<278> prevent or disappoint their designs; that without some favourable event which might give a turn to affairs, he really dit not know what situation he should be in by the month of August next; and he added, he was sorry his présent circumstances obliged him to recall his 10 squadrons of dragoons which are now with his Majesty's army,1 but that he would leave the 5 squadrons of hussars: to this I only replied that I hoped he would not think of recalling these squadrons, if it was possible to do without them, especially as the French were reinforcing Broglie's army.
Having just then received a letter from Mr. Keith, of the 25th of March,2 advising that General Fermor was recalled from the Russian army, and was to be reimplaced by General Browne; that the Russians were to act upon their own bottom without joining the Austrians; that it was thought they would begin their operations with the siege of Colberg, and that they were assembling a body of 7 or 8000 men to be sent by sea to the army, which they pretend will be near 100000 strong, — I thought proper to communicate immediately this intelligence to His Prussian Majesty, who said he was sorry that Fermor was to be recalled, and that he believed Browne to be the best officer the Russians had. He then added: « You see the necessity of sending a fleet into the Baltick: what can your people mean by management with the Russians? Pray mention it once more in your dispatch. » This I promised to do, not caring to repeat what I had said to him upon that subject on former occasions; but as this measure has already been fully represented by the Prussian Ministers at London, and considered by the King's Ministers, I will say no more upon it.
The King of Prussia told me that at first he had thought of commanding the army that is to act against the Russians, but his brother Prince Henry was destined for that army, « and as for us », added he, « I think it very possible we may be in Silesia before the end of the month of May, as the Austrians seem inclined to make that province the seat of war. » In that case they will leave the defence of Dresden, and of the part of Saxony they are in possession of, to the troops of the Empire, which, however, will oblige His Prussian Majesty to have a corps in Saxony, as well for the security of his magazines, and for preserving the navigation of the Elbe.
By this conversation I was relieved from great anxiety, occasioned by certain reports maliciously spread with regard to the intention of His Royal Highness Prince Henry, and I am very glad that he is to have the command of a separate and independant army, to which he is every way equal. At the same time I must fairly own to Your Lordship that I never wish to see the two brothers in the same army. My reason is, there cannot be two suns in the same firmament.
1 Vergl. Nr. 12007.
2 Vergl. S. 264.