9498. UNTERREDUNG DES KÖNIGS MIT DEM GROSSBRITANNISCHEN MINISTER MITCHELL.

[Merseburg, 9. November 1757.]

Mitchell berichtet an Holdernesse, Leipzig 11. November (most secret) : „ . . . His Prussian Majesty told me that he had sent for me, in order to be présent at an audience he was to give to General Count Schulenburg, who was sent to him from the Hanoverian ministry; that I could not be surprised if, after what had happened,15-1 he was diffident and distrustful of every thing that came from that quarter.

Mitchell richtet an den König die Bitte, mit seinem siegreichen Heere den Marschall Richelieu aus Hannover zu vertreiben.

The King answered plainly it was impossible, that he must immediately go into Silesia to endeavour to save Schweidnitz, and, when I pressed again to this point, he answered with great warmth: « Sure, it is but just that I should take some care of my own country; what assistance have I had of any sort? You know, you have seen what I have suffered by the Hanoverian convention,15-2 and from your nation I have nothing but good words. »15-3 I replied I hoped they would sopn be realized, and that this act of generosity on his part of helping to drive the French out of Hanover, would for ever secure to him His Majesty's friendship and the gratitude of the English nation. « Well, » says he, « but, in the mean time, the Austrians will get a settlement in Silesia; will the Hanoverian troops help me to recover it? » I replied I made no doubt they would; but he still remained inflexible and concluded with saying he thought, as the troops at Hanover were 42,000 men compleat, they might act for themselves; « you see what I have done with less than half that number. I will however, when maréchal Lehwaldt arrives, give any assistance in my power, after he has chastised the Swedes. »

I then put His Prussian Majesty in mind of the promise he has made to His Majesty of a general to command his troops.15-4 He desired that Count Schulenburg might come in, and I renewed the request about the général. His Prussian Majesty asked whether, if Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick15-5 was to go to Hanover, the troops would obey him, and the ministers receive him as general. I answered 1 had the King's commands to ask this favour of His Prussian Majesty, but did not know whether any commission was yet made out for the Prince, and Count Schulenburg added that he believed the troops would obey him, but that the ministers of Hanover had not told him that there was a commission ready for the Prince, and proposed the Prince's going incognito to Stade. The King of Prussia replied he could not advise<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,16-1 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,16-2 but he, King of Prussia, had refused to ratify, and that the late battle was a full proof he had concluded nothing with France.16-3

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,16-4 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.“16-5

Nach der Ausfertigung im Public Record Office zu London.

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15-1 Vergl. Bd. XV, 489.

15-2 Vergl. Bd. XV, 489.

15-3 Vergl. Bd. XV, 143. 162. 228. 237.

15-4 Vergl. Bd. XV, 467.

15-5 Vergl. S. 12; Bd. XIII, 609; XIV, 550; XV, 467.

16-1 Vergl. Bd. XV, 400.

16-2 Vergl. Bd. XV, 458., 464.

16-3 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.

16-4 Vergl. Bd. XV, 491.

16-5 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.