mpanions in arms; and remonstrate with them, that
it was not in the plains of the West, the fate of the throne would be
decided; and that, the final expulsion or restoration of Louis XVIII.
depending neither on their efforts, nor on their defeat, the French
blood, which they were about to shed in la Vendee, would be spilt to
no purpose.

He sent orders to General Lamarque, whom he had just invested with the
supreme direction of this war[16], to favour the negotiations of M. de
Malartie to the utmost of his power: at the same time he directed him,
to declare formally to la Roche-jaquelin, and to the other chiefs of
the insurgents, that, if they persisted in continuing the civil war,
quarter would no longer be given them, and their houses and
possessions should be sacked and burned[17].

[Footnote 16: The Emperor had intended this command in
chief for the Duke of Rovigo, or General Corbineau: but
he foresaw, that it might perhaps be necessary, to
proceed to rigorous measures; and he was unwilling, that
these should be conducted by an officer attached to his
own person.]

[Footnote 17: The Emperor considered this rigorous
measure as a just reprisal for the means employed by the
Vendean chiefs, to recruit their army. They are the
following:

When the families, that reign in la Vendee, have
resolved on war, they send orders to their agents, to
travel over the country, preaching up revolt, and
indicating to every parish the number of men, that it
must furnish. The chiefs of the insurrection in each
parish then point out the peasants, who are to go; and
enjoin them, to be at such an hour, on such a day, at
the place appointed for assembling. If they fail, armed
bands are sent in quest of them, generally composed of
the men most dreaded in the country: if they resist,
they are threatened with being shot, or having their
houses burnt; and as this is never an empty threat, the
unhappy peasants obey, and set out.

It has been asserted, that the Emperor had given orders,
to set a price on the heads of the chiefs of the
insurgents. The instructions given to the minister