10964. UNTERREDUNG DES KÖNIGS MIT DEM GROSSBRITANNISCHEN MINISTER MITCHELL.
[Landshut, 19. Mai 1759.]
Mitchell berichtet an Holdernesse, Landshut 20. Mai (most secret), der König habe ihn am gestrigen Nachmittag zu sich bescheiden lassen und ihm mitgetheilt, dass der türkische Grossvezier zu einem Vertrage mit Preussen bereit sei, aber darauf bestehe, dass der König von England dem Vertrage beitrete oder ihn wenigstens garantire. Mitchell hat eingewendet, die englische Regierung könne möglicherweise dem Vertrage abgeneigt sein, in der Besorgniss, am Petersburger Hofe allen Einfluss, den sie noch habe, zu verlieren und den katholischen Mächten, zumal Spanien, einen Anlass zu bieten zu engerer Vereinigung.
„The King of Prussia replyed, if the King and his ministers are sure of a peace at the end of this campaign, the entering into treaty with the Port may not only be unnecessary but embarrassing, and therefore to be avoided; but in case the war is likely to continue an other year, he thinks this measure absolutely necessary, for that it will be almost impossible for him alone to continue to resist the infinite superiority of numbers, unless a powerfull diversion is made on that side by the Turks; that in the difficult situation in which the allies find themselves, every measure of self-defence was not only allowable, but becomes necessary and justiciable.
„His Prussian Majesty added that he was sensible of the weight of my objection, but that the King's accession to this treaty with the Port might be kept secret, that the Grand-Vizier, who seems to be a man of sense, might be cautioned with secrecy and acquainted with the true reason, why the King's accession should be concealed; that, in case, nothwithstanding these precautions, the affair should be talked of, the King of Prussia permitted that the English ministers at the different catholic courts should load him with the whole blame, and it might be insinuated at the same time that Mr. Porter had exceeded his instructions ...“
Der König hat weiter geäussert, „that the terms [of the treaty] must<239> be very general, that all the contracting parties should keep what they had conquered“ .
Der König hat dem Gesandten weiter mitgetheilt, dass nach der Rückkehr des Prinzen Heinrich 15000 Mann gegen die Russen detachirt werden sollten; General Manteuffel habe Befehl, zwischen Colberg und Landsberg eine centrale Stellung zu wählen, um die Russen zu erwarten, die vor dem Juni nicht ihre Bewegungen beginnen würden. Es sei inzwischen eine Abtheilung nach Polen gesandt worden, „to endeavour to get behind the Russians, to cut them off from their magazines; and I find that his expectations of success are partly founded on the idea he has of the incapacity and want of military skill in the [Russian] generals and officiers ...“
Mitchell berichtet an Holdernesse, Landshut 20. Mai: „I have only to add to what is contained in my other letters, that the King of Prussia, in the conversation I had with him yesterday, expressed his most ardent désire for peace, and expatiated much on the danger of his own situation, and, indeed, of the whole System upon the Continent...
„It is impossible to describe the fatigue of body and mind which this hero King daily undergoes, and that with an appearance of perfect tranquillity, even in the most unfavourable and perplexing circumstances.“
Mitchell berichtet, Landshut 20. Mai, an den Herzog von Newcastle: . . . „That Prince never talked to me in so strong terms of the necessity there was for peace, and added, with great candour, « It was a miracle things had gone so well hitherto ». « I have, » said he, « deceived my enemies this year by acting where they did not expect I should, and by being on the defensive where they thought I intended to have made my push. This stratagem will do for once, but must not be repeated; for my enemies will learn at last to be upon their guard and strong every where, and then I shall have a very bad time of it. »“
Mitchell berichtet an Pitt, Landshut 20. Mai: . . . „Yesterday, in the conversation I had with the King of Prussia, some things dropped from him, which I think my duty to acquaint you with in particular.
„After that Monarch had expressed his warmest wishes for peace, and expatiated on the dangerous situation in which he was, he asked me: « But can your ministers make a peace? Are things yet in that situation »? I answered: « I was sure they wished for peace », and says he: « I hope I shall not be forgot. » My reply was prevented by the King's adding immediately: »No, I am in no danger; Mr. Pitt is an honest man, and firm; my interests are safe in his hands.“ I took the liberty of saying that, from a very long correspondence with you, I was firmly persuaded His Majesty in the end would find you really was what he now thought you to be.
<240>„The King then changed the conversation, and talking of his own situation, said: »If you was to write all you see and all you know of it, you would hardly be believed by your own ministers.“
„My letters to Lord Holdernesse will inform you of the rest of this mémorable conversation, but in my private letters to him and to the Duke of Newcastle240-1 I have only mentioned in general the King's ardent desire of peace.“
Der erste Bericht nach der Ausfertigung im Public Record Office zu London; die drei folgenden Berichte240-2 nach dem Druck bei Bisseti Memoirs of Mitchell Bd. II, S. 63 und Bd. I, S. 169.
240-1 Vergl. oben S. 239.
240-2 Lagen im Public Record Office nicht vor.