The day after he got rid of his first two colleagues, Sieyes and Roger Ducos, he prepared to open negotiations with the Cabinet of London.  At that time we were at war with almost the whole of Europe.  We had also lost Italy.  The Emperor of Germany was ruled by his Ministers, who in their turn were governed by England.  It was no easy matter to manage equally the organization of the Consular Government and the no less important affairs abroad; and it was very important to the interests of the First Consul to intimate to foreign powers, while at the same time he assured himself against the return of the Bourbons, that the system which he proposed to adopt was a system of order and regeneration, unlike either the demagogic violence of the Convention or the imbecile artifice of the Directory.  In fulfilment of this object Bonaparte directed M. de Talleyrand, the new Minister for Foreign Affairs, to make the first friendly overtures to the English Cabinet:  A correspondence ensued, which was published at the time, and which showed at once the conciliatory policy of Bonaparte and the arrogant policy of England.

The exchange of notes which took place was attended by no immediate result.  However, the First Consul had partly attained his object:  if the British Government would not enter into negotiations for peace, there was at least reason to presume that subsequent overtures of the Consular Government might be listened to.  The correspondence had at all events afforded Bonaparte the opportunity of declaring his principles, and above all, it had enabled him to ascertain that the return of the Bourbons to France (mentioned in the official reply of Lord Grenville) would not be a sine qua non condition for the restoration of peace between the two powers.

Since M. de Talleyrand had been Minister for Foreign Affairs the business of that department had proceeded with great activity.  It was an important advantage to Bonaparte to find a nobleman of the old regime among the republicans.  The choice of M. de Talleyrand was in some sort an act of courtesy to the foreign Courts.  It was a delicate attention to the diplomacy of Europe to introduce to its members, for the purpose of treating with them, a man whose rank was at least equal to their own, and who was universally distinguished for a polished elegance of manner combined with solid good qualities and real talents.

It was not only with England that Bonaparte and his Minister endeavoured to open negotiations; the Consular Cabinet also offered peace to the House of Austria; but not at the same time.  The object of this offer was to sow discord between the two powers.  Speaking to me one day of his earnest wish to obtain peace Bonaparte said, “You see, Bourrienne, I have two great enemies to cope with.  I will conclude peace with the one I find most easy to deal with.  That will enable me immediately to assail the other.  I frankly confess that I should like best to be at peace with England.  Nothing would then be more easy than to crush Austria.  She has no money except what she gets through England.”