History of Friedrich II of Prussia V 11 [48]
much consideration,--
My Cousin,--
"Your very affectionate Cousin,
"FRIEDRICH."
[ Helden-Geschichte, ii. 75, 111.]
Rambonet had started straightway for Liege, with this missive;
and had duly presented it there, I guess on the 7th,--with notice
that he would wait forty-eight hours, and then return with what
answer or no-answer there might be. Getting no written answer, or
distinct verbal one; getting only some vague mumblement as good as
none, Rambonet had disappeared from Liege on the 9th; and was home
at Moyland when Voltaire arrived that Sunday evening,--just
walking about to come to heat again, after reportiag progress to
the above effect.
Rambonet, I judge, enjoyed only one of those divine Suppers at
Moyland; and dashed off again, "on hired hack" or otherwise, the
very next morning; that contingency of No-answer having been the
anticipated one, and all things put in perfect readiness for it.
Rambonet's new errand was to "take act," as Voltaire calls it, "at
the Gates of Liege,"--to deliver at Liege a succinct Manifesto,
Pair of Manifestoes, both in Print (ready beforehand), and bearing
date that same Sunday, "Wesel, 11th September;" much calculated to
amaze his Reverence at Liege. Succinct good Manifestoes, said to
be of Friedrich's own writing; the essential of the two is this:--
Exposition of the Reasons which have induced his Majesty
the King of Prussia to make just Reprisals on the Prince Bishop of
Liege.
"His Majesty the King of Prussia, being driven beyond bounds by
the rude proceedings of the Prince Bishop of Liege, has with
regret seen himself forced to recur to the Method of Arms, in
order to repress the violence and affront which the Bishop has
attempted to put upon him. This resolution has cost his Majesty
much pain; the rather as he is, by principle and disposition, far
remote from whatever could have the least relation to rigor
and severity.
"But seeing himself compelled by the Bishop of Liege to take new
methods, he had no other course but to maintain the justice of his
rights (LA JUSTICE DE SES DROITS), and demand reparation for the
indignity done upon his Minister Von Kreuzen, as well as for the
contempt with which the Bishop of Liege has neglected even to
answer the Letter of the King.
"As too much rigor borders upon cruelty, so too much patience
resembles weakness. Thus, although the King would willingly have
sacrificed his interests to the public peace and tranquillity, it
was not possible to do so in reference to his honor; and that is
the chief motive which has determined him to this resolution, so
contrary to his intentions.
"In vain has it been attempted, by methods of mildness, to come to
a friendly agreement: it has been found, on the contrary, that the
King's moderation only increased the Prince's arrogance;
that mildness of conduct on one side only furnished resources to
pride on the other; and that, in fine, instead of gaining by soft
procedure, one was insensibly becoming an object of vexation
and disdain.
"There being no means to have justice but in doing it for oneself,
and the King being Sovereign enough for such a duty,--he intends
to make the Prince of Liege feel how far he was in the wrong to
abuse such moderation so unworthily. But in spite of so much
unhandsome behavior on the part of this Prince, the King will not
be inflexible; satisfied with having shown the said Prince that he
can punish him, and too just to overwhelm him. FREDERIC.
"WESEL, September 11th, 174O."
[ Helden-Geschichte, ii. 77. Said to be by
Friedrich himself (Stenzel, iv. 59).]
Whether Rambonet insinuated his Paper-Packet into the Palace of
Seraing, left it at the Gate of Liege (fixed by nail, if he saw
good), or in what manner he "took act," I never knew; and indeed
Rambonet vanishes from human History at this point: it is certain
only that he did his Formality, say two days hence;--and that the
Fact foreshadowed by it is likewise in the same hours,
My Cousin,--
"Your very affectionate Cousin,
"FRIEDRICH."
[
Rambonet had started straightway for Liege, with this missive;
and had duly presented it there, I guess on the 7th,--with notice
that he would wait forty-eight hours, and then return with what
answer or no-answer there might be. Getting no written answer, or
distinct verbal one; getting only some vague mumblement as good as
none, Rambonet had disappeared from Liege on the 9th; and was home
at Moyland when Voltaire arrived that Sunday evening,--just
walking about to come to heat again, after reportiag progress to
the above effect.
Rambonet, I judge, enjoyed only one of those divine Suppers at
Moyland; and dashed off again, "on hired hack" or otherwise, the
very next morning; that contingency of No-answer having been the
anticipated one, and all things put in perfect readiness for it.
Rambonet's new errand was to "take act," as Voltaire calls it, "at
the Gates of Liege,"--to deliver at Liege a succinct Manifesto,
Pair of Manifestoes, both in Print (ready beforehand), and bearing
date that same Sunday, "Wesel, 11th September;" much calculated to
amaze his Reverence at Liege. Succinct good Manifestoes, said to
be of Friedrich's own writing; the essential of the two is this:--
the King of Prussia to make just Reprisals on the Prince Bishop of
Liege.
"His Majesty the King of Prussia, being driven beyond bounds by
the rude proceedings of the Prince Bishop of Liege, has with
regret seen himself forced to recur to the Method of Arms, in
order to repress the violence and affront which the Bishop has
attempted to put upon him. This resolution has cost his Majesty
much pain; the rather as he is, by principle and disposition, far
remote from whatever could have the least relation to rigor
and severity.
"But seeing himself compelled by the Bishop of Liege to take new
methods, he had no other course but to maintain the justice of his
rights (LA JUSTICE DE SES DROITS), and demand reparation for the
indignity done upon his Minister Von Kreuzen, as well as for the
contempt with which the Bishop of Liege has neglected even to
answer the Letter of the King.
"As too much rigor borders upon cruelty, so too much patience
resembles weakness. Thus, although the King would willingly have
sacrificed his interests to the public peace and tranquillity, it
was not possible to do so in reference to his honor; and that is
the chief motive which has determined him to this resolution, so
contrary to his intentions.
"In vain has it been attempted, by methods of mildness, to come to
a friendly agreement: it has been found, on the contrary, that the
King's moderation only increased the Prince's arrogance;
that mildness of conduct on one side only furnished resources to
pride on the other; and that, in fine, instead of gaining by soft
procedure, one was insensibly becoming an object of vexation
and disdain.
"There being no means to have justice but in doing it for oneself,
and the King being Sovereign enough for such a duty,--he intends
to make the Prince of Liege feel how far he was in the wrong to
abuse such moderation so unworthily. But in spite of so much
unhandsome behavior on the part of this Prince, the King will not
be inflexible; satisfied with having shown the said Prince that he
can punish him, and too just to overwhelm him. FREDERIC.
"WESEL, September 11th, 174O."
[
Friedrich himself (Stenzel, iv. 59).]
Whether Rambonet insinuated his Paper-Packet into the Palace of
Seraing, left it at the Gate of Liege (fixed by nail, if he saw
good), or in what manner he "took act," I never knew; and indeed
Rambonet vanishes from human History at this point: it is certain
only that he did his Formality, say two days hence;--and that the
Fact foreshadowed by it is likewise in the same hours,