Napoleon in 1812
Chapter 87:

14. End of the SecondHundred Years’ War – 3

“Then whydid you come to see me after thearrest warranthad alreadybeen approved by theParisHigh Court? Were yougoingtomock me while watching me fall?”

Carnot replied to Talleyrand’s questions, while still keepinganexpressionlessface.

“Illyria’sgovernorand former policeminister, Joseph Fouché[1], hasdisappeared. He musthave escaped becausehewas afraid of theparliament andthe tribunal’sjudgement of his sins. Youhave hada secretrelationship withhim for a longtime andhave conductedvarious acts againstFrance along withhim, includingagitation and leaking of secrets.”

“…”

“Therefore, I amproposing the following: as areference, pleasereveal Fouché’s misdeeds andwrongdoings, and provide information on his current activitiesifpossible. The price forthe information willbeincludedinthe subsequenttrialand willbetakeninto consideration to determine thelevelofyour punishment.”

In short, it meant selling Fouché toreceive bettertreatment. Talleyrand, whowere listeningquietly, burstinto laughter andthe atmospherebecame colder.

“In thepast, Fouché andI were not on good terms, we used to growl at eachothereverytime we metatthe Palace of Versailles. I still don’t likehim muchnow. ButI don’t want to blame others when I’m struggling.”

He could see what Carnot wasthinkingwhen he suggestedthis. Itdid not matterifhewas making thingsup, so he spewed badthings about Fouché and drewa line.

The maintarget of the Paris High Court’schoice was nothim, butFouché. But Talleyrandkept hismouthshut.

“…Areyou really going to feel better livingthe restofyour life as atraitor in disgrace? Doyou wanttotarnish your past, whenyou sincerely devoted yourself to France andmade achievements?”

But Talleyrandremainedstill, withouta smile. Itmeantthat he hadmade up hismind. Seeing that, Carnot clicked his tongueinwardly.

Charles MauricedeTalleyrand-Périgord, who wasnow atraitor, had beena prominentfigure during theFrench Revolutionand the early days of the Empire.

Hisgreatcontributions were to manage to attract the UnitedStates and Denmark intothe war against Britain, and thedeparture of Prussiaand Spain fromthe anti-French alliance.

Itwas Talleyrandwho swayed thesalons withhis skillful speaking skills, preaching the politicallegitimacy of the‘Coupd’Etat du 18 brumaire’. Hewas agreatman of thisera, in another sense thanNapoleon.

“Take himaway.”

Guardshiding behind pillars and behindthe doors appeared witha rope. Talleyrand gavehis hands withoutsaying anything as if he knewthat it would happen. It was themoment the giant fell.

===

Napoleon Bonaparte, who had successfullycompleted the BattleofBadajoz andwas standing nexttothe fortress, wasnow feelinga sense of deja vu.

The memories of the past, where he faced thesame scene, were revolvinginhis mindlike a panorama.

‘It was February 2nd, 1805. The daywhen a nation, whichhas never declared acompletedefeat since the Hundred Years’ War, knelt downinfrontofthe Palace of Versailles and prayed.’

Inthe world where Napoleon camefrom, France was able to overcome all thechallenges induced by the other powersofthe European continent andfinally hold the supremacyofthe world. Even Britain, which resisted until the end, eventuallysuccumbed to France’s all-outpressureand offensive.

Thiswas alsothe first historicalmoment since the Roman Empire’s conquest of Britain, when Britaindeclaredtotalsurrender.

Ofcourse, unlikeinthe other world, where they lay flat and beggedfor mercy, thesituation in the UnitedKingdom wasnot so bleak here.

“Greetings to YourMajesty theEmperor of theFrench Empire. I am Viscount Charlton, Husley Collins. I must first declare to YourMajesty that I amthe headofthis peace mission and have beenentrusted withfull authoritytonegotiate.”

“Nice to meetyou. So, what position do youhold in thecurrent British Cabinet?”

“I’m ashamed, butI am serving as the Vice ForeignMinister. I amwell aware that it is customary forthe ambassadorofthe KingdombasedinFrance to takeonthis responsibility. However, due to the unfavorable circumstances, I willreplace himwith official documentsbearing theroyalseal andofficialrecords of theCabinet.”

Thesecretarieswere asked to reviewthe confirmation procedures and official documents. Meanwhile, Napoleonlooked at the marshals of theEmpire waitingbehind him.

Theywere struggling to preventthe cornersoftheirmouths fromgoingup, as if theywere holding backtheirdesire for joy.

‘It’s notsurprising. It’s thefirsttime that Britainhas beensick like it is now.’

Thesafety of Britain’s mainland from foreigninvasions had been guaranteedthanks to its geographicalcharacteristics of an island country, being onefoot away fromthe continent.

Spain, France, Denmark-Norway, theNetherlands, and many other countries that competed againstBritain failedtoattack its mainland beyondthe sea, and so could not winwith certainty.

As long as their terrifyingnavy, whichwas fearsome evenifthe Britishtriedtoland, was still lurkinginthe Strait of Dover, Britain wasable to fool the continental countriesbyprojecting itspoweratthe desiredtime andplacebasedonits mainland thatwas completelyfree from the fire of war.

It was preciselybecause of this geographical advantagethat theBritish were abletoplay diplomatic games by switching allianceshere andthereunderthe pretextofprotecting Europe’s balance and order.

Fromthe Britishpointofview, itmeantleading a foreignpolicy pursuing extremeefficiency andpracticality for their owninterests, butfor the countriesaffected, it was only aperfidious move.

Itwas particularly thecase forFrance, which hadbeen frustrated by Britain’s obstruction andmaneuveringwheneverittriedtoexpand evena littleinEurope.

But Britainwas now kneeling andbegging forpeace. How happy could theFrench be? They could watch withtheirown eyesthe humiliating appearanceofthe Britishdeclaring defeat.

