Folios 90-91. Extract of a letter,Townshend from Gohrde to Newcastle. Encloses copies...

Folios 90-91. Extract of a letter,Townshend from Gohrde to Newcastle. Encloses copies of letters received from Mr. Da Bourgay giving an account of the great preparations the King of Prussia is making in order to attack, as he publicly declares, his Majesty's dominions. These advices are confirmed from all hands so that there is not the least room to doubt of these being his Prussian Majesty's present intentions. Encloses also copy of the King's letter to the King of Denmark; his instructions to Brigadier Sutton whom he has thought fit to send to Copenhagen upon this occasion; and letters to Prince William of Hesse, Lord Chesterfield and his Majesty's Plenipotentiaries in France. The measures taken by the King are all that it is in his power to do at present, but in case the King of Prussia determine to make war the King would find himself under an absolute necessity to bring over troops from England; the King therefore desires an exact account of the state of the regiments in England and of the places where they are quartered and in how much time a body of troops equal to that which was in the late King's reign to have been transported into Holland,may be put in a condition to be sent to his Majesty's assistance. In executing these orders care should be taken to avoid any general alarm in England. He cannot persuade himself that the King of Prussia, when he sees the measures the King has already taken for his defence, will venture to break with his Majesty, and Mr. Du Bourgay is of opinion that the declaration which the French Minister has made will slacken their preparations very much, however, the King of Prussia's temper and character is such, that we shall not be justified either before God or man if we do not take all necessary precautions against any wild attempts which he may possibly make.

For copy of whole letter see Regencies SP 43/80