History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Volume 21Carlyle, Thomas
History
History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Volume 21
Carlyle, Thomas
Frederick II, King of Prussia, 1712-1786; Prussia (Germany) -- History -- Frederick II, 1740-1786; Social problems
Friedrich's indignation at the Custrin report, "Perfectly correct as
it stood," and no mention of Heucking or his dissent, was considerable:
already, 27th September,--that is, on the very day while those Custrin
people were signing their provoking report,--Friedrich, confident
in Heucking, had transmitted to his Supreme Board of Justice
(KAMMERGERICHT) the impartial Heucking's account of the affair, with
order, "See there, an impartial human account, clear and circumstantial
(DEUTLICHES UND GANZ UMSTANDLICHES), going down to the true roots of the
business: swift, get me justice for these Arnolds!" [Preuss, iii. 480.]
Scarcely was this gone, when, September 29th, the Custrin impertinence,
"Perfectly right as it stood," came to hand; kindling the King into hot
provocation; "extreme displeasure, AUSSERSTES MISFALLEN," as his Answer
bore: "Rectify me all that straightway, and relieve these Arnolds of
their injuries!" You Pettifogging Pedant Knaves, bring that Arnold
matter to order, will you; you had better!--
The Custrin Knaves, with what feelings I know not, proceed accordingly;
appoint a new Commission, one or more Lawyers in it, and at least one
Hydraulic Gentleman in it, Schade the name of him; who are to go upon
the ground, hear witnesses and the like. Who went accordingly; and
managed, not too fast, Hydraulic Schade rather disagreeing from the
Legal Gentlemen, to produce a Report, reported UPON by the Custrin
Court, 28th October: "That there is one error found: 6 pounds 12s. as
value of corn LEFT, clearly Arnold's that, when his Mill was sold; that,
with this improvement, all is NOW correct to the uttermost; and that
Heucking had not investigated things to the bottom." By some accident,
this Report did not come at once to Friedrich, or had escaped his
attention; so that--
November 21st, matters hanging fire in this way, Frau Arnold applies
again, by Petition to his Majesty; upon which is new Royal Order, [Ib.
iii. 490.] far more patient than might have been expected: "In God's
name, rectify me that Arnold matter, and let us at last see the end of
it!" To which the Custriners answer: "All is rectified, your Majesty.
Frau Arnold, in her Petition, has not mentioned that she gained 6
pounds 12s.;"--important item that; 6 pounds 12s. for CORN left (clearly
Arnold's that, when his Mill was sold)! "Our sentence we cannot alter; a
Court's sentence is alterable only by appeal; your Majesty decides where
the appeal is to lie!" Friedrich's patience is now wearing out; but
he does not yet give way: "Berlin Kammergericht be your Appeal
Court," decides he, 28th November: and will admit of no delay on the
Kammergericht's part either. "Papers all at Custrin, say you? Send for
them by express; they will come in one day: be swift, I say!"
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account