An armistice has just been concluded between the armies of France, Russia and Prussia, and they have exchanged letters of ratification. But Emperors Napoleon and Alexander I wished to hold a meeting. For this purpose, on June 25 each of the emperors embarked on a boat and sailed from his shore toward the center of the Neman River, where a large raft and a pavilion prepared for their reception awaited them.

Having disembarked on the raft, the emperors kissed, embraced, and held each other in their arms for a long time. The next day new conferences were held in Tilsit, but with Prussian king Friedrich William III participating. Three armies lined the shore adding to the grandeur of the spectacle. In the following days the city of Tilsit was declared neutral and divided between the emperors, who for twenty days were inseparable and exchanged the utmost friendly signs. When the peace was partially signed, the two monarchs parted, very pleased with each other. The King of Prussia attended the farewell ceremonies and signed a separate peace treaty.

The plenipotentiaries were: of France — Prince of Benevent Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand, of Russia — Alexander Borisovich Kurakin and Dmitry Ivanovich Lobanov-Rostovsky — of Prussia Field Marshal Friedrich Adolph von Kalkreuth and statesman and diplomat August Friedrich Ferdinand von der Goltz.