9242. UNTERREDUNG DES KÖNIGS MIT DEM GROSSBRITANNISCHEN MINISTER MITCHELL.

[Pirna, 27. Juli 1757.]

Mitchell berichtet an Holdernesse, Pirna 28. Juli (secret),278-5 es sei am 26. spät Abends der Erlass des Grafen Holdernesse vom 17. Juli eingetroffen: „Never anything came more opportunely, never anything<279> was more necessary; it was a draught of comfort to one who has not had a single drop since the June.279-1

I waited on His Prussian Majesty early in the morning and fairly communicated to him His Majesty's noble and generous and just sentiments, which were received with a flow of gratitude not to be described. After a short pause, he said: « I am deeply sensible of the King's and your nation's generosity, but I do not wish to be a burden to my allies; I would have you delay answering this letter, till affairs are ended in Lusatia; if I succeed, I will then consult with you upon the different points suggested in the letter, and give my opinion freely upon them. If I am beat, there will be no occasion to answer it at all; it will be out of your power to save me, and I would not willingly abuse the generosity of my allies by drawing them into unnecessary and expensive engagements that can answer no valuable purposes. »

I was pleased, but not surprised with the noble dignity of this answer, for I have seen the King of Prussia great in prosperity, but greater still in adversity.

It is needless and, indeed, would be improper for me to say anything of the King of Prussia's peculiar situation at this time, as he tells me he has himself given a fair account of it in a letter to His Majesty.279-2 He added, when he told me this, from such an ally nothing should be concealed nor disguised.279-3

Nach der Ausfertignng im Public Record Office zu London.


278-5 Vergl. den ersten Theil dieses Berichtes in Nr. 9228.

279-1 Durch den Erlass des Grafen Holdernesse, d. d. Whitehall 17. Juli, wurde Mitchell angewiesen, zu erklären, dass der König von England unentwegt an dem Bündniss mit Preussen festhalten werde. Um die Streitkräfte Frankreichs von Deutschland abzuziehen, werde man an der französischen Küste eine Landung unternehmen (vergl. S. 199); König Georg sei bereit, den König von Preussen durch Subsidienzahlungen zu unterstützen (vergl. S. 194).

279-2 Vergl. Nr. 9239.

279-3 Vergl. zu dieser Unterredung die Notiz Mitchells in seinen Tagebüchern; in dem oben S. 192. Anm. I citirten Werke. Bd. I, S. 362.