"Among other reasons assigned for this retreat," writes Gunning, "one is said to be the desire of eluding the scrutiny of the public eye, which affects to penetrate somewhat further than is imagined to be [desirable]. Another cause of this retirement is supposed to be their Danish Majesties' resolution of continuing inaccessible (which they have been for some time) to everybody except Mr. Rantzau and the Favourite. And that, if certain dismissions are resolved upon, they may be effected with greater secrecy. Mr. Bernstorff tells me that Mr. Rantzau has frequent conferences with the French minister. He [Bernstorff] is more alarmed than he has ever yet appeared to be, but nevertheless seems willing to fortify himself with the favourable conclusions afforded by the levity and dissipation which mark the character of his adversaries, and builds upon the unanimity of the Council, which I hope is firmly grounded. He thinks, however, that while the influence prevails, irreparable mischief may be done, and he is at length convinced of a truth I wished him long since to have believed, namely--that which has been transacting is more than a court intrigue, and that [the Favourite] was the cause of all its movements."[136] [136] Gunning's despatch, Copenhagen, September 8, 1770. Bernstorff was not long left in suspense as to his future. Struensee had now matured his plans and was ready to strike. Bernstorff was the first to go. Soon after the court arrived at Hirschholm the King was prevailed upon, without much difficulty, to write his Prime Minister an autograph letter in which he informed him that, as he intended to make changes in his system of government, he no longer required his services. He therefore dismissed him with a pension of 6,000 dollars a year, but gave him leave to retain his seat on the council. Bernstorff was seated at his desk in the foreign office when this letter was brought to him by a King's messenger from Hirschholm; he read its contents in silence, and then turned to one of his secretaries and said: "I am dismissed from office. May the Almighty guide this country and its King."