightest intimation of what was intended upon my arrival. By this I have been deprived of the benefit of documents with regard to the charges brought against me, as well as my character for a period of twenty- five years' service, which documents, I am persuaded, would operate most favourably in my behalf. "Without meaning the most distant disrespect to the Commander-in-Chief, I feel obliged to bring before the Court the zeal which his Excellency manifested on the first day of the trial in furthering the object of the prosecution by repeated comments enlphatically made. This mode of proceeding, which, in my ignorance of the law, I should have considered unprecedented, would naturally have alarmed me did not I place full confidence in the justice of this Court (each member of which I view as my advocate as well as my judge). I believe that the solenln engagements into which it has entered will this day prove that they are paramount to all other considerations. "I therefore submit my character, my honour, ISf THE COURT-MARTIAL and everything that is dear to me into your hands, and shall rest perfectly satisfied with your decision whatever it may be." After this defence Sir Robert Plampin was recalled at Stokoe's request. The doctor disputed the correctness of the cross-exan1Ïnation relative to his visits, which had been produced. The Court, therefore, inq uired \vhether these conversations had been taken down at the time or transcribed from memory later. It was absolutely impossible to obtain a definite reply from the Adn1iral on this point. He eluded the question and launched out in to in- terminable digressions. But \vith regard to the intercepted correspondence he confessed that Holmes had written to him, acknowledging that he had no authority for his use of Stokoe's name. D nder rene\ved examination both Dr. Verling and Captain Nicholls had to own that it would be extremely difficult for a medical attendant at Longwood to confine his conversation to medical subjects. rhey thenlselvcs discussed all manner of things with the French prisoners whenever they met them. 155 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA Captain Stanfell made an equally important declaration: had Stokoe refused, on January 17, to visit General Buonaparte, he would have re- garded it as an act of direct disobedience. All these avowals were extracted with the greatest difficulty by the doctor from his un- willing witnesses. Only two gave their testi- mony readily and without reserve. These were Lieutenant James Hay, to whom Stokoe had complained of a fall from his horse on the 2 I st, when hastening from The Briars, and the assistant surgeon, William' Clark, who deposed to finding a severe contusion on the shoulder as the result of an accident. The charges fabricated by Sir Hudson Lowe and Sir Robert Plampin all fell to the ground, but the officers forming the court-martial knew that the Governor and the Admiral wished for a condemnation and that they were dependent upon then1 for advancement. They therefore consulted their own interests rather than their sense of right and wrong. Stokoe was dumb- founded to hear himself dismissed from His Majesty's service. The trial had lasted four days, from August 30 to September 2. 15 6 THE COURT-MARTIAL Count Balmain reported: "The authorities of the island made a great fuss about this affair, in order to frighten anyone \vho might be tempted to imitate Mr. Stokoe. We were positively certain that the prisoner would reveal all the secrets of Longwood, and would be hanged or, at the very least, transported to Botany Bay. " In spite of his entreaties no one would act as his lawyer. He defended himself with ability and with great presence of mind. In confessing some slight faults of insubordination he showed clearly that he might have been the dupe but certainly was not the accomplice of the foes of Plantation House. Both his judges and the audience were moved with compassion, and he can only be regarded as a man who was weak, imprudent, and unfortunate. Thus the mountain brought forth a mouse." Stokoe's attitude, however, was by no means such as Count Balmain represented it. The doctor's proud defence was far from being that of a man in tears before his accusers. But the Russian commissioner's error becomes compre- hensible as one learns the source of his informa- tion; he adds: "It was Admiral Plampin \vho enlightened me on the indictment. I thought 157 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA it well to encourage this new and extraordinary tendency to confide in me." Count Balmain would have done better to distrust the Admiral. The information was only given him by way of throwing dust in his eyes, and, through him, in those of his Govern- ment and of Europe generally. Seldom indeed has a verdict more iniquitous than that upon Stokoe been pronounced. From beginning to end the trial was illegal and irregular. In the first place, the doctor, who had returned to England on account of his health, was sent back to St. Helena on the report of a sing le medical man, Dr. Weir, whereas only a medical commission could invalidate his leave. In order that he might not be provided with the necessary papers, he was kept in ignorance as to what awaited him on his return, and his em- barkation on board the Abundance was needlessly hurried. He was to be handed over, defenceless and unprepared, to powerful accusers, on a far- away island. Noone dared to plead his cause, so great was the terror inspired by the Governor and the Admiral. Nor could he, obliged to be his own advocate, express more than half the JS8 THE COURT-MARTIAL truth. To show up matters fully, ought he not openly to have proclaimed the secret compact between Sir Hudson Lowe and Sir Robert Plampin, and the mean motives which gave rise to the hatred they bore him? Doubtless, but such a proceeding would have been as dangerous as futile in a place like St. Helena, devoid of un- biased public opinion, and before so prejudiced a tribuna!. The Admiralty had despatched the orders for the arraignment to Captain Stanfell; he therefore represented the prosecution. At the same time he presided over the trial, and we also see him step down from his lofty post to assume a fresh rôle, that of witness, while the evidence of Counts Bertrand and Montholon was suppressed. Later, Stokoe will be seen to have a veritable fraud to complain of. The doctor had deposed at the court-martial to Sir Robert Plampin's attempt to recover the \vritten order, by virtue of which he proceeded to Longwood on January 17. The Admiral had denied this fact, but his secretary when asked by the accused in cross-examination : " Did you hear the Admiral desire me to return the Note in which he enclosed Count Bertrand's first note to me ? " 159 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA answered "I did." Caught in the very act of both lying and perjury, Sir Robert Plampin had evidently had the wording of this alte!'ed in the minutes. * Notwithstanding all these irregular proceed- ings, Sir Hudson Lowe wrote to Lord Bathurst on September 15, 1819: "One of the members of the Court was Commander Sir William Wise- man. He told me after the court-martial was over he believed there had never been a court- martial assembled where the deliberation had been more full and impartial, or where the members had taken more pains to inform themselves on every point and to form their judgment without any motives of prejudice. He expressed his astonishment at the infamous falsehoods, as he termed them, which had been circulated in England respecting the system observed here." t ,. In the official copy of the minutes of the court- martial, which was supplied to Dr. Stokoe after he had waited twelve months for it, the secretary's answer to this important question appears as, "I did, or a copy of it." In the foregoing I have quoted direct from the court- martial papers. [E. S. S.] t Forsyth," History of the Captivity." 160 CHAPTER V THE END OF THE DRAMA Napoleon's death (May 5, 1821 )-Sir Hudson Lowe's downfall-A detail showing Admiral Plam- pin's character-Conclusion of Stokoe's biography. ACCORDING to Dr. Stokoe's accusers and judges, Napoleon was not ill at all. Indeed, he was in such good health that his death followed twenty months later! The Emperor's third physician was Dr. Antommarchi. On his arrival at St. Helena, on September 20, 18 19, he found Napoleon undermined by fever, and still suffering from the same disorders. Towards the middle of October there was a change for the better, which lasted until August 1820, when the illness suddenly became much more serious. Count Montholon wrote at th:s period: "For several days the Emperor has been very ill and has done no work. He has hardly left 161 L WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA his sofa at all. He still complains of pain, 'like a knife.' Antommarchi smiles when I ask the meaning of this internal pain, which is like a cut with a penknife about two inches below the left breast." * Cardinal Fesch had made a bad choice. Stokoe's successor, whom he had sent, was young, flighty, and presumptuous. He was an optimist, and did not realise the responsibility of his position. He often caused the Emperor to regret the loss of the surgeon of the Conqueror. On September 2, 1820, Count Bertrand resolved to inform Lord Liverpool, the Prime Minister, that Napoleon, who had been suffer- ing for two years from chronic hepatitis, could no longer brave the climate of St. Helena. Nothing but change of air and access to mineral waters could possibly save his life. This letter was returned by the Governor "on account of the use of the Imperial title." In November and December grave symptoms showed themselves. He was seized with spasms and sickness, and his extremities grew cold as death. Sometimes, heavy with sleep, he >If: "Récits de la Captivité." 162 THE END OF THE DRAMA rt::mained in bed for sevt::ral days in succession. Sir Hudson Lowe thought this a fitting time to renew the attempt, so unsuccessful when Dr. Verling was tht: object of it. He proposed to Counts Bertrand and Montholon that Antom- marchi should consult with Dr. Arnott, surgeon to the 20th Regiment. Napoleon refused his offer, replying: "Since his appeal to Lord Liverpool had not been forwarded) he did not believe in the interest the Governor showed \vith regard to his health." The early days of the year I 82 I \vere very sad ones. There is no doubt that the Emperor felt that this year would be his last, and that he would not see the end of it. He was quiet and gentle, but indifferent. "Each day," says Count Montholon, U he seemed less inclined to exertion of body or mind. He was always tired. He lounged idly in an easy chair, whereas) but a short time before, he spent the greater part of the night as \vell as the day in arranging the materials for his work. I often stood for some hours, \vaiting for him to finish a sentence, or to rouse himself from this stupor to say something more than, 'Eh bien! mon fils, que clites-vous de nouveau? What shall we do? ' " 16 3 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA In February the ston1ach troubles became rapidly worse, while the circulation grew more sluggish. The Emperor's extremities were continually icy cold: napkins and flannels \vhich burned the hands of his attendants hardly availed to warm him. He could take nothing but meat jelly. His memory failed and he often wandered. At the end of March he began to vomit clots of blood and took to his bed, not to leave it again. Just at this time Lord Bathurst requested Sir Hudson Lowe to use redoubled vigilance. He had, he wrote, strong reasons for believing that General Bonaparte was beginning seriously to cherish the idea of escaping from St. Helena. He ordered the navy to keep an even stricter watch around the island. It was indeed true that the hour of deliverance was about to strike for England's prisoner, but not in the way that the Secretary of State for the Colonies imagined. Early in April matters became desperate. Count Montholon succeeded in overcoming the Emperor's prejudices and persuaded him to receive Dr. Arnott. The English surgeon's first impressions were conveyed by Sir Thomas Reade to the Governor in the following letter : 164 THE END OF TIII DI{AMA U Dr. Arnott informed me that he hadLpever found him, during any of his visits, in the state in which he had been described by Dr. Antom- marchi. From what I could learn generally, out of Dr. .L'\rnott's conversation, he appears to think that General Bonaparte is not affected by any serious complaint, probably more mental than any other. Count Bertrand had asked him his opinion of General Bonaparte : he told him that he sa\v no danger whatever. During his visit this morning he recommended him to rise and get shaved. He replied that he was too weak at present, that he would shave when he was a little stronger. He always preferred shaving himself. His beard is very long, and Dr. Arnott describes his looks in consequence to be horrible. . . ."