Sunday [D’une autre main : 23 mars]

My dear Walewski,
I understand that Baron Manteuffel cannot agree to any distinction whatever being made between Prussia and the other powers in the preamble without first consulting the King, but if this is the case and as some distinction must be made I think that he himself will be of the opinion that he ought not to attend any conference until he knows whether he can accept the preamble.
We should all expose ourselves to ridicule and something worse if the Prussian P.P° were allowed to attend the next 2 or 3 conferences and then withdraw altogether from the congress without signing the treaty because the other powers will not assign to them a place to which they have no right. We must remember also that they have made us fully aware of their doubts and difficulties and that if we, with our knowledge of them invite them still to the conference we shall have no right to complain of their accepting the invitation or of their retiring from the congress afterwards. It is yet time however to prevent this fresh complication and I hope you will explain to Baron Manteuffel the real state of things and the reason why it would be better that he should not attend the conference if he is obliged to communicate with the King respecting the preamble.
Ever yours
Clarendon