„His Prussian Majesty desired me to acquaint you, that in Order to raise jealousies and diffidence among the allies, he had directed General Wylich,1 his commissary for the exchange of prisoners, to insinuate to the Russian General, who is likewise commissary for the same purpose, that France was ready to make peace, that there was great disunion between the Austrians and the French, that in this situation of affaire it was very possible the Russians might be left in the lurch by their allies, and that the manner in which the Austrian Generals had behaved during this last campaign, was a convincing proof of what little regard they had for the Russians.
The King of Prussia does not yet know what effect these insinuations may produce on the Court of Petersbourg, but he thinks you may find an opportunity to suggest to the Great-Chancellor, that His Prussian Majesty is well disposed to make a separate peace with the Russians and that the natural way to begin this negociation seems to be by empowering the Russian General, employed for the exchange of prisoners, to talk with the Prussian General Wylich, and if this Russian General should happen not to be a person of confidence, they may easily find a pretext to send one, as General Wylich is already instructed by his master.
In order to the better disposing the Great-Chancellor, (who was formerly a friend of the King of Prussia) you will endeavour to inform yourself whether a present in money from the King of Prussia would not be acceptable; and, also, if there are any other persons in the confidence of the Empress, or of the Great-Chancellor, to whom it might be proper likewise to make presents; and also find out, what sums may be necessary for these purposes, in case you think that money may be usefully employed on this occasion. But it is His Prussian Majesty's opinion that you should not directly talk of giving money; for this, he thinks, would only serve to revolt even those who have a mind to accept of it.
His notion is to begin by flattering the Russian vanity, and talking rnuch of their successes in the last campaign. Then you may endeavour
1 Vergl. Nr. 11576.