From the moment of his return from Paris in 1815, Castlereagh’s policy had been the object of criticism, even from members of his own cabinet; some felt that he had committed Britain too deeply in European affairs, others that the Quadruple Alliance was a repressive measure that threatened the liberties of Europe. The treaties were ratified in the Commons, by 240 votes to seventy-seven, but Castlereagh knew that even if he had wanted to, he would not be able to involve Britain in the affairs of the Continent very far in the future.
