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
"OCTOBER 3d. Lacy and his Russians arrive in the suburbs of Warsaw,
intent upon 'protecting freedom of election.' Bridges being broken, they
do not yet cross the River, but invite the free electors to come across
and vote: 'A real King is very necessary,--Stanislaus being an imaginary
one, brought in by compulsion, by threats of flinging people out of
window, and the like.' The free electors do not cross. Whereupon a small
handful, now free enough, and NOT to be thrown out of window, whom Lacy
had about him, proceed to elect August of Saxony; he, on the 5th
of October, still one day within the legal six weeks, is chosen
and declared the real King:--'twelve senators and about six hundred
gentlemen' voting for him there, free they in Lacy's quarters, the rest
of Poland having lain under compulsion when voting for Stanislaus. That
is the Polish Election, so far as Poland can settle it. We said the
Destinies had ceased, some time since, to ask Poland for its vote; it is
other people who have now got the real power of voting. But that is the
correct state of the poll at Warsaw, if important to anybody."
August is crowned in Cracow before long; "August III.," whom we shall
meet again in important circumstances. Lacy and his Russians have voted
for August; able, they, to disperse all manner of enthusiastic Polish
Chivalry; which indeed, we observe, usually stands but one volley from
the Russian musketry; and flies elsewhither, to burn and plunder its
own domestic enemies. Far and wide, robbery and arson are prevalent in
Poland; Stanislaus lying under covert; in Dantzig,--an imaginary King
ever since the equinox, but well trusting that the French will give him
a plumper vote. French War-fleet is surely under way hither.
POLAND ON FIRE; DANTZIG STANDS SIEGE.
These are the news our Crown-Prince hears at Ruppin, in the first months
of his wedded life there. With what interest we may fancy. Brandenburg
is next neighbor; and these Polish troubles reach far enough;--the
ever-smoking house having taken fire; and all the street threatening
to get on blaze. Friedrich Wilhelm, nearest neighbor, stands anxious
to quench, carefully sweeping the hot coals across again from his
own borders; and will not interfere on one or the other side, for any
persuasion.
Dantzig, strong in confidence of French help, refuses to give up
Stanislaus when summoned; will stand siege rather. Stands siege, furious
lengthy siege,--with enthusiastic defence; "a Lady of Rank firing off
the first gun," against the Russian batteries. Of the Siege of Dantzig,
which made the next Spring and Summer loud for mankind (February-June,
1734), we shall say nothing,--our own poor field, which also grows loud
enough, lying far away from Dantzig,---except:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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