| Citation |
PP-P.772.031
13 Apr 1772:23, 31 (25)
London, Feb. 3. Extract of a letter from a Dutch merchant
at ----- to his friend in London.
At a masked ball, the King and Queen being present, Colonel
Scheffer, Colonel of the Guard, went up to the Count ------,
late physician, and then favourite Minister and told him he
was in arrest; Count Rantzaw, General, and Commander in
Chief, confirmed it, and he was instantly carried away.
Then Count Rantzaw, spoke to the King, and advised him, that
for the safety of the Queen, and to save her from the
resentment of the Guards and people, he would sign an order
for her confinement, with which request the King complied.
Rantzaw then secured the Queen, and she was conveyed away in
her masquerade habit to a castle at a distance. The King
was then conducted into an inner apartment, the masquers,
musicians, servants, &c. being kept in by the centinels, who
guarded the masquerade. Upon a signal instantly given, the
greater part of the company threw of their masquerade
dresses and appeared armed, declaring for the guards, &c.
At the same time, the burghers, sailors, and soldiers not on
duty, surrounded the house, and with loud shouts cried out
for good government, and justice against the Queen and some
others, and insisted that the King should appear. To pacify
them, Count Rantzaw brought him to the window.
. . . [several paragraphs on political strife, &c]
The Baron [Schimmelman], well assured of these transactions
went to his master, informed him, convinced him, and got his
consent, that the parties, should be secured. For this
purpose, a ball was ordered, to which all the nobility,
great officers, and servants of the Court were invited.
Here the Q. Physician, and other accused parties, were
seized in the presence of the Nobles, and properly secured.
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