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THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES

In spite of all my pains and efforts, I found it impossible to obtain the enjoyment of my inheritance. Those who had the administration of the fortune my cousin had left me, were too powerful for me to make them relinquish their hold. In the mean time, the Empress Queen gave me a company of Cavalry in the regiment of Cuirassier of Cordora. This small favour was the only mitigation of all the injuries I had suffered.

Discontented with my situation, and cursing my fate, I went to join my regiment in Hungary where I proposed to wait till fortune was tired of persecuting me.

In the month of March, 1754, I received news of the death of my mother, and asked the Board of War for six months leave of absence to go to Dantzick, in order to concert with my brother and sister the steps necessary to be taken, relative to any possessions that had been confiscated in Prussia. I obtained it: and in the month of May set off for that city, where I fell a second time into the hands of the Prussians.

The people of Vienna concerned in my cousins effects, by several base schemes, and false insinuations, endeavoured to get me again into the hands of the Prussians, that they might quietly enjoy the fortune which was justly my due.

My brothers and sister came to me as Dantzic in May. We passed a fortnight together, and shared my mother's fortune.


"The Baron's pleasures were short lived; the Magistracy of Dantzick, intimidated or bribed by the King of Prussia, whose revenge was still unsatisfied, when he was on the very eve of departing from their city arrested and surrendered him into the hands of that despot: and with{{continues|"strong"