He had sent them by the Saint-Gothard.

Thus strengthened, the First Consul entered Milan without striking a blow.
By the bye, how came the First Consul, who, according to a provision of the constitution of the year VIII., could not assume command of the army, nor yet leave France, to be where he was?
We shall now tell you.
The evening before the day on which he left Paris--that is to say, the 15th of May, or, according to the calendars of the time, the 15th Floreal--he had sent for the two other consuls and all the ministers, saying to Lucien: "Prepare a circular letter to the prefects to-morrow." Then he said to Fouche: "You will publish the circular in all the newspapers.

You are to say that I have left for Dijon to inspect the Army of the Reserves.

Add, but without affirming it positively, that I may go as far as Geneva.

In any case, let it be well impressed on everyone that I shall not be absent more than a fortnight.