Add MS 6805

Volume II of the papers of Andrew Mitchell, later Sir Andrew Mitchell.

Continued from Add MS 6804. Copies of Mr. Mitchell’s letters from Berlin, from 20 August 1756, to 5 October 1756, viz.

71. Letter to the Earl of Holderness [Robert Darcy]. Communicates the copy of a paper sent to him by the King of Prussia [Frederick II] containing His Majesty’s Resolutions and the reasons for them: together with the particulars which passed at a long audience which Mr. Mitchell had of His Majesty. A paper of Intelligence pf the date 23 July 1756, follows the copy of the King’s Resolutions at the end of this letter. Dated Berlin, 20 August 1756. (folio 1)

72. Letter to the Earl of Holderness [Robert Darcy]. (Private). Enclosing a letter which Mr. Mitchell had received from the King of Prussia at Potsdam concerning the English negotiations with Holland, and His Britannic Majesty [George II]’s Declaration at the Court of Russia. Dated Berlin, 20 August 1756.

73. Letter to President Munchhausen. That the King of Prussia had agreed to furnish eleven thousand men for the defence of the King of England [George II]’s German dominions. Encloses a letter for Lord Holderness (in French). Dated Berlin, 20 August 1756. (folio 7)

74. A short note to the King of Prussia, in which Mr. Mitchell had enclosed a letter from Sir Charles Hanbury Williams. (French). Dated Berlin, 22 August 1756. (folio 8)

75. Letter to the Earl of Holderness [Robert Darcy]. The return of the courier from Vienna impatiently expected. March of troops. Report of as commercial treaty between France and Russia. Dated Berlin, 24 August 1756. (folio 8b)

76. Letter to Sir Charles Hanbury Williams. The answer from the Court of Vienna at last comes, but it is unsatisfactory. The King of Prussia orders his Minister a third time to apply to the Empress Queen [Maria Theresa] to obtain the assurance required. Dated Berlin, 28 August 1756. (folio 9b)

77. Letter to the Earl of Holderness [Robert Darcy]. The King of Prussia sees Mr. Mitchell at Potsdam. The Court of Vienna, instead of an answer, merely denies the existence of an offensive treaty with Russia. The King of Prussia heads his troops, and marches from Belitz [Beelitz?]. Dated Berlin, 28 August 1756. (folio 10b)

78. Letter to the Earl of Holderness [Robert Darcy]. The King of Prussia’s conciliatory tone toward the Court of Russia. The King of England vindicates the King of Prussia from the charge of being the aggressor. A servant of Count Puebla’s stopped at Baruth by the Prussian Chasseurs. Troops under the command of the Prince Royal of Prussia [Augustus William or August Wilhelm]. Dated Berlin, 30 August 1756. (folio 12)

79. Letter to the Earl of Holderness [Robert Darcy]. (Very Secret). Mr. Mitchell has a conference with the King of Prussia at Potsdam. The scheme of the King of Prussia’s operations developed. This letter is followed by:

i. The Court of Vienna’s answer, with the King of Prussia’s remarks, in opposite columns. The left column of several preceding pages being titled ‘Remarques’, the right column ‘Reponse au Memoire presenté par M. de Klinggräff le 20me d’Aout 1756’.

ii. The instruction sent to M. de Klinggräff. Dated Potsdam, 26 August 1756, with a postscript.

iii. Instructions sent to Monsieur Maltzahn at Dresden, referred to in the letter.

80. Letter to the Earl of Holderness [Robert Darcy]. (Private). Announces that the King of Prussia has printed an ‘Exposé des Motifs que ont obligé Sa Majesté le Roy de Prusse a prevenir les Desseins de la Cour de Vienne’. Dated Berlin, 30 August 1756. (folio 22b)

81. Letter to M. de Munchhausen (in French). Repeats much of the information in letter 79. That the King of Prussia had determined to march by Saxony; that he had printed a declaration of his motives; that he had sent a courier to Vienna to demand for the third time the desired assurance from the Empress. That he had parted with the King of Prussia at Potsdam, as his Majesty got upon his horse to march for Belitz. Dated Berlin, 30 August 1756. (folio 23)

82. Letter to Baron Steinberg at Hanover. A short note by a messenger who carried some Martin Skins to the Countess of Yarmouth [Amalie von Wallmoden]. Dated Berlin, 30 August 1756. (folio 24)

83. Letter to the King of Prussia. Acquaints His Majesty that the King of England had directed his Ambassador at the Court of St. Petersburg to make a declaration that His Majesty did not consider the King of Prussia as the aggressor in the present war. (In French). Dated Berlin, 30 March 1756. (folio 24b)