* Thus they ch'lttered about the dying man. Possibly Arnott had aIIowed himself to be in- fluenced by the scepticism so long shown at Plantation House. Or he may have been intimidated by Stokoe's fate, and thus have considered it imprudent to give an opinion prematurely. He may have wished to wait for irrefutable evidence before venturing to dc:clare · Forsyth, U History of the Captivity." 16 5 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA Napoleon to be "in imminent danger." An incident occurred on April I 4, which serves to show that $ir Hudson Lowe was still cherishing incredulous hostility, and was quite capable of incriminati ng the surgeon of the 20th Regiment, as he had done Stokoe. On that day Dr. Arnott had pressed his refractory patient very strongly to take some medicine, on which Napoleon good-humouredly said that he must not urge him to do a thing in the same manner as he would one of the soldiers of his regiment. This bit of pique led him to speak of the British soldiers in general. He praised their bravery and constancy, and said he would send the officers of the 20th Regiment Coxe's " Life of Marlborough," which had been presented to him by the Hon. Robert Spencer. The volumes were accordingly sent to Captain Lutyens, the orderly officer who had succeeded Captain Nicholls, and by him forwarded to Major Jackson, the commanding officer, to whom Dr. Arnott eXplained the donor's object. During the afternoon Napoleon asked the doctor how the officers liked the books, but something diverted his attention and no answer was given. J66 THE END OF TIlE DRAMA The next day Sir Hudson Lowe wrote to Dr. Arnott : "Captain Lutyens has mentioned that you have again been spoken to regardi ng the books, but that, something occurring in the room, you \vere enabled to avoid making a reply. This is so far \vell, as the attempt to make you the channel of communication in such matters, they well know, is foreign to your professional duties, and it \vill probably, there- fore, not have been made without some ulterior object in view." Even Forsyth acknowledges" that Napoleon's kindly meant present might, under the circum- stances, have been accepted. He did not send them as coming from 'the Emperor,' nor \vrite the objectionable title in them; nor \vas there much likelihood of a British regiment being seduced from its allegiance by adding to its library a few books) the gift of Napoleon." This absurd letter sho\vs ho\v thoroughly Dr. i\.rnott was exposed to the experiences Stokoe had to pass through. It sho\vs that he was the ohject of the san1e suspicions, and n1ight have been the victiln of sinlilar .lccus.ltions. Nor did the affair end here. Major J .lckson took upon hinlself to inlprove upon the 16 7 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA Governor's ill humour and to blame Lutyens in cutting terms for having been, on this occasion, what Sir Hudson Lowe called the " channel of communication." The orderly officer, who was most scrupulous in attention to his duty, was justly offended, and answered sharply, with the result that he was superseded. Such were the bickerings at St. Helena while the Emperor's life was drawing to a close. On April 16, Dr. Arnott thought the crisIs sufficiently near and certain to be announced to Sir Hudson Lowe. On learning that General Bonaparte's death was now only a question of days, or even of hours, the Governor awoke to the responsibility he had incurred, and grew much alarmed. He put all the medical men on the island at Napoleon's service, and cancelled all orders which might have impeded their instant communication with Counts Bertrand and Montholon. But help was now useless, no matter whence it came, and the Emperor knew it. When, on the 18th, Dr. Arnott was prosing about some new remedy, "No," said he, with the tone of a man who has made up his mind, " England calls for my corpse; I win not keep 168 THE END OF THE DRAMA her waiting, and shall die very \vell without drugs. . . . Your Ministers have chosen this horrible rock, upon which the lives of Europeans are exhausted in less than three years; in order to end my existence by assassination. * And how have I been treated since my arrival here? There is no species of indignity or insult that has not been eagerly heaped upon n1e. The simplest family communications, \vhich have never been interdicted to an y one, have been refused to me. No ne\vs, no papers, from Europe, have been allowed to reach me; my wife and son have no longer existed for me; I have been kept six years in the tortures of close confinement. The most uninhabitable spot on this inhospitable island, that \vhere the murderous effects of a tropical climate are most severely felt, has been assigned to me for a residence; and I, \vho used to ride on horseback an over Europe, have been obliged to shut myself up within four walls, in an un\vholesome atmosphere. I have been destroyed piecemeal in premeditation. Sir In the English edition of this work, published in 1825, in place of the word IZSSIZSSintl/ion a row of asterisks appears, although IZlJlZSSinl1t is in the French edi tion. [E.S.S.] 16 9 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA Hudson Lowe has been executor of the high deeds and exploits of your Ministers." * Three weeks later, on Saturday, May 5, 1821, a storm broke over St. Helena. Its severity was un paralleled in an island where " the trade- winds blew without interruption, but always with equal moderation," t where whole genera- tions passed away without knowing the sound of thunder. At sunset an appalling wind was levelling and scattering the tents of those who guarded Longwood, and rendering the harbour untenable, so that the squadron had to make for the open sea. At that time Napoleon drew his last breath. The Emperor had wished a post - mortem examination to be held, in the interests of his son, that he might be forewarned against a disease which might prove to be hereditary. It took place the following day, at two o'clock in the afternoon. "On a superficial view the body appeared to be very fat, which was confirmed on the first incIsion. The fat was upwards of an inch thick over the breast, and an inch and a half over the "" Antommarchi, "l"'he last Days of Napoleon." London, 182 5. t Masselin," Sainte Hélène." 17 0 THE END OF THE DI{AMA abdomen. The lungs were quite sound. The heart was of the natural size, but thickly covered with fat. Upon opening the abdomen the onlentunl was found remarkably fat, and on exposing the stomach it was found the seat of extensi ve disease. Strong adhesions connected the whole upper part, particularly about the pylorus (or pit of the stomach), \vith the concave surface of the left lobes of the liver ; and on separating these an ulcer was discovered, which penetrated the coats of the stomach, one inch from the pylorus, sufficiently large to admit the passage of the little finger. The internal surface of the stomach, to nearly its whole extent, was a mass of cancerous disease, or scirrhous portions advancing to cancer. This was particularly noticed near the pylorus. The cardiac extremity for a small space near the termination of the æsophagus was the only part which appeared in a healthy state, and the stomach was filled \vith a large quantity of fluids resembling coffee-grounds. The convex surface of the left lobe of the liver ad hered to the diaphragnl, and the liver \vas perhaps a little larger than \vas natural. \Vith the excep- tion of the adhesions occasioned by the disease 17 1 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA in the stomach, no unhealthy appearance Was observed in the liver. " * It would appear from this report, signed by Dr. Arnott and three other English surgeons, that Napoleon died of cancer. In that case Stokoe's diagnosis expressed in his bulletins, that it was a case of chronic hepatitis, was incorrect. This disease and d ysen tery were believed at the beginning of the century to be endemic at St. Helena. Both of them made fearful havoc among newly arri ved E uropeans, including the soldiers of the garrison and the sailors of the Admiral's squadron. It will suffice to quote one example, that of the Conqueror. Between July 1817 and December 1818, out of a crew of six hundred, one hundred succumbed. Of course the British Government concealed such facts as these. They were too powerful a weapon to be placed in the hands of those who accused it of having transported Napoleon to an insanitary rock. During the third year of his sojourn at Long- wood, the Emperor feared that he was attacked by hepatitis. He detested the climate of St. * Forsyth, "History of the Captivity." 172 THE END OF THE DRAMA IIclena, and n1any times demanded a less murderous abode. His claim was refused wi th- out being even discussed. The end came a few years later. It is easy to see that, after his decease, it was to his gaolers' interest to prove the non-existence of the malady which he gave as the raison d'être of his complaints. At the pos/-mortenl examination, however, where the French were represented by Antom- marchi, it ,vas necessary to mention in the report the abnormal adhesion of the liver to the diaphragm and the stomach. One of the English surgeons even diagnosed enlargement. Forsyth says: "The liver was, as might be expected, particularly examined, and the monlent the operator took it out Dr. Shortt said it was enlarged. All the medical men present, however, differed from him, and Dr. Arnott said there was nothing extraordinary in the appearance of the liver; it might probably be a large one, but certainly not larger than the liver of any man of the same age and size as Bonaparte. . . ." It is well to notice the contradictory terms used in this one sentence. As Dr. Shortt persisted in his opinion, Sir Thomas Reade) the Governor's 173 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA lieutenant, intervened, saying that" they ought all to be prepared to give a decided opinion as to the state of the liver, and all the doctors re-examined it, and reiterated their former opinions." * There is therefore no proof that Stokoe was mistaken in his diagnosis. I t is true that he only mentions the hepatitis and that a still more serious malady escaped his notice, but, at that time, very little was known of cancer of the stomach. Neither O'Meara nor Antommarchi entertained the slightest suspicion that Napoleon was suffering from it. They also treated the Emperor for disease of the liver. As for Dr. Arnott, he does not seem to have known much of the case upon which he was called in consulta- tion until the post-mortem took place. A point by no means to be overlooked is that the surgeon of the Conqueror was only in attendance at Longwood for five days, and then under conditions which probably prevented his mind being sufficiently free to allow him the full exercise of his j udgmen t. After all, the main object of this book is not to pronounce upon Stokoe's medical knowledge, · Forsyth," History of the Captivity." 174 THE END OF THE DRAMA but upon his professional uprightness. The doctor, at his own personal risk, and in defiance of the po\vers above hinI, declared that Napoleon was seriously ill, and that his days were being shortened by his being refused, under pretext of safety, the attendance he wished for. Every one knows how much depend upon the confi- dence which a patient has in his doctor; and it is very clear that Napoleon had confi- dence in Stokoe. He was attracted to him at their first interview, and two details show how much he regretted the loss of his services. On Stokoe's return from England in August for his trial, the Emperor summoned him to his side no less than three times, dictating urgent letters in which he demanded "son chirurgien Stokoe." Again in his delirium it was for Stokoe that he called. Forsyth says: "He frequently did not know Dr. Arnott and called him Stokoe. JJ If sundry historians are to be believed, Sir Hudson Lowe exclaimed, on hearing that his prisoner had just dra\vn his last breath: "His death will be my ruin! n This hardly seems a probable remark to fall from his lips, but, if he did utter it, later circumstances justified his foreboding. 