A peculiar interest therefore attaches to the negotiations for peace in 1806, especially as they were pushed on by that generous orator, Fox, who had so long pleaded for a good understanding with France.  On February 20th, 1806, he disclosed to Talleyrand the details of a supposed plot for the murder of the French Emperor, which some person had proposed to him, an offer which he rejected with horror, at the same time ordering the man to be expelled from the kingdom.  It is more than probable that the whole thing was got up by the French police as a test of the esteem which Fox had always expressed for Bonaparte.

The experiment having turned out well, Talleyrand assured Fox of the pacific desires of the French Emperor as recently stated to the Corps Legislatif, namely, that peace could be had on the terms of the Treaty of Amiens.  Fox at once clasped the outstretched hand, but stated that the negotiations must be in concert with Russia, and the treaty such as our allies could honourably accept.  To this Talleyrand, on April 1st, gave a partial assent, adding that Napoleon was convinced that the rupture of the Peace of Amiens was due solely to the refusal of France to grant a treaty of commerce.  France and England could now come to satisfactory terms, if England would be content with the sovereignty of the seas, and not interfere with Continental affairs.[78] France desired, not a truce, but a durable peace.

To this Fox assented, but traversed the French claim that Russia’s participation would imply her mediation.  Peace could only come from an honourable understanding between all the Powers actually at war.  Talleyrand denied that Russia was at war with France, as the Third Coalition had lapsed; but Fox held his ground, and declared there must be peace with England and Russia, or not at all:  otherwise France would be seen to aim at “excluding us from any connection with the Continental Powers of Europe."[79]

Such a beginning was disappointing:  it showed that Napoleon and Talleyrand were intent on sowing distrust between England and Russia, who were mutually pledged not to make peace separately; and for a time all overtures ceased between London and Paris, until it was known that a Russian envoy was going to Paris.  Hitherto the French Foreign Office had won brilliant successes by skilfully separating and embittering allies.  But now it seemed that their tactics were foiled.  Two firm and trusty allies yet remained, Britain and Russia.  To Czartoryski our Foreign Minister had expressed his desire that the former offensive alliance should now take a solely defensive character:  “If we cannot reduce the enormous power of France, it will always be something to stop its progress.”  To these opinions the Russian Minister gave a cordial assent, and despatched a special envoy to London to concert terms of peace along with the British Ministry, while Oubril, “a safe man on whose prudence and principles the two allied Courts may safely rely,” was despatched to Vienna and Paris.[80]