TherealestatesofTrenckconsistedinthegreatSclavonianmanors，calledthelordshipsofPakratz，Prestowatz，andPleternitz，whichhehadinheritedfromhisfather，andwerethefamilyproperty，togetherwithVelikaandNustak，whichhehimselfhadpurchased：
theannualincomeofthesewas60，000florins，andtheycontainedmorethantwohundredvillagesandhamlets。ThelawsofHungaryrequire—
1st。Thatthosewhopurchaseestatesshallobtaintheconsensusregius（royalconsent）。
2nd。Thatthesellershallpossess，andmakeovertherightofproperty，togetherwiththatoftransferringoralienating，and3dly。Thatthepurchasershallbeanativeborn，orhaveboughthisnaturalisation。
Indefaultofall，oranyofthese，theFiscus，onthedeathofthepurchaser，takespossession，repayingthesummaemptitia，orpurchase—money，togetherwithinwhatcanbeshowntohavebeenlaidoutinimprovements，orthesummainscriptitia，thesumatwhichitstandsratedinthefiscalregister。
Withoutformornotice，theHungarianFiscalPresident，CountGrassalkowitz，tookpossessionofalltheTrenckestatesonhisdecease，inthenameoftheFiscus。Theprizewasgreat，notsomuchbecauseoftheestatesthemselves，asofthepersonalpropertyuponthem。Trenckhadsentloadsofmerchandisetohisestates，oflinen，ingotsofgoldandsilverfromBavaria，Alsatia，andSilesia。
Hehadavaststorehouseofarms，andofsaddles；alsothegreatsilverserviceoftheEmperorCharlesVII。，whichhehadbroughtfromMunich，withtheserviceofplateoftheKingofPrussia；andthepersonalpropertyontheseestateswasaffirmedconsiderablytoexceedinvaluetheestatesthemselves。
Iwasnotlongsinceinformedbyoneofthefirstgenerals，whosehonourisundoubted，thatseveralwaggonswereladenwiththesericheffectsandsenttoMihalefze。Histestimonywasindubitable；heknewthetwopandours，whoweretheconfidantsofTrenck，andthekeepersofhistreasures；andthese，duringthegeneralplunder，eachseizedabagofpearls，andfledtoTurkey，wheretheybecamewealthymerchants。Hisrichstudofhorsesweretaken，andtheverycowsdrivenoffthefarms。Hisstandofarmsconsistedofmorethanthreethousandrarepieces。Trenckhadaffirmedhehadsentlinentotheamountoffiftythousandflorins，inchestsfromDunnhausenandCersdorf，inthecountyofGlatz，tohisestates。Thepillagewasgeneral；andwhenorderscametosendallthepropertyofTrenckanddeliverittohisuniversalheir，nothingremainedthatanypersonwouldaccept。Ihavemyselfseen，inacertainHungariannobleman’shouse，somevaluablearms，whichIknewIhadbeenrobbedof！andIboughtatEssecksomesilverplatesonwhichwerethearmsofPrussia，thathadbeensoldbyCounsellorD—n，whohadbeenempoweredtotakepossessionoftheseestates，andhadthusrenderedhimselfrich。OfthisIprocuredanattestation，andprovedthetheft：IcomplainedaloudatVienna，butreceivedanorderfromthecourttobesilent，underpainofdispleasure，andalsotogonomoreintoSclavonia。TheprincipalreasonofmylossofthelandedpropertyinHungarywasmyhavingdaredtomakeinquiriesconcerningthepersonal，notoneguineaofwhichwaseverbroughttoaccount。
Ithenprovedmyrighttothefamilyestates，leftbymyuncle，beyondalldispute，andalsoofthosepurchasedbymycousin。Thecommissionsappointedtoinquireintotheserightsevenconfirmedthem；yetaftertheyhadbeenthusestablished，Ireceivedthefollowingorderfromthecourt，inthehandoftheEmpressherself：—
