Introduction Wilhelmine was the older sister of Friedrich. She was born in 1709 and died in 1758. She wrote her memoirs some time in the first half of the 1740s, and at least a portion of them during the time she was estranged from Friedrich. This, combined with living in Bayreuth, limited her access to source material, both written and oral.
She was closely involved in the events of 1730, but was not present at Küstrin on November 6, nor ever visited Küstrin, to my knowledge. She and Friedrich were very close, and he may have confided details of his experience to her, but either many months or even years afterward, if he did so in person, or else in a letter that she had to burn, if he did so immediately after the events. In either case, she lacked direct access to his memories when she was writing, some 15 years after the fact.
Her memoirs, from which her account of the Katte affair is taken (pp. 301-309), were very secret, and it is not believed that anyone knew she was writing them during her lifetime, or indeed, until after Bayreuth reverted to the main Hohenzollern line in 1791 and the manuscript turned up among her effects. It was not published until 1810.
Text Sekendorff entreprit aussi de sauver Katt; mais le roi resta inflexible. Son arrêt lui fut prononcé le 2 du même mois. Il l'entendit lire sans changer de couleur. Je me soumets, dit-il, aux ordres du roi et de la Providence; je vais mourir pour une belle cause et j'envisage le trépas sans frayeur, n'ayant rien à me reprocher.
[Katte writes letters to his family.] [Katte leaves writing on the window of his prison.] [Katte receives religious consolation and professes repentance.]
Le lendemain au soir, le major Schenk vint l'avertir que son supplice devoit se faire à Custrin, et que le carrosse qui devoit l'y conduire, l'attendoit. Il parut un peu étonné de cette nouvelle; mais reprenant bientôt sa tranquillité, il suivit, avec un visage riant, M. de Schenk, qui monta en carrosse avec lui, aussi bien que deux autres officiers des gendarmes. Un gros détachement de ce corps les escorta jusqu'à Custrin. M. de Schenk, qui étoit fort touché, lui dit, qu'il étoit au désespoir d'être chargé d'une si triste commission.
[Katte and Schenk talk.]
Pendant le chemin, il prit congé des deux officiers qui étoient auprès de lui, et de tous ceux qui l'escortoient. Il arriva à 9 heures du matin à Custrin, où on le mena droit à l'échafaud.
Le jour d'auparavant, le général Lepel, gouverneur de la forteresse, et le président Municho conduisirent mon frère dan un appartement qu'on lui avoit préparé exprès dans l'étage au-dessous de celui où il avoit logé. Il y trouva un lit et des meubles. Les rideaux des fenêtres étoient baissés, ce qui l'empêcha de voir d'abord ce qui se passoit au dehors. On lui apporta un habit brun tout uni, qu'on l'obligea de mettre. J'ai oublié de dire qu'on en avoit donné un pareil à Katt. Alors le général, ayant levé les rideaux, lui fit voir un échafaud tout couvert de noir, de la hauteur de la fenêtre, qu'on avoit élargie et dont on avoit ôté les grilles; après quoi, lui et Municho se retirèrent. Cette vue et l'air attéré de Munico firent croire à mon frère qu'on alloit lui prononcer sa sentence de mort; et que ces apprêts se faisoient pour lui; ce qui lui causa une violente agitation.
