He had to judge whether the moment was favorable for starting a war of liberation; and, whatever might be the enthusiasm of his junior staff-officers, Yorck had no illusions as to the safety of his own head, and negotiated with Clausewitz. While negotiations were ongoing at Tauroggen on 26 December, Yorck sent the king's adjutant, Major Wilhelm Henckel von Donnersmarck, back to Berlin via Königsberg, there to inform General Friedrich Wilhelm von Bülow about the impending Russian truce.
He had to decide if it was advantageous to start a liberation war; even though his junior officers were highly motivated, Yorck understood that there was no assurance of his own safety and consulted with Clausewitz. While negotiations were ongoing at Tauroggen on December 26th, Yorck instructed Major Wilhelm Henckel von Donnersmarck to travel from Königsberg to Berlin via Königsberg to inform General Friedrich Wilhelm von Bülow about the approaching Russian truce.