\"Thepresident，CountGrassalkowitz，takesituponhisconsciencethattheSclavonianestatesdonotdescendtoTrenck，innatura；hemustthereforereceivethesummaemptitiaetinscriptitia，togetherwiththemoneyhecanshowtohavebeenexpendedinimprovements。\"
CHAPTERXIV。
Andherewithendedmypleadingsandmyhopes。Ihadsacrificedmyproperty，labouredthroughsixty—threeinferiorsuits，andlostthisgreatcausewithoutatrial。Icouldhaveremainedsatisfiedwiththelossofthepersonalproperty：thebootyofasoldier，likethewealthamassedbyaminister，appearstomelittlebetterthanapublicrobbery；buttheacquirementsofmyancestors，mybirth—rightbydescent，oftheseIcouldnotbedeprivedwithoutexcessivecruelty。Ohpatience！patience！——Yetshallmychildrenneverbecomethefootmen，norgrooms，ofthosewhohaverobbedthemoftheirinheritance；andtothemIbequeathedmyrightsinalltheirpower：
norshallanymanpreventmycryingaloud，solongasjusticeshallnotbedone。
Thepresident，itistrue，didnotimmediatelypossesshimselfoftheestates，buthetookgoodcarehisfriendsshouldhavethematsuchratesthatthesaleofthemdidnotbringthefiscaltreasury150，000florins，whileI，inrealandpersonalproperty，lostamillionandahalf；nay，probablyasumequaltothisinpersonalpropertyalone。
Thesummainscriptitiaetemptitiaforallthesegreatestatesonlyamountedto149，000florins，andthiswastobepaidbythechamber，butthepresidentthoughtpropertodeduct10，000onpretencethecattlehadbeendrivenofftheestateofPakratz；and，further，36，000more，undertheshamefulpretencethatTrenck，torecruithispandours，haddrainedtheestatesof3，600vassals，whohadneverreturned；theestates，therefore，mustmakethemgoodattherateofthirtyflorinsperhead，whichwouldhaveamountedto108，000
florins；but，withmuchdifficulty，thissumwasreduced，asabovestated，to36，000florins，eachvassalreckonedattenflorinsperhead。ThuswasIobliged，fromthepropertyofmyfamily，topayfor3，600menwhohadgloriouslydiedinwar，indefenceofthecontestedrightsofthegreatMariaTheresa；whohadraisedsomanymillionsofcontributionsforherinthecountriesofherenemies；
who，swordinhand，hadstormedandtakensomanytowns，anddispersed，ortakenprisoners，somanythousandsofherfoes。Wouldthisbebelievedbylisteningnations？
Alldeductionsmadeforlegacies，fees，andformalities，thereremainedtome63，000florins，withwhichIpurchasedthelordshipofZwerbach，andIwasobligedtopay6，000florinsformynaturalisation。Thus，whenthesumsareenumeratedwhichIexpendedonthesuitsofTrenck，receivedfrommyfriendsatBerlinandPetersburg，itwillbefoundthatIcannot，atleast，havebeenagainerbyhavingbeenmadetheuniversalheiroftheimmenselyrichTrenck。WithregretIwritethesetruthsinsupportofmychildren’sclaims，thattheymaynot，inmygrave，reproachmeforhavingneglectedthedutyofafather。
Iwillmereaddafewparticularswhichmayaffordthereadermatterformeditation，causehimtocommiseratemyfate，andgiveapictureofthemannerinwhichtheprosecutionwascarriedonagainstTrenck。
OneSchygrai，asillykindofbeggarlybaron，whowastreatedasabuffoon，wasinvitedintheyear1743todinewithBaronPejaczewitz，whenTrenckhappenedtobepresent。Theconversationhappenedtoturnonakindofbrandymadeinthiscountry，andTrenckjocularlysaidheannuallydistilledthissortofbrandyfromcow—dungtothevalueofthirtythousandflorins。Schygraisupposedhimserious，andwishedtolearntheart，whichTrenckpromisedtoteachhimPejaczewitztoldhimhecouldgivehimthirtythousandloadofdung。
