ABSTRACT
The Treaty of Tilsit had reduced Prussia to the role of a buffer-state between France and Russia, its independence or freedom of action being severely limited. The indem nity levied by N apoleon upon Prussia was of such a size that even with the strictest of economies Prussia was not able to raise it. This caused Stein and later Scharnhorst to counsel the King to seek a rapprochem ent with N apoleon, a rapprochem ent designed only for tactical purposes until such time as Prussia could regain its freedom of action. But on this point the King was adam ant; he rejected this counsel, and Stein’s suggestion that Napoleon be godfather to one of the Prussian princesses found no hearing.
