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The Political Testament of Frederick William I ("the Soldier King") (February 17, 1722)

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As to Halberstadt and Hohenstein, the vassals are like the Magdeburgers. You must not appoint natives to the Provincial government, but take them from other Provinces. As to the economy, it is very good, but there are still many improvements that could be made, especially in Hohenstein.

As to the salt mines and other mines in Magdeburg, the salt mines are in a good condition. My successor must set to work and find ways of improving the sales, then they will be excellent. As to the Wettin coal mines, I now draw 20,000 thalers a year from them; if you go into things there carefully you must be able to get another 10,000 a year, above the 20,000, that is sure.

As to Minden, Ravensberg, Tecklenburg, and Lingen, the vassals are stupid and opinionated, you cannot employ them much, for they are too easygoing to make good employees, but they are not so bad as the Altmarkers, for if you put on a gracious face and manner toward them they will do what you want. The domains are in good condition. Some reorganization is necessary, then you can well get another 10,000 to 20,000 thalers a year more, here and there.

As to the County and Mark of Cleves, the vassals are stupid oxen but malicious as the Devil. They are very tenacious of their privileges, but meanwhile they will do and give what my successor demands of them. As to the Provincial government, follow the same rule with them as with the Altmarkers. The people are great intrigants, and false into the bargain, and soak like beasts, that is all they know to do. If a Clevelander comes from home very young and is brought up in Berlin, he can be made into a good, sound, clever fellow, whom my successor can well use. In their private lives they are bad managers, for they consume more than their revenues produce. The domains are in right good condition, but could be improved to yield at least 40,000 thalers a year, if not more.

As to Mörs and Gelder, the Mörser are like the Clevelanders but very good Dutchmen, as the Clevelanders, too, are better Dutchmen and Emperor’s men than Prussians. The revenue from the Mörs domains could be raised by improvements from 5,000 to 6,000 thalers. As for the Gelder, the vassals are Emperor’s men through and through. My successor must keep a sharp eye on the Marquis de Honsbrug, who is a godless fellow toward his sovereign and would place himself under the allegiance of the Emperor at once if he only had a chance and is only waiting for the opportunity. As to the domains, they could well be improved. The annual revenue is 10,000 thalers. So I have been through all the Provinces and given a general idea of the chief points and have left this description to my successor, to give him a general idea of his realm.

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