I have sent orders by this courier for the troops at Marseilles to embark and proceed to Toulon.

On the evening of the 30th I will send you a courier with orders for you to embark and proceed with the squadron and convoy to Genoa, where I will join you.
The delay which this fresh event has occasioned will, I imagine, have enabled you to complete every preparation.
We left Paris on the 3d of May 1798.

Ten days before Bonaparte's departure for Egypt a prisoner (Sir Sidney Smith) escaped from the Temple who was destined to contribute materially to his reverses.

An escape so unimportant in itself afterwards caused the failure of the most gigantic projects and daring conceptions.

This escape was pregnant with future events; a false order of the Minister of Police prevented the revolution of the East! We were at Toulon on the 8th.