“I’mGeorges Tulisson, and I’m in chargeofnegotiatingfor the Empire’s side. Let’s talk in goodfaithfor the national interest andhonorofboth countries.”

Ata glance, the faces of theBritish diplomatswere dark and thefacesofthe French diplomatswere very bright. Itwas clear who hadthe upper handand who wasuneasy.

And Napoleon, wholed the whole game, waswatchingfrom a distance fromthe negotiating table withhis armscrossed.

Rumors circulated thatthe Britishdiplomats werehaving coldsweatasthey were toldthat theFrench would run outand callfor the wartoresume if theydid not like the content of the negotiations.

===

The Britishpeacedelegation came to Napoleon’sCorps, which had occupied thecity of Badajoz and wasbesieging the fortress.

The armisticeagreement, which they broughtdisguised as aletter, wasshowing thetrue face of Britain, which French soldiers hadbeen waiting to see.

Shock derivedfrom London’s financialmarkets engulfed their economy, which resulted in theBritish government losing patience with the war. As aresult, Britain was forcedtomake many concessions whennegotiatingwith France.

1. TheUnited Kingdomwill break outofthe IberianPeninsula war immediately upon signingthe agreement andwill notdirectlyorindirectly support Spain and Portugal. Expedients such as hiring mercenaries anddispatchingofficersare alsoprohibited.

2. The UnitedKingdom will return to Francethe occupied CapeColony (previously the Dutch Cape Colony in Southern Africa), theCaribbean islandsincluding Guadeloupe, and FrenchGuiana.

3. The United Kingdom willpay France forthe restoration of 17 French ports, including Toulon, whichwas damagedduring the coastal blockade. TheSpanish ports occupied by Franceare excluded.

3. The United Kingdom willcompensate fora total of 122 French, Danishand Spanishcargoshipsseized during thetradeblockadeand the goods, resources and warsuppliesinthem. Inthe caseofdamaged or decayed shipments, they will be replaced withgold or francsofthe samevalue.

4. Thetradeblockadeagainst theUnited Kingdomwill be lifted. However, the UnitedKingdom will conducttariff adjustmentagreements with major European countries under theobservationofFrench officials.

5. The UnitedKingdom cannotengage in any armed activities or sanctions against French ships that export weapons, gunpowderand other war supplies to theUnited States. The French ships will alsobetreated as exceptions to the British navigationordinances.

In addition, theisland of Malta, which hadbeen occupied by theFrench and then by the British, would be returned to itsoriginalowner, the Order of Knights of the Hospital.[2]Therewere also petty agreementssuch as exchanging prisoners andpaying ransom, tomaintaintheirdignity.

Although it was an agreementthat theBritish hadtoaccept as theyfacedthe difficultyofcarryingout the war, it was notanunconditional surrenderimposed by France.

In other words, the situation wasdifferent fromthat of theRussian expedition, so there were someconcessionstomake forboth countries. Thiswas one of themain issues.

“The United Kingdom mustparticipateinthe meetingofthe agreement that you will conclude withSpainand Portugal. Thus, we will set up a table in the form of atrilateral meeting and thekingdom will be in charge of coordinatingbetween allthe countries so that there willbenoroom forfurther conflict or dispute. I would alsolike to receive adefiniteanswer herethat this treaty canbeimplementedonly if youagreewith this point.”

“Nowthat you’vesigned an armistice with the Empire, you’re an external country thathas beenruledout of the Peninsular War. I understand thatthis would be possible under theinternational diplomatic conventionthat allowsanexternalcountry to observe and arbitrate, if the country has no interestsineither side. But I don’t think thatBritain canplay this role, as it was still in a fierce battleagainst theEmpire afew daysago.”

“TheKingdom is in favor of thearmistice becauseitdoes notwant to completely break the balance of the European continent.

If youmake concessions on this issue, thekingdom is willing to negotiate in favor of your countryinotherareas. I hope that you will remember thatthe ambition of KingLouisXIV[3], theSun King, sparkedthe SpanishSuccession War, which was a misfortunefor all of Europe.”

Without Britain, Spain andPortugalwouldnot be abletomaintaintheirfrontlines, as theywouldnot be abletocarryout the war, and theIberian Peninsulawouldbeinthe hands of France.

The British werenow saying that theydid not want to see this, no matterthe cost.

It seemedthat these sneakyislanders werehiding thisasthey accepted allofthe above proposals in a gentle manner. French diplomatsshowed signs of displeasure, butNapoleonwas alittle different.

‘It’s likeyou don’t wanttocry but youslap me in theface.’

Britain seemed to be afraidofthe riseofthe French Empirethat could engulfthe entire Iberian Peninsula, but Napoleon had no intentionofdoingso.

Spain hada history of standing up as anationwide enemy andresisting to death to fight the Frenchinvasion.

They had already completed resistance nationalism and there wasnoroom forFrance to intervene.

‘Even if France were to annex the Spanish territories, it would take astronomical administrative power, finance, and timetofullyintegrate theminto Frenchsociety andtoappease theSpanish people. How much blood would be shedinthe process… It’s a terrible thing to imagine.’

France and Spain were so different in culture, ethnicity, system, languageand history, thatNapoleonhad no confidenceinassimilating them.

Contrary to themegalomaniac of thisworld, the current Napoleon did notwant theannexation of Spain.

‘However, I willdefinitely getwhat I can.’

Internally, he hadalready setplansand goals for Francetoget the most out of it.

Now, all he had to do wastaking astance thatsaid ‘I canendure more’ and reap the profits. It wastime to endthis tedious war that had been going on for nearlyfive years.

TL notes

[1]Joseph Fouché

[2]KnightsHospitaller

[3]LouisXIV