<P> The major Allies' indecision on how to conduct their affairs without provoking a united protest from the lesser powers led to the calling of a preliminary conference on protocol, to which Talleyrand and the Marquis of Labrador, Spain's representative, were invited on 30 September 1814 . </P> <P> Congress Secretary Friedrich von Gentz reported, "The intervention of Talleyrand and Labrador has hopelessly upset all our plans . Talleyrand protested against the procedure we have adopted and soundly (be) rated us for two hours . It was a scene I shall never forget ." The embarrassed representatives of the Allies replied that the document concerning the protocol they had arranged actually meant nothing . "If it means so little, why did you sign it?" snapped Labrador . </P> <P> Talleyrand's policy, directed as much by national as personal ambitions, demanded the close but by no means amicable relationship he had with Labrador, whom Talleyrand regarded with disdain . Labrador later remarked of Talleyrand: "that cripple, unfortunately, is going to Vienna ." Talleyrand skirted additional articles suggested by Labrador: he had no intention of handing over the 12,000 afrancesados--Spanish fugitives, sympathetic to France, who had sworn fealty to Joseph Bonaparte, nor the bulk of the documents, paintings, pieces of fine art, and books that had been looted from the archives, palaces, churches and cathedrals of Spain . </P> <P> The most dangerous topic at the Congress was the so - called Polish - Saxon Crisis . Russia wanted most of Poland, and Prussia wanted all of Saxony, whose king had allied with Napoleon . The tsar would become king of Poland . Austria was fearful this would make Russia much too powerful, a view which was supported by Britain . The result was deadlock, for which Talleyrand proposed a solution: Admit France to the inner circle, and France would support Austria and Britain . The three nations signed a secret treaty on 3 January 1815, agreeing to go to war against Russia and Prussia, if necessary, to prevent the Russo - Prussian plan from coming to fruition . </P>

How did the congress of vienna ensure peace in europe all the way until 1853