12018. UNTERREDUNGEN DES KÖNIGS MIT DEM GROSSBRITANNISCHEN GESANDTEN MITCHELL.
[Freiberg, April 1760.]
Mitchell berichtet an Holdernesse (secret) Freiberg 20. April:
„. . . . His Prussian Majesty thinks, from all the pourparlers ofMessieurs d'Affry and Saint-Germain at the Hague with General Yorke, it appears plainly that the French Ministry are divided in opinion; some were for peace, and others for continuing the war; but that it was impossible to conclude, from all they had yet said, what part they would take, and whether the hints about a peace were in earnest, or only thrown out to gain time. He said he was informed that the French were marching troops to reinforce Broglie's army; that, in this situation, he had thought proper to send by a special messenger into England his advice to the King's Ministers as to the proper means to be used to make the French speak out without loss of time; that, as their Councils were indecisive and their ministry divided, the readiest way to clear up matters was for England to begin immediately to execute the projects she had formed against France, as well in Europe as elsewhere; that the speedy and vigorous execution of these projects, and particularly the alarming their coasts at the same time with the apprehensions of descents, could not fail to raise great murmurings among the people — who were already tired of the war, — and might strengthen the hands of those Ministers who were disposed to peace.
In the course of this conversation, His Prussian Majesty told me that, in Order to rouse the pride and vanity of the French Ministers, he had taken care to insinuate, by different Channels, the poor and contemptible figure France made in the present war, in which they acted but a second and subaltern part, whilst the Court of Vienna guided and directed the whole; that he flattered himself these insinuations might have some effect, and not fail of piquing their pride, as he knew, by long experience, that the national vanity of being thought the first and only great power in Europe, was the ruling passion of all French Ministers.
I took the liberty to ask the King of Prussia if he had yet discovered the enemy's plan of operations for the ensuing campaign. He answered, he thought he had, but that he wanted sufficient force to<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,278-1 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,278-2 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.
<279>I have seen His Prussian Majesty this day; he seems in good health and spirits. He asked me if I had any good news to teil him; I answered, I had no letters since the 1st instant: « Well, » said he, « I begin now to think the French are really in earnest; for even the Duc de Choiseul told the Dutch ambassador at Paris that France must have peace; and Monsieur d'Affry at the Hague gives himself great movements in different quarters, at the same time that he takes particular care to conceal all his transactions from the Ministers of their allies: in this he does wisely, for by that means the French remain masters of the negociation, unencumbered with allies whom it is impossible to satisfy, and as your nation is well disposed to peace, I hope good may come of it; but still, » added he, « I shall think nothing done tili certain points are established between England and France to serve as a basis for a future treaty. »“
Nach der Ausfertigung im Public Record Office zu London.
278-1 Vergl. Nr. 12007.
278-2 Vergl. S. 264.