A Review of the Reign of George II (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1762 Excerpt: ... stipulated that Great-Britain should pay 20,000 1. as an indemnification for taking some Prussian vessels during the late war, in return for which the Prussian monarch promised to pay the Silesia loan, which he had stopt on that account. The fountain from whence this treaty flowed, was the care which the British monarch had at heart for the safety of his German dominions, and the jealously and aversion which the king of Prussia had conceived to the court of Petersburgh: the former from his fear of the French, who he foresaw would attack Hanover; and the latter who had formed a design of striking some bold stroke, from a fear of restriction and controulment, by the near situation of the Russians. Their views and interests thus chiming together, produced the above treaty; and king George had the further satisfaction of removing his suspicions of this troublesome and warlike prince, who hovered on the skirts of his electorate, at the head of 150,000 men, that could in a week over-run it j wrrtm he had reason to dread, and whose conduct was at best but precarious. There is no occasion to mention who made the first advances towards forming this treaty. The king of Prussia had an offer of the alliance of France, but he ex changed his connexions with that power for one with Great-Britain, which he knew would be of more advantage to his designs; though as to what his designs were, it is impossible to disclose, because it is believed he never imparted them to any confident or ally whatever, yet to this treaty, and that of Petersburgh, must be imputed the bloody and destructive war in the empire which succeeded. The house of Austria was always suspicious of his conduct, for during. the last war he had given distinguished proofs of his inconstancy; he had an active...