15 April 1821
Death of Napoleon

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Napoleon dies in exile on the south Atlantic island of St Helena.

'This 15th April, 1821, at Longwood, Island of St Helena. This is my Testament, or act of my last will.
'1. I die in the Apostolical Roman religion, in the bosom of which I was born more than fifty years since.
'2. It is my wish that my ashes may repose on the banks of the Seine, in the midst of the French people, whom I have loved so well.
'3. I have always had reason to be pleased with my dearest wife, Maria Louisa. I retain for her, to my last moment, the most tender sentiments – I beseech her to watch, in order to preserve, my son from the snares that yet environ his infancy.
'4. I recommend to my son never to forget that he was born a French prince, and never to allow himself to become an instrument in the hands of the triumvirs who oppress the nations of Europe: he ought never to fight against France, or to injure her in any manner; he ought to adopt my motto: "Everything for the French people."
'5. I die prematurely, assassinated by the English oligarchy and its tool. The English nation will not be slow in avenging me.
'6. The two unfortunate results of the invasions of France, when she had still so many resources, are to be attributed to the treason of Marmont, Augereau, Talleyrand, and Lafayette. I forgive them – May the posterity of France forgive them as I do.
'7. I thank my good and most excellent mother, the Cardinal, my brothers, Joseph, Lucien, Jérôme, Pauline, Caroline, Julie, Hortense, Catarine, Eugène, for the interest they have continued to feel for me. I pardon Louis for the libel he published in 1820: it is replete with false assertions and falsified documents.'
Extract from the will of Napoleon Bonaparte

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