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LIBRARY
DIARIES
AND
CORRESPONDENCE
OF
THE EARL OF MALMESBURY.
VOL. III.
^
DIARIES AND CORRESPONDENCE
OF
JAMES HARRIS,
FIRST EARL OP MALMESBURY;
CONTAINING AN ACCOUNT OF
HIS MISSIONS TO THE COURTS OF MADRID, FREDERICK THE GREAT, CATHERINE THE SECOND,
AND THE HAGUE;
AND OF HIS SPECIAL MISSIONS TO
BERLIN, BRUNSWICK, AND THE FRENCH REPUBLIC.
EDITED BY HIS GRANDSON,
THE THIRD EARL.
VOL. in.
LONDON:
RICHARD BENTLEY, NEW BURLINGTON STREET,
33ublid;er m ©rtJinar^ to iler IKajtffti).
1844.
0-
LONDON :
Printed by S. & J. Bentley, Wilson, and Fley, Bangor Iloune, Shoe Lane.
DIARIES AND CORRESPONDENCE.
BERLIN.
EXTRACTS FROM A DESPATCH FROM LORD GRENVILLE TO
LORD MALMESBURY.
Whitehall, 20th Nov., 1793.
Hls Majesty having been pleased to charge your Lord- ship with an Extraordinary Mission at the Court of Ber- lin, I am now to convey to your Lordship His Majesty's instructions respecting the objects of that Mission, and the conduct to be observed by your Lordship.
You are already informed of all the transactions which have taken place between the two Courts, respecting the present war with France, and particularly the Memorial delivered by M, Lucchesini to Lord Yarmouth, and of the note which was lately presented at Berlin, in his Majesty's name, claiming the succours stipulated by the defensive Treaty''' ; of the verbal answer which was given to me on that subject by Mous. Jacobi,t and of my refusal to report to His Majesty any such communication, unless it was made in writing. That Minister has since com- municated to me the copy of a despatch from his Court, directing him to notify the King of Prussia's peremptory determination, with respect to his conduct in the present conjuncture of affairs. I enclose a copy of this communi- cation, with the paper accompanying it, for your Lord- ship's information. You will observe that the principal
* Of 1787, subsequent to tlie Provisional Treaty of Loo made Ly Lord Malmesbury.
t Prussian Minister at London. VOL. III. B
1 h / J , h 6
2 DIARIES AND CORRESPONDENCE. [1793.
points there stated as reasons for not furnishing the sti- pulated succours now demanded by His Majesty are the same which were brought forward in conversation by Mons. Jacobi. These are —
" 1st. That before the demand of those succours can be made, it is necessary for His Majesty to fulfil the sti- pulations of the secret article respecting the number of troops to be actually employed against the enemy at the time when tlie requisition is made.
" 2dly. That the King of Prussia not having claimed the benefit of the alliance, when attacked (as it is alleged by France), ought not now to be called upon to furnish the succours to His JVIajesty, in consequence of an attack from the enemy.
" 3dly. That the Convention recently concluded super- sedes the former alliance, as with respect to this war, and renders the King of Prussia's co-operation in the war de- pendant on circumstances."
I think it superfluous to enter further into the discus- sion of Mons. Jacobi's communication, or of the other groundless arguments alleged by his Court, as pretences to justify a direct violation of the subsisting Treaty. If the King of Prussia's determination cannot be altered, it will then become necessary to examine and refute these pretexts in a formal memorial to be delivered by your Lordship in His Majesty's name, which shall expressly de- clare the Treaty of Alliance to be annulled by the refusal of the King of Prussia to fulfil its obligations.
The object of your Lordship's ]\Iission is, however, to endeavour if possible still to bring the King of Prussia to a just sense of what he owes to his engagements with His Majesty, and to the steady and uniform good faith which he has experienced from this Court, than to tenuinate the connection hitherto sul)sisting by a declaration, which, however justified by the Court of Prussia, would never- theless, in the present circumstances, be productive of in- convenience to the cause in which His Majesty is engaged. Your Lordship will, for that purpose, as soon as you can after your arrival at l^^rlin, endeavour to obtain an interview with the King of Prussia himself, from whose
1793.] BERLIN. 3
sense of his engagements more may, perhaps, be expected than from the principles or policy of those by whom he is advised. You will urge in the strongest manner the impolicy, as well as the injustice of his present measures. You will state in the most explicit and unreserved terms, that His Majesty never will submit to purchase by a sub- sidy that assistance to which he is entitled by Treaty. You will avail yourself as far as possible of the strong and just animosity which the King of Prussia is supposed to entertain against the Republican faction in France, and of the apprehension with which he looks to the effects of their principles; and above all, you will en- deavour to impress his mind with a true sense of the consequences which would arise to the most material interests of Prussia from an open breach of the alliance between that country and the maritime Powers. It is, in- deed, obvious that the effect of this must be the throwing Prussia entirely into a state of dependence on Russia, and the jealousy which has always been felt at Berlin respect- ing the latter power, will probably be sufficiently alive to such an apprehension. In making, however, any repre- sentations on this last point, your Lordship will be par- ticularly attentive to say nothing which could, if re- peated at Petersburg, give just grounds of offence or uneasiness to the Empress, whose interference with the King of Prussia His Majesty has thought proper to re- quest on this occasion, and whose friendship he is dis- posed to cultivate.
The late communication from Baron Jacobi renders it necessary that your Lordship, after urging these several points with earnestness and energy, should in every case insist on the King of Prussia's acknowledging the casus fcederis, as an indispensable preliminary to all further discussion, as it must be understood that His Majesty cannot suffer the express provisions of the alliance to be called in question in a ministerial communication from his ally, without receiving on that head the most ample and satisfactory explanations ; and this is a point from which your Lordship is not to consider yourself as at liberty to depart, under any circumstances which may arise.
E 2
4 DIARIES AND CORRESPONDENCE. [l793.
With respect to the possibility of adopting any ar- rangement by which the views of His ^hijesty and the King of Prussia might yet be conciliated, supposing the casus fcederis to be distinctly and formally acknowledged by the Court of Berlin, much must depend on the real state of the Prussian finances. I trust that on the spot your Lordship will have little difficulty in ascertaining this point with some degree of certainty. If the aUegecl distress of the King of Prussia's treasury is wholly feigned, it Avill in that case be evident that the deter- mination of the King of Prussia is taken rather to break his alliance with the maritime Powers, and to risk the dangers which may result from the final establishment of the Jacobin principles in France, than to contribute to the indemnification which Austria has in view; in that case all attempts at other arrangements must be useless, and nothing will remain to be done, except to insist on tlie succours being furnished, and in case of non-compliance with that demand, to prepare the de- claration necessary to be given in for the purpose of annulling the defensive treaty.
If, on the other hand, the pecuniary difficulties which are stated have a real existence, the disposition to co- operate further in the war may still exist, and in tliat case some advantage might be derived from the adop- tion of such arrangements as might enable His Majesty to contribute toAvards removing those difficulties, and securing the King of Prussia's co-operation in the war, but without departing from the just claims resulting from the existing treaty.
Before I enter into the consideration of any of the general ideas on Avhich such |)lans might be grounded, I must observe to your Lordship that they are all of a nature which require their being concerted with Austria and Holland, and adopted with respect to those countries, as well as with respect to Great Britain. In passing through tlie Hague you will have the fullest opportunity of explaining these points as well as the other subjects of this despatch, to the Dutch Ministers ; and your Lordship's intimate knowledge of that country
1793.] BERLIN. 5
makes it unnecessary for me to add anything ou that liead. With respect to Austria, I must observe to your Lordship that the utmost jealousy prevails between the two Courts of Vienna and Berlin ; that the former has certainly been deceived by the extent given to the late acquisitions of Prussia in Poland, and that the latter is unquestionably desirous of checking, at least by indirect means, the plans of indemnity which the Emperor is now pursuing against France. Your Lordship is apprized that M. Lehrbach is to be sent to Berlin,* on a commission in some degree similar to that which your Lordship has undertaken, and he will probably arrive there about the same time. It will be very necessary that your Lordship should maintain with him an intimate and confidential communication and concert, so as that all the steps which either of you may separately take may be directed to the same common object.
On Wednesday morning I saw Mr. Pitt; he repeated nearly what Lord Grenville had said — was obliged to me for accepting it — said it was but fair to tell me there was no Embassy vacant, or likely to be, in case that was my object. I replied. It was not my object ; that I could not, from family reasons, stay long abroad, and that I accepted the present commission under the idea that it would be a special one and a sJiort one. That I was indifferent both as to diplomatic rank and appointments, and begged he would make both the most conformable to his own notions of what he thought right and becoming.
From him I went to the levee — King gracious. Dined with Dundas — the Cabinet there and Lord Darnley, who was to go with me as my friend.
Thursday, Nov. 14. — At the office, reading. Appointed
* From Vienna.
6 DIARIES AND CORRESPONDENCE. [1793.
Mr. Ross my secretary. Read Lord Yarmouth's corre- spondence, and Ewart's, at the time of the Russian arma- ment, ^^ and its going off. Dined with the Chancellor f— no one there but Parnell, Chancellor of the Exchequer in Ireland. When he went, I staid some time with the Chancellor— much confidential talk ;— /^e for giving a large subsidy to the King of Prussia, but Pitt and Gren- ville think otherwise.
Friday, Nov. 15.— Reading at the office in the morning — conversation with Lord Grenville ; dined at the Chan- cellor's.
Saturday, Nov. 16.— At the office ; saw Nagel, the Dutch Minister— told him of my Mission— that I should go througli Holland ; desired him to write to Princess of Orange. Dined at Douglas's, and to the play.
Monday, Nov. 18. — At the office ; saw Lord Grenville — conversation on foreign politics of all sorts. Dined with Elliot, of Wells, at the Star and Garter.
Tuesday, Nov. 19. —Went to Windsor to see the Duchess of York. Jacobi, Prussian Minister, gave in a kind of Memorial, expressive of His Prussian ]\Iajesty's intention not to grant the succours we had asked for, and declining all general interference in the war, without being largely paid. Dined with the Chancellor, with Lord and Lady Darnley. Went to Devonshire House— Duchess much interested about Lafayette, begged me to get him some comforts in his prison, &c.| T. Pelham§ much approved my accepting, so did in answer to my letters Lord Bute and Wyndham, of Norfolk.
Vide Vol. ii., page 441. t Lord Lougliliorough.
Liifiiyette had been taken by the Austrians and imprisoned at Wesel. Afterwards Lord Cbicliester.
1793.] BERLIN. 7"
Wednesday, Nov. 20. — At the levee. Took leave of the King — afterwards with him iu the closet (for the first time since the Regency Bill"""). He began by saying some- thing complimentary on my accepting the Prussian JVIis- sion, then went on by saying, " A few clear words are better perhaps than long instructions. I believe that the King of Prussia is an honest man at the bottom, although a weak one. You must first represent to him, that if he allows his moral character the same latitude in his expla- nation of the force of treaties, as he has allowed it in other still more sacred ties" (referring to his marriage) " all good faith is at an end, and no engagement can be bind- ing, f You must then state to him how much his honour is engaged in joining in this business, in not giving up a cause in which he had begun so nobly. Then you should apply to his interest, that the event of the war must either fail or succeed ; that if he withdrew himself from the number of coalesced Powers, in either case he would suQ'er from leaving them. In the first case (the failure of the war) he perhaps would be the first to feel the conse- quence of suffering this Tartarian horde to overrun Europe. In the second, if we succeed, he certainly might be sure that not having contributed his share to the suc- cess, would put him in respect to the other Powers iu a situation of consideration and want of consequence, and that he would not be consulted or referred to in the gene- ral system of Europe, when that became a matter of discussion. That if you fail on referring him to these three great points, his integrity, his honour, and his inte- rest, it will be certain nothing can be done, and although I have the greatest confidence in your skill and abilities, yet I shall rest assured in that case that no skill or any ability would be equal to success."
After having said this, which the King did with great perspicuity and correctness, he said the King of Prussia was an " illumine," so was the Queen — that he understood
* Lord Malmesbuiy had voted against Government on this Bill in 1788.
t A curious preamble for an ambassador to make ! but the events of Lord Malmcsbury's mission proved that George the Third knew well the King of Prussia's character.
8 DIARIES AND CORRESPONDENCE. [1793.
from what he had heard that these " ilhmines" '"' were a sect invented by the Jesuits to overthrow all governments and all order. That this scheme was only known to a very few at the head of the sect, and instructed in its mysteries, and that all the followers were kept in igno- rance, and taught to consider it as innocent, and more moral than Free Masonry. His Majesty then conversed on the Prussian Court, and confessed he could not guess who now governed the King, but he believed Manstein had much influence with him. On dismissing me he was very civil, and took evident pains to impress me with the idea that he bore no malice or recollection of what passed at the time of his illness. I dined with Lord Grenville ; much talk with him and Pitt — conversed over my instructions.
Thursday, Nov. 21. — Breakfasted with Batt — at the oiRce — took leave of the Queen — she civil, but stifl" — King uncommonly attentive, as was also the Prince of Wales. Dined with Elliot, of Wells, at the Star and Garter.
Friday, Nov. 22. — Left London at a quarter past nine, rode to Cobham ; dined there, got to Dover by ten with Lord Darnley.
Saturday, Nov. 23. — Left Dover at 1 p.m. on board one of the packet boats under convoy of the Savage sloop of war, was .53 hours on the passage, and did not get to Ostend till the evening of Monday the 25th. Gen.
* The Illumines vferc republican in their principles, and advocated perfect equality. If they had sincere and honest brethren amongst them, they also numbered countless adventurers and rou^s, who worked upon the imagina- tion of vain and handsome women, and silly rich men, to olitaiii from botli what tlioy desired. They liad spies at most of the Courts, who, in return, had informers among them ; but it is dilHcult, from the accounts we have of these secret societies, to ascertain if they really had the influence that some atfriliuto to them over the opinions of their generation, or whether they were not, on the whole, more proiiUible to swindlers than to reforming politicians.
1793.] BERLIN. 9
Stuart, the commander, Col. Vyse his Secretary called on me.'" Wrote to Duke of York at Tournay.
Tuesday, Nov. 26. — Left Ostend at 5 o'clock, got to Brussels at 1 in the morning — dined at Ghent, and staid three hours with Colonels St. Leger and Fox — Conversa- tion about the army; both wish me to see the Duke — Col. Fox spoke most highly of him as a man, and able general — Both think Sir James Murray an unfit man for his station. I declined going to head-quarters, but ap- pointed St. Leger to meet me at Brussels.
Wednesday, Nov. 27.— Saw Lord Elginf at 10. — Some general discourse with him. At 1 went to Antwerp — slept there, left it at 4 a.m. On Thursday, was on the other side of the More Dyke by 3 p.m., and at the Hague by 1 in the morning. Met LarreyJ (the Colonel) near the ]\Iore Dyke.
Friday, Nov. 29.— Called on Elliot; he communicated to me his last letter from Berlin — rather better than the former accounts. Went to Court, and dined there — Pensionary § and Greffier || and Count Welderen were asked to meet me. Pensionary on seeing me said, "Yoil^ Ulysse revenu a Ithaque." He was everything that private friendship and public confidence could wish. Prince and Princess not at all forgetful of past times, and a general sort of kindness and attention from everybody
* The Duke of York was commanding the British army. He had laid siege to Dunkirk in the previous August, and had been obliged to raise it witli the loss of his battering trains. The French then attempted to break into the Netherlands, but were repulsed at IVIorent, Ypres, &c.
On the 15th and 16th of October, Jourdan attacked the Prince of Co- bourg, and drove him across the Sambrc ; and from this time the French armies, which had previously been worsted on this frontier, were almost always victorious.
t English minister at Brussels. | In tiie Dutch Service.
§ Mons. Vander Spiegel. || Baron Fagcl.
10 DIARIES AND CORRESPONDENCE. [1793.
which flattered me very much. I visited many old acquaintances (Mad. de AVelderen among others), and wrote letters and supped at KalitchefF. The society very little altered. Archibald Hope and his wife there ; he is now in the "Magistrature."
Saturday, Nov. 30. — Rud". Bentinck early — blames the hereditary Prince of Orange — praises Duke of York. At ten with the Pensionary — he glad I am going to Ber- lin— reasons admirably on my mission. Suggests va- rious ideas (they appear in my correspondence) — rather prejudiced against Austria when we began, but I gra- dually brought him to be less so. Prince still untractable, — recommends me to talk to him. — From Vander Spiegel to the Greffier's at 12. He quite, as usual, diffident to advance his opinion, but quite right — Talked to him about the Frontiers the Dutch wish to recover. He pointed them out to me from the tenth volume of Lamberti, specified in the Treaties of 1704.
EXTRACTS OF A DESPATCH FROM LORD. MALMESBURY TO LORD
GRENVILLE.
Brussels, Tuesday, 3rd Dec., 1793. Private and confidetitial.
I SHALL confine myself in this Despatch to what the Great Pensionary said to me, on several points, not imme- diately belonging to the main object of my i\Iission, but which are closely connected with it, and on which, from my haljits of intimacy with him, I have every reason to believe he spoke with the utmost sincerity, and most unreserved confidence.
As they take in a very extensive field, I shall endeavour to compress them as much as possible. They may be divided into two heads — his opinion on the general system to be observed by Europe in the present crisis, and as to that more particularly applical)le to the Kepublic, of which he is one of the leading iMiuisters, and its allies.
1793.] BERLIN. 11
On the first, he thinks that one common object unites all the different Powers, but he conceives the/o^<r govern- iiui ones, and which ought to direct the others, are Great Britain, Austria, Prussia, and Holland ; their object is the resisting the progress and destroying the source of those execrable principles which have lately manifested them- selves in France.
That this purpose, in the pursuit of which no one can have a distinct interest from another, ought to supersede all other consideration ; that all references to past jea- lousies, as well as all future apprehensions should be for- gotten, since, while this is under contest, an apprehension infinitely superior to any other actually exists.
That therefore a plan of union should be formed ex- pressive of the end in view, and explanatory of the means by whicji this end is to be attained.
That the end spoke for itself ; it was the preservation of the rights of all property as well riational as individual, and the destruction of a system that aimed at the over- throw of all social order, and every social and religioKS virtue. The means he stated to be reducible to four.
1. To decide what was to be done with the Interior Government of France, how it was to be so settled as to give it sufficient energy to prevent the contagion from breaking out again, and at the same time not enough to enable it to be the perpetual disturber of the peace of Europe, as it has been for a century and a half under its three last monarch s.
2. A clear and distinct understanding, as well on the military operations as on the political measures requisite to secure this object,
3. A correct, and not overrated statement of the force each Power can, and means bond fide to furnish, and also to what extent they can reciprocally assist each other with pecuniary aids, or credit if required,
4. An arrangement (necessarily subservient to events) of what each of the Powers is to take from France, by way of defraying the expenses and risks of the war.
On these four cardinal points being precisely and speedily settled, he considered the fate of the war, and
12 DIARIES AND CORRESPONDENCE. [1703.
with it the fate of Europe, to rest. It was on similar principles that the Grand Alliance in 1701 was framed, and history furnishes us with many examples that all leagues, Avithout such a previous accord, have constantly failed.
That separate conventions between each Power will not answer the end, and such necessarily will create separate operations, and in the result perhaps separate interests, they must all be circled by one strong and common political chain for one common and distinct cause — that for this purpose the four Courts should, without loss of time, appoint a place for the meeting of their respective Plenipotentiaries. In this meeting all these points should be settled and methodized, and that it should be afterwards considered as the centre, on which all the operations should turn, and to which all doubts and dilemmas should be referred.
On the fourth and last point (the subject of indemni- fication) the Pensionary thought that all the acquisitions France had made since the peace of Munster '"" were very fair objects of reprisal.
At two, with the Princess of Orange. Told her my commission — she very civil about it, but could give me no information — was shy about condemning her brother, yet could not approve what he did — suggests the idea of our taking 30,000 Prussians into our pay, instead of in- creasing our own army. At three, with the Stadtholder — he very talkative, but not on the point. Events of the campaign t — incidents during my emijassy — re- flections on his own conduct tlien, and proAang to me from events he was right at times when I thought him
* In 1748 tlie Treaty of Munster terminated the Thirty Years' war.
t On tlie 2!)th the Duke of Jirunswiek luul beaten the French at Landau, and on the same day, Wurmser, commandinji: tlie Imperial army, defeated tlieni on their whole line, and drove them beyond Strasbourg ; but his suc- cess was short, as he was in his turn pushed back over the Rhine by Hoclic and Pichegrn. Prince Hohenlohe, wlio was besieging r^andau, and who was covered by tlie Duke of Brunswick's Prussians, was tiieu obliged to raise the siege, whilst the Duke himself retired on Mcntz, and «n tiie (Jth of January, 1794, resigned the command of the army.
1793.] BERLIN. 13
wrong. Talked admirably on the temper of tlie times — said the two words " democracy " and " aristocracy " were not new in Holland. His friends were of the first description, and he feared lest they should be tainted by Jacobinism — strong advocate for a respectable aristocracy. Dined at the Hereditary Princess's — she very pleasing — came late with the Stadtholder, who kept me till half- past four. Her son (an infant, a fine child). More con- versation with the Princess, nothing remarkable — I re- commended strongly to the Prince energy and vigour. Took leave of him. Counts Rhoon and Welderen, " Fron- deurs," — all Dutchmen are, but they are only so in words. Rhoon grown more steady — wants a Congress, and to be employed at it. Called on Lady Athlone and Madame
Slane. The first told me a story of Lady , who has run
away with a . The other low and melancholy. Saw
Keller, Prussian Minister, at his own house — he seemed to know nothing, but wished to have the appearance of having talked with me — a heavy dull man — his wife prettyish but " mauvais ton" — supped with Schanbart (the Dane).