175 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA He \vas allowed to imagine at first that his good and loyal service was about to be duly recom pensed. Lord Bathurst wrote : " I am happy to assure you that your conduct, as detailed in these despatches, has received his Majesty's approbation. I t is most satisfactory to his Majesty to observe that no measures were omitted by you for the purpose of placing at General Bonaparte's disposal the best medical advice, and of affording every relief and alleviation of his sufferings during the latter period of his life of which his state ad- mitted. . . . "His Majesty has further commanded me to avail myself of this opportunity to repeat that general approba ion of your conduct during the time that you have administered the government of St. Helena, which I have on particular occa- sions had the pleasure of conveying. Placed as you have been in a situation which must, under an y circumstances, have been one of heavy responsibility, but which particular events con- tributed to render yet more difficult and invidious, you discharged your arduous trust with strict fidelity, discretion and humanity, and have effectually reconciled the two main duties ot 17 6 TIlE ND OF THE DRAMA your command-combining the secure detention of General Buonaparte's person, which was of necessity the paramount object of your attention, with every practicable consideration and indul- gence which your own disposition prompted and your instructions authorised you to show to his particular situation." Sir Hudson Lowe \vas received by the King on his return to Europe. Being about to kiss his Majesty's hand, the King seized his instead and shook it heartily, saying, U I congratulate you most sincerely upon your return, after a trial the most arduous and exemplary that perhaps any man ever had. I have felt for your situation) and may appeal to Lord Bathurst how frequently I have talked to him about you." As a result of this interview the ex-Governor was appointed to the first vacant colonelcy of a regiment (the 93rd) that occurred after his return to England. "This was," remarks For- syth, U an honourable distinction," and Sir Hudson Lowe regarded it as an earnest of more fa vours to follow. Ho\vever, as his historian adds: "Evil days were now before him." r-[he Emperor had always said that his death · Forsyth, cc History of the Captivit}..n 177 .I'\f WITI-I NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA would be followed and avenged by a revulsion of public opinion in England, and this prediction was fulfilled. Constant attacks were made upon the systenl pursued at St. I-1elena, and, more particularly, upon the exponent of that system. In 1822, O'Meara published his" Napoleon in Exile." That Sir Hudson Lowe's fate was sealed was shown by the icy reception accorded him at a military club, and the drubbing administered to him in a London street by young Emanuel Las Cases, a son of the author of the U Mémo- ri-li." I Ie thus lost his last supporters, and so unpopular a man could only embarrass a Ministry. A distant and subordinate post was offered him, that of Commander of the Forces at Ceylon. He accepted it, and proceeded thither with the promise of being speedily raised to the governorship. His elevation had not taken place three years later (1828) when Sir Walter Scott's "Life of Napoleon" appeared. This work contained many pages depreciatory of Sir Hudson Lowe: " We arc inclined," says the author, U from a review of his conduct, divesting it so far as we can fronI the exaggerati ns of his personal enemies, to think there remain traces of a warm 17 8 Tlfl ] ND OF TIIF nJ AMA and irritable temper, which seems sometimes to have overborne his discretion, and induced him to forget that his prisoner was in a situation where he ought not, even when his cond uct seemed most unreasonable and provoking, to be considered as an object of resentment, or as being suhject, like other men, to retort and retaliation. " This temperate verdict, from so illustrious a writer, was far more effective and wide-reaching than O'Meara's virulent accusations. Sir Hudson Lowe was fuHy aware of this fact, and felt that he must take up the cudgels for himself. lIe therefore applied for leave and returned to England. On his way home, hl, touched at St. J IeJena and revisited Longwood. u That spot," says his hiographer, "on which the interest of Europe had been for more than live years so keenly concentrated. And what was the sight that met his eye? Since his departure the place had heen appropriated to the meanest uses. The chief approach to it was through a large pig-sty, which occupied the site of what had formerly heen the offices. Out of the windows of ,vhat had once been th hi])iard room, through hroken 179 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA panes, protruded bundles of hay; and a thrashing machine was placed in the closet which adjoined the bedroom. The room itself-that room in which Napoleon Bonaparte had breathed his last-was converted into a stable! " * It is possible that Sir Hudson Lowe was, as Forsyth assures us, deeply impressed by this scene of desolation and vandalism. But what would sadden him far more deeply would be his reflections upon his own return, as he stood on the spot where his pride had been so puffed up, and where he had revelled in having the greatest man of modern times under his sway. At that time he had faith in his country's gratitude-he believed that his zeal and piti- less vigilance would be rewarded by a shower of gold and favours. Yet, in spite of royal congratulations, he had been refused a pension of {,I 500, such as was readily given to Colonel Wilkes, his predecessor at St. Helena, for much more commonplace services. He had been exiled to the East Indies, and placed in a retired position, inferior to his former one. N ow he was compelled to return to London, in order to resist attacks which were constantly being made "" Forsyth, " History of the Captivity." 180 THE END OF THE DRAMA upon him, and to struggl against daily increasing unpopularity. \Vhen he reached England he found that the Duke of \Vellington was at the head of the Ministry, and Earl Bathurst l'>resident of the Council. This combination of circumstances st=t=med to favour his cause, and he consulted Lord Bathurst as to the expediency of publishing an answer to Sir Walter Scott's work. The Minister did not encourage him in this idea; on the contrary, he advised him not to en1bark upon a wordy strife, the result of \vhich could not but be doubtful. Moreover, he said that his best chance of succeeding to the governor- ship of Ceylon lay in being on the spot should a vacancy occur; he therefore counselled him to return thither without delay. The reception accorded to Sir Hudson Lowe by the Duke of \Vellington was still more icy. On his begging that the question of a pt=nsion might be reft=rred to the House of Commons, the Duke told hin1 plainly that it would be quite useless-he knew that the House would unanimousl y oppose such a grant. Sadl y, therefore, the ex-governor of St. Ilelena wended his \vay back to the East, and, for the 181 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA next three years, nothing nlore was heard of hinI. He sent in his resignation in 183 I, after having seen the coveted post fall vacant and pass in to the hands of an unimportant rival. Nor did he ever afterwards hold any public office. In 1843 he drew up a memorial to the Queen, in which he said, recapitulating his various disappointments: "The government of the island of Ceylon had thrice fallen vacant, and the chief authority in the Ionian Islands (where n1Y local services at their liberation and in the discharge of civil and military duties subsequently had contributed to form a strong claim for re-appointment), four times during the period of which I have been speaking . Vacancies had also arisen on other stations, but on none of these occasions were either my local or general services, or any claim arising from past disappointments, taken into that consideration which I might have hoped should have been their due. "The several commands in India had also repeatedly fallen vacant during the above period, but, although my name had been taken down as a candidate for employment in that quarter, no result followed." 182 THE END OF THE DRAMA Sir Hudson Lowe died in 1844, poor and broken down in spirits, thus justifying a saying of Napoleon's, who remarked that: "There are Inen \VhOln governments make use of to serve their own ends, but whom they throw on one side when done with." Sir Robert Plampin's fate was a happier one. By consistently playing second fiddle, public attention was not drawn to him. He was created Vice-Admiral and Commander of tht: Squadron patrolling the Irish Sea, and later retired in peace. Balmain's accounts show him to have been a timid man, but this characteristic did not prevent his occasionally displaying what is best expressed as "cheek." On his return from St. Helena he had a mind to possess the most coveted of all Orders, that of the Bath. I n defi- ance of custom and, doubtless, trading upon the excellent reports received from Sir Hudson I..o\ve, he made direct personal application for it. The reply he received from Lord Melville, Secretary of State for the Navy, is curiously interesting. 1 he most scrupulous courtesy is cleverly used to veil the irony of one who had formed his 18 3 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA uwn opinion about the claimant, both as regarded his private life and the exploits of which he boasted so loudly. It was dated February 14, 1 82 I, and is gi ven in full below : "In replying to the letter which you took the trouble of addressing to me on the 5th instant, it is unnecessary for me to offer any other observation on that part of it which relates to your conduct while Commander-in- Chief on the St. Helena station, than that it was highl y creditable to yourself as well as satis- factory to his Majesty's Government; and, I ha ve every reason to believe, also to your colleague, Sir Hudson Lowe. In bearing testi- mony, however, to those opinions, which I do with much pleasure, I feel it my duty to state that I do not consider myself at liberty to submit to his Majesty the name of any naval officer to be a Knight Commander of the Bath (the particular mark of favour you mention to me) for any services except such as were performed during war against the enemy. "The respectability of your character as an officer is well known and acknowledged in the navy; but the accidents of the service, which 18 4 THE END OF TIlE DH.l\MA certainly have not been \vithin your control, have not placed you in those situations, either as flag-officer or captain, \vhere you might havt: had opportunities of earning in action those decorations which others have received \vho have been more fortunate, though not more deserving. '[0 follow any other rule in con- ferring that mark of distinction would, I am persuaded, lead to much inconvenience and bt: of great detriment to his Majesty's service. " (Signed) M " ELVILLE. Lord Melvine must have smiled inwardly as he turned these phrases with their double meaning. Stokoe had had an opportunity, a short time befort on tht: quay at Portsmouth, to give Sir Robert Plampin his opinion of him in less measured terms. The doctor ,vas sent back to England immediately after his conden1nation, but," in consideration of his long services," his judges advised the Admiralty to grant him half-pay. As, ho\vever, his position \vas not quite that of a retired officer, it was considered more fitting that he should have a pension of 18 5 WITH N APOLEON AT ST. HELEN A [,100 a year from the Civil List. He also received a favour which had been refused to Admiral Malcoln1's surgeon - 1:300 ad- ditional pay, to cover the time of his sojourn at St. Helena, "also Hths of my full pay from the time I invalided till my return to the Conqueror. This spontaneous generosity," says Stokoe, " spoke volumes, and was gratify- ing to me. It showed that I was not regarded as a culprit; it evinced milder feelings towards me, and encouraged the hope that, after the lapse of a few years, I might be restored to my rank." Unhappily the doctor's hopes were vain. He had brought back from St. Helena a copy of the proceedings of the court-martial, made during the trial by Davies, the clerk. On comparing it with the official copy, which he only obtained after twelve months' delay) he discovered the fraud committed at Sir Robert Plampin's instigation, and felt it incumbent upon him to despatch the following letter to John Barrow, Secretary to the Admiralty : "ROCHESTER, November 4, 1820. " SIR , " I beg to acquaint you for the information of my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty 186 THE END OF THE DRAMA that I have recei ved the attested copy of the minutes of the court-nlartial held on me at St. Helena, with ,vhich I had requested to be furnished. "The incorrect report in the said minutes of the Secretary's answer to my question whether he heard the Admiral desire me to return the note in which he enclosed Count Bertrand's first note to me induces me to send for their Lordships' perusal a copy of the minutes printed a few months after my arrival in England, the publication of which has hitherto been prevented by the entreaties of my friends. " In justice to myself, however, 1 cannot suffer their Lordships to be deceived upon this very important point by the conduct of those who have authorised the