connection with the officer yon Kimsky, an Austrian prisoner, because
through him I could make connections between the town and the citadel.
Kimsky, at my wish, made some of his town friends acquainted with the
officers of the citadel. It was then necessary to give these new friends
some clew, some aim that would appear innocent to them, and conceal the
real plan. I chose Trenck as the protecting shield for my undertaking.
To inspire him with confidence in my agents, I obtained a sort of
credential letter from Princess Amelia, and interested her in my cause.
She provided me with money, and gave me, besides the one to Trenck, a
letter of recommendation to a sure, trustworthy friend in Magdeburg. I
was now much nearer my design. On the pretence of working for Trenck, I
worked for myself, for my position of general of the Jesuits, and for
a fortress for my empress. And thus far all my plans have succeeded.
Trenck has formed a connection with three Prussian officers of the
citadel. These, touched with sympathy for his pitiful condition, have
determined to do all in their power to release him, and are, therefore,
in constant companionship with those whom Trenck calls his friends.
These, in the mean time, are my agents and subordinates, they act for me
while acting for Trenck; the Prussian officers do not anticipate that,
in helping Trenck to his freedom, they are helping the Empress of
Austria to a new fortress. But so it is. There is no error in my plan,
it will succeed. I can rely on Trenck; he is a subject of Maria Theresa,
and his thirst for revenge is mighty. He will gain a fortress for
his empress. The avenger, through whom God has chosen to punish this
arrogant, heretical king, will arise from the depths of a subterranean
prison. All that is now left to be done is to acquaint Vienna with
the information of this undertaking, so that we may be assured that an
Austrian regiment will be in the vicinity of Magdeburg at the proper
time, and storm the citadel at a sign from us, and not have that, which
we had taken by strategy, torn from us by the King of Prussia's superior
force. Now is a favorable time for this. For Frederick, the humiliated,
defeated king, is many miles from Magdeburg; he has been compelled to
raise the siege of Dresden, and the Austrian troops are lying there like
the Russians at Frankfort. Nor are the French far off. All these armies
will be prepared to hasten to our aid. All that now remains to be done
i