<16> that measure as well for the Prince's sake as for the sake of the business he went upon; which, to make it successful, must be managed with the greatest secrecy, that it would be impossible to conceal the Prince's arrivai at Stade, and, the moment it was known, the whole design was discovered to the French and consequently prevented. His Prussian Majesty therefore proposed that the Prince, after conferring with Count Schulenburg, should go to Magdeburg, of which he is governor,1 and wait there, tili the commission and every thing was prepared, and the troops put into such a posture, as to be ready to act on an hour's warning after the Prince's arrivai.
His Prussian Majesty had some discourse with Count Schulenburg as to the manner in which this enterprise should be conducted, of which the Count will himself give an account.
I then asked His Prussian Majesty whether he was willing to give an assurance that he should not treat for a peace without the previous approbation of, and in concert with the King, both as King and as Elector. He answered he was Willing to give that assurance, provided the King did the same, and that it was equal and reciprocal, and he added: « You know I never made the distinction nor never approved of its being made. »
As to the report about his treating separately with France, he said it was true and Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick should shew me the copy of the convention the Prince had signed,2 but he, King of Prussia, had refused to ratify, and that the late battle was a full proof he had concluded nothing with France.3
I concluded this conversation by asking His Prussian Majesty's interest and assistance with the King's allies to keep them steady. The King of Prussia replied the Landgrave of Hesse has shewn great firmness,4 and I have no doubt of him nor of the Duke of Brunswick. I then insinuated that, in case the regency of Hanover resolved on active measures, it might be of great use, if His Prussian Majesty would but made a feint of acting with the troops he had in Magdeburg. He did not reject this request, but said they were to few to do anything to purpose, and repeated to me the assurance he had given before of assistance from maréchal Lehwaldt's army.“5
Nach der Ausfertigung im Public Record Office zu London.
1 Vergl. Bd. XV, 400.
2 Vergl. Bd. XV, 458., 464.
3 In der gleichen Weise antwortet der König am 10. November an Hellen im Haag; derselbe hatte angezeigt, dass der englische Gesandte Yorke über Verhandlungen zwischen Preussen und Frankreich beunruhigt sei.
4 Vergl. Bd. XV, 491.
5 In seinen Tagebüchern berichtet Mitchell aus den Gesprächen dieser Tage, dass der König sich geweigert habe, mit der Notification des Sieges von Rossbach Jemand nach England zu senden, „with this short answer: « what have those people done forme? »“ . Vergl. Memoire and papers of Sir Andrew Mitchell; by Bisset I, 382. Ueber die Sendung des Majors Girant nach London vergl. unten S. 25.