insertion of the words' or a copy of it.' "I therefore humbly beg leave to call upon their Lordships to demand of the President and members who composed the said Court to state whether the additional \vords 'or a copy of it' were added to the Secretary's answer by their authori ty or not. And I also beg that they may be required to state the contents of the paper presented to the Court by Rear-Admiral 18 7 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA Plampin after the prosecution and defence had terminated which he stated to be 'a correction of the evidence of yesterday.' U On the motive of the alteration complained of and the nature of the evidence throughout (but more particularly the report of my con- versations with the Rear-Admiral) I shall for- bear to make any comment. Their Lordships will duly appreciate it. I only think it neces- sary to add that I am prepared to prove, by the testimon y of the most respectable individuals present at the trial, that mine is a faithful report of the Secretary's answer. "I beg also to call their Lordships' attention to the omission of the date in the Secretary's statement relative to the second charge during the prosecution, and to compare it with his answer to my question, whether he witnessed the conversation between the Admiral and me on the seventeenth of January, after my return from Longwood. This omission, however, cannot prevent the impression that such prevaricating testimony must make upon their Lordships' minds, as the Admiral acknowledges to have received it from me on the seventeenth, and thus proves that his directions to the Secretary 188 THE END OF THE DRAMA to be in the office were by previous arrangement and not in consequence of any conduct of mine during my attendance on General Bonaparte, as he and his Secretary have both stated in their evidence. This offers, I hope, some apology for the criminal precaution I have been guilty of in my endeavour to avoid the degrading duties of aspy. " Perhaps I should not have troubled their Lordships again, if it had not been com- municated to me within the last few days that Admiral Plampin had preferred a con1plaint to one of the Lords of my conduct to him, subsequent to his arrival in England, and that if I advanced a step further I was to lose my penslo n. " If their Lordships have given such a pledge it may be necessary to acquaint them that, how- ever deeply I may have felt his ungenerous conduct to me as an officer to one who had sacrificed much personal comfort in defending his character from cal urn ny in the island, yet he has never been reproached with it. It was only of that part of it so unbecoming the character of an officer and gentleman that I have hitherto complained. It is for having been told that 18 9 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA my assertions were false, that I was a pre- varicator, and that he had been entertaining a Frenchman in his house. " Such conduct in a man to whom I had been endeavouring to recommend myself by every attention in my power, and to whom I looked up as my friend and protector, excites feelings in my mind that cannot be described, and might, in the opinion of many, justify a spirit of recrimination on my part where facts are not wanting to prove that those, who have been chiefly instrumental in depriving me of the fruit of twenty-five years' service, degrading me by a public trial, were not always the most strict observers of those laws and regulations for the alleged violation of which I have experienced so much real suffering and endless anxiety. " I have the honour to be, " Your obedient servant, " JOHN STOKOE." The epistle was daring, to say the least of it. The reply it evoked was of a calmer nature: " Ha-ving laid before my Lords Com- missio.n r of th Admiralty your letter of the 19 0 THE END OF THE DRAMA 4th instant, with its enclosure, I have it in comn1and to acquaint you that their Lordships cannot comply with your request of calling on the members of the court-martial on the subject of the mistake which you allege to have taken place in the minutes. " As to the other point, their Lordships are not aware of the communication to which you allude, but they would most certainly, in the event of its being necessary, have taken the most effective measures for the protection of Rear-Admiral Plampin from any insult which might have been offered to him in consequence of any public conduct of his during the late command. U (Signed) JOHN BARROW." Had the Admiral really kept silence about the Portsmouth affair? Possibly, for his conscience was not at ease where Stokoe was concerned. The doctor persisted in believing that Sir Robert Plampin had brought the incident before the Admiralty Board, but that there, \vhere every detail of the events at St. Helena \vas kno\vn, he was ad vised not to carry the affair any farther, for fear of scandal. In 19 1 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA any case, it is evident that Stokoe was con- sidered a man to be managed, and one whose complaints were well founded. He kept his pension, and it was increased by the liberality of the Bonaparte family. Count de Las Cases spoke of him to " Madame Mère," King Louis, and Cardinal Fesch, all of whom sought to give him practical proofs of their gratitude "for the services which he had rendered to the Emperor." He found in King Joseph yet a fourth bene- factor. This Prince, Napoleon's eldest brother, was then living at Philadelphia, but his wife, Queen Julia, had remained at Brussels with her two daugh terse Towards the end of J 82 I, the younger, a girl of eighteen, wished to rejoin her father in America, and Stokoe was chosen to act as her medical attendant on the voyage. They started from Antwerp on a small brig, the Ruth and Mary, specially chartered for the occasion. The crossing took two months to accomplish, and the seamanship left much to be desired. Dr. Stokoe was constantly on the alert, and had occasion more than once to call the captain's attention to gross negligence on the part of both men and officers. When the nights were 19 2 THE END OF THE DRAMA calm the watch q uietl y slept at their posts, and the Princess's cook, an inveterate drunkard, narrowly escaped setting fire to the store-room by descending to draw spirits with a naked light. As a rule the \veather was terrible. In all his t\venty years' experience the ex-surgeon of the Conqueror could not recall having seen such tremendous seas. Princess Charlotte would hardly have arrived in safety but for his care and, above all, his vigilance. King Joseph was not slow in testifying his gratitude. He was not satisfied with bestowing ample rewards, but treated Stokoe for the future as a personal friend. The doctor remained on the other side of the Atlantic until 1823, \vhen he recrossed it to fetch the elder daughter, Princess Zenaïde, \vho with her husband, Prince de Canino, =If: was on her way to rejoin her father. In J 824 a third and last mission was entrusted to him, and he returned to Europe with Charlotte, who came back the betrothed of Prince N apoJ eon Louis Bonaparte. During the rest of his life he only saw Joseph occasionall y and at long intervals, first in · (Musignano,) Lucien's eldest son. [E. S. S.] 193 N WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA England, then, in 1840, at Florence, but an affectionate correspondence was carried on between them, which only closed with the ex-king's death in 1843. It is quite foreign to our subject, otherwise it would have been interesting to include it in this volume. A stroke of apoplexy carried Stokoe off suddenly, on September I), 1852. He had married late in life, and his last years were saddened by the loss, not only of his wife, but of his two children, a son and a daughter. A perusal of his papers shows clearly that after his trial he was constantly hankering either for an opportunity of justifying himself before . an impartial tribunal, or of enlisting the English public on his side. Immediately on his return from St. Helena, he sought the advice of one of his former superiors, Alexander Skene, the captain of the Bulwark, who wrote: "Against the award of a court-martial it may be dangerous to give an opinion-but this I must say, that I can never admit that anything appears against you either as a gentleman or as an officer: and my opinion of myoid friend. is therefore unchanged." 194 THE END OF TIlE DRAM \ Towards the end of 1820, Stokoe made the futile attempt already mentioned to have an inquiry made into the change in the deposition which in one case altered the n1eaning of the evidence. Nine years later he submitted the \vhole of the documents to an eminent la\vyer, who easily found many illegal points. However, his verdict ,vas not encouraging; in military matters British legislation seems to allow neither of appeaJ nor revision. In 1842, Sir George Cockburn, who was a participator in the injustice showered upon Stokoe, became First Lord of the Admiralty. The doctor applied to him, begging to be reinstated upon the register of naval surgeons. He received the follo\ving reply: "LEAMINGTON, W ARWICKS : "Otl. 15, /4 2 . " SIR , " I beg to ackno\vledge the receipt at this place of your letter of the loth instant, and ] am sorry to learn from it that circumstances have caused me to appear so much connected with the misfortunes you have mentioned. 195 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA "It must, I hope, be quite unnecessary for me to assure you that I have never entertained any ad verse feeling towards you personall y, and though the jealousy which prevailed relative to all the St. Helena transactions seems to have pressed so hardly on you, I have always con- sidered the errors attributed to Dr. O'Meara and you to have proceeded from your having been placed in so trying a position, rather than from any real intention on your parts to oppose and counteract the orders and intentions of the Government and of your immediate commanding officers. I do not recollect, nor can I here refer to documents to inform me, why you were ordered to be tried by court-martial on your return to St. Helena, nor what description of complaint, if any, was made to the Admiralty relative to the imprudent transaction at Ports- n10uth of which you speak; but I will inform myself on these points when I return to town, and you may rest assured of my disposition to view the whole as little unfavourably as the facts set forth in the official documents may permit, and, at all events, I cannot but much lament your having experienced such severe mis- fortunes " 19 6 THE END OF THE DRAMA There is no trace among Stokoe's papers of Sir George Cockburn's fulfilment of his promise, nor does it appear that he ever gave the matter another thought. He may, however, have taken it up OJÙY to let it drop again, as a thing settled and finished. To have granted an amnesty to the doctor \vould have been to condemn the officers \vho, to please Sir Robert Plampin and Sir Hudson Lowe, had so calmly pronounced him guilty. The First Lord of the Admiralty dared not go so far. Still, his letter is nevertheless inter- esting. It proves that the paltriness of certain accusations was thoroughly recognised in official circles, and that both Stokoe and O'Meara were regarded as victims of the narro\v-minded policy exercised by the British Ministry towards the captive Emperor. In 1844 the t\VO surgeons were very hotly blamed in an article published in the United Service Magazine. The anonymous writer endeavoured to throw upon them the whole responsibility for the Emperor's death, which he attributed to their treatment of imaginary hepatitis. 1'his attack appears to have made a great impression upon Stokoe, and it was then that 197 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA he began, in self-defence, to arrange his notes in the form of a memoir. In this way he spent about ten months, but calm reflection and private reasons kept him from publishing it. The doctor's position had becon1e singularly pre- carious. He had a family to support and was existing on the meagre pension doled out by Government. He feared that the loss of this might ensue if he unn1asked the infan1Y to which he had been a victim, and, therefore, once more resigned hin1self to silence. Forsyth's book appeared just after his death. The part he had played at St. Helena, in con1n10n with other facts, was great! y distorted. This aroused the indignation of a Mr. Graham, an old friend of the doctor's, and he in1plored the nephew,* into whose hands the papers had fallen, to publish the n1emoir. He wrote: "Mr. Stokoe's papers, which are in your hands, will, I have no doubt, contain materials "" This was my grandfather, the Rev. Thomas Stokoe. It is evident from his marginal notes that he studied the papers carefully. He would probably have published them had his busy life allowed, for Dr. Stokoe, his uncle, had taken the place of his father, whose death preceded his own birth. [E. S. S.] 19 8 1 HE Et\D OF THE DI{AMA sufficient to vindicate him fron1 any attacks that may be found in Mr. Forsyth's \vork. \Vhat- ever Mr. Stokoe stated from his own personal knowledge D1ay be depended upon from the character of the D1an, which was thoroughly honest, truthful and gentlemanly. . . . " I remember that Mr. Stokoe told me that in the evidence given Jgainst hin1 at the court- martial there was downright perjury com- mitted. Probably there is evidence of that among his papers." In spite of this advice the precious papers were left, neglected, in a dra\ver, until a foreigner, passing by chance through London almost half a century later, took them from their resting- place to work out, with their help, John Stokoe's justification. Tardy though this D1ay be, he ventures in these last lines to express the hop that it will be considered to be complete. 