Phenix Gazette

Messrs. Snowden & Thornton,
Gentlemen—I observe in the Phenix of this morning, a biographical sketch of the Bonaparte family. There is an anecdote respecting Lucien, which I have not seen in any life, or notice of Napoleon, that was circulated while I was in Paris, when it happened, which was immediately after the latter's inveigling and confining Ferdinand of Spain at Valençay, in France (where that reproach, that disgrace to sovereignty employed himself in embroidery) and his determination to place one of his brothers on the throne of that country. I showed the very superior and penetrating, almost prophetic mind of Lucien; for certainly that attempt was his first check and may be considered the origin, although somewhat remote, of the fall of Napoleon.

War had been determined on—Lucien was sent for—he expostulated strongly with the Emperor, in his Cabinet. Napoleon was immovable, it was his character after resolve.—Lucien, transported with passion, pulled out his watch, threw it on the floor, stamped it under his foot to pieces, exclaiming—Sire! if you commence this war with Spain you will be crushed as I crush this watch.*

Napoleon's rage became ungovernable—he was on the point of, or had ordered Lucien to be imprisoned, when their mother Letitia interfered. He was however ordered forthwith to Italy as a place of exile; and the mother—her title was Madame Mère—departed also for Rome to her brother Cardinal Fesch—where he is still a Cardinal—neither of these persons are mentioned in the family sketch in the Phenix.

That Talleyrand's opinion and advice were against the war with Spain, and that thereby he fell into temporary disgrace with the Emperor, is now a matter of history. But, as the foregoing anecdote, characteristic of Lucien, has never appeared, it is given, as then whispered in the Caffés of Paris.

*Sire! Si vous faites la guerre contre l'Espagne,
vous serez écrasé, comme j'écrase cette montre