As few negotiations are concluded without money, and as ministers have
been known to sell the hatred or friendship of their masters, all
Europe believed that the Duke of Marlborough had succeeded with the
King of Sweden by means of the gift of a large sum of money to Count
Piper, and the Count’s reputation has suffered for it to this very
day. For my part I have traced this report to its source, and I have
it on authority that Piper received a small present from the Emperor,
with the consent of the King his master, and nothing from the Duke of
Marlborough. It is certain that Charles was bent on dethroning the Czar
of Russia, that he took counsel of no one, and that he had no need of
advice from Count Piper to wreak his long-meditated vengeance on Peter
Alexiowitz. Lastly, the minister’s reputation is absolutely vindicated
by the fact that Charles paid honour to his memory long after, when,
hearing of his death in Russia, he had his body taken to Stockholm, and
buried with great pomp and magnificence at his own expense.
The King, who had as yet experienced no ill-fortune, nor even any
hindrance to success, thought that one year would dethrone the Czar,
and that then he could retrace his steps as the arbiter of Europe; but
his aim was first to humiliate the Emperor of Germany.
Baron Stralheim, Swedish ambassador at Vienna, had quarrelled at table
with Count Zobor, the Emperor’s chamberlain; the latter, having refused
to drink to the health of Charles, and having accused him of treating
his master too badly, Stralheim had given him the lie with a box on the
ears, and had dared, after this insult, to demand reparation at the
Imperial Court.
Fear of the displeasure of the King of Sweden had forced the Emperor
to banish the subject whom it was his duty to avenge. Charles was not
satisfied, but insisted that the Count of Zobor should be handed over
to him. The Court of Vienna had to swallow its pride and hand over the
Count to the King, who sent him back, after having kept him prisoner
some time at Stettin. Contrary to international law he further demanded
that 1,500 wretched Russians, who had escaped his arms and fled to the
Empire, should be given up to him. The Court of Vienna would have had
to consent to this strange demand, and they would have been handed over
to the enemy, had not the Russian ambassador at Vienna arranged for
their escape by different routes.