M. de Municho et le général Lepel entrèrent dans sa chambre le matin, un moment avant que Katt parut, et tâchèrent de le préparer le mieux qu'ils purent à cette terrible scène. On dit que rien n'égala son désespoir. Pendant ce temps, Schenk rendit le même office à Katt; il lui dit en entrant dans la forteresse: "Conservez vontre fermeté, mon cher Katt, vous allez soutenir une terrible épreuve; vous êtes à Custrin, et vous allez voir le prince royal.–Dites plutôt, lui répartit-il, que je vais avoir la plus grande consolation qu'on ait pu m'accorder." En disant cela, il monta sur l'échafaud. On obligea alors mon malheureux frère de se mettre à la fenêtre. Il voulut se jeter dehors, mais on le retint. Je vous conjure, au nom de Dieu, dit-il à ceux qui étoient à l'entour de lui, de retarder l'exécution; je veux écrire au roi que je suis prêt à renoncer à tous les droits que j'ai sur la couronne; s'il veut pardonner à Katt. M. de Municho lui ferma la bouche avec son mouchoir. Jetant les yeux sur lui: Que je suis malheureux, mon cher Katt! lui dit-il, je suis cause de votre mort; plût à Dieu que je fusse à votre place.–Ah! monseigneur, répliqua celui-ci, si j'avois mille vies, je les sacrifierois pour vous. En même temps il se mit à genoux. Un de ses domestiques voulut lui bander les yeux, mais il ne voulut pas le souffrir. Alors, élevant son âme à Dieu, il s'écria: Mon Dieu! je remets mon âme entre vos mains. A peine eut-il proféré ces paroles, que sa tête, tranchée d'un seul coup, roula à ses pieds. En tombant, le malheureux Katt étendit les bras du côté de la fenêtre où avoit été mon frère. Il n'y étoit plus; une forte foiblesse qui lui étoit survenue, avoit obligé ces messieurs de le porter sur son lit: il y resta quelques heures sans sentiment. Dès qu'il eut repris ses sens, le premier objet qui s'offrit à sa vue, fut le corps sanglant du pauvre Katt, qu'on avoit posé de façon que mon frère ne pouvoit éviter de le voir. Cet objet le jeta dans une seconde foiblesse, dont il ne revint que pour prendre une violente fièvre. M. de Municho, malgré les ordres du roi, fit fermer les rideaux de la fenêtre et envoya chercher les médecins qui le trouvèrent en grand danger. Il ne voulut rien prendre de ce qu'ils lui donnèrent. Il étoit tout hors de lui et dans de si grandes agitations, qu'il se seroit tué si on ne l'en eût empêché. On crut le remaner par la religion, et on envoya chercher un ecclésiastique pour le consoler; mais tout fut inutile, et ses violentes convulsions ne se calmèrent que lorsque ses forces furent épuisées. Les larmes succédèrent à ces terribles transports. Ce ne fut qu'avec une peine extrême qu'on lui persuada de prendre des médicines: on n'en vint à bout qu'en lui représentant qu'il causeroit encore la mort de la reine et la mienne, s'il persistoit à vouloir mourir. Il conserva, pendant long-temps, une profonde mélancolie, et fut trois fois vingt-quatre heures en grand danger. Le corps de Katt resta exposé sur l'échafaud jusqu'au coucher du soleil.
Translation Sekendorff also attempted to save Katt : but the king remained inflexible. Sentence was passed upon the unfortunate young man on the 2d of the same month. He heard it read without changing countenance. "I submit," said he, "to the orders of the king and Providence; I shall suffer for a noble cause, and I shall face death without fear, having nothing to reproach myself with."
[Katte writes letters to his family.] [Katte leaves writing on the window of his prison.] [Katte receives religious consolation and professes repentance.]
The evening after this, major Schenk came to inform him that his execution was to take place at Custrin, and that the coach, which was to convey him thither, was waiting for him. He appeared somewhat surprised at this intelligence: but soon resuming his tranquillity, he with a smiling countenance followed M. de Schenk, who got into the coach with him, besides two other officers of the horse-guards. A large detachment of the same regiment escorted them to Custrin. M. de Schenk, who was much affected, told him that he deeply lamented being entrusted with so mournful a commission. "I am commanded by his majesty," continued he, "to be present at your execution: I twice refused that fatal office. I must obey; but heaven knows what I suffer. Heaven grant that the king's mind be altered, and that I may have the satisfaction of proclaiming your pardon!'—"You are very good," replied Katt; "but I am resigned to my fate. I die for a prince whom I love, and I have the consolation to give him, by my death, the strongest proof of attachment that can be required. I do not regret the world. I am going to enjoy a felicity with out end." On the road he bade farewell to the two officers who were with him, and to the men who composed his escort. He arrived at Custrin at nine o'clock in the morning, and was taken directly to the scaffold.
The day before, general Lepel, governor of the fortress, and the president Munchow, had conducted my brother to an apartment that had been purposely prepared for him on the floor above that where he had lodged. He there found a bed and some furniture. The window-curtains were let down, which at first prevented his seeing what was going on without. A plain brown coat was brought to him, in which he was obliged to dress himself. I forgot to state that a similar coat had been given to Katt. The general, having then drawn up the curtains, pointed out to the prince a scaffold covered with black, and as high as the window, which had been widened and the bars of which had been removed. After this, both the general and Munchow retired. This sight, and the downcast look of Munchow, induced my brother to think that sentence of death was going to be passed upon him, and that these preparations regarded himself, which caused him a violent agitation.
