No. 4 To the Empress Josephine, at Malmaison
Friday, 8 A.M., 1811.
I send to know how you are, for Hortense tells me you were in bed yesterday. I was annoyed with you about your debts. I do not wish you to have any; on the contrary, I wish you to put a million aside every year, to give to your grandchildren when they get married.
Nevertheless, never doubt my affection for you, and don’t worry any more about the present embarrassment.
Adieu, dear. Send me word that you are well. They say that you are as fat as a good Normandy farmeress.
Napoleon.
October 25th-26th.—Battle of Murviedro and capture of Sagunto: Blake and O’Donnell heavily defeated by Suchet.
December 20th.—Senatus Consultus puts 120,000 conscripts (born in 1792) at disposal of Government for 1812.
December 26th.—Suchet defeats Spanish, and crosses Guadalaviar.