Bonaparte on his return to Paris, stopt at Munich, where his son-in-law, Eugene Beauharnois, was married to the King of Bavaria's daughter. Having arrived at his capital on the 2d of March 1806, he opened the sitting of the le gislative body by a speech, in which he inveighed against England, as having fomented the late war, the third coali tion, which however he had succeeded in destroying, and thus adding to the glory of France. The whole peninsula of Italy had been added to the French empire ; Russia had been obliged to retreat to her own territories ; Austria had been saved by his clemency ; Spain continued faithful; with England he desired peace on the basis of the treaty of Amiens.
In the annual expose, the extent and power of the French empire at this period were described. Besides the 110 departments of France itself, there were under the protec tion of the Imperial Eagle, Holland, Italy, Venice, Istria, Dalmatia, and Naples. The allies of France were, Bava ria, Wirtemburg, and Baden, besides several other of the principal powers in Germany. Each succeeding coalition which England had formed, had only increased the power and the territory of the French. By the first, they had gained Belgium, and the boundary of the Rhine ; the union of Holland with France, and the conquest of those states which now formed the kingdom of Italy. The second had put them in possession of Piedmont. The third had added Naples and Venice. The exposé concluded, with express ing Bonaparte's desire for peace, as he had exhausted mili tary glory, and wished now for repose, in order that he might devote himself to the improvement of France, and the happiness of his people. On the 31st of March, seve ral acts were presented to the senate, among which were those for annexing the city and territories of Venice to the kingdom of Italy ; for placing Joseph Bonaparte on the throne of Naples; for conferring the principality of Neuf chatel on Berthier ; and titles of high distinction, principal ly taken from places in Italy, on his most distinguished ge nerals. At the same time, Eugene Beauharnois, the son of Josephine, was appointed Viceroy of Italy.
Still the ambitious projects of Bonaparte were not satis fied ; and he directed, or ordered, the government of Hol land to petition for the honour of being placed under one of his family. Louis Bonaparte was accordingly proclaimed King of Holland.
Early in the year 1806, Mr Fox became Prime Minister of Britain, in consequence of the death of Mr Pitt, and he immediately began to put into execution such measures as he thought were likely to bring about a peace with France, the object that had always been nearest his heart. The particulars of this negotiation are given in the History of BRITAIN, and therefore need not be repeated here. It is sufficient to observe, that it did not produce peace ; that Russia refused to ratify the treaty which her minister had made with France ; and that before the Earl of Lauder dale, the British ambassador sent to Paris for the purpose of negociating, had left that capital, Bonaparte had departed to put himself at the head of his armies against Prussia.
For some time past, the King of Prussia had given him self up to the interest and influence of Bonaparte, and had even shared in his unjust spoils, by annexing Ilanover to his dominions: but in the negociations with England, it was understood that England had required the cession of Han over from France, and that France had agreed to yield it. This irritated the King of Prussia, who was thus convinced that Bonaparte regarded him merely as a vassal Prince, and perhaps as one whom he would destroy when he had accomplished more grand and serious undertakings. Prus sia was also alarmed at the Confederation of the Rhine, which Bonaparte had formed ; and which, being under his controul, was either meant or at least calculated to curtail his power, and keep him in awe. The King of Prussia, moved by these considerations and apprehensions, prepared for war ; and Bonaparte did not seem sorry that hostilities were to commence, nor anxious to pacify the King. On the 24th of September, Bonapatte left Paris, to put him self at the head of his armies. The discussions, however, were still continued till the 5th of October, when both mo narchs were at the head quarters of their respective troops: a few days afterwards, a declartion of war was published by Prussia. The King was so confident in his own strength, that just before the commencement of hostilities be refrained from any attempts at reinforcement from other powers.
The French army advanced in three divisions; the right, under Ney and Souk, with some Bavarian troops, advanced on Hoff; the centre consisted of the reserve, under the Grand Duke of Berg ; the corps of Bernadotte and Da •oust, and the imperial guards, marched to Gera ; the left, under Lannes and Augereau, took the route to Cobourgh. The Prussian army had taken a strong position along the north of Frankfort on the Maine ; but this they were com pelled to leave, in consequence of the French unexpectedly turning their left wing, and took up a position near Jena. Here they were attacked by the French on the morning of the 14th of October, and in less than an hour the action be came general. The force on each side was nearly equal, comprising about 250,000 men, and 700 pieces of cannon. At one period of the battle, the issue was doubtful ; but it was turned in favour of the French, principally by a charge of their dragoons and cuirassiers. The Prussian infantry, unable to resist them, were broken and thrown into confu sion, the day was lost, and the Prussian army nearly anni hilated, 40,000 being killed, wounded, and taken, including about 20 generals; among whom, the Duke of Brunswick was mortally wounded. In consequence of this victory, Erfurt, Magdeburgh, and Stettin, all places of great strength and importance, were reduced ; and on the 27th of Octo ber, Bonaparte arrived at Berlin. The only part of the Prussian army which did not immediately yield, or was not utterly dispersed, was the division under Blucher, who dis played wonderful activity and courage in his retreat to Lu bec, where, however, he was obliged to capitulate.