General Lepel and president Munchow entered the prince's room in the morning a little before Katt appeared, and endeavoured to prepare the prince in the best manner they could for this horrible scene. It is said that he was in such a state of despair and grief as had never before been witnessed. In the meantime Schenk was rendering the like friendly office to Katt. On entering the fortress he said to him: "Continue firm, my dear Katt; you are going to undergo a severe trial; you are at Custrin, and you will see the prince royal." "Rather say," answered Katt. "that I am going to have the greatest consolation that could have been granted to me." With these words he ascended the scaffold. My unfortunate brother was then forced to stand at the window. He attempted to throw himself out of it; but was prevented. "I intreat you, for heaven's sake," said the prince to those who were around him, "delay the execution; those who were around him, “delay the execution; I shall inform the king that I am ready to renounce my right to the crown, if his majesty will pardon Katt." M. de Munchow stopped the prince's mouth with a handkerchief. When the prince saw Katt, he exclaimed: "How wretched I am, my dear Katt! I am the cause of your death. Would to heaven I were in your place!'—"Ah!" replied Katt, "if I had a thousand lives, I would sacrifice them all for your royal highness." At the same time he dropped on his knees. One of his servants attempted to blindfold him, but he would not suffer it, and elevating his thoughts to heaven, he ejaculated: "My God! I commit my soul into thy hands!" Scarcely had he pronounced these words, when his head, cut off at one blow, rolled at his feet. The trunk, in its fall, extended its arms towards the window where my brother had been; but he was there no longer: he had fainted away, and the gentlemen about him had laid him on his bed, where he remained senseless for some hours. When he recovered his senses, the first object that struck his eyes was the mangled corpse of poor Katt, which had been placed in such a manner that he could not avoid seeing it. This ghastly object threw him into a second swoon, which was succeeded by a violent fever. M. de Munchow, in spite of the orders of the king, let the curtains down, and sent for physicians, who found the prince in a very dangerous state. He would not take anything that was given him. His mind was so bewildered, and his agitation so great that he would have destroyed himself, had he not been prevented. Religious considerations, it was thought, would soften him; a clergyman was sent for to comfort him: but all in vain; the violent convulsions ceased only when his strength was exhausted. Tears succeeded to these dreadful agitations. It was with extreme difficulty that he was prevailed upon to take medicine. Nothing could induce him to do it, but the representation that he would also cause the queen's death and mine, if he persisted in his own destruction. A profound melancholy fastened upon him for a long time, and for three successive days his life was in imminent danger. The body of Katt remained exposed on the scaffold until sun set.
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Katte Textual Criticism: Wilhelmine (DO NOT REPLY)
Date: 2020-01-04 12:02 pm (UTC)Wilhelmine was the older sister of Friedrich. She was born in 1709 and died in 1758. She wrote her memoirs some time in the first half of the 1740s, and at least a portion of them during the time she was estranged from Friedrich. This, combined with living in Bayreuth, limited her access to source material, both written and oral.
She was closely involved in the events of 1730, but was not present at Küstrin on November 6, nor ever visited Küstrin, to my knowledge. She and Friedrich were very close, and he may have confided details of his experience to her, but either many months or even years afterward, if he did so in person, or else in a letter that she had to burn, if he did so immediately after the events. In either case, she lacked direct access to his memories when she was writing, some 15 years after the fact.
Her memoirs, from which her account of the Katte affair is taken (pp. 301-309), were very secret, and it is not believed that anyone knew she was writing them during her lifetime, or indeed, until after Bayreuth reverted to the main Hohenzollern line in 1791 and the manuscript turned up among her effects. It was not published until 1810.
I used Google Books for copies of the French original and the 1828 English translation (pp. 205-209).
Text
Sekendorff entreprit aussi de sauver Katt; mais le roi resta inflexible. Son arrêt lui fut prononcé le 2 du même mois. Il l'entendit lire sans changer de couleur. Je me soumets, dit-il, aux ordres du roi et de la Providence; je vais mourir pour une belle cause et j'envisage le trépas sans frayeur, n'ayant rien à me reprocher.
[Katte writes letters to his family.]
[Katte leaves writing on the window of his prison.]
[Katte receives religious consolation and professes repentance.]
Le lendemain au soir, le major Schenk vint l'avertir que son supplice devoit se faire à Custrin, et que le carrosse qui devoit l'y conduire, l'attendoit. Il parut un peu étonné de cette nouvelle; mais reprenant bientôt sa tranquillité, il suivit, avec un visage riant, M. de Schenk, qui monta en carrosse avec lui, aussi bien que deux autres officiers des gendarmes. Un gros détachement de ce corps les escorta jusqu'à Custrin. M. de Schenk, qui étoit fort touché, lui dit, qu'il étoit au désespoir d'être chargé d'une si triste commission.
[Katte and Schenk talk.]
Pendant le chemin, il prit congé des deux officiers qui étoient auprès de lui, et de tous ceux qui l'escortoient. Il arriva à 9 heures du matin à Custrin, où on le mena droit à l'échafaud.