84. Letter to Sir Charles Hanbury Williams. Mr. Mitchell expects the return of the King of Prussia’s third courier from Vienna. The King’s moderation. Dated Berlin, 31 August 1756. (folio 25)

85. Letter to the Prince Royal of Prussia. Announcing the receipt of a letter from His Royal Highness and communication the copy of a letter from Lord Stormont [David Murray] to Mr. Mitchell. (French). Dated Berlin, 2 September 1756. (folio 25b)

86. Letter to the King of Prussia. A short note that he has received a letter from the Prince of Prussia, and recommending Lord Stormont to His Majesty. (French). Dated Berlin, 2 September 1756. (folio 26)

87. Letter to the King of Prussia. That the King of England has made a communication to the Court of Spain respecting the movements of His Prussian Majesty: inquiring the line of conduct to be held with the Duke of Brunswick [Ferdinand] and Landgrave of Hesse Darmstadt [Louis VIII]; and that Count Podewils had communicated to him the correspondence which had passed between His Prussian Majesty and the King of Poland [Augustus III]. (In French). Dated Berlin, 4 September 1756. (folio 26)

88. Letter to the Earl of Holderness [Robert Darcy]. Encloses the last secret Intelligence obtained from France: no appearance that the French would move toward Germany this year: encloses also a letter of the same date with this which he had written to Sir Charles Hanbury Williams. This letter is followed by the secret Intelligence referred to in it, and by the letter to Sir Charles Hanbury Williams in which the King of Prussia offers through Sir Charles 100,000 crowns to the Great Chancellor Bestoncheff [Alexey Bestuzhev-Ryumin] to regain his friendship. Dated Berlin, 4 September 1756. (folio 26b)

89. Letter to Sir Charles Hanbury Williams, with a letter which came from England to Berlin by mistake. Dated Berlin, 4 September 1756. (folio 26b)

90. Letter to the President Munchhausen. Respecting the treaty of subsidy entered into by the King of Russia with the Duke of Brunswick. (In French). Dated Berlin, 4 September 1756. (folio 26b)

91. A short note to the President Munchhausen, enclosing a letter from Lord Holderness. (French). Dated Berlin, 4 September 1756.

92. Letter to the Earl of Holderness [Robert Darcy]. The King of Prussia in Saxony; and making toward Bohemia. The Saxon Court endeavours to negotiate with the King of Prussia through Lord Stormont. The Prince Royal of Prussia intercepts Lord Stormont’s courier. Reports respecting Saxony and the King of Poland. The King of Poland at the head of his Army between Pirna and Königstein. Dated Berlin, 7 September 1756.

93. Letter to the President Munchhausen. Details of an interview with Count Podewils. The French not likely to make any attack upon Germany this year. The King of Prussia at Strehlen [Strehla?] on the 4th of September. (In French). Dated Berlin, 7 September 1756.

94. Letter to the Earl of Holderness [Robert Darcy]. With copies of the King of Poland’s second letter and of the King of Prussia’s answer. The Saxons in a strong position between Pirna and Königstein. Intelligence from France. The invasion of Jersey and Guernsey deferred. Dated Berlin, 11 September 1756. (folio 31)

95. Letter to Sir Charles Hanbury Williams, with copies of the correspondence between the King of Prussia and the King of Poland. Dated Berlin, 11 September 1756. (folio 32)

96. Letter to the President Munchhausen. The French Camps at Dieppe, Havre, and Harfleur going into cantonments. Announces the positions of the King of Prussia’s and the King of Poland’s forces. (In French). Dated Berlin, 11 September 1756. (folio 32b)

97. Letter to the Earl of Holderness [Robert Darcy]. With copies of the memorial of M. de Klinggräff and the answer of the Court of Vienna, and of the ‘Exposé des Motifs qui ont obligé le Roy de Prusse a prevenin les Desseins de la Cour de Vienna’. Dated Berlin, 11 September 1756. (folio 33)

98. Letter to Sir Charles Hanbury Williams. With similar copies to be shown at St. Petersburg. Dated Berlin, 14 September 1756. (folio 34)

99. Letter to the President Munchhausen. A short note in French, accompanying a copy of the Empress Queen’s answer to M. Klinggräff’s memorial. Dated Berlin, 14 September 1756. (folio 34b)

100. Letter to Mr. Titley at Copenhagen, sent by M. Haesler who had been selected by the Prussian Majesty to go as his minister to that Court. The scheme of negotiation proposed, referred to as in the letters to Lord Holderness in Add MS 6804, items 49 and 58. Dated Berlin, 14 September 1756.

