SEBASTIAN', HORACE FRANcOIS BASTIEN, COUNT French marshal and diplomatist. Of Cor sican birth, he was in his early years banished from his native island during the civil disturbances, and in 1789 he entered the French army. In 1793, as a French lieutenant, he took part in the war in Corsica, serving later in the Army of the Alps. He became chef de brigade in 1799. Attached to the future Emperor Napo leon, he took part in the coup d'etat of 18th Brumaire (Nov. 9, 1799). He was present at Marengo in 1800. Sebastiani next ap pears in his first diplomatic post, in Turkey and Egypt (1802). Promoted general of brigade in 1803, he served in 18o5 in the first of the great campaigns of the Empire. At Austerlitz he was promoted (Dec. 2) general of division. As French ambassador at Constantinople he induced the Porte to declare war on Rus sia; as a soldier he directed the defence of Constantinople against the British squadron. But the deposition of the Sultan Selim III. put an end to French diplomatic success. Sebastiani was re
called in April 1807, and made count of the empire. He com manded a corps in the Peninsular War, but his cavalry genius did not shine in the laborious and painful operations against the careful English and the ubiquitous guerrilleros. In the grande guerre of Russia and Germany he did brilliant service. He ac cepted the Restoration government in 1814, but rejoined Napo leon on his return from Elba. After Waterloo he retired into England for a time. From 1819 he was a prominent member of the Chamber of Deputies. He held the posts of minister of marine, and later of foreign affairs and was the author of the historic saying "Order reigns at Warsaw." He became consecu tively minister of state without portfolio (1832), ambassador at Naples (1833), and ambassador to Great Britain (1835-4o). On his retirement he was made marshal of France. He died in Paris on July 21, 1851.
See E. Driault, La Politique orientate de Napoleon: Sebastiani et Gardane (19o5).