(specifically, S. M. Bronevskii, the Asia expert and veteran of the 1796
campaign) drew up a lengthy argument designed to persuade the Iranian
government of the advantages of making peace on Russian terms. In
addition to pressing the claim that the disputed territories had all re-
belled against Iran, Gudovich was to tell the shah that, if he (Fath 'Ali)
yielded to all of Russia's demands, Russia would recognize him as shah
and thus give him a secure claim to his throne that he could not achieve
by himself. Similarly, 'Abbas was to be told that he would be strength-
ened in his rivalry with his elder brother by giving up the war against
Russia. The peace talks broke down when Russia became impatient
with Iran's refusal to yield. Therefore, Gudovich decided to frighten
the Iranians into concessions by conquering Yerevan late in the year
after the Iranian army had disbanded for the winter. The result con-
tradicted his expectations in every way.^14
The failure of the peace negotiations marked the defeat of Gardane's
efforts and drove Iran from the French camp to the British. Part of the
fault was Gardane's personally. He promised too much. The last straw
was the attack on Yerevan that made a mockery of his assurances that
Russia would not dare threaten that khanate as long as France medi-
ated in the negotiations. While Fath 'Ali was considering whether to
receive another British mission, this one under Sir Harford Jones,
Gardane lost his opportunity to continue diplomatic maneuvers by
demanding that Fath 'Ali expel Jones on pain of the departure of the
French embassy. The shah, unimpressed, gave Gardane his leave. The
French ambassador then compounded his problems by requesting to
leave via Russia. His intention was to try to salvage French interests
by negotiating a peace settlement along the way, but, influenced by
the recent disappointments, the Iranians interpreted his request as a
sign of his pro-Russian bias.
Even if Gardane had been a shrewder diplomat, there would have
been little he could have done to change the course of events. Ambas-
sador Caulaincourt was quickly rebuffed when he offered Alexander
French mediation at peace talks to be held in Paris. The tsar made
the cutting reply that France had no more business involving itself in
Russia's Caucasian affairs than Russia did involving itself in France's
Spanish affairs. In response to Russian wishes, Caulaincourt ordered
Gardane to help France's ally by ridding it of the war with Iran. Gar-
dane's job was to ensure that Iran agreed to Russia's terms. The Iranian
government did not know about these exchanges, but it did perceive
French coldness in other ways. The commercial treaty negotiated in
1808 was not ratified by France. Iran's ambassador in Paris was
snubbed and prevented from communicating with his government for
132 France and Britain in Iran