101. Letter to the Earl of Holderness [Robert Darcy]. The King of Prussia at Sedelitz on September 14th. The Saxon Camp surrounded, Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick having seized the passes of the Bohemian Mountains, the Prince of Bevern [Frederick Charles Ferdinand] being upon the Elbe at their back, and the King of Prussia’s troops extending from Pirna to Königstein. The Abbé de Bernis nominated by the French Court to the Ambassade of Vienna. The French Camps upon the Coasts of the Channel and the Ocean about to separate. Dated Berlin, 18 September 1756. (folio 35b)

102. Letter to the Earl of Holderness [Robert Darcy]. Communicates the King of Prussia’s acknowledgement of the King of England’s friendship in ordering His Ministers at the Courts of St. Petersburg and Spain to set the conduct of His Prussian Majesty in its true light, and thereby to show that he is not the aggressor. The difficulties at the Court of Brunswick about the auxiliary troops expected to be got over. The favourable moment with the Elector of Hesse Darmstadt lost. Dated Berlin, 15 September 1756. This letter having been detained was enclosed to Lord Holderness in the preceding. (folio 36b)

103. Letter to Sir Charles Hanbury Williams. Forwards letters and directions from England. Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick in the Gorges of the Mountains of Bohemia. The King of Prussia irritated against Count Brühl, and why. Dated Berlin, 18 September 1756. (folio 37)

104. Letter to Lord Stormont at the Court of Saxony. Enquiring the particulars of the propositions made to the King of Prussia by that Court. His Prussian Majesty having called them captious and inconsistent with his safety. The affair of seizing the papers at Dresden. Dated Berlin, 18 September 1756.

105. Letter to the President Munchhausen (in French), with a copy of the King of Prussia’s ‘Exposé des Motifs…’ Dated Berlin, 18 September 1756.

106. Letter to the King of Prussia, in French. Communicates the King of England’s cordial wishes for his Prussian Majesty’s success. That the English Nation makes common cause with him. That Mr. Mitchell has received the orders of his court to ask permission of His Prussian Majesty to accompany him in the campaign. Dated Berlin, 18 September 1756. (folio 38)

107. Letter to the Earl of Holderness [Robert Darcy]. A skirmish between the Prussian Hussars and some of the Austrian light troops. Marshal Belleisle sent for to Paris. The reason for the nomination of the Abbé Bernis to the Ambassade at Vienna. The report false that some Prussian regiments were marching from Pomerania (where they had been placed in readiness to defend Hanover) onto Prussia. Dated Berlin, 21 September 1756. (folio 39)

108. Letter to the President Munchhausen. Regrets that the news from Holland should have caused disquiet. That letters of the 10th inst. from Paris announce the marsh of French troops their destination unknown. First the report of the Prussians quitting Pomerania was untrue. The King of Prussia at Sedelitz on the 17th. (In French). Dated Berlin, 21 September 1756. (folio 40b)

109. Letter to the King of Prussia, with a letter from St. Petersburg dated the 4th. Dated Berlin, 21 September 1756. (folio 41)

110. Letter to the Earl of Holderness [Robert Darcy]. Reports of military operations. That the French regiments stipulated to the Empress Queen by the Treaty of Versailles were immediately to assemble. That the troops for that purpose are to be drawn from Normandy. The particulars of the King of Prussia’s seizure of certain papers among the Archives at Dresden. The French Ministers talk loudly of the King of Prussia’s invasion of Saxony; the Dauphiness [Maria Josepha] threw herself at the King [Louis XV]’s feet to implore his protection for her father. Dated Berlin, 25 September 1756. (folio 41)

111. Letter to the Earl of Holderness [Robert Darcy]. (Separate). That at the King of Prussia’s desire, Mr. Mitchell had written to the King’s Ministers at Hanover to yield to the Duke of Brunswick’s demands. Dated 25 September 1756. (folio 42b)

112. Letter to Sir Charles Hanbury Williams. The Particulars of the King of Prussia of the papers at Dresden, in the same words as to Lord Holderness. Dated Berlin, 25 September 1756. (folio 43)

113. Letter to the President Munchhausen, in French. That the troops which France stipulated to furnish to the Empress Queen were to assemble at Metz upon the 2nd of October. That the Council of France had again deliberated upon sending troops toward Hanover. Names the positions of the Prussian Army. Dated Berlin, 25 September 1756. (folio 43b)

