Baron Stein's Letter to the King

Baron Stein wrote an open letter to King Frederick William accusing the king of arrogance, dogmatism, ignorance and moral infeasement. Even Queen Louise, who agreed with the letter's contents, refused to bring it to her husband. Almost everyone in the king's circle now stood opposed to his policy of friendship with Napoleon. He had to change course; he sent Napoleon a highly confrontational letter demanding that France return former Prussian territories ceded to France or her allies.