From the LONDON CHRONICLE for February 4, 1772, No 2363.

Die Nachrichten von London mit gestriger Post im London Chronicle vom 6ten Februar melden folgendes:

Zufolge den Nachrichten von Kopenhagen von gestern, ist ein anderer Expresser diesen Morgen dahin abgefertiget worden. Verwichene Nacht wurden alle hier residirende Ambassadeurs und Staatsministers citiret, bey Sr. Majestät zu St. James zu erscheinen. Diesen Morgen war der Schwedische Minister, Baron Nolcken, bey dem König, und überlieferte Depechen von seinen Hofe, welche eine weit mehr deutlichere Nachricht von dem geben, was in Kopenhagen am 17ten und 18ten verwichenen Monats paßirt ist, als wir noch bisher in kurzem haben erhalten. Couriers sind an die Höfe zu Wien, Berlin, Petersburg und Stockholm abgefertiget worden. Der Englische Minister am Dänischen Hofe, Colonel Keith, hat sich bey der Revolution mit besonderem Geiste bezeiget. Es schien, daß der Senat in der ersten Hitze der Königin das Leben zu nehmen gedachte, ohne Ihre Defension zu hören oder weiteres Gericht über Sie zu halten. Sie wurde des Ehebruchs beschuldiget und daß Sie den König mit Gift habe vergeben wollen. Hierauf begab sich Colonel Keith nach dem Senat-Hause, und protestirte öffentlich wider eine solche Acte Violence, welche der Königin sollte gethan werden; er vertheidigte Ihre Unschuld, und zeigte die Unmöglichkeit einer solchen Beschuldigung gegen Sie, und kündigte ihnen die Rache an, welche die Englische Nation durch ihre Flotten u. d. gl. gegen den Senat und das Dänische Volk nehmen würde, ob sie mit einer solchen Violence gegen eine Tochter von Großbritannien und seines Königs Schwester, ausüben würden. Die Folgen wider die Königin hätten vielleicht schröcklich seyn können, wenn Herr Keith sich nicht mit einem so großen Eifer und Geist hervor gethan hätte.

Der Herzog von Cumberland wird in einer Königlichen Jacht nach Kopenhagen segeln.

Dieses ist zu haben in Altona, in der Spieringkischen, nunmehro Haberkornischen Buchdruckerey, wie auch in Hamburg bey der Frau Tramburgs im Brodschrangen.

2

From the LONDON CHRONICLE, for February 4, 1772, No. 2363.

To the PRINTER.

SIR,

THE concern and vexation, which appeared in every countenance at the report which seems to have gained full credit respecting the Consort of a Northern Potentate, are very great; but as there is reason to believe the said report is a wicked and gross falshood and imposition on the English nation, should we not suspend our judgment? We seem to have judged ex parte; and have, in this case, gone even beyond credulity, let us nave a little patience. Recollect the manner in which that Lady was educated, and that, when delivered into the hands of her husband, she was in full possession of every virtue. All the graces were in her; she nothing knew but what was good. Can it then, with any degree of reason, be concluded, that in so short a time the Lady can forget every virtuous precept, and abandon herself to infamy? My dear Countrymen, it cannot be; and until we have a certainty of guilt, believe it not, though an angel from Copenhagen should affirm it. It was but the other day we were made happy in being told of certain regulations which had taken place, and are for the advantage of the people of that kingdom, and which were wholly attributed to the counsel of that Lady. Alas! there is too much reason to fear the exalted character, justly acquired with the populace, hath produced in those of rank, envy, hatred, confusion, and ruin.

The intrigues and disputes in that Court have long existed, and the exceeding wickedness of it is universally known. The Minister who has the greatest sway there, is Well known in Germany to be a bad man; confusion is his forte; and I make no doubt it well at length appear, that the young and amiable pair owe their present misery to the diabolical intrigues of him and his associates. Peace and quietness would have ruined him long ago.

Hence the source of all their troubles; and the cause of this Minister's intrigues is, that, in the midst of confusion, he may revel in security on the spoils of others. Accept from me then, by way of voucher, the outlines of the life of this man, and amongst hundred actions, each of which deserved a halter, but which I have forgot, permit me to present you with a few of equal merit which I do remember. This extraordinary person is now a Baron, and was Treasurer to that amiable Monarch on his tour. A few years before the invasion of Saxony by the King of Prussia, this man was a Merchant's Clerk in Hamburgh, and being discharged for some offence, became very poor; but gaining the assistance of a person on whom he waited as — and whom he sufficiently duped for his kindness, he became a petty Merchant in Hamburgh, but shortly decamped a la sourdine. After some time, he appeared as an inferior Clerk either in the Court of the late Elector of Saxony, or in one of the Offices belonging to the China Manufactory, and was in a place that gave him the knowledge of the most secret repository of the most valuable effects belonging to the Court; but no sooner was Dresden,

&c. in possession of the King of Prussia’s troops but away flies this faithful servant, and, for reward of promise and favour, makes a full discovery of the said repositories, to the extreme vexation of his royal and unhappy Master.

The invalidable sets of china round therein, the King of Prussia ordered to be sold; but this artful genius privately conveyed out of every set one piece, so that the Merchants finding them incomplete, and thinking on that account to have them very low, refused at that time to purchase, being privately advised by him so to do. He immediately informs the King that the Merchants would not buy, but said he would undertake to sell them: having by his address gained the King, he was permitted, and caused many waggons to be loaded and sent away to Hamburgh, &c. at the expence of the King and the poor country people. The Nobility, Gentry, and connoisseurs, all flocked to the sales; and the stolen pieces being restored to the respective sers, an immense sum was raised. However, it afterwards appeared, that the allowance he thought proper to make to his Royal Employer was at the rate of 1 s. 9 d. per pound sterling; nor had the King, being duped by his address and seeming sincerity, the least suspicion of being cheated, until our hero’s next exploit, respecting the contract for coining of a large quantity of silver, fully opened the King's eyes: but it was then too late; he had decamped, and flown to the court of Denmark; where, taking the advantage of the then King's want of money, he advanced it, and got himself appointed Danish Resident at Hamburgh, with the title of Baron; consequently he became protected by the Senate of Hamburgh as well as by the King of Denmark. His hatred to the English is rooted, and publickly spoken of, and the disgrace lately suffered by a young and noble Count is attributed to the advice of our Baron, as the Count loved the English, and his King and Queen. Thus, my countrymen, I have endeavoured to shew, that it is more than probable that our amiable and Royal country wornan, as well as the King her husband, have fallen by the wicked art and cunning of this monster. I should also have observed, that he is most assiduous in his court to one of the Dowager Queens, whose hatred to the reigning Queen is enormous.

It is wickedly asserted, that the Monarchs illness is attributed to some medicine given him by his Physician, &c. "Hear this, O Heaven, and be astonished, O Earth!" The truth is, that you ought rather to wonder that his Majesty is now alive, than that he is afflicted with nervous or paralytic disorders. My eyes were witness to the manner and excess of his living when he was at Altena. I could say a great deal, but it does not become me. I shall only say this one thing, which is an indisputable truth: That many who then saw his Majesty concluded, from his delicate constitution, it could not hold long, and execrated our Baron for his introducing him to, and encouraging him in, the most destructive vices. Therefore, if any disorder affects the head of his Majesty, may it not be more justly attributed, either to such excess, or to the diabolical act of the Baron, than to the Queen, who was educated in the fear of God?

C. P.