Go back, and ask for written instructions, and return in three days to my headquarters at Altkirch.

You will find me alone precisely at six o'clock in the evening." Fauche immediately departed, arrived at Bale, and informed me of all that had passed.

I spent the night in writing a letter to General Pichegru.

(The Prince de Conde, who was invested with all the powers of Louis XVIII, except that of granting the 'cordon-bleu', had, by a note in his own handwriting, deputed to me all his powers, to enable me to maintain a negotiation with General Pichegru).
I therefore wrote to the general, stating, in the outset, everything that was calculated to awaken in him that noble sentiment of pride which is the instinct of great minds; and after pointing out to him the vast good it was in his power to effect, I spoke of the gratitude of the King, and the benefit he would confer on his country by restoring royalty.

I told him that his Majesty would make him a marshal of France, and governor of Alsace, as no one could better govern the province than he who had so valiantly defended it.