The Confidential Correspondence of Napoleon Bonaparte with His Brother Joseph (Volume 2)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1856 Excerpt: ... Bertjiier. Trianon, July I7, 1811. My Cousin, --Let Marshal Jourdan have the necessary sum to equip himself and proceed without delay to Spain, where he may be of use. Arrange everything so as to enable him to start as soon as possible. 715. Napoleon To Berthier. St. Cloud, July 81, 1811. My Cousin, --The tower of the Bidassoa is to be constructed at Bayonne. The minister of war should have given orders to this effect. It does not in the least concern Biscay. The towers should be built only on the tops of the heights. They are all to be of the third size; there are to be none of either the first or second. The first tower must be placed on the height of Salinas, situated so that signals made from it may give information as to what is going on in the mountains. The officer who examined the country did not quite understand what was intended: three towers were to be constructed; one at Salinas, and the others on the watersheds of the mountains. It must be seen how many such there are from the Bidassoa to Miranda, and the three principal positions chosen for the construction of three towers. As soon as these are finished, three more positions must be determined on, and the towers must be placed so as to overlook the road and the defiles which join it, to correspond easily with each other by means of signals, to give notice of what is going on in the mountains, and in short to serve as a refuge for my troops. Towers of the third size will cost 15,000 fr. apiece, that is to say, 45,000 fr. for the three. Too much haste cannot be made in establishing one of these towers on the heights of Salinas. The plans sent by General Thouvenot do not carry out my intentions; they must be begun all over again. 716. Napoleon To Berthier. St Cloud, Ang. 6,1811. My Cousin, --Write