Letter to the Emperor of Austria, on the Field of Marengo, June, 1800 "Sire: It is on the field of battle, amid the sufferings of a multitude of wounded, and surrounded by fifteen thousand corpses, that beseech your Majesty to listen to the voice of humanity, and not to suffer two brave nations to cut each other's throats for interests not their own. It is my part to press this upon your Majesty, being upon the very theatre of war. Your Majesty's heart can not feel it so keenly as does mine.