\"ButwhereshallIgetthewood？\"saidSchygrai。\"Iwillgiveyouthirtythousandklafters，\"answeredTrenck。Thecredulousbaron，thinkinghimselfveryfortunate，desiredwrittenpromises，whichtheygavehim；andthatofTrenckranthus：\"IherebypermitandempowerBaronSchygraitosellgratis，intheforestofTscherraHorra，thirtythousandklaftersofwood。
\"Witnessmyhand，\"TRENCK。\"
TrenckwasnosoonerdeadthantheBaronbroughthisnote，andmadeapplicationtothecourt。HisattorneywasthenotedBussy，andthecourtdecreedtheestatesofTrenckshouldpayattherateofoneformthirtykreutzersperklafter，orforty—fivethousandflorins，withallcosts，andanorderwasgiventotheadministratorstopaythemoney。
JustatthistimeIarrivedatVienna，fromPetersburg。DoctorBerger，theadvocateofTrenck，toldmetheaffairwouldadmitofnodelay。IhastenedtotheEmpress，andobtainedanordertodelaypayment。Aninquirywasinstituted，andthisforestofTscherraHorrawasfoundtobesituatedinTurkey。Theabsurdityandinjusticewereflagrant，anditwasrevoked。Icannotsayhowmuchoftheseforty—fivethousandflorinstheBaronhadpromisedtothenoblejudgeandtheattorney。Ionlyknowthatneitherofthemwaspunished。Hadnotsomeholidaysluckilyintervened，orhadtheattorneyexpectedmyarrival，themoneywouldhavebeenpaid，andanineffectualattempttoobtainretributionwouldhavebeentheconsequence，ashappenedinmanysimilarinstances。
IhavebeforementionedtheadvertisementinvitingallwhohadanydemandsorcomplaintsagainstTrencktoappear，withthepromiseofaducataday；anditismerepropertoaddthatthesumoffifteenthousandflorinswasbroughttoaccount，andpaidoutoftheestatesofTrenck。Forthisshamefulpurposesomethousandofflorinswerepaidbesidestothisspeciesofclaimantsandthough，afterexamination，theirpretensionsallprovedtobefutile，andthemselveswerecastindamages，yetwasnoneofthismoneyeverrefunded，orthefalseclaimantspunished。AmongthesethepretendeddaughterofGeneralSchwerinreceivedtwothousandflorins，notoriousaswashercharacter。Again，Trenckwasaccusedofhavingappropriatedthemoneytohisownuse，andtreatedasifconvicted。Afterhisdeathaconsiderabledemandwasaccordinglymade。Ihappening，however，tomeetwithRuckhardt，hisquarter—
master，hewithasseverationsdeclaredthat，insteadofbeingindebtedtotheregiment，theregimentwasmorethanahundredthousandflorinsindebtedtohim，advisedmetogetattestationsfromthecaptains，andassuredmehehimselfwouldgiveinaclearstatementoftheregiment’saccounts。
Ifollowedhisadvice，hastenedtotheregiment，andobtainedsomanyproofs，thatthequarter—masteroftheregiment，who，withthemajor，hadinrealitypocketedthemoney，wasimprisonedandputinirons。WhatbecameofthethieforthefalsewitnessafterwardI
knownot；Ionlyknowthatnothingwasrefunded，thatthequarter—
masterfoundprotectors，detainedthemoney，and，someyearsafterthisvileaction，purchasedacommission。Oneinstancemore。
Trenck，tothecorpsofinfantryhecommanded，addedacorpsofhussars，whichheraisedandprovidedwithhorsesandaccoutrementssoldbyauction。Mydemandonthisaccountwasupwardsofsixtythousandflorins，towhichIreceivedneithermoneynorreply。Hehadalsoexpendedahundredthousandflorinsfortheraisingandequippinghisthreethousandpandours；inconsequenceofwhichasignedagreementhadbeengivenbytheGovernmentthatthesehundredthousandflorinsshouldberepaidtohisheir，orhe，theheir，shouldreceivethecommandoftheregiment。Theregiment，however，athisdecease，wasgiventoGeneralSimschen；andasfortheagreement，carewastakenitshouldnevercomeintomyhands。Thusthesehundredthousandflorinswerelost。
