ST. HELENA 201 



great freedom on the current affairs. Among others, he 

 said that it was impossible for the Bourbons to govern 

 France, and that Napoleon II would soon be recalled to the 

 throne, that England alone had ruined his plans, that but 

 for her, he would now have been Emperor both of East and 

 West. He declared he would rather have perished than 

 have surrendered to Russia, Austria, or Prussia, as the 

 sovereigns of these countries were despotic ; but by de- 

 livering himself to the British he was throwing himself on 

 the generosity of a nation with just and honourable laws, 

 affording protection to all persons. 



The question now was, what was to be done with him ? 

 In England he could not be allowed to reside — there would 

 have been no security to Europe ; nor could he be allowed 

 to migrate to any neutral country, for there his corres- 

 pondence with French agitators would have been unre- 

 strained, and no guarantee could be accepted or given con- 

 cerning his return. 



A distant and isolated spot was required, where escape 

 was impossible, so that many unpleasant restraints on his 

 liberty could be dispensed with, and quietness and peace 

 reign in Europe. 



It was now that the little island of St. Helena proved its 

 value. 



Many hundreds of miles from continental land, having 

 only one harbour, and landing from that easily guarded, 

 naturally strong, and rendered impregnable by forts, bidding 

 defiance to sudden surprise, commanding a view of the 

 ocean from its lofty rocks of over sixty miles in all directions, 

 this was evidently a safe prison, and here it was determined 

 that the dethroned Emperor should be sent. 



An official letter written by Earl Bathurst, Secretary of 

 State to the Lords of the Admiralty shows that the British 

 Government were anxious to contribute as far as possible 

 to his comfort, though compelled to take necessary pre- 

 cautions for his security. 



Downing Street, 



July 2)0th. 

 My Lords, — I wish your Lordships to have the goodness to com- 

 municate to Rear-Admiral Sir George Cockburn a copy of the 

 following memorial, which is to serve him by way of instructions 



