Page "Congress of Verona" Paragraph 19

The reply of Alexander, who expressed his surprise at the desire of France to keep the intervention wholly French, was to offer to march 150, 000 Russians through Germany to Piedmont, where they could be held ready to act against any Jacobins, whether in Spain or France.

This solution appealed as little to Metternich and Montmorency as to Wellington ; but though united in opposing it, four days of confidential communications revealed a fundamental difference of opinion.

Wellington, firmly based on the principle of non-intervention, refused to have anything to do with the suggestion, made by Metternich, that the powers should address a common note to the Spanish government in support of the action of France.

Finally, Metternich proposed that the Allies should hold a common language, but in separate notes, though uniform in their principles and objects.

This solution was adopted by the continental powers ; but Wellington, in accordance with his instructions not to countenance any intervention in Spanish affairs, took no part in the conferences that followed.

On October 30 the powers handed in their formal replies to the French memorandum.