10442. UNTERREDUNG EICHEL'S MIT DEM GROSSBRITANNISCHEN MINISTER MITCHELL.318-6

[Dresden, 18. October 1758.]

Mitchell berichtet an Holdernesse, Dresden 19. October (private): „The present situation of affaire as well as my own State of health not permetting me to attend the King of Prussia, that Monarch had been graciously pleased to direct his Privy Counsellor Mr. Eichel to communicate to me his intentions which I have the honour to transmit to Your Lordship in this letter.

I am authorized by the King of Prussia to assure His Majesty of the invariable resolution in which he persists to support with his whole force the common cause, in order to oblige the enemy to accept of an honourable and safe peace, and at the same time I am desired to represent to the King and his ministers that, the weight of the war upon the continent having fallen heavily upon the Prussian dominions, the revenues of which are much exhausted and a great part of the country ravaged and laid waste by the incursions of the enemy, that Monarch<319> saw with concern that it would be difficult for him in the present circumstances to support the expence of the next campaign.

His Prussian Majesty has likewise directed me to say that, however unwillingly he has ever been to be a charge to his allies, yet he thought proper on this great occasion to speak out, and he has empowered me to declare in his name that he thinks it absolutely necessary for the support of the common cause and for carrying on the war upon the continent with vigour that His Majesty would be pleased to contribute, by way of pecuniary assistance, towards the expence of the next campaign a sum of money equal to that which was raised last year for the same purpose, and His Prussian Majesty flatters himself that the King will find no difficulty in obtaining that sum from his Parliament, which has on every occasion acted with so much zeal, harmony and generosity for the support of the common interests of the Protestant religion and the liberties of Europe.

On the part of His Prussian Majesty, I am authorized to declare that he will make the best and most effectuai use of this sum for the purposes to which it is demanded in support of the common cause.“

Nach der Ausfertigung im Public Record Office zu London.


318-6 Vergl. die königliche Weisung an Eichel unter Nr. 10438.