While matters were in this state, to the surprise of all, Frederic, King of Prussia, drew his sword, and demanded large and indefinite portions of Austria to be annexed to his territories.  Disdaining all appeal to any documentary evidence, and scorning to reply to any questionings as to his right, he demanded vast provinces, as a highwayman demands one’s purse, with the pistol at his breast.  This fiery young prince, inheriting the most magnificent army in Europe, considering its discipline and equipments, was determined to display his gallantry as a fighter, with Europe for the arena.  As he was looking about to find some suitable foe against which he could hurl his seventy-five thousand men, the defenseless yet large and opulent duchy of Silesia presented itself as a glittering prize worth the claiming by a royal highwayman.

The Austrian province of Silesia bordered a portion of Prussia.  “While treacherously professing friendship with the court of Vienna, with great secrecy and sagacity Frederic assembled a large force of his best troops in the vicinity of Berlin, and in mid-winter, when the snow lay deep upon the plains, made a sudden rush into Silesia, and, crushing at a blow all opposition, took possession of the whole duchy.  Having accomplished this feat, he still pretended great friendship for Maria Theresa, and sent an ambassador to inform her that he was afraid that some of the foreign powers, now conspiring against her, might seize the duchy, and thus wrest it from her; that he had accordingly taken it to hold it in safety; and that since it was so very important, for the tranquillity of his kingdom, that Silesia should not fall into the hands of an enemy, he hoped that Maria Theresa would allow him to retain the duchy as an indemnity for the expense he had been at in taking it.”

This most extraordinary and impertinent message was accompanied by a threat.  The ambassador of the Prussian king, a man haughty and semi-barbaric in his demeanor, gave his message in a private interview with the queen’s husband, Francis, the Duke of Lorraine.  In conclusion, the ambassador added, “No one is more firm in his resolutions than the King of Prussia.  He must and will take Silesia.  If not secured by the immediate cession of that province, his troops and money will be offered to the Duke of Bavaria.”

“Go tell your master,” the Duke of Lorraine replied with dignity, “that while he has a single soldier in Silesia, we will rather perish than enter into any discussion.  If he will evacuate the duchy, we will treat with him at Berlin.  For my part, not for the imperial crown, nor even for the whole world, will I sacrifice one inch of the queen’s lawful possessions.”