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Alexandria Advertiser And Commercial Intelligencer
Alexandria, Virginia
What is this article about?
In March 1803, British ambassador Whitworth reports an agitated confrontation with Napoleon at the Tuileries court in Paris, where the First Consul accused England of seeking war and treaty violations, vowing to arm in response amid rising tensions.
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(No. 43.)
Paris, March 1803.
My Lord,
The messenger Mason went on Saturday with my dispatches of that date, and until yesterday, Sunday, I saw no one likely to give me any further information such as I could depend upon, as to the effect which his majesty's message had produced on the first consul. At the court which was held at the Tuileries on that day, he accosted me evidently under very considerable agitation. He began by asking me if I had any news from England. I told him that I had received letters from your lordship two days ago. He immediately said, and so you are determined to go to war? No! I replied, we are too sensible of the advantages of peace. 'Nous avons, said he, deja fait la guerre pendant quinze ans.' As he appeared to wait for an answer, I observed only, 'C'en est deja trop.' Mais, said he, vous voulez la faire encore quinze annees, et vous m'y forcez. I told him, that was very far from his majesty's intentions. He then proceeded to Count Marcow and the Chevalier Azara, who were standing together at a little distance from me, and said to them, 'Les Anglois veulent la guerre, mais s'ils sont les premiers a tirer le coup, je serai le dernier a la remettre. Ils ne respectent pas les Traites. Il faut dereavant les couvir de crepe noir.' He then went his round. In a few minutes he came back to me, and resumed the conversation, such as it can be called, by something personally civil to me. He began again=Pourquoi des armemens? Contre qui des meures de precaution? Je n'ai pas un seul vaisau de ligne dans les ports de France; mais si vous voulez armer, j'armerai aussi; si vous voulez vous battre, je me battrai aussi. Vous pourrez peut etre tuer la France, mais jamais l'intimider. On ne voudroit, said I, ni l'un ni l'autre. On voudroit vivre en bonne intelligence avec elle. Il faut donc respecter les traites, replied he; Malheur a ceux qui ne respectent pas les traites; ils en seront responsables a toute l'Europe. He was too much agitated to make it advisable for me to prolong the conversation; I, therefore, made no answer, and he retired to his apartment, repeating the last phrase. It is to be remarked that all this passed loud enough to be overheard by two hundred people who were present, and I am persuaded that there was not a single person who did not feel the extreme impropriety of his conduct, and the total want of dignity as well as of decency on the occasion. I propose taking the first opportunity of speaking to M. Talleyrand on this subject.
I have the honor to be, &c.
WHITWORTH
Right Hon. Lord Hawkesbury, &c.
No. 44, is immaterial.
(To be continued.)
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Foreign News Details
Primary Location
Paris
Event Date
March 1803
Key Persons
Outcome
agitated public conversation revealing tensions over treaties, armaments, and potential war; no resolution, whitworth plans to speak to talleyrand.
Event Details
At the Tuileries court on Sunday, the First Consul approached British ambassador Whitworth in agitation, questioning England's intentions amid rumors of war, referencing past conflicts and treaty violations. He spoke loudly to others about English aggression and the need to arm in response, emphasizing France's resolve. Whitworth responded calmly, affirming desire for peace and good relations. The exchange was overheard by many, noted for its impropriety.