On 19 October 1801 the two countries signed an agreement to act jointly as the “mediating Powers”.[32] Essentially, Alexander, whose wife and mother belonged to the princely houses of Baden and Württemberg, wanted to favor his various German relatives and this concurred with France's long-standing aim to strengthen the southern states of Baden, Württemberg, Hesse-Darmstadt and Bavaria, strategically located between France and Austria, the arch-foe.[35][36] Hectic discussions and dealings went on, not only with the mediating Powers and between the various princes, but within the various governments as well.