CHAP. IX. 1813. 57. leon to make peace. and the Emperor of Russia, in name of both, returned for answer," that the Allied sovereigns, after consulting with each other, being persuaded that all idea of a real peace was inseparable from that of a general pacification, which their Majesties had hoped to have effected by the negotiations at Prague, regret to find that the articles now proposed by his Majesty the Emperor of the French cannot answer the ends in view, and therefore cannot be deemed admissible." This answer was carried by M. de Bender, the Austrian legate, to M. de Caulaincourt at the château of Koenigsal. Even after so many repulses, Caulaincourt made one Last effort more effort to divert the Emperor from his warlike resoluof Caulain- tions. So late as the 13th August, within two days of duce Napo- the resumption of hostilities, he again addressed to Napoleon a most pressing letter, in which he adjured him by every consideration for his country, his family, and himself, to return to pacific counsels, and accept the ultimatum of Austria. But nothing could bend the iron will of the Emperor. Caulaincourt, defeated in all his efforts, made no concealment to any one of his opinion as to the obstinacy of his master, and that he should have closed with the ultimatum of Austria. "In a long Lord Castle conversation which ensued betwen them," says Sir Charles 1 Sir Chas, Stewart, "General Caulaincourt told M. de Metternich Stewart to that if he were Buonaparte he would accept, without reagh, Aug. hesitation, the Austrian proposals, but that he was without full power, and did not think they would be accepted by the Emperor."1 15, 1813, MS. 58. of the Allies claration of In truth, matters had now gone so far, and the preparaEnthusiasm tions of Napoleon on the one side, and the enthusiasm on at the Aus- the other, were on such a scale, that the resumption of trian de- hostilities had become in a manner unavoidable. "It is difficult to describe," says Sir Charles Stewart, "the enthusiasm generally created by the Austrian declaration of The spirit of the army also was at the highest point. When the three Allied sovereigns met at Prague war. Aug. 16. war. on the 16th August, it excited a proud sensation in the " 1 CHAP. IX. 1813. 1 Lond. 97, Stewart's tion with August 16. Sir Charles Stewart arrived in Prague on the 16th 59. August, and bore a part in the preparations for the Sir Charles reception of the Allied sovereigns, which took place two confidential days after. Before this auspicious event occurred, he conver had a long confidential conversation with Prince Metter- Metternich. nich, who, notwithstanding all his diplomatic reserve, knew, on proper occasions, how to expand in the charm of the most unreserved communication. The account of the interview must be given in his own words. "He began," says Sir Charles, "by detailing the course he had pursued since he had been intrusted with the reins of Government. He found the finances of the Austrian monarchy exhausted by costly and unsuccessful wars, in a state of insolvency, and the despondency of its subjects at the lowest ebb. He arranged the marriage of the Archduchess to give his country the first ascending steps from the abyss of misfortune into which it had fallen; never intending, however, when existence and power were again secured, that the marriage should influence or direct the politics of the Cabinet of Vienna. 'I persevered in my course,' he added, ‘and, deaf to the CHAP. opinions and entreaties of a powerful party, I would not IX. stir. When the Russians, in the pursuit of Napoleon's 1813. forces, were on the Memel, I told them they must come to the Oder or the Elbe, before Austria would act. I was universally suspected, and especially in England; I know it, and was not surprised at it; but throughout I had but one object in view-to raise my country, and, through her ascendancy, give peace to the world. I know the British Cabinet always suspected me, and I do not wonder at it; but I trust I shall now stand vindicated in their eyes, and in that of posterity. I wish for nothing so much as to establish the most cordial relations between the two Courts, which I hope will be effected without delay. The last letter from the Duke of Bassano (Maret) began and ended in a most offensive tone, stating that Austria had prostituted the character of a mediator, for that to his certain knowledge she had been long in concert with the Allies, but that, nevertheless, the extreme desire of the Emperor for peace prompted him to make a last effort to get some neutral point fixed on for negotiations, even during the progress of hostilities. My deli1 Sir Chas. berate answer was, that the Allies would never refuse to Stewart to reagh, Aug. Lord Castle- listen to propositions for peace, provided England and 17, 1813, Sweden consented to them, and that they were founded on the basis of the propositions of Austria of 16th MS.; Lond. 105. 