History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Volume 20Carlyle, Thomas
History
History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Volume 20
Carlyle, Thomas
Frederick II, King of Prussia, 1712-1786; Prussia (Germany) -- History -- Frederick II, 1740-1786; Social problems
It was JULY 15th, when Bussy, along with something in his own French
sphere, presented this beautiful Spanish Appendix,--"apprehensive that
War may break out again with Spain, when we Two have got settled." By
the same opportunity came a Note from him, which was reckoned important
too: "That the Empress Queen would and did, whatever might become of the
Congress of Augsburg, approve of this Separate Peace between France
and England,--England merely undertaking to leave the King of Prussia
altogether to himself in future with her Imperial Majesty and her
Allies." "Never, Sir!" answered Pitt, with emphasis, to this latter
Proposition; and to the former about Spain's interfering, or whispering
of interference, he answered--by at once returning the Paper, as a
thing non-extant, or which it was charitable to consider so. "Totally
inadmissible, Sir; mention it no more!"--and at once called upon the
Spanish Ambassador to disavow such impertinence imputed to his Master.
Fancy the colloquies, the agitated consultations thereupon, between
Bussy and this Don, in view suddenly of breakers ahead!
In about a week (July 23d), Bussy had an Interview with Pitt himself on
this high Spanish matter; and got some utterances out of him which are
memorable to Bussy and us. "It is my duty to declare to you, Sir, in the
name of his Majesty," said Pitt, "that his Majesty will not suffer
the disputes with Spain to be blended, in any manner whatever, in the
Negotiation of Peace between the Two Crowns. To which I must add, that
it will be considered as an affront to his Majesty's dignity, and as
a thing incompatible with the sincerity of the Negotiation, to make
farther mention of such a circumstance." [In THACKERAY, ii. 554;--Pitt
next day putting it in writing, "word for word," at Bussy's request.]
Bussy did not go at once, after this deliverance; but was unable, by
his arguments and pleadings, by all his oil and fire joined together, to
produce the least improvement on it: "Time enough to treat of all that,
Sir, when the Tower of London is taken sword in hand!" [Beatson, ii.
434. Archenholtz (ii. 245) has heard of this expression, in a slightly
incorrect way.] was Pitt's last word. An expression which went over the
world; and went especially to King Carlos, as fast as it could fly, or
as his Choiseul could speed it: and, in about three weeks: produced--it
and what had gone before it, by the united industry of Choiseul and
Carlos, finally produced--the famed BOURBON FAMILY COMPACT (August
15th, 1761), and a variety of other weighty results, which lay in embryo
therein.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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