199 COPIES AND FACSIMILES OF LETTERS REFERRED TO IN THE TEXT EXPLANATIONS REFERRI G TO THE " CLANDESTINE" HOLMES CORRESPO DENCE IN addition to writing to Admiral Plampin in order to exonerate Stokoe, Holn1es, O'Meara's Agent, apologised to the doctor in the following lines : "LYONS [NN, STRAND, LONDON, " NOfJtmbtr 23, 1818. " SIR , " I have heard with feelings of the most sincere regret that you have been inconvenienced & suspected of crin1e in consequence of In y having sent letters to Dr. O'Meara under cover to you as his friend, and I cannot better evince to you how much I lament the circumstance than by sending you herewith copies of letters written by me to Lord Bathurst & the Lords of the Admiralty on the subject. " I am Sir , , " Your most obedient "WM. HOLMES." 20 3 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA The two letters being exactly the same except as regards the address, it will suffice to give the one sent to Lord Bathurst: "3 LYONS INN, STRAND, LONDON, "November 14-, 1818. "My LORD , "Having been informed that Mr. Buckle, owner of the ship Lusitinia (which ship was mentioned in the Morning Chronicle of Thurs- day last), had called at the office of that paper for an explanation of the circumstances under which it was deen1ed necessary to n1ention the name of Captain Brask, I think it necessary to explain to your Lordship why I addressed Mr. O'Meara under an assun1ed nan1e, and why I sent his letters under cover to Dr. Stokoe and Mr. Fowler without their sanction. "Independent of n1Y being Mr. O'Meara's Agent, I have for many years been his private and intimate friend, and as such was con- sequently not unacquainted with the hostile pro- ceedings adopted towards him, and the illegal difficulties interposed to prevent a direct corre- spondence with hin1. And in the possession of this inforn1ation n1uch surprise cannot exist 20 4 COPIES & FACSIMILES OF LETTERS at my having addressed him through private chan neIs. " Dr. Stokoe and Mr . Fowler I heard were his friends, and as such I thought they would not object to receive his letters, but I assure your Lordship \vith much truth that I have never heard from or seen either Dr. Stokoe or Mr. Fowler, and that I was totally unauthorised by them in the liberty I took of using their names for the purpose of securing the safe delivery of my private letters to Dr. O'Meara. "With regard to my own individual conduct in sending to Dr. O'Meara the books and letters, I am prepared to justify the proceeding and to prove to your Lordship whenever it is thought necessary that 1 was guilty of no criminal offence, either by act or intention, in so doing, whatever may have been the opinion or expres- sion used by Sir Hudson Lowe. "It is to Dr. Stokoe and Mr. O'Meara alone that I owe any apology. " I have the honour to be, my Lord, u Your Lordship's D10st obedt. humble servant, "(Signed) WM. HOLMES." As Lord Bathurst persistently refused him an 20 5 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA audience, Holmes sent the explanations he had volunteered to Goulburn, Under Secretary of State. He wrote on January 26, 18 19, as follows : "It is impossible for me, Sir, to n1isconceive the meaning intended to be conveyed by the words , clandestine correspondence,' and as this is the first time Lord Bathurst has given me an oppor- tunity of eXplaining why what you are pleased to call 'clandestine correspondence' existed, I avail myself of it, for the purpose of proving to your Lordship that the necessity of it became unavoidable, in consequence of a most illegal and indecent outrage committed by some person in opening a letter of nline addressed to Dr. O'Meara. "On the 8th August, 1817, I addressed a letter to Lord Bathurst wherein I stated that I had written several tin1es to my client, Dr. O'Meara, from whom I never obtained a reply. And that from having heard from him on subjects uncon- nected with the purport of my comn1unications, I conceived my letters had miscarried; and I requested his Lordship would do me the honour to forward my letters, and begged his directions 206 COPIES & FACSIMILES OF LETTERS 15 to the manner in which they should be sent to Mr. O'Meara, and whether scaled or un- sealed. u You \vere pleased to reply to this letter on the 11th of the same month; and you acquainted me that Lord Bathurst was not aware of any reason \vhy Mr. O'Meara had not received my letters, and that I might depend upon any that I nlight have to write in future being forwarded if I sent them under cover to his Lordship; and you concluded your letter by observing that it was not necessary my letters should be sent unsealed. " \Yïth this assurance from Lord Bathurst of the sacred nature of my correspondence, I \vrote on the fourteenth August, 1817, to Mr. O'Meara in confidence, and on matters connected with his private affairs alone, and sent it on the same day to Lord Bathurst, with a request that it should be conveyed. "J udge, Sir, of my surprise and indignation on receiving a letter from Dr. O'Meara, dated twenty-seventh February, 1818, informing me that the letter above-mentioned of the fourteenth of August, 18 17, \vas sent to him fron1 Plantation House,on the thirty-first of December, 18 17, \vith 20 7 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA the seal broken open, and a note from Colonel W ynyard, stating that it was received in that state by the Governor. " I would not wish to do my Lord Bathurst or his department so much injustice as to suppose, for a moment, after your having written to me to send my correspondence sealed, that my letters were opened in this country . No, Sir, I think that such an illegal and ungentlemanly a proceeding could only have been adopted by a man whose known conduct justifies such suspicions. " I appeal through you, Sir, to Lord Bathurst to know whether such conduct as this did not justify me in endeavouring to secure by private means the safe delivery of my letters to Mr. O'Meara. The Act of Parliament for the detention of Napoleon Bonaparte forbade it not ; the local regulations of St. Helena were unknown to me. But, after all, Sir, what is the injury done, or likely to be done, by my private communications? In what have I so materially erred that Lord Bathurst should think proper so far to interfere with my occupation as to think me an unfit person to execute commis- sions entrusted to my care in the usual course of business? Surely his Lordship must have been 208 COr)IES & FACSIMILES OF LETT'EI{S misled by false representations or he \vould not so unceren1oniously have condemned nle un- heard; and with this feeling I avail myself of this opportunity now afforded me to give his Lordship such explanation of nlY conduct as will sufficiently nlanifcst the innocent nature of my correspondence. " It can scarcely be unknown to his Lordship that, for a considerable time, Count Bertrand has been obliged to expend from three to five hundred pounds sterling monthly, partly in the purchase of the necessaries of life, of which Sir Hudson Lowe refused to supply a quantity sufficient for the consumption of the French, and partly in the domestic comforts and private expenses of the families at Lúngwood. The money arising from the sale of Napoleon Bona- parte's plate, \vhich had been broken up at St. Helena, in order to relieve their necessities, with four thousand pounds lent by Count Las Cases, together with nine or ten thousand pounds, the only tangible property of Count Bertrand (and \vhich had been deposited in the hands of Messrs. Baring Brothers and Co.) having been exhausted; several bills, drawn by Count Bertrand upon a respectable house in 209 0 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA London, were protested. As the French were prevented access to their own resources, appli- cation was made to me, as an agent, to endea- vour to ascertain the state of some funds which were supposed to exist; or, if that should be found impracticable, to discover if they had not relatives who, when informed of their neces- sities, would offer pecuniary assistance to a certain extent-namely, five hundred pounds per month, being the sum which had been calculated by them to be absolutely necessary (over and above the allowance furnished by Sir Hudson Lowe) for the maintenance of the families at Longwood. And in order to prevent any further protesting of Count Bertrand's bills, I was requested to accept bills, drawn by him, to the amount of eighteen hundred pounds J at the rate of two hundred pounds per month; and I was also desired to send out, occasionally, pamphlets and papers. " In order to guarantee me from any loss, such communications were made to me as enabled me to ascertain that a sum, not exceeding three thousand pounds sterling, would be deposited in my hands; I was also directed to obtain some information touching the state of the 210 COI)IES & FACSIMILES OF LETTEH.S funds. These communications \vere wholly of a private nature, and altogether foreign to politics. I felt a pleasure in the task com- mitted to my charge, and happy in the thought that I might perhaps contribute to alleviate their sufferings. I immediately wrote to St. Helena the letters to \vhich so much unmerited importance has been attached, and without any hesitation consented to honour bills dra\vn upon me as far as eighteen hundred pounds. This, Sir, is the history of my correspondence; a.nd if I have committed a crimt: in what I have done, it is a crime of so honourable and humane a nature that, if placed again in a similar situation, I should not hesitate to repeat it. "Had Lord Bathurst condescended to have granted me an interview after the receipt of my letter of December last, I would have convinced his Lordship that my object was to furnish the French prisoners such comforts as they could not procure at St. Ht:lena, either from want of sufficient pecuniary means, the locality and remoteness of that island, or \vere denied to them by Sir Hudson Lowe. " I am a\vare that Count Las Cases has often req uested that books, pamphlets, etc., should be 211 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA sent out to Napoleon Bonaparte, and also that he is grieved to hear from Count Bertrand that only twenty-seven volumes of new publications, with fifteen volumes of the 'Lettres N ormandes et Champenoises,' have been received at Long- wood for nearly two years; and that even some of those were books published during the reign of Napoleon Bonaparte himself. I am aware, also, that books, pamphlets and newspapers, which you declared in your letter of the first of April, 18 18, it was your intention to send out to Napoleon Bonaparte, had not arrived at Longwood so late as the middle of last August; and that Napoleon Bonaparte never receives any French newspapers, although in your said letter you state that the J oztrnal de Commerce and some other French newspapers will be regularly forwarded for the use of General Bonaparte. Moreover, as, in your letter of the twenty-eighth February, you inform the Count that you would from time to time apply to him for payment of the books you might send out to St. Helena, and as he knew that those which had been promised had not arrived at Longwood, it was not extra- ordinary that he felt it incumbent upon him to elnploy an agent in London to purchase and 212 COPIES & FACSIMILES OF LETTERS send out such books, etc., as he ordered; and having applied to me for that purpose, surely my employment cannot be deemed either un- necessary or inexpedient. "The books alluded to in my fo mer letters I am willing to send for examination to any person Lord Bathurst may think proper to appoint; and to be shipped by that person (or any other) to St. Helena; 1 also pledge my honour that they contain no letters, nor papers, nor clandestine information of any description whatever, and I am ready to give his Lordship any security he may desire in support of my statement. "If Lord Bathurst will do me the honour to name a bookseller, I will, in future, order books to be sent by him, in any manner his Lordship n1ay direct, for the use of Napoleon Bonaparte; and my sale interference in the business shall be the ordering and paying for them. " Your obedient servant, "W. HOLMES." 