14
and Cornet Wagnitz, who Lived with me in the same apartment. The conversation turned on the Austrian Trenk, and Isachinzki asked me if I was related to him. I answered yes, and said that he had made me his heir. He asked me what answer I had made. I told him none. On this the whole company observed that in such circumstances, I should be much in the wrong if I did not answer his letter. “Write to him,” added our commandant, “and desire him to send you some handsome Hungarian horses for chargers. Give me your letter and I will have it delivered by M. de Bossart Secretary of Legation to the Saxon Ambassador, on condition that you give me one of the horses. This correspondence is a family concern, and not an affair of state; besides I will take the whole upon me, &c.” I sat down to write immediately, in compliance with the advice of my commanding officer. I gave my letter open to Iaschinzki; he sealed it himself, and sent him away.
This letter, with the following incident, was the sole cause of all my misfortunes.
In the campaign of 1744, one of my grooms with two saddle horses was taken, as well as several others, by Trenk’s Light troops, on my return to camp, I was ordered to accompany the King who was going to reconnoitre. My horse being fatigued, his Majesty immediately made me a present of 'a beautiful English race-horse A few days after, I was astonished to see my groom come back, with my two horses and a trumpet from the enemy; who brought a note, in nearly these terms:
“The Austrian Trenk is not at war with the Prussian Trenk, his cousin. On the contrary, he is very happy to have it in his power to send him
