Page:Dramatic Moments in American Diplomacy (1918).djvu/109

Rh review, but instructive of the arbitrary methods which were at once Napoleon's grandeur and his curse:

"After some preliminary discussion Joseph at last broke in quite brusquely:

"'Well, you say nothing about your famous plan.'

"'Yes,' said the First Consul, * * * 'only take note, Lucien, I have made up my mind to sell Louisiana to the Americans. * * *'

"'* * * But it is too unconstitutional.'

"These precise words were then thundered forth, according to Lucien Bonaparte's account: "'Constitution! Unconstitutional! Republic! National Sovereignty! Great words—fine phrases! Do you think you are still at the Club of St. Maximin? We are past that, you had better believe. Parbleu! You phrase it nobly. Unconstitutional! It becomes you well. Sir Knight of the Constitution, to talk that way to me. * * * Go on—go on. That's quite too fine a thing to be cut short, Sir