Some one once said to Count de St. Germain, that it was surprising he should resolve to quit the service of France, when he had 60,000 livres a year from the king's bounty; he answered, that 100 crowns a year composed his whole patrimony, but he would sooner live on that than endure affronts. This answer struck me, and I resolved to save all I could, so as to acquire an independence. I possessed, in 1771, 8,000 crowns, which I had entrusted to Schimmelmann, while awaiting the opportunity to sink them in an annuity. If I did not succeed in a military career, I hoped with this resource to procure a retreat in an agreeable country, and in a warm climate. Now, my money is lost, I have no longer a career to follow, and I am a prisoner for life on a rock in 64° of northern latitude: but how great was my folly in leaving the service of Russia to come to Denmark! I was making these sad reflections when, on September 25, 1776, I was informed by a note from Lieutenant-General von der Osten, grand bailiff and commandant of Trondhjem, that I should receive a visit from him. I had not recovered from the surprise this note caused me, when Von der Osten himself appeared, followed by the commandant, a surgeon, and his valet. He hurriedly entered my room, shouting, _Pardon, pardon, in the king's name!_ He held in his hand a portfolio full of papers, among which were-- 1. An order for my release, addressed to General Hauch, in his quality of first deputy of the College of War: this order was signed by the king, and countersigned by Guldberg, under date, Frederiksborg, August 21, 1776. 2. An order to the same effect, addressed to the commandant of Munkholm. 3. An instruction referring to the engagement I was to sign and seal before obtaining my release. These three documents were to the effect that his Majesty, on the intercession of his Royal Highness Prince Frederick, his beloved brother, consented to pardon me by liberating me from the captivity in which I was at Munkholm, upon the following conditions:-- I. That I should leave Trondhjem by sea, to proceed to the northern coast of France, and thence directly and immediately either to Provence or Languedoc, at my choice. II. That I would pledge myself never to return to Copenhagen, or the king's states. III. That I would not leave the country to which I was sent without the king's permission, and that I would not make frequent journeys. IV. That I would not approach the town of Orange (where Rantzau had taken up his abode). V. That I would not enter the service of any foreign power. VI. That I would not act, write, or speak in any way against the king or the royal family. VII. That I would take no part in affairs of state.