21 3 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA RECORD OF THE MEDICAL SERVICE OF DR. STOKOE AS SUPPLIED TO HIM BY THE ADMIRALTY AT HIS REQUEST November 19, 1822 N OTE.- This record only gives the doctor ninete n years, four months, and two weeks service, but it does not include time spent on land without being attached to a vessel, though such time would be reckoned when his retirement was due. 214 1\0. i3. Time. Shipe. ElIll} . QUIIJuy. V;tcharge. V.I '\1. \\<. D. / / '-r ð" Þ 6 ,.., , Þ" .....-/ ,y'- ra, 9!7.A,u _ , ,../ . - , ___r ?,. /J" - Ø'þ '7. ""/ P7.. ðC rc . .t ,.1.., .7 -' _ a.-f -' ,. .;- /. ,/ ,j ... "4'" "r rn......,.. 0/" / I,..".,,, -' ,,. ". 1C. . 2 , <<. / -.b7 ,.,t' r . -4 __a /U' d. ..J / t.# K #- :t;,.rÁ./",J? L d' I'Y'" ./ / , - ,.q. ,ý' .J /-- d". .2 / ,'ì' d. .tIII4' , ,Þ Å../ y f 2. 4'..'&'c,.... /í/o r/'" << ""d. eJ f. )" I_' r/. . r/- ',/ I'''''' 2/ r'--./ /i J.V.A VY-OFFICE, /?y 1M! r;--' (T 7 yt, )wbone _ .k-. -,_,./f"7 ./k on the Boob or illS )lajeal". Sbip' .bove.meDtio . the Time añd in tbe Qualita.. thee " ./ ð I npr-.ed, beiDI 11_" ., L- 0<<"1-1 ... r.v1,. I'H- Á- evt1 ?JJ'.......;;.4 / - THESE Ire 10 Certify. ThaI c.. UI ,/ ,--- '-- t:1" vfZ-.a COPIES & FACSIMILES OF LETTERS Note from COUNT BERTRAND sunuJ10ning DR. STOKOE to Longwood, on the occasion of NAPOLEON'S first attack LONGWOOD, Ie 17 J l11/Vicr, 1819, à une heure du matin. MONSIEUR, L'Empereur éprouve une cris très violente. V ous êtes Ie seul officier de santé actuellement en ce pays, à qui il ait témoigné de la con11ance. J e vous prie de ne pas perdre un moment pour vous rendre à Longwood, et de demander en arrivant après moi. j'espère que vous arriverez dans la nuit. Je suis fort troublé. J' ai l'honneur d'être, Monsieur, V otre très-humble et très-obéissant serviteur, LE CTE. BERTRAND. MR. LE ÐOCTEUR STOCKOE. 2 1 7 An order sent to CAPTAIN STANFELL by the .A dmiral. Repudiated by him at the Court-martial. 218 -Þz L Æ -L ..--.. - / Z- >_,.;G- ___ g",- ?4-L..; d-;;7 Á---4/ .ø / COIJIES 6' FACSIMILES OF LETTERS Articles pour renzplacer MR. O'MEARA et donner à MR. STOKOE Ie caractère de Médecin de Napoléon. Ie. Le docteur Stokoe est considéré comme Ie chirurgien de NapaIéon, et lui tiendra lieu du chirurgien français, dont il est fait mention au decret du gouvernement Britannique, du IS août, 18 IS. 2 e . II ne pourra pas etre ôté sans Ie consente- ment de Napoléon, du mains par un simple ordre du gouverneur et surtout pendant Ie temps que durera la maladie. 3 e . II ne sera soumis pendant Ie temps qu'il remplira les fonctions de Médecin de Napoléon à aucun discipline ou devoir militaire et sera considéré con1me un employé civil anglais. 4 e . II ne devra compte à qui que ce soit de la santé de Napoléon, il rédigera tous les jours, et plus souvent si cela est nécessaire, un bulletin de la santé de Napoléon, dont it fera 2 exem- plaires, un pour être remis à un des ùfficiers de 221 \VITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA Longwood, et l'autre au gouverneur lorsqu'il Ie désirera. Se. Qui que ce soit ne s'ingérera dans ses fonc- tions medicales; il ne lui sera imposé aucune restriction pour ses communications avec N apo- léon et les français, soit par écrit, soit verbalement, soit Ie jour, soit la nuit. 6 e . II ne sera tenu de rendre compte de ce qu'il verra ou entendra à Longwood qu'autant qu'il jugera que cela compromettrait son ser- ment d'allégiance envers sa patrie ou son souveraln. 7 e . Le docteur Stokoe prend l' engagement de servir de son office Napoléon indépendemment de toute prévention ou esprit de parti et comme s'il était son compatriote, de ne faire aucun Bulletin ni aucune relation de ses maladies sans I ui en remettre l' original. ge. Mr. Stokoe, en acceptant ces conditions, préserve l'intégrité de tous ses droits de citoyen et d' officier anglais; il demande à recevoir de I' amirauté Ie même traitement que son pré- décesseur, et n' entend etre assimilé en rien aux prisonniers français; Ie tout avec la permission de son chef, Ie rear admiral Plam pin. LONGWOOD, Ie I 7 Janvier, 18 19. 222 COPIES & FACSIMILES OF LETTERS Lt/ttr from AOMIRAL PLAMPIN to DR. STOKOE, as a rtsult of wllich tht latter refused to continue his visits to Longwood BRIARS, January 21, 1819. SIR, In answer to the letter you left with me yesterday evening I have only to observe, it's of no consequence for me to know what experience you yesterday gained, nor do I conceive it requisite for you to ask my leave to decline your services in aid of General Buonaparte, which I have never commanded; and never having had any correspondence with Count Bertrand I cannot condescend to commence one with him, for the mere purpose of conveying your wishes on that head, more especially as you did not conceive any previous communication with me requisite, before you gave your full consent to him to become General Buonaparte's Physician, 223 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA as has been stated from Longwood to His Excellency the Governor. I am, Sir, Your most obedient servant, ROBT. PLAMPIN, Rear Admiral and Commander-in-Chief. To MR. JOHN STOKOE, Surgeon, H.M.S. Conqueror. 224 COPIES & FACSIMILES OF LETTERS Leiter froln COUNT BERTRAND to DR. STOKOE, again sum1J20ning hÙll to Longwood LONGWOOD, Ie 19 Janvier, 1819. MONSIEUR, V ous deviez être rendu à dix heures à Longwood. II est midi, je vous prie de venir aussitôt la presente lettre reçue. J'ai l'honneur d'être, Monsieur, Vôtre très-humble et très-obéissant serviteur, LE CTE BERTRAND. MR. LE DOCTEUR STOKOE. Wri/Jen on the outside of the above in pencil by the A dl11Íral : 4! P.M. BRIARS, 19 th J any., 181 9. Mr. Stokoe has my permission to pass into Long\vood for the purpose of calling on Dr. Verling, ,vith the view of visiting Genl. B. if required, governing himself herein by the regula- tions established by His Excellency Sir Hudson Lowe. 225 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA Letter from COUNT LAS CASES to DR. STOKOE P ASSY, Ie 16 7 bre. MON CHER DOCTEUR, J e reçois à l'instant une Iettre de Ia Comtesse de Survilliers, (Reine Joseph), qui vous concerne, et demande une immédiate réponse. Malheureusement eUe a 3 semaines de date, s'etant egarée dans sa route. Elle vous pro- poserait d'accompagner sa fiUe à Philadelphie ; pour Ia eonduire à son père. Le départ devait avoir lieu dans les premiers jours d' octobre. Voyez si cela ne mériterait pas, dans vos cir- eonstances, de vous transporter immédiatement à BruxeUes pour en conférer avec elle. J'ai pensé dans vos intérêts que cette occasion était heureuse pour vous, en ce qu'elle vallS garantirait ce qui vous a été promis par eUe et son appui auprès de tous les membres de la famille qui vous ont fait de pareilles promesses. Ne perdez done pas un instant pour répondre ; l'adresse 226 COPIES & FACSIMILES OF LETTERS de la Comtesse de Survilliers est à Bruxel1es, hôtel du prince de Galles sur Ie Parc. Pour un marin Comme vous, Ie voyage à Philadelphie et Ie retour immédiat ne doit sembler guère plus qu'une course à Paris. Tous les frais d'aller et de retour pa yés, vous vous en tendrez pour le surplus, qui ne m'a pas paru être considérable. J'ai cru com prendre 2000 francs. Mais vous vous en entendrez, et puis l'important, selon moi: est les droits que vous acquererez par là à la bienveil1ance de la famille et la securité que vous obtiendrez sur les promesses qui vOus ont étê faites. Adieu, mon cher Docteur, je ne yous parle pas de moi ; je demeure à peu près dans Ie même état. J'aurais eu bien du plaisir à vous revoir; mais je prefère encore vos intérêts à ma satisfac- tion. J e suis de retour en France depuis un mois ; voici mon adresse chez Madame Possoz, à la muette, No.8, à I.J assy , près Paris. Tout à vous LE CTE DE I..AS CASES. 227 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA Part of a letter in the handwriting of PRINCESS CHARLOTTE. PHILADELPHIA, Jany. 1822. Sir, I entreat you to regard my house as your home \vhether I am in town or in the country. I beg, Sir, that you will keep the enclosed pin as a memento of my gratitude for the good escort you have been for my daughter during her voyage. Accept, Sir, my perfect esteem and sincere attachment. Yours affectionately, JOSEPH, Cte. de Survilliez. 228 A ulograph feller [ronl Qu E E N J U LI E. p III"",,, '" ./ .J CA. 1. . , .. 't I Þ'V_ /'J' I . 1C4'J. . v r -1.< It' -"1A , J U- . t"1,..4. . /& V, ..,. . &."\. 4 :4. 8. t ,,.'" c. e.1- J,., J.,:....., ,IU .aÆr \I ,..... .... I 1f;1/';' J, """'''" I w..., I'J.I--.J .."k-'1 ,(c "..... <<.,.. Jc "'" , . ..Lf. I . -"" r . d. __,' u-t;"" ,1AoI.. p ....., '14' e.{/ Ø( . 61M44... UJI J':,...... 4I'wc..-'\. e.,..,... 'I &<< /.....(.A t , ,, l. t y CA-: I DCA.-'V1 ÞV: -70 . a &oC .-...... ( k. .J t I--u.L, t ?..t,..40...-1c.-/' /,i,irf;, --rï:'7 ......"/,,,.(/ ..-.. )1""A"' UC. 1/.,.., i"ú rL<<-r"U--7 ), ( , 1-,.,"':", I uc uJ1of ..., I Wø.. :C... t- 7 IA-C , ,....J :"'/,' ( u., eua v c,...., r-Ln Ll '1 c-' " I /-, A. c,v#<' J -r ".. v t.. J,p ......-r f J {L-, & (4.f I- t't -L___"" a.u';.J I',..., Çta... ....c< J. -Tú,A. lc '11A.L /,p( I/tl, IL-' I ,c-v .:" .....,. /.......,(J..,,,e..;.-..,. , (' '" A If, t. /r , ) ". , C-l a, I , '1 L i. {..u.. (I 01\ .. .,..,:c. I t/ I t-- . /:LI J4I'40. , lur , a4Au.. J.... ../.,-., I'" t. . d i( ; 1/ t.. , I ; '- , . .. 4? , J'J /"....., &A, L- ""'" ""1'...i .t &-', J I 6--,..,-;.... .. I, "......'''''.... I C. J 1 '1 C , I U.... ,,{(..., 14 I 11 '2 . I 1 1 / If.... V 14-'" - c) Ú'.u :J..'j.... f/ " , tA... /-" r-- oJ I}, .. I ,/; ,, , . va J II'" k J ...1 M "."".... c.." ..,;".. '---r :"rA &,..... 11. 1 c.' 1< (. ! i " . J I . JL' C ... ,... , ,,........ ... La. I "'rï. AI' LCla_t. 4 ., J I .: orl'J "N.- C4- .... A 'I "'/'" ......... _, .. Û. lCo? .L-' J. ..A' c:-- tiv.4-r ,a- ,, t.# "I ,a..o..-,. , , &4.' ".,.., ") V"""'" ...... ,.. 1'6.,.J......, ./ t.. I.. a ac..L ..o )'6- " ( I. ....... tt...v.....-], . 1'1 .... cl. "" '. /'._:;1-'/'" '01_ LJ - ,. -< -"\ V II ....... ../S" ü.,.J _ ' - . . -"\ '" 1 /'",.........., ..... J"-., 1 '\ · &.0&.< ,..... 4 .... -'!....!A.1 .. ./ z: -r .c. L ..........; ..o-j . COPIES & FACSIMILES OF LETTERS LeIter from CHARLES BONAPARTE on the other side of one from JOSEPH LONDON, AT MESSRS. STILWELL'S, December 7, 1826. My DEAR DR., In forwarding my uncle's letter, I will not lose an opportunity of refreshing me in your memory and renewing to you the senti- ment of esteem and friendship which I have entertained towards you ever since I first had the pleasure of your acquaintance. It is need- less to tell you how satisfactory it would have proved to me to find you in London, where I shall remain but a few days, and how dis- appointed I must have been in hearing you were here but a few days ago. My f:1.mily, which I have left in America, was well twenty days ago, and I hope to be back to them in Mai. You will see by this statement that the Canada and Captain Rogers are more expeditious than the Fa/con and your friend Eames. We had, in fact, an almost unprecedented passage of sixteen days and a half. Now I shall proceed as fast as possible to 233 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA Rome, but hope to be in England again, and most probably in April, where I shall certainly see you. In the meantime, should you meet with a Mr. Audobon, please to present him my best compliments. I remain, in great haste, Your most affectionate friend, CHARLES L. BONAPARTE (Prince of Musignano). POINTE BREEZE, 15ft'll., 18 3 2 . MONSIEUR, Les responses que j' ai reçu de Londres, et celle même que vous m'avez addressee, ne , m ont pas paru encore assez encouragentes pour me faire entreprendre Ie voiage d' angleterre, je Ie desire cependant, et je profite du voiage de Mr. Goubaud, artiste distingué, pour vous envoier une gravure dont vous reconnoitrez, j'espère, Ie sujet puisque c'est celui d'un homme qui conserve tant d'estime et de reconnaissance pour VOllS, et qui désire tout l'occasion de vous convaincre de tout son attachement. V otre affectueux, JOSE PH, Cte. de Survillier. MR. LE DOCTEUR STOKOE, londres. [This engraving is now in the possessionofmyfather.-E.S.S.] 234 Autograph letter fron! JOSEPH BONAPARTE ,,.t:.. _ "t i '/4' / l" . ð J. VO- P<.. ,< n--"l.- '" .. -4,.C... ' c..H4.4J....L . ">L, J4-' ?:: JL.. û-I- ", r--?' p -;,ù .' ;.. .c1' ..... ÞV:C ; c./JI ,. c.... V77.P' "\"'\ , .'" ..b II w' , ,:II k.,..- A..- c-7 /' 6 1", _).c.. /'L . I ..,.". , ..-,r ,---' . b- #'V'- r ".:.- , ..I ,.: ..c-u./ ...... ' r7 , e., '.IL :... þ t!'o/......., .,L r ,;) ì' ../ ..I,./ ./ ;.., II..,M..- 4û ....,.............> " ft' ...c. ÞLI- / l. / ;Ç-"W.--IV'/ ' ;.,Z::::- ?::::- Cð ) ..- ." Uo4 .,.." t " / - ,......... /'" . ..&A.--r .JL . z L.