Note 588 — BOOK II[446] (continued 2)
Alexander Teixeira de Mattos translation
Chateaubriand's letter of resignation ran as follows:
"Citizen Minister,
"The doctors have just stated that Madame de Chateaubriand's state of health is such as to raise fears for her life. As it is absolutely impossible for me to leave my wife in these circumstances, or to expose her to the danger of a journey, I beg Your Excellency to approve that I return to you the credentials and instructions which you have sent me for the Valais. I also trust to your extreme kindness to persuade the First Consul to accept the painful reasons which prevent me to-day from undertaking the mission with which he was pleased to honour me. As I do not know whether my position requires me to take any other steps, I venture to appeal to your usual indulgence, Citizen Minister, for orders and advice; I shall receive these with the gratitude which I shall not cease to feel for your past kindnesses.
"I have the honour to greet you respectfully,
"Chateaubriand.
"Hôtel de France, Rue de Beaune, Paris.
"1 Germinal Year XII [22 March 1804]."—B.