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Count Johann Anton Pergen's Memorandum to Austrian Co-Regent Joseph II on "the Value of the Imperial Crown" to the House of Austria (1766)

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Sixth, he is in a position to guide the Imperial political apparatus according to his dynastic interests. And not least:

Seventh, a Roman Emperor has in his hands the most convenient opportunity to bring the most respectable princely Imperial fiefdoms to his house with little effort or cost. That:

Eighth, he can march his troops through the empire with less cost and fewer unpleasantries than any other state in the empire, which is of great use to the Most Serene Arch-Ducal House because of the [Austrian] Netherlands. That:

Ninth, he can, with certain limitations, partly through law, partly through tradition, openly recruit soldiers in the empire, whereas other states in the empire are dependent upon the will of their fellow states. Given the current, that is greater, number of troops, the usefulness of this privilege in preventing the depopulation of one's own territories is clear to anyone.

Yes, and furthermore:

Tenth, if the correct means are used, a Roman Emperor finds it easier than others to compensate for depopulation in his lands by attracting subjects from other states. This matter appears to be of such importance that it deserves the establishment of a relevant plan. Of no less use is that:

Eleventh, a Roman Emperor receives money and men from the free Imperial knights in emergencies. Furthermore:

Twelfth, when a [tax] assessment is done, it is known what great advantages a Roman Emperor has on account of his dominion over the Imperial cities. Finally:

Thirteenth, everyone knows that the allotted Roman month tax* adds up to quite a sum, even if a part is not collected. In fact, all these advantages are entwined with the duties of the Imperial office, and, in this sense, Your Imperial Majesty, who now gloriously reigns, can also do a great deal in the empire for your Most Serene Arch-Ducal House.

However, as considerable as the uses of the Imperial crown can always be:

5to: Whether possession of the Imperial crown can be disadvantageous?



* An imperial tax, originally calculated based on the cost of sending an army to Rome for one month – trans.

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