contractor, a man who
confiscated in collusion with the syndic of a commune the property of
emigres in order to sell them and buy them in, a minister, and a general
were all equally engaged in public business. From 1793 to 1799 du
Bousquier was commissary of provisions to the French armies. He lived in
a magnificent hotel and was one of the matadors of finance, did business
with Ouvrard, kept open house, and led the scandalous life of the
period,--the life of a Cincinnatus, on sacks of corn harvested without
trouble, stolen rations, "little houses" full of mistresses, in which
were given splendid fetes to the Directors of the Republic.

The citizen du Bousquier was one of Barras' familiars; he was on the
best of terms with Fouche, stood very well with Bernadotte, and fully
expected to become a minister by throwing himself into the party which
secretly caballed against Bonaparte until Marengo. If it had not been
for Kellermann's charge and Desaix's death, du Bousquier would probably
have become a minister. He was one of the chief assistances of that
secret government whom Napoleon's luck send behind the scenes in 1793.
(See "An Historical Mystery.") The unexpected victory of Marengo was
the defeat of that party who actually had their proclamations printed
to return to the principles of the Montagne in case the First Consul
succumbed.

Convinced of the impossibility of Bonaparte's triumph, du Bousquier
staked the greater part of his property on a fall in the Funds, and kept
two couriers on the field of battle. The first started for Paris when
Melas' victory was certain; the second, starting four hours later,
brought the news of the defeat of the Austrians. Du Bousquier cursed
Kellermann and Desaix; he dared not curse Bonaparte, who might owe him
millions. This alternative of millions to be earned and present ruin
staring him in the face, deprived the purveyor of most of his faculties:
he became nearly imbecile for several days; the man had so abused his
health by excesses that when the thunderbolt fell upon him he had no
strength to resist. The payment of his bills against the Exchequer
gave him some hopes for the future, but, in spite of all efforts
to ingratiate himself, Napoleon's hatred to the contractors who had
speculated on his defeat made itself felt; du Bousquier was left without
a sou. The immorality of his private life, his intimacy with Barras and
Bernadotte, displeased the First Consul even more than his man