living ever
to speak in defence of right.

Trenck wrote his own history while he was confined in the arsenal at
Vienna; and, in the last two sheets he openly related the manner in which
he had been treated by the council of war, of which Count Loewenwalde,
his greatest enemy, was president. The count, however, found supporters
too powerful, and these sheets were torn from the book and publicly burnt
at Vienna. Defence after this became impossible: he groaned under the
grip of his adversaries.

I have given a literal copy of these sheets in the first part of this
history; and I again repeat I am able to prove the truth of what is there
asserted, by the acts, proceedings, and judicial registers which are in
my possession. He was confined in the Spielberg, because much was to be
dreaded from an injured man, whom they knew capable of the most desperate
enterprises. He died defenceless, the sacrifice of iniquity and unjust
judges. He died, and his honour remained unprotected. I am by duty his
defender: although he expired my personal enemy, the author of nearly all
the ills I have suffered. I came to the knowledge of his persecutors too
late for the unfortunate Trenck. And who are those who have divided his
spoils--who slew him that they might fatten themselves? Your titles have
been paid for from the coffers of Trenck! Yet neither can your cabals,
your wealthy protectors, your own riches, nor your credit at court,
deprive me of the right of vindicating his fame.

I have boldly written, have openly shown, that Trenck was pillaged by
you; that he served the house of Austria as a worthy man, with zeal; not
in court-martials and committees of inquiry, but fighting for his
country, sharing the soldier's glory, falling the victim of envy and
power; falling by the hands of those who are unworthy of judging merit.
He take the King of Prussia! They might as well say he took the Emperor
of Morocco.

Yes, he is dead. But should any man dare affirm that the Hungarian or
the Prussian Trenck were capable of treason, that either of them merited
punishment for having betrayed their country, he will not have long to
seek before he will be informed that he has done us both injustice. After
this preface, I shall continue my narrative on the plan I proposed.
Trenck, the father, was a miser, yet a well-meaning man. Trenck the son,
was a youthful soldier, who stood in need of money to indulge his
pleasures. Many curious prank