That Bitch Salicetti Being FED UP With Bonbonaparte And Overjoyed 9 Thermidor Ended It

That bitch Salicetti being FED UP with Bonbonaparte and overjoyed 9 Thermidor ended it

Source : "Chap. 5 : Le capitaine canon", Bonaparte, André Castelot

Salicetti, on whom the Army of Italy now also relies, took umbrage at the protection the Robespierre brothers granted Buonaparte. Perhaps the young general was somewhat clumsy in his dealings with his compatriot? Is it true that, as the Representative told the new Comité de Salut Public, he “barely looked at him from the height of his stature”? In any case, on August 6, Salicetti wrote to his colleague Berthier: “I learned of the death of the new tyrant and his accomplices, and I assure you that my heart expanded with pleasure. You know how despotically Ricord and Augustin Robespierre dominated the Army of Italy. How abuses reigned in finances...”

Buonaparte, “Robespierre's favourite”, was inevitably compromised. “I am convinced,” Salicetti added, “that when I arrive in Nice, I will find Ricord gone and perhaps Buonaparte too. If they are still in Nice, we have decided to have them arrested and sent to Paris immediately. There are strong grounds for suspicion, treason and squandering.” On the same August 6, representatives Albitte and Laporte, whom Salicetti had tracked down in Barcelonnette, called the young Robespierre's campaign plan - suggested by Buonaparte - “liberticide”.

“Buonaparte was their man,” they specify in their letter to the Committee, “their plan-maker whom we had to obey. A letter, anonymous but dated from Genoa, warned us that there was one million on the road to corrupt a general. Stay on your guard, we were told. Salicetti is on his way. He tells us that Buonaparte has gone to Genoa, authorized by Ricord. What was this general planning to do in a foreign country? All our suspicions are fixed on his head...” It is certain - Napoleon would later admit that his favor with the representatives on mission in place before Thermidor was high - that Augustin Robespierre hardly made any decisions concerning the Army of Italy before consulting the young general.

Without waiting for the Committee's orders, the three commissioners, “considering that General Buonaparte has totally lost their trust through the most suspicious conduct, and especially through the trip he recently made to Genoa”, decided as follows: “Brigadier General Buonaparte, commander-in-chief of the artillery of the Army of Italy, is temporarily suspended from duty. He will be arrested by and under the responsibility of the General-in-Chief of the aforementioned army, and taken to the Comité de Salut Public, in Paris, under safe escort. All papers and effects will be sealed...”.