The Enquirer

Translated for the Freeman's Journal.

Frank Spanish Gazette June 9th.

INTERCEPTED LETTERS.

From Joseph Bonaparte to his Brother Napoleon.

[No. 1.]

Madrid, March 23, 1812.

Sire,—When I consulted your majesty one year ago, about returning to Spain, you requested me not to return, & I Complied with your desire. You had the goodness to tell me, that at all events, if affairs went on bad, and if my expectations were not realized, I had time enough to leave it, and in this case your majesty would grant me an asylum in the empire, where I might spend my life in Morfontaine.

Sire,—Circumstances have deceived my expectations, I am of no utility here, nor have I any hopes of being of any use. I therefore request that your majesty will permit me to dispose in your hands the rights to the crown of Spain, which four years ago you designed to transmit to me. I never had any other object in accepting the crown of this country but the felicity of this vast monarchy; it is utterly out of my power to accomplish it.

I request your majesty to admit me amongst the number of your subjects, and be assured you will never find a more faithful servant than the friend which nature has given you.

I am your Imperial and Royal Majesty's affectionate brother,

(Signed) JOSEPH.

[No. 2.]

Joseph Bonaparte to his Wife

Madrid, March 23, 1812.

To her Royal Majesty the Queen of Spain.

MY DEAR FRIEND,—You will deliver to the Emperor the inclosed letter, if the decree of re-union is to be put into execution, and published in the Gazettes—In any other event you will wait my answer. If the opportunity presents itself of delivering the letter, you will then send me the answer and the passports by a courier of the Emperor.

Send me back Reni, who has given me considerable uneasiness. If they intend to transmit to me funds, why do they delay so long in sending the convoys, and why do they not avail themselves of the mail, to send me bills on the public Treasury?

I embrace you and my children,

P. S. If you know that Mr. Mollien has not sent me any money after the 500,000 pounds which I have already received, and which were for the month of January; you will then, when this letter reaches you, deliver my abdication to the Emperor—nobody is obliged to perform impossibilities, this is the state of my purse.
[No. 3]

To the Same

Madrid, March 23, 1812,

My Dear Friend This letter will be delivered to you by Mr. De Landes, he can give you the details you may request, relative to my situation; I shall speak of them myself in order that you may acquaint the Emperor therewith, and that he may take such steps as he may judge proper; every thing will suit me, provided I am extricated from my present situation.

1st. If the Emperor declares war with Russia, and if he thinks I can be of any use here. I will remain with the command and with the general administration.

If he enters into war; and does not give me the command and lets me have the administration of the country, I wish to return to France:

2d. If the war with Russia does not take place, and the Emperor gives me the command or not. I will likewise remain; provided he does not exact from me any thing which ought to make people believe I consent to the dismemberment of the monarchy. and leave me a sufficient number of troops and territory, and send me the loan of one million monthly, which has been promised me. In this situation, I will wait as long as I can, as I consider my honor as much concerned in not leaving Spain with giddiness, as on leaving it during the war with England, and when sacrifices are exacted from me which I cannot nor ought not to make, except in a general peace for the welfare of Spain, France and Europe. If a decree of the re-union of the Ebro were to reach me unexpectedly: I would depart the following day.

If the Emperor defers this project until the peace, let him provide me the means of subsistence during the war.

If the Emperor should be inclined to my departure or to any of the measures that could make me depart, it is of consequence to me to return to France on good terms with him, and with his sincere and entire approbation. I confess that dictates of reason oblige me to take this step; which is conformable to the situation of the unfortunate country, which I cannot remedy, and is conformable to my domestic concerns, as I have no male child, &c. In the case, I wish the Emperor would give me an estate in Tuscany or in the South, 100 leagues from Paris, where I would reside one part of the year, and the other part at Morfontaine. Events and the false position in which I am situated, so contrary to the rectitude and loyalty of my character, have greatly enfeebled my constitution. I am likewise getting old, &, therefore, duty and honor only will keep me here; my fate drives me away, unless the Emperor should express himself differently from what he has done. I embrace you and my children.

[No. 4.]

TO THE SAME.

Madrid, March 27, 1812.

My dear friend—I have received your letter of the 29th of February. I have nothing to add to what Deslandes will tell you. I have not changed my mind since. I embrace you and my children—I am a little indisposed.

[No. 5.]

TO HIS BROTHER LOUIS.

MADRID, March 25, 1812.

My dear Brother.—I have received your letter of the 6th October, and I see with great satisfaction that the state of your health was much better; mine is very good. My affairs go on poorly; I have an officer with me who is worthy of being esteemed for his talents and for the sentiments of friendship he possesses for you.

Never doubt, my dear Louis, of my sincere and unchangeable friendship: I embrace you with all my heart, and I have great desire of seeing you again in perfect health, and with that happiness we derive from a good conscience, and from the regard of our friends. I am your affectionate brother.

(Signed) JOSEPH.

[No. 6.]

TO HIS SISTER CAROLINE.

To her majesty the Queen of Naples—Paris.

Madrid, 20th March, 1812,

My dear Caroline.—It was with great pleasure I heard from you and your children. It would have afforded me great satisfaction to have been at Paris on your arrival, and I hope your affairs may go on better than mine; nevertheless my health is pretty good, and I ought not to be pitied the most, for I have great pleasure in telling you, my dear sister, that I love you as much as I did 20 years ago and that all my life I shall be your good brother and friend.

(Signed) JOSEPH.

[No 7.]

To Cardinal Fesch.

To his eminent highness Monsieur le Cardinal Fesch—Paris.

Madrid, March 20, 1812.

My dear Uncle,—Your letter has afforded me the greatest pleasure, and Deslandes who is of my entire confidence, will inform you of my situation. I embrace you with all my heart: I am yours affectionately:

(Signed) JOSEPH.

[The foregoing letters were sent with Mr. Deslandes, who was killed on the 9th of April, when the division under Espozy Mina, surprised and intercepted a French convoy, between Arlaban and Salinas.—The originals are in the office of the department of State; they were all in the hand writing of Joseph, and these now published have been copied word by word there-from.]