History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Volume 09Carlyle, Thomas
History
History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Volume 09
Carlyle, Thomas
Frederick II, King of Prussia, 1712-1786; Prussia (Germany) -- History -- Frederick II, 1740-1786; Social problems
Thus, again, in regard to the winter-quarters of the Ziethen Hussars.
Prussian Majesty, we recollect, had sent a Supernumerary Squadron to the
last Campaign on the Rhine. They were learning their business, Friedrich
Wilhelm knew; but also were fighting for the Kaiser,--that was what the
Kaiser knew about them. Somewhat to his surprise, in the course of next
year, Friedrich Wilhelm received, from the Vienna War-Office, a little
Bill of 10,284 florins (1,028 pounds 8 shillings) charged to him for the
winter-quarters of these Hussars. He at once paid the little Bill,
with only this observation: "Heartily glad that I can help the Imperial
AERARIUM with that 1,028 pounds 8 shillings. With the sincerest wishes
for hundred-thousandfold increase to it in said AERARIUM; otherwise it
won't go very far!" [Letter to Seckendorf (SENIOR): Forster, ii. 150.]
At a later period, in the course of his disastrous Turk War, the Kaiser,
famishing for money, set about borrowing a million gulden (100,000
pounds) from the Banking House Splittgerber and Daun at Berlin.
Splittgerber and Daun had not the money, could not raise it: "Advance
us that sum, in their name, your Majesty," proposes the Vienna Court:
"There shall be three-per-cent bonus, interest six per cent, and
security beyond all question!" To which fine offer his Majesty answers,
addressing Seckendorf Junior: "Touching the proposal of my giving the
Bankers Splittgerber and Daun a lift, with a million gulden, to
assist in that loan of theirs,--said proposal, as I am not a merchant
accustomed to deal in profits and percentages, cannot in that form
take effect. Out of old friendship, however, I am, on Their Imperial
Majesty's request, extremely ready to pay down, once and away (A FOND
PERDU), a couple of million gulden, provided the Imperial Majesty will
grant me the conditions known to your Uncle [FULFILMENT of that now
oldish Julich-and-Berg promise, namely!] which are FAIR. In such case
the thing shall be rapidly completed!" [Forster, ii. 151 (without DATE
there).]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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