Þ'f f/,L" #-- f- I . ". ' 1" "yv.. ........ t.4/ l __ ,.' r' "-c: " . '1 't. .f.... ,.J_ .... .:/ -' , "', e" :/ CAA' / ...); .ç'" '1 '.? ..-.J d" '" ,uJ,..." ..e4--U- .-<.. c .........._ -" " J, ............ /' 41-'''' . ' " -....., z:;. #' Úr .-L.. /. I I U .Þ'- L - __ /.. u 4.# . __/-4.._ N,,:S , /l,.,-.c.- j;, .r. /'L"--' "' é- " ,C.A- ...,.,. E.u../ ) ,,-) ".... .J'H - c--=_ __:s. ? . ÝlU I- )- b - /r" - -- /,A/L-'f' l- ,, ,- - ,.. . "'f "" .J .....- KO"- - , - <<-- ....... - /'.// ..,,- A- f.u- 1/d uJ J-,,44' ill . ' tl'"..vv- 1/"./ ...,;- ::u, t:,[ au.c/..-T-Ád . 'l /7 /'"L- '. b I ,.. .. 6 ... /.Å.. /i-u"L.-, rvJtðØ 6-1 ;'__.-' .._ A-J ,. '" e;::..../ ./; "Þ'-V' L--- - J ' ,, -æ-þ--..- ,,- .4. 1RCI/)...r.J "....- r /.:.c.... / .e-""""'" ./-'""" ........... ..,.,.... ./" /1' ---:, C8 4fI.' i, --nZ::;:;- "'*- /- . I hAA__ ,,---- , I ì' ./... -:I' 7"-- "\...,. , ß". r- ,Ht(...fv:...,;- -4- d..tf i-#f..è . -v".- ,, / . -ý I ' -i,..a. A 1-'1 CJ.? eiJ '"" ., -it:: ø-v -OJ'-; . / . -- COPIES & FACSIMILES OF LETTERS Letter from ADMIRAL SIR GEORGE COCKBURN LEAMINGTON, W ARWICKS:, Octoher 15, 14 2 . SIR, I beg to acknowledge the receipt at this place of your letter of the loth inst., and I am sorry to learn from it that circumstances caused me to appear so much connected with the mis- fortunes you have mentioned. It must, I hope, be quite unnecessary for me to assure you that I have never entertained any adverse feeling towards you personally, and though the jealousy which prevailed relative to all the St. Helena transactions seems to have pressed so hardly on you, I have always con- sidered the errors attributed to Dr. O'Meara and you to have proceeded from your having been placed in so trying and difficult a position, rather than from any real intention on your parts to oppose and counteract the orders and intentions of the Government and of your commanding officers. I do not recollect, nor 239 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA can I refer here to documents to inform me, why you were tried by court-martial on your return to St. Helena, nor what description of complaint, if any, was made to the Admi- ralty relative to the imprudent transaction at Portsmouth of which you speak, but I will inform myself on these points when I return to town, and you may rest assured of my dis- position to view the whole as little unfavourably as the facts set forth in the official documents may permit, and at all events I cannot but much lament your having experienced such severe misfortunes. I remain, Sir, Your obedient humble servant, COCKBURN. JOHN STOKOE, Esq. 24 0 COI>IES & FACSIMILES OF LETTI RS Extract fro11t a Catalogue issued by Messrs. PUTTICK & SIMPSON of an Auction to be held " At crheir Great Roonl, 191 Piccadilly, On cruesday, JUly 12th, 1853, At One O'clock Most Punctually." crhe Property of the late DR. STOKOE. 79. A case containing a silver knife, fork, spoon, and cup, which formed part of NAPOLEON'S service at St. Helena, given to Mr. Stokoe by Joseph Bonaparte. [L I I.] 80. A BROOCH WITH CHAIN AND PIN SET \\'ITH A FINE LARGE BRILLIANT, given to Mr. Stokoe by Joseph Bonaparte. [[25.] 8 I. A brooch presented to Mr. Stokoe by Joseph Bonaparte, containing an engraved portrait of Napoleon. [9s.] 82. A turquoise ring surrounded by sOlall diamonds, and containing a portion of Mr. 24 1 WITH NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA Stokoe's hair and some of that of a friend. [37 s. ] 83. A cameo ring with a portrait of Napoleon, given by the present Emperor of France. [l2 2S.] 84. A brooch. [l3 7 s .] 85. A large gold watch seal, containing a mariner's compass, presented to the late John Stokoe, Esq., by the ex- een of Spain, wife of Joseph Bonaparte. [3 6s .] 86. Some hair of Napoleon Bonaparte, given to Mr. Stokoe in St. Helena by Napoleon I. [ls ISS.] 87. Some hair of Joseph Bonaparte, and by him given to Mr. Stokoe. [16s.] 88. An eye-glass. [ I os.] 89. Impression from a facsimile of the signet ring worn by Louis XVI. [4S. 6d.] 90. Mr. Stokoe's silver snuff-box. [I 7s.] 91. A mourning ring. [25s.] 92. A razor which belonged to Joseph Bona- parte. [6s.] 24 2 INDEX Abell, Mrs., lee Elizabeth Balcombe Abuse showered on Sir H. Lowe by Napoleon, 68 cc Amusements," Napoleon's, at St. Helena, 12 Answers to the ten Charges against Stokoe, 134--14- I Antommarchi, Dr., discredited by Forsyth, 3 ; announced to Napoleon, 85 ; arrives at St. Helena, 161 ; questioned by Montholon, 162; his character, ib. ; did not suspect cancer, 174- Anxiety, First, about Napoleon's health, 63 Anxiety, Further, about Napoleon's health, 84, 16 I, 162, 168 Appel à la nation anglaise (Santini), 13 Arnott, Dr., offered to Napoleon in consultation, 163; refused, ib.; allowed to visit him, 16+; his impres- sions, 165 ; the story of the presen t of books, 166 ; his letter from Sir H. Lowe, 167 ; announces Napoleon's critical state to the Governor, 168 ; at the pOlt-mortem, 172,173,174; not recognised by Napoleon, 175 cc Articles," Eight, drawn up by Ct. l\lontholon, 87; English version, ib. ; French version, 221 ; offered to Stokoe, 87 ; accepted conditionally, 9 I, 94-; not dis- approved by the Admiral, 93; Sir H. Lowe's letter concerning them, 94 ; at the court-martial, 136, 1+8, 1+9 243 INDEX Attacks upon the system pursued at St. Helena, 4 ; 17 8 Author's explanation of the plan of the book, 7 Balcombe, Mr., entertains Napoleon, 22; returns to Eng- land, 77; his letter to Stokoe, 78 ; to O'Meara, ib. ; mentions Stokoe to Holmes, ib. ; banished, 80 Balcombe, Miss Elizabeth, her "Recollections of the Emperor Napoleon," 4-5 ; her silence about" Lady" Plampin, ib. ; her ideas about Napoleon, 54 Balcombe, Miss Jane, Rumours about, 53 Balmain, Count, 4-; on Sir H. Lowe, 36; on Sir R. Plampin,45 ; on "Lady" Plampin, ib. ; on the court- martial on Dr. Stokoe, 157 Barrow, John, 83 ; Stokoe's letter to him concerning the fraud in the court-martial papers, 186 ; his reply, 191 Basis of Forsyth's "History of the Captivity of Napoleon," 3 Bathurst, Lord, 30 ; his letter to Sir H. Lowe, 72 ; recalls O'Meara, 73; gives orders concerning Napoleon's doctor, 89 ; anticipates an attempt at escape, 16+; letter to Sir H. Lowe after Napoleon's death, 176 Baxter, Dr., refused by Napoleon, 64; creature of the Governor, 69 Bertrand, Count, his abode, 24; furious that Stokoe would not attend Napoleon, 65 ; writes urgently to him, 84, 21 7; again summons Stokoe, 99, 225; summoned to the court-martial, 142; unable to attend, ib. ; writes to Lord Liverpool on Napoleon's health, 162 Bingham, Gen. Sir George, 49 Bonaparte, Prince Charles (Prince of Musignano), 193 ; his letter to Stokoe, 233 Bona parte, General or Emperor, 29, 30, 1 06, I 3 3, 140 244 INDEX Bonaparte, Joseph, 192 j his gratitude to Dr. Stokoe, 193 ; his correspondence with him, 194-; his death, ib. ; his letters to Stokoe, 225, 235, 237 Bonaparte, Prince Napoleon Louis, 193 Bonaparte, Napoleon, Jt' Napoleon Bonaparte family, their liberality to Dr. Stokoe, 192 Boys, Rev. Mr., preaches against the Admiral, 4t Briars, 'rhe, 22, 42 Brooke, Mr., on St. Helena, 16 Bulletin, the first, 92 j the second, 100 Cancer, Evidence of, discovered at the pOJ/-mortem, 171 Catalogue, Extract from an old, 241 Characteristics of Sir Hudson Lowe, 34 Character of Sir Robert Plampin, according to Count Balmain, 45 Charges, Ten, against Stokoe, 130-+; answered, 134-- If I Charlotte, Princess, escorted by Stokoe to America, 192 ; her dangers, 193 ; returns to Europe, ib. ; letter in her handwriting, 228 Choice of Longwood explained, 28 Clark, William, witness for Stokoe, 156 Climate of St. Helena, 14, 17 Cockburn, Sir George, on Napoleon's title, 2.9; behaviour to his charge, 30; letters to Count Bertrand, 29; to Lord Bathurst, 30; real character, 31 ; letter to Stokoe, 195, 24 0 Compact, Secret, between Sir Hudson Lowe and Sir Robert Plampin, 4 2 , 159 Condi tional acceptance, Stokoe's, of the" Articles," 9 1 , 94- Confidence, Napoleon's, in Stokoe, 175 24' INDEX Conqueror fitted out, 9 ; sets sail, 17 ; arrived at St. Helena, 17, 39, 69 Correspondence between Finlaison and Dr. O'Meara, 69 Correspondence, Affectionate, between Joseph Bonaparte and Stokoe, 194, 228, 234-, 237 Court-martial upon Stokoe fixed, 141 ; postponed, 142; its composition, ib. ; its duration, 156 Criticisms of the Foreign Commissioners at St. Helena, 4 Croker, Mr. (Secretary to the Admiralty), replies to Stokoe, 15 6 Cross-examination, Stokoe's, of the Admiral, I 5 5 ; of the other witnesses, ib., 156 Curiosi ty, Social, at St. Helena, 41 Defences of St. Helena, 15, 16, 36 Defence, Stokoe's, of his conduct, 146-155 Delay in sending Stokoe to Longwood, 86, 99 Description of Napoleon's health on January 17, 181 9, 93 Diana's Peak, 18 Difficulties of Stokoe's position, 81 Discomforts of Longwood, 24-7 Discussion between Sir H. Lowe and Stokoe with regard to the latter attending Napoleon, 66 Discussion between Sir Robert Plampin and Stokoe con- cerning Napoleon's title, 106 Embargo, Sir Hudson Lowe's, on the officers' visits to Long- wood, 49 English servants, Napoleon's, dismissed, 81 Epithets, The, showered on Sir H. Lowe by Napoleon, 68 Expenses reduced at Longwood, 33 24 6 INDEX Explanations referring to the" clandestine" Holmcs corre- spondence, 203-13 Fac-similes of letters and documents, 215, 217, 23 1 , 239 False entry in minutes of the court-martial, 159, 160 Fauna of St. Helena, 19 Fears haunting Sir H. Lowe, 34, 3 6 , 95 Fesch, Cardinal, will scnd out Dr. Antommarchi, 85 ; his bad choice, 162; his liberality to Stokoe, 192 Finlaison's private correspondence with O'Meara, 69 Flora of St. Helena, 15, 19 Forbes, Fictitious Mr., 75 Forsyth, William, object of his "History of the Captivity of Napoleon," 2; on Las Cases, ib.; on Antom- marchi, ib.; on O'Meara, 3; basis of his book, ib. ; his conclusions generally adopted, ib. ; his verdict on Sir H. Lowe, 4; misconstrues Stokoe's conduct, 5, 198; ignores some of the ten charges against him, 138,141 ; remarks on Napoleon's present to officers of the 20th regiment, 167 Garrison of St. Helena, 35 George IV. receives Sir H. Lowe, 177 Gorrequer, Major, his minutes, 96-8; letter to Captain Nicholls, 102 ; confirms the Admiral's depositions, 1.1-5 Gourgaud, General, his abode, 24; on the Plampin ménage, 44; returns to Europe, 7 2 ; on Napoleon's health, 73 Graham, Mr., 198 Hay, Lieut., witness for Dr. Stokoe, 156 " History of the Captivity of Napoleon," by Forsyth, 2, 3, 4, 3 0 247 INDEX Hoffmann on St. Helena, 14-17 Holmes, Mr., consigns books to "Mr. Forbes," 7 5 ; his letter to O'Meara, ib.; consigns books to Stokoe, 7 6 , 79; his note to Ct. Bertrand, 77; to O'Meara, ib. ; to Stokoe, 78; writes explanatory letters to Lord Bathurst, ib.; to Sir Robert Plampin, ib. ; his letter to Stokoe, 203; to Lord Bathurst, 204; to U nder- Secretary Goulburn, 206-13 Holmes correspondence dragged into the court-martial, 145; explanations concerning it, 20 3- 13 Ignorance, General, about St. Helena, I I, 13, 17 Incredulity as to Napoleon's illness, 161 Iniquitous verdict on Stokoe, 15 6 , 158 " Interview," Tyder's, with" the Imperial convict," II Isolation of St. Helena, 10 Isolation of the exiles, 8 I Isolation of Longwood, 46 Jamestown, its position, 20 ; its buildings, ib. ; its fortifica- tions, 2 I Joseph Bonaparte, see Bonaparte Julie, ex-Queen of Spain, her letter to Stokoe, 23 1 Keith, Lord, on Napoleon, 60 King, The (George IV.), receives Sir Hudson Lowe, 177 Las Cases, Count, wrote on Napoleon's captivity, 1 ; dis- credited by Forsyth, 2; on Plantation House, 21; tries to send a letter secretly to Europe, 34; arrested by the Governor, ib. ; his letter to Stokoe, 226 Las Cases, the younger, attacks Sir H. Lowe, 17 8 24 8 INI)EX Last courtesy shown Napoleon, 4-9 Last days of Napoleon's life, 168-70 " Last Days of Napoleon, The JJ (Antommarchi), 17 0 Lee, 1VIr., 58 Letters in the text and Appendix: Balcombe to Stokoe, 78 ; to O'Meara, ib.; Lord Bathurst to Sir H. Lowe, 7 2 , 176; Ct. Bertrand to Stokoe, 84, 217, 225 ; John Barrow to Stokoe, 191; Ch. Bonaparte to Stokoe, 233 ; Joseph Bonaparte to Stokoe, 228, 23'h 237; Sir George Cockburn to Ct. Bertrand, 29, ió.; to Lord Bathurst, 30; to Stokoe, 195, 236; Major Gorrequer to Captain Nicholls, 102 ; Holmes to Stokoe, 203; to Lord Bathurst, 20+; to Under Secretary Goulburn, 206-13; Ex-Queen Julie to Stokoe, 231; Ct. Las Cases to Stokoe, 226; Sir H. Lowe to Lord Bathurst, 71, 160; to Ct. Montholon, 82 ; to the Admiral, 94, I 17-120; to Dr. Arnott, 169 ; Lord Melville to the Admiral, 184; Admiral Plampin to Capt. Stanfell, 60, 84, 2 19 ; to Stokoe, I I 5, 22.3 ; Sir Thos. Reade to the Governor, 165; Capt. Skene to Stokoe, 19+; Dr. Stokoe to the Admiral, III; to Capt. Stanfèll, 116; to John Barrow, 186-190; Baron Stürmer, 69; Unsigned letter from Longwood, I I 7 " Letters written on board the Nor/bumber/alld," 12 Liberality of the Bonaparte family to Dr. Stokoe, 192 