Manuscript Essays, "The banishment of Napoleon..." and "On the immediate emancipation of the slaves", June 26 and 28, 1823

Was the banishment of Buonaparte to the Island
of St. Helena justifiable? -

Of no person, either ancient or modern, is there
that diversity of opinion, concerning their character,
that there is of Napoleon Buonaparte - And of no
person is it so difficult to procure a just and true
history; or form an impartial opinion - The French
historian, raised from indigence and obscurity by his power,
represents him as a rare genius, combining in his charac=
ter all that is great, glorious, and Godlike; and his over=
throw as a concerted scheme of jealousy and wicked=
ness: Whilst the English historian exhibits him as a mon=
ster in human form, expert in all the wicked arts of Sa=
tan; and whose destruction was the merited chastisement
of his crimes - Even in America where intelligence and
impartiality are the ruling principles, we see two mark=
ed and distinct classess; the one inveighing against him
with all the bitter rancour of the Court of St. James;
and the other, as if the happiness of the earth, and their
own immortality depended on the dynasty of Napoleon,
bowing before their idol with all the reverence and
adoration of faithful worshipers -

Amdist such contradictions of authority, and diversi=
ty of opinion, it is impossible to acquire a perfect knowl=
edge of his character; or affirm, or deny with any degree
of certainty the several crimes laid to his charge - That
he was guilty of many and gross violations of justice
and humanity, is evident; and it is equally certain that