Sunday, Dec. 1. — General Bentinck called — read me a letter from Fischer to engage him to prevail on the Stadt- holder to pay early attention to the army. I advised him to show it to the Pensionary. Bentinck communi- cated to me a Memorial of Angely "" on La Vendue (I took an extract of it) — a very curious piece if true. At twelve with the Pensionary — he read me a memorial he had draAvn up on the times f — much reasoning with him ; he, as he is always, very clear, clever and acute. Great complaints, and very justly, at the Hague, of being left without an Ambassador from England for so long. Left
* Sent by the Royalists to La Vendee as an agent.
t A very clever document, in which he argues that the French liave a great advantage over their enemies by paying their army by assignats, whilst the hitter pay in gold, and advocates a quadruple alliance between England, Austria, Prussia, and the States, who shall give security to a paper currency, the French to pay all loss when beaten.
14 DIARIES AND CORRESPONDENCE. [l793.
the Hague at seven in a yacht, and Rotterdam at twelve, in the yacht of the Gecomitteerderaden — got to the More Dyke by ten a.m., and to Antwerp by seven — wrote letters, and slept there on ]\Ionday, Dec. 2.
Tuesday, Dec. 3. — Got to Brussels by two — writing for the post. St. Leger came to see me. Dined at Elgin's — returned home to write. Despatched Brooks at midnight.
Wednesday, Dec. 4. — Captain Cook returning to Toulon — news from Lord Howe — visits to Mesdames Balbi et Caumont — to Merci* at three — his manner slow and rather pedantic, his figure that of a j\Iinister de la vieille Cour — apparently open and frank, but I should doubt his being so.
Conference with Count Merci. — Genoa, its arrange- ments, &c. — all the little states of Italy in alarm, had applied to the Emperor; he no troops but 10,000 men in the ]\Iilanese — Sardinia behaves ill ; danger of an incursion on the side of Nice.
On my Mission, which I opened to him, he told me what had passed between his Court and that of Berlin — very different from what it said to us — Lehrbach's mis- sion ;t — talked of his own principles and feelings on the French Revolution ; he had been twenty -five years in Paris, as a mentor to the Queen. | Was " in time at the French Court." Saw the '' pourriture " of it long ago — that if the conviction of the cause did not operate, nothing could. It was not possible for any power to discontinue war, without risking its ruin — thought this consideration must operate on King of Prussia ; said he did not know who his Ministers were. Asked about Schulemberg and Hertzberg, described Haugwiz as a man new in business — talked of England and Austria as the two Courts on whose shoulders everything rested — they were united
* Austrian IMinistcr. t Austrian s^pecial Minister at Berlin.
;{: Marie Antoinette.
1793.] BERLIN. 15
''sous tons les rapports'' — praised our Cabinet ; said his own was composed of " de tres honnetes gens." Talked much in favour of the old system — praised Duke of York, and our troops — said, " la bonne cause lid devoit les jjlus grandes obligations ;" urged the necessity of an imme- diate plan of co-operation — that although great valour had been displayed, the last was " une campagne chetive" Said Paris must be pressed. Intimated whether the King of Prussia could not be prevailed on to act as defender of the frontiers of Germany on the Rhine, and leave us to act in Flanders. — Dined with Elgin. — St. Leger called on me — states Sir J, ]\Iurray as unpopular, and this makes the Duke of York so. — Much general talk about the army, which he says is ill-provided. — In the evening at Madame de Matignon — she pleasant, but thoroughly French'^ — frugal, but cheerful supper. Afterwards at Lord Elgin's.
Thursday, Dec. 5. — Sent Estafette to Duke of York to say, I would meet him at Ath, as His Royal Highness had suggested, on Friday. At one, to the Archduke — well mannered and speaking to the purpose. Breteuilf in bed — very pompous, and still the Minister. Dined at Merci's — formal company. Lord Yarmouth come — called on him — found him angry beyond expression at my going to Berlin — quite overcome by passion, would not listen, but begging his own questions— went on accusing me with breach of confidence, friendship, &c. — a perfect angry child, who vents his passion on the first object he meets. But his real anger was with Ministers, which he did not dare show, for fear of their displeasure ; he therefore vented it on me, who he knew would take more from him than any other person in the world. There was not an un- pleasant thing he did not say, or an unpleasant reference he did not make. He glanced more than once at a chal- lenge, and if I had not known him so well, and felt it
* Lord Malmesbury's synonym at this time Avith " Republican." t Mons. de Breteuil was ambassador at Petersburg under Louis XA''. Afterwards his ]\Iinister for the Home Department ; he kept this post till tlie Revolution of 1789, when he emigrated. He returned to France under the Empire, and died there in 1808. — Biog. Univ.
16 DIARIES AND CORRESPONDENCE. [l703,
right on every account to bear with him, I must have lost my temper. I was forced to stay, as I had sent away my carriage, expecting to meet Lord Yarmouth in the most cordial and confidential way. Supped at Elgin's — chiefly French — Mesdames Matignon, Balbi, Caumont, la Baronne de Montmorenci, Richelieu, &c. — Merci d'Argenteau also there. Conversation with him about Dutch Frontiers. I thought their demand reasonable, as what they want is important to them by way of safety and defence, and no real value to the House of Austria. JVIerci thinks other- wise— values the district wanted by the Republic high. These districts are Lillo and Liefenshock, and their terri- tories, to join the Generality with Dutch Flanders, and the space between Ecluse, or Sluys, and the Sea, and that mouth of the Scheldt called the Swyn. The first is necessary to prevent a reincursion on the side of Antwerp, the other to protect the land. Besides this (but that I did not mention) the Dutch want to join Maestricht to the Repub- lic. This very difficult. Necessary to get Roermunde, or at least all the country round it ; in order to give them the complete sovereignty of Maestricht, an exchange must take place with the Bishop of Li^ge. All this difficult, and I disapproved it when the Pensionary and Greffier mentioned it, because their ideas seemed to go to the secularizing ecclesiastical dominions, which in these times I am very much against. After, however, talking a good deal with Merci on the first of these points, we agreed with him, if the war ended as we hoped it would, the Dutch would evidently be entitled to their share of indemnity. That they deserved it, and if they had not done quite as much as the other Powers, yet it was wise and more candid to praise than to blame them. At one in the morning Lord Yarmouth wrote me a note, to say he wished to see me the next morning ; Lord Elgin had been to call on him (but was not re- ceived) to speak about the Hessian Troops, which had positively refused to embark under Lord ^loira,-- prc-
* The 400U Hessians subsidized by his (Lord Elgin's) Treaty, did re- ceive afterwards orders to join Lord Moira. — Original Note.
1793.] BERLIN. 17
tending that it was against the Treaty, which ran "• de Tie pas servir sur la Jiotte" This we mean as Marines, and they construe to embarh, or under any pretence ivhat- ever to go on shipboard. Two separate Treaties, verbatim the same, and both after old precedents in the office, were signed, one by Lord Elgin, the other hj Lord Yarmouth. The first about a year ago, the second (that in question) in this summer ; and it was on this point Elgin wished to see him, and instead of seeing him, Lord Yarmouth (con- scious perhaps that he had really supplanted him in his Prussian mission) expressed a wish to see me. I appointed him early, as I was to go to Ath to meet the IJuke of York. He called on me at half-past nine ; was rather less violent, yet still wrong-headed ; I tried to explain to him, and in some degi'ee succeeded ; I found his aim was still to come to Berlin. He was embarrassed when I told him I knew he had accepted Spain, and had even ashed for Switzerland ; that I w^as ready to give way to him at Berlin if ^Ministers thought it useful for the King's ser- vice. He had said the preceding evening, in a moment of passion, that I should be ill received, and gave for reason my having signed the Treaty of Loo. This he unsaid this morning, and, in coupling the two conversa- tions, exhibited his character — selfish, intemperate, cun- ning, and nervous, and with a fear to displease — which occurs to him (from its attendant inconveniences) always on recollection. We parted on tolerable terms, but I was forced to write to Lord Grenville on the subject, and to request him to explain how, and why, I had the Prussian Mission, to convince Lord Yarmouth that I had never a thought of supplanting him, or even could guess I was in his way.
Friday, Dec. 6. — At twelve went to Ath, Lord Elgin with me to Halle, and got to Ath by half-past six ; roads very bad, full of soldiers and waggons, it being those to both the head quarters of Prince Cobourg and Duke of York, Duke brought Sir J. Murray with him, but he left us often alone. He said his army was ill
VOL. III. c
18 DIARIES AND CORRESPONDENCE. [l793.
provided. Condemned the whole measure of Dunkirk and separation of the armies ; spoke slightingly of the Dutch, and still more of the hereditary Prince of Orange, whom he called " Young Hopeful."
On my hinting a possibility or rather a certainty that Grey would make Dunhirh the first object on the opening of the Session, the Duke said he trusted none of his friends would be so over zealous as to think it necessary to defend him at the expense of others. That whatever he might feel or think as to himself, and the usage he had met with, yet, that this consideration was a very secondary one indeed, if the obtaining it stood in the way of the great cause for which we were contending, and he should be very sorry indeed that any blame should be thrown on any particular measure, or any particular ]\linister, as it certainly would go to censure the principle of the War and produce the worst consequences. The Duke of York (Sir J. Murray being absent) went into a detail of his own situation, which he said was unplea- sant ; he had nobody about him, no Secretary to write for him as the old Duke of Cumberland had ; no realbj experienced officer. He had written to the King ; had been forced to say, Sir James was unpopular. The Duke read me the King's Answer, which was that of a most affectionate Father to a favourite Son. His Majesty entered into all he said, proposed giving Murray rank and a Scotch brigade, to appoint Craggs in his stead, and in answer to a request of the Duke's to return home, advises him not to ask it, in order to keep his officers abroad, but that he will send for him to England soon. This was an excellent and most affectionate letter, and the Duke's an- swer, which he read me, was equally so — all respect and proper attention.
The conversation confirmed me in the opinion, tliat the Duke of York has a very good understanding ; but he talks too much, and is careless to whom. I ventured to tell him so, and took an opportunity of recommending him to ask the superior officers to dinner; and, as he could not j)revent their writing home, to try at least to furnish tlicm by Itis conversation there, with materials
1793.J BERLIN. 19
which would do no harm. Now they, and particularly the Guards, write nonsense, almost equal to mutiny. To this he attended with great good humour. I staid till one in the morning, and then returned to Tournay. I re- mained at Ath all night — wrote on the morning of Satur- day, Dec. 7. Lord Herbert came to me, and we returned together to Brussels. He was very glad to see me — com- plained very much of the insubordination of the army, that it was greater than could be believed, that the Guards were so beyond measure ; that the Duke of York was most unjustly unpopular, and he believed the worst used man in the world, as all his foibles were cried out against, and none of his good qualities, which were many, noticed. The French, he said, fought well, and had every appearance of disciplined soldiers. That he had seen them run away, so had English, Austrians, and Ger- mans ; praised the Hanoverians iov fig] ding, but not their activity — Marshal Freytag an old woman — Prince Co- bourg rather a " hon homme!' He expressed himself sick of the profession, but could not leave it. Condemned the conduct of Gage, who had resigned on being refused leave of absence. Got a late dinner at Lord Elgin's. Lady Webster"' there — strange woman, sensible, learned, flighty, and coquettish — they say not gallant. Went home to write — despatched Brooke.
Sunday, Dec. 8. — Lord Herbert with me till twelve, when I left Brussels — Lord Darnley to follow the next day. Dined at Louvain (Lord Elgin went with me) ; at Fernan, Nuiiez, Spanish Ambassador at Paris, who has been living there ever since the revolution. He the same good pleasant man, but low and vexed at having lost a great succession (that of Rohan, by the troubles in France, near three millions of livres). His politics seem right ; his wife good humoured ; he has seven children — none well- looking.
Elgin returned to Brussels ; I went on and slept at
* Afterwards Lady Holland.
c 2
20 DIARIES AND CORRESPONDENCE. [l793.
St. Trond, at I'homme Sauvage — moderate inn. Left St. Trond Monday, Dec. 9, at five — dined at Aix la Chapelle — slept at Juliers. At Liege (Dutch head- quarters) saw several officers of my acquaintance. Nine- teen hours on the road.
Tuesday, Dec. 10. — To Bonne — delightful day — ten hours on the road.
Wednesday, Dec. 1 1 . — To Coblentz — eleven hours on the road — roads spoilt, and worse than I ever saw them.
Thursday, Dec. 12. — Lord Darnley joined me. Left Coblentz at nine. Passed through '''' '''" '"' '"' and Limburg to '"' ''^ '" '"", where we got by nine, having dined on the road.
Friday, Dec. 13. — Left '- '" "" "' — (moderate inn) — at half-past seven passed through Koenigstein, which is quite destroyed, and got to Frankfort by half-past three, lload bad. Found Kinckel at La maison rouge. Luc- chesini not likely to succeed at Vienna. His wife (a sister of Bishopswerder) clever and meddling. Had written to Stein — said the Court of Vienna was stiif — would not listen to a subsidy, or to an indemnity, and that (qu'il ne valoit pas la peine de s'etre meubl6) for she foresaw they* should not remain long there. Lehrbach, an overl)earing man, and used to dictatorial language, from having always been employed at small courts. Kinckel f did not know his present instruc- tions, but those he had when with the army were not conciliating. Lucchesini, anti-Austrian, very Russian, an enemy to England, had by his intrigues removed
' * Names illegible in the original nianusciipt.
t Admiral in the Dutch Servieo, and acting with Lord Malmeshury for the States, in tlie present negotiation.
1793.] BERLIN. 21
everybody from the King of Prussia's ear and confidence, who were either English or Austrian (a very different description of men, however, at Berlin) and seemed to favour no system but a Russian alliance. He had de- ceived Lord Yarmouth entirely. Sir James JVIurray sent first (in March, 1793) to talk over Doumouriez's " intended interview with Lord Auckland and Vander- spiegel. This failing, he remained there, and was doing very well, when Lord Elgin was sent, who did well, but was too frank and " loyal" to be a match for Lucchesini's cunning, which he found out and reproved too loudly. Lord Yarmouth succeeded him, and was Lucchesini's dupe. Lord Yarmouth did, however, well with the Duke of Brunswick, whom he kept up to act at a time (in Octo- ber) when it was feared he was going back with his army.
Mad"^ Bethman very artful and ambitious. Had made the King of Prussia believe she really loved him for his sake, and that no other woman ever had ; this had disposed him to go all lengths — even that of a left- handed marriage, but it was stopped by an anonymous letter her cousin (little Bethman) sent to Ma'^\ Lucchesini, to state the character and views of his relation, and Lucchesini finding from this, she would not answer his purpose, and he tractable, was now doing his utmost to overset her. He, Kinckel, believed he had succeeded, and that a young woman of rank at Berlin, whose name he did not know, but whom I suspect to be Mad"\ Vienck was now nearly declared favorite. Yet that since this week two chasseurs had come from Potzdam to ]\Iad"\ Bethman ; she is well made, but not handsome.
King of Prussia found in his treasure seventy-six millions of crowns. He expended ten in the Dutch campaign, twenty in that of Richenbach (this large sum was necessary, as all his army was then to be put in order for motion), fifteen in his preparations against Russia, and fifteen in the last two — remain then sixteen
* Commander-in-Chief of the French Republican army on the N. E. frontier.
22 DIARIES AND CORRESPONDENCE. [l793.
millions from his original treasure, to wliicli must be added, according to Kinckel's calculation, three and a half millions, which are supposed to be saved each year. Of course the whole remaining treasure may be forty-one or forty-two millions of dollars.
Prince de Nassau'"'' very well with the King, and the instrument the Empress of Russia employs — He also well with Lucchesini. Kinckel observed, that, as the King of Prussia would not allow us to reckon Hanoverians, he could not reckon the Saxons — there were 6,000, and if taken from his army would leave it 42,000 men ; that is, 10,000 more only than his contingent to the House of Austria, and quote part to the empire, and for these 10,000 he asked twenty-two millions of crowns. Kinckel said that Bishopswerder told him, that Lord Elgin, when in Italy, would have succeeded in making a triple alliance for the purpose of general peace and tranquillity when he was with the Emperor Leopold at Florence, if he had not run too much after Mad'"^ Lamberti (Leopold's mistress) and by that means displeased and soured him. Bishops- werder he thinks an honest man, and of strict integrity — certainly for an Austrian connexion, and might 'perhaps be made very useful. Lucchesini venal, and bought he believes by Russia. Stein (once a favorite, and his minis- ter at Mayence) now disgraced. Alopeus not noticed by the King on his return. King displeased with Treaty of Alliance between Russia and Poland.
Kinckel said ]\Iad'"\ de Lucchesini was very averse to live at Berlin, and would object strongly to her husband's return — Mad'"^ Bishopswerder and Mad"'^ Lucchesini sisters. The first was a Mad'"^ Pinto, and Bishopswerder was divorced from his first wife, who is still living, and by whom his daughters are. Lucchesini relies much on the inlluence of ]\^ad"'^ Bishopswerder over her husband. She is a vain talking woman, not to be trusted, but may be made useful by discreet management.
It is believed the King of Prussia left the army with
* Spurious Prince, a sort of bettennost adventurer, eiuiiloycd by Empress Catherine. — Original Note.
1793.] BERLIN. 23
reluctance, and was intrigued and cajoled into it by Lucchesiui. He staid two days at Frankfort (not merely to see Mad"^ Bethman) but because he was doubtful, whether he should not rejoin the army, and was Ioav and ashamed of what he had done. At the army his return is considered as sure. He has left his equipage at Ans- pach, and his two sons theirs, at Mentz, His connexion with ]\Iad"\ Bethman is one of sentiment. She is too artful to let it go further. Her cousin and relations want her to marry a Mons. Jeannot, a merchant at Frankfort ; she declines this, and has certainly in view a left-handed marriage with the King. Manstein not in high favor, but belonging to the " Conseil de Guerre" — An empty good-for-nothing fellow — French to a degree, was over- heard talking to the French Commissaries at Worms, in the most abject and flattering way. Reeden (Dutch Minister) gets his intelligence through his wife's mother — from jMinister Schulenberg. Reeden ill at Court — Lucchesini called him, Ewart, and Hertzberg, the triumim^ate. " Ewart avait I'esprit, Hertzberg la plume, and Pieeden les poumons." Prince Louis, son to Prince Ferdinand of Bninswick, has democratical leanings; very brave but " etourdi;" wants to raise 500,000 florins by subscription to form a kind of independent legion to be given after- wards to the best bidder. Hompesch, the hussar, deep in this.
From many circumstances it seems likely that Lucche- sini is bought by France through Merlin.
LORD MALMESBURY TO THE HONORABLE THOMAS PELHAM.
Frankfort, Dec. IStli, 1793.
]\Iy dear Pelham. — I had a great deal of interesting and confidential conversation with the Duke of York (at Alost on the 6th instant), too much so to be trusted on paper to the common post ; the result, as far as it related to himself, went to confinn me in the good opinion I always was disposed to have of him, and in general not to alter that I had of many mistakes which had defeated
24 DIARIES AND CORRESPONDENCE. [1793.
the effects of liis exertions and abilities, and rendered the end of the campaign less brilliant than its beginning. He was not insensible to these, but he expressed a very ear- nest and anxious desire, that if any of the more violent Members of Opposition, (and he named Grey,) should in their attempt to distress and criminate Government affect any solicitude about him and his situation, or even if they should join him in the common blame and censure about Dunkirk, or any other military operation, I say, that in either of these cases, the Duke of York expressed his earnest and anxious desire, that none of his friends, out of regard and attachment to him, should say anything ivhich might raise a cry against Ministers or iveaken their measures by defending him at their expense. That such a defence, however gratifying it might be to him, would necessarily go to weaken Government, and in its effect militate directly against a cause — the support of which he considered as a duty before which every personal consideration whatsoever ought to give way. That it would be impossil^le to separate in the minds of the many partial blame of any one specific measure, in the course of the war, from a general disapprobation of the principle on which it was begun and continued, and that the very worst of consequences would attend such an idea being attributed to those whom he was happy to think his best friends. He named you and Mr. Wyndham, and expressly directed me to Avrite to you both, and which I have done in his own words, as nearly as I can recollect them ; I am sure I have not altered them. The only case in which he hoped to be defended was, if any gross and obviously abusive attack should be made upon him, and then he wished (as this would be evidently made to provoke), that the defence should rest on general grounds, and all parti- cular details and personalities avoided.
