Briefwisseling en aantekeningen. Deel 1

(1934)–Willem Bentinck– rechtenstatus



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XIII. Willem Bentinck aan de gravin van Portland. [B.M., Eg. 1712]
Den Haag, 2 Dec. 1740. ......We are about a second augmentation of ten thousand men. It is not resolved yet; but things go always slowly on here, and it is well when they go at all. The King of Prussia has a body together of 16,000 foot, and 6,000 Horse, with a considerable train of Artillery, which were to march to-day or monday next: But it is not yet publick whitherGa naar voetnoot1). His bookGa naar voetnoot2) has very much irritated the Court of France against him, which no good Whig can be sorry for. If he goes on with the same judgment and prudence he has shewn hitherto, he will make a figure in Europe, which may serve for example to other Princes. He has the eyes of all Europe upon him, and is the only one that is in a condition to act immediately. We have had several accounts of Admiral Ogle's fleet having got safe from the great storm and hope we shall soon hear of some great event. It is time for people to be roused. Times of confusion make great men, and expose the folly and incapacity of others......	voetnoot1) Frederik II's oogmerk was Silezië, maar daar had Bentinck blijkbaar geen vermoeden van. De inval geschiedde nog in December. voetnoot2) L'Anti-Macchiavel, dat kort tevoren verschenen was.