<98> Majesty has entered into with him, and I assured the King of Prussia in the King's name that, in case his dominions were attacked, the King would rigorously support him.
The King of Prussia received these assurances in the best manner imaginable, and added that, in the present situation, neither His Majesty could give him much assistance, nor was it in his power, with the load of enemies on every side of him, to give that suecour he wished to do, to His Majesty, that the fleet in the Baltic1 was the only assistance he expected from the King, and that only in case of necessity; that on his part, if we could keep the Russians quiet, he would give 20,000 or perhaps 30,000 men for the defence of His Majesty's German dominions.
I then told the King of Prussia that the King was ready to concert with him the means of mutual defence and to make a convention with him immediately, in the nature of a defensive treaty, though perhaps it might be better at présent to avoid the form of a treaty, for fear of giving new jealousy to the Russians.
The King of Prussia approved of this and desired me to put into writing what I had to propose, which I did and delivered it to him, in the afternoon. The next day2 he gave me back that paper with his answer to the articles contained in it, of which your Lordship has an exact copy inclosed (the original being very much blotted), and which in itself is as clear as to want no explanation from me. I imagine3 that his offering a subsidy to His Majesty,4 was occasioned by the offer of money on the part of the King in the 3rd article as an alternative, and I have observed that the King of Prussia grows impatient, if money is mentioned.
The King of Prussia thinks that Russia is absolutely lost to us, that the French and Austrian interest will certainly prevail at that court, and from the various intelligence he has, he believes that the Russians certainly intended to attack him this year on one side, while the Empress-Queen was to have attacked on the other, but that the Russians were not ready and have been prevented by divers accidents from executing their part of the plan;5 which however he is informed is only deferred till the next spring. He likewise has had notice that they have ordered a great number traîneaux to be made as if they intended to attempt something in winter.
The intentions of the court of Vienna have manifested themselves beyond all doubt by the great préparations made in Bohemia and in Moravia,6 and by the unguarded declarations that some of their ministers and generals have made.7
He likewise thinks that he had reason to believe that the court ot
1 Vergl. S. 34.
2 21. Juli.
3 Im „Letter-Book“ des Mitchell'schen Nachlasses im British Museum: „I have observed that etc.“
4 Im ersten Artikel, vergl. S. 101.
5 Vergl. S. 114. 115; auch 95.
6 Vergl. S. 11. 38. 81.
7 Vergl. S. 81.