, Menzel, wanted to communicate
to said Prussian Secretaries.

"Confesses having received, by degrees, since the year 1752, from the
Prussian Minister (ENVOYE) von Mahlzahn, and the Secretaries Plessmann
and Benoit, for such communications, the sum of 3,000 thalers (450
pounds) in all.

"Was led into these treasonable practices by the following circumstance:
He owed at that time 100 thalers on a Promissory Note, to a certain
Rhenitz, who then lived (HIELT SICH AUF) at Dresden, and who pressed him
much for payment. As he pleaded inability to pay, Rhenitz hinted that he
could put him into the way of getting money; and accordingly, at last,
took him to the then Prussian Secretary Hecht, at Dresden; by whom he
was at once carried to the Prussian Minister von Mahlzahn; who gave him
100 thalers (15 pounds), with the request to communicate to him, now
and then, news from the Archive of the Cabinet. For a length of time
Prisoner could not accomplish this; as the said Von Mahlzahn wanted
Pieces from the Foreign Office, and especially the Correspondence with
the two Imperial Courts of Austria and Russia. These papers were locked
in presses, which Prisoner could not get at; moreover, the Court had,
in the mean time, gone to Warsaw, Prisoner remaining at Dresden. In that
way, many months passed without his being able to communicate anything;
till, at last, about December, 1752, the Secretary Plessmann gave him
a whole bunch of keys, which were said to be sent by Privy-counsellor
Eichel of Potsdam [whom we know], to try whether any of them would
unlock the presses of the Foreign Department. But none of them would;
and Prisoner returned the keys; pointing out, however, what alterations
were required to fit the keyhole.

"And, about three weeks after this, Plessmann provided Prisoner with
another set of keys; among which one did unlock said presses. With this
key Prisoner now repeatedly opened the presses; and provided Plessmann,
whenever required,--oftenest, with Petersburg Despatches. Had also,
three years ago (1754), here in Warsaw, communicated Vienna Despatches,
three or four times, to Benoit; especially on Sundays and Thursdays,
which were slack days, nobody in the Office about noon.

"The actual first of these Communications did not take place till after
Easter-Fair, 1753; Prisoner not having, till said Fair, received the
second bunch of keys from Plessmann. Now and then he had to communicate
French Despatches. Whenever he