Page:The Annual Register 1758.djvu/227

 STATE PAPERS.

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11 z word it is daring to fet up and f;ive a fandlion to the pernicious maxim, " That every means is lawful to obtain one's end."

Principles and procedures fo heinous are to be attributed only to the artifices and evil counfels of corrupt minifters. To fufpeft princes themfelves of them, would be wanting 'to the refpe<ft due to them.

After the preceding f.iithful re- preientation of the king's conduit, and that of the king of England, Eiedor X/f Hanover, all Europe, and efpecialJy Germany, may ea- fily judge ot the differences of the ifltencions of tbefe two princes ; and it is hoped, that they will im- pute the blame of the coni'equen- ces of this war to thofeonly, who, in contempt of all laws and all rule-s baye again taken up arms to hinder the conclufion of it.

This is the caufeofall foyereigns, but efpecially that of the empire ; it being the bad faith of the Hano- verians which has retarded the fuc- cefs of the king's operations for reftoring the peace of Germany ; end their u^njuli and vioient pro- ceedings, bo'h to\yards the king and the Duke of BrunAvick, are a trcih breach of the public peace, and of tlae treaties of Weilphalia.

The king will omit nothing to acquit himlclf of what he owes to his dignity, injured by the outrage done him by the court of Hr.nover. As to the Germanic body, his ma- jerty will redouble his efforts for preferving it from the new dangers with which it is threatened ; and fulfil the engagements he has en- tered into both with his allies and the empire. He is perfuaded that the electors, princes, and llstes, will do jullice to the uprightnel's and generofjty of his fentinjents ;

and he with the greater confidence hopes they will fecond his meafures and operations, as, agreeable to the wifh and refolution of the dyet, they tend only to fuccour the allies of France, to maintain the Germa» nic fyftem, and to reftore order and peace in Germany. Verfailles, December the 30th, 1757.

In the appendix to the Parallel of the Condu(5c of the two Kings is the following letter (dated Nov. 27, 1757) to Prince Ferdinand from thereigningDuke of Brun- fwick his brother, whofentacopy of it to Marlhal Richelieu. It fliews that Prince Ferdinand con- tributed creatly to the jult refent- ment which had been fhewn of the French infraction of the trea- ty of Cloller-feven. It ferves, too, to difcover that duke's cha- rafter, and his high elleem of his brother Ferdinand.

SIR, I know you too well to entertain a doubt that the fituation we ere in with refpedt to each other gives you pain 5 nor can you have any doubt that it gives me concern : in- deed it afilicls me greatly. Mean while, my dearell brother, I could never have believed, that it would be you who Ihould carry away from me my eldeft fon : and how great is my mortification to find myfelf under the hard neceffity of telling you, that this ftep is contra- ry to the law of nations, and the conftitution of the empire ; and that if you perfiit in it you will difgrace your family, and bring a ftain upon your country, which you pretend to ferve. The heredi- tary prince my fon was at Ham- burgh by my order ; you have car- ried him toStade. Could he dif- P 3 truft