These officers have declared that they then proposed various plans; a useless trouble with a prince whose genius outstripped all other imaginations, and whom their objections would not have stopped, had he been really determined to march to Petersburg.  But that idea was in him only a sally of anger, an inspiration of despair, on finding himself obliged in the face of Europe to give way, to relinquish a conquest, and to retreat.

It was more especially a threat to frighten his officers as well as the enemy, and to bring about and promote a negotiation which Caulaincourt was to open.  That officer had pleased Alexander; he was the only one of the grandees of Napoleon’s court who had acquired any influence over his rival; but for some months past, Napoleon had kept him at a distance, because he had not been able to persuade him to approve his expedition.

It was nevertheless to this very man that he was that day obliged to have recourse, and to disclose his anxiety.  He sent for him; but when alone with him, he hesitated.  Taking him by the arm, he walked to and fro a long time in great agitation, while his pride prevented him from breaking so painful a silence:  at length it yielded, but in a threatening manner.  He was to beg the enemy to solicit peace, as if he deigned to grant it.

After a few words, which were scarcely articulate, he said, that “he was about to march to Petersburg.  He knew that the destruction of that city would no doubt give pain to his grand-equerry.  Russia would then rise against the Emperor Alexander:  there would be a conspiracy against that monarch; he would be assassinated, which would be a most unfortunate circumstance.  He esteemed that prince, and should regret him, both for his own sake and that of France.  His character, he added, was suitable to our interests; no prince could replace him with such advantage to us.  He thought therefore of sending Caulaincourt to him, to prevent such a catastrophe.”

The Duke of Vicenza, however, more obstinate, than susceptible of flattery, did not alter his tone.  He maintained that “these overtures would be useless; that so long as the Russian territory was not entirely evacuated, Alexander would not listen to any proposals; that Russia was sensible of all her advantage at this season of the year; nay, more, that this step would be detrimental to himself, inasmuch as it would demonstrate the need which Napoleon had of peace, and betray all the embarrassment of our situation.”

He added, “that the higher the rank of the negotiator whom he selected, the more clearly he would show his anxiety; that of course he himself would be more likely to fail than any other, especially as he should go with this certainty.”  The Emperor abruptly terminated the conversation by these words:  “Well, then, I will send Lauriston.”