Was reading a translated version of Gourgaud's journal on St. Helena and came across an interesting comment from Napoleon regarding Lannes' "exile" to Portugal
"One day Madame Lannes came and told me that her husband was restless in his sleep; that he was always muttering about the Republic, about tyrants, and about consuls; that he looked anxious and excited, and was often visited by former Jacobins. I at once superseded him in command of my Guard. That was the real cause why he lost his reason, not the deficit of three hundred thousand francs in his accounts, as was supposed. I sent him as ambassador to Portugal, and replaced him by four captains who were entrusted with the command of the Guard." Source: Talks of Napoleon at St. Helena with General Baron Gourgaud : together with the journal kept by Gourgaud on their journey from Waterloo to St. Helena
Interesting that all other sources I've read do mention the overspeanding as being the reason for his "diplomatic mission". Also it's quite hard to imagine Lannes as scheming against Napoleon, but i suppose (like with most other events, frustratingly) we will never truly know what actually transpired behind the scenes. If someone else has more insight on the situation, I'd love to know
