Now, regarding the fortresses in your lands, not only the well-being of your lands is dependent on them, but also your entire state. I therefore order you to keep them most secure, to improve them, to build more, and to provide them with everything necessary, as best you can, whatever it may cost. Because I will not live to experience the finished construction of the newly fortified places and fortresses, so diligently think to bring them to complete perfection. In no way have I fortified and built as I fancied, but much more for the best interest and security of myself, and that of you and your lands and subjects in the future. Pray to God sincerely that He will grant to you a long continuous and peaceful reign, because peace nourishes, and war devours. You must therefore diligently pray to the Almighty [for peace], because you will have better opportunities and time during peacetime to complete such buildings and to acquire all kinds of supplies of guns, powder, fuses, lead, cannon, saltpeter, sulphur, earthworks, and all kinds of materials, as well as provisions. These will bring me and you greater glory and honor: for me in that you will complete what I have begun and will follow my plans; for you, however, in that you follow in my footsteps and comply with my fatherly reminders, because these will certainly increase your and your land's security. [ . . . ]
Still more provisions and carting houses must be built, because having too many supplies will not harm you, and one can never have enough of them. Have the supplies of the magazines and their inventory diligently sent to you every month or quarter by the appointed officials, so that you can see what is really present, what has been consumed, what has been distributed, and what remains. However, every year a proper accounting must be rendered, and inspectors be sent to see whether everything is present, before the provisions administrators realize it. You also must not permit that the governors or commandants loan anything out without your knowledge. [ . . . ]
In electoral Brandenburg there are loyal subjects who willingly and happily will support you, you can certainly rely on their loyalty. Regarding the Duchy of [East] Prussia, it is such a distinguished duchy in power and strength such as none in the [Holy] Roman Empire. Therefore it is a valuable treasure to be esteemed and to take good care of. It is primarily to be seen that the currently desolate finances may be brought to right. During my reign this has been impossible because of the continuous wars and the totally devastating times. I nevertheless made a start, and if God lets me live longer, then I will continue further. Such a thing could happen, that the leased parcels could be redeemed again, and then that no peasants or empty farms would be given away, because your wealth in [East] Prussia primarily consists of the retention of the many farms. Therefore you do not want to give them up, because when one gives up the laying hens, then they have difficulty laying eggs. To direct the finances requires few people, because the cliché is certainly that "the more officials the more thieves." Not to mention the great upkeep, which goes on top, and through which the finances are heavily burdened:
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