or still more unjustly punished. My name and injuries will ever
stain the annals of Frederic THE GREAT; even those who read this
book will perhaps suppose that I, from political motives of hope or
fear, have sometimes concealed truth by endeavouring to palliate his
conduct.

It must ever remain incomprehensible that a monarch so clear-
sighted, himself the daily witness of my demeanour, one well
acquainted with mankind, and conscious I wanted neither money,
honour, nor hope of future preferment; I say it is incomprehensible
that he should really suppose me guilty. I take God to witness, and
all those who knew me in prosperity and misfortune, I never
harboured a thought of betraying my country. How was it possible to
suspect me? I was neither madman nor idiot. In my eighteenth year
I was a cornet of the body guard, adjutant to the King, and
possessed his favour and confidence in the highest degree. His
presents to me, in one year, amounted to fifteen hundred dollars. I
kept seven horses, four men in livery; I was valued, distinguished,
and beloved by the mistress of my soul. My relations held high
offices, both civil and military; I was even fanatically devoted to
my King and country, and had nothing to wish.

That I should become thus wretched, in consequence of this
unfortunate letter, is equally wonderful: it came by the public
post. Had there been any criminal correspondence, my kinsman
certainly would not have chosen this mode of conveyance; since, it
is well known, all such letters are opened; nor could I act more
openly. My colonel read the letter I wrote; and also that which I
received, immediately after it was brought.