The 16 Former Princes of the Empire

Napoleon had to strike a balance between his vassals and their power. He wanted them powerful enough that they could govern well, but also divided enough not to challenge france or get wild ideas about german national unification. As metternich travelled towards paris, french officials deliberately delayed him so by the time he arrived, this new confederation of the rhine was already a fere campli. But it was not necessarily fatal. Austrian diplomats still harbored the hope of preserving what was left of the empire under austrian leadership.