YetithasbeenwickedlyaffirmedhewasimprisonedintheSpielbergforhavingembezzledtheregiment’smoney；whereas，IwouldtoGodI
onlywasinpossessionofthesumsheexpendedonthisregiment；forheconsideredtheregimentashisown；andgreataswashisavarice，stillgreaterwashisdesireoffame，andgreaterstillhisloveforhisEmpress，forwhomhewouldgladlyhaveyieldedbothpropertyandlife。
Withinrespecttothemoneythatwastohavebeenrepaidforimprovementoftheestates，Imustadd，theseestateswereboughtatatimewhenthecountryhadbeenleftdesolatebytheTurks，andthereinstalmentofsuchplacesashadfallenintotheirhands，andtheerectingoffarmhouses，mills，stockingthemwithhorses，cattle，andseedcorn，accordingtomypoorestimate，couldnotamounttolessthaneightythousandflorins；butIwasforbiddentogointoSclavonia，andthepresidentoffered，asanindemnification，fourthousandflorins。Everybodywasastonished，buthe，withintheutmostcoolness，toldmeImusteitheracceptthisornothing。Thehearersofthissentencecasttheireyesuptoheavenandpitiedme。
Iremonstrated，andtherebyonlymadethematterworse。GriefandanxietyoccasionedmetotakeajourneyintoItaly，passingthroughVenice，Rome，andFlorence。
OnmyreturntoVienna，I，byafriendlyinterferenceinbehalfofawomanwhosefearsratherthanguilthadbroughtherintodanger，becamesuspectedmyself；andtheveryofficiousofficersofthepolicehadmeimprisonedasacoinerwithouttheleastgroundsforanysuchaccusationexcepttheirownsurmises。Iwasdetainedunheardninedays，andwhen，havingbeenheard，Ihadentirelyjustifiedmyself，wasagainrestoredtoliberty；publicdeclarationwasthenmadeintheGazettethattheofficersofthepolicehadactedtooprecipitately。
Thiswasthesatisfactiongranted，butthisdidnotcontentme。I
threatenedthecounsellorbywhommycharacterhadbeensoaspersed，andtheEmpress，condescendingtomediate，bestowedonmeacaptainshipofcavalryintheCordovacuirassiers。
SuchwastherecompenseIreceivedforwoundssodeep，andsuchtheneglectintowhichIwasthrownatVienna。DiscontentledmetojoinmyregimentinHungary。
HereIgainedtheapplauseofmycolonel，CountBettoni，whohimselftoldtheEmpressI，morethananyother，hadcontributedtotheformingoftheregiment。Itmaywellbeimaginedhowamanlikeme，accustomed，asIhadbeen，tothefirstcompanyofthefirstcourts，mustpassmytimeamongtheCarpathianmountains，whereneithersocietynorgoodbooksweretobefound，norknowledge，ofwhichI
wasenamoured，improved。TheconversationofCountBettoni，andthechase，togetherwiththeloveofthegeneraloftheregiment，oldField—marshalCordova，weremyonlyresources；thepersecutions，neglect，andevencontempt，IreceivedatVienna，werestillthesame。
Intheyear1754，inthemonthofMarch，mymotherdiedinPrussia，andIrequestedthepermissionofthecourtthatheldtheinheritanceofTrenck，asafideicommissum，tomakeajourneytoDantzictosettlesomefamilyaffairswithmybrothersandsister，myestatesbeingconfiscated。Thispermissionwasgranted，andthitherIwentinMay，whereIoncemorefellintothehandsofthePrussians；whichformsthesecondgreatandstillmoregloomyepochinmylife。Allwhoreadwhatfollowswillshudder，willcommiseratehimwho，feelinghimselfinnocent，relatesafflictionshehasmiserablyencounteredandgloriouslyovercome。
