That is the only answer I can give you. (Signed) DUROC.
This monosyllable was expressive. It proved to me that Bonaparte was conscious how ill he had treated me； and， suspecting that I was actuated by the desire of vengeance， he was afraid of my going to England， lest I should there take advantage of that liberty of the press which he had so effectually put down in France. He probably imagined that my object was to publish statements which would more effectually have enlightened the public respecting his government and designs than all the scandalous anecdotes， atrocious calumnies， and ridiculous fabrications of Pelletier， the editor of the 'Ambigu'. But Bonaparte was much deceived in this supposition； and if there can remain any doubt on that subject， it will be removed on referring to the date of these Memoirs， and observing the time at which I consented to publish them.
I was not deceived as to the reasons of Bonaparte's unceremonious refusal of my application； and as I well knew his inquisitorial character， I thought it prudent to conceal my notes. I acted differently from Camoens. He contended with the sea to preserve his manuscripts； I made the earth the depository of mine. I carefully enclosed my most valuable notes and papers in a tin box， which I buried under ground. A yellow tinge， the commencement of decay， has in some places almost obliterated the writing.
It will be seen in the sequel that my precaution was not useless， and that I was right in anticipating the persecution of Bonaparte， provoked by the malice of my enemies. On the 20th of April Duroc sent me the following note：
I beg， my dear Bourrienne， that you will come to St. Cloud this morning. I have something to tell you on the part of the First Consul.
(Signed) DUROC.
This note caused me much anxiety. I could not doubt but that my enemies had invented some new calumny； but I must say that I did not expect such baseness as I experienced.
As soon as Duroc had made me acquainted with the business which the First Consul had directed him to communicate， I wrote on the spot the subjoined letter to Bonaparte：
At General Duroc's desire I have this moment waited upon him， and he informs me that you have received notice that a deficit of 100，000 francs has been discovered in the Treasury of the Navy， which you require me to refund this day at noon.
Citizen First Consul， I know not what this means！ I am utterly ignorant of the matter. I solemnly declare to you that this charge is a most infamous calumny. It is one more to be added to the number of those malicious charges which have been invented for the purpose of destroying any influence I might possess with you.
I am in General Duroc's apartment， where I await your orders.
Duroc carried my note to the First Consul as soon as it was written. He speedily returned. "All's right！" said he. "癏e has directed me to say it was entirely a mistake！--that he is now convinced he was deceived！ that he is sorry for the business， and hopes no more will be said about it."
The base flatterers who surrounded Bonaparte wished him to renew his Egyptian extortions upon me； but they should have recollected that the fusillade employed in Egypt for the purpose of raising money was no longer the fashion in France， and that the days were gone by when it was the custom to 'grease the wheels of the revolutionary car.'
