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LIFE OF COLONEL MACERONI.

very weak tie! I think we should not precipitate occur-rences, but. take advantage of the future. We shall beobliged to reinforce our troops on the frontiers of Portugal ,and there let them* wait that which is to come.

“ I cannot approve of the precipitate manner in whichyour Imperial Highness thought right to take possession ofMadrid . I think that your army ought to have been keptat ten leagues distance from the capital. You could nothave known with certainty how far the public functionariesor the people were disposed to recognise Prince Ferdinandwithout opposition. The Prince de la Paz must necessarilyhave many partizans amongst the former ; and, on the otherhand, there is always a strong affection of habit towards anold king; all which conflicting elements might produceembarrassing disorders. Your entry into Madrid has muchdisquieted the Spaniards. I give orders to Savary, to repairto Charles IV. , that he may observe what is passing. Hewill concert with your Imperial Highness all that is meet tobe done. Meanwhile this is what I think best to prescribeto you.

“ I beg that you will not engage me to any colloquy inSpain with Ferdinand, so that, should events so occur,I should then be obliged to recognise him as king of Spain .You will conduct yourself accordingly towards the King andQueen of Spain , and even to Godoi; acting in their nameand giving them the same honours as heretofore. Beware ofletting known the steps I intend to take; and this will notbe difficult, because I myself do not biota them. Meanwhilelet the nobility and the clergy understand, that their rightsand immunities will be respected, even should I be com-pelled to interfere in the affairs of Spain . Tell them thatthe Emperor Napoleon desires the improvement of thepolitical institutions of Spain , and to place them on a levelwith European civilization, which will any how free them