immediately make an attack upon Hanover.  England was anxious to secure the Austrian alliance, that the armies of the queen might aid in the protection of Hanover.  But Austria, being now in secret conference with France, was very reserved.  England coaxed and threatened, but could get no definite or satisfactory answer.  Quite enraged, the British cabinet sent a final declaration that, “should the empress decline fulfilling the conditions required, the king can not take any measures in cooeperation with Austria, and the present system of European policy must be dissolved.”

The reply of the empress queen develops the feelings of irritation and bitterness which at that time existed between the two cabinets of Austria and England.

“The queen,” Maria Theresa replied, “has never had the satisfaction of seeing England do justice to her principles.  If the army of Austria were merely the hired soldiers of England, the British cabinet could not more decisively assume the control of their movements than it now does, by requiring their removal from the center of Austria, for the defense of England and Hanover.  We are reproached with the great efforts England has made in behalf of the house of Austria.  But to these efforts England owes its present greatness.  If Austria has derived useful succors from England, she has purchased those succors with the blood and ruin of her subjects; while England has been opening to herself new sources of wealth and power.  We regret the necessity of uttering these truths in reply to unjust and unceasing reproaches.  Could any consideration diminish our gratitude towards England, it would be thus diminished by her constant endeavor to represent the aid she has furnished us as entirely gratuitous, when this aid has always been and always will be dictated by her own interests.”

Such goading as this brought back a roar.  The British envoy was ordered to demand an explicit and categorical reply to the following questions: 

1.  If the French attack Hanover, will the queen render England assistance?

2.  What number of troops will she send; and how soon will they be in motion to join the British and Hanoverian troops?

The Austrian minister, Kaunitz, evaded a reply, coldly answering, “Our ultimatum has been given.  The queen deems those declarations as ample as can be expected in the present posture of affairs; nor can she give any further reply till England shall have more fully explained her intentions.”

Thus repulsed, England turned to Prussia, and sought alliance with the most inveterate enemy of Austria.  Frederic, fearing an assault from united Russia and Austria, eagerly entered into friendly relations with England, and on the 16th of January, 1756, entered into a treaty with the cabinet of Great Britain for the defense of Hanover.