His Prussian Majesty then told me that the Landgrave of Hesse had consulted him1 upon the demand that was made by the French for the passage of their artillery at Rheinfels, which he had advised the Landgrave to grant, because he could not hinder it, and he said the Landgrave was at présent well disposed, but he feared the measures pursued at Hannover would disoblige him, that the Landgrave disapproved of the army of observation being posted on the Weser,2 by which position part of his countries would be absolutely exposed to the irruption of the French, without any possibility of succour. He added farther that the Landgrave had acquainted him that the chevalier Folard had, with many compliments from his master, proposed une neutralité précise, which proposition the Landgrave considered as absolutely incompatible with his engagements to the King, the word précise having been explained to mean that no troops of his should be let out to the enemies of France. The King of Prussia concluded with saying, « I hope he will stand firm to his engagements; I have promised and will assist as soon as it is possible for me to do it without spoiling other and greater projects. »“
Mitchell schreibt an Holdernesse, Dresden 7. April (private): „The King of Prussia told me in confidence that he was meditating something which, if successful in the whole, would be a great thing, if only in part, it would be still considerable, that he intended to put it in execution on the 16th or 17th current.3 He said it was absolutely necessary to attempt a coup d'éclat in order to give spirit and fermeté to his allies; that he imagined, if he should be able to give such an early blow to the Austrians as would derange their affairs; which he thought was possible from the accounts he had received from Bohemia. His success would be no inducement to France to make a further exertion of her force, and the Russians, who had been cheated into this war, would perhaps make serious reflections,4 before they proceeded farther, that many of the Princes of Germany would in that event declare off from the engagements they had entered into with the house of Austria through fear. He concluded with saying « If I succeed, you must give notice not only to the yours, but to Russia, Holland, Hesse Cassel and other friends; for I shall have no time to write. »“
Der Bericht Mitchell's nach der Ausfertigung im Public Record Office; das Privatschreiben nach dem eigenhändigen Concept im British Museum zu London (Addit. Manuscripts Vol. 6831).
8819. AU LANDGRAVE DE HESSE-CASSEL A CASSEL.
Der Landgraf von Hessen-Cassel schreibt, Cassel 31. März, dass von dem französischen Gesandten Folard ein Schreiben vom 19. März eingelaufen sei. Die seitens des Landgrafen proponirte Vermittelung des deutschen Reiches5 bei den herrschenden
1 Vergl. Nr. 8747 S. 388.
2 Vergl. Nr. 8819.
3 Vergl. S. 458.
4 Vergl. S. 428.
5 Vergl. S. 127. 128. 154.