Napoleon blames the war on Russia, and recites his grievances.
Summary:
Balashëv is finally given an audience with Napoleon. At first, Napoleon says he does not want war with Russia, claiming it’s been forced on him. He asks what are the conditions offered, and Balashëv says negotiations won’t begin until the French withdraw to behind the Niemen. Napoleon says he could never agree to that. Napoleon then goes into his reasons for dissatisfaction with the Russian government. He says that it was Alexander who first joined an army. He says the Russians are allied with other countries like England against the French. Napoleon becomes more and more animated. He will not allow Balashëv to speak. He accuses Russia of stirring up Prussia against France. He stresses that France has on her side rectitude and power. He exaggerates the strength of his allies, and how badly the first week of war has gone for Russia. Balashëv finally tries to counter by meekly saying France views things differently, but Napoleon does not appear to take him seriously . Finally, Napoleon ends the meeting by sending his regards to the Emperor. He will give Balashëv a letter for Alexander.
quote from the chapter:
But who first joined his army? The Emperor Alexander, not I! And you offer me negotiations when I have expended millions, when you are in alliance with England, and when your position is a bad one. You offer me negotiations! But what is the aim of your alliance with England? What has she given you? he continued hurriedly, evidently no longer trying to show the advantages of peace and discuss its possibility, but only to prove his own rectitude and power and Alexander’s errors and duplicity. The commencement of his speech had obviously been made with the intention of demonstrating the advantages of his position and showing that he was nevertheless willing to negotiate. But he had begun talking, and the more he talked the less could he control his words. The whole purport of his remarks now was evidently to exalt himself and insult Alexander-just what he had least desired at the commencement of the interview.
Book 9, Chapter 6
Napoleon blames the war on Russia, and recites his grievances.
Summary:
Balashëv is finally given an audience with Napoleon. At first, Napoleon says he does not want war with Russia, claiming it’s been forced on him. He asks what are the conditions offered, and Balashëv says negotiations won’t begin until the French withdraw to behind the Niemen. Napoleon says he could never agree to that. Napoleon then goes into his reasons for dissatisfaction with the Russian government. He says that it was Alexander who first joined an army. He says the Russians are allied with other countries like England against the French. Napoleon becomes more and more animated. He will not allow Balashëv to speak. He accuses Russia of stirring up Prussia against France. He stresses that France has on her side rectitude and power. He exaggerates the strength of his allies, and how badly the first week of war has gone for Russia. Balashëv finally tries to counter by meekly saying France views things differently, but Napoleon does not appear to take him seriously . Finally, Napoleon ends the meeting by sending his regards to the Emperor. He will give Balashëv a letter for Alexander.
quote from the chapter:
But who first joined his army? The Emperor Alexander, not I! And you offer me negotiations when I have expended millions, when you are in alliance with England, and when your position is a bad one. You offer me negotiations! But what is the aim of your alliance with England? What has she given you? he continued hurriedly, evidently no longer trying to show the advantages of peace and discuss its possibility, but only to prove his own rectitude and power and Alexander’s errors and duplicity. The commencement of his speech had obviously been made with the intention of demonstrating the advantages of his position and showing that he was nevertheless willing to negotiate. But he had begun talking, and the more he talked the less could he control his words. The whole purport of his remarks now was evidently to exalt himself and insult Alexander-just what he had least desired at the commencement of the interview.
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