I am the more anxious to write to you on this subject, as I knew it was one you were desirous of being informed on. I intimated this to the Duke, and T am sure you will love and esteem him the more for this manly and liberal behaviour. I have written this nearly verbatim to Wyndham also at his request,
1793.] BERLIN. 25
and I wish you would concert with him, and with such other persons as you have confidence in, in order that they may observe the line of conduct the Duke wishes; as, although his sentiments on this occasion must add to the zeal and ardour of his friends, yet he is most certainly as right and judicious in what he advises, as he is moderate and forbearing in his feelings ; for it is un- doubtedly of the last importance, that Parliament should open with the greatest appearance of unanimity, and that England should give the impression to Europe, that all private animosities and party feuds are lost in the great cause for which we are struggling, and be assured that all good and great impressions can come from England alone. IVIy dear Pelham, be convinced that it is not because I am in a sort of employment that I hold this language — I would hold it even if Lord Lansdowne was Minister, and every step I move on the Continent convinces me that to hold any other, or to express a different sentiment would be committing a decided act of Jacobinism. You must give me credit for this, and upon assertion, for I have neither time nor opportunity to prove it, which if you were sitting with me I could and would do in an hour. I am, &c. Malmesbury.
Saturday, Dec. 14. — Ptode with Kiuckel — went to a bookseller, by name Elsinger — excellent one — walked afterwards round the whole town, and dined with Beth- man ; various people at dinner — good, in the German style. His mother well mannered, and his sisters, one married to a Swiss, M. Levi, the other a widow. Beth- man (the young man) quite right, alarmed. — Told Lord Darnley, Lucchesini was gone to treat with the Court of Vienna — that he was to propose their giving back Galicia for Alsace and Lorraine (this I do not believe) ; I settled a correspondence with him. Wrote to Wynd- liam and Pelham.
Sunday, Dec. 15. — Breakfasted with Kinckel. Left
2G DIARIES AND CORRESPONDENCE. [l793.
Frankfort at nine — got to Schotteu in twelve hours — roads indifferent.
Monday, Dec. 16. — Left Scliotten at six — got to Ber- gen hj nine — roads very good to Vaclia — bad and hilly from thence to Bergen. Dined very well at the post.
Tuesday, Dec. 17. — Left Bergen at half-past seven — arrived at Gotha at three — forced to stop there, as the Princesses of Mecklenburgh had taken all the horses. Lord Darnley left me at Bergen, intending to go round by Dresden to Berlin. Gotha, a town of a middling size, in a very open country, on the north side of a hill; running water in most of the streets, or " trottoirs." The palace on an eminence finely placed — commands the town and adjacent country. Apparently large ; bad, or rather no architecture ; pleasant drive round the toAvn on the outside. No symptoms of trade — Al- manacs famous.
Wednesday, Dec. 18. — Left Gotha at twelve — got to Erfurt by four — still stopped by the Princesses. Erfurt, an academy with only eighty students. An ill-looking town ; belongs to Elector of Mentz — the Coadjutor re- sides here.
Thursday, Dec. 19. — Left Erfurt at seven — got to Naumljerg at six. I never saw such fine weather in December; no rain, no wind, no frost during any part of my journey, but mild sunshine. Good inns at the post at Erfurt, at Naumberg, and civil landlords.
Friday, Dec. 20. — ^Slater, the messenger, overtook me at four in the morning with despatches. Lord Grenville a})proves the idea of Les .Billets de Confumce. Lord
1793.] BERLIN. 27
Howe returned emptj-handed. Left Naumberg at half- past seven — at Leipsic by five — sent Slater on to Berlin.
Saturday, Dec. 21. — Left Leipsic at seven — Witten- berg by nine — dined in my carriage.
Sunday, Dec. 22. — Left Wittenberg at a quarter before four — got to Berlin by one in the morning — dined in my carriage — Lord Darnley just got there before me ; lodged at the Ville de Paris, where rooms were taken for me.
MoxDAY, Dec. 23. — Rose, Secretary of Legation, and Charg6 des Affaires came to me — desired him to an- nounce my arrival to Count Finckenstein, according to usual form. Baron Reeden, Dutch j\Iinister, called on me — his information similar to that I had heard from the Pensionary, as to the situation and disposition of the Court — assured me that I might lead it — that I had been expected with great impatience — that the treasure was exhausted — pressed very much that the plan of the next campaign should be settled here — oifered me his best services and assistance — walked — dined at home — went to Count Finckenstein — left him a copy of my credentials — told him the substance of my commission — mentioned no details. He said the King would see me as soon as possible.
Tuesday, Dec, 24. — Count Finckenstein, by a note, in- formed me the King would see me at a quarter past four next day — wi'ote — dined with Reeden ; Count Lehrbach, who is here on the same errand as myself from the Court of Vienna, and Prince Reuss dined there. At half-past four I had my audience, being introduced by Count Finckenstein — King altered in his looks, has lost his upper teeth. I ol3served to him that I had no dij)lo- matic rank, that I had declined it purposely to avoid
28 DIARIES AND CORRESPONDENCE. [l793.
subjecting myself to the etiquette and privation be- longing to it — that I hoped His Majesty would receive me with his usual goodness, and admit me to his society, as he had done before — from him to the Queens, reigning and dowager, both very civil to me — from them to the wedding of the Prince Royal — the ceremony as usual (this the sixth wedding I have been present at, at Berlin) ■ — supped at Count Finckenstein's table — Madame de Haugwiz, wife to the Acting j\Iinister for Foreign Affairs. Finckenstein appointed me to meet him and his two col- leagues, Alvensleben and Haugwiz, at eleven the next morning.
Wednesday, Dec. 2.5. — At eleven to the conference — dined at the Prince Royal's — at five to a Court of Compli- ment to the Princess Royal, and from thence to a supper at the King's — played with the Princess Royal at Cassino — many old acquaintances. On return home found Hislop from Petersburg — letters from Whitworth'"" an- nounce the Empress's good disposition, and that she was going to send Prince Nassau to enforce them — sorry for it — re-despatched Hislop.
Thursday, Dec, 26. — Began writing my despatches ; called on Rose ; at 11, at a second conference as the day before, the casus foederis avowed, poverty pleaded, good- will promised, &c., &c. Called on Reeden, and on Lehr- bach — this last very talkative and prolix, but right and well-inclined ; stated his commission, &c. — observed the difference of conduct held by King of Prussia at Vienna and at London. Seemed full of suspicions about this Court. I spoke very openly to him. Dined at Arnheim's. Mar- riage of Prince Louis ; the two brothers marry two sis- ters, daughters to Prince Cliarles of Mecklenberg, and nieces to the Queen of England. This evening the same
* Sir Chillies Wliitwortli, English Minister at St. Pctcrshurg.
1793.] BERLIN. 29
as Tuesday — dined with Madame Ilaugwiz. Wrote let- ters till a late hour.
Friday, Dec. 27. — Writing till one o'clock. Despatched WiiFen. Dined with the Queen's Court at Princess Louise's. Ball and sup^ier in the Great Apartments as at Court — told the King of Prince Nassau's appointment.
EXTRACT OF A DESPATCH FROM LORD MALMESBURY TO LORD
GRENVILLE.
Berlin, 26th Dec, 1793.
I AM happy that the result of my audience with His Prussian Majesty, and that the conferences I have had since with his Ministers, enable me to send away the messenger Wiffin sooner than I thought it would be in my power to do, when I wrote to your Lordship on Tuesday last.
I was introduced on the evening of that day to the King of Prussia by Count Finckenstein, and I remained alone with His Prussian Majesty for half an hour, after delivering, in the usual form and with the usual compli- ments, my credentials, and receiving from His Prussian Ma- jesty the usual answer. I asked leave to enter with him on business, saying, that experience had left a very lasting and agreeable impression on my mind ; that he had before admitted me to that honour, and that very essential ad- vantages had been derived from it. On His Majesty^ acquiescing readily in my request, I stated to him in very respectful terms the first point of my instructions, and declared that till it was distinctly acknowledged that the treaty of alliance of August 13, 1788, existed in its full force, and that the present war was admitted as a casus foederis, my hands were tied from proceeding a step further, and that I was ordered to obtain this avowal pre- vious to any other discussion whatever.
The King of Prussia expressed a surprise that a possi-
80 DIARIES AND CORRESPONDENCE. [l793.
ble idea could exist of his dej^arting from the principles of the Treaty, or of his intentions to observe its stipula- tions being doubted ; but, without breaking into what I intended to say by dwelling on tliis point, at this period of the conversation, I went on by observing, that His Prussian Majesty's good faith never could be called in question, that the King, my master, had the strongest confidence in it, and the utmost reliance on the strict in- tegrity and high honour of his character ; that besides this motive for adhering to his engagements, the glory of his arms and military reputation rested on his not giving up a cause, the defence of which he had begun so nobly and maintained so bravely ; that his political interests and consideration, and even safety, were also intimately con- nected with his not withdrawing himself from the num- ber of the coalesced Powers, and that to these three strong incentives of good faith, honour, and interest, a still more imperious one might be added, — that of ne- cessity. For it was impossible for His Prussian Majesty to say that the war should cease, or to stop that horde of barbarians whose steps were to be traced by anarchy and cruelty wherever they came, from overrunning his domi- nions, and eifecting ultimately the destruction of his monarchy.
Your Lordship will naturally suppose that I repeat only the substance of what I said, not the words in which I spoke; these I endeavoured to make the most suitable to the great personage to ■whom I was addressing myself; but I also endeavoured that my meaning should not be lost in too much attention to ceremony. His Prussian Majesty, as I went on, acquiesced in everything I ad- vanced, and from the manner with which he listened to me, I was induced to hope (and I expressed this hope), that the unpleasant impressions the two ]\Iemorials of the 23rd September and lOth November had given, would be done away, and that His Prussian Majesty would order liis Ministers to reconsider them, and empower them, when I should meet them to discuss on these points, to say to me, what I had begun by stating as an indispensa- ble preliminary to all further discussion, viz., that His
1793.] BERLIN. 31
Prussian Majesty considered the Treaty of 1788 to exist in its full force, and all its stipulations as binding.
His Prussian Majesty declared in the strongest manner that he never had the most remote idea of departing from the Treaty of Alliance. That if he had expressed doubts as to the sense in which its stipulations were to be under- stood at this moment, it was not from any alteration either in his sentiments of cordial and sincere friendship for His Majesty, or in those of his abhorrence and detes- tation of the ruling party in France ; that he continued to set the highest value on His Majesty's alliance ; that he considered it as the one the most conformable to the inte- rests of the kingdom, and a perfect cooperation with His Majesty as the most likely to put a short and successful end to the present war ; that it was from the peculiar cir- cumstances of this war, that these doubts had originally arisen, but that he was fully disposed to dismiss them, and acknowledge, fairly and candidly, that the real reason which made it equally impossible for him to begin another campaign, with the same force as the last, and to grant the succours we required, was the imnt of money. He then said. You will, I am sure, believe me when I tell you, on the faith of an honest man, and for being one, I hope the King, your Master, will give me credit, I have not in my treasure enough to pay the expenses of a third campaign. Those I have incurred since my accession are not unknown to you. You also know that the late King strained the resources to their highest pitch, that I cannot raise a new tax on my sub- jects, that to attempt it would drive them to the worst consequences, without its producing anything, and that the nature of the Prussian monarchy is such that it can- not bear a loan. In short, that without my allies come to my assistance, and afford me pecuniary support, I shall be compelled to stop short in the war, and leave only a small portion of my army on the Rhine, and I feel, added his Majesty, the importance of its not being les- sened, and the consequences of it, in as strong a manner as any of the coalesced Powers, for they affect me as much as they do them.
32 DIARIES AND CORRESPONDENCE. [l703.
" I have no difficulty," continued the King of Prussia, " in stating this embarrassed situation of my finances to you, openly, and without fear ; I have not exhausted my treasure in idle or useless expenses, and, although per- haps at times the most exact economy has not been observed, yet it has been employed in forwarding mea- sures which related to the general interests of Europe, as well as to the particular ones of Prussia. It cannot be those of England to see me degraded and sunk ; and this certainty, joined to my high notion of your national character, leaves me without apprehension as to the con- sequences of the declaration I make, which I repeat to be the sole and real cause for my apparent backwardness in continuing the war." His Prussian Majesty then spoke on a subject I had avoided mentioning, and said sus- picions and jealousies had l)een entertained of him ; that it was but too natural, that ill wishers to him and to the cause should be industrious to give such reports the air of veracity, but that they were in fact the grossest impo- sitions on truth and common sense, and that far from objecting to any indemnities the Court of Vienna might wish to have (arising from France), He not only thouglit such indemnities perfectly reasonable, but should see them carried into execution with the greatest pleasure.
This is nearly what His Prussian Majesty said ; I ended the Conference by asking his permission to address myself directly to him, when I should have anything ma- terial to say, and that he has allowed me to do, and I took my leave, by expressing my hopes that I should find his Ministers prepared for what I had to say to them.
EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM LORD MALMESBURY TO MADAME
LA COMTESSE DE BALBI.
Berlin, 27 Decembie, 1793.
Le pen do momens que j'ai passe avec vous a Bruxelles, Madame la Comtesse, ne m'a laiss^ que des regrets de ce que je n'ai i)as pu vous voir, pendant plus long tems ; d'y supi)lccr par des lettrcs est unc manicre bicn pen satis-
1793.] BERLIN. 33
faisante. IVIille clioses se diseiit mutuelleinent, qui pren- nent une autre forme des qu'elles se trouvent placees dans une lettre, quand meine comme celle-ci, elle ne sera pas exposee a Tinspectiou des maitres de postes. J'ai regrette surtout d avoir passe si superficiellement sur ce que vous m'avez dit du voyage eventuel de Mon- sieur a Toulon.'"' Je ne sais pas a. present comment rattraper cette occasion, sans avoir I'air de faire Toffi- cieux, ou bien le Miuistre. Cependant je ne suis motive que par un attacliement aussi zel^ que sincere, et respec- tueux pour Monsieur, ce qui, joint a une connoissance l^gere, mais assez certaine des afiaires du moment, me fait desirer, et m'engage meme, a liazarder de vous exprimer ce d^sir que Monsieur n'entreprenne pas le voyage qu on Fa invite a faire. II est difficile, mais tres difficile qu'il en resulte gloire ou avantage pour lui, ou pour sa cause, et son eloignement, de ce c6te-ci de I'Europe dans les cir- constances actuelles pent avoir des ' inconveniens reels pour Tun et pour Fautre. Je suis sur, Madame la Com- tesse, que votre esprit penetrant les saisit d'aljord ; si vous les envisagez comme moi, votre opinion sera conforme a la mienne, et votre opinion (comme de raison) pent l)eau- coup.f Elle sera selon moi employee bien heureusement, si elle sert a determiner Monsieur a revenir dans ces parages. A moins que les affaires prennent une tournure bien heureuse, il ne pent rien k Toulon. Et si ceci arrive, comme j'aime a croire, un Regent de France fera cent fois plus d'effet de ce c6te-ci, qu'enferm6 dans une place assieg^e, ou sa presence ne fera que redoubler les efforts des assiegeants. Leur surcroit d'acharnement contre la ville pent meme occasionner en addition, et s'il y a des malveillants parmi les habitans, ils peuvent degouter les autres, et avec un tel otage entre leurs mains, les per- suader a marchander un accommodement, et il n'est pas besoin de vous mettre sous les yeux tout ce qui resul-
* Toulon had, early in this year, been given up to Lord Hood, on condi- tion that it should be returned to the Bourbons at their restoration. We held it till the end of the year, when we abandoned it to the Republican armies, having first brought oiF our troops and destroyed the shipping.
t Madame Balbi had great personal influence with Monsieur, afterwards Lou-is XV'in.
VOL. Ill, D
34 DIARIES AND CORRESPONDENCE. [l793.
teroit cl'aiFreux si Monsieur se troiivoit au pouvoir des Patriotes.
" Je sais la juste deference qui est due a la Cour de Madrid, qu'elle a agi depuis la Guerre avec toute la loyaut6 possible, mais peut-etre n'a-t-elle pas calcule les inconv^iiens que je vieus de citer, et je les crois si reels, que je ne doute nulleraent que s'ils furent repr^sent^s en Espagne, elle ne voudroit plus que Monsieur entreprisse de se jetter dans Toulon.
" Je suis si accoutuin6 de vous parler avec toute la confiauce possible, IVIadame la Comtesse, que je ne crains pas de penser haut avec vous, sur que de telle mani^re que vous envisagiez mes sentimens, vous n'en ferez jamais un mauvais usage."
Saturday, Dec. 28. — Prince Ferdinand presented to the King. — Visit to Lelirbach — shewed me his memorials on arrival here — those which had passed between Luc- chesiui and the Austrian ministers. — Lucchesini's style harsh, and not cordial — evidently with a view to get the Court of Vienna into a promise of pecuniary succours before England, in order to facilitate their project. — Italian and shabby. Dined with the Prince Louis. Opera. Supper at Prince Royal's. King told me of bad news from "Wurmser's army — that he had lost two battalions and twenty-one pieces of cannon. He seemed rather pleased with this bad news,''" but admitted that it would do harm by raising the spirits of the Jacobins. — Talked of Ifassau's coming. I said I hoped his commission would noiu be useless. Madame de Reuss, niece to Prince Sacken.
Sunday, Dec. 29. — With Colonel JManstein by appoint- ment, at 11. He pressed much for a plan of campaign — condemned the last — said tlic first should have been
Tliis feeling of hatred towards Austria was shared by every Minister at Berlin, and every officer in the Prussian army, and rendered all our efforts to eomhinc efficiently the two nations aaainst Fiance nnavailins'.
1793.] BERLIN. 35
made against Lorraine, not against Alsace — this was against the course of the Rhine, and of course the country rose — that it carried the two armies from each other — urged the necessity of money ; that it was im- portant that it should be known " if it was to be given, that measures may be taken — said it would require three months and a half to put the army in readiness to begin the campaign — talked of recruiting, magazines, &c. &c, — he seems heavy, but not without parts. Walked for the first time. Dined at Hertzberg's — found him shew- ing three Poles, on a map, how he would have divided Poland, if he had been consulted. Great and moderate dinner. The Minister Blumenthal preaching peace. Ball and supper at the Queen's — played with Prince Sacken and Prince Ch, of Mecklenburg.
Monday, Dec. 30. — Walked — dined at Nesselrode's — immense dinner — opera bufia. Bad news from Wurmser confirmed. Lehrbach came to me dejected and alarmed — said Wurmser's letter to the Duke of Brunswick was that of a man " au d^sespoir," that he seemed to have lost his head — represented his whole army as ruined, &c. The Duke of Brunswick's " rapport" and observations tending to enforce this — advises the keeping beyond the Rhine.
Tuesday, Decejtber 31. — Walked +o upholsterer's and cabinet-maker's. — Lehrbach — he read me all the unfavor- able accounts from the Rhine, as they were communicated to him to show me, by Colonel Manstein. — The Austrian army was attacked and beaten by the French near Trischweiler on the 22nd — lost two battalions and twenty-five cannons — French approach Landau, which must be saved — Wurmser retreating — Duke of Bruns- wick advises a battle — Wurmser declines it — writes a desponding letter to the Duke of Brunswick, dated Frenckenfeldt, 2Gth December, 1 793 — describes his army
d2
3G DIARIES AND CORRESPONDENCE. [l703.
as ruined, not in a state to be kept togetlier — relates the position he has taken, but says he cannot keep it, but must retire beyond the Rhine to save his army from utter annihilation- — Duke's answer to this is, to advise an im- mediate concert of measures, to attempt to save the hos- pitals, magazines, &c. ; to keep his position till the 28th, and then retire beyond the river Leich, and canton from Hambach to Germersheim ; if \Yurmser cannot keep be- yond the Rhine, at least to secure Manheim, and keep up the communication between the two armies; that on this the safety of Germany depended.
The Duke of Brunswick, in the report he makes of this defeat to the King, says, " que I Armte Imperiale est entierement renversee, et se ttvuve dans un Hat d'qjuise- ment et de mecontentement ;" that by his movement he had prevented its being cut ofi' from Weissenberg ; that he had proposed to attack the French, but that Wurmser's army was not in a state for it ; that on the 26th he had repulsed the French. The Duke then describes his posi- tion to the King ; ap])rehends that the Austrians must repass the Rhine, and that, by this means, the " blocus" of Landau must be raised, and nothing to be done but to canton the armv near Mentz,
Duke of Brunswick, in a letter to Manstein, described the Austrian army as without head, without money, and wifli- oiit discipline — recommends the King to write to Prince Cobourg, to attempt a diversion in the Low Countries, to re-inforce his army near Treves, and to cover Coblentz.
All these accounts, though true in great part, are pro- bably exaggerated, and sent with a view to depress the Court of Vienna, and facilitate the demands made here for money. Dined at home — supper at Queen Dowager's — tea with ]\Iadlle. Bishoj)swerder — Prince Nassau arrived in the evening late.
Wednesday, Jan. 1, 17.94. — Visits — King's Levee — dined with Queen Dowager — Prince Nassau came home with me — said he brought a long letter of six pages from the Empress Catherine to the King — he had seen the
1794.] BERLIN. 37
King after the Levee — he said to Nassau nearly what he had said to me ; was to see hira again — he read to me what he said was the precis of his conversations with the Empress, written down herself, and afterwards copied by him — begins by referring to " the treaties concluded be- tween Kussia and England, and Russia and Holland" — states the " necessity of fullilling his engagements" — mentions the Convention of 1793 "as strcnutheninff these engagements" — refers to the Treaty of Alliance and agreement with the Emperor, also the Convention of January 1793, and dwells on "the partition of Poland and the engagements he contracted for his share — that all these oblige him to continue the war;" and his own declarations and manifestos from the first, by his own confession, make him to be a principal in it. The Empress then, in the strongest terms, points out the risks he runs of the French principles getting into his country ■ — -" that he encourages them l)y weakness — that by his listening to timid councillors, and by going from foibiesse a foiblesse, Louis XVI. first lost his throne, then his life — if the King of Prussia fears a revolt, liis irresolution and wavering will provoke, not prevent it."
