He thinks it probable that before the end of August there will be three camps formed, one in Bohemia, one in Moravia by the Austrians and one upon the frontiers of Russia1 by the Russians, that perhaps the French may at the same time march a body of troops to attack His Majesty's German dominions, and he asked jocosely what I thought he could do to defend Hannover, if he was attacked thus on all sides. I said the King was Willing to concert measures with him, and in the mean time the valour of his troops and the capacity of the generals could not fail to give him a superiority over his enemies. He replied you have too high an opinion of the troops and the generai, and concluded with saying that, in the present conjuncture, the strictest union and most thorough confidence between the King and him was now necessary for their mutual interests and safety. In case the affair of the king of the Romans should again be brought upon the tapis, he wished to concert proper measures with His Majesty upon it and to act in conjunction with him.
I have in some of my former letters mentioned to your Lordship the King of Prussia's opinion with regard to the choosing of a king of the Romans. He considers that dignity not as of the greatest importance, and that it must sooner or later fall to the Archduke, but he wishes to concert with the King proper articles for the capitulation2 of the king of the Romans; this he thinks of real importance, as the power of every elector, prince and member of the Empire may be affected by it.
The King thinks the King of Great Britain has reason to expect success in Denmark, if proper suggestions are made to that court and their jealousy worked up on the head of religion, but care must be taken to avoid saying anything of America, of commerce or of maritime affairs, and the grandmaster Moltke is one that should be particularly applied to.
As to Holland he says the late treaty [of Vienna] with Versailles must certainly give strength and vigour to the Stadtholders party, raise the jealousy of the people on account of religion and make them uneasy to see the very barrier-towns secured to the Austrians by the French. He said that, to his own part, he had very little interest in that country, but that he had given Orders to his minister at the Hague to concur with colonel Yorke in everything.3
Notwithstanding the great number of enemies, the King seems in no wise disconcerted, and has already given Orders everywhere, the field-equipages, horses etc. are ordered to be got ready and the furloughs of all the soldieis that are above four German miles from their corps, are recalled, so that in a fortnight's time he will be ready to
1 In der Copie des Mitchell'schen „Letter-book“ (British Museum in London): „Prussia“ .
2 Das Gesperrte in der Vorlage unterstrichen.
3 Vergl. Nr. 7604.