IleftHungary，whereIwasingarrison，forDantzic，whereIhaddesiredmybrothersandsistertomeetmethatwemightsettleouraffairs。Myprincipalintent，however，wasajourneytoPetersburg，theretoseektheadviceandaidofmyfriends，forlawandpersecutionwerenotyetendedatVienna；andmycaptain’spayandsmallincomescarcelysufficedtodefraychargesofattorneysandcounsellors。
ItisheremostworthyofremarkthatIwastoldbyPrinceFerdinandofBrunswick，governorofMagdeburg，hehadreceivedorderstopreparemyprisonatMagdeburgbeforeIsetoutfromHungary。
Nay，more；ithadbeenwrittenfromViennatoBerlinthattheKingmustbewareofTrenck，forthathewouldbeatDantzicatthetimewhentheKingwastovisithiscampinPrussiaWhatthingmorevile，whatcontrivancemoreabominable，couldthewickedestwretchonearthfindtobanishamanhiscountry，thathemightsecurelyenjoythepropertyofwhichtheotherhadbeenrobbed？ThatthiswasdoneIhavelivingwitnessesinhishighnessPrinceFerdinandofBrunswickandtheBerlinministry，fromwhosemouthsIlearnedthisartificeofvillainy。Itisthemorenecessarytoestablishthistruth，becausenoonecancomprehendwhytheGREATFREDERICshouldhaveproceededagainstmeinamannersocruelthat，whenitcomestoberelated，mustraisetheindignationofthejust，andmoveheartsofirontocommiserate。
Mensovile，sowicked，asIhavedescribedthem，inconjunctionwithoneWeingarten，secretarytoCountPuebla，thenAustrianministeratBerlin，havebroughtonmethesemymisfortunes。
ThiswastheWeingartenwho，asisnowwellknown，betrayedallthesecretsoftheAustriancourttoFrederic，whoatlengthwasdiscoveredintheyear1756，andwho，whenthewarbrokeout，remainedintheserviceofPrussia。ThissameWeingarten，also，notonlycausedmywretchedness，butmysister’sruinanddeath，ashelikewisedidthepunishmentanddeathofthreeinnocentmen，whichwillhereafterbeshown。
ItisanincontrovertibletruththatIwasbetrayedandsoldbymeninViennawhoseinterestitwasthatIshouldbeeternallysilenced。
IwasimmediatelyvisitedbymybrothersandsisteronmyarrivalatDantzic，wherewelivedhappyineachother’scompanyduringafortnight，andanamicablepartitionwasmadeofmymother’seffects；mysisterperfectlyjustifiedherselfconcerningthemannerinwhichIwasobligedtoflyfromherhouseantheyear1746：ourpartingwaskind，andasbrotherandsisteroughttopart。
OuronlyacquaintanceinDantzicwastheAustrianresident，M。
Abramson，towhomIbroughtlettersofrecommendationfromVicuna，andwhosereceptionofuswaspoliteeventoextravagance。
ThisAbramsonwasaPrussianborn，andhadneverseenVienna，butobtainedhisthenofficebytherecommendationofCountBestuchef，withoutsecurityforhisgoodconduct，orproofofhisgoodmorals，heart，orhead。HewasincloseconnectionwiththePrussianresident，Reimer；andwasmadetheinstrumentofmyruin。
ScarcelyhadmybrothersandsisterdepartedbeforeIdeterminedtomakeavoyagebyseatoRussia。Abramsoncontrivedathousandartifices，bywhichhedetainedmeaweeklongerinDantzic，that，heinconjunctionwithReimer，mightmakethenecessarypreparations。
