#tilsit

[microcosme11]

Grand-Duke Constantine moved by French army's appreciation

During the maneuvers at Tilsit, the Grand Duke, following Emperor Napoleon in the wake of the French troops, was greatly astonished to hear cries of "Long live Prince Constantine!" Napoleon wanted to know the reason. Immediately, a number of officers and soldiers stepped forward from the ranks, surrounded Grand Duke Constantine, and, with an outpouring of gratitude, acknowledged themselves as belonging to the same Auvergne regiment that had owed him so much obligation in Italy. Napoleon applauded this display of enthusiasm and, raising his voice, said to the Prince, "I thank you in the name of the French army. If it had to fear your valor, it would always have to esteem your generosity." His Highness often told me that this moment was one of the most beautiful of his life.

Mémoires du comte de Moriolles sur l'émigration, la Pologne et la cour du grand-duc Constantin, 1902.

Gallica (and it's at other places)

[microcosme11]

Napoleon uses his seductions on Grand-Duke Constantine

After peace was signed, Napoleon summoned the Grand Duke to his residence. Having obtained his brother's permission, the prince went to Bonaparte's house, finding him alone. The monarch's face held an infinitely gracious expression. After thanking the Grand Duke for his promptness in accepting his invitation, he presented him with a magnificent sword, saying: "Receive, young man, this token of the attachment and esteem I will always have for you, as friend or as foe. It is also a testament to the gratitude I owe you for the consideration you showed to the wounded Frenchmen or prisoners whom fate had placed in your hands."

Napoleon added so many flattering things to this, he so ingratiated himself with the Grand Duke, that the latter, recounting this anecdote to me, said, "If, at that moment, that devil of a man had ordered me to jump out of the window, I would not have hesitated for a minute; but, scarcely had I left his apartment, my exaltation subsided and I saw nothing but the ease with which great men can incite fanaticism in those whose minds they wish to turn."

Mémoires du comte de Moriolles sur l'émigration, la Pologne et la cour du grand-duc Constantin, 1902.

gallica

[microcosme11]

Grand Duke Constantine scares Napoleon

The conferences at Tilsit gave Grand Duke Constantine the opportunity to meet frequently with the Emperor of the French, whom he disliked but whose great qualities he admired; the latter treated the Grand Duke with consideration and even with a kind of friendship. Napoleon knew the delicacy and humanity with which the prince had always treated the prisoners who had fallen into his hands, and he was grateful for it. He always addressed him as "young man" and affected a tone of familiarity and jest with him. One day, when Grand Duke Constantine had accompanied his brother to a troop review which Napoleon also attended, the latter asked him, after the maneuvers, to demonstrate a few lancer maneuvers, the uniform of which the prince was wearing that day. Immediately, the Grand Duke began to prance about, brandishing his lance, then he charged, lance first, at Napoleon and brought his horse to a complete halt just two paces away, in the manner of the Poles and Turks. The Emperor, who had not expected such a maneuver, could not hide his fear; he turned deathly pale, his chin trembled, and to avoid showing his weakness, he turned the reins and galloped away.

(google translation)

Mémoires du comte de Moriolles sur l'émigration, la Pologne et la cour du grand-duc Constantin, 1902.

Gallica (and it's at other places)

[f1driversascheese]

nick heidfeld as tilsiter

[witekpicsoldpostcards3]

TILSIT -> now SOWIECK (Kaliningrad area) -> RUSSIA

[napolebonasacc]

Napoléon and Alexander I in Tilsit.

by A. V. Nikolaev for the novel "War and Peace"

EUGÉNE, VICEROY OF ITALY

Tilsit, July 8, 1807

My son, peace was signed here today between Russia and France by Prince Benevento and by Princes Kourakine and Labanoff. The ratifications will be exchanged tomorrow.

Napoléon

——

JOSEPH, KING OF NAPLES

Tilsit, July 8, 1807

My brother, peace was signed here today between France and Russia by Prince Benevento, and Princes Kourakin and Labanoff. The ratifications will be exchanged tomorrow. Russia has recognized you as King of Naples.

Napol

[napolebonasacc]

Queen Louise and Napoléon at Tilsit.

From a photograph by the Berlin Photographic Company after the painting by W. Camphausen.

[le4d-poisoning]

tilsit 1807