The defeat of the allied army at the battle of Austerlitz induced the
Emperor of Austria to seek an interview with Napoleon, in order, if
possible, to conclude a treaty of peace. With this in view he
commissioned Prince Jean de Lichtenstein to ascertain whether this would
be agreeable to the conqueror or not: Napoleon agreed and appointed the
4th of December, 1805, to receive Francis II. at his bivouac.
On that day the haughty Emperor went to the French headquarters and
Napoleon said, “I receive you in the only palace I have known for the
last two months.” To which the humiliated Sovereign replied, “You have
made so good a use of them, that you ought not to complain of your
accommodation.” The two Princes soon concluded an armistice, and the
principal conditions of peace were promptly arranged. Francis demanded
that the Czar should be permitted to pass to his own country in safety.
Napoleon agreed to this, provided the Russians would evacuate Germany
and Poland, both Austrian and Prussian. The Austrian Emperor assured him
that he felt sure such was the intention of the Czar, but desired that
an officer might be sent to learn definitely the sentiments of the
Russian Emperor on that point; and General Savary was dispatched to
ascertain if Alexander would adhere to this armistice.
[Illustration: NAPOLEON’S INTERVIEW WITH THE AUSTRIAN EMPEROR.]