More stuff from the third Förster volume, the collection of original documents. Mildred already knows this, but Cahn does not, so: Grandpa Wartensleben's petition for mercy and FW's reply.
Your royal majesty will allow gracefully that the fear of my heart causes me to address the matter once more and to cinlude what unhappy Katte has sent me from his imprisonment. For this reason, it was that yesterday, I undertook the most daring audacity and sent a memorandum to your royal majesty in the utmost confidence thath you will mercifully listen to the pleas and pleadings of a very old man. . But because, all-gracious king and Lord, today's removal of the unhappy man makes me desolate, and little wonder that I am heartsick, so my conscience makes me throw myself again at the feet of your royal majesty with this, and my letter from yesterday, and repeat my request. I do not ask for a penalty, but only the life of the unhappy man, so that he can show repentance, so that he recognizes his mistake correctly and can feel heartfelt remorse, serene, and thus his soul can be saved.
The omnipotence God will reward your royal majesty plentiful for listening to my prayers and pleas, if you will show mercy to the old, grieving man who I am.
Your royal majesty can do this without harming Justice, of this I am sure and certain, and even if this was not so, your majesty's hands are unbound and your royal majesty remains free to show mercy. Besides, your royal majesty may consider it worthy of consideration that I have offered my body and life so often in the service of the (Holy) Roman Empire, and have been serving your royal majesty and your house faithfully and honestly, and that the father of the unhappy man has often been ready to sacrifice himself for you, and we are both ready to do so furtherly.
Therefore I live in the most humble confidence that your royal majesty will save a handful of blood which is no use to you and for which we beg you so fervently to give us, and that my grey hair will not see me fall into the grave with so much grief. Once again, I beg you, and remain in the most humble devotion,
To this, FW replied:
My dear General Field Marshal Count von Wartensleben,
I have indeed received your letter. It certainly pains me with heartfelt sorrow that misfortune struck Lieutenant of Katte so deeply, because he is so close to you. However, you know what follows such a crime, which is why I am not propelled to further explain myself than to say than that it is better for a culprit to die according to justice, than for world or the kingdom to fall into ruin. And thus I am not able to provide a pardon, because the well-being of the entire country and myself, as well as that of my family, and of the future make this necessary, which is why no one else must take responsibility; I give the order.
Since this man in puncto desertionis has conspired so far with my son, and has done all sorts of things, including conspiring with foreign envoys, to make this cause succeed, he would have deserved to be torn apart with glowing pliers. But in consideration of the Lord Field Marshal and the General Lieutenant of Katte, I have lessened the punishment to the extent that his head should be cut off to be an example and warning to others.
I remain your very affectionate King Friedrich Wilhelm. Wusterhausen, November 3rd 1730.
A Katte Related Correspondance, or: No Mercy Like Hohenzollern Mercy
Your royal majesty will allow gracefully that the fear of my heart causes me to address the matter once more and to cinlude what unhappy Katte has sent me from his imprisonment. For this reason, it was that yesterday, I undertook the most daring audacity and sent a memorandum to your royal majesty in the utmost confidence thath you will mercifully listen to the pleas and pleadings of a very old man. . But because, all-gracious king and Lord, today's removal of the unhappy man makes me desolate, and little wonder that I am heartsick, so my conscience makes me throw myself again at the feet of your royal majesty with this, and my letter from yesterday, and repeat my request. I do not ask for a penalty, but only the life of the unhappy man, so that he can show repentance, so that he recognizes his mistake correctly and can feel heartfelt remorse, serene, and thus his soul can be saved.
The omnipotence God will reward your royal majesty plentiful for listening to my prayers and pleas, if you will show mercy to the old, grieving man who I am.
Your royal majesty can do this without harming Justice, of this I am sure and certain, and even if this was not so, your majesty's hands are unbound and your royal majesty remains free to show mercy. Besides, your royal majesty may consider it worthy of consideration that I have offered my body and life so often in the service of the (Holy) Roman Empire, and have been serving your royal majesty and your house faithfully and honestly, and that the father of the unhappy man has often been ready to sacrifice himself for you, and we are both ready to do so furtherly.
Therefore I live in the most humble confidence that your royal majesty will save a handful of blood which is no use to you and for which we beg you so fervently to give us, and that my grey hair will not see me fall into the grave with so much grief. Once again, I beg you, and remain in the most humble devotion,
To this, FW replied:
My dear General Field Marshal Count von Wartensleben,
I have indeed received your letter. It certainly pains me with heartfelt sorrow that misfortune struck Lieutenant of Katte so deeply, because he is so close to you. However, you know what follows such a crime, which is why I am not propelled to further explain myself than to say than that it is better for a culprit to die according to justice, than for world or the kingdom to fall into ruin. And thus I am not able to provide a pardon, because the well-being of the entire country and myself, as well as that of my family, and of the future make this necessary, which is why no one else must take responsibility; I give the order.
Since this man in puncto desertionis has conspired so far with my son, and has done all sorts of things, including conspiring with foreign envoys, to make this cause succeed, he would have deserved to be torn apart with glowing pliers. But in consideration of the Lord Field Marshal and the General Lieutenant of Katte, I have lessened the punishment to the extent that his head should be cut off to be an example and warning to others.
I remain your very affectionate King Friedrich Wilhelm. Wusterhausen, November 3rd 1730.