[8] The words alleged to convey such extensive powers as totally to recall and alter every former restriction upon Caulaincourt's exercise of his own opinion, are contained, as above stated, in a letter from Rheims, dated 17th March, 1814. "I have charged the Duke of Bassano to answer your letter in detail. I give you directly the authority to make such concessions as shall be indispensable to maintain the continuance (_activité_) of the negotiations, and to arrive at a knowledge of the ultimatum of the allies; it being distinctly understood that the treaty shall have for its immediate result the evacuation of our territory, and the restoring prisoners on both sides."--NAPOLEON, _Mémoires_, tom. ii., p. 399. [9] Lord Burghersh, in his memoranda previously quoted, states that Lord Castlereagh was not at Troyes upon this occasion, that he made no such declaration as Sir Walter Scott ascribes to him: and that any such declaration would have been uncalled for, as Prince Schwartzenberg was bent on concentrating his forces at Arcis--which he did. Compare "_Operations_," &c., p. 179.--ED. (1842.) [10] For _Messieurs de Polignac_, we should read _Monsieur de Vitrolles_.--See Lord Burghersh's "Operations," p. 266. _Note._--ED. (1842.) [11] Memoir of the Operations of the Allied Armies in 1813 and 1814. By Lord Burghersh. CHAPTER LXXVI. _Plans of Buonaparte--Military and Political Questions regarding Paris--Napoleon crosses the Marne on 22d March--Retrospect of Events in the vicinity of Lyons, &c.--Defeats of the French in various quarters--Marmont and Mortier retreat under the walls of Paris--Joseph Buonaparte--Maria Louisa, with the Civil Authorities, leave the City--Attack of Paris on the 30th--A Truce accorded--Joseph flies._ [Sidenote: PLANS OF BUONAPARTE.] The decline of Napoleon's waning fortunes having been such, as to turn him aside from an offered field of battle, and to place him betwixt two armies, each superior in number to his own, called now for a speedy and decisive resolution.