60. view of the Austrian army. August 19. May.' 66 "1 The Austrian army was reviewed by the three SoveGrand re- reigns, now united at Schlan, six miles from Prague, on the 19th August. "It was," says Sir Charles Stewart, a sublime military spectacle. Ninty-one battalions of infantry and fifty squadrons of cavalry defiled before their Majesties. The battalions were on an average about 800 strong, and the infantry amounted to something more than 70,000 men. The cavalry present did not exceed 7000; the remainder of it and the light troops, about 30,000 strong, were with the advancedguard, and were not inspected. The composition of this IX. 1813. army was magnificent, although I could easily perceive CHAP. a great many recruits; still the system that reigned throughout, and the military air that marked the soldiers, especially the Hungarians, must ever fix it in my mind as the finest army on the Continent. The Russians may possess a more powerful soldiery, of greater physical strength and hardihood, but they cannot equal the Austrians in discipline or military air. The general officers of the latter are a superior class, and the army has a fine military tone in all its departments. To see one Austrian or Hungarian regiment is to see their whole army, for a complete equality and uniformity reign throughout ; their movements were beautifully correct, and the troops seemed in the most perfect order. Twenty-four squadrons of cuirassiers and sixteen of hussars were particularly conspicuous. Among the former were the cuirassiers of the Emperor, who were presented with new standards on the occasion; and the three Sovereigns, amidst loud cheers from the troops, nailed in union their flags to the poles in front of the army, in token of their firm alliance. The enthusiasm of this moment exceeded all power of description. The artillery seemed less well appointed; the waggons and horses for their guns and Lond. 106, trains were inferior to those of the Russians, whose artil- 107. lery horses were perfect." 1* 1 money to trians by A great difficulty, however, existed in bringing even 61. part of this imposing force into the field, from the ex- Advance of treme penury of the Austrian treasury, and the impossi- the Ausbility of its moving forward till from some extraneous Lord Cathsource or another an immediate supply of money was ob-gra tained. In this dilemma all eyes were, as a matter of Stewart, August 18. course, turned to England; but there was no time to com * Although, however, the Austrians exhibited this imposing array at the memorable review, and the troops looked so well when marching past, yet great part of them were raw recruits, little qualified to bear the fatigues or go through the duties of a campaign; and the Austrians really in the field during the campaign which followed never exceeded 80,000 or 90,000 men, although their official reports gave out a much larger number. -Compare CATHCART, 195, with WILSON, ii. 86, 206. VOL. I. 2 X Sir Charles 1813. CHAP. municate with London before hostilities commenced, and although Great Britain was bound by a secret article of the treaty of Reichenbach, already mentioned, to pay Austria a subsidy of £1,000,000 sterling in the event of her commencing hostilities, yet there was no fund instantly available to make good that obligation. Lord Cathcart and Sir Charles Stewart now did the most essential service to the common cause by anticipating the decision of the home Government. They instantly arranged with Count Stadion for the immediate advance of half of the stipulated subsidy upon Austria becoming a belligerent, being £250,000, which they provided for by bills drawn on the British treasury by them, which were discounted at Berlin, and rendered instantly available. The effect of this advance, much more considerable in those countries than this, was much enhanced by the circumStewart to stance of bills appearing in circulation, drawn by the reagh, Aug. British ambassador on the treasury of their Government, MS.; Cath- and indorsed by the Austrian authorities-a practical indication of the union between the two Governments, which went far to restore the Austrian credit.' Lord Castle 18, 1813, cart, 205, 206. 62. When Sir Charles Stewart arrived at Prague, he found Difficulties the great difficulty was the appointment of a commandercommander-in-chief for the Allied army. That unity in design and in-chief. direction was indispensable, was evident to all; but it was not equally apparent in whom the supreme power was to be vested. "The Emperor Alexander," says Sir Charles, "nobly aspired to the supreme command; his personal intrepidity, perseverance, and firmness, entitle him to great consideration in this respect; and my impression is, that had Austria consented to put the whole Allied force under his command, there would have been a unity of design productive of beneficial results. The King of Prussia was not disinclined to this opinion; and the Emperor of Russia, with some assistance in the council, and General Moreau to consult with, might have been advantageously invested with the supreme command. |