Le jour d'auparavant, le général Lepel, gouverneur de la forteresse, et le président Municho conduisirent mon frère dan un appartement qu'on lui avoit préparé exprès dans l'étage au-dessous de celui où il avoit logé. Il y trouva un lit et des meubles. Les rideaux des fenêtres étoient baissés, ce qui l'empêcha de voir d'abord ce qui se passoit au dehors. On lui apporta un habit brun tout uni, qu'on l'obligea de mettre. J'ai oublié de dire qu'on en avoit donné un pareil à Katt. Alors le général, ayant levé les rideaux, lui fit voir un échafaud tout couvert de noir, de la hauteur de la fenêtre, qu'on avoit élargie et dont on avoit ôté les grilles; après quoi, lui et Municho se retirèrent. Cette vue et l'air attéré de Munico firent croire à mon frère qu'on alloit lui prononcer sa sentence de mort; et que ces apprêts se faisoient pour lui; ce qui lui causa une violente agitation.
M. de Municho et le général Lepel entrèrent dans sa chambre le matin, un moment avant que Katt parut, et tâchèrent de le préparer le mieux qu'ils purent à cette terrible scène. On dit que rien n'égala son désespoir. Pendant ce temps, Schenk rendit le même office à Katt; il lui dit en entrant dans la forteresse: "Conservez vontre fermeté, mon cher Katt, vous allez soutenir une terrible épreuve; vous êtes à Custrin, et vous allez voir le prince royal.–Dites plutôt, lui répartit-il, que je vais avoir la plus grande consolation qu'on ait pu m'accorder." En disant cela, il monta sur l'échafaud. On obligea alors mon malheureux frère de se mettre à la fenêtre. Il voulut se jeter dehors, mais on le retint. Je vous conjure, au nom de Dieu, dit-il à ceux qui étoient à l'entour de lui, de retarder l'exécution; je veux écrire au roi que je suis prêt à renoncer à tous les droits que j'ai sur la couronne; s'il veut pardonner à Katt. M. de Municho lui ferma la bouche avec son mouchoir. Jetant les yeux sur lui: Que je suis malheureux, mon cher Katt! lui dit-il, je suis cause de votre mort; plût à Dieu que je fusse à votre place.–Ah! monseigneur, répliqua celui-ci, si j'avois mille vies, je les sacrifierois pour vous. En même temps il se mit à genoux. Un de ses domestiques voulut lui bander les yeux, mais il ne voulut pas le souffrir. Alors, élevant son âme à Dieu, il s'écria: Mon Dieu! je remets mon âme entre vos mains. A peine eut-il proféré ces paroles, que sa tête, tranchée d'un seul coup, roula à ses pieds. En tombant, le malheureux Katt étendit les bras du côté de la fenêtre où avoit été mon frère. Il n'y étoit plus; une forte foiblesse qui lui étoit survenue, avoit obligé ces messieurs de le porter sur son lit: il y resta quelques heures sans sentiment. Dès qu'il eut repris ses sens, le premier objet qui s'offrit à sa vue, fut le corps sanglant du pauvre Katt, qu'on avoit posé de façon que mon frère ne pouvoit éviter de le voir. Cet objet le jeta dans une seconde foiblesse, dont il ne revint que pour prendre une violente fièvre. M. de Municho, malgré les ordres du roi, fit fermer les rideaux de la fenêtre et envoya chercher les médecins qui le trouvèrent en grand danger. Il ne voulut rien prendre de ce qu'ils lui donnèrent. Il étoit tout hors de lui et dans de si grandes agitations, qu'il se seroit tué si on ne l'en eût empêché. On crut le remaner par la religion, et on envoya chercher un ecclésiastique pour le consoler; mais tout fut inutile, et ses violentes convulsions ne se calmèrent que lorsque ses forces furent épuisées. Les larmes succédèrent à ces terribles transports. Ce ne fut qu'avec une peine extrême qu'on lui persuada de prendre des médicines: on n'en vint à bout qu'en lui représentant qu'il causeroit encore la mort de la reine et la mienne, s'il persistoit à vouloir mourir. Il conserva, pendant long-temps, une profonde mélancolie, et fut trois fois vingt-quatre heures en grand danger. Le corps de Katt resta exposé sur l'échafaud jusqu'au coucher du soleil.
Translation
Sekendorff also attempted to save Katt : but the king remained inflexible. Sentence was passed upon the unfortunate young man on the 2d of the same month. He heard it read without changing countenance. "I submit," said he, "to the orders of the king and Providence; I shall suffer for a noble cause, and I shall face death without fear, having nothing to reproach myself with."
