“The emperors of Austria and Russia and the king of Prussia have dispatched letters to the king of France, to place at his Majesty’s disposal all their respective forces; and Austrian and Prussian officers are dispatched with the letters, with powers to order the movement of the troops of their respective countries placed on the French frontiers, at the suggestion of the king of France. “The plenipotentiaries of the eight powers who signed the treaty of Paris, assembled this evening, and have resolved to publish a declaration, in which they will, in the name of their sovereigns, declare their firm resolution to maintain the peace and all its articles, with all their force, if necessary. I enclose the draught of what is proposed to be published, which, with the alteration of some expressions and the omission of one or two paragraphs, will, I believe, be adopted. “Upon the whole, I assure your Lordship that I am perfectly satisfied with the spirit which prevails here upon this occasion; and I do not entertain the smallest doubt that, if unfortunately it should be possible for Bonaparte to hold at all against the king of France, he must fall under the cordially united efforts of the sovereigns of Europe. “I have the honour to be, etc. “WELLINGTON.” The Duke, though strongly urged by the allied sovereigns of Austria, Prussia and Russia to start for the Netherlands, remained in Vienna until he had completed his duties at the Congress, and received orders from England to take the command of the troops assembling in the Low-Countries. He arrived at Brussels early in April. In less than twenty-four hours, he was master of the state of things, and immediately wrote the following dispatch _To General Kleist._ “BRUSSELS, April 5th, 1815. “GENERAL, “I arrived here during last night: I have spent the day in endeavouring to make myself master of the state of affairs. “The reports respecting the situation, number and the intentions of the enemy are always excessively vague: but it appears to me we ought to be prepared against a surprise (_coup de main_) which he might be tempted to try at any moment. “There can be no doubt that it would be an immense advantage to him to make us retrograde with the troops which we have in front of Brussels; to drive before him the king of France and the Royal family, and to compel the king of the Netherlands, with his establishments newly formed here, to make a retreat. This would be a terrible blow in public opinion, both here and in France: and, according to his usual management, (_allure_), the news of his success would be known throughout France, whilst that of any reverse that might happen to him would be concealed from everybody.