Describes the qmissement of her Treasury, and avoids touching upon pecuniary succours — talks of her impar- tiality, and desirous of preserving an equal power be- tween Austria and Prussia. Prince of Nassau said he in- tended to read this to the King of Prussia. His conver- sation very right, and in general sensible. lie called himself habitant du monde, and that he was taxed with being Prussian ; that he was of no country — said Aloj)eus was a Prussian agent ; he had orders not to trust him — lamented Lucchesini's absence as a man of sense tres/in; but added, that his being so, or not, in the present case was of no consequence.
I approved his reading this paper to the King, and to say, if an opportunity offered, that the sum required was out of all proportion to the succours ofie/ed ; lliat the one nmst be diminished, or the other very much increased, before anything could be agreed. Talking of the army, Nassau said he was sure the command of it
38 DIARIES AND CORRESPONDENCE. [l794.
would be taken from the Duke of Brunswick, who would retire of his own accord, and that he believed Mollen- dorff would have it. Opera — supper at Prince Louis — King expressed great anxiety that I should go on with the negotiation ; said, " qu'il ne desiroit rien que de retourner a rarmee."" I said I had no powers to con- clude, but that I was ready to suggest such ideas as I had, and thought were conformable to the wishes and means of my Court, and to listen to any His Majesty had to propose. I requested him to name with whojn he chose I should talk ; he hesitated as to naming anybody, but went on by urging the necessity of no time being lost — mentioned the Prince of Nassau — said he was to see him again the next day.
Tuesday, Jan. 2. — Walking in the morning. To Reeden, learnt nothing from him, — No letters from England ; now three weeks without any. — Dined at home. — At 5, Nassau. He said he had read that paper to the King (I rather doubted it) — expressed himself satisfied with what had passed ; asserted that he was quite sure of the King's good disposition, and also want of money. I observed, the sum was too great, or the number of men to be given too small — Nassau proposed an increase of the latter, the indemnity to be paid by France. I ap- proved it, desired him to see the King again. Agreed to it. Lehrbach came in — stated his mission to Nassau — prolix and ardent. Nassau went away. I then opened myself to Lehrbach on the different means suggested to supply the King of Prussia with money ; aj)pointed him next morning. — Ball and supper at Alvensleben's.
Friday, Jan. 3. — Lehrbach, and then Nassau, mth me. First uneasy — approved my idea of taking some step which miglit prepare the way, and advance the business — expected his messenger from Vienna back. — Nassau keen and sanguine — said the King of Prussia
1794.] BERLIN. 39
was eager to take the field — that he would see me at half-past ten next day — said he had read to him the paper he had shewn me, that it had great effect (talked rather en aventurier^).
Walked in the Park — dined with Rose — called on Madame Haugwiz — Dull supper at Princess Henri's, Loto. — Lehrbach came home with me, stayed till near two in the morning. His messenger returned — ordered to give in a note, to say his Court referred the arrangement to Russia — was tedious and prolix to a degree, full of suspicions and doubts about this Court, and not clear on any subject. Just after he went, I received an estafette from Lord Elgin, to inform me of the bad news of Toulon being retaken by the French on the 18th December.
Saturday, Jan. 4. — Up early, called on Lehrbach and Nassau. — At half-past ten to the King.
extract of a despatch from lord malmesbury to lord
grenville.
Berlin, 5th Jan., 1794.
The necessity of pecuniary relief which I must suppose to exist is, indeed, still the constant theme of the Prussian Ministers ; but they no longer seem to demand it (if I may be forgiven the expression) like sturdy beggars, but to be disposed to put their demands into the common course of negotiation.
I might unfortunately add, that the unpleasant events on the Rhine, and the still more unpleasant accounts from Toulon, struck me as forcible though uncomfortable motives for pressing forwards; and I was finally deter- mined to do so, from the repeated anxiety His Prussian Majesty has expressed to me almost every day, that, if I had not authority to go on, I would at least take some measures to prepare the way, and which might tend to facilitate future discussions when they were to take place.
On the 1st of January he took me aside before supper, and pressed this point so very strongly to me, that, ini-
40 DIARIES AND CORRESPONDENCE. [1794.
pressed as my mind was with tlie consideration I have just stated, I replied, that although I could not enter ministerially into the subject, yet, if His Prussian Majesty would allow me, I was perfectly ready to hear everything he might be disposed to say, and afterwards to submit to his consideration such ideas as appeared to me the most practicable, and the most conformable to the means and interests of the parties concerned. That I would, if he desired it, confer with any confidential persons he might appoint ; but that it would be infinitely more satisfactory might be allowed to see him. In consequence of this conversation His Prussian Majesty sent for me to come to him yesterday at half-past ten, and my motive for des- patching Slater is to inform your Lordship what has passed in this, and in another interview I have since had with him.
The King of Prussia began his conversation by repeat- ing to me the expediency he felt to continue the war, his invariable abhorrence of the French principles, and his thorough conviction that, if they were not checked, all government and all order would be overthrown ; and that if impressions had been attempted to have been made, either at London or Vienna, that he had in any degree altered his sentiments on these points, it was either the work of ill-disposed or bad-intentioned people, or the consequence of his principles being mis-stated or mis-understood. That it Avas necessity, and necessity alone, that governed his conduct ; and that if he was not certain that another campaign would completely exhaust his treasure, and leave him without the means of provid- ing for any future extra expense, he should not hesitate a moment as to the line of conduct he should observe. He said, he trusted I would give him full credit for this, and that the fidelity of my reports would leave no doubt on His Majesty's mind of the sincerity of his professions or truth of his assertions ; that he was eager and anxious on every account to return to his army, which (and it was for this reason he was so desirous of explaining him- self to me) he was so far from wishing to lessen or with- draw from its present situation, that he would increase it
1794.] BERLIN. 41
to the amount of 100,000 men, if it were possible he could be supplied with the means of supporting them in the field.
He paused here, as if he expected I should say some- thing relative to these means. I told His Prussian Majesty, and I believe with great truth, that the idea had gone forth so generally, and was so generally believed, that it was from a change of system, and not from any other reason, that he was about to withdraw himself from the number of the Coalesced Powers, that all the attention had not been bestowed on the diiferent ways of raising those means that would have been done, had the real reason been alleged in the first instance, and not a great deal of time lost, and suspicions raised, by unnecessary Memorials. That it was not in England alone this appre- hension existed, but also at Vienna; and His Majesty had a very recent and convincing proof from all he had heard from the Prince of Nassau in a still stronger degree at St. Petersburgh. That, when what His Majesty now said was known, there could be no doubt that these false and unfortunate impressions would be done away, and every possible attention paid to what he said. That if, in the meanwhile, he would condescend to explain himself, and state to me something like a plan on which so responsible an army as that of 100,000 men might be formed, I should hold it my duty to transmit what he said to my Court in any way he might direct, either as a confiden- tial or as a ministerial communication. That I only wished it to be understood by His JMajesty that I had no authority to proceed, much less power to conclude ; that my positive orders were to wait till the return of the messenger I despatched on the 26 th ult. ; and that he would be pleased to consider what I had ventured to say, and my undertaking to repeat what I heard, as an effect of the high confidence I reposed in him, and of my per- haps too forward zeal to determine an object the import- ance of which was so strongly felt. I repeatedly urged this at different moments of the conversation, and it was distinctly admitted by the King of Prussia. If, therefore, it should be thought that I have observed an improper
42 DIARIES AND CORRESPONDENCE. [l794.
conduct, I have at least carefully avoided committing my Court: I have spoken all along as/rom myself ; and every- thing which I have said or done may be disavowed with- out the possibility of an accusation of inconsistency or retracting being fixed on the declarations and measures adopted by His Majesty on this occasion towards this Court. Having stated this circumstance as clearly, I hope, to your Lordship as I did to His Prussian Majesty, I shall now proceed to relate wliat he went on by saying, which he desired might be considered as a confidential commu- nication to serve as the basis of a future arrangement. His Prussian Majesty declared he was ready to bring into the field the number of men stipulated by his treaty of alliance with the Emperor, and his contingent to the Em- pire ; tliis he said would amount to about 28,000 men (for he rated his contingent at only 7,500) : and that he would by the opening of the campaign increase his army to 100,000 men, if the Coalesced Powers could supply him with the means of defraying the expenses of this addi- tional number. He thought this might be done by each of them taking a quota part of the whole expense, and that the money might be raised by a loan, for the secu- rity of which, part or the whole of France should be engaged : that he had understood also that the idea of creating a paper currency had been suggested, (I found this had been intimated to him by the Dutch ]\Iinister here,) and that, though he was by no means experienced in finance, he thought this might greatly facilitate the operation ; but as he had not the remotest view of enrich- ing himself, but only to prevent his being involved in complete ruin, he was ready that the expense requisite for the maintaining this corps (72,000 men), with their necessary dependences in the field, should be regulated by two commissaries, the one on his part, the other on that of the Coalesced Powers.
That at the head of tliis army he would begin tlie cam- paign, by acting in such a manner as he trusted would leave no doubt of his sentiments on the present war, or of his invariable wish to fulfil his engagement to the utmost of his power.
1794.] BERLIN. 43
Sunday, Jan. 5. — Writing. Haugwiz at twelve : his manner gentle and pleasant, but not easy. Dwelt on total emptiness of the treasury — said the King could contribute nothing — Empire should contribute. With Nassau : he shewed me his intended report, good and correctly stated. Dined at Marshal Mollendortf's ; long but good : he very right and satisfactory. Supped at Queen's.
Monday, Jan. 6. — Writing. Despatched Slater at one. Baron Leuthe, Hanoverian Minister ; talked with him about the means of the Empire ; alarmed lest an exchange should take place, and Mecklenburgh Schwerin be given to the King of Prussia in lieu of the Margraviates. Short walk ; dinner at Nesselrode ; wrote to Whitworth by Nassau's messenger. Opera ; supped with the King ; he very anxious still to go to the army — talked to me of nothing else.
Tuesday, Jan. 7. — Walked — dined with Queen — supped at Arnhim's ; sat next the Princess Louisa, pleasant, ami- able, and well educated, Ridotto — quadrille — Reeden as Godfrey of Bouillon — ridiculous !
Wednesday, Jan. 8. — Writing all day. Dined t^te-a- t^te with Darnley. Lehrbach, late in the evening, brought me the answer to his note. King of Prussia refuses the mediation of Russia — insists on having his army sup- plied, or threatens to withdraw it by 1st of February. Lehrbach angry — states a mistake in the answer — is to get it altered.
Thursday, Jan. 9. — Writing in the morning. Darnley went away at two. Dined with Prince Sacken — great dinner. Supped with Queen Dow'. Played with Prin- cesses Louisa and Augusta. Got into my new house.
44 DIARIES AND CORRESPONDENCE. [1794.
LETTER FROM LORD MALMESBURY TO LORD GRENVILLE.
Berlin, Thurs^day, 9th January, 1794.
My dear Lord, — The inside of this Court is really a subject fit only for a private letter : unfortunately it is so closely connected with its public conduct, and influ- ences it so much, that I wish to give you every informa- tion relative to it in my power, I have been here so short a time, and so constantly employed, that my account will be naturally very imperfect ; but Lord Darnley, who has had more leisure and opportunity than myself to in- vestigate it, will supply the defect.
The female in actual possession of favour is of no higher degree than a servant-maid, She is known by the name of Mickie, or Mary Doz ; and her principal merit is youth and a warm constitution. She has acquired a certain degree of ascendency, and is supported by some of the most inferior class of favourites ; but, as she is considered as holding her office only during pleasure, she is not courted, though far from neglected, by the persons of a higher rank.
The two candidates for a more substantial degree of favour are Madlle. Vienk and Aladlle, Bethman. The first (I really believe, extremely against her will and her principles) is forced forward by a party who want to acquire consequence ; and I am told she has the good wishes of Lucchesini, who thinks he shall be able to lead her, Madlle, Bethman plays a deeper game : she acts from, and for, herself ; she professes to love the King, but that her principles prevent her giving way to it ; she is all sentiment and passion ; her aim is to be what his first mistress was, and to turn to her account all the licentious latitude it is said the lllumint's allow them- selves, Madlle, Bethman is cousin to the wealthy banker of that name at Frankfort, and, from what I have learnt there, is perfectly qualified to act the part she has under- taken. The King of Prussia inclines to believe all she says, and calls her " mie jille bonne et precise."
Jjucchesini is still certainly a ver}'' governing man here. Why he went to Vienna on a commission which re-
1794.] BERLIN. 45
quired no superior talents, or was likely to produce any great applause, and why lie stays on there, I cannot learn ; unless, we are to suppose him acting in complaisance to his wife, who is at daggers drawn with her sister, Madame Bishops werder, and who I am told dislikes Berlin,
Bishopswerder is undoubtedly restored to great per- sonal favour, but hitherto is neither consulted nor trusted in an}^ matter of business, foreign or domestic. He is now living at Potsdam. The King of Prussia visited him there on Monday, and writes to him, as I hear, every day.
Manstein is his great opponent, and very unlike him in character : he is rough, active, and interested. He has no system of his own ; depends on Lucchesini, and pays the most assiduous court to Haugwiz, who is the only person amongst the Ministers of State at all in possession of the King's favour or confidence. Haugwiz has gentle and pleasing manners ; without knowledge and experience, but with capacity sufficient to understand an unpleasant commission, and temper enough to acquit himself of it with great moderation. He is supposed also to be an illumine, and it was as such he was first noticed by the King.
Count Finck and Alvensleben, the other two Ministers for the Foreign Department, are perfectly insignificant. Finck is respected for his age ; Alvensleben is the fine gentleman of Berlin, and takes the lead in all the balls and suppers. Among the other Ministers of State none are worth mentioning but Struenzee, who is said to be an able financier, although no proof of his ability in this branch is to be found.
The first man, undoubtedly, here in every respect is the Marshal Mollendorf ; he possesses character and in- tegrity. He thinks and reasons most judiciously on the part this country ought to take. It is of the last conse- quence that he should command the army, if the Prussian army is to act.
In regard to the Foreign Ministers, either by forming connexions here, or from a deficiency of understanding,
46 DIARIES AND CORRESPONDENCE. [1794.
they are all much more like agents of this Court, than like men of rank sent to attend to the interests of their own. Prince Reuss from Vienna, Count Zinzendorf from Saxony, Mons. Alopeus from Russia, and, above all. Baron Reeden from Holland, come so entirely under this de- scription, that it is impossible to derive any other ad- vantage from a connexion with them, except to learn what the Prussian Ministers wish you to do.
I am at a loss what to say of the Prince de Nassau. I am well aware of the French proverb, that says, " Nothing is so like an honest man as a clever rogue," but I really do not know whether it might be applied to him. I have as yet discovered no deceit or duplicity in his conduct, and his vanity and indiscretion have rather given me an advantage over him in our conversations. He is uncom- monly well received by the King, who likes his manners, which are very pleasant.
I am exceedingly well satisfied with Count Lehrbach : he is open, confiding, and active ; his only fault is the betraying too strongly his feelings at the manner in which this Court does business, and his suspicions of its insincerity. The answer he has just received to his last note, though it is drawn up in the usual style of their official papers here, yet does not make any material dif- ference as to the main object; and I think the King of Prussia, having declined the mediation of the Empress of Russia, may by displeasing her produce rather a good effect. This measure I believe to have been advised by Lucchesini from Vienna, since, when I first mentioned it to tlie King of Prussia (on Saturday morning), lie seemed rather pleased with it. I am, &c.
Malmesbury.
Friday, Jan. 10. — LehrlDach w^ith me early — consulted what he was to say at this appointed conference — Nassau eager and sanguine — Reeden more communicative in con- sequence of a letter from the Pensionary — offers to act in concert. Lehrl)ach again ; relates before Reeden the re- sult of liis conference — Alopeus (Russian Minister) at it
1794.] BERLIN. 47
— I recommend that Lelirbacli, Eeeclen, and myself should act in concert. To the Opera — conversation with Haugwiz — mentioned to him all my letters from England having been stopped. To Count Reuss, thence to the King's supper, and then returned with Madlle. Bishops- werder to Reuss's — she in the carriage told me her father was coming here — that he believed for both our sakes, and that of the cause, it was better I should not appear to be much with him — that he had as yet acquired no political favour, although it perhaps might come.
Saturday, Jax. 11. — Writing — short walk — pleasant dinner at Prince Reuss's — assembly at Marshal Mollen- dorff crowded — King and Royal Family all there — supper tedious and long.
Sunday, Jax. 12. — Wrote to Vienna — King's levee — MoUendorfT appointed to the command of the army in room of Duke of Brunswick — Court and supper at the Queen's.
Monday, Jan. 13. — Nassau with me early — reasoned on MoUendorff's going — Thiel and the Minister Schu- lenberg to go with him. Walked — dined with Reeden — Opera — supped with the King — he still anxious for news from England.
Tuesday, Jan. 14. — Wrote — called on Rose, Madame Reuss. Supper at Arnim's with two Princesses — sat next Princess Louisa at supper — very pleasant and ac- complished— Ridotto.
Wednesday, Jan. 1.5. — Walked to several gardeners, and afterwards dined with Prince Nassau- — ball and supper at the King's.
48 DIARIES AND CORRESPONDENCE. [1794.
Thursday, Jan. 16. — Alopeus — visited Madame Schu- leuberg — Queen Dowager at supper — played with the Princess Royal — afterwards Alvensleben's — singing — small party.
Friday, Jan. 17. — Conference with Marshal Mollendorff — his ideas right, and intentions excellent — his plan of campaign, to leave the Prussians the defence of the Rhine, and to increase the Austrian army in Flanders — the Prussians to attack by Lorraine, the Austrians by Pi- cardy — said two or three millions might be advanced from home. Dined with Count Finckenstein — Opera — supper at Reeden's.
Saturday, Jan. 18. — Walked — dined at Arnim's — • assembly at the ]\Iinister Haugwiz.
Sunday, Jan. 19. — King's levee — walked with Haug- wiz in the Park — he suspicious lest we should make a separate peace— afraid of the openiDg of Parliament ; in other respects right and well-spoken. Dined at home — supped at the Queen's.
Monday, Jan. 20. — AYrote — walked. Dined at home ; Lehrbach dined with me. Opera.
Tuesday, Jan. 21. — Wrote — dined at Queen's— supper at Arnim's ; ridotto.
Wednesday, Jan. 22. — Walked to Charlottenberg. Dined at Nesselrode's. Visited Madame Schulenberg. Conversation with him — same language as the other Minister ; he more clever — Supper and ball at the King's.
1794.] BERLIN. 49
Thursday, Jan. 23. — With Madlle. E. Bishopswerder ; said that her father's enemies (Manstein and Haugwiz) had contrived to interrupt her sister's match with Ga- venski, a Pole — thought her father's influence was nearly over — said Madame Dienhofi' was at Augermunde. Walked with her — advised to observe and take care of Reeden, the Dutch Minister "" — to find out if there was no French intrigue going on, &c. — Dined with Count Reuss — fiftj-one persons. Concert at Countess Maurice Bruhl. Supper at the Queen's.
SuxDAY, Jan. 26. — King's levee. Dined at home. Sup- per at Queen Dowager's.
Tuesday, Jan. 28. — Dined at Queen's, on Marianne Bishopswerder's marriage with Count Gavenski, a Pole. Supper at Armin's. Ridotto — the last.
Wednesday, Jan. 29. — Dinner at Nesselrode's. Ball at Court — the last— danced.
Friday, Jan. 31. — Dinner at Minister Struensee's — Chevalier Bouffleurs there.
Saturday, Feb. 1. — Dinner at Zinzendorff's. First assembly at Count Finckenstein's.
* Reeden was decidedly French by inclination and interest, and jealous of Kinckel, the Pensionary, and others of his countrymen more distinguished by the Stadtholder than himself. — Harris Papers.
VOL. III. E
50 DIARIES AND CORRESPONDENCE. [1794.
EXTRACT OF A DESPATCH FROM LORD MALMESBURY TO LORD
GRENVILLE.
Berlin, 1st Feb., 1794.
I AM sorry to say tliat suspicion and mistrust increase every day between this Court and that of Vienna. It is as difficult as it is useless to decide where the blame lies. M. Lucchesini has undoubtedly behaved with the most unjustifiable petulance, and the peevish method the Prussian Cabinet has of doing business has worked very sensibly on the frank but irritable temper of Count Lehrbach, and possibly contril)uted to sour his reports. My only wish is, to keep everything even until some decisive measure is agreed upon ; this once determined, it will be very easily discovered from the conduct of this Court whether it is playing false or not ; and if it is, it requires no instructions either to Count Lehrbach or me, to know what we ought to do. In the meantime, although it would be highly censurable to act on a principle of implicit confidence, yet the manifesting a direct contrary opinion prematurely, prepares us for a negotiation, every step of which will be marked by cavil, mistrust, and ill- humour.
