Note 10 — MEMOIRS OF THE LIFE, EXILE, AND CONVERSATIONS, OF THE EMPEROR NAPOLEON. (continued 4)
Reading edition
On reading this reflection of Napoleon’s, an officer in the confidence of Admiral Villeneuve wrote to me that the letter of Decrès to that Admiral before the arrival of M. de Rosilly, appointed to supersede him, concluded thus;—"Sail as soon as you find a favourable opportunity: do not shun the enemy; on the contrary attack him wherever you fall in with him, since the Emperor cares little about losing ships, so he loses them with honour." This letter was the only one which the officer in question saved from the Admiral’s portfolio, before he threw it into the sea, at the moment of striking the flag.