<327> toutes les complaisances dont j'ai usé envers eux en bien des occasions, ils ne songent que de s'animer contre moi, quand je ne veux pas me laisser duper, grossièrement par eux; et voilà justement ce qui opèrera que je serai bien en garde contre toute cette clique et que j'irai toujours mon droit chemin avec eux, voyant bien que je n'oserai jamais m'y fier.
Federic.
Nach dem Concept.
7493. UNTERREDUNGEN DES KÖNIGS MIT DEM GROSSBRITANNISCHEN MINISTER MITCHELL.
Sanssouci, 11. und 12. Mai 1756.
Mitchell berichtet an Holdernesse, Berlin 14. Mai, über seine Antrittsaudienz in Sanssouci am 11. Mai:1 „, … I then proceeded to open to His Majesty the views the King my master had in honouring me with this commission, which he heard with great attention and immediately replied that he would strictly fulfill the treaty he had lately entered into with the King of Great Britain, and that he did not think that the peace of Germany would be disturbed this year. He added that what designs the court of Vienna and the court 0f France might have had for exciting troubles in Germany, upon pretence of religion and upon the supporting the rights of the Hereditary Prince of Hesse, were, for the present at least, postponed, as the Prince of Hesse was now at Berlin and very desirous of entering into his service “ 2
Mitchell berichtet an Holdernesse, Berlin 14. Mai, (very secret) …: „ … As several things of a private nature passed in the two audiences3 that I had, I shall endeavour to lay them before your Lordship in as concise a manner as I can.
When I pressed His Majesty to propose a plan or concert for preserving the peace of Germany, in case it should be disturbed on any pretence whatever, he said nothing will happen this year, I can answer for it with my head, but I do not pretend to say what may happen the next. I have several plans ready, and the King of Great Britain may choose which he likes, I will fulfill my engagements with him, and, in case the peace of the Empire should be disturbed in consequence of the conventions that have been talked of between the house of Austria and France, I will make cause commune with the King of Great Britain and will act against both, French and Austrians; but, says he, are you sure of the Russians? I replied, the King, my master, thought so. His Prussian Majesty said the King of Great Britain may depend on what I say, but I expect that what passes between us, will be kept secret …
1 Vergl. S. 319.
2 Vergl. S. 312.
3 Der König hatte Mitchell am 11. aufgefordert, den folgenden Tag in Potsdam zu bleiben und ihm an diesem Tage eine zweite Audienz gegeben.