MAITLAND, Sir Frederick Lewis.

Narrative of the surrender of Buonaparte and of his residence on board H.M.S. Bellerophon; with a detail of the principal events that occurred in that ship, between the 24th of May and the 8th of August, 1815.

London, Henry Colburn, 1826. 8vo (210 x 135 mm), pp. xvi (p. xvi misnumbered ‘vi’), 248, [8, advertisements], with a folding map; contemporary diced calf, gilt; a little rubbed. First edition. The author wrote this account of Napoleon’s surrender and transportation to England ‘in consequence of the many misrepresentations that appeared at that time, respecting the conduct of Buonaparte while on board the ship I commanded, as well as my treatment of him’ (p. iv). Maitland compiled the Narrative in the autumn of 1815 to be circulated privately among his friends, only finally deciding to have it published in 1826.Whilst stationed off Rochefort, Maitland had received news of Waterloo and on 30 June a letter from Bordeaux warning him of Napoleon’s intended escape from there to the United States. Maitland, considering Rochefort the more likely port of escape, remained in wait and on 10 July negotions were begun on Napoleon’s behalf. He rejected the proposal that Napoleon be allowed to sail to the United States and suggested that he be transported to England aboard the Bellerophon instead. These terms where accepted by Napoleon and four days later he, with his staff and servants, boarded the English ship. On 24 July the Bellerophon reached Torbay, from where she sailed for Plymouth to await the government’s decision on Napoleon’s future. On 4 August she put to see again and on the seventh Napoleon was transferred to the Northumberland to sail for St Helena.Maitland notes: ‘I made it my study to state events exactly as they occurred, and, in doing so, to avoid, as much as possible, all prejudice, either against or in favour of the extraordinary man whom it was my fortune to secure and bring to this country. It may appear surprising, that a possibility could exist of a British officer, being prejudiced in favour of one who had caused so many calamities to his country; but to such an extent did he possess the power of pleasing, that there are few people who could have sat at the same table with him for nearly a month, as I did, without feeling a sensation of pity, allied perhaps to regret, that a man possessed of so many fascinating qualities, and who had held so high a station in life, should be reduced to the situation in which I saw him’ (pp. v–vi).NMM V 2010 (second edition only).

• GBP 400.00 > Andere Währungen
• Bestellnummer: T2717

• Antiquariat: Bernard Quaritch Ltd. (GREAT BRITAIN)