The substance of the intelligence alluded to, is that some time ago a Council was held at Versailles, in which the Prince de Soubise and Marshai Belle-Isle declared strongly for peace; that at last the French King came into their opinion, and that the result of this Council was immediately communicated to the court of Vienna.
His Prussian Majesty mentioned another thing that gives me real concern, which is, that the Russians were to detach 20000 men under the command of Count Rumänzow to act immediately on the side of Silesia, perhaps to attempt the siege of Glogau, that their light troops had already begun to shew themselves on the frontiers,1 and that he was at present occupied in concerting proper measures to oppose them.
In talking of the hereditary Prince of Brunswick, after commending the modesty and decency of his behaviour, the King of Prussia said, he was surprised with the knowledge he had acquired, and added these remarkable words: « Il a le jugement et le bon sens d'un homme de quarante ans, et il a fait tant de progrès dans la science militaire que je pourrais lui confier le commandement de mes armées. »
I have in this letter acquainted Your Lordship with such parts of the private conversations I have had with His Prussian Majesty as relate to public affairs, but at the same time I must intreat you will consider everything I have said as mere table-talk, without precision, and in the reporting of which I may have made mistakes, particularly with regard to numbers, having no other guide but my memory. I thought it, however, worth while to transmit to Your Lordship the substance of these conversations, as it may be of use to compare them with the accounts the Prussian ministers at London have given of their master's situation.“
Mitchell berichtet an Holdernesse, Freiberg 12. Februar (particular and most secret):
„The King of Prussia has been pleased to communicate to me his project for securing the présent Landgrave of Hesse, which he thinks will succeed for a limited time only, but fears that all he can do, will not long be able to hold him fast. The danger chiefly to be apprehended is not only from that Prince's weakness and instability, but from the arts and address of the catholic powers, who will not fail on this occasion to employ their priests, to whom the Landgrave's ear will be always open whilst they can contribute to his pleasures and at the same time give absolutions.
The project in short is this. The Landgrave having desired the patent of feldmarshal in the King of Prussia's service, His Prussian Majesty has, I believe, promised it, but intends to defer as long as possible giving the patent. This he thinks may operate for a month or two but not longer, and as the Landgrave has also shewn some incli-
1 Vergl. s. 75. 77.