NAPOLEON ON ST. HELENA

Evening Star, Issue 19776, 28 January 1928, Page 3

NAPOLEON ON ST. HELENA

A LETTER FROM DR O'MEARA THE EMPRESS PROTESTS Through the courtesy of; Alderman "Catena, who is now on a visit to London, wo are enabled (says the Melbourne 1 Argus ’) to reproduce the following letter concerning the Jit© ot Napoleon on St. Helena, the original of which is in the possession of a friend of Alderman Catena, residing at Penzance, iu Cornwall. The writer of the letter, Dr Barry O’Meara, was an Irish surgeon, stationed at St. Helena at the beginning of the captivity of Napoleon. He became Napoleon’s medical attendant and constant visitor. In the latter part of 1818 O’Meara was charged by the Governor, Sir Hudson Lowe, with having carried on a suspicions correspondence with an agent of Napoleon in London, and was sent back to London by tho Governor. About a year later lie was replaced by an Italian physician, chosen by Nanoleon’s mother. O’Meara’s book, ‘ A Voice from St. Helena,’ was one of the most popular of the narratives of Napoleon’s captivity, but Lord Rosebery, in ‘Napoleon: The Last Phase,’ denounces it as “a worthless book.” “ O’Meara,” he says, was the confidential servant of Napoleon; unknown to Napoleon, he was the confidential agent of Lowe; and behind both their backs he was the confidential informant of the British Government, for which he wrote letters to be circulated to the Cabinet.” Some writers say that O’Meara, on his return from St. Helena, made preparations on a lame scale for the rescue of Napoleon, but that the conspiracy failed for lack of money.

Mr Balcombo, who is mentioned in the letter, was a merchant on St. Helena. His son became a surgeon in the Navy, and later settled in Victoria, and acquired property near Melbourne, where his descendants are still resident. Balcombe’s Creek, near Moruington, is named after him.

Following is the letter:— St. Helena, 12 of December, 1815,

My dear Sir, — I received, per favor of Mr Pritchard, tho_ books and papers which you were so kind as to send me, and for which 1 return you many thanks. Sir Hudson Lowe has not yet arrived, and I am still in the dark with respect to tho Salary which the Government mean to allow me, and therefore at present will not give you a large order, but at all hazards I will be obliged to yon send me the following Books and Articles—viz., Labanme’s Campaigns in Russia, Secret Memoirs of Napoleon, by a person who had been with him for fifteen years; Goldsmith’s Life of Napoleon, Another Life of him (iu two octavo volumes) by a person whoso name I forget—Levigne French and English Dictionary Dictionary of French Idioms, by a person whose name I also forget—Hooper’s Medical Dictionary, the latest and best Dispensatory—Lempriere’s Biographical Dictionary, tho latest and best gazetter, of a moderate price (I believe Cratwell’s is a very good one), and continue the reviews, papers, and send mo also the Medical journal. If any Pamphlets of merit have appeared, relating to Napoleon, send one or two of them—Also some writing paper, pens, tooth brushes, soap, blacking, and other articles of a, similar nature, if yon can conveniently do so, as all these articles are nearly 20U per cent, dearer than in England.

The inhabitants of St. Helena have been greatly disappointed in consequence of not being able to see Napoleon so frequently as they at first conceived, as ho only remained one day at tho house taken for him in James Town, and the next morning at 6 o’clock proceeded up to -Longwood, the country residence of the LieutenantGovernor, in order to sec what alterations might be necessary. On his return he went to the Briars (one of the neatest spots in the island, belonging to Mr Balcombo), where he remained, with Count de las Cases and his son, occupying a small detached building, which Mr Balcomhe gave np to him! and to which two tents were added for his accommodation, until the 10th of this month, when Longwood House, being ready for his reception, was accordingly _ taken possession of by him. During his stay at the Briars he did not generally appear out_ before 2 or 3 o’clock, being occupied in the morning either reading or in composing the history of his wonderful life—a portion of which ho daily dictates to some of the French officers who have accompanied him, nearly according to the following arrangement;—Bertrand, that part of it which relates to the expedition to Egypt and Syria, General Montholon, the expedition to Italy and tho politics connected thereunto. General Gourgaud chiefly writes the parts descriptive of military movements, sieges,_ etc., etc., and I believe the campaigns in Russia. Count De Las Cases is employed about the other remarkable events of his life, the political parts of it, and in digesting and finally arranging the whole. It is con-

siderably advanced, but 1 believe that he does not intend that it shall be submitted to the public until after his death. I conceive that it will be the most interesting history ever published. in the evening he generally amused himself with chatting or playing cards with Mr JBnlcombe’s two amiable daughters. These young ladies, being able to maintain a conversation with him in French, contributed much to their “naivete” and sprightliness to dispel for a moment any melancholy which reflection upon his past and present state might cause to arise, indeed, while in their company his conversation was generally cheerful and lively. - He protests in the strongest manner against his transportation to St. Helena as being unjust, unnecessarily severe, contrary to the Constitution and law, and a stain to the character of a groat and generous nation with whom he had been at war for so many years and into whose hands he voluntarily and without being constrained confided himself in the hope of being treated with the liberality and generosity due to fallen greatness; instead of which he says he experienced that of a felon. “Behold,” said he, pointing to the tremendous rocks which environed him on every side, “ behold the generosity of your country to a fallen enemy, who, confiding in the character of your nation, had unsuspectingly committed himself into the hands of those from whom he has now nothing to expect except the executioner or the assassin.” “It will,” added he, “be a stain to the annals of your country, which even the hand of time will never efface, it will be another dark page in your history. I. thought once that in England the laws were not a name, wore not terms to amuse the multitude, but now I see that in England, like other countries, the Ministers laugh at the laws, which are only powerful against the weak and helpless—they screen the powerful and oppress the fallen.” “ Ungrateful place,” said he, casting a look at the bare and horrible precipices before him, “ ungrateful place, which returns naught for all tlie suras of money, time, and labor unnecessarily laid out upon it.” I thought his term “ ungrateful place ” one of the happiest 1 ever heard of, for certainly if there is an ungrateful place in the world St. Helena is that one.

Recollect that in giving yon his words, 1 do not mean to express to you that my ideas on the subject are consonant to bis, but merely because I know that bis expressions and sentiments, with respect to his exile here, will be eagerly sought after by the historian.

He has a space of about three miles to walk or ride about without being attended by any military officer. Round this there are disposed sentries in order to prevent his proceeding farther unless accompanied by the British captain appointed to attend him. but with him lie can go _ where be pleases. At night the sentries are instructed, and cadi meets another at the termination of his post, so that the house is completely encircled. Two sentinels are placed at the entrance of the house, and if he goes out after 9 one of those proceeds with him, to accompany him wherever he goes, and on his return into the house he can not again leave it until morning. Tim captain of the guard is to see him iu the day and to take every precaution for ascertaining his actual presume, which is done, however, in a very do!,calc, though effectual, manner. General Dc Las Cases and son are at Longwood with him. There not being room enough for Marshal Bertrand, a house about one. mile off (within the sentinels) has been taken for him until a new house, just commenced foi him, will be finished. The 63rd Regi ment arc encamped about three quarters of a mile off. No person, military or' otherwise, is allowed access to Longwood without a pass, unless the person whoso business it is necessarily to be about him. None o) the French officers can pass the boundaries without Vicing accompanied bv an English officer. In short, unless lie was furnished with wings, ho could not escape unless ho could influence the Governor, Admiral, and all the military and naval force here. Believe me to be, my dear sir, Your very sincere friend, BARRY O’MEARA. Address; Mr Samuel Mills, High street, Portsmoulh.