e
last extremity. The Garrison, the Royal Family and the Treasure are
inseparable, and go always together: to this must be added the Crown
Diamonds, the Silver Plate in the Grand Apartments,--which, in such
case, as well as the Gold Plate, must be at once coined into money.

"If it happened that I were killed, the Public Affairs must go on
without the smallest alteration, or its being noticeable that they are
in other hands: and, in this case, you must hasten forward the Oaths and
Homagings, as well here as in Preussen; and, above all, in Silesia. If
I should have the fatality to be taken prisoner by the Enemy, I prohibit
all of you from paying the least regard to my person, or taking the
least heed of what I might write from my place of detention. Should such
misfortune happen me, I wish to sacrifice myself for the State; and you
must obey my Brother,--who, as well as all my Ministers and Generals,
shall answer to me with their heads, Not to offer any Province or any
Ransom for me, but to continue the War, pushing their advantages, as if
I never had existed in the world.

"I hope, and have ground to believe, that you, Count Finck, will not
need to make use of this Instruction: but in case of misfortune, I
authorize you to employ it; and, as mark that it is, after a mature and
sound deliberation, my firm and constant will, I sign it with my Hand
and confirm it with my Seal."

Or, in Friedrich's own spelling &c., so far as our possibilities
permit:--

"INSTRUCTION SECRETE POUR LE CONTE DE FINE.

"BERLIN, ce 10 de Janv. 1757.

"Dans La Situation Critique ou se trouvent nos affaires je dois Vous
donner mes Ordres pour que dans tout Les Cas Malheureux qui sont dans
la possibilite des Evenemens vous Soyez autorisse aux partis quil faut
prendre. 1)[Yes; but there follows no "2)" anywhere, such the haste!]
Sil arivoit (de quoi le Ciel preserve) qu'une de mes Armees en Saxse fut
totallement battue, oubien que Les francais chassassent Les Hanovryeins
de Leur pais et si etablissent et nous menassassent d'un Invassion
dans la Vieille Marche, ou que les Russes penetrassent par La Nouvelle
Marche, il faut Sauver la famille Royale, les principeaux Dicasteres
les Ministres et le Directoire. Si nous somes battus en Saxse du Cote
de leipssic Le Lieu Le plus propre pour Le transport de La famille et du
Tressor est a Custrin, il faut en ce Cas que la famille Royalle et touts
cidesus nomez aillent esCortez de toute La Guarnisson a