9759. UNTERREDUNGEN DES KÖNIGS MIT DEM GROSSBRITANNISCHEN MINISTER MITCHELL.
[Breslau, Februar 1758.]
Mitchell berichtet an Holdernesse, Breslau 9. Februar (private and very secret), über mehrere Unterredungen, die er mit dem Könige von Preussen in Betreff der Sendung einer englischen Flotte in die Ostsee228-3 und eines englischen Heeres nach Westdeutschland228-4 gehabt hat.
Mit Bezug auf die erste Frage hat Mitchell, den Befehlen von Holdernesse folgend, erklärt, es sei für England unmöglich, die zu einer Flottendemonstration in der Ostsee erforderliche Zahl von Schiffen aufzubringen, da die brittische Seemacht bereits an so mannigfachen und weit entfernten Orten in Anspruch genommen sei.
„His Prussian Majesty said that he had observed all along there had been too much ménagement shewn to Russia, as if we were afraid to offend them; that perhaps this gentle manner of negociating was not the way to succeed at the court of Petersburg, but he would not so<229> much as guess at the motives; that, when he entered into treaty with the King,229-1 he did believe that the English interest was stronger at that court than it has heen found to be, and that it would have been supported in a better manner . . .
I find His Prussian Majesty still thinks that the sending of a very small squadron last year would have prevented all the misfortune that happened in Prussia during the Iate campaign.
As to the second point, of sending national troops into Germany, when I urged the impossibility of raising more men without ruining the manufactures, he laughed, and said it was a strange way of reasoning, to prefer considerations of trade and manufactures to our own security and independency; thatwe did not seem sensible enough of the danger to which England was exposed, if things went wrong upon the Continent; that it was impossible for him to resist the united forces of all Europe.“
Mitchell spricht gegen den König die Befürchtung aus, es könne durch die Forderung von englischen Truppen für den Continent die glücklich hergestellte Einmüthigkeit im Parlament229-2 von neuem gestört werden.
„The King of Prussia answered, he had no notion, if the case was fairly stated that there could be one contradictory vote. He then mentioned what England had done in the war of the succession and in the late war, and concluded by saying that the necessity of sending troops upon the Continent was now much stronger than it had ever been on any former occasion, nor did he think it practicable to do without them; that even so small a number as 8000 would make a great impression upon the French, as it would convince them, and all Europe besides, that England was hearty and resolved rather to risk everything than to submit; and he added that an effort of this kind might likewise facilitate opérations in America, as it would give the French full occupation at home.
I then endeavoured to shew the incompatibility of this measure with the services in America, which required constant supplies of men. His Prussian Majesty replied with some warmth, sure the way to save America is not to suffer the French to become masters of Europe, which they will be, if your nation does not exert itself with the utmost vigour and activity in the next campaign, by land as well as by sea . . .
... As I could give no expectation that English troops would be sent, I hinted that perhaps it might be possible to reinforce His Majesty's army with some Danish. troops. The King of Prussia said he knew for certain that we should not succeed in any negociation with Denmark; that we might indeed amuse ourselves from time to time, as we had done in renewing our offers to that court, but he was persuaded they would be to no purpose; and, after repeating what he had formerly said of the impression that the sending even of a small body<230> of English troops would raake upon the French, he added, if anything can, this measure will induce the Dutch to join in the alliance and to give assistance.“230-1
Mitchell berichtet an Holdernesse, Breslau 9. Februar (private and secret):
„My Lord. The letter inclosed, from Mr. Keith,230-2 will give Your Lordship an account of the audience he had of the King of Prussia, who told him fairly, that money was the only thing that would do at the court of Petersburg, and that, if he was not authorised to spend money, his mission would be of no avail. I hope, therefore, the necessary Orders will be given for that purpose.
As, in this audience, the King of Prussia said that he was willing to make peace with the Russians, I took the liberty to ask, if the Russians could be brought to médiate a peace, whether it would be agreeable. He answered: « By no means, I am Willing to make a separate peace with them, but will have none of their mediation » . . .“
Mitchell berichtet an Holdernesse, Breslau 9. Februar (private and particular) :
„My Lord. In several conversations the King of Prussia has thrown out hints how easy he thought it for the English to make a descent of 20 or 25,000 men at Boulogne, Calais, or Port l'Orient, which, if well conducted by a bold and enterprising officer, might lay the city of Paris under contribution; that an attempt of this kind, if successfull, would greatly contribute to bring about a peace, as it would throw everything into confusion, the French having very few troops at home, and those greatly scattered.
I only said that I believed there wanted not inclination in the English to do all the mischief to the French, wherever it was practicable. He replied there were many things practicable which they did not so much as attempt; and that he hoped, however, as soon as the season permitted, we would at least give all the uneasiness and jealousy possible to the French, by either actually making, or seeming to make embarkations for a descent somewhere in France.230-3 This, he said, could not fail to have a good effect; that, by constantly alarming their coasts, they might be induced to draw off 20 or perhaps 30,000 from their armies.“
Nach den Ausfertigungen im Public Record Office zu London.
<231>228-3 Vergl. S. 93.
228-4 Vergl. S. 160—162. 209.
229-1 Vergl. Bd. XI, 474- 475.; XII, 503.
229-2 Vergl. Bd. XV, 253.
230-1 In einem „most private“ Schreiben an Holdernesse, ebenfalls vom 9. Februar, äussert Mitchell: „The King was so nettled at the refusai of troops, fleets etc., that he said to me in private that he thought of sending another minister.“ Vergl. S. 209.
230-2 Vergl. S. 188.
230-3 Vergl. auch Bd. XV, 36. 161. 199.