Your Lordship will undoubtedly have heard from dif- ferent quarters that this Court has agents at work to negotiate either a truce or separate peace with the Con- vention.'^ This idea has, I have reason to believe, found a place in the correspondence of most of the Foreign Ministers here, and certainly would not have been omitted in mine could I have grounded it on any positive data. It rests principally on the departure of a person of the name of Settan (formerly with Count Goltz at Paris), who left Berlin a fortnight ago, and who it is supposed is gone either to Geneva or Deux Points (it is doubtful which) to meet an agent from the Convention ; and it is added that he received his instructions from Baron Alvensleben, and set out from the house of this Minister in the night. I
* The National Convention at Paris.
1794.] BERLIN. 51
cannot even ascertain the matter-of-fact part of this report; and if it could be done, unless we were sure of the rest, it would only lead to a conjectural conclusion which would be in such direct contradiction to the positive assurances I hear daily from the King of Prussia, that although I am very far from being credulously confident, and disposed to make great allowances for instability of character, yet I confess I should think I acted unfairly, if on such loose ground I suffered my mind to suspect a duplicity of conduct so very disgraceful when coming from so high a quarter.
Sunday, Feb. 2. — Court.
Monday, Feb. 3.— Breakfast at Fredericksfeldt with Meden. Went with Count Reuss— dined with me at home, and Prince Reuss. Supper at Prince Henry's — played with Princess Royal.
Tuesday, Feb. 4.— At home— supper for the wedding -afterwards at Madame Gavenska.
Wednesday, Feb. 5. — Called on Madame Reuss and Madame Gavenska. Walked. Dined at home. Supped with Queen Dowager. Went with Landgrave George of Darmstadt into her apartment — she and Queen very much pleased with King's speech. Timms (messenger) arrived with full powers for me.'"
Thuesday, Feb. 6.— Called on Lehrbach and Reeden.
* The despatch here alluded to contains Lord Grenville's scheme. It was that 2,000,000/. should be given to the King of Prussia to bring 100,000 men into the field. Tliat England should furnish two-fifths, or 800,000/., Austria one-fifth, the Republic of Holland one-fifth, and the other fifth should remain as an advance from Prussia, to be reimbursed by France at the restoration of peace. Lord Grenville suggests an invitation to Russia to join in the subsidy.
E 2
52 DIARIES AND CORRESPONDENCE. [l794.
Went into tlie park to meet the King. Walked with him and Haugwiz. Dined at Nassau's. Supped at Bellevue — went with the Reuss's.
Friday, Feb. 7. — With the King — Lehrbach had a Ministerial conference. Dined with Nassau — he said he would go to Vienna. Ball at Finckenstein — Nassau and Lehrbach there — very hot.
Saturday, Feb. S.— Death of Kivilicl-i.^ To Prince Reuss. Assembly at Amiens. King eager for Nassau's going to Vienna — presses the business.
EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM LORD MALMESBURY TO SIR
MORTON EDEN.f
Berlin, Stli Feb. 1704.
We are engaged, my dear Sir Morton, in one of the most material negotiations that ever existed, and on our success depends the fate of Europe. I am happy in having you for my fellow-labourer. Our situations, how- ever, differ materially — you are at a Court, all sincerity, confidence, and system. I need not say how different our position is, but it is of the utmost importance for me to conceal all I feel and mistrust ; to betray my suspicions would destroy every means I have here of getting on. I consider all we are now about, as leading ultimately to that wise and natural union between England and Aus- tria, which lasted for their mutual advantage and benefit for so many years. But to attain this, we must get suc- cessfully through this war ; and to ensure success, we must employ every means in our power, as well of exer- tion within ourselves, as to induce others to act Avith us efficaciously and vigorously. This principle is the clue of all we are about here.
* Kivilicki was Polish Minister at Berlin — and tlie last. f English Minister at Viciiim.
1794.] BERLIN. 53
Sunday, Feb. 9. — Haugwiz. Dinner at Nesselrode's. Wrote to Vienna by Meckel. Conference — refuse note verbale. Supper at tlie Queen's.
DESPATCH FROM LORD MALMESBURY TO LORD GRENVILLE.
Berlin, Sunday, Feb. 16th, 1794.
My Lord, — I am now to give your Lordship an account of the manner in which I have obeyed the instructions contained in your despatch of the 28th of January, de- livered to me by Timms late on Wednesday the 5th inst.
If I have deferred sending this account longer than perhaps was expected by your Lordship, it has arisen from my feeling the extreme importance of coming to a clear and explicit understanding here on the several points I had it in command to discuss, and of not re-des- patching a messenger till I had it in my power to state to your Lordship so distinctly the result of what I had done, that it might lead, if possible, at once to a decision, and not bring on fresh and doubtful deliberations, which from the time they must consume would defeat the end Avhich the measure itself was intended to produce.
I am well aware that I have not done this in so com- plete a manner as may be wished, but I trust some allow- ances will be made, as well for the complicated nature of the subject itself, as for the particular character of the Court at which I am employed.
My first object, after I had made myself master of the spirit of your Lordship's very able despatch, was to see the King of Prussia. I found him walking in the park near this town on Thursday morning (the day after Timms' arrival). The publicity of the place, and the num- ber of persons round us, made it impossible to enter mi- nutely into the business ; but he appeared well pleased with the hasty communication I made him of the outlines of my instructions. He appointed me to come to him the next morning, and desired me in the meanwhile to see Count Haugwiz — this I had an immediate opportunity of doing, as he was also walking. The King of Prussia
54 DIARIES AND CORRESPONDENCE. [l794.
joined us in a more retired part of the park, and on my then, at his request, explaining myself more fully, he, in the presence of his confidential Minister, expressed such an eagerness for the business to go on, that I began to hope I should find fewer difficulties in the course of my negotiation than I had reason to expect.
In this first conference with Count Haugwiz, I confined myself to the general purport of my instructions, without entering into details, or coming to any specific proposi- tion. I contented myself with stating succinctly to him His Majesty's favourable disposition to assist the King of Prussia, jointly with the other coalesced Powers, with pecuniary support, provided that for such assistance a Prussian army, to the amount which had been named, should be brought into the field ; and I, on this, (as I have done on every preceding occasion,) expressed His Majesty's invariable expectation that the stipulations of this Treaty of Alliance with His Prussian Majesty should be acknowledged, and if possible complied with. I found Count Haugwiz disposed to listen to everything I said with attention ; he expressed much satisfaction at the cordial and liberal manner in which His Majesty had en- tered into the situation of this Court, and seemed inclined (as indeed I have since found him to be) to facilitate, as far as lay in his power, the success of the measure with which I was charged. He expressed, however, a wish, that in the first instance I should open myself to his colleagues in a conference according to the usual forms, but undertook afterwards to obtain from the King his master, orders for going through the rest of the business with me himself.
I was with His Prussian Majesty on Friday morning, the 7th instant, at ten o'clock. His Prussian Majesty, be- fore he gave me an opportunity to speak, sliewed so much eagerness to act, lamented so feelingly the inability of the finances, and expressed such satisfaction at what I had told him of His ]\Iajesty's sentiments and intentions the day before, that I felt I should only incur all the in- conveniences belonging to an appearance of art and cun- ning, and drive His Prussian Majesty back again into a
1794.] BERLIN. 55
system of reserve and suspicion, if I did not speak out fairly. I said, therefore, at once to His Prussian Majesty, that if he would be pleased to declare to me, without re- serve, the amount of the army he would undertake to have on the Rhine, and the lowest calculation of the means ne- cessary for providing for such an army, I would on my side with freedom and openness tell His Majesty how far it was within the bounds of my instructions to meet his idea, and come up to his demands.
The King of Prussia without any hesitation replied, that it was his wish to bring 100,000 men into the field, comprising in this number 6000 Saxons, and 2000 or 3000 troops of the Palatinate ; that, as this subject had employed his mind constantly since the departure of my second messenger (Slater), he had given orders to his war department to make out the most exact account, what such an army, with every contingent expense attendant on a campaign which was not to be a defensive, but an offensive one, and carried on at a great distance from his frontiers, would cost ; that he had particularly ordered it should not be exaggerated ; that he would direct this account to be laid before me, and that I was at liberty to compare it with any other I could obtain, or to make any inquiries or animadversion on it I pleased, as it was his sincere and honest wish, that it should be as true and as accurate as possible,
I replied that on the amount of this sum the whole depended, since, if it was wide of that His jMajesty con- ceived to be within the possibility of the united Powers to grant, the negotiation must at once fall to the gTound. His Prussian Majesty, with great warmth, said, he trusted this would not be the case ; and taking out a pocket-book, said, from a paper in his hand, that the lowest expense of such an army as we proposed to assemble, acting in the way and in the country where it was to act, would amount to twenty millions of dollars, without reckoning the bread and forage.
I replied, that this sum was so much beyond what my powers authorised me to comply with, that it was almost useless to mention them. " Remember," says the King of
56 DIARIES AND CORRESPONDENCE. [1794.
Prussia, " that I am ready to go to the whole extent of my resources ; explain to me yours. Let us act up to the magnitude of the cause we are defending, and not, when we both wish and intend the same end, be afraid who shall first commit himself by proposing the means."
I assured His Prussian Majesty no such apprehension could exist in my mind, when I had the advantage of speaking to him, and that I would give him an imme- diate proof of it by obeying his orders.
I then, my Lord, (I trust I shall not be considered as having acted either injudiciously or inconsiderately,) stated to His Prussian Majesty the particulars of my in- structions. I mentioned the two millions sterling, as the first and last sum I had to propose ; and as this was to be raised by difierent quotas, paid by other Powers, I ob- served it was necessary before any final arrangement could take place, to have the concurrence of the Emperor, and of Holland. I confined myself simply to the sum of two millions offered and to the 100,000 men required in return. To agree on these two leading points seemed to me to be the great object I had to obtain from the King of Prussia himself ; and that these once settled with him, the detail part of the business would go on much more smoothly with his j\Iinistcrs.
His Prussian Majesty, after a pause, said ; Short as the sum was of the expenses he must incur, he would agree to the terms, providing the empire would contribute bread and forage, and provided he might be alleviated in some shape or other from his quota, which he declared he was utterly unable to pay, in addition to the sums he must expend over and above that he was to receive for the maintenance of the army we required.
I observed, that the recurring to the Empire for bread and forage, was a point to which I had no authority to speak, but which I conceived belonged more properly to the great Powers in Germany to determine on ; that I presumed, however, that my royal master would not think it unfair that the Empire should contribute in a degree adequate to its al)ility to the (;arrying on a war so intimately connected with its safety and defence ; but at
1794.] BERLIN. 57
the same time I was quite sure, and happy to have an op- portunity given me of expressing it clearly and strongly to His Prussian ]\Iajesty, that His JMajesty never would con- cur in any arrangement grounded on the plans of seques- tration or secularization, because His Majesty considered them as founded on unjust principles, and as extremely dangerous to the tranquillity of Europe ; that, in regard to the quota at which His Prussian Majesty was rated, I was extremely sorry to find he objected to it, because I was fearful this objection would raise an insurmountable obstacle to the conclusion of the business ; and even that if it did not, if such a Treaty of Union as this now under negotiation was to be laid before the public, (as it neces- sarily must be,) and His Prussian Majesty appear in it, not as a contracting party to the joint expense, but merely as one subsidized, it would not only lessen his consideration amongst the Powers of Europe, but also appear as if his concurrence in the cause was not so cor- dial or disinterested as that of the three other Powers.
I entreated him, therefore, to consider the subject, and not for the sake of avoiding a temporary inconvenience, reject a proposal, the acceptance of which appeared to me as closely connected with both his dignity and interest.
Although His Prussian ]\Iajesty combated but feebly what I said, yet I perceived he had been prepared to hold out on this particular point. He referred me to his Mi- nisters on it, and said he would recommend me to be as practicable on this and on every other I had to treat as possible.
From the King of Prussia I went to Count Haugwiz, and from this Minister to a conference with him and his two colleagues. Count Haugwiz, who had seen the King at an earlier hour in the morning than myself, was pre- pared for all I had to say to him in consequence of my audience. In our conversation, which from the time of my appointment at Count Finck's was very short, he stated, that the only two points on which we could at all disagree was, that the Empire, in addition to the sum of two millions sterling, should supply bread and forage, and
58 DIARIES AND CORRESPONDENCE. [lHU.
that the quota allotted to the King, his master, should be arranged differently.
In the conference, which was composed of the same persons I had before met on the same occasion, I stated that it had given my Royal Master great pleasure to re- ceive from His Prussian Majesty the most positive assur- ances, that he considered the Treaty of Alliance which united them as subsisting in its full force, at the same time that His Majesty had to regret that the efibrts His Prussian Majesty had made during the two last years, had so considerably exhausted his treasury. But as the continuing the war was not a measure of choice, but one of necessity, and as the pressure of the moment called every day more and more for a plan of vigorous and decided operations, His Majesty observed with extreme satisfaction, that the sentiments of His Prussian Majesty were perfectly conformable to his own ; and that, with this conviction on his mind, and feeling the importance of His Prussian Majesty taking a leading part in the next campaign, it was his wish to see the Prussian army aug- mented to a much greater force, and his desire, as far as circumstances would allow him, to contribute jointly with other Powers to this augmentation ; that His ^lajesty having maturely weighed these important considerations in his mind, had come to a resolution, subject to the con- sent of the other coalesced Powers, of furnishing His Prussian Majesty with a very considerable sum of money, (and I then mentioned the sum and the allotments with the same reserve I had used before towards His Prussian Majesty and Count Haugwiz,) on condition that he w^ould have an army of 100,000 men on the Rhine; that in this number I required in His Majesty's name that 16,000 in- fantry and 4000 cavalry should be supplied by His Prus- sian Majesty, as the succours stipulated by the Treaty of Alliance subsisting l)etween the Courts of Great Britain and licrlin. I intimated that it was His Majesty's wish tliat these 100,000 men should be a separate army, and under tlie connnand and direction of tlie King of Prussia. I cndod by recalling again to the minds of the Prussian Ministry, that the whole of this arrangement was subser-
1794.] BERLIN. 59
vient to the consent of the Court of Vienna, and to that of the States-General, to whom His Majesty has communi- cated this projected arrangement, but with whose decision he could not as jet be acquainted.
The Prussian Ministers, after minuting what I said, took it for reference, in order to report to the King of Prussia ; and very little passed on their part except a few vag-ue expressions from Count Finck, signifying the insur- mountable difficulty he foresaw in furnishing his fifth part. I made only a general reply, reserving all I had to say on tliis point till I was alone with Count Haugwiz.
I was prevented by various reasons from seeing him on Saturday ; the evening of that day, however, I had a short conversation with His Prussian Majesty, and had the pleasure to hear that he was perfectly satisfied with what I had said to His Ministers.
On Sunday evening I was invited by them to another conference, when after reading to me the minute or p?'o- tocole of what had passed in that of Friday, Count Finck put into my hands a note verhale, which he told me was drawn up in consequence of the King's orders. On read- ing it over, I immediately felt, that if I received it jninis- terialli/, and transmitted it to your Lordship, that it would from its style and tenour certainly puzzle and pro- tract, if not entirely defeat the negotiation. I therefore begged leave to be allowed to take it home with me to peruse at my leisure, and to decline receiving it from them officially, till such time as I could put into some order, and be able to state to them for their considera- tion, the many objections I had to make to it. Some of these I mentioned directly, and on the whole represented it to them so forcibly, as being likely to impede the suc- cess of the negotiation, that they would have withdrawn it before I left the conference, if I had insisted on it. I wished, however, to have it in my power to send your Lordship a copy of it (which I here enclose). You will be pleased, my Lord, to recollect it is a paper absolutely suppressed ; that no part of it is in force ; that it is even scarce fair towards the Prussian ]\linisters to communi- cate it, and that my only reason for wishing you to see it
60 DIARIES AND CORRESPONDENCE. [1794.
is, that you may the better understand what has since passed between Count Plaugwiz and me.
I saw him on Monday morning early, when I told him very freely I was convinced our negotiation would never end pleasantly if it was to be carried on by des notes verhales : that they had, in the course of the Autumn, gone near to set the two Courts at variance, "^'^ and that several parts of that delivered to me yesterday was of the same nature as those I referred to. I then read it over with him, and made my objections as I went along.
I objected strongly to the idea of His Prussian Majesty refusing to pay his fifth part, and still more to the pro- posal of dividing it amongst the other three powers.
I objected to the increase of 16,000 men as insuffi- cient ; and although I could not speak as to the propriety of the Saxon and other troops of the empire serving with this army, I could not possibly admit the idea of these corps being counted to complete the number of 100,000 Prussians we were agreeing for.
I resisted decidedly the proposal that His Majesty should become a guarantee that bread and forage should be supplied for the maintenance of the Prussian army by the Empire, supposing this measure should be adopted.
I objected to the date to be fixed to the Treaty, i)ar- ticularly if in addition to the giving it this retro-active force, an advance of two millions of croAvns, as appeared from the note, was to be required. I told him I disliked the fixing a precise term for the completion of a mea- sure, the utility of which was evident to all the parties; and that if these once agreed, they would for their own sakes bring it to a conclusion as soon as possible. In short, after going through the whole Note, 1 said, that as I was quite certain His Prussian ]\Iajesty earnestly wished success to the negotiation, and that I was speaking to a minister who partook of the sentiments of his Sovereign, I believe I might venture, without any disrespect either towards His Prussian Majesty or his ministers, to desire him (Count Ilaugwiz) to take back this note verhale,
* ^Vllen His Prussian Majesty attempted to escape from his cngaj^emcnts iiKule by tlie Treaty of 1787, ilcnyiiig the present war to he a casiisjkdcris.
1794.] BERLIN. 61
and to adopt some different mode of pursuing our business.
Count Haugwiz, after a good deal of argument, but carried on with the greatest good temper on both sides, gave up the idea of reckoning the Saxons and other troops amongst the 100,000 men, and also that of His ]\Iajesty's becoming a guarantee for the Empire supplying the army with bread and forage ; but he made a stand on the impossibility of the King of Prussia paying his quota, and on the date fixed for giving effect to the Treaty. He assented to me, and made use of the expression "/oi de- gentilliommef that, notwithstanding the very liberal supply we were disposed to afford His Prussian Majesty, that over and above the two millions sterling His Prussian Majesty would be obliged to disburse at least seven millions of crowns, and that if, in addition to those seven millions, he was called upon to furnish his fifth quota, which would amount to upwards of two millions and a half more ; it would not only entirely empty his treasury to the last penny, but force him to have recourse to a loan. That it was from the same principle that the year 1794, from its beginning to its end, was taken as the term for the dura- tion of the Treaty ; since by making the first day of the year the date of the Treaty, His Prussian Majesty would receive about the two millions which was necessary for him to complete the army on the Rhine, and put in motion {en Hat de mobilite) the number of troops neces- sary to raise it to 100,000 men. And that if this date was admitted, the advances required would cease of course.
I employed uselessly every argument in my power to make him give up these two points ; he opposed to everv one I used, the invincible one, that it was not in the King of Prussia's power to act otherwise than he did.
He then adverted to what I had said relative to the notes verbales, which he was ever ready to admit was quite true, but asked what mode I wished to adopt in their stead ? I replied, that nothing could forward the busi- ness so much, and lead to a decision one way or other so quickly, as to draw up a projct of a treaty. That in addition to this he should give a correct and true state of
62 DIARIES AND CORRESPONDENCE. [l794.
the number of fighting-men to be empk)jecl ; which I said I required should be all Prussians, and not mixed with any troops of the Empire, and also a faithful and minute account of the expenses of such an army in the field ; that the being in possession of these three papers, which I should transmit to your Lordship, the business might at once be brought to a point, for they would serve to shew what His Prussian Majesty intended to do, what he expected the other Powers to do, and the conditions by which the performance of these reciprocal engagements were to be ensured. That I saw no other possible way of bringing the business to an early determination. And that in the present situation of afiairs, it certainly had better be broken off at once, than die away in a lingering negotiation; as while any hopes of its success were kept alive, other measures that might be adopted for pursuing the war with equal vigour would be suspended.
Count Haugwiz approved very much this method of proceeding ; he took back the note verhale, which he ob- served I was now to consider as null and void, and said he would immediately mention to the King my motives for not receiving it, as well as the way I had traced out for forwarding the negotiation.
On Tuesday morning the 11th instant Ileslop delivered me your Lordship's despatch. I was happy to find from its contents that I had in some points forestalled your Lordship's orders, and in none acted contrary to them. What your Lordship mentions of the reluctance of the Court of Vienna to contribute any pecuniary assistance to the King of Prussia, and of its jealousy of the effect which might be produced by placing him at the head of so large and separate an army, was evident from the conduct of Count Lehrbach towards me for the last three weeks. I do not mean to say tliat it has been at all unfriendly or disagreeable, but his language has been one perpetual abuse of the character and conduct of tliis Court, without ever mentioning his own, from whence he declares he has not received a line for nearly a month. I endeavour to conceal from him that I observe this tilte- ration in liis manner, and am still more careful to conceal
1794.] BERLIN. C3
it from the ministers here, who would be too ready to catch at anything which could gratify their never-ceasing animosity against the Court of Vienna,
I passed several hours with Count Haugwiz, both in the morning and evening of Tuesday. Our great object was to hit on some temperament which might make it practi- cable for His Prussian Majesty to contribute his fifth part ; but we could devise none on which we could agree. Count Haugwiz proposed as ultimatum, that the sum to be given should be two millions and a half sterling, rated in the same manner as the two millions already oifered ; and that if this were agreed to, His Prussian Majesty would then consent to furnish 500,000/. as one-fifth part of the whole, without any stipulation for a reim- bursement at the peace, and put himself in this arrange- ment, precisely on the same footing with the other sub- scribing Powers.
