On a brisk morning in late November, the Emperor Napoleon II along with Prince Philippe and Prince Joseph left the port of Brest, where a detachment of vessels were to sail for the port of Tangier. France’s navy had seen massive construction of frigates, ships of the line and ports over the past few years and was now considered second to none to the Royal Navy; which had been mostly in ordinary to save cost. A significant fleet had been gathered, six ships of the line and ten frigates were gathered for the trip to Tangier. The main objective of this show of strength was to rendezvous with the fleet at stationed at the destination (four ships of the line and eight frigates). As the fleet left Brest two flags of British vessels could been seen off the horizon, though this had not be an unaccustomed sight.
The fleet arrived without issue at Tangier on January 12th and a marvelous ball was held at the town hall by the governor general, as a Bonaparte had returned to the soil of Africa. Waiting the Emperor and the princes was the correspondence that Austria’s influence within southern Germany was seriously weakened and that Prussia, along with Britain were courting with Bavaria, Württemberg and Baden. Correspondence had been intercepted that London was beginning to grow worried by continued Napoleonic aggression and was forming a coalition of the willing to prepare for Europe’s defense. The move by London was not wholly unexpected by Paris, who had been its own coalition, without the strains and disgrace of the Continental System.
An Alliance with Russia, signed on June 4th, 1844.
The new Continental System envisioned by Emperor Napoleon II would allow for major concessions to be had towards states that were willing to join against British tyranny of the seas. The system targeted mostly Russia, which had had its interests disillusioned and thwarted by London several times. A spectacular event occurred in Saint Petersburg occurred on June 4th, 1844 with the signing of an accord between Napoleon II and Nicholas I. Together the two nations agreed on a series of plans for the division of the Europe and the Ottoman Empire. An eruption of general European war was about to break out, French citizens were beginning to receive their mobilization orders. It was merely just a matter of days before the generals thought the war would break out.
War certainly did break out, between Prussia and Austria on August 19th. Europe’s balance was waiting for another power to come to the aid of either Prussia or Austria; however Europe would be spared a general war, though she delicately hung from a very thin wire. In an effort to help assist with military needs of the nation, Emperor Napoleon II announced the creation of the French Foreign Legion; which would allow volunteers of foreign descent to serve the state. Lastly, the officer corps was further professionalized allowing for the advancement of middle class society into the corps; which allowed for greater talent to serve.