TheKingofPrussiahaddemandedthatthemagistratesofDantzicshoulddelivermeup；butthiscouldnotbedonewithoutoffendingtheImperialcourt，Ibeingacommissionedofficerinthatservice，withproperpassports；itwasthereforeprobablethatthisnegotiationrequiredlettersshouldpassandrepass；andforthisreasonAbramsonwasemployedtodetainmesomedayslonger，till，bythelastlettersfromBerlin，themagistratesofDantzicwereinducedtoviolatepublicsafetyandthelawsofnations。Abramson，Iconsideredasmybestfriend，andmypersonasinperfectsecurity；hehadthereforenodifficultyinpersuadingmetostay。
ThedayofsupposeddepartureonboardaSwedishshipforRigaapproached，andthedeceitfulAbramsonpromisedmetosendoneofhisservantstotheporttoknowthehour。Atfourintheafternoonhetoldmehehadhimselfspokentothecaptain，whosaidhewouldnotsailtillthenextday；addingthathe，Abramson，wouldexpectmetobreakfast，andwouldthenaccompanymetothevessel。IfeltasecretinquietudewhichmademedesirousofleavingDantzic，andimmediatelytosendallmyluggage，andtosleeponboard。Abramsonpreventedme，draggingmealmostforciblyalongwithhim，tellingmehehadmuchcompany，andthatImustabsolutelydineandsupathishouse；accordinglyIdidnotreturntomyinntillelevenatnight。
IwasbutjustinbedwhenIheardatremendousknockingatmychamberdoor，whichwasnotshut，andtwoofthecitymagistrateswithtwentygrenadiersenteredmychamber，andsurroundedmybedsosuddenlythatIhadnottimetotaketomyarmsanddefendmyself。
MythreeservantshadbeensecuredandIwastoldthatthemostworthymagistracyofDantzicwasobligedtodelivermeupasadelinquenttohismajestytheKingofPrussia。
Whatweremyfeelingsatseeingmyselfthusbetrayed！Theysilentlyconductedmetothecityprison，whereIremainedtwenty—fourhours。
AboutnoonAbramsoncametovisitme，affectedtobeinfinitelyconcernedandenraged，andaffirmedhehadstronglyprotestedagainsttheillegalityofthisproceedingtothemagistracy，asI
wasactuallyintheAustrianservice；butthattheyhadansweredhimthecourtofViennahadaffordedthemaprecedent，forthat，in1742，theyhaddonethesamebythetwosonsoftheburgomasterRutenberg，ofDantzic，andthat，therefore，theywerejustifiedinmakingreprisal；andlikewise，theydurstnotrefusethemostearnestrequestaccompaniedwiththreats，oftheKingofPrussia。
Theirpleaofretaliationoriginatedasfollows：—TherewasakindofclubatVienna，themembersofwhichwereseizedforhavingcommittedtheutmostextravaganceanddebauchery，twoofwhomwerethesonsoftheburgomasterRutenberg，andwhoweresentencedtothepillory。Greatsumswereofferedbythefathertoavoidthispublicdisgrace，butineffectually——theywerepunished，theirpunishmentwaslegal，andhadnosimilaritywhatevertomycase，norcoulditanywayjustlygivepretenceofreprisal。
Abramson，whohadinrealityenterednoprotestwhatever，butratherexcitedthemagistracy，andactedinconcertwithReimer，advisedmetoputmywritingsandothervaluableeffectsintohishands，otherwisetheywouldbeseized。HeknewIhadreceivedlettersofexchangefrommybrothersandsister，aboutseventhousandflorins，andtheseIgavehim，butkeptmyring，worthaboutfourthousand，andsomesixtyguineas，whichIhadinmypurse。Hethenembracedme，declarednothingshouldbeneglectedtoeffectmyimmediatedeliverance；thatevenhewouldraisethepopulaceforthatpurpose；
thatIcouldnotbegivenuptothePrussiansinlessthanaweek，themagistracybeingstillundeterminedinanaffairsoserious，andheleftme，sheddingabundanceofcrocodiletears，likethemostaffectionateoffriends。
Thenextnighttwomagistrates，withtheirposse，cametomyprison，attendedbyresidentReimer，aPrussianofficerandunderofficers，andintotheirhandsIwasdelivered。Thepillageinstantlybegan；
