* *ix? ^ event, taxed him with holding a fecret correfpondence unknown
‘ L~mJ to her j to which he returned an evafive anfwer with fuch unconcern
and ferenity, that he entirely removed her fufpicions.
Thus a boy not iixteen years of age duped veterans in court
intrigues, by pretending to be entirely friendly. to the queen-
dowager s party, and to acquiefce in the nomination- of the new
privy council, at the moment he was determined to remove
them.
It adds to the wonder of the tranfaftion, that the project
was entrufted to above ten perfons, and that not one of
them betrayed the fmalleft lymptoms which could create fuf-
picion.
Every meafure which prudence dilated was adopted on this
important occaiion. General Hut had affembled the guards in
order to force the privy council to compliance, if the members
fhould make any oppofition and the governor of the citadel
was prepared to admit the prince within the fortrefs, if affairs
had not turned out to his wilhes. Fortunately the courage and
addrefs of the prince, and the popularity of his caufe, rendered
thefe precautions unneceffary.
The prince treated with great mildnefs all thole perfons whom
he removed from their places. He conferred on the ex-minifter
Guldberg, a penfion of *5000 rix dollars, and appointed him
governor of Aarhus, a fpecies of honourable banilhment. He
nominated Steman governor of Haderlleben j at the fame time
* 1000 /,
allured
allured him, that he was convinced of the fidelity with which he c H A P.
had difcharged his office o f treafurer •, adding, that i f he could 1 *
not fufficiently reward him, he would amply provide for his
children.
The principal perfons who ailed as the prince’s confidants,
and who have fince filled the principal offices in court and Hate,
were, M. de Schach Ratlow, Count Bernfdorf, Count Shimmel-
Tnan, General Hut, and M. de Bulow, then gentleman o f bedchamber,
and now marlhal of the prince’s court.
The only foreigner who is fuppofed to have had any knowledge
of the tranfaition, Was Mr. Elliot, who had left Berlin to
come to Copenhagen in the capacity of Britilh envoy j and the
king of Great Britain was the firft foyereign to whom the prince
royal communicated his fuccefs.
V ol. III. C H A P