General Lauriston, ambassador from France at Petersburgh, received orders to apply for the Russian emperor’s permission to proceed to Wilna, in order to communicate definitive proposals to him.  General Narbonne, aid-de-camp of Napoleon, departed for the imperial head-quarters of Alexander, in order to assure that prince of the pacific intentions of France, and to invite him to Dresden.  The archbishop of Malines was despatched in order to direct the impulses of Polish patriotism.  The King of Saxony made up his mind to the loss of the grand duchy; but he was flattered with the hope of a more substantial indemnity.

Meantime, ever since the first days of meeting, surprise was expressed at the absence of the King of Prussia from the imperial court; but it was soon understood that he was prohibited from coming.  This prince was the more alarmed in proportion as he had less deserved such treatment.  His presence would have been embarrassing.  Nevertheless, encouraged by Narbonne, he resolved on making his appearance.  When his arrival was announced to the emperor, the latter grew angry, and at first refused to see him:—­“What did this prince want of him?  Was not the constant importunity of his letters, and his continual solicitations sufficient?  Why did he come again to persecute him with his presence?  What need had he of him?” But Duroc insisted; he reminded Napoleon of the want that he would experience of Prussia, in a war with Russia; and the doors of the emperor were opened to the monarch.  He was received with the respect due to his superior rank.  His renewed assurances of fidelity, of which he gave numerous proofs, were accepted.

It was reported at that time, that this monarch was led to expect the possession of the Russo-German provinces, which his troops were to be commissioned to invade.  It is even affirmed that, after their conquest, he demanded their investiture from Napoleon.  It has been added, but in vague terms, that Napoleon allowed the Prince-Royal of Prussia to aspire to the hand of one of his nieces.  This was to be the remuneration for the services which Prussia was to render him in this new war.  He promised, so he expressed himself, that he would go and sound her.  It was thus that Frederick, by becoming the relation of Napoleon, would be enabled to preserve his diminished power; but proofs are wanting, to show that the idea of this marriage seduced the King of Prussia, as the hope of a similar alliance had seduced the Prince of Spain.

Such at that time was the submission of sovereigns to the power of Napoleon.  It offers a striking example of the empire of necessity over all persons, and shows to what lengths the prospect of gain and the fear of loss will lead princes as well as private persons.

Meanwhile, Napoleon still waited the result of the negotiations of Lauriston and of Narbonne.  He hoped to vanquish Alexander by the mere aspect of his united army, and, above all, by the menacing splendour of his residence at Dresden.  He himself expressed this opinion, when, some days after, at Posen, he said to General Dessolles, “The assemblage at Dresden not having persuaded Alexander to make peace, it was now solely to be expected from war.”