I told him my instructions were so binding as to the utmost extent of the sum to which I was to go, that I could not give him the smallest hopes that this increase would be admitted, but that I would mention it to your Lordship. The expedient he proposed for easing the King of Prussia of his quota will appear in the 'projet. It scarce deserves that name, and I send it because I could not gain any ground on this point.
Count Haugwiz said the King had commanded him to conform to the three points I had proposed ; that he had orders from His Prussian Majesty to draw up, without loss of time, the project of a treaty ; and also to give me the most exact account of the names of the regiments which were to compose the army we required, and the amount of its expenses for one campaign : that it would require two days to have these papers in readiness, parti- cularly that relative to the choice of the regiments, which was a point the King settled himself, without allowing anybody to interfere.
Wednesday and Thursday I had no communication with the Prussian Ministry. I employed these days in endeavouring to collect the most accurate information I could obtain of the expenses of a large army in the field.
64 DIARIES AND CORRESPONDENCE. [l794.
such as I have been able to acquire, I shall send in a separate despatch.
Count Lehrl^ach could afford me no assistance ; he is no military man himself, and has nobody with him at all versed in military concerns.
On Friday morning I received a message from Count Finck, desiring me to attend a conference at twelve o'clock, when I received from the Prussian ]\linister the enclosed projet of a convention. They also gave me a list of the army His Prussian Majesty intends to have on the Rhine, if this Convention is agreed to, and a statement of what such an army thus employed would cost. I enclose both these papers.
In regard to the Convention itself, it is such a one, as after what I have written, your Lordship will be prepared to receive. I had in my conversations with Count Haug- wiz, prevailed upon him to alter several parts of it, parti- cularly an insertion they had made, requiring that the in- terest on the loan to be raised by His Prussian ]\rajesty, and considered as his quota, should be paid in equal shares by the coalesced Powers, in addition to their being security for the reimbursement of the principal sum borrowed. In this original projet also, the first of January stood as the day from which we should commence the payment of bread and forage for the 20,000 men furnished to us by treaty. This I of course could not hear of, and it remains in blank to be filled up.
I could not by any possible suggestions obtain any other mode of regulating His Prussian Majesty's fifth part, every one which tended to lay the charge more directly on him, was resisted from the plea I have already men- tioned. The alternative the Prussian JMinisters have pro- posed under the title of Premier Cas, would certainly get rid of this difficulty, and in the choice of these two articles (supposing they are not botli treated as inad- missible) it is perhaps a point for consideration, whether in the event the several Powers are not equally liound by both of them to pay ultimately the fifth share allotted to His Prussian Majesty, and if this is tlic case, the first would not bo iho most preferal)le, as His Prussian Majesty
1794.] BERLIN. 65
offers to contribute 500,000/.: 400,000/. would be the sum wanted to complete the two millions and a half, which 400,000/. is also the amount of the reimbursement to be secured; if we take the second case. Count Haugwiz suggested that France should be engaged eventually at the peace for the repayment of this 400,000/. to the three Powers, on the same conditions we had proposed it should be repaid to the King of Prussia ; but I declined entering into any deliberation on the subject, repeating to him that my instructions were positive, and that I could not listen to any proposal which required our supplying a larger sum than that I have mentioned.
In regard to the term of this present year being fixed for the duration of the Treaty, notwithstanding I repre- sented it as likely to be found liable to great objections, I could not prevail upon the Prussian Ministry to alter it.
I discussed all these points again, after the conference, with Count Haugwiz, and with the same effect.
The list and amount of the army speaks for itself It is, I believe, on the whole correct, and is certainly com- posed of the choicest troops the King of Prussia has. Count Haugwiz observed to me, that, if the reinforcement to be sent appeared inferior in number to that necessary to raise the army now on the Rhine to the amount we required, it was from His Prussian Majesty intending to put on the full war establishment the regiments which were there ; and Count Haugwiz took upon himself to pledge his word that the whole number stated should take the field, and that I might be sure His Prussian Majesty, as well for the sake of his military glory, as out of a regard to his engagements, would take care it never should be less.
As to the calculation for the expenses, I have closely questioned General Gensau and Colonel Manstein, who are at the head of the War Department, on that point. I re- presented to them how essential it was for their Master's honour, and for the success of a negotiation to which they were so cordially well-wishers, that the account should be as fair and as clear as possible. They both assured me they felt this, and had never lost sight of it
VOL. III. F
G6 DIARIES AND CORRESPONDENCE. [1794.
while they were drawing it up. Yesterday morning (Saturday) the King sent for me to come to him. His Majesty kept me with him some time. He recapitulated everything that had been done, which he hoped (what- ever might be the fate of the negotiation) woidd give His Majesty a convincing proof of his earnest wish to co- operate in a cause on which their feelings and sentiments were so perfectly similar : that he most assuredly should not have applied for pecuniary assistance, if he had any means left within his kingdom for continuing the war in an effectual manner without it : that he felt in the strongest degree the confidential, liberal, and open man- ner in which His ]\Iajesty had acted on this occasion to- wards him ; and that it gave him the greatest satisfac- tion to see that the two Courts were now placed again on a footing of mutual confidence and cordiality : that it had given him great pain to observe that this had been for a while interrupted, and that doubts had been enter- tained that he intended to abandon the cause abruptly ; and, what hurt him still more, that he could degrade himself so much as to enter into a negotiation with the Convention (which he qualified with the most injurious epithet). He authorized me, in the strongest expressions, to declare the contrary ; and finished a longer speech than I ever heard him make, by desiring me to express from him to His Majesty every possible sentiment of personal friendship and regard, and every wish to unite the two Courts by a system of the closest political union.
I made a suitable reply to what I heard, (which I do not exaggerate in the report I have just made,) and I took this opportunity of saying to His Prussian IMajesty, that if, from an impossibility of concurrence on the part of the other Powers concerned, the transaction with which I was charged should not be found practicable, that from the readiness His ]\Iajesty had shewn to comply with His Prussian Majesty's request, and from the manner in which he entered into his situation, I hoped that His Prussian Majesty would consider liis engagement with His Majesty by treaty as binding, in preference to any other, and that, as the necessity for continuing the Avar would still
1794.] BERLIN. G7
remain, he would, in concert with His Majesty, take the most efficacious measures for pursuing it with vigour.
His Prussian Majesty did not hesitate a moment to say he would. The rest of what passed was relative to the p?^ojet I had received, which His Prussian Majesty sincerely hoped would be adopted, and assured me that the negotiation never should fail by his refusing any concession which may be required of him, and which it was in his power to make. He spoke out of humour of the Court of Vienna, which he said was losing time and creating de- lays at the moment when the pressure was so great that too much expedition could not be employed. He seemed to have hopes of the good effect of the Prince de Nassau's journey there, and calculated that he would arrive nearly about the same time that Sir M. Eden would receive your Lordship's instructions. His Prussian Majesty men- tioned, as he had often done before, the Austrian indem- nity, and wished to know where they would be. On my saying, probably in Alsatia, Lorraine, and Flanders, he said he should be perfectly ready to agree to this, if the Court of Vienna would come to a fair explanation on the subject.
I was with Count Haugwiz again yesterday and this morning, and we again went over the whole business ; but I do not recollect that any new matter arose, or that anything passed worth relating, except that the Count assured me, that from the different letters they had re- ceived, and from the language of the Electoral Ministers here, there was every reason to expect that the Empire would very readily consent to contribute bread and forage to the Prussian army, if the measure was recommended and supported by the Emperor.
I shall now no longer delay sending away my messen- ger : I could have wished some information had been re- ceived from Vienna relative to the intentions of that Court before I despatched him, but this is not likely to come as yet for several days ; and as it will, when it does arrive, lead probably to long discussions and Ministerial conferences, I thought it most advisable (and in this Count Lehrbach agreed with me) not to wait, but to
r 2
G8 DIAUTES AND CORRESPONDENCE. [1794.
transmit you the steps I had taken here, and the form into which I had put the business, in order that it might go on, at least as far as related to England. To save time was my principal motive, and for this reason I have been as circumstantial and minute as possible. Yet I still fear I have omitted many points to which your Lordship will think it necessary to recur before any final arrangement can be taken. With the materials you have now in your possession you will be the best judge whether some " provisional convention" might not be pro- posed and signed while the " main treaty" is under deliber- ation. Had my colleagues of Austria and Holland been prepared, I felt myself, empowered by my instructions to have done it now; but without them it was useless for me to propose it, even if any one could have been drawn up which would have satisfied the views of this Court without pledging too far the other Powers.
The first point of any provisionary arrangement must be the consenting to advance two or three millions of dollars to His Prussian Majesty, as they persist here in declaring that without this advance it is impossible for them to put the army in motion. I have, &c.
Malmesbury.
Right Hon. Lord Grenville, &c.
Monday, Feb. 10. — Breakfast at Frederickstadt with Meden — went with the Reuss's and stayed till five — at Haugwiz's till seven — at home to write.
Friday, Feb. 14. — Writing. Conference received projet of convention from Haugwiz.
Saturday, Feb. 15. — Writing. Haugwiz called on me. With the King. Assembly at Court — supper at Meden's — elegant apartments.
1794.J BERLIN. 69
LETTER FROM THE DUKE OF PORTLAND TO LORD MALMESBURY.
London, Sunday, 16th Feb., 1794.
My dear Lord, — ^ly good friend and neighbour, Mr. Mellisli, is very anxious that I should request your countenance and protection for the young gentleman who will have the honour of delivering you this letter ; his name is Lawrence, and I understand that the object of his ambition is to qualify himself for the diplomatic line, for which I most heartily wish we had a supply of fit and able persons, because we can't divide you into one quarter of the situations where your services would be of importance to the common cause, and where I know they are wished for as much as ever they are in Holland, from whence I never receive a letter without lamentations for the want of you, and representations of the necessity of your return there, or of some person as like Lord Malmesbury as possible being sent there. General Bentinck writes me word, that by the end of the week after next the Hereditary Prince of Orange will he at his head-quarters at Namur, at the head of an army of about 25,000 effective men, rank and file, by which I hope he means exclusive of officers. I know you will be glad to hear that I have got a majority for my son William,"' and that I am not without hopes of getting him a lieut.- colonelcy before the opening of the campaign, and that in such a way as will enable him to gratify himself in serving again under the Duke of York, who will return to the army the latter end of next week. But I cannot help saying, that unless the licentious, not to say mutinous, spirit against the Duke of York, which prevails among our troops, and which originated in, I am sorry to say, and is even culti- vated in, the Guards, is not subdued and extinguished, there is an end of the army, and that of the country can- not be very far distant ; and, when I cannot deceive my- self with respect to the quarters from whence this infernal spirit is encouraged, I cannot consider it but with equal
* Lord William Bentinck, who afterwards commanded our army in Sicily, and was Governor-General of India in 1831.
70 DIARIES AND CORRiiSPONDENCE. [1794.
astonishment and horror. I wish this intimation, but which I think cannot be new to you, may enable you to be of some service ; and yet I can have no great confi- dence in the influence you possess either at Carlton House, or the Queeiis Lodge. I am, &c.
Portland.
Sunday, Feb. 16. — At Court — writing at home — re-des- patched messenger.
EXTRACTS OF A DESPATCH FROM LORD MALMESBURY TO
LORD GRENVILLE.
Berlin, 16tli Feb., 1794.
I LOST no time in acquainting both Count Lehrbach and the Baron de Reede with the substance of the in- structions brought me by Timms.
I explained to both of them the sum His jVlajesty had supposed requisite to empower His Prussian ]\lajesty to bring 100,000 men into the field, and the manner in which His Majesty proposed this sum should be raised.
They applauded and approved the idea, but informed me that they were without any specific instructions on the subject.
The Dutch Minister, indeed, expressed a readiness to subscribe to any eventual arrangement I might make; but Count Lehrbach declared himself to be absolutely without any poAvers, and that he could not take upon himself to act without them.
As I perceived these symptoms of jealousy and appre- hension, your Lordship's despatch has since confirm- ed to me, growing very fast in the mind of the Aus- trian Plenipotentiary, I made it my particular object to be as open and confidential to him as possible; and I spared no pains to impress his mind with the importance of the object, and that it was such that all collateral and ordinary considerations ought to disappear before it.
1794.] BERLIN. 71
After delaying Timms from Wednesday till Saturday, and hesitating what I should do, I determined at last to send him to Petersburgh. Sir Charles Whitworth will be the best judge of the steps he is to take in conse- quence of what I wrote, which was stating to him the turn I by that time saw the negotiation was likely to take here. I fear we must expect nothing from the Empress but fair words, but it would be contrary to my duty to act solely on this idea.
Monday, Feb. 17. — Lehrbach with me. Dined with King — called on Nesselrode — wrote to Petersburgh — supped and played ombre with Prince Henry.
Tuesday, Feb. 18. — King went to Potsdam. Wrote to Vienna — called on Madame Reuss — supper at Count Finckenstein's.
Thursday, Feb. 20. — Walked. Ball at Prince Royal's. King returned from Potsdam.
Friday, Feb, 21. — Walked with Haugwiz — dined at home — Haugwiz very friendly and communicative — if Vienna does not agree to our plan, proposed to form a new one between England and Russia. Alvensleben in the evening.
Sunday, Feb. 23. — Walked — dined at home — ball at King's. King talked about Vienna, expressed his doubts of that Court acceding to the convention.
Monday, Feb. 24. — Walked and breakfasted with Princess Royal and Louis — dined at home — supper Princess Henry.
72 DIARIES AND CORRESPONDENCE. [l794.
Tuesday, Feb. 25, — At home till evening — Bellevue — pleasant style of supper — played deep wliist witli Princess Ferdinand.
Wed^^esday, Feb. 26. — Letters from Vienna — that Court disinclined to accede ; Lucchesini's description of it to Haugwiz. With him in the morning — long conversa- tion on the subject — great acrimony and prejudice against the Court of Vienna — I endeavour to soften it. Dine at home — sup at Queen Dowager's.
EXTRACTS OF A DESPATCH FROM LORD MALMESBURY TO
LORD GRENVILLE.
Berlin, 1st March, 1794.
Wednesday morning a messenger brought letters from the Marquis de Lucchesini, to say that the Court of Vienna was by no means inclined to come into the terms proposed. I had letters to the same effect from Sir W. Eden, and Prince Nassau gave similar informa- tion to the King of Prussia.
Count Haugwiz, whom I saw soon after these letters were received, expressed himself in very severe terms on this behaviour of the Court of Vienna, which he called tergiversation. He said, the King his master partook strongly of the same feelings, and was determined to insist on an early and decisive answer. He said to me the greater part of M. Lucchesini's letter, which appears to be written with less virulence than I ex- pected to find in his style. After mentioning the dis- inclination in the Court of Vienna to accede to the terms of the Convention, he enters into a description of its IVIinistry ; he states the whole power as being in the hands of Baron Thugut and M. Eollin, and that tliey are the great opposers to the plan of coalition ; that Prince Colloredo and Marshal Lascy are not unfavourable to it ; that the Elector of Colegrave is decidedly for it. In the evening of Wednesday I saw His Prussian
1794] BERLIN. 73
Majesty, who spoke of the intelligence he had received from Vienna as his Ministers had done; and he added, that he was extremely concerned to perceive that the jealousy and suspicion there, was likely to defeat the whole negotiation — that everything, however, ought to be done to prevent this. Thursday morning, Count Haugwiz told me the substance of the instructions they intended to send by Lucchesini, by a messenger that evening. The style of this letter, which was commu- nicated to me, is less cordial than I could have desired ; but it is that of the underlings in the Prussian offices, who are left to draw up all these papers, and who think they increase their master's importance by making him talk a high and even uncivil lang-uage.
I felt it of such infinite importance that His j\Iajesty's Minister at Vienna should be exactly informed of what was going on here, and as I am sure, from the way in which Lucchesini mentions Sir Morton Eden in his despatches, he would not be so from him, that I deter- mined to send one of my servants to Vienna with an account of what had been done; and this servant (on whose fidelity and expedition I can depend) left Berlin on Thursday evening, nearly at the same time as the messenger despatched by the Prussian Ministry.
I hope, my Lord, that I have not exceeded my duty in saying this much. The most difficult and hopeless part of the important measure now under negotiation is, to keep the two Courts of Berlin and Vienna on anything like even tenns : extreme suspicion and envy pervade them both ; and their mutual prejudices are so strong, that it is impossible to believe them when speahing of each other. This unfortunate principle supersedes every other consi- deration, whether it be one of common danger or of mutual advantage ; and I much fear we shall feel the bad eifects of it during every period of the negotiation, and even after its conclusion, let it terminate how it will.
Friday, Feb. 28. — Walked. Dinner at Pteeden's. Vi- sits. Tea at Alvensleben's — Duke of Brunswick came.
74 DIARIES AND CORRESPONDENCE. [1794.
Saturday, March 1. — Called on Madame L. Reuss. — Dinner at King's with Duke of Brunswick — great dinner — King very civil, but formal with the Duke. Supper at Queen's^Duke of BrunsAvick told me he was glad M()llen- dorfF had the command ; he would do better politically than he could— Duke appeared soured — said he was 7no- ralement malade, and that he would come and tell me his whole story.
Sunday, March 2. — Court in the morning. Walked. Dined at home. Ball at King's — Princess Louis's birth- day.
Monday, March 3. — Dinner with the King — small dinner — Duke of Brunswick silent and obsequious. Sup- per with Prince Henry.
EXTRACTS OF A DESPATCH FROM LORD MALMESBURY TO LORD
GRENVILLE.
Berlin, 8th March, 1794.
Although I am preparing letters for your Lordshij), to go by a Dutch messenger who is to leave Berlin this evening, yet, as it is most likely he will travel slower than the post, I think it necessary to write a few lines, to say, that, in consequence of ]\Iarquis Lucchesini's letters, and of the reports made by Prince Nassau, who returne<l on Thursday night, the dissatisfaction of this Court towards that of Vienna is at its height. The civil terms in which Count Lehrbach conveyed the refusal of the Em- peror to accede to the arrangement proposed, and the friendly professions with which he qualified this refusal, have been of no service ; neither has any effort of mine as yet been able to soften the King of Prussia's feel- ings, or to alter his opinion on the conduct of the Emperor.
In j)r(ijiortion, however, as his resentment against the
1704. J BERLIN. 75
Court of Vienna is great, his assurances of remaining in- violably attached to His Majesty and to his system are strong.
Count Haugwiz repeats this to me every day, and has expressed his earnest desire that some new plan may be immediately formed for establishing a military co-opera- tion between His Majesty, and the King of Prussia, and the States-General.
I, however, have desired Count Haugwiz to wait a few days before any new projet is drawn, as I have reason to expect in a short time an answer from your Lordship to my despatches by Heslop, and also my servant sent back from Vienna.
The Prussian Minister acquiesced in the propriety of waiting till these messengers arrived, but intimated at the same time that it would be impossible (from the want of provisions and magazines) for the Prussian army to re- main on the Rhine in its present position later than the 1st of April. I replied, I could not suppose it possible that the King of Prussia would give any orders for it to move as long as any negotiation was pending ; as such a step, besides being perhaps in the event contrary to the conditions which would finally be agreed on, would pro- duce the worst and most dangerous effect. I shall per- sist in urging this, and have little doubt but I shall be listened to.
Wednesday, March .5. — With Count Haugwiz. Walked. 'New projet in contemplation.
Thursday, March 6. — Walked. Dined at Reeden's. With Haugwiz in evening — very right in his ideas. Supped at Princess Royal's.
Saturday, March 8. — Walked. Dined at Armin's. Assembly at Minister Haugwiz's.
76 DIARIES AND CORRESPONDENCE. [l794.
Sunday, March 9/- — Dinner at Prince Reuss's. Queen's supper and ball.
Monday, ]\Iarch 10. — Princess Ptoyal's birth-day. Din- ner at Prince Reuss's. Ball at King's. Haugwiz called on me to propose to remove the negotiation to the Hague'"' — I accept it.
LETTER FROM LORD MALMESBURY TO LORD GRENVILLE.
Berlin, 11th March, 1794.
My Lord, — As your Lordship may be surprised at not hearing from me at so very interesting a moment, I write to say that the return of my servant from Vienna last night, and some very interesting conversations I have since had with His Prussian Majesty and Count Haugwiz, make it expedient for me to send a messenger in a day or two. Li the meanwhile the Emperor persists in the most decided refusal, without alleging any other reason what- ever than that of money ; and although I am authorised by Baron Thugut to make a kind of indirect proposition, so much mistrust is expressed at Vienna towards this Court, that I despair of a possibility of ever deriving the smallest advantage from any plan in which their military operations are dependent on each other, and my object is, if possible, to hit upon one in which by acting sepa- rately they may act usefully. It is on this point I shall have the honour to write by the messenger.
I have, &c.
(Signed) Malmesbury.
* Lord jVIahiiesbury writes a despatcli of this date, describing the in- crcasin"' jealonsy and acrimony between the Conrts of Vienna and Berlin, greatly to be attributed, cither to Lucchesini's meanness, or to his French leanings.
t It appears from Lord ]\Ialmesbnry's papers, that, finding his projects constantly thwarted by the French party at Berlin, who were working on Ilaugwizagainst us, he determined, if possible, to remove the negotiation to tiie Hamie, and cleverly induced that ]\linister to originate the idea liiniself, by hinting that at the Hague he would be rid of all Austrian annoyances, and of the interference of his rivals at Court.
