Louis XVIII., who had returned to Paris on July 9, was anxious for the matter to be settled as quickly as possible, without taking the odium on himself. He ordered the prefect of Rochefort to keep the ex-emperor on the frigate La Saale, and to give him up to Commander Maitland, on the latter's requisition. Napoleon thought it more dignified to surrender without waiting for sum mons or arrest. On July 15 wearing the green coat of the chasseurs de la garde, and the small hat, his favourite uniform, and that in which he is always popularly represented he went on board the "Bellerophon." One wonders if he deceived himself as to his fate and believed that the British government would allow him to go to America, or to remain at liberty in England, which had always welcomed exiles and was looked on as a political asylum. He may have remembered Paoli and Theodore, king of Corsica for a brief period, who had come to London, to die. Strangely enough there has been found among his papers a short literary exercise, an imaginary letter from Theodore asking Walpole for protection. In his school exercise books is also the phrase "Saint Helena, a little island." The Voyage.—If Napoleon had hoped to remain at liberty he was undeceived when the "Bellerophon" arrived at Plymouth. Admiral Keith delivered to him, in the name of the British gov ernment a letter which informed "General Bonaparte" that in order to deprive him of further opportunities of disturbing the peace of Europe, it was necessary to restrain his personal liberty, and that to this end Saint Helena had been chosen as his future residence. He might take with him three companions, from among those who had accompanied him to England, and a surgeon. The emperor, on receipt of the letter, protested that he was the guest and not the prisoner of the British government, and that the rights of hospitality were being violated in his person. He then resigned himself, and set an example of stoicism to his followers. He did no more than put into writing the verbal protest which he had made to Admiral Keith.
Napoleon took with him into his captivity General Bertrand, a former grand marshal of the palace, Count Montholon, aide de camp, and General Gourgaud, and a civilian, the count de Las Cases. Countess Bertrand and Countess Montholon were of the party, as well as Las Cases the younger, and several servants. On Aug. 7 they embarked on the "Northumberland," commanded by Admiral Cockburn, and almost immediately set sail. The voyage lasted more than two months. Napoleon preserved his impas sibility, even though the officers and crew had been ordered to refrain from paying him marks of respect, and he was addressed merely as "General." On arriving at Saint Helena Cockburn even said to General Bertrand, "I know of no emperor living in this island, nor of any person with a right to that position, having, as you say, travelled with me on the Northumberland." Reading was Napoleon's chief distraction, during this long and monotonous voyage which was bearing him for ever from France and from his family. He had read to him from the En cyclopedia Britannica everything concerning Saint Helena and the countries near which the ship was passing. After a turn on deck he would lean against a gun, which the midshipmen soon called "the emperor's gun," and talk at length of his past life, telling stories of his career. Las Cases, who kept a journal was thus led to begin his Memorial of Saint Helena. Soon Napoleon
himself decided to dictate his recollections, beginning with his Italian campaign.
Longwood, which had been a farm, was larger and a little more comfortable than "The Briars." Napoleon remained there till his death, spending his time in talking over his past career, dictating his reminiscences, reading, doing a little gardening, riding in the narrow limits permitted him, and even in learning English, which he read fairly fluently, but would never speak. His chief troubles were the prohibition of correspondence with his family, and the badness of the food. His imprisonment became still more rigorous when, in April 1816, Admiral Cockburn was replaced by Hudson Lowe. The new Governor, obsessed with the fear of losing his prisoner, and, seeing nothing but espionage and plans of escape, made himself detested. Under his petty persecution Napoleon remembered with regret the regime of Admiral Cockburn. First Las Cases, accused of having organised a correspondence with the outer world, was deported to the Cape; O'Meara, the next to go, was replaced by the Corsican doctor, Antommarchi. In 1818 Gourgaud, who could not agree with his companions, left Saint Helena. Only Bertrand and Montholon stayed till the end.
Napoleon's health was suffering. It is possible that the climate, the food and mental anguish assisted the tendency towards cancer which he inherited from his father. His strength rapidly declined. In March 1821, he took to his bed. In April he dictated his will. "It is my wish" he said "that my ashes shall be laid to rest on the banks of the Seine among the French people whom I have loved so well." He added "I am dying before my time, murdered by the English oligarchy and its hired assassin" (Hudson Lowe). He died on the morning of May 5 in his 52nd year. His body was dressed in his favourite uniform, that of the chasseurs de la garde, and covered with the cloak he had worn at Marengo. He was buried in a lonely spot near a spring shaded by two weeping willows. He had often walked there. "Here lies" was on the stone. No name.