Page:Henry Adams' History of the United States Vol. 4.djvu/124

114 :"The fact appears to be, which I communicate with the most intimate conviction of its truth, that some sycophant, entering into the weakness of the Emperor, and perceiving that he was only happy in giving a little more circumference to the bubble, seized the moment of Izquierdo's nomination, and pointing to the United States, said: 'These are destined to form the last labor of the modern Hercules.  The triumph over England cannot be complete so long as the commerce and republicanism of this country be permitted to exist.  Will it then be wise to insulate it,—to divest yourselves or your allies of those points which would place you at once in the midst of it?  With what view was it that after selling Louisiana, attempts were made by France to buy the Floridas from Spain?  Was it not in the anticipation of events which may make necessary to you a place in the neighborhood of these States,—a point on which to rest your political lever? Remember that Archimedes could not move the world without previously finding a resting-place for his screw. Instead, therefore, of parting with the Floridas, I would suggest whether we should not make the repossession of Canada a condition of a peace with England.' The conception itself, and the manner in which it was presented, struck the Emperor forcibly. He mused a moment upon it, and then in the most peremptory manner ordered that the negotiation should not go on."

Armstrong regarded this anecdote as important. Perhaps he had it, directly or indirectly, from Talleyrand, who used more freedom of speech, than was permitted to any other man in France; but the task of penetrating the depths of Napoleon's mind was