1794.] BERLIN. 77
Wednesday, March 12. — Dinner at Sacken's. Count and Countess Reuss left Berlin. Supped at Queen Dow- ager's.
Thursday, March 13. — At home. Ball at Prince Royal's.
Tuesday, March 18. — At home. Announced in the morning my going to the Hague to Finckenstein and Alvensleben — to no one else.
Thursday, March 20. — Went at eight o'clock with Count Haugwiz to Potsdam. Dined with only four per- sons with the King in his new palace — audience before dinner, and settled the plan — the King promises more fairly, expresses his desire to act, and detestation of the French — blames Austria.
extracts of a despatch from lord malmesbury to
LORD GRENVILLE.
Berlin, 13th March, 1794.
The failure of this negotiation has thrown us back to where we were three months ago, and we are on the eve of seeing the campaign open without any determined measures being taken to ensure the co-operation of this Court.
I trust, therefore, I shall be forgiven if I have ventured to go beyond the limits of my instructions, and taken upon myself to deliberate with His Prussian Majesty and his Ministers on some other means of ensuring his co- operation, even before I have received His IVIajesty's final orders on the p^^ojet de Convention I transmitted to your Lordship in mine of the 1 6th February by Heslop : but I have not committed myself in any one specific point ; everything is to be submitted to the determination of my Court. The great end I have had in view is to save time,
78 DIARIES AND CORRESPONDENCE. [l794.
by preparing the business in order to accelerate that determination.
I have acted on the supposition that a powerful and cordial co-operation of the King of Prussia is a most de- sirable object, and the primary one of my Mission ; that the Court of Vienna is irrevocably decided not to contri- bute to it in the manner proposed, and that this Court is as determined not to consent to the plan, the Court of Vienna being left out of it. I also venture to suppose that, if this co-operation is still attainable nearly with equal effect, and on nearly equal terms as those before stated, it will not be rejected by His Majesty.
These are the data I have taken for the ground-work of my conduct ; and, on their being admitted, the whole of its merit rests. As soon as it became evident to me that the Court of Vienna would not subscribe to the 2yrojet cle Convention, I immediately employed my mind in seeking the means to substitute, if possible, some other measure in its stead, which might in a degree compen- sate for its failure.
I was encouraged in this from the very great eagerness His Prussian Majesty constantly expressed to act ; from the concern he showed at the Emperor's refusal ; and from the confidential manner in which he conversed with me himself, and with which he directed Count Haugwiz (the favourite and only acting Minister) to treat me.
I found both the King and his Minister disposed to listen to anything I had to suggest and very ready to enter into any engagements with Great Britain and Holland.
I had, however, in the course of these conversations a very difficult part to support; as, although I had to agree with them that we were not to reckon any longer on the Court of Vienna as on a contributing party in the parti- cular measure on which we were debating, yet it was not for me to lose sight of the immediate interests of that Court ; and that, although I could not but admit it was separated from us in this distinct point, I was not to forget, for an instant, that it was intimately connected with us on all others ; that it made a very important,
1794.] BERLIN. 79
very sincere, and verj powerful branch of the Coalition, and that the same regard and care was to be maintained for its safety, honour, and interests, as if it had acquiesced cordially in the Convention.
By perpetually repeating to the King of Prussia that there could not, in the nature of things, exist any secret or dangerous designs on the part of that Court, that there was nothing offensive in its conduct towards him, and that the very worst interpretation that could be given to it was a timid jealousy which ought rather to flatter than anger him, I brought him gradually to be in tolerable temper ; and I should not do His Prussian Majesty justice if I did not say, that, when I stated to him how intimately connected the general welfare of Europe was "with his not appearing to be at open variance with the Emperor, he did not fully admit the consideration. It also was as fully admitted by Count Haugwiz, who talked judiciously and reasonably on the subject, and who I brought at last to listen to me with patience and good-humour when I remonstrated with him on the bad policy, as well as impropriety, of mixing up passion and personal resent- ment with the conduct of public business, and observed that the gratifying the one was highly pernicious to the other.
In the engagements which were to be made with the Maritime Powers His Prussian Majesty proposed that the force he should bring into the field should consist of 80,000 men ; that of these, 20,000 should be in garrison at Mentz, under tlie command of General Kalkrenther, to defend that place and cover the Empire ; and that the remainder should be employed in the way the most ad- vantageous to the general cause, and the most conform- able to the views and interests of Great Britain and Holland.
After various conferences on this subject, some with His Prussian Majesty himself, and others with Count Haugwiz, the detail of which would swell this despatch to a most unreasonable size without conveying any ma- terial intelligence to your Lordship, I have prevailed upon them to draw up two projets ; the one stating the
80 DIARIES AND CORRESPONDENCE. [l794.
subsidy required from England and Holland, the other the manner in which they conceive their army may be employed the most usefully.
In regard to the new projet de Convention to be con- cluded between the Maritime Powers and this Court, I have laboured as much as possible to lower their terms. That I now send is very different from what was first given me, which went to require, on our part, bread and forage for the whole army, and not even a semblance of the expense allotted to the King of Prussia.
I am just returned from a conversation with Count Haugwiz on this subject, in which I went over the whole ground again, and the very best terms I can obtain are those as they now appear in the projet.
In regard to the paper,'" which contains a reasoning on the operations of the war, — for it cannot in its present shape be called anything else, — it is grounded on the prin- ciple, that, as the defence of the Empire is now to be left to a force which is to arise from within itself, the offen- sive part of the campaign naturally will be carried on on the side of the Low Countries.
The King of Prussia has talked to me very much on this subject, and expressed his readiness to undertake any plan of attack on that side we should think proper to re- commend.
The King of Prussia, on my dwelling repeatedly in the most forcible manner on the necessity that his army should not quit its present station till further notice was given to the Austrian General of its intended removal, assured me positively that no part of it should stir till the first week in April.
It certainly would have been more desirable that no alteration whatever should have taken place in tlic situa- tion of the Prussian army till such time as I received an answer to this letter, but it was not in my power to efiect this; and what I have efiected, and what may yet be done, will, I trust, prevent any very great evil arising from the orders the King of Prussia has given.
* Inclosed, and to the effect here described by Lord IM. himself.
1794.] BERLIN. 81
The result of all I have written is, that from the inability of Austria to comply with the plan proposed, a new one is brought forward to be agreed to between Great Britain and Holland on one part, and the King of Prussia on the other, by which the number of men to be given will be reduced one-fifth (from 100,000 to 80,000 men), — I do not speak of rank or file in either case, — and one-fourth abated of the sum originally required. Of these 80,000 men, 20,000 men are for the present to remain as the succours due to the Court of Vienna by treaty, and the rest to be at the disposition of the Maritime Powers, to act on the side of the Low Countries.
In this new arrangement, the proportion of the force to be given to that of the subsidy required, is somewhat more advantageous than in the first plan, as we shall have 7.50,000/. to pay, instead of 800,000/. The 20,000 men making the Austrian succours, were always reckoned in the number the King of Prussia was to supply ; and although this corps for the moment is to remain at Mentz (and it is highly essential that it should), yet I should suppose that if required, the Court of Vienna would not refuse to let it (as a body of auxiliaries belonging to them, and for which they were to supply bread and forage) act with the other 60,000 men, and by that means keep the Imperial and Prussian armies entirely distinct from each other, which experience has taught, is a circum- stance on which the event of the campaign will probably depend.
The bread and forage to be supplied by us and the Dutch, I should by all means recommend to he paid for in money, and not furnished in kind. If the latter method was adopted, endless confusion and dispute would inevit- ably ensue.
The King of Prussia himself will be with this army, although the direction of it would be left to Marshal Mollendorf.
It may be, perhaps, said in favour of this plan, as pre- ferable to the other, that by bringing the greater force nearer us, it will ensure not only the safety of Holland
VOL. III. G
82 DIARIES AND CORRESPONDENCE, [l794.
and the Austrian Netherlands, but also open a very fair and reasonable prospect of success and conquests on that side.
The protection of these countries is certainly more material to us, and would be better understood by the nation, than that of the empire on the side of Suabia and Franconia, and any conquests made in French Flanders would certainly give greater pleasure, and be considered as more for our purpose than on the distant provinces of Lorraine and Alsatia.
These advantages, however, and every possible benefit which could arise from this measure, depends entirely on its being concluded on in time.
It required no arguments of mine to make these felt by His Prussian Majesty, but I was much, and, I must say, agreeably surprised, when on Friday last he sent me word from Potsdam, that with this impression strong on his mind, he had come to a resolution (provided I was ready to subscribe to it) to order Count Haugwiz to go with me to the Hague, and to give him full powers to negotiate and terminate the transaction there. His Prussian Ma- jesty added, that the treating with this minister would be the same as if I treated with him, and that from the proximity of Holland to England, as well as to the route his army was taking, much very valuable time would be saved in the execution of the orders by the Hague being made the seat of the negotiation and decision.
I am free to confess, my Lord, that I did not hesitate a moment in acceding to this proposal, which, while it carried with it so pleasing a proof of His Prussian Ma- jesty's sincerity, is attended with so many circumstances favourable to the business itself.
It is a most advantageous consideration the having to do with Count Haugwiz alone. I have acquired the habits of doing business with this Minister, and he is certainly a character more to be depended on than either of the other two. Count Finckenstein is superannuated, and Baron d'Alvensleben, though with little or no influence, is as adverse as possible to the war, and I am told his lean- ings and opinions are very different to tliose that ought to
1794.] BERLIN. 83
belong to the minister of a great Sovereign ; and it is im- possible for Count Haugwiz, while he is here, to carry any measure through, without previously communicating it to them.
I am also well pleased to be relieved myself from my colleagues on this occasion, for although I certainly have not any reason to complain either of the zeal or abilities of Count Lehrbach, or Baron de Reede, yet I by no means receive from them that satisfactory and judicious support I am certain of finding in the assistance and advice of Mons. Vander Spiegel. To this may be added the not being exposed to the great and active curiosity of all the Foreign Ministers here, and the effects of their idle reports, in consequence of what they collect, either from the corruption or extreme carelessness of the dif- ferent offices, which render it next to impossible for any secret to be kept.
In short, my Lord, in every point of view the negotia- tion will certainly go on with more safety and expedition at the Hague than here.
Our departure is to be a profound secret; we are to join the King at Potsdam, and begin our journey from thence. It is not to be told to any of the King's Minis- ters; and to prevent any suspicion. Count Haugwiz's full powers will be made out after he is gone, and sent after him.
Friday, March 21. — Our departure postponed. Dined with Bishopswerder. Supped with Manstein.
Saturday, March 22. — Craig with the King. King re- fused to lend any of his troops.'"' Dinner with Haugwiz. East the messenger arrives. Fresh proposals f — rejected. Our journey fixed for the next day.
* The Duke of York had asked, through Col. Craig, as a personal favour, for 4000 light troops.
t By a despatch which crossed Lord Malmesburj^'s, containing his projet of the 13th, Lord Grenville offers that England shall take into her service
G 2
84 DIARIES AND CORRESPONDENCE. [1794.
Sunday, March 23.— Re-despatched East. Col. Craig departs. We set out at one p.m.— reach Rathenan, eight miles, in ten hours.
Monday, March 24.— To ^' ^' ^' "' — twelve miles in eighteen hours.
Tuesday, March 25 — To Burgsdorff — nine miles in fourteen hours.
Wednesday, March 26. — To Salingen, eleven miles and a half in fourteen hours — pass through Hanover — much improved.
Thursday, March 27.^To Osnabruck, nine miles and a half — thirteen hours.
Friday, March 28. — To Delden — twelve miles in nine- teen hours and a half.
Saturday, March 29. — To Voorthi^en— eight miles and a half in fifteen hours.
Sunday, March 30. — The Hague— ten miles and a lialf in sixteen hours. We found the roads excellent every- where, very decent inns, and good treatment. We had twenty-two horses at each post. I lodged at the " Heeren Logement," at the Hague.
30,000 Prussian troops for a subsidy of one million per annum, and in- structs Lord Miilincsbury to make this the ultimatum ; but although the King of Prussia rejects the proposal, Lord Malmesbury, hoping to cany his piojrl of the 13th, leaves the negotiation still open.
1794.] BERLIN. 85
Monday, March 31. — Grand Pensionary — opened the business to him — told him that I had prevailed on Haug- wiz to stop the return of the Prussian troops till further orders."^' Dined at Court — most graciously received by everybody— much conversation with Princess and Prince of Orange,
EXTRACTS OF A DESPATCH FROM LORD GRENVILLE TO LORD
MALMESBURY.
Downing Street, 28th March, 1794,
Your Lordship's despatch of the 13th Alarch, with its enclosures, was received here on the 22nd instant, and has since been under the most serious consideration of His Majesty's confidential servants.
Nothing can have been more proper than your Lord- ship's having entered, as far as could be done without committing your Court, into the discussion of the means of securing the limited co-operation of Prussia, after the more extensive plan had failed ; and you will since have perceived how much your ideas accorded with those adopted here on that occasion, particularly with respect to the conciliating as far as possible the views and dispo- sitions of the two great German Powers, although the uniting them in one plan in the manner proposed, from hence was found impracticable. The interest which all Europe has in the union of the principal Powers engaged against France, is certainly such as to make it desirable that much should be passed over, and much conceded to so important a point; and the impressing the King of Prussia with this sentiment, is perhaps of all others the most important object in the present moment.
The King's servants entertain some hope from the cir- cumstance of His Prussian Majesty having proposed to remove the negotiation to the Hague, that the present im- pression of His Prussian Majesty's mind may not be un- favoura])le to His Majesty's views ; but they cannot conceal
* On pain of breaking off all further negotiations.
86 DIARIES AND CORRESPONDENCE. [1794.
from themselves that there are still many circumstances of a suspicious nature, and that on the whole great caution must be had as to any reliance which is to be j^laced on the present assurances. Your Lordship's conduct in assent- ing to the proposal for this removal, is entirely ap2)roved ; and it is highly satisfactory to me that this circumstance will so much facilitate the means of my communicating with your Lordship on this interesting business. I trust that I shall hear by the next mail of your Lordship's arrival at the Hague, where your business will also be facilitated by the presence of the King's ambassador to their High Mightinesses, with whom I had, before receiv- ing your Lordship's letter, taken the necessary steps for his immediate departure.
To the pecuniary part of the projet, stated to you by Count Haugwiz, no objection will therefore be made on His Majesty's part; and I trust it will not be found im- practicable to induce the Republic to accede, on the con- sideration which I shall have occasion to state in the course of this despatch particularly, as any considerable reduction in the expense of bread and forage would bring their contribution down to very little more than the sum to which they have already shewn a willingness to accede.
But with respect to the form of the transaction, two points occur which appear material.
The paying by retrospect for three months, which have already elapsed, and for another month, which may possi- bly elapse before the business can, even in its present shape, be brought to produce its full effect, and during all which time the Prussian troops have been in no re- spect at the disposition of the ]\Iaritime Powers, or even employed in concert ^vith them, appears very objection- able.
Witli respect to the j\Iilitary Paper, no considerable objection is felt here to the destination there proposed for the Prussian army ; but as this point cannot, of course, be matter of public treaty, it may be sufficient to express in the Convention, that the troops furnished as the contin- gent, or subsidized b)/ the Maritime Powers, are to act in the Lotu Countries, and that a Concert shall immediately
1794.] BERLIN. 87
be entered into on that subject respecting the most effectual mode of carrying on operations against the com- mon enemy. As a part of such secret Concert, His Ma- jesty woukl be quite content to abandon the idea of re- quiring the Prussian troops actually to join his army in Flanders, provided that the arrangement is adopted for their acting in one army on the side of Namur. If you find that it would facilitate the conclusion of this business, that it should be understood that His Prussian Majesty should himself be at the head of that army, no objection could arise to this idea from hence, and you will of course express to His Prussian Majesty in proper terms, the just sense which the King entertains of the advantage which the cause would derive from His Prussian Majesty's pre- sence and personal exertions. It is, however, evident, that the precise regulation of the operations and desti- nation of the Prussian force must require concert with the Austrian Generals, and this is greatly facilitated by the removal of the negotiation to the Hague. It is therefore material that no time should be lost in bringing to a con- clusion the other parts of the negotiation, which, from these instructions, I flatter myself you will be enabled to do, with no other delay tha,n must arise from the share the Dutch Ministers are to have in it ; but, in this point of view also, I am not ignorant of the great advantage which the business will derive from your Lordship's knowledge of the persons and Government with whom this matter is to be settled at the Hague, and from your long experience of the manner of doing business there.
It is, however, likely, that the necessity of the concur- rence of the Republic in these measures, and the delay which must arise on this account may give sufficient time for your transmitting here for approbation, previous to actual signature, any jyrojet on which you may ultimately agree with Count Haugwiz ; and on an occasion of such extreme delicacy and importance, this, if it can be done without incurring the mischief of delay, would certainly be more satisfactory to your Lordship, as well as to the King's servants. But if you are of opinion that any hazard would arise from this, the King would rely with
88 DIARIES AND CORRESPONDENCE. [1794.
confidence on your Lordship's known abilities and expe- rience, and you are at full liberty to conclude on the principle of these instructions without further reference home.
Tuesday, April 1. — Writing. Visits. Dined at Keller's. Pensionary and Haugwiz after dinner.
"Wednesday, ArRiL 2. — Walked. Dined at Alva's.
Thursday, April 3. — Pensionary and Greffier—projet de Traite. Dined with Elliot — circle. Little supper at Court.
Saturday, April 5. — I send projet de Traite to Eng- land. Walk. Dinner and supper with the hereditary Prin- cess— she handsome and i)leasant, but pale — her Court well served — she inhabits la Vieille Cour.
Sunday, April 6. — Pensionary at twelve. Dine at home Dne. Visit concert at Court — s^ talk at supper with the Princess.
alone. Visit concert at Court — some Emigres sing — much
Monday, April 7. — Walk with Haugwiz. Dine at Archil)ald Hope's. Supper at Keller's — bad society — Jaco- bin style — she prcttyish.
Tuesday, April 8. — Greffier. Projet of separate con- vention with Holland. Greffier calls on me — dine with him — a family dinner. Concert at Lady M. Reedo's — court there — stay late.
1794.] BERLIN. 89
EXTKACT OF A DESPATCH FROM LORD MALMESBURY TO
LORD GREIS^VILLE.
Hague, 8th April, 1794.
The alarms at JVIanheim, Mentz, Frankfort, and all along the Rhine, on the idea that the King of Prussia was either going to separate entirely from the Con- federacy, or to remove his army from that neighbourhood, pass all description.
I have no doubt of the reality of the fears of the in- habitants in general, and it would be unreasonable to say they are wholly groundless ; but I am satisfied that there is a description of men in the three towns I have men- tioned above, who make it their business to raise and in- crease these fears, by every possible exaggeration of the danger. I do not mean to include the Martial Mollen- dorff in this number. He is a man of an honourable, open, and upright character, but is of an easy temper ; and most of those who surround him have their particu- lar interests and designs in view in impressing his mind with opinions, which would be very different if it was left to its own natural operation.
The persons I particularly allude to (besides many in- ferior ones whose names would be unknown to your Lord- ship) are Count Sclmlenhurg and General Kalkreuther, whom I know oppose to the utmost all we are doing here, and who are attempting to make the Marshal MollendorfF, and through him the King of Prussia, believe that his army is averse to serve in the Loav Countries,
Count Haugwiz, confident of his own strength, and secure of the King his master's favour, apprehends no danger, nor even inconvenience, from this quarter. I am not quite so easy about it, and wait with great impatience an answer to the letters he has written on this subject to Potzdam.
The chasseur despatched by Count Haugwiz on the 31st March, with orders to stop the retreat of the Prussian army, returned here to day ; the order appears to have given great pleasure to Marshal JMollendorff, who
9U DIARIES AND CORRESPONDENCE. [l794.
writes word that everything is now quiet and safe, and that he will be responsible that no impression shall be made by the enemy on the side of the Rhine, as long as his army holds its present post. He presses, however, the necessity of losing no time.
Thursday, April 10. — Dined at Kalitcheif's. Supped at Lady Athlone's — the Court and the Princess of Hesse Homburg there.
On the 1 7th I received the j(?ro;V1! of the two Treaties approved, and although the 18th was Good Friday, and the 19th Saturday in Passion week, I had influence enough to assemble the States General, and get them to approve the treaties, and to give full powers to the Pensionary and Greffier, and we signed them on the afternoon of Saturday the 19th April, in the apartment where the " Besogue Secrete " meets. I despatched the same even- ing a messenger with them to England. I remained at the Hague till Friday, April 2.5th, when, in consequence of instructions from Lord Grenville, I went through Brussels and Flushing to England.
EXTRACT OF A DESPATCH FROM LORD MALMESBURY TO
LORD GRENVILLE.
Hague, 19tli April, 1794.
