 ""When that ceremony was performed he received us, and I had every reason to be satisfied with his manner towards me"" (Whitworth to Hawkesbury, 4 April 1803).Napoleon wished to temporise until his preparations were a little more advanced, but the pourparlers henceforth had little real significance.On 1 May an indisposition prevented the ambassador from attending the reception at the Tuileries, on 12 May he demanded his passports, and on 18 May Britain declared war against France.