Reimertoreoffmyring，seizedmywatch，snuff—box，andallIhad，notsomuchassendingmeacoatorshirtfrommyeffects；afterwhich，theyputmeintoaclosecoachwiththreePrussians。TheDantzicguardaccompaniedthecarriagetothecitygate，thatwasopenedtoletmepass；afterwhichtheDantzicdragoonsescortedmeasfarasLauenburginPomerania。
Ihaveforgottenthedateofthismiserableday；buttothebestofmymemory，itmusthavebeeninthebeginningofJune。ThirtyPrussianhussars，commandedbyalieutenant，relievedthedragoonsatLauenburg，andthuswasIescortedfromgarrisontogarrison，tillIarrivedatBerlin。
Henceitwasevidentlyfalselyaffirmed，bythemagistracyofDantzic，andtheconspiratorAbramson，whowroteinhisownexcusetoVienna，thatmyseizuremustbeattributedwhollytomyownimprudence，andthatIhadexposedmyselftothisarrestbygoingwithoutthecitygates，whereIwastakenandcarriedoff；norwasitlessastonishingthatthecourtofViennashouldnothavedemandedsatisfactionforthetreacheryoftheDantzickerstowardanAustrianofficer。Ihaveincontrovertiblyprovedthistreachery，afterIhadregainedmylibertyAbramsonindeedtheycouldnotpunish，forduringmyimprisonmenthehadquittedtheAustrianforthePrussianservice，wherehegraduallybecamesocontemptible，thatintheyear1764，whenIwasreleasedfrommyimprisonment，hewashimselfimprisonedinthehouseofcorrection；andhiswife，latelysorich，wasobligedtobegherbread。ThushaveIgenerallylivedtoseethefallofmybetrayers；andthushaveIfoundthat，withoutindulgingpersonalrevenge，virtueandfortitudemustatlengthtriumphoverthecalumniatorandthedespot。
Thistruthwillbefurtherprovedhereafter，norcanIbehold，unmoved，theopenshameinwhichmypersecutorslive，andhowtheytrembleinmypresence，theirwickeddeedsnowbeingknowntotheworldNay，monarchsmayyetpunishtheirperfidy：—Yetnotso！——Maytheyratherdieinpossessionofwealththeyhavetornfromme！I
onlywishthepityandrespectofthevirtuousandthewise。
But，thoughAustriahasneverresentedtheaffrontcommencedonthepersonofanofficerinitsservice，stillhaveIaclaimonthecityofDantzic，whereIwasthustreacherouslydeliveredup，fortheeffectsItherewasrobbedof，theamountofwhichisbetweenelevenandtwelvethousandflorins。Thisisacasetoocleartorequireargument，andthepublicationofthishistorywillmakeitknowntotheworld。Thisclaimalso，amongothers，Ileavetothechildrenofanunfortunatefather。
Enoughofdigression；letusattendtotheremarkableeventswhichhappenedonthedismaljourneytoBerlin。Iwasescortedfromgarrisontogarrison，whichweredistantfromeachothertwo，three，oratmostfivemiles；whereverIcame，Ifoundcompassionandrespect。Thedetachmentofhussarsonlyattendedmetwodays；itconsistedoftwelvemenandanofficer，whorodewithmeinthecarriage。
ThefourthdayIarrivedat—，wheretheDukeofWirtemberg，fatherofthepresentGrandDuchessofRussia，wascommander，andwherehisregimentwasinquarters。TheDukeconversedwithme，wasmuchmoved，invitedmetodine，anddetainedmealltheday，whereIwasnottreatedasaprisoner。IsofargainedhisesteemthatIwasallowedtoremaintherethenextday；thechiefpersonsoftheplacewereassembled，andtheDuchess，whomhehadlatelymarried，testifiedeverymarkofpityandconsideration。Idinedwithhimalsoonthethirdday，afterwhichIdepartedinanopencarriage，withoutescort，attendedonlybyalieutenantofhisregiment。