Shaw delivered me your Lordship's despatches of the 14th instant on Wednesday the 16th at noon, and I now redespatched him with the Treaty between His Majesty and the States General on the one part, and the King of Prussia on the other, as well as with tlie Convention between His Majesty and the States General, duly signed and executed by the several contracting parties. I trans- mit, at the same time, the separate Article signed be- tween His Majesty and the King of Prussia, which relates to the renewal of the Treaty, and also copies of notes which have [)assed between me and Count Haugwiz, and
1794.] BERLIN. 91
between me and the Pensionary and Greffier on these subjects.
All these instruments were signed about an hour ago, in the apartment where the Secret Committee of the States General usually meet.
It was a matter of no small difficulty to get this busi- ness through so fast, not only from the forms of this Government, but from its being the Holy Week ; but the moment Shaw had delivered me your Lordship's des- patches, I waited on the Prince of Orange, and made a point with him, that he should assemble the States Gene- ral yesterday and to-day. Yesterday for the "Besogne Secrete," to lay the Treaties before their High Mighti- nesses, and to-day, in order that their High JMightinesses should return the treaties with their approbation, and with full powers for their Plenipotentiaries to sign them.
Had I not insisted on these two extra meetings (which it was no easy matter to obtain), notliing could have been done till the middle of next week, as their High Mighti- nesses had adjourned over till then.
I tmst there is no alteration either in the wording or measures of the treaties I have signed, which will be objected to by your Lordship.
[This Treaty obliged His Prussian Majesty to furnish an army of 62,000 men, under a Prussian commander-in- chief, to be subsidized by England and Holland, and to serve against their common enemies. This army to be in the field by the 24th of May. The Maritime Powers to pay His Prussian Majesty 50,000/. per month to the end of the year, and 300,000/. to put his army in motion, also 100,000/. on its return home. All conquests made to be at the disposal of the Maritime Powers.
A separate article was added, to extend the engage- ments of this Treaty as long as the war lasted, on the same conditions.]
92 DIARIES AND CORRESPONDENCE. [1794.
EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM LORD MALMESBURY TO THE
DUKE OF YORK.
Hague, 19th April, 1794.
I HAVE delayed till now acknowledging jour Royal Higlmess's letter of the 3rd from St. Armand, in order to have it in my power to send you some positive intelli- gence relative to the event of the negotiation with which I am charged. I hold it my duty to be silent while its event was uncertain, lest in the very important situation your Royal Highness holds, I should perplex and perhaps mislead you by acquainting you with all the doubts and difficulties which have attended its progress.
I have now the honour to inform you that about an hour ago I signed a treaty with His Prussian Majesty, (to which the States General are a party,) by which he stipu- lates to furnish 62,400 men to act in suj^port of the cause, exclusive of the 20,000 men he is bound by treaty to give to the Emperor.
I have not time to have this engagement transcribed at length, but it states in substance that an army to the amount above-mentioned should act together, jointly with a corps in our or in the Dutch pay, and under a Prussian commander, (by which is understood the King himself,) where, and in a manner which shall be deemed most con- formable to the interests of the Maritime Poicers ; that this army is to be at the place of its destination by the 24th of May ; that it is to be supplied with everything ne- cessary to take out and remain in the field except batter- ing canon ; that all the conquests it may make shall be in the name and at the disposal of the ]\laritime Powers, as well during the war as at the peace ; and that as far as possible its force shall be effective.
For these conditions, we and the Dutch agree to pay to His Prussian Majesty a subsidy of 50,000/. a-month, and bread and forage for the whole army at tlie rate of ll. \2s. a mouth per month. We give 300,000/. for the mohilifi- catinn and n'tabiissejuenf, and 100,000/ for its return.
The Treaty is to last to the end of the year, but in a
1794.] BERLIN. 93
separate article I have stipulated that it is to be renewed at the end of the year, on the same conditions and for the duration of the war. This was not done now, because the nature of the Dutch Government is such as not to allow them to come to any neiu resolution under several weeks, and every hour now is precious.
Your Royal Highness will naturally suppose Great Bri- tain takes the largest share of the payment. The Dutch, however, contribute handsomely, and I hope it will not be thought that they contributed too little, or that the King of Prussia has been allowed too much. I am pre- pared, however, to be hauled over the coals by my old friends ; "'^ but they have departed so widely from their former principles, that I never expect that they and I can ever again think alike on any public subject.
I am despatching a messenger this moment to England, with the Treaty executed. The moment it is ratified I probably shall remove from hence, and I rather hope to Brussels ; and I need not say, in that case, my first wish shall be to pay my duty to your Royal Highness.
Nothing remarkable either in private or public life oc- curred while I remained at the Hague. I lived princi- pally at Court, or with the Greffier — I found him ex- tremely aged ; the Pensionary growing infirm, but with the same strong and clear head ; the Stadtholder vastly improved ; and the Princess nearly the same.
[Lord Grenville ordered Lord Malmesbury to England to give the Government " general information " respecting the best means of employing Prussian troops in concert with those of Austria and the English army under the Duke of York. It appears that this ill-judged recall contributed much to the success with which the French party, taking advantage of treachery and national preju- dices, contrived through Lucchesini to stultify tlie Treaty. It is difficult to know whether Haugwiz was really honest or not, (Lord Malmesbury thought him so at the time,) but it is clear that when once freed from the influence
* The Fox Whigs.
94 DIARIES AND CORRESPONDENCE. [1794.
Lord Malmesbury had gained over him, he shunned meet-* ing him again, and joined in the disgraceful conduct adopted by the Prussian Court at the instigation of Luc- chesini. This corrupt Italian Frederick the Great had taken as his reader, and at that King's death he was employed by his successor, who found among his subjects a complete dearth of all those moral and intellectual qualities which should belong to a State servant.]
On Friday, 25th April, I left the Hague at half-past one, and travelling all night got to Brussels the next day, Saturday the 26 th, at three o'clock — passed that day with Bruce — Lord Elgin absent.
Sunday, April 27. — At eleven with Merci — right, but Jin and cautious — said he could only give his oiun opi- nion— lamented the disunion with Prussia — blamed Luc- chesini. On my observing the Court of Vienna did wrong not to flatter liim, he said, " It was a Court that was not captante!' He was, however, clearly for the Prussian succours. From him to Thugut — his figure mean, like Pollock — his manner complimentary, but not communica- tive— railed against Prussia — talked quite oflScially and very insufficiently. In the evening at Madame ]\letter- nich — a conversation with General Liekendorfi" — his ideas the same about the placing the Prussian army as those I afterwards had from j\Iack.
Monday, April 28. — To Valenciennes — lodged at a Mr. Rigan's — excellent house — Mrs. Johnstone there. Lord Elgin arrived soon after me. Victory on the 26th. Sir W. Erskine passing through with the succours for Clair- %t.
Tuesday, April 29. — Early to Cateau and Foret Cateau Cambresis,''"" where the famous Treaty was signed and Tele-
* The Treaty of Catoaii Cambresis was signed in 1559 between France and Spain.
1794.] BERLIN. 95
maclius written — is the Duke of York's head-quarters — he was out on an alerte when I came — long conversation with him. He was very confidential — said Lord Corn- wallis had been thought of to replace him — King first mentioned it to him, afterwards Pitt. He said he would do anything for the service, but he could not act under Lord Cornwallis. Lord Grenville strongly for Lord Corn- wallis. After dinner to Emperor's head-quarters— for an account of what passed see despatches — strange incon- sistency the next day. Called on Prince of Orange.
Wednesday, ArRiL .30. — Bad news in the morning early from Clairfayt — good at noon from Landrecy — it sur- rendered at four — lost my way in going there — got to Valenciennes very late — lodged again at Rigan's,
Thursday, May 1. — Dined at Tongres — Slept at Brus- sels. Alarm — French broke in on Courtray. Road through Ghent not sure.
Friday, May 2. — Left Brussels. Expected the Prince of Orange at Antwerp — he did not come.
jSaturday, May 3. — Left Antwerp early. Breakfasted and dined at Bergen op Zoom. From thence by water to Tervecre. — Slept in a bad inn — got there late.
Sunday, May 4. — Early to Middleburg. — Dined tete-a- tete with Lynden de Blytterswyk — much good sense in his talk. In the evening to Flushing, and at the very moment I arrived here, the vessel sent round to convey me arrived — also the French Captain Nerval. Flushing a neat town, and all Zealand a fine country.
96 DIARIES AND CORRESPONDENCE. [1794.
MoxDAY, May 5. — Sailed at five o'clock, and got to Margate at eight, and to Sittingbourne at half-past one. — Slept there.
Tuesday, May 6. — Got to London at twelve o'clock, and remained in England till Saturday, ]\Iay 24.
During the time I was in England, although j\Iinisters had sent for me over, they were so fully employed in their discoveries and examinations of seditious and trea- sonable practices, that I had very short and very few con- versations with them ; and, although I constantly pressed their sending me back, I neither could obtain any final instructions from Lord Grenville, or put the subsidy in a luay of being paid tdl tlie 2'^rd of May. I left London on the 24th.
I was twice with the King in the closet, and found him talking the wisest and most spirited language possible. He said he* thought the war ought to last, as people's minds were not yet thoroughly up to the danger, and that a premature peace would only conceal, not cure, the evil. He recommended the bringing on the Prussians imme- diately. Talked much with the Duke of Portland, Wynd- ham, and Pclham — impossible to be more right than they are. A likelihood of their all coming in.f I proposed to Pelham to succeed me, as I meant to stay a very short time. — He not averse to it, but desirous to wait to see whether his friends would not also come in. I expressly told both ]\Ir. Pitt and Lord Grenville that I would stay no longer on the continent than Avas necessary to complete what I had begun; and that as soon as the Prussian army was at the place where it was to act, I sliould expect to be allowed to return. To this they both assented. I passed a week in the country, and found Mr. Hooper
* It a]i])eais from tlio Harris Papers that Lord Grenville was ever for prosecuting: the war against France, and opposed to all the negotiations for peace which Pitt ]iro]iosed at diffiTc nt periods subsequent to these events.
f They took otiiee on the 11th of. Inly.
1794.] BERLIN. 97
very much iDroken indeed. Durnford"" improved, and im- proving. Opposition going all lengths, even to resist every measure proposed to discover and punish the sedi- tious.
[Lord Malmesburj's instructions now were, to accelerate as much as possible the march of the Prussian armj to- wards Li^ge and Hanover, and on no account to allow them to be employed more to the left than the countr}^ of the Meuse. Lord Cornwallis to co-operate with an English Force. The first instalment of the subsidy, (300,000/.,) was remitted from the Treasury, May 27.]
Saturday, May 24, 1794. — At five I left London, and got to Harwich by half-past twelve. I found Madme. A'agel and Madlle. Hompesch waiting to pass over with me for the sake of my convoy (the Lark, Capt. Rowley). He did not sail till Sunday, at nine, and our passage was bad, as it was three o'clock a.m. on Wednesday the 28th, before we got to Helveot Sluys. The packet we crossed in was called the Diana, Capt. Deane.
I got to the Hague by 10, and called immediately on the Grefiier, then on Lord St. Helens, our Ambassador. I saw the Prince of Orange at three o'clock — the Prin- cesses all absent. I dined with Lord St. Helens, and afterwards had a meeting with the Pensionary and Gref- fier at the country house of the first.— I supped at Lord St. Helens.
Thursday, May 29. — I dined with the Prince, who gave a very fine dinner. He invited all the principal members of the States, and not one foreigner but myself. — Supped with Madame Keller.
Friday, May 30. — With the Prince in the morning. —
* Lord Malmesbury's place in Wiltshire.
VOL. in. n
98 DIARIES AND CORRESPONDENCE. [1794.
Greffier called on me — dined with him in the comi try- supped with Madame Ricci, and wrote to England.
The result of my conference with the Dutch IVIinisters was their agreeing to the propriety of the Prussian troops being employed in the Low Countries, which the Prince of Orange at first opposed. The nomination of Kinckel to reside at the Prussian army, and the deciding the Stadtholder himself to assist, on the part of the Ptepublic, at our conferences to be held at Maestricht.
I found Lord St. Helens very friendly, but insou- ciant as to business, and not attentive enough for his post. The Pensionary was unwell, and crabbed from illness, which Lord St. Helens does not allow for. The Prince of Orange was uncommonly right, and I learnt from Count Keller that Count Haugwiz expected me at Maestricht on the 30th ; I therefore left the Hague on Saturday the 31st, early, slept that night at Eindhoven, and got to Maestricht on Sunday, June 1, about 4 o'clock. — Count Haugwiz had arrived the day before — I called on him at 8 o'clock, and found him very uneasy about the money not being yet paid ; and although he consented to have the army where we decided, yet he said it was in want of so many articles to be purchased by this subsidy, that it could not move till the money was received. This delay highly blameable — Ministers knew that this money would be wanted in three months, and yet had provided no means of remitting it. I immediately de- spatched Timms (on Monday, June 2nd, at 3 o'clock) to London with strong letters on this subject.
Lord Elgin, whom I found at the Hague, came with me to Maestricht, and returned to Brussels on Monday, to give an account to the Duke of York and Lord Cornwallis of what had passed. I dined at home, and was in the evening with the Prince and Princess of Hesse, where I supped. — He an alarmist and complainer, Governor of the town.
1794. J BERLIN. 99
EXTRACT OF A DESPATCH FROM LORD MALMESBURY TO LORD
GRENVILLE.
Maestricht, 2nd June, 1794.
I GOT here yesterday between six and seven p. m. Count Haugwiz had arrived the preceding evening. Dressins, with your Lordship's despatch of the 28th ult., and its several enclosures, overtook me about twenty miles from this place. I did not lose a moment in entering with the Prussian JMinister on the important business with which I am entrusted, become even more important than it was when I left England from what has since passed in Flan- ders, and from the sudden resolution taken by the Em- peror of returning to Vienna.
I found Count Haugwiz apparently in the same senti- ments and same dispositions I had left him in ; I thought, however, I observed in him a wish that the Prussian army should remain on the Rhine, and, in order to put an end to every possible discussion at once on that point, I set out by telling him in express terms, that it was His Ma- jesty's declared and decided intention not to listen to any proposal of employing the Pnissians in any other place than 071 some point to be fixed upon between the Meuse and the sea.
Count Haugwiz declared in the most positive manner His Prussian Majesty's readiness to bring this army wher- ever the Maritime Powers thought it could be employed the most usefully, and he gave me the strongest assurances that his eagerness and zeal in the cause were invariably the same; that therefore he could assure me that the army should be brought as soon as possible to the point I had mentioned, but that the money not having been re- ceived at Berlin on the day it was agreed to be paid by the Treaty, necessarily would cause inevitable delays; since the army, though in the highest order, and com- pletely effective, was without magazines, without a suffi- cient quantity of ammunition and pontoons, and particu- larly without artillery and boat horses; and that these articles from the state of His Prussian Majesty's treasury
H 2
100 DIARIES AND CORRESPONDENCE. [1794.
which he assured me in the most strong terms could not supply a single dollar, could only be purchased by the subsidy to be paid by us and the Dutch.
Count Haugwiz told me he had no doubt but that His Prussian Majesty would in a very short time leave Poland, and join his army now on the Rhine.
Tuesday, June 3. — Letters from the Bishop of Liege, and from the Prince of Wurtemburg, from IVIadame La Coste. — Ilaugwiz. — Received an account from Jacobi of no money being yet paid. He quite soured, re-despatched his mes- senger immediately, and I wrote very strongly to Mr. Pitt and Lord Grenville on this subject. Dined at home. Wrote — ^walked in the evening round the ramparts — very pleasant. I had a very good lodging at the Rue Petits Fosses, at a Jew's named Meyer Solomon.
Wednesday, June 4. — News received of Charleroi being relieved, and the French driven across the Sambre."""
Thursday, June 5. — With Prince of Hesse — examined the environs of Maestricht on a map, and concerted the means of joining the town to the Generality. About ten leagues belonging to the Bishop of Li^ge requisite ; from -X- -;;- -ic rr -;:- ^^ Falkenburg — in this district no farm but Bree (a small one) and a village called Az, the rest heath. Walked with Haugwiz. He said that the ]\Iinister was with Bishopswerder doing great mischief at Berlin, by in- troducing ncAv theological doctrines. That they had availed themselves of his absence, and it was necessary he
* On the 14tli of j\Iay hy the hereditary Prince of Orange, after a hloodv battle. The French, uruhumted, soon recros.sed the river and reconnrienced the siege. On the 2Gth of June, tlie Allies attacked them at Flenry, but were completely routed and pursued to Halle. This battle established the reputation of General Jourdain, and settled the fate of the Netherlands. It lasted thirteen hours. In Flanders, Moreau defeated Clairfait on the 17th, and took V])res. General ^\'a!nK>den evacuated ]$iuges. The Duke of York was oldiged to abandon Tomnay and Oudenardc to tlieir fate, and retired upon Antwerp on the 3rd of Jnlv.
1794.] BERLIN. 101
should return as soon as possible, in order to suppress these " abominable attempts." He meant, I believe, the doctrines of the Illumines. Dined with Prince de Hesse, and sent away Messenger in the evening.
EXTRACTS OF A DESPATCH FROM LORD MALMESBURY TO
LORD GRENVILLE.
Maestricht, fltli June, 1794.
I HAVE not been honoured with any commands from your Lordship since I last wrote.
The Prince Stadtholder is expected here to-morrow, and we shall then only wait for the arrival of Lord Corn- wallis, in order to proceed on the business which assem- bles us in this place.
I have nothing more to say to your Lordship on that subject ; Count Haugwiz has written to the Marshal Mol- lendorff to the effect he promised, but we must not look for any advantage from what he writes, till such time as Mons. Jacobi sends word that the first payments are actually made. It is to no purpose that I endeavour to convince j\Ions. de Haugwiz, that the money due is as much at this moment the King of Prussia's, as if it was actually in his treasury. He remains inflexible, and per- sists in assuring me in the most positive manner, that the army has not the means of moving without this supply. He adds, however, at the same time, thM when it is received, we may depend on finding them ready to act where and how we please, and that the King of Prussia is more eager than ever to crush the progress of French anarchy. I have had several conversations with him on the present situation of his own Court, of what had passed and is passing since his absence, and on the effect Mons. Lucchesini's arrival at Posen is likely to produce.
He adverted to -the principles of the Hlumines, whom (rather to my surprise) he spoke of with great abhorrence, — said they went to destroy all good order and subordina- tion, and were one of the great instruments of the Jaco- bins. He would not say explicitly, that he feared these
102 DIARIES AND CORRESPONDENCE. [l794.
impressions might reach the Kiug of Prussia, but he evi- dently intimates that it was possible they would, if he remained longer absent.
I confess I apprehend much less of the effects of this attempt than of the presence of Mons. Lucchesini, whose art and cunning is, I fear, more than a match for any influence Count Haugwiz may have acquired, and I shall not be easy as long as he is near His Prussian Majesty.
Friday, Juxe 6. — Chevalier Puysegur called on me — a very sensible Frenchman — from the beginning he saw right, and still appears to see right. His brother, the Marquis de Puysegur, and his wife and family, at Maes- tricht. — Good people.
June 7 and 8. — Prince of Orange does not come. — Sends me his opinion ; '"' for the Prussians remaining on the Rhine! Lord Cornwallis arrives on the 9th. — Conference with Haugwiz the 10th. — Difficulties about magazines on the march, obviated by Brook Watson. Major Tuhl did not assist in these conferences. On the 12th Kinckel arrived at Maestricht, and on the 14th we left it. It was understood by myself, and also by Lord Cornwallis, that there was no difficulty as to the march of the Prussians towards the Low Countries, and for this purpose Lord Cornwallis went to Mentz.
Sunday, June 15. — Through Cologne, where we over- took Lord Cornwallis, to Bonne.
Monday, June 16. — At home till four p.m. — Conversa- tion with Walstein, favourite of the Elector of Cologne
* An elaborately written and weak statement, and also a very strange one, since he liel])ed to subsidize tlie Prussians, witli the understaudinu: that thoy were to act in tiic Low Countries. How inipossililc tiiat any [ihui siiould succeed with men who, when honest, could not see their own interest, nnd, M lien interested, lost sight of their honour.
1794.] BERLIN. . 103
— explains and blames conduct of Austria. Slept at Andernach; 17th June to Limberg, 18th to Frankfort; fine weather and good roads the whole way. Hockstetter gives me a letter from Haugwiz, to excuse his meeting me. I receive an estafette from Lord Cornwallis at Mayence, desiring me to come to him immediately, and attend him to Prussian head-quarters. He encloses one from Marshal MoUendorff, which announces clearly his in- tention of not moving from the Rhine. King of Prussia in Poland — his Minister at Berlin. Our negotiation be- comes difficult — no one to treat with.
June 19. — At Mentz. Lord Cornwallis dispirited. I send to Frankfort for Ivinckel to come, and go with us to Prussian head-quarters.
Friday, June 20. — We go to Kukheim, where Marshal MoUendorff was — our conference unpleasant and angry — ■ Lord Cornwallis quite silent — leaves all the military rea- sons alleged by Marshal MoUendorff against marching 'Without a luord of reply. Kinckel of little use, not having been at Maestricht. The whole fell on me, and I had some sharp words with the Marshal and Schulenberg. The result, to wait for orders, or return to Mentz. Letters from Pensionary, to state to Kinckel the increasing danger of the Dutch, and the necessity of having the Prussians.
EXTRACTS OF A DESPATCH FROM LORD MALMESBURY TO LORD
GRENVILLE.
Mentz, 21st June, 1794.
On Lord Cornwallis opening the