11594. UNTERREDUNG DES KÖNIGS MIT DEM GROSSBRITANNISCHEN MINISTER MITCHELL.

[Krögis, 15. November 1759.]

Mitchell schreibt, „most secret“ , Hauptquartier zu Krögis 15. November, in königlichem Auftrag an den brittischen Gesandten Keith in Petersburg:

Der König halte es nicht für passend, dass Graf Finckenstein den gewünschten ostensiblen Brief an Keith sende.639-6

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„His Prussian Majesty desired me to acquaint you, that in Order to raise jealousies and diffidence among the allies, he had directed General Wylich,640-1 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<641> to raise a jealousy and diffidence of their allies and that the pecuniary insinuations should be made indirectly and, perhaps, underhand to their dependants or confidants.“

Nach einer Abschrift des Briefes an Keith, die Mitchell dem Grafen Holdernesse einsandte. [Public Record Office zu London.]



639-6 Eichel schreibt, „Krögis 16. November 1759, um 10 Uhr Vormittags“ an den Minister Finckenstein, er wolle „in aller Eil nur noch so viel melden, wie M. Mitchell zwar gestern eine ziemlich lange Audience bei des Königs Majestät über die bewussten Affairen gehabt, wie er aber nachher gesaget, wegen des bekannten Schreiben nicht reüssiren können, ob ich schon gebeten hatte, nochmals deshalb den bestmöglichsten Versuch zu thun. Es scheinet mir aber auch, dass er deshalb nur mit einem Flügel geschlagen habe, und glaube ich mich nicht zu betrügen, wenn ich glaube, dass er innerlich sehr piquiret ist, wenn das englische Ministère ihn jetzo alle Sachen von Importance ignoriren lasset, und die Briefe, so er von solchem erhält, ihm nichts anders, wie er mir selber gesaget, als die Londenschen Zeitungen mitbringen. Ich vor mein particulier wünschete wohl, dass er wieder in dem vorigen Train von Affairen wäre, weil er allemal recht gut intentioniret ist und manches gute ausrichten könnte. Indess und da er auf des Königs Verlangen an M. Keith schreiben müssen, so ist der bewusste Courier noch hier.“

640-1 Vergl. Nr. 11576.