114. Letter to the King of Prussia. Acknowledging the receipt of a letter of the 21st. That he will forward to England, St. Petersburg, and Dresden, the explanation which the King of Prussia has communicated to him. That having received His Majesty’s permission to accompany him on his campaign he was impatient to be with him. (In French). Dated Berlin, 25 September 1756. (folio 44)

115. Letter to the Earl of Holderness [Robert Darcy]. That the Prussians are still at Sedelitz and expect daily the surrender of the Saxons. The Prussians take the small Fortress of Tetzchen [Děčín]. King of Prussia writes to the Queen Mother [Sophia Dorothea]. A letter of M. de Slabrendorf [Ernst Wilhelm von Schlabrendorf ] contains an account that five Austrian regiments had been defeated by two Prussian regiments of Hussars near Augerte in Bohemia. Mr. Mitchell preparing to follow the King of Prussia. Dated Berlin, 28 September 1756. (folio 44b)

116. Letter to the Earl of Holderness [Robert Darcy]. (Secret). The Prussian ministers think that the French will not exert themselves in favour of the Empress Queen. The openness of the Russian Minister at Hamburg in declaring the intentions of his Court. Proposal for sending a British squadron to the Baltic. The King of Denmark [Frederick V] desirous to have his second son made coadjutor to the Bishop of Lübeck by way of securing to him the succession to that Bishopric. Dated Berlin, 28 September 1756. (folio 45)

117. Letter to the President Munchhausen. That the troops in the Low Country amounting to 15,000 had received orders to be in readiness, and that they would march as soon as the King of Prussia’s entry into Bohemia was certainly known. Announces the taking of Tetzchen [Děčín]. That Marshall Schwerin had prevented the junction of the armies of Moravia and Bohemia, and the five Austrian regiments had been defeated, as in Letter 115. (In French). Dated Berlin, 28 September 1756. (folio 45b)

118. Letter to the Earl of Holderness [Robert Darcy]. The King of Prussia about to visit the Camp at Aussig [Ústí nad Labem] for a few days. Dated Berlin, 2 October 1756. (folio 46)

119. Letter to Sir Charles Hanbury Williams. Canvasses the conduct of the Court of Vienna in forcing the King of Prussia to hostilities. The Court of Vienna sacrifices Saxony, to make his Prussian Majesty odious. Mr. Mitchell about to follow His Prussian Majesty to the field. Sir Charles William’s messengers are to follow Mr. Mitchell to the Camp. The Saxons hold out though surrounded. The position of the Prussian army. Dated Berlin, 2 October 1756. (folio 46b)

120. Letter to the President Munchhausen. Mr. Mitchell going to the King of Prussia. Leaves Mr. Murdoch as Chargé d’Affaires at Berlin. Dated Berlin, 2 October 1756. (folio 48)

121. Letter to the King of Prussia. With the copy of a letter from St. Petersburg. The English couriers ordered to take Berlin in their way from St. Petersburg. Mr. Mitchell unable to obtain saddle horses to follow the King of Prussia. Dated 2 October 1756. (folio 48)

122. Letter to the Earl of Holderness [Robert Darcy]. The King of Prussia sends a scrap of paper without date to the Queen Mother upon which is written with a pencil in his own hand, that his troops had beaten the Austrians a platte Couture [The Battle of Lobositz]. Particulars of the battle from other sources. The King of Prussia everywhere, but chiefly where the action was hottest. The Austrian Prince Lobowitz wounded and taken prisoner. The General Luderitz, Certs, and Quadt killed. Dated Berlin, 3 and 4 October 1756. (folio 49)

123. Letter to the President Munchhausen. A shorter letter with the same Intelligence. (In French). Dated Berlin, 4 October 1756. (folio 49)

124. Letter to the Earl of Holderness [Robert Darcy]. The King of Prussia pursuing his success. The Austrians having burnt their magazine were retiring behind the Egra. Mr. Mitchell delays his journey into Bohemia for a few days. Dated Berlin, 5 October 1756. (folio 51)

125. Letter to Sir Charles Hanbury Williams. The Particulars of the same battle. One third of the Prussian troops still at Sedelitz besieging the Saxon’s Camp. Dated Berlin, 5 October 1756. (folio 51b)

126. Letter to the King of Prussia. Congratulation upon His Majesty’s victory. Mr Mitchell preparing to go to Dresden. (In French). Dated Berlin, 5 October 1756. (folio 52)