LJoyd, Lieut., informs Stokoe of his arrest, 129 Longwood described, 22-7 ; its position, 24; its discom- forts, ió. ; its choice explained, 2 Louis XVIII. and his agents, I I Lowe, Sir Hudson, arrives at St. Helena, 3 I ; his appear- ance, 32 ; his manners, ió. ; kind offer to the French 249 Q INDEX prisoners, ib.; cuts down Napoleon's suite, 33; arrests Las Cases, 34; his occupations, ib.; his fears, 39, 95 ; Ct. Balmain's remarks on him, 36; Baron Stürmer's remarks, ib.; secret compact with the Admiral, 42, 159; his letter to Lord Bathurst, 45 ; isolates Longwood, 46; his spies, 61, 74 ; summons Stokoe to cross-examine him on his conversation with Napoleon, 61 ; orders O'Meara to consult with Dr. Baxter, 64; quarrels with Stokoe for his reluctance to visit Napoleon with Dr. O'Meara, 66; plots for O'Meara's recall, 67; forces him to repeat epithets used by Napoleon concerning himself, 68 ; discovers the Finlaison correspondence, ib.; quarrels with O'Meara, 70; letter to Lord Bathurst about him, 71 ; third quarrel with O'Meara, ib.; demands his recall, ib.; puts him on a level with the prisoners, 72 ; has him arrested and searched, 73; complains of Napoleon's invisibility, 81 ; falsifies O'Meara's reports, 90; his letter to the Admiral about the "Articles," 94- ; receives Ct. Montholon, 96-8; professes himself willing to allow Stokoe to attend Napoleon, 97, 102 ; his underhand tricks, 103 ; his letter to Stokoe, 115, 22+; his end gained, 116; his letter to the Admiral accusing Stokoe, 117-120; letter to Lord Bathurst on the court-martial, 160; proposes Dr. Arnott to Napoleon, 163 ; letter to Dr. Arnott about the present of books, 167 ; anxious about his prisoner's health, 168; removes all restrictions, ib.; his exclamation at Napoleon's death, 175 ; received by the King, 177 ; appointed Colonel of the 93rd regiment, ib. ; attacked by Las Cases and others, 178; sent to Ceylon, ib.; returns to defend himself, 179; revisits Longwood, 25 0 INDEX ib. ; pension refused, 180; icy reception from the Ministers, 181; returns to Ceylon, ib.; resigns, 18z ; his memorial to Queen Victoria, ib.; his death, 18 3 LuBin de Chateauvieux, his "Manuscrit venu de Ste. Hélène, I 3 Lutyens, Captain, and Napoleon's present of books, 166 ; su perseded, 168 Macartney, Lord, on St. Helena, I +, I 5 Malcolm, Admiral Sir Pulteney, 38 ; protects O'Meara, 68 ; advises Stokoe, 126 " Manuscrit venu de Ste. Hélène," by LuBin de Chateau- vieux, I 3 Medical survey on Stokoe in London, 1 Z 5 Melville's, Lord, reply to Sir R. Plampin, 184- Memoi rs of Dr. Stokoe, 5 f\Iinisters', The, check upon Sir H. Lowe, 69 Minutes of conversations between Sir H. Lowe and Ct. I'vlontholon, 96-8 ; between the Admiral and Stokoe on Jan. 19,107; on Jan. 20, III ; on Jan. 21,115 Montchenu, Marquis of, on the system at St. Helena, 4; on Sir H. Lowe, 35 Montholon, Ct., on Jamestown, 21 ; proposes to Stokoe to attend Napoleon, 86; his" Articles," 87-9 ; his inter- view with the Governor, 96 ; summoned to the court- martial, I+Z ; unable to attend, ib.; on the Emperor's condition in 18zo, 162 Mountain System of St. Helena, 18 1\1 ysteries of the Holmes correspondence, 75, 7 6 , 77. Napoleon, ex-Emperor, arrives at St. Helena, 22 ; his tem- 25 1 INDEX porary residence, ib.; on Sir George Cockburn, 3 1 ; on Sir H. Lowe, 32 ; his liberty restricted, 33 ; pro- tests to the Governor, 34; describes Sir R. Plampin, 43 ; on the scandal, 44; first conversation with Stokoe, 5 I; matchmaking for Stokoe, 54; anxiety (first) about his health, 63 ; refuses Dr. Baxter, 64- ; demands Stokoe, ib. ; showers epithets on the Governor, 68 ; secludes himself, S I ; falls ill, S 3, S 5 ; refuses Dr. Verling, S 3; calls for Stokoe, ib. ; nature of his il1ness, 85 ; complains of the climate, 90 ; continued anxiety about him, 95; much worse, log; calls again for Stokoe, I 12, 175, ib. ; slowly recovers, I 16; his con- dition in Sept. 181g, 161; earlyinlSzl, 163; refuses Dr. Arnott, 163; consents to see him, 164; his praise of British soldiery, 166 ; his present to the 20th Regiment, ib.; reviews his treatment, 168 ; his death, 170; had demanded a healthier abode, 172; post- mortem on his body, 270-2, 173-4; confidence in Stokoe, 175 ; prophecy about public opinion, 17 8 Nicholls, Capt., forwards Ct. Bertrand's letter, 86 ; sends the" Articles" to Sir H. Lowe, 93 ; accompanies Ct. Montholon to Plantation House, 96; presents the Governor's order concerning Dr. Verling, 107 ; wit- ness for the prosecution, 146; cross-examined by the accused, 1 55 Note in pencil on Ct. Bertrand's letter, 225 Note on the spelling of" Bonaparte," 84- Note on the size of St. Helena, 18 ; on the rainfall, 26 Note on the word" Emperor," 87 Note on the probable reason for the Admiral's animus against Stokoe, 76 Note on an error in an unsigned letter, 117 25 2 INDEX Object of Forsyth's" History of the Captivity," 2 Occupations, Sir H. Lowe's, 34 O'Meara, Dr., his two books on Napoleon's captivity, I ; left defenceless, 47 ; exchanges visits with the Staff of the C onljueror, 50 j presents Stokoe to Napoleon, 5 I j wishes for a second opinion on his patient, 64 ; forced to repeat Napoleon's abuse to the Governor, 68 j pro- tected by Admiral Ma1colm, ió. ; his correspondence with Finlaison, 69; violent scenes with Sir H. Lowe, 70; his remarks on them, ib. ; third scene, 71 ; put on a level with the prisoners, 72; recalled to Europe, 68, 73 ; searched and robbed, 73 j appeals to the Admiral, ió.; had expressed the Governor's supposed wish, 139 ; publishes" Napoleon in Exile," 178 Order or permission to Stokoe to attend Napoleon, 144 Order, afterwards repudiated by the Admiral, 8'h 219 Order, facsimile of, 21, 219 " Patient," The, applied to Napoleon, 106, 141 Plampin, Sir Robert, Rear-Admiral, arrives at St. Helena, 39; his companion, 40; popular indignation against him, 4- I ; is preached at, 4 2 , 44 ; compact with the Governor, 42 ; settles at the Briars, ió. ; his appear- ance, 43; character, 47; publishes his "Standing Orders," 48 j reprimands Stokoe for speaking to Napoleon, 59 ; his letter to Capt. Stan fell, 60; pro- bable reason for his animus against Stokoe, 76; order to Capt. Stanfell to send Stokoe to Longwood, 84, 219, 223 j indifferent about the "Articles," 93 ; changes his tone, 94; cross-examines Stokoe, 103 j before a wi tness, 107, 1 II, I 15 ; refuscs to read his letter, 253 INDEX 1 12 ; orders him to go to Longwood, I 12 ; reprimands him passionately, 114-; his letter to Stokoe, 115 ; re- pudiates his order, 115, 143 ; sends a report to the Admiralty, 124; first witness at the court-martial, 143; his violence, ib. ; recalled by the accused, 155 ; his rewards, 183; his ambition, ib.; his encounter wi th Stokoe, J 85 Plampin, " Lady," her arrival, 4-1 ; reports about her, 42 ; no description of her, 43 ; general silence about her, 45; her indirect influence, 46; questions Stokoe about Napoleon, 60 Plantation House described, 21 Population of St. Helena in 1815, 20 Post-mortem examination on Napoleon, 17 0 - 2 , 173-4 Prophecy, Napoleon's, about public opinion, 178 Public opinion as to Sir Hudson Lowe and St. Helena re- versed, 3 Puttick and Simpson, Messrs., Extract from an old cata- logue 04 241 Rainfall at St. Helena, 26 Rats at St. Helena, J 5 ; at Longwood, 27 Reade, Sir Thos., 65 ; at the post-mortem, 173 Reasons for the choice of Longwood, 28, 29 Recall of O'Meara, 73 Recall of Admiral Plampin as witness, 155 Record of Dr. Stokoe's medical service, Z 1 5 Red tape at St. Helena, 86 Reign of terror at St. Helena, 74 Relations, Strained, between Admiral Malcolm and Sir H. Lowe, 39 Report delivered to the Admiral by Stokoe on January 18, 254 INDEX 181 9, 93; on January 19, 101; on January 20, 110; on January 21,112 Report, General, about Miss llaJcombe and Dr. Stokoe, 53 Report of the doctor$ after the post-mortem, 17 0 - 2 , 173 Restrictions, Increased, on Napoleon's liberty, 33 Reversal of public opinion as to affairs at St. Helena, 3, 17 8 St. Helena described, 9, 10, 17- 2 2; its climate, 17; its defences, 15, 16, 36; real characteristics, 17; shape and size, 18; note, ib.; coast line, ib.; mountain system, ib. j population, 20; rainfaIl, 26; note, ib. ; its garrison, 35 ; unhealthiness, 17, 101 St. Vincent, Mons. Bory, on St. Helena, 15 Santini's "descriptions" of the Emperor's condition, 13 Scott's (Sir Walter) "Life of Napoleon," 17 8 Sermons against the Admiral's conduct, +2, 44- Severe orders against intercourse with the exiles, 48, 4.9, 81 Silence, General, as to Admiral Plampin's mistress, 45, 't6 Silence of the press about St. Hc1ena, II Skene, Capt. Alex., his letter to Dr. Stokoe, 194- Spies at St. Helena, 61, 74- Stanfell, Capt., informs Stokoe of his court-martial, 120; declines to discuss it, 121; President of the court- martial, 142 ; witness for the prosecution, 14-6 ; cross- examined by the accused, 156 " Standing Orders" against intercourse wi1h Longwood,4R, I I 9, I 3 5 Stokoe, Dr. John, his early history, 5, 6; ofTered the surgeonship on the Conqlleror, 9; his position in 1816, jb.; description of the "unexpected passenger," 40 ; arrives at St. Helena, 41 ; his disappointment, +8 ; visits Longwood, 50 ; first intervie\\ with Napoleon, 255 INDEX 5 I ; his impressions of him, 56 ; conclusions as to British treatment of him, 57-9 ; reports his visit to his chief, 59 ; reprimanded, ib. ; summoned and questioned by Sir H. Lowe, 61 ; his opinion of him, 63 ; unwilling to meet O'Meara for consultation on his patient, 64; summoned to answer Sir H. Lowe on this matter, 66 ; his remarks on O'Meara's banish- ment, 74; his readiness to help him, ib. ; drawn into the Holmes affair, 76; ordered to attend Napoleon, 83, 84; difficult position, 83; at Longwood, 86; declines position of surgeon there, ib. ; Ct. Mon- tholon presents his" Articles," 87 ; accepts condition- ally, 9 I ; first medical visit, ib. ; first bulletin, 92; reports himself to the Admiral, 93 ; second professional visi t and bulletin, 100; reports himself, 101 ; calls for his passport, 103 ; catechised by the Admiral, ib. ; feels him hostile, 108 ; third visit to Napoleon, 109 ; carries his report to the Admiral, I 10; fourth visit, I 12 ; outstays the Admiral's time-limit, ib. ; falIs from his horse, ib., 122 ; reports himself, and begs to be re- leased from attendance upon Napoleon, I 12-14 ; repri- manded by the Admiral, I 15; his letter to Capt. Stanfell, I 16 ; learns that he is to be court-martialled, 120 ; applies for sick leave, 122 ; leaves for Europe, 123 ; lands at Portsmouth, 124; irregular survey on him, 125 ; ordered to return, 126; arrives, I z8 ; informed of his arrest, 129; the court-martial, 142 ; his defence, 146-155 ; cross-examines the witnesses for the prosecution, 155 ; is dismissed the service, 156 ; sent back to England, 185 ; his pension and grants, 186 ; his letter of appeal to the Admiralty, 186-190 ; liberality of the Bonaparte family towards him, 192 ; 25 6 INDEX his voyage to Philade1phia with Princess Charlotte, ib. ; his vigilance, ib. ; journey to fetch Princess Zenaïde, 193 ; returns to Europe with Princess Charlotte, 193 ; h is correspondence wi th Joseph Bona parte, 194; he dies suddenly, ib. ; his domestic bereavements, ib. ; attempts to obtain justice, 194, 195; reasons for silence, 198; his justification, 199 Stokoe, Rev. Thos., 198 Storm of indignation at the Admiral's conduct, 4-1 Stürmer, Baron, on the system at St. Helena, 4 ; on Sir H. Lowe, 37 ; on the doc tors, 69 Thunderstorm, Unwonted, at St. He1ena, 170 Title, Napoleon's, at St. Helena, 29, 3 0 , 106, 133, 1 +0 Trade-winds at St. Helena, 25 Truth about St. He1ena, 17 Tyder's "interview" with Napoleon, II Understanding, Secret, between Sir H. Lowe and Sir R. Plampin, 39, 159 Unhealthiness of St. Helena, 101 ; of Longwood, 27 United Service Magazine, anonymous article against O'Meara and Stokoe, 197 Valentia, Lord, on St. He1ena, 15, 16, 17 Verling, Dr., established in O'Meara's quarters, 82 ; refused by Napoleon, 83 ; witness for the prosecution, 14 6 ; cross-examined by the accused, 15; Violent scenes between Sir H. Lowe and O'l'vleara, i O , 7 1 \Varden's, Dr., "Letter::; written on board the Nortj,umber- land," 12 257 INDEX Weir, Dr., surveys Stokoe Winds prevailing at St. Helena, z 5 Witnesses, The, at the court-martial, 143-5, 154 Writers, The first, on Napoleon's captivity, 1 Zenaïde, Princess, escorted to Europe by Stokoe, 193 PERSIAN CHILDREN OF THE ROYAL FAMILY BEING THE NARRATIVE OF AN ENGLISH TUTOR AT THE COURT OF H.I.H. ZILLÚ'S-SULTÁN, G.C.S.1. By WILFRID SPARROY WITH UPWARDS OF FORTY FULL-PAGE ILLUS- TRATIONS REPRODUCED FROM PHOTOGRAPHS Price I2s. 6d. net. Demy 8vo. Price $3.50 net PUBLISHER'S NOTE THIS book is a narrative OJ the Author's life at the Court of H.I.H. Zi/lÚ's-Sultán, G. C.S.I., and contaitls life-like sketches both of the Prz"nce and of his sons, to whom th Author stood in the þosition of tutor. 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