Details from some of the plots to rescue Napoleon can be found in the records preserved from his time in exile on St Helena.
- July 6th 1817. Aurora (Capt. Heaviside) arrives from China. Brings the Elphinstone chessmen for Napoleon.
(St Helena sailings & calls, October 1815 to April 1822)
The execution of a plot to remove Napoleon from St Helena is hatched by Joseph Bonaparte in the USA. General Raoul is entrusted with the purchase of two schooners and to recruit officers and men. The officers are to proceed to Baltimore. They are to rendezvous with Lord Cochrane on the island of Fernando Noronha off the coast of Brazil and sail for St Helena. They are to engage with the English cruisers and make three attacks by land one at Sandy Bay.
A light schooner armed with smaller pieces is ready to leave port for St Helena with the object of observing the English cruisers and the strength of the English forces.
(Extract of a letter written from Philadelphia, July 24th 1817, Lowe papers see also Hudson Lowe.)
- It was intended to fit out one or more fast sailing vessels sufficiently capacious to contain several small steam-boats. These vessels after making the island of St Helena were to keep a considerable distance from it. The steam-boats were then to be prepared, and as they were to be sent at night and manned by persons determined to brave every danger, it was hoped that some of them might be fortunate enough to succeed in setting their late emperor at liberty.
(Chamberlain to Castlereagh, Rio de Janeiro, November 15th 1817, Lowe papers)
- May 18th 1819. Dorsetshire (Capt. Lyde) arrives from China and witnesses on May 25th to a private of the 66th being executed in the presence of the Sheriff, a subaltern, a sergeant, a corporal, a drummer and eighteen men.
(Lowe papers)
