Abdication of Napoleon: The Times Report

Despite a brilliantly fought retreat against the combined armies of Europe following his failed invasion of Russia in 1812, the combined numbers against the French meant that defeat for Napoleon became inevitable. In 1814 the allied Russian, Prussian, and Austrian forces invaded France, taking Paris in March. Faced with the prospect of total defeat, Napoleon conceded the allies’ demands and abdicated—this British reaction to the news is from The Times of April 11, 1814. Original spellings have been retained.