Let them show a firm resolve to be independent: let them pledge themselves to support the King that will be given to them, and then I will see what is to be done." There were two reasons for this caution.

His Marshals found no very general disposition among the Poles to take up arms for France; and he desired not to offend Austria by revolutionizing Galicia and her districts south and east of Warsaw.

Already the Hapsburgs were nervously mustering their troops, and Napoleon had no wish to tempt fortune by warring against three Powers a thousand miles away from his own frontiers.

He therefore calmed the Court of Vienna by promising that he would discourage any rising in Austrian Poland, and he held forth the prospect of regaining Silesia.

This tempting offer was made secretly and conditionally; and evoked no expression of thanks, but rather a redoubling of precautions.