The utmost the French Emperor would do was to promise, _in a secret clause_, that he would never aid any other Power or any popular movement that aimed at the re-establishment of that kingdom.[245] In fact, as the Muscovite alliance was on the wane, he judged it bad policy to discourage the Poles, who might do so much for him in case of a Franco-Russian war.
He soon begins to face seriously the prospect of such an event.

At the close of 1810 he writes that the Russians are intrenching themselves on the Dwina and Dniester, which "shows a bad spirit." But the great difficulty is Russia's imperfect observation of the Continental System.

He begs the Czar to close his ports against English ships: 600 of them are wandering about the Baltic, after being repulsed from its southern shores, in the hope of getting into Russian harbours.

Let Alexander seize their cargoes, and England, now at her last gasp, must give in.

Five weeks later he returns to the charge.