Merlin de Douai was generally the person who did him this service, for he was the most constant at his post.
Lagarde, the Secretary-General, did not countersign any document relative to this expedition, Bonaparte not wishing him to be informed of the business.

He transmitted to Toulon the money taken at Berne, which the Directory had placed at his disposal.

It amounted to something above 3,000,000 francs.

In those times of disorder and negligence the finances were very badly managed.

The revenues were anticipated and squandered away, so that the treasury never possessed so large a sum as that just mentioned.
It was determined that Bonaparte should undertake an expedition of an unusual character to the East.