[Katte writes letters to his family.]
[Katte leaves writing on the window of his prison.]
[Katte receives religious consolation and professes repentance.]
The evening after this, major Schenk came to inform him that his execution was to take place at Custrin, and that the coach, which was to convey him thither, was waiting for him. He appeared somewhat surprised at this intelligence: but soon resuming his tranquillity, he with a smiling countenance followed M. de Schenk, who got into the coach with him, besides two other officers of the horse-guards. A large detachment of the same regiment escorted them to Custrin. M. de Schenk, who was much affected, told him that he deeply lamented being entrusted with so mournful a commission. "I am commanded by his majesty," continued he, "to be present at your execution: I twice refused that fatal office. I must obey; but heaven knows what I suffer. Heaven grant that the king's mind be altered, and that I may have the satisfaction of proclaiming your pardon!'—"You are very good," replied Katt; "but I am resigned to my fate. I die for a prince whom I love, and I have the consolation to give him, by my death, the strongest proof of attachment that can be required. I do not regret the world. I am going to enjoy a felicity with out end." On the road he bade farewell to the two officers who were with him, and to the men who composed his escort. He arrived at Custrin at nine o'clock in the morning, and was taken directly to the scaffold.
The day before, general Lepel, governor of the fortress, and the president Munchow, had conducted my brother to an apartment that had been purposely prepared for him on the floor above that where he had lodged. He there found a bed and some furniture. The window-curtains were let down, which at first prevented his seeing what was going on without. A plain brown coat was brought to him, in which he was obliged to dress himself. I forgot to state that a similar coat had been given to Katt. The general, having then drawn up the curtains, pointed out to the prince a scaffold covered with black, and as high as the window, which had been widened and the bars of which had been removed. After this, both the general and Munchow retired. This sight, and the downcast look of Munchow, induced my brother to think that sentence of death was going to be passed upon him, and that these preparations regarded himself, which caused him a violent agitation.
General Lepel and president Munchow entered the prince's room in the morning a little before Katt appeared, and endeavoured to prepare the prince in the best manner they could for this horrible scene. It is said that he was in such a state of despair and grief as had never before been witnessed. In the meantime Schenk was rendering the like friendly office to Katt. On entering the fortress he said to him: "Continue firm, my dear Katt; you are going to undergo a severe trial; you are at Custrin, and you will see the prince royal." "Rather say," answered Katt. "that I am going to have the greatest consolation that could have been granted to me." With these words he ascended the scaffold. My unfortunate brother was then forced to stand at the window. He attempted to throw himself out of it; but was prevented. "I intreat you, for heaven's sake," said the prince to those who were around him, "delay the execution; those who were around him, “delay the execution; I shall inform the king that I am ready to renounce my right to the crown, if his majesty will pardon Katt." M. de Munchow stopped the prince's mouth with a handkerchief. When the prince saw Katt, he exclaimed: "How wretched I am, my dear Katt! I am the cause of your death. Would to heaven I were in your place!'—"Ah!" replied Katt, "if I had a thousand lives, I would sacrifice them all for your royal highness." At the same time he dropped on his knees. One of his servants attempted to blindfold him, but he would not suffer it, and elevating his thoughts to heaven, he ejaculated: "My God! I commit my soul into thy hands!" Scarcely had he pronounced these words, when his head, cut off at one blow, rolled at his feet. The trunk, in its fall, extended its arms towards the window where my brother had been; but he was there no longer: he had fainted away, and the gentlemen about him had laid him on his bed, where he remained senseless for some hours. When he recovered his senses, the first object that struck his eyes was the mangled corpse of poor Katt, which had been placed in such a manner that he could not avoid seeing it. This ghastly object threw him into a second swoon, which was succeeded by a violent fever. M. de Munchow, in spite of the orders of the king, let the curtains down, and sent for physicians, who found the prince in a very dangerous state. He would not take anything that was given him. His mind was so bewildered, and his agitation so great that he would have destroyed himself, had he not been prevented. Religious considerations, it was thought, would soften him; a clergyman was sent for to comfort him: but all in vain; the violent convulsions ceased only when his strength was exhausted. Tears succeeded to these dreadful agitations. It was with extreme difficulty that he was prevailed upon to take medicine. Nothing could induce him to do it, but the representation that he would also cause the queen's death and mine, if he persisted in his own destruction. A profound melancholy fastened upon him for a long time, and for three successive days his life was in imminent danger. The body of Katt remained exposed on the scaffold until sun set.