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ravagancies。
Count Alton spoke of me and my hard destiny to the Countess Parr； mistress of the ceremonies to the Empress…Queen。 The late Emperor entered the chamber； and asked whether I ever had any lucid intervals。 〃May it please your Majesty；〃 answered Alton； 〃he has been seven weeks in my barracks； and I never met a more reasonable man。 There is mystery in this affair； or he could not be treated as a madman。 That he is not so in anywise I pledge my honour。〃
The next day the Emperor sent Count Thurn； grand…master of the Archduke Leopold； to speak to me。 In him I found an enlightened philosopher； and a lover of his country。 To him I related how I had twice been betrayed； twice sold at Vienna； during my imprisonment； to him showed that my administrators had acted in this vile manner that I might be imprisoned for life； and they remain in possession of my effects。 We conversed for two hours； during which many things were said that prudence will not permit me to repeat。 I gained his confidence； and he continued my friend till death。 He promised me protection； and procured me an audience of the Emperor。
I spoke with freedom； the audience lasted an hour。 At length the Emperor retired into the next apartment。 I saw the tears drop from his eyes。 I fell at his feet； and wished for the presence of a Rubens or Apelles； to preserve a scene so honourable to the memory of the monarch； and paint the sensations of an innocent man； imploring the protection of a compassionate prince。 The Emperor tore himself from me； and I departed with sensations such as only those can know who； themselves being virtuous； have met with wicked men。 I returned to the barracks with joy； and an order the next day came for my release。 I went with Count Alton to the Countess Parr； and by her mediation I obtained an audience with the Empress。
I cannot describe how much she pitied my sufferings and admired my fortitude。 She told me she was informed of the artifices practised against me in Vienna； she required me to forgive my enemies； and pass all the accounts of my administrators。 〃Do not complain of anything；〃 said she； 〃but act as I desireI know allyou shall be recompensed by me； you deserve reward and repose； and these you shall enjoy。〃
I must either sign whatever was given to sign； or be sent to a madhouse。 I received orders to accompany M。 Pistrich to Counsellor Ziegler； thither I went； and the next day was obliged to sign； in their presence； the following conditions：…
FirstThat I acknowledged the will of Trenck to be valid。
SecondlyThat I renounced all claim to the Sclavonian estates； relying alone on her Majesty's favour。
ThirdlyThat I solemnly acquitted my accountants and curators。 And；
LastlyThat I would not continue in Vienna。
This I must sign； or languish in prison。
How did my blood boil while I signed！ This confidence I had in myself assured me I could obtain employment in any country of Europe； by the labours of my mind； and the recital of all my woes。 At that time I had no children； I little regretted what I had lost； or the poor portion that remained。
I determined to avoid Austria eternally。 My pride would never suffer me； by insidious arts； to approach the throne。 I knew no such mode of soliciting for justice； hence I was not a match for my enemies； hence my misfortunes。 Appeals to justice were represented as the splenetic effusions of a man never to be satisfied。 My too sensitive heart was corroded by the treatment I met at Vienna。 I； who with so much fortitude had suffered so much in the cause of Vienna； I； on whom the eyes of Germany were fixed； to behold what should be the reward of these sufferings； I was again； in this country； kept a prisoner； and delivered to those by whom I had been plundered as a man insane！
Before my intended departure to seek my fortune； I fell ill； and sickness almost brought me to the grave。 The Empress； in her great clemency； sent one of her physicians and a friar to my assistance； both of whom I was obliged to pay。
At this time I refused a major's commission； for which I was obliged to pay the fees。 Being excluded from actual service； to me the title was of little value； my rank in the army had been equal ten years before in other service。 The following words； inserted in my commission； are not unworthy of remark：… 〃Her Majesty； in consequence of my fidelity for her service； demonstrated during a long imprisonment； my endowments and virtues； had been graciously pleased to grant me； in the Imperial service； the rank of major。〃 The rank of major！From this preamble who would not have expected either the rank of general； or the restoration of my great Sclavonian estates？ I had been fifteen years a captain of cavalry； and then was I made an invalid major three…and…twenty years ago； and an invalid major I still remain！ Let all that has been related be called to mind； the manner in which I had been pillaged and betrayed； let Vienna； Dantzic； and Magdeburg he remembered； and be this my promotion remembered also！ Let it be known that the commission of major might be bought for a few thousand florins！ Thirty thousand florins only of the money I had been robbed of would have purchased a colonel's commission。 I should then have been a companion for generals。
During the thirty…six years that I have been in the service of Austria； I never had any man of rank； any great general； my enemy； except Count Grassalkowitz； and he was only my enemy because he had conceived a friendship for my estates。
My character was never calumniated； nor did any worthy man ever speak of me but with respect。 Who were； who are； my enemies？ Jesuits； monks； unprincipled advocates； wishing to become my curators； referendaries； who died despicable； or now live in houses of correction。 Such as live； live in dread of a similar end； for the Emperor Joseph is able to discover the truth。 Alas！ the truth is discovered so late； age has now nearly rendered me an invalid。 Men with hearts so base ought； indeed； to become the scavengers of society； that； terrified by their example； succeeding judges may not rack the heart of an honest man； seize on the possessions of the orphan and the widow； and expel virtue out of Austria。
I attended the levee of Prince Kaunitz。 Not personally known to him； he viewed in me a crawling insect。 I thought somewhat more proudly； my actions were upright； and so should my body be。 I quitted the apartment； and was congratulated by the mercenary Swiss porter on my good fortune of having obtained an audience！
I applied to the field…marshal； from whom I received this answer 〃If you cannot purchase； my dear Trenck； it will be impossible to admit you into service； besides； you are too old to learn our manoeuvres。〃 I was then thirty…seven。 I briefly replied； 〃Your excellency mistakes my character。 I did not come to Vienna to serve as an invalid major。 My curators have taken good care I should have no money to purchase； but had I millions； I would never obtain rank in the army by that mode。〃 I quitted the room with a shrug。 The next day I addressed a memorial to the Empress。 I did not re…demand